The champions' challenge was reignited last weekend with a 4-3 Clasico win over Real Madrid and although they did steal a slender win at Cornella-El Prat, Espanyol represented stern opposition until a late red card.
Cornella-El Prat played host to a lively encounter in the first half as both sides wasted numerous chances, with Neymar missing the best in the 19th minute as be blasted over from point-blank range.
Espanyol's hopes of a late fight-back were all but vanquished in the 83rd minute as goalkeeper Kiko Casilla received a red card for handling outside the area, and Barcelona held on comfortably to reach 75 points.
Gerardo Martino compared Espanyol to title rivals Atletico Madrid in the build-up and he subsequently refused to rest a host of key players, despite facing Diego Simeone's men in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
The home side did their best of living up to that praise early on as former Barca attacker Sergio Garcia fired narrowly wide from 20 yards, but Jose Manuel Pinto – deputising for the injured Victor Valdes – never looked overly worried.
Barcelona grew into the encounter and went close twice in quick succession just before the 20th minute; Lionel Messi first heading onto the roof of the goal, before Neymar skewed over from five yards after the Argentina star's cross.
Although the hosts were dominating possession, Espanyol looked threatening on the break.
Pizzi exploited space in the Barcelona defence when on the counter-attack 21 minutes in, but he blazed over after bursting into the area.
Martino's men ended the first half under pressure, but Neymar almost produced a moment to celebrate as he poked agonisingly wide of the right-hand post after collecting Jordi Alba's throughball.
