Manchester United struggle at home, Arsenal draw away

Manchester United struggle at home, Arsenal draw awayHamburg - Defending Champions League title holders Manchester United on Tuesday disappointed as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Porto in a first leg quarter-final match played in Manchester.

The other quarter-final played on the night saw Arsenal draw 1-1 at Villarreal.

In Manchester Porto had the ideal start when Cristian Rodriguez made the most of poor defending just four minutes into the game and beat Edwin Van der Sar with a well taken shot from 13 metres.

England striker Wayne Rooney equalized for the home side on 15 minutes after intercepting a disastrous backpass from Bruno Alves, who tried to play the ball to his goalkeeper without looking.

United substitute Carlos Tevez thought he had given United the win five minutes from the end after Rooney flicked on a throw-in with his heel and the Argentine shot past goalkeeper Helton from close range.

A minute from time Mariano Gonzalez scored a deserved equalizer for Porto though when he pushed the ball past the onrushing Van der Sar.

In Spain Arsenal spent most of the first half defending against a fast and impressive Villarreal side and went behind in the 10th minute when Marcos Senna scored from well outside the area.

The Premier League side's coach Arsene Wenger then had to substitute goalkeeper Manuel Almunia (27th minute) and William Gallas (43rd minute), after both picked up injuries.

In the second half Arsenal managed to get into the game much better and they were rewarded for their efforts in the 66th minute when Emmanuel Adebayor found the net with a spectacular bicycle kick after chesting the ball down.

On Wednesday Liverpool are at home to Chelsea, while Bayern Munich take on Barcelona in Spain in the remaining quarter-final matches.

The return legs are to be played next week. (dpa)

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