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Thursday Night Clockwatch

Fri 07 Mar, 12:27 AM


  • All times GMT.

    2220: The night's action ends as the full-time whistle blows to confirm Getafe's 2-1 win at Benfica. Rangers are the only British side to have won tonight, with Spurs and Everton losing and Bolton drawing 1-1 with Sporting.

    2205: Pedro Manuel Mantorras pegs one back for Benfica against Getafe. It's 2-1 to the Spanish side now with 14 minutes left on the clock.

    2159: It's also finished in Leverkusen, where the hosts have beaten Hamburg 1-0.

    2159: All over at White Hart Lane and it's finished Spurs 0 PSV 1.

    2154: Hernandez Pablo doubles Getafe's lead at 10-man Benfica. It's 2-0 to the Spaniards now.

    2154: Full-time at the Reebok, where Bolton and Sporting have drawn 1-1. The Portuguese will be favourites to progress there with the away goal.

    2154: Gomes saves from Keane this time as Tottenham press for a leveller.

    2153: Gomes does well to save at his near post from Berbatov to keep PSV 1-0 up.

    2149: PSV have the ball in the Spurs net once again, but it's chalked off for offside. Brave work from the assistant referee to chalk that one off, but he's got it absolutely spot on as Kromkamp was offside when he headed home.

    2147: All over at Ibrox and Rangers have won 2-0, yet there will still be a tinge of regret among the Ibrox faithful after that late chance McCulloch squandered.

    2147: Back at White Hart Lane, O'Hara curls a left-footed free-kick way over the bar.

    2146: Brahim Hemdani goes into the book at Ibrox as they enter two minutes of added time. Rangers leading 2-0, but it really should have been 3-0.

    2144: PSV aren't happy with just a one-goal lead at White Hart Lane - they want more. It's very open, as obviously Spurs are looking for a way through too. Could be an exciting finish.

    2143: Lee McCulloch somehow fails to make it 3-0 to Rangers. After latching onto a poor header from Naldo, he knocks the ball past Wiese but with the net gaping he inexplicably turns around to see if there are any defenders, allowing Naldo to slide in and turn it behind.

    2142: There's finally a goal in the all-German clash as Theofanis Gekas gives Leverkusen the lead against visitors Hamburg. Thirteen minutes left in that one.

    2140: Robinson pulls off a brilliant save to keep the Spurs deficit at 1-0. Farfan's snapshot from just inside the Spurs box was skipping into the bottom corner when the England 'keeper thrust out his right hand to push it away for a corner. Top draer.

    2140: Aaron Lennon powers towards the PSV area and rifles in a shot, but it's way off target. Poor finish from the little winger there.

    2139: Ledley King attempts to rally his Spurs team-mates as Adel Taarabt replaces him.

    2139: All over in Florence, and Everton have lost 2-0 to Fiorentina. In truth, they've got off lightly as they've put in an insipid display and Fiorentina have dominated, with only Tim Howard keeping the score down. Everton must up their game considerably for the second leg. But at 2-0, they'll probably feel they aren't out of it.

    2137: Marseille have beaten Zenit St Petersburg 3-1. That'll make them favourites for the second leg, but the Russians have what could prove to be a valuable away goal.

    2136: At Ibrox, Naldo is shown the game's first yellow card for a late challenge on Kirk Broadfoot.

    2135: All over in the sole SPL game of the night - Dundee United have won 3-0 at Gretna.

    2135: Into added time in Florence - four more minutes to play for Everton. At White Hart Lane, Berbatov is booked for kicking the ball away after being picked up for a foul. Silly.

    2132: Dimitar Berbatov floats a lovely ball into the PSV area to the unmarked Chimbonda but his header sails in the crowd behind the goal. Great chance for Spurs to level.

    2130: Real chance for Fiorentina to make it 3-0 but Santana's curling shot is just wide of the Everton goal. It may not have gone in but it's a worrying sign for Everton - they were caught on the counter-attack and can expect plenty of that in the second leg.

