After slumping to a 2-1 loss in Leverkusen last night, Chelsea now need to avoid defeat when they host Valencia at Stamford Bridge in two weeks' time to ensure qualification from Group E of the Champions League.
Chelsea were given the run-around last night by former Blue Michael Ballack and his new team-mates and looked particularly lacklustre as their poor form of late continued in Gemany. Ballack almost gave the home side the lead with an excellent header that rattled Petr Cech's cross-bar in a first half that provided little goalmouth action. Didier Drogba, played in superbly by Daniel Sturridge starting ahead of Fernando Torres, had Chelsea's best chance to take the lead as he rounded the 'keeper but lost his balance with the ball heading away from Leverkusen's empty goal and fired the ball over the cross-bar.
Drogba did eventually give Chelsea the lead just after the break when he was once again found well by Sturridge in the Leverkusen box. Drogba controlled the ball expertly and with his back to goal managed to roll two Leverkusen defenders before excellently curling the ball into the far corner on the turn.
Ballack was then denied twice in quick succession by his former team-mate and, apparently, fellow Phantom of the Opera fan Petr Cech. First Ballack's acrobatic overhead kick was turned over the bar by Cech and then, from the resulting corner, Ballack turned and shot only to be denied bravely by the advancing Cech.
Leverkusen finally got the leveller that they deserved after Eren Derdiyok's missed touch from Gonzalo Castro's pass found it's way through to Sidney Sam. Sam was left free on the left-wing due to Branislav Ivanovic's poor positioning and he cleverly crossed over Cech to Derdiyok to head home with 17 minutes to play.
Leverkusen completed the win in the 91st minute as Castro's header was powered home by Manuel Friedrich who managed to get the better of Brazillian defender Alex. The win ensures Leverkusen's qualification and sets up a decider for the other qualification spot between Chelsea and Valencia on Tuesday 6th December.
Valencia will head in to that game with their tails up following their 7-0 demolition of Genk which owed much to captain Roberto Soldado's hat-trick and the creative play of Brazillian forward Jonas. Jonas opened the scoring for Valencia in the 10th minute and set up Soldado's first two goals with perfectly timed through balls which the Spanish striker calmly slotted home. Soldado had three and Valencia four after 35 minutes of the game and ensured that the game was wrapped up by half-time. Jonas then set up Pablo Hernandez for 5-0 before Aritz Aduriz's superb solo goal made it 6-0 to Valencia. Tino Costa completed the rout as he tucked in the rebound from Jonas' stinging effort.
Arsenal had a far better night than their London rivals and became the first Premier League team to qualify from their group thanks to a 2-1 win at the Emirates over Borussia Dortmund. Robin Van Persie extended his fine run of form for the Gunners by heading home his 16th goal of the season in the 49th minute following an excellent run from Alex Song down the left.
Van Persie made it 2-0 from two yards out when he was found unmarked in the Dortmund area with an open goal following Thomas Vermaelen's flick-on from Mikel Arteta's corner. Dortmund managed to pull one back late on thanks to Shinji Kagawa's effort but it was too little too late and the manner of the victory, as well as Song's excellent performance, will encourage Arsenal fans everywhere.
In the other game of Group F Marseille hosted Olympiakos with the Greek side coming out as winners by a goal to nil thanks to Giannis Fetfatzidis' superb strike in the 82nd minute. Arsenal now qualify as winners of the group with Marseille (second with 7 points) heading to Dortmund (bottom on 4 points) on the last matchday and Olympiakos (3rd with 6 points) hoping to overcome Arsenal at home in a fortnight's time and hope that results go their way in France.
The big game of the night and probably the round was held at the San Siro where AC Milan welcomed Barcelona. The game didn't disappoint with Barcelona coming out as eventual winners by 3 goals to 2. The combination of Mark Van Bommel and Xavi put the Spaniards ahead in the 14th minute with the former likely to be attributed an own goal for his efforts.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic restored balance just 6 minutes later as he scored against his former club by sweeping the ball beyond Victor Valdes after being found by Clarence Seedorf. Barca regained the lead in the 31st minute thanks to Lionel Messi's twice taken penalty following a tug from Alberto Aquillani on Xavi in the AC Milan area. Messi's first, staggered effort was ordered to be re-taken and the Argentine master confidently breezed his second attempt past Christian Abbiati in the AC Milan goal.
