A huge, huge result.
They were taught a lesson at the Nou Camp last month, but Manchester City responded in some style on their home turf on Tuesday evening.
Under the cosh for most of the opening half and having gone behind to a breath-taking breakaway goal from Lionel Messi, Pep Guardiola’s side levelled through İlkay Gündoğan before turning the game on its head in the second period.
Kevin de Bruyne struck a free kick and Gündoğan doubled his tally on the night in what was an emphatic statement by City and further proof that a recent run of fairly miserable form was a blip rather than a sign of a more fundamental problem at the club.
Victory over the side he represented for most of his playing and managerial career must have been sweet for Guardiola and praise was in plentiful supply at the end of 90 minutes that leaves City well on track for the knockout stages.
FT | City 3-1 Barca
What a win! What a performance! What a game! #MCFCB pic.twitter.com/HzZ3K57ZNr
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 1, 2016
Happy to be corrected, but that looked to me like the most comprehensive win for a PL team against Barcelona since….well, for a while.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) November 1, 2016
WATCH: "They were like a team possessed." Niall Quinn on Man City beating Barcelona: https://t.co/XtEQSNfhJy https://t.co/Q9cwuppvha
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) November 1, 2016
Special performance from @ManCity tonight. The former Barça boss has out Barça'd Barça.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) November 1, 2016
Fraudiola, eh? #sarcasm
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) November 1, 2016
Change of positions of KDB & Silva just before the equaliser & going 442, pressing & playing CA has changed this game. One dimensional Pep!!
— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) November 1, 2016
As good as Barca where 1st half, City have been 2nd. Deserve the lead.
— 👑 Joey Barton 👑 (@Joey7Barton) November 1, 2016
Famous night for #mcfc. 3-1 winners. Players leave to a standing ovation. Brilliant performance from 35 mins on. pic.twitter.com/Z5HvR0O36m
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) November 1, 2016
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
