Lyon against PSV Eindhoven

Malouda strikes a left-foot shot well wide after bursting through the middle of two PSV challenges. Still no sign of any changes from Le Guen.

Good, adventurous play from Park as he breaks down the right and wins a corner when his attempted cross is diverted out of play.

Essien sends over another dangerous cross, but again the PSV centre-backs are up to the challenge. Bouma and Alex have been excellent.

PSV will obviously settle for a 1-1 draw. They are dropping deep, but working very hard when they've not got the ball and denying the creative Lyon midfielders the chance to shoot or slide a through-ball in to Wiltord or Govou.

Juninho again turns down the chance to shoot when he stands over a free-kick 40 yards out. He lofts a ball in to the box, though Gomes claims - at the second attempt.

Lyon can have no complaints: they've spurned a couple of very good chances, but haven't really built on their early lead. PSV had started to come back in to the match in the last quarter, and deserve their goal.

GOAL! After a nice spell of possession, Cocu collects a loose ball on the edge of the Lyon area and fires a left-foot shot inside the far post.

One of the referee's assistants twists his ankle as he attempts to avoid a ball rolling gently towards him. Seemingly in some pain, he signals to Collina. The goggle-eyed referee has a quite word with his colleague, and moments later he's back on his feet.

Beasley has good pace and has certainly improved PSV since he arrived on the pitch. He is playing in quite an advanced position and offering his side an outlet.

Govou gets in front of his marker and flicks an effort goalwards at the near post. Gomes does well to push the ball clear, but Collina doesn't spot the save and gives a goal-kick.

Reveillere needs some treatment after clashing with Park. Le Guen comes out of the dugout to offer some words of advice to his players.

Wiltord doesn't quite realise how much space he has, and attempts to slide a difficult pass through to Govou when he was in a decent position to have a shot himself.

Park releases Beasley down the right. The ball is eventually worked to Cocu, who drags a shot wide of the far post from 20 yards. Vennegoor wasn't too far away from prodding the shot goalwards, though.

SUB: Beasley on, Farfan off. American international Beasley has scored 11 times this season, and will start on the right-hand side of midfield.

There is some activity on the PSV bench, as if Hiddink is thinking about bringing on a substitute.

Lyon are getting plenty players forward now as they press for another goal, but PSV are dropping more players deeper to compensate. Cocu, playing almost as a third centre-back at the moment, heads clear a dangerous cross.

Juninho attempts to slide a pass through to Govou, breaking at pace through the middle, but his ball is over-hit and Gomes comes out to clear.

Goal news from Anfield: Liverpool 2-1 Juventus. An error by Carson in the Liverpool goal has handed Juve a way back in to the match.

A deep cross towards Vennegoor ends in a free-kick to the home side as Collina spots another push by the tall striker.

PSV enjoy a brief spell of pressure, but they can't really create a decent shooting chance and Lyon throw some players forward as they counter.

Paul Le Guen's face is one of some frustration as he watches from the touchline. He looks like he could be the sort of man who might take out his frustration of losing by drowning cats in a river.

Juninho whips in the corner, but Essien is adjudged to have fouled his marker. Lyon will be kicking themselves that they aren't further in front; Govou's was a really great chance.

Oooh! An incredible save from Gomes, who manages to palm away a shot from Govou. The French striker was unmarked, six yards out and still contrived to miss the chance.

Abidal is doing well down the left-hand side against the twin threat of Lee and Park.

Farfan earns his side a corner. Van Bommel swings the ball in, and only Essien's flicked clearance denies Vennegoor a great chance to head an equaliser.

Essien lofts a ball in to the box, which Gomes makes a real hash of collecting. Fortunately for the Brazilian international, a defender is on-hand to help shield the danger and the goalkeeper collects at the second attempt.

Ooijer again fouls Malouda, but is spared a booking by an understanding Collina. It is a significant let-off for the PSV defender; he would have missed the second leg had he been yellow carded.

