Anderlecht battled manfully to try to get past Hamburg in this Europa League tie but ultimately fell short when their Bundesliga opponents scored a third through Mladen Petric.
Liverpool edged past Lille with a commanding Anfield display seeing Rafa overturn the one goal deficit to make it through to the next stage of the Europa League thanks to goals from Steven Gerrard and a brace Fernando Torres.
The win eases pressure on the Anfield sides boss and gives them a good chance of salvaging some silverware from what has been a wretched season. An early goal was always going to be crucial and Steven Gerrard put away a spot kick after Lucas was taken down in the box.
Fernando Torres then doubled the lead five minutes into the second half with a typically well taken goal and with Lille still only needing to net once to go through on away goals the Spaniard calmed Liverpool nerves by scoring his second and his sides third in the dying seconds.
A David Villa hat-trick helped Valencia to progress past Werder Bremen on away goals after a truly enthralling eight goal thriller against their Bundesliga opponents.
Fulham pulled off a incredible result at Craven Cottage as Roy Hodgson guided the Premier League side back from a 3-1 first leg deficit as well as an early David Trezeguet goal to romp home 4-1 on the night and 5-4 on aggregate.
Newcastle United extended their lead at the top of the Championship to four points thanks to an easy win over struggling Scunthorpe United at St James’ Park.
Andy Carroll continued his excellent run of form with a brace taking his tally for the season to 14 and in the process further prove that he can be a prolific marksman and is indeed a bright prospect for the future. His two efforts sandwiched an impressive finish from Danish international Peter Lovenkrands.
The win puts Chris Hughton’s Toon Army that little bit nearer to an instant return to the top tier.
A goal from Yoann Gourcuff put French champions Bordeaux in the driving seat and even an equalizer from Konstantinos Mitroglou could not help Olympiakos back into the tie. A goal from Arsenal target Marouane Chamakh sealed progress to the Champions League Quarter Finals.
Jose Mourinho had a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge as he led his Inter Milan to a tight victory against Chelsea that sees the Italian champions progress to the Champions League Quarter Finals after a 3-1 aggregate win.
Keisuke Honda scored the all important goal in this Champions League tie as he put Russian side CSKA Moscow into an overall lead with his free kick early in the second half to secure an impressive win over La Liga side Sevilla.
Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool side romped home past doomed Portsmouth at Anfield. Goals from Fernando Torres, Ryan Babel and Alberto Aquilani’s first for the club put the home side 3-0 up inside the first thirty minutes and looked like they would go on a scoring spree.
Luckily for Pompey Liverpool took their foot of the gas and only managed one more goal, Torres scoring his second. Belhadj scored a consolation goal in the dying minutes.
The win puts Liverpool back in the Champions League hunt and Rafa will hope that the convincing nature of the win will appease the fans and stifle speculation about his future as Anfield boss.
AC Milan and LA Galaxy man David Beckham has suffered a serious injury whilst on duty at the San Siro as he helped his side to a crucial Serie A win. The England international has ruptured an achilles tendon as he went to pass to an teammate whilst under no pressure from the opposition. The 34 year old immediately pulled up and the look of pain and anguish made it clear for all to see that the former Manchester United man was in severe pain and he was stretchered off the field of play and there are now severe doubts he will recover in time for the World Cup Finals this summer and some say his injury may well bring an end to his illustrious playing career.
A last gasp goal from veteran midfielder Clarence Seedorf helped AC Milan to a crucial narrow win over Chievo that sees the San Siro side close to within just one point of rivals Inter.