Euro Football Highlights

Champions League Last 16 Draw

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 13:36:00 +0200

AS Roma - Shakhtar Donetsk

AC Milan - Tottenham Hotspur

Valencia CF - Schalke 04

Internazionale - Bayern München

Olympique Lyon - Real Madrid

Arsenal - FC Barcelona

Olympique Marseille - Manchester United

FC København - Chelsea

Barcelona 5-0 Real Madrid

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 00:04:00 +0200

Barcelona showed their class with a resounding 5-0 win over Real Madrid at the Nou Camp in a memorable El Clasico to usurp their rivals in style at the top of the La Liga table.

Xavi gave the hosts a 10th-minute lead as Pep Guardiola's side seized the initiative from the off, before Pedro doubled their lead eight minutes later as the visitors were made to look sluggish in the face of Barcelona's scintillating attacking play.
The second half followed a similar pattern of dominance from the hosts with Real humbled into submission as David Villa unleashed a clinical three-minute brace before substitute Jeffren Suarez added a fifth in stoppage time to crown an imperious display from Guardiola's side.
There was a surprise inclusion for Karim Benzema in place of the injured Gonzalo Higuain, while Jose Mourinho resisted the temptation to effectively asphyxiate Barca - as he did last season in charge of Inter - with an additional holding midfielder, sticking with Mesut Ozil in his usual creative berth.
A vociferous atmosphere was created at the Nou Camp as the 98,000 Barca fans were handed placards to form a mural in the Catalunya colours and eventually the hype gave way to a frenetic opening as Barcelona stamped their authority on the clash from the outset.
The hosts dominated the early possession, and almost found a sublime seventh-minute opener through a predictably inspired source: Lionel Messi unfurled an audacious chip from out on the right which beat Iker Casillas, but not the far post.
Guardiola's side were in front three minutes later, however, albeit in slightly fortuitous fashion as Messi combined with Andres Iniesta outwide, before the latter's through ball deflected off Marcelo into the path of Xavi, who kept his composure to poke the loose ball beyond Casillas.
Barcelona continued to stroke the ball around with consummate ease as they held their opponents firmly under the cosh, and the hosts doubled their lead in the 18th minute. A mesmerising 25-pass move culminated in David Villa hurtling to the left byline before cutting a precise delivery back into the path of the onrushing Pedro, who was able to simply tap home from just a yard out.
Amid all the exhilarating exchanges, the first half was littered with petulance from both sides. First, an exasperated Cristiano Ronaldo pushed Guardiola on the touchline to spark off an absurd melee, then a stray elbow from Ricardo Carvalho saw Lionel Messi mysteriously booked for diving.
Real were desperate to muster any kind of a resurgence, and Ronaldo took a tumble under a challenge from Victor Valdes just before half-time which provoked merely a withering look from the referee, but represented a source of grievance in the eyes of a few visiting players.
Mourinho acted swiftly at the break as he introduced Lassana Diarra at the expense of Ozil, but it was Barcelona who almost made an immediate impact after the restart as Carvalho was forced to make a sliding block to deny Villa from close range.
Xavi then squandered a glorious opportunity to grab his brace in the 52nd minute as he surged down the right but, after Casillas parried away his initial snap shot, could only turn the rebound into the side netting with the goal gaping at his mercy.
But Barcelona were three up minutes later as Messi slid an incisive through ball beyond Pepe, and Villa beat the offside trap with a perfectly timed run before planting an emphatic finish beyond the helpless Casillas.
It was quickly turning into a rout, and the same combination made a mockery of the visitors' static and beleaguered defence once more as Messi picked out Villa, who thundered in another clinical strike just before the hour mark.
Carvalho could quite easily have been dismissed for a deliberate handball to deny Villa a goalscoring opportunity late on, but in an extreme case of leniency, the referee appeared to take pity on the defender and brandished the yellow card.
A disgraceful passage of play ensued on the stroke of the final whistle as tempers flared following a rash challenge by Carvalho on Messi, and Sergio Ramos was shown a second yellow card in the aftermath.
The comprehensive victory not only sees Barcelona leapfrog their rivals to the top spot in the La Liga table, but the Catalan club now have a superior goal difference to Mourinho's side.

Lyon screw Real Madrid Dreams

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:49:00 +0200

Cristiano Ronaldo could not prevent Real Madrid from crashing out of the Champions League after a 1-1 draw in the Bernabeu saw Lyon progress to the last eight 2-1 on aggregate.

The Portuguese lashed in an early opener as Real went on the attack for the remainder of the first half.
However a half-time reshuffle by Claude Puel paid dividends as Miralem Pjanic crashed home to leave the home side needing two goals in the final 15 minutes they barely threatened to score.
The first chance of the evening arrived less than a minute in, Kaka's shot from an angle on the right blocked close up by Lyon keeper Hugo Lloris.
Lyon barely touched the ball before Ronaldo hit the back of the net. Guti, recalled to the starting XI due to the absence of Xabi Alonso, sent a long raking ball down the left for the jet-heeled attacker to chase into the box.
From quite a wide position he shot low and hard and the otherwise imperious Lloris suffered the ignominy of the ball flying through his legs as he went to ground at the near post.
Real, who executed a stunning comeback against Sevilla in Madrid on Saturday, went looking for more. Kaka bent a shot from the left that stung Lloris's palms and Esteban Granero sent in cross after cross as Lyon struggled to get a touch, but managed to shore up their backline.
Los Merengues were in one of those moods and should have made it two through striker Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentina star, flawless at times this season, went past Lloris and into the box following a through-ball; with Jean-Alain Boumsong unable to get back, he contrived to strike the near post with his effort.
Three minutes on Higuain was denied by Lloris from inside the box with Ronaldo free square of him for an open goal. Kaka had laid on the chance with a lovely flick inside.

Jean Makoun flailed at a cross when Lyon orchestrated a rare attack and Les Gones were fortunate to go in at the break only a goal down and level on aggregate.
That result would have led to extra time, and for most of the second half that seemed the most likely outcome. However at its beginning question marks hung over Lyon's chances as the impressive Boumsong was withdrawn, with Jeremy Toulalan dropping back to sweep up behind the dominant Cris.
It was like watching two entirely different sides playing the second 45 minutes. Cesar Delgado, tireless in his defensive duties in the first half, began to get forward more and more, while substitute Kim Kallstrom also worked well out wide.
Twenty-year-old Maxime Gonalons, also a half-time introduction, headed the first chance over while soon after frustrated striker Lisandro Lopez unleashed a fearsome drive that Iker Casillas beat away.
Whenever Madrid ventured towards the box the ball was taken from them, while Lyon built patiently from deep to unnerve home fans mindful that their club had been knocked out at this stage for each of the past five seasons.
The apprehension morphed into full-blown anxiety when Lyon snatched the vital away goal. Delgado played a pass to the feet of Lisandro, lurking in the area, and his tee-up for Pjanic was not left disappointed by excellent control and a thunderous finish.
There was an aborted fightback as Lyon cleared a couple of corners following the arrival of Champions League record scorer Raul for Kaka, and as Real became increasingly undisciplined, Lisandro raced through only to screw his shot wide with all the time in the world.
Delgado then skied a further one-on-one in injury-time, but it did not matter: Real were down and out as Lyon recorded a famous European triumph.

Manchester United demolish Milan by four

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 23:45:00 +0200

A brace from Wayne Rooney sealed a 4-0 victory and an emphatic 7-2 aggregate scoreline as Manchester United romped past Milan at Old Trafford to clinch their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

Rooney gave United the lead in just the 13th minute with a sublime glancing header, and the England forward netted his 30th goal of the season with a deft finish seconds after half-time to stun the visitors.
David Beckham was confined to the Milan bench from the outset, but the former United midfielder had to wait until his side were 3-0 down before he was introduced after Park Ji-Sung slammed a fierce shot beyond Christian Abbiati just before the hour-mark.
Darren Fletcher capped an imperious display from the English champions with a fourth goal in the 88th minute, and Milan and Beckham were left utterly shell-shocked at the final whistle.
Rooney almost gave the hosts the lead in the fourth minute as he swivelled on the edge of the Milan box to latch on to Antonio Valencia's cut back and fired a low shot which he dragged narrowly wide of Christian Abbiati's near post.
Milan were hardly subdued at the other end, as Andrea Pirlo whipped over a devilish delivery in the eighth minute which Nani inadvertently flicked over to Ronaldinho, but the Brazilian's header drifted narrowly wide.
Two minutes later, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who flanked Marco Borriello along with Ronaldinho, stole in at the back post beyond Patrice Evra to receive Thiago Silva's raking diagonal pass from the back, but his first touch was sloppy as the ball evaded him.
Neville was preferred to Rafael at right-back for United, and Sir Alex Ferguson's decision was vindicated as the skipper picked out Rooney with a pinpoint cross from the right as United stamped their authority on the match in the 13th minute.
Rooney's exquisitely-timed run caught Daniele Bonera napping as the forward climbed above his marker to glance a deft finish beyond a helpless Abbiati and score his third headed goal in the tie.

