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Arsenal shuts out Sparta Prague 2-0

Thierry Henry of Arsenal celebrates his second goal against Sparta Prague during their Group B UEFA Cup mathc in Prague, Czech Republic, on Tuesday. Arsenal won 2-0. PHOTO: AP

Thierry Henry returned after a six-week absence with two goals on Tuesday to push Arsenal closer to the second round of the Champions League with a 2-0 victory at Sparta Prague.

Bayern Munich edged Juventus 2-1, while two other leading contenders failed to score. Manchester United was held to a 0-0 draw at home by Lille and Panathinaikos kept Barcelona to a 0-0 draw in Athens.

Sebastian Deisler scored one and set up another for Martin Demichelis to give Bayern a three-point lead at the top of Group A after beating Juve 2-1 in Munich.

Italian champion Juventus hit back with a last-minute header by Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the team now trails Bayern in second place.

FC Brugge is third, six points behind, after a 1-0 victory at Rapid Vienna thanks to Bosko Balaban's goal in the 75th minute.

Henry had been missing from the Arsenal lineup since picking up a groin injury after scoring France's winner in a 1-0 World Cup qualifying victory at Ireland.

"Arsenal's got Henry, who makes the difference," Sparta coach Stanislav Griga said. "Henry was unstoppable."

On the field in Prague earlier than expected because of a 14th-minute rib injury to Jose Antonio Reyes, he scored the opening goal in the 20th minute and added the second 16 minutes from the end as Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of Group B. The second strike meant Henry beat Ian Wright's all-time scoring record for the Gunners of 185 goals.

Henry signaled the numbers 1-8-6 to the Gunners fans to show that he had beaten Wright's record.

"I think the fans of Sparta Prague maybe didn't realize why I was like that making signs to our fans trying to draw the 186," the French striker said. "I am just over the moon about the record. Wrighty was a great player."

Greek forward Yannis Anastasiou scored both goals as Ajax beat FC Thun 2-0 in the other group game to climb into second place above the Swiss club. Sparta is last with one point.

Star-studded Barcelona drop-ped its first points in a 0-0 draw at Panathinaikos. Because the other Group C game was also a draw, with Udinese hitting back to 1-1 against Werder Bremen, Barca stayed three points ahead.

An own-goal by Brazilian defender Felipe handed Bremen a lead but Antonio Di Natale helped his team capture a point with an equalizer four minutes from the end. Barca has seven points, followed by Udinese and Panathinaikos with four each and Bremen with one.

Manchester United stayed at the top of Group D but had hoped to move well clear with a home game against last-place Lille.

With Wayne Rooney suspended, the team played poorly and had Paul Scholes sent off 27 minutes from the end in a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford.

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was furious with Italian referee Stefano Farina for sending Scholes off while Ryan Giggs had to go off with a fractured cheekbone.

"Paul's had about 10 fouls against him but there were bookings [against him]," Ferguson said. "We've had punches in the back, kicks, elbows in the face and Ryan Giggs has got a fractured cheekbone but the player is not booked.

"We maybe could have got a goal but I suppose with 10 men and the other team entrenched in their own half still with one up front they went for the point and got it.

"I don't think they had a shot on goal."

Manchester United remained one point clear at the top, however, as Benfica's Manuel Fernandes canceled out a penalty for Villarreal by Juan Roman Riquelme. Manchester United has five points, while Benfica has four, Villarreal has three and Lille has two.

Seven points ahead in the French league and top of Group F without a goal conceded, Lyon can make virtually sure of reaching the last 16 by beating Olympiakos on Wednesday.

If Lyon makes it a maximum nine points from three games and Real Madrid and Rosenborg draw, the French club will be five points ahead with three games to go.

English Premier League leader Chelsea, which has won its first nine domestic matches, hopes to move a step closer the second round by beating Real Betis at home. In the same Group G, defending champion Liverpool visits Anderlecht.

Neighbors Inter and AC Milan also top their groups. Inter goes to FC Porto, which won the title two seasons ago, and Milan hosts PSV Eindhoven in a repeat of last season's semifinal.
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