Michel Bastos scored and Lisandro Lopez scored two : Lyon 3-1 Bordeaux

OLYMPIQUE LYON'S - 3
- Lisandro López 10'
- Michel Bastos 32'
- Lisandro López (P) 77'

BORDEAUX - 1
- M. Chamakh 14'

**Olympique Lyon's Argentine striker Lisandro Lopez scored twice to helped his side beat Girondins Bordeaux 3-1 in a lively first leg of the Champions League's first all-French quarter-final last night.

Home side Lyon, hoping to make the last four of European club football's premier event for the first time, opened the scoring through Lopez, but were pegged back minutes later with a splendid goal by Morocco striker Marouane Chamakh.

Lyon made it 2-1 courtesy of Brazilian winger Michel Bastos around the half-hour and a Lopez penalty 13 minutes from time gave them a significant advantage over French champions Bordeaux, who ended Lyon's seven-year reign at the top of Ligue 1 last year.

The winners face Manchester United or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals to try to become the first French club to play the Champions League final since Monaco lost it to Jose Mourinho's Porto in 2004.

Team Line-Ups :

Lyon: Lloris, Reveillere, Cris, Bodmer, Cissokho, Makoun, Toulalan, Delgado (Gonalons 86), Pjanic (Govou 65), Michel Bastos (Kallstrom 66), Lopez. Subs not used: Vercoutre, Boumsong, Ederson, Gomis. Booked: Govou, Lopez.

Bordeaux: Carrasso, Chalme (Henrique 82), Sane, Ciani, Tremoulinas, Gouffran (Bellion 84), Plasil, Menegazzo, Wendell (Jussie 71), Gourcuff, Chamakh. Subs not used: Rame, Jurietti, Cavenaghi, Placente.


Source : sport.scotsman

Ivica Olic scored in the last15 minutes send Bayern Munich to a important victory.

BAYERN MUNICH 2
- Ribery 76,
- Olic 90

MANCHESTER UNITED 1
- Rooney 2

**Ivica Olic hit an injury-time winner to give Bayern Munich the advantage after the first leg of the Champions League quarter-final with Manchester United.

Bayern defensive blunders when Wayne Rooney knocked in a deflected Nani free kick just over a minute into the match. Martin Demichelis, who could not blame bad peripheral vision from his mask, simply got deked out of his shoes by the English star, and Van Bommel’s deflection of the ball made it that much easier for Rooney.

Bayern raised their game after the break, Ribery teeing up Olic, whose over-ambitious attempt to beat Van der Sar at the near-post failed. A free kick from Franck Ribery was significantly deflected by the wall and flew into the left corner of the goal with keeper Van der Sar only able to watch.

United almost restored their lead six minutes later when Nemanja Vidic headed onto the crossbar from a corner kick.

And Bayern could have decided the match in the first minute of added time when Mario Gomez forced Van der Sar to make a great save.

But that winning goal did come in the 92nd minute as Ivica Olic collected the ball in the penalty area, dribbled away from the defenders and found space to blast it past the keeper for 2-1.

Team Line-ups:

Bayern Munich: Hans-Jorg Butt, Daniel van Buyten, Martin Demichelis, Philipp Lahm, Holger Badstuber, Franck Ribery, Hamit Altintop (Miroslav Klose, 86), Mark van Bommel, Danijel Pranjic (Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, 89), Ivica Olic, Thomas Muller (Mario Gomez, 73)

Manchester United: Edwin van der Sar, Gary Neville, Patrice Evra, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Ji-Sung Park (Dimitar Berbatov, 70), Michael Carrick (Luis Antonio Valencia, 70), Luis Carlos Nani (Ryan Giggs, 82), Paul Scholes, Darren Fletcher, Wayne Rooney

Carlos Tevez scored a 12-minute hat-trick as Manchester City beat Wigan

MANCHESTER CITY 3
- Tevez 72,
- Tevez 74,
- Tevez 84

WIGAN ATHLETIC 0

**Carlos Tevez scored a hat trick to lead Manchester City to a 3-0 win over Wigan on Monday night.

It was not a great start from the home side as they struggled in the first half to create many chances. Defensively, they did not look great but Wigan were unable to capitalize on their chances.

It would remain a scoreless match until a turning point in the 56th minute. Gary Caldwell would get a red card for a challenge on Carlos Tevez. City would take advantage from that point with three goals in the final 30 minutes.

Tevez’s goals came in the 72nd, 74th, and 84th minute of the match. He now has 19 in 28 matches for Man City in EPL matches this season. Man City are two points back of 4th place Tottenham Hotspur. Wigan are in 16th place and four points clear of 18th place.

Team Line-ups :

Manchester City: Given, Zabaleta, Toure, Kompany, Garrido (Onouha 88 '), Wright-Phillips (Bellamy 45'), Vieira, De Jong, Adam Johnson, Tevez (Sylvinho 87 '), Adebayor

Wigan Athletic: Stojkovic, Melchiot, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, McCarthy, Diame, Thomas (N'Zogbia 53 '), Scharner, Rodallega (Scotland 81'), Moreno (Gohouri 81 ')

Fernando Torres back into a machine goal : Liverpool 3-0 Suderland

LIVERPOOL 3
- Torres 3,
- Johnson 32,
- Torres 60

SUNDERLAND 0

**Fernando Torres‘ third minute strike set the tone for a comfortable and impressive performance for Liverpool as they brushed aside Sunderland at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.

Fernando Torres opened the scoring after just three minutes with a superb curling shot, that's realy brilliant goal by Spaniard after recovering from injury.

Rumble at Anfield didn't have to wait long for Glen Johnson had made it two. In the 32nd minute when Gerrard's inswinging corner was only cleared to the edge of the penalty area and the defender touched the ball inside on to his left foot and unleashed a shot which took a slight deflection off Turner to beat Gordon.

In the second half the Spain international was not to be denied much longer and on the hour he scored his second goal, which was as simple as his first was brilliant.

Torres scored his seventh goal in four matches, and his 18th in 21 Barclays Premier League appearances, midway through the second half as Liverpool coasted in the latter stages.

This season has shown the confusion of making predictions about Liverpool, but in fact Fernando Torres back into a machine goal.

Team Line-ups :

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Agger, Carragher, Insua, Mascherano, Gerrard (El Zhar 80 '), Kuyt (Aquilani 70'), Babel, Rodriguez, Torres (N'Gog 77 ').

Sunderland: Gordon, Bardsley, Turner, Cana, Ferdinand, Campbell, Henderson (Zenden 78 '), Cattermole, Richardson, Malbranque (Jones 48'), Bent.

David Dunn scored the all important goal from the spot-kick

BURNLEY 0

BBLACKBURN ROVERS 1
- Dunn (pen) 20

**Burnley's survival hopes suffered a major blow after a David Dunn penalty handed local rivals Blackburn victory.

Dunn gave Rovers the lead from the spot in the first half after Martin Olsson was judged to have been brought down by goalkeeper Brian Jensen.

Olsson also rattled the bar with a fierce drive while Jason Roberts headed wide from inside the six-yard area.

Burnley's Leon Cort volleyed a yard wide, while Wade Elliott failed to get a crucial touch on Danny Fox's cross.

With West Ham having lost again on Saturday to leave them in joint 17th with Hull, Burnley knew a win would have lifted them level on points with the Hammers and the Tigers, albeit with an inferior goal difference.

Victory in this Lancashire derby would also given Brian Laws' side is a psychological advantage in the fight to avoid the drop.

