Lionel Messi struck a brilliant second half hat-trick to give Barcelona victory over Valencia at the Nou Camp and ensure Pep Guardiola’s side finish the night at least level on points with Real Madrid at the top of the table.
Following an evenly-disputed first period in which Valencia gave as good as they got, Messi took centre stage with a spectacular treble.
The winger beat three Valencia players to give Barca the lead after 56 minutes, before adding two more fine efforts in the closing stages – both set up by substitute Thierry Henry – after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men following the sending-off of Hedwiges Maduro.
Both teams were missing their star strikers for this match.
Barca’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic was out through suspension, while Valencia’s David Villa failed to recover from a shoulder injury in time.