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Page last updated at 22:18 GMT, Wednesday, 3 November 2010

Champions League as it happened

GOALFLASHES AND MAJOR INCIDENTS (all times GMT)

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By Chris Bevan

2216: And that brings an eventful week in the Champions League to an end. Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the only three sides definitely into the last 16 but the other three English sides - Tottenham, Manchester United and Arsenal - are all top of their respective groups. Rangers? They have got a bit more work to do. The Euro action isn't over yet, though, because Sam Lyon is back on Thursday night to take you through Liverpool and Manchester City's games in the Europa League. Enjoy, and I will see you at the weekend.

2210: You can read more about Real Madrid's remarkable draw with AC Milan here. It was some game. You will be pleased to know the report has no mention of that Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'goal' either - I've told the Southampton fan responsible to put that mistake behind him. I'm sure Arsenal youngster Craig Eastman, I mean Eastmond, will do the same.

Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Arsenal
Mandeep Sanghera's full-time snap-shot: "Theo Walcott's goal gave Arsenal an early lead but they struggled from there on as Shakhtar Donetsk took a stranglehold of the game and rarely let a go of it."

Chelsea 4-1 Spartak Moscow
Sam Lyon's full-time snap-shot: "Typically clinical, typically strong and typically through to the Champions League knockout stages. The Chelsea bandwagon continues to roll on."

AndySzpuk on Twitter: "Chelsea bulldoze on through all competitions... it's getting a bit boring."

2157: Arsenal's defeat in Donetsk means things are more finely poised in Group H. The Gunners remain top, level on nine points with Shakhtar and three points ahead of Braga - who are Arsenal's next opponents on 23 November. Partizan Belgrade, beaten 1-0 at home by the Portuguese side tonight, are out of contention.

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti on his side's extremely comfortable win over Spartak Moscow: "It was a good evening and a good performance - second half was very good. We've qualified for the knockout stages, now we have to make sure we finish top of the group. We are playing consistently and I believe we have more confidence compared to last season. I'm happy."

2154: Pah. Only 32 goals in the eight Champions League games tonight. And they call that entertainment? Anyway, as well as Chelsea, Bayern Munich (in Group E) and Real Madrid (in Group G) are into the knockout stages. Bayern overwhelmed CFR Cluj thanks to a Mario Gomez hat-trick (James Flynn was wrong at 1858) and Real salvaged that vital last-gasp draw.

OptaJoe on Twitter: "3 - Shakhtar remain unbeaten at home against English sides with three wins and one draw against them. Banker."

From ghost_of_cygan - Lansbury is the next Parlour on 606: "Bottom line is Arsenal could afford to drop points tonight, Sunday (against Newcastle) we cannot. A win on Sunday and the changes are more than vindicated."

2146: So, Chelsea clinch a place in the last 16 of the Champions League, after a typically powerful display. Goal-crazy Marseille and Spartak will (more than likely) battle it out for second spot in Group F.

2142: Another boring night in the Champions League is over.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Real Madrid goal: Sanchez Pedro Leon snatches a dramatic equaliser in the fourth minute of injury time to preserve Jose Mourinho's unbeaten record as Real Madrid manager. Great pass from fellow substitute Karim Benzema and Pedro Leon fires the ball through the legs of Christian Abbiati.

From Goonasaurus, via text: "A familiar tale of woeful defending from Arsenal is once again our downfall. I accept Shaktar Donetsk deserved all the points and if anybody was going to score the winner I'm glad it was Eduardo."

2140: FULL-TIME AC Milan 2-2 Real Madrid

2138: GOALFLASH AC Milan 2-2 Real Madrid (Pedro Leon)

2137: To the relief of most Zilina fans out there, the final whistle has gone at the Stadium Pod Dubnom. Just the seven goals for Marseille tonight.

Full time
2137: FULL-TIME Chelsea 4-1 Spartak Moscow

2136: FULL-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Arsenal

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chelsea goal: After a spot of pinball in the Spartak box, the ball falls to Branislav Ivanovic, who sweeps the ball home from 12 yards out. Chelsea finish with a flourish.

