With Lukaku out injured, the Geese turned to Martial up front and he repaid Ancelotti’s faith with a tidy finish midway through te first half. But this impressive Farcelona side were given a shot in the arm by Guardiola’s team talk, Suarez levelling it almost immediately. The visitors grew in stature as the game went on and got their reward when De Gea was slow to intercept a corner, allowing Paredes to thump home a header. This was a gutsy win for the Farce, who worked hard to repel a desperate late push from their pink-clad foes and could have had more if it weren’t for some solid De Gea saves.

By Hank McWallaby