Football: Barca take top spot after edging out Milan
An own goal from former Barca player Mark van Bommel, a Lionel Messi penalty and Xavi gave the title holders victory in a thrilling game. Although largely outplayed, Milan, who were already guaranteed second place in the group, fought gamely and replied through another former Barcelona player Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a wonderful goal from Kevin-Prince Boateng.
Van Persie fires Arsenal through
Robin van Persie scored twice as Arsenal booked their place in the knockout phase but Chelsea were made to wait after a dramatic 2-1 defeat at Bayer Leverkusen.
Dutch international van Persie took his tally for the season to a remarkable 21 in all competitions with two second-half goals that ensured the Premier League side will finish Group F in top spot with one game left.
“He’s in a period where he doesn’t have to look for goals, they just come naturally for him,” said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. “He’s always in the right place at the right moment.”
Elsewhere, Chelsea saw former player Michael Ballack hit the crossbar with a first-half header before Didier Drogba broke the deadlock from Daniel Sturridge’s pass in the 48th minute. But Eren Derdiyok dispatched Sidney Sam’s cross in the 73rd minute to equalise. Manuel Friedrich scored in injury-time to take Leverkusen into the last-16. Chelsea now have to beat Valencia to qualify for the knockouts.
Wednesday’s results
B Leverkusen 2 - 1 Chelsea
Valencia 7 - 0 RC Genk
Marseille 0 - 1 Olympiakos
Arsenal 2 - 1 Borussia Dortmund
Z St Petersburg 0 - 0 APOEL
S Donetsk 0 - 2 Porto
AC Milan 2 - 3 Barcelona
BATE Borisov 0 - 1 Viktoria Plzen
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2011.
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D ref.dat blow against A C MILAN & BARCELONA needs to be given a fiNE 4 not blowing robinho fall in d eighteen yards box.bcus i kno its a penalty.