The UEFA Cup Semi-Finals were decided on Thursday, the first match being a dramatic late victory for Shakhtar Donetsk (2-1, 3-2 agg.) over Ukranian rivals Dynamo Kiev. But the all-German affair that was the second Semi-Final, 2nd Leg somehow managed to be more thrilling.

Werder Bremen lost their first leg 1-0 at home to Hamburg but produced a fine comeback to win 3-2 despite Ivica Olic’s opener.

Diego levelled with a solo effort, Claudio Pizarro fired in a long-ranger and then captain Frank Baumann headed in following bizarre circumstances, before Olic managed a late consolation to set up a nervy finish.

Bremen, who will be without Brazilian star Diego for the final after he picked up a booking that rules him out, will now face Ukranians Shakhtar in Istanbul on Wednesday 20 May.

Yet that seemed unlikely when Hamburg went 2-0 ahead on aggregate as Olic was played through early on and kept his cool to slot home from inside the box. But Bremen fought back brilliantly, getting themselves level on the night when Diego played a fine one-two with Pizarro before gloriously clipping home.

Diego saw a stunning 25-yard shot tipped on to the bar by Frank Rost before he got involved in a spat with Brazillian Alex Silva and picked up a booking that means he misses the final. But Werder continued to press and Pizarro turned away from two defenders outside the Hamburg box before lashing in, though Rost should have done much better.

The goal rocked Hamburg and they conceded another when Trochowski’s attempted goalline clearance was bravely headed in by Baumann. This goal came from a corner which was given after an attempted Hamburg clearance was distrupted by a piece of paper thrown on to the pitch by a supporter. The ball proceeded to bounce off the obstacle and then the baffled Hamburg defender. It was humourous at the time for the home side, but no-one in red was laughing when the scoreline read 1-3. Olic’s goal was a temporary reprieve, but it is the Bremen boys who have local bragging rights following this game, a German Cup Semi-Final victory a few weeks ago, and to compound the misery for Hamburg, they now have to play their neighbours in the league this weekend. The cities of Hamburg and Bremen are just 60 miles apart.

Werder Bremen’s opponents Shakhtar Donetsk became the first team from Ukraine to reach the UEFA Cup Final, which will be the last as the competition gets re-branded.

The goalie was sent off during the second half of Aston Villas 5 - 0 thrashing at Anfield on Sunday after he allegedly brought down Liverpool striker Fernando Torres in the penalty area.

The American received a straight red by ref Martin Atkinson, but after the match Friedel told of his disappointment at the decision.

He said at the time: “I just stood my ground, and as the cameras show I turned my shoulders to show that I didn’t try to make contact. He is the one who ran in and made contact with me.

“Does he have an argument for a penalty? Sure. Does he have an argument for a booking? Sure. But sending off is very harsh considering he had a defender alongside him.”

Villa lodged an appeal on Monday with the Football Association and a disciplinary panel has overturned the dismissal.

The decision means Friedel will not have to serve a one-match suspension and is free to play in Villa’s next game at Premier League leaders Manchester United on Sunday 5th April, live on Sky Sports 1 & HD1.

It does not however cover his shame at letting so many goals in.

But it wasnt plain sailing, Manchester City had to endure a penalty shootout to see off the Danish side AaB Aalborg after five minutes of madness allowing the Danes back into the match after winning the first leg 1-0.

City struggled throughout the evening but looked to be cruising into the next round before Luton Shelton pulled a goal back with five minutes remaining.

And the game was forced into extra-time when Michael Jakobsen netted Aalborg’s second from the spot in the 90th-minute after Ched Evans had handled in his own box.

But Shay Given was the hero for City in the penalty shoot-out, saving from Thomas Augustinussen and Shelton.

Manchester City are now one of 8 teams in the quarter-final pot, along with Hamburg, PSG, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dynamo Kiev, Werder Bremen, Marsellile, and Udinese, who knocked out holders Zenit St. Petersburg on aggregate.

If the Citizens do go on to win the competition, it will be their first trophy for 33 years, and will be even more amazing considering they started from the very first qualifing round after gaining their berth through the fair play league last season.

Another kamikaze game like last night though will surely see them fail.

The news from British tabloid newspaper The Daily Mirror, sys that the Premier League club Arsenal are set to raid Spanish Primera Division side Espanyol for youngster Pablo Saranova.

Although just 16-years of age, Saranova has already broken into the Espanyol B team and has attracted the attention of some top European clubs.

It seems that Gunners manager Arsene Wenger has been impressed with what he has heard about the left-sided midfielder, who has been labelled the ‘new Cesc Fabregas,’ and is set to lure the youngster to the Emirates Stadium.

The deal is not yet complete but, should Saranova join the north London club, he will link up with countrymen Manuel Almunia, Fabregas and Fran Merida.

That is of course if Fabregas stays at Arsenal.

Chelsea star Michael Ballack has told Manchester United that Chelsea will fight them for the Premier title race.

Guus Hiddink’s side currently sit four points adrift of the Red Devils as the battle for top flight supremacy hots up.

