Inter cruise as Roma reach landmark

Inter Milan went nine points clear at the top of Serie A after a stunning 3-0 win at Lazio on Saturday as AS Roma wracked up their 1,000th top flight victory with a 1-0 success at rock-bottom Chievo.

Jose Mourinho's reigning champions are looking unstoppable as headers from Walter Samuel and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a Mobido Diakite own goal gave Inter an easy evening in the capital.

The pressure is now on pursuers AC Milan and Juventus, who play Catania and Lecce respectively on Sunday, not to slip up a week before they meet in a crucial clash at the Stadio Olimpico in Turin.

Despite their lead, Mourinho played down talk of the title.

"The scudetto? Halfway through the season we're nothing, but experience tells me that this is a real team," said the former Chelsea boss.

"It's a pleasure for me to be the coach but I don't want to get too excited right now, we have to keep our feet on the ground. I don't want to be winter champions, I want to be champions in May."

Inter got off to a dream start in the Roman Stadio Olimpico as Samuel headed home a cross from Ghana midfielder Sulley Muntari on two minutes.

Lazio had the better of the rest of the first period but Aleksandar Kolarov and Ousmane Dabo thrashed vicious shots wide while Lorenzo De Silvestri had another deflected just past the post.

Inter goalkeeper Julio Cesar also tipped a shot from Pasquale Foggia onto the outside of the post as the hosts piled forwards, but disaster struck in first half injury time as Diakite inadvertently turned a Maicon cross past Juan Pablo Carrizo in the Lazio goal.

The match was over as a contest ten minutes into the second period as Ibrahimovic headed home an Esteban Cambiasso free-kick, although it looked to have gone in off a defender's head.

Lazio did get the ball in the net direct from a Kolarov free-kick but the referee disallowed the effort because he had blown his whistle for an infringement.

Luciano Spalletti's Roma finished with ten men as they won for the fourth match in a row with French winger Jeremy Menez celebrating a rare start by scoring the only goal of the game with a stunning volley, just days after suggesting he would leave the club he joined in the summer due to his limited starting opportunities.

Chievo remain rooted to the foot of the table while Roma moved up to 12th but crucially they are now only four points off a Champions League qualifying position.

For a team who harboured hopes of winning the title before beginning the season with six defeats in their opening nine matches, they now seem firmly back on the right track.

"Right now I'm just happy to see my players in a good condition psychologically and physically," said Spalletti, referring to their troubles of earlier in the season.

"There was a risk that they would lose their self-belief but instead they reacted in the right way and now we can allow ourselves to aim for something important."

Roma had much the better of a tame opening spell with Menez proving a particular threat. After ten minutes he beat two players as he slalomed into the area but Chievo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino was equal to his effort.

On 26 minutes Menez turned creator, dancing into the area and crossing to the edge of the six-yard box where Matteo Brighi somehow failed to score, directing his close range effort straight at the sprawled Sorrentino.

Roma turned the screw after the break and despite Sorrentino coming to the rescue again on 65 minutes to repell a Simone Perrotta volley they went ahead four minutes later.

Once again it was Menez who proved decisive, running onto a header forwards from Daniele De Rossi before steering a delightful right foot volley from 15 yards across Sorrentino and into the far corner.

The only sour note was Brighi's sending off five minutes from time for a second booking.

Henry hat-trick inspires Barca

Thierry Henry grabbed a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Valencia 4-0 at Camp Nou on Saturday to extend their lead at the top of La Liga to six points.

Henry scored in the 19th, 27th and 79th minutes with Dani Alves also on the mark, as Barca stretched their advantage after second-placed Villarreal drew 3-3 against Getafe.

Barca are now unbeaten in their last 20 games in all competitions - 13 in the league - and Real Madrid, nine points adrift of their rivals, need to win their game in hand against Sevilla on Sunday with 'El Clasico' at Barca next Saturday.

"We saw the result of the Villarreal-Getafe game so we were desperate to win this match," said Henry.

"We have Shakhtar Donetsk (in the Champions League on Tuesday) and then we can focus on 'El Clasico'. It is always a great game and we are all excited about it."

With Samuel Eto'o suspended, Henry was given a more central striking role and he responded with a treble to take his season's tally to seven. With 19 minutes gone Henry raced onto a terrific backspin pass from Yaya Toure and finished with a deft lob reminiscent of his peak years at Arsenal.

Eight minutes later Henry finished off a brilliant move started by a raking pass from Alves, side-footing in after Alexander Hleb cut the ball back. Valencia trudged off at half-time knowing it could have been worse with Xavi hitting the post for Barca in the second minute. It was more of the same in the second half with Xavi sliding in Alves to smash in a third goal two minutes after the break.

