UEFA Europa League 2012: Manchesters United And City Win

This was also the game-winning goal, making it all the better for Topal. With it, Valencia defeated Stoke 1-0 with a match back in Spain on tap.

Let’s not get too excited about this goal, though. After all, it was a Thursday night at Stoke, not a Tuesday, so he does still have something left to prove.

PSV Eindhoven took a large step toward qualifying for the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League with a 2-1 win against Trabzonspor that was rather easier than it should have been. Strikes from Tim Matavž and Ola Toivonen in the sixth and 12th minute respectively ensured that PSV would take a good result back to Holland, and they won’t be too bothered by having conceded. Dutch compatriots FC Twente had a good day as well, with Ola John scoring early in the second half to see of Steaua Bucuresti 1-0. It was hardly a compelling performance, but a win and an away goal are more than welcome for Steve McClaren’s side.

FC Porto 1-2 Manchester City

Porto’s goal was an excellent one, created in the 27th minute. On the left wing, new acquisition Lucho Gonzalez and Hulk played a great combination that resulted in Lucho releasing Hulk to the byline. He put in a great low cross and the City defense failed to pick up Varela, who finished the chance to make it 1-0.

For more on the Citizens, check out Manchester City blog Bitter And Blue.

That description doesn’t do Topal’s strike justice. Thousands of years ago, Plato spoke of a mental world in which concepts of things reside. A table, for example, or a square. In the real world, nothing is a perfect table or a perfect square. This was a glimpse into that realm of the mind -- the Platonic long-range shot. It was hit about as hard as is humanly possible, making a beeline from Topal’s right boot into the back of the net. It may still have been rising as it crossed the line. It was brilliant, and deserved to win any football match.

Metalist Kharkiv virtually secured their passage to the next round of Europa League play after a smashing 4-0 win against SV Salzburg in Austria, with Jonathan Cristaldo notching a first-half brace to put the Ukrainians in commanding position. AZ Alkmaar also poicked up a first leg win, although considering their opponents were the rather toothless Anderlecht, they’ll be disappointed that Adam Maher’s 35th-minute strike was the whole margin of victory - a difficult return leg in Belgium awaits.

Elsewhere, Viktoria Plzen and Schalke 04 battled to a 1-1 draw, with the visiting Germans relying on a late Klaas-Jan Huntelaar goal to level the scores and take a vital away goal from the tie, while an even later goal by Sporting Lisbon’s Filipe Andre Santos saw his team salvage a 2-2 draw against Legia Warsaw. Here is the full set of scores from the early action.

Unfortunately for United, even though they kept a clean sheet, the game ended on a sour note. Valencia picked up an injury, and had to be substituted off.

For more on the Red Devils, check out Manchester United blog The Busby Babe.

Atleti would find a quick equalizer, through Adrian in the 25th minute. Falcao set up the goal with a brilliant header, winning the ball in the air and heading to the back post. Adrian anticipated the header well and had a simple tap-in at the back post to equalize. Atletico Madrid would take the lead in the 37th minute as Falcao got a goal of his own, finishing off a low cross by Diego.

The first half was relatively even, but the second half was dominated by the visitors. Lazio appeared to lack fight and belief, while Atletico Madrid probably should have scored more than one. Their lone goal in the second half came on a brilliant assist by Adrian, who found Falcao at the back post with a great low cross in the 63rd minute. All Falcao had to do was get a slight touch to guide the ball into the net and clinch the win for his team.

While a one-goal loss and an away goal for Athletic sets up what is more or less a toss-up at San Mames, Athletic will be unhappy that they weren’t able to hold on for a better result and give themselves a massive advantage for the second let.

Iker Muniain scored the opener, provided with a fantastic assist by Markel Susaeta. The talented winger beat three men with an incredible dribbling move in the 34th minute before cutting back to Athletic’s young starlet, who was able to hit a well-placed finish from 10 yards out.

New signings Marc Janko and Lucho Gonzalez will not play, as they are both cup tied. Striker Kleber is ill, meaning that Hulk could move to a center forward position with both of Varela and James Rodriguez getting starts. Djalma has recently returned from the Africa Cup of Nations and could also get some time.

FC Porto injured/unavailable: Marc Janko, Kleber

During the game, all eyes will be on young Danish international playmaker Christian Eriksen, who has been linked to all of the world’s top clubs, including Manchester United. With Ajax outside of Champions League spots in the Eredivisie, they might have no choice but to sell stars like Jan Verthongen, Van der Wiel and Eriksen in the summer. The big English clubs are very much interested in all three players.

Ajax injured/unavailable: Gregory Van der Wiel, Andre Oojier, Kolbeinn Sigthorsson

Manchester City and Manchester United weren’t supposed to be here. City, at least, were in the UEFA Champions League’s group of death, but the story was different for United. Matched up with Otelul Galati, Benfica and FC Basel, they were supposed to cruise through to the knockout stages. Instead, neither of the latter two teams lost to the Red Devils over the four matches that United contested against them.

The top two teams in the English Premier League have been sent down to the Europa League. Not only that, but they were handed about the hardest draws they could have hoped for. City will face FC Porto, while United face Ajax. Both English sides will start their campaigns with away games.