FC Barcelona Beat Malaga CF 4-1 and Rewrite History Books

Barcelona keep on shattering every record under Pep Guardiola! The blaugrana beat Malaga 4-1 today and have collected an impressive 52 points (17 wins, one draw and one defeat) at the end of the first half of the season, which is not only a La Liga record, but a European record.
With the four goals scored today, Barcelona have increased their tally to 61 goals (while conceding a mere 11 goals) in 19 matches, which is also a La Liga record of goals in the first half of the season.
The most impressive thing is that both these records already belonged to Pep Guardiola's Barcelona: 50 points and 59 goals in the glorious 2008/2009 season. After a rather disappointing 2009/2010 season, Barcelona have again been firing on all cylinders this season, playing the kind of football that their supporters want to see.
After a shaky start, with a shocking defeat to Hercules and a draw against Mallorca, both at Camp Nou, Barcelona have now racked up 13 league wins in a row and there seems to be no stopping them. Malaga did what they could, but early it became apparent that Barcelona were going to record another blowout win.
Barcelona were brilliant in the first half and led 3-0 at halftime, with goals from Andrés Iniesta, David Villa and Pedro Rodriguez. In the second half, Barcelona took the foot off the pedal and Malaga managed to get one back, but David Villa scored yet another to secure the triumph. Lionel Messi, the best player on the planet, didn't even need to score today.

Behind Barcelona's fantastic first half of the season is an attacking trio that has been even more deadly than Messi-Eto'o-Henry in 2008/2009. Lionel Messi, Pedro Rodriguez and David Villa have formed an even more prolific trio. In the league, Lionel Messi has scored 18 goals, David Villa 14 and Pedro Rodriguez 10, which means that they have a combined 42 goals (out of Barcelona's 61). In all competitions, they have a combined 63 goals so far (Messi 31, Villa and Pedro both 16).
David Villa's signing was the best move Barcelona could have made this summer. The Spanish striker has been so amazing this season and has brought so much to Barcelona's game that a certain Swedish flop is now a distant, fading memory for the blaugrana fans. Not only are Villa's stats excellent (16 goals and seven assists so far), but his work rate is phenomenal, and so is the link-up with Lionel Messi and Pedro Rodriguez.
Pedro has further established himself as a world-class winger/striker and Lionel Messi...well, what can we say about him that doesn't sound redundant? The trio has been absolutely outstanding so far and the best might be yet to come.
Behind the attacking trio, Iniesta has also been brilliant. He has been playing better than ever before and he has even been scoring goals, which is quite unusual for Don Andrés. He has already racked up six goals in La Liga so far, some of them excellent (like today's). Messi aside, Iniesta has been the second-best player in the world this season so far.
Xavi has also been excellent, despite struggling with injuries at the beginning of the season, and Busquets has established himself as a world-class defensive midfielder. At the back, Puyol and Piqué form an almost impenetrable duo, Daniel Alves patrols the right side as usual and Abidal has been in the best form of his career.
The Brazilian right back got injured today and he will be out for 10-15 days, but Adriano has already proved to be an excellent cover, and even Puyol can cover for Alves if necessary. Quality in depth is something that Barcelona doesn't lack. Even new signing Ibrahim Afellay has showed some very good signs, which might be confirmed on Wednesday at Betis, where he should be given the opportunity to play the full 90 minutes.
Many pundits have hailed Pep Guardiola's Dream Team as one of the best teams of all time and they've been proving it every week.
Trophies aren't handed in January and a lot can happen in football, but the truth is that, unless something very unexpected happens, it will be very difficult to stop Barcelona from collecting the trophies. A third straight La Liga title is definitely in the cards, as second-place team Real Madrid, despite a great season, are already four points behind.
The hunt for the Champions League starts in February and, the way Barcelona are playing, it will be difficult for the top sides around Europe to resist the onslaught.

Wolves 1 v 0 Chelsea

The nightmare run continues after another away defeat, this time against the league's bottom side.
To make this depressing evening worse, the damage was done by the misfortune of an own goal, as an early Wolves corner cannoned into the net via Jose Bosingwa, who had been recalled to the starting line-up.
Chelsea had 86 minutes with which to respond but could find no breakthrough against Mick McCarthy's tenacious home side, though Salomon Kalou and Florent Malouda both had chances to level in the second half.
The Blues were beginning a game outside the top four for the first time this season, owing to Aston Villa's late equaliser at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, and would also finish the game outside it after a sixth successive away league game without victory.
Carlo Ancelotti made three changes to the side that had begun that game, with Nicolas Anelka, Jeffrey Bruma and Paulo Ferreira making way for Kalou, Branislav Ivanovic and Bosingwa as we travelled to the West Midlands.

Looking at the form league though, Wolves were above the Blues with three wins in their last six matches compared to our one, and it was the hosts who were quickly in front.
It was the worst possible start for Chelsea, falling behind inside the first five minutes when a corner from Stephen Hunt found its way into the net, this following a save from Petr Cech that had prevented Ronald Zubar striking even earlier.
The last touch looked to have been Bosingwa's, though the home PA awarded the goal to Hunt.
It was just the sort of luck we have been growing accustomed to in recent weeks, but there were at least signs of fight from those in blue.
Bosingwa and Kalou combined as the Ivorian squared across the area, Wolves just clearing behind as Chelsea began to exert pressure, forcing three successive corners without testing home goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.
Kalou had another effort blocked on the edge of the area, Chelsea, as in other games lately, guilty of taking too long in possession.
In his own half, such hesitation almost cost Malouda when Zubar robbed him shortly before the half-hour mark, feeding returning forward Kevin Doyle, but Cech did well to save from the Irishman.

In response Chelsea finally forced Hennessey into action, diving low to deny Kalou an equaliser and a 50th Chelsea goal. Moments later the keeper could only punch a cross as far as John Terry, but unlike on Sunday the Chelsea captain could not find the net.
Kalou almost found Frank Lampard in the box but Wolves were able to clear as they maintained their lead going into the break.
Chelsea opened the second half as they had ended the first, this time Malouda crossing for Didier Drogba, who could only steer his header back towards the crosser. A minute later the Frenchman picked out Ashley Cole, and the left-back hit the target but shot too weakly to beat Hennessey.
It was a bright start and it should have been enough to see us back in the game. On 51 minutes Lampard played an instinctive back-heel into Kalou's path, just inside the Wolves area, and the wide man should have levelled but instead dragged his left-footed effort a foot past the far post.

