UEFA Champions League Review - Five Star United turn on style to secure qualification

A great couple of nights of UEFA Champions League action saw all three of the four English clubs qualify while the other have one foot in the knockout stages. Here is a review of all the action.

Tuesday

ARSENAL 2—- 0 MARSEILLE

Arsenal just need to avoid a three goal defeat in Napoli to get through to the knockout stages of this year’s UEFA Champions League. Napoli’s defeat to Dortmund meant Rafael Benitez’s side now need to get all three points with a significant goal difference at home on gameweek number six. Arsenal meanwhile were simply ruthless from the first minute. It was Jack Wilshere, the Englishman who put Arsenal ahead in the first minute. It was all Arsenal from there on. N’Koulou fouled Ramsey leading the referee to point to the penalty spot. It was a harsh one and Marseille were feeling a little aggrieved. However, Mesut Ozil, who looked tired , missed the penalty.

Hopes of a Marseille comeback were swiftly smothered after the break. Jack Wilshere was put through from a Mesut Ozil pass and finished off proceedings in style. It was nice and easy for the Gunners. After the match, Arsene Wenger bemoaned the inability of even 12 points in the group to get through to the next round. However, barring a dramatic collapse, Wenger’s side are in the next round.

Man Of The Match - Jack Wilshere. The North Londoner was exquisite with both his finishes

FC BASEL 1—- 0 CHELSEA

Chelsea were strangely left celebrating a defeat in Switzerland because their qualification was ensured due to results elsewhere. Schalke’s failure to beat Steaua Bucharest meant Jose Mourinho’s blues went through to the Knock Out stages despite the insipid performance in a cold night against Basel. They had lost to the Swiss side at Stamford Bridge and one would have expected Chelsea to come out all guns blazing. However it was Basel, desperate to secure qualification to the Knockout stages, who came out all guns blazing.

Mohamed Salah went close twice in the first half only to be denied by Chelsea’s trustable goalkeeper Petr Cech. The anxiety in Basel grew as Chelsea were on the mat and their side was unable to find the killer touch. Chelsea for their part were absolutely woeful . Frank Lampard looked pedestrian in midfield while Oscar and Willian were poor. Samuel Eto’o got taken off due to what appeared to be a groin injury. Then Salah did find the back of the net eventually with three minutes to go. Chelsea failed to create any clear cut chances even after going behind. They had only one shot on target the entire match (compared to Basel’s fifteen). Plenty to ponder for Mourinho

Man Of The Match - Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is hot property at the moment as Europe’s top clubs eye a bid

Wednesday

BAYER LEVERKUSEN 0—- 5 MANCHESTER UNITED

The Bay Arena was said to be an intimidating atmosphere as Manchester United walked in apprehensively to face an inform Leverkusen side. There were early warning signs too. Keisling had a free run at goal and was blocked by a stunning tackle from Jonny Evans. From the resulting corner, Man United cleared it and Rooney was found in the left wing. The Englishman’s cross found Antonio Valencia at the back post who toe poked it home. And then it was 2-0 within a few minutes. A cheap free kick resulted in Rooney swinging it in to be headed in by one of Bayer Leverkusen’s own defenders.

After the break, the feeling was that David Moyes would sit back and take a 0-2 victory. Not to be as the Scotsman went all guns blazing. United scored a third through Jonny Evans. Initially Giggs’ corner caused mayhem in the area and Evans took advantage. Chris Smalling then added a fourth. Rooney was delightfully found by Kagawa and he chipped the ball to Smalling who tapped in. Then Nani made it five with a chip from Ryan Giggs’ long pass. It was exhilarating stuff from Manchester United, simply the best we’ve seen them under Moyes

Man Of The Match - Ryan Giggs. The Welshman was instrumental in a commanding Manchester United display . He turns 40 in a few days, amazing!

MANCHESTER CITY 4—- 2 VIKTORIA PLZEN

Joe Hart got a recall as Manchester City heaped further misery on Plzen. However, this will prove to be an inconsequential result as Munich secured top spot and Manchester City had already secured qualification. Proceedings on Wednesday night showed how far Manchester City have come since the dark European nights under Roberto Mancini. City weren’t at their best but still put four past their hapless opponents.

First Aguero slotted home a penalty to give Man City the lead. However, Horova struck back to give Plzen level pegging in the break. Samir Nasri scored a beautiful goal to give Manchester City the lead again. However City’s poor defending cost them as Teci found space in the box and he shot past Hart to equalise for Plzen. Then Alvaro Negredo continued his incredible run of form with a late goal. There was more to come as Edin Dzeko, the forgotten man, finished off Plzen with one more goal and give the scoreline a rather emphatic look.

Man Of The Match - Samir Nasri. The Frenchman was on one of his better days and took his goal really well