On the Ball (new Football Focus)

[Ladygooner]

Villarreal 1 Arsenal 2

Utd 2 Porto 2

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Barca 3 Bayern 0

[JetSetWilly]

villareal 2-0 arsenal

utd 3-0 porto

liverpool 1-1 chelsea

barcalona 2-2 bayern.

[matthew123]

Villareal 4-1 Arsenal

Man U 2-2 Porto

Liverpool 5-1 Chelsea

Barcelona 3-4 Bayern.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Mancs 1 Porto 2

Liverpool 1 Chavski 1

Villareal 0 The Arsenal 2

Barcelona 3 Bayern 1

[Jah Lush]

Villareal 1-2 Arsenal

Man U 3-0 Porto

Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea

Barcelona 3-2 Bayern.

[Atila Reincarnate]

matthew123 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Villareal 4-1 Arsenal

> Man U 2-2 Porto

>

> Liverpool 5-1 Chelsea

> Barcelona 3-4 Bayern.

Yes......obviously you have a very slender grasp of reality

[matthew123]

Hey Atila, I called the United score correct - time for you to bow to the tipster extraordinaire! ;-)

Immediate reaction was "that's taken the fooking wind out of their sails... hehehe"

Two great games, but most impressed with Porto who were very refreshing. United seem not to have fitness when chasing the ball - thanks to all those teams earlier in season that didn't both coming out of own half.

[red devil]

Porto played really well and deserved their draw. It's evident that Utd are missing Hargreaves' energy and protection of the back four and his european experience, he was a major unsung factor in last years win. Expect another open game next week so still optimistic of going through, counter attack style will suit us better...

Will be interesting to see how Chelsea play tonight, Hiddinck reckons they will attack but can't see this happening, expect to see Chelsea try and man mark Gerrard out of the game...

[Tony.London Suburbs]

United 2 Porto 2

Great result for me as I laid United @ 5/4 when they were 1/0 Down and Porto @ 7/4 at the same time.

I also laid 1/1 Score and Backed Over "3.5" Goals and did "Draw/Draw" on the "Half-Time/Full-Time" Market.

Full House...

[matthew123]

I think United are paying the price for having a weak midfield especially now teams seem to have the confidence to play through United. I'd still expect United to reach semi final simply because they're jammy b'stards but it will certainly be entertaining next week..

But will tonight be entertaining? I reckon both teams will fancy their chances of getting a result in the 2nd leg if necessary so I'd think tonight will be a lot more flowing than on previous CL encounters. Gerrard and Torres will be closely patrolled so that should make space for others to exploit if they're up to the task... this could be the occasion when the much maligned Lucas finally delivers.

[Ladygooner]

matthew123 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Hey Atila, I called the United score correct -

> time for you to bow to the tipster extraordinaire!

> ;-)

>

> Immediate reaction was "that's taken the fooking

> wind out of their sails... hehehe"

>

> Two great games, but most impressed with Porto who

> were very refreshing. United seem not to have

> fitness when chasing the ball - thanks to all

> those teams earlier in season that didn't both

> coming out of own half.

I predicted that score for Manu too!

[mockney piers]

I've had a pop at Adebayor before, but blimey what a goal. And so glad I switched to the Arsenal game at half time, a great deal more entertainment on offer.

Sorry for Man U, but I've a soft spot for Porto since seeing them at the Stadio Dragoa (losing to Inter as it happened, but great fans and atmosphere) so well done them, clearly doesn't hurt having a team full of Argies and Brasilians does it, no wonder Portugal are struggling to qualify for the world cup.

[red devil]

Mocks, the second half at OT was outstanding, the ball hardly went out of play, real end to end stuff. Will watch the Barca game tonight hoping for something similar, the Chelsea game will be a lot more cagey...

[Atila Reincarnate]

matthew123 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Villareal 4-1 Arsenal

> Man U 2-2 Porto

>

> Liverpool 5-1 Chelsea

> Barcelona 3-4 Bayern.

The liverpool score I think is in the realms of fantasy

[mockney piers]

Great, clearly my knack for picking queues extends to footie :-/

[red devil]

Ditto...

[Mick Mac]

Not a good night for the Pool. What chance do they have now? 10/1 chance of getting past Chelsea? They need 3-0 (or 3-1 plus penalties) away from home - thats a long shot for sure.

If it ends up with them winning the league then who cares.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Barca were scary last night, admittedly they were 4 nil up at half time and didn't add to it it the second half but they were very scary. It could easily have been 10 nil.

Matthew 123's prediction for the Liverpool game was close wasn't it? Still I can't see beyond Barca for this trophy if they continue to play like they did last night. Messi is far and away the best player on the planet by some distance.

[Keef]

Thankfully I was too p!ssed to remember anything after Liverpol's goal last night, so as far as I'm concerned we won 1-0. :-S

Can't see us turning that round unfortunately.

[Atila Reincarnate]

Pool would have to win 3 nil at Chavski and that is a very big ask.

[matthew123]

Very disappointing performance from Liverpool last night. Hiddink outfoxed Rafa with his tactics and they bossed the game for most of the night. I've no complaints about the scoreline, if anything 3-1 flattered Liverpool.

[Annasfield]

It's only half time and stranger things have happened. Fact is though, we were shit last night.

Rafa has finally found someone to play chess with. Hiddink got it spot on last night. They bossed midfield and Lucas had (another) nightmare. Thank god Mascherano is back for the return leg - we really missed him last night.

Some dodgy decisions from the linesman in terms of the hand ball and offside goal, but we still didn't do enough to win it.

Bollocks!

[Mick Mac]

If you were playing AC Milan you might still have a chance.

[red devil]

The Chelsea medical staff were concerned at Michael Essien's sudden weight gain until they realised he still had Steven Gerrard in his back pocket...

[matthew123]

Well, when you have a quality player in your midfield you can do things like that...

If Liverpool want to have any chance whatsoever of overturning 3-1 deficit they need to make radical changes in formation and personel. Second leg, has to be 4-4-2. I'd put Gerrard on right flank (injury permitting) to pre-occupy Essien, then give Mascherano licence to play box to box through central midfield. I'd have Babel supporting Torres upfront, and Agger at centre half to dictate initial play.