Arsenals knocked out of the Champions League

Arsenals were eliminated from the Champions League by a gallant performance from Liverpool. Diaby in the 13th min scored for Arsenals who were having the better of the first half. From a brilliant set piece in the 30th minute, Hypia reduced the deficit and Liverpool were now on level terms again. The second half, Liverpool play with more purpose and they were reward wit a fine goal by Torres in the 69th minute. Walcott made a brilliant move and pass the ball onto Adebayor who scored with ease and Arsenals were now level and with the away goal rule , they were in line for a shot at the semi finals.

A minute later , Liverpool were awarded a penalty when what appeared to be a soft foul by Kalo Toure on Babel and Stevan Gerrad scored from the penalty area and Liverpool were now again in the driving seat and this was finally cemented when Babel scored in the 9oth minute and ensured a spot for Liverpool in the semi finals.

In the other match, Chelsea defeated Fenerbache by two goals and opened a spot for them in the semi finals.

Chelsea v Fenerbache - Uefa Champions League Quarter Finals

Chelsea will have to dig deep to cancel out the advantage that the Turks bring with them this evening and will have to lead by at least two goals or more. They are capable of winning here and going into the finals

Peter Cech will be out due to an injury received at training and Drogba may be declared fit to play

Prediction: Chelsea to progress

Arsenals v Liverpool - Uefa Quarter Finals

Return leg of the quarter finals tonight and tomorrow evening
Arsenal meet Liverpool at Anfield this evening and it will be the third time they play against each other in a matter of 8 days. Twice now in the Quarter Finals and one Premier League game. The last two matches have ended in a one all draw and this evening they play the second leg. The match will be tight with both teams aiming for a win in order to progress and both managers have plotting their game plans that includes taking of penalties in the event of a draw again this evening after normal and extra time. My view that team that scores first will most probably go forward. IN the other match.

Prediction : Arsenals to progress

Uefa Champions League - Quarter Final Draw

FIRST LEG - 1 st and 2nd APRIL 2008
The draw was made this afternoon at Uefa's head office in Switzerland and as anticipation, two great English teams were drawn against each other. Arsenals host Liverpool at the Emirates.

Arsenals will be playing against their rivals three games within a space of a week. They meet Liverpool in the Champions League Quarter Finals home and away and in between they travel to Anfield for a league encounter.

Barcelona will travel to Germany to play against Schalke . The Germans after ousting FC Porto on penalties play in the Quarter finals for the first time

Chelsea will travel to play against first time Quarter Finalist Fenerbache.

After defeating Real Madrid, the Italian team AS Roma host Manchester United in their Quarter final match.

Draw

April 1st AS Roma v Manchester United
April 1st Sclake v Barcelona

April 2nd Fenerbache v Chelsea
April 2nd Arsenals v Liverpool

Machester United and Chelsea knocked out

Two of the top guns from the Premiership were bundled out from the Fa Cup a great surprise to the two top trainers namely Sir Alex and Avant grant

Portsmouth with a 78th minute penalty by Sulley Muntari gave Portsmouth a smooth passage into the semi finals at Wembley at the expense of Manchester United.

The men from Old Trafford piled on the pressure only to be denied by some excellent goal keeping from David James.

Barnsley used their home ground advantage and stopped the progress of Chelsea and instead booked their place at a spot in the semi's at Wembley.

Odejayi scored from a header for Barnsley


For more ramblings on the soccer scene visit Soccer today

Liverpool v Newcastle - 8 March 2008

Liverpool are on the boil at the moment with three wins from three matches and they will be pinned on their recent form to outfox Newcastle today.

Mascherano is out of today's match with an injury to his muscle and the rest of the squad are ok for this match.

Newcastle will be without Joey Barton due to his bail conditions. Further injuries to Viduka, Emre and Carr places Kevin Keegan in a bit of bother since he would like to have a full strength squad against Micheal Owen's old team mates.

The confidence in the Liverpool camp is high at the moment and they will have to win this game and at the same look aft defeating Inter to round up a good ran of form

Liverpool to win.

Other matches to watch out for today in the EPL is the matchup between Blackburn and Fulham whilst Fulham will be looking at playing to win to steer themselves away from the drop zone, Blackburn have their eyes set on improving their position on the log and even more.

Blackburn to win

Reading host Manchester City and they will have the services if Micheal Dubery will strengthen the squad and also help them get away from the bottom part of the log.

Elano has fully recovered and Sven will be keeping his eye firmly on the game today since he is also viewing for a crack at Europe.

For details of of the FA Cup Quarter finals matches for today visit Soccer Today for all the latest views and reviews

Birmingham hold Arsenals to a draw

After 3 minutes in the first half, Birmingham were reduced to ten men when their captain Taylor was red carded for a tackle on Eduardo who had to be hospitalized.

Theo Walcott scored two goals which temporarily place the Gunners in command , however a technical mistake by Clichy in injury awarded Birmingham a penalty which resulted in the draw.

Manchester United narrowed the gap when they trounced Newcastle 5 - 1. They now trail Arsenals by three points .

Other results

Westham beat Fulham 1 goal to nil. Liverpool register a win at Anfield against Middlesbrough,
Portsmouth won against Sunderland one goal to nil and Wigan beat Derby 2 goals to nothing

Visit Soccer Today for my views and reviews on all other matches as well


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Racing in South Africa today

I plan to post articles and information based on Horse racing here in South Africa, starting with previews and comments on racing here midweek and weekends, time permitting.

Also please feel free to leave some comments on what you would like to read about South African racing such as :-

Daily results

Jockey Stats

Trainer stats

Scratchings and card changes