Champions League, AS Roma 2-1 Manchester United

Roma beat ten-man United

Roma beat Manchester United 2-1 in their Champions League quarter final first leg after a goal from sub Mirko Vucinic. A deflected Rodrigo Taddei goal put the hosts in front before United - who played for 58 minutes with ten men after Paul Scholes was sent-off - equalised through Wayne Rooney.

The Giallorossi began at a frantic pace, forcing a corner within the first minute. Francesco Totti's delivery was only half cleared and the ensuing shot from Taddei almost fell for Christian Panucci. David Pizarro's suspension had elicited a midfield reshuffle, with Christian Wilhelmsson patrolling the right flank, Mancini the left and Taddei operating centrally behind Totti, as Simone Perrotta dropped deep.

The switch seemed to disturb United as Scholes conceded two free-kicks on the edge of the box early on. The first was curled fractionally over by Cristian Chivu, the second drilled low by Totti and pounced on by an alert Edwin van der Sar. United's new-look defence, which had Wes Brown and John O'Shea filling in for the injured Gary Neville and Nemanja Vidić, settled after a nervy start, but the Premiership leaders were far from their fluent best. Indeed, aside from a Ryan Giggs free-kick headed over his own bar by Perrotta, United barely threatened in the opening period. Their growing frustration was epitomised by Scholes, who picked up his second yellow card for a foul on Totti in the 34th minute.

Roma immediately looked to capitalise on their numerical advantage but Perrotta was cautioned for simulation on 42 minutes, ruling him out of the second leg. They finished the first half strongly, however, Van der Sar pushing Taddei's shot around the post only for Roma to score from a quickly-taken corner seconds later. Totti threaded a pass through for Mancini in the left channel and the Brazilian's cutback found Taddei whose strike deflected off Brown and past Van der Sar.

Giggs moved into central midfield after the break yet the Italian team were buoyant and nearly scored again on 48 minutes. Totti led a lightning counterattack, springing forward and feeding Perrotta on the right, whose cross reached Taddei but this time Van der Sar was equal to the Brazilian's low effort. Just when it looked like Roma would take charge, however, Cristiano Ronaldo fired a warning to the home side, breaking free before hitting a tame attempt at Doni. That salvo gave United hope and they levelled through Rooney on 60 minutes, the England striker controlling Ole Gunnar Solskjær's cross on his chest and taking his time before slotting home emphatically.

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti reacted by sending Vučinić on for Wilhelmsson, and the change paid instant dividends. The Montenegrin international had already seen one effort saved when he rifled a shot past Van der Sar after the Dutchman had parried Mancini's stinging drive on 66 minutes. Roma finished on top as Perrotta volleyed wide from an acute angle and Totti narrowly missed the target moments later, but United resisted to limit the damage to a 2-1 deficit.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti, Wilhelmsson (Vucinic 62), Taddei (Rosi 82), De Rossi, Perrotta, Mancini, Totti.Subs Not Used: Curci, Faty, Defendi, Ferrari, Okaka Chuka.

Booked: Perrotta.

Goals: Taddei 44, Vucinic 67.

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Heinze, Ferdinand, O'Shea, Brown, Ronaldo, Giggs (Saha 77), Carrick, Scholes, Rooney, Solskjaer (Fletcher 72).Subs Not Used: Kuszczak, Smith, Dong, Richardson, Eagles.

Sent Off: Scholes (34).

Booked: Scholes, Solskjaer, Heinze.

Goals: Rooney 60.

Champions league, AS Roma 2-1 Manchester united extended highlights:

Euro2008 qualifying matches, Spain 2-1 Denmark

Spain edge out ten-man Denmark

Spain gave their UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifying campaign a timely boost with a victory in their must-win encounter against ten-man Denmark in Madrid.

Valencia heroes
Luis Aragonés's side secured the win thanks to first-half goals from Valencia CF duo Fernando Morientes and David Villa following the dismissal of Niclas Jensen, while Michael Gravgaard replied for Denmark. The results lifts Spain into fourth place in Group F with six points from four matches, one point and a place behind their opponents.

