26 October 2006, by Sean Gillen

Mixed fortunes on busy night for Portuguese around Europe

Round-up of Cup and League action around the continent

It was a busy night around Europe with Portuguese players in League and Cup action in England, France, Spain, Germany and Italy. There were wins for Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, including Hilario, but defeats for Manuel Fernandes and Ricardo Vaz Te in the Carling Cup.

Elsewhere, Hugo Viana played his second successive 90 minutes and at last seems to be making an impression at Valencia, while Luis Figo’s Inter Milan moved back to the top of Serie A with a thumping 4-1 win over Livorno. The Portuguese veteran played the full 90 minutes.

Carling Cup round-up

The country’s top sides entered the English Carling Cup at the third round stage this week, including Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea and current holders Manchester United.

The Blues were forced into playing a strong side at dangerous fellow top-flight side Blackburn, but ultimately came away with a 2-0 victory. Hilario continued in goal and Ricardo Carvalho watched from the bench as goals from Joe Cole and Salomon Kalou sent the champions through.

Manchester United scraped past Crewe Alexander with a goal in the last minute of extra time from youngster Keiran Lee. Cristiano Ronaldo was among several first team players rested for United, who had Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s opener cancelled out by Luke Varney to give the holders a nervous evening, before Lee struck with penalties looming.

Portsmouth were beaten 3-0 at Newcastle in awful conditions at a rain-soaked St James’ Park. Manuel Fernandes played the full 90 minutes for the visitors, who went in at half time level before three second-half goals, the first from on-loan Manchester United striker Giuseppe Rossi before a Nolberto Solano double, sent Pompey out.

Ricardo Vaz Te played the full 90 minutes as Bolton crashed out after losing 1-0 to Charlton at the Valley, with a Marcus Bent goal proving the difference between the two sides.

Nuno Valente missed Everton’s 4-0 win over Luton Town through injury, but goals from in-form midfielder Tim Cahill, James McFadden and youngster Victor Anichebe, plus an own goal from Luton defender Keith Keane, saw the Toffees into the next round.

Draw for next round:
Notts County v Wycombe
Tottenham v Port Vale
Birmingham v Liverpool
Chelsea v Aston Villa
Watford v Newcastle
Chesterfield v Charlton
Southend v Manchester United
Everton v Arsenal

Late Lyon goals snatch victory

French champions Lyon had Sylvain Wiltord to thank as two late goals saw them come from behind at home to beat Paris Saint-Germain in the French League Cup.

Paulo Cesar had given PSG an unlikely second half lead at the Stade Gerland from the penalty spot, before the veteran French international equalised three minutes from time. Wiltord then grabbed a second in the final minute for Lyon, who had Portuguese midfielder Tiago play the full game in midfield. Pauleta came on as a substitute for the struggling Parisians.

In the Spanish Copa del Rey, Barcelona rested Deco as they edged into a 1st-leg lead against minnows Badalona 2-1, thanks to second half goals from Eidur Gudjohnsen. Mallorca earned a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao without Jose Nunes, while Beto also missed out as Recreativo and Betis played out a goalless draw.

Costinha and Maniche slip up

Atletico Madrid gave a first start of the season to Portuguese defender Ze Castro, who joined Costinha and Maniche in the side that took on Levante. However, there was disappointment for Los Rojiblancos, as they lost 1-0 at home to an 86th minute goal from Nino, leaving them with it all to do in the second leg.

Hugo Viana started his second game in a row, while Miguel was given the night off, as Valencia survived an early scare to beat Portuense 2-1 away from home. Ocana gave the home side the lead after three minutes, but Miguel Angulo struck twice to secure victory for Los Ches.

Dynamo Moscow dropped back down to second from bottom in the Russian Premier League after losing 3-2 to city rivals Spartak. Portuguese forward Danny had equalised for his side to make it 1-1 in the first half, and his side took the lead shortly before the hour mark, but Spartak hit back with goals in the 76th and 80th minute.

In Germany, Borussia Monchengladbach crashed out of the German Cup. Ze Antonio was selected in defence for their disappointing 2-1 defeat at Osnabruck. Fernando Meira was absent for Stuttgart as they went through after beating Babelsberg 4-2, and Alex played for Wolfsburg in their 1-0 win over Freiburg.

In a full round of midweek Italian Serie A fixtures, Inter Milan returned to the top of the table after Luis Figo played the full 90 minutes in their 4-1 win over Livorno. Jose Vidigal started and completed the game for the away side. Ricardo Esteves was a late introduction for Reggina in their 3-2 win over Parma, while Jose Semedo watched from the bench as his Cagliari side drew 3-3 at Atalanta.

Star Performer

Hilario

Following the horrific injury to Petr Cech and Cudicini’s KO, many thought Chelsea would find it difficult to cope with their sudden goalkeeper crisis. But Hilario, largely unknown outside Portugal, has stepped into the multi-million pound team and shown his quality in three straight wins during which he has conceded just one goal.

Earlier round-ups:
23/10/06 Star Performer - Manuel da Costa
16/10/06 Star Performer - Tiago
02/10/06 Star Performer - Cristiano Ronaldo
25/09/06 Star Performer - Cristiano Ronaldo
18/09/06 Star Performer - Sergio Conceicao
11/09/06 Star Performer - Ricardo Carvalho
28/08/06 Star Performer - Figo
21/08/06 Star Performer - Deco