Milan looked devoid of ideas in attack as they sought to redress the balance of the tie and, as Ronaldinho and Huntelaar were dragged outwide to gain possession, Borriello was left increasingly isolated and stifled for space.
Veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf was introduced at half-time as the Rossoneri looked to inject some impetus into their midfield, but it was United who began the half in sparkling fashion.
Nani surged down the left wing at blistering pace before the Portugese's precise cut back was dabbed past the onrushing Abbiati by Rooney with the utmost swagger and composure.
Milan were left horribly exposed as their three-pronged attack offered about as much defensively as they did in forward areas, and United capitalised in the 59th minute to kill the tie.
Paul Scholes found Park in behind Marek Jankulovski, and the midfielder's low shot fizzed into the bottom corner to make it three in the 59th minute as the hosts were rampant.
Then ensued a procession of substitutions as both managers recognised that the tie had been effectively decided, and the first to make his entrance was Beckham, to a standing ovation from the Old Trafford crowd.
Rooney was withdrawn to a rapturous reception as the forward was denied a potential second hat-trick, and Paul Scholes and Neville departed swiftly afterwards.
The evening was capped off by Fletcher in the 88th minute as the midfielder capitalised on more shoddy defending by the visitors to turn home Rafael's deep cross and make it four.
United swagger through to the quarter-finals after humbling Milan over the two legs, as Rooney yet again established himself as one of the world's most potent attacking forces.

Robin helps Bayern to progress

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 23:47:00 +0200

Fiorentina won 3-2 but still crashed out of the Champions League as Bayern Munich sealed their quarter-final spot on away goals at the Artemio Franchi.

Bayern suffered their first defeat in 19 games, but thanks to stunning strikes from Arjen Robben (pictured) and Mark van Bommel, the German side progressed at the expense of a valiant effort from the Viola as the tie ended 4-4 on aggregate.
Bayern assumed a slender 2-1 lead from the first leg at the Allianz Arena as Miroslav Klose's controversial offside winner separated the sides, but the German side's advantage was eroded as early as the 28th minute.
Vargas unfurled an emphatic finish from a tight angle on the left after Marco Marchionni's speculative drive from range stung the palms of Hans-Jorg Butt, who parried the ball away poorly into the path of the midfielder.
Stevan Jovetic made it two in the 54th minute with a clinical finish from Alberto Gilardino's exquisite flick, but Mark van Bommel unleashed an impeccably-struck shot which arrowed into the bottom corner on the hour mark to reduce the deficit.
Jovetic played a slick one-two with Gilardino before he netted his brace to restore the hosts' two-goal cushion in the 64th minute, only for Arjen Robben to curl a sublime finish into the top corner of the net from 25 yards just 74 seconds later.
Cesare Prandelli's side dominated the early possession in Florence as the Gigliati sought to exploit a howling gale which was in their favour in the first half, which they duly did through Vargas's clinical finish.
Butt was entirely at fault for gifting the opener to the Peruvian, but the goalkeeper saved superbly in the 15th minute as the midfielder's cross took a vicious deflection off Daniel Van Buyten's hand. The hosts appealed vehemently for a penalty, but to no avail.
Arjen Robben had a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 34th minute, but Sebastien Frey tipped the Dutchman's close-range volley over the crossbar to preserve the hosts' lead.

Bastian Schweinsteiger was booked for fending off Jovetic with a flailing arm in the 23rd minute, but it could easily have been a red card as the midfielder shrugged off his opponent in a reckless fashion.
Robben was made to pay for his profligacy as Vargas surged down the left and capitalised on some shoddy keeping by Butt to locate the top corner of the net and open the scoring.
Bayern striker Mario Gomes was anonymous in the opening half-hour before he was forced to depart after sustaining an injury, and Klose was handed another opportunity to make an impact in the tie.
Robben, who adopted a strarting berth on the right wing, should have restored the visitors' aggregate advantage as he stole in at close range to latch on to Van Bommel's through ball, but his volley was wild and straight at Frey who made a fine reflex save.
Fiorentina's 14-goal marksman Gilardino should have doubled his side's lead in the 50th minute after he latched on to Cristiano Zanetti's cross from the right, only for Butt to make a stunning save from point-blank range.
But four minutes later, Fiorentina doubled their lead as another cross from Zanetti was turned into the path of Jovetic courtesy of a deft touch by Gilardino, and the midfielder lashed his shot past Butt to further exert the hosts' dominance.
Bayern were undeterred, however, and Van Bommel struck a hammer blow with the away goal after a perfectly-placed low shot which fizzed unerringly past Frey from range.
Jovetic grabbed his second after a delightful exchange with Gilardino inside the Bayern box and a neat finish as Butt was beaten for a third time just after the hour mark.
But again Bayern responded in emphatic fashion as Robben cut inside from his role out on the right and let fly with a stunning strike to beat Frey and once again redress the balance of the tie.
Fiorentina pressed forward incessantly as Bayern sat deep, soaked up the hosts' advances and broke forward through Robben and Ribery.
The German side never looked entirely convincing at the back, but Louis van Gaal's side clung on to clinch the tie on away goals and leave the Artemio Franchi in stunned silence.

Arsenal brilliance Porto 5-0

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Tue, 9 Mar 2010 23:46:00 +0200

A Nicklas Bendtner hat-trick helped Arsenal thrash Porto 5-0 at the Emirates Stadium to triumph 6-2 on aggregate and reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

Bendtner grabbed both first-half goals before a moment of brilliance from Samir Nasri and finish from substitute Emmanuel Eboue ended a nervous opening to the second period.
And Bendtner, who came under fire at the weekend for missing several chances against Burnley, secured his first career treble from the penalty spot in injury-time.
It was the most emphatic way for the tall Dane to answer his critics: not only demonstrating again the art of being in the right place at the right time, but also finishing almost every opportunity that fell his way.
Yet there were greater stars shining for the Gunners on an uplifting night in North London. Mercurial Russian Andrei Arshavin put the opening strikes on a plate as well as the fourth for Eboue, while Nasri had a hand in the first and stunned the 60,000 crowd with a wonderful run and strike to seal the tie.
Arshavin could have opened the scoring with a header from a Bacary Sagna cross only eight minutes in, Helton providing the first of many impressive saves despite the unflattering scoreline.
A minute later it was 1-0. Arshavin wandered back from an offside position as Manuel Almunia launched a ball forward from outside his box, climbed to win a header back to Nasri and spun off; when the inevitable through-ball came a three-way tussle between Arshavin, Helton and Jorge Fucile saw the ball run loose - and Bendtner was lurking to finish.
Arshavin likes to come inside and curl into the corner, but Porto, well aware of this, showed him the outside throughout. Undeterred he powered to the by-line and squared out of Helton reach, but his cross beat everybody.
Three minutes on, in the 25th, he did it again. Right-back Fucile turned in from the touchline, frustrated that the ball would not run out, and his poor ball was gathered by the Russian who ambled through two weak tackles before delivering the same run and cross - and this time Bendtner arrived with perfect timing to sidefoot home.

Even great players have lapses, and so it proved with Arshavin guilty of firing over with an open goal at his mercy following a deep cross by Sagna.
Porto began to attack more frequently, with Hulk disappointing with a near-post cross when Ruben Micael was unmarked for the pull-back.
Helton kept his side in the tie with a pair of saves in the corner from Bendtner and Thomas Vermaelen, and, with Cristian Rodriguez introduced at the break, the Portuguese club had Arsenal worried for a time with their best spell of football.
Arsene Wenger was angry on the touchline as Falcao began to make inroads in attack and Jesualdo Ferreira's men won a succession of corners.
Almunia blocked a first-time Falcao strike and Nasri cleared off the line following a Rodriguez header while at the other end Arshavin forced Helton into a desperate double save with a lovely volley from outside the area.
On 63 minutes the tie was effectively sealed. Nasri turned away from goal on the right touchline, looking for a pass, and seeing none turned back again; he shimmied his way past Raul Meireles, Bruno Alves and Rodriguez before rocketing a low shot in off the far post from a tight angle.
Arsenal added another less than three minutes later when Arshavin brushed off Fucile following an away corner, ran 40 yards and fed an ideal ball onwards for the intelligent run of Eboue, who had replaced Tomas Rosicky.
With Helton rushing out, the Ivorian took the ball to one side and finished past the despairing dive of a defender.
The Gunners were on easy street from there on in, their fans cheering their keep-ball strategy and Falcao left chasing shadows every 10 minutes when a ball came near him.
The match was given a glorious ending when Eboue raced into the box, drawing a tackle from behind from the unfortunate Fucile.
Helton went the right way but Bendtner, whose name had been sung by the home fans throughout the second half, responded to a renewed chant by dispatching it firmly into his left-hand bottom corner.

