Big Boys cruise in Champions League play

No problems at all for the big boys in Champions League play on Wednesday in Europe.  Barcelona, Inter Milan, Manchester United and Tottenham all progressed to the round of 16 with victories.  Defending champions Inter Milan booked their place in the knockout stage with a hard-fought 1-0 win over FC Twente at the San Siro.  Rafa Benitez's side were made to work by Twente before Esteban Cambiasso broke the Dutch outfit's resistance ten minutes into the second half after a deflected freekick fell kindly.

Wayne Rooney marked his first start since signing his new 5 yr contract with the winner in a 1-0 win against Rangers at Ibrox to send Manchester United through. Rooney, playing from the outset for the first time since signing his new contract, sent Allan McGregor the wrong way with an 87th minute penalty after Steven Naismith had been penalised for a challenge on Fabio.

Barcelona sealed top spot in Group D with a 3-0 victory away to Panathinaikos. Pedro scored twice either side of a Lionel Messi effort, the Argentinean capping yet another sublime performance with a goal.  Meanwhile,  Tottenham joined Inter in progressing from Group A as first-half goals from Younes Kaboul and Luka Modric set them on their way to a 3-0 win at home to Werder Bremen. Gareth Bale missed a penalty before Peter Crouch sealed the win, which puts Spurs level on ten points with Inter but ahead on their head-to-head record.