Chances of such quality would not be easy to come by, though Malouda sent a decent headed opportunity straight into the goalkeeper's hands just four minutes later.
Wolves gradually started to adapt though and for a five-minute spell looked the more likely to score, forcing Terry into some important hold-up play inside his own half before Chelsea could get back on the front foot once more.
Kalou shot high before Drogba struck the woodwork, turning Richard Stearman before driving low at Hennessey's near post. The ball cannoned away and Wolves could clear.

In reply Hunt bent a free-kick onto the crossbar at the other end, before Malouda produced a carbon copy of Kalou's 20 minutes earlier.
Anelka and Daniel Sturridge were thrown on in an attempt to salvage a result, and it was the youngster who squandered the next chance, slicing wide on his weaker right foot after Cole had crossed to the far post.
There had been enough chances to be out of sight by now yet still it was the home side that led. When Hunt beat the Chelsea offside trap he should have at least tested Cech, but Michael Essien got back in time to tackle and keep Chelsea in the contest.
Gael Kakuta joined the action with 13 minutes remaining, on in place of Malouda as Ancelotti's last throw of the dice.
The youngster showed movement when too many of his team-mates were standing still, but the 19-year-old could make no major impact against a spirited and busy Wolves side.
The defeat means we finish the day where we began it, in fifth place, and probably glad of a break from league duties when Ipswich Town come to the Bridge on Sunday, in the FA Cup third round.
Wolves (4-4-2): Hennessey; Zubar, Stearman, Berra, Elokobi; Jarvis, Foley (c), Edwards, Hunt; Fletcher (Ebanks-Blake 67(Milijas 80)), Doyle (Ward 67).
Unused subs: Hahnemann, Batth, Jones, Doherty.
Goals Bosingwa o.g. 4
Booked
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry (c), Cole; Essien, Ramires (Sturridge 70), Lampard; Kalou (Anelka 64), Drogba, Malouda (Kakuta 77).
Unused subs Turnbull, Ferreira, Bruma, McEachran.
Goals
Booked Ivanovic 45
Referee Mark Halsey
Crowd 26,432.

MATCH REPORT: ARSENAL 3 CHELSEA 1

Three goals conceded in a 10-minute spell either side of the half-time interval consigned Chelsea to our fifth league defeat of the season.
Having lost their previous five encounters against us, Arsenal were deserved winners in the evening encounter in north London, Branislav Ivanovic only pulling a goal back after the home side had taken a three-goal lead.
It was the day Frank Lampard returned to the starting line-up and although he got stronger as the game progressed, he understandably found it tough to make a real impact after nearly four months out. There were plenty of his team-mates below par too, Chelsea contesting an uneventful but mostly even first half, only to concede a goal from Alex Song a minute before the break.

Arsenal all but put the game safe by coming out strongly at the start of the second half and with Chelsea making mistakes, scoring goals through Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott
Nicolas Anelka was missing for the match with a knee injury so Salomon Kalou kept his place from the side that started at Tottenham 15 days ago. Didier Drogba returned having begun that match on the bench.
Despite also having two weeks' rest coming into the game, Wenger rotated his players in defence, midfield and attack, Djourou, Fabregas, Walcott and Van Persie coming in.
Much of Chelsea's hopes coming into the game were shouldered by Drogba but this was not his night, although the first foul of the game was on the Ivorian. Kalou then fouled Clichy before he did well to dispossess Nasri five minutes in and launch a counter-attack, but his cross was wayward.
Either side of that moment, Van Persie was twice in dangerous positions in the Chelsea box but was defeated by the offside flag first time and then a difficult bounce the second.
On seven minutes, Drogba had his first sight of the target after a Terry ball found him in running into space but he shot wide. That was to be the best chance for the visitors in the first half.
Both sides hinted at a little rustiness after two weeks without a game. When Terry was caught in possession by Fabregas near halfway he was perhaps a touch fortunate to escape a booking from referee Clattenburg when he interrupted an Arsenal break with a foul.
Chelsea were quickly onto Arsenal players in possession all over the pitch, sometimes at the expense of free-kicks but also winning the ball and generally hurrying the home side's play. We weren't ignoring the long ball possibility to Drogba either, hardly surprising given the history of this fixture over the last five years, but the game took a long time to ignite as the two sides toiled in the middle of the park.

On 20 minutes Van Persie went down under a Malouda challenge in the area. There was contact but the Chelsea man was also playing the ball and he escaped the penalty appeals. As Chelsea cleared our lines, Kalou handled and from the free-kick, Nasri struck the first shot of the game on target but Cech caught it.
An extremely clumsy touch prevented Walcott testing the Chelsea keeper as he used his pace to reach a long pass ahead of Cole, who on 28 minutes became the game's first booking for a foul on Van Persie by the corner flag.
At the other end, an unfortunate deflection off Sagna had prevented Drogba heading Malouda clean through on goal.
Around the half-hour Arsenal enjoyed their best short spell of pressure so far but it came to an end when Van Persie followed through on Mikel and evened up the card count. There was further misjudgement from the Dutchman as he blazed a good chance over.
Kalou was next in the book for catching Clichy with a high challenge on 38 minutes, by which stage Arsenal were beginning to cause Chelsea concern. It took a very good tip over from Cech to keep a Nasri shot out and the keeper also did well in cutting out a Walcott cross.
However the home side were beginning to play passes in and around the Chelsea area and a minute before the break, they capitalised after Ancelotti's side wasted a throw-in.  A return pass from Wilshere to Song wasn't cut out and Song was able to beat Cech from 12 yards.
The midfield was altered at the break, Mikel, injured by the Van Persie challenge, coming off with Ramires introduced. Essien, largely anonymous in the first half, moved deeper.
The half started poorly however with possession given away at kick-off and two corners conceded, Cech just about dealing with them. Then came two goals in the space of two minutes.

First a ball was played up to Van Persie who as he held off two men, was tackled by Essien who only succeeded in giving the ball to Walcott. The Blues were stretched as the England winger found Fabregas to sweep the ball past Cech.
Then the two Arsenal men reversed roles as Malouda was caught in possesion by Walcott who then converted a Fabregas pass with Ivanovic unable to slide across and challenge in time. There were 52 minutes gone, we were 3-0 down and rocking.
Ancelotti responded instantly by bringing Kakuta on for Malouda and although the young Frenchman was not involved, the manager saw his side pull a goal back on 56 minutes. Drogba fired in a free-kick from midway inside the Arsenal half and Ivanovic headed in.

