Emmanuel Adebayor’s fabulous overhead effort canceled out an equally spectacular strike from Marcos Senna to put Arsenal FC in a strong position in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against Villarreal CF. The Spanish side, keen to erase the memories of their semi-final defeat against these opponents three years ago, started with electric pace and took the lead ten minutes in, Senna unleashing an unstoppable drive from 25 metres.

Arsenal lost goalkeeper Manuel Almunia and William Gallas to injury before the first half was over, but for the third time in as many meetings the Yellow Submarine could not quite impose themselves on the Arsenal, Adebayor’s instinctive effort midway through the second period giving the visitors a priceless away goal to take into next week’s return to north London.

Despite their domination of the first-half, Villarreal began the second period looking edgy. Arsène Wenger pushed Nasri, Fàbregas and Theo Walcott closer to sole striker Adebayor and as a result Villarreal’s back four found their work steadily increasing. Fàbregas had set up Adebayor for two goals against Manchester City FC on Saturday and provided another assist with a flighted pass on to the striker’s chest, the Togo striker beating López with a delightful overhead kick. Kolo Touré, author of the winning goal the last time the sides met, made a telling contribution again with ten minutes left, sliding in to deny Guille Franco, before Senna sent in another thunderous drive that flew centimetres too high.

Villarreal maintain their unbeaten home record in this competition but, as in the last round against Panathinaikos FC, will have to do the hard work away from El Madrigal.

Sir Alex Ferguson has in his own words described the current Manchester United squad under his control as the best at Old Trafford in two decades, but does not believe his team will win the unprecedented five trophies this season.

United, who have already won the Club World Cup and English League Cup this term, are currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League and still have chances to win both the FA Cup and the European Champions League.

However, the Scottish boss – who took charge of United in 1986 following a successful spell as Aberdeen manager – was adamant that at least one key result would go against his side.

“The thing about Cup football is you need to be the best but you also need a lot of luck and I think it’s asking too much for all the games to go your way,” Ferguson said in an interview with the New Statesman magazine.

“The one thing I will say is, this squad is the best I have ever had. Every game we play, I feel confident.

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Chelsea twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with 10-man Juventus in Turin and again secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Blues went into the last-16 return leg with a one-goal advantage but that was soon wiped out by Vincenzo Iaquinta’s 19th-minute strike.

But the visitors levelled on the stroke of half-time, moments after referee Alberto Undiano had ruled that a free-kick by Didier Drogba had not crossed the goal line in the 44th minute.

That decision appeared harsh but it was soon irrelevant as Frank Lampard’s shot came down off the underside of the bar for Michael Essien to bundle home.

Juventus restored their lead on the night when Undiano awarded the Italian side a 74th-minute penalty for handball by Juliano Belletti.

However, Chelsea battled back for a second time when Drogba prodded home a cross from Belletti in the 83rd minute to give the Blues a 3-2 aggregate win.

The Serie A giants knew an early goal was a requirement if they were to get themselves back into a tie that kicked-off in Chelsea’s favour thanks to Drogba’s match-winner at Stamford Bridge.

Pavel Nedved was twice down injured in the opening eight minutes. The first time after a collision with Essien and the second when he came off worst in a clash with Nicolas Anelka.

He was replaced in the 12th minute by Hasan Salihamidzic after failing to respond to lengthy treatment on the sidelines.

Nedved’s loss as a bitter blow to the Juve cause as he had been the architect of their fine start.

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Didier Drogba‘s first-half strike gave Chelsea a 1-0 first-leg win over Juventus in their Champions League last-16 clash at Stamford Bridge. The Ivorian of late has looked the shadow of the striker he once was, but put on a show that would surely give all Chelsea supporters some hope of seeing their destroyer back to old ways.

Following on from the crucial Premier League win at Aston Villa on Saturday, the Blues made it two wins out of two for new boss Guus Hiddink, while ex-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri has work to do ahead of the return leg in a fortnight if he is to guide his Serie A side into the last eight at the expense of his former employers.

Drogba’s early strike made the difference for the hosts, whose only regret may be not turning their territorial domination into a bigger advantage to take to the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

The Blues began on the front foot, and stayed there for the entire first period.

Salomon Kalou tested Gianluigi Buffon’s handling with an effort from outside the box in the third minute, shortly before Jose Bosingwa’s right-wing cross was headed over from close range by Drogba.

The Ivorian made amends however in the 12th minute with the opening goal. Kalou’s threaded pass from outside the box was pounced upon by his compatriot and the Blues striker made no mistake in firing past Buffon on the turn from just inside the box.

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The Ivorian climbed off the substitutes’ bench to fire Chelsea into the knockout stage of the Champions League.

Drogba’s 71st-minute winner, which came six minutes after he replaced Salomon Kalou, helped Chelsea beat CFR Cluj 2-1 at Stamford Bridge.

