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Chelsea, Bayern and Valencia roll on |
| FIFA.com |
Barcelona had been billed as a rematch of last year's knockout clash between the two sides, and the exciting encounter certainly lived up to expectations. The London side gained some revenge for their elimination at the hands of the Catalans by earning a deserved 1-0 win. Third-choice keeper Henrique Hilario, standing in for Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini who were both injured at Reading on Saturday, put in an assured performance for the home side, who were clearly pumped up for the match.
With Michael Essien and Claude Makelele in commanding form in front of the back four, Jose Mourinho's men took charge of proceedings early on, but it was Barcelona's Argentinian youngster Lionel Messi who looked the most likely to open the scoring in the first half. Didier Drogba scored the winner early in the second half, swivelling on the edge of the box to hammer a spectacular effort past Valdes. Despite the best efforts of Ronaldinho and co. there was no way back for the Spaniards, and Chelsea could have extended their lead near the end, spurning a number of chances on the break.
The champions of England thereby inflicted their first defeat in 15 Champions League matches on the reigning champions of Europe. In the other match in Group A, Werder Bremen defeated Levski Sofia 2-0 thanks to goals from their Brazilian duo of Naldo and Diego. The German side thus draw level with Barcelona, who as a result will be looking for a win in their return match at home to Chelsea on 31 October.
In Group B, Bayern Munich wrapped up the points in Sporting thanks to Bastian Schweinsteiger's 19th minute 25-yard piledriver. Portuguese 'keeper Ricardo needed no reminding of his shooting prowess either, having picked the ball out of the net twice following stunning strikes by the young German in the third place match at the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006. The midfielder blotted his copybook early in the second half by getting sent off for a second bookable offence but Felix Magath's men held on and now lead the group by five clear points.
 | | Didier Drogba's stunner sunk Barca at the Bridge (Photo: Carl de Souza) |
Inter back in it
Following defeats in their opening two matches, Inter Milan had their backs against the wall, but they responded in fine fashion at home to Spartak Moscow by racing into a two-goal lead within nine minutes. After 200 days without a goal, Adriano had been dropped to the bench and it was his replacement, Argentina's Julio Cruz, who found the net on both occasions. Spartak reduced the deficit to 2-1, but Inter prevailed and thus close the gap to second place to just one point.
In Group C, Liverpool are looking a good bet for a place in the knockout stages after Peter Crouch nodded home the goal of the game in Bordeaux, and PSV Eindhoven look odds-on to join them following an excellent 2-1 win away to Galatasaray. Jan Kromkamp and Arouna Koné got the goals for the Dutch side. PSV and Liverpool have now opened up a six-point lead prior to facing the same opponents at home in two weeks' time.
Quique Sanchez Flores' Valencia, meanwhile, have assumed full command of Group D. Another brace from their serial goalgetter David Villa was enough to see off Shakhtar Donetsk and maintain a three-point lead over AS Roma, who travelled to Olympiakos and came away with the points thanks to Simone Perrotta's goal on 76 minutes.
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| Quotes | Heres tae the fool on the hill and his pals that are down in the valley.- Wolfstone, Glass and the Can
He thought the formula for water was H-I-J-K-L-M-N-O (H-to-O).
He uses statistics as a drunken man uses lampposts — for support rather than illumination. — Andrew Lang.
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