    2129: Simon Vukcevic pulls Sporting level against Bolton at the Reebok. Rangers are flying the flag for the British teams tonight, with none of the other British sides now leading.

    2128: Jenas leaves the field on a stretcher and is replaced by Tom Huddlestone.

    2127: Worrying times for Spurs as Jermaine Jenas goes down with what looks to be an injury to his left ankle. He looks in agony and the stretcher is on.

    2126: Hope for Zenit St Petersburg as Andrei Arshavin nets eight minutes from time. They trail 3-1 in Marseille, but how valuable will that away goal be?

    2125: Everton very much up against it now as Fiorentina take a 2-0 lead with Montolivo rifling home on the volley. Howard is furious - and rightly so. He's been Everton's best player but has been given little support by those in front of him.

    2123: Back in Florence Jagielka goes down clutching his head after a brave clearance under pressure from Pazzini. He's soon back to his feet to get back on with things, though.

    2122: Tottenham still struggling - apart from patches - to find any flow in their play.

    2119: Fiorentina make their final change, with Gobbi replacing goalscorer Kuzmanovic.

    2119: Rangers expose Werder again at the back but Davis sends his header from Ferguson's cross just over the bar.

    2117: Half-time in Benfica, where the home side are down to 10 men and trail 1-0 to Getafe.

    2115: Everton bring Andy Johnson on for Hibbert. Fiorentina respond by bringing Santana on for Osvaldo. At White Hart Lane, Farfan goes into the book.

    2113: Fiorentina take the lead - and it's exactly what they've deserved. Kuzmanovic is the man on target, curling a shot past Howard from distance.

    2112: Fiorentina bring Pazzini on for Vieri.

    2110: Back under way at White Hart Lane, and in Leverkusen.

    2108: Cahill finds the Fiorentina net with a brilliant overhead kick, but sadly for him the offside flag had long gone up. They're back on the field at White Hart Lane, with Spurs bringing Jamie O'Hara on for Gilberto. A shocking first 45 from Gilberto in a Spurs shirt.

    2107: Everton passing the ball much better since Arteta's arrival. They are yet to test Frey, but things look much more promising for them going forward.

    2104: Dundee United look home and hosed - they lead Gretna 3-0 now thanks to David Robertson's 64th-minute strike.

    2103: Rangers double their lead at Ibrox, with Steven Davis the man on target - and it's another error from Wiese as he fails to hold Cousin's effort from 15 yards, allowing Davis to tap home. Ibrox is rocking now.

    2102: Howard pulls off a fine double save to keep the scores level in Florence. First he flings himself to his right to save from Vieri, then to his left to push away a Kuzmanovic shot.

    2100: Djibril Cisse nets his second of the night and Marseille are now leading Zenit St Petersburg 3-0. Still 35 minutes left - can they go on and match Bayern's efforts earlier.

    2059: Everton, looking desperately for a foothold, bring Arteta on for Leon Osman.

    2058: Back in Florence, Dainelli isn't impressed as blood flows from his mouth after catching a stray arm from Cahill, who was using the arm for leverage.

    2057: Benfica are punished for their one-man deficit as Ruben De la Red gives Getafe the lead on 25 minutes.

    2055: Marseille double their advantage over Zenit St Petersburg as Mamadou Niang nets three minutes after the break, while Dundee United do likewise against Gretna through Morgaro Gomis.

    2054: Half-time at White Hart Lane and it's Spurs 0 PSV 1.

    2053: Robbie Keane goes close for Spurs after crafting a chance out of nothing with some wonderful control. Gomes is equal to the task, though, as he turns it behind for a corner. Great play all round.

    2053: They've reached the break in Leverkusen where the all-Bundesliga clash between Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg is 0-0.

    2052: Howard is beginning to lose patience with the Everton defence in front of him. This time Montolivo is allowed to fire in a shot from distance which Howard parries behind.

    2051: Spurs looking rattled at the back, with Chimbonda now in the book.

    2050: Everton appeal for a penalty after the ball strikes Donadel's arm, but the referee waves play on as it wasn't deliberate. Donadel takes exception to Cahill's penalty appeal and the two exchange words, but there's no need for the referee to get involved.

