Champions League round-up - wins for Barca & Fiorentina

Vargas (left) was one of Fiorentina's stand-out performers

Fiorentina endured a frantic final five minutes as they held on for a 1-0 victory over Lyon, confirming Liverpool's exit from the Champions League.

BBC Sport rounds up all the action from across Europe in the fifth round of group games.

GROUP E

Fiorentina moved to the top of Group E following a tense win over French side Lyon.

The Italian club - without Romania striker Adrian Mutu - made the more convincing start, twice striking the upright in the space of 30 seconds through Mario Santana and Alberto Gilardino.

But the Viola took the lead when Peruvian Juan Vargas slotted in a 28th-minute penalty after Marco Marchionni was brought down by Aly Cissokho.

Lyon fought back admirably in the second half as Miralem Pjanic threatened Sebastian Frey's goal with a series of long-range strikes.

And the France international goalkeeper ensured Fiorentina took all three points by denying Jean Makoun and substitute Lissandro in the dying seconds.

The victory sealed Liverpool's exit from the competition, despite a 1-0 win over Debrecen in Budapest.

GROUP F

Barcelona moved two points clear at the top of Group F following a commanding 2-0 victory over Inter Milan.

Despite the absence of star forwards Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Spanish champions took the lead on 10 minutes through defender Gerard Pique.

And Pedro Rodriguez doubled the lead in the 26th minute as a below-par Inter failed to match their opponent's creativity.

Russian champions Rubin Kazan missed an excellent opportunity to move into an automatic qualifying spot following a 0-0 draw at home against bottom side Dynamo Kiev.

GROUP H

Unirea Urziceni enhanced their hopes of a first-ever appearance in the last 16 following a 1-0 win over group leaders Sevilla.

Defender Ivica Dragutinovic headed the ball past his own keeper Javi Varas on the stroke of half time.

Unirea have a two-point lead over Stuttgart, who confirmed Rangers' exit from the competition following a 2-0 victory in Glasgow.

Teenager Sebastian Rudy opened the scoring in the 16th minute before Zdravko Kuzmanovic's second-half strike sealed the three points.

GROUP H

Arsenal maintained their unbeaten run in the Champions League following a 2-0 win over Standard Liege at the Emirates Stadium.

First-half goals from Samir Nasri and Denilson secured Arsene Wenger's side the three points, although Liege struck the upright on two occasions.

Olympiakos missed out on the opportunity to seal their place in the last 16 after a 0-0 draw against bottom side AZ Alkmaar.

The Greek side need a point to guarantee their place in their final match of the group campaign against Liege.

Arsenal 2 - 0 Standard Liege

Arsenal sealed their passage into the last 16 of the Champions League in convincing fashion with a comfortable win against Standard Liege at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsene Wenger's side needed only a point to seal qualification for the knockout phase for a seventh consecutive season - but they never looked in serious danger of clinching anything less than three as they dominated the Belgians for long periods.

Samir Nasri took advantage of Landry Mulemo's slip to put the Gunners ahead after 35 minutes and Denilson struck a spectacular, swerving second from 30 yards in first-half injury time.

Only ill-fortune and Arsenal's own carelessness prevented the scoreline from wearing a more realistic appearance, especially in the first half, with Andrey Arshavin even inadvertently clearing off the line from team-mate Thomas Vermaelen after Carlos Vela struck an upright in one goalmouth melee.

But Standard carried a threat of their own, backed by a vociferous following, with Dieudonne Mbokani and Gohi Bi Cyriac hitting the woodwork in each half.

Standard's disappointment was complete in the closing stages when Mehdi Carcela-Gonzalez was sent off after a touchline clash with Cesc Fabregas.

Arsenal boss Wenger will now hope his side can take their impressive form in the group stage forward and go one step further than last season's Champions League campaign, when they exited against Manchester United in the semi-final.

Wenger demanded an instant response to Saturday's Premier League defeat at Sunderland - and he got it in the shape of silky first-half display full of the usual Arsenal trademarks of passing and fluidity.

Nasri and Fabregas pulled the strings in the centre of the action as Arsenal took complete control from the first whistle to put the visitors under ceaseless pressure.

Fabregas was picked out by Nasri after only five minutes but his effort was saved by Sinan Bolat, while Felipe was forced to block bravely as Carlos Vela closed in on goal.

Standard then somehow survived a series of goalmouth escapes in the same incident when Arshavin had a shot saved by Bolat and Vela hit the post before Vermaelen's goal-bound shot struck the Russian on head on the goal-line and rebounded to safety.

Arsenal almost paid for their lack of a killer touch in front of goal after 22 minutes when powerful striker Mbokani beat Manuel Almunia with a rising drive that struck the angle of post and bar.

It was a brief interruption to what was a story of complete Arsenal supremacy, and William Gallas headed over from eight yards as Standard were exposed by another Fabregas cross.

Gallas collided with the unfortunate Arshavin as he made the header, and both required lengthy treatment. The reduced numbers did not have an adverse effect on Arsenal as they took the lead 10 minutes from half-time with Arshavin still waiting to return to the action.

Mulemo was unfortunate to slip as he went to deal with Vermaelen's routine long ball, allowing Nasri to race clear and bury an emphatic finish beyond Bolat.

Nasri scored his second goal of an injury-disrupted season

Nasri then set Arshavin up for a finish that flashed just wide before Arsenal doubled their lead in spectacular fashion.

Bolat looked to be badly at fault as he was beaten by Denilson's effort from 30 yards, but the ball swerved viciously in the air and credit must go to the Brazilian.

Standard had been second best by some distance, but they wasted a chance to give themselves hope six minutes after the break when Axel Witsel could only turn a tame effort into the arms of Almunia from six yards after Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick.

The hosts were still in charge, without enjoying the same domination as in the first period, and Wenger made a change on the hour, sending on Theo Walcott for the excellent Nasri.

And he almost announced his arrival with a goal, but his shot across the face of goal flew narrowly wide with Bolat beaten.

Arsenal, who lost Gallas to a head injury at half-time, had eased off in the second half and Standard almost snatched a goal that could have given the home side anxious moments in the closing stages when Cyriac's low drive hit the post.

And the Belgians were reduced to 10 men with four minutes remaining when Carcela-Gonzalez motioned his head towards Fabregas as they clashed and was rightly sent off by referee Konrad Lautz.

There was a concern for Arsenal in the dying seconds when Kieran Gibbs was forced to limp off after making a clearance - but in all other ways it was a satisfactory night for the Gunners.

Barcelona 2 Inter Milan 0: match report

Sir Alex Ferguson is right; Barcelona are still favourites to win the Champions League. Barcelona made light of the absence of Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and lighter work of the Italian league leaders.

Are you watching Cristiano? If he was, Ronaldo might want to rethink his La Liga comeback here on Sunday. Barca had the shirts off Inter’s backs and the Italian side did not even notice. And this was supposed to be a crisis, the night the Catalan giants joined the Europa League.

