We begin in Europe where in the UEFA Champions League Manchester City welcomed Barcelona to the Etihad Stadium. Two-weeks ago at the Nou Camp a Lionel Messi hat-trick helped Barca to a 4-0 win in the reverse fixture but a rejuvenated Citizen's side would be able to put in a much stronger performance here to make their manager, Pep Guardiola, the happier of the two bosses against his old side.
Players of Manchester City celebrate after scoring during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Manchester City and Barcelona at Etihad Stadium in Manchester, Britain, on Nov. 1, 2016. Manchester City won 3-1. (Xinhua/Han Yan)
The visitors take the lead in the 21st minute. A swift counter-attack ends with Neymar playing in Lionel Messi who finishes into the bottom corner. Perfectly timed pass from the Brazilian to set up his team-mate for his 90th Champions League goal.
But 18 minutes later its all square. David Silva pounces on Sergi Roberto's misplaced pass to play in Raheem Sterling and the England international is able to lay in on a plate for Ilkay Gundogan to tap in.
6 minutes after the break the homeside go in front when Kevin De Bryune rifles a free-kick into the top corner past Marc-Andre ter Stegen. Fantastic effort from the Belgian who continues to impress this season.
The Catalans then miss a glorious opportunity to get back on level terms. Luis Suarez sets up Andre Gomez but the Portuguese can only find the bar.
And City make them pay. 16 minutes before the end a re-called Sergio Aguero gets to the by-line and his cross eventually finds its way to Gundogan to score from 6 yards. 3-1 is how it finishes.
"Of course now they realise 'wow we won against the best team so we are able to do that'. For the new players that come in the future they will realise 'wow these guys were able to beat the best team and I have to do it again'. That is the process, especially in the Champions League.That is the process. It's not like Mansour comes here and the chairman now we are going to create one of the best teams in Europe. You need 10 years, 15 years, 20 years to stay there. Now we are going to try to reduce that time, to live nights for the Manchester City fans like today." said Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola.
Also in group A, PSG defeated 10 man Basel 2-1 while Arsenal came from two-down to beat Ludogorets 3-2. Besiktas and Napoli ended 1-1, while Benfica overcame Dynamo Kiev 1-0 in group B. Two Antoine Griezman goals gave Atletico Madrid a 2-1 win over Rostov and Robert's Lewandowski's brace helped Bayern Munich defeat PSV Endinoven 2-1 in group D.
