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Results Based News

United held by brave Porto

Author: Brandon Barker
Date: 08/04/2009

Manchester United are facing an uphill battle to reach the last four of the Champions League after surprising betting pundits and conceding two away goals in Tuesday's 2-2 quarter-final first leg stalemate with FC Porto.

The visitors took a shock lead in the fourth minute when poor play by Cristiano Ronaldo and Jonny Evans allowed Cristian Rodriguez to fire a low shot into the corner of the net.

Wayne Rooney capitalised on a dreadful pass back to level the scores with a gift of a goal in the 14th minute.

In an end-to-end game, United then carved out the clearest goalscoring opportunities and looked to have snatched a first-leg advantage when substitute Carlos Tevez stabbed home a Rooney flick in the 85th minute.

However, with only one minute of normal time left, a cross found its way through to Gonzalez who was on hand to fire his shot past Edwin van der Sar to set up an intriguing second leg in Portugal next Wednesday.

In Tuesday's other last-eight encounter, Arsenal have a slight advantage after a 1-1 draw with Villarreal in Spain.

A wonder strike from Emmanuel Adebayor gave the Gunners a vital away goal at El Madrigal.

First blood had gone to Villarreal in the tenth minute when Marcos Senna fired a sensational shot into the top corner from 30 yards.

In domestic action, Sheffield United kept their hopes of automatic promotion from the Championship alive following a dramatic 2-1 victory over South Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley.

All the goals came in a lightning nine-minute spell which ended with Blades boss Kevin Blackwell and Barnsley counterpart Simon Davey having to be separated by police as they squared up to each other on the touchline.

Elsewhere, Crystal Palace and Coventry City drew 1-1 at Selhurst Park, while Southampton remain deep in the relegation mire following a 2-2 stalemate with Watford.

Hereford United look to be heading out of League One after Graham Turner's side lost 2-1 to fellow strugglers Brighton & Hove Albion.

Further up the table, Leeds United threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Leyton Orient as their automatic promotion hopes suffered a knock.

There were League Two victories for Wycombe Wanderers and Barnet against Darlington and Rotherham respectively.

Meanwhile, the games between Chesterfield and Lincoln and Port Vale and Aldershot both ended in stalemates.

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