Player ratings as Lewandowski silences critics with match-winning hat-trick

Robert Lewandowski's timely hat-trick helped Barcelona come from behind to beat ten-man Valencia 4-2 on Monday night.

Looking to leapfrog Girona into the second half, Barca took the lead midway through the first half, but a keeper and a penalty made the visitors 2-1 up at half-time.

However, Giorgi Mamadashvili's red card changed the game and two poaching efforts and a free-kick from Lewandowski, whose future has dominated the headlines in Catalonia for the past few weeks, went to Xavi's side.

How the game happened

Barca's title hopes have been in tatters at the start of the campaign, with Xavi's side needing a win on Monday night to move into second place after Girona's win on Saturday.

However, the sloppy hosts conceded two excellent chances before coming up with the opener themselves. Hugo Duro forced a save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen from Peter Gonzalez's through ball before the youngster headed in Mamardashvili's goal, but he managed to tip his shot wide to concede Barca.

Instead, the Catalan giants went ahead as some good link-up play between Joao Cancelo and Raphinha saw the Brazilian whip in a devilish ball for Fermin Lopez to concede.

But the joy of progressing was short-lived for the hosts as a great clanger from Ter Stegen gave Valencia the lead. The promising striker should have been collected by the Germany international, but instead he bowled a chip that allowed Duro to collect the ball and roll the equalizer into an empty net.

It got worse after the visitors were awarded a penalty from another long ball forward. Peter clashed with Ronald Araujo, allowing Pepelu to shoot on the spot.

Needing a response, Barca went close as Cancelo's goal was headed in by Mamardashvili before Araujo headed home. Despite trailing at the break, their cause was given a boost when Georgian goalkeeper Mamardashvili caught the ball outside the area for Lamine Yamal to round him and score.

That dismissal was well and truly the turning point as Barca equalized shortly after. Lewandowski's future has been the subject of much debate in recent weeks but he served as a reminder of his abilities by netting a second-half treble.

Ilkay Gundogan got his seventh La Liga assist of the campaign as his corner was met by the Polish striker, who headed into the far corner.

Substitute Jaume Domenech was on hand to deny Jules Kounde's effort from distance and another header from Lewandowski, but Valencia tired of missing a player and were again held back by a set piece.

Another corner caused panic in the area and Domenech flicked under the crossbar, seeing the ball loop to Lewandowski who had little option but to nod and put Barca back in front.

There was plenty of time for Lewandowski to complete his hat-trick with a stunning free-kick, taking his tally to 16 La Liga goals this season and moving Barca back into second place behind Real Madrid.

GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 4/10 – He struck badly to help Valencia get back into the game. Unnecessarily weird stuff from the keeper.

RB: Jules Kounde – 7/10 – Not a very defensive game but the Frenchman had more touches (136) than any other player and was always looking to play the ball forward.

CB: Ronald Araujo – 6/10 – Received a penalty for a ridiculous sliding challenge in the area. It proved a threat in the opposition, however, and troubled Valencia's defense throughout the set.

CB: Pau Cubarsi – 5/10 – A poorly timed reducer saw a child booked. It was withdrawn at half-time.

LB: Joao Cancelo – 6/10 – Given the slight woes of Valencia right-back Peter, he often struggles to match his opposite number for pace.

DM: Andreas Christensen – 5/10 – Couldn't get much of a grip on the game and went out after the first 45 minutes.

CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 8/10 – Was full of determination and enterprise, creating five chances including some interesting deliveries from sets.

CM: Fermin Lopez – 7/10 – He got into the box to nod Barca's first ball and did his best to try to dislodge the visiting midfielder.

RW: Lamine Yamal – 7/10 – He slipped past defenders with incredible ease and was constantly fed by his teammates.

ST: Robert Lewandowski – 9/10 – He answered his critics in the best possible way; terms, terms and more terms. Did the penalty area striker Barca need on the eve of finishing things off with a dream free-kick.

LW: Raphinha – 6/10 – Excellent cross from Lopez, but another of his deliveries failed to reach its target. Still, he may have felt bad about his early withdrawal.

What you are holding

SUB: Inigo Martinez (46' for Cubarsi) – 6/10

SUB: Sergi Roberto (46' for Christensen) – 5/10

SUB: Joao Felix (66' for Raphinha) – 5/10

SUB: Pedri (73' for Lopez) – 6/10

SUB: Ferran Torres (80' for Cancelo) – N/A

Subs used: Inaki Pena, Marcos Alonso, Oriol Romeu, Vitor Roque, Marc Casado, Diego Kochen, Hector Fort.

The manager

Xavi – 6/10 – Barca looked uninspired in parts but some of the mistakes made that allowed Valencia to get back into contention cannot be laid at Xavi's feet. You will be happy with the outcome but not the chaotic sequence of events involved.

Best player: Robert Lewandowski (Barcelona)

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