Van Bommel heads back to Gomes after Govou had hooked a cross in to the area. Lyon have started the second period well, and look intent on extending their lead.

Malouda is brought down 40 yards from goal. The set-piece is right of centre, and Juninho opts to cross rather than shoot. The ball is lofted in to a dangerous area, but Gomes punches clear.

A heavy first-touch in the penalty area denies Wiltord the chance to turn and shoot. Television shots show Gus Hiddink looking unconcerned in the PSV dugout.

A poor clearance finds its way to Malouda, but his left-foot shot from 20 yards is blocked by Alex. A crucial interception, as the shot looked goal-bound.

Wiltord puts the ball out of play after Juninho went down under an aggricultural challenge from Van Bommel. The Brazilian winces as he rises, and aims a rueful look at his opponent.

All the talk has been of Essien making a move to the Premiership in the summer, but Diarra has been the man to catch my eye this evening. I'd love to see him at my team - Manchester City. Never going to happen, obviously, but a man can dream...

Diarra sends a fantastic ball with the outside of his right boot, all the way out to Reveillere on the right wing. Unfortunately, the full-back's touch is heavy and the ball runs out of play.

Alex remains calm when pressurised by Wiltord. Diarra lands akwardly after challenging Cocu for a header. He gets to his feet a little gingerly. Why 'gingerly', but not 'turmeric-ly'?

Lee is fouled on the left touchline. Free-kick, but PSV seem content to knock the ball around at the back rather than press for an equaliser.

Diarra impressed me greatly in the first half. He seems to be very competant in a number of areas. Malouda attempts a shot from 35 yards, but slices it horribly.

Lyon will want a bigger advantage to take in to the second leg. Is that an obvious thing to state? I don't think so. I've no regrets. Lyon press forward early and win a throw.

Ding, dang, do! We're back again. I hope you enjoyed your half-time break. I did. I had a bar of chocolate, and I liked it.

HALF-TIME: An enjoyable half; Lyon lead, but will feel like they should be further in front. PSV, for their part, will be pleased with their defending, but need to get more players forward if they're to pinch one of those priceless away goals.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time. PSV win a throw-in deep in Lyon territory, but Essien rises high in the box and heads clear.

Van Bommel clips a pass in to Vennegoor on the edge of the area. The Dutch international does well to hold off his marker, but his shot on the turn is over Coupet's crossbar.

Diarra lofts a great ball over the top towards Govou, who had drifted in-between Alex and Bouma. He almost brings the ball under control, but a PSV defender is quick to nip the ball off him before he can shoot.

Govou goes down and wins a free-kick. He is holding his head, and it is suggested by the Frenchman that he was caught by Bouma. Collina offers little sympathy.

PSV have offered nothing going forward, though they are at least defending with some determination and resolve. They are sitting quite deep, but their two centre backs have been excellent.

Malouda's cross is headed clear, but Diarra collects on the edge of the box. His shot is blocked, however, and PSV clear their lines.

Oooh! Essien works a little space on the edge of the box, and rifles in a low shot. Gomes goes down low to his left, and manages to get a firm-enough hand on the shot to turn it wide of the post.

Lyon play some very attractive football. The use the channels very well, dragging the PSV defenders out of position to allow space for the rampaging Juninho and Diarra.

The Lyon fans are creating a decent atmosphere inside the Stade de Gerland; they are roaring on their side when in possession, and jeering wildly when the Dutch team have the ball.

A nice counter-attack sees Govou released down the right. He crosses, and Gomes flaps a little as he palms the ball to relative safety. Wiltord collects the loose ball, however, and his cross is headed straight at the goalkeeper by Essien, on a rare foray forward.

Nice play from Wiltord almost releases Diarra through the middle. Wiltord, if we're being honest, looked a very average player during his time at Arsenal: now he looks a great player. How strange.

