Champions League best of
By Andrew Scurr Last updated: 4th October 2007
Cole: Class
1) McGregor (Rangers)
2) McManus (Celtic)
3) Toure (Arsenal)
4) Fernandinho (Shakhtar)
5) Terry (Chelsea)
6) De Rossi (Roma)
7) Cole (Chelsea)
8) Rooney (Manchester United)
9) Ibrahimovic (Internazionale)
10) Kanoute (Sevilla)
11) Alex (Fenerbahce)
Also see
Game of the Week
Lyon 0 Rangers 3Celtic's last-gasp victory over Milan, Olympiakos' first away win in the Champions League against Werder Bremen and Chelsea's success in Valencia were all options but Rangers' very impressive win at the Stade de Gerland comes out on top. Lyon, and Juninho in particular, regularly threatened but goals from Lee McCulloch, Daniel Cousin and DaMarcus Beasley gave Walter Smith's side the three points.
Player of the Week
Joe ColeJohn Terry, playing in a protective mask after suffering a broken cheekbone at the weekend, inspired Chelsea to victory in Valencia but the star of the show was Cole. The England midfielder scored The Blues' equaliser, getting the final touch on Malouda's cross despite suggestions otherwise, before setting up Didier Drogba's winner with a magnificent ball.
Goal of the Week
Mathieu ValbuenaLiverpool went down to defeat against Marseille at Anfield with Valbuena curling home the only goal of the game from 20 yards. Mohamed Sissoko was robbed in possession and the highly impressive Valbuena fired in off the angle of bar and post, leaving Jose Reina with absolutely no chance of saving the shot.
Save of the Week
Manuel NeuerSchalke almost found themselves behind inside the opening ten minutes against Rosenborg but Neuer ensured there would be no comical own goal. Heiko Westermann's attempted header back to Neuer went over the keeper, who had to race back to push the ball onto the post to prevent it going in.
Pass of the Week
Joe ColeCole claims his second accolade for the brilliant ball which created Chelsea's winning goal in the 71st minute. The former West Ham man picked up the ball inside his own half and played a perfect 50-yard pass with the outside of his foot into the path of a chasing Drogba, who got away from his marker and made no mistake with the finish.
Miss of the Week
Ricardo QuaresmaQuaresma may have grabbed the last-gasp winner against Besiktas but he missed an absolute sitter in the 63rd minute. The Porto playmaker side-footed wide when completely unmarked on the edge of the six-yard box after Lisandro Lopez and Lucho Gonzalez had combined to put the chance on a plate.
Oscar of the Week
DidaAlthough we cannot condone the actions of the Celtic fan who ran onto the pitch following his side's late winner, Dida's reaction to being brushed by the supporter's hand was comical. Initially the Brazilian goalkeeper began to chase the fan before collapsing in a heap a few steps later and eventually being carried off on a stretcher with an ice pack against his face.
Performance of the Week
Celtic and RangersIt's hard to choose one over the other so the two SPL sides take the award jointly. Rangers continued Scottish football's success in France by producing an amazing 3-0 result against Lyon on Tuesday, before Celtic defeated European champions Milan 2-1 at Parkhead on Wednesday, thanks to Scott McDonald's late winner.
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Comments
Ellen Wallace (Rangers fan) says...
What a great week for Scottish football with wins for Rangers and Celtic and a draw for Aberdeen. I don't condone the action of the Celtic fan who ran on the pitch but what a diddy Dida is.
Posted 14:38 5th October 2007
Jas Al (Arsenal fan) says...
i think arsenal put in tremendous effort with all the youngsters theyve got. and van persie what a player. he scored in the top corner cant get better than that. it was a really good pass from probably player of the month adebayor!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 11:11 5th October 2007
Sean Morgan says...
come on the hoops! well what a win talk about rangers!!! celtic piled on the pressure in the first few minutes aswell as towards the end. Celtic deserved there famous win!!! Bring on Benfica!!!
Posted 10:56 5th October 2007
Stuart Cameron (Rangers fan) says...
Great week for Scottish football. Not a mickey mouse league as suggested in some quarters. Dida would not look out of place in a silent movie great slapstick comic moment
Posted 10:08 5th October 2007
Otobo Ejovboke (Chelsea fan) says...
For those who believe Chelsea's finished...watch ur backs!!! Valencia never expected what they got....HMMM...Joe Cole was rightly picked as the Player of the Week,though it took a long time coming....2 all blue blooded Chelsea Fans out there
Posted 10:05 5th October 2007
Larry Dunn says...
Dida's conduct was truly embarrassing, for him that is. It seems to me that the world over, athletes have to watch their backs for all the nutjobs out there who somehow think they should be in the spotlight. How could Dida not see that guy coming? If I were him, I would have flattened that jerk. At the very least, he wouldn't have had the chance to put a hand on me, especially around my face and throat. Celtic club officials, scared as they are about possible UEFA sanctions, are going on about how the contact was minimal, but of course that doesn't come close to the point of this issue. The club should face a fine for its inability to control its home crowd, but since in spite of himself Dida doesn't seem to be hurt, that should be all. However, if that imbecile had been carrying an icepick or a razor, minimal contact would have been all that was needed for a truly horrendous result.
Posted 01:59 5th October 2007
Tim Carr says...
As a Celtic fan who has recently moved to Aus I'm delighted that Scott McDonald is banging them in for the Bhoys. His goal and the result against Milan made my week. However, Celtic really have to get to grips with security at Celtic Park before UEFA hammer the club. As a fan of some 30 years I well remember Celtic being forced to replay a Cup Winners Cup tie against Rapid Vienna down at Old Trafford after a Vienna player was struck by a bottle thrown from the "Jungle". Ban the idiot who ran on to the park for life, but by the same token some action must be taken nagainst Dida for his blatant "simulation" or as it's known in laymans terms....bloody play acting. It was so blatant it made the national news over here in Aus!!
Posted 00:52 5th October 2007
Robert Mitchell says...
I heard the mupett show is coming back and Dida will be performing!!!
Posted 23:18 4th October 2007
John Dempster says...
Dida or divo as we call him should be taught a lesson and banned from football for a long time. i do not condone the behavior or actions of the Celtic fan but what divo did was dispicable and down right cheating, in my opinion to con Uefa into some serious action against Celtic. yes the club should be punnished but divo should be shot
Posted 20:58 4th October 2007
Owen Rowe (Chelsea fan) says...
Great performance by Robert 'DIDA'nero. Funniest piece of slapstick i've ever seen. What a plank!!!
Posted 18:14 4th October 2007
Steve Xavier (Manchester United fan) says...
I thought Rooney's goal was different class. Not just the finish, but the build up of Carrick, the run of Rooney and the pass from Nani
Posted 17:13 4th October 2007
Steve Macharia says...
What about Nani? He was consistant all through against roma and if my memory serves he assisted the goal. Steve from Kenya
Posted 15:29 4th October 2007
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