Thierry Henry scored a superb hattrick to send Barcelona to the top of La Liga tonight. French superstar Henry had been waiting patiently for his first goal in La Liga since his £16m summer move from Arsenal and he grabbed three in the game against Levante.

Henry broke his duck on 17 minutes sliding the ball home after Lionel Messi's initial shot was saved.

The second arrived seven minutes later when the Frenchman raced on to a brilliant pass from Messi and produced a trademark side-footed finish.

Henry capped a fine game with his third after 48 minutes before Messi scored two minutes later and the Argentine now tops the scoring charts with five goals.

It was Barcelona's first away win of the season and on this evidence there will be many more as bottom side Levante were pulverised by the marauding runs of Messi and Henry.