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So the first legs are done and dusted, and what do we know now that we didn't 3 days ago? Well, nothing it turns out. 

Following a gluttony of goals and classic games including 4-4 draws, 5-2 comeback victories and 40 yard thunderbolts, this weeks semi-final first legs were anticipated that little bit more. So, as is the way of the football gods, it was only right that there be just one goal in 180 minutes of football from four of the most attacking teams in Europe, and that from a defender.

In all fairness, it wasn't for the lack of trying. Both home sides attacked in both numbers and with pace in both ties, and while Chelsea's durability and success in shutting down Lionel Messi is to be commended, Arsenal owe the fact they can still reach Rome to their goalkeeper, and lady luck.

Chelsea hassled, harried and generally bothered anyone in a Barcelona shirt, and while they might have picked up a few more bookings for their troubles than they did, the policy was largely firm but fair. The Londoners may have threatened rarely, but did a good enough job on Eto'o, Henry and Messi to suggest they may be able to repeat the feat next week, and go one better.

Fans and critics alike have struggled to come up with superlatives for Barcelona and Messi's mesmerising football at times this season, but unlike others before them, Guus Hiddink and Chelsea came to shut them down, and not watch them play.

They will go into their second leg at home in buoyant spirits having become the first team to leave the Nou Camp with a clean sheet this season. Advantage Chelsea, but only just.

As for Arsenal, Manuel Almunia was the one bright spot on a dreary night for them. Rarely are big name goalkeepers simply replaced by their number two, but last night Almunia announced himself as a world-class goalkeeper in his own right. Without him, Arsenal could have been looking at a similar scoreline to the 4-0 thumping which dumped them out of last year's FA Cup at Old Trafford.

Wenger may have exuded confidence in turning the result around next week in the post-match press conference, but his demeanour was in stark contrast to the performance of his team. If they perform in a similar manner next week, their barren run will continue, and questions will appear regarding Wenger's own future.

However, Wenger is a remarkable manager and to count Arsenal out of it would be to do him and his naturally gifted footballing side an injustice. Yes, they were beaten last night, and comfortably. Indeed, Manchester United will be rightly favourites to progress, given both their lead and experience, but Wenger had a twinkle in his eye last night, one which will be nagging in the back of Alex Ferguson's mind until next Tuesday.

Ferguson spoke ahead of the game of the paramount importance of a clean sheet, and will no doubt be delighted with that aspect of his side's performance, given the fact Edwin Van der Sar was reduced to a spectator for the most part. However, John O'Shea's close range strike was scant reward for a performance as good as anything United have produced this season, and Ferguson knows it.

An advantage they hold, but just like Chelsea's advantage, it's a small one. As all three British teams know full well from recent weeks, leads be they one, two or three goal, at home or away, can be erased all too quickly in football. It promises to be two special nights.

So another weekend of non-stop sporting action is over. It seems like hyperbole to say that sport never stops amazing it's fans, but as ever, it is simply true.

This weekend saw another topsy turvy set of results for the Premiership. Blackburn eased their troubles with a routine 2-0 win over Wigan, and as forecast by this site 2 weeks after Sam Allardyce took over, they look like they will scrap their way to safety.

Sunderland on the other hand lurch from crisis to crisis, attempting to help Newcastle and Middlesbrough in their quest to rid the Premier League of it's North East influence. Their 3-0 capitulation against West Brom could not have come at a worse time, and indeed gives the Baggies belief that they could once again pull off the great escape, as they did in 2005.

At the top end, Manchester United were staring down the proverbial barrel, only to blast Tottenham Hotspur away with 4 goals in 14 second half minutes. While the penalty decision was a strange decision for England's best referee to make, there was an ominous feeling about the way Manchester United started the second half and as soon as the first goal went in, others were sure to follow.

Boxing highlights saw Carl Froch pull off an incredible comeback victory against Jermain Taylor, stopping the American with 14 seconds of the fight to go. Having picked himself up off the canvas for the first time in his career, he showed similar spirit to that of Calzaghe in his final two fights on American soil, and Froch was quick to call Calzaghe out of his 'armchair' after the fight. Calzaghe will no doubt have been impressed by Froch's performance, but in all reality is unlikely to risk the unbeaten record he takes so much pride in.