But like their fellow clarets, the Lancashire side have been in freefall for some time now - with only one win in 20 Premier League games.

Another telling statistic is that they had yet to win a league game this season after conceding the opening goal.

With 16 minutes gone, the omens did not look good.

Olsson, possibly Blackburn's best player, ran on to a ball in the area before he was ruled to have been taken down by Jensen.

Screams of protests followed from Burnley's players, but referee Mike Dean stood by his decision following a further consultation with his assistant, and Dunn sent Jensen the wrong way from the spot.

It was what Blackburn deserved having been on top during much of the first half.

Olsson, who was keen to support lone-man Jason Roberts in attack, had the ball in the net a shortly before the break but the effort was harshly ruled out for offside.

Spanish full-back Michel Salgado screwed his eight-yard effort wide and Roberts headed over from four yards when Christopher Samba was better placed behind him.

Burnley's problems in defence are known - 22 games without a clean sheet - but they have often relied on their attack to bail them out.

However, here their most potent players, David Nugent and Steven Fletcher, regularly drifted deep in order to act as catalysts for any attacks which explained why it was a defender, Cort, who had the best opportunity in the first half - a controlled volley that flew wide of the far post.

Laws' men began well after the interval without giving Blackburn shotstopper Jason Brown any palpitations. It was endeavour that lacked threat.

But it was at the other end that a second goal looked most likely to come - through the lively Olsson.

The 21-year-old Swede smashed a 20-yard shot off the underside of the bar before he stung the palms of Jensen with another cracking drive.

Burnley pressed again in the final 10 minutes and went agonisingly close to equalising when Danny Fox's fired in a low ball into the six-yard area that eluded the arriving Elliott and Fletcher.

Teams :

Burnley : Jensen, Alexander (Eagles 71), Duff, Mears, Cort, Jordan (Fox 43), McDonald, Elliott, Fletcher, Paterson (Blake 59), Nugent

Blackburn : Brown, Samba, Givet, Olsson, Salgado (Chimbonda 84), Jones, Dunn, Pedersen, Nzonzi, Roberts (Di Santo 74), Diouf (Emerton 65)

Gibson scored and Berbatov twice goal take Manchester United back to the top of the Premier League

BOLTON WANDERERS 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 4
- Samuel (og) 38,
- Berbatov 69,
- Berbatov 78,
- Gibson 82

**Manchester United have beaten Bolton Wanderers 0-4 in their Premier League match at The Reebok Stadium on Saturday evening.

The opening goal came after an awful mistake from Jlloyd Samuel that led to Manchester United taking the lead in the 38th minute to give United a 0-1 lead at the break.

Dimitar Berbatov scored United’s second goal midway through the second-half of the match, beating Jussi Jaaskelainen after the Finnish keeper parried away a shot from Darren Fletcher to make it 0-2.

Berbatov made it 3-0 in the 78th minute, with substitute Darron Gibson sealing the win in the 82nd minute to take Manchester United back to the top of the EPL ahead of Chelsea and Arsenal.

The game started at a decent pace, with chances for both sides, with United striker Dimitar Berbatov forcing Jussi Jaaskelainen into an early save, while Jonny Evans managed to steer his shot from close-range over the crossbar.

But Bolton had chances of their own in the opening period. Johan Elmander forced a great one-handed save from United keeper Edwin van der Sar before Bolton gave away a bizarre own-goal.

Ryan Giggs made one of his trademark runs down the left-wing, crossing the ball into the area, but the Bolton defender, who was under little pressure, managed to steer the ball into his own net past Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen to make it 0-1 to Manchester United.

Edwin van der Sar made another excellent save to deny Fabrice Muamba as the first-half came to a close, with the Dutch keeper diving acrobatically to deny Muamba, with Bolton finishing the first-half with their tails-up.

The game went into the break 0-1 to Manchester United, while Bolton caused problems of their own in the first-half.

United came out for the second-half with far more intent, but found it hard to get through the Bolton defence but, as the second-half wore-on, the visitors began to take control.

Nemanja Vidic was lucky not to receive a booking when, in the 68th minute, he elbowed Elmander on the edge of the penalty-area, but referee Martin Atkinson failed to see the foul and after a short spell of treatment, play continued.

Just seconds later Manchester United took a 0-2 lead, with Dimitar Berbatov slotting-home a rebound from Darren Fletcher’s shot from the edge of the penalty-area to double the lead for the current Premier League champions.

Ivan Klasnic replaced Johan Elmander and Matthew Taylor came on for Tamir Cohen in the 73rd minute as Bolton manager Owen Coyle looked to find a way through the United defence.

But Dimitar Berbatov scored his second goal of the match in the 78th minute to give United a 0-3 lead, with the Bulgarian striker receiving a perfect cross from Nani on the left-wing and calmly shooting home from close-range through Zat Knight’s legs and past Jaaskelainen to make it 0-3 to United.

Darron Gibson replaced Darren Fletcher in the 80th minute and the Northern Irish midfielder immediately made his mark, when he sealed United’s 4-0 win against a Bolton side that had capitulated.

Nani was again the provider from the left-wing, crossing into the path of Gibson, who shot in off the crossbar to seal the emphatic win for Manchester United and to take United back to the top of the EPL, one-point ahead of second-placed Chelsea.

Team Line-ups:

Bolton Wanderers: Jaaskelainen, Ricketts, Cahill, Knight, Samuel, Muamba, Lee, Cohen (Taylor 74), Wilshere, Elmander (Klasnic '73), Kevin Davies.

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Vidic, Jonny Evans, Evra, Fletcher (Gibson 80), Scholes (Carrick 74), Valencia, Giggs (Macheda '85), Nani, Berbatov.

Source : http://www.premiershiplatest.com

The Blues party goals by Lampard's four goals, Malouda twice goal and Kalou

CHELSEA 7
- Lampard 15
- Lampard (pen) 44
- Malouda 57
- Lampard (pen) 62
- Malouda 68
- Kalou 83
- Lampard 90

ASTON VILLA 1
- Carew 29

**Frank Lampard passed the 150 goal mark for Chelsea as they threw the gauntlet down to Premier League pace-setters Manchester United by destroying Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard's four goals made him the third-highest scorer in the club's history eclipsing legends Roy Bentley and Peter Osgood with 151 goals.

His efforts, two from the penalty spot, were the centrepiece of an emphatic Chelsea victory as they followed up their 5-0 midweek win at Portsmouth with another goal-laden attacking display.

And as coach Carlo Ancelotti insisted the disappointment of their Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan may yet aid their attempts to regain the title, Chelsea's embarrassing superiority over a Villa side with sights set on the top four provides the perfect tonic for next Saturday's visit to Old Trafford.

It was a win made all the more impressive because it was achieved without main marksman Didier Drogba, who was rested on the substitutes' bench after picking up a knock in the victory at Fratton Park. To say he was not missed is an understatement.

Lampard gave Chelsea an early lead when he converted Florent Malouda's cross at the far post, but John Carew quickly put Villa level after good work by Ashley Young.

The game took a crucial twist right on half-time when Lampard put Chelsea back in front from the spot after Yuri Zhirkov was brought down by James Collins - and there was no way back for Villa as Ancelotti's side cut loose after the interval.

Malouda took advantage of more fine work from Zhirkov to beat Friedel, and Lampard completed his hat-trick with another penalty. He made his mark in Chelsea history by slipping his spot-kick comfortably past Villa keeper Brad Friedel after another run from the rampant Zhirkov drew a foul from Dunne.