2135: RED CARD Basel's Valentin Stocker

2134: GOALFLASH CFR Cluj 0-4 Bayern Munich (Thomas Muller)

2134: GOALFLASH Chelsea 4-1 Spartak Moscow (Ivanovic)

2132: In fact, it is Shakhtar who look more likely to score. Marcelo Moreno lets fly with a low shot and Lukasz Fabianski has to get down smartly to palm it around the post.

2131: Still no sign of an Arsenal equaliser... and they are into injury time at the Donbass Arena.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Spartak goal: Exactly 956 minutes since he last conceded at Stamford Bridge, Petr Cech is beaten. It looked offside, to be fair. Welliton gets the better of Branislav Ivanovic and Nikita Bazhenov is in the right place to slide the ball home... I don't think it will make much difference to the result though.

2128: GOALFLASH Auxerre 2-1 Ajax (Steven Langil)

2128: GOALFLASH Chelsea 3-1 Spartak Moscow (Bazhenov)

2127: GOALFLASH Basel 2-3 Roma (Xherdan Shaqiri)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
AC Milan goal: What a turnaround at the San Siro! Filippo Inzaghi scores Champions League goal number 46 - he looks offside but races through onto Gennaro Gattuso's pass to slip the ball through the legs of Iker Casillas.

2125: With Chelsea having used all three of their subs, John Terry knows he has the night off... so he hands his boots and shirt to a little boy in the crowd. A nice touch from the Blues skipper.

2124: Theo Walcott's night is done. With 10 minutes to go, Jay Emmanuel-Thomas is on instead. Arsenal are trying hard but Shakhtar still look pretty solid to me.

2122: GOALFLASH Auxerre 1-1 Ajax (Toby Alderweireld)

2122: GOALFLASH AC Milan 2-1 Real Madrid (Filippo Inzaghi)

2121: GOALFLASH Basel 1-3 Roma (Leandro Greco)

2120: The kids are on for Chelsea now, well teenagers Josh McEachran and Gael Kakuta are anyway. Daniel Sturridge has also come off the bench but he's a bit older at 21.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
AC Milan goal: Against the run of play, Milan equalise thanks to Filippo Inzaghi doing what he does best. He scores from all of a yard after Real keeper Iker Casillas misjudges Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cross from the left and only manages to fumble the ball into the air for Inzaghi to nod home. Shocker from the Spanish number one - the first he has conceded in the Champions League this season. Inzaghi's 45th goal in the competition by the way.

2116: I think MSK Zilina are leaving it a bit late for a comeback... but at least they haven't conceded for a while.

2115: Another change by Arsenal. Nicklas Bendtner, who has not had a great night, is replaced by Marouane Chamakh... who has around 20 minutes to try to find an equaliser. Apologies, by the way, to Craig Eastmond - who has had an even worse night than Bendtner. On top of his own goal, I also got his name wrong. I don't think Craig Eastman actually exists...

2114: GOALFLASH CFR Cluj 0-3 Bayern Munich (Mario Gomez hat-trick)

OptaJoe on Twitter: "7 - Marseille have already scored 7 goals away to MSK Zilina, no other team has ever scored that many on the road in a Champions League game. Crazy."

2112: GOALFLASH AC Milan 1-1 Real Madrid (Filippo Inzaghi)

2111: GOALFLASH Basel 1-2 Roma (Alexander Frei)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chelsea goal: Game over at Stamford Bridge? It certainly looks it. Didier Drogba sends over a free-kick and goal-machine Branislav Ivanovic finds space to meet it with an unstoppable header. That is two goals in two games for the Serbian.

2110: At the San Siro, a disappointed-looking Ronaldinho comes off and Filippo Inzaghi, the 37-year-old fox in the box, comes on to try to revive AC Milan's hopes. Real dominating though and Ronaldo is starting to strut his stuff. Plenty of stepovers - he looks ready to fire a spectacular 30-yarder into the top corner.

