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There are only a handful of players on the planet who can consistently alter games with their combination of vision, creativity and passing technique, but it should come as no surprise that they all ply their trade at Europe’s most feared attacking sides: Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, Barcelona’s Lionel Messi and Ivan Rakitic, PSG’s Neymar and Marco Verratti, Bayern Munich’s Thiago Alcantara and James Rodriguez. 

Manchester City returned to the top of the Premier League table with an emphatic 6-1 win over Southampton on Sunday, including a three-goal barrage in the match’s opening 18 minutes. Raheem Sterling scored a brace, Sergio Aguero reached the landmark of 150 EPL goals, David Silva laced a fine volley and Leroy Sane forced a Wesley Hoedt own goal before getting on the scoresheet himself to complete the rout.  

Given the tightness at the top, it’s also worth noting that City took its goal differential to +28 with the scoreline — by far the best in the division.

It’s been 11 days since Lionel Messi broke his right arm against Sevilla during Barcelona’s 4-2 LaLiga victory, an injury that ruled the Argentine star out for three weeks.