Thu, Apr 12, 2007 - Page 20 News List

At least two English teams into last four

AP , LONDON

At least two English teams made it into the Champions League semi-finals as Manchester United and Chelsea advanced on Tuesday.

United routed AS Roma 7-1 in the second leg of the quarter-finals to advance 8-3 on aggregate. Chelsea came back from a goal down to edge Valencia 2-1 and advance 3-2 on aggregate. Michael Essien scored the winning goal in injury time.

Liverpool, which beat PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in the first leg, hoped to bring the count to three English teams in the semi-finals when it hosted the Dutch team in yesterday's second leg. Bayern Munich hosts AC Milan in the other match after a 2-2 draw in Italy.

United will face either Milan or Bayern in the semi-finals on April 24 and May 2. Chelsea will take on either Liverpool or PSV on April 25 and May 1.

Chelsea, which trails United by only three points in the English league, is looking to win four trophies. The two-time defending English champions already have won the League Cup and are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.

Essien, who has recently been sidelined with a knee injury, scored the winning goal on Tuesday with a hard shot to the near post.

"I think it's a great performance, especially the second half," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said. "I repeat, a great performance against a good team in a difficult stadium."

Fernando Morientes gave Valencia the lead in the 32nd, sliding to knock in a cross from Joaquin Sanchez. But Andriy Shevchenko equalized for Chelsea in the 52nd, scoring from close range after a free kick from Essien.

"A late goal hurts because it leaves you with no time to keep your chances alive. It's one of the worst fates a team can suffer," Valencia coach Quique Sanchez Flores said.

Valencia took the lead in the first leg last week at Stamford Bridge, but had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

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