The goal of the night was then scored by former Portsmouth and Spurs midfielder Kevin Prince Boateng whose acrobatic touch plucked the ball out of the sky before his sublime flick on the run took him past his helpless Barcelona marker before he smashed the ball past Valdes and into the near post.
Barca sealed the win when Xavi was found delightfully by Messi's slide-rule through ball and the Spaniard comfortably stroked the ball past Abbiatti. The win means that Barca finish as Group H leaders and AC Milan qualify in second place whilst BATE Borisov and Viktoria Plzen fight it out for a place in the Europa League. Plzen beat BATE 1-0 away in Belarus last night to gain their first Champions League victory and put them in pole position to qualify for the Europa League.
In Group G Porto secured a vital victory over Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to two late goals for the Portuguese side that keeps their hopes of progression alive. Hulk gave Porto the lead in the 79th minute before a 90th minute Razvan Rat own goal ensured the victory for the away side.
In the group's other game APOEL secured unlikely progression to the last 16 with a brave 0-0 draw in St. Petersburg against Zenit. The home side dominated possession (63%) and had 23 shots on goal compared to APOEL's 1 but they couldn't find a goal despite their control. In qualifying APOEL become the first Cypriot team to advance to the knockout phases of the competition and it means that Zenit must beat Porto on matchday 6 to progress or the Portuguese side will go through.
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Thursday 24 November 2011
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Champions League - Tuesday 23rd November (Matchday 5) round-up
Manchester City were left on the brink of a Champions League exit last night as they were beaten 2-1 by Napoli in Group A. Meanwhile, their red neighbours were put under immense pressure themselves as their wastefulness in a 2-2 draw with Benfica means that they must avoid defeat away to Basel when the sides meet in a fortnight's time.
City began the night knowing that a win in Naples would ensure qualification from their group and a chance to top the table on the final matchday when they host Bayern Munich. It wasn't to be, however, and Roberto Mancini's men fell behind in the 17th minute due to some sloppy City defending and a clever near post header from Edinson Cavani, a reported City target.
Cavani got to the ball at the near post in front of Yaya Toure, who's marking was light to say the least, to meet the Napoli corner and, with Aleksandor Kolarov absent at the near post, both the Russian full-back and Joe Hart watched the ball nip into the Man City goal.
Mario Balotelli gave Mancini's side a vital equaliser to take into the break although, based on the run of play, the leveller was barely deserved. Salvatore Aronica's terrible clearance fell in the path of David Silva and the Spaniard found rare space in the Napoli box to fire a stinging shot at the home sides goal. Morgan De Sanctis could only parry Silva's shot into the path of a grateful Balotelli who made no mistake from four yards out to score his ninth of the season.
Man City were soon behind again after the restart thanks to Cavani's 2nd goal of the game which killed the game off. The Argentine striker played a neat one-two with former Liverpool player Andrea Dossena and, whilst on the run, he confidently volleyed home his fellow Argentinian's cut-back past Joe Hart for his fourth Champions League goal of the campaign.
City rarely threatened after that, apart from a Balotelli effort that was well saved by Sanctis, and they were lucky to escape with just the one goal deficit. Qualification is now taken out of City's hands and they must hope that they can beat Bayern at home on Matchday 6 and that Villarreal avoid defeat at home to Napoli.
Villarreal remain bottom of the group with no pints to show from their five games of the competition following Bayern's 3-1 victory at home over their Spanish opposition. Bayern ensured qualification as winners of Group A thanks to two goals from Franck Ribery and one from Mario Gomez. Jonathan De Guzman was Villarreal's scorer.
United remain much more likely to progress despite a disappointing evening at Old Trafford which saw them draw 2-2 with Benfica who have now qualified from Group C. The Portugese side took the lead in the third-minute thanks to Phil Jones' own-goal. Nicolas Gaitan, much talked off as a potential future United signing, broke down the right and his cross hit Patrice Evra before Jones deflected it past David De Gea in the Red Devils' goal.
