Chelsea 2 - Arsenal 1 (Premier League, March 23, 2008) Almunia easily saved a Ballack free-kick after six minutes at the Bridge. Arsenal dominated the early exchanges and Van Persie blazed over on 15, seconds later Cudicini was forced to come out but Eboue was unable to take advantage. On 25 Drogba ran through but failed to control. Five minutes before the break Gallas should have put the Gunners in front at the back post, the linesman had though flagged for offside. (First-half highlights here.) Early in the second-half, Drogba ran through again but was unable to finish, Gallas did well to put him off. Bacary Sagna broke the deadlock just before the hour mark, heading home at the near post from a Fabregas corner, his first goal in English football. With twenty minutes to go, seconds after a double substitution by Avram Grant, Didier Drogba equalised with a fine finish. And the Ivorian turned the game round, and potentially crushed Arsenal’s title hopes, with the second, Almunia could have done better with Drogba’s finish. (Second-half highlights here.)
Manchester United 3 - Liverpool 0 (Premier League, March 23, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) In the sixth minute at Old Trafford, Rooney was played in by Anderson but Reina narrowed the angle and blocked well. Midway through the first-half Ronaldo hit the post after ghosting in at the back post, the chance was flagged for offside. Minutes later Steven Gerrard saw a vicious shot deflected for a corner. On 32 minutes Reina juggled a Giggs cross. And two minutes later the Liverpool goalkeeper was at fault for Wesley Brown’s opener, the United right back headed in a Rooney cross, as Reina flapped. Seconds before the break Javier Mascherano was sent-off for receiving his second yellow card for dissent (first yellow here). United dominated the early part of the the second-half, Ronaldo went close with a free-kick and Rooney should have scored when played in by a superb ball from Van Der Sar. Seconds after coming on Tevez should have doubled United’s advantage but Reina again saved from close range. Two goals in three minutes finished the game, Cristiano Ronaldo headed his 34th of the season after Reina flapped again. (The corner was won after Ronaldo missed an easy chance, Reina pushed his shot onto the bar.) And Nani bagged the third after a one-two with Rooney followed by a great finish into the corner.
Gretna 0 - Celtic 3 (SPL, March 23, 2008) Goals by Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras proved enough to secure the points for Celtic, as they closed the gap on leaders Rangers.
***
Real Madrid 2 - Valencia 3 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) David Villa silenced the Bernabeu when received the ball after Sneijder had been caught out in possession, before coolly slotting home past Casillas. Valencia’s lead was only momentary, as Raul restored parity with a header minutes later. Madrid’s comeback was complete ten minutes after the break when Guti fed Raul to slot home his second. But a resurgent Valencia drew level when Villa steered home a penalty, and Los Che turned the match on its head when Arizmendi bagged an 88th minute solo winner to give Barca new hope in the title race. Special mention to Hilderbrand, who made a string of terrific saves for Valencia.
Barcelona 4 - Valladolid 1 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Samuel Eto’o put Barca in front at home against Valladolid. Gonzalez equalised seven minutes later from the spot. Iniesta put Barca 2-1 up three minutes into the second-half. Bojan Krkic got the third on 62 from close range. And the young Serbian added the fourth with eight minutes to go after unselfish play from Eto’o.
Racing Santander 2 - Recreativo Huelva 0 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Racing took advantage of a red-card for Recre defender Caceres 25 minutes from time, to claim a late win thanks to late goals from Orteman and Smolarek. Racing moved up to fifth place in the table.
Zaragoza 1 - Almeria 1 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Oliveira headed the home side in front just eight minutes after team mate Gabi had been sent-off, but Almeria snatched a point when Negredo stabbed in from close range in injury-time.
Osasuna 0 - Real Betis 1 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Mark Gonzalez earned Betis a valuable away win, scoring off a free-kick early in the second-half. Osasuna had Javi Garcia was sent-off late on.
Levante 1 - Villarreal 2 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Villarreal took the lead just before the half hour when Matias Fernandez drilled home from the edge of the area, but Angel headed in an equaliser midway through the second-half. The Yellow Submarine stole all three point when Franco struck a late winner.
Real Murcia 4 - Espanyol 0 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Alonso opened from the penalty spot, before netted his brace after the break. Abel made it 3-0 with another spot-kick, and Richi wrapped up with a late header.