Some very calm defending from Alex after he is played in to a little trouble by Cocu. Incidentally, Alex is the only player on the field not to have played a full international for his country.

Juninho seems to have played the whole first half-hour with a wide grin on his face. He looks very happy with life. Perhaps he hasn?t yet realised that life is full of horror and misery and pain. When he does, I?m sure that smile will soon disappear.

Vogel is booked after challenging Juninho. No shot this time, however; the set-piece is taken short, and worked out to Malouda, though his left-foot cross is weak and straight at Gomes.

Lovely play from Farfan as he dances past a couple of challenges down the right channel. Cacapa is dilligent in his tracking back, however, and he robs the little winger close to the by-line.

Malouda wins a foul on the half-way line when Ooijer tripped him as he broke down the left wing.

Park cuts inside from his position on the left-wing, but his right-foot shot is mis-hit and dribbles harmlessly - like a new-born baby, perhaps.

Some more goal news from Anfield: Liverpool 2-0 Juventus. Luis Garcia has just crashed home a superb volley from outside the box.

Some unorthodox play from Juninho results in a Lyon corner, but the visitors hold firm and head clear.

Vennegoor requires some treatment after catching a boot to the head. He's back on the field in a moment or two, however. I'd not realised how big the Dutch striker is: he must be 6ft 4in. I wonder if he has to buy his trousers at a special shop for tall people?

PSV win a free-kick in a dangerous position on the corner of the penalty area. Van Bommel takes it, but hits his cross straight at the 'keeper. Collina indicates that he hadn't blown his whistle and that Van Bommel should take the set-piece again. He does, but Essien clears.

The winners of this tie will face the winner of the Inter v AC Milan tie, the first leg of which is being played tomorrow evening. Join us, if you've nothing better to do, for live coverage.

Referee Collina is officiating on this game, and, as always, is doing a great job, allowing the play to flow and not being too fussy with his decisions.

You might hear some people mentioning Lyon coach Paul Le Guen as a possible candidate for the Manchester City manager?s job. Laugh openly at these people, for they?re horribly mistaken: it will never, ever happen. FACT.

PSV are having real trouble getting hold of the ball at the moment; the home side are just so dominant.

Cocu wins a free-kick out on the right touchline. Van Bommel sends a great ball in to the box, but Vennegoor is adjudged to have fouled his marker as he climbed to head the ball inside the area.

Juninho performs a couple of step-overs just inside the PSV box before laying a pass out to Diarra, who strikes a shot with the outside of his boot narrowly wide. This is a great game to watch at the moment.

Lyon are piling on the pressure here. Wiltord breaks down the right and clips a cross in to the centre, though Gomes claims comfortably in his six-yard box.

Juninho curls a great through-ball in the direction of Govou, though it runs through to Gomes before the French striker can latch on to it.

This was always going to be a tie littered with goals; I wonder how many more we can expect tonight? Replays show that Gomes in the PSV goal should have done much better with Malouda's shot; it was straight at him.

GOAL! Malouda nets from 10 yards after Wiltord had broken in to the box. It's a good finish, low in to the corner, but the PSV defending left a lot to be desired.

Here, Lee ventures forward down the left but his cross is mis-struck and easily cleared. Lyon counter quickly through Govou, but he is out-muscled in the corner.

Early news from the other quarter-final tie being played this evening: Liverpool 1-0 Juventus. Hyypia volleys in a Gerrard corner. Wowzers.

Essien is the holding midfielder for Lyon, and his discipline allows the French club's more adventurous players to roam forward.

Juninho is felled by Van Bommel 45 yards out. Inexplicably, the Lyon midfielder decides to shoot from the set-piece. Even more incredibly, he almost scores, his right-foot drive drifting narrowly over the bar.

Lyon have scored 27 goals in the Champions League this season, and are the competition?s highest scorers. Who?d have thought that? Not I, and it takes a lot to surprise me. Only yesterday, I was stood behind Elvis in the queue at the supermarket and I didn?t bat an eyelid.