Dimitar Berbatov restored parity with his first Champions League goal since 2008 when headed home Nani's cross in the 30th minute. It was a welcome goal for the Bulgarian and only his second of the season, his other coming against Aldershot in the League Cup.
United then took the lead in the 59th minute thanks to Darren Fletcher's goal but the lead was short-lived as Pablo Aimar equalised just a minute later to make sure that the sides shared the points. Both teams had chances to win the game in the dying minutes but failed to do so and now United must avoid defeat against Swiss side Basel on Matchday 6 to ensure progression.
In the group's other game Basel came out eventual winners over Romanian side Otelul Galati in a thriller that ended 3-2 in the Swiss side's favour, to ensure that their qualification dreams were kept alive. Galati were 3-0 down thanks to two Basel goals from Alexander Frei and a Marco Strellar effort but ensured a tense last ten minutes by scoring twice in six minutes. Gabriel Girgui pulled one back on 75 minutes and Liviu Antal made it 3-2 but the Romanian's couldn't complete an historic comeback and remain bottom of the group without a point.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid continued their onslaught on this year's competition as they hammered Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 at the Bernabeau. Real were 4-0 up by the 20th minute thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Jose Callejon, Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil. Callejon got his second of the game just after the break and Benzema also completed his brace to make it 6-0 to the home side in the 65th minute.
Real made it 5 wins out of 5 with the victory over Zagreb and have scored 16 goals in that period but Zagreb will take from the game the fact that they scored the first goals past Real in this year's tournament. Montenegran Fatos Berqiraj (81) and Coratian Ivan Tomecak (90) with the Zagreb goals.
The other tie in Group D saw Lyon draw with Ajax which means that Ajax remain 3 points clear of Lyon with just the single game to play and with a seven goal swing needed for Lyon to progress if the French side win and the Dutch side lose in two weeks' time, Ajax are most likely to progress. With Ajax facing Real Madrid and Lyon travelling to Zagreb, however, the unlikely may well be possible.
Inter Milan travelled to Turkey to face Trabzonspor in Group B and ensured qualification after a 1-1 draw with the home side. Trabzonspor gained an unlikely victory over their Italian counterparts on the opening game of the group stage in September and were looking for a repeat performance at home. This proved unlikely after Ricardo Alvarez's excellent goal gave Inter the lead after 18 minutes but the home side pegged the Italian giants back just 5 minutes later. Halil Altintop's long-range effort took a huge deflection off of an Inter defender and gave Julio Cesar no chance in the Inter goal.
Lille kept their chances of qualification alive with a win away to CSKA Moscow thanks to two second half goals. Lille took the lead after an excellent own goal from Vasili Berezutski who lobbed his 'keeper from the edge of the area with the ball kissing the bar on it's way into the Russian side's net. The French side's second was far more impressive as Eden Hazard's superb reverse ball gave Joe Cole the freedom of the Moscow penalty area and his chipped effort past the advancing 'keeper was unlucky to only hit the post. Luckily, for Lille, Senegalese forward Moussa Sow was on hand to tap in from just two yards out.
With Inter through it is now down to the last round of fixtures to decide who joins them in the last 16 of the competition, who enters the Europa League and who's European adventure comes to an end. Trabzonspor currently lie 2nd with six points and travel to Lille on Matchday 6 with the French side 3rd just a point adrift and ahead of bottom side CSKA Moscow on goal difference. The Russians travel to Italy to take on Inter with it all to do and will be hoping that the battle in Lyon ends in a draw and that they can gain an unlikely win over the 2009 champions.
City began the night knowing that a win in Naples would ensure qualification from their group and a chance to top the table on the final matchday when they host Bayern Munich. It wasn't to be, however, and Roberto Mancini's men fell behind in the 17th minute due to some sloppy City defending and a clever near post header from Edinson Cavani, a reported City target.
Cavani got to the ball at the near post in front of Yaya Toure, who's marking was light to say the least, to meet the Napoli corner and, with Aleksandor Kolarov absent at the near post, both the Russian full-back and Joe Hart watched the ball nip into the Man City goal.
