Champions Win For United, Costly Win For Stoke

The Champions League semi-finals kicked-off yesterday with Schalke entertaining Manchester United in Gelsenkirchen. There were a few omens surrounding the game with United not having a great record against German sides and Rooney was famously sent off there in 2006, with a certain winking Ronaldo causing riots. But, surprisingly, the match turned out to be one of the most one-sided semi-finals ever. For sixty-six minutes, though, it was United versus Manuel Neuer who impressed throughout the game and boosted is already growing reputation of being one of the best up and coming keepers. In the first half United had countless chances with Rooney, Hernandez, Giggs and Fabio all missing great chances, mostly due to some fantastic saves by Neuer. But Schalke's surprising invisibility throughout the match made it far too easy for United and the English side finally broke Neuer's resistance after 67 minutes; Giggs scoring after being put through by Rooney, the Welshman became the oldest goalscorer in the Champions League and is still impressing at the age of 37. After waiting for one, two came at once with Rooney making it 2-0 two minutes later after being put through by Hernandez. Neuer has hinted at a move to Bayern Munich which would halt Fergie's attempts of buying him, but the good news is Van Der Sar may end up staying one more year despite announcing that he would retire at the end of the season.

Back in England there was also Premiership action as Stoke hosted Wolves in their game that would have took place the weekend before last except for Stoke's FA Cup semi-final win over Bolton. The momentum looks to have carried forward as Stoke seemed comfortable against the struggling Wolves; the opener came after just sixteen minute through Kenwyne Jones. Then Wolves were hit with a sucker punch with Shawcross making it 2-0 just before half-time, making Mick McCarthy's team-talk that much harder. The job was completed six minutes into the second half with Jermaine Pennant scoring the third, the bad news for Stoke though is that Matthew Etherington had to be substituted with a hamstring problem and looks like he'll miss the FA Cup final. Wolves remain nineteenth but still only a point from safety, Stoke have moved into ninth and looking to cement a top-half finish.