***
Hertha Berlin 1 - Schalke 2 (Bundesliga, March 23, 2008) Goals from Asamoah and Jones put Stuttgart two-up at Hertha Berlin. Chahed converted a penalty but it was not enough to save Hertha’s six-match unbeaten streak.
Arminia Bielefeld 1 - Werder Bremen 1 (Bundesliga, March 23, 2008) Bremen dented their championship hopes, drawing to relegation-threatened Arminia. Kirch poked the ball home the opener for the hosts, Diego netted the equaliser for Bremen from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.
***
FC Twente 2 - Ajax 1 (Eredivisie, March 23, 2008) Ajax’s title hopes have taken another blow with this defeat. A Douglas og had put the away side in front but late goals from Wilkshire and Elia gave Twente the victory.
***
Rennes 3 - Lens 1 (Ligue 1, March 23, 2008) Jerome Leroy opened the scoring with a delightful chip, before laying on goals for Pagis (following a saved penalty from Briand) and Thomert either side of half-time. Maoulida had brought Lens level.
***
OFI Crete 2 - Skoda Xanthi 0 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008) Petropoulos’ header and a fine free-kick from Taralidis secured the win.
Panionios 4 - Asteras Tripolis 1 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008) Panionios went four goals up through Kumortzi, Djebbour and a brace from Choutos, before the visitors pulled one back through Milano.
Levadiakos 1 - Olympiakos 3 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008) After falling behind to Dibala’s goal, Olympiakos bagged three first-half replies through Galleti, Belluschi and Kovacevic.
Aris Thessalonikis 1 - Larissa 1 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008)
***
FC Moscow 0 - Zenith St. Petersburg 2 (Russian Premier Liga, March 23, 2008) Arshavin (lovely free-kick) and Aniukov with the goals.
***
Galatasaray 2 - Denizlispor 1 (Super Lig, March 23, 2008) Diabolical goalkeeping gifted Cetin an 88th minute winner for Gala.
Newcastle 2 - Fulham 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) Kevin Keegan finally won his first game on his return as Newcastle manager, crucially against fellow relegation strugglers Fulham. Newcastle went ahead in the sixth minute through Viduka, and after forcing Keller to make a string of saves, Owen sealed the Toon’s first win since January 16th with an 83rd-minute header.
Tottenham 2 - Portsmouth 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) A frustrating game was settled in the closing stages by two Spurs substitutes. Darren Bent scored in the 80th minute, with Jamie O’Hara doubling the score in the 82nd after both players had come on 10 minutes earlier.
Middlesbrough 1 - Derby 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) George Boateng fed the ball into Tuncay’s path and the Boro striker ran past the Derby defenders before firing low into the corner.
Aston Villa 0 - Sunderland 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) Michael Chopra came off the bench to score a vital goal in Sunderland’s fight against relegation as they recorded their first away win of the season.
Everton 1 - West Ham 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) West Ham handed 18-year-old James Tomkins a Premier League debut, and the youngster saw a header hit the bar early on. But unfortunately for Tomkins, moments later he was caught out by Yakubu, who turned and scored a fine solo goal early in the first-half (highlights here). After the break, Ashton got on the end of a Neill cross, and powerfully headed the home the equaliser.
Blackburn 3 - Wigan 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) Roque Santa Cruz scored with two headers either side of an equaliser from Marlon King, with Roberts adding a third on the stroke of half-time. Rovers lost Samba to a 17th-minute red card for bringing down Heskey in the box, while Wigan had Palacios sent-off for two bookable offences.
Reading 2 - Birmingham 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) Andre Bikey was the unlikely hero for the Royals. Bikey headed home Oster’s free-kick to give Coppell’s men the lead at the break. Zarate equalised for City in the second half but Bikey won the game with ten minutes to go when he converted Nicky Shorey’s free-kick.
Bolton 0 - Manchester City 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008)
***
Charlton 1 - WBA 1 (Championship, March 21, 2008) Greg Halford scored the opener for Charlton, heading home Ambrose’s free-kick. But just before the break Phillips grabbed his 21st goal of the season when he smashed in from close range.
***
Dundee United 2 - Motherwell 0 (SPL, March 22, 2008) Sub-Swanson scored after less than a minute on the pitch, with Mark de Vries bagging the second with two minutes remaining.
Rangers 2 - Hibernian 1 (SPL, March 22, 2008) Rangers notched up their 12th straight win thanks to goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo. Dean Shiels’ goal in the 90th minute pulled one back for Hibs.