    2050: Half-time at the Reebok, with Bolton winning 1-0. Just as the whistle blows, Spurs put a nice move together - finally - only for Malbranque to shoot well wide from 18 yards out.

    2048: Back under way in the 1945 kick-offs. Can Everton get a grip on the game in Florence? They'd probably take a 0-0 if they were offered it now but surely they can up their performance level after the break?

    2045: Malbranque goes close for Spurs but his shot is parried wide by Gomes. The corner is eventually worked back in to Woodgate, but his header just skips wide of the PSV goal.

    2043: Rangers join Bolton in taking a 1-0 lead as Daniel Cousin nets with a 35-yard strike which Werder goalkeeper Wiese somehow fumbles into his own net. It's virtually the last kick of the half, and it's a memorable one for the Gers and their fans.

    2041: Just nine minutes in and Benfica are down to 10 men as Oscar Cardozo sees red. Two sendings-off so far tonight, and both for home sides. Benfica fans will be hoping their side don't go the same way as Anderlecht, beaten 5-0 by Bayern Munich earlier.

    2040: Spurs are behind - and it's an absolute gift from Gilberto. He's caught in possession 25 yards from his own goal by Farfan, who advances and fires past Robinson. PSV in the driving seat. This has hardly been a dream debut for Gilberto.

    2038: Adam has been Rangers' main threat so far and this time his curling free-kick from 30 yards out just doesn't dip enough and flies inches over Wiese's bar.

    2037: Very low-key stuff at White Hart Lane at the moment. PSV soaking up anything Spurs put together and passing very well when they get the ball themselves.

    2034: Farfan picks himself up after being fouled to curl in the free-kick, but the Spurs wall do their job as the ball is deflected behind for a corner, which comes to nothing.

    2033: Also half-time in the SPL, with Dundee United 1-0 up at Gretna.

    2033: Gilberto in the book at White Hart Lane for hauling down Farfan. Not the best of defending from Spurs there - and a quite blatant foul. Thankfully for him, there was cover.

    2032: They've also reached the break in Marseille, with the home side 1-0 up.

    2032: Half-time in Florence. The hosts have been well on top but Everton can at least draw comfort from the fact they haven't conceded, though that is only down to Howard's right foot.

    2031: The last game of the night - between Benfica and Getafe - gets under way.

    2030: At the other end, Jensen heads well wide from 15 yards out for Werder.

    2029: Back at Ibrox, Adam's inswinging free-kick takes a deflection and Wiese is forced into another good save with Barry Ferguson just inches away from diverting the ball into the net with his head. Still 0-0 at Ibrox but a decent game.

    2028: Gavin McCann gives Bolton the lead against Sporting. Not many fancied the Trotters to get the better of the Portuguese side tonight, so they'll be buoyed by that goal.

    2027: Howard does superbly to divert the ball behind for a corner after a lovely flowing move from Fiorentina ends with Vieri one-on-one with the Everton 'keeper. His shot looks to have beaten the American when he flicks out a foot to save.

    2026: Ujfalusi and Steven Pienaar square up after the Everton midfielder catches the Fiorentina man in the face with a stray arm, but they are quickly separated.

    2026: It's been all about Pasqual in Florence so far, but this time he takes a wrong decision as he shoots wildly over the Everton bar rather than sliding it across for Vieri.

    2025: Mention of Kromkamp is followed by that of another former Liverpool man as Djibril Cisse gives Marseille the lead against Zenit St Petersburg.

    2023: At White Hart Lane, Paul Robinson has his palms warmed - and little more - by a snapshot from Farfan after a nice flowing PSV move also involving Kromkamp.

    2022: Werder's Marcus Rosenborg is afforded too much space in midfield and he wastes no time in going for goal from 25 yards out - and it's Allan McGregor's turn to make an impressive diving save to turn the ball round the post.

    2021: Yakubu goes into the book in Florence for leaving a leg hanging out as Frey cleared the ball. It's a silly challenge from the Everton striker as Frey's clearance was straight to Cahill, though no doubt the goalkeeper would claim that was only because he was fouled.