Manchester United wins the Carling Cup

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 19:03:00 +0200

Rooney, on as a 42nd minute substitute for Michael Owen, headed home in the 74th minute to ensure last year's winners retained the trophy - the first time United have successfully defended a cup competition.
James Milner gave Villa an early lead from the penalty spot only for Owen, who started the game in place of Rooney, to level things up on 13 minutes with a classic strike.
But inevitably it was Rooney who grabbed the headlines, the England striker continuing his recent electric form with a 12th goal in nine games.
Villa raced out of the blocks at a soggy Wembley and took the lead in just the fourth minute, Milner sending Tomasz Kuszczak the wrong way from the spot after Gabriel Agbonlahor was upended by Nemanja Vidic in the box.
It was not the last time Vidic, who bafflingly got away without further punishment, looked suspect during a shaky first half, particularly when faced with the pace of Agbonlahor and Ashley Young.
But Villa's lead lasted just eight minutes, with Owen restoring parity soon after.
Rooney's appearance on the bench came as a surprise - he was suffering from a slight knee complaint - yet in Owen, Ferguson not only had a natural born finisher to call on, he had a player who was desperate to make an impression in what was a rare start for him.
And what an impact the striker made in front of the watching Fabio Capello. As he has on occasion this season, he rolled back the years with a tremendous finish past Brad Friedel after Richard Dunne's pockets were picked by Dimitar Berbatov.
But, just as it looked like the 'Owen for England' bandwagon was about to be fired up once again, the wheels promptly fell off as he limped off with a pulled hamstring before the end of the first half.
Nevertheless, Owen's goal had served to spark United into life, and the Premier League champions went on to enjoy the better of the opening period, despite sighters from James Milner and Emile Heskey which Kuszczak was forced to deal with.
Park Ji-sung nearly made United's slight superiority count in first half stoppage time, the South Korean's crisp strike pinging back off the upright after Stephen Warnock had slipped on the greasy turf, allowing Antonio Valencia to deliver a cross.
And United emerged for the second half in similarly determined mood, Michael Carrick's effort from the edge of the box matched only by Friedel's excellent save four minutes after the restart.
Valencia in particular was on fire after the break, and it was the Ecuadorian's lofted cross which Rooney met with a looping header over Friedel - similar to his first against Milan in the Champions League - to put United into the lead.
Rooney could have added another four minutes later - again with his head - but his downward effort from a standing position cannoned back off the base of the upright with Friedel beaten all ends up.
Villa briefly threatened to grab a late equaliser as the clock ran down, Kuszczak having to backpeddle furiously to tip a deflected cross over his crossbar on 82 minutes, but United never looked like being beaten for a second time.
So it proved as United held on to finally avenge their defeat by Villa in the 1994 final.

Fa Cup Results

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:35:00 +0200

Holders Chelsea booked their place in the FA Cup fifth round with a 2-0 victory at Preston North End on Saturday while Jermaine Beckford's last-gasp penalty earned Leeds United a 2-2 draw at Tottenham Hotspur.
Burnley were the day's Premier League fall guys, losing 1-0 to Championship (second division) Reading while Wigan Athletic escaped humiliation by the skin of their teeth, drawing 2-2 at League Two (fourth tier) Notts County after trailing 2-0.
Premier League Wolverhampton Wanderers needed a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at home to Championship side Crystal Palace and Fulham had some tricky moments before winning 3-1 at the lowest-placed survivors Accrington Stanley.
League Cup finalists Aston Villa had to work hard to advance with a 3-2 defeat of third-tier Brighton & Hove Albion at Villa Park while Birmingham City stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to 15 with an impressive 2-1 win at Everton.
In another all top-flight clash hard-up Portsmouth guaranteed some welcome income with a 2-1 home win over Sunderland.
Five-times winners Chelsea took the lead when Nicolas Anelka shot powerfully past goalkeeper Andy Lonergan in the 36th minute before doubling their advantage when Daniel Sturridge finished from close range two minutes after the restart.
OPEN GOAL
Championship side Preston, managed by Darren Ferguson, son of Manchester United boss Alex, missed a gilt-edged chance when Darren Carter shot over an open goal in the first half.
"We found it hard in the first half but that's what the FA Cup is all about," Chelsea captain John Terry told ITV. "It has been an amazing day. When you come to grounds like this it's what the Cup is all about, smaller clubs giving their all."
Leeds brought a noisy travelling army of fans to White Hart Lane as the once-mighty Yorkshire side who now play in the third tier of English football attempted to shock eight-times Cup winners Tottenham as they had done 11-times winners Manchester United in the third round.

It looked as though substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko's 75th minute goal had won an exciting tie for Tottenham but Beckford tumbled over the outstretched leg of Michael Dawson in the fifth minute of stoppage time and then showed nerves of steel to send his penalty high into the net past Heurelho Gomes.

Beckford's scrambled effort just after the break had brought Leeds level after Peter Crouch had given Tottenham a halftime lead despite a missed penalty by Jermain Defoe.
"It could have been a penalty, it was a tight one and I certainly wouldn't question the referee," Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp told reporters.
"We should have been able to see the game out. We had the game in the bag and it's disappointing."
Leeds manager Simon Grayson praised Beckford who recently withdrew a transfer request. "It took an eternity for the referee to give the penalty and then there was a pause before he took it so he showed good mental strength to score it.
"It just shows what confidence he has in his own ability," Grayson said, adding that only a "silly money" offer would tempt Leeds to sell their top striker in the transfer window.
Championship strugglers Reading did manage a repeat performance. After beating Liverpool in a replay at Anfield in the previous round, an 88th-minute goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson dumped Burnley out of the competition.
Two sides battling for promotion back to the Premier League met at the Hawthorns where West Bromwich Albion beat Championship leaders Newcastle United 4-2.
After two successive Premier League defeats by Arsenal, Owen Coyle enjoyed his first victory as Bolton Wanderers manager when his side beat Championship team Sheffield United 2-0 at the Reebok Stadium.

Beckford keeps Leeds Cup dreams alive

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:31:00 +0200

Beckford added the spot-kick to the equaliser he had got early in the second half to cancel out Peter Crouch's opener. Roman Pavlyuchenko came off the bench to fire Spurs back in front but Beckford drew a foul from Michael Dawson in the sixth minute of stoppage time to win a dramatic late penalty.
Beckford, who scored the winner against Manchester United in the last round, held his nerve in front of the travelling Leeds supporters to fire the spot-kick into the top corner and book a replay at Elland Road.
Both sides had been on disappointing runs since their respective third round wins at the start of January. Leeds had not won a match since their famous victory at Old Trafford, while Spurs followed a 0-0 home draw with Hull by losing at Liverpool in midweek.
The visitors weathered the early Spurs storm, and it was not until the 42nd minute that the home side made their breakthrough. Gareth Bale beat Jason Crowe down the left wing and cannily pulled a pass back to Niko Kranjcar on the edge of the box. The Croatian's shot was saved by the foot of Leeds keeper Casper Ankergrem, but Crouch was on hand to fire home from close range.
Tottenham fielded an attacking line-up, with a midfield featuring Kranjcar, Luka Modric and former Leeds trainee Danny Rose, who was handed a first Tottenham start against his former club.
The 19-year-old made his presence felt after just eight minutes when Michael Doyle upended him inside the Leeds box and referee Alan Wiley pointed to the spot. Jermain Defoe, who missed a stoppage time penalty against Everton last month, saw his tame spot-kick saved by the impressive Ankergrem.

Defoe should have had the chance to atone for that miss midway through the half when he was brought down by Crowe as he lined up a strike, but this time the referee waved play on despite the defender not getting a touch on the ball.
Leeds began to grow in confidence as the half wore on, and Beckford had two good opportunities to once again shock Premier League opposition. The striker fired one low shot wide of the far post before drawing a decent save from Spurs goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes.
However, Beckford was not to be denied his headlines, and on 52 minutes he was in the right place at the right time to score from close range after Leigh Bromby had knocked Robert Snodgrass's corner into the Spurs six-yard box.
Spurs manager Harry Redknapp threw the dice, first adding steel to his midfield by replacing Rose with Wilson Palacios before bringing on strike duo Robbie Keane and Pavlyuchenko.
The Russian, widely expected to be on his way out of White Hart Lane after falling out with Redknapp, took less than five minutes to put Spurs ahead again. He dummied over Bale's pass and Defoe played the ball back into his path for him to lift a neat finish over Ankergrem to restore Spurs' lead with 15 minutes remaining.
However, Leeds showed all of their fighting spirit to rally late on and, after Dawson had already made one inch-perfect tackle on Beckford in the box, the Spurs captain slid in to make another challenge on the striker that referee Wiley deemed a foul.
Beckford made no mistake from the spot, hitting the top corner to register his 22nd goal of the season and keep his side's Cup dreams alive.

