PSV in perfect condition

Robert joy
Four days after scoring the decisive spot-kick to eliminate Olympique Lyonnais on penalties, PSV striker Robert capped a productive week as his solitary header midway through the second half gave Guus Hiddink's side victory at Willem II. The Brazilian had only been on the pitch for three minutes as a replacement for Johann Vogel, but the goal proved enough to secure a first league victory in Tilburg in nine years.

Title beckons
The late dismissal of veteran midfielder Phillip Cocu for a second yellow card tainted the result slightly but PSV nevertheless require just four points to secure their 18th Dutch championship. Hiddink could welcome back Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Ji-Sung Park for next Saturday's match against SBV Vitesse after the duo were sidelined by their respective hamstring and facial injuries. Gerald Sibon and DaMarcus Beasley started in their absence.

Milan slip
While PSV's grip on their domestic league becomes vice-like, their semi-final opponents Milan fell three points behind Juventus FC in Serie A on Sunday after a shock 2-1 defeat at AC Siena. Carlo Ancelotti was without playmaker Andrea Pirlo, who has a knee injury, while Clarence Seedorf and Alessandro Nesta, who will be suspended for the semi-final first leg, were both rested.

Crespo strike
Despite the absentees, Milan had seemed on course for a routine victory when Hernán Crespo scored 18 minutes into the second half but Siena responded well and Milan's nine-match unbeaten league run came to an abrupt halt. On the plus side for Ancelotti, Andriy Shevchenko came through 90 minutes unscathed after passing a late fitness test on a calf injury, although strike partner Filippo Inzaghi is still unfit.

Liverpool held
In England, Liverpool welcomed the talismanic Steven Gerrard back after he sat out Wednesday's goalless draw at Juventus with a groin strain, but his return was tinged with disappointment. The England midfielder missed a second-half penalty as his team twice came from behind to salvage a 2-2 draw against Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield with goals from Luis García and Sami Hyypiä.

Four changes
Manager Rafael Benítez made four changes to the side that drew in Turin. As well as Gerrard, Mauricio Pellegrino and Fernando Morientes, both of whom are ineligible for the Champions League, there was also a place for Stephen Warnock, as John Arne Riise, Djimi Traore and Igor Bišcan all dropped to the substitutes' bench, while Milan Baroš was suspended.

Chelsea rest
The result saw Liverpool drop to sixth in the Premiership, three points behind Everton FC, who also have a game in hand, in the race for fourth place and a Champions League qualification spot. Meanwhile, their semi-final opponents Chelsea FC remain eleven points clear at the summit although they were not in action at the weekend.