Nurnberg 0 – Borussia Dortmund 2 (Bundesliga, February 3, 2012) Nurnberg defender Timmy Simons thought he’d headed the hosts ahead in the 10th minute from a corner but Shinji Kagawa made a smart headed clearance on the line. Dortmund took the lead at the start of the second half as Leitner through-ball was followed by a Piszczek cutback that was converted by Sebastian Kehl. Dortmund wrapped up the win eight minutes from time when Lucas Barrios, days after it was thought he was leaving the club, netted his first goal of the season.

Heerenveen 4 – Roda 3 (Eredivisie, February 3, 2012) The match kicked-off in a ding-dong fashion as Bas Dost opened for the hosts after five minutes, Sanharib Malki equalised for Roda in the 10th, while Daryl Janmaat restored Heerenveen’s advantage in the 27th. Roda took the initiative either side of the break as Sanharib Malki pulled the visitors level with his second of the game in the 44th, while after the interval Davy De Beule put Roda in front for the first time. Gerald Sibon headed Heerenveen level in the 64th, before Bas Dost completed his brace in the 74th to end the seven-goal thriller.

Adelaide United 1 – Wellington Phoenix 2 (A-League, February 3, 2012) Phoenix midfielders Tim Brown and Dani Sanchez scored as the New Zealanders tightened their grip on second spot.

Swansea 1 – Manchester United 5 (FA Youth Cup, February 2, 2012) Jack Barmby continued his fine scoring form for United’s U18s when he broke the Swans offside trap, rounded the keeper and slotted home the opener in the 38th. Once ahead United pressed their advantage as Gyliano van Velzen tapped in a second. Swansea were crushed by the interval as United chalked up a quick-fire third, Sam Byrne doing the damage with an opportunist finish following a lucky ricochet in the Welshmen’s box. United kept up their ruthless streak after the break as Gyliano van Velzen showed fine feet and a cool head to chalk up a fourth in the 48th. Swansea got on the scoreboard in the 52nd through a well-taken volley from striker James Loveridge, but it was United who scored next through a piledriver from Tyler Blackett from a free-kick.

Swansea 0 – Arsenal 2 (Reserves, February 1, 2012) Goals from Zac Ansah and Serge Gnabry sealed the win, both came in the first half. New signing Thomas Esfeld made his debut for the Gunners reserve side.

Novara 1 – Chievo 2 (Serie A, February 2, 2012 Rock-bottom Novara feel behind in the 33rd minute when indecision in their defence was duly punished by Cheivo’s main-man Sergio Pellissier. The Flying Donkeys seemed to wrap up their win when Cyril Thereau scored a secon in the 78th, but within a minute Novara halved the deficit as Giuseppe Mascara scored.

PSV 3 – NEC 2 (KNVB Beker, February 2, 2012) PSV’s in-form striker Dries Mertens put the hosts 1-up with a fine drive following a loose free-kick in the 5th minute, but NEC were level ten minutes later when the onrushing Nick Van der Velden equalised having seen a shot saved off the line. PSV looked to kill the match in the run-up to the break as Tim Matavz (41) and Kevin Strootman (43) opened up a two goal cushion for the hosts, but NEC kept the tie very much alive as Kevin Conboy scored on the stroke of halftime.

Samsunspor 3 – Fenerbahce 1 (Super Lig, February 2, 2012) Miroslav Stoch’s incredible recent form for Fener continued as he netted from an acute angle in only the sixth minute, but that was as good as it got for the visitors. Theofanis Gekas proved the headline grabber as he record a hat-trick to turn the match for Samsunspor.

Besiktas 0 – Mersin 1 (Super Lig, February 2, 2012) Mersin claimed the surprise win after an end-to-end attack in the first half was finished by Erdal Kilicaslan.

Sivasspor 1 – Kayserispor 1 (Super Lig, February 2, 2012) Michael Eneramo opened for Sivas just after the break, but James Troisi levelled in the 66th.

Manisaspor 2 – Eskisehirspor 3 (Super Lig, February 2, 2012) Nemanja Vucicevic gave Manisaspor the lead inside two minutes following an outrageous goalie FAIL, but Veysel Sari had Eskisehirspor level in the 10th minute scoring from close range. Ahmet Ilhan Ozek restored the hosts’ advantage on the half hour, but a second half double from defender Diego Angelo de Oliveira handed the visitors the three points.

FC Copenhagen 1 – Anji Makhachkala 1 (Pens. 2-4) (Copa del Sol, February 2, 2012) Samuel Eto’o put Anji in front from the penalty spot, while Mustafa Abdellaoue headed FCK levek 12 minutes from time. The Russians held their nerve in the shoot-out.

