The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Outplayed champions Chelsea steal last-gasp win Posted: 07 Nov 2012 03:26 PM PST  Shakhtar's Tomas Hubschman (right) tackles Chelsea's Torres at Stamford Bridge in London November 7, 2012. — Reuters pic The Ukrainian champions, who had been unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions this season including their stylish 2-1 win over Chelsea in Donetsk two weeks ago, seemed all set for a well-deserved point at Stamford Bridge when Moses rose unmarked at a corner to score. The goal immediately transformed Chelsea's chances of qualifying for the knockout round, moving the Londoners on to seven points in Group E — the same as Shakhtar. Juventus (six) follow with FC Nordsjaelland on one with two games remaining. Shakhtar had looked the better team for long periods with midfielder Willian, who is not currently in the Brazil squad, running the match with an inspired performance that has made him a target for several English Premier League clubs — including Chelsea. He scored both of Shakhtar's goals and left Chelsea's players trailing in his wake, trying to take the ball off him as he ran the game. Chelsea, who drew 2-2 with Juventus in their last home group match, started without the injured Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard and with John Terry on the bench because coach Roberto Di Matteo did not think he was match fit after his four-match domestic suspension. Despite that, they got off to a good start when Fernando Torres scored after six minutes. Spain striker Torres profited from the first of two costly mistakes by goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov. Pyatov, dithering with a clearance, kicked the ball straight at Torres who charged it down sending the ball into the net. Shakhtar were level three minutes later when Willian side-footed home from close range after Fernandinho made a powerful run through the fragile left side of Chelsea's defence where youngster Ryan Bertrand had a torrid time. Fernandinho tore into the open space and cut back for Willian who slotted in from close range off goalkeeper Petr Cech. Shakhtar, who last lost a match a year ago, then took control with Willian, Henrik Mkhitaryan and Alex Teixeira putting Chelsea under continual pressure and they almost went ahead with a superb move that ended in Teizeira firing narrowly wide. However, all their hard work was undone five minutes before halftime when Oscar took advantage of another Pyatov error to score into an unguarded net from long range. The goalkeeper, out of his penalty area, for some reason decided to head the ball upfield instead of kicking it. The header went straight to Oscar, who added to the two goals he scored against Juventus, by firing a perfectly struck 35-metre shot over Pyatov's head and into the net. Shakhtar levelled again two minutes after the break when Willian planted the ball home after another excellent build-up involving Ferrnandinho and Darijo Srna, the Shakhtar captain. His perfect pass found Willian who sidefooted past Cech again. Razvan Rat then hit the bar for Shakhtar but they escaped at the other end when John Obi Mikel had a header disallowed when he drifted offside for a free-kick. Chelsea coach Roberto Di Matteo sent on Moses for Oscar with 10 minutes to play and with the last action of the game, his gamble paid off. The Shakhtar defenders took their eye off him for a second at a corner, but that was enough for him to rise unmarked and thunder the ball in. — Reuters |
| United through to last 16 with late win at Braga Posted: 07 Nov 2012 03:21 PM PST  Manchester United players celebrate scoring against Braga at the Municipal stadium in Braga, November 7, 2012.—Reuters pic In a match interrupted for 10 minutes by floodlight failure, the hosts went ahead early in the second half through an Alan penalty kick. United struck back when Van Persie came off the bench and punished a blunder by Braga keeper Beto, who inexplicably rushed out of his goal and was caught in no man's land. Rooney put United ahead from the penalty spot soon after and, with Braga in disarray, Hernandez made it 3-1 in injury time after a goal-mouth muddle. "Those last 10 minutes went really badly for us. What a shame," Braga midfielder Ruben Micael told Portuguese television. Group H leaders United have 12 points from four games. Cluj and Galatasaray are on four points, with Braga on three. Midfielder Ryan Giggs said United had made up for last year's failure to progress from the group stage. "I think we were all disappointed (last year)," he told Sky Sports. "It was not good enough and we knew we had to do something about it and we have. Long may it continue. "We have really good strength in depth at the moment and it shows with Chris Smalling playing his first game in a long time tonight. It is good to have that strength when you have two games in a week and it is looking good for us." United coach Alex Ferguson made several changes to the side who beat Arsenal 2-1 in the Premier League over the weekend, bringing in Nani, Anderson and Giggs to the midfield and picking Danny Welbeck to spearhead the attack with Hernandez, leaving Van Persie on the bench to start with. Centre back Smalling played for the first time since injuring his metatarsal in the pre-season. The changes did not pay off and United were poor in the first half, coming to life only after Van Persie was sent on with 25 minutes on the clock. Braga suffered a near-repeat of their fortunes at Old Trafford two weeks ago, when they gave away a 2-0 lead and lost 3-2. "It's sad and we did not deserve it but we made mistakes and games are settled like that. Still, we played a really good match, even better than at Old Trafford," Braga coach Jose Peseiro said. — Reuters |
| You are subscribed to email updates from The Malaysian Insider :: Sports To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google Inc., 20 West Kinzie, Chicago IL USA 60610 | |
0 ulasan:
Catat Ulasan