2108: GOALFLASH Chelsea 3-0 Spartak Moscow (Ivanovic)

2106: A great chance for Arsenal to level. Samir Nasri hoists a diagonal ball into the box and Sebastien Squillaci meets it unmarked and in front of goal... but his header is easily saved by Andriy Pyatov. Chance gone.

2105: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-7 Marseille (Lucho Gonzalez)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chelsea goal: Made by Didier Drogba, scored by Didier Drogba. He dances past Evgeni Makeev in the box and is sent tumbling... before gettting up to power the resulting penalty into the bottom corner. Chelse are definitely in control now, and they have a second goal too.

2103: GOALFLASH Chelsea 2-0 Spartak Moscow (Drogba pen)

2103: PENALTY to Chelsea

2102: Hmmm, it's all gone a bit quiet at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea look in control, but don't seem that bothered about trying to score a second goal to cement their lead.

2100: A first change for Arsenal. Craig Eastmond, scorer of that unfortunate own goal, is off. Carlos Vela is on instead.

takinferd on Twitter: "Anelka is a pure genius but the keeper will have to take some blame for allowing him score from the tightest of angles."

2058: Theo Walcott is the latest Gunner to try his luck, but his effort from just inside the box is comfortably saved by Andriy Pyatov.

2057: Jack Wilshere has been one of Arsenal's better players on a difficult night and he has just had a sniff of an equaliser. He wins the ball off Willian on the edge of the box and has a clear shot on goal, but sees his shot fly wide.

2056: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-6 Marseille (Andre Pierre Gignac hat-trick)

2055: No stopping Marseille tonight is there? Their 4-0 lead at half-time is a new Champions League record for an away side... and they obviously are not finished yet.

2053: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-5 Marseille (Lucho Gonzalez)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Chelsea goal: The Blues make the breakthrough, with a finish of real class by Nicolas Anelka. The Frenchman exchanges passes with Salomon Kalou, picking up the return on the right-hand side of the area and squeezing the ball between the onrushing Andriy Dykan and the post. Outstanding stuff.

2050: GOALFLASH Chelsea 1-0 Spartak Moscow (Anelka)

2049: You will be pleased to know the second half has finally started at the San Siro as well.

2048: Jack Wilshere stands over a free-kick for Arsenal, about 40 yards out. He curls it into the box, but it fails to beat the first Shakhtar defender. They look blooming dangerous on the break, so the Gunners are going to have to be very careful here.

2047: And at Stamford Bridge too.

2046: We are back under way at the Donbass Arena.

2045: Fair to say it is not exactly going to plan tonight for the English sides as far as securing qualification for the last 16 goes. As it stands, Bayern Munich (in Group E) and Real Madrid (in Group G)will be the only teams to make sure of their progress... although a lot could change in the next 45 minutes or so.

OptaJoe on Twitter: "14 - The Gunners have now gone 14 Champions League games on the road without a clean sheet. Messy."

From anonymous Arsenal fan, via text: "When will Clichy learn to clear his lines... it's not the first time it's happened and we've bern punished."

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Real Madrid goal (yes, a real one this time): Real deservedly take the lead against AC Milan with a goal in first-half injury time at the San Siro. Angel Di Maria feeds Gonzalo Higuain through the middle of Milan's defence with a cute pass and the Argentine striker calmly slots the ball home. Jose Mourinho sneaks off for the dressing room and moments later Howard Webb blows for half-time.

Half time
2034: HALF-TIME Chelsea 0-0 Spartak Moscow
Sam Lyon's half-time snap-shot:
"The touch paper in this one remains unlit. Not a great deal to choose between the sides at the Bridge - definite room for improvement."

2033: HALF-TIME Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Arsenal
Mandeep Sanghera's half-time snap-shot: "Arsenal's early lead proved a false dawn as they have been overpowered by Shakhtar Donetsk side who are a completely different proposition to the team beaten 5-1 by the Gunners two weeks ago."

