Champions League round-up

Chelsea clinch top spot, but United made to wait

Last updated: 26th November 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Champions League round-up
Click below for individual match reports and stats
Group A
Bayern Munich 1 Maccabi Haifa 0
Bordeaux 2 Juventus 0
Group B
CSKA Moscow 2 Wolfsburg 1
Manchester United 0 Besiktas 1
Group C
AC Milan 1 Marseille 1
Real Madrid 1 FC Zurich 0
Group D
Apoel Nicosia 1 Atletico Madrid 1
Porto 0 Chelsea 1

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Manchester United's long unbeaten record at Old Trafford in the UEFA Champions League was ended by Besiktas as Chelsea clinched top spot in Group D.

A first-half goal from Rodrigo Tello earned Besiktas the points as United lost for the first time in 24 European matches on home soil.

There were no such problems for Chelsea, though, as Nicolas Anelka's second-half goal saw off Porto to confirm Carlo Ancelotti's side as group winners.

Real Madrid are in a strong position to qualify from Group C, while Bayern Munich are back in the race in Group A after beating Maccabi Haifa and seeing Juventus lose at group winners Bordeaux.

Sir Alex Ferguson's United understudies failed to enhance their claims for more first-team action following a 1-0 home defeat by bottom-of-the-group Besiktas.

Besiktas made the breakthrough on 20 minutes when Tello was afforded too much time and space 25 yards from goal and his curling effort nicked off Rafael da Silva and beyond Ben Foster.

The Turkish side could even have gone in at half-time two goals to the good only for Michael Fink's side-footed effort to clip the outside of the post.

United struggled to create chances throughout the game and had a late penalty shout dismissed after substitute Patrice Evra appeared to be obstructed by Ibrahim Kas.

Federico Macheda and Wes Brown both saw headers superbly saved by Rustu Recber in the dying moments as United slipped to a rare home defeat to mean they are not yet certain of top spot.

Wolfsburg blew the chance to secure qualification for the last 16 after CSKA Moscow came from behind to win 2-1 in the Russian capital.

Needing just a point to join United in the next round, Wolfsburg took the lead on 19 minutes when Edin Dzeko blasted home after being played in by Obafemi Martins.

CSKA had been the dominant team and deservedly equalised in the 58th minute when Tomas Necid rose to head home Evgeny Aldonin's cross.

The hosts grabbed the winning goal on 66 minutes through Milos Krasic's stunning long-range drive which leaves CSKA level on points with Wolfsburg with one game remaining.

Chelsea clinched top spot in Group D as Anelka's second-half header secured a 1-0 success away to Porto.

The 2004 champions came closest to scoring in the first half when Fernando Belluschi's fearsome drive struck Petr Cech's crossbar.

It proved to be Chelsea who eventually nosed ahead on 69 minutes when Anelka stooped to head home Florent Malouda's cross into the six-yard box.

Atletico Madrid came from behind to draw 1-1 away with Apoel Nicosia to leave the Spaniards in pole position to take the Europa League place.

In a lively opening, Apoel took the lead after just five minutes when Nektarios Alexandrou's low cross found Nenad Mirosavljevic unmarked to tuck the ball beyond Sergio Asenjo.

Atletico equalised on 62 minutes when Apoel keeper Dionissis Chiotis punched Sergio Aguero's cross straight to Simao Sabrosa and his shot just beat a home defender on the line.

Cristiano Ronaldo returned from injury as Real Madrid overcame FC Zurich 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to go top of Group C.

Real went ahead in the 21st minute when Kaka's neat pass sent Gonzalo Higuain into the penalty area and he drilled a low shot inside the post.

With 20 minutes to go, the world's most expensive player Ronaldo made his comeback from nearly two months out with an ankle injury by replacing Raul.

Marseille came from behind to stay in the hunt for a place in the next round after a 1-1 draw with AC Milan in the San Siro.

Milan were in front after just 10 minutes when Marco Borriello beat Gabriel Heinze before slipping the ball past Marseille keeper Steve Mandanda.

Marseille took just six minutes to draw level, though, as Dida could only parry Mamadou Niang's cross into the path of Lucho Gonzalez to score.

Bordeaux wrapped up top spot in Group A after a 2-0 home win over Juventus left the Italian giants sweating on their place in the knockout phase.

The French champions edged ahead on 54 minutes as Jaroslav Plasil's free-kick from the left flank was glanced past Gianluigi Buffon by Fernando Menegazzo.

Laurent Blanc's side made certain of the points in stoppage-time when Marouane Chamakh headed home Wendel's corner from the right.

Bayern Munich boosted their prospects of making it through to the last 16 after a scrappy 1-0 success over Maccabi Haifa at the Allianz Arena.

Bayern toiled before making the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when Ivica Olic was on hand to slot home the rebound after Mario Gomez's shot from the edge of the area had been parried.

Louis van Gaal's side are now one point behind Juventus with the two rivals to meet in Turin in a fortnight's time.