Formula One continues to impress too, with the BBC coverage and Jenson Button getting better by the week. His victory at the weekend was easily his best of the season yet, as he took the chequered flag and an 11 point lead in the Championship from 4th on the grid. His transformation from dole queue to World Championship contender must rank amongst the greatest turnarounds in the history of the sport.

So what does this week have in store? Topping the bill is two mouth-watering Champions League semi-finals, as Chelsea take on Barcelona on Tuesday night, and then Manchester United and Arsenal do battle on Wednesday. Two pulsating ties in prospect, and with the attacking line-ups on show, goals guaranteed (cue two 0-0 results). Have a cheeky bet on a repeat of the 2006 Final, with Arsenal and Barcelona looking the more relaxed of the four sides left.

Manchester United's heroics at the weekend mean a third consecutive Premier League title is within sight, but they have looked jittery at the back for some time now. Given the style and verve with which Arsenal beat Middlesbrough too, United are going to need to be back on the sort of form which saw them take the clean sheet record earlier this season.

Outside of actual sport, Ryan Giggs took home the PFA Player of the Year award, as predicted here too. Despite making just 12 league starts, Giggs takes the award as recognition for his long service to Manchester United and the Premier League, and in the absence of any other outstanding candidate was deserving of it too.

His nomination can be put down to one man aside from himself, and one he was quick to thank in his receipt of the award - Sir Alex Ferguson. Giggs came from nowhere to claim the prize, and that his candidature came about was only after Sir Alex put the idea in everyone's head in an interview back in January. The Scot certainly knows how to flex his muscles, and his team selection on Wednesday will say much about whether he considers Giggs to really be the Player of the Year. 

We await with baited breath...

Barack Obama threw his weight behind the USA's campaign to host a World Cup this week. The president has formally written to FIFA President Sepp Blatter to “signal” his country's intention to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

The letter is designed to generate political goodwill, nothing more. It shows the world that the USA has more about it than fighting terrorism and debt, and it shows to the American people themselves, that the President cares about the same everyday, mundane things that average Americans care about.

A fan of the MLS itself or not, the fact remains that any global event hosted in the United States will be well put together, and that will be one of the driving factors behind any decision to select a World Cup host. The three front-runners are of course the USA, England and Australia, three countries accustomed to hosting global events.

Obama's letter makes no difference to FIFA’s decision at all, but the fact he wrote and sent the letter, shows just how serious the USA are about hosting the event. One can hardly imagine a letter from Gordon Brown to be such a newsworthy event. The USA are using every trick in the book.

Extracts from Barack’s letter, courtesy of theGuardian newspaper:

“As a child, I played soccer on a dirt road in Jakarta, and the game brought the children of my neighbourhood together. As a father, I saw that same spirit of unity alive on the fields and sidelines of my own daughters’ soccer games in Chicago.”

and…

“Soccer is truly the world’s sport, and the World Cup promotes camaraderie and friendly competition across the globe. That is why this bid is about much more than a game. It is about the United States of America inviting the world to gather all across our great country in celebration of our common hopes and dreams.”

While the sentimental element to the letter may look a little 'teacher's pet'-esque, rest assured it is a calculated move. It may not be taken into account, but it is in all those little things that decisions like FIFA's will be won and lost upon, especially against other seasoned campaigners.

The MLS' repuatation may have taken a battering in 'Beckhamgate', but securing a World Cup would certainly do football or 'soccer' in the USA the world of good.

FIFA will make their decision in December 2010, and you can guarantee the USA will be pulling out all the stops between now and then.

What is it about Liverpool that conjours up such great drama on the biggest occasions? Their 4-4 draw with Chelsea is by no means alone, and so this is in honour of their greatest matches in recent memory, which have provided even the most partisan neutral with nailbiting drama, here goes....

1. Liverpool 4-3 Newcastle United 1996 (and not forgetting the corresponding fixture the next season produced the same scoreline)

2. Liverpool 5-4 Alaves - 2001 UEFA Cup Final

3. AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Final 2005

4. Liverpool 3-3 West Ham - FA Cup Final 2006

5. Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea - Champions League Quarter Final First leg

As a two-legged tie it had everything. Swinging this way and that, Liverpool and Chelsea played out two legs of footballing theatre, either of which could have graced the finest stage.

What surprises me more than anything, is that people were surprised. Everyone turned up for Chelsea's procession to a semi-final showdown with FC Barcelona. But this is a Liverpool side drenched in heart, spirit and courage, and each time any of those qualities have been challenged, they have responded accordingly.

