UEFA Champions League Round-up - Barcelona, Manchester United through, Chelsea crash yet again

Chelsea have failed to win their first Champions League for yet another year after a 3-1 aggregate loss to fellow English rivals Manchester United.

The London side were trailing 1-0 from the first leg and were the better side on the day. However, what cost them was the fact that they were toothless up front. United on the other hand, were clinical in their finishing.

Chelsea, who started with the out-of-sorts Torres and Anelka up front, conceded at the worst possible time, just before the break, when Javier Hernandez popped up at the far post to guide Ryan Giggs' through ball in.

The visitors brought on Drogba for Torres at half time and immediately improved after the change of ends. However, a second yellow card on seventy minutes saw Ramires depart, deepening Chelsea's sorrows. However, Drogba gave them hope with a 77th-minute strike.

United's respone was immediate though and Ji-Sung Park, again set up by the brilliant Giggs, struck powerfully to restore the host's advantage. It meant Chelsea needed two more goals while a man down and with just 10 minutes remaining. It didn't pan out as the Londoners hoped and United finished without further worries. They will face either Schalke or Inter in the semi finals with odds pointing to Schalke after an obilterating 5-2 away win at San Siro in the first leg.

Elsewhere, Lionel Messi's 48^th goal of the season saw Barcelona beat Shakhtar Donetsk by an aggregate of 6-1 in Ukraine.

The win sets up a possible El Classico semi final against Real Madrid, who lead Spurs by 4-0 after their first leg.

Shakhtar, started the game well enough and dominated the early stages while the Catalns soaked up the pressure. However, as the half wore on, Barca ventured forward and a goal followed, just before half-time. With same down the right, Dani Alves squared the ball to Messi who did his trademark dance around the defenders before easing it into goal. It was his 48^th goal of the season as well as his ninth goal in 10 Champions league games this season.

The second half saw a relaxed Barca pressurized by Shakhtar, but except for Valdes requiring to make a few routine saves, the Spanish giants were rarely troubled. Barcelona will probably face Real Madrid in the semis if the White's don't succumb a 4-0 aggregate lead and it would mean that four El Classico's will be played over the coming weeks in different competitions.