Woody and Becks run Rosenborg ragged

FORMER Leeds and Newcastle United star Jonathan Woodgate put his nightmare start to his Real Madrid career behind him with a goal that sparked his side’s 4-1 comeback win against Rosenborg in their Champions League Group F game at the Bernabeu last night.

The Englishman, who scored an own goal and was sent off on his league debut for Real last month, sent a powerful header into the net after a David Beckham free kick in the 48th minute to cancel out Roar Strand’s first half strike for the Norwegians.

Four minutes later Madrid skipper Raul put the nine-times European champions in front with a superbly worked goal, rounding keeper Espen Johnsen with some fancy footwork after Robinho had danced his way through the Rosenborg defence.

Ivan Helguera added a third with another great header in the 68th minute, Beckham once again providing the assist with a wonderful curling free kick.

The England captain, who had another outstanding game in the Real midfield, completed the rout with a trademark strike from a free kick eight minutes from time.

In the other game Sidney Govou struck with one minute left to present Lyon with their third victory from as many Group F games.

Olympiakos, who face elimination after three defeats, thought they had earned a draw when midfielder Pantelis Kafes fired under the crossbar with six minutes remaining.

A superb free kick from 25 metres by Brazil midfielder Juninho on four minutes had put Lyon in the lead.

The Ligue 1 leaders, who have not lost in any competition this season, need just one point from their remaining three matches to reach the knockout stage.

Rangers missed out on a great chance to put themselves in pole position to qualify from Group H when they were held to a goalless draw by Artmedia Bratislava.

Goalkeeper Juraj Cobej was in superb form for the Slovakians with a string of fine saves, the best in the second-half when he one-handedly turned a 30-yard piledriver from Olivier Bernard over the bar.

Rangers and Artmedia both have four points from their three games and remain second equal behind Inter Milan, who top the standings with six points despite a 2-0 defeat in Porto, where two first-half goals gave the home side their first points of the campaign.

The Portuguese took the lead after 22 minutes through an own-goal by Inter defender Marco Materazzi.

South African striker Benni McCarthy doubled Porto’s lead after 35 minutes when his 30-metre free kick hit a defender and he scored on the rebound

AC Milan were held to a goalless draw at home to PSV Eindhoven in Group E despite dominating the game.

Milan had enough chances to win the game but wayward finishing from Christian Vieri and Brazilian Kaka coupled with fine goalkeeping from PSV’s Brazilian goalkeeper Gomes cost them dearly.

Milan stay on top of the group after Fenerbahce and Schalke 04 played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in Istanbul.

The Turks claimed a point thanks to a late equaliser from Ghanaian midfielder Stephen Appiah.

Fenerbahce remain second in the group, a point behind AC Milan. The German club stay bottom.

Brazilian midfielder Fabio Luciano had put Fenerbahce ahead with a header in the 14th minute, but his compatriot Lincoln turned the game round with two goals for Schalke.

Another Brazilian, Marcio Nobre headed Fenerbahce back into the game after 73 minutes. But the Germans were ahead again four minutes later when goalkeeper Demirel totally missed a clearance on the edge of the area, allowing Kevin Kuranyi to tap the ball home.

Then came Appiah’s intervention to keep the Turks on course for the knock-out stages.