The draw earned by Dynamo Kiev in Kazan beforehand eased Barcelona’s plight, taking the edge off the mathematical guillotine that had threatened doom. But that does not account in full for the majesty of this performance. Jose Mourinho will need a stiff drink watching the tapes, particularly of the first half, which was a humiliation for him and Serie A.

The only respect Barcelona showed Inter was the acclaim for Samuel Eto’o before the kick-off. Thereafter it was a sobering night for Italy. Well almost. Internazionale were true to the club credo fielding 11 non-Italians. No word yet about this from Uefa’s chief of police Michel Platini. Mind you, the Frenchman earned a fortune in the service of Juventus in Serie A, so his tolerance is perhaps understandable.

No quibble with Barcelona, who fielded seven Spaniards in their starting line-up, which tells you that the impaired Messi and Ibrahimovic began the evening as honourable members of the bench.

You would not have known it the way Mourinho was busily filling his little black book with notes. Get a tackle in and stop giving the ball away must have been among the first entries. Full-back Maicon was guilty on both counts. Why is it that Brazilians look leaden footed and a yard slower minus a yellow shirt?

From a defensive point of view Barcelona’s opening goal was a shocker. Gerard Piquet could not have had more room had he been standing in a bus bay. No opponent should cut a lone figure when a team is defending a corner. Thierry Henry flicked on for Piquet to club the ball home unchallenged from the edge of the six yard box. Jose was not happy.

No pass is too short for Barcelona, no man ever marked. The Nou Camp is a one-touch wonderland. When embroidery is required Andres Iniesta gets the sewing kit out and threads it all together.

In the first half Inter gave a fair impression of Hull, which takes some doing with Eto’o and Lucio in the side. When the second goal went in Eto’o was almost signalling to the Barca bench asking for his old job back.

It was some entry into the Nou Camp goal pageant, not so much the finish as the construction. Xavi must sleep with a protractor under his pillow. The angled ball to Daniel Alves took the left side of Inter’s defence out of the game at a master stroke. Pedro Rodriguez galloped in to supply the finish at the far post.

In less than half an hour Mourinho’s game plan was fish and chip paper. As Manchester United and Chelsea discovered last season, banking men behind the ball is no impediment to Barcelona. They exist in a state of perpetual motion. To challenge them you must match first their industry and then their imagination. Inter did neither, reinforcing the negative perceptions attached to Mourinho’s teams.

In saying that there was no lack of artistry in the response of Diego Milito to the iron footed lunge of Carles Puyol. The Argentine striker jumped chest first into Puyol’s back. Then came the shotgun collapse and ankle hugging roll. The referee took Puyol’s name. Milito took the Michael.

Henry was the one Barcelona player to disappoint. If the plan was not to attract attention to himself, he played a blinder. Apart from a header at the start of the second half, Henry was a peripheral presence.

With 10 minutes to go Mourinho introduced Ricardo Quaresma for the lamentable Milito. None would have noticed had he kept Milito on. It might have evened the game since Inter gave the impression of being a man down all night.

Guardiola responded by removing Xavi, which indicated where his priorities lay. The focus shifts to Sunday’s classico against Real Madrid. The three points leave Barcelona top of Group F. What is more they got there without the need to risk their own magic man. Messi versus Ronaldo. Sorry lovers of Arsenal and Chelsea. But that duel eclipses all.

Rangers 0 - 2 VfB Stuttgart

Rangers crashed out of Europe with a game to spare as Stuttgart consigned the Ibrox side to a third home defeat in Champions League Group G.

Sebastian Rudy slotted the visitors in front early on and Zdravko Kuzmanovic powered in a header on 59 minutes.

Kris Boyd squandered a great chance to level when he headed over from close range but Rangers produced little else.

And the margin of victory could have been much greater but for a string of good saves from Allan McGregor.

Manager Walter Smith fielded an adventurous line-up in a game Rangers had to win but the hosts were hemmed back for most of the game as Stuttgart played with real vim and vigour.

With Alexander Hleb at the heart of everything, the German side fizzed first-time passes across the rain-sodden pitch, cutting through the home ranks with alarming ease.

Following heavy defeats to Sevilla and Unirea Urziceni at Ibrox, Rangers' deficiencies at this level were again cruelly exposed.

Smith's defenders could not live with the pace of Stuttgart's lively forwards, while they were offered little protection from an insipid midfield.

McGregor needed to make a fine flying save to tip away a sharp shot on the turn from Brazilian-born forward Cacau.

But the Rangers goalkeeper had no answer on 16 minutes when Rudy was on hand to slot the visitors in front.

Hleb linked with marauding full-back Arthur Boka and the former Arsenal man's cutback was missed by Pavel Pogrebniak right in front of goal, only for the ball to fall kindly for his team-mate at the back post.

Stuttgart had the ball in the net again moments later when Zdravko Kuzmanovic's free-kick went straight in off the post but Matthieu Delpierre had strayed offside as the kick was taken, much to the relief of the Ibrox fans.

The frustration of the home side threatened to boil over as Boyd was booked for leading with an elbow and Kevin Thomson saw yellow for a late lunge.

Cacau fizzed an angled shot narrowly wide before Rangers began to assert themselves in the final 15 minutes of the first half.

Boyd went close with a raking strike from 20 yards before the striker missed a glaring chance to level.

Kenny Miller intercepted a slack pass and picked out his team-mate with an excellent whipped delivery from the right only for Boyd to head over from eight yards.

The visitors were again the brighter side at the start of the second half, although Steven Davis twice threatened to open up the Stuttgart defence with smart passes.

However, Rangers fell further behind on the hour when the unattended Kuzmanovic met a great cross from Rudy and planted a firm header beyond McGregor.

Soon after, McGregor kept out a stinging effort from Cacau and did brilliantly to stick out a leg and divert Pogrebniak's scuffed follow-up, with the big Russian striker allowed to carry on from a clearly offside position.

Pogrebniak then hit the post from close range after the impressive Hleb had robbed teenage defender Danny Wilson in the Rangers penalty area.

Rangers threw on substitutes Nacho Novo and John Fleck in a bid to liven up their frontline but the changes did not nothing to alter the pattern of a very one-sided match.

In the final five minutes the busy McGregor had to make saves from Stuttgart replacements Julian Schieber and Thomas Hitzlsperger, while the latter also saw a fierce shot headed away from goal by Davis.

Stuttgart will now battle it out with Unirea Urziceni for the remaining qualifying spot, with the Germans looking forward to a home tie against the Romanians, who stunned Sevilla 1-0 to move two points clear in second place.

The Spaniards have already secured their passage to the last 16 and will host Rangers, who have picked up two points on their travels, on 9 December.

Debrecen 0 - 1 Liverpool

Liverpool limped out of the Champions League despite victory over Debrecen as Fiorentina beat Lyon in the other Group E match to seal a place in the last 16.

