Barcelona received a dose of their own medicine as Pep Guardiola managed to beat the ‘demons’ he created for the first time as Manchester City boss.
The Citizens recovered from a 4-0 humiliation at the Nou Camp to thrash the Catalans 3-1 at the Etihad on Tuesday.
Lionel Messi who notched three goals a fortnight ago put the away side in front with a brilliantly initiated counter in the 21st minute.
The move, started by Messi at the half-way line, was finished by the Argentine himself when he picked up a precise pass into the box from Neymar and finished with aplomb.
However, two Ilkay Gundogan goals either side of a spectacular Kevin De Bruyne free-kick meant Barcelona lost their 100% Champions League record for the season with a surprise loss in Manchester.
The result also meant the Citizens recorded their first victory over the Spanish giants in five attempts and thus becomes the first English side to score three goals against Barca in over 15 years.
3 – An English side has scored 3+ goals in a CL group stage game against Barca for the 1st time since 98/99 (v Man United). Historic
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) November 1, 2016
As expected, fans trooped to Twitter to hail the remarkable landmark feat accomplished by Guardiola’s lads and also aimed jibes at the visitors.
Here’s how they reacted.
Man City break the Barcelona spell and slay the Catalan dragon at last | @_PaulHayward https://t.co/bJBb5cBYsF #MCFCB
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) November 2, 2016
Gundogan: £21 million
5 Goals
3 Assists
0 Dabs
1 HaircutPogba: £90 million
1 Goal
0 Assists
2 Dabs
6 Haircuts pic.twitter.com/HpzwYrLGZH— Football Funnys (@FootballFunnys) November 1, 2016
Teamwork makes the dream work! ?? Good night from #Manchester! ? #MCFCB #CmonCity #UCL @ManCity @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/Dcsho1pFXf
— Ilkay Gündogan (@Guendogan8) November 1, 2016
Take it biting Suarez, Take it Pep haters, Take it all those red cards against Barca! Take it, Take it, Take it ?? #MCFCB
— Walter Smith (@mancitysmith) November 1, 2016
When you’re good, you are good. Guardiola is good, no doubt about that. #MCFCB
— ThankGod Ukachukwu (@tksilicon) November 2, 2016
This is the time to be proud of being a @ManCity fan. #MCFCB #MCFC
— Kenny Jameson (@kenny_jameson) November 2, 2016
Pep Guardiola: Still the master. pic.twitter.com/cQQCFtOhcW
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 1, 2016
1 – Kevin De Bruyne is the 1st player to score a direct free-kick goal against Barcelona in #UCL since Juninho Pernambucano in 2009. Music.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 1, 2016
So after three months work and without Messi, is it also possible to play Pep’s way? The answer is going to be very clear this season…
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) November 1, 2016
Tonight, Manchester City fans have discovered a bit of what makes Guardiola special: It’s not winning, but how you do it.
Congratulations.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) November 1, 2016
The tempo, the pressing, the physicality combined with the passion has possibly made this one of our finest performances.
The #PepEffect
— City Chief ️ (@City_Chief) November 1, 2016
When you beat a Barcelona team containing Messi, Suarez and Neymar…https://t.co/TxJLtEJhNK
— BigSport (@BigSportGB) November 1, 2016
Every year Barcelona loses a new layer of paint. Essence getting lost and too much depends on the top three. Often Messi covers the cracks
— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) November 1, 2016
Teamwork makes the dream work! ?? Good night from #Manchester! ? #MCFCB #CmonCity #UCL @ManCity @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/Dcsho1pFXf
— Ilkay Gündogan (@Guendogan8) November 1, 2016
Take it biting Suarez, Take it Pep haters, Take it all those red cards against Barca! Take it, Take it, Take it ?? #MCFCB
— Walter Smith (@mancitysmith) November 1, 2016
