Manchester United Lose 8 Year Home Record

Man United dominated possession but created very little final threat and paid the price. In granting Besiktas their first ever Champions League away win, the Manchester United players also lost their proud home record of 25 unbeaten games in the Champions League stretching back to 2005 and an even older group games record that goes back to 2001.

The only goal of the game came when a shot from Roderigo Tello deflected off Rafael and went in past Foster's diving fingers. There was still 70 minutes to go and nobody in the stadium would have thought that the scoring was done for the night. But despite a lot of possession and decent build up play, the final ball always fell through for Man United.

A young team featuring Wellbeck, Macheda, Gibson, Anderson, Rafael and Obertan gave a good account of themselves all over the park except in the opposition penalty box. They either shot too early or passed too late. Obertan was probably the best player from either side and he hinted at a Giggs like ease in going past players. But he too, often crossed too low to beat the first defender.

It was only in injury time that Manchester United truly tested the Besiktas goalkeeper Rustu, and he was up to the task. First from a point blank Macheda header and then from a Wes Brown header from the resulting corner.

Patrice Evra, introduced late, along with Carrick and Owen, should have won a penalty but the referee mysteriously overlooked it. United will still qualify but will need to draw their last game away at Wolfsburg to top the group.

Besiktas have a slim, mathematical chance of qualifying - if they can dramatically improve their goal difference against CSKA.

Wolfsburg In With A Chance

Wolfsburg lost to CSKA Moscow by 2-1 to leave the group completely open. Dzeko beat the offside trap for the first goal from Wolfsburg and a counter attack almost had Martins doubling the lead. An excellent move and cross saw CSKA equalize through. Then a stunner from the increasingly impressive Krasic saw CSKA take the lead. And that's how it stayed. Akinfeyev clawed away a late cross-shot to keep the points at home. Wolfsburg and CSKA are both on 7 points and could both go into the next round.


Chelsea Ease Through

Chelsea produced a competent performance to beat Porto away by a single goal from Anelka. The Frenchman has been on top form over the past few weeks and always looked the most likely to score. Anelka troubled the goalkeeper from the word go, producing a number of long range efforts on target. Cech was also kept busy by an adventurous Porto. And when he was beaten by a Belushi volley, the crossbar intervened.

Group D is one of the few groups where the 2 top teams have pulled away, and the other result in the group means that both teams will go through.

Atletico Madrid have had a terrible season so far, despite the combined talents of Forlan and Aguerro. And they were held to a 1-1 draw by Appoel Nicosia and stay close to the bottom of the group.

Real Madrid Pull Ahead

Madrid earned 3 valuable points with a single goal win over FC Zurich. Higuain scored the only goal. Kaka had a great early chance but it was saved by the keeper. But Kaka soon played Higuain in and he made no mistake. Alonso too had a great shot stopped by the Zurich Keeper. Marcello hit the post from a corner. Ronaldo replaced Raul and almost dooubled the score but the keeper again produced a fine stop. Madrid now have 10 points and should go into the next round barring major upsets.

AC Milan Stay In The Hunt

AC Milan took the early lead against Marseille through Borriello who has been among the goals of late, but the lead lasted just 6 minutes as Lucho Gonzalez pulled the French team level. But it stayed that way till the end. Brandao hit the cross bar from inside the 6 yard box and referee Howard Webb missed a blatant penalty when Ignacio Abate should have been booked as well. Diawara also rattled the post from a late corner. Milan are at 8 points and a draw in the last match should see them through.

Bayern Get A Reprieve

Bayern Munich, another giant with troubles, went into their game against Maccabi Haifa knowing that anything but a win would deny them a chance to go through to the next round. They got there, but only just, with a single goal win over the Israeli club thanks to a 62nd minute goal from Olic.

Bordeaux Stun Juventus

Laurent Blanc's Bordeaux has been earning rave reviews and they kept up the good work by beating Juventus, through goals from Arsenal target Marouanne Chamakh and Fernando Menegazzo. Bordeaux are the surprise toppers in the group, with Juventus and Bayern battling it out for the second spot.


Arsenal Football Club | Manchester United Football Club | Liverpool Football Club | Chelsea Football Club