By JOHN BOSCHINI
Chelsea turned in an epic first-half performance as Andre Villas-Boas remains unbeaten in UEFA Champions League play with his new club.
Chelsea demolished tiny Racing Genk 5-0 at Stamford Bridge with four goals coming in the first half. More encouraging for the Blues is the regained form of Fernando Torres, who notched a double within the first 30 minutes.
Raul Meireles opened the scoring in the eight minute with a long-distance strike that left Laszlo Koteles flat-footed. Torres took advantage of some lazy defending from Genk with a low finish in the 11th minute before completing his brace before the half-hour mark with a well placed header. Even the defenders got in on the scoring action as Branislav Ivanovic made it four just before halftime.
Salomon Kalou completed the rout in the second half as Chelsea took their foot off the gas.
In other Champions League action:
ARSENAL 1, MARSEILLE 0
Aaron Ramsey scored in the 90th minute to give Arsenal a surprising win in France. Arsene Wenger set his side up looking for a draw for much of the second half but some atrocious defending from Marseille allowed Ramsey to jump on the end of Djouro’s cross and smash it into the back of the net with a low shot. Marseille ended the game with more yellow cards, three, than shots on target, two. Arsenal are unbeaten in Group F play and top the group with seven points.
AC MILAN 2, BATE BORISOV 0
AC Milan cruised to victory over Bate Borisov courtesy of goals from Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng. The Italian side had the majority of possession and the lion-share of chances and the win keeps them level with Barcelona at the top of Group H.
BAYER LEVERKUSEN 2, VALENCIA 1
Bayern Leverkusen keeps their runner-up position in Group E after a comeback victory over Valencia. Jonas put Valencia ahead in the 23rd minute but second-half goals from Andre Schurrle and Sidney Sam turned the result around for the home side.
OLYMPIAKOS 3, BORUSSIA DORTMUND 1
The defending German champions were dealt another blow to their qualification hopes with a 3-1 loss in Greece. Jose Holebas opened the scoring for the home side within the first 10 minutes before Robert Lewandowski equalized for Dortmund in the 25th minute. Rafik Djebbour put Olympiakos up before halftime and Francois Modesto added an insurance goal with 13 minutes to go.
FC PORTO 1, APOEL NICOSIA 1
Apoel Nicosia continued their surprising Champions League run with an impressive 1-1 draw with FC Porto. Hulk opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a well-taken free kick but the visitors were equal within six minutes courtesy of Ailton Nicosia’s shot from distance. The Cyprus champions held out for the rest of the game, weathering Porto’s 25 shots. The scrappy defending obviously affected Porto, which picked up eight yellow cards.
SHAKHTAR DONETSK 2, ZENIT ST. PETERSBURG 2
Willian and Luiz Adriano scored for Shakhtar Donetsk while Roman Shirokov and Viktor Faizulin scored for St. Petersburg.
BARCELONA 2, VIKTORIA PLZEN 0
The defending champions coasted to an easy victory over a Viktoira Plzen side that couldn't manage a single shot. Andres Iniesta scored in the 10th minute and David Villa added an insurance goal in the 82nd minute to make the win official. Barcelona had 77% possession and are top of Group H based on goal difference.
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What did you think of today's results? Impressed with Chelsea? Could Arsenal be a contender? Is Borussia Dortmund in trouble?
Share your thoughts below.
Great to see Ramsey playing well, esp. after the Shawcross incident. I hope the Gunners play deep into the CL this year, since it’s unlikely they’ll be there next year.
As an Arsenal fan I will take results however I can get them right now. Arshavin is in such poor form currently it is unreal
Good on Chelsea, Torres rediscoveringt the form which made his pricetag so expensive. Chelsea, Man U, and Citeh are the 3 challengers for the title this season in the Premier League.