Tromso 0 – Shakthar Donetsk 1 (Copa del Sol, February 2, 2012) A deflected Eduardo da Silva shot handed the Ukrainians the win.

Sao Paulo 1 – Guarani 1 (Campeonato Paulista, February 2, 2012)

Santos 1 – Oeste 1 (Campeonato Paulista, February 2, 2012)

Gremio 1 – Sao Luiz 0 (Campeonato Gaucho, February 2, 2012)

Caracas 1 – Club Atletico Penarol 1 (Agg. 1-5) (Copa Libertadores first round second leg, February 2, 2012) Fabian Estoyanoff lashed Penarol into the lead. Edwin Peraza pulled back a consolation for the home side.

Tigres 2 – Union Espanola 2 (Agg. 2-3) (Copa Libertadores first round second leg, February 2, 2012) An early brace from Alan Pulido looked to have put Tigres through but a penalty from Emanuel Herrera and an equaliser on the night from Sebastian Jaime put Union Espanola through.

Bolton 0 – Arsenal 0 (Premier League, February 1, 2012) (Longer highlights) Arsenal endured a frustrating evening as they were held to a draw by a dogged and determined Bolton.  Even some second-half brilliance from Robin van Persie failed to break the deadlock, with the Dutchman’s exquisite lob hitting the bar.  Bolton might have nicked victory, but Mark Davies saw his late penalty appeal turned down when he was sent tumbling by Wojciech Szczesny.

Sunderland 3 – Norwich 0 (Premier League, February 1, 2012) Sunderland scored a scorcher to break the ice as Fraizer Campbell controlled the ball 25-yards out to the left before leathering a dipping volley into the net after 21 minutes. It got better for the Black Cats when Stephane Sessegnon played the ball out wide to Campbell, who crosses into the box and the forward headed the ball home. (First half goals) Norwich were killed off after Bardsley collected the ball on the right, drives to the byline and his cross goes in off Daniel Ayala in the 54th.

Blackburn 0 – Newcastle 2 (Premier League, February 1, 2012) The Magpies opened at Ewood Park when a Ryan Taylor shot from 25 yards deflected off Scott Dann into the net. Gabriel Obertan extended Newcastle’s lead at the death after a fine assist from Lovenkrands.

Aston Villa 2 – QPR 2 (Premier League, February 1, 2012) QPR had a brilliant start to the match at Villas Park as after 12 minutes Wright-Phillips found new sign Djibril Cisse in the box and the forward thumped home a 15-yard half-volley. It got better for Rangers in the 29th when a deep Taiwo cross into the box from the left was headed into his own net by Stephen Warnock. Villa got a toehold in the match second before the break, Hutton squared the ball to Darren Bent in the box and he converted in clinical fashion. (First half goals) With 11 minutes to go Villa completed their comeback as Petrov’s right-wing cross Found Charles N’Zogbia, and the Frenchman volleyed home a sublime strike for 2-2.

Fulham 1 – West Brom 1 (Premier League, February 1, 2012) Fulham looked to be cruising to victory after Clint Dempsey opened the scoring from close range midway through the second half. But Somen Tchoyi ran on to James Morrison’s flick to equalise with a cross-shot for his first goal of the season.

Botswana 1 – Mali 2 (Africa Cup of Nations, February 1, 2012) A static first half was followed by a deft finish from Mogakolodi Ngele, who gave Stanley Tshosane’s side the lead before Garra Dembele and Seydou Keita scored vital goals to put Mali into the quarter-finals.

Ghana 1 – Guinea 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, February 1, 2012) Ghana took the lead when a corner was sent to Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu who flicked the ball up and volleyed it into the top corner from 22 yards. Guinea levelled on the stroke of halftime as a speculative cross from Abdoul Camara arched over the Ghana goalie and into the far top corner.

Valencia 1 – Barcelona 1 (Copa Del Rey semi-final 1st leg, February 1, 2012) Lionel Messi came close to scoring in the 6th minute when the Argetine flashed a free-kick just wide of the upright. Valencia opened in the 27th minute when a Jeremy Mathieu cross from the left was tucked home by Jonas. The Catalans were soon back level when Carles Puyol scored another header from a set-play. Los Che was kept afloat in the second half by keeper Diego Alves, who made a superb stop to deny Lionel Messi scoring from the spot.

Individual highlights: Lionel Messi.

Lazio 2 – AC Milan 0 (Serie A, February 1, 2012) AC Milan’s title challenge took a nosedive 15 minutes from time when a sublime shot on the turn from Hernanes gave Lazio the lead. Milan’s defeat was cemented when Tommaso Rocchi added a second in the final stages.