Villa crumbled and Malouda piled on the agony after he was set up by Lampard and substitute Salomon Kalou made it six when he shot low past Friedel after Nicolas Anelka had been given what seemed like an age to turn in the area.

It was fitting that Lampard rounded off the rout with his fourth goal in the dying seconds, turning home his effort inside the area as Villa gave every impression of a side who simply could not wait for the whistle to sound.

And as if this was not enough to ignite ecstasy around Stamford Bridge, the roars were deafening as news of Birmingham City's late equaliser against Arsenal filtered through.

Villa actually made the brighter start and won a succession of corners, so it was against the run of play that Lampard made the breakthrough for Chelsea after 14 minutes. Villa's defence allowed Malouda's driven cross to fly right across the face of goal, leaving Lampard to steal in for a sliding finish at the far post.

The goal should have banished Chelsea's early uncertainty, but they were also guilty of defensive carelessness as Villa drew level just before the half-hour.

Again it was a cross that caused the problem as Young delivered into the area, Zhirkov appearing blissfully unaware of the giant Carew's presence behind him as he let the cross go, presenting the striker with the simplest of finishes.

Chelsea ended an undistinguished first half, which gave little hint of the riches to come, in the ascendancy as Lampard restored their lead from the spot a minute before the interval.

Referee Peter Walton pointed to the spot as Zhirkov went down under the challenge from James Collins as he raced into the area, leaving Lampard to thrash the penalty beyond Friedel.

If Villa had any plans to mount a second half revival, they were swept away as Chelsea ran riot after the break in brilliant fashion.

Malouda made it three for Chelsea after 57 minutes when he swept in Zhirkov's inviting cross - and the Russian was instrumental as they extended their lead, allowing Lampard to complet his treble from the spot five minutes later.

Zhirkov surged into the area and was upended by Dunne. Lampard stepped forward to beat Friedel again and reach his landmark goals tally.

Villa boss Martin O'Neill was pondering the introduction of Stewart Downing when the outstanding Malouda made it five after 68 minutes. Lampard filled the role of creator in another move that sliced Villa apart, simply rolling the ball into Malouda's path inside the area and he rifled a finish high past Friedel.

O'Neill's side had degenerated into a shambles, and Kalou and Lampard inflicted further late punishment before Villa were put out of their abject misery.

Team Line-ups:

Chelsea: Peter Cech, John Terry, Alex, Yuri Zhirkov (Patrick Van Aanholt 77), Paulo Ferreira, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Deco (Michael Ballack 72), Florent Malouda, Nicolas Anelka, Joe Cole (Salomon Kalou 76).

Aston Villa: Brad Friedel, Richard Dunne, James Collins, Stephen Warnock, Luke Young, Steve Sidwell, Stiliyan Petrov (Stewart Downing 63), Ashley Young, James Milner, Gabriel Agbonlahor (Habib Beye 72), John Carew (Nathan Delfouneso 63) .


Source : BBC

Arsenal loss of an important moment to compete to the top of the Premier League: Birmingham 1-1 Arsenal

BIRMINGHAM CITY 1
* Phillips 90

ARSENAL 1
* Nasri 81

**Arsenal’s title challenge was once again derailed at St Andrews after Kevin Philipps grabbed a last gasp equaliser for the hosts.

The home side had a few good chances and ‘keeper Manuel Almunia appeared to be having one of his better games only to make yet another blunder late on.

Sol Campbell went close in the first half also but the north London side took a long time to break down Alex McLeish’s side who continue to impress this term.

Frenchman Samir Nasri then struck with ten minutes to go when he spun expertly in the box before beating Joe Hart to secure a crucial win in the title chase. However, Birmingham City’s veteran striker Kevin Phillips then leveled in the dying minutes when his effort somehow made its way past the hapless Almunia.

Source : http://goonertalk.com

Team Line-ups:

Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey (Phillips '84), Jerome, McFadden (Benitez '76).

Arsenal: Almunia, Sagna, Campbell, Diaby, Clichy, Denilson, Song, Walcott (Arshavin '69), Fabregas, Rosicky (Nasri '69), Bendtner.

First-half goals from former Pompey players Peter Crouch and Nico Kranjcar gave Champions League-chasing Spurs a comfortable home win.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
- Crouch 27,
- Kranjcar 41

PORTSMOUTH 0

**Tottenham Hotspur won their FA Cup dress rehearsal against Portsmouth with consummate ease, easing to a 2-0 victory at White Hart Lane.

Goals from Pompey old-boys Peter Crouch and Niko Kranjcar secured a routine victory for Harry Redknapp's men, who continued their quest for Champions League football in ruthless style.

Spurs are now five points clear in fourth and have just seven matches left to clinch a place in Europe's premier competition - and a fifth straight victory in the league has given them the best chance they can hope for.

Time is running out for bottom club Pompey, but they began with a tenacity that seemed to stun Spurs - Anthony Vanden Borre came agonisingly close to opening the scoring on 18 minutes, but Heurelho Gomes came out on top in their one-on-one battle.

Vanden Borre was made to pay for his profligacy as Crouch stooped to nod Gareth Bale's excellent cross past David James on 27 minutes.

James was at fault for the opener and could only watch as first Tom Huddlestone smacked the crossbar, before Crouch cracked the post.

It wasn't long before Kranjcar got in on the act as the former Pompey midfielder tucked home from close range after the visitors failed to clear Luka Modric's low shot.

Avram Grant's men should have reduced their arrears just before half-time, but Michael Brown shot straight at Gomes when it looked easier to score.

Pompey boss Grant never looks like the most cheerful of managers and his hangdog expression became even more sinister when Herman Hreidarsson was taken from the field with what looked like a serious ankle injury.

He needed oxygen as he left the pitch, with his FA Cup semi-final hopes seemingly dashed.

If Portsmouth are to have any chance against Spurs at Wembley, they will need to fight a lot more than they did at White Hart Lane. Richard Hughes flashed a drive wide on 60 minutes, but that was as good as it got.

In fairness, they did impose themselves on the hosts in the second half, but the lack of a cutting edge in front of goal was there for all to see.

Crouch went close late on but fired wide, but it mattered little as Spurs had this one won in the first half.

Source : football.co.uk

Team Line-ups:

Tottenham Hotspur: Gomes, Kyle Walker, Bassong, Dawson, Bale, Bentley, Huddlestone, Modric, Kranjcar, Crouch, Gudjohnsen. Subs: Alnwick, Kaboul, Pavlyuchenko, Palacios, Rose, Livermore, Assou-Ekotto.

Portsmouth: James, Finnan, Hreidarsson, Mokoena, Basinas, Brown, Mullins, Hughes, Vanden Borre, Piquionne, Kanu. Subs: Ashdown, Owusu-Abeyie, Webber, Ward, Ritchie, Sowah.

Jimmy Bullard and Craig Fagan scored gave Hull City a comfortable .

HULL CITY 2
- Bullard (pen) 16,
- Fagan 48

FULHAM 0

**A penalty from Jimmy Bullard and a header from Craig Fagan gave Hull City a comfortable win over a disappointing Fulham side.
Iain Dowie's side earned themselves a vital three points that takes them level on points with West Ham in 17th place, while Fulham have dropped into the bottom half and ends a week that Roy Hodgson's side will look to forget.