Turning point
Denmark enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges, with Dennis Rommedahl and Daniel Agger both trying their luck, but the momentum shifted dramatically towards Spain when Jensen was sent off after 20 minutes. The midfielder had been booked three minutes earlier when he fouled Villa to earn a second yellow card. Morientes took full advantage of the Danish deficit by opening the scoring on 34 minutes after cleverly turning inside Agger and slotting past Thomas Sørensen, before Villa made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time with another clinical finish.

Nervous finish
However, just when Spain looked on course for a routine success, the Danes clawed their way back into the game. Daniel Jensen rattled the post from 25 metres and any Spanish relief was short-lived as Gravgaard headed in after Agger had launched the ball into the area four minutes after the restart. Denmark pushed forward in search of the equaliser, but despite peppering the Spain box with crosses late on, Morten Olsen's men were unable to claim a share of the spoils. Spain will be looking for back-to-back wins to push them back into qualification contention when they host Iceland on Wednesday, while Denmark resume their campaign at home to leaders Sweden in June.

Euro2008 qualifying matches, Spain 2-1 Denmark highlights and goals:

Serie A, Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan

Inter fight back to win Milan derby

Inter Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored the winner as Inter Milan bounced back from their disappointing exit from Europe in midweek with a narrow triumph over city rivals AC Milan on Sunday in the derby match.



Ibrahimovic struck with 15 minutes remaining to give the Serie A leaders a deserved victory in a thrilling encounter at a sold-out Giuseppe Meazza stadium. Substitute Julio Cruz had levelled the score shortly after the re-start to cancel out Ronaldo's first-half strike against his former club.




Inter Milan showed plenty of character after their elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Valencia, to keep their unbeaten run in Serie A. Coach Roberto Mancini's decision to replace Crespo with Cruz proved a wise move by the coach, as the latter struck seconds after entering the game.



Crespo was first to test Dida with his central strike proving an easy catch for the AC Milan goalkeeper. The Rossoneri then pressed forward and Andrea Pirlo sent a warning to Inter with his curled free-kick going just wide off the near post. Mancini was forced to make his first substitution shortly after, with Maxwell replacing an injured Fabio Grosso. Midway through the first half, Pirlo's right-footed effort forced Julio Cesar to palm over the crossbar for a corner.



Marek Jankulovski had a lucky escape after his clearance inside his own area proved an assist for Crespo, who fired wide off the far post. On the half hour mark, Inter should have been awarded a penalty after Daniele Bonera brought down Ibrahimovic inside the area but the referee surprisingly booked the Nerazzurri striker for diving and played on.


Inter increased the tempo and looked more threatening from then on. The hosts twice had the opportunity to break the deadlock. Crespo's close-range header from Nicolas Burdisso's cross went just wide off the far post.



In the 38th minute, a fantastic play by Luis Figo saw the Portuguese get past two players before firing towards the far post but Crespo was unable to get the all-important touch. Just when Inter were playing at their best Milan struck.

Ronaldo got past Maxwell before firing a left-footed strike towards the far post with goalkeeper Julio Cesar unable to reach it.



Mancini made a half-time substitution with Walter Samuel replacing Olivier Dacourt. Inter picked up where they left off and should have equalised shorlty after the break, with Ibrahimovic's close-range strike forcing Dida to dive low to clear. Milan were quite happy to sit on their lead and wait to hit Inter in the counter attack.



They should have done just that on 53 minutes, with Gennaro Gattuso missing a great chance to double his team's lead, with his angled strike narrowly missing the far post. It proved costly for the Rossoneri, as Inter equalised seconds later.



A cross from the left by Ibrahimovic found Cruz inside the box whose first touch was sufficient to beat Dida. Cruz almost struck his second shortly after, with a classy back-heel touch going inches wide over the crossbar.

