Gunners shoot atop!
9 Nov 2013 4:56 AM IST
An Aaron Ramsey header gave Arsenal an important 1-0 win at last season’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday, allowing them to take control of Group F with two games left to play.
Arsenal, who avenged a 2-1 loss to Dortmund in London last month, bided their time for more than an hour in pouring rain, soaking up Dortmund attacks before striking with their first effort on goal.
The visitors scored against the run of play with Wales international Ramsey sneaking into the box to head home in the 62nd minute. The result lifts Arsenal to nine points from four games with Dortmund on six.
Dortmund, who until Wednesday had never lost at home to English opposition in seven contests, wasted half a dozen clear chances but failed to make their dominance count.
“Dortmund had more chances, that’s true, but we kept them at bay pretty well,” Mertesacker said. “We did not want to be overrun by them as had happened in London and then just wait for the break. That is what made the difference.”
A Gonzalo Higuain brace helped Napoli to a 3-2 win over Marseille on Wednesday as the Italians moved up to second place in Champions League Group F.
Andre Ayew gave Elie Baup’s men an early lead, but Napoli hit back to lead at the interval thanks to strikes by Gokhan Inler and Higuain in the space of two minutes.Florian Thauvin pulled Marseille level just after the hour mark as Marseille enjoyed a dominant spell, but the visitors were caught out when a low Dries Mertens cross was turned in by Higuain at the back post to make it 3-2.
Barcelona booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with two games to spare when a Lionel Messi double and a Sergio Busquets header secured a 3-1 home win over AC Milan in Group H on Wednesday.
World Player of the Year Messi ended his recent mini drought when he struck from the penalty spot after half an hour and midfielder Busquets netted a rare goal when he headed in a Xavi free kick 10 minutes later.
Milan pulled one back when Kaka’s low centre deflected into the net off Barca defender Gerard Pique moments before halftime before Messi raced through the middle to bag his sixth goal in Europe this season seven minutes from time.
Atletico Madrid cruised to their fourth consecutive victory with a 4-0 win at home to Austria Vienna on Wednesday, assuring themselves of top spot in Champions League Group G and a place in the last 16.
Miranda, Raul Garcia and Filipe Luis put La Liga’s second-placed side three up before halftime and leading scorer Diego Costa netted the fourth late on after missing a second-half penalty.
The group’s second-placed side Zenit St Petersburg were earlier held to a 1-1 draw at home to Porto to move on to five points, seven adrift of leaders Atletico and their perfect record with two games left to play.
Chelsea virtually guaranteed their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League after weathering an early storm to beat Schalke 04 3-0 and take a commanding lead in Group E at Stamford Bridge.
Lasse Schone scored at the end of a sweeping move early in the second half to earn Ajax a 1-0 win over Celtic in Group H.
Arsenal, who avenged a 2-1 loss to Dortmund in London last month, bided their time for more than an hour in pouring rain, soaking up Dortmund attacks before striking with their first effort on goal.
The visitors scored against the run of play with Wales international Ramsey sneaking into the box to head home in the 62nd minute. The result lifts Arsenal to nine points from four games with Dortmund on six.
Dortmund, who until Wednesday had never lost at home to English opposition in seven contests, wasted half a dozen clear chances but failed to make their dominance count.
“Dortmund had more chances, that’s true, but we kept them at bay pretty well,” Mertesacker said. “We did not want to be overrun by them as had happened in London and then just wait for the break. That is what made the difference.”
A Gonzalo Higuain brace helped Napoli to a 3-2 win over Marseille on Wednesday as the Italians moved up to second place in Champions League Group F.
Andre Ayew gave Elie Baup’s men an early lead, but Napoli hit back to lead at the interval thanks to strikes by Gokhan Inler and Higuain in the space of two minutes.Florian Thauvin pulled Marseille level just after the hour mark as Marseille enjoyed a dominant spell, but the visitors were caught out when a low Dries Mertens cross was turned in by Higuain at the back post to make it 3-2.
Barcelona booked their place in the Champions League last 16 with two games to spare when a Lionel Messi double and a Sergio Busquets header secured a 3-1 home win over AC Milan in Group H on Wednesday.
World Player of the Year Messi ended his recent mini drought when he struck from the penalty spot after half an hour and midfielder Busquets netted a rare goal when he headed in a Xavi free kick 10 minutes later.
Milan pulled one back when Kaka’s low centre deflected into the net off Barca defender Gerard Pique moments before halftime before Messi raced through the middle to bag his sixth goal in Europe this season seven minutes from time.
Atletico Madrid cruised to their fourth consecutive victory with a 4-0 win at home to Austria Vienna on Wednesday, assuring themselves of top spot in Champions League Group G and a place in the last 16.
Miranda, Raul Garcia and Filipe Luis put La Liga’s second-placed side three up before halftime and leading scorer Diego Costa netted the fourth late on after missing a second-half penalty.
The group’s second-placed side Zenit St Petersburg were earlier held to a 1-1 draw at home to Porto to move on to five points, seven adrift of leaders Atletico and their perfect record with two games left to play.
Chelsea virtually guaranteed their place in the knockout rounds of the Champions League after weathering an early storm to beat Schalke 04 3-0 and take a commanding lead in Group E at Stamford Bridge.
Lasse Schone scored at the end of a sweeping move early in the second half to earn Ajax a 1-0 win over Celtic in Group H.
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