They are rightly and openly criticised for their inability to beat limited opponents at home and away, but their big match pedigree is without rival in recent seasons, and for that, they are ranked as UEFA's top club, based on Champions League performances in the last 5 years.

While Chelsea should be rightly commended for a performance that was the epitome of their astute and brave manager Guus Hiddink, it's difficult not to feel sorry for Liverpool. Having gone two goals to the good within the first 30 minutes, it looked like Chelsea were to go by the same sword as Olympiakos, AC Milan, West Ham.

But back Chelsea came, as is the way under caretaker manager Guus Hiddink with three unanswered goals which seemed to put Chelsea once more in the semi-final. Liverpool were written off again, and as is their way in Europe, 2 goals in as many minutes, looked like they might once again steal the last four spot from under the noses of their Premier League rivals.

It was left up to Frank Lampard in the end, to once and for all put the final nail in Liverpool's coffin for the what seemed like the umpteenth time over the two legs. 12 goals and mesmirising, unrivalled drama. What an advert for the Premier League.

So what lies in store for the two sides in the aftermath of such a game?

For Liverpool, their sights will firmly be set on the ultimate domestic prize, and they'll surely be praying that Manchester United follow Chelsea into the semi-finals. If that is to be the way of it, with Manchester United juggling three competitions, Liverpool will feel they'll have a great chance of securing their 19th league title, even if it means Mancunian success in the other competitions.

Chelsea will surely fix their eyes on the ultimate prize they were a spot-kick from last May. While Premier League hopes linger, to expect both Manchester United and Liverpool to slip up is simply asking too much, and with a mouth-watering semi-final against FC Barcelona to come, they have much more pressing matters.

With Hiddink in the dugout they are a side transformed from the one that limped off following defeats away to Manchester United (3-0) and Liverpool (2-0). The Dutchman once again proved his tactical acumen in the second leg, not hesitating to withdraw the ineffectual Kalou for Anelka, who grabbed two assists and helped turn the game Chelsea's way.

The full psychological effect that such a game will have on Liverpool will only be revealed in the coming weeks of course. To lose having looked like they might do the impossible against Chelsea may be a metaphor to be applied to their Premier League bid, but all that is to come.

But if the Premier League title race has half the twists and turns that this spellbinding tie did, football fans everywhere can brace themselves for a belter.

London hosting the 2012 Olympics has long since been a news topic worthy of front page headlines. And whilst the spiralling costs and the like ensure it is a much maligned project at the moment, there is no doubt that London is worthy of such an event.

The same year of course, Ukraine and Poland host 'Euro 2012', the European Football Championship. A controversial decision, it was Michel Platini's desire that the tournament be held in Eastern Europe, in order to rekindle the Eastern passion for the sport. Even with that in mind, it was an odd choice, but given recent developments, it has proved to be even more so.

Whilst the Ukranian team put in a performance to be proud of at Wembley last week, albeit in defeat, club football in Ukraine is in turmoil.

Offences such as money laundering, drug dealing and even to the extent of murder are just some of the crimes that are levelled at football club owners in Ukraine. When the Soviet Union broke up, football clubs were seen as lucrative prospects to criminals. The clubs enjoy tax breaks on alcohol and tobacco and provide seemingly perfect cover for money laundering and extortion.

One unnamed prominent club's owner is indeed said to be a head of one such criminal gang, but as he is yet to be prosecuted, nothing can be published about it.

Despite much of the corruption being covered up, however, the situation is improving thanks to Ukranian prosectuors. Two years ago the president of FC Tavriya Simferepol, Premier League club, was sentenced to 7 years in prison for ordering an arson attack and the use of illegal weapons. The same club's commercial manager in in prison awaiting his sentence too.

The BBC reported last week that police said the club was used as the HQ for a criminal gang responsible for murder and kidnapping, but that it is not even considered newsworthy, such is the level of corruption in the game.

Match-fixing is also a big problem. So much so, that for big matches, foreign referees are brought in at the last minute in an attempt to control the situation where possible.

With all this going on in a country in clear economic turmoil follwing the financial crisis, is this country able to host a tournament so large and so prestigious. Stadiums, roads, airports and hotels all need to be built for the event, meaning the liklihood of it actually taking place there becomes smaller by the day.