***
Mallorca 1 - Deportivo La Coruna 0 (La Liga, March 22, 2008) Mallorca took the lead over Deportivo when Arango’s free-kick evaded everyone and ended up in the net.
Sevilla 1 - Atletico Madrid 2 (La Liga, March 22, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Maxi Rodriguez gave Atletico the perfect start, getting on the end of a low cross to convert at the back stick. Sevilla pulled level just after the break through Capel, but free-scoring Madrid restored their advantage when wunderkid Ageuro connected with a cross to volley home the second. Sevilla ended with 10-men after Maresca was sent-off for a headbutt.
***
Inter Milan 1 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Del Piero forced a smart save from Cesar, while at the other end Inter came close as Stankovic’s header grazed the bar. Buffon had to save Chivu’s long range free-kick as Inter pressed, but it was Juventus who took the lead after the break when Camoranesi (offside?) tucked the ball home at the far-post. Serie A was then blown wide open when Juve doubled their lead as Trezeguet volleyed home number two. Del Piero blew a chance to put the game to bed, and Inter responded with Maniche getting a goal back from close range. But Juve held on for the vital win, which breathes new life into the Italian title race.
Roma 2 - Empoli 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Tonetto fired Roma ahead before half-time but Empoli hit back when Giovinco equalised for the visitors, and Perrotta was sent-off soon after. But Panucci’s second-half header ensured the Romans bounced back after their derby defeat with a priceless win.
Torino 0 - AC Milan 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Milan got a vital win at Torino thanks to a scrambled goal from Pato.
Fiorentina 1 - Lazio 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Fiorentina consolidated fourth place beating 10-man Lazio 1-0 at home thanks to Giampaolo Pazzini’s second-half goal. Lazio’s Massimo Mutarelli was red-carded in the 37th minute.
Sampdoria 1 - Cagliari 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Foggia chipped Castellazzi to score for the basement side three minutes before the break. But Franceschini’s stoppage-time header gave Samp a share of the spoils.
Reggina 1 - Napoli 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) A fabulous stoppage-time strike from outside the area by Franco Brienza, his fourth goal in three games, gave Reggina a deserved draw after Roberto Sosa had scored for Napoli in the 76th minute.
Siena 2 - Parma 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) A last-gasp double from Massimo Maccarone, the first from the spot and the second scored at the far-post, condemned Hector Cuper to his first defeat as Parma coach.
Udinese 2 - Livorno 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) A brilliant long distance strike from Quagliarella opened the scoring after 19 minutes, Di Natale doubled up two minutes after the break.
Palermo 2 - Genoa 3 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Amauri, one of the hottest properties in Europe, opened the scoring for Palermo from the spot, but goals from Figueroa (30), Milanetto (50) and Konko (61) turned things around. Amauri grabbed a lovely second in stoppage-time.
Atalanta 0 - Catania 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008)
Spezia 1 - Vicenza 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Avellino 1 - Modena 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Mantova 0 - Albinoleffe 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Messina 1 - Bari 2 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Bologna 2 - Frosinone 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Chievo 1 - Piacenza 0 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
***
Bayern Munich 2 - Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Bundesliga, March 22, 2008) Bayern picked up another crucial win against title challengers Leverkusen thanks to a goal in each half from Luca Toni. Bulykin scored a late goal for the visitors.
Borussia Dortmund 1 - Karlsruhe 1 (Bundesliga, March 22, 2008) Mladen Petric put Dortmund ahead in the 24th minute with a stunning free-kick, before slack defending presented the ball eventually to Sebastian Freis, and his deflected shot brought Karlsruhe level.
Stuttgart 4 - Hansa Rostock 1 (Bundesliga, March 22, 2008) Pardo and Cacua gave Stuttgart a 2-0 lead inside two minutes midway through the second-half, but Gomez’s own-goal soon brough Hansa back in the game. Gomez made amends by scoring in the 87th minute and Basturk wrapped up the win in injury-time.
***
PSV 3 - Groningen 0 (Eredivisie, March 22, 2008) An excellent team move ended up with Koevermans rounding the keeper to score the opener for PSV. Horrific goalkeeping gifted Bakkel the second, and Koevermans found himself in the right place to add number three.
