Man City make statement of intent with demolition of Barcelona

MANCHESTER CITY managed what new manager Pep Guardiola had suggested might well be ‘impossible’ and not only kept Lionel Messi in check but overwhelmed a Barcelona side regarded as one of the best in history.

Coming from behind to defeat their Champions League bogeyman at the fifth asking, City’s 3-1 home victory came courtesy of a stellar performance and two goals from Ilkay Gundogan and a Kevin De Bruyne free kick.

The fearsome front trio of Messi, Neymar and Suarez had their moments but were largely toothless as City dominated the second half and secured the defining victory the oil money from the Middle East had craved for years.

After four games City now lie on 7 points, two behind Barcelona, while Borussia Mönchengladbach and Celtic seem destined to duke it out for  a third placed spot after Brendan Rodger’s men took an essential point in Germany.

Arsenal eased into the last 16 for the 17th year running with a last minute victory over Ludogorets and were joined by Atletico Madrid, PSG and Bayern Munich.