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Rediff.com  » Sports » Champions League images: Real, Bayern, Chelsea through
This article was first published 13 years ago

Champions League images: Real, Bayern, Chelsea through

Last updated on: November 4, 2010 10:53 IST

Image: Nicolas Anelka celebrates his goal against Spartak Moscow
Photographs: Reuters

Serbia defender Branislav Ivanovic scored twice as Chelsea eased past Spartak Moscow 4-1 in Champions League Group F on Wednesday to secure their place in the knockout stages.

The Londoners looked half asleep in a dire first period but were transformed after the break as Nicolas Anelka, who has now scored in all four of their wins in the competition this season, clipped in a neat opener four minutes after the restart.

Chelsea have four wins in four games

Image: Didier Drogba scores a penalty against Spartak Moscow

Didier Drogba, making his first appearance in the Champions League this season after suspension and injury, added the second with a 62nd-minute penalty before Ivanovic scored with a header and a right-foot drive.

Chelsea now have four wins in four games in the group.

Nikita Bazhenov replied for Spartak, who are third in the table with six points, in the 86th minute.

It was all very comfortable in the end for Chelsea, with Drogba captaining the side in the absence of the rested John Terry.

Real Madrid score late to secure last 16 place

Image: Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho reacts after Pedro Leon scores the equalising goal against AC Milan

Real Madrid, attempting to win at the San Siro for the first time in their 14th attempt dating back to 1956, led AC Milan with a Gonzalo Higuain goal just before halftime in their Group G match.

Two second half goals from substitute Filipo Inzaghi, however, looked like giving Milan a 2-1 victory and ruining Madrid manager Jose Mourinho's return to the city where he coached Inter to the European crown last season.

Pedro Leon seals Real's berth

Image: Real Madrid's Pedro Leon (L) celebrates with his team mates after scoring against AC Milan

Pedro Leon struck the all-important equalizer for the visitors deep into stoppage time after fellow substitute Filippo Inzaghi had netted two trademark poacher's goals to turn the game following Gonzalo Higuain's effort on halftime.

"It was a goal that gave us great satisfaction, it was good for Pedro Leon but great for the team because we still haven't lost and we are through," Mourinho told a news conference with little apparent sentiment for his former surroundings.

Inzaghi changed the game

Image: AC Milan's Filippo Inzaghi celebrates after scoring against Real Madrid

Milan, who meekly lost 2-0 at the Bernabeu two weeks ago, were thoroughly second best but the introduction of 37-year-old Inzaghi completely changed the game.

The evergreen striker, little used these days, nodded in after Iker Casillas flapped at Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cross on 68 minutes and he prodded in his second 10 minutes later although Mourinho was adamant he was offside.

"Inzaghi is important because at 37 he always has enthusiasm and he encourages the young players," Milan coach Massimilano Allegri said.

AS Roma avenge home defeat

Image: AS Roma's Francesco Totti (2nd R) scores from a penalty

AS Roma scored twice in the opening half-hour to set up a 3-2 Champions League win away to FC Basel which avenged their home defeat by the Swiss team two weeks ago.

A well-taken goal by Jeremy Menez and a Francesco Totti penalty put the Italians in control of the Group E match until Alexander Frei headed one back for Basel in the 69th minute.

Substitute Leandro Greco restored Roma's two-goal advantage but Xherdan Shaqiri set up a rousing finish by replying for Basel with seven minutes left.

Roma have six points from four games and Basel three.