TOTTENHAM Hotspur and Manchester United sealed qualification for the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League, on matchday five.
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| CONFIDENCE: Luka Modric celebrates his goal with Bale |
AT A vibrant full house at White Hart Lane, Spurs sealed qualification for the last 16, against a Werder Bremen side, that missed ten key players through a catalogue of suspensions and injuries. In less than five minutes, Younes Kaboul had Tottenham infront, continuing his golden week, after netting the winner in Saturday’s North London derby. Kaboul volleyed in at the near post after Aaron Lennon had gazumped Marcel Jansen. On the cusp of half-time, the home side had disappeared out of sight, when Luka Modric doubled their advantage, finishing tidily after Peter Crouch had put Per Mertesacker under intense pressure. Modric won a second half penalty, after his foot was stood on by Bremen debutant Felix Kroos. However, Gareth Bale showed he is human after all, as his soft penalty was saved by Tim Wiese. Crouch wrapped the game, after Lennon once again danced through the hopelessly inadequate Bremen defence. The final 3-0 scoreline didn’t flatter Tottenham; this was as easy a win that you get in the Champions League and they remain top in group A.
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| TARGET: Rooney's relief at his winning penalty was clear |
MEANWHILE, Manchester United secured their place in the last 16 as group C winners, beating Rangers 1-0 at Ibrox and in the process, parachuting Rangers into the Europa League after Christmas. Dimitar Berbatov was denied a clear second minute penalty by experience official Massimo Busacca, after being tripped by Steven Davis. United did get their penalty though, with three minutes to go, after Steven Naismith made a poor challenge, catching Fabio in the chest. Wayne Rooney, making his first start since all the headlines about his future last month scored the resulting penalty, stealing the win for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side. It could have been more against a spirited Rangers side, had it not been for a good performance from home goalkeeper Allan McGregor.
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| STUNNER: Matheus added to Arsenal's pain in Portugal |
ARSENAL failed to recover from their shocking collapse against Tottenham last weekend, falling to a disappointing 2-0 defeat in the north of Portugal against Sporting Braga. It leaves their participation in the competition in jeopardy. Arsenal pressed forward for most of the evening and looked well on top until the last 15 minutes, when it started to go pear-shaped. Cesc Fabregas limped off with a suspected hamstring injury and is likely to be out now for a fortnight. A gamble on his fitness simply didn’t work. Carlos Vela was then booked for diving, even though TV replays clearly showed the Mexican was brought down in the penalty area. Afterwards, Arsene Wenger called the extra official behind the goal system (bought in this year to the Champions League) ‘useless.’ Emmanuel Eboue was stretchered off and with Wenger having made all three substitutions, Arsenal’s increasing pain continued, now having to play on with ten men. Both Braga goals came in the last seven minutes, both on the counter attack from the Brazilian striker Matheus, as the Gunners defence was horribly exposed. This was an awkward and awful night for Arsenal.
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| BATTLE: Sturridge starred in Chelsea's edgy 2-1 win |
WITH Chelsea’s place secure already in the knockout stages, Carlo Ancelotti gave youth the chance to shine at Stamford Bridge, but it was the visitors MSK Zilina who went ahead, when Belo drove a shot past Ross Turnbull after a routine build-up. Chelsea, in dire form themselves on a domestic basis, slowly warmed to their task and drew back on level terms in the second half, when Daniel Sturridge scored from a tight angle. The Blues had a succession of good opportunities, and should have won by more, but Florent Malouda’s first Champions League goal in two years was enough with ten minutes to go, to seal a 2-1 win against the group F whipping boys.
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| JOB DONE: Cambiasso secured Inter's nervy passage |
ELSEWHERE in Europe and Inter Milan qualified for the knockout stages, as Esteban Cambiasso scored the decisive goal on 55 minutes to beat FC Twente 1-0 in the San Siro. However, Inter will need to improve if they want to hold onto their trophy. Valencia also qualified, as they recorded their biggest win in UEFA competition, trouncing hopeless Buraspor 6-1 in the Mestalla. Roberto Soldado scored two goals, taking his tally to five goals in the group stage. Fellow Spaniards Barcelona also moved into the last 16, with Pedro scoring twice and Lionel Messi netting for the tenth game running in their 3-0 rout of Panathinaikos in Athens.
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| OFF: Xabi Alonso gets his marching orders in Amsterdam |
IN GROUP B, Schalke’s excellent home record has seen them through, after an easy 3-0 win against Lyon. Jefferson Farfan scored the first goal and Klaas Jan-Huntelaar added two more to his tally, as the Germans forgot about their dismal domestic form. Lyon still advanced into the next stage, after Benfica put in a horrid display in Israel, saw them lose 3-0 to Hapoel Tel-Aviv, Hapoel’s first ever win in the Champions League. Finally, Real Madrid face disciplinary action from UEFA, after picking up controversial late red cards in Amsterdam. Their 4-0 win over Ajax, ending Ajax’s hopes of progression from group G was overshadowed by time wasting tactics from Xabi Alonso and Sergio Ramos. Both Spanish internationals were sent off, and although Jose Mourinho has dismissed the conspiracy theories, the fact that both Alonso and Ramos didn’t seem to care about their dismissals and faced possible suspensions in the knockout stages certainly hints that these cards were staged.
Well done to Tottenham and Manchester United, joining Chelsea in progression. Come on Arsenal, you are letting the English force down!
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