Slick Arsenal Return to Form Against Burnley

Arsenal 3 - Burnley 0 (FA Cup, March 8, 2009) The fifth round FA Cup match at the Emirates started at a pedestrian pace with Kieron Gibbs firing a volley wide on the quarter hour, but 25 minutes in Arsenal pounced. Arshavin slipped a ball to Carlos Vela who weaved his way into the box and produced a cute chipped finish for the opener. (First half highlights here.) Arsenal pressed home their advantage of the break as Eduardo da Silva timed a run to perfection before expertly volleying home a Song cross. The Gunners, who could have scored at least six, added a third at the death as Emmanuel Eboue benefitted from Song’s neat backheel to fire home the third. (Second half highlights here.)

Plymouth 2  - Reading 2 (Championship, March 7, 2009) Paul Sturrock’s revitalised Pilgrims looked to be making more progress as they twice went in front through Paul Gallagher (20) and a stunner from Jamie Mackie (56). But the Royals, who saw Wolves and Birmingham both claim victories, twice levelled through Alex Pearce (22) and Jimmy Kebe (80).

Cardiff 3 - Doncaster 0 (Championship, March 7, 2009) Michael Chopra scored his third since returning to Cardiff before Jay Bothroyd volleyed home the second. Eddie Johnson then bagged his first Cardiff goal on the hour to seal a comfortable win.

Bristol Rovers 2 - Leeds 2 (League One, March 7, 2009) Jeff Hughes’s opening volley for Rovers was wiped out by a Luciano Becchio and a fine Robert Snodgrass free-kick. But Rovers refused to lose, and Jo Kuffour controlled expertly before firing in an last minute equaliser.

AC Milan 3 - Atalanta 0 (Serie A, March 8, 2009) It took AC Milan just six minutes to move ahead of Atalanta, Jankulovski whipped in a pacey low cross from the left and Pipo Inzaghi spun on a sixpence and crashed home the opener. (First half highlights here.) As the match headed into the final stages Milan cashed in with two quick-fire goal. Inzaghi skipped past the keeper after being free through the middle to claim the second, and a fabulous one-two between Jankulovski and Zambrotta gifted Super Pipo his hat-trick goal.

Catania 0 - Siena 3 (Serie A, March 8, 2009) Massimo Maccarone scored a brilliant solo effort after nine minutes to give Siena the lead at Catania as the former Boro forward carried the ball up-field before releasing a 20-yard bullet into the top corner.

Napoli 0 - Lazio 2 (Serie A, March 8, 2009) A second half brace from Tommaso Rocchi earned Lazio the points, Rocchi’s first arrived after 56 minutes before his struck home a second from the edge of the box.

Fiorentina 0 - Palermo 2 (Serie A, March 8, 2009) Fiorentina trail AC Milan by four points in the race for a Champions League spot after being sunk by second half goals from Simplicio and Miccoli.

ADO Den Haag 1 - Ajax 1 (Eredivisie, March 8, 2009) After a goalless first half (highlights here) both goals arrived minutes after each other in the second. Rob Wielaert fired Ajax in front with a volley from the edge of the box before Wesley Verhoek was brought off the bench and equalised inside 60 seconds.

NAC Breda 1 - Feyenoord 2 (Eredivisie, March 8, 2009) Donny Gorter gave NAC the lead at the break with a 42nd minute penalty but the visitors levelled early in the second half when Georginio Wijnaldum struck from just inside the box. Feyenoord stole the points late on courtesy of a Jon Dahl Tomasson winner.

AEK’s lethal forward Ismael Blanco needed just six minutes to score at Panserraikos. Nastja Ceh pulled the hosts level from the spot before AEK ran wild with Djebbour cashing in with a double, Blanco bagged his second and Scocco hit a fifth on the stroke of halftime.