Lampard was booked for catching Song in the centre circle shortly before Bosingwa replaced Ferreira in the second substitution.
Chelsea tried to make a game of it for a spell and a second Blues goal at that point would have tested the Arsenal resolve. Fabregas chose to take a yellow card by pulling back Essien as he stormed forward towards the opposition area.
However danger lurked at the other end and Nasri was wasteful in shooting at Cech after a Kakuta mistake. The youngster did better at the other end by trying his luck from outside the area, but his shot went wide.
Arsenal by this stage weren't forcing the issue but substitute Diaby escaped his marker inside the area with 10 minutes to go, only for Cech to save.
Ramires wasted a good opportunity to pick out a colleague by shooting well off-target and Drogba fired a free-kick a couple of yards over.
In the closing moments Drogba smashed a shot goalwards but it was blocked and Kalou bundled in from a clearly offside position.
There will be question marks over Chelsea's defending after this display, but there was equally a lack of guile and ideas in attack.
No wins in six league games means we trail the leaders by six points having played a game more.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech, Ferreira (Bosingwa 61), Ivanovic, Terry (c) Cole; Essien, Mikel (Ramires h-t), Lampard; Kalou, Drogba, Malouda (Kakuta 55).
Unused subs Turnbull, Bruma, van Aanholt, McEachran.
Scorer Ivanovic 56.
Booked Cole 28, Kalou 38, Lampard 58.
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Fabianski; Sagna, Djourou, Koscielny, Clichy; Song, Wilshere; Walcott (Diaby 73), Fábregas (Rosicky 87), Nasri; van Persie (Chamakh 76).
Unused subs: Szczęsny, Squillaci, Arshavin, Bendtner.
Scorers Song 44, Fabregas 50, Walcott 52.
Booked van Persie 32, Fabregas 67.
Referee Mark Clattenburg.
Crowd 60,112.
Shots on Chelsea 1 Arsenal 5
Corners Chelsea 6 Arsenal 4
Fouls Chelsea 16 Arsenal 10
Offsides Chelsea 4 Arsenal 4

Everton 0 Wigan 0

Everton continue to languish at the wrong end of the Premier League table following a goalless draw at home to Wigan Athletic.

Marouane Fellaini headed over in a dire first half, while Wigan goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi had to react sharply to keep out a Steven Pienaar strike from distance.
Al Habsi was earning his money and denied Phil Jagielka before blocking a Louis Saha effort after the French forward had been put one-on-one with the Latics man.
The Oman international could do nothing when Tim Cahill powered a header goalwards, but the crossbar denied the Australian midfielder.
And Wigan almost snatched three points late on but Mohamed Diame stumbled when through on goal and Ronnie Stam was denied by a decent save from Tim Howard.

MATCH REPORT: BIRMINGHAM CITY 1 CHELSEA 0

Chelsea have suffered successive league defeats for the first time since 2006, despite dominating for all but a few minutes of Saturday's game at St. Andrew's.
Carlo Ancelotti's men fell behind to an early Lee Bowyer strike but having passed up several opportunities prior to that moment, there was no cause to panic.
A man of the match display from Ben Foster however ensured that Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic would all be left scratching their heads at how we did not claim at least a point from such a one-sided game.
The last time we lost two in a row was at the end of the 2005/06 season, by which time we had already been crowned champions, and while we still sit atop the table thanks to Arsenal's lunchtime defeat to Spurs, further ground has now been lost to Manchester United, comfortable victors over Wigan today.
Chelsea's injury problems coming into this game were well documented, but there was good news on Friday with the announcement that Alex could start in central defence despite requiring knee surgery - his presence would make a huge difference following last weekend's capitulation against Sunderland.
Cole had recovered from a knock picked up in that game, but Yury Zhirkov was the latest added to the injury list, a tight calf following international duty had ruled him out, so Florent Malouda dropped back into midfield and Salomon Kalou started down the left.

It was the 25-year-old Ivorian who had Chelsea's first chance of the game, slipping between Birmingham defenders Roger Johnson and Stephen Carr after captain Drogba had chested into his path, but the connection was poor and the shot bobbled into the side netting.
Moments later, with four minutes still not on the clock, Ramires was allowed to creep unnoticed to the far post and meet Malouda's cross, but again it lacked power, and England's Foster could gather.
Just over a minute later it was Drogba's chance to pass up a glorious opportunity. Malouda was the provider with a precise through ball, but Foster was out sharply to narrow the angle and block the shot.
Thirteen minutes in the same player headed over from Anelka's left-wing cross, and while there may have been frustration that we were yet to hit the net, there at least looked to be no signs of the malaria that had troubled Drogba's star striker.
Those frustrations were to increase on 17 minutes when Birmingham took the lead with their first effort on target.
Sebastian Larsson's cross from the right was met by Cameron Jerome, who nodded down into a gaping space inside the Chelsea area, and Bowyer promptly ran on unmarked and slotted neatly beyond Petr Cech.

Lessons, perhaps, had still not been learned.
Back on the attack Drogba warmed Foster's palms with another powerful low drive before forcing the keeper into an exceptional stop with a decent close-range header which the former Manchester United stopper somehow managed to fist around the post.
Alex and Nikola Zigic were involved in a clash of heads that held play up for a few minutes before Chelsea's dominance continued, Cole and Anelka the next to work Foster either side of a high Branislav Ivanovic header.
Alex headed yards wide from another corner and Foster tipped a deflected Drogba free-kick around the post as Chelsea cranked up the pressure still further in the closing stages of the first half.
On 37 minutes Cole's cross to Drogba saw the forward's header beat the goalkeeper, but not the crossbar, as the ball rebounded to the off-target Ramires.
Even when Foster made a hash of things, as he did with his footwork under pressure from Anelka, he managed to get away with it, mishitting his clearance straight to a team-mate.
In truth there was very little more Chelsea could do, other than hope that in the second half Birmingham's goal would not be so charmed.
The urgency that had been so evident in the first period did not emerge in the second, and for the first time Birmingham began to play with the confidence of a side that was a goal up at home.
But more Chelsea chances were to follow. Ramires was tackled inside the area by Johnson, fairly, and then Kalou shot over in a crowded area and Drogba sent a free-kick straight at Foster as Chelsea looked to come back once more.

By now Jose Bosingwa was on in place of Paulo Ferreira as a more attacking right-back and he was to be joined on 71 minutes by Daniel Sturridge, who replaced Ramires.
Immediately Chelsea were presented with another chance, Liam Ridgewell's backpass cut out by Kalou, but Foster was enjoying one of those days, and he managed to execute a perfect sliding challenge on the forward before sticking out an arm to send the ball behind for a corner - Chelsea's 13th of the season. From the 14th, Foster made another great save, this time from Ivanovic's header.

