United fail to cull their Thanksgiving Turkeys as Bayern out play the Maccabees

Manchester United suffered their first home loss in the Champions League since 2005 as their lightweight squad were out fought by a determined Besiktas side, Tello's first half strike proing enough in the 1-0 defeat. United started with the youngsters Macheda and Welbeck upfront, but still had plenty of experienced players in the team, including Neville, Brown, and Vidic. Obertan was the most impressive performer for the home side, and looks to be building in confidence and ability with every outing. The goal when it came took a deflection of Brazilian youngster Rafael, and it would be a little harsh to expect better of the United No.1's heir apparent Ben Foster. As the second half wore on - and with a subdued Old Trafford crowd becoming restless - Evra, Carrick, and Owen were brought on to prevent an undignified defeat. United in truth deserved an equaliser, and were only denied by a number of fantastic saves by Turkish keeper Rustu. The visitors will leave with much pride in their victory, in what will surely be the highlight of their European campaign. Manchester United will be frustrated that they did not put forward enough to keep hold of their impressive home run.
The early kick off in Group B saw CSKA Moscow defeat Wolfsburg 2-1, leaving the two clubs tied on points in second.

Results in Group A went just the way Bayern Munich needed: their tame 1-0 victory at Maccabi Haifa and Bordeaux's impressive 2-0 victory over Juventus leaving just a point between the Italians and the Germans. If there was a Munich Putsch in the planning, it will surely be delayed to give Van Gaal the chance to knock on the Old Lady's door.

In group C Higuain scored the only goal against FC Zurich to ensure Real Madrid's qualification, whilst Marseille earned a 1-1 draw in Milan to keep themselves in the running for the next round.

Group D leaders Chelsea ground out a 1-0 win at home to Porto to ensure top spot; and Athletico Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw at Apoel Nicosia leaving the fight for third spot open.

Bored? Oh, Juventus are playing

The later rounds of the Champions League group stage are notorious for having more dead rubbers than the clean up in a nightclub after Robinho vists, but tonight - as last night - there are still key matches to be played.

Of most significance is Group A, where Bayern Munich's third place position with a mere four points is surprising only to people unfamiliar with the Bundelsiga. With former Manchester United defender Laurent Blanc's clinical Bordeaux side all but qualified, Italian giants Juventus need only two more points to be sure of their place in the next round. Bayern's only chance is to win at Maccabi Haifai tonight, hope Juventus fail to win in France, thereby setting up a winner takes all clash in Turin in December.

In group B Wolfsburg will qualify with a win away at CSKA Moscow, but the Russians will not roll over as they still habour hopes of joining Manchester United in the knockout stage.

Real Madrid will almost certainly wrap up their qualification with a win at home to FC Zurich,particularly as a certain Portugese player may mark his return from curse induced injury. A resurgent AC Milan side will have no excuses if they fail to do the same when they host Marseille at the San Siro.

The only task left for Porto and Chelsea is to decide amongst themselves the top two places in Group D; whilst Athletico Madrid will look to breathe some life into their thoroughly disappointing season by ensuring passage into the Europa League with a win against Apoel Nicosia in Cyprus.

Pure Ownage (Athletico Bilbao fan vs Steward)

Enough said really.

The Depression in Debrecen

If Liverpool fans can be grateful, it's that their fate was not strung out further. Their bold attempt to qualify for the knock out stages of the Champions League with a 1-0 victory at Debrecen, was immediately rendered void as Fiorentina won by the same scoreline at home to Lyon. The Liverpool players had gathered in the tunnel to see the result in Italy come through; if any of them had considered Eastern Hungary a far flung destination for a football match, the ties that lie ahead in the Europa League will put that view firmly in perspective. Had the result in Italy gone another way, Liverpool would have been left with a further two weeks of angst, hope, and injury reports. As it is, both the club and the fans have time to act, if they can, to stop the club falling further.

Fiorentina and Lyon both throughly deserve their places in the last sixteen; the only threat that Liverpool were able to provide in this seasons campaign was over column inches. A team by any other name would have been largely ignored, with full plaudits going to the French and Italians. Inevitably most of the post- match talk will be of Liverpool's failings, but it may prove wiser to look at the threat that these two clubs will provide in the later stages. Both sides have strong attacks, and Fiorentina - particularly their French goalkeeper Frey - showed their determination by hanging on tonight. If they continue to act on their potential, then Liverpool may not be the only past masters to fall by the way side.

Barca hit Inter for 2 though Kazan still Rubin it in

Barcelona put a damper on Italian football tonight as the Spanish giants slotted two past a lack lustre Milan - former red Gerarrd Pique making his presence at the far post to fire into the back of the Inter goal. Barca struck again later on in the first half with the magical Iniesta and Dani Alves combining leading to Pedro Rodriguez screaming home a second. After the break Milan never really looked like getting back into the game and the Italians will be dissapointed with what could of been a potentially strong display of intent in European competition.
Else where in Europe, Rubin Kazan maintained their impressive champions league form with a clean sheet at home to Dynamo Keiv. The home side will feel greatly unlucky however that Alejandro Dominguez’s scorcher of an overhead volley didnt find the net, producing a phenomenal save from the Kiev Keeper (See Video). Rubin still stay on course however for possible qualification, now sitting equal on points with Inter Milan and defying odds just by having points in the group.

Wrapping up an eventful night, The Emirates saw the Gooners fire two past Standard Leige and unlike Liverpool, look certain to qualify to the next round. Wengers team sitting pretty on top of Group H, leaving only Olympiakos in their wake 5 points behind. Rangers continued to show how the standards of Scottish football are absolutely shocking, losing to Stuttgart 2-0 in a match that was always going against the Scottish 'champions'.

Liverpool Go Hungary as Fiorentina Prepare for a Feast à la Lyonnaise

Tonight's Champions League games could see one of the Europe's most prestigious and loved clubs bow out at an uncharacteristically early stage. Much more likely than Barcelona exiting however is a further increase to Liverpool's woe. The Merseysiders will be relying on the game in Italy to go in their favour; an Italian Job in an even more precarious situation than Michal Caine's bus.

If the Champions League isn't exciting enough for you, then perhaps the news that Portsmouth have sacked manager Paul Hart will set you off. If Benitez leaves Liverpool soon, could a Hart be just what the distraught fans need? Or would even he be too deer for the financially turbulent club?


Full round up of all of tonight's interesting games will follow the final whistles.

Barcelona v Inter Milan
Debrecen v Liverpool
Fiorentina v Lyon,
Rubin Kazan v Dynamo Kiev

The other reds feel the blues

Manchester City and Liverpool had both been tipped by some as potential title challengers this season, but in the early kick off at Anfield they both showed their limitations as they held each other to a 2-2 draw. The first half was largely forgetful, apart from an impressive save from Given to keep out Gerrard's header; the Irish number one not looking troubled by the events in Paris. Defensive errors and lapses in concentration were the themes of the second half, as City scored twice after Skrtel had struck for the home side, but let Benayoun equalise not long after. The solitary point does nothing much for either sides' confidence or attempt to climb the table.

In the North East Arsenal were the latest team to be frustrated by the Black Cats, as Sunderland put in an impressive performance to beat the much admired Londoners 1-0. Darren Bent's strike proved enough as Arsenal struggled to break down a determined Sunderland side. Whilst Wenger's team have approached many games with their picturesque take on the beautiful game, their tendency to struggle playing away at more robust clubs - which has been their downfall in previous seasons - appears to not have been rectified.