Barca were leading Valencia, unbeaten on their travels before this match, a merry dance and Henry had a tap-in for his hat-trick with Bojan Krkic putting the ball on a plate. Valencia are now eight points behind Barca who are threatening to run away with the title.

Villarreal are their nearest rivals and showed the spirit of champions coming from three goals down to draw 3-3 with Getafe at El Madrigal stadium. Getafe scored three times in the first half and looked set for another giant-killing act after defeating Real Madrid 3-1 last weekend.

However, Villarreal gave their home fans a scintillating performance after the interval with Robert Pires pulling a goal back before Sebastian Eguren and Giuseppe Rossi struck in the final seven minutes.

Villarreal will certainly settle for the draw after being 3-0 down but coach Manuel Pellegrini will be concerned that his team have failed to win any of their last four home matches.

"Maybe a point could be seen as positive after trailing 3-0 but it is not enough for me," said Pellegrini. "In the second half, we took three of our countless chances and in the end we could have won it."

Getafe, coached by Victor Munoz, who was in charge of Villarreal from 2000 to 2003, are now unbeaten against last season's top three.

It was a goal-packed Saturday with Atletico Madrid climbing to fifth with a thumping 5-2 win at Sporting Gijon.

Sporting took a fourth minute lead through Mate Bilic but Argentine Sergio "Kun" Aguero scored a first half brace to turn the game in Atletico's favour. Diego Forlan scored twice and Maxi Rodriguez was also in target in the second half as Atletico ran riot. Atletico had struggled against the so-called lesser teams of late so coach Javier Aguirre was happy to get three points.

"I am happy that we won because we could not afford to miss another opportunity after the games against Numancia (1-1) and Osasuna (0-0)," he said.

Atletico moved above Sevilla - who are in action against Real Madrid on Sunday - on goal difference.

UEFA Champions League - Liverpool-Marseille

Benitez milestone marred by concerns

Steven Gerrard's first-half goal, on his return from injury, proved enough to deliver a 1-0 win over Marseille at Anfield on Wednesday evening that ensured the Reds will join Atletico Madrid in the last 16 of the competition.

It was also a night to remember for Liverpool's manager. Benitez's 66th European match in charge of the club saw him eclipse Bill Shankly's record, while a 39th victory on the European stage saw him draw level with Bob Paisley on that count.

But the Spaniard acknowledged that his side had not been at their best and had lived dangerously at times, as Marseille pressed in search of an equaliser that would have kept their own campaign alive. The French side's commitment to attack ensured an open contest, but Liverpool failed to display their usual cutting edge on the counter-attack with the final ball designed to release Fernando Torres repeatedly mislaid.

Worryingly for Benitez, Wednesday's performance had echoes of the below-par display in Saturday's goalless draw with Fulham which cost his side the chance to pull clear of Chelsea at the top of the Premier League. "Clearly we need to improve our possession, to keep and pass the ball better," Benitez said. "We are giving the ball away too easily."

Gerrard, who has now scored five goals in his five Champions League appearances this season, also admitted it had been a frustrating night for a squad that appears to have gone off the boil since their victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge a month ago.

"It was a nervy match but still a job well done," said the Liverpool captain. "We wanted all three points and a clean sheet and we got both of those, but it was a frustrating second half for us. We lost control a bit and there are a few things that need looking at. They are organised and fighting to stay in the competition. We knew that it would be a difficult tie, but we stuck together and hopefully in a few days the second-half performance will be forgotten."

After a two-week lay-off, Gerrard returned at the expense of Robbie Keane and revelled playing in the slipstream of Torres. "Playing behind Fernando is great for me," Gerrard said. "His runs are great. Tonight I scored the goal but I'm sure if the manager keeps playing us together I will provide him with a few."

Gerrard's deployment in an attacking role allows Xabi Alonso to pull the strings in midfield, and it was the Spaniard's well-judged cross that allowed Gerrard to steal in unchallenged at the back post to head Liverpool's winner mid-way through the first half.

Marseille had a string of chances after the break but could not quite manage to find the final pass or moment of inspiration that would have delivered an equaliser. "We'll have a few regrets because we had chances up to the last minute, but the only thing that makes me unhappy was the result," said Marseille coach Erik Gerets. "I was quite happy with the performance. For the first time in a long time, we played as a unit and with the kind of desire that everyone said we were missing."

Marseille will now aim to take something from their final match, at home to Atletico, to ensure they edge out PSV Eindhoven for third place in the group and a spot in the UEFA Cup. Ultimately it was the sloppy marking that allowed Gerrard to score that snuffed out Marseille's last chance of progress to the last 16. But Gerets' men could also count themselves unfortunate not to have enjoyed the breaks that would have enabled them to take something from the match.