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Shakhtar goal: Oh dear. Another goal to forget from Arsenal's point of view, and right on the stroke of half-time too. Gael Clichy loses out to Darijo Srna when he really should clear in the corner... and Srna runs into the box before feeding Eduardo, who finds the bottom corner of the net with a cool finish. The former Gunners striker does not celebrate his goal.

2030: GOALFLASH AC Milan 0-1 Real Madrid (Gonzalo Higuain)

2030: GOALFLASH Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 Arsenal (Eduardo)


2028: Chelsea are creating enough openings tonight, they just need to take one of them. This time, Branislav Ivanovic sends a Yuri Zhirkov corner back across goal, but Alex shins over the bar from all of a yard out. He was under pressure, but really should have scored.

2026: Sorry about that, the Southampton fan next to me has fed me false information from the San Siro. Zlatan Ibrahamovic SHOULD have given Milan the lead against Real.. but he didn't. Put clear by Ronaldinho, the Swede lobs the ball over the onrushing Casillas but wide of the empty goal. Give this page a manual refresh to lose the offending incorrect goalflash.

Infostrada Sports on Twitter: "Sporting Braga have fielded 10 non-European players against Partizan. 3rd time in Champions League history this has happened."

2023: GOALFLASH Partizan Belgrade 0-1 Braga (Pinheiro Moises)

2021: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-4 Marseille (Loic Remy)

2020: Chelsea threaten again, and you would expect Didier Drogba to do much better from there. He is unmarked when he meets a ball into the box but cannot find the target with his header, which flies over. At the other end, Alex lets fly with a rasping shot from long range, which Petr Cech does well to keep out. It's now more than 15 hours since he has conceded a goal at Stamford Bridge, and you can see why.

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Shakhtar goal: Disaster for Arsenal, and young Craig Eastmond. Dmytro Chygrynski rises to meet Jadson's whipped free-kick and the ball comes off the head of Eastmond and flies into the net. All-square again in Ukraine.

2015: GOALFLASH Basel 0-2 Roma (Francesco Totti pen)

2014: GOALFLASH CFR Cluj 0-2 Bayern Munich (Mario Gomez)

2014: Lots happening at the San Siro, Real's Ronaldo goes down like a sack of spuds claiming he's been hit in the face, but the contact was minimal, and Howard Webb steps in to calm things down as Milan players, fans and officials show their displeasure. Milan are hanging on though. Andrea Pirlo twice cleared off the line to deny Gonzalo Higuain's header and then Xabi Alonso's follow-up, while Angel Di Maria should have done better from 10 yards after a twisting run. Zlatan Ibrahimovic had Milan's best chance but Iker Casillas denied him with his legs.

2013: GOALFLASH Shakhtar Donetsk 1-1 Arsenal (Eastmond og)

2011: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-3 Marseille (Gabriel Heinze)

2009: Those Marseille goals elsewhere in Group F mean Chelsea are likely to need a win tonight to make sure of their progress to the last 16. the French side still have hopes of making the knockout stages.

2008: Another chance for Chelsea. Ramires feeds Didier Drogba on the edge of the box, but his low shot is well saved by Andriy Dykan.

2007: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-2 Marseille (Andre Pierre Gignac)

2006: GOALFLASH Basel 0-1 Roma (Jeremy Menez)

Someone has struck the woodwork
2003: Shakhtar's turn to come forward, and they should really be level. The reason they aren't is that Jadson somehow headed against the post from point-blank range before, seconds later, Lukasz Fabianski kept out a powerful strike by Dmytro Chygrynskiy. Arsenal breathe again.

2001: Better by Chelsea. Much better. First, Nicolas Anelka curls an inch or two wide, then Alex is denied from close range after a well-worked free-kick. He was offside anyway.

From Will in London, via text: "Any Southampton fans out there wish they had kept hold of Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott???"


Hmmm, maybe one or two? I've got a Saints fan sitting next to me who says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (the son of ex-England winger Mark Chamberlain) is an even better prospect.

