Sociedad look to test Sergio Asenjo as Ruben Pardo swings a boot at a ball that deflects into his path. His effort takes a touch off a home player and goes behind but Sociedad are unable to make anything of the corner. It is not much but in the context of this tight game it counts as a decent chance.

John McEnerney:, external Canales is the key man for Moyes if he stays injury free, a top talent blighted by injury La Liga's very own Darren Anderton.

Bruno gives Sociedad some respite by sliding in to foul David Zurutuza. It gives the away side their first chance to move out of their own half for five or so minutes. They make nothing of it, though, as an ambitious ball from left to right is poorly-executed and cut out.

Villarreal are enjoying a good spell of pressure now after Sociedad's bright opening. The game is played largely in the away side's half and it is requiring some agricultural defending to clear. Vietto looks to make amends for his earlier miss but his square ball on the edge of the box is cut out and hammered away.

Best chance of the game so far goes to the home side, in what is their first real attack. The Sociedad defence makes a hash of a long ball forward, which is flicked on to Luciano Vietto, but instead of chipping the keeper (the only obstacle between him and the goal) he goes for power and blazes his effort way over the bar. It is an ugly finish.

Carlos Vela is in the wars here. He is hacked down again 30-odd yards from goal. It gives Sociedad another chance to swing in a free-kick, which they do but to little effect as the ball floats harmlessly over everyone and out to the far side for Villarreal to clear.

Moyes' side have started well here. A lovely forward pass releases Carlos Vela again and he is able to dig out a cross from the byline, but is unable to find a team-mate as Victor Ruiz's head makes the clearance.

Carlos Vela is in full flight down the right until he is floored by a cynical tackle. It gives Sociedad a free-kick, which Sergio Canales tries to cheekily swing inside the near post, but he misjudges it and puts it a few yards past the post.

Image source, EPA

It has been a pretty good start by David Moyes to his managerial redemption, with Sociedad unbeaten in three and yet to score a goal under his guidance. This is a big test tonight, though. Villarreal are a tough side on home turf and are eight points and seven places above Moyes' men in La Liga. Not much to report on the pitch yet in these early stages.

Villarreal: Asenjo, Gaspar, Costa, Ruiz, Paulista, Bruno, Dos Santos, Cheryshev, Trigueros, Uche, Vietto.

Real Sociedad: Zubikarai, Ansotegi, De La Bella, C. Martinez, I. Martinez, Prieto, Granero, Zurutuza, Pardo, Vela, Canales

Hello folks. Sorry to rush but we've no time to waste. We are under way in El Madrigal as David Moyes looks to preserve his unbeaten start to life with Real Sociedad. Here are your teams...

Lionel Messi and David Moyes are rarely uttered in the same breath - until now. We're switching from Messi's exploits to Moyes' reign at Real Sociedad, who are aiming to extend their La Liga unbeaten run under the Scot to three games.

And we're making a tactical switch of our own. Here's my team-mate Phil Dawkes to talk you through the action from El Madrigal.

So, thanks to Messi's treble, Barcelona earn the almost-expected bragging rights against poor relations Espanyol.

More importantly, it moves Luis Enrique's men back up into second place. They are two points adrift of Real Madrid and the emphatic nature of the victory closes, perhaps importantly, the goal difference gap on their arch rivals.

For 45 minutes, Barcelona looked poor. They lacked urgency, were devoid of attacking ideas, and had little defensive organisation. Then, Lionel Messi produced a moment of quality to nick a barely-deserved equaliser and they didn't look back.

All over in the Nou Camp! Espanyol's players breath a huge sigh of relief as they are put out of their Messi-induced misery.

The Barcelona legend cracks into a wry smile as he applauds his adoring Nou Camp public.

Image source, Reuters

Neymar is desperate to put his name on the scoresheet - like your Sunday League team's centre-half when you're winning 9-1 against a bare XI. He shuffles along the edge of the Espanyol area, but sees his shot blocked.

Two minutes of stoppage time. Espanyol wish there wasn't any.

Image source, Getty Images

OptaJose:, external Lionel Messi has scored his last nine goals for Barcelona from just 12 shots on target (all competitions).

Time for a sixth? The home fans certainly hope so as they bay for another goal. Barca surge forward again, but Espanyol scramble back to crowd out and dispossess Neymar in the danger zone.

Warning to Espanyol - you are one of three La Liga teams that Lionel Messi has scored four goals against. And the Spanish top-flight's record scorer looks hungrier than a prowling fox for another.