Heerenveen 4 - Roda 3 (Eredivisie, March 22, 2008) Roda raced to a two goal lead through Lamah and Yulu-Matondo, but Heerenveen hit back when Bradley turned home a loose ball. Janssen restored Roda’s two goal cushion, only for Henrique, Beerens and Bradley (scissor-kick) to score three second-half goals to steal the win for the hosts.
Vitesse 3 – NAC 3 (Eredivisie, March 21, 2008) Idabdelhay handed the visitors the lead after just three minutes before Van der Schaaf doubled their advantage within the opening 20 minutes. Claudemir (35) struck back for Vitesse, but Molhoek scored a a cracker to restore NAC’s two-goal lead. But the home side were not disheartened, and a brace from Santi Kolk (52 and 57) secured a point in a memorable encounter.
***
Nancy 2 - Metz 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Hadji gave Nancy the lead, which looked to have been enough until Bessat equalised with three minutes to go. But a dramatic 89th minute winner header from Zerka gave the hosts the win, despite seeing Chretien red-carded in the final seconds.
Marseille 0 - Sochaux 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Fourth-placed Olympique Marseille did their chances of reaching the Champions League no favours, losing to lowly Sochaux after N’daw scored with a magnificent lob after just two minutes.
Nice 1 - Lorient 2 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Vahirua opened the scoring against his old team, but Bakari Kone brough Nice back level. Rafik Saifi got the winner with a header.
Caen 4 - Monaco 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Caen hit four second-half goals to record their first victory of 2008. After falling behind to Sambou’s early opener Hengbart, Sorbon, Gouffran and a rip-snorter from Jemaa finally put an end to Caen’s Ligue 1 free-fall.
Auxerre 1 - Saint-Etienne 3 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) The hosts had the early lead five minutes after Benalouane headed through his own net. Landrin equalised on the hour mark. Ilan gave the visitors the lead minutes later and Feindouno sealed an emphatic win.
Valenciennes 3 - Bordeaux 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Roudet raced into the box and struck from a tight angle to put Valenciennes in front on 10 minutes, but the visitors equalised with a superb free-kick from Wendel. Sebo put the home side back in front and Savidan wrapped it up for Valenciennes with an acrobatic volley to dent Bordeaux’s title dreams.
Strasbourg 0 - Lille 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008)
Toulouse 1 - Le Mans 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008)
***
Vitoria Setubal 0* - Sporting Lisbon 0 (Pens 3-2) (Carlsberg Cup, March 22, 2008) Setubal won the League Cup final, with goalkeeper Eduardo Carvalho stealing all the plaudits with three saves in the shootout.
Manchester United 3 - Liverpool 0 (Premier League, March 23, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) In the sixth minute at Old Trafford, Rooney was played in by Anderson but Reina narrowed the angle and blocked well. Midway through the first-half Ronaldo hit the post after ghosting in at the back post, the chance was flagged for offside. Minutes later Steven Gerrard saw a vicious shot deflected for a corner. On 32 minutes Reina juggled a Giggs cross. And two minutes later the Liverpool goalkeeper was at fault for Wesley Brown’s opener, the United right back headed in a Rooney cross, as Reina flapped. Seconds before the break Javier Mascherano was sent-off for receiving his second yellow card for dissent (first yellow here). United dominated the early part of the the second-half, Ronaldo went close with a free-kick and Rooney should have scored when played in by a superb ball from Van Der Sar. Seconds after coming on Tevez should have doubled United’s advantage but Reina again saved from close range. Two goals in three minutes finished the game, Cristiano Ronaldo headed his 34th of the season after Reina flapped again. (The corner was won after Ronaldo missed an easy chance, Reina pushed his shot onto the bar.) And Nani bagged the third after a one-two with Rooney followed by a great finish into the corner.
Gretna 0 - Celtic 3 (SPL, March 23, 2008) Goals by Scott McDonald, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras proved enough to secure the points for Celtic, as they closed the gap on leaders Rangers.
***
Real Madrid 2 - Valencia 3 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) David Villa silenced the Bernabeu when received the ball after Sneijder had been caught out in possession, before coolly slotting home past Casillas. Valencia’s lead was only momentary, as Raul restored parity with a header minutes later. Madrid’s comeback was complete ten minutes after the break when Guti fed Raul to slot home his second. But a resurgent Valencia drew level when Villa steered home a penalty, and Los Che turned the match on its head when Arizmendi bagged an 88th minute solo winner to give Barca new hope in the title race. Special mention to Hilderbrand, who made a string of terrific saves for Valencia.