AC Milan attempted to react, with Pirlo's central free-kick proved an easy catch for Julio Cesar, but it was Inter who looked more deadly. A defensive mistake to fire past Dida and give his team a lead. The goal proved a hammer blow for the Rossoneri.



Coach Carlo Ancelotti's decision to bring in Alberto Gilardino and Yoann Gourcuff failed to spark the Rossoneri as they conceded their first defeat of the year at the hands of their arch-rivals.



INTER Milan (2): 12 Julio César, 23 M Materazzi, 11 F Grosso (6 Maxwell), 4 J Zanetti, 2 I Cordoba, 16 N Burdisso, 5 D Stankovic, 7 L Figo, 15 O Dacourt (25 W Samuel), 8 Z Ibrahimovic and 18 H Crespo (9 J Cruz)


Subs: 21 S Solari, 6 Maxwell, 91 M Gonzalez, 20 A Recoba and 1 F Toldo

AC MILAN (1): 1 N Dida, 3 P Maldini, 25 D Bonera, 44 M Oddo (2 M Cafu), 18 M Jankulovski, 10 C Seedorf, 23 M Ambrosini, 22 R Kakà, 8 I Gattuso, 21 A Pirlo and 99 L Ronaldo

Subs: 20 Y Gourcuff, 11 A Gilardino, 17 D Simic, 7 R Oliveira, 32 C Brocchi, 16 Z Kalac

Serie A Inter Milan 2-1 AC Milan highlights and goals:

Champions League, Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid

Bayern win sends Real crashing out of Europe

Roy Makaay scored the fastest-ever goal in the UEFA Champions League as FC Bayern München overturned Real Madrid CF's 3-2 first-leg advantage with a fine 2-1 victory at the Fußball Arena München to book a place in the quarter-finals. Ruud van Nistelrooy's penalty gave Real a late lifeline, but with the teams all square at 4-4 on aggregate Bayern prevailed on the away goals rule.

Mark van Bommel and Mahamadou Diarra were both dismissed before Ruud van Nistelrooy converted an 82nd-minute penalty, but it was only a consolation as Bayern held on to a 2-1 win, which was enough to take them through on away goals.

Bayern got a dream start at the Allianz Arena thanks to Bosnian midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic's quick reactions. Straight from the kick-off, Salihamidzic robbed Roberto Carlos of possession and supplied an inch-perfect pass for Dutch striker Makaay to side-foot past Real keeper Iker Casillas after just ten seconds.

There was more to come too as the home side went in search of a second. Roberto Carlos' poorly hit free-kick didn't make it further than the quick-thinking Makaay, who instantly sent Lukas Podolski racing into the Madrid half with the last defender already in his wake. The Germany international did not have the same composure as Makaay, though, and his weak effort was easy pickings for Casillas. Van Bommel was the next to cut apart the Real defence with a low ball to Makaay, but this time Casillas saved with his legs to keep the Spaniards in the game.

Capello switched Brazilian Emerson for Guti to add some spark in midfield and the Spanish international went close, but van Nistelrooy was too weak with a header moments later and Raul forced a save.

Podolski earned a yellow card for a stray tackle as the first-half finished 1-0, but Van Bommel stretched Casillas straight from the re-start. A superb save from Bayern captain Oliver Kahn denied van Nistelrooy after Raul floated over a well-timed cross.

But Bayern put the result beyond doubt in the 66th minute when Brazilian defender Lucio headed Willy Sagnol's corner past the diving Casillas.

There was still drama in the match as Robinho was brought down in the penalty area by Lucio with ten minutes left and van Nistelrooy drove his penalty past the diving Kahn.

Both sides went down to ten men when van Bommel and Mahamadou Diarra earned themselves red cards after squabbling in the build-up to the penalty which will now keep van Bommel out of the quarter-final.

Real defender Sergio Ramos netted late on, but to the relief of the home fans the goal was disallowed after he controlled the ball with his hand.

