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Champions League: PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal

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  • Champions League: PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>By Caroline Cheese </SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </DIV>

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Mendez beat Lehmann with a fierce shot</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Edison Mendez's sweet second-half strike gave PSV Eindhoven the advantage against a ragged Arsenal in their Champions League last 16 tie.

    The Gunners had the better of the first half, with Tomas Rosicky forcing PSV keeper Gomes into a fine save.

    But PSV improved after the break and Mendez beat Jens Lehmann with a fierce low effort from 25 yards on the hour.

    Despite plenty of possession, Arsenal could not fashion an equaliser and must come from behind in the second leg.

    <DIV class=avinline>It had started promisingly enough for Arsene Wenger's side, who kept PSV on the back foot in the first-half with their one-touch passing game. </DIV>

    Gomes pulled off a magnificent save from Rosicky after the Czech midfielder had exchanged a one-two with Thierry Henry and both Rosicky and Henry went close with 20-yard efforts.

    As Arsenal pressed, PSV were relying heavily on the pace of Arouna Kone to ease the pressure but the striker was too often ploughing a lone furrow.

    But after a half-time talking-to from Koeman,and no doubt encouraged by some sloppy Arsenal play, PSV began to commit more numbers to attack.

    Kone had already made a mess of a volley when Mendez put the hosts ahead with a deadly low strike into the corner.

    The PSV fans could barely believe their luck and after a quiet first-half, the Philips Stadion came to life.

    Arsenal looked panic-stricken, with pass after pass going astray.

    The sense of bewilderment was summed up when Philippe Senderos was booked for a pointless handball.

    With his side in control, Koeman took the opportunity to create Champions League history by sending on Xiang Sun - the first Chinese player to appear in the competition.

    And with Sun bolstering PSV's defence, Arsenal found chances hard to come by despite enjoying plenty of possession.

    Henry sensed an opportunity when he was fouled 30 yards out but he was left shaking his head when substitute Julio Baptista stole in take the free-kick and put it straight at the keeper.

    <HR>

    PSV: Gomes, Kromkamp, Alex, Da Costa (Sun 65), Salcido, Culina, Simons, Cocu, Mendez, Kone, Tardelli (Vayrynen 75).
    Subs Not Used: Moens, Addo, Feher.

    Goals: Mendez 61.

    Arsenal: Lehmann, Gallas, Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Julio Baptista 75), Silva, Fabregas, Rosicky, Henry, Adebayor.
    Subs Not Used: Almunia, Ljungberg, Denilson, Flamini, Djourou, Aliadiere.

    Booked: Senderos.

    Att: 35,000.

    Ref: Tom Ovrebo (Norway). </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

  • #2
    RE: Champions League: PSV Eindhoven 1-0 Arsenal

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=629 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=3><DIV class=mxb><DIV class=sh>Lille 0-1 Man Utd </DIV></DIV></TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=416><DIV class=mvb><TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=416 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=bottom><DIV class=mvb><SPAN class=byl>By Phil McNulty </SPAN></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
    </DIV>

    [/B]

    <TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=203 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD><DIV> <DIV class=cap>Angry Lille players confront referee Eric Braamhaar</DIV></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Ryan Giggs' late winner for Manchester United almost sparked a walk-out from angry Lille players at the climax of a controversial Champions League clash.

    Giggs curled in a quick free-kick after 83 minutes while Lille were still assembling their defensive wall.

    Lille players, furious that an earlier header by Peter Odemwingie had been ruled out, walked off the pitch as the last 16 first leg clash boiled over.

    They eventually returned, and United held on for a crucial victory.

    <DIV class=avinline>United were strengthened by the return of goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar following a broken nose and Wayne Rooney after a domestic suspension. </DIV>

    But the main talking point of a drab first 45 minutes were the worrying scenes involving United's supporters, with too many appearing to be packed in lower tier of the away section.

    Dozens of United supporters were concerned, and French police appeared to respond to a genuine security problem by firing off tear gas.

    The situation was eventually resolved and the game continued.

    United carved out openings near half-time, with Rooney shooting over the top and then seeing another attempt blocked from close range.

    The England star burst into life again after 50 minutes, surging past three players - but Giggs was unable to turn in his cross at the far post.

    He then set up Ronaldo three minutes later, but Lille keeper Tony Sylva made a crucial block.

    Lille were sparked into action, and only Van der Sar's outstretched leg stopped Bodmer from close range.

    And there was a highly-debatable incident after 61 minutes when Odemwingie wheeled away in celebration after heading home - but referee Eric Braamhaar ruled the goal out, presumably for a push on Nemanja Vidic.

    United boss Ferguson made a subsitution almost immediately, sending on Louis Saha for Ronaldo.

    Saha could have made an instant impact, but shot straight at Sylva from only 10 yards.

    Henrik Larsson had been quiet, but he almost conjured up a moment of invention to break the deadlock, chipping inches over the bar after Sylva failed to gather Rooney's driven cross.

    Lille substitute Johan Audel then turned a good chance over the top as both sides pushed for the winner.

    United took the lead with seven minutes left - in an incident that brought the atmosphere inside the ground to boiling point.

    Giggs whipped in a 20-yard set-piece as Lille were still organising their defensive wall - and with keeper Sylva scrambling hopelessly out of position.

    Lille were furious, and it appeared they were on the point of walking off in protests as several players walked towards the dug-out.

    They eventually returned, but even then there were ugly scenes as United's players, including Gary Neville, were pelted with missiles.

    But they remained calm and held out comfortably to set the platform for progress in the second leg at Old Trafford.

    <HR>

    Lille: Sylva, Chalme, Plestan, Tavlaridis, Tafforeau, Debuchy, Bodmer, Makoun, Obraniak (Michel Bastos 89), Fauvergue (Cabaye 57), Odemwingie (Audel 75).
    Subs Not Used: Mal
    "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

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