Barcelona vs Chelsea Highlights : UEFA Champions League SemiFinals

A disciplined Chelsea defense earned them a precious goalless draw against Barcelona to make them slight favorites to reach their second successive Champions League final.

Coach Guus Hiddink’s pre-match prediction that the first leg of this semi-final tie would be saturated in goals proved incorrect as Chelsea changed gears into a highly competent defensive shift.

Hiddink’s tactic of giving holding roles to both John Obi Mikel and Michael Ballack worked superbly and Lionel Messi was marked out of the tie by Jose Bosingwa.

Barca’s strike trio of Samuel Eto’o, Messi and Thierry Henry have scored 90 goals between them in all competitions so far this season.

But Henry proved to be Barca’s real threat when he twice forced Petr Cech into important saves in the opening half.

However, to a man, Chelsea were defiant and disciplined with full-backs Branislav Ivanovic and Bosingwa absolutely faultless while John Terry and Alex were solid as a rock.

Hiddink will be more than pleased with the result and Chelsea should have enough in their artillery to go on and finish the job in the return match next week.

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Manchester United vs Arsenal Highlights: UEFA Champions League

Sir Alex Ferguson hailed the efforts of the Versatile John O’Shea after the Irishman put Manchester United in touching distance of another Champions League final.

O’Shea’s smartly-taken 17th-minute goal ensured United head to the Emirates Stadium for a tense second leg against Arsenal holding a slender advantage, but one achieved without conceding an away goal.

The Waterford-born star makes a habit of popping up with vital contributions and Ferguson felt his effort was worthy of special mantion.

That it is still an if and not a when for United was mostly due to the superb efforts of Manuel Almunia, who made four first-class saves in a one-sided encounter.

In addition, Cristiano Ronaldo rattled the crossbar, while Ryan Giggs had his second-half effort ruled out for offside on his 800th United appearance.

The one negative for United will be the probable absence of Rio Ferdinand from the second leg.

The one advantage Ferguson feels Arsenal do have is the ability to effectively name a reserve side against Portsmouth on Saturday given the Gunners are almost certain to finish fourth no matter what the outcome.

Ferguson cannot do the same as the Red Devils bid to cling onto the three-point lead they currently boast at the Premier League summit by beating Middlesbrough at the Riverside.

Wenger knows he has Almunia to thank for the fact Arsenal can still manage go through, with the Gunners chief as effusive of the Spaniard as Ferguson had been about O’Shea.

If they play like today Arsenal will struggle to acheieve the two goal victory needed next week.

However, in front of their own fans, Wenger feels the Londoners will produce a much better performance.

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Arsenal vs Middlesbrough Highlights: EPL

Captain Cesc Fabregas was in fine touch by scoring two goals as Arsenal warmed up for their Champions League semi-final clash against Manchester United with a 2-0 win over relegation-threatened Middlesbrough at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners are now all but cemented themselves in fourth place following a run of 20 league matches without defeat.

Andrey Arshavin, who smashed in four goals at Liverpool in midweek, was again inspirational this afternoon, but will be cup-tied for the European clash against holders United.

With leading scorer Robin van Persie still sidelined by a groin problem, the double salvo by Fabregas who is subject to a misconduct charge by the Football Association in the fall-out from the FA Cup tie against Hull and the return of goalkeeper Manuel Almunia from injury could not have come at a better time.

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Hull City vs Liverpool Highlights: EPL

Dirk Kuyt struck twiceto keep Liverpool’s tittle chances alive and ground out a crucial 3-1 Barclays Premier League victory at Hull.

The Reds were rigorously tested by the relegation-threatened Tigers, who were reduced to 10 men, but the Red’s held on to keep the pressure on Manchester United at the top of the table.

Kuyt put Liverpool 2-0 ahead after a controversial Xabi Alonso strike in the first half but Hull battled hard and pulled one back through Geovanni after Caleb Folan was sent off.

But Kuyt finished off the fixture in the closing minutes from close range.

Liverpool, perhaps feeling the pace after Tuesday’s thrilling 4-4 draw with Arsenal, were second best for large periods.

Hull sensed they had nothing to lose but their performance should at least offer some encouragement for their remaining four games.

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