Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola claimed his side deserved to be closer to Real Madrid than the current 10-point gap to the Primera Division leaders but vowed his team would not give up their title without a fight after last night’s 5-1 thrashing of Valencia.

Four goals from Lionel Messi put third-placed Valencia to the sword on a night when Barcelona could have scored a dozen but for the efforts of visiting goalkeeper Diego Alves.

Stoke 0 Valencia 1

CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas claimed his under-pressure side had given everyone a “slap in the face” after last night’s comprehensive defeat of Valencia at Stamford Bridge ensured the Blues qualified for the knockout stages as Group E winners.

Chelsea 3 Valencia 0

THE Champions League group stage has become such a formality for English clubs in the past few years that it comes as shock to realise Arsenal could be the only English club left in the competition by Thursday morning.

Real Madrid midfielder Kaka today earned a recall to the Brazil squad for the first time since the 2010 World Cup finals for the international friendlies against Gabon and Egypt.

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

Frank Lampard was recalled for Chelsea’s Champions League clash at Valencia tonight as Andre Villas-Boas made three changes for the Group E clash at the Mestalla.

FORGOTTEN striker Bojan Krkic scored his first league goals of the season as Barcelona restored their six-point advantage over Real Madrid at the top of the Spanish Primera Liga with a 2-0 win at Almeria last night.

Almeria coach Unai Emery has warned his team not to get carried away by their recent success ahead of Sunday’s clash with Racing Santander.

REAL MADRID’S 2-0 defeat at Almeria on Saturday night has to be the result of the season so far in Spain. Unbeaten in three months, the league leaders were expecting a straightforward three points.