No wonder Harry Redknapp has been strongly linked with the England post which is seemingly vacant from 2012 after the European Championships. Redknapp has clearly delivered at White Hart Lane. Displaying cunning fox-like ways in the transfer market (the latest example Van der Vaart seems to be settling in very quickly) and great player development skills (Lennon and Huddlestone as shining examples) Harry has made Spurs a dominant English side that previously had been labelled a poisoned challice by many pundits in the game. With a superb campaign in the 2009/2010 season where Spurs finished fourth, they didn't wobble against the Young Boys beating them 6-3 on aggregate to delight the Spurs faithful.

So the UEFA Champions League virgins Tottenham Hotspur started explosively, scoring twice in the first 20 minutes.

Left wing wizard Gareth Bale got to the goal line to cross nicely into England striker Peter Crouch who went to slot the ball in displaying goalscorer positioning. However, Werder Bremen Pasanen put the ball in for an unfortunate own goal.

It was Crouchy who scored the second for the lily whites, looping a header home from an Ekotto cross. Great midfield movement and passing from the North London travellers, they really did stretch Werder Bremen. Brilliant header from Peter Crouch, using his size and heading skill. Dominating possession for the whole of the first half, Tottenham Hotspur could have had half a dozen goals, peppering the Werder Bremen goal with shots on target. Gareth Bale was outsanding as was Peter Crouch and new dutch signing Van der Vaart.

The home team managed to steal one against the run of play, with Almeida scoring in the 43rd minute after some sloppy Spurs defending. A great opportunity for Werder Bremen was created from this moment on.

In the second half, the home team started very brightly, with Cudicini making a great save tipping a superb long range shot over the bar. Marin then scored an absolutely exquisite goal, hitting a drive from outside the box.

Marin and Almeida continuted to pile on pressure to the hear of the Tottenham Hotspur defence. This seemed to impact on the visitor's approach to the match early on in the second half, Spurs looked tentative and reluctant to pile forward in the aggressive manner that brought them their 2 goal lead in the 1st half.

Werder Bremen were good for a draw - exciting times for Tottenham Hotspur as they claim their first UEFA Champions League point.

COYS ;-)

Champions League Result 6th April 2010: Barca 4: Arsenal 1

Last night Arsenal were absolutely battered by a team that Wenger readily admitted is "better than us [Arsenal] and that has the best player in the world". He described Messi as "unstoppable" and "the only player who can change direction at such a pace."

As well as all the accolades from players and commentators alike, there is little argument that Messi's form for Barca this year has been outstanding. Having already hit three hat-tricks in Barca colours in 2010, he upped his game even further against Arsenal and scored four goals in a match for the first time in his career. However Messi refused to bask in his own personal glory and praised the rest of his team.

So given his unquestionable talent and a penchant for modesty and teamwork, is this 22 year old Argentinian the perfect player? Some critics point out than in 18 matches for Argentina, Messi has only managed 4 goals, although those close to the South American game say this is due to weaknesses in the squad as a whole. Gooners currently licking their wounds might point out that he failed to score at the Emirates last week, which is certainly true. These points aside, after tonight's performance, is there a manager in the world who wouldn't pick Messi?

There is no doubt that Messi is an all-time great and fantastic for the neutral to watch. However even a player of his quality needs a good team around him to really shine. Just to rub salt in the Gooner wounds, their all time top scorer and darling of North London, Thierry Henry, didn't even get off the bench in this encounter. That's how strong Barca is.

Is this quarter final the game where the gooners lay to rest the miserable champions league 2006? Playing against his former club Thierry Henry will no doubt know better than anyone how formidable a Wenger side can be in Europe, especially now that they have more physicality in their game this season.

On paper, Barcelona's first 11 is immense and made Manchester United look quite ordinary last season. However, when Arsenal's flowing football kicks in to some of these Champions League this team exhibits world class qualities that can lead to a quick succession of goals. Sol Campbell has helped their back line no end but they still have a bit of uncertainty between the sticks with Almunia. This was illustrated against Birmingham City this weekend with a bit of a howler, where we saw Kevin Philips bagging his 250th goal of his football career...but lets be fair a decent Prem 'keeper would have saved it.