Birmingham were sitting ever deeper and inviting Chelsea on. Even Alex was getting in on the act in open play, slamming Malouda's low cross over the bar as we continued to search in vain for an equaliser.
For Chelsea's 15th corner, every Birmingham player was in his own box, Cech the only man not within 30 yards of the home goal, but still no breakthrough. Alex was employed as a makeshift striker, one of five, but Foster would not be tested again despite four minutes of injury time.
It means the gap at the top of the table is two points, but with Champions League action in midweek, it will be nice to focus elsewhere.
Birmingham (4-4-2): Foster; Carr (c), Johnson, Dann, Ridgewell; Larsson, Ferguson, Bowyer, Fahey; Jerome, Zigic (Hleb 71).
Scorers Bowyer 17
Booked Ridgewell 77, Fahey 84
Chelsea(4-3-3):Cech; Ferreira (Bosingwa 64), Alex, Ivanovic, Cole; Ramires (Sturridge 71), Mikel, Malouda; Anelka, Drogba (c), Kalou.
Scorers
Booked
StatsShots on target Birmingham 1 Chelsea 8
Corners Birmingham 4 Chelsea 16
Fouls Birmingham 10 Chelsea 4
Offsides Birmingham 0 Chelsea 0
Attendance 24,357

Argentina-Brazil Comment: Ronaldinho And Messi: When Two Geniuses Collide

The Argentina-Brazil game on Wednesday afternoon was highly anticipated for all sorts of varying reasons. First and foremost, any game between the two South American titans, be it in an end of year friendly or the World Cup final, is an incredibly important match.  Latin American editor Ariel Blanco hit the nail on the head when he told us the clasico represents “the pride and necessity of knowing you are the best on the continent which can only come from measuring yourself against Brazil.” Aside from this fight for pride and glory, there were myriad sub-plots for the viewer to appreciate. The battle between rookie international coaches Mano Menezes and Sergio Batista, as they hoped to establish the love of the domestic fans in the quickest manner possible: by beating the old enemy. The chance to see new, unheralded talent take the stage with both teams renewing after the World Cup. An opportunity to see the two giants measure each other up before an almost inevitable meeting in the latter stages of the Copa America. One of the most intriguing aspects of the clash however, for both sets of fans as well as undoubtedly the neutral, was the anticipated meeting of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, former team-mates at Barcelona, on opposite sides of the pitch: one in the celeste y blanca of Argentina, the other donning the canarinha of Brazil. With two of the world’s most talented players on the pitch we expected great things to come; and overall, we were not disappointed. The game was important for both players, who continue to have something to prove at international level. For all his sparkling talent, Messi is still to convince many Argentines that he gives his all for the Albiceleste in the same way as he does for Barcelona, and that he can bring his best without the creative talents of Xavi and Andres Iniesta by his side. Ronaldinho’s case was even more desperate. Frozen out for much of Dunga’s unpopular reign, the 30-year-old knew that this, if not a last throw of the dice was at the least a vital game for him to show he was still an international class player. Judging by the Milan man’s performance on Wednesday, he should be around in the Selecao for some time yet. This was by no means a vintage display by the Brazilian: the tricks, flicks and mazy dribbles from the left were not particularly apparent, superfluous in a fast and direct Brazil outfit. Instead the veteran of the side played as a traditional enganche; he would trap the ball outside the Albiceleste area, draw the defence and then release Dani Alves or Andres Santos steaming down the flanks. In this manner the ball rained in from the sidelines, and but for Sergio Romero being on top form and the stark lack of a centre forward, the tactic would surely have paid off for Menezes’ side. Ronaldinho himself must have sent Mano apoplectic with his only real indulgence of the game, midway through the first half. Finding himself one-on-one with Romero after a half-cleared set piece was fired back in, the performer had his back to goal with time to turn; ever the tribunero (crowd-pleaser) though, he instead opted for the backheel, which rolled kindly into Romero’s hands. Messi on the other hand, along with the rest of the Argentina XI took their time to settle into the game. Right from the outset he and Javier Pastore looked to imprint Batista’s philosophy of measured, one-touch football and constant movement as the two were lined up as the twin creative axes of the side. It was not happening though, as a Brazil side if seemingly limitless energy swarmed across the pitch from ball to ball, disrupting the Seleccion’s rhythm and stopping these two immensely talented youngsters from forming a feared partnership. You cannot take your eyes off ‘La Pulga’ for a minute though. Midway through the period he set off on a seemingly innocuous run in his own half; and after the ball was shifted effortlessly through Pastore, Ever Banega and Javier Zanetti the little genius found himself seconds later with space on the edge of the area - a couple of inches was the difference between a close shot and one of the team goals of the year. The game continued in a similar manner after the break. Ronaldinho kept searching, kept probing to break open the Argentina defence, but he was largely let down by the strike partnership of Robinho and Neymar in front of him. Neymar looked electric at times with the ball at his feet, but he desperately lacks experience and maturity; in a positional sense more than anything, as proved by the many times he saw a cross or pass plucked from his feet by Romero after failing to get on the right side of the number one. The Milan maestro was eventually withdrawn after 73 minutes, and Brazil’s last chance of winning the game seemed to leave with him. Messi meanwhile was galvanised by the exit of Gonzalo Higuain and the entrance of the more dynamic, proactive Ezequiel Lavezzi. The two started to combine ominously and the crowds drew a breath every time the Barca man surged past a defender with the ball glued to his feet. No-one could have predicted how it would end for him though. In the 92nd minute, and with the game almost certainly finishing a draw, ‘La Pulga’ was set through by Lavezzi and raced forward, leaving the tiring David Luiz for dead and firing to Victor’s left from outside the box. It was a stunning strike, and the unrestrained celebrations of the game’s golden child showed what it meant to break a five-year winless run against their illustrious neighbours. Round one to Messi and Argentina then, but Ronaldinho’s solid performance demonstrates that he is more than able to be the experienced anchor which holds together an inexperienced but exuberant and mega-talented Brazil attack. Both teams have the opportunity to build a team around these two uniquely gifted individuals, and if they continue inspiring those around them it will be no surprise to see round two in a dream Argentina-Brazil Copa America final showdown, next July in the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.

shocking defeat

MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 0 SUNDERLAND 3

It was a Sunday shock at Stamford Bridge as the Blues fell to our worst home defeat since April 2002.
A side that lost captain John Terry to injury before the game was second best for much of it. Positive attacking by Sunderland found a way through with defender Nedum Ouoha netting just before the break and then both strikers, Asamoah Gyan and Danny Welbeck scoring in the second half. Steve Bruce had opted for two strikers in a change from previous starting line-ups.
The goals were the first conceded in 10 home league games and while the first two were good Sunderland play, the third was from that rarest of occurrences, an Ashley Cole mistake.
Terry was ruled out following training yesterday when a nerve problem caused the skipper pain in gluteus and hamstring muscles. Paulo Ferreira was drafted into central defence as Carlo Ancelotti opted for experience rather than the youth option of Jeffrey Bruma.