A high foot from Van Bommel catches Malouda in the face. The Lyon man collapes to the ground and writhes impressively until someone takes notice of him. He's taken off the field to have water splashed gently on the affected area.

Cocu sends over a left-foot cross which Vennegoor heads goalwards. Lyon clear easily though; the header lacked power.

Farfan is dropped to the floor after a strong challenge from Malouda. Van Bommel sends a great ball out to Lee out on the left wing, but the move comes to nothing.

Some very confident and competant defending sees Capaca and Gomes calmly play the French side out of trouble.

Wiltord attacks down the right wing, but he can't beat the first man with his cross and the visitors clear. They're immediately under pressure again though.

We're off. The first-ever meeting between these two sides is started by Lyon, who are playing in a rather fetching silver strip.

A minute's silence is held out of respect for the Pope. It isn't very well observed, in all honesty; there is a few shouts from the terraces. Unfortunately, they were in all French so I can't translate for you.

Lyon have three Brazilian internationals in their side: Capaca, Cris and Juninho. I have an uncle who lives in Brazil. I wonder if he's reading this?

So, here we go, readers. Are you ready? I'm ready. I've got goosebumps I'm so excited. Either that or I'm cold.

In Tuesday's second Champions League quarter-final Lyon, runaway leaders of the French League, meet PSV Eindhoven, runaway leaders of the Dutch league! This could be a classic. Live commentary here from 19.45 UK time.

Lyon are getting plenty players forward now as they press for another goal, but PSV are dropping more players deeper to compensate. Cocu, playing almost as a third centre-back at the moment, heads clear a dangerous cross.

Juninho attempts to slide a pass through to Govou, breaking at pace through the middle, but his ball is over-hit and Gomes comes out to clear.

Goal news from Anfield: Liverpool 2-1 Juventus. An error by Carson in the Liverpool goal has handed Juve a way back in to the match.

A deep cross towards Vennegoor ends in a free-kick to the home side as Collina spots another push by the tall striker.

PSV enjoy a brief spell of pressure, but they can't really create a decent shooting chance and Lyon throw some players forward as they counter.

Paul Le Guen's face is one of some frustration as he watches from the touchline. He looks like he could be the sort of man who might take out his frustration of losing by drowning cats in a river.

Juninho whips in the corner, but Essien is adjudged to have fouled his marker. Lyon will be kicking themselves that they aren't further in front; Govou's was a really great chance.

Oooh! An incredible save from Gomes, who manages to palm away a shot from Govou. The French striker was unmarked, six yards out and still contrived to miss the chance.

Abidal is doing well down the left-hand side against the twin threat of Lee and Park.

Farfan earns his side a corner. Van Bommel swings the ball in, and only Essien's flicked clearance denies Vennegoor a great chance to head an equaliser.

Essien lofts a ball in to the box, which Gomes makes a real hash of collecting. Fortunately for the Brazilian international, a defender is on-hand to help shield the danger and the goalkeeper collects at the second attempt.

Ooijer again fouls Malouda, but is spared a booking by an understanding Collina. It is a significant let-off for the PSV defender; he would have missed the second leg had he been yellow carded.

Van Bommel heads back to Gomes after Govou had hooked a cross in to the area. Lyon have started the second period well, and look intent on extending their lead.

Malouda is brought down 40 yards from goal. The set-piece is right of centre, and Juninho opts to cross rather than shoot. The ball is lofted in to a dangerous area, but Gomes punches clear.

A heavy first-touch in the penalty area denies Wiltord the chance to turn and shoot. Television shots show Gus Hiddink looking unconcerned in the PSV dugout.

A poor clearance finds its way to Malouda, but his left-foot shot from 20 yards is blocked by Alex. A crucial interception, as the shot looked goal-bound.

Wiltord puts the ball out of play after Juninho went down under an aggricultural challenge from Van Bommel. The Brazilian winces as he rises, and aims a rueful look at his opponent.

