A wonderful hat trick from Thiery Henry put Barcelona firmly in the driving seat, away at bottom of the table Levante, today. The first goal came after a vicious shot from Messi was brilliantly saved by the Levante keeper, with the lose ball falling nicely for Henry to guide into the net. The brilliant Messi slid the ball through the Levante defence for Henry to make it 2-0. His third a well hit shot from the edge of the box gave Barca a 3-0 lead.

Messi and Henry have developed an almost instant understanding,and the passing and movement of both was excellent to watch. It was fitting then that Messi should score the fourth goal, in his typical opportunist style, beating the defender and curling an impossible shot into goal.

Levante to their credit, never gave up the fight and halfway through the second half Viqueira, scored from the penalty spot. Sadly this had the perverse effect of ending any further threat of danger from the Levante side, who seemed more than satisfied with the consolation goal.