Bayern take their revenge, Willian gives Blues victory

MUNICH: Bayern Munich dismantled Arsenal 5-1 in Champions League Group F last night after a sensational firsthalf performance to close on the knockout stages with two matches left.

The Bavarians, who struck three times in the first half through Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Mueller and David Alaba, avenged their 2-0 loss in London last month – their only defeat this season – with a dominant performance that underlined their title aspirations.

Substitute Arjen Robben, making his first appearance in the competition this season after a long injury break, added a fourth soon after coming on in the 55th minute and Mueller grabbed a late fifth. Bayern top the group on nine points.

Injury-hit Arsenal, woeful at the back and toothless up front, pulled a goal back through Olivier Giroud, the Gunners, third in the group ahead of bottom Dinamo Zagreb on goal difference, need to win their remaining two games to maintain their slim chances of reaching the last 16.

Lewandowski, who had never scored against keeper Petr Cech, headed the hosts into the lead with the Poland striker, the top scorer in the Bundesliga, beating the off-side trap to score his fourth goal in the competition with a glancing header from a Thiago cross.

The 33-year-old Czech keeper could do nothing as the striker made a clever move to wrongfoot defenders and was completely unmarked in front of the goal.

With Bayern setting a frantic pace in the first half, quick wingers Kingsley Coman and Douglas Costa kept slicing through, with the Arsenal defenders’ heads spinning as Lewandowski kept Cech busy.

It did not take long for Bayern to score again as Mueller drilled in his third goal of the campaign on the half hour.

Bayern kept up the pressure and Mueller forced another good save from Cech before Alaba’s 20-metre effort gave the keeper no chance just before the break.

Coach Pep Guardiola brought on Robben early in the second half and the Dutchman delivered instantly, killing off the game 37 seconds later with his first touch from an Alaba cutback.

Giroud scored for Arsenal in the 70th with a fine first touch and flying volley for his seventh goal in his last seven games, but it came too late.

Too late

A stunning free kick from Willian seven minutes from time gave Chelsea a nervy and hard-fought 2-1 Champions League Group G win over Dynamo Kiev to lift the gloom surrounding Stamford Bridge.

The English champions bossed the game throughout a one-sided first half and lead at the break after Dynamo centreback Aleksandar Dragovic headed into his own net after 33 minutes of play.

The same player then scored at the right end when he thundered in Dynamo’s equaliser after 77 minutes, before Willian stepped up to strike a brilliant free kick that keeper Olexandr Shovkovskiy had no chance of saving.

The result left Chelsea in second place on seven points, behind the leaders, Porto, on 10.

Dynamo have five points and Maccabi Tel Aviv none.

A Neymar double and a clinical finish from Luis Suarez handed Barcelona a comfortable 3-0 victory over BATE Borisov to put them on the verge of qualifying for the last 16 for the 12th straight season. Barca lead Group E with 10 points, while BATE have three points. – Reuters