ANDRE VILLAS-BOAS’ recall of Frank Lampard was totally vindicated — but the Chelsea manager’s decision to substitute him backfired spectacularly as Valencia snatched a draw in last night’s Champions League clash at the Mestalla.

Valencia 1 Chelsea 1

BARCELONA are sweating on the fitness of playmaker Lionel Messi ahead of their two huge matches this week.

Want-away Valencia midfielder David Albelda admits he has yet to receive an offer from another club despite reported interest from Chelsea.

IT was a happy new year restart for the two Catalan clubs, Barcelona and Espanyol, second and third in the league behind Real Madrid, as they both won crucial games.

IT IS normally blanket coverage when Barcelona play Real Madrid in La Liga’s El Clasico – but Valencia have been doing their best to muscle in on the media action this week.

BARCELONA warmed up for next week’s ‘Clash for the Title’ against Real Madrid with a timely 3-0 win in Valencia — and an ill-timed injury to their one irreplaceable player, Leo Messi.

ANDRES INIESTA has warned Northern Ireland to expect no favours from Spain when the two nations clash decisively in Las Palmas on Wednesday.

Valencia 1 Chelsea 2 (agg 2-3)

Chelsea 1 Valencia 1

PRIMERA LIGA leaders, Barcelona, who face Liverpool at the Camp Nou on Wednesday, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Valencia at the Mestalla last night.

Barcelona slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Valencia tonight to add another twist to a wide-open race for the Primera Liga title.

Northern Ireland 3 Spain 2

Saudi Arabia 0 Spain 1

Spain 4 Ukraine 0

Liverpool striker Fernando Morientes has been left out of Spain’s 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup finals.

RACISM again reared its ugly head in Spanish football as Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o suffered sustained abuse at Real Zaragoza.

Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has earned a call-up by Spain coach Luis Aragones for a get-together at the start of next week.

PRESSURE increased on UEFA yesterday to include Liverpool in the Champions League next season after G14, the grouping of elite European clubs, called for the Reds to be allowed to defend their trophy.

ARSENAL winger Fredrik Ljungberg insisted he has no intention of leaving Highbury this summer - even if Patrick Vieira departs for Real Madrid.

Arsenal winger Fredrik Ljungberg insisted he has no intention of leaving Highbury this summer – even if Patrick Vieira departs for Real Madrid.

Greece 1 Spain 1

Striker Fernando Morientes insists nothing less than victory will be good enough when perennial under-achievers Spain face Russia in their opening Group A match tomorrow.

Spain coach Inaki Saez has one tough decision to make before their opening group A match with Russia in Faro.

Rafael Benitez struggled to control his emotions as he walked out on Primera Liga champions Valencia with Liverpool expected to be his next destination.

Arsenal striker Jose Antonio Reyes has been left out of Spain’s Euro 2004 squad announced today by coach Inaki Saez in Madrid.

Valencia 1 Villarreal 0 (Valencia win 1-0 on aggregate)

REAL MADRID reclaimed top spot in the Primera Liga yesterday after fighting back from two goals down to snatch a 3-2 win at Valladolid, thanks to a last-gasp strike from Ronaldo as both sides finished with 10 men.

David Beckham was sent off late in the game as Real Madrid beat Valencia 3-0 in the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final.

AC MILAN and Roma joined Juventus at the top of Serie A after securing comfortable 3-0 victories at home to Lecce and Ancona, respectively.

Barcelona last night emerged as favourites to take on either arch-rivals Real Madrid or Manchester United in the Champions League semi-finals.

Inter Milan 1 Valencia 0

Arsenal 0 Valencia 0

Liverpool 0 Valencia 1

South Korea coach Guus Hiddink has aimed a dig at Spain ahead of their World Cup quarter-final showdown, claiming they were lucky to beat Ireland.

Raul is doubtful for Spain’s World Cup quarter-final on Saturday, while David Albelda has definitely been ruled out and may miss the rest of the tournament.

The Irish team have been acclaimed for their dignity in defeat in last night’s dramatic penalty shoot-out against Spain.

SPAIN coach Jose Antonio Camacho was fuming after Ireland were awarded a last minute penalty to haul themselves level before finally bowing out 3-2 after a penalty shoot-out in a fiery second round clash yesterday.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has told under-pressure Valencia coach Rafael Benitez that he cannot use his injury problems as an excuse ahead of their Uefa Cup clash.