A stoppage-time Lionel Messi penalty snatched all three points for Barcelona as they climbed to the top of LaLiga with a dramatic 3-2 win over Valencia.

Barcelona 2 Valencia 3

Valencia are set to be without winger Pablo Piatti for the next two months after he broke his arm during training this morning.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola claimed his side deserved to be closer to Real Madrid than the current 10-point gap to the Primera Division leaders but vowed his team would not give up their title without a fight after last night’s 5-1 thrashing of Valencia.

Four goals from Lionel Messi put third-placed Valencia to the sword on a night when Barcelona could have scored a dozen but for the efforts of visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves.

ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS’ recall of Frank Lampard was totally vindicated — but the Chelsea manager’s decision to substitute him backfired spectacularly as Valencia snatched a draw in last night’s Champions League clash at the Mestalla.

Valencia 1 Chelsea 1