Rafael Benitez's side knew only a win would give them any hope of reaching the knockout stages, and David Ngog clipped in early to secure the victory.

But it was a tame display from the Reds that typified their recent poor form.

Debrecen even had chances to draw, but in the end it mattered little and the Reds now drop into the Europa League.

It is the first time the 2005 champions have missed out on the knockout stages since the 2002-2003 season, but they can have little complaint.

The damage to their Champions League campaign had been done long before the game in Hungary, with defeats by Fiorentina and Lyon ensuring they needed a huge turnaround in the final two fixtures to make the last 16.

Even so, Liverpool's laboured victory over a side lying sixth in the Hungarian league only served to underline just how out of sorts the Mersersiders are this season.

Coming into the match with only one win in their previous 10 matches, it was perhaps to be expected that they would be somewhat nervous.

They could hardly have hoped for a better start, as Fabio Aurelio's cross found Jamie Carragher at the back post, and the defender's header across goal was bundled in by Ngog from close range.

But despite almost completely dominating the ball, it did not settle the Reds as Benitez may have hoped and an oddly disjointed display rarely set the pulse racing.

Dirk Kuyt should have done better when he failed to make contact with a Gerrard cross and Ngog brought a flying save out of Vukasin Poleksic with a 20-yard curling snap-shot.

However, Liverpool's lack of conviction in the final third, combined with news of Juan Vargas's penalty goal for Fiorentina in the other Group E match which was announced over the stadium's public address system, allowed Debrecen to gradually abandon their defensive approach and grow in confidence as the match wore on.

The best of their chances fell to Gergely Rudolf, who headed Laszlo Bodnar's fabulous cross wide when unmarked from eight yards out.

And only a smart block from Carragher prevented the same striker striding clear of the defence from Zoltan Szelesi's through-ball midway through the second half.

Liverpool were still dominating, and Gerrard forced a superb block by Norbert Meszaros when he was set clear by Lucas's pass.

But a distinct lack of zip and self belief betrayed their approach, and Rudolf forced a smart stop from Pepe Reina at the other end when his cross-come-shot flew towards the top corner, while Adamo Coulibaly almost snatched Debrecen's first ever Champions League point with a late snap-shot.

The game petered out, with Liverpool's eyes and ears immediately drawn to the result of Fiorentina's match against Lyon.

The news soon filtered through that the Italians had won 1-0, with many Reds players watching the final stages of the match on a television in the tunnel.

And the Merseysiders' mood will not be helped by the knowledge that the last time they dropped out of the Champions League after the group stages, they went on to finish fifth in the Premier League.

Tottenham 9 - 1 Wigan

Jermain Defoe scored five second-half goals as Tottenham humiliated Wigan to record their highest top-flight win.

Peter Crouch headed Spurs ahead, while Defoe scored from six yards after the break and then from a tight angle.

An unmarked Paul Scharner replied but Defoe notched from eight yards and Aaron Lennon scored with a low strike.

Defoe scored with two more crisp finishes, while Chris Kirkland scored an unfortunate own goal and Niko Kranjcar smashed home the ninth.

It is the first time a team has scored nine in a Premier League fixture since Manchester United thrashed Ipswich 9-0 at Old Trafford in 1995.

I was looking for more - Defoe

Defoe becomes only the third player to score five in one Premier League match after Alan Shearer and Andy Cole - and his exploits cannot have harmed his England prospects.

The first three of Defoe's goals came in a seven-minute burst shortly after the break - the second fastest hat-trick in the history of the Premier League. The quickest remains Robbie Fowler's for Liverpool against Arsenal in 1994.

And although Defoe was clinical in front of goal, Lennon was exceptional on the right flank - and he left the field to a deserved standing ovation when he was replaced by David Bentley after 79 minutes.

Tottenham, who move level on points with third-placed Arsenal after their biggest win in 32 years, led 1-0 at the break but the visiting Latics, playing in their awful orange away strip, were simply blown away in the second half.

Some of the Wigan defending was atrocious, with players gifting far too much time and space to the opposition in dangerous areas.

The Latics have now conceded 13 goals in their last two away fixtures - a real concern for boss Roberto Martinez. The result is Wigan's record league defeat - the previous being a 6-1 reverse against Bristol Rovers in 1990.

The visiting team were under the cosh from the opening minute, as Lennon burst into the box and sent a low ball across the six-yard box that Crouch stabbed wide.

Lennon, restored to the side after an ankle injury, ensured Wigan left-back Erik Edman, a former Tottenham player, endured a particularly torturous afternoon.

It was a cross from Lennon that Crouch converted for Tottenham's opener after nine minutes - although the striker should have already opened his account by then having also headed wide from a Wilson Palacios cross.

Kirkland saved from Palacios and Lennon, and deflected a Defoe strike on to his crossbar while Tom Huddlestone was inches wide.

Redknapp praises 'top-class' Spurs

For a while it seemed inevitable Tottenham would add to their lead but as the half wore on Wigan, previously overrun in midfield, began to assert a measure of control.

A low strike from Jason Scotland forced a sharp save from Heurelho Gomes, while an ambitious effort from out wide by Charles N'Zogbia glanced against the crossbar.

Even so, Spurs almost struck in first-half injury time when a jinking run from Defoe culminated with a strike that Kirkland, who despite the scoreline did make several world-class saves, tipped over.

Tottenham's pressure eventually told when a brilliant low cross whipped in from a deep position by Lennon was stabbed home by Defoe after 51 minutes. And from that moment on Wigan crumbled.

Three minutes later Defoe sealed victory with a smart low finish after some horrific Wigan defending failed to clear Palacios's optimistic pass from midfield.

Scharner gave Wigan the briefest of lifelines when he controlled a cross from the left before smashing the ball beyond Gomes.

The Austrian appeared to use his hand to control the ball but any anger Tottenham felt soon abated when they restored their three-goal advantage - Defoe tucking home yet another cross from Lennon.

It completed the second hat-trick of the season for Defoe after his triple in the 5-1 win at Hull.

Kirkland saved a Crouch header - a truly superb reaction stop -but could not stop Lennon scoring his deserved goal after Wigan stood off the winger to make it 5-1.

Manner of defeat unacceptable - Martinez

Through balls from Corluka and Kranjcar were both converted by the rampant Defoe, the striker drilling the ball beyond Kirkland with each finish. Defoe has now scored 15 goals this season for Tottenham and England and is the top scorer in the Premier League.

Kirkland's misery was almost complete when a Bentley free-kick struck the woodwork and rebounded into the net off the Latics keeper.

There was just time for Kranjcar, allowed too much space in the Wigan area, to turn and smash the ball into the top corner deep in injury time.

Valencia fire, Nilmar double

Valencia swept aside Osasuna 3-1 away with a trio of impressive goals to move back into the Champions League places in La Liga on Sunday.