The opening goal came after seventeen minutes as Chris Smalling brought down Jozy Altidore in the box and Chris Foy had no hesitation in awarding the home side a penalty. Jimmy Bullard confidently dispatched the penalty into the top corner to put Hull City ahead.

Fulham were almost level on twenty-nine minutes as Zoltan Gera met a corner with a well directed header but George Boateng was on the line to clear at the near post and deny the Hungarian.

Four minutes after the restart Hull doubled their lead when Fagan headed home Dean Marney's cross from six yards out, giving Mark Schwarzer no chance.

The Tigers defended well from then on and gave Fulham very little chance in front of goal. A third goal for Hull almost came with twenty minutes to go as Jimmy Bullard volleyed inches wide from eighteen yards after a swift Hull City counter attack but Dowie's men held firm for a morale-boosting win.

Source : http://www.clubcall.com

Team Line-ups:

Hull City: Myhill, McShane, Mouyokolo, Sonko, Kilbane, Garcia, Boateng, Bullard, Marney, Fagan, Altidore. The subs are Duke, Barmby, Geovanni, Mendy, Vennegoor of Hesselink, Olofinjana, Cairney.

Fulham:Schwarzer, Shorey, Hangeland, Baird, Konchesky, Riise, Smalling, Dikgacoi, Davies, Gera, Dempsey. On the bench for Fulham are: Zuberbuhler, Okaka, Nevland, Hughes, Etuhu, Stoor, Greening.

Bentley, Pavlyuchenko and Gudjohnsen scored send Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final after a 3-1 winners over Fulham

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3
- Bentley 47,
- Pavlyuchenko 60,
- Gudjohnsen 66

FULHAM 1
- Zamora 17

**From 16 yards Zamora opener scores, who escaped his marker Dawson to neatly side-foot the ball past Gomes into the bottom left-hand corner. It was an open game in the first half hour.

Bentley steps to make series from the resulting free-kick on the left. He stepped up with his first touch since coming on as a substitute to dribble the ball right-footed into the crowded penalty area but nobody could get a touch and the ball flew into the far corner past Schwarzer.

At the second-half Bentley took a touch before delivering an excellent cross to the far post and Pavlyuchenko fired the ball left-footed past Schwarzer at his near post to give Spurs the lead, 2-1.

It is a marvellous move in the 65 th minute. Gudjohnsen spun midway inside the Fulham half and pass the ball to Crouch, who flicked it back to Modric, who played a wonderful pass back to Gudjohnsen before casually slotting the ball into the back of the net.

Team Line-ups :

Tottenham Hotspur: Gomes; Dawson, Assou-Ekotto (Huddlestone 46), Bassong, Bale, Corluka (Pavlyuchenko 53); Kranjcar (Bentley 46), Modric, Palacios, Crouch, Gudjohnsen

Fulham: Schwarzer; Konchesky, Hughes, Hangeland, Kelly (Dempsey 69), Etuhu, Duff, Murphy, Davies, Gera; Zamora

Goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta continued Everton victory in four action.

MANCHESTER CITY 0

EVERTON 2
- Cahill 33,
- Arteta 85

**Everton continued their good run of form to upset Manchester City at Eastlands. Goals from Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta were both on target as fast-finishing Everton snatched a victory that denied City fourth place in the Premier League.

Tim Cahill scored after a neat build-up between Mikel Arteta and Leighton Baines, who provided the cross. Mikel Arteta won a free-kick after being felled by Gareth Barry, and the Spaniard teed up Leighton Baines who’s whipped cross found the head of Cahill with firing narrowly.

Substitute Jack Rodwell burst down the left and turned inside Kompany before pulling back into the box for Cahill, who sensed Arteta rushing behind and dummied for the Spaniard to score.

It was a difficult game because Everton have a good squad but City didn't deserve to lose this game.

Team Line-ups:

Manchester City: Given; Kompany, Toure, Zabaleta, Richards (Vieira 75); Barry, De Jong, Bellamy, Johnson (Santa Cruz 57); Ireland (Wright-Phillips 41); Tevez

Everton: Howard; Distin, Jagielka, Baines, Neville; Heitinga, Arteta (v 90), Pienaar, Osman; Cahill; Saha (Rodwell 72)

Lampard complement goal and twice goal from Drogba and Malouda, tighten at the top of the Barclays Premier League

PORTSMOUTH 0

CHELSEA 5
- Drogba 32,
- Malouda 50,
- Malouda 60,
- Drogba 77,
- Lampard 90

**Chelsea fired their Premier League title charge back on track with a comfortable moved into second place in the Premier League and to within one point of leaders Manchester United with an emphatic win at bottom club Portsmouth.

Didier Drogba hard-kicked the ball into an empty net after David James tossed at thin air, in the 32 th minute Chelsea lead.

In the second half Lampard plays in Malouda down the left wing and into the box, he takes a touch, composes himself and smacks the ball into the net from a tight angle, James no chance, 2-0 Chelsea.

Chelsea could have added a third moments by Malouda thumps a rebound into the net after a Lampard shot is saved down low to his right by James but he can do nothing about the follow up and Chelsea are flying. 3-0 Chelsea.

Blues add to their tally with Drogba grabbing his second of the goal with 15 minutes remaining. The Ivorian latched onto a diagonal ball before shrugging off Steve Finnan and firing the ball past James at his near post.

In the late minutes Frank Lampard scores for Chelsea completed a big victory at Fratton Park, tie up Manchester United's lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

Team Line-up :

Portsmouth: David James, Marc Wilson, Ricardo Rocha (Angelos Basinas 45), Hermann Hreidarsson, Hayden Mullins, Aaron Mokoena (Nwankwo Kanu 71), Steve Finnan, Jamie O'Hara, Richard Hughes, Tommy Smith (Quincy Owusu-Abeyie 45) , Frederic Piquionne.

Chelsea: Petr Cech, John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho (Alex 37), Yuri Zhirkov (Patrick van Aanholt 71), Paulo Ferreira, John Obi Mikel, Deco, Frank Lampard, Florent Malouda, Didier Drogba, Daniel Sturridge (Joe Cole 55).

Goal was only a consolation from Mexican striker Guille Franco when fell 3-1 against Wolverhampton.

WEST HAM UNITED 1
- Guillermo Franco 90

WOLVEHAMPTON WANDERERS 3
- Doyle 28,
- Zubar 58,
- Jarvis 61

**Wolverhampton Wanderers produced an excellent away performance to 3-1 win at West Ham United sent them seven points clear of the danger-zone, with just seven games left to play.

In the 28th minute the visitors took the lead after a terrible mistake by James Tomkins. Kevin Doyle got into the penalty area before calmly sliding his shot past Robert Green and into the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

That goal was only a consolation, though, as Wolves got the victory they deserved leaving West Ham without a win in five matches and well and truly in a relegation battle to stay in the Premier League.

The Hammer's defence fall appart as Ronald Zubar and Matthew Jarvis struck inside three second-half minutes to lift Mick McCarthy's side seven points clear of the drop zone, in the 58th and 61th minute.

West Ham's Mexican striker Guille Franco, excellent since came off the bench to score in injury time that goal was only a consolation.

Wolves got the victory they deserved leaving West Ham without a win in five matches and well and truly in a relegation battle to stay in the Premier League.

Team Line-ups:

West Ham: Green, Faubert, Tomkins, Upson, Daprela, Behrami, Kovac, Parker, Diamanti, Cole, McCarthy

Wolverhampton: Hahnemann, Foley, Berra, Craddock, Zubar, Elokobi, Mancienne, Henry, Jarvis, D Jones, Doyle

How the fate of Albert Riera in Liverpool?, We waited.

