Barcelona welcomed Valencia to the Camp Nou on Saturday knowing that victory would move them three points clear at the top of the La Liga table.
The home side led early on through Alexis Sanchez, but Dani Parejo levelled in the latter stages of the half.
Valencia were ahead in the early stages of the second through Pablo Piatti, but Lionel Messi then levelled from the penalty spot in a stunning start to the half.
Valencia were not finished as they regained the lead through Paco Alcacer just before the hour mark and that proved to be decisive as they picked up a famous three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.31pmAfternoon all! Our La Liga coverage for the day opens from the Camp Nou as Barcelona welcome Valencia. The home side know that victory would move them three points clear at the top of the table, but the visitors are still hopeful of securing a European position. As it stands, they are two points off the top eight.
2.34pmTEAMS:
BARCELONA: Valdes; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Fabregas; Sanchez, Messi, Pedro
VALENCIA: Alves; Barragan, R. Costa, Mathieu, Bernat; Romeu, Fuego; Feghouli, Parejo, Piatti; Alcacer
2.37pmSo there we have it. Still no Neymar for Barcelona, while Andres Iniesta is named on the bench. That means a start in central midfield for Cesc Fabregas, with Alexis Sanchez and Pedro supporting Lionel Messi. Valencia, meanwhile, select Paco Alcacer as their lone striker. Pablo Piatti and Oriol Romeu also start in attacking XI for the visitors, but new signing Vargas and Brazilian Jonas are on the bench.
2.40pmIn terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won four of the last five matches, including a 3-2 win at the Mestalla earlier this season. However, as mentioned, the last time the pair met in this stadium was in September 2012, when Barcelona were 1-0 winners. In the previous campaign, the home side recorded a 5-1 win.
2.43pmAs it stands, Barcelona top the table with 54 points. Atletico Madrid are second on goal difference, while Real Madrid sit third on 53 points. The fact that Barca have won 17 of their 21 matches and sit just one point clear is an indication of the battle for the title. Victory is imperative for Gerardo Martino’s side with their direct opponents both playing tomorrow.
2.46pmBarcelona’s home form this season has been quite stunning. They have won each of their 10 league games at the Camp Nou, scoring 34 times in the process and conceding just six. On the road, they have also been impressive with seven wins, losing just once in the process. They have only failed to win once at the Camp Nou in all competitions this season.
2.49pmBarcelona have scored 57 goals in their 21 matches, with Alexis Sanchez their leading scorer with 12 goals. Only Real Madrid have scored more (60) at this stage of the season. Valencia, meanwhile, have netted 28 times. Down the other end, Barcelona have the best defensive record with 13 conceded, while Valencia have conceded 33 times.
2.52pmValencia enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Espanyol at the weekend, with that result leaving them in 10th position in the table. They are just two points off the top eight, but just six points from the bottom three. The top four is beyond them, but they will be keen to secure a spot in the Europa League.
2.55pmValencia have struggled on their travels, however, with just two wins from 10 games. They have won five times at the Mestalla, but have lost four times in the process. It hasn’t quite happened this season, but they certainly have the squad to compete at the right end of the table. However, this is not exactly the ideal place to come for points.
2.58pmPREDICTION: In short, I cannot see anything other than a comfortable Barcelona win this afternoon. The Catalan outfit have been sensational on their own patch this season, while Valencia have struggled on their travels. My score prediction is 3-0 Barcelona on this mild afternoon at the Camp Nou.
1 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. The home side get the first 45 minutes underway in Catalonia. Let's hope for an entertaining contest.
2 minNot a full house inside the stadium this afternoon - far from it in fact - but there is a strong atmosphere. The home supporters are expecting their side to rack up another three points. As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of moments with Valencia retreating into a defensive shape.
4 minFirst sign of Alves as an attacking threat as the Barcelona right-back delivers a deep cross into the box, but Alves is on hand to collect under pressure from Pedro. Utter domination from the hosts as they continue to pass and probe outside the Valencia box. Piatti does have the chance to deliver into the Barcelona area moments later, but Valdes punches clear.
6 minCHANCE! The first real chance of the match falls to Barcelona as Messi collects a loose ball outside the box, but his effort is blocked by his own teammate Sanchez, who was in an offside position. The one-way traffic continues with six minutes on the clock as Barragan fells Pedro down the left.
7 minGOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Valencia (Sanchez)
8 minWell, that did not take long! Sanchez sends Barcelona into the lead inside seven minutes as he chips a Messi cross into the top corner. Wonderful finish from the Chilean, who is Barcelona's leading scorer in the league this season.
11 minJust a reminder that there is no Keita or Senderos in the Valencia squad, with both arriving too late to be registered for this match. Barcelona continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but Mathieu and Costa take it in turns to clear the danger. Valencia must keep it tight for the next five minutes or so.