David Villa kept up his great scoring run.

• Saturday's round-up
• La Liga Gallery

Spain striker David Villa set them on their way with his ninth of the campaign, acrobatically prodding home Carlos Marchena's lob over the defence in the 12th minute.

David Albelda and then Marchena both scored from outside the area with superb shots, and Osasuna, although they pulled one back through Masoud midway through the second half, finished in disarray with nine men on the pitch.

Brazil striker Nilmar scored twice to lead Villarreal to a 3-1 home win over Real Valladolid that moved them up to 11th in La Liga on Sunday.

The in-form Nilmar, who scored in Brazil's recent friendlies against England and Oman, headed the opener after seven minutes and looped in a second header just after the restart. Italy's Giuseppe Rossi made it 3-0 before Diego Costa pulled one back for the visitors, but Ernesto Valverde's side continued their steady climb up the table after being rooted to the bottom last month.

Real Mallorca maintained their 100% record at the Ono Estadi with a 3-1 victory over Almeria, but it needed two late strikes from Victor and Gonzalo Castro, who bagged his second of the game, to secure all three points. Mallorca are sixth with 20 points.

Getafe struck two late goals to beat Espanyol in the Primera Division and get the better of the Catalans once again after recently knocking the Barcelona-based outfit out of the Copa del Rey.

Espanyol were keen to gain revenge following that cup exit and had most of the play in this match, but the Catalans were unable to avenge that disappointment with goals and Getafe took all three points thanks to strikes from Francisco Javier Casquero and Pedro Rios in the last 12 minutes.

Xerez remain rooted in the Primera Division relegation zone following a goalless home draw against Sporting Gijon. Both sides hit the woodwork twice, the hosts through a Sidi Keita shot and an Antonito header and the visitors through an early Jose Angel free-kick and a Miguel de las Cuevas blast. But neither team could find the target and the sides left with a point each which means Xerez remain second from bottom while Sporting stay seventh.

Malaga continue to prop up the Primera Division standings after playing out a fiery draw with fellow strugglers Real Zaragoza in a match which saw both teams finish with 10 men. Zaragoza took the lead just after half-time when substitute Ewerthon slotted home from the penalty spot but Malaga salvaged a point thanks to debutant Ivan Gonzalez's towering header in the 74th minute.

In between those two goals, both teams lost a player to early baths, with Zaragoza defender Javier Paredes picking up his second yellow card in the 59th minute and Malaga centre-back Weligton following him two minutes later after being shown a straight red. On top of those dismissals, there were also nine other yellow cards in a match that threatened to boil over towards the end.

Serie A: AC Milan rollercoaster, Totti hits hat-trick

AC Milan were imperious in attack but woeful defensively in a 4-3 home win over Cagliari on Sunday which summed up their topsy-turvy season.

Ronaldinho celebrates with coach Leonardo.

• Saturday's round-up

Clarence Seedorf gave the hosts the lead in the fifth minute, but Alessandro Matri replied within five minutes and Andrea Lazzari gave the Sardinians a deserved lead after half an hour. But two goals in as many minutes earned Milan the half-time lead with Marco Borriello and Alexandre Pato on target.

A penalty by Ronaldinho gave the Rossoneri a two-goal advantage in the 62nd minute, but they were made to sweat for their third straight league win when Nene reduced the arrears in the 69th minute.

Juventus edged past Udinese 1-0 to move into second place behind Inter Milan. A solitary goal from Fabio Grosso sealed three points, the full-back slotting home from close range after Martín Cáceres' right-wing cross. Udinese came close to an equaliser in stoppage time but Christian Zapata's shot was saved by Gianluigi Buffon.

The game also saw a return from injury for Alessandro Del Piero, who came on as a second half substitute for his first appearance of the season.

Francesco Totti marked his return from almost two months out injured with a 28-minute hat-trick in AS Roma's 3-1 win over Bari on Sunday.

Out since October 4 because of a knee injury, the Roma captain made a dramatic comeback, notching his first from the penalty spot after six minutes. His second came eight minutes later from a set-piece and he smashed home a loose ball from inside the area just before the half-hour mark to make it 3-0.

Bari reduced the arrears with an own goal by Marco Andreolli on 77 minutes but could not find a way back into the game. The outcome left Roma 11th in the standings - six points behind fourth-place Sampdoria, who hold the last Champions League qualifying spot.

Walter Zenga's Palermo drew 1-1 at home with his former club Catania in the Sicilian derby; while early pacesetters Sampdoria beat Chievo 2-1 in Genoa for their first win in four games. Marco Rossi's 19th-minute goal set the tone and it looked like being a long afternoon for the visitors. Giampaolo Pazzini doubled Samp's advantage but Chievo hit back through a Andrea Mantovani effort with 10 minutes to go.

Napoli drew 0-0 at home with Lazio. Napoli's unbeaten run at the Stadio San Paolo continued but they were unable to break down Lazio and shared the spoils with the struggling Roman outfit.

At the bottom Siena are three adrift after a 2-0 home defeat by Atalanta which prompted supporter protests and further weakened the position of interim coach Marco Baroni. Simone Tiribocchi gave the visitors the lead after 52 minutes and Robert Acquafresca looked to have sealed the win 16 minutes later from the penalty spot. Siena were gifted the chance to get back into the game on 78 minutes but Michele Paolucci saw his penalty saved

Lowly Livorno grabbed a very late winner to beat Genoa 2-1. Genoa had taken seven points from the three previous rounds of Serie A matches and were looking to build on that run of form, and a draw looked highly likely as the match neared its conclusion, after Domenico Criscito had cancelled out the home team's opener from Cristiano Lucarelli. However Pulzetti had the final say in the third minute of stoppage time, arriving to head home a dramatic winner.

Manchester United 3 Everton 0: Michael Owen must take chances or miss World Cup bus

Normal service was resumed at Old Trafford, but not before Sir Alex Ferguson had likened Manchester United’s unhealthy knack of wasting chances this season to missing a bus.

‘Whether the players feel they make so many opportunities in the game that they can afford to wait — not to worry because there will be another along in a minute — I’m not sure,’ he wrote.

A few pages further on in the match programme, Michael Owen was leaving himself little room for excuses as he discussed his strike rate for United.

Another one goes begging: Owen beats Sylvain Distain, but his shot goes wide of Tim Howard's goal

‘I never doubted I’d score goals if I stayed fit and was given time on the pitch — how can you fail to score goals in a team like this?’ said Owen, before making the distinction between games played and minutes played.

‘You can twist stats any way you want. A goal every one-and-a-half games sounds good, but four in 16 games isn’t quite so impressive.’

Make that 17 games. While Darren Fletcher’s sublime strike and goals from elsewhere in midfield by Michael Carrick and Antonio Valencia were lightening their manager’s mood, they also obscured Owen’s worrying failure to find the net.

