Fabregas strikes as Barca prevail

CESC FABREGAS scored a brilliant volley to keep Barcelona’s non-stop victory parade going with a UEFA Super Cup triumph over Porto last night.

Substitute Fabregas took Lionel Messi’s pass on his chest before rifling home to spark scenes of wild celebration from his team-mates.

It means two trophies in 10 days for the former Arsenal man – who won just the FA Cup and a Charity Shield in all his years with the Gunners — with the European champions already having the Spanish Super Cup in the bag this season and thanks to Fabregas and Messi’s first-half goal, they added the UEFA trophy to their cabinet.

However, for the first half hour it was Porto who enjoyed the better of it. Xavi had seen a 25-yard shot tipped over before Messi’s goal came six minutes before half-time when Fredy Guarin ruined all his side’s good work with an awful attempted backpass. Messi had been slow to get back and he could hardly believe his luck when the ball landed at his feet, and he strolled around Porto keeper Helton for a simple finish.

Fabregas was given 10 minutes to shine by Pep Guardiola, coming on for Pedro, and Porto’s hopes were all but extinguished when Rolando was given his marching orders for hauling down Messi and earning a second bookable offence.

Then came Fabregas’ moment, Messi’s clip over the defence, the former Arsenal skipper controlling the ball on his chest and then volleying high into the roof of net.

Guarin ended a miserable night for him personally with a straight red for a lunge on Javier Mascherano.

BARCELONA: Valdes, Adriano (Busquets 63),Abidal,Dani Alves,Xavi, Iniesta,Mascherano,Keita,Villa (Sanchez 60),Pedro (Fabregas 80), Messi.

FC PORTO: Helton,Otamendi,Fucile,Sapunaru,Rolando, Souza (Fernando 77),Guarin,Joao Moutinho, Cristian Rodriguez (Varela 68),Kleber (Belluschi 77),Hulk.

Ref: Bjorn Kuipers (Oldenzaal).