13 minCHANCE! Another opportunity for the home side as Fabregas finds the run of Messi with a through pass, but Costa is across with a fine challenge at the vital moment. Valencia just cannot keep the ball at the moment as Barragan is forced to concede another corner. It looks ominous at the moment to be truthful.
15 minFirst half-chance for the visitors as Bernat spins on the edge of the box, but his effort is palmed clear by Valdes. It almost falls for Alcacer, but Pique is on hand to clear. Valencia just need to settle and attempt to put some passes together in the Barca half.
17 minJust a reminder that victory for the home side would move them three points clear at the top of the table. Both Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid are in action tomorrow. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with the away side certainly more compact in defensive areas. It remains 1-0 after 17 minutes.
20 minHalf-chance for Barcelona as Busquets combines with Messi before curling one towards the top corner, but it just moves high of the crossbar. Valencia break down the other end with Piatti moments later, but Alba is across to clear the danger at the vital moment as the intensity continues to rise in the middle of the park.
22 minCHANCE! Another wonderful chance for the home side as Xavi finds the run of Alves down the right, but the Brazilian can only slice his effort wide of the post. Another goal for Barcelona at this stage of proceedings might just secure all the points.
23 minCHANCE! Oh my word what a save! Sanchez comes within a whisker of his second as the Chilean meets a cross from Pedro, but Alves is on hand to make a stunning save from close range. Moments later, Messi has an effort deflected over the crossbar by Mathieu.
25 minCHANCE! Valencia just cannot get out their own half at the moment. Messi is next to try his luck from inside the box, but once more Alves is down to make a fine save. It is Barcelona versus Alves at the moment. Little over 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
27 minIt is almost like a training exercise for Barcelona as they pass and probe outside the Valencia box. Even Busquets is getting in on the act as he strikes one from 20 yards, but Costa makes the block. Little threat from Valencia, meanwhile, with Alcacer isolated in the final third.
30 minAnother half-chance comes and goes for the home side as Pedro attempts to find Messi inside the box, but Barragan is on hand to clear the danger. Valencia enjoy a spell of possession down the other end moments later, but it quickly comes to an end, before Messi has a low effort deflected wide by Mathieu in an end-to-end period of the match.
32 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments with Valencia managing to stem the flow of pressure. In truth, Barcelona should be out of sight at this stage of proceedings. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining at the Camp Nou.
34 minSlightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments with Barcelona guilty of losing the ball in the final third. Meanwhile, that has been the case for Valencia in the opening 34 minutes. Messi attempts to combine with Fabregas on the edge of the area moments later, but Mathieu is across to clear.
36 minA rare attack for Valencia almost brings some joy as Piatti chases a through pass from Romeu, but Valdes is out to collect at the vital moment. Moments before, Alcacer had been denied on the edge of the area by Pique. Barcelona have certainly dropped their intensity in the last few moments as the first period enters its latter stages.
39 minCHANCE! Valencia's best chance of the match arrives five minutes before the interval as Mathieu capitalises on some poor goalkeeping from Valdes, but the Frenchman can only poke wide of the post. Much better from the away side in the last 10 minutes or so.
41 minEnd-to-end football in the last few moments with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. Meanwhile, the referee has been called into action to deal with a number of late challenges. Slightly scrappy end to the first half at the Camp Nou.
43 minGood pressure from Barcelona in the latter stages of the first period as Alves twice delivers dangerous crosses into the box, but neither Messi nor Sanchez can make contact. It remains 1-0 as the first period enters its latter stages.
44 minGOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Valencia (Parejo)
45 minWow! Valencia level in the latter stages of the first period as Feghouli drives into the box before squaring to Parejo, who taps home from close range. They are worth the equaliser.
45+1 minHALF TIME: Barcelona 1-1 Valencia
3.49pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Barcelona led after seven minutes through Sanchez, but Valencia levelled moments before the interval when Parejo turned home from close range. It is delicately poised ahead of the second period.
3.54pmSTATISTICS: Barcelona have dominated the possession with 70%, while they have had 15 attempts to Valencia's four. In truth, the home side should be out of sight at this stage of proceedings. Just the one yellow card, meanwhile, awarded to the Valencia scorer Parejo.
3.59pmBENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Tello, Iniesta and Roberto. Meanwhile, Valencia have the likes of new signing Vargas and Brazilian forward Jonas in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
46 minHere we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Barcelona would be one point clear at the top of the table. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway at the Camp Nou...
There are 66,969 spectators at the Camp Nou this afternoon. #FCBlive
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) February 1, 201448 minNo changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I expect changes will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Can Valencia pick up what would be a famous result at the Camp Nou? Early free kick for Valencia in the Barca half as Pique is penalised for handball.