Just how many chances can pass him by, how many of those buses can come and go, before Fabio Capello decides once and for all not to invite Owen aboard for England’s World Cup journey to South Africa next summer?

The ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid striker may have earned himself a place in the hearts of United fans with that memorable winner in the Manchester derby two months ago, but he has not scored in the Premier League since.

No-one would argue that Owen’s opportunities have been limited since Ferguson made him the surprise signing of the summer, and it would only be fair to point out that he marked his previous starts against Barnsley and CSKA Moscow with the third and fourth goals of his Old Trafford career.

But given a rare Premier League opportunity in the absence of Dimitar Berbatov, he was handed three clear chances to score a decisive second goal on Saturday and came up empty-handed.

They were exactly the kind of chances to which Ferguson was referring. The kind he knows will have to be taken if United are to overhaul Chelsea in the title race.

‘You have to look at every game as must-win now,’ said the United boss. ‘What we want to do is get round about the top of the league by New Year’s Day and we’ll have a real go and a real chance, as it always proves, in the second half of the season.’

The good news for Ferguson and Owen is that United could hardly wish for a better run of games between now and when they go to Arsenal on January 31 to put the pressure on Chelsea.

United discarded their shaky form at Old Trafford with a biggest home victory of the season. It owed much to Fletcher’s opening goal, a magnificent volley that ridiculed the notion (if indeed it still exists) that he is all fight and no finesse.

‘It was a stunning volley,’ said Carrick. ‘I thought it was going to be a bit too high but he got his shoulder over it and his technique was spot on. Without a doubt he’s playing as well as I’ve seen him. His performances are at the highest level now and he’s one of the best midfielders around. It’s nice for the midfield to chip in and help the strikers out. You can’t rely on the front two to do it every week.’

Crisp technique: Fletcher scored with this stunning volley for the Scot's third of the season

Not that United were short of fight. Against Everton that is a basic requirement and the four stitches next to John Heitinga’s right eye were a lasting reminder of his encounter with Nemanja Vidic’s elbow.

‘Vidic said sorry but I don’t think it was deliberate,’ said Heitinga. ‘That’s football, it can happen. I care more about the result because we need the points.’

Controlled: Carrick added a second with a crisp finish

While it is unlikely Everton fans will have expected to come away from a ground where they last won in 1992 with anything but a defeat, the next six days offer more realistic
hope of picking up points.

David Moyes takes his team to Hull on Wednesday before they face Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park next weekend, but the Everton boss has warned his players that they have to improve.

‘I’ll protect them all day long, but they have to stand up and be counted as well,’ said Moyes, who admitted the lack of competition for places among his injury-hit squad is a major factor. We’re not performing like a team that should be in the top quadrant of the
Premier League right now.’

Triple crown: Antonio Valencia wraps up the win

MAN UTD (4-4-2): Van der Sar 6; Rafael 5 (Scholes 63min. 6), Brown 6, Vidic 5, Evra 8; Valencia 7, Fletcher 8, Carrick 6 (Gibson 83), Giggs 7; Rooney 6 (Obertan 74, 6), Owen 5. Booked: Rafael, Carrick

EVERTON (4-5-1): Howard 6; Neill 5, Distin 7, Yobo 5, Baines 7; Gosling 5 (Yakubu 46, 7), Heitinga 5, Fellaini 5, Rodwell 6, Cahill 5 (Jo 82); Saha 6 (Hibbert 83). Booked: Cahill, Fellaini

Man of the match: Darren Fletcher

Referee: Steve Bennett

Garuda Young 'Fold Hong Kong 4-1

Indonesia folded Hong Kong 4-1 in Asian Cup qualifying action U-19. But this great victory would not help the team "Young Garuda" to go further.

Indonesia faces Hong Kong in a fight that was held at The Stadium Si Jalak Harupat , Soreang, Bandung regency, Tuesday (17/11/2009) evening WIB.

This game has no effect for both teams. Possible Red-White team won two tickets to the three best ranking could not be realized.

The reason, of the seven qualifying groups, there were two teams occupy the top three with a better points, namely Tajikistan (Group A, 9 points) and Vietnam (Group E, 12 points).

Syamsir Alam opened the score for Indonesia in the first minute. The visitors replied through Lau Cheuk Hin goal five minutes later.

Tim 'Garuda Young' back ahead in the 37th minute. 2-1 advantage lasted until the break.

In the second half, Indonesia scored two additional goals. Abdul Rahman Lestaluhu carry Indonesia away with the score 3-1 in the 52nd minute.

Indonesia locked Lestaluhu victory over his goal two minutes before dispersal.

This victory brought the team up besutan Cesar Payovich to third place final standings of Group F with seven points from five action

Dzeko rules out United switch

EDIN DZEKO has ruled out a switch to Manchester United by insisting he wants to join AC Milan next season.

The Bosnian striker was linked with the Red Devils after his 26 goals helped fire Wolfsburg to the Bundesliga title last term.

But the 23-year-old claims he will snub their advances to move to the San Siro instead.

He said: "I recently spoke to Wolfsburg executives about it and they know that I would like a transfer next summer.

"The story with AC Milan is not over."

He added: "Manchester United have also shown an interest but I have been a fan of Milan since I was a child, when I watched their games on TV.

"It's for that reason that I really hope I can play next season there."

Dzeko is under contract with the German outfit until June 2013.

Drogba can be the centrepiece of Africa's greatest ever team

Whichever team wins what is expected to be the liveliest of play-offs in Sudan today between Algeria and Egypt will complete the largest African representation – six countries – yet seen at the World Cup finals.

There would be a certain symmetry if it should be Egypt, who appeared at a World Cup fully 75 years ago. It seems almost that long since Pele, a man whose predictions have never remotely matched his footballing talents, first suggested that an African country would win the competition; a football-obsessed continent of 900 million people is still waiting for that glorious day, but with home advantage next June there is optimism that at least the previous best achievements can be surpassed.

Cameroon, in 1990, and Senegal 12 years later both defeated the holders in their opening game and went to extra-time in a quarter-final before losing, to England and Turkey respectively. Who could improve on those brave performances this time? Cameroon, the "Indomitable Lions" (every African team must have a colourful nickname) will be there again, for the sixth time in eight tournaments, though not impressively. Samuel Eto'o's goals were required to squeeze them through ahead of Gabon and Emmanuel Adebayor's Togo, and it may take a favourable draw next month to improve their prospects. Others among the four West African qualifiers are expected to provide a stronger challenge; above all Ivory Coast and Ghana.

Four years ago Didier Drogba's Ivorians received the toughest of draws and lost 2-1 to both Argentina and the Netherlands before defeating Serbia. In Drogba and Salomon Kalou, Didier Zokora, Kolo Touré and his brother Yaya, they possess solid experience at a high level and are fancied in many quarters to become Africa's first semi-finalists.

