No quarters given this time, Real back in form

Real Madrid roared back to form with a 4-2 victory over Monaco at the Bernabeu, while Chelsea and Arsenal played out a cagey 1-1 draw at Sta...

Real Madrid roared back to form with a 4-2 victory over Monaco at the Bernabeu, while Chelsea and Arsenal played out a cagey 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in Wednesday8217;s Champions League quarter-final, first leg ties. Madrid, still reeling from last week8217;s King8217;s Cup final defeat by Real Zaragoza and the weekend league reverse by Athletic Bilbao, were jeered off at halftime as they trailed to Sebastien Squillaci8217;s soft 43rd-minute goal.

But, just like defending European champions AC Milan 24 hours earlier, the Primera Liga leaders responded with a four-goal blast to close in on a semi-final showdown with either treble-chasing Arsenal or their English counterparts Chelsea. Ivan Helguera eased the tension in a subdued Bernabeu stadium in the 51st minute, getting the final touch to David Beckham8217;s inswinging corner.

The nine-times European champions then ripped into Monaco. French midfielder Zinedine Zidane fired Real ahead in the 70th minute after Luis Figo8217;s fierce effort was blocked by Monaco goalkeeper Flavio Roma and seven minutes later Figo made it 3-1, heading in after Roma had clawed out his penalty.

Ronaldo, who had earned the spot kick, then converted a defence-splitting pass from Zidane to seemingly snuff out Monaco8217;s resistance. But the final drama belonged to Real8217;s former hero Fernando Morientes. Unwanted at Madrid, the striker on loan in the principality powered in a trademark header that gave his side a glimmer of hope for the second leg. Real8217;s 26-year-old striker Raul set a new record of 86 Champions League appearances.

In West London, Chelsea were left frustrated again as they failed for the 17th time in a row to beat city rivals Arsenal. After three 2-1 defeats by Arsene Wenger8217;s side this season, Chelsea were given hope in the 53rd minute when Iceland striker Eidur Gudjohnsen charged down a casual clearance by Arsenal8217;s German keeper Jens Lehmann and shot home from an acute angle. But Arsenal, who have gone 29 league matches unbeaten since the start of the season to lead the premier league table by nine points, were back on level terms six minutes later. Ashley Cole delivered a measured cross and midfielder Robert Pires placed a clinical header just inside Marco Ambrosio8217;s post. It was the first goal Chelsea had conceded in the Champions League for 561 minutes, the third longest streak in the competition8217;s history, and one which may prove costly.

8220;We were desperate to keep a clean sheet,8221; Gudjohnsen said. 8220;You realised straight away it was an important goal, you could see that from their reaction as well.8221; Worse was to follow for Claudio Ranieri8217;s side after 83 minutes as defender Marcel Desailly was sent off for his second yellow card after a late tackle on fellow French World Cup winner Patrick Vieira. He will miss the second leg. On Tuesday two goals from Brazilian Kaka inspired champions AC Milan to a 4-1 thrashing of Deportivo Coruna at the San Siro, while Porto put themselves on course with a 2-0 home win over Olympique Lyon. Reuters