Barcelona 4 - Valladolid 1 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Samuel Eto’o put Barca in front at home against Valladolid. Gonzalez equalised seven minutes later from the spot. Iniesta put Barca 2-1 up three minutes into the second-half. Bojan Krkic got the third on 62 from close range. And the young Serbian added the fourth with eight minutes to go after unselfish play from Eto’o.
Racing Santander 2 - Recreativo Huelva 0 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Racing took advantage of a red-card for Recre defender Caceres 25 minutes from time, to claim a late win thanks to late goals from Orteman and Smolarek. Racing moved up to fifth place in the table.
Zaragoza 1 - Almeria 1 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Oliveira headed the home side in front just eight minutes after team mate Gabi had been sent-off, but Almeria snatched a point when Negredo stabbed in from close range in injury-time.
Osasuna 0 - Real Betis 1 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Mark Gonzalez earned Betis a valuable away win, scoring off a free-kick early in the second-half. Osasuna had Javi Garcia was sent-off late on.
Levante 1 - Villarreal 2 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Villarreal took the lead just before the half hour when Matias Fernandez drilled home from the edge of the area, but Angel headed in an equaliser midway through the second-half. The Yellow Submarine stole all three point when Franco struck a late winner.
Real Murcia 4 - Espanyol 0 (La Liga, March 23, 2008) Alonso opened from the penalty spot, before netted his brace after the break. Abel made it 3-0 with another spot-kick, and Richi wrapped up with a late header.
***
Hertha Berlin 1 - Schalke 2 (Bundesliga, March 23, 2008) Goals from Asamoah and Jones put Stuttgart two-up at Hertha Berlin. Chahed converted a penalty but it was not enough to save Hertha’s six-match unbeaten streak.
Arminia Bielefeld 1 - Werder Bremen 1 (Bundesliga, March 23, 2008) Bremen dented their championship hopes, drawing to relegation-threatened Arminia. Kirch poked the ball home the opener for the hosts, Diego netted the equaliser for Bremen from the penalty spot 20 minutes from time.
***
FC Twente 2 - Ajax 1 (Eredivisie, March 23, 2008) Ajax’s title hopes have taken another blow with this defeat. A Douglas og had put the away side in front but late goals from Wilkshire and Elia gave Twente the victory.
***
Rennes 3 - Lens 1 (Ligue 1, March 23, 2008) Jerome Leroy opened the scoring with a delightful chip, before laying on goals for Pagis (following a saved penalty from Briand) and Thomert either side of half-time. Maoulida had brought Lens level.
***
OFI Crete 2 - Skoda Xanthi 0 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008) Petropoulos’ header and a fine free-kick from Taralidis secured the win.
Panionios 4 - Asteras Tripolis 1 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008) Panionios went four goals up through Kumortzi, Djebbour and a brace from Choutos, before the visitors pulled one back through Milano.
Levadiakos 1 - Olympiakos 3 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008) After falling behind to Dibala’s goal, Olympiakos bagged three first-half replies through Galleti, Belluschi and Kovacevic.
Aris Thessalonikis 1 - Larissa 1 (Greek Super League, March 23, 2008)
***
FC Moscow 0 - Zenith St. Petersburg 2 (Russian Premier Liga, March 23, 2008) Arshavin (lovely free-kick) and Aniukov with the goals.
***
Galatasaray 2 - Denizlispor 1 (Super Lig, March 23, 2008) Diabolical goalkeeping gifted Cetin an 88th minute winner for Gala.
Newcastle 2 - Fulham 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) Kevin Keegan finally won his first game on his return as Newcastle manager, crucially against fellow relegation strugglers Fulham. Newcastle went ahead in the sixth minute through Viduka, and after forcing Keller to make a string of saves, Owen sealed the Toon’s first win since January 16th with an 83rd-minute header.
Tottenham 2 - Portsmouth 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) A frustrating game was settled in the closing stages by two Spurs substitutes. Darren Bent scored in the 80th minute, with Jamie O’Hara doubling the score in the 82nd after both players had come on 10 minutes earlier.
Middlesbrough 1 - Derby 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) George Boateng fed the ball into Tuncay’s path and the Boro striker ran past the Derby defenders before firing low into the corner.
Aston Villa 0 - Sunderland 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) (MOTD highlights here.) Michael Chopra came off the bench to score a vital goal in Sunderland’s fight against relegation as they recorded their first away win of the season.