Nicolas Anelka was able to return from the back injury that kept him out against Fulham so Salomon Kalou made way. Terry may have been out and the midfield lacked Lampard and Essien but it was at least a full-strength attack taking on the side that started the game eighth, although all three have missed games recently through injury or illness.
Prior to kick-off, a minute's silence to mark Remembrance Sunday was observed and then the final game of the weekend was underway.
Malouda almost put the ball on the toes of Drogba in front of goal five minutes in. Sunderland sprung forward after a loose Ivanovic pass but Gyan's shot was wayward.
However it was a stagnant start to the game, peppered by plenty of aerial contests but no real quality of passing from either side.
On 17 minutes Mikel broke the stranglehold with a lofted ball into the path of Anelka but Gordon just won the race and saved at the Frenchman's feet.

A minute later Zhirkov missed a chance all of his own making. Spinning past Turner, he saw the gap between two defenders, darted through but then suffered a rush of blood and dragged his shot wide.
At a set-piece delivery, Chelsea might well have been awarded a penalty had the officials spotted Turner grabbing Ivanovic in a near headlock, but they didn't and when another corner was cleared to the edge of the area, Ramires looped a header forward that had Gordon back-peddling. The Scot reached up and caught it under the crossbar.
On 28 minutes Drogba, full of close control and power, attempted to find a direct route to goal and was enjoying success until impeded illegally by Turner just outside the area. The Sunderland centre-back saw the game's first yellow card.
Drogba swapped his more usual up-and-down free-kick technique for a full-force blast and it clipped off the side of the wall and flew only a few inches too high.
He had another chance on 33 minutes after he was upended by Cattermole. From five yards further out, he struck it straight at the keeper.
Little did the Stamford Bridge crowd know at that point this was Chelsea's best spell of the game.
Two minutes later came Cech's first in a quick succession of saves as Sunderland took control and Chelsea made mistakes.
The stop can be added to his already impressive top-drawer collection this season. From Onuoha's cross, Welbeck powered a header towards the bottom corner. The Sunderland bench certainly thought it was on its way in until a long arm pushed the ball wide.

Moments later Cech denied the England Under 21 international again, this time with his feet as Welbeck shot when placed through one-on-one by Gyan's pass.
Suddenly the Terry-less defence was looking vulnerable every time the lively Wearsiders pushed forward. Ivanovic tripped Welbeck as the Blues lost the ball dangerously and were looking stretched. Fortunately referee Foy decided the Serbian wasn't the last defender.
Cech then saved again, from Gyan this time as the defence lacked men in place, and parried Onouha's follow-up shot.
The one-Czech resistance couldn't hold out forever and he was beaten by a remarkable piece of play by Onuoha a minute before the interval. The right-back beat three men on his run before coaxing the ball into the corner with Cech this time helpless. The goal had been coming.

The pressure was on as the second half commenced. Drogba had a shot charged down but within seven minutes of the restart Sunderland made it 2-0.
It was the type of pass-and-move football we usually see from blue shirts in front of the Shed End but this time it was new England call-up Henderson passing through to Gyan who slipped the ball past Cech.
On 57 minutes Ancelotti made a change - Kalou introduced with Malouda taken off, and 11 minutes later McEachran was brought on for the unimposing Ramires.
Between those changes Welbeck was only inches away from extending the lead with a shot through a crowd of legs.
Into the final 20 minutes, Anelka drilled wide from the edge of the area and then as the Blues broke promisingly, Zhirkov blazed his cross high into crowd. It captured a bad Chelsea afternoon in one moment and was the Russian's last touch. Kakuta came on.
Chelsea mustered just one shot on target in the second half as Sunderland understandably kept plenty of men back while still carrying a threat on the counter-attack.
The third goal was a moment of pure self-destruction however. Cole, who had appeared to injure his ankle earlier in the half, was in possession and being chased towards the corner flag when he knocked the ball into the middle for what turned out to be a pass straight to Welbeck. The task of finishing it was a simple one. It was a very quiet Stamford Bridge apart from the small contingent in the sparsely populated away section. The Sunderland fans had seen their first win over Chelsea since 2001.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Cole; Ramires (McEachran 68), Mikel, Zhirkov (Kakuta 74); Anelka, Drogba, Malouda (Kalou 57).
Unused subs Turnbull, Bruma, Van Aanholt, Sala.
Booked Ivanovic 39,
Sunderland (4-4-2): Gordon; Onuoha, Turner, Bramble, Bardsley; Richardson, Henderson, Cattermole (c) (Riveros 90+4), Zenden; Welbeck (Elmohamady 90), Gyan (Malbranque 82).
Unused subs: Mignolet, Adams, Angeleri, Da Silva.
Scorer Onuoha 44. Gyan 52, Welbeck 87.
Booked Turner 28. Bramble 61.
Referee Chris Foy
Crowd 41,072.
Shots on Chelsea 5 Sunderland 9
Corners Chelsea 6 Sunderland 3
Fouls Chelsea 10 Sunderland 14
Offsides Chelsea 3 Sunderland 2

MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 1 FULHAM 0

Posted on: Wed 10 Nov 2010

Michael Essien made the headlines from the SW6 derby as he scored the only goal but received a straight-red-card sending off in stoppage time.
On balance over the whole 90 minutes it was a game Chelsea clearly deserved to win but having created little for the first half-hour, after the goal a flood of chances were spurned before Fulham rallied and tested Petr Cech. There were nervous moments before the three points were secured.
No-one epitomised the performance more than Salomon Kalou who had many moments of quality but was the chief culprit when it came to not putting the ball in the net.
Nicolas Anelka and Alex were ruled out before kick-off but Didier Drogba started. He didn't look like a man drained by illness but has had many better games, and there was another important return to the team.

