Luis Suarez strikes twice as Barcelona sink Manchester City

Luis Suarez showed the Premier League just what it's been missing with a devastating double that gave Barcelona a 2-1 lead over 10-man Manchester City in the first-leg of their last-16 tie at the Etihad Stadium.

The former Liverpool star moved to the Nou Camp in the summer and gave a timely reminder of his talents with a pair of clinical finishes that leave Manuel Pellegrini's side's hopes of making the last eight hanging by a thread.

The Uruguayan's first was a sizzling reaction shot after his flick-on deflected back to him off Vincent Kompany while his second was a poacher's finish inside the six-yard box following lovely build-up play between Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba.

Dani Alves then clipped the bar with an audacious effort and Joe Hart brilliantly thwarted both Suarez and Messi as the visitors completely bossed the first half.

City desperately needed a response and improved after the break with Edin Dzeko heading a gilt-edged opportunity straight at Marc-Andre ter Stegen before Sergio Aguero drilled inches wide.

The hosts' Argentine hitman wasn't to be denied though and lifted a wonderful effort into the net from David Silva's delightful flick to give the Citizens hope.

But it all-but evaporated soon after when Gael Clichy received a second yellow for a foul on Alves leaving Barca to see out what was looking like a nervy finale with a man advantage.

Messi could have added icing to the Catalans' cake but saw a late penalty saved by Hart as City kept their slim chances of pulling off a shock turnaround alive.

PRE-MATCH: Man City adopt a bold, attacking 4-4-2 system with Edin Dzeko partnering Sergio Aguero up top. January signing, Wilfried Bony is on the bench while ex-Barcelona midfielder Yaya Toure is out as he completes a three-match ban. Barcelona include the mercurial trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez in their line-up. The latter makes his first appearance in England since leaving Liverpool last summer.

16' - GOAL! MAN CITY 0-1 BARCELONA. He's back with a bang! Barcelona snatch the lead courtesy of Luis Suarez who sizzles a shot into the far corner after his attempted flick-on fell back to him off Kompany.

26-' - BARCELONA CHANCE. Neymar slips a lovely pass through for Suarez who goes one-on-one with Hart but sees his low attempt brilliantly blocked by the City keeper.

30' - GOAL! MAN CITY 0-2 BARCELONA. It's Suarez at the double! Alba marauds down the left and drills a low cross into the six-yard box that Suarez diverts in off the far post. Lovely run by Messi to free Alba in the build up there too.

44-' - OFF THE BAR! Another wonderful counter sees Alves burst free from the right and clip a delicate chip onto the top of Hart's bar with the keeper stranded. Unlucky.

45+1' - MAN CITY CHANCE. Nasri flashes in a drive that is well saved by Ter Stegen who gets down to his left to tip it past the post.

50' - HUGE MISS! Silva's corner is flicked on by Kompany at the near post for Dzeko who has all day to pick his spot with a free header from eight yards, but he plants his effort straight into the arms of Ter Stegen.

54' - CLOSE! Aguero seizes upon Silva's pass and dances beyond two before firing a low 25-yard effort just wide of the far post.

69' - GOAL! MAN CITY 1-2 BARCELONA. Aguero pulls one back for City! The Argentine steps clear of a last-ditch challenge to lift the ball over the keeper after a lovely lay off from Silva. Game on?

74' - RED CARD! Disaster for City as Clichy gets his second yellow for a poor tackle on Alves.

90+3' - PENALTY SAVED! Hart keeps City alive with a smart save to keep out Messi's spot kick who then heads the rebound wide. It could have been curtains after the Argentine was handed the chance to seal victory when he was bundled over by Zabaleta.

Manchester City have only kept one clean sheet in 14 home Champions League games (2-0 v Bayern Munich, December 2011).

Luis Suárez (9 goals, 12 assists) has been involved in 21 goals in his first 23 Barcelona games (all competitions).

16 of Barcelona’s 17 goals in the Champions League this season have been scored from open play.

Luis Suarez has netted 4 goals in his last 2 games against Joe Hart (2 in CL tonight and 2 for Uruguay vs England in WC 2014).

Suarez has netted 2 for Barcelona in 1 game against Man City after bagging 1 in 6 for Liverpool against them

Aguero has scored 11 goals in his last 10 Champions League games.

Agüero scored the 200th goal against Barcelona in the CL. Only Real have conceded more CL goals (224).

Barcelona have won their last five Champions League games, only Real Madrid are currently on a longer run (9 wins).

Barcelona have won more CL matches (114) than Man City have played in all European competitions (99th match today).

Barca's front three are a joy to behold. The media's focus on Barca's problems both on and off the field in the lead up to this one was much-publicised but they answered their critics with an exhilarating first-half display. The names of Messi, Neymar and Suarez simply roll off the tongue and as they continue to develop their relationship as a forward triumvirate the signs are ominous for the rest of Europe. When they gel they are almost unstoppable - but Aguero and City's second half display means the Citizens still have some, slim hope of turning this tie around, particularly as their talismanic midfielder Yaya Toure returns from suspension at the Nou Camp.

Luis Suarez (Barcelona) - Lionel Messi pulled the strings, but goals win matches and Suarez was the matchwinner, providing two exquisite finishes to mark his return to England in typical, headline-grabbing style.

MAN CITY: Hart 8, Zabaleta 5, Kompany 5, Demichelis 5, Clichy 3, Fernando 5, Milner 6, Nasri 6, Silva 6, Dzeko 6, Aguero 7. Subs: Fernandinho 5, Bony 5, Sagna 5

BARCELONA: Ter Stegen 6; Alves 7, Mascherano 7, Piqué 7, Alba 7, Busquets 6, Rakitic 7, Iniesta 7, Suarez 8, Neymar 8, Messi 7. Subs: Mathieu 5, Adriano 6, Pedro 6.