All the talk has been of Essien making a move to the Premiership in the summer, but Diarra has been the man to catch my eye this evening. I'd love to see him at my team - Manchester City. Never going to happen, obviously, but a man can dream...

Diarra sends a fantastic ball with the outside of his right boot, all the way out to Reveillere on the right wing. Unfortunately, the full-back's touch is heavy and the ball runs out of play.

Alex remains calm when pressurised by Wiltord. Diarra lands akwardly after challenging Cocu for a header. He gets to his feet a little gingerly. Why 'gingerly', but not 'turmeric-ly'?

Lee is fouled on the left touchline. Free-kick, but PSV seem content to knock the ball around at the back rather than press for an equaliser.

Diarra impressed me greatly in the first half. He seems to be very competant in a number of areas. Malouda attempts a shot from 35 yards, but slices it horribly.

Lyon will want a bigger advantage to take in to the second leg. Is that an obvious thing to state? I don't think so. I've no regrets. Lyon press forward early and win a throw.

Ding, dang, do! We're back again. I hope you enjoyed your half-time break. I did. I had a bar of chocolate, and I liked it.

HALF-TIME: An enjoyable half; Lyon lead, but will feel like they should be further in front. PSV, for their part, will be pleased with their defending, but need to get more players forward if they're to pinch one of those priceless away goals.

There will be two minutes of stoppage time. PSV win a throw-in deep in Lyon territory, but Essien rises high in the box and heads clear.

Van Bommel clips a pass in to Vennegoor on the edge of the area. The Dutch international does well to hold off his marker, but his shot on the turn is over Coupet's crossbar.

Diarra lofts a great ball over the top towards Govou, who had drifted in-between Alex and Bouma. He almost brings the ball under control, but a PSV defender is quick to nip the ball off him before he can shoot.

Govou goes down and wins a free-kick. He is holding his head, and it is suggested by the Frenchman that he was caught by Bouma. Collina offers little sympathy.

PSV have offered nothing going forward, though they are at least defending with some determination and resolve. They are sitting quite deep, but their two centre backs have been excellent.

Malouda's cross is headed clear, but Diarra collects on the edge of the box. His shot is blocked, however, and PSV clear their lines.

Oooh! Essien works a little space on the edge of the box, and rifles in a low shot. Gomes goes down low to his left, and manages to get a firm-enough hand on the shot to turn it wide of the post.

Lyon play some very attractive football. The use the channels very well, dragging the PSV defenders out of position to allow space for the rampaging Juninho and Diarra.

The Lyon fans are creating a decent atmosphere inside the Stade de Gerland; they are roaring on their side when in possession, and jeering wildly when the Dutch team have the ball.

A nice counter-attack sees Govou released down the right. He crosses, and Gomes flaps a little as he palms the ball to relative safety. Wiltord collects the loose ball, however, and his cross is headed straight at the goalkeeper by Essien, on a rare foray forward.

Nice play from Wiltord almost releases Diarra through the middle. Wiltord, if we're being honest, looked a very average player during his time at Arsenal: now he looks a great player. How strange.

Some very calm defending from Alex after he is played in to a little trouble by Cocu. Incidentally, Alex is the only player on the field not to have played a full international for his country.

Juninho seems to have played the whole first half-hour with a wide grin on his face. He looks very happy with life. Perhaps he hasn?t yet realised that life is full of horror and misery and pain. When he does, I?m sure that smile will soon disappear.

Vogel is booked after challenging Juninho. No shot this time, however; the set-piece is taken short, and worked out to Malouda, though his left-foot cross is weak and straight at Gomes.

Lovely play from Farfan as he dances past a couple of challenges down the right channel. Cacapa is dilligent in his tracking back, however, and he robs the little winger close to the by-line.

Malouda wins a foul on the half-way line when Ooijer tripped him as he broke down the left wing.

