Lionel Messi scores three as Barcelona smash Pep Guardiola, Man City 4-0
BARCELONA, Spain -- Three quick thoughts from Barca's 4-0 rout of Manchester City in Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Camp Nou.
1. Messi downs Pep again as Barca go five points clear
There were no favours for old friends at Camp Nou on Wednesday. At least not on Barcelona's behalf, anyway. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, on the other hand, were the makers of their own downfall as a Lionel Messi hat trick and a goal from Neymar (who also missed a penalty) gave a flattering gloss to a 4-0 win that had at times threatened to be an even affair.
It's the second time Guardiola has returned to Barca since leaving in 2012 and it was the second time he's been humbled by his former pupil, Messi. The Argentine scored two against the Catalan's Bayern side and his hat trick here took him to six goals in just two Champions League games this season. Luis Enrique's men now have a five-point cushion at the top of their group with three games to play.