While Platini's want to spread football throughout Europe, as far and wide as possible may be admirable, the fact remains that the FC Tavriya scandal came to light before Ukraine was chosen, and so UEFA were fully aware of the situation when they selected Ukaine to be hosts.

Rumours of a UEFA contingency plan are just that at present, rumours, but you can bet UEFA will not risk the publicity accusations of corruption and match-fixing in their crown jewel. So whatever problems London 2012 may have, its unlikely a situation akin to Ukraine's will ever rear it's ugly ehad on these shores.

Some big sporting success stories in recent weeks, and so here's a few of them.

First, Federico Macheda announced himself to the world in the most stunning of circumstances, shooting himself into the limelight, and Manchester United back on top of the Premier League.

While Macheda's goal was sublime in it's creation and finish, this goal is perhaps the epitome of calm under pressure. While the goal may not have as much significance as Macheda's injury-time winner, Garfite of Wolfsburg puts his side 5-1 up against a side who have recently humiliated Sporting Lisbon 12-1.

The weekend also saw Andy Murray again confirm his place alongside the very elite of world tennis. Whislt unable to overhaul Novak Djokovic in the rankings, he beats him here in the Final in Miami, taking his record since Wimbledon 2008 to 57 wins and 7 losses, the next best record being that of Rafael Nadal, with 50 wins and 7 losses. He is a man on form.

Then of course last weekend was Grand National weekend, the bill being topped by Mon Mome. A 100/1 outside, winning jockey Liam Treadwell was understandably over the moon. At least he was, until Claire Balding, yes Claire Balding, started having a go at his appearance. The words pot, kettle and black spring to mind.

Not often will you see FC United and Paris Saint-Germain associated with eachother.

After all, one is a club formed as recently as 2005 in the shadow of one of the World, European and Premiership Champions. And while boasting a notable attendance given it's status, plays in Northern Premier League Premier Division, one below Conference North.

The other of course boasts attendances upwards of 40,000, is currently well-placed to end Olympique Lyon's run of 7 consecutive Ligue 1 titles, and boasts Ronaldinho, Youri Djorkaeff and Nicolas Anelka amongst it's alumni.

It doesn't take a genius to work out which is which, but it requires some thought as to the links between the two clubs. Seemingly a football chasm apart, it is in fact their humble beginnings which see the two clubs paths cross. For in fact, FC United could be Paris Saint Germain 30 years ago.

For those who don't know, FC United was born out of frustration Manchester United supporters following Malcolm Glazer's controversial takeover which led to hundreds of supporters briefly defecting from the club. They are affectionately referred to as "The Red Rebels". The way in which the club was formed has attracted attention from all over Europe, with television crews from Holland, France and Germany all tracking the progress of the fledgling club.

Since forming ahead of the 2005/06 season, FC United have won promotion in each of the following campaigns, twice as Champions and once via the play-offs. This puts them in the UniBond League Premier Division, one below Conference North and 6 below the FA Premier League.

FC United is firmly in its infancy at this moment in time, and it's those very beginnings that it shares with Paris Saint-Germain. Whilst the original 'Stade Saint-Germain' was founded in 1904, in search of a place in the upper echelons of the French league, the club merged with Paris FC in 1970, and in their sole season together, they won promotion to the top division.

The success was short-lived. The mayor's office was none too pleased with the unification. It felt Paris FC had sold out, and was none to pleased with supporting a cluv outside of Paris, no matter how near that place maybe. The mayor's intervention saw the club dissolved. Paris FC were to remain in the top division as a professional football club, and it's offspring, Paris Saint-Germain as we know it today, were to trawl the lower leagues.

Relegated to the bottom division of the League, Paris Saint Germain were now an amateur club. Despite the obvious restrictions however, PSG gained consecutive promotions to the top division, with an ironic twist seeing Paris FC, their illustrious neighbours relegated as they won their promotion.

While Paris FC had yet to bottom out, and continued to tumble through the leagues, PSG went from strength to strength, comfortably establsihing itself as the leading club around the French capital. It moved into the newly refurbished Parc des Princes, ironically once the home of Paris FC, and won French Cups in 81/82 and 82/83, putting the icing on the cake with the 1985/86 French league title.

Following that success, fortunes have been up and down. Highlights include a second League title in 1994, 3 Cup successes in the 90s and indeed A European Cup Winners Cup triumph in 1996. The club has not been without it's trials however.  

