It was a matter of luck, or lack of, that led to the eliminations of Juventus, Inter Milan and Roma from this season's UEFA Champions League. AC Milan was the last Italian side to win it back in 2007.

Chelsea edged past Juventus dominating the match and despite Vincenzo Iaquinta opening the scoring for the Italians on 19 minutes after David Trezeguet flipped a perfectly weighted high pass into his stride.

Chelsea equalised for 1-1 after Essien bundled in the crucial away goal equaliser on 46 minutes after Buffon had parried a deflected Frank Lampard truck and hope.

Despite Juve's domination and Chelsea's lucky goal bianconero defender Giorgio Chiellini was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining to leave them a man down and chasing two goals to advance.

But no sooner had the Londoners gained a numerical advantage than substitute Julien Belletti handled an Alessandro Del Piero freekick and Del Piero himself rolled a nonchalant penalty past Petr Cech.

However, Belletti made amends in style eight minutes from the end in taking a pass from Michael Ballack and threading the ball in for the lurking Drogba to fire home from the edge of the six yard box.

Sir Alex Ferguson got one over on Jose Mourinho as Manchester United reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League with a 2-0 win over Inter Milan at Old Trafford.

After a goalless first leg, the hosts took the early advantage as Nemanja Vidic headed home a Ryan Giggs corner after just four minutes.

Despite constant domination Inter could not get on the board with chances to Stankovic and Cambiasso narrowly missing as Ibrahimovic hit the cross bar and Adriano came on only to hit his shot against the post.

And Cristiano Ronaldo converted Wayne Rooney's cross four minutes into the second half to end the Nerazzurri's European interest this season.

Arsenal made it four out of four English sides through with a penalty shoot-out victory against Roma.

The Gunners' 1-0 first-leg advantage was almost immediately cancelled out as Juan scored for Roma after 10 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico, a goal which took the game into extra time and ultimately penalties.

 Despite numerous chances for the Romans and total domination of the game, Arsenal of England was lucky not to concede the killer blow and somehow managed to take its team of non-English players to penalties.

Arsenal's Eduardo and Mirko Vucinic of Roma had spot-kicks saved early on, but from then on all were converted before Max Tonetto fired the 16th penalty over the bar.

Roma will miss their chance to play in this year's Final which will be contested in Rome.

PA Sport