** Albert Riera has been formally suspended by Liverpool after attacking the club and manager Rafael Benitez in a series of Spanish radio interviews.

The Spanish international has been suspended, transfer listed, fined heavily and told to stay away from the club until Monday, after an emotional attack on his manager Rafa Benitez.

Riera criticize the Spanish coach for being aloof and refusing to communicate with his players, and he described Anfield as a sinking ship.

The pair were involved in a training ground bust-up, and Benitez deemed that the senior player was out of order in the way he treated his junior colleague.

That merely added to the tension between the pair that has been growing all season, after Riera had regularly complained that he wasn’t being given a fair chance of first team football since the start of the campaign.

Sorry this happened, how is the continuation of the story, time will answer it, we waited only.

Drama five goals between threats thrown from the Premier League

PORTSMOUTH 3
- Smith 37,
- O'Hara 88,
- Kanu 89

HULL CITY 2
- Fagan 27,
- Folan 73

**There is no doubt the Premier League still matters to Portsmouth after Kanu's dramatic late winner left home fans at Fratton Park celebrating an unlikely result.

Hull led twice, first through Craig Fagan's deflected strike in the 27th minute and then after Caleb Folan slid the ball home with 18 minutes to go. Tommy Smith had equalised in the first half, before O'Hara and Kanu combined to turn a otherwise forgettable 88 minutes into a memorable 90.

While Portsmouth are resigned to a life outside of the Premier League, Hull still have some hope. This was a crushing blow for new manager Dowie, yet he is desperately trying to remain optimistic.

Line-ups:

Portsmouth: James, Mullins, Rocha, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, Smith, Mokoena, Wilson, O'Hara, Owusu-Abeyie, Piquionne. Subs: Ashdown, Diop, Brown, Finnan, Webber, Kanu, Basinas.

Hull City: Myhill, Mendy, McShane, Mouyokolo, Dawson, Folan, Marney, Bullard, Kilbane, Fagan, Vennegoor of Hesselink. Subs: Duke, Barmby, Geovanni, Garcia, Cooper, Olofinjana, Cairney.

Terrific Darren Bent, twice goal only five minutes in fact

SUNDERLAND 3
- Bent 5,
- Bent 11,
- Campbell 88

BIRMINGHAM CITY 1
- Jerome 60

**Sunderland registered a vital Premier League victory over Birmingham at the Stadium of Light, Darren Bent grabbing a brace in a 3-1 win.

Sunderland claimed their second win in three games with a hard-fought victory over a spirited Birmingham.The Black Cats were ahead as early as the fifth minute courtesy of a neat finish from Darren Bent from six yards.

The England striker made it 1-0 just six minutes later, finishing well after being fed in by Steed Malbranque

It didn’t take long for Darren Bent add a second, only five minutes in fact, giving Sunderland a 2-0 lead with only ten minutes on the clock.

After missing one good chance and seeing another saved. Jerome finally saw one effort and make good, he shoot into the net on the left before he eventually brought his side back into the match on the hour.

Goal from Fraizer Campbell with two minutes remaining as Sunderland struck on the break.

Team Line-ups:

Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand, Campbell, Meyler, Richardson, Malbranque, Bent, Mwaruwari. Subs: Carson, Bardsley, Zenden, Henderson, Da Silva, Kilgallon, Cattermole

Birmingham: Hart, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell, Gardner, Michel, Ferguson, Fahey, Jerome, Benitez. Subs: Taylor, Bowyer, Larsson, Phillips, McFadden, Parnaby, Vignal

Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez scores, giving hope maintain his side's Champions League position.

FULHAM 1
- Murphy (pen) 75

Manchester City 2
- Santa Cruz 7,
- Tevez 36

**Manchester City raising expectations on after Santa Cruz and Carlos Tevez scores in deflates Fulham's at Craven Cottage to maintain his side's Champions League.

City immediately broke on the counter attack after Kompany’s clearance and Bellamy raced down the left wing before cutting inside to strike right-footed against the post and the ball fell to Santa Cruz, who reacted sharply to tap in from close range to give Roberto Mancini’s side the lead, 1-0.

City were content to probe until Bellamy skipped down the left and Bellamy was a constant threat to the Fulham back four and he had a hand in City’s second goal after he picked out Tevez in the area. The Argentine used his chest to control the ball, and under pressure from Smalling, before releasing Tevez into the space to slip in his 22nd goal of a productive season, 2-0 City lead.

Fulham failed to create many chances in the second half but were awarded a penalty when Lee Probert pointed to the spot after Barry was ruled to have handled in the area following Baird’s right wing cross. Murphy promptly dispatched the spot-kick to pull a goal back for the Cottagers.

The end result remains the position 2-1 to Manchester City advantage.

Team Line-ups:

Fulham: Mark Schwarzer; Chris Smailling; Aaron Hughes; Paul Konchensky; Chris Baird (Bjorn Riise '81); Dickson Ethuhu; Danny Murphy; Zoltan Gera (Stefano Okaka Chūka '56); Damien Duff, Bobby Zamora (Clint Dempsey '52)

Manchester City: Shay Given; Vincent Kompany; Kolo Toure 'Pablo Zabaleta; Gareth Barry; Patrick Vieira; Roque Santa Cruz (Nigel de Jong '79); Carlos Tevez; Javier Garrido; Craig Bellamy (Nedum Onouha '90); Adam Johnson ( Shaun Wright-Phillips '84)

Wayne Rooney and Ji-Sung Park retain Red Devils back at the greatness top Premier League.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2
- Rooney 12,
- Park 60

LIVERPOOL 1
- Torres 5

**Manchester United returned to the top of the Premier League table with a 2-1 win against rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford this afternoon.

Fernando Torres scored the opener with a fine header before Wayne Rooney equalised at the second time of asking after his penalty was saved. Ji-Sung Park scored the winner in the second half with a wonderful diving header.

And if United do go on to claim a fourth straight title and a record-breaking 19th in all, Park will deserve special mention for his telling contributions in key games such as this, when victory was vital.

Wayne Rooney may have been United’s star man this season, taking his goal tally to 33 for the season from the rebound of a saved penalty, but unsung hero Park has played his part.

Team Line-ups:

Manchester United: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Valencia, Fletcher, Carrick, Park (Scholes '87), Nani (Giggs '79), Rooney.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Insua, Mascherano, Lucas (Benayoun '83), Kuyt (Aquilani '73), Gerrard, Maxi (Babel '76), Torres.

Chelsea victory over drogba goal postponed because El-Hadji Diouf

BLACKBURN ROVERS 1
- Diouf 70

CHELSEA 1
- Drogba 6

**Blackburn Rover lifted her head boldly to challenge Chelsea 1-1, prevent the Blues taking over at the top of the Premier League table.

The visitors started the better early on, when they exposed Blackburn’s left hand side, with both Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka exploiting the opportunities that came as a result to test the Blackburn goal.

Anelka the simple of beautiful-pass balls to Drogba, who dispatched it directly into the bottom right corner of the net for his 22nd league goal of the season. From then on Chelsea continued to put the home side under the cosh, and left Jason Brown, in the Rovers goal, scrambling on several occasions.