Everyone inside Stamford Bridge cheering Chelsea on will have been pleased to see Essien back on board. His fourth goal of the season was scored with his freshly-shorn head. His third headed of goal of the season, it came on 30 minutes.
After two games out the Ghanaian was involved early on, with one deflected cross and one deflected shot that Schwarzer fumbled out for a corner.
Chelsea appealed against another fumble, a handball by Damien Duff deep in the Fulham half after 10 minutes, but referee Martin Atkinson disagreed.
Three minutes later Mikel flighted a very promising ball into the area but Schwarzer's gloves just beat Kalou's boot in the race to make contact.
No slow start this time by Chelsea who had the Cottagers pinned back. The first shot on target was by the visitors however - from Briggs, the 19-year-old playing left back, but it was never likely to trouble Cech. Almost instantly Mikel had a go for the Blues, one with more sting but too straight and Schwarzer picked it out the air.
On 28 minutes, Drogba warmed the hands of the Australian with a dipping free-kick from out wide. Fulham struggled to clear and conceded another free kick out wide. Again the lines were only half cleared and when Kalou delivered the perfect cross to the far post it wasn't Drogba on the end of it - he was on floor after an earlier challenge - it was Essien, thumping the ball into the bottom corner with his forehead.

Kalou could have found the net himself five minutes before the break. Malouda, who had a minute earlier shot on target, crossed and the Ivorian's hurried half-volley was scooped over. He went a whole lot closer a minute later when shooting a foot wide after out-running the defence following a well-judged Zhirkov pass.
A hat-trick of missed chances for the 25-year-old was completed just before the break when he couldn't quite connect to a Malouda cross at the near post. Just before the whistle Cole attacked the defence and tangled with Hangeland in the box but despite appeals it was a fair tackle.
It had been a Chelsea half of possession that hadn't been converted into the chances to match until that late flourish.
Essien was booked for a foot-up foul in the centre circle shortly after the restart. Referee Atkinson had been lenient on some questionable Fulham challenges in the first half.
On 54 minutes the story of Kalou's game continued when he ran at the heart of the Fulham defence, eased his way past the colossus that is Hangeland and shot through Schwarzer but with a deflection that slowed the ball. Hughes cleared off the line.

The same defender then stopped a goal when Drogba's shot hit him with Schwarzer nowhere. The keeper had dithered in dealing with a ball back and Malouda nipped into liberate possession for his team-mate's shot.
Schwarzer was in position to beat out a Malouda volley moments later, he then saved from Drogba and when Ivanovic returned the ball low, Essien turned it wide from three yards out. The failure to add a second was now verging on the comical.
The sucker punch was there to be landed and it would have been had it not been for the excellence of Cech, called into action properly for the first time on 71 minutes.
Dempsey it was who found the space to unleash a shot from outside the area and it was dipping under the bar until the Czech's arm raised to tip over.
Cole was booked for a foul on Duff, the game's second yellow, shortly before the first Chelsea change. Ramires was introduced for Malouda with Zhirkov moving into the front three.
The biggest problem for the Blues was that Fulham were only a goal away from taking something from the game and Terry's 81^st minute headed clearance was rocketed back at Cech by substitute Gera's volley. The keeper saved well for a second time.
Sturridge was introduced for Kalou with five minutes to play, followed by Ferreira for Bosingwa who had just recovered from an elbow in the forehead from Dempsey.
Fulham score late goals but even with four minutes stoppage time played, they were denied further pops at the Chelsea target, not least due to some determined Terry defending.

Seconds from the end came the Essien dismissal that will see him miss three games. A loose ball fell between the Chelsea man and Dempsey, he jumped down on the ball but it was two-footed and deemed reckless enough by the ref for the game to end on a sour note.
Despite that, the Fulham wait for a win at Stamford Bridge extends into a fourth decade as Chelsea stay top of the league.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa (Ferreira 88), Ivanovic, Terry (c) Cole; Essien, Mikel, Zhirkov; Kalou (Sturridge 85), Drogba, Malouda (Ramires 77).
Unused subs Turnbull, Bruma, McEachran, Kakuta.Scorer Essien 30
Sent-off Essien 90+3
Booked Essien 49. Cole 75.
Fulham (4-4-2):Schwarzer; Kelly, Hughes, Hangeland, Briggs (Gera 78); Davies, Murphy (c), Etuhu (A Johnson 61), Duff; Dempsey, Dembele.
Unused subs: Stockdale, Paintsil, Greening, Dikgacoi, E Johnson.
Referee Martin Atkinson
Crowd 41,593.
Shots on Chelsea 10 Fulham 3
Corners Chelsea 4 Fulham 4
Fouls Chelsea 14 Fulham 15
Offsides Chelsea 2 Fulham 2

Real Madrid stay on top in La Liga as Jose Mourinho's side maintain unbeaten start

Real Madrid maintained their 11-year unbeaten run over Atletico Madrid with a 2-0 win on Sunday to stay top of La Liga, despite Lionel Messi's 16th goal of the season inspiring Barcelona to a 3-1 victory at Getafe.
Real, who have not lost a Spanish capital derby since 1999, won with first-half goals from Ricardo Carvalho and Mesut Ozil to stay a point clear of defending champions Barca after 10 games.

The Real deal: Mourinho's side are top of La Liga following their unbeaten start

La Liga - Messi and Villa net in Barca win

Lionel Messi and David Villa were on target as Barcelona kept the pressure on La Liga leaders Real Madrid with a 3-1 win at Getafe.

Related Links

• Matchcast: Getafe v Barcelona
• Liga fixtures
• Liga table

The visiting side went ahead on 21 minutes when Messi tucked home his eighth goal of the season from Villa's pass before the little Argentina playmaker turned provider to play in Villa for the second goal on 32 minutes.
Barca went out of sight on 62 minutes when home defender Daniel Diaz gave the ball straight to Pedro who evaded home goalkeeper Jordi Codina to clip the ball into the net.
Getafe got some reward for their exertions in the second half when Manu drilled home a penalty on 70 minutes after Gerard Pique was sent off for a second yellow card as he handled in the box from Miku's pass.
The home side tried to make their one-man advantage count as play swung from end to end, but their hopes were buried when Derek Boateng followed Pique off the park on 79 minutes for a second booking after a crude late challenge on Javier Mascherano.
Carles Puyol had to knock Javier Arizmendi's header off the line in the final 20 minutes, but Messi wasted several clear-cut chances late on as Barca ran out worthy winners.

he is back in action

 

Blues Torn Apart by Torres  

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 0

Liverpool continued their recent resurgence as Fernando Torres scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over leaders Chelsea at Anfield.