The Blues only have nine games in which to topple United at the summit, while Sir Alex Ferguson’s men have one game more in which to hang on to their lofty perch.

The battle promises to be keenly-fought, with Liverpool still harbouring aspirations of taking the crown after their 4-1 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Rafa Benitez’s men have already proven that they will not be giving up without a fight, and Ballack has made it clear that Chelsea will also be challenging until it is mathematically impossible for them to emerge on top.

“We are not a team that ever give up. It’s going to take something big for us to be able to win the league, but in football you never know,” the Germany international said in the Daily Express.

“We have to enjoy the moment we are in. Right now we are winning games and looking forward to the next one.”

Ballack also believes a rejuvenated Didier Drogba will be crucial to the club’s chances of closing the gap on United.

As Ballack is one of the big names predicted to leave Chelsea at the end of the season, lets hope he is right.

The Liverpool striker has told all Steven Gerrard admirers that the skipper could never be persuaded to leave the club he loves.

Media speculation is mounting that Real Madrid have made the midfielder their top transfer target and reports have even suggested that they are willing to offer £80 million for Gerrard.

However, Torres is adamant that his team-mate is going nowhere and that nothing could tempt him to leave Merseyside.

“There isn’t a team in the world that Steven wouldn’t get into - so yes, I am sure he has his admirers,” the striker told the Sunday Mirror.

“But there are some players who love their club so much that they won’t leave no matter what money is thrown around.

“We saw Kaka stay at AC Milan and that was nice to see in these times.

“Like Stevie, Kaka is one of the best players and in the same way he loves Milan, Stevie loves Liverpool.

“It’s not about how we would get him to stay, he would never leave.

“The fans love him, the manager loves him, and he is our captain. Trust me when I say he is going nowhere.”

Family Affair

Gerrard scored twice in midweek at Anfield as Rafael Benitez’s Reds sunk Real 4-0, and his display even meant that Madrid fans were singing the midfielder’s name at the end of the game.

Yet Torres insisted that this would not sway the England international whose heart belongs to the Kop.

The former Atletico Madrid man explained, “They may have been chanting his name, but nobody will chant his name louder than the Liverpool fans and I know the relationship he has with our supporters. They are his family.”

Torres also insisted that Gerrard is without doubt one of the greatest players in the world.

“He is the best player I have ever played with, and I have played with some great players with Spain and Liverpool,” added the Spaniard.

“He could easily be the best player in the world.”

Right Choice

The 24-year-old also took time out to pledge his future to Liverpool and insisted that the win over Real Madrid had vindicated his decision to join the Merseysiders.

“This is the reason why I came to Liverpool,” he added.

“I made it clear the only club I’d leave Atletico for was Liverpool and now I can see why.

“Tuesday was a statement we are not be taken lightly. We know the defeat of Madrid means nothing now. It doesn’t matter who we draw now - there is no easy game - but there is serious belief in the Liverpool dressing room we can win a sixth European Cup.”

And who would bet against them winning the Champions League?

Besides that, Deco has interesting options in Italian club Juventus, who are currently looking for a replacement of retiring Pavel Nedved. Deco seems to fit that bill, but his age could prove to be a problem. Valencia’s David Silva is also being linked constantly with a possible Juventus move.

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has indicated that Deco could be out the rest of the season, due to a recurrence of a hamstring injury. The Portugal international has been suffering with the injury for the past two months and Hiddink was forced into substituting the former Barcelona star before half-time.

If he goes though, will Chelsea even notice?

Spurs beat Villa 2-1 at Villa Park yesterday further weakening any hopes of a top 4 finish and Champions League football next season.

O’Hara said after the game ‘Villa had a great start and I think they’ve maintained that.’

‘They’ve had a great season but I wouldn’t class them as a top four side just yet because obviously they’ve got to do that on a consistent basis.

‘You have to do that for two or three seasons in succession to be classed as a top four side. Being consistent in the Premier League is the main thing and that’s what we’re trying to be now as well.’

Looking at recent results, O’Hara might just be right.

The gunner’s were hoping to sign the Russian player to strengthen their attacking options in Januiary’s transfer window. The London team are currently having an indifferent season.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has been coy on his side’s interest in Arshavin, but Arsenal are believed to be leading the chase for the 27-year-old.

Arshavin is determined to leave Zenit this month after being frustrated in his attempts to move last summer.

Reports suggest Zenit are demanding a ?20million fee for Arshavin, but the Gunners value the 27-year-old at considerably less.

Zenit spokesman Alexei Petrov has confirmed Arsenal are the only club to have made an official approach for Arshavin, but that their initial offer was turned down.

“I can confirm that Zenit did get an official offer from Arsenal about Andrei Arshavin,” Petrov told the Mail on Sunday. It was rejected as insufficient.

“They offered about £10m. No new offers have arrived from them since. At the moment, Arsenal are the only club to have approached us about the player.”

With Manchester City waiting to pounce will Arsenal increase their offer for Arshavin.