blog.great-save.com

By Danny Wright

Manchester United produced a stellar performance in their first leg Champions League quarter-final clash with Roma, beating the Italians 2-0 in the Stadio Olimpico. The result puts United in a healthy position ahead of the return leg to Old Trafford next week and in good stead to reach the semi-finals. Cristiano Ronaldo really is the man of the moment, and he leapt like a salmon to nod home Paul Scholes centre in the first half to give United a deserved lead. The Portuguese craftsman hurt himself in the process, but he was able to carry on long enough to see Wayne Rooney bundle home a clash range second after goalkeeper Doni had spilled Ji Sung Park’s header. A date with Barcelona - who beat Schalke 1-0 on Tuesday - now looks the likely semi-final line up for the draw.

Chelsea were stunned by Fenerbahce as the Turkish side came from behind to beat Avram Grant’s men 2-1. Chelsea dominated the first half and scored a crucial away goal thanks to an own-goal from Deivid, but the home side hit back, first scoring through former Brighton and Sheffield United man Colin Kazim-Richards, who tapped in Mehmet Aurelio’s cross. Chelsea sat back and were punished for wasted chances when Deivid made amends for his own goal by unleashing an unstoppable 30-yard shot past Carlo Cudinici to hand his side a crucial win.

In the all English encounter at the Emirates Stadium, Liverpool scored a vital away goal in a 1-1 draw with Arsenal. Liverpool rode their luck at times and were dominated by the Gunners, who took a deserved lead when Emmanuel Adebayor rose above Sami Hyypia to nod home from a short-worked corner. Arsenal continued to press as Pepe Reina was called upon to make two or three good saves, but his side found a way back into the tie when Steven Gerrard set-up Dirk Kuyt to tap home from close range. Kuyt nearly went from hero to zero in the second half though, the Dutchman fortunate not to have a penalty awarded against his for a tug on Alexander Hleb. The two sides meet again in the Premier League on Saturday and again next Tuesday - Arsenal must win both.

In the Championship, Sheffield Wednesday boosted their survival hopes by snatching a last gasp goal to draw 1-1 at home to Coventry, meanwhile West Brom failed to make up ground on the top two after they drew with FA Cup semi-finalists Cardiff 0-0 at Ninian Park. Leeds beat Doncaster 1-0 at the Keepmoat in League one and Nottingham Forest remain safely in the play-off zone after a 2-0 win over second placed Carlisle.