West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis refuses to write off the qualities of Manchester City.

Pulis' West Brom side bid to pile the pressure on under-fire City boss Manuel Pellegrini this afternoon, following their midweek Champions League exit.

He said: "People are saying they were shown up by Barcelona, but I'm not so sure about that to be honest.

"If you put Messi in City's team, then they beat Barcelona. It's as simple as that.

"He is a game-changer of the very highest order. He was the difference and he does that time, after time, after time.

"He is just an absolutely outstanding player who changes games on his own.

"He's a game-changer at the top level of his profession and he is the difference.

"You just pray he gets through a game without scoring a goal or creating a chance, but I am absolutely convinced if you'd put him in City's team they'd be through now."