Wenger: This is the first step

Arsene Wenger has expressed delight and relief following his Arsenal side's last-gasp win over Dynamo Kiev in the UEFA Champions League. The Gunners qualified from Group G with a match to spare thanks to Nicklas Bendtner's late goal at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.

But after three defeats in four matches, the storm of controversy generated by William Gallas's rant against his team-mates and the France defender's subsequent replacement as captain by Cesc Fabregas, Wenger was more concerned with the positive effect on the team's morale.

With Dynamo just three minutes from holding on for a point that would have left Arsenal without a goal for three games and looking as bereft of inspiration as they ever have under Wenger, Fabregas launched a sublime pass to Bendtner, who lashed his shot past Stanislav Bogush. As Wenger celebrated the goal, he saw not only a chance for Arsenal to extend their European campaign, but a cathartic moment for his players.

"It is the first step for us. What the team needs is reassurance and at least we have that now," he said. "We left it late and we were more steady than spectacular, but it was important to come back and win. Nicklas scored a great goal. It was not handball as Kiev claimed. You can watch it on the replay. It was a fantastic ball from Fabregas, good composure and a good finish. I am very happy for him because I felt he had showed a lack of confidence recently."

Wenger's decision to restore Gallas to the starting line-up so soon after his outburst was just about vindicated despite some shaky moments from the France defender. More significantly, Fabregas made a positive impression in his first game as skipper.

"Cesc was very good for me. He was focused for 90 minutes, worked hard defensively and offensively. It wasn't easy in midfield. Overall he had a very good game. William's focus was great. He wanted to do well and you could see he was completely committed. I was very happy that the fans responded in a positive way to him."

Now that Arsenal's progress is assured, Wenger will turn his attention to hauling his side back into the Premier League title race. It would take a remarkable run of results to make up the ten-point deficit to leaders Chelsea, but the Gunners have the perfect chance to put a dent into that gap when they travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Wenger is keeping his fingers crossed that he can take a more experienced team across London than the youthful eleven that eventually saw off Dynamo. He said: "Before the Dynamo game we had nine injured players. We have three, Sagna, Nasri and Adebayor, who we hope will play on Sunday. All three are 50-50."

Judging by this display, Wenger will need all the options he can get to win at the Bridge. Gallas's woeful week nearly took a turn for the worse when his under-hit backpass let in Ismael Bangoura, but he could breathe again as the striker's effort cannoned back off the near post. And Gallas was the fall guy again early in the second half, when Robin van Persie's shot appeared to be creeping in until Gallas inadvertently blocked it.

Just as Arsenal looked to have run out of ideas, Fabregas provided the moment of inspiration they had been lacking with a superb long pass that picked out Bendtner and allowed the substitute to gallop clear and break the deadlock.

That triggered a Dynamo meltdown, and Olexandr Aliyev was sent off after shoving referee Alain Hamer while trying to take a quick free-kick. "We were more or less equal with Arsenal and we played well, but the result is what counts," Dynamo coach Yuri Semin said.

Arsenal follow Cesc's lead

Cesc Fabregas led by example as Arsenal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League second round with a 1-0 win against Dynamo Kiev on Tuesday. Just 24 hours after being installed as Arsenal's new skipper in place of William Gallas, the Spanish midfielder showed how to inspire a team with a typically sublime pass for Nicklas Bendtner's late winner at the Emirates Stadium.

For long periods, Arsenal looked as lacklustre as they had done recently under Gallas's captaincy, but Fabregas took the game by the scruff of the neck to ensure Arsene Wenger's side can look forward to playing in the knockout stages of European's elite club competition. It was more than Arsenal deserved for another lacklustre display and Dynamo's frustration was clear as midfielder Olexandr Aliyev was sent off for a petulant shove on referee Alain Hamer.

But Wenger will be grateful for small mercies. If the captaincy can take Fabregas's play to greater heights, it might not be all doom and gloom around the Emirates for too long. "Cesc was very good for me. He was focused for 90 minutes and worked hard defensively and offensively," Wenger said. "It wasn't easy in midfield. Overall he had a very good game.

"William's focus was great," Wenger added about Gallas. "He wanted to do well and you could see he was completely committed. I was very happy that the fans responded in a positive way to him."

Dynamo coach Yuri Semin added: "We were more or less equal with Arsenal and we played well but the result is what counts. We had some small chances which we didn't take and showed some tiredness at the end."

As expected, Wenger ended Gallas's brief exile for criticising his colleagues and restored the disaffected defender to his starting line-up. Despite Gallas's stinging criticism of Arsenal's youngsters last week there was no outward sign that he had been frozen out. The France centre-back exchanged hugs with his team-mates before kick-off and there were no jeers from the home fans.

