Spanish giants Barcelona kept its title hope alive with a 1-0 narrow win in the city derby against Espanyol at home in the Spanish league on Wednesday, sealing their rivals to relegation from the top flight in nearly three decades.

The win at Camp Nou eventually helped the second-placed Catalan club remain in close to Real Madrid.

Luiz Suarez scored the decisive goal in the 56^th minute, lashing a loose ball into the net in the second half to move Barcelona within a point of leader Real Madrid and send Espanyol to the second division after 26 straight seasons.

The game changed drastically in the second half in the very first five minutes as both Barcelona and Espanyol were reduced to 10 players. The goal came shortly after a frantic start.

Barcelona forward Ansu Fati was sent off after a reckless foul on Fernando Caleroin the 51^st but Espanyol advantage lasted only three minutes as Pol Lozano was dismissed after a tough tackle on Gerard Pique in the 54^th, also following a VAR review.

Barcelona, a two-time defending champion chasing a third consecutive title, are standing on 76 points after 35 games. Real Madrid is top with 77 points after 34 games.