48 minGOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Valencia (Piatti)
49 minWow! Valencia take the lead in the Camp Nou as Piatti rises inside the box before lifting his header over Valdes from close range. The smallest man on the pitch has scored with a header.
51 minHalf-chance for Messi on the counter attack as the Argentine meets a low cross from Pedro inside the box, but Mathieu is on hand to block at the vital moment. Valencia continue to show confidence on the ball as they break down the other end, but this time Pique clears Barragan's cross.
53 minPENALTY TO BARCELONA!
54 minBarcelona are awarded a penalty as Costa is adjudged to have handled inside the box. For me, that is harsh.
54 minGOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Valencia (Messi, pen)
55 minOf course Messi buries his effort in the top corner. That is his first La Liga goal in four months! Game on at the Camp Nou! What a start to the second period.
57 minThe referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments with a number of late challenges arriving in the middle of the park. Valencia continue to impress in possession, meanwhile, with little over 30 minutes of action remaining.
59 minHalf-chance for the home side as Sanchez finds some space down the right before drilling a low cross into the box, but Messi cannot make contact under pressure from Costa. Valencia break down the other end with Piatti, but his cross is into the arms of Valdes. End-to-end football at the Camp Nou.
59 minGOAL! Barcelona 2-3 Valencia (Alcacer)
60 minValencia regain the lead just before the hour mark as Alcacer whips a wonderful effort into the top corner following a fine cross from Feghouli. This match takes another turn.
63 minNot too many teams score three times at the Camp Nou, but Valencia have managed that against the best defence in La Liga. The home side have dominated possession in the last couple of moments, but another chance comes and goes when Fabregas slips at the vital moment.
65 minThe home supporters are doing their best to raise their side, but Valencia are making it difficult for Barcelona to put together some pressure in the final third. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid will both be watching this and hoping that Valencia can hold on.
67 minBarcelona make their first change of the match as Iniesta enters the field in place of Xavi, who has struggled to influence proceedings this afternoon. Still no movement on the Valencia bench with little over 20 minutes remaining. You just get the feeling that there are a couple more goals in this match.
70 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, but Barcelona remain in control of the possession. This would be a massive set-back for the home side there is no question about that. However, they still have more than 20 minutes to turn this one around.
72 minCHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Alba delivers a dangerous cross into the Valencia box, but Messi cannot make contact under pressure from Fuego. Barcelona continue to press with Messi, but Barragan fells the Argentine some 40 yards from goal.
74 minAnother half-chance for the home side as Fabregas drives into the Valencia box, but Mathieu makes a last-ditch challenge. Down the other end, Valdes is forced to tip a Piatti cross wide of his post. End-to-end football at the Camp Nou with Valencia looking to score their fourth.
76 minValencia make their first change of the match and it is a debut for Vargas, who replaces Albacer for the final 15 minutes or so. Can Barcelona turn this one around? It would be a famous result for Valencia and dent the home side's title challenge.
78 minRED CARD: Alba (Barcelona)
Alba is sent from the field after picking up a second yellow for a late challenge on Barragan.
Time is running out for the home side and in truth, they are creating very little. That said, you just get the feeling that chances will arrive in the latter stages. Barcelona look to their bench for the second time as Tello replaces Fabregas. Make no mistake about it, Valencia are worth their lead here.
81 minHalf-chance for Valencia as Mascherano fells Piatti and picks up a yellow card for his troubles. The resulting free kick is taken by Piatti, but Pique clears over his own crossbar. More nervy moments for the home side in their own box.
83 minCHANCE! Alves comes close to levelling for Barcelona as he strikes one from outside the box, but it just whistles wide of the post. The home side just cannot get Messi on the ball at the moment with little over five minutes of the 90 remaining.
85 minThe referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as the challenges continue to arrive in the middle of the park. Valencia continue to threaten with a series of crosses into the box, but Barcelona clear the danger.
87 minThe final ball continues to go array for Barcelona as Valencia clear the danger on each occasion. The away side look to their bench once more moments later as Piatti is replaced by Fede, who will provide plenty of pace in the latter stages.
90 minThe fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and still Valencia are comfortable. They have a half-chance on the counter as Fede delivers a low cross into the box, but Alba manages to clear.
90+3 minCHANCE! Oh my word what a chance! Messi dances into the Valencia box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but he somehow rolls his effort wide of the post. That sums up Barcelona's afternoon at the Camp Nou. Valencia are almost there.
90+4 minValencia make their third and final change as Michel replaces Parejo for the final minute of this match. This result would send shockwaves throughout La Liga there is no question about that.
90+5 minFULL TIME: Barcelona 2-3 Valencia
4.53pmValencia have done it. A quite incredible result as Valencia beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again later for more La Liga football.
