The other half of groups entered the half way stage yesterday to give more of an insight of which of the 16 clubs will make it into the knock-out rounds.
Group A: Tottenham were given a nasty European wake-up call but also then nearly recovered in the old 'game of two halves'. Champions Inter Milan were the visiting team and found themselves 1-0 ahead after just two minutes thanks to Javier Zanetti. It got worse for Tottenham as they were reduced to ten men just eight minutes into the game when Gomes was sent off for last man, Eto'o scored the resulting penalty to double Inter's lead. Dejan Stankovic made it 3-0 before 15 minutes and it was 4-0 before half-time when Eto'o scored his second after 35 minutes. Up stepped Gareth Bale in the second half to secure some pride with a second half hat-trick (first after 52 minutes and then two in stoppage time), all three goals were marvellous solo efforts. This leaves Inter top of the group on seven points with Tottenham second on four.
Two late-ish goals in Holland saw FC Twente draw with Werder Bremen; Theo Janssen put the home side ahead with fifteen minutes left before substitute Marko Arnautovic equalised five minutes later. This leaves both teams on just two points at the halfway stage.
Group B: Veteran Spain striker Raul was on hand for Shalke as they won 3-1 at home to Hapoel Tel-Aviv; Raul opened the scoring after just three minutes before adding a second after 58 minutes. Jose Jurado made it 3-0 ten minutes later before Itay Shechter scored a consolation in stoppage time. Shalke are now on six points with Hapoel still seeking their first.
Lyon made it three wins from three at home to Benfica; Jimmy Briand put the French side ahead after 21 minutes. Benfica were reduced to ten men two minutes before half-time when Nicolas Gaitan received a second yellow card. Lisandro Lopez finished Benfica off six minutes into the second half to keep Lyon on top of the group, Benfica only have three points.
Group C: Maurice Edu had a mixed game for Rangers as they hosted Valencia; he put Rangers ahead eleven minutes before half-time and then equalised with an own goal one minute into the second half. This leaves Rangers on five points one ahead of Valencia who are on four.
After the recent headline news coming out of Old Trafford, Manchester United needed a positive result against Bursaspor. Nani scored the solitary goal of the night after six minutes to provide United with the win. It was comfortable but not great from the English giants who are still unbeaten so far this season in all competitions. United are now on seven points with Bursaspor still looking for their first point and goal of their debut Champions League season.
Group D: Panathinaikos and Rubin Kazan played out a goalless draw in Greece. This leaves Panathinaikos bottom of the group with their first point of the campaign whereas Rubin have doubled their tally to two.
Lionel Messi continued his fine form at Barcelona with another two goals, this time against FC Copenhagen. He scored his first just under twenty minutes into the game and rounded the night off in second half stoppage time. Barca are now on seven points on top of group D with Copenhagen sitting in second place on six.
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