    2021: Tottenham looking edgy against PSV - they haven't quite got their passing going and Juande Ramos is pacing around his technical area looking unhappy.

    2019: But for Bayern running riot earlier it would have been a goalless night in the UEFA Cup thus far. Fiorentina definitely on top against Everton but yet to find a way through.

    2017: It's Pasqual who takes the free-kick but it's blocked by the Everton wall. The Toffees spring on the counter but Cahill is penalised.

    2016: Free-kick to Fiorentina around five yards outside the Everton box as Carsley is penalised for going in robustly on Kuzmanovic. Danger.

    2015: After a good spell of possession for Werder Bremen, Adam goes for goal for Rangers again, this time an ambitious effort from 45 yards out as he tries to catch Wiese off his line. But the ball sails over the bar.

    2014: Nothing doing at White Hart Lane or the Reebok thus far.

    2011: At the other end, Lescott whips a great cross into the Fiorentina box but it's Pasqual there to head clear. He's having a great evening so far both defensively and in attack.

    2009: Yet another cross finds its way into the Everton box but this time it's too far for Montolivo despite his best efforts.

    2007: Everton still struggling to deal with Pasqual. This time he whips yet another cross in which Jorgensen meets but he can't get enough pace on it and Howard gathers.

    2006: Good goalkeeping from Howard again in Florence as he punches clear under pressure from Montolivo. Great cross from Ujfalusi, the latest quality delivery to find its way into the Toffees penaltyarea.

    2006: Another two matches under way - those at White Hart Lane and in Leverkusen. Just the one game left to get started - that between Benfica and Getafe.

    2002: At Ibrox, Charlie Adam forces Timo Wiese into a superb save with a powerful left-footed drive from 25 yards after a headed knock-on from Daniel Cousin. A good start by Rangers.

    2001: Garry Kenneth gives Dundee United the lead against Gretna in the SPL.

    2001: Everton get a free-kick around 30 yards from the Fiorentina goal and manage to convert it into a corner as Tony Hibbert attacks the full-back. The corner is a good one but Joleon Lescott's header is blocked and Fiorentina clear.

    2000: The games at the Reebok and Ibrox get under away. The Bolton team taking to the field is different from that named, though, with Ali Al Habsi in after Jussi Jaaskelainen picked up an injury in the warm-up. Ian Walker steps up to the bench.

    1959: Pasqual seeing plenty of the ball down the Fiorentina left. Everton need to cut the ball out at supply as he's whipping some dangerous crosses over.

    1956: Vieri lashes a free-kick towards the Everton goal, but it's a terrible strike and bobbles well wide. Still early days but he looks a shadow of the player he was.

    1954: Yakubu latches onto a misplaced pass from Bonnart and advances on the Fiorentina area but just miscontrols as he looks to get a shot away. Tim Cahill is up in support but his attempted through-ball is a poor one and Fiorentina clear.

    1953: Fiorentina looking lively in the early stages and Everton are pressed back on the edge of their own area as Vieri fires in a shot. It's always drifting wide but Tim Howard has reason to berate his defenders - they're sitting way too deep and not getting challenges in.

    1952: The full-time whistle blows in Anderlecht and it's all about the away side - Bayern Munich running out 5-0 winners. Should be a routine second leg for the Germans next week.

    1950: Back in Florence, Tim Howard has to be alert to plunge to his left and deal with a cross from the marauding Pasqual.

    1950: It's been one-way traffic from the outside in Anderlecht - and Bayern have finished the match as they started it, with Franck Ribery making it 5-0.

    1948: Quite a low-key start in the Everton game. Fiorentina having the better of the possession in the early stages but yet to really trouble the Toffees.

    1945: Under way in Florence, with Everton kicking into the wind. They're also under way in France, where Marseille face Zenit St Petersburg, and north of the border with Gretna hosting Dundee United in the Scottish Premier League.

