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Xavi has revealed his admiration for Matt Le Tissier, saying that his whole house was "obsessed" with the Southampton legend when he was growing up in Spain.
The former Barcelona man Xavi, who now plays for Al Sadd SC in Qatar, has revealed that Le Tissier, who stayed at Southampton for all of his career, was a childhood hero of his because of his "sickening" goals.
"In Catalonia there used to be a half-hour programme every Monday where they'd show the best goals from the Premier League," the 36-year-old said.
"Every week, Matt Le Tissier would be on the show. I'm talking outrageous, sickening goals.
Matt Le Tissier fires in a goal against Manchester United (Getty) (Getty Images) "Straight in the top corner, left-foot flick and then right over a defender and score against Newcastle.
Show all 22 El Clasico ratings Claudio Bravo – 6 out of 10 Appeared jittery early on when his team-mates were largely keeping Real away from his goal and ultimately could keep the visitors out once the game’s momentum swung the other way.
El Clasico ratings Dani Alves – 5 out of 10 Lost Cristiano Ronaldo at the far post in the closing stages, allowing the Portuguese forward to take his time and place his finish for the winner.
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El Clasico ratings Gerard Pique – 7 out of 10 His fiercely powerful header which broke Real’s resolve was matched by an largely authoritative display but he sold himself short when attempting to meet the cross which led to Benzema’s equaliser.
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El Clasico ratings Javier Mascherano – 5 out of 10 Looked at risk of emulating his Madrid defensive counterparts and letting things get too heated. One of his poorer nights.
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El Clasico ratings Jordi Alba – 6 out of 10 Provided the direct running that his side needed but was suspect at the back. Lucky to see Bale’s goal disallowed after losing a fair aerial duel to the winger.
2016 Getty Images
El Clasico ratings Sergio Busquets – 6 out of 10 Defensively sound but failed to knit together the play and set his side’s attacking play in motion.
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El Clasico ratings Ivan Rakitic – 8 out of 10 His side’s stand-out performer. At the centre of things in the few moments that Barcelona looked like at their best. Perhaps should have scored from the edge of the box in the first half.
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El Clasico ratings Andres Iniesta – 5 out of 10 Captaining the side, tonight demanded that he grab the game by the scruff of the neck. He didn’t.
El Clasico ratings Lionel Messi – 5 out of 10 A real disappointment. Struggled to exert any influence on the game, save for odd moments where he typically conjured the odd half-chance out of nothing.
El Clasico ratings Luis Suarez – 5 out of 10 Inexplicably missed an early chance under next to no pressure at the far post and it seemed to affect him for the rest of the evening.
El Clasico ratings Neymar – 6 out of 10 The liveliest of Barça’s front three early on but faded as the game progressed, gradually becoming the home side’s forgotten man on the night.
El Clasico ratings Keylor Navas - 7 out of 10 A number of routine yet important saves kept his side in the contest while Barcelona dominated.
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El Clasico ratings Dani Carvajal – 6 out of 10 Won the right-back berth off Danilo and provided the solidity that his head coach was looking for in that position.
El Clasico ratings Sergio Ramos – 4 out of 10 An early yellow card suggested he was going to have one of his more erratic evenings and so it proved. He should’ve been sent off in the first half, then once more again early in the second and when he eventually was, it was the stupidest foul of the lot.
El Clasico ratings Pepe – 5 out of 10 A typically boisterous display but allowed his temper to get the better of him at times. Will be disappointed with how easily Pique escaped him for the first goal.
El Clasico ratings Marcelo – 7 out of 10 Forced the equaliser with an excellent, courageous run inside before squaring the ball out wide.
El Clasico ratings Toni Kroos – 5 out of 10 His assist for Benzema’s equaliser aside, this was yet another occasion which seemed to pass the Germany international by somewhat.
El Clasico ratings Luka Modric – 6 out of 10 Manfully attempted to put the shackles on Andres Iniesta and even had some moderate success but defensive responsibilities limited his impact.
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El Clasico ratings Casemiro – 8 out of 10 Brought into the side to offer protection in midfield and the Brazilian did exactly that, marshalling the middle of the park with class.
El Clasico ratings Gareth Bale – 8 out of 10 Used space intelligently and caused the most problems to Barça’s backline, despite being the member of Real’s front three with the most defensive duties. Unlucky to have a goal ruled out but his assist for the winner was brilliant.
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El Clasico ratings Karim Benzema – 6 out of 10 A rusty display, lacking in any kind of fluidity, full of mis-steps and poor running – up until the goal, that is. A spectacular finish that made up for the dross he’d served up earlier.
El Clasico ratings Cristiano Ronaldo – 7 out of 10 The Portuguese forward showed his ability in flashes but those moments were few and far between until his winning goal, which he took with remarkable composure.
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"We used to say: 'This guy, Le Tissier, is outrageous and he never goes to a big team. He stays at Southampton. It's incredible. He could play for anyone.’
"Our whole house was obsessed with him."
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