The Mid-week Review

By Danny Wright

Liverpool completed a miraculous turn around of their Champions League fortunes to qualify for the knock out stages. A 4-0 win over Marseille on Tuesday night saw the Reds qualify in second place in Group A, a situation that seemed far from likely three weeks ago as Liverpool languished fourth in the group with just one point to their name. A ferocious start from both sides saw the challenges go flying in and the game rose to a boil, however Steven Gerrard's spot kick settled the visitors and there was no looking back from then on; Fernando Torres showed great poise and power to score a superb individual goal, meanwhile Dirk Kuyt notched a third to put Liverpool is cruise control. Ryan Babel capped a terrific display with a fourth goal to send the Reds through in style.

Rangers crashed into the UEFA Cup places with a disappointing home defeat to Lyon. Needing just a point to qualify, things got off to a disastrous start when the visitors took the lead through Sidney Govou, who finished from close range. Lyon came with the intention to attack and did just that by spurning further chances, sealing the game with two late strikes from Karim Benzema. The UEFA Cup provides some consolation for Rangers; however Walter Smith's men will be bitterly disappointed with their fate having amassed 7 points from their opening three games.

Arsenal beat Steaua Bucharest 2-1 at the Emirates but still managed to finish second in Group H. Jens Lehmann made a rare start for the Gunners who had one eye on Sunday's clash with Chelsea, making a handful of changes that meant Arsene Wenger's fringe players were given a run-out; the second string didn't disappoint as they took the lead through Abou Diaby and Nicklas Bendtner added a second. Steaua offered little but mustered a consolation through Dorel Zaharia.

A much changed Manchester United side drew 1-1 with Roma; however off the field incidents marred the encounter as five visiting United fans were stabbed in violent exchanges prior to the clash. Trouble erupted in both legs of the tie in April of this year, but reports claim things inside the stadium were comparatively calm this time around. The composure in the stands transferred onto the pitch as a dull first half was ignited by Gerard Pique’s goal, the Spaniard's second Champions League goal. Mancini thumped home a leveler in the second half as Roma then hit the woodwork, however the result will seem some irrelevant in light of the violent clashes outside the Stadio Olimpico.

Chelsea completed their group games with a tepid 0-0 draw against Valencia. Avram Grant's men wasted a handful of chances and were denied by a combination of visiting keeper Santiago Canizares and the woodwork; the Spaniard denied Frank Lampard, Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizarro meanwhile Joe Cole hit a post and Solomon Kalou rattled an effort against the cross-bar when it seemed easier to score. It mattered little though as Valencia seldom threatened Peter Cech's goal, with the Blues already safely through to the next stage.

In the solitary Carling Cup tie taking place on Wednesday, Everton snatched a semi-final berth from West Ham right at the death. Carlton Cole scored a rare goal to put the Hammers in the lead, but the Toffees responded through Leon Osman and hitman Yakubu capitalised on a horrible mix-up between Rob Green and Danny Gabbidon to give Everton the win in the 88th minute, 2-1 the final score.

Also on the domestic scene, five FA Cup second round replays took place on Tuesday night, with Midlands outfit Chasetown upsetting Port Vale 1-0 in what proved to be the shock of the round. Luke Rodgers missed two penalties - blazing one high over the bar and having the second saved by Lee Evans - as Vale dominated, however in a rare foray forward Danny Smith headed a historic goal for the non-league side, who now take on Cardiff at the Scholars Ground in the next round.

Elsewhere, Southend dispatched Oxford with a 3-0 win and Walsall come up trumps in the all-League Two affair, defeating Northampton 1-0 at the Bescott. Barnet ended Burton Albion's cup dreams - beating Nigel Clough's men 1-0 at Underhill - and cash-strapped Luton picked up a much-needed win over Nottingham Forest to earn a third round berth and a January pay-day against Liverpool on the Sky cameras; the Hatters players' haven't been paid for several weeks and the 1-0 triumph over Forest will provide a £250,000 windfall for the club come the new year.

Three Championship matches were on the menu on Tuesday night as strugglers QPR picked up a vital three points Burnley, 2-0 the final score at Turfmoor, with Cardiff beating Blackpool 1-0. Ipswich extended their impressive home record with a 3-1 win over Leicester.

images - www.bbc.co.uk/sport