Rooney hits super four goals

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 23:29:00 +0200

Rooney made his league tally 19 for the season - a career-best total only mid-way through the campaign - with an early opener and three late strikes to put down a brave effort from the Tigers, who stay in the drop zone after the loss.
It was not all sweetness and light for United though as captain Rio Ferdinand, returning to the team after a worrying back injury, could be in trouble with the FA after his elbow on Craig Fagan was missed by the match officials.
United were utterly dominant in the first half but only had Rooney's eighth-minute poacher's goal to show for two-thirds of the possession and almost 20 chances.
Michael Owen was particularly profligate, notching his first miss in the second minute when his finish came off Anthony Gardner and spun wide for a corner after good work by Rooney.
Rooney soon notched his 16th Premier League goal of the season though, poking the ball home from close range after Boaz Myhill could only parry a Paul Scholes distance special.
Myhill arguably could have done better with Scholes's initial effort, but he kept them in the contest afterwards.
Ji-sung Park headed wide five minutes later, off-balance as he met Darren Fletcher's cross, and Ferdinand poked Nani's corner just wide of the near post on his return from a worrying back injury.
The now usual haphazard United defending reared its ugly head soon after though, with consecutive suicidal defensive headers from Scholes and Jonny Evans forcing Edwin van der Sar to save bravely at Nick Barmby's feet, and the Dutch keeper flapping at the resultant corner and only saved by a Ferdinand clearance from Gardner at the far post.
After that though it was business as usual for the Red Devils.
Rooney had a half-volley deflected just over by a last-gasp Paul McShane block, while Nani saw a penalty appeal waved away after a reckless challenge by Geovanni, although the Brazilian seemed to pull out just in time.

United were all over the Tigers, as Owen was denied when Myhill stopped his spectacular volley and Kamil Zayatte blocked him on the rebound, while Rooney sent a superb free-kick inches wide with Myhill rooted to his goal-line.
Rooney then spooned the ball well wide from 12 yards after another swarming attack initiated by the evergreen Scholes, while late in the half Owen fired weakly at Myhill from eight yards out after some great build-up saw him play one-twos with Rooney and Nani.
Somehow it stayed 1-0 into the break, with Hull fortunate not to be long gone as they went down the tunnel.
The second half started slowly as, while United had almost all the possession, they failed to create any clear-cut chances until Myhill spilled Nani's low cross on 57 minutes.
Lone striker Fagan, while not getting any quarter in front of goal, defended from the front for Hull and chased everything and anything put in the United half, while Gardner and McShane in particular impressed at the back.
They gained in confidence, testing Van der Sar with some crosses and winning a corner on the right that bounced dangerously in front of goal before hitting Zayatte and going wide.
United woke up, and Rooney went close with a low drive before Park mis-hit another good low cross from Nani straight at Zayatte.
Owen was responsible for another miss, heading inches wide after getting behind Gardner to meet a perfectly-weighted free-kick won and delivered by Nani.
Hull came agonisingly close to an equaliser when substitute Kamel Ghilas did brilliantly to control McShane's cross before turning and firing a low drive across Van der Sar but just wide of the far post.
Another sub, Darron Gibson, nearly made it 2-0 for the hosts but his lob landed just the wrong side of the crossbar, while there was a moment of controversy in the build-up to that chance, with Ferdinand potentially in hot water after seeming to aim an elbow at Fagan in an off-the-ball-incident missed by referee Steve Bennett.
United got their second soon afterwards though.
On 82 minutes Nani - who would have been man of the match but for Rooney - smashed a free-kick off the bar: with Andy Dawson hurt after colliding with Myhill while clearing the rebound, Hull decided not to put the ball out of play and Nani fed Gibson, who slid Rooney through to smash the ball into the roof of the net.
Hull's resolve was broken and Rooney added a third four minutes later, arriving unmarked to head into the bottom left after yet another great delivery from Nani.
The England striker added a gloss to the victory with a fourth - the first time he has scored that many in one match - when he drilled into the bottom left after sub Dimitar Berbatov's pull down put him in, although Hull's defence backed off him to allow the shot.
United go two points clear of Arsenal and Chelsea, who have one and two games in hand respectively: Hull stay 18th, with a goal difference of -26, the worst in the division.

FA cup Manchester United is out

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Mon, 4 Jan 2010 17:44:00 +0200

Manchester United suffered their most embarrassing FA Cup defeat for 26 years when Leeds United pulled off a stunning 1-0 third-round victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.
A 19th-minute goal from in-form striker Jermaine Beckford gave the League One (third division) leaders victory as United lost at this stage of the competition for the first time since third division Bournemouth beat them in 1984.
Beckford struck his fifth goal in three games and 20th of the season when a 50-metre ball from Johnny Howson went over the champions' defence, allowing him to control it and angle a shot wide of goalkeeper Tomas Kuszczak.
It was the first time Alex Ferguson had suffered defeat in the third round, the stage at which the top clubs enter the FA Cup, since he became United manager in 1986.
"I must admit, I didn't expect that performance," Ferguson told MUTV. "If you don't start and the other team does, you're always up against it.
"Leeds had a far bigger appetite than us for the game. You need a bit of luck and they got it but they deserved it because they played really well."
United's first lost to lower league opposition since 1984 also gave Leeds a memorable victory at a ground where they regularly used to duel with United for national supremacy before their slide down the leagues.
The 9,000 away fans went wild with delight at the end of a thrilling Cup tie which produced the first big shock of the round after a series of predictable results on Saturday.
"It was a good long diagonal ball from Johnny Howson and nine times out of 10 Jermaine finishes them off and that's what he did," Leeds manager Simon Grayson told ITV.

"We gave ourselves an opportunity to go and win the game from there and with a bit of luck here and there we've hung on.
"I am sure they will be celebrating in Leeds for the next few days."
DESERVED VICTORY
Grayson's men thoroughly deserved their victory which could have been even greater if Beckford had scored after 78 minutes instead of dragging his shot just wide.
Robert Snodgrass smashed a 25-metre free kick against the United bar two minutes later before goalkeeper Casper Ankergren parried a goalbound effort from Wayne Rooney in stoppage time.
Michael Owen, Dimitar Berbatov and Rooney went close to equalising for United but Leeds, who needed a replay to get past non-League Kettering Town in the last round, hung on for a memorable victory -- their first at Old Trafford since 1981.
FA Cup holders Chelsea face Championship (second division) Watford later at Stamford Bridge and there is an all-Premier League London derby between West Ham United and Arsenal at Upton Park.

Barcelona wins the World Club Cup

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 05:03:00 +0200

Barcelona left it late before capping a superb year by clinching the Club World Cup here on Saturday.
The Spanish giants needed extra time to beat Argentina's Estudiantes 2-1 and secure their sixth title of 2009.
Mauro Boselli had put Estudiantes ahead after 37 minutes only for Barca striker Pedro to grab the equaliser in the dying minutes of the game, with Argentina striker Lionel Messi nailing victory after 110 minutes.
The Spanish giants end the year on a high after following up last season's league, Champions League and Cup treble with their first title in this competition.
"We knew Estudiantes would put up a big fight," said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola.
"At half-time I told my players they had to be strong, that you have to dig deep to win finals like this. They showed their determination.

"It?s been an amazing year. By winning six trophies in total we have achieved something that no-one has achieved before.
"I?m lucky that I have such quality players in my squad. The success that we?ve had has been down to them and I?d like to thank them for that."
Barca dominated early play but met with stubborn opposition from the South American champions' defense.

Xavi thought he had earned Barcelona a penalty on 35 minutes, but goalkeeper Damian Albil's challenge on him went unpunished.
And it was Estudiantes who surprisingly took the lead two minutes later when Juan Manuel Diaz crossed from the left, and Boselli got in front of Eric Abidal to fire home a header.
Barcelona reacted immediately with Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost getting a touch on a Messi free-kick after 41 minutes but Albil proved solid ensuring Alejandro Sabella's team held their lead going into half time.
After the break an Ibrahimovic effort went just wide and the Swedish forward then had another shot blocked by Leandro Desabato.
Despite the best efforts of Ibrahimovic and Messi, Barcelona failed to break down their opponents, with an effort from the Ballon d'Or winner held by Albil after 70 minutes.
But their pressing paid off after 89 minutes when Gerard Pique fed substitute Pedro, who headed into the back of the net.
Barcelona dominated extra time before Messi scored the winner after chesting home an Dani Alves cross to ensure the Catalans end the year as the kings of world football.
Earlier, South Korea's Pohang Steelers beat Mexican club Atlante 4-3 on penalties to clinch third place at the Zayed Sports City.

UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw 2009/10

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 00:48:00 +0200

UEFA Champions League holders FC Barcelona will take on VfB Stuttgart in the first knockout round after the draw was made on Friday in Nyon, Switzerland.

Madrid meet Lyon
Like all the group winners, Barça will be at home in the second leg of their tie as they continue their bid to become the first team in the UEFA Champions League era to lift the trophy two years running. Real Madrid CF, aiming to play in the 22 May final at their own Santiago Bernabéu home, have been drawn with Karim Benzema's former club Olympique Lyonnais.

Mourinho reunion
Arguably the highlight of the round sees José Mourinho return to Chelsea FC when his FC Internazionale Milano team take on the club now coached by former AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti. The Rossoneri also have English opposition in the shape of Manchester United FC, who they beat in the 2006/07 semi-finals on their way to winning the trophy.

Road to Madrid
For the first time this year, the fixtures in the last 16 will be held over four weeks with half the ties on 16/17 February and 9/10 March and the others on 23/24 February and 16/17 March; for a schedule click here. At 12.00CET on Friday 19 March the draw for the remaining rounds will be held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, with the quarter-finals on 30/31 March and 6/7 April, the semis on 20/21 and 27/28 April and the final on Saturday 22 May.

2009/10 UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw
Team named first at home in first leg

FC Bayern München (GER) v ACF Fiorentina (ITA): 17 February/9 March

FC Porto (POR) v Arsenal FC (ENG): 17 February/9 March

AC Milan (ITA) v Manchester United FC (ENG): 16 February/10 March

Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) v Real Madrid CF (ESP): 16 February/10 March

Olympiacos FC (GRE) v FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA): 23 February/17 March

VfB Stuttgart (GER) v FC Barcelona (ESP): 23 February/17 March

FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) v Chelsea FC (ENG): 24 February/16 March

PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) v Sevilla FC (ESP): 24 February/16 March

Dynamo Kiev 1-2 FC Barcelona

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:42:00 +0200

FC Barcelona emerged unscathed from a difficult examination by FC Dynamo Kyiv to claim a comeback victory that took them through to the UEFA Champions League first knockout round as Group F winners.

Messi winner
The holders were on the ropes at a chilly Valeriy Lobanovskiy Stadium when Artem Milevskiy headed Dynamo in front inside two minutes, but they fought back to level through Xavi Hernández just past the half-hour before Lionel Messi's imperious late winner removed all doubt. Victory confirmed top spot for Barcelona ahead of FC Internazionale Milano and denied Dynamo a place in the UEFA Europa League as they finished bottom.

Milevskiy strikes
Josep Guardiola's men had not conceded away from home in this season's UEFA Champions League, but Dynamo struck with the first attack of the match. After Gerard Piqué's foul, Andriy Shevchenko swung in a free-kick from the left and Milevskiy's glancing header at the near post caught Víctor Valdés unawares, the ball squirming from the goalkeeper's grasp and into the net. At this stage Dynamo were provisionally in second place.

Barcelona dominate
However, Olexandr Shovkovskiy was not having a much easier night in the Dynamo goal and his miscued clearance almost handed Messi a 13th-minute equaliser. The goalkeeper, though, quickly recovered and dived to push away the Argentinian's left-footed shot. Barça began to monopolise possession, and by midway through the first-half they had enjoyed 80 per cent of the ball, though they were struggling to create clear opportunities. Messi started to drop deep in an attempt to pull the strings and he had a shot deflected wide after a typically surging run.

Xavi leveller
On 33 minutes, the Blaugrana pressure finally told. Messi sent Eric Abidal away on the left and the full-back's low cross allowed Xavi to guide in from close range. Barça continued to move the ball well and on the cusp of the interval Daniel Alves tested Shovkovskiy with a cross-shot after a flowing move. Dynamo's need to set the pace in the second period meant they were vulnerable to counterattacks and Messi was denied a certain goal by Ognjen Vukojević's alert interception. The home side responded well, and Shevchenko delivered another free-kick that Leandro Almeida headed into the side-netting.

Vociferous crowd
Dynamo, encouraged by a vociferous crowd, tried manfully to shape openings, but struggled against a Barcelona rearguard back to its best after their initial uncertainty. In fact the holders looked more likely to score, with only desperate defensive blocks denying Messi, Alves and Andrés Iniesta in quick succession. Dynamo's last throw of the dice was to bring on Miloš Ninković for the more defensive Gérson Magrão in an attempt to wrest control. With just four minutes of normal time left, though, Barça confirmed their superiority, Messi stepping up to curl a magnificent free-kick past Shovkovskiy and end Dynamo's European campaign.

Internazionale 2-0 Rubin Kazan

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:40:00 +0200

Goals in either half by Samuel Eto'o and Mario Balotelli fired FC Internazionale Milano into the UEFA Champions League first knockout round at the expense of FC Rubin Kazan.

Balotelli masterclass
The Nerazzurri had posed little threat before Eto'o broke the deadlock just after the half-hour, capitalising on excellent wing-play by Javier Zanetti and the awareness of Balotelli. The first goal was all-important in this must-win match for both sides and Balotelli all but ended the contest with a strike worthy of settling any game on 64 minutes, a spectacular long-range free-kick bringing San Siro to its feet and Inter into the first knockout round as Group F runners-up behind FC Barcelona.

Noboa pass
With both sides requiring victory to guarantee progress the match got off to a cautious start, although José Mourinho's decision to field three strikers spoke volumes for his intent. Balotelli's inclusion might have been rewarded on seven minutes, when the Italy Under-21 forward rolled past Aleksei Popov and César Navas only to shoot straight at Sergei Ryzhikov. The visitors soon came closer to taking the lead themselves, Christian Noboa sending Gökdeniz Karadeniz through with a brilliant pinpoint pass, but Júlio César was alive to the forward's scuffed shot.

Zanetti purpose
Inter needed inspiration; it came on the half-hour from their captain, Zanetti. The 36-year-old rolled back the years by weaving past a clutch of Rubin players on the left, and though he was eventually tackled the ball inadvertently reached Balotelli on the byline. The youngster cleverly cut it back for the unmarked Eto'o to rifle into the roof of the net.

Inter ascendant
Stung by the setback, Kurban Berdyev's men gained more urgency going forward, but that left them vulnerable to the counterattack. Zanetti again carved open the Rubin rearguard with another exciting run which was eventually halted illegally by Navas. Inter were growing with confidence, Wesley Sneijder finishing a fine team move involving Zanetti, Diego Milito and Thiago Motta with a shot that curled just over, while Maicon's effort before the break was so powerful it took two attempts from Ryzhikov to clear the danger.

Blistering strike
Rubin raised their game after the restart, Alejandro Domínguez in particular threatening from set-pieces. The Argentinian caught Mourinho's men out with a corner which Gökdeniz side-footed over, while another found Navas unmarked at the far post but it was more of the same as the defender miscued. Domínguez had an opportunity himself when he raced on to Noboa's pass but Júlio César saved. Moments earlier Balotelli should have scored when he dragged across goal when teed up by Milito's miscue, but he soon made up for it, unleashing a blistering, swerving free-kick past Ryzhikov from 34 metres.

Inter cruise
For perhaps the first time in this group stage, Inter now looked comfortable. Even when a Noboa effort fizzed wide they immediately went down the other end and flexed their attacking muscle again, Sneijder firing against the upright from long range. Nothing could spoil the Nerazzurri's night, however.

Standard Liege 1-1 AZ Alkmaar

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:28:00 +0200

In an extraordinary finish, goalkeeper Sinan Bolat headed an unlikely equaliser deep into added time to take R. Standard de Liège into the UEFA Europa League at the expense of AZ Alkmaar.

Dramatic ending
With the visitors leading from the 42nd minute thanks to Jeremain Lens' close-range finish, it seemed Standard – who started the match dreaming of a place in the UEFA Champions League knockout phase – would be heading out of European competition altogether. However, in what was virtually the final action of the match, Bolat joined the attack for a free-kick and duly prolonged the Belgian champions' European season in dramatic fashion, meeting Benjamin Nicaise's inswinging delivery with a powerful header to push AZ back down into fourth place.