Mario Balotelli gave Mancini's side a vital equaliser to take into the break although, based on the run of play, the leveller was barely deserved. Salvatore Aronica's terrible clearance fell in the path of David Silva and the Spaniard found rare space in the Napoli box to fire a stinging shot at the home sides goal. Morgan De Sanctis could only parry Silva's shot into the path of a grateful Balotelli who made no mistake from four yards out to score his ninth of the season.
Man City were soon behind again after the restart thanks to Cavani's 2nd goal of the game which killed the game off. The Argentine striker played a neat one-two with former Liverpool player Andrea Dossena and, whilst on the run, he confidently volleyed home his fellow Argentinian's cut-back past Joe Hart for his fourth Champions League goal of the campaign.
City rarely threatened after that, apart from a Balotelli effort that was well saved by Sanctis, and they were lucky to escape with just the one goal deficit. Qualification is now taken out of City's hands and they must hope that they can beat Bayern at home on Matchday 6 and that Villarreal avoid defeat at home to Napoli.
Villarreal remain bottom of the group with no pints to show from their five games of the competition following Bayern's 3-1 victory at home over their Spanish opposition. Bayern ensured qualification as winners of Group A thanks to two goals from Franck Ribery and one from Mario Gomez. Jonathan De Guzman was Villarreal's scorer.
United remain much more likely to progress despite a disappointing evening at Old Trafford which saw them draw 2-2 with Benfica who have now qualified from Group C. The Portugese side took the lead in the third-minute thanks to Phil Jones' own-goal. Nicolas Gaitan, much talked off as a potential future United signing, broke down the right and his cross hit Patrice Evra before Jones deflected it past David De Gea in the Red Devils' goal.
Dimitar Berbatov restored parity with his first Champions League goal since 2008 when headed home Nani's cross in the 30th minute. It was a welcome goal for the Bulgarian and only his second of the season, his other coming against Aldershot in the League Cup.
United then took the lead in the 59th minute thanks to Darren Fletcher's goal but the lead was short-lived as Pablo Aimar equalised just a minute later to make sure that the sides shared the points. Both teams had chances to win the game in the dying minutes but failed to do so and now United must avoid defeat against Swiss side Basel on Matchday 6 to ensure progression.
In the group's other game Basel came out eventual winners over Romanian side Otelul Galati in a thriller that ended 3-2 in the Swiss side's favour, to ensure that their qualification dreams were kept alive. Galati were 3-0 down thanks to two Basel goals from Alexander Frei and a Marco Strellar effort but ensured a tense last ten minutes by scoring twice in six minutes. Gabriel Girgui pulled one back on 75 minutes and Liviu Antal made it 3-2 but the Romanian's couldn't complete an historic comeback and remain bottom of the group without a point.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid continued their onslaught on this year's competition as they hammered Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb 6-2 at the Bernabeau. Real were 4-0 up by the 20th minute thanks to goals from Karim Benzema, Jose Callejon, Gonzalo Higuain and Mesut Ozil. Callejon got his second of the game just after the break and Benzema also completed his brace to make it 6-0 to the home side in the 65th minute.
Real made it 5 wins out of 5 with the victory over Zagreb and have scored 16 goals in that period but Zagreb will take from the game the fact that they scored the first goals past Real in this year's tournament. Montenegran Fatos Berqiraj (81) and Coratian Ivan Tomecak (90) with the Zagreb goals.
The other tie in Group D saw Lyon draw with Ajax which means that Ajax remain 3 points clear of Lyon with just the single game to play and with a seven goal swing needed for Lyon to progress if the French side win and the Dutch side lose in two weeks' time, Ajax are most likely to progress. With Ajax facing Real Madrid and Lyon travelling to Zagreb, however, the unlikely may well be possible.
Inter Milan travelled to Turkey to face Trabzonspor in Group B and ensured qualification after a 1-1 draw with the home side. Trabzonspor gained an unlikely victory over their Italian counterparts on the opening game of the group stage in September and were looking for a repeat performance at home. This proved unlikely after Ricardo Alvarez's excellent goal gave Inter the lead after 18 minutes but the home side pegged the Italian giants back just 5 minutes later. Halil Altintop's long-range effort took a huge deflection off of an Inter defender and gave Julio Cesar no chance in the Inter goal.
