UEFA Cup News

UEFA Cup News

Liverpool have fallen a long way if they can find consolation in winning a second rate cup tie

As the strains of You’ll Never Walk Alone filtered from the tannoy prior to kick-off, Ian St John, hands deep in pockets, sang along quietly. To most devoted Liverpool followers, it comes naturally.

Last night, however, was not an occasion about which St John or any other supporter could feel overly proud. No, this was a night from which lessons had to be learned.

This, the Europa League, was a place which Liverpool must vow never to visit again.
St John never won the European Cup, of course. For him, back in the Sixties and Seventies, the UEFA Cup was a competition very much worth winning.

Basle 2 - 3 Fulham

Fulham withstood a second-half comeback to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League with victory over Basle.

The superb Bobby Zamora met Bjorn Helge Riise's cross with an assured finish to open the scoring.

Zamora doubled the lead by heading in another Riise centre but, after the break, Alexander Frei pulled one back from spot after Chris Smalling handled.

Celtic 2 - 0 Hapoel Tel-Aviv

Celtic exited the Europa League despite Tony Mowbray's side overcoming Hapoel Tel-Aviv in Glasgow to record their first win in Group C.

The Israelis, beaten by goals from Georgios Samaras and Barry Robson, progressed along with Hamburg after the Germans' 2-0 win over Rapid Vienna.

Samaras pounced to head home after 22 minutes from an Aiden McGeady cross as Celtic dominated the first half.

Robson curled in a free-kick after 68 minutes in a more even second period.

It was no more than a consolation played out in front of a half full Celtic Park that was more subdued than on most European occasions as Hamburg and Hapoel were left to slug it out for the top spot in the final game in Israel.

Moyes savours European win

David Moyes was proud of his players following the 1-0 victory over AEK Athens but voiced concern over injuries to Dan Gosling and Sylvain Distin.

Everton booked their place in the last 32 of the Europa League after holding on to an early lead given to them by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov.

They had to battle the weather as well as their opponents, with torrential rain in the Greek capital making the pitch extremely difficult to play on.

Moyes said: "I was pleased, especially with the outcome of the game. The early goal helped us.

"The young players who came in did really well tonight and I'm delighted with them.

"It's very important to have qualified with a game to spare as it gives us a week where we don't need to be too intense with the squad.

"I think the conditions did play a part. It was an energy-sapping pitch.

"It was like back to the old days. I would have enjoyed it in my playing days but I don't know how some of the players felt about the conditions out there."

AEK Athens 0 - 1 Everton

Diniyar Bilyaletdinov proved the match-winner as Everton overcame a host of injury problems and a sodden pitch to reach the last 32 of the Europa League.

Heavy rain ensured awful conditions, which played their part in injuries to Dan Gosling, Sylvain Distin and Jo.

But the Toffees pressed on, aided by Bilyaletdinov's emphatic early finish after being set up by Jo's lay-off.

And that proved enough, despite Youssef Hersi clipping the post in a late AEK flurry, to see the Toffees through.