1958: GOALFLASH CFR Cluj 0-1 Bayern Munich (Mario Gomez)

1958: GOALFLASH MSK Zilina 0-1 Marseille (Andre Pierre Gignac)

Goooooooaaaaaaaaal
Arsenal goal: Eat your heart out Gareth Bale. Theo Walcott puts the Gunners ahead with a goal of real quality. Arsenal break quickly from a Shakhtar corner, feeding Walcott down the left. Starting on the half-way line, he only needs two touches - first to knock the ball clear of the Donetsk defence, then to slide a precise finish into the bottom corner from about 20 yards out. Top class.

1955: GOALFLASH Auxerre 1-0 Ajax (Frederic Sammaritano)

1954: GOALFLASH Shakhtar Donetsk 0-1 Arsenal (Walcott)

Someone has struck the woodwork
1954: Arsenal's first attack of the night, and they are almost ahead. Samir Nasri bursts forward and shaves the outside of the post with a fierce drive from the edge of the area. Over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea have settled down a bit but Spartak look dangerous. They just went close through Aiden McGeady, who curled his shot a fraction wide.

1951: Not much happening at the San Siro yet... As well as actual football, I'll try to keep you updated with how English referee Howard Webb is doing in that one.

1948: Spartak have made a decent start too, passing the ball around nicely. Very early days though.

1947: An early effort by Shakhtar, with Darijo Srna bending in a free-kick from the edge of the box. Lukasz Fabianski was across to make a comfortable save.

1945: We are under way in Donetsk, Milan and in west London too.

From Goonasaurus, via text: "Re 1915. I wonder what excuses Mircea Lucescu will come up with when Arsenal beat Shakhtar Donetsk tonight?"

AC Milan v Real Madrid line-ups
AC Milan: Abbiati, Abate, Nesta, Thiago Silva, Zambrotta, Boateng, Pirlo, Gattuso, Alexandre Pato, Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho. Subs: Amelia, Inzaghi, Seedorf, Ambrosini, Robinho, Yepes, Antonini.
Real Madrid: Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Carvalho, Marcelo, Alonso, Khedira, Ronaldo, Ozil, Di Maria, Higuain. Subs: Dudek, Mahamadou Diarra, Benzema, Granero, Arbeloa, Albiol, Pedro Leon.
Referee: Howard Webb (England)

Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti on his decision to leave John Terry on the bench tonight: "John is intelligent and understands the reason - he's played a lot of games, and we have a lot of big matches coming up that we want him to be fit for."

1941: The players emerge from the tunnel at Stamford Bridge, after some last-minute stretches. You know what that means... yes, it's almost anthem time.

mdriver11 on Twitter: "Arsenal's youngsters have proved they can do it before, why can't they do it again?"

hypetr on Twitter: "Clearly the Emirates result has gone to Wenger's head somewhat. That team he's picked stands no chance tonight."

1936: By the way, the Craig Eastmond that BacktoHighburyplease refers to below is a 19-year-old Wandsworth-born midfielder/defender who is about to make his first Champions League appearance for Arsenal, and only his second first-team appearance of the season for the Gunners.

1931: The news that John Terry is only on the bench means that the Chelsea skipper is not certain of surpassing Frank Lampard's club record of playing 72 Champions League games tonight. I doff my cap to Infostrada Sports for that particular stat.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger on his team selection in Donetsk: "I have picked the best possible team to win the game tonight. It will be a very competitive game and we are up for it. We want to do well and I'm confident we will."

From BacktoHighburyplease on 606: "Not going to lie but a little nervous about Craig Eastmond playing for Arsenal tonight, hope he can step it up."

Chelsea v Spartak Moscow team news
Sam Lyon reports:
"Even with John Terry dropped to the bench and Michael Essien rested completely for the visit Spartak, it's still a first-rate Chelsea team on show at Stamford Bridge, with Ramires back after an ankle injury, Salomon Kalou the replacement for the injured Florent Malouda and Didier Drogba captain on his first European outing of the season. Spartak make two changes from the game in Moscow, Andrei Ivanov and fit-again skipper Alex drafted in."