Lille kept their chances of qualification alive with a win away to CSKA Moscow thanks to two second half goals. Lille took the lead after an excellent own goal from Vasili Berezutski who lobbed his 'keeper from the edge of the area with the ball kissing the bar on it's way into the Russian side's net. The French side's second was far more impressive as Eden Hazard's superb reverse ball gave Joe Cole the freedom of the Moscow penalty area and his chipped effort past the advancing 'keeper was unlucky to only hit the post. Luckily, for Lille, Senegalese forward Moussa Sow was on hand to tap in from just two yards out.
With Inter through it is now down to the last round of fixtures to decide who joins them in the last 16 of the competition, who enters the Europa League and who's European adventure comes to an end. Trabzonspor currently lie 2nd with six points and travel to Lille on Matchday 6 with the French side 3rd just a point adrift and ahead of bottom side CSKA Moscow on goal difference. The Russians travel to Italy to take on Inter with it all to do and will be hoping that the battle in Lyon ends in a draw and that they can gain an unlikely win over the 2009 champions.
Saturday 12 November 2011
Beattie training with Bournemouth in search of next move
Former England striker James Beattie is training with League One side Bournemouth following his release from SPL side Rangers at the end of last season.
Beattie, 33, has been given the chance to regain some fitness and train with the side and manager Lee Bradbury has revealed that he is interested in signing the former Southampton striker but will not be rushed into a decision as, at the moment, it is an arrangement through convenience for both parties.
"Obviously it would be a massive plus for us if we could sign someone of James' Calibre", said Bradbury. "We will see where it goes, there's nothing too concrete in it and he's really come to get some time under his belt".
A former Saints icon, under the successful stewardship of Gordon Strachan that resulted in an FA Cup Final, a place in Europe and al 5 of his England caps, Beattie is back living in the city and a move may well materialise if he proves himself in training and both him and the club are a fit.
Beattie, 33, revealed after his first training session with the Cherries, ahead of their FA Cup tie with Gillingham today, that he was in need of the training and remained coy over any potential move.
Beattie said; "I've been training on my own which is quite difficult so I'm just here to get a bit of sharpness really. I'm very grateful to the club and to Lee and it's essential I get some training in and some match time between now and January."
Beattie, 33, has been given the chance to regain some fitness and train with the side and manager Lee Bradbury has revealed that he is interested in signing the former Southampton striker but will not be rushed into a decision as, at the moment, it is an arrangement through convenience for both parties.
"Obviously it would be a massive plus for us if we could sign someone of James' Calibre", said Bradbury. "We will see where it goes, there's nothing too concrete in it and he's really come to get some time under his belt".
A former Saints icon, under the successful stewardship of Gordon Strachan that resulted in an FA Cup Final, a place in Europe and al 5 of his England caps, Beattie is back living in the city and a move may well materialise if he proves himself in training and both him and the club are a fit.
Beattie, 33, revealed after his first training session with the Cherries, ahead of their FA Cup tie with Gillingham today, that he was in need of the training and remained coy over any potential move.
Beattie said; "I've been training on my own which is quite difficult so I'm just here to get a bit of sharpness really. I'm very grateful to the club and to Lee and it's essential I get some training in and some match time between now and January."
Thursday 10 November 2011
End of an era at St. James'
Newcastle United’s hierarchy have once again angered their faithful support after announcing that, with immediate effect, St. James’ Park will be renamed the Sports Direct Arena.
According to The Times, Newcastle
In a statement, Derek Llambias explained; "Our aim for Newcastle United is to continue to deliver success for the fans and everyone associated with the club. We must make this club financially self-sufficient in order to deliver that success.
"Stadium rebranding offers a lucrative way for clubs to secure significant additional income."
"Stadium rebranding offers a lucrative way for clubs to secure significant additional income."
