English clubs show the way

The first knockout round of the Champions League after the group stages threw up some interesting ties between some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

Most notable were the games that the English and Italian clubs played against each other as this was a good test of the respective leagues.

This was the first year for a long time that all Europe's 'big' clubs, AC Milan being the only exception, had made it through and of course this meant some heavyweight games materialised when the draw was made.

Runaway leaders Inter Milan and Manchester United were the big game on the Tuesday night and although the match ended up in a 0-0 draw it could have been very different. United in the first half were exceptional and could have been 3-0 up by the break but somehow Inter held on.

The English side are favourites for this competition and justifiably so as Ferguson's team are playing with such confidence and the squad is so big that they can fight for titles on more than one front.

On Sunday this was no different when, with a team that was not the first choice, they managed to get the Carling Cup final to penalties and won this easily against a beleaguered Tottenham Hotspur. This means the Reds are on course still to win an unprecedented five trophies this season and with a seven point lead and a game in hand in the Premiership it is probably just the two cup competitions standing in their way.

They must first overcome Inter next week and the lack of an away goal will be a worry to the United manager as he has suffered in the past from this scenario. Mourinho will have his team set up perfectly for a game like this with a solid defence and looking to snatch a goal on the break or from a set piece.

United are still the likely winners but if any team left in this competition could sneak a draw then it is probably the Italian leaders. Whatever the result it will be a very intense and nervy evening at The Old Trafford.

The other Italian and English games were Arsenal and Chelsea at home to Roma and Juventus respectively and both games ended with a 1-0 win to the Premiership sides. In reality both of them could have put the tie away had they taken their chances but I am sure both managers will feel confident of going through to the next round.

Of the two I would be more worried for the Gunners as Roma can be devastating, as Chelsea found out, if it happens to be going right for them. In Totti they have a match winner as good as any in Europe and Arsenal are currently prone to poor performances so the tie is a tricky one for Wenger. Chelsea, meanwhile, should have more than enough to cope with an ageing Juventus side and in Anelka they have one of the hottest strikers in Europe.

The last English side, Liverpool, were away to Real Madrid and after what was a very poor spectacle the Merseysiders managed to sneak a late winner to take back to Anfield. Benitez is still showing he has a real feel for tactics and line-ups for this competition and it is a good job for him considering his team's performances in the League after another poor result against Middlesbrough at the weekend which leaves them seven points behind Manchester United.

Out of the FA Cup and now adrift in the League, Liverpool are facing another blank season except for the Champions League. It is becoming a regular scenario for weary Liverpool supporters and unless it changes soon then surely their patience will run out with the Spaniard.

One thing certain though is that the Premiership outfit outshone its counterparts in Europe after all four sides kept a clean sheet and are favourites to go through to the next round which could leave Italy without any representatives.

The two main challenges will come from Barcelona and Bayern Munich who both had good results particularly the Germans who won 5-0 away from home which is a Champions League record.

The Premiership is now without doubt the dominant league in Europe both in terms of money and results and it will be interesting to see if they can justify this billing when the second legs take place next week.