But in the 70th minute after second Half time, Blackburn’s luck was to finally pay off with 20 minutes left in the game, when a superb cross from former Real Madrid defender Michel Salgado was powerfully headed pass Turnbull and into the Chelsea net by El-Hadji Diouf.

The whistle goes and Blackburn have held on for the draw. Chelsea can't take advantage of the opportunity to seize power Premier League table.

Team Line-ups:

Blackburn Rovers: Jason Brown, Phil Jones, Christopher Samba, Martin Olsson, Míchel Salgado, Keith Andrews, Steven Nzonzi (David Hoilett 90), El-Hadji Diouf, Morten Gamst Pedersen, Nikola Kalinic (Jason Roberts 63), David Dunn (Brett Emerton 56)

Chelsea: Ross Turnbull, John Terry, Alex, Paulo Ferreira, Branislav Ivanovic (Yuri Zhirkov 45), John Mikel Obi, Florent Malouda, Frank Lampard, Salomon Kalou (Deco 74), Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka (Daniel Sturridge 90)

Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar scored : Everton 2-0 Bolton Wanderers

EVERTON 2
- Arteta 72,
- Pienaar 89

BOLTON WANDERERS 0

**Mikel Arteta and Steven Pienaar were on the scoresheet as ten-man Bolton became another victim of fortress Goodison Park with Everton making it seven home wins on the spin with a 2-0 success.

David Moyes' dominant side looked set to be on their way to a disappointing draw, but after Gretar Steinsson saw red for a foul on Pienaar on 71 minutes, Arteta curled the resulting free-kick to put the Toffees ahead.

The home side had earlier found Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen in fine form but Arteta's strike - and a late second from Pienaar - ultimately sent the Trotters home empty-handed.

Bolton seized the early initiative and they had a penalty appeal on three minutes after a Steinsson free-kick bounced around the box but referee Alan Wiley was not interested.

Owen Coyle's side were on the front foot again six minutes later but Zat Knight's header was easily saved by Tim Howard.

The home side gradually started to get a foothold in the game as the half wore on - Arteta struck a free-kick into the wall while Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, a 15th minute substitute for Victor Anichebe, fired over.

But it was Bolton who wasted the best chance of the half on 39 minutes - Chung-Yong Lee and Jack Wilshere combined well to send Davies clear but the former Chesterfield frontman couldn't beat Howard.

The second half followed the scrip of the first with the home side dominating play, but struggling to find the end product, Ayegbeni Yakubu had a deflected effort saved by Jaaskelainen on 51 minutes.

And two minutes later the Bolton stopper was at it again, this time blocking a Johnny Heitinga effort.

The game exploded into life in the last quarter when Bolton were reduced to ten men when Steinsson received his marching orders for bringing down Pienaar on 71 minutes.

And the Toffees made the advantage count immediately when Arteta curled the resulting free-kick into the top corner.

Bolton tried to get themselves level, but Pienaar's 89th minute goal ensured Everton's unbeaten home run extended to nine games.

Time Line-up:

Everton: Howard, Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Anichebe, Heitinga, Arteta, Pienaar, Cahill, Yakubu; Subs: Nash, Hibbert, Yobo, Bilyaletdinov, Saha, Osman, Rodwell

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Andrew O'Brien, Knight, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, Cohen, Wilshere, Kevin Davies, Elmander; Subs: Al Habsi, Cahill, Taylor, Riga, Mark Davies, Ricketts, Weiss


source : http://www.football.co.uk

Denílson goal inspired The Gunners, Cesc Fábregas pinalty scorer

ARSENAL 2
- Denilson 5,
- Fabregas (pen) 83

WEST HAM UNITED 0

**While Arsenal fans contemplate two compelling matches against Barcelona in the Champions League, manager Arsene Wenger has urged his players to keep their minds strictly on domestic matters - and specifically this weekend's London derby against West Ham United - stressing that they've been battling to stay in the title race since August, so it would be somewhat careless to lose focus now amid thoughts of taking on the current European champions.

There are plenty of pundits who regard it as a minor miracle - or more accurately, perhaps, a testimony to the inconsistency of all the leading clubs this season - that Arsenal are still in with a strong shout of landing the Premier League prize, after having been written off repeatedly along the way. In fact, victory over their neighbours to the east on Saturday would send the Gunners back to the top of the table, at least for a day.

As Wenger put it succinctly this week: "With eight games - four at home, four away - left, we are still in the race, so let's have a go."

West Ham can certainly expect their hosts to do that - and Gianfranco Zola's side will also probably be seeking to ensure they stifle the Gunners' knack of scoring last-minute goals (they've netted five in or after the 90th minute of their last four League games) but the Sardinian boss knows the Hammers face a daunting task.

Arsenal are the League's top scorers (with 71 goals), and go into this Saturday evening clash aiming to secure a sixth successive win, while West Ham head to north London seeking what would be only their second away win this term in the League.

Their last success on the road was on the opening day of the season at Wolves. Highlighting the current difference in the two clubs' fortunes, the Hammers are an uncomfortable three points above the relegation zone and have lost their last three games, in which they've conceded nine goals.

However, the Eastenders hold the unique distinction of being not only the last visiting side to win at Highbury, but also the first to win at the Emirates Stadium. That 1-0 victory in April 2007, which owed plenty to an inspired performance by goalkeeper Rob Green, as well as to the decisive goal from Bobby Zamora, was their most recent triumph over the Gunners; they've drawn two and lost four of the subsequent six meetings in League and cup. Another unpromising statistic for the Hammers is that they haven't won any of their last nine Premier League London derbies.

Overall, the two clubs have met 122 times, Arsenal winning 51 to West Ham's 33. And if Arsenal should open the scoring, it will be a bad omen for Zola: they last came from behind to win a league match way back in December 2008, when they beat Stoke City 2-1. On the other hand, when they entertained the Gunners at the Boleyn Ground in October, they overcame a two-goal half-time deficit to draw 2-2.

Robin van Persie and William Gallas opened up what appeared to be comfortable lead, but Carlton Cole and Alessandro Diamanti - the latter from the penalty spot - earned West Ham a precious point.

Neither of the Arsenal scorers will be involved this weekend because of injury, but Cole is back in the West Ham side following injury problems of his own, while Diamanti will be hoping to make it three out of three against Arsenal, if selected. The Italian also scored when the two sides met in an FA Cup third round clash in January. However, then it was Arsenal's turn to come from behind as Aaron Ramsey and Eduardo turned the tie on its head.

The Gunners may be further encouraged by the fact that exactly 34 years ago to the day - on 20 March 1976 - they recorded their biggest ever home win against West Ham, 6-1 but they can have no bigger motivation to continue their current winning streak than the prospect of topping the table by around 19:15 on Saturday night.

Teams :

Arsenal: Almunia, Vermaelen, Campbell, Clichy, Eboue, Denilson, Song, Fabregas, Arshavin (Eduardo 82), Nasri (Sagna 75 '), Bendtner (Diaby 57')

West Ham: Green; Upson, Tomkins, Daprela, Spector, Kovac (Noble 69 '), Behrami, Stanislas, Diamanti, Guillermo Franco (Cole 57'), Mido (McCarthy 74 ')

Source : http://www.goal.com

Eidur Gudjohnsen and Niko Kranjcar scored, send to a important victory.

STOKE CITY 1
- Etherington (pen) 64

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 2
- Gudjohnsen 46,
- Kranjcar 77

**Tottenham Hotspur traveled to the Britannia Stadium on Saturday, March 20, 2010 to face Stoke City in the English Premier League. Spurs were 4th in the Premier League table heading into the match and likely would need a win to remain in that place by the end of the weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur got a crucial road win to remain in 4th place in the English Premier League on Saturday.

