Thursday, November 27, 2008

Wednesday's Champions League review

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GROUP A

Chelsea drew in Bordeaux and know that a win over lowly Cluj at Stamford Bridge in the final round of games will secure qualification.

However, a draw will be enough for the Blues unless Bordeaux win at Roma.

Chelsea created next to nothing for an hour in France but Nicolas Anelka put the Blues ahead with a precise finish after Frank Lampard, who was later sent-off, played him clean through the middle.

Bordeaux equalised from a corner when the Blues failed to pick up Alou Diarra, who headed in off the post.

Cluj started well but wasted two good chances and soon found themselves behind against Roma, who will definitely qualify with a draw in their final group game.

Goalkeeper Eduard Stancioiu was beaten to a long ball forward by Simone Perrotta, who crossed for Matteo Brighito tap the ball into an empty net.

Franceso Totti doubled Roma's lead with a free-kick but Yssouf Kone pulled a goal back with a close-range header after Doni parried a shot from Alvaro Pereira.

Brighi struck his second after collecting a pass from Rodrigo Taddei before slotting past Stancioiu from 12 yards.

GROUP B

There will be a dramatic final day in Group B, with only Werder Bremen out of the running.

The German side drew with Anorthosis Famagusta, who went ahead when Nikos Nikolaou volleyed home from a corner.

The Cypriot side doubled their lead through Savio before Brazilian Diego pulled a goal back from the penalty spot and Hugo Almeida equalised close to full-time.

Inter Milan lost to Panathinaikos at the San Siro, with Jose Sarriegi scoring the only goal of the game.

Inter lead the group with eight points, one above Panathinaikos and two clear of Anorthosis.

Bremen, who have four points, could pull level with Panathinakos if they beat Inter in their final group game but they would fail to qualify on a head-to-head comparison.

A draw for Panathinakos against Anorthosis will see them qualify, while Inter progress despite their defeat as Wednesday's results mean no two teams can overhaul them.

GROUP C

Barcelona defeated Sporting Lisbon in a match between the two teams that have already qualified from their group.

Lionel Messi delivered a cross from the right for Thierry Henry to open the scoring from close range.

Gerard Pique doubled the Spanish team's advantage after Sporting failed to clear a cross that took a deflection off Eidur Gudjohnsen.

Messi extended Barca's lead after the break before a spell of three goals in as many minutes.

Miguel Veloso scored a free-kick and Liedson made it 3-2 before Marco Caneira put the ball into his own net to end any hopes of a spectacular fightback.

Bojan Krkic completed the scoring from the penalty spot after 73 minutes after he had been fouled by Rui Patricio, who saw red for his challenge.

Shakhtar Donetsk thrashed Basle to secure third place - and a Uefa Cup spot - in atrocious conditions in Ukraine.

Brazilian Jadson scored after 32 minutes with a shot outside the box. William doubled their lead after cutting in from the left before Jadson struck again, converting Darijo Srna's cross.

And Jadson completed his hat-trick after a return pass from William before Yevhen Seleznov made it 5-0.

GROUP D

Liverpool secured qualification to the knockout stage with victory over Marseille.

Steven Gerrard struck with a header from Xabi Alonso's cross for the only goal of the game.

Shocking defending helped Atletico Madrid defeat PSV Eindhoven at an empty Vicente Calderon after Uefa ruled the game had to be played behind closed doors following crowd trouble earlier in the competition.

The Dutch team had several opportunities to clear a cross from the right but having failed to do so, Simao smashed the ball home from six yards.

PSV then failed to clear a corner and the ball dropped to an unmarked Maxi Rodriquez, who struck from 10 yards.

Ateltico were themselves guilty of failing to clear their lines from a corner after the break and Danny Koevermans stabbed the ball home but they held on for victory and with it secured qualification.

Marseille and PSV both have three points and go into the final round of games battling for third spot.

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