Bayern Munich: Kahn, Sagnol (Gorlitz 85), Lucio, Van Buyten, Lahm, Salihamidzic, Van Bommel, Hargreaves, Schweinsteiger, Makaay (Pizarro 69), Podolski (Demichelis 87).
Subs Not Used: Rensing, Scholl, Santa Cruz, Ottl

Sent Off: Van Bommel (81)

Booked: Van Bommel, Podolski

Goals: Makaay 1, Lucio 66

Real Madrid: Casillas, Miguel Torres, Sergio Ramos, Helguera, Roberto Carlos, Emerson (Guti 31), Gago (Robinho 75), Diarra, Raul, Higuain (Cassano 46), van Nistelrooy.
Subs Not Used: Diego Lopez, Salgado, Mejia, De la Red

Sent Off: Diarra (81)

Booked: Sergio Ramos, Guti, Diarra

Goals: van Nistelrooy 83 pen

Champions League Bayern Munich 2-1 Real Madrid highlights, goals and post match interviews:

Sevilla 2-1 Barcelona, spanish League.

Sevilla Stun Barcelona In Potboiler Defending champions Barcelona surrendered a one-goal lead, missed a penalty and finished the game with nine men as they lost 2-1 at Sevilla on Saturday and were knocked off the top of the table. The result also meant the European champions head to Liverpool for their Champions League last 16 second leg clash, where they trail 2-1, in the worst possible mood.

Goals from Alexander Kerzhakov and Daniel Alves gave the Andalucians victory, while Aitor Ocio was sent off for the home team and Ludovic Giuly and Gianluca Zambrotta were dismissed for Barça. In a game that had a little of everything, the result has kept the race for the title wide open as Sevilla extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches in all competitions.

Barcelona had taken the lead after 14 minutes when Gianluca Zambrotta, who looked suspiciously offside, sprinted down the right-hand side and crossed for an unmarked Ronaldinho to head in his 17th goal of the season. Ronaldinho had the chance to make it 2-0 on the half-hour mark when he was brought down in the area by Aitor Ocio. The Sevilla defender was sent-off but keeper Andres Palop saved the spotkick.

Sevilla, whose coach Juande Ramos was knocked out by a bottle thrown from the Real Betis crowd in a midweek Spanish Cup tie, shrugged off the loss of Ocio when Russian international Alexander Kerzhakov, a winter recruit, levelled with a sweet turn and shot six minutes before the break. Impressive Brazilian Dani Alves then hit what proved to be the winner in the 61st minute before Barca's night fell apart.

French midfielder Ludovic Giuly was red-carded for a 62nd-minute foul on Alves before Zambrotta was also ordered off in the 76th minute for a second yellow card. Even the introduction of Cameroon striker Samuel Eto'o from the bench in the 69th minute couldn't save Barcelona as Sevilla went top.

Spanish league, Sevilla 2-1 Barcelona goals:

Premiership, Arsenal 2-1 Reading

Gunners back to winning ways

Arsenal moved to within one point of third-placed Liverpool with a deserved but, at the end, nervous victory. Cesc Fabregas mis-kicked in front of an open goal but Gilberto Silva put Arsenal in front from the penalty spot after Andre Bikey fouled Gael Clinchy.

This was a worthy victory for Arsenal, yet the afternoon began with Arsenal team in their default setting of seething frustration, dominating possession but struggling to expose chinks in a tightly-packed defence.

Shorn of Emmanuel Adebayor and Thierry Henry, their finishing was painfully profligate, with Cesc Fabregas the biggest culprit. Barely a minute had passed when the Spaniard was set up by Alexander Hleb, but his touch deserted him and Andre Bikey raced back to whip the ball from his toes. Then, in the 29th minute, Fabregas missed a chance that will give him sleepless nights for weeks to come. After James Harper failed to clear a loose ball, Baptista seized possession and squared to Fabregas four yards out. The 19-year-old swung his right boot but missed his shot entirely, the ball bouncing off his standing leg before bobbling clear.