DanielJamWalker on Twitter: "Spartak Moscow are in good form in the Russian league. They could just sneak a draw you know. Aiden McGeady will trouble Ferreira."

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti on striker Didier Drogba, making his first Champions League appearance of the season after suspension: "He's a big player. It will be fantastic if he is able to repeat the sort of performances he has made in the Premier League in Europe."

1918: Here's a bit more news from the San Siro, where Real are looking for their fourth straight win in the Champions League as well as a place in the last 16 of course. The match marks Jose Mourinho's first return to Italy since he led Inter Milan to the Champions League title in May. "Going back to the San Siro is the same as going home," the Real boss said. "It's a shame it is Milan against Real Madrid instead of against Inter... It would have given me the chance to thank everyone at the stadium for those great two years I had there."

Shakhtar Donetsk coach Mircea Lucescu on the chance to avenge his side's drubbing by Arsenal at the Emirates: "I hope that in this game we will have valid and neutral refereeing. The mistakes of the referee in favour of Arsenal were clearly visible. The third goal was not a penalty, the players pulled shirts together - and it should have been a red card for a hard Jack Wilshere tackle. We have been waiting impatiently to play Arsenal at home. That final score in London was not fair."

1915: We have only got about half-an-hour to wait until tonight's games kick-off around Europe. I've got some more good news too: give this page a manual refresh and you will be able to listen to live BBC Radio 5 live commentary of Chelsea versus Spartak Moscow.

Chelsea v Spartak Moscow line-ups
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Ivanov, Alex, Cole, Mikel, Ramires, Zhirkov, Kalou, Drogba, Anelka. Subs: Turnbull, Sturridge, Terry, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Kakuta, McEachran.
Spartak Moscow: Dikan, Ivanov, Pareja, Suchy, Makeev, Ibson, Shyeshukov, McGeady, Alex, Dmitri Kombarov, Welliton. Subs: Belenov, Sabitov, Drincic, Bazhenov, Khodyrev, Ananidze, Kozlov.
Referee: Cuneyt Cakir (Turkey)

Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal team news
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger makes seven changes from the side which beat West Ham last Saturday. Winger Theo Walcott, midfielder Jack Wilshere and striker Nicklas Bendtner each start with young midfielder Craig Eastmond also coming into a side missing Cesc Fabregas, Andrey Arshavin, Alex Song and Denilson through injury. Shakhtar Donetsk make two changes from the side which won 1-0 at the weekend with defender Tomas Hubschman and midfielder Jadson replacing Taras Stepanenko and Alex Teixeira."

1908: As well as the two English clubs in action, there's plenty else going on too, including a clash between two giants of the game, AC Milan and Real Madrid at the San Siro, where Robinho has been left on the bench by the Rossoneri - he won't like that much. A win for Real would mean they definitely qualify out of Group G while, over in Group E, Bayern Munich will progress if they beat CFR Cluj. James (below) doesn't think that will happen, though... we will soon find out if his predictions rival those of (former Spurs winger) Rohan Ricketts or Paul (the dead octopus).

Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal line-ups
Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov, Srna, Chygrynskiy, Rakitskiy, Rat, Gai, Hubschman, Jadson, Eduardo, Willian, Luiz Adriano. Subs: Khudzamov, Kucher, Kobin, Stepanenko, Douglas Costa, Alex Teixeira, Moreno.
Arsenal: Fabianski, Eboue, Squillaci, Djourou, Clichy, Eastmond, Wilshere, Walcott, Rosicky, Nasri, Bendtner. Subs: Szczesny, Sagna, Koscielny, Vela, Chamakh, Emmanuel-Thomas, Lansbury.
Referee: Massimo Busacca (Switzerland)

james_flynn on Twitter: "Chelsea to win, Arsenal will draw though. Shock of the night to come from Cluj beating Bayern. Heard it here first. on Twitter"

Chelsea v Spartak Moscow (Group F 1945 GMT)
Sam Lyon reports:
"Having laid the ghost of the Luzhniki Stadium - the venue for their 2008 Champions League final defeat - to rest a fortnight ago, Chelsea return to fortress Stamford Bridge for a match that could confirm their progress into the knockout stages with two Group F games still left to play. Even a draw could be enough to send the Blues through, but on the back of a run of 21 group stage matches unbeaten at home - and with Didier Drogba available to make his 2010-11 European bow - anything less than victory will be a disappointing return for arguably Europe's form team."