Jovanović influence
Victory may have been imperative for both sides but it was AZ who began the brighter, moving between their hosts' lines with some success until a Nicaise free-kick shifted the point of pressure. Making his first start in the competition, the Standard midfielder forced Sergio Romero to parry low to his right from 20 metres, and after the locals responded with appreciation, it was Milan Jovanović who took over as their chief source of hope. Having had one shot deflected narrowly over, the Serbian international left two defenders in his wake as he charged through on goal only to be denied by an immaculate sliding challenge from Héctor Moreno.

Holman attempts
Jovanović then took over free-kick duties, striking the top of the crossbar close to the half-hour, before AZ midfielder Brett Holman imposed himself on proceedings with his own spell in the spotlight. He first called on Bolat to make an excellent sprawling save from distance and then rounded off a sprightly Lens break with a lobbed effort that just missed the target. It was from another pacy counterattack that the visitors went ahead too, Holman freeing Sebastien Pocognoli on the left and Lens turning in the left-back's low centre.

Goalkeeping contributions
Despite the significance of that blow, László Bölöni's charges nonetheless rallied before the interval and only the fingertips of Romero prevented Igor De Camargo levelling with an audacious overhead kick. Both goalkeepers had made telling contributions in the opening period and it was Bolat who made the first significant stop after the interval, turning over a Mounir El Hamdaoui volley as AZ threatened to double their advantage. At the other end, Romero was spared from replicating that effort as De Camargo headed off target.

Bolat intervention
Indeed, Bolat continued to be the busier of the two custodians and bizarrely saved with his face when he misjudged a long-range El Hamdaoui effort. Standard needed just one goal to ensure their season maintained more than a domestic scope, but with Romero clawing out a Wilfried Dalmat effort and the Frenchman then spooning over, their prospects were becoming increasingly bleak. Nevertheless, with time ebbing away Bolat seized upon the very last opening and, in doing so, emulated the goalscoring feat of FC Bayern München goalkeeper Hans-Jörg Butt 24 hours previously.

Olympiacos 1-0 Arsenal

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:27:00 +0200

Olympiacos FC secured their place in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League after claiming a narrow victory against a youthful Arsenal FC side.

Leonardo strikes
Leonardo struck the only goal of the game two minutes after half-time as the Greek champions ensured a first knockout round place as Group H runners-up behind Arsène Wenger's side. Having already clinched top spot, the Arsenal manager fielded a starting lineup with an average age of just 21, but they were unlucky not to snatch at least a draw with Carlos Vela coming close twice.

Early chances
Zico had stressed in advance the need for Olympiacos not to simply look for the draw they required, but it was the visitors, with Theo Walcott full of running, who controlled much of the early possession as the home team made a nervous start. Moving the ball around confidently, it took Arsenal just ten minutes to register the first effort on goal, Walcott stinging the palms of Antonis Nikopolidis with a sharp shot from inside the penalty area. Kostas Mitroglou responded three minutes later, slicing an effort over the crossbar.

Galletti miss
Arsenal were then presented with a chance to take the lead when Olof Mellberg felled Vela just outside the box, but Walcott smashed his free-kick straight into the defensive wall. The Greek champions then broke and Luciano Galletti volleyed Leonardo's cross into the side-netting. Arsenal continued to control the midfield, however, and Walcott, back in the team after a hamstring injury, was proving a constant threat in and around the penalty area with his quick feet and darting runs.

Olympiacos press
Galletti was Olympiacos's main outlet down the right and the Argentinian gave left-back Thomas Cruise a difficult Arsenal debut. The visitors kept their hosts at arm's length, though, and it took Mitroglou 43 minutes to register Olympiacos's first shot on target with a speculative effort which Łukasz Fabiański gathered comfortably. Shots followed from both Dudu and Raúl Bravo as Olympiacos pressed forward, both sailing over the crossbar.

Decisive moment
The second half began with a flourish when Olympiacos took the lead two minutes in. Arsenal were caught cold when the ball broke kindly for Leonardo in midfield and the Brazilian winger surged into the penalty area before slotting through the legs of Fabiański. Frenzied celebrations ensued as the home fans sensed the first knockout round was near, although they had cause to be thankful just four minutes later when Vela burst through and only a brilliant Nikopolidis save kept his team ahead.

Keepers busy
Walcott curled a free-kick just round the right post as the Gunners stepped up the pressure and Vela prodded over with only Nikopolidis to beat in the 70th minute. At the other end, Leonardo was denied by Fabiański's sprawling save after being played in by Dudu and the visiting goalkeeper then got the faintest of touches to direct a Mitroglou effort wide. Arsenal pressed forward in the closing stages as they sought an equaliser but Nikopolidis put in several good blocks to secure a third home win in the group and with it a place in the last 16.

Sevilla 1-0 Rangers

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:23:00 +0200

Sevilla FC eased their way to victory and completed a miserable UEFA Champions League campaign for Rangers FC thanks to a first-half Frédéric Kanouté penalty which sealed the Spanish side's place in the first knockout round as Group G winners.

Passionate fans
Kanouté coolly slotted in after just eight minutes, and the hosts were largely on top for the full 90 in a match played before passionate home fans and loyal travelling support. In fact, had it not been for a marvellous finger-tip save by Allan McGregor from Didier Zokora with ten minutes remaining, the margin would deservedly have been greater still.

Early impact
Although the Scottish titleholders started with gusto the group leaders quickly established the status quo. On his comeback from an elbow injury, Kanouté was soon hinting that the club's top scorer Luis Fabiano would not be missed, wreaking havoc in the opening stages. First he collected a long ball, controlling with admirable ease under pressure, and stuck out one of his long legs to clip the ball past McGregor only for Saša Papac hook clear on the goalline.

Intentions clear
It was an immediate statement of intent from the 32-year-old striker who has such an impact on Manuel Jiménez's side's creative play. Once Kanouté had softened up the visitors he went for football's version of the knockout blow. What began as a clever break by Fernando Navarro ended with a spot-kick when the left-back's marauding run ended with a foul by Rangers counterpart Steven Whittaker after the Rangers defender had briefly won possession.

Kanouté cool
Kanouté strolled up and mischievously sent McGregor the wrong way at walking pace. Despite the enormous backing of their 2,500 travelling fans and an enthusiastic display of running and pressing from Walter Smith's men, the home side dominated possession without finding a second goal before the break. The closest they came was on 17 minutes, when Renato shot and McGregor fumbled wide.

Sorry record
Though Rangers came into the match unbeaten on their travels in the UEFA Champions League this season it is a more indicative statistic that they have not won outside Scotland since a 3-0 group-stage triumph at Olympique Lyonnais in 2007/08. In nine matches away to Spanish teams they had collected two draws and seven defeats.

Sevilla strength
Not surprisingly, perhaps, Sevilla remained firmly in control, but had only rare efforts by second-half substitutes Aldo Duscher and Álvaro Negredo to show for it. With time running out on their European season, Rangers finally threw all their resources forward and Nacho Novo, whose father played for Sevilla's local rivals Real Betis Balompié, had the best chance for the visitors. The substitute skewed his shot into the sidenetting, however, as Rangers' Group G campaign ended in the disappointment of a fourth defeat.

VfB Stuttgart 3-1 Unirea Urziceni

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:19:00 +0200

VfB Stuttgart reached the UEFA Champions League first knockout round for the first time in five years, overwhelming FC Unirea Urziceni with three goals in the first eleven minutes to claim second place in Group G at their opponents' expense.

Advantage overturned
The Romanian titleholders travelled to Germany holding a two-point lead over Stuttgart yet were powerless to deny Christian Gross a dream start to his new job. The 55-year-old replaced Markus Babbel on Sunday and watched in jubilation as his new charges began at breathtaking speed, goals from Ciprian Marica, Christian Träsch and Pavel Pogrebnyak effectively wrapping up a last-16 place despite António Semedo's reply early in the second period.

Khedira the key
The hosts could scarcely have imagined a better start, taking a three-goal lead before Unirea could draw breath. Sami Khedira, a surprise inclusion following a foot injury, swiftly proved worthy of Gross's gamble, delivering a perfect cross for Marica to nod past the stranded Giedrius Arlauskis with five minutes gone. Although Jens Lehmann was forced into a superb save from his own defender as Stefano Celozzi made a last-ditch challenge on Marius Ioan Bilasco, the early momentum was with Stuttgart, who doubled their advantage from the resulting corner.

Composed finishes
Breaking swiftly, Timo Gebhart's long pass allowed Träsch to outstrip the Unirea defence and shoot low across Arlauskis and into the bottom corner of the net. Three minutes later the Stuttgart supporters were rubbing their eyes in disbelief as Khedira laid on his second of the night and the home team's third, Pogrebnyak picking up his ball in from the right and jinking past two defenders before finishing coolly through the goalkeeper's legs.