Everton 1 - West Ham 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) West Ham handed 18-year-old James Tomkins a Premier League debut, and the youngster saw a header hit the bar early on. But unfortunately for Tomkins, moments later he was caught out by Yakubu, who turned and scored a fine solo goal early in the first-half (highlights here). After the break, Ashton got on the end of a Neill cross, and powerfully headed the home the equaliser.
Blackburn 3 - Wigan 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) Roque Santa Cruz scored with two headers either side of an equaliser from Marlon King, with Roberts adding a third on the stroke of half-time. Rovers lost Samba to a 17th-minute red card for bringing down Heskey in the box, while Wigan had Palacios sent-off for two bookable offences.
Reading 2 - Birmingham 1 (Premier League, March 22, 2008) Andre Bikey was the unlikely hero for the Royals. Bikey headed home Oster’s free-kick to give Coppell’s men the lead at the break. Zarate equalised for City in the second half but Bikey won the game with ten minutes to go when he converted Nicky Shorey’s free-kick.
Bolton 0 - Manchester City 0 (Premier League, March 22, 2008)
***
Charlton 1 - WBA 1 (Championship, March 21, 2008) Greg Halford scored the opener for Charlton, heading home Ambrose’s free-kick. But just before the break Phillips grabbed his 21st goal of the season when he smashed in from close range.
***
Dundee United 2 - Motherwell 0 (SPL, March 22, 2008) Sub-Swanson scored after less than a minute on the pitch, with Mark de Vries bagging the second with two minutes remaining.
Rangers 2 - Hibernian 1 (SPL, March 22, 2008) Rangers notched up their 12th straight win thanks to goals from Jean-Claude Darcheville and Nacho Novo. Dean Shiels’ goal in the 90th minute pulled one back for Hibs.
***
Mallorca 1 - Deportivo La Coruna 0 (La Liga, March 22, 2008) Mallorca took the lead over Deportivo when Arango’s free-kick evaded everyone and ended up in the net.
Sevilla 1 - Atletico Madrid 2 (La Liga, March 22, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Maxi Rodriguez gave Atletico the perfect start, getting on the end of a low cross to convert at the back stick. Sevilla pulled level just after the break through Capel, but free-scoring Madrid restored their advantage when wunderkid Ageuro connected with a cross to volley home the second. Sevilla ended with 10-men after Maresca was sent-off for a headbutt.
***
Inter Milan 1 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Del Piero forced a smart save from Cesar, while at the other end Inter came close as Stankovic’s header grazed the bar. Buffon had to save Chivu’s long range free-kick as Inter pressed, but it was Juventus who took the lead after the break when Camoranesi (offside?) tucked the ball home at the far-post. Serie A was then blown wide open when Juve doubled their lead as Trezeguet volleyed home number two. Del Piero blew a chance to put the game to bed, and Inter responded with Maniche getting a goal back from close range. But Juve held on for the vital win, which breathes new life into the Italian title race.
Roma 2 - Empoli 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Tonetto fired Roma ahead before half-time but Empoli hit back when Giovinco equalised for the visitors, and Perrotta was sent-off soon after. But Panucci’s second-half header ensured the Romans bounced back after their derby defeat with a priceless win.
Torino 0 - AC Milan 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Milan got a vital win at Torino thanks to a scrambled goal from Pato.
Fiorentina 1 - Lazio 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) (Longer highlights here.) Fiorentina consolidated fourth place beating 10-man Lazio 1-0 at home thanks to Giampaolo Pazzini’s second-half goal. Lazio’s Massimo Mutarelli was red-carded in the 37th minute.
Sampdoria 1 - Cagliari 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Foggia chipped Castellazzi to score for the basement side three minutes before the break. But Franceschini’s stoppage-time header gave Samp a share of the spoils.
Reggina 1 - Napoli 1 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) A fabulous stoppage-time strike from outside the area by Franco Brienza, his fourth goal in three games, gave Reggina a deserved draw after Roberto Sosa had scored for Napoli in the 76th minute.
Siena 2 - Parma 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) A last-gasp double from Massimo Maccarone, the first from the spot and the second scored at the far-post, condemned Hector Cuper to his first defeat as Parma coach.
Udinese 2 - Livorno 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) A brilliant long distance strike from Quagliarella opened the scoring after 19 minutes, Di Natale doubled up two minutes after the break.