In the 50th minute, Bikey, desperately attempting to keep up with the livewire Denilson, appeared to pull back at Denilson's shirt before becoming entangled with his legs. It was enough to convince Chris Foy, the referee, to award a penalty which Gilberto converted with surgical precision.

A second goal seemed inevitable and it duly arrived in the 61st minute. After a Reading corner had fizzled out, Arsenal streaked downfield at breakneck speed: Denilson slipped a pass to Baptista, who barged past Graeme Murty before toe-poking into the bottom corner.

With the game seemingly over, Reading woke up. Steve Sidwell headed over from a corner and then shot wastefully wide from close range, before Fabregas diverted a corner into his own net.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger:
"We could have done better, we looked a bit shaky at 2-1.

"We missed a few chances in the second half because we were slow to make important decisions.

"Reading were positive and dangerous and played in an intelligent way. They are one of the few teams that have come here and tried to play."

Reading boss Steve Coppell:
"We had opportunities, but credit to Arsenal - they were very, very patient and when they are in front they play with a different tempo.

"They controlled possession for long periods but we responded to that and played a full part in the game.

"We now have 14 days without a game. We can take stock and recharge out batteries, which is important."

Arsenal: Lehmann, Djourou, Gallas, Silva, Clichy, Ljungberg (Diaby 70), Fabregas, Denilson, Hleb (Senderos 86), Walcott (Aliadiere 71), Julio Baptista.
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Traore.

Booked: Senderos.

Goals: Silva 51 pen, Julio Baptista 62.

Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Ingimarsson, Bikey, Shorey, Little (Doyle 80), Sidwell, Harper (Gunnarsson 71), Hunt (Oster 65), Kitson, Lita.
Subs Not Used: Federici, Duberry.

Booked: Kitson.

Goals: Fabregas (87 og).

Premier League, Arsenal 2-1 Reading Full highlights and goals:

Carling Cup Final, Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal, match highlights and report

Chelsea snatches the Cup from Arsenal! Didier Drogba grabbed both goals as Chelsea came from behind to win a Carling Cup final that ended in ugly scenes at the Millennium Stadium.

Theo Walcott was entitled to feel for a while that this day would be the key to open the adult phase of his career. Theo Walcott's first goal came when he chased a lax clearance, turned, exchanged passes with Diaby and lifted a finish high past Petr Cech in the 12th minute.

With 20 minutes gone, Michael Ballack lifted the ball to the right and Drogba was kept onside by the trailing foot of Philippe Senderos before he went through to shoot past a tentative Manuel Almunia. The gradual transformation of the final was in progress.

The Blues lost skipper Terry midway through the half when he took a boot in the face from Diaby as he tried to finish off an Arjen Robben corner.

Terry looked to be knocked unconscious and a mask was applied to his face to help with his breathing before he was carried off the field and taken to hospital.

Arsenal waned and their bar was to be struck by both Frank Lampard, with a 25-yard shot, and Andriy Shevchenko in the second half. The balance of power was also tipped by Mourinho's astute replacement of Claude Makelele with Arjen Robben. He neeeded Arjen Robben to disrupt a lively Arsenal by compelling them to spend more time covering and tracking back.
Robben steered the exact cross for the winner that flew over Touré and was headed in powerfully by Drogba with six minutes remaining.

Let's see the goals:

The game ended disappointingly when Obi clashed with Toure and several players from each team, as well as both managers, got involved in an ugly scuffle.
Referee Howard Webb dished out three red cards as well as yellows to Fabregas and Lampard.
Over 11 minutes of added-on time was played before the final whistle was blown to hand the first major trophy of the season to Jose Mourinho's side, who are still in the hunt for three other pieces of silverware.

Now for the fight:

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester united

Late goals from Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry saw Arsenal come from behind to earn a dramatic win over Premiership leaders Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked to be taking full advantage of Chelsea's Saturday slip-up as Wayne Rooney diving header seemed set to separate the two sides. However, Robin van Persie came off the bench to equalise and deep into stoppage time Thierry Henry headed a winner to spark scenes of celebration.