After 119 years the powers that be at Newcastle
The move was forthcoming after Mike Ashely, owner and founder of Sports Direct, announced in 2009 that he would change the name of the stadium to sportsdirect.com@StJames’ParkStadium. This will prove no consolation for Newcastle Newcastle sitting an unlikely third in the Premiership, if the move can ensure extra funds and keep Newcastle
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Didi's non-league run-out comes to abrupt end
Former Liverpool, Newcastle United and Manchester City midfielder Dietmar ‘Didi’ Hamman has resigned as manager of Stockport County
Hamman cited the collapse of Liverpudlian businessman Tony Evans’ proposed takeover as the reason for his resignation but after just 19 points from as many games, his tenure looked short lived in today’s era of cutthroat coaching and fans called for his head after County’s 3-3 draw at home to Hayes & Yeading, who lie 21st and came from 3-1 down to share the spoils, on Saturday.
The former Germany
This was Hamman’s first managerial post after successful coaching role with MK Dons and Leicester, most recently, and although it has ended in disappointment he told Sky Sports that he would be looking for a quick return to the dugout. He added, “…I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last four months in my first managerial job. I see now that it’s made for me and I want to carry on doing it.”
Hamman was seen as a major coup for the non-league when he took over during the summer but, inevitably, he leaves after picking up only 3 wins from his 19 games in charge. During that time Stockport lost 6 and will rue the fact that they didn’t turn more draws into wins after sharing the points 10 times so far this year.
Without a doubt, Hamman will be back in the hot seat in the near future as he is highly respected within the game and, as an intelligent footballer and considered pundit, will most likely prove to be a very successful manager. You have to think back to the original appointment and ask yourself whether he was suitable for the non-league in the first place. After all, as a player at the top level and a coach within the football league, what did he know about picking up points in the lower echelons of English football? The non-league is a very tricky place for someone with no experience of it to start out as a player, let a lone a coach, and is very much a place of substance over style. With or without each other both Stockport County
Wednesday 2 November 2011
Champions League - Tuesday 1st November (Matchday 4) round-up.
Both Arsenal and Chelsea, opposition at the weekend, must await progression from their respective Groups as both provided lacklustre draws on an evening where the holders Barcelona and AC Milan became the first sides to advance to the knockout stage of the competition.
Arsenal, who could have qualified with a win over Marseille at the Emirates made three changes to the side that thumped Chelsea 5-3 on Saturday lunch-time with Carl Jenkinson coming in for Johan Djourou, Vermaelen replacing Koscielny and, hat-trick hero at the weekend, Robin Van Persie rested with Park Chu-Young starting his first Champions League game for the Gunners.
The game ended up being a tight affair with little chances for either side and Marseille were visibly delighted with the draw at the final whistle that keeps them in second place in Group F with 7 points, 1 behind Arsenal in first. Van Persie had the best chance of the game after coming on in the 60th minute for the Korean Young but failed to beat Mandanda in the Marseille goal after being excellently put clear by Thomas Rosicky's pass. Van Persie attempted to chip Mandanda into the far corner on his left-foot, only to lob the ball straight into Mandanda's grateful hands.
Borussia Dortmund are third in Group F on four points after beating Olympiakos 1-0 thanks to Kevin Grosskreutz's goal after seven minutes. Grosskreutz's fine strike gives Dortmund their first win in this year's competition and keeps alive Dortmund's hopes of qualifying for the round of last 16. Olympiakos remain bottom of the group with 3 points from their opening 4 matches.
Chelsea headed to Genk hoping to bounce back from the humiliating defeat to their London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after the Belgian side came from 1-nil down and register only their second point of this year's campaign. Andre Villas-Boas again rested John Terry in Europe, favouring Brazilian David Luiz in the centre of defence, one of five changes to the side following the defeat to Arsenal. Juan Mata, Frank Lampard, Daniel Sturridge and Jon Obi Mikel were the men to make way with Raul Mereiles, Oriol Romeu, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka their replacements.
After comfortably beating Genk 5-0 at home last time out, Chelsea were expected to put their disastrous performance against Arsenal behind them but their season's inconsistency continued. Ramires gave Chelsea the lead after 25 minutes, firing past Laszlo Koteles, from an angle, in the Genk goal. Chelsea then took control of the game and were given a golden chance to make it 2-0 when Thomas Buffel handled Flourent Malouda's cross in the Genk penalty area. David Luiz stepped up in the absence of Lampard but his obvious penalty was saved comfortably by the diving Koteles.
