Barcelona ease past Shakhtar as Haristeas sinks Valencia

BARCELONA continued their perfect start on their return to the Champions League by easing to a 3-0 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in a Group F match last night.

Portugal midfielder Deco put the Catalans ahead on 15 minutes at the Nou Camp when he drilled in after Ronaldinho had slipped a neat pass into his path.

Barca, who beat Celtic 3-1 away in their opening game, took complete control as they stroked the ball around the midfield and probed for gaps in the well-organised Shakhtar defence.

But although the Ukrainians struggled to get hold of the ball, they still managed to threaten on several occasions particularly through lively striker Ciprian Marica.

It was not until Ronaldinho converted a penalty in the 64th minute after he had been brought down in the area by keeper Jan Lastuvska that they were able to relax completely.

African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o wrapped up a stylish win when he tapped in from close range after some brilliant work by substitute Andres Iniesta a minute from time.

In Group H, CSKA Moscow beat Paris St Germain 2-0 in a scrappy Champions League encounter on Wednesday to move temporarily to the top of the group table.

Sergei Semak put the Russians ahead with a diving header in the 64th minute shortly after coming on for injured striker Ivica Olic. Brazilian Vagner Love doubled the score with a 77th-minute penalty after Semak was brought down inside the box.

In Brussels, Inter Milan beat Anderlecht 3-1 away to open a three-point lead in Champions League Group G.

Obafemi Martins put Inter ahead in the ninth minute when he turned in a low left cross from fellow striker Adriano.

The Italians then pulled away in the opening 10 minutes of the second-half with goals from Adriano and midfielder Dejan Stankovic.

Walter Baseggio claimed a stoppage-time consolation for the Belgians. A late goal by substitute striker Angelos Haristeas gave Werder Bremen a 2-1 home win over 10-man Valencia.

The Greek forward tapped in from close range six minutes from time to enable the Bundesliga champions to bounce back from a 2-0 defeat at Inter Milan in their opening game.

A chip from close range by midfielder Vicente after a move down the left side from wing back Amedeo Carboni had put the Spanish champions in the lead two minutes into a game marred by fouls.

Valencia then had defender Carlos Marchena sent off for a second booking 10 minutes into the second half.

German striker Miroslav Klose was left unmarked when he fired home from a cross by Ivan Klasnic to put Werder level five minutes later.

In Holland, PSV Eindhoven battled to a 1-0 win over Panathinaikos in Group E.

With 10 minutes remaining, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink broke the deadlock with a deflected header to beat Greek goalkeeper Kostas Chalkias.