But it was still not enough for the Blues to take top spot in Group A after Roma beat Bordeaux in Rome.

Drogba’s season has been hampered by a knee injury and suspension, but there is little doubt a fully-fit Ivorian could provide the inspiration for Chelsea in the knockout stages.

Top scorer

“Drogba is one of the best strikers in the world,” said Scolari. “I have more options now he is fit.

“But he didn’t have a pre-season build-up because of injury and when he came back he got injured again. Then he was suspended and now he is back again.”

But the real dilemma facing the Brazilian coach is finding a system that can incorporate both 15-goal top scorer Nicolas Anelka and Drogba.

Anelka has been in fine form this term and Scolari was intent on paying tribute to the Frenchman despite Drogba’s heroics against Cluj.

“Drogba is important but don’t forget we are second in the Champions League group and second in the Barclays Premier League because our top scorer is Nicolas Anelka,” said Scolari.

“Drogba is one of the best in the world but I need to think about Anelka. He is as important as Drogba. After this, it is my job to put the two together.”

 Post written for Soccer Pitch by Jaco van Dyk

Chelsea could be knocked out of the Champions League if they come up short against CFR Cluj tonight at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have already failed to beat Cluj in the competition having drawn 0-0 in their first meeting in Group A in Romania in October.

But Cluj have lost their last three Champions League games while Chelsea recovered from their home defeat by Arsenal last weekend with an outstanding 2-0 win at Bolton Wanderers in the Premier League on Saturday.

If Chelsea beat Cluj as expected they will qualify for the last 16, but if they lose or draw and Girondins Bordeaux beat AS Roma in Rome, the French and Italian sides will advance at Chelsea’s expense.

Chelsea could still lose and go through if Roma beat Bordeaux, but coach Luiz Felipe Scolari says he is not contemplating elimination.

“I don’t think about going out because I believe in these players. But we need to play better than we have so far if we want to go on,” he said.

“Is it unthinkable that Chelsea go out? Well, I don’t think any people in the world are thinking about this, but it is possible because we have given this opportunity to other teams,” Scolari added.

TOO STRONG

Chelsea, who have not lost at home for 14 Champions League matches, start as strong favourites against visitors who shocked Roma with a 2-1 win in their opening match in Rome but have failed to win again and will finish bottom of the group.

The London side will be without Frank Lampard, suspended after being sent off in the 1-1 draw at Bordeaux two weeks ago.

But even without Lampard, Chelsea should be too strong for Cluj, who are attempting to become the first Romanian club to win in England since Universitatea Craiova beat Leeds United 2-0 in the 1979/80 Uefa Cup.

Cluj will be without playmaker Eugen Trica, who is joining Anorthosis Famagusta, while Italian coach Maurizio Trombetta will also be without injured defender Tony, central defender De Sousa, midfielder Alin Minteuan and striker Didi.

Midfielder Gabriel Muresan will play in the centre of defence and Emmanuel Kone will go into Muresan’s midfield berth.

Trombetta could do with his team performing well on Tuesday as just three months after taking over as coach, he is under pressure to keep his job.

Cluj president Iuliu Muresan was far from impressed with the way the team has played recently, saying: “I’m really angry as recent performances have been poor and somebody must be responsible for that.”

Trombetta told reporters last week: “I know that my job is threatened but I’m thinking now only about the Chelsea match. It’s crucial for me and the players.”

Probable teams:

Chelsea: 1-Petr Cech; 17-Jose Bosingwa, 33-Alex, 26-John Terry, 3-Ashley Cole; 12-Jon Obi Mikel, 21-Salomon Kalou, 13-Michael Ballack, 20-Deco; 11-Didier Drogba, 39-Nicolas Anelka.

CFR Cluj: 1-Nuno Claro; 4-Cristian Panin, 20-Cadu, 6-Gabriel Muresan, 33-Alvaro Pereira; 31-Dani, 28-Emmanuel Kone; 19-Juan Culio, 8-Sixto Peralta, 7-Sebastian Dubarbier; 17-Yssouf Kone. Referee: Peter Frojfeldt (Sweden)

Post written for Soccer Pitch by Jaco van Dyk

The Champion’s League draw took place last night and the Groups were divided as follow:

Group A

Chelsea

Roma

Bordeaux

CFR Cluj

Group B

Inter Milan

Werder Bremen

Panathinaikos

Anorthosis Famagusta

Group C

Barcelona

Sporting Lisbon

Basel

Shakhtar Donetsk

Group D

Liverpool

PSV Eindhoven

Marseille

Atletico Madrid

Group E

Manchester United

Villarreal

Celtic

Aalborg

Group F

Lyon

Bayern Munich

Steaua Bucharest

Fiorentina

Group G

Arsenal

FC Porto

Fenerbahce

Dynamo Kiev

Group H

Real Madrid

Juventus

Zenit St Petersburg

Bate Borisov