Michael Essien will have something to say about that, and probably does at regular intervals to his Chelsea team-mates Drogba and Kalou. Essien will be only one of the physical powerhouses in Ghana's side, according to the Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who watched them on several occasions before signing the centre-half John Mensah. "John's a physical beast of a man, strong and powerful," Bruce says. "And whoever plays Ghana in the World Cup, there's 11 of them, all like him. A good team they are, and I hope England stay clear of them."

If Nigeria's John Obi Mikel joins the banter in the Chelsea dressing-room, it may be with less bravado. The Super Eagles, like their great rivals Cameroon, are back after missing out on the 2006 finals but with Mikel one of the few squad members playing at Champions' League rather than Europa League level.

That leaves South Africa, whose main aim, sadly, would appear to be avoiding embarrassment as the first host country failing to reach the second round. Carlos Alberto Parreira, Brazil's winning coach in 1994, has returned for his second spell with Bafana Bafana, immediately recalling Blackburn's Benni McCarthy, but has not been impressed. Neither has the former Bolton and Charlton defender Mark Fish, who says of his country: "We should focus on 2014 and 2018." And he is supposed to be an ambassador for the tournament.

Stars in the making: Players who can shine on the world stage

*CAMEROON

Nicolas N'Koulou (Monaco)

After an impressive first season in France, the 19-year-old defender could be the successor to Rigobert Song.

*GHANA

Dominic Adiyiah (Fredrikstad)

Top scorer and best player in Ghana's winning team at the World Under-20 Championship.

*IVORY COAST

Sekou Cisse (Feyenoord)

Speedy striker in Dutch football with good scoring record for club and country.

*NIGERIA

Taye Taiwo (Marseilles)

Full-back voted Young African Player of the year in 2006, now with over 100 appearances for Marseilles.

*SOUTH AFRICA

Kermit Erasmus (Feyenoord)

Unforgettable name for the quick, stocky young centre-forward who could solve scoring problems.

*ALGERIA

Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg)

Versatile midfielder born in France hoping to inspire victory over Egypt today.

*EGYPT

Mohamed Zidan (Borussia Dortmund)

Striker who shook Brazil with two goals in the Confederations Cup tie last summer.

Trap calls for cool heads

Giovanni Trapattoni has called on his players to play with 'warm hearts and cool heads' when Republic of Ireland aim to overturn a one-goal deficit against France.

Ireland tackle Les Bleus at Stade de France on Wednesday night in the second leg of their World Cup qualifying play-off, with Nicolas Anelka's deflected goal having secured the 1998 winners a 1-0 success at Croke Park at the weekend.

The first meeting finished on a fractious note as Ireland midfielder Keith Andrews squared up to Lassana Diarra amid claims the Frenchman had spoken out of turn.

However, while the Real Madrid midfielder may have unwittingly provided the Irish with a little extra motivation, Trapattoni has no fears that his players will lose their heads in Paris.

He said: "I played football too and I know what happens.

"Players in games are always under pressure and sometimes, they don't know what happens in these moments.

"I am sure we and also the French players have forgotten all about it.

"I have said to the players, these games are for warm hearts and cool heads. We must play with cool heads, but warm hearts.

"With feet, we can score goals. If we keep cool heads, we can use our feet to score goals."

Must believe

Trapattoni has hinted he will field the same team as the one which started at Croke Park, and that would mean another start for Stoke midfielder Liam Lawrence on the right at the expense of Celtic's Aiden McGeady.

Ireland know they will have to score once, and probably at least twice, to stand a chance of going through and Trapattoni is backing his players to deliver the goods.

The Italian added: "We cannot lose our heads in this situation, we need to be calm, but I will not sit on the bench without trying everything.

"We can't let the game finish and not get a result because I haven't changed things.

"But we must not forget, in many, many finals in the World Cup or the Champions League, the very important games, there are not many goals - 1-0, 1-0, 1-0.

"In the very important games, teams do not score three, four or five goals. It's very, very difficult.

"We still have 90 minutes to play. I have told the players they must believe we can do it and achieve this qualification."

TRANSFER GOSSIP

Manchester United and Chelsea are fighting it out to sign Everton midfielder Jack Rodwell who is valued at £20m.
Full story: News of the World

United are also lining up a £15m January bid for Bayern Munich right-back Philipp Lahm.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez hopes to raise £15m from the sale of defender Andrea Dossena and forward Ryan Babel - and wants to splash some of the cash on Hamburg striker Eljero Elia.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Liverpool are also keen on Arsenal striker Eduardo and are poised to make a £10m bid for Croatian.
Full story: News of the World

Reds midfielder Javier Mascherano looks set for a £30m move to Barcelona after his advisors agreed the player's personal terms with the Spanish club. (Sunday Express)

Arsenal are preparing a £5m bid for Hoffenheim's Brazilian midfielder Maicosuel.
Full story: News of the World

The Gunners are also keen on Cardiff City full-back Adam Matthews and are planning a £5m swoop for the 17-year-old. (Sunday Express)

Manchester City have agreed a £36m deal to sign Benfica midfielder Angel di Maria in January.
Full story: News of the World

City meanwhile will make a £20m January bid for Borussia Dortmund defender Neven Subotic.
Full story: Sunday Mirror

Manchester United and City are both keen on Wolfsburg striker Edin Dzeko who is rated at £20m.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea are all battling it out to sign 16-year-old striker Connor Wickham from Ipswich in January.
Full story: Mail on Sunday

Tottenham are set to renew their interest in Sevilla winger Diego Capel.
Full story: News of the World

Chelsea will have to match Atletico Madrid forward Sergio Aguero's huge £6.5m a year wages to land the striker.
Full story: News of the World

The Blues are also leading the chase to sign Anderlecht striker Romelu Lukaku who has already attracted interest from AC Milan, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Full story: News of the World

Birmingham are lining up a £7m bid for Celtic winger Aiden McGeady.
Full story: News of the World

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez is set to raid his old club Swansea City for £2m-rated defender Ashley Williams.
Full story: News of the World

Portsmouth have set their sights on a January double swoop for Nice striker Loic Remy and Marseille winger Hatem Ben Arfa.
Full story: News of the World

Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson has been told he cannot leave the club in January despite interest from Sunderland, Spurs, Chelsea and Everton.
Full story: News of the World

Former England striker Darius Vassell who currently plays for Turkish side Ankaragucu is hoping to secure a January switch to Bolton.
Full story: News of the World

Sunderland will go after Newcastle left-back Jose Enrique if they fail to sign Wigan defender Maynor Figueroa in January. (Sunday Express)

