Chelsea close the gap Arsenal slip up

Arsenal's challenge for the Premiership seems to be fading after they drew 1-1 against Liverpool at the Emirates in Saturday. It was the second match of their trilogy and a match that Wenger couldn't afford to either lose or draw. While Liverpool had a 5 point cushion over fourth spot challengers Everton so Rafa had the luxury of resting some key players for the Champions League return leg at Anfield. Arsenal on the other hand couldn't rest any of them and they already had several players injured with Van Persie joining the list recently.

Arsenal who missed some early chances found themselves through a Crouch goal before half time. But they came back and scored through Bendtner, who had missed some simple ones in the 54th minute. Torres came on for the final 10 minutes while Arsenal searched for the elusive 2nd goal. Liverpool once again held firm to earn a point. Arsenal may trail Manchester United by 8 points by the end of the Sunday.

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Chelsea on the other hand kept up the fight to United with a 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Eastlands. Chelsea who need to overturn a 2-1 setback against Fenerbahce would have breathed easy after they saw Arsenal slipping up. But they needed to win against a City team that had done very well at home but had been falling apart recently. But it no imagination it was an easy game.

Chelsea kept Ballack and Joe Cole on the bench. Chelsea took the lead from a Richard Dunne own goal, similar the own goal Chelsea got against Fenerbahce but this time it was on the right side. And City who also had some chances kept trying and Chelsea got their second through Kalou after 54min and that gave some breathing space for Chelsea who went on to win. Now only they appear to challenge United in the title race.

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Realmadrid get a point at Mallorca

It was by no means an easy match for the defending champs. And Mallorca too was a team they were facing for the fourth time this season. Though Real won at Bernabeu in the league they lost both the ties against Mallorca in the Copa Del Rey. And Mallorca were challenging for a European spot.

Realmadrid started with the same eleven that played against Sevilla, there was no Pepe & Robinho. Real started off well with Robben fluffing a chance to hit the target. Then the match settled down with both teams trying to attack and Casillas made good save after the ball was deflected by Ramos. Real were trying to master the midfield but they were well handled by Mallorca and Ramos was booked by the referee for a Push, something that we don't see often.

And as the first half came to end Robben cut from the right past the defenders and tried to cross it and the ball flicked the goalie and it came to Sneijder who smashed it home to give Realmadrid the lead. And it stayed the same way till the break.

In the second half the loyalties were resumed and Real were a more confident team as they had a goal advantage and they played some solid football. Marcelo was particularly weak in defence but Heinze covered him up well. Mallorca on the other hand kept looking for the equaliser and their job was made easier with the sending off of Sergio Ramos who was booked for the second time for a tackle on Varela. Still 25 min were left on the clock and Schuster brought in Diarra for Higuain but before Madrid could recompose themselves Mallorca equalised through Valero in the 73rd min.

Mallorca looked for the winner but Real held on to take a point away from ONO Estadi. The whites would be satisfied but the result would have been better had it not been for the red card. But considering the opposition and the they have performed miserably during few of their last visits Realmadrid will take this result as they try to retain their Crown.

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0-1 Sneijder

1-1 Valero

Liverpool earn a draw at the Emirates

It was the first of the 3 clashes between Liverpool and Arsenal in the coming week. And the venue was The Emirates Stadium, London. All the pre-match talk was about Arsenal saying Liverpool fear us and Liverpool hitting back saying they don't fear anyone and Gerrard Torres combination can destroy any defence in the world. Arsenal were not the opponent Rafa would have preferred in the quarters cos he has just won once against Arsenal in their home and both the teams knew each other very well.

After all the lengthy talking from both sides it time for action on the pitch. Benitez played the same team that had started in the Mersyside derby but Mascherano was back in place of Lucas. Arsenal brought back Adebayor into the eleven and the striker had not scored since his goal at the San Siro against Milan. Arsenal started the match well and were quite dominant and they showed shades of the vintage football they played at the start of this season. Van Persie had a chance to open the score from Flamini's ball but he clipped it over the bar. The gunners started to dominate and it looked they may score any time. It happened just that. Arsenal took a sharp and a short corner, Van Persie crossed the ball beautifully into the box and Adebayor rose to head the opener for Arsenal after 23min. Liverpool were caught napping and they left the tallest man on the pitch unmarked, something Rafa wouldn't be happy about.

And just when one thought Arsenal would take control of the match by moving the ball, Flamini's poor clearance fell to Gerrard and he smartly went passed the defence and crossed the ball into the 6 yard box and Dirk Kuyt was there to tap that in. Liverpool had equalised and the Gunners lead had lasted only for 3 minutes. It was again poor defending that resulted in the goal. Arsenal then lost their focus and they were not that menacing in their attack and Liverpool were comfortable.

Walcott can on for Van Persie at half time and Arsenal had lots of the ball and were threatening. Walcott whizzed a shot which nearly went in. Liverpool were not ambitious in the second half and were happy to defend and looked to attack on the break when chances came. And Liverpool had a scare when Eboue's shot was blocked by Skrtel no penalty was given but the Real moment of controversy was when Kuyt pulled back Hleb at the left side, in what looked like a certain penalty but it was turned down by the referee. Everyone at the Emirates was convinced that was a foul but not the man who mattered most.