The Blues had conceded just three times in their opening 10 Premier League matches but were powerless against the class of Torres as Roy Hodgson's side rocketed into the top half of the table.

The breakthrough came after just 11 minutes as Dirk Kuyt picked out Torres with a diagonal pass and the Spaniard controlled perfectly before slotting past Petr Cech.

Torres then doubled Liverpool's advantage on the stroke of half-time with a magnificent curled finish from the left-hand side of the area into the far corner.

Chelsea laid siege to the Reds goal after the interval but were unable to reduce their arrears as Florent Malouda was denied by an instinctive Pepe Reina save from point-blank range and Nicolas Anelka hit the crossbar.

Cech also pulled off a fine stop to keep out Kuyt but for the most part it was Chelsea domination and a spirited rearguard effort from the hosts to hold on for three crucial points.

Constant threat

It was always likely the result would come down to who took their chances and with Didier Drogba left on the bench until the second half, Torres was given a head start.

He did not need a second invitation and in addition to his two expertly-taken first-half goals he was a constant threat to the Chelsea defence.

Torres has been short of form this season but he has always been able to produce a performance against Chelsea at Anfield over the years and this was no different.

It took just 11 minutes for him to reopen old wounds with a classic piece of finishing courtesy of a cross from Kuyt, making a welcome return after a month's absence with an ankle injury, on the left.

The Dutchman chipped a pass over the head of John Terry and Torres took one touch before firing past Cech.

Having looked short of confidence this season the 26-year-old appeared to spring to life, immediately going on a short run and firing wide.

Possession was fairly even but Liverpool created the best chances, having a penalty shout dismissed when Terry's clearance bounced up on to Yuri Zhirkov's arm from which Raul Meireles shot at Cech.

Torres did not give the goalkeeper any such chance with his second just before half-time with a strike even better than his opener and reminiscent of his first ever goal for the club - also against Chelsea.

Potency

Meireles dispossessed Ashley Cole in the centre of the pitch and rolled the ball out to the Spaniard on the left of the penalty area.

Cutting inside he curled a shot around Branislav Ivanovic and inside Terry and the far post.

It was a fitting end to undoubtedly Liverpool's best first half of the season, which was as much down to excellent organisation at the back as Torres' potency up front.

With Jamie Carragher, restored to centre-back, barking the orders the hosts limited Chelsea to one shot on target - and that a weak Salomon Kalou header straight at Reina.

Drogba's arrival for the start of the second half was inevitable but the Ivory Coast international's first shooting opportunity saw him curl a 30-yard free-kick well wide.

Ramires headed over and Zhirkov's shot was turned around the post by Reina, who also produced a brilliant close-range stop to deny Malouda.

Having got themselves into a winning position it was now a question of holding on to it for Liverpool as Chelsea ramped up the pressure.

Determination

Torres may be paid to score goals but the sight of him hoofing the ball into the upper tier of the Centenary Stand was testament to the determination of everyone to hang on at all costs.

Kuyt almost wrapped things up 15 minutes from time only for Cech's outstretched leg to divert the ball wide.

Chelsea knew it was not to be their day when Anelka's shot squeezed under Reina, whose slight touch deflected the ball up on to the bar and then Carragher cleared from the lurking Drogba two yards out.

The win moved Liverpool into ninth, the first time they have been in the top half since the opening weekend of the season, after three successive Premier League victories.

They are still not in a position to challenge Chelsea at the top of the table - where they still have a two-point lead over Manchester United - but they proved, on their day and with Torres on form, they remain a match for any side.

It seems a corner has now been turned in Hodgson's reign, and with matches to come against Wigan, Stoke and West Ham there is a real chance for them to restore some of the damage done by their poor start to the season.

Liverpool	Team Statistics	Chelsea
2	Goals	0
2	1st Half Goals	0
6	Shots on Target	5
2	Shots off Target	5
4	Blocked Shots	3
2	Corners	5
16	Fouls	18
3	Offsides	3
0	Yellow Cards	2
0	Red Cards	0
71	Passing Success	82.4
26	Tackles	19
50	Tackles Success	68.4
34.7	Possession	65.3
51.5	Territorial Advantage	48.5

Teams 

Liverpool  Reina, Kelly, Carragher, Skrtel, Konchesky, Lucas, Meireles (Spearing 90), Rodriguez, Gerrard, Kuyt (Shelvey 84), Torres (Ngog 87)
Subs Not Used  Hansen, Wilson, Poulsen, Jovanovic
Booked 
Goals  Torres 11, 44

Chelsea  Cech, Ivanovic (Bosingwa 70), Alex, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Zhirkov (Sturridge 76), Kalou (Drogba 46), Anelka, Malouda,
Subs Not Used  Turnbull, Ferriera, McEachran, Kakuta
Booked  Zhirkov, Alex
Goals 

Attendance  44,238

Champions League - Bale brilliance gives Spurs famous win

Gareth Bale was again in inspired form as Tottenham clinched a famous 3-1 win over Internazionale in their Champions League Group D clash at White Hart Lane.

Related Links

• Redknapp escapes FA charge
• Champions League photos
• Matchcast: Tottenham v Internazionale
• Group A details
• Champions League scores and scorers