Van Persie faces six-week lay-off

Arsenal's Robin van Persie is set to be out of action for up to six weeks after partially rupturing ankle ligaments while on international duty. The Netherlands forward was stretchered off 10 minutes into his country's friendly against Italy on Saturday. The 26-year-old had a scan to assess the extent of the injury and has been told he will not require surgery. "The prognosis is that I will be out for four to six weeks," Van Persie told Dutch television station NOS. He will be treated in Amsterdam by renowned ankle specialist Professor Niek van Dijk, who has previously worked with Cristiano Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy and Michael Owen. Giorgio Chiellini's challenge left Van Persie rolling around in agony but, after being examined by medical staff at the Adriatico Stadium, he flew home with the Netherlands squad and spent the night with his family in Rotterdam. A Dutch Football Association (KNVB) official told BBC Sport that Van Persie had a partially ruptured ligament. "It's a serious injury," the KNVB official said, following concerns that Van Persie had broken his ankle. "We don't know how long it will take him to recover from it. "It's impossible to put an exact timeframe on it because some players heal more quickly than others. It's not a short-term injury." Van Persie's career in north London has been interrupted by a succession of injuries - he broke toe in January 2006, fractured a metatarsal in January 2007 and damaged a knee on international duty in October 2007. Van Persie has been a key player for Arsenal this season After enjoying a relatively injury-free 2008-09 season, he has started all of Arsenal's Premier League games this season, is their second-highest scorer with eight goals and also has eight assists. All of Van Persie's goals have come in the last 11 games and the former Feyenoord forward has helped propel Arsenal to within five points of Premier League leaders Chelsea with a game in hand. His absence leaves the Gunners short in attack, with Nicklas Bendtner sidelined until mid-December following minor groin surgery and Theo Walcott nursing a knee ligament problem. Arsenal are also currently without the injured Gael Clichy and Denilson. Any lengthy absence for Van Persie will also be felt by the Dutch as they prepare for the 2010 World Cup.

Africa: Egypt's dramatic late goal sets up extra play-off

Egypt v Algeria

A game riddled with tension got the ending it deserved on Saturday when Egypt scored the goal they needed to force a play-off five minutes into injury time. The two sides will now meet again on Wednesday to settle the last of Africa's qualifying places after a dramatic late goal gave the home side a 2-0 win in their last group game on Saturday.

Substitute Emad Moteab's header five minutes into stoppage time gave Egypt the winning margin they needed over Algeria in front of just over 74,000 fans in the capital and ensured the teams finished level at the top of Group C. Fifa determined last week the two teams would play-off in Sudan if the group was deadlocked.

Algeria were a minute away from reaching their first World Cup finals appearance in 24 years when Moteab struck with a looping header at the back post. A 1-0 defeat would have seen the Desert Foxes through to the finals in South Africa on goal difference. Egypt needed to win by three clear goals to qualify for the first time since 1990.

The dramatic end replicated a furious start as the Pharaohs took the lead after just two minutes through striker Amr Zaki. He followed up after Mohamed Aboutrika hit a post and Mohamed Zidan's follow-up was palmed away Algeria goalkeeper Lounes Gaouaoui.

The match was preceded by an attack on the Algeria team bus by Egyptian youths in which three players suffered facial cuts. Fifa had to appeal for calm while the Egyptian football association claimed the incident was staged by the Algerians.

Kenya v Nigeria

Nigeria staged a second-half comeback to beat Kenya on Saturday and deny Tunisia a place in South Africa. Obafemi Martins scored twice and Yakubu got the other as Nigeria came from behind to beat Kenya 3-2 in Nairobi while Tunisia lost 1-0 to a late goal in Mozambique after starting the final round of matches two points clear in Group B.

Nigeria leapfrogged Tunisia to win the group by a point and qualify for the World Cup for a fourth time. The Super Eagles trailed to a 15th-minute goal from Denis Oliech, but the group was turned on its head in the second half of both matches, which were played simultaneously. Martins grabbed the winner for Nigeria in the 83rd minute at about the same time as Dario Monteiro scored Mozambique's goal in Maputo.

Morocco v Cameroon

Cameroon coach Paul Le Guen said he would seek to sign an extension to his contract after helping the Indomitable Lions secure an African-record sixth World Cup finals appearance.

The Frenchman was on a short term deal which expired on Saturday after the 2-0 win over Morocco in Fes sealed his team's qualification. "I would like to continue and if this is also the sentiment of the Cameroon football leaders, then I will. It is very likely," Le Guen said.

Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd

John Terry celebrates his precious winner late in the game at Stamford Bridge

John Terry grabbed the only goal of the game to extend Chelsea's Premier League lead to five points and deal a big blow to Manchester United's title chances.

The Blues skipper met Frank Lampard's free-kick late on to earn his side a 10th straight home win.

But a makeshift United side will feel aggrieved after a fine display, with Darren Fletcher in impressive form.

Wayne Rooney twice went close from range, but a lack of cutting edge cost the reigning champions dear in the end.

And with Sir Alex Ferguson's side now five points behind their London rivals, United must hope Chelsea's current form falls away if they are to win a fourth successive title.

They can at least be comforted by a brave performance, though, especially considering the absence of centre-half pairing Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, as well as striker Dimitar Berbatov.

That meant Jonny Evans and Wes Brown were again paired in defence - and up against the in-form frontline of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, many expected them to have their work cut out at the Bridge.

The pair held up well, though, aided enormously by the return to league action of Fletcher following a recent ankle problem. The Scot, so often a pivotal player for them in the big games in the past, typified the visitors' relentless and disciplined approach.

Matching up against Chelsea's diamond formation, with Rooney floating and Antonio Valencia pushed up against left back Ashley Cole, United stifled their opponents' rhythm and just had the better of a keenly fought first half.

Twice Chelsea got the better of close early refereeing decisions, firstly when Anderson set Rooney through on goal only for the striker to be harshly ruled offside and then when Terry escaped punishment for an apparent tug on Valencia's shirt in the box.

Ryan Giggs and Michael Carrick also had efforts from range to keep home keeper Petr Cech interested.

However, a lack of a real killer pass or shot in the final third often had lone striker Rooney cutting a forlorn figure and it was Chelsea who forged the more clear-cut chances, particularly through Anelka.

The Frenchman had an early sighter with a near post shot that Edwin van der Sar held comfortably, and he forced a far more impressive save from the Dutchman just after the half hour with a left-foot curler that the keeper had to beat away on the stretch.

In a half of few chances, it was by far the closest either side had come to a breakthrough, and the pattern of play was almost identical in the second.

The irrepressible Fletcher forged the first opening of the half when his fierce drive was well blocked by Carvalho, while at the other end Van der Sar comfortably saved from Lampard's low left-footed drive.

While it remained 0-0, Ferguson - mindful of his side's failure to get anything out of four of their last five away matches against a 'big four' team - was by far the more comfortable manager and it was Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti who blinked first from the sidelines, bringing on Joe Cole for the ineffective Deco.

But it was Rooney at the other end who twice came closest to breaking the deadlock, his first effort a drive inches wide from the edge of the area and the second a curler that had to be tipped round the post by Cech.