Cagliari 4 – Roma 2 (Serie A, February 1, 2012) Thiago Ribeiro’s long-ranger thumper blasted Cagliari ahead early on, but Roma were soon back level when Juan powered home a header from a set-play. The Giallorossi took the lead in the 34th when Fabio Borini followed up a free-kick, however Cagliari equalised in the 41st through Mauricio Pinilla. A ding-dong thriller turned in the hosts’ favour in the 49th when Thiago Ribeiro scored his second of the match from a Pinilla assist. Albin Ekdal wrapped up the home win in injury time.

Inter Milan 4 – Palermo 4 (Serie A, February 1, 2012) Andrea Mantovani put Palermo in front in the 16th minute, but Diego Milito scored the first of his four goals six minutes later. Miccoli got his name on the scoresheet for the first time to put Palermo in front again in the 52nd minute before two more goals from Milito turned the game around into Inter’s favour.  Miccoli brought Palermo level again in the 66th minute, but Milito struck again two minutes later to put Inter in front. However, the last word was reserved for Miccoli, who earned Palermo a point five minutes from time.

Udinese 2 – Lecce 1 (Serie A, February 1, 2012) The home side got off to a flying start when Michele Pazienza fired them in front after just two minutes, but David Di Michele drew Lecce level on 26 minutes.  Ten minutes later top scorer Antonio Di Natale hit the winner for Udinese.

Napoli 0 – Cesena 0 (Serie A, February 1, 2012) Napoli’s recent poor of form continued after they were held to a goalless draw by struggling Cesena at the San Paolo.

Marseille 2 – Nice 1 (Coupe de la Ligue, February 1, 2012) Loic Remy and strike partner Brandao scored Marseille’s goals at Stade Velodrome, either side of Anthony Mounier’s equaliser late in the first half. Marseille had winger Mathieu Valbuena sent off in the second half, and Nice forward Franck Dja Djedje was also shown a red card late on by referee Clement Turpin.

Orduspor 2 – Ankaragucu 0 (Super Lig, Fabruary 1, 2012) Goals from Bogdan Stancu and Hasan Kabze earned the hosts the win.

Genclerbirligi 1 – Gaziantepspor 0 (Super Lig, Fabruary 1, 2012) A winner from Oktay Delibaltaten minutes from time kept the home faithful happy.

Flamengo 2 – Real Potosi 0 (Agg. 3-2) (Copa Libertadores, February 1, 2012) A Leo Moura header after a Ronaldinho free-kick put Flamengo ahead and Ronaldinho consolidated the win in second half with a stunning stoppage time to celebrate a 3-2 aggregate triumph.

Individual highlights: Ronaldinho.

Once Caldas 2 – Internacional 2 (Agg. 2-3) (Copa Libertadores, February 1, 2012) In the first minute Inter defender Nei fouled Guillermo Beltran in the box with Jorge Nunez netting from the spot.  However, Mauricio Casierra fouled Oscar in the box and Andres D’Alessandro scored with another penalty on 11 minutes. Tinga gave Inter the lead after he finished following a D’Alessandro pass in the 22nd minute, three minutes before Mario Gonzalez equalised.

Melbourne Victory 1 – Gold Coast United 1 (A-League, February 1, 2012) Harry Kewell struck a fine 66th minute free-kick to put the Victory in front, but Michael Thwaite came back to haunt his former side with a stoppage time equaliser.

Post match interview: Harry Kewell “disgusted” after the draw.

Related link: The need for goal-line technology: Harry Kewell’s disallowed goal v Gold Coast.

Everton 1 – Manchester City 0 (Premier League, January 31, 2012) The Toffees came close to scoring in the 4th minute as Denis Stracqualursi watched his header get blocked on the line by Joleon Lescott. The title race was back on on the hour mark when a Drenthe run and cross picked out Donovan, the America teed up Darron Gibson and the newly signed midfielder smashed a deflected effort past Hart.

Post-match interviews: David Moyes, Darron Gibson & Roberto Mancini.

Related link: An Everton fan handcuffs himself to the post.

Manchester United 2 – Stoke 0 (Premier League, January 31, 2012) United won a penalty in the 38th minute when Pennant was booked when fouling Park in the box, and Javier Hernandez stepped up to convert from the spot. The Red Devils went 2-up in the 53rd as Walters pulled down Valencia in box and Dimitar Berbatov found bottom corner from the spot.

Post match interviews: Sir Alex Ferguson & Tony Pulis.

