SearchArsenal fight back for point in Kievjason 17th September 2008 A late equaliser from captain William Gallas gave Arsenal a point in an entertaining 1-1 draw at Dynamo Kiev in Group G of the Champions League. Ishmael Bangoura had put the hosts ahead on 64 minutes with a controversial penalty after he was fouled by Bacary Sagna. Until defender Gallas took the initiative to become an impromptu centre-forward, it had looked as if Dynamo were set to hold on for a mini-upset at their home ground. But the Gunners took the risk of throwing everyone forward and Emmanuel Adebayor fed Theo Walcott on the right, who sent a low far-post cross that Gallas thrashed into the roof of the net from close range. Arsenal were less than impressive throughout but had the better chances to take the lead in the first half. Robin van Persie had an early shot saved by Stanislav Bogush, while Adebayor somehow fired over when put clean through by a misplaced Roman Eremenko header. Van Persie hit the side netting later in the half but the miss of the opening 45 minutes came just before the break when Cesc Fabregas fired weakly at Bogush after he was given a straightforward finish by good work from Van Persie and Adebayor. If the first half was Arsenal's, the second belonged to Kiev. They fell apart defensively four minutes into the period when Bangoura was given the freedom of their half to find Eremenko, who in turn had all the time and space he needed to send a low drive fizzing against the woodwork at Manuel Almunia's near post. Almunia pounced on the rebound before Bangoura could slide onto it, but the writing was on the wall. The hosts bossed possession and, although Arsenal had chances through Van Perse and Adebayor on the counter, they deserved the opening goal even though the circumstances were suspect. Gallas had misread the bounce of a long ball, which let Atanda Yussuf find space on the right to feed Bangoura in the box. The Guinea striker was himself fouling France full-back Sagna by pulling him down with his left hand, but referee Luis Medina Cantalejo's view was obscured and all he saw was the forward going down with the defender. The decision was poor, but Bangoura's spot-kick was classy, placed low into the bottom right while his body and eyes sent Alumnia to the left. Arsenal were desperate now. First they went 4-3-3, then 3-4-3 and finally they lumped Gallas up front as they pressed for a leveller. They almost conceded two more, but Bangoura's general shooting did not match his running or penalty-taking. But Arsene Wenger's men rode the waves of counter attacks to prove their point in difficult circumstances. Porto 3-1 Fenerbahce Porto cruised to a 3-1 win over Fenerbahce thanks to goals from Lisandro Lopez, Lucho Gonzalez and late substitute Lino. Spaniard Daniel Guiza was on target for the Turkish side as coach Luis Aragones lost his first European match in charge of the Turkish giants. The Portuguese hosts started brilliantly, putting pressure on their guests and forcing two early saves from Volkan Demirel. They took the lead on 10 minutes, when Raul Meireles cleverly fed Lisandro, who sprung the Fenerbahce offside trap and finished low into the bottom right. Porto doubled their advantage three minutes later when, after good work from Cristian Rodriguez on the left, Lucho smashed a half-volley off the ground and past Volkan from the edge of the box. Lisandro had three great chances to make it 3-0 before, just ahead of the half hour, Guiza stole in at the far post after Volkan had saved well from Alex's header. The scoreline stayed the time for the next hour, which flattered Fenerbahce, who barely threatened the Porto goal. But the hosts restored their two-goal advantage when, with the Turks desperately throwing men forward to look for an equaliser, Lino was left unmarked to finish from close range with his first touch of the ball. By Reda Maher Trackback address for this postTrackback URL (right click and copy shortcut/link location) No feedback yetLeave a comment |
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