Europa League bursts into life

The UEFA Europa League tonight stepped out of the colossal shadow cast upon it by European football's premier competition, The Champions League.

And no performance exemplified this more than Fulham's sensational win over Italian giants Juventus. Taking a 3-1 deficit into the second leg, Dickson Etuhu's away goal was the only crumb of comfort for Roy Hodgson's side. But under the watchful eye of Fabio Capello, Bobby Zamora turned in a bravura performance. The English striker lifted his team mates around him and restored parity on the night on 9 minutes following David Trezeguet's early opener for the Bianconeri.

Their task, however, was still a daunting one.

Fulham passed their test of character with flying colours. And it was the colour red that proved significant with just 27 minutes on the clock. Italian national Captain Fabio Cannavaro was shown his marching orders for a dubious professional foul. The Italian centre half's dismissal breathed fresh impetus into The Cottagers, and it was no surprise when Zoltan Gera fired in goals either side of half time to bring the tie back even at 4-4.

Then followed a somewhat attritional period, no doubt exacerbated by the knowledge that the next goal in the tie could likely be a decider. This proved to be the case in the 83rd minute when Clint Dempsey scored an exquisite chip worthy of winning any tie. The American striker's finish will not have escaped the notice of England supremo Capello, with his side due to face USA in this summer's World Cup. Juventus 'keeper Antonio Chimenti was a mere spectator as Dempsey's deft effort sent the West London faithful into raptures and Fulham into the quarter final of the Europa League.

For Liverpool, the only other English side remaining in the competition, the night proved to be somewhat more straight forward. Following a lacklustre first leg performance that saw Rafael Benítez's side lose by a solitary goal in France, Liverpool's ailing season demanded an improved performance. Anfield's famous Kop End once again served as inspiration for the Merseyside club, and it was their favourite son and chief talisman Steven Gerrard who fired them into the lead from the penalty spot within 10 minutes.

A Liverpool victory was secured by a Fernando Torres masterclass. The Spaniard simply oozed quality, taking his 50th minute goal with impeccable ease. The former Atletico Madrid striker's strike left the tie poised at 2-1, and a tense atmosphere developed with Lille needing just a crucial away goal to win the tie. Any concerns were ended in the final minute of normal time when Torres settled the tie after Lille 'keeper Landreau parried a Steven Gerrard effort.

Progression to the quarter final was a welcome distraction for beleaguered reds manager Benítez, whose latest mini-crisis was sparked when out of favour winger Albert Riera criticised the Liverpool bosses' methods. The Anfield side's manager can look forward to the Europa League draw tomorrow morning knowing that his former side Valencia are potential opponents.

Valencia triumphed over Werder Bremen in an enthralling 4-4 (agg. 5-5) draw at Bremen's Weserstadion, featuring a marvellous hattrick from Spanish hitman David Villa. Elsewhere, Hamburg secured a nailbiting victory away at Anderlecht, losing on the night 4-3 but winning 6-5 on aggregate, Wolfsburg needed extra time to overcome Russian champions Rubin Kazan, whilst there were wins for Standard Liege, Atletico Madrid and Benfica, who recorded an impressive 2-1 win at Marseille's Stade Vélodrome.


The line-up of sides who have progressed to the quarter and semi final draw, to be held in Nyon at 11 o' clock on Friday morning, is as follows:

Atletico Madrid
Benfica
Fulham
Hamburg
Liverpool
Standard Liege
Valencia
Wolfsburg

Matthew Caspell