Champions League

The first mild surprise in the four first-leg quarter-finals happened in Istanbul on Wednesday evening where Fenerbahce turned a 1-0 first-half deficit into a 2-1 victory over English club Chelsea. It was Colin Kazim-Richards, a former player in England, who helped turn around the fortunes of Fener with the equaliser and an attacking style that swept along his team-mates after the interval. But it could have been oh so different for coach Avram Grant’s Chelsea.

In the first 45 minutes, the Blues dictated play, and despite being at home, Fenerbahce paid much too much respect to the, at least on paper, superior team. That may have been due to an own goal in the 13th minute by Deivid. Fener withdrew into their own field of play, something that Chelsea should have capitalised on. But goalkeeper Volkan Demirel made more than a few world class saves, particularly against Didier Drogba, so that the score remained 1-0 up to the interval.

Shortly after the re-start, Fener coach Zico brought on Kazim-Richards who got the equaliser in the 65th minute and energised his team so that they seized control of the match that Chelsea let slip out of their hands.

Fenerbahce were rewarded. 10 minutes from time, Deivid, who had scored the own goal, unleashed a shot from some 30 metres that Chelsea keeper Carlo Cudicini was helpless on. Fenerbahce easily held the advantage from then on. A disappointment for Chelsea but still the Londoners return home with an important away goal for next week’s second leg.

Arsenal, Liverpool can't get beyond a draw

Already in London at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal drew 1-1 against the 2005 European champions, Liverpool.

In an action-packed game, the Gunners grabbed the lead in the 23rd minute. Dutch international Robin van Persie sent a cross from near the corner flag into the penalty box, where Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor headed the ball without the least resistance past goalkeeper Pepe Reina into the Reds’ net. But the Arsenal lead held only three minutes.

After a series of fast, attacking passes, Steven Gerrard let nothing stop him in storming the Arsenal penalty box. Dirk Kuyt stabbed Gerrard’s low cross into the goal for the equaliser. The defences of both sides showed many lapses of concentration in the remaining 20 first-half minutes, but neither Arsenal nor Liverpool could score.

The fast pace continued after the interval with the advantage going slightly to the home side. Alexander Hleb was denied a penalty after apparently being pulled down by goalscorer Kuyt in the 65th minute.

Moments later, a certain Gunner goal from Cesc Fabregas was accidentally blocked by Nicklas Bendtner after the ball had already beaten keeper Reina. In the last 20 minutes, high-percentage chances were lacking and the game ended 1-1. Arsenal and Liverpool play again in London on Saturday in a league match before going to Ansfield next Tuesday for the second leg.