Genk came out firing in the second half and deservedly levelled on the hour as Jelle Vossen swept Fabien Camus' cut-back from the left past Cech. Chelsea had their chances to win the game during the remaining half hour of the fixture but couldn't get the win needed for qualification. Chelsea will now qualify if they beat Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 5 at the BayArena. Genk remain bottom of Group E with just 2 points.
Valencia brushed aside second placed Leverkusen at the Mestalla in Group E's other game of the evening, winning 3-1 and closing the gap to one point between themselves in third and Leverkusen who have 6 points so far, 2 behind Chelsea at the summit. Jonas opened the scoring for the home side with the second fastest goal of the Champions League's history, capitalising on Bernd Lenko's poor clearance to slot passed the Leverkusen 'keeper after 10.6 seconds. Leverkusen managed to equalise before half-time through Stefan Keissling but goals from Valencia captain Roberto Soldado and defender Adil Rami secured the victory for Valencia.
Lionel Messi's 14th hat-trick of his career ensured that Barcelona strolled past 10-man FC Viktoria Plzen thanks to a 4-0 win that ensured the holders' qualification to the knockout phase. Messi's first came from the penalty spot and was his 200th goal for Barcelona in just 286 appearances. Messi is only the second person to score as many goals for the Catalan club and is now just 33 goals behind Cesar Rodriguez, the Spanish striker, who represented the club between 1939 and 1955. Messi was the man brought down in the box after 24 minutes, felled by Marian Cisovsky who was sent-off as a result. Messi doubled the lead on the brink of half-time, with Cesc Fabregas scoring his first Champions League goal for the club after 70 minutes to make it 3-0 and Messi completing the scoring in the 92nd minute to give him his fifth goal in the Champions League this season.
Barca have 10 points thus far, 2 ahead of AC Milan who qualified with a 1-1 draw in Minsk against BATE Borisov, despite taking the lead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Renan Bressan scored the equaliser from the penalty spot to leave them 1 point ahead of Plzen as both battle out a Europa League spot in third.
APOEL provided the biggest shock of the night by beating FC Porto in Nicosia to extend their fine run in Group G which sees them sit top of the group by a single point. Ailton gave the Cypriots the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time but the win looked unlikely once Hulk had levelled after 89 minutes with a penalty of Porto's own. Gustavo Manduca grabbed the winner, however, just a minute later and on the brink of the final whistle as he slotted home Constantinos Charalambides' (it just rolls off the tongue) cross. APOEL are now just one victory away from becoming the first Cypriot side to qualify for the last 16.
Next up for APOEL is second placed Zenit St Petersburg who managed to overcome bottom side Shaktar Donetsk. Zenit overcame the Romanian side by a goal to nil with Nicolas Lombaerts' 45th minute header giving the Russians the win. Zenit lie second with 7 points, one behind APOEL, with Porto third with 4 and Shaktar bottom with just 2 points.
Arsenal, who could have qualified with a win over Marseille at the Emirates made three changes to the side that thumped Chelsea 5-3 on Saturday lunch-time with Carl Jenkinson coming in for Johan Djourou, Vermaelen replacing Koscielny and, hat-trick hero at the weekend, Robin Van Persie rested with Park Chu-Young starting his first Champions League game for the Gunners.
The game ended up being a tight affair with little chances for either side and Marseille were visibly delighted with the draw at the final whistle that keeps them in second place in Group F with 7 points, 1 behind Arsenal in first. Van Persie had the best chance of the game after coming on in the 60th minute for the Korean Young but failed to beat Mandanda in the Marseille goal after being excellently put clear by Thomas Rosicky's pass. Van Persie attempted to chip Mandanda into the far corner on his left-foot, only to lob the ball straight into Mandanda's grateful hands.
Borussia Dortmund are third in Group F on four points after beating Olympiakos 1-0 thanks to Kevin Grosskreutz's goal after seven minutes. Grosskreutz's fine strike gives Dortmund their first win in this year's competition and keeps alive Dortmund's hopes of qualifying for the round of last 16. Olympiakos remain bottom of the group with 3 points from their opening 4 matches.