Bendtner came in and he managed to stop a shot by Fabregas going into the net, though was flagged for offside it would have been interesting had that ball gone in without Bendtner's intervention. Arsenal tried hard till the end but couldn't find another goal that could have given them advantage going into the second leg but Liverpool held on for a draw, a result Benitez would gladly take.

With both these teams slated to meet again this weekend at the same avenue fireworks can be expected but one might just get the feeling both the team might be tired of playing each other when they meet again on Tuesday at Anfield for the second leg. Notwithstanding all the talk being about both the teams know each other well and match lacking Champions League atmosphere Benitez got a good result can holds the advantage going into Anfield. Has Rafa done it again in the Champions League?????????

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1-0 Adebayor

1-1 Kuyt

Fernerbahce give Chelsea "the blues"

Chelsea were shattered while Fenerbahce were ecstatic after final whistle at Şükrü Saracoğlu. The blues had thrown the match that was firmly in their hands. But they can console themselves with the fact that they have an away goal going into the return leg at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea started the game quite well considering the hostile crowd that was egging their team on. The Turks usually don't start matches very well and they being out classed in the midfield with Ballack and Lampard running the show for Chelsea. And their break through came just past the ten minute mark. Malouda had the ball on the left and he tried to cross for Drogba to score but that task was completed by Deivid, who trying to stop the low cross diverted the ball into his own net to score his first goal of the night. Chelsea had the goal to assert their dominance in the match. And immediately after Essien clipped the bar, so close to a second.

In the beginning of the second half things were no different with Chelsea comfortable on the ball. And after Kazim Richards, the ex-Sheffield United player came on after things started to look better and he put the home side level just past the hour mark when he smashed a left footed shot into the net by a through ball from Marco Aurelio.

The crowd went wild and Chelsea started to look for their second and had a couple of decent chances with Drogba and Ballack. And as the match entered the final ten minutes it was time for the till then Villain Deivid to become a hero. He got the ball from 35 yards and smashed an absolute cracker jack into Cudicini's net. It was his second goal of the night. And it was time for Anleka to make a return to his former club and he was welcomed with jeers. Chelsea couldn't find another goal and it was a great win for the Turks.Chelsea must be cursing themselves for letting the match from their hands.

The tie now moves onto Stamford Bridge where the Blues are unbeaten in 79 games. Fenerbahce have a tough task on their hands but their fighting spirits have been to the fore in their away games and an intriguing tie awaits us.

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0-1 Deivid

1-1 Kazim Richards

2-1 Deivid

A Manchester United Master Class

Everyone in the Manchester United camp were smiling after the final whistle was blown at the Stadio Olimpico.The English Champions had just orchestrated a fine tactical performance. The result could have been a lot better had it not for Vidic's injury.

Manchester United went to take on Roma for the 6th time in a year(something that doesn't happen often considering the opponent being a European team) in the first leg of the Champions league. It was at the same stage United met Roma for the first time in history at the same avenue. The match was marred by crowd trouble and many United fans stabbed.This time around everything went on well much to the delight of the Rome authorities but where it went wrong was on the pitch for the Serie A aspirants.

Roma started on well against a United side that had Ji Sung Park as a surprise inclusion in place of Gigss with both Tevez and Hargreaves on bench. United were solid at the back and were more organised with Carrick and Scholes running the show in middle of the park. United passed well after they had seen off the early part of game. Rooney predominantly was on the left while Ronaldo played further upfront. Just when Manutd were settling well on the ball and looked confident, Vidic landed awkwardly on his knees twisting it. He was subbed with O'Shea and right after that Rooney held the ball well, made a good turn and passed the ball to Scholes who entered the box and his cross by met by the Flying Ronaldo and United got the lead.

In the second half Roma were more adventurous with Vucinic being the main threat and Van Der Sar was forced into a brilliant save from Vucinic. Roma were threatening a lot and Manutd did not have the ball and gave them away. Guily was introduced and he got into the groove immediately making brilliant runs but the United defence stood firm with captain Rio Ferdinand doing well in the absence of Vidic.

Roma earned a lot of corners but could not use them properly. United got their first corner only after the hour mark. Just when Roma looked more dangerous Brown crossed the ball from right and Park did brilliantly to head the ball back into the danger area. Doni trying to catch the ball spectacularly failed to hold it and it fell to Rooney who just tapped in for his 6th goal in 7 games against Serie A opposition.

United had got themselves into a fine position and Roma were unsettled with gaps opening up Carrick made a foray into the box and his shot going very close to the post. Ronaldo hit the post and Roma were not in the game. Though they tried to attack, it was not a threat for the defence. And United closed out the game comfortably with Tevez coming in for Rooney in the last ten minutes. It can easily be said as one of Manchester United's finest European displays.........

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1-0 Ronaldo

2-0 Rooney

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