AZ continue top form in UEFA Cup

AZ Alkmaar continued their tremendous form this season by recording a superb 3-1 win over Ukrainian league leaders Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of their UEFA Cup Round-of-16 clash.

The Dutch side, second in the Eredivisie, went ahead when striker Robin Nelisse headed home a corner in twhe 27th minute.

But having missed a penalty through Darijo Srna on the half-hour, the hosts restored parity thanks to Brazilian midfielder Francelino Matuzalem on the stroke of half-time.

Defender Joris Mathijsen popped up in the 50th minute to reclaim the lead for AZ and Kenneth Perez’s last-gasp penalty means the Dutchmen now have one foot in the quarter-finals.

A late Ivan Tomic penalty earned Partizan Belgrade a 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow.

The former Alaves midfielder slotted home an 83rd-minute spot-kick to give the Serbo-Montenegrin side hope of qualifying for the quarter-finals of the competition.

It looked like they would be travelling to the Russian capital with a one-goal deficit after midfielder Evgeni Aldonin had put the visitors ahead in the 17th minute but Partizan fought back valiantly and deserved the draw.