Recent seasons have seen off-field traumas dramtically effect the on-field performance, and relegation looked certain at points in both 2007 and 2008. Now under the stewardship of Paul le Guen however, the club is once more challenging near the top of the division. 

It's a link for FC United to enjoy. Figures at the club have set some illustrious targets for a club that is just recently formed, and they can certainly take heart from Paris Saint-Germain's rise from the ashes. Whether FC United can replicate PSG's meteroic rise and pass Manchester United on the way is of course another matter.

Given the level of domestic and European success the Manchester club have enjoyed, it's certainly unlikely. But sport has a tendancy to write the most unfeesible of stories. Simply nothing is impossible. FC United, 2020 Premier League Champions? You heard it here first!

Gareth Bale is one of the youngsters Welsh fans and management hope will be able to fire the Dragons into their first major tournament for over 50 years.

Following a £5million plus add-on move to Tottenham, the youngster was an instant it, but injury last season and a place mainly on the bench this season has meant his experience of Premiership football has been limited. He has kept his place in the Welsh squad however, as they face an uphill task to qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Of the must-win clash against the Finns on Saturday he said: "It's a must-win game. We're working hard in training and we hope that will show on the pitch on Saturday. I'm feeling sharp, I've got a couple of reserve games before I came away, so I'm feeling fit."

Bale, like team-mate Chris Gunter, has found first-team opportunities hard to come by, and has been restricted to a string of substitute and reserve appearances. Also carrying the unwanted record of never having won a Premiership match is also a burden the youngster carries around his neck.

"I'm concentrating on my own game, I'm still young. Hopefully I can keep improving, I probably need to work more on my defensive side, as everyone knows I love to attack. There's a group of us who work at it. With Wales, I have more of a licence to go forward."

Bale experienced the highs and lows of international football earlier this season. In the away match against Russia, he won an early penalty with the score at 0-0, before proceeding to miss the same kick. He then put in a stellar performance, capping it with an assist for Joe ledley's equaliser. "I'm not too worried about it, I came back and set up the goal, and would take another one (penalty). I think I'm maturing all the time, I learn from all my experiences and get stronger. I've a lot of ups and downs to come too, and I'll hopefully learn from those as well.

With regards a prospective loan move, an avenue explored by team-mate Chris Gunter in order to get first-team football, Bale showed he was keen to stay at Tottenham. "I'm not too sure. It's quite close to the end of the season, so I'm not too sure, but maybe next season and the end of this season. I've got to keep plugging away."

Wales play Finland tomorrow at the Millenium Stadium (3pm GMT).

Chris Gunter yesterday moved to reassure fans that his long term future lies with the North London club.

Following a £2million move from Cardiff last year, the youngster has found first-team experience increasingly hard to come by, as manager Harry Redknapp sticks by experienced pros in what has, for the large part of the season, been a relegation battle.

Despite being a bit-part player for Spurs however, Gunter is regarded as first-choice right back in the Wales set-up.

“At 19, my career has not ended - it will make me stronger for the experience," Gunter said.

“There are times you do get frustrated, but sometimes I've been on the bench at Tottenham alongside players who have played 200 plus games in the Premier League and they're not happy either. If you settle for not playing you shouldn't really be a player.

"At any club there's only 11 happy players at the end of the week because everyone wants to play but as long as you take a step back and look at the bigger picture [you will] realise the benefit you're getting from Monday to Friday.

"The manager said: ‘Go out and play some games'. You can't do anything but improve with the experience I'll gain. At whatever club you're at you always want to go out and play but I'm realistic. We haven't been as high in the league as we would have liked."

Gunter was also quick to praise team-mate Ledley King, a controversial inclusion in the England squad until yesterday's withdrawl.

"There's not many who could not train all week and then physically can play and get through 90 or 120 minutes in the Carling Cup final. It's remarkable really.

On whether or not there was a feeling of frustration amongst the camp, that King started games despite not training most weeks, Gunter sais "Well he's been at Tottenham so long that he commands that sort of respect, and if he's fit, if he can play, he'll play because it helps the team. We don't see that much of him really.

"He has his own programme with the physios mainly, and he knows his knee, so he does what he can. If he didn't have the knee problem, I think he'd probably be one of the best in the world to be honest with you."

Gunter will be hoping that yesterday's boost regarding injury-prone captain Craig Bellamy is not just false hope too, as the Welsh squad face a do-or-die qualifying round, with first Finland (Saturday) and then Germany (Wednesday) at home.