Chelsea headed to Genk hoping to bounce back from the humiliating defeat to their London rivals at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but had to settle for a 1-1 draw after the Belgian side came from 1-nil down and register only their second point of this year's campaign. Andre Villas-Boas again rested John Terry in Europe, favouring Brazilian David Luiz in the centre of defence, one of five changes to the side following the defeat to Arsenal. Juan Mata, Frank Lampard, Daniel Sturridge and Jon Obi Mikel were the men to make way with Raul Mereiles, Oriol Romeu, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka their replacements.
After comfortably beating Genk 5-0 at home last time out, Chelsea were expected to put their disastrous performance against Arsenal behind them but their season's inconsistency continued. Ramires gave Chelsea the lead after 25 minutes, firing past Laszlo Koteles, from an angle, in the Genk goal. Chelsea then took control of the game and were given a golden chance to make it 2-0 when Thomas Buffel handled Flourent Malouda's cross in the Genk penalty area. David Luiz stepped up in the absence of Lampard but his obvious penalty was saved comfortably by the diving Koteles.
Genk came out firing in the second half and deservedly levelled on the hour as Jelle Vossen swept Fabien Camus' cut-back from the left past Cech. Chelsea had their chances to win the game during the remaining half hour of the fixture but couldn't get the win needed for qualification. Chelsea will now qualify if they beat Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 5 at the BayArena. Genk remain bottom of Group E with just 2 points.
Valencia brushed aside second placed Leverkusen at the Mestalla in Group E's other game of the evening, winning 3-1 and closing the gap to one point between themselves in third and Leverkusen who have 6 points so far, 2 behind Chelsea at the summit. Jonas opened the scoring for the home side with the second fastest goal of the Champions League's history, capitalising on Bernd Lenko's poor clearance to slot passed the Leverkusen 'keeper after 10.6 seconds. Leverkusen managed to equalise before half-time through Stefan Keissling but goals from Valencia captain Roberto Soldado and defender Adil Rami secured the victory for Valencia.
Lionel Messi's 14th hat-trick of his career ensured that Barcelona strolled past 10-man FC Viktoria Plzen thanks to a 4-0 win that ensured the holders' qualification to the knockout phase. Messi's first came from the penalty spot and was his 200th goal for Barcelona in just 286 appearances. Messi is only the second person to score as many goals for the Catalan club and is now just 33 goals behind Cesar Rodriguez, the Spanish striker, who represented the club between 1939 and 1955. Messi was the man brought down in the box after 24 minutes, felled by Marian Cisovsky who was sent-off as a result. Messi doubled the lead on the brink of half-time, with Cesc Fabregas scoring his first Champions League goal for the club after 70 minutes to make it 3-0 and Messi completing the scoring in the 92nd minute to give him his fifth goal in the Champions League this season.
Barca have 10 points thus far, 2 ahead of AC Milan who qualified with a 1-1 draw in Minsk against BATE Borisov, despite taking the lead through Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Renan Bressan scored the equaliser from the penalty spot to leave them 1 point ahead of Plzen as both battle out a Europa League spot in third.
APOEL provided the biggest shock of the night by beating FC Porto in Nicosia to extend their fine run in Group G which sees them sit top of the group by a single point. Ailton gave the Cypriots the lead from the penalty spot just before half-time but the win looked unlikely once Hulk had levelled after 89 minutes with a penalty of Porto's own. Gustavo Manduca grabbed the winner, however, just a minute later and on the brink of the final whistle as he slotted home Constantinos Charalambides' (it just rolls off the tongue) cross. APOEL are now just one victory away from becoming the first Cypriot side to qualify for the last 16.
Next up for APOEL is second placed Zenit St Petersburg who managed to overcome bottom side Shaktar Donetsk. Zenit overcame the Romanian side by a goal to nil with Nicolas Lombaerts' 45th minute header giving the Russians the win. Zenit lie second with 7 points, one behind APOEL, with Porto third with 4 and Shaktar bottom with just 2 points.
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