Palermo 2 - Genoa 3 (Serie A, March 22, 2008) Amauri, one of the hottest properties in Europe, opened the scoring for Palermo from the spot, but goals from Figueroa (30), Milanetto (50) and Konko (61) turned things around. Amauri grabbed a lovely second in stoppage-time.
Atalanta 0 - Catania 0 (Serie A, March 22, 2008)
Spezia 1 - Vicenza 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Avellino 1 - Modena 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Mantova 0 - Albinoleffe 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Messina 1 - Bari 2 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Bologna 2 - Frosinone 1 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
Chievo 1 - Piacenza 0 (Serie B, March 21, 2008)
***
Bayern Munich 2 - Bayer Leverkusen 1 (Bundesliga, March 22, 2008) Bayern picked up another crucial win against title challengers Leverkusen thanks to a goal in each half from Luca Toni. Bulykin scored a late goal for the visitors.
Borussia Dortmund 1 - Karlsruhe 1 (Bundesliga, March 22, 2008) Mladen Petric put Dortmund ahead in the 24th minute with a stunning free-kick, before slack defending presented the ball eventually to Sebastian Freis, and his deflected shot brought Karlsruhe level.
Stuttgart 4 - Hansa Rostock 1 (Bundesliga, March 22, 2008) Pardo and Cacua gave Stuttgart a 2-0 lead inside two minutes midway through the second-half, but Gomez’s own-goal soon brough Hansa back in the game. Gomez made amends by scoring in the 87th minute and Basturk wrapped up the win in injury-time.
***
PSV 3 - Groningen 0 (Eredivisie, March 22, 2008) An excellent team move ended up with Koevermans rounding the keeper to score the opener for PSV. Horrific goalkeeping gifted Bakkel the second, and Koevermans found himself in the right place to add number three.
Heerenveen 4 - Roda 3 (Eredivisie, March 22, 2008) Roda raced to a two goal lead through Lamah and Yulu-Matondo, but Heerenveen hit back when Bradley turned home a loose ball. Janssen restored Roda’s two goal cushion, only for Henrique, Beerens and Bradley (scissor-kick) to score three second-half goals to steal the win for the hosts.
Vitesse 3 – NAC 3 (Eredivisie, March 21, 2008) Idabdelhay handed the visitors the lead after just three minutes before Van der Schaaf doubled their advantage within the opening 20 minutes. Claudemir (35) struck back for Vitesse, but Molhoek scored a a cracker to restore NAC’s two-goal lead. But the home side were not disheartened, and a brace from Santi Kolk (52 and 57) secured a point in a memorable encounter.
***
Nancy 2 - Metz 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Hadji gave Nancy the lead, which looked to have been enough until Bessat equalised with three minutes to go. But a dramatic 89th minute winner header from Zerka gave the hosts the win, despite seeing Chretien red-carded in the final seconds.
Marseille 0 - Sochaux 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Fourth-placed Olympique Marseille did their chances of reaching the Champions League no favours, losing to lowly Sochaux after N’daw scored with a magnificent lob after just two minutes.
Nice 1 - Lorient 2 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Vahirua opened the scoring against his old team, but Bakari Kone brough Nice back level. Rafik Saifi got the winner with a header.
Caen 4 - Monaco 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Caen hit four second-half goals to record their first victory of 2008. After falling behind to Sambou’s early opener Hengbart, Sorbon, Gouffran and a rip-snorter from Jemaa finally put an end to Caen’s Ligue 1 free-fall.
Auxerre 1 - Saint-Etienne 3 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) The hosts had the early lead five minutes after Benalouane headed through his own net. Landrin equalised on the hour mark. Ilan gave the visitors the lead minutes later and Feindouno sealed an emphatic win.
Valenciennes 3 - Bordeaux 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008) Roudet raced into the box and struck from a tight angle to put Valenciennes in front on 10 minutes, but the visitors equalised with a superb free-kick from Wendel. Sebo put the home side back in front and Savidan wrapped it up for Valenciennes with an acrobatic volley to dent Bordeaux’s title dreams.
Strasbourg 0 - Lille 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008)
Toulouse 1 - Le Mans 1 (Ligue 1, March 22, 2008)
***
Vitoria Setubal 0* - Sporting Lisbon 0 (Pens 3-2) (Carlsberg Cup, March 22, 2008) Setubal won the League Cup final, with goalkeeper Eduardo Carvalho stealing all the plaudits with three saves in the shootout.
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