Defeat leaves Arsenal in danger of elimination

ARSENAL’S Champions League hopes were left dangling by a thread after they lost an astonishing clash 3-2 to Olympiakos Piraeus who won a competitive European match in England for the first time in 50 years.

After losing their opening game to Dinamo Zagreb two weeks ago, Arsenal are bottom of Group F, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich, who they have to play twice.

Olympiakos, whose 12 previous visits to England ended in defeat, went ahead when Felipe Pardo’s 32nd minute shot was deflected by Alex OxladeChamberlain and flew past goalkeeper David Ospina.

Arsenal were level three minutes later when Theo Walcott scored but Olympiakos went in front again when Ospina mishandled a corner and dropped the ball over his line with the fifth official signalling a goal.

Alexis Sanchez equalised for the hosts with a neat header in the 65th but almost immediately Icelandic substitute Alfred Finnbogason put Olympiakos ahead again and they held on to seal a famous victory at The Emirates.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was criticised for his team selection when they lost 2-1 to Dinamo Zagreb in their opening match and faces more wrath for preferring Ospina to usual first-choice Petr Cech in goal.

Jose Mourinho’s season took another turn for the worse with a forgettable return to Porto.

With Chelsea floundering in 14th in the English Premier League, a win at Porto would have been a much-needed boost, but instead Mourinho watched a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Portuguese club.

Mourinho said his team paid the price for ‘‘two ridiculous mistakes’’ in defence as Yacine Brahimi and Maicon’s goals powered the Portuguese team to victory.

Spanish giants Barcelona pulled off a dramatic escape to avoid defeat against Bayer Leverkusen, scoring in the 80th and 82nd minutes to turn defeat into a 2-1 home victory.