Five more reach next stage
Wednesday, November 26, 2003
Article summary
English clubs had another fine night as Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC were among five sides to advance.
Article body
English clubs enjoyed another fine night of UEFA Champions League football as Manchester United FC and Chelsea FC both won through to the knockout stages with a game to spare.
Holders progress
A goalless draw was enough to see Chelsea advance along with United, VfB Stuttgart, FC Porto and the holders AC Milan, all of whom were victorious tonight. The quintet join Juventus FC, AS Monaco FC and Real Madrid CF - who defeated Olympique de Marseille 2-1 to eliminate the southern French club - in the last 16.
Bernabéu decider
The winners of Group F will be decided on Matchday 6 when Porto travel to the Santiago Bernabéu in search of victory. Benni McCarthy scored in either half of a 2-0 victory for Porto against FK Partizan to move the UEFA Cup holders on to ten points. They trail Madrid by three points after the Spanish champions scored through David Beckham - a wonderful free-kick - and Ronaldo at the Stade Vélodrome. A UEFA Cup place is at stake when Marseille travel to Partizan.
Forlán wins it
Supremacy in Group E will be decided at Old Trafford on 9 December as Stuttgart and United are locked on 12 points after recording their fourth wins in the pool tonight. Timo Wenzel scored the only goal at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion as Stuttgart defeated Rangers FC, while Diego Forlán's strike was also enough for United at Panathinaikos FC.
Shevchenko on target
The man who settled last season's Champions League final, Andriy Shevchenko, scored the only goal at AFC Ajax to guarantee Milan top billing in Group H. The Ukrainian's 52nd-minute strike moved the Italian side on to ten points, four more than Ajax and RC Celta de Vigo, who were denied a victory against Club Brugge KV by Rune Lange's added-time goal.
Chelsea through
Both games in Group G ended in draws as Chelsea were held at home by AC Sparta Praha, and S.S. Lazio by Besiktas JK in Rome. The Londoners advance with ten points, and will be joined by the Turkish champions if they can build on their 1-1 draw in Rome by beating Chelsea in their final game. Sparta and Lazio remain in the running ahead of their meeting in Prague.