However, Chelsea under Ancelotti have been imperious at home and all United's play counted for nothing when Terry rose highest to meet Lampard's pinpoint free-kick and put the Londoners into a precious lead.

To compound the visitors' deflation, United had argued that Fletcher, in conceding the crucial free-kick, had won the ball from Ashley Cole and that Drogba was in an offside position as the ball flew in - but their protests fell on deaf ears.

All of a sudden United were the side displaying an air of desperation, and even as Valencia drove wide and substitute Gabriel Obertan forced a good block late in the game, there was a lack of belief among the visitors' late rally.

As it was, Chelsea's record of not having conceded a home goal in the league since the opening day of the season rarely looked in trouble late on and the final whistle prompted scenes of jubilation among a home faithful with a firm eye on regaining a Premier League title they have not won since 2006.

Kanoute heads Sevilla to victory, Valencia win

Frederic Kanoute struck within four minutes of coming off the bench to snatch a 3-2 comeback victory for Sevilla at home to Villarreal on Sunday and maintain their hold on third place in La Liga.

David Villa celebrates his goal with Valencia's Juan Mata and Pablo Hernandez

• Saturday's Spanish La Liga review

Sevilla were under pressure after Valencia beat promoted Real Zaragoza 3-1 earlier on Sunday to climb above the Andalusians but Mali striker Kanoute rose unmarked to nod in Adriano Correia's cross for a 66th-minute winner.

Brazil striker Luis Fabiano gave Sevilla the lead at the Sanchez Pizjuan with the first of his two goals after eight minutes before Robert Pires combined with Bruno Soriano to equalise for Villarreal just before the half hour.

The 36-year-old French midfielder ran on to Bruno's chipped return ball and volleyed superbly past Andres Palop.

David Fuster rifled home to give Villarreal the lead just before the hour mark but it was cancelled out by Fabiano two minutes later when he headed his second. Kanoute came on for Alvaro Negredo after 62 minutes to give Sevilla the points.

In Valencia, David Villa netted his eighth goal of the season as Los Che beat promoted Real Zaragoza. Villa's Spain team mates Juan Mata and David Silva combined to put Valencia ahead after 17 minutes at the Mestalla. Silva's through ball sent Mata clear and he finished coolly past Javier Lopez Vallejo.

Villa doubled the lead five minutes before the break, tapping home a Pablo Hernandez centre to put himself a goal clear at the top of the scoring charts after 10 matches ahead of Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on seven.

Two minutes later Villa returned the favour by crossing for Hernandez to score Valencia's third. Zaragoza's Colombian midfielder Abel Aguilar grabbed a consolation for the mid-table side with 25 minutes remaining.

Champions Barca retained their one-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of the standings on Saturday when Pedro netted twice and Thierry Henry scored his first of the season in a 4-2 home win over Real Mallorca.

Real kept pace with Barca when they went 3-0 up at struggling city rivals Atletico and just managed to hold on for a 3-2 victory despite having Sergio Ramos sent off midway through the second half.

Barca have 26 points from 10 matches, with Real on 25 and Valencia on 21. Sevilla can climb back above Valencia with a home win over improving Villarreal later on Sunday.

In Sunday's earlier matches, Athletic Bilbao won 2-0 at Racing Santander and Sporting Gijon beat visiting Espanyol 1-0 thanks to a third-minute goal from Croatia striker Mate Bilic.

Osasuna, who held Barca to a 1-1 draw last weekend, lost 2-0 at Hugo Sanchez's Almeria and Xerez climbed back off the bottom above Malaga with a 0-0 draw at Real Valladolid.

The Andalusians have only scored three goals in 10 games in their first season in the top flight and conceded 16.

Silva scores for both sides as Milan go third

AC Milan's Brazilian centre back Thiago Silva scored for both sides on Sunday as the Rossoneri climbed to third in Serie A with a 2-1 win at troubled Lazio.

Pato celebrates after scoring for Milan

• Saturday's Italian Serie A review

The centre back nodded in an Andrea Pirlo free kick from the left to put Milan ahead in the 22nd minute with his maiden Serie A goal.

His compatriot Pato also used his head to good effect to put away a Ronaldinho cross and make it 2-0 10 minutes before the break before Silva unluckily deflected a Mauro Zarate shot into his own net in the 65th minute to set up a nervy climax.

The visitors held out under pressure to continue their recovery from a shaky start with a win that gives them 22 points from 12 games. They are two points behind second-placed Juventus.

Samuel Eto'o earned leaders Inter Milan a 1-1 draw with AS Roma at the San Siro. The Cameroon forward controlled a Thiago Motta pass, spun around and drove home a diagonal strike just after the break to cancel out Mirko Vucinic's first-half goal.

Inter coach Jose Mourinho had said former title challengers Roma were dangerous despite being in the lower half of the table and missing injured players such as captain Francesco Totti.

He was proved right in the 13th minute when Montenegro striker Vucinic put the visitors in front with a looping header to make amends after his dithering had allowed Inter's defence to recover when he was clean through soon after kickoff.

Inter had keeper Julio Cesar to thank for keeping them on level terms after Eto'o's goal when he produced a fine save to repel a powerful Jeremy Menez shot after the hour mark.

Lazio coach Davide Ballardini is now in serious danger of losing his job as his side have not won in the league since August and were hammered 4-1 at Villarreal in the Europa League on Thursday.

AC Milan leapfrogged Sampdoria, who lost 2-0 at Cagliari after having Marius Stankevicius sent off for a foul at the end of the first half.

Samp share fourth place with Fiorentina after the Tuscan team beat Udinese 1-0 away thanks to Juan Vargas's free kick six minutes from time.

Barca failed revenge

Results 0-0 of action between Barcelona contra Rubin Kazan received a positive reaction. Not only from a successful Rubin held the defending champion, but also a survivor of Barca backlash dangerous opponent.

Barca look neat on Matchday 4, Thursday (5/11/2009) morning WIB, by holding a series without a goal Barca. Constantly under attack, Rubin is the first party to win against Barca 2-1, remained solid at the back.

"We hope to repeat the performance at Camp Nou and generally been successful. We're also creating chances against the best club in the world but unfortunately missed. Against Barca in front of his own supporters are even more difficult," I was manager at Rubin, Kurban Berdyev AFP.

Barca who once again failed to achieve the full number of Rubin, the team Champions League debutants, even welcomed the series this time quite well. "I always tell the teams of Russia and the Slavic very strong," said Barca entrenador Josep Guardiola.

"Today is a good play Rubin. They reduce all our players, and even dangerous counter-offensive. We are better in the first half but then played football Rubin creative and able to win. Imbang good result from such action," he continued.

Competition to escape from Group F is still very open after Inter Milan's victory over Dynamo Kiev. With six points, Inter Milan now leads the standings with one point difference from Barca and Rubin while Dinamo shadowing with the number four.

"Now we have to win the two remaining matches," said Guardiola.