1858: Unlike a certain Mr Bale at White Hart Lane yesterday evening, I can't do this all on my own tonight. Basically, I need your help. How? Easy. Tweet me at chrisbevan_bbc on Twitter, join the regulars on 606 or text me via 81111 (UK) or +44 7786200666 (worldwide).

Shakhtar Donetsk v Arsenal (Group H 1945 GMT)
Mandeep Sanghera reports: "Arsenal thrashed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 a couple of weeks ago but Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is expecting a tougher game this time around. Shakhtar have nine clean sheets from their 10 home games at the Donbass Arena this season and, after three wins without conceding a goal since the defeat by Arsenal, the Miners are five points clear at the top of the Ukrainian league. Shakhtar will be out for revenge as Wenger's side face a test of their squad strength with Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Andrey Arshavin and Denilson all out. The Gunners have never won in Ukraine but know victory would secure their progress into the last 16 with two games to spare."

1852: And I've got some breaking team news from the Donbass Arena too, just in case any Arsenal fans were feeling left out. Theo Walcott, compared to Thierry Henry this week by Arsene Wenger, starts along with Jack Wilshere. Marouane Chamakh is on the bench.

From normanstanley on 606: "Can't see all the English teams winning this week. Got a feeling of an upset at Stamford Bridge. Hope not, but just a feeling."

1848: Here's a bit of breaking team news for you from Stamford Bridge: Didier Drogba starts, John Terry is on the bench and Michael Essien is not in the Chelsea squad. Full details to follow.

1847: Yep, there is a good reason why Carlo Ancelotti and Arsene Wenger are sitting pretty with their teams on the cusp of a place in the knockout stages. Three wins out of three games for both London clubs sort of tells its own story - as does the record 14 goals the Gunners have smashed in so far. Tonight, with a few injuries to contend with, Wenger's men are in Ukraine, against a Shakhtar Donetsk side they dished out an absolute pasting to last month, while the Blues host Spartak Moscow, who they brushed aside in Russia.

1845 GMT: Evening all. I expect you've all noticed that it's already been a very good week indeed for English sides (not to mention Welsh wingers) in the Champions League, but it might be about to get even better. Wins for Arsenal and Chelsea tonight will see them secure top slot in their group and safely through to the last 16 (and even a draw might be enough to do the trick). Confident? Erm, they probably should be.



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Champions League results

3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK


Champ Lge Group A table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Tottenham447
2Inter Milan437
3FC Twente4-15
4Werder Bremen4-62

Champ Lge Group B table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Lyon449
2Schalke 04437
3Benfica4-16
4Hapoel Tel-Aviv4-61

Champ Lge Group C table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Man Utd4510
2Valencia467
3Rangers4-25
4Bursaspor4-90

Champ Lge Group D table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Barcelona468
2FC Copenhagen417
3Rubin Kazan4-13
4Panathinaikos4-62

Champ Lge Group E table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Bayern Munich4812
2Roma4-26
3CFR Cluj-Napoca4-53
4Basle4-13

Champ Lge Group F table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Chelsea41012
2Spartak Moscow4-16
3Marseille456
4MSK Zilina4-140

Champ Lge Group G table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Real Madrid4510
2AC Milan405
3Ajax4-24
4Auxerre4-33

Champ Lge Group H table snapshot

As it stood on 3 Nov 2010 23:59 UK

PositionTeamPGDPTS
1Arsenal4119
2S. Donetsk419
3Braga4-66
4Partizan Belgrade4-60

see also
Champions League photos
03 Nov 10 |  Football


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