Semedo consolation
With the match all but decided already, the Bundesliga strugglers relaxed and continued to dictate proceedings without adding to their lead before the interval. Their composure suffered a jolt five minutes into the second period when Semedo made the most of Artur Boka's mistake to reduce the visitors' deficit, though Stuttgart quickly regained the initiative by creating a plethora of chances.

Gebhardt goes close
Substitute Sebastian Rudy was the first to threaten, linking up superbly with Marica only to drive straight at Arslauskis, before Marica himself was unfortunate not to find a team-mate after breaking down the left. With Unirea attempting to hurt their hosts on the counterattack, Stuttgart accepted the invitation to pour forward and came close to restoring their three-goal lead when Gebhart curled a delightful shot beyond Arlauskis, only to watch his effort clip the outside of the post.

Qualification assured
The German side continued to look the more likely scorers as the match entered its final stages, with Unirea never seriously threatening to mount the remarkable fightback required after that sensational Stuttgart start. Dan Petrescu's side therefore go into the draw for the UEFA Europa League round of 32 on 18 December; Gross, meanwhile, will be hoping a second successive UEFA Champions League win can provide the impetus to revive Stuttgart's stuttering domestic fortunes.

Lyon 4-0 Debreceni

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:15:00 +0200

Olympique Lyonnais went into the UEFA Champions League knockout stages on the back of an emphatic victory against Group E's bottom team Debreceni VSC, whose debut campaign ended without a point, yet Claude Puel's side still missed out on top spot.

Fiorentina frustration
From the moment Bafétimbi Gomis opened the scoring in the 25th minute, there only looked like being one winner. Michel Bastos added a second before the break as Lyon seized total control, with further strikes in the second period through the excellent Miralem Pjanić and left-back Aly Cissokho. The margin of victory meant Lyon looked set to overtake ACF Fiorentina courtesy of a superior goal difference with the Italian side drawing at Liverpool FC, only for Alberto Gilardino to strike in added time at Anfield.

Clear objectives
Already through for a seventh consecutive season, Lyon began with two clear objectives: improve a recent run in which they have failed to win in six Ligue 1 matches and clinch the victory they needed to keep alive their hopes of topping the section. Yet with top scorer Lisandro rested, Les Gones struggled to find fluency early on. Aside from Anthony Réveillère's wayward cross-shot, the home side did not threaten during a low-key opening in which András Herczeg's charges slowly grew in confidence.

Gomis breakthrough
Zsolt Laczkó had already sent a long shot dipping too high when Péter Czvitkovics forced Hugo Lloris to push his low free-kick round the post on 15 minutes. OL reacted with a set-piece of their own, Bastos's fizzing strike drawing a parry from Djordje Pantić, who was relieved to see the flag raised as Jean II Makoun slotted in the rebound. Nevertheless, the visitors had looked comfortable until József Varga's misplaced pass presented possession to Sidney Govou. The French international advanced purposefully before shooting low, and when Pantić spilled again, Gomis made no mistake.

Sharp reaction
Govou's night would be cut short by injury, the winger replaced by Pjanić before the half-hour, yet OL were cruising after Bastos added a second. There was a degree of fortune to the goal, Pjanić miscuing his free-kick strike into the path of the Brazilian, who turned sharply and rifled an accurate shot inside the far post. The Hungarian champions were beaten 5-1 by FC Girondins de Bordeaux on their last trip to France eight years ago, and must have feared a repeat as Lyon came out firing in the second half.

Pjanić reward
Gomis latched on to Pjanić's clever pass and drew a fine fingertip save from Pantić before volleying a more awkward chance over moments later. Pjanić was pulling the strings for Puel's men, and deservedly got on the scoresheet just before the hour, deflecting Bastos's inviting cross from the right beyond the exposed Pantić for his third goal of the campaign.

Powerful fourth
With Debrecen happy to limit the damage, the game's closing quarter was eventful only for Lyon's fourth goal, a powerful strike from Cissokho that beat Pantić at his near post. It was the 19th goal the debutants had conceded in their six matches, meaning they equal the record held by FC Dynamo Kyiv and Ferencvárosi TC for the competition's most porous defence.

Liverpool 1-2 Fiorentina

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:13:00 +0200

Alberto Gilardino struck in injury time to ensure ACF Fiorentina advanced to the UEFA Champions League first knockout round as Group E winners with a 2-1 comeback victory at eliminated Liverpool FC.

Unwanted record
Trailing to Yossi Benayoun's first-half header, the Viola drew level through Martin Jørgensen before Gilardino snatched victory in dramatic fashion when he turned in Juan Vargas's low cross in the final seconds at a rain-sodden Anfield. If a second successive home defeat – an unwanted first in Europe for Liverpool – marked a sorry end to the hosts' UEFA Champions League campaign, for Fiorentina the fairy tale goes on, this fifth consecutive victory ensuring they will fear nobody in the last 16.

Viola threat
Fiorentina entered the contest looking to make sure of top spot in the group and they were almost presented with an early goal by Daniel Agger's under-hit back pass. Mario Santana reacted sharply but Liverpool goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri – making his first UEFA Champions League appearance of the season in place of Pepe Reina – got there first. After Jørgensen had blazed wildly over from the edge of the box, the Viola twice came close to a breakthrough. Lorenzo De Silvestri, one of several fringe players featuring for the injury-hit visitors, powered in a header from a Jørgensen corner that Cavalieri tipped over, the Brazilian then getting down low to turn away Riccardo Montolivo's volley from Jørgensen's next delivery.

Aquilani start
In truth with Liverpool's fate – their first group-stage elimination under Rafael Benítez – already sealed, the match unfolded at a slow tempo. Anfield got its first sight of Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani starting in Liverpool red, four months after his arrival from AS Roma, yet it was their usual inspiration, Steven Gerrard, who set up Benayoun's opening goal two minutes before the break. Gerrard, presented before kick-off with a memento of his recent 500th appearance, swung in a free-kick from the right which Benayoun met at the near post with a glancing header that Sébastien Frey got a hand to but could not stop going in off the far upright.

Inspirational leaders
Scenting a morale-boosting victory, Liverpool found another gear in the second half and Gerrard almost teed up a second with another wickedly delivered free-kick only for Agger to mistime his attempted diving header. Instead, Fiorentina drew level in the 63rd minute through Jørgensen. Gianluca Comotto slipped the ball forward to Gilardino on the edge of Liverpool's area and the striker laid it off to the left where the Viola skipper let fly with a first-time effort. Liverpool sought a response and after Gerrard had shot into the side-netting, 18-year-old debutant Jaime Pacheco – replacing Aquilani – drew a low save from Frey from the edge of the box.

Late winner
Instead, with the rain pouring down, the Viola grabbed victory as Gilardino buried the ball past Cavalieri to send the visiting supporters into raptures. For Liverpool it was a case of what might have been. If games lasted 89 minutes they would be through – yet the UEFA Europa League now awaits a team already stung twice previously in added time by Olympique Lyonnais.

Chelsea 2-2 Apoel FC

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 01:51:00 +0200

APOEL FC ended Chelsea FC's run of ten matches without conceding at Stamford Bridge and then repeated the trick with three minutes remaining to earn a surprise draw.

Mirosavljević equaliser
It was not enough to propel the Cypriot side into the UEFA Europa League but the memory of how they stood up to one of the continent's dominant forces – albeit a side missing several first-choice players – will live with them for a long time. Marcin Żewłakow's early strike was overturned before half-time as Michael Essien and Didier Drogba got on the scoresheet. Chelsea continued to dominate and always looked the likely winners but they were rocked when, three minutes from time, substitute Nenad Mirosavljević stole in for the equaliser.

Rare breach
Carlo Ancelotti gave UEFA Champions League debuts to goalkeeper Ross Turnbull and Gaël Kakuta and the former was quickly called into action, plunging to his right to beat away Joost Broerse's shot on the turn after a cleverly-worked free-kick. It was a stark warning to Chelsea's rearguard, but not heeded as Żewłakow became the first player to breach them at home in eleven matches. Konstantinos Charalambides found enough time and space to engineer a sweet pass for the Polish striker to stride on to and easily beat the onrushing Turnbull.

Fulsome riposte
It silenced much of Stamford Bridge while the 5,000-strong APOEL supporters let their surprise and delight be heard. The home fans were soon rising to cheer a Joe Cole header which flashed into the net following Florent Malouda's precise cross only for the offside flag to rule it out. Nevertheless, the shock of falling behind served to concentrate Chelsea minds and they were pouring forward in droves. The equaliser followed another well-constructed incursion into the heart of the visitors' defence with Essien taking possession before side-stepping his man and unleashing a firm drive which Dionisios Chiotis could not keep out.

