Messimeric win for Barcelona

Madrid, October 30

Lionel Messi made it clear he is fit and back to his scintillating best by tearing apart Real Valladolid on Tuesday in a thumping 5-1 victory for Barcelona.

Messi scored another spell-binding free-kick at Camp Nou after his sumptuous pass had already teed up Arturo Vidal for Barca's second. He then drove home his second late on before sliding through Luis Suarez to make it five. Yet in truth his two goals and two assists were just the start of it, the defining moments of another mesmeric all-round performance that was dotted with flicks, passes and dribbles, not to mention two humiliating nutmegs.

"I don't know what more I can say," said Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde. 

With Messi in this sort of mood, the result never felt in doubt as victory sent Barcelona back to the top of La Liga, after Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Alaves a couple of hours before.

Inter sink Brescia 2-1

Milan: A stunning strike by Romelu Lukaku gave Inter Milan a 2-1 win at Brescia on Tuesday although they had to cling on for three points in the face of heavy pressure from the promoted side. 

The win took Inter back to the top of Serie A, at least for 24 hours until Juventus, who are two points behind, host Genoa on Wednesday. Inter also maintained a 100 percent away record with five wins out of five.

Man City stroll past Saints

London: Sergio Aguero scored twice as Manchester City's much-changed side strolled to a 3-1 League Cup fourth round win on Tuesday over Southampton.

Nicolas Otamendi nodded in Bernardo Silva's dinked cross after 20 minutes and fellow Argentine Aguero added the second in the 38th. He struck again in the 56th with the softest of touches after Riyad Mahrez's 30-metre shot hit a defender and looped into his path. — Agencies