Wolves 0 – Liverpool 3 (Premier League, January 31, 2012) Andy Carroll scored only his seventh Liverpool goal in the early exchanges in the second half as the struggling ponytailed forward finished an Adam cross at the back post. Wolves’ defence was shambolic as Craig Bellamy cashed in a second goal as the forward was invited to run at the home backline before seeing his bobbler beat Hennessey far-too-easily. It was game over at Molineux when Dirk Kuyt tucked the ball away from Adam’s sweet pass.

Post match interview: Kenny Dalglish & Mick McCarthy.

Individual highlights: Jose Enrique.

Swansea 1 – Chelsea 1 (Premier League, January 31, 2012) Despite Chelsea dominating play, it was the Swans who opened towards the end of the first half as a pot-shot from Scott Sinclair looped over Cech and into the top corner. It looked all over for the Blues in the final stages when Ashley Cole was dismissed for a second booking, but a late late own goal equaliser earned the Pensioners a point as Jose Bosingwa cut inside and drilled an angled shot on target that beat Vorm via deflection off Neil Taylor.

Post match interviews: Brendan Rodgers & Andre Villas-Boas.

Tottenham 3 – Wigan 1 (Premier League, January 31, 2012) Tottenham hit the back of the net on the hour mark as Gareth Bale chested down a Modric pass before drilling home his 8th goal of the season. Luka Modric doubled Spurs’ lead in the 33rd as the ball fell to him inside the D, the Croatian swivelled and smashed the ball home with his right foot. The Latics were killed off in the 64th when Gareth Bale collected the ball in the box on the left and hit a low fizzer into the far corner. Wigan got a lifeline ten minutes from time when a James McArthur shot in the box dipped over Friedel after a deflection off Parker.

Post-match interview: Harry Redknapp, Gareth Bale & Roberto Martinez.

Ipswich 5 – West Ham 1 (Championship , January 31, 2012) Michael Chopra gave the home side an early lead, Daryl Murphy made it 2-0 before Jack Collison headed a goal back, only for Lee Martin to restore the two-goal lead with a penalty.  Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored his first of the evening from 30 yards out before he made it five in injury-time.

Leeds 1 – Birmingham 4 (Championship, January 31, 2012) Ross McCormack had put Leeds in front but Nikola Zigic put in a sensational performance, scoring all four Birmingham goals including a seven-minute hat-trick in the second half. Chris Hughton’s side are now up to fourth in the Championship.

Gabon 1 – Tunisia 0 (Africa Cup of Nations, January 31, 2012) Gabon forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang maintained his fine form at AFCON breaking the ice just after the hour with a strike that evaded Tunisia keeper Jridi, who should have done better.

Niger 0 – Morocco 1 (Africa Cup of Nations, January 31, 2012) A strange incident played out in the 40th minute as Moroccan midfielder Houssine Kharja hit out at his own physio before being subbed for Hermach. Morocco broke the deadlock 11 minutes from time as Younes Belhanda found the net following an assist from Chamakh.

Mirandes 1 – Athletic Bilbao 2 (Copa Del Rey semi-final 1st leg, January 31, 2012) Two first half goals from Fernando Llorente gave Bilbao the win that means minnows Mirandes will have to go to San Mames and win if they want to reach the final. A late goal from Ander Lambarri gave the third tier side hope however.

Lorient 2 – Lyon 4 AET (Coupe de la Ligue, January 31, 2012) Second half goals from Innocent Emeghara and Kevin Monnet-Paquet had put Lorient 2-0 up on 68. Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back with 10 minutes to go and Jimmy Briand sent the match to extra time on 93. Bafetimbi Gomis put OL ahead on 102 and another from Lacazette late on sealed the win.

Lokeren 1 – Lierse 0 (Beker van Belgie semi-final 1st leg, January 31, 2012) The only goal arrived in the 56th minute when Jeremy Taravel headed home a free kick.

Libertad Asuncion 4 – El Nacional 1 (Agg. 4-2) (Copa Libertadores, January 31, 2012) Libertad forward Pablo Velazquez and El Nacional midfielder Paul Minda exchanged goals in the opening 13 minutes, however, the game turned in the hosts’ favour just after the half hour.  Jose Nunez and forward Rodolfo Gamarra struck in a six-minute spell to put them ahead in the tie, before midfielder Luciano Civelli netted a stoppage time sealer.  El Nacional’s Jose Madrid was sent off with two minutes left in regulation time.

Sport Huancayo 1 – Arsenal Sarandi 1 (Agg. 1-4) (Copa Libertadores, January 31, 2012) Sergio Ibarra gave the Peruvian side hope with his 45th minute goal, but forward Luciano Leguizamon cancelled it out.