Essien injury
Essien limped off shortly after but with Frank Lampard taking over there was unlikely to be any interruption to Chelsea's supremacy. Almost immediately Yuri Zhirkov advanced to find a crossing position down the left. Drogba pulled away from his markers and there was room aplenty to drive in the second. There was nothing at the start of the second half to suggest the balance of play was about to witness a significant change. Cole came close to Kakuta's low delivery while from a promising position Drogba sensed an opportunity to add to his recent tally of free-kick goals but aimed narrowly wide.

Chances rain
As the rain continued to pour down and Chelsea remained camped in the APOEL half, it seemed the only relevant issue was how many goals the home side would be satisfied with. Cole bounced a long cross off the crossbar but the look on his face was a giveaway that his intention had been to find a team-mate rather than go for goal. Terry had a goal ruled out and was then found wanting at the other end as Chelsea gave the ball away and Mirosavljević pounced to deliver the visitors a point.

Atlético de Madrid 0-3 FC Porto

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 01:49:00 +0200

FC Porto rounded off their Group D campaign with an impressive 3-0 victory at Club Atlético de Madrid, even the prospect of a UEFA Europa League place failing to rouse the disappointing hosts.

Overwhelmed
With APOEL FC only managing a 2-2 draw with Chelsea FC the Spanish side were handed a European reprieve as they finished third by virtue of an away goal in their head-to-head record against the Cypriot side. Yet on this evidence Quique Sánchez Flores plenty of work to do as already-qualified Porto put them to the sword at the Vicente Calderón. Early goals from Bruno Alves and Falcao set them on their way, Hulk sealing a handsome triumph 14 minutes from time to ensure Porto go into the UEFA Champions League first knockout round draw on 18 December fearing no one.

Early setback
Quique Flores said before the game he wanted his side to focus on beating Porto but his words fell on deaf ears – within two minutes a static back line allowed Alves to climb unchallenged for a corner and direct a looping header over Sergio Asenjo. It was only the defender's second UEFA Champions League goal in 35 appearances. The visitors – already assured a place in the tournament's first knockout round – revelled in the pressure-free environment and almost went 2-0 up when Diego Valeri outsmarted Juanito before seeing his close-range shot parried by Asenjo.

Porto power
The goalkeeper was less impressive on 14 minutes as Jesualdo Ferreira's side doubled their advantage, Asenjo parrying Fucile's speculative effort from distance straight into the path of Falcao, who steered in his third goal of the group stage. With news filtering through that APOEL had taken the lead at Chelsea, the home supporters at the Vicente Calderón demanded more urgency. Their side responded as Sergio Agüero hit the side-netting, Simão also threatening and as the game opened up Falcao spurned a glorious chance to make it 3-0 when he headed wide from five metres.

Forlán off-colour
It was a rare fillip for an Atlético side down on their luck. Yet though Diego Forlán peppered the fans behind Porto's goal with three wild shorts from distance, a quick glance at the scoreboard at half-time slightly assuaged the Atlético faithful with Chelsea 2-1 up against APOEL. Things soured again after the break as Sergio Agüero limped off almost immediately and despite the best efforts of Simão and Juanito, usually working in tandem, the home side's night never improved.

One-way traffic
The sight of Maicon limping off injured aside, Porto were never troubled and it took a great block from Asenjo to deny Valeri after Hulk's through-ball. That may have convinced the Brazilian forward to go it alone the next time the Atlético back line opened up before him and he did not disappoint. Running on to a pass from substitute Fredy Guarín, Hulk beat defender Álvaro Domínguez before thumping a left-footed drive in off the underside of the crossbar to send the visiting supporters into ecstasy.

Beşiktaş 1-2 CSKA

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 01:46:00 +0200

PFC CSKA Moskva progressed from the UEFA Champions League group stage for the first time in their fifth attempt after a dramatic victory at Beşiktaş JK took them into the first knockout round at VfL Wolfsburg's expense.

Wolfsburg pipped
The Miloš Krasić-inspired 2-1 win against Wolfsburg a fortnight ago had meant that CSKA knew they would be through if they picked up more points here than the German side did at home to Manchester United FC. Krasić's strike late in the first half edged the visitors ahead and although Bobô levelled with four minutes left, Evgeni Aldonin won the game deep in added time; as it turned out even a point would have been enough for CSKA thanks to Wolfsburg's 3-1 loss to United. At kick-off Beşiktaş could have taken a UEFA Europa League berth with victory but three home defeats in the group proved their undoing.

Home side threaten
Beşiktaş came close to breaking the deadlock eight minutes in when captain İbrahim Üzülmez tested Igor Akinfeev, and not long afterwards Rodrigo Tello received a perfect pass from Ekrem Dağ and beat CSKA's offside trap but his chipped shot skimmed the bar. Krasić was a constant threat down the right though at this stage chances were few for youngsters Tomáš Necid and Alan Dzagoev in attack.

Krasić strikes
Necid, scorer of CSKA's equaliser against Wolfsburg, was denied by the alert İbrahim Toraman on the half-hour but it was still out of the blue when some Krasić brilliance broke the deadlock four minutes before the break. Deividas Šemberas played in the winger with an incisive ball to the left of the box and Krasić's superb angled shot beat Rüştü Reçber at his far post.

Beşiktaş response
Rüştü, himself a star on Matchday 5 in the 1-0 win at Manchester United FC that ensured Beşiktaş would have something to play for tonight, had to receive treatment – and a new shirt – after a brave dive early in the second half left blood gushing from his nose. But the home side were full of vigour and İbrahim Toraman headed just over as Wolfsburg's equaliser against United left CSKA desperate to hang on to their lead, though the English side soon restored their own advantage.

Late goals
Home coach Mustafa Denizli sent Nihat Kahveci on in attack midway through the second half and five minutes later they went close again, Matteo Ferrari this time sending a header just over the bar. Nihat forced Akinfeev to save in the 83rd minute but Beşiktaş secured their equaliser when İbrahim Üzülmez sent a low ball into the box and Bobô slid in to score. As more than five minutes of additional time began, the final whistle in Wolfsburg ensured that CSKA only needed to hold on for a draw, but with almost the final kick Aldonin burst into the box and his strong finish sparked a celebration for which his club have been waiting a long time.

FC Zürich 1-1 AC Milan

zeiad79@hotmail.com (zeiad79) — Wed, 9 Dec 2009 01:42:00 +0200

A fright night for AC Milan ended with a 1-1 draw and a place in the UEFA Champions League first knockout round after FC Zürich paid a high price for a single unfortunate challenge.

Ronaldinho penalty
Milan Gajić's superb 29th-minute free-kick for Zürich, who earned a shock 1-0 victory in Milan on Matchday 2, looked set to steer the eliminated Swiss champions to a repeat success. But on 63 minutes Alain Rochat felled Marco Borriello, meaning a red card and a penalty which Ronaldinho gratefully converted to settle nerves. Milan advance as Group C runners-up behind Real Madrid CF thanks to their 3-1 win at Olympique de Marseille.

Early chance
Milan made a bright start and needed only seven minutes to create their first chance, with left-back Luca Antonini breaking down the flank to cross, Marco Borriello nodding on and Pato meeting it with a volley which Johnny Leoni did well to smother. It was not a sign of things to come. Zürich's Adrian Nikci swung a left-footed shot just wide by way of reply and although his side needed longer to settle than the seven-time European champions, they were impressive when they did.

Gajić strikes
The hosts could easily have forged ahead in the 26th minute when Gajić threaded the ball past Milan's defence. Alexandre Alphonse sprinted clean through but contrived to balloon his shot over. Gajić made no such mistake three minutes later from over 25 metres, bending his free-kick around the Milan wall and just inside the left-hand post with Dida beaten at full stretch. It was a fair reward for Zürich's efforts and despite Borriello hooking a half-chance over shortly afterwards, they were looking good for their lead. They might even have had a second shortly before the break when Onyekachi Okonkwo sent in a rising shot from the edge of the area, forcing a sharp save from Dida.

Milan switch
Milan, which had struggled in the final third throughout the opening 45 minutes, showed a little more bite after the restart. Fed by Clarence Seedorf, Ronaldinho drilled in a low angled shot from inside the area which Leoni kept out with a one-handed save. It was not enough for Milan coach Leonardo, who sent on Mathieu Flamini for Massimo Ambrosini to try and stir things up.

Ronaldinho levels
It certainly livened up just after the hour when Seedorf slipped a killer pass through to Borriello in the Zürich area and the forward was sent tumbling. Ronaldinho gave Leoni no chance with the spot-kick, sending the keeper the wrong way. Suddenly, with the home side down to ten men, it was a different contest and Milan substitute Kakha Kaladze came agonisingly close to putting the visitors in front with a header from Andrea Pirlo's free-kick. To their credit, Zürich were determined to exit the competition heads high and they limited Leonardo's men to only half chances late on, but Milan had done enough.