Gallas's return was born as much of necessity as desire however. With a host of key players sidelined through injury, Wenger could hardly afford to leave out such an experienced player after a run of three defeats from four matches. Even so, Wenger still had to field a youthful team including a first Champions League start for Mexican striker Carlos Vela.

Aaron Ramsey, another of Wenger's young prodigies, had the first chance when he collected Vela's pass and drew a close-range save from Stanislav Bogush. Gallas was inevitably the centre of attention in the early stages. When Vela sent him sprawling to the turf after a mid-air collision, there was a mischievous temptation to interpret it as an act of dressing room revenge, but the clash was purely accidental.

Robin van Persie fashioned a shooting opportunity with a neat piece of footwork just before the break, only for Bogush to deny the Arsenal forward. Gallas's woeful week nearly took a turn for the worse when his under-hit backpass let in Ismael Bangoura but he could breathe again as the striker's effort cannoned back off the near post.

It seemed nothing could keep Gallas out of the action. He had the ball in Dynamo's net on the stroke of half-time but his shot was correctly ruled out for offside. After almost being in the right place at the right time, Gallas was the fall-guy early in the second half. Van Persie's shot appeared to be creeping in until Gallas inadvertently blocked it in the six-yard block.

There was still no sign of Arsenal taking control of the match though and long range efforts from Bangoura and Aliyev only emphasised the need for a quick improvement. Artem Milevskiy should have given Dynamo the lead with 12 minutes left when he found himself with just Manuel Almunia to beat, but the Arsenal keeper saved his side with a brave block.

Just as Arsenal looked to have run out of ideas, Fabregas provided the moment of inspiration they had been lacking in the 87th minute. He unleashed a superb long pass that picked out Bendtner and allowed the substitute to gallop clear and smash his shot past Bogush.

That triggered a Dynamo meltdown and Aliyev was sent off after shoving referee Hamer while trying to take a quick free-kick.

Lyon send Fiorentina tumbling

French champions Lyon knocked Fiorentina out of the UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 victory on Tuesday as they ensured their own place in the knock-out stages. Jean II Makoun and Karim Benzema gave the visitors a two-goal lead before Alberto Gilardino pulled one back for the hosts while the woodwork was hit five times through the match.

Lyon now need a result against Bayern Munich in two weeks to top the group while Fiorentina need to avoid defeat at Steaua Bucharest in their final Group F match to ensure the consolation of a place in the UEFA Cup.

La Viola's French goalkeeper Sebastien Frey admitted his team lacked a bit of experience. "For 20 minutes we were afraid to play further up the pitch and that cost us but after that we played a great match," he said. "This is a great competition but this year it was just too great for us, now we have to try to finish third and get into the UEFA Cup."

Striker Gilardino said it was only to be expected from a team that hadn't played in Europe's top competition for eight years. "It's the first time we're in this competition so it's normal that we found it difficult," he said. "We lacked experience and going down 2-0 always makes life difficult. We had chances but we didn't manage to equalise."

Fiorentina probed willingly in the early stages and Zdravko Kuzmanovic forced visiting goalkeeper Hugo Lloris into a sprawling save down by his post. But while Fiorentina were more perspiration than inspiration, Lyon had the cutting edge that their hosts lacked and took the lead on 14 minutes.

Abdul Kader Keita's initial shot from distance was blocked but he ran onto the rebound and scuffed another shot well wide of the far post. Benzema prevented the ball from running off for a goal-kick and pulled it back for Makoun for a simple finish.

Lyon remained dangerous on the break and Benzema was just a little too calm with his finish from Keita's pull-back, side-footing just wide on 19 minutes. Sidney Govou then hit the post with a shot from the edge of the area as Lyon threatened to run riot.

Benzema got his name on the scoresheet on 27 minutes as Juninho robbed Riccardo Montolivo in midfield before feeding the France striker who strode forward and shot home low to Sebastien Frey's right.

Fiorentina didn't let their heads drop and deservedly pulled a goal back in the last minute of the first period. Just before that Gilardino had seen his shot deflected wide off Brazilian defender Cris and from the resulting corner Adrian Mutu had headed against the corner of crossbar and post. But Gilardino then peeled off to the back post to outjump John Mensah and head Mario Santana's cross into the top corner from eight yards.

Lyon almost extended their lead again soon after the restart as Juninho sent a free-kick crashing back off the bar. Benzema then escaped on a counter-attack with three defenders in hot pursuit. He beat two when they caught up to him but took one touch too many, allowing Alessandro Gamberini to dive in and block his shot.

Midway through the period Fiorentina also hit the woodwork as Kuzmanovic's shot was deflected onto the post. Lyon then hit the bar again four minutes from time from a stunning volley by substitute Ederson. In the dying moments Jean Alain Boumsong made a vital block on substitute Pablo Osvaldo as Lyon held out for the win.