Premiership side Arsenal produced a scintillating performance to
slaughter Slavia Prague 7-0, equaling the biggest ever victory
margin in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
Manchester United also clinched an overwhelming 4-2 victory at
Dynamo Kiev, joining Gunners to maintain their 100 percent records,
while Rangers held Barcelona in a goalless draw.
Elsewhere across Europe, Inter Milan had to fight from behind
for a 2-1 win at CSKA Moscow while Lyon picked up their first win
of the group phase, beating Stuttgart 2-0.
Roma and Sevilla boosted their hopes of reaching the next round
with wins at home over Sporting Lisbon and Steaua Bucharest
respectively.
Arsenal stole the spotlight of the night as they were marching
into the knockout stage of the competition with a record-tying
victory at Emirates Stadium.
They top the group on nine points, three more than Sevilla, who
picked up second after a hard-fought 2-1 win over Steaua.
Cesc Fabregas' stunning strike put the Gunners ahead after five
minutes and Arsenal were gifted the second goal on 24 minutes when
David Hubacek diverted Hleb's shot into his own net.
Four minutes before half-time, Theo Walcott got his first
Champions League goal after a goalkeeping error.
Arsenal continued to run riot in the second half and Alexander
Hleb got his name on the scoresheet six minutes after the break
before setting up Walcott for his second.
Fabregas finished a fabulous move just before the hour mark and
substitute Nicklas Bendtner wrapped up Arsenal's best ever home win
in Europe a minute from time.
In Ukraine, a dominant Manchester United eased to a comfortable
victory, putting Dynamo Kiev on the brink of the knock-out
stages.?????
Rio Ferdinand opened the scoring before Wayne Rooney tapped in
Wes Brown's low cross.
Diogo Rincon reduced the deficit for the hosts with a header but
Cristian Ronaldo then made it double, including a penalty, before
Ismael Bangoura fired in late for Kiev.
In the other game in Group F, Roma beat Sporting Lisbon 2-1 at
the Stadio Olimpico to stay second, three points clear of
United.
Rangers produced a battling performance to earn a valuable point
against Barcelona at Ibrox.
The visitors threatened throughout and the Scottish side rode
their luck at times as Ronaldinho hit the crossbar, Lionel Messi
had a shot cleared off the line and Thierry Henry headed over.
But Rangers improved in the second half and Daniel Cousin missed
a great chance to grab a winner ten minutes from time when he
blazed his shot over the top.
The point keeps both sides locked on seven points at the top of
Group E.
In Group G, CSKA Moscow stunned the Italians by going in front
on 32 minutes, with Jo turning Ivan Cordoba inside the box and
curling a superb shot over Julio Cesar.
Inter drew level on 52 minutes with Hernan Crespo finding the
net and a terrible blunder by Veniamin Mandrykin gifted
Internazionale the points as he somehow let Walter Samuel's header
slip through his grasp 10 minutes from the whistle.
Inter moved on top after the win with Fenerbahce sinking into
second with a 0-0 draw at PSV.
(Xinhua News Agency October 24, 2007)