Luka Modric produced a majestic run to provide the assist for Rafael van der Vaart to open the scoring in the 18th minute, before the Dutchman had to be withdrawn at half-time with what looked like a recurrence of his hamstring strain.
Inter piled forward in an open second half, but a stunning run from the irrepressible Bale gave Peter Crouch a tap in to double Spurs' lead on the hour mark.
Samuel Eto'o reduced the deficit 10 minutes from time with a clinical strike, but more brilliance from Bale saw the Welshman provide a perfect assist for substitute Roman Pavlyuchenko to seal a memorable victory for Harry Redknapp's side.
Van der Vaart completed a surprise recovery from a hamstring injury, with Tom Huddlestone also returning to take the armband, while both sides made enforced changes in goal from the reverse fixture as Carlo Cudicini and Luca Castellazzi made their bows.
Redknapp had emphasised the need for Spurs to make a fast start after the ruthless treatment inflicted upon them by Inter in Milan, and his side took heed of his warning in an electric opening.
Eto'o saw a fierce strike brush off the side netting in the eighth minute, but Bale was busy giving Maicon a fearful roasting at the other end, skinning the full back seemingly at will.
Tottenham have racked up 15 goals in their last five European games, and that was swiftly increased to 16 in the 18th minute as Modric produced a touch of magic.
The Croat swivelled and sped through the Inter half, beating Muntari and drawing two Inter defenders towards him, before sliding an exquisite through ball into the path of the prolific Van der Vaart, who finished with aplomb. It was the Dutchman's sixth goal in 10 appearances for Spurs.
Crouch had the entirety of White Hart Lane holding its collective breath as he squandered a glorious chance to double the hosts' lead in the 25th minute: Bale zipped past Maicon yet again and dinked over a delightful cross, but the forward scuffed his shot wide of the far post.
But the threat which Inter posed never entirely evaporated, and the Milan-born Cudicini pulled off a magnificent save to preserve his side's slender advantage from Wesley Sneijder's sublime free-kick two minutes from the break.
Van der Vaart was forced off at the break after sustaining a recurrence of his hamstring injury, and Jermaine Jenas was introduced at his expense.
Inter enjoyed spells of possession, with Spurs able to counter at pace, and one such break saw Alan Hutton drift over a pinpoint delivery which Crouch met with a looping header, but Castellazzi was able to back-peddle frantically and tip over the bar.
Maicon simply could not contain Bale, and the Welshman terrorised the right back once more in the 61st minute to get to the byline with a barnstorming run and provide the simplest of finishes for Crouch to double the hosts' lead.
Four minutes later, Bale outstripped Jonathan Biabiany, Lucio and Maicon in another thrilling run down the left, only to see the ball drift fractionally out of play as he provided a near-identical assist for Crouch.
Rafael Benitez introduced Diego Milito in a desperate bid to arrest his side's slump, but it was his other striker who ensured that it would be a nervy finale as Eto'o left Hutton for dead and picked out the far corner of the net with an unerring finish.
Spurs were pushed under the cosh, but Bale showed his prodigious talent once more to streak clear and skin Maicon, then provide a goal on the proverbial platter for substitute Pavlyuchenko with a minute left on the clock.
Vociferous roars rang around White Hart Lane as the final whistle sounded, and the famous win lifts Tottenham above Benitez's Inter to the top of Group A, above the Italian giants on goal difference.

FC Copenhagen held on for a precious 1-1 draw against Barcelona in their Champions League Group D clash at Parken.

Champions League - Copenhagen frustrate Barcelona

FC Copenhagen held on for a precious 1-1 draw against Barcelona in their Champions League Group D clash at Parken.

Related Links

• Group D details
• Matchcast: Copenhagen v Barcelona
• Champions League photos

Barcelona deserved their lead on 31 minutes when Lionel Messi latched onto a loose ball in the box to fire home from close range.
But barely a minute into the second half, Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes failed to hold on to a routine cross, allowing Brazilian midfielder Claudemir to hook the ball into an empty net.
In a second half which saw chances fall to both sides, Pedro came closest to clinching victory for the Catalan club in the dying seconds, when he expertly cut inside from the left, before unleashing a rasping right-footed effort against the inside of the far post.
Gerard Pique and Carlos Puyol were, at times, stretched by Jesper Gronkjaer's intelligent runs outwide, with Claudemir's smart passing exploiting gaps in midfield to put Barcelona's defensive pairing on the back foot.
But the initial waves of Copenhagen attacks receded as Barcelona found their feet.
Andres Iniesta and David Villa grew in influence as the half went on, and it was no surprise to see them both involved in Barcelona's opener.
Seydou Keita, who was lively throughout, cushioned a header into the path of Villa in the box and, although Mathias Jorgensen did a decent job of hooking the ball away from Villa, his clearance only found Messi, who took a touch before firing in from close range.
The goal had been coming, but it was galling to see it scored by Messi, whom the Copenhagen back line had kept quiet for much of the first 30 minutes, in no small part to William Kvist, who was superb in his holding role all night.
But the Danish side, motivated by the coruscating atmosphere in the stadium, refused to retreat to lick their wounds, and hit back within a minute of the restart.
Daniel Alves, so assured in attacking positions, was caught too high up the pitch, as Gronkjaer nipped past him. The former Chelsea winger dinked a routine ball into the box which Valdes flapped at rather than caught or punched clear, leaving Claudemir to hook the ball back across the face of goal and just inside the far post.
Alves was lucky not to see red for kicking out at Ozcar Wendt after being cynically blocked off by the Dane, feeling aggrieved at the manner of the body-check. Had that moment of petulance been witnessed by the officials, Alves would surely have been walking towards the tunnel.
The second half was tit-for-tat, with both sides showing a willingness to go in search of the win. Iniesta came close for Barcelona when his shot, after a jinking run from the left, was saved by the excellent Johan Wiland in the Copenhagen goal.
The home side's best opportunity fell to N'Doye, whose header found the back of the net, but the Senegalese striker was penalised for pushing Eric Abidal in the back as he leapt above the Frenchman.
Pedro perhaps deserved a goal for his masterful technique in both crafting the space to shoot, then executing a sensational shot which would have been deserving of the match-winner.
But Copenhagen held on after a resolute display and, with seven points from four games, the Danes are now on course to progress to the knockout round.
Copenhagen deserved the point, if only for their unwavering resilience throughout, and the Danish side remain within a point of the Spanish giants in second spot after Rubin Kazan's goalless draw with Panathinaiko.

Zaragoza 0 Barcelona 2 - Lionel Messi scores another terrific two as Barcelona ease to victory

Barcelona sealed another vital three points in La Liga on Saturday night as they defeated Real Zaragoza away from home by two goals to nil.
Unsurprisingly, it was that man Lionel Messi who scored both goals in the game, one either side of the interval.
Despite all Barcelona's early intent, they found it hard to penetrate a resolute Zaragoza back line. It wasn't until the 42nd minute that the door was finally unlocked. Lionel Messi made an intelligent run as David Villa attacked with the ball. Villa cleverly drew all of the defenders in towards him and played a through ball to Messi at the decisive moment. Messi, in a one on one situation with the goalkeeper, made no mistake as he slipped the ball passed him.
The second came after half-time, not long after Zaragoza had been reduced to 10 men. In the 66th minute, Dani Alves crossed the ball dangerously. The ball was like a ping pong ball in the penalty area, until it deflected off Jarosik and fell to Messi, who lashed it into the corner of the goal. It was another quality Messi strike and takes his tally for the La Liga season to 5.
Barcelona held firm at the back and collected all three points, which will come as a relief as they continue to chase Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, who themselves cruised to a 6-1 victory over Racing Santander.