Champions League: Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona win

Oct 03, 2012 |

Cluj-Napoca/Copenhagen/Lisbon

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Romania-Soccer-Champi_Kand.jpg.crop_display.jpg

Robin van Persie put the bite on Romanian minnows CFR Cluj in Transylvania as the Manchester United striker's double clinched a 2-1 win in Champions League Group H on Tuesday.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side suffered an early fright in the region best known for providing the supposedly vampire-filled setting for Bram Stoker's Dracula.

But Pantelis Kapetanos's early goal for Cluj didn't suck the life out of United, who maintained their 100 percent start to this season's competition thanks to van Persie's brace.

United were rarely at their best at the Dr Constantin Radulescu Stadium, but Cluj ultimately lacked the quality to take advantage and Ferguson could take heart from the way van Persie and Wayne Rooney combined for both goals.

"The pass and the finish were equally good for Robin's second goal. It was a fantastic finish," Ferguson said.

"But they kept us under pressure and on edge because we didn't finish them off.

"To be fair we defended well apart from the goal. I've got to be pleased because Cluj have a good home record and coming away from home in Europe is never easy."

Ferguson's star strikers were starting together for the first time, with Javier Hernandez also included in an attacking line-up, as United looked to bounce back after Saturday's surprise 3-2 home defeat against Tottenham.

United's go for broke approach worked, but only after Cluj made a flying start.

Chelsea win 4-0

Juan Mata scored twice as Chelsea belied an off-key performance to win 4-0 at competition debutants FC Nordsjaelland on Tuesday and record the first victory of their Champions League title defence.

Having been held 2-2 by Juventus in their Group E opener, Chelsea's campaign is now up and running, but the scoreline hid the fact that Roberto Di Matteo's side toiled for long periods at Copenhagen's Parken Stadium.

Making their home debuts in the tournament -- albeit away from their Farum Park home -- Nordsjaelland took the game to the visitors after Mata's 33rd-minute opener and threatened to equalise several times before David Luiz made the game safe 11 minutes from time.

Mata and Ramires added late goals to rubber-stamp Chelsea's first away win in the competition's group phase since a 2-0 success at Spartak Moscow in October 2010.

Barca maintain winning start with Benfica win

Barcelona continued their imperious form this season as they retained top spot in Champions League Group G with a 2-0 victory away to Benfica.

Alexis Sanchez struck after six minutes and Cesc Fabregas added a second following the break to leave Barca with a 100 per cent record from their opening two games while Celtic are on four points following their earlier win away to Spartak Moscow.

Sergio Busquets was sent off with two minutes to go after a clash with Maxi Pereira.

Tito Vilanova arrived at the Camp Nou over the summer looking to win back the Champions League, which they have lifted twice out of the last four years, and the domestic league title.

And despite the pressure of replacing Pep Guardiola he could hardly have made a better start with also six wins from six in la liga.

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