Barcelona took a major step towards the LaLiga title with a 4-1 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Saturday, moving nine points clear of Real Madrid.

Ferran Torres struck twice, assisted by Lamine Yamal both times, in the first half as the hosts dominated possession.

He first scored with a header from a corner in the 10th minute and doubled the lead in the 25th, racing clear from another Yamal pass.

Espanyol pulled one back in the 56th minute when Pol Lozano fired in a rebound from just inside the box, but Yamal restored control in the 87th minute in a quick-counter, with Marcus Rashford adding a fourth from Frenkie De Jong's cross as Barca moved to 79 points with seven games left.

Second-placed Real lost ground after a 1-1 draw with Girona on Friday.

-Reporting by Fernando Kallas in Madrid, editing by Pritha Sarkar/Reuters