The Mid-week Review
by Danny Wright
The Champions League game week-two constituted this week’s mid-week football action, and it was Rangers who embraced the European stage with a superb 3-0 win over Alain Perrin’s Lyon side. Lee McCulloch gave the visitors the lead, and strikes from Daniel Cousin and DaMarcus Beasley sealed a fine win. Rangers are second in Group E, only behind leaders Barcelona on goal difference.
Chelsea also enjoyed this week’s European action, lifting the gloom surrounding Avram Grant as Joe Cole’s vintage display earned the Blues a 2-1 win over Valencia. The hosts took the lead through David Villa as he beat Peter Cech to score, but Cole’s scrambled effort levelled things up. Cole then turned provider as he put in Didier Drogba to seal the win after seventy minutes, giving under-fire Israeli Grant a much needed boost.
Manchester United overcame a defiant Roma at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney’s first goal of the season giving Sir Alex’s men a 1-0 win. The clash was a far cry from the 7-1 drubbing handed out to the Italians in April as chances were at a premium, but it was Rooney’s effort that made all the difference as he turned and shot to give United the win.
Steaua Bucharest were defeated by Arsenal in Romania, as Robin van Persie’s strike gave the Gunners a second successive Champions League win. Arsenal dominated affairs but were frustrated by the hosts, Emmanuel Adebayor’s assist unlocking a resilient Bucharest side. Manuel Almunia kept his fifth clean sheet in a row, news that will no doubt delight the onlooking Jens Lehmann.
Celtic also savoured the European occasion, felling Italian giants AC Milan 2-1 at Park Head. The
clash was marred however as Milan goalkeeper Dida had to be carried off on a stretcher after being confronted by a Celtic fan. The home team could be in hot water with Uefa, although the Brazilian appeared to suffer little more than a cheeky slap. Stephen McManus opened the scoring the Bhoys, but Kaka levelled from the penalty spot, however when Dida failed to hold a Steven McDonald shot Glasgow went into raptures as Celtic saw out the win.
Liverpool were the only British side not to win on Wednesday night, as they were somewhat shocked by French side Marseille at Anfield. Mathieu Valbuena’s fine strike after 77 minutes left keeper Pepe Reina with no chance as Liverpool failed to encapsulate their usually immaculate Champions League form.
Spurs and Aston Villa played out an incredible 4-4 draw on Monday night, the hosts recovering from 4-1 down and Paul Robinson’s error to snatch a point, Pascal Chimbonda, Robbie Keane and Younis Kaboul completing the comeback for Martin Jol’s men.
In the Championship, Charlton defeated Hull in an ill-tempered affair at the KC stadium; meanwhile there were wins for Watford, Plymouth, Coventry, and Barnsley. The pick of the games came at Preston who thumped sorry Southampton 5-1, with QPR failing to do the ‘win-under-the-new-manager’ trick as they were beaten 4-2 by Colchester, the R’s seemingly not responding to Mick Harford’s appointment.
The Champions League game week-two constituted this week’s mid-week football action, and it was Rangers who embraced the European stage with a superb 3-0 win over Alain Perrin’s Lyon side. Lee McCulloch gave the visitors the lead, and strikes from Daniel Cousin and DaMarcus Beasley sealed a fine win. Rangers are second in Group E, only behind leaders Barcelona on goal difference.
Chelsea also enjoyed this week’s European action, lifting the gloom surrounding Avram Grant as Joe Cole’s vintage display earned the Blues a 2-1 win over Valencia. The hosts took the lead through David Villa as he beat Peter Cech to score, but Cole’s scrambled effort levelled things up. Cole then turned provider as he put in Didier Drogba to seal the win after seventy minutes, giving under-fire Israeli Grant a much needed boost.
Manchester United overcame a defiant Roma at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney’s first goal of the season giving Sir Alex’s men a 1-0 win. The clash was a far cry from the 7-1 drubbing handed out to the Italians in April as chances were at a premium, but it was Rooney’s effort that made all the difference as he turned and shot to give United the win.
Steaua Bucharest were defeated by Arsenal in Romania, as Robin van Persie’s strike gave the Gunners a second successive Champions League win. Arsenal dominated affairs but were frustrated by the hosts, Emmanuel Adebayor’s assist unlocking a resilient Bucharest side. Manuel Almunia kept his fifth clean sheet in a row, news that will no doubt delight the onlooking Jens Lehmann.
Celtic also savoured the European occasion, felling Italian giants AC Milan 2-1 at Park Head. The
clash was marred however as Milan goalkeeper Dida had to be carried off on a stretcher after being confronted by a Celtic fan. The home team could be in hot water with Uefa, although the Brazilian appeared to suffer little more than a cheeky slap. Stephen McManus opened the scoring the Bhoys, but Kaka levelled from the penalty spot, however when Dida failed to hold a Steven McDonald shot Glasgow went into raptures as Celtic saw out the win.Liverpool were the only British side not to win on Wednesday night, as they were somewhat shocked by French side Marseille at Anfield. Mathieu Valbuena’s fine strike after 77 minutes left keeper Pepe Reina with no chance as Liverpool failed to encapsulate their usually immaculate Champions League form.
Spurs and Aston Villa played out an incredible 4-4 draw on Monday night, the hosts recovering from 4-1 down and Paul Robinson’s error to snatch a point, Pascal Chimbonda, Robbie Keane and Younis Kaboul completing the comeback for Martin Jol’s men.
In the Championship, Charlton defeated Hull in an ill-tempered affair at the KC stadium; meanwhile there were wins for Watford, Plymouth, Coventry, and Barnsley. The pick of the games came at Preston who thumped sorry Southampton 5-1, with QPR failing to do the ‘win-under-the-new-manager’ trick as they were beaten 4-2 by Colchester, the R’s seemingly not responding to Mick Harford’s appointment.
images - bbc.co.uk/sport
posted by Danny @ 12:41 pm
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