    1945: Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate are back at the heart of Tottenham's defence for the first leg of the clash against PSV Eindhoven at White Hart Lane. The pair have not played since the Carling Cup triumph over Chelsea, with Woodgate spraining an ankle at Wembley and King resting his knee as he comes back gradually from summer surgery. Spurs head coach Juande Ramos gives Gilberto his club debut. The Brazil left-back was signed from Hertha Berlin in January but has been suffering from a calf injury. Ramos picks a full-strength starting XI against the Dutch champions after resting players at the weekend and suffering a heavy defeat at Birmingham.

    1940: Gretna's SPL clash with Dundee United will finally take place tonight - and the team news is in. Dundee United make five changes as they seek to avoid a third Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat. Christian Kalvenes, Jim O'Brien, Prince Buaben, Garry Kenneth and David Robertson all come in - with United looking to end a run of foursuccessive SPL draws and go above third-placed Motherwell. Mark De Vries, Danny Grainger, Mark Kerr and Danny Swanson drop to the bench - while there is no space for Lee Wilkie, who had been expected to shake off an injury. Gretna are unchanged from the side that beat Kilmarnock last week to keep alive their slim hopes of climbing the table.

    1930: Bayern Munich now 4-0 up on Anderlecht with Miroslav Klose banging in the fourth.

    1930: Rangers manager Walter Smith makes three changes from the side who defeated Aberdeen for the clash with Werder Bremen at Ibrox. Smith opts for a defensive line-up to play the Germans, with Sasa Papac, Brahim Hemdani and Daniel Cousin - as the lone striker - all drafted into the starting XI. Steven Whittaker, Chris Burke and Kris Boyd all drop to the bench to accomodate those changes. Werder Bremen are without the services of Ivan Klasnic, who picked up a thigh strain against Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.

    1928: Everton go into tonight's game at Fiorentina without Mikel Arteta in their starting line-up. The Spanish winger, who has been struggling with a groin injury, is one of the substitutes as boss David Moyes selects the same team which beat Portsmouth 3-1 in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday. Ayegbeni Yakubu starts up front, after his two goals against Pompey, with Andy Johnson and Victor Anichebe again named on the bench on a wet and windy night.

    1925: The team news has begun drifting in for the games involving British teams and Iceland striker Heidar Helguson makes only his third start of the season for the first leg of Bolton's clash with Sporting Lisbon at the Reebok Stadium. Helguson, with two goals to his name following a £1.5million move from Fulham last summer, partners Kevin Davies in attack due to El-Hadji Diouf serving a one-match suspension. Helguson's inclusion is one of three changes to the side beaten 3-1 at home to Liverpool on Sunday, with captain Kevin Nolan out with a back injury and Gretar Steinsson ineligible. Nicky Hunt replaces Steinsson at right-back, with Gavin McCann stepping in for Nolan - whose armband is taken up by Andy O'Brien. Sporting come into the game without leading scorer Liedson due to a thigh injury, with Joao Moutinho passed fit despite being taken ill at the team hotel yesterday.

    1917: Hard to see any way back for Anderlecht now over the two legs as they fall 3-0 behind with the goal coming from Lukas Podolski.

    1904: Back under way in the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium.

    1849: Half-time and it's Bayern in the box seat as they lead 2-0.

    1847: Within a minute of being reduced to 10 men, things go from worse to even worse for Anderlecht as Luca Toni doubles Bayern Munich's lead. Anderlecht with a mountain to climb here not just tonight but over the two-legged tie.

    1846: Things go from bad to worse for Anderlecht as Marcin Wasilewski is shown a second yellow card just a minute before the break. They trail 1-0 and are down to 10 men now.

    1810: Bayern are living up to their UEFA Cup favourites' tag already - they're 1-0 up at Anderlecht with an early goal from Hamit Altintop.

    1800: The first match of the night - the UEFA Cup clash between Anderlecht and tournament favourites Bayern Munich - gets under way. We'll bring you goalflashes from this game, plus those UEFA Cup games not involving British teams later and also the SPL clash between Gretna and Dundee United. For the four European matches with British involvement, we'll provide regular updates to keep you right up to date with all the action as it unfolds.

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