Shakhtar 2 Arsenal 1
A second string Arsenal side without Cesc Fabregas, Chamakh, Denilson, Alimuna, Sagna, Diaby,Vermulem van Pierse, Arshavin and Song were too strong for Shakhtar in the opening minutes. In a swift counter attack in the 10th minute, Theo Walcott raced through half the length of the field to slot the ball under the body of the advancing goalkeeper. Walcott seems to have perfected his weakest aspect of the game; his finishing. It was a low controlled shot usually exhibited by the great Lionel Messi.
This was the tonic the match needed as the hosts invaded the Arsenal penalty area drawing an excellent save from Fabianski and striking the post within seconds of each other. The confidence levels increased dramatically for Shakhtar as they ran rings around the Gunnersuntil the equaliser. Emmanuel Eboue brought down Willian as Shakhtar was urged on by the home support. The perfect resultant free-kick taken by Jadson was slightly touched by Chygrynskiy and deflected off Arsenal's Eastmond for the equaliser in the 28th minute.
Gaily Clichy gifted a silly goal when he lost concentration and was seemingly in control of the situation and gave away possession to Srna who played a reverse pass for Eduardo to tap in an injury-time goal he did not celebrate. Clichy could have clonked the ball away to touch but was too naive and let the striker sweep past him. Arsenal were made to pay for their schoolboy attitude and display and failed to match their less gifted opponents who were driven only by the home crowd, but Fabiaski was outstanding.
Chelsea 4 Spartak Moscow 1
Chelsea all but confirmed their place in the knock-out stage of the elite clubs with a convincing display at Standford Bridge. Nicholas Anelka scored the opening goal after a perfectly weighted through ball from Salomon Kalou. Anelka scored from an acute angle beating Dikan clean in the 49th minute. in the 62nd minute, Makeev tripped dangerman Didier Drogba and the referee pointed to the spot. The big Ivory Coast striker picked himself up, shook off the dust and tucked in the penalty kick for the Blues to go 2-0 up.
5 minutes later, Drogba took a pinpoint free kick from the right that Ivanovic headed in to end the contest. The home team dominated the match controlling the all aspect of the game.
Chelsea went to slumber for a moment and the visitors stole a goal back. Welliton found some space inside the penalty box on the right hand side and pulled his shot. Bazhenov stretched sliding in to score the consolation. It was recorded as the first goal Peter Cech had conceded at Stamford Bridge in 956 minutes.
However Ivanovic had the final say in the 90th minute to seal the deal for Chelsea who put a man-like performance.
AC Milan 2 Real Madrid 2
Real Madrid went into the lead with seconds to half-time when Higuain scored with a precise finish after Di Maria played a fantastic pass that the Argentine scored with great composure to beat Abbiati from close range. Madrid were in control as they knocked time and again looking for the opening. It was more of how much the Spanish missed than how well Milan defended.
The second half started well with Milan legend Fillipo Inzaghi coming in for stylish Brazilian Ronaldinho. Inzaghi escaped a dismissal when he pushed a man from behind. He was to turn the hero in the 67th minute when Ike Casillas gifted him with a chance to score. The World Cup winning goalkeeper made a schoolboy error when Ibrahimovic's cross went through his hands and Inzaghi headed in a goal from close range.
Casillas presented Inzaghi with yet another easy goal when he jumped over the ball and let it roll into the net while he expected the officials to award an off-side decision with 13 minutes to go. Karim Benzema was to set up Pedro Leon in the dying minutes of injury time to level matters for a fantastic result for Madrid.
FC Basel lost to AS Roma 2-3 and CFR 1907 Cluj lost to Bayern Munchen by a 0-4 margin at home. MSK Zilina comprehensively beaten by Olympique Marseille by a whopping 0-7 scoreline while AJ Auxere were 2-1 victors over Ajax. Partizan Beograd lost 1-0 to Sporting Braga.
I am looking forward to hearing your views about these encounters.
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