The match was scoreless in the first half but would see three second half goals. Eidur Gudjohnsen would give Tottenham the lead in the 46th minute. It was short lived though as Stoke City leveled the match with a penalty converted by Matthew Etherington in the 64th minute.

With the match tied at 1-1, a goal from Niko Kranjcar would give Spurs the lead in the 77th minute. It proved to be the match winner and puts Tottenham in good position to earn a spot in Europe for next season.

Team Line-up:

Stoke City: Sorensen; Huth, Higginbotham, Faye, Collins; Whelan (Tuncay 84), Whitehead; Etherington, Delap; Kitson (Sidibe 84), Fuller

Tottenham Spurs: Gomes; Corluka, Bassong, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto; Kranjcar (Livermore 90), Kaboul, Modric, Bale; Pavlyuchenko (Gudjohnsen 36), Crouch

John Carew continued his productivity goal in the Premier League

ASTON VILLA 2
- Carew 16,
- Carew 82

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 2
- Craddock 23,
- Milner (og) 38

**Aston Villa must a hard-fought again to compete in the big four, after playing the series when faced with Wolverhampton Wanderers. John Carew double secured a point from defeat at Villa Park.

Villa got off to a flying start with John Carew converting Ashley Young's cross after just 16 minutes, but Wolves hit back and drew level seven minutes later through goalscoring centre-back Jody Craddock.

With less than ten minutes of the first-half remaining, the visitors went in front. Wolves attacked down the left flank, and Matt Jarvis managed to offload a dangerous ball across the Villa penalty area. From there it was a race between Jones and Milner which the England international won but he couldn't help poking the ball past Friedel into his own net.

But moments later, Villa were level. Heskey showed good strength to hold-up the ball after Carew’s knock-on, and the England striker slipped the ball through to the onrushing Steve Sidwell. The former Reading and Chelsea man poked the ball forward and Carew was on hand to tuck the ball under Hahnemann to bag his second of the match.

Team Line-ups:

Aston Villa: Friedel; Cuellar, Dunne (Albrighton 72), Collins, Warnock; A. Young, Petrov, Milner, Downing (Sidwell 77); Heskey, Carew

Wolverhampton: Hahnemann; Zubar, Berra, Craddock, Ward (Mancienne 64); Foley, Jones, Guedioura (Elokobi 46), Henry, Jarvis (Iwelumo 89), Doyle

Goal crucial Clint Dempsey send to the quarter-finals in Europa League

FULHAM 4
- Zamora 9,
- Gera 39,
- Gera (pen) 49,
- Dempsey 82

JUVENTUS 1
- Trezeguet 2

**Fulham trounced European giants Juventus 4-1 (5-4 on aggregate) at Craven Cottage to reach the Europa League quarter-finals in a stunning victory Thursday.

The host looked shock when David Trezeguet gave Juventus an early lead at Craven Cottage. The opener goal for Juventus started when passing the ball around comfortably inside the surprisingly quiet Craven Cottage and they took the lead within two minutes.

But Bobby Zamora's strike gave the hosts hope and were given a lifeline in the shape of a wonderful Bobby Zamora goal. At which point, Konchesky crosses from the left, Cannavaro falls to the floor and Zamora chests the ball down unopposed and scores from six yards.

That Juventus lead inside three minutes failed is largely owing to the controversial decision of referee Bjorn Kuipers to send off Cannavaro.

Imaginable, the 10-men of Juventus were rafferty and only seconds Zamora's clever flick into the penalty area released Davies, who sent over a low cross to the far post for Gera to turn the ball home from close range.

A backheel from Gera released Damien Duff and when Diego's hand cut out the resulting cross in the box. A good penalty, the keeper wouldn't have stopped it even if he hadn't gone the wrong way. It's all level now, and Fulham have 40 minutes against 10 men to get the winner.

Make an attacking change conducted by Roy Hodgson’s as his team went for the win, bringing on Clint Dempsey in place of Stephen Kelly.

Instantly, the American made a huge impact just outside the penalty area. He carries the ball a few paces to his left and then lifts it over the keeper and looping in at the far post from 20 yards. That is brilliant goal on the night.

Final result Fulham defeated Juventus 4-1 to advance to the quarterfinals of soccer’s Europa League.

Team Line-ups:

Fulham: Schwarzer; Konchesky, Baird, Hughes, Hangeland, Kelly (Dempsey 71); Etuhu, Duff, Davies, Gera (Riise 85); Zamora

Juventus: Chimenti; Cannavaro, Grosso (Del Piero 85), Zebina; Camoranesi (De Ceglie 52), Salihamidzic, Sissoko, Diego, Melo, Candreva (Grygera 28); Trezeguet

Villa hat-trick seals progress

**David Villa scored a hat-trick as Valencia advanced to the Europa League quarter-finals on away goals after a thrilling draw against Werder Bremen.

Valencia grabbed the lead after two minutes through Villa and Juan Manuel Mata made it 2-0 with just quarter of an hour gone.

Hugo Almeida pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 26th minute before Villa grabbed his second just before the interval.

Torsten Frings scored from the penalty spot in the 57th minute and Marko Marin made it 3-3 just five minutes later, but Villa completed his hat-trick in the 65th minute and Claudio Pizarro's strike six minutes from time was not enough for the home side.

Valencia jumped ahead just two minutes into the game after a poor headed clearance which landed right at the feet of David Silva. The Spain international found Villa in space on the left and he beat Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese with a shot into the far corner.

Bremen had two fine chances through Aaron Hunt and Claudio Pizarro but it was Valencia who scored again on 15 minutes as Silva was the provider once more, finding Mata who fired past Wiese.

That prompted Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf to bring on another striker, Miguel Almeida, in place of midfielder Tim Borowski after just 21 minutes.

And Almeida cut the deficit just five minutes after coming on, slotting home Pizarro's fine cross.

The German side continued to push forward and Hunt and Almeida both failed to take advantage of chances nine minutes from the break.

And Villa silenced the Bremen crowd just before half-time, firing home from eight yards after Silva's pass from the touchline.

The gap was back to one after 57 minutes as Bremen captain Frings converted a penalty after Jordi Alba brought down Marin in the area.

Frings' shot was hit directly at Valencia goalkeeper Cesar Sanchez but he could only punch the ball into his own goal.

Marin equalised five minutes later with Mesut Ozil setting up the young German international to beat Sanchez.

However, Valencia held their nerve and Villa collected a long diagonal pass from Mata before beating Wiese and completing his hat-trick after 65 minutes.

Bremen refused to give up and Pizarro equalised with a header in the 84th minute for his ninth goal of the competition, but the home side could not score the vital winner in five minutes of stoppage time.

Team Line-ups :
Bremen: Wiese; Pasanen, Fritz (Rosenberg 79), Mertesacker, Naldo; Frings, Borowski (Almeida 21), Özil; Pizarro, Hunt, Marin

Valencia: Cesar; Marchena (Michel 65), Bruno (Alba 46), Miguel, Dealbert; Joaquin (Fernandes 55), Baraja, Silva, Maduro; Villa, Mata

Gerrard scored, Torres double in the party's revenge at Anfield Stadium

**Liverpool conceded a 1-0 defeat when they visited Lille in France in first leg match. But they are a strong side and can overcome the one goal deficit when they take on Lille at Anfield Stadium. They only thing which Rafa wants from his players is to play their own game and create chances so they can do it tonight.