Away at the Nou camp? I can see Barcelona getting an advantage in this 1st leg - maybe 1 goal.

Chelsea 0 Inter Milan 1 (agg. 1-3) Inter Milan progress past the first UEFA Champions League knock out stage

Jose Mourinho revisited his old stomping ground at Stamford Bridge in the 2nd Leg tie, going into the match leading 2-1 after the 1st leg at the San Siro.

The special one had a standing ovation from the Stamford Bridge faithful - Mourinho looked touched but then it was down to business in this knock out Champions League match. After winning 5 trophies in his time at the Bridge, there are still numerous Chelsea fans that would have him back - and who could blame them.

Mourinho's side defended with great strength in the first half, with great blocks preventing shots from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka (42 minutes) from clawing the home side back into the tie. Lucio and Samuel were dynamite in central defence, keeping Drogba under control more than any other.

Eto'o also had a chance in the 35th minute, missing from close range after John Terry had narrowly missed a defensive header.

Although the first half was goal less, Chelsea could have been 1 up easily, after being denied 2 penalty shouts from corner kick action - Ivanovic and Drogba were both uprooted. I would have given them both.

Chelsea kicked off the second half, seemingly drifting more into a 4-4-2 formation with Anelka joining Drogba as well as Malouda assuming an advanced left midfield position. Inter contained them well initially, looking to soak up the home team possession and hit them on the break where possible. Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka piled on the pressure on to Lucio and Samuel - a fantastic offensive-defensive dual to witness.

In the 50th minute, Eto'o had a half chance but didn't manage to get a shot away. Then, within one minute Malouda pulled the trigger on target which was saved for a corner. After the corner, Inter conceded a free kick, taken by Drogba who narrowly missed with his characteristic side foot free kick technique. This was a great spell of this tie, with Chelsea dominating the play as they did just prior to the half time break. Inter worked incredibly hard to stifle the Chelsea midfield and attack - a real gutsy display.

Inter's left footed star Pandev had a great run and shot from a top quality Wesley Sneijder pass but carried the ball a bit too far, allowing Zhirkov a chance to get a foot in.

Joe Cole came on in the 61st minute with Ballack substituted to alter the balance of the Chelsea midfield. favouring even more aggressive attacking action. At this point you could see how when Inter did break down the Chelsea possession that they could exploit space in Chelsea's defensive areas as they endeavoured to push on. Inter Milan did push on more in the second half, causing Chelsea problems down the flanks with Mikon and Pandev. Wesley Sneijder started to to boss the midfield play with some great passing and the possession battle started to tip towards the visitors.

Yuri Zhirkov was substituted for Salomon Kalou in the 72nd minute as Carlo started to feel the pressure of this great tie. Kalou had an instant impact, combining with Drogba and Anelka well to no end result but it applied the right level of pressure to give the home team added belief that they could capitalise one of the numerous chances that they were generating.

In the 77th minute Sneijder played a superb first time ball, releasing Mikon who was narrowly offside.

In the 78th minute Sneijder's tried again, this time with his left foot to put Eto'o in on goal. Cameroon international Eto'o drilled it into the bottom corner - Alex played the former Barcelona striker onside to put Inter Milan 3-1 up on aggregate. Inter deserved the goal, working hard in defence but also taking the game to Chelsea with some exciting pass and move football.

In the last ten minutes, Chelsea started to make their play extremely direct, desperate to stay in the Champions LEague.,

In the 85 minute, Mourinho substituted Sneijder for Mariga, making his Champions League debut. Wesley Sneijder for me was easily man of the match, giving a true number 10 midfield maestro play.

Confusingly, Didier Drogba was then sent off for tangling with Thiago Motta in the penalty box. There wasn't a definitive view on Sky Sports but I thought that it looked pretty harsh on Drogba.

Inter played 'keep ball' towards the end, completing a slick, classy away performance knocking out Mourinho's old club making it sting even more for Ancelotti's side.

Materazzi came on for Thiago Motta in the 91st minute, as the special one employed an old technigue of soaking up a few more unwanted moments of footballing action.

Eto'o could have had a second late on, Inter retained possession, frustrating Chelsea and securing
their place in the next Champions League round.