Champions League Results: Celtic succeed where English clubs fail

Delight for Gary Hooper who scored Celtic's opening goal tonight

Celtic have done what Chelsea and Manchester City couldn't do, qualify for the knock-out stages of the Champions League, after defeating Spartak Moscow tonight...

Scottish giants Celtic have made it to the last 16 of Europe's elite club competition after beating Spartak Moscow at a tense Celtic Park this evening.

Neil Lennon's men needed to better Benfica's result in Barcelona to progress further, and with the Portuguese club managing a goalless draw in the Nou Camp only a win would be enough for the SPL side.

Gary Hooper - matched at 7.26/1 in the First Goalscorer market - gave the home side an early lead but back came the Russians to level matters before half time. Celtic looked to be running out of ideas as the game went on but with just 10 minutes remaining Giorgos Samaras went down in the box and the referee immediately pointed to the spot.

A nervous looking Kris Commons stepped up to take the kick, and he duly blasted the ball down the middle, hitting the underside of the cross-bar before the back of the net rippled, much to the delight of the home faithful.

The 2-1 Correct Score was matched at a high of 11.010/1 In-Play, with Celtic now available to back at 130.0129/1 in the Champions League Winner market.

Defending European champions Chelsea must now turn their attention to the Europa League after finishing only third in Group E, despiting beating FC Nordsj 6-1 at Stamford Bridge.

Rafa Benitez' men had to win and hope that Juventus lost in Donetsk in order to progress further but the Italian side rarely looked in danger, running out comfortable 1-0 winners.

Chelsea must now take comfort from Benitez' first win in charge and the fact that Fernando Torres got back on the scoresheet, netting twice. The 6-1 Correct Score was matched at 80.079/1 with the Over 6.5 Goals option being backed at a high of 55.054/1.

Manchester United suffered a shock home defeat to FCR Cluj, though Sir Alex Ferguson's 'weakened' side had already cemented top spot in Group H and far more emphasis will undoubtedly have been on Sunday's huge Manchester derby.

The Romanian side were backed at 7.613/2 to win the game, though the highlight from an odds perspective being the 44.043/1 matched about Luis Alberto in the First Goalscorer market.

United are available to back at 12.5n/a to win their third Champions League under Sir Alex; Spanish giants Barcelona (3.711/4) and Real Madrid (4.84/1) being the first and second favourites respectively.