The Reds began the match confidently when Steven Gerrard penalty on eight minutes after Lucas was felled by Adil Rami following a fine run past four players.

From the penalty spot Gerrard made no mistake sending Landreau the wrong way to give the home side the lead and level the tie up on aggregate.

In the second half Torres chipped in the second after the break with a goal in the 49th minute. A typically adept finish from the Spaniard a long ball from Babel was misjudged by Rami and fell into the path of Torres 25 yards from goal, to give the home side the lead in the tie

Starting from Kuyt shot on the right and fed Gerrard, who shot from 20 yards in the 90th minute and Torres pounced, flipping it casually into the net from seven yards.

Liverpool sealed the passage into the quarter finals of the competition thanks to a second goal from Torres and 3-1 on aggregate as they progressed to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Team Line-ups :

Liverpool : Reina, Johnson, Agger (Kyrgiakos 90), Insua, Carragher, Gerrard, Mascherano, Lucas, Torres (Ngog 90), Kuyt, 19 Babel (Benayoun 80)

Lille : Landreau, Emerson, Beria, Rami, Balmont (Aubameyang 71), Cabaye, Obraniak, Chedjou Fongang, Mavuba, Hazard (Vandam 86), Frau (Toure 58)

Brilliant goals from Lionel Messi put Barca to the quarterfinals Champions League

BARCELONA 4
- Messi 13,
- Pedrito 22,
- Messi 60,
- Bojan 89

STUTTGART 0

**Messi struck a brilliant opener after just 12 minutes to put Barca on track, and then played a key role as Pedro Rodriguez made it 2-0 soon after as the Catalan giants built a 5-1 aggregate lead.

Messi made it 3-0 on the hour with a low shot on the turn, after a long move culminated by Pedro and Toure.

Barca did manage to get one more goal though as substitutes Ibrahimovic and Bojan combined in the 89th minute for the latter to slide home a low shot from outside the area.

Fresh from his stunning treble in Sunday's 3-0 win over Valencia - his second hat-trick in 2010 already - the Argentinian broke the deadlock with a superb finish.

Team Line-ups:

Barcelona: Victor Valdes, Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Maxwell, Sergi Busquets (Zlatan Ibrahimovic 66), Yaya Toure, Andres Iniesta (Bojan Krkic 88), Lionel Messi, Thierry Henry (Gabriel Milito 79), Pedro Rodriguez.

Stuttgart: Jens Lehmann, Stefano Celozzi (Timo Gebhart 45), Georg Niedermaier, Mathieu Delpierre, Christian Molinaro Christian Trasch, Zdravko Kuzmanovic, Sami Khedira, Aleksandr Hleb, Cacau, Pavel Pogrebnyak (Ciprian Marica 70).

Goals from Gourcuff and Chamakh, send Bordeaux reached the quarter-finals Champions League

BORDEAUX 2
- Gourcuff 5,
- Chamakh 88

OLYMPIAKOS 1
- Mitroglou 65

**Bordeaux reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup for the first time in 22 years, beating Olympiakos 2-1 after goals from Yoann Gourcuff and Marouane Chamakh.

Gourcuff put Bordeaux ahead in the fifth minute but Olympiakos leveled midway through the second half through substitute Kostas Mitroglou. The visitors looked the better side until Chamakh scored with a brilliant header in the 88th as Bordeaux advanced 3-1 on aggregate.


Team Line-ups:

Bordeaux: Carrasso; Chalme, Sane, Ciani, Trémoulinas; Diarra, Fernando, Wendel (Jussie 90), Plasil (Sertic 84); Gourcuff; Chamakh

Olympiakos: Nikopolidis; Torosidis, Papadopoulos, Mellberg, Bravo; Maresca, Zairi (Mitroglou 63), Stoltidis (Ledesma 80); Lua Lua, Dátolo, Derbyshire

Milner secures Villa victory with crucial goal : Wigan 1-2 Aston Villa

WIGAN ATHLETIC 1
- Caldwell 27

ASTON VILLA 2
- McCarthy (og) 25,
- Milner 63

**James Milner underlined his England World Cup credentials by netting the winner as Aston Villa enhanced their Champions League aspirations with a 2-1 victory at Wigan Athletic.

For Wigan the table makes much more depressing reading. The home team when James McCarthy put through his own net in and Chris Kirkland blundered for the second Villa goal.

Wigan who started brightly, but they only had to wait two minutes to find the leveller. N'Zogbia sent in a terrific in-swinging ball that evaded the Villa defenders and found Gary Caldwell eluded Richard Dunne at the back post, the Scottish defender not hesitating from five yards out to head his side level.

With the game continuing to be so open someone had to score again and that proved to be the case when Villa found the back of the net on 63rd minute.

The last of which was not cleared properly by Latics 'keeper Kirkland who pushed the ball away only for it to find Milner on the edge of the box. The midfielder then turned and drove a left-foot shot that went pat a crowd of bodies and into the back of the net. 2-1.

Team Line-ups:

Wigan: Kirkland, Boyce, Caldwell, Bramble, Figueroa, Thomas, McCarthy, Diame, N'Zogbia, Moreno, Rodallega. Subs: Stojkovic, Amaya, Scharner, Scotland, Moses, Gomez, Sinclair.

Aston Villa: Friedel, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, Downing, Milner, Petrov, Ashley Young, Agbonlahor, Carew. Subs: Guzan, Luke Young, Sidwell, Delfouneso, Delph, Heskey, Beye.

Keisuke Honda scored the impressive goal in this Champions League win over Sevilla

SEVILLA 1
- Perotti 41

CSKA MOSCOW 2
- Necid 38,
- Honda 55


**CSKA Moscow are trough to the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League following a 1-2 win at Sevilla on Tuesday. The first leg ended 1-1.

Sevilla had the first good chance of the match on 17 minutes as a volley from Luis Fabiano forced keeper Igor Akinfeev to make a great save.

Brilliant goal from Necid against the run of play, Honda spins his marker after a low throw-in on the right is directed into his body. Tomas Necid scored with a precise low shot late in the first half half but Sevilla immediately responded through Diego Perotti's close-range effort, 1-0 position CSKA Moscow lead.

In minute 41, event a rare long ball was not cleared by the defence, allowing Navas on the right of the area to stab it across for the onrushing Perotti to take a touch and poke home, change position 1-1.

But the tie turned decisively when Palop was deceived by Honda's left-foot free-kick over the wall from 30 yards out which Palop is right behind, and a crucial second away goal.

Keisuke Honda scored the all important goal in this Champions League tie as to secure an impressive win over La Liga side Sevilla.

Team Line-ups:

Sevilla: Andres Palop; Marius Stankevicius, Federico Fazio, Ivica Dragutinovic, Fernando Navarro (Adriano 74); Jesus Navas, Didier Zokora, Renato (Alvaro Negredo 71), Diego Perotti, Diego Capel (Frederic Kanoute 46); Luis Fabiano.

CSKA Moscow: Igor Akinfeev; Vasily Berezutsky, Sergei Ignashevich, Alexei Berezutsky, Georgi Shchennikov; Deividas Semberas, Yevgeny Aldonin, Keisuke Honda (Elvir Rahimic 82), Mark Gonzalez (Pavel Mamaev 88), Milos Krasic (Chidi Odiah 72); Tomas Necid