Park cuts inside from his position on the left-wing, but his right-foot shot is mis-hit and dribbles harmlessly - like a new-born baby, perhaps.

Some more goal news from Anfield: Liverpool 2-0 Juventus. Luis Garcia has just crashed home a superb volley from outside the box.

Some unorthodox play from Juninho results in a Lyon corner, but the visitors hold firm and head clear.

Vennegoor requires some treatment after catching a boot to the head. He's back on the field in a moment or two, however. I'd not realised how big the Dutch striker is: he must be 6ft 4in. I wonder if he has to buy his trousers at a special shop for tall people?

PSV win a free-kick in a dangerous position on the corner of the penalty area. Van Bommel takes it, but hits his cross straight at the 'keeper. Collina indicates that he hadn't blown his whistle and that Van Bommel should take the set-piece again. He does, but Essien clears.

The winners of this tie will face the winner of the Inter v AC Milan tie, the first leg of which is being played tomorrow evening. Join us, if you've nothing better to do, for live coverage.

Referee Collina is officiating on this game, and, as always, is doing a great job, allowing the play to flow and not being too fussy with his decisions.

You might hear some people mentioning Lyon coach Paul Le Guen as a possible candidate for the Manchester City manager?s job. Laugh openly at these people, for they?re horribly mistaken: it will never, ever happen. FACT.

PSV are having real trouble getting hold of the ball at the moment; the home side are just so dominant.

Cocu wins a free-kick out on the right touchline. Van Bommel sends a great ball in to the box, but Vennegoor is adjudged to have fouled his marker as he climbed to head the ball inside the area.

Juninho performs a couple of step-overs just inside the PSV box before laying a pass out to Diarra, who strikes a shot with the outside of his boot narrowly wide. This is a great game to watch at the moment.

Lyon are piling on the pressure here. Wiltord breaks down the right and clips a cross in to the centre, though Gomes claims comfortably in his six-yard box.

Juninho curls a great through-ball in the direction of Govou, though it runs through to Gomes before the French striker can latch on to it.

This was always going to be a tie littered with goals; I wonder how many more we can expect tonight? Replays show that Gomes in the PSV goal should have done much better with Malouda's shot; it was straight at him.

GOAL! Malouda nets from 10 yards after Wiltord had broken in to the box. It's a good finish, low in to the corner, but the PSV defending left a lot to be desired.

Here, Lee ventures forward down the left but his cross is mis-struck and easily cleared. Lyon counter quickly through Govou, but he is out-muscled in the corner.

Early news from the other quarter-final tie being played this evening: Liverpool 1-0 Juventus. Hyypia volleys in a Gerrard corner. Wowzers.

Essien is the holding midfielder for Lyon, and his discipline allows the French club's more adventurous players to roam forward.

Juninho is felled by Van Bommel 45 yards out. Inexplicably, the Lyon midfielder decides to shoot from the set-piece. Even more incredibly, he almost scores, his right-foot drive drifting narrowly over the bar.

Lyon have scored 27 goals in the Champions League this season, and are the competition?s highest scorers. Who?d have thought that? Not I, and it takes a lot to surprise me. Only yesterday, I was stood behind Elvis in the queue at the supermarket and I didn?t bat an eyelid.

A high foot from Van Bommel catches Malouda in the face. The Lyon man collapes to the ground and writhes impressively until someone takes notice of him. He's taken off the field to have water splashed gently on the affected area.

Cocu sends over a left-foot cross which Vennegoor heads goalwards. Lyon clear easily though; the header lacked power.

Farfan is dropped to the floor after a strong challenge from Malouda. Van Bommel sends a great ball out to Lee out on the left wing, but the move comes to nothing.

Some very confident and competant defending sees Capaca and Gomes calmly play the French side out of trouble.

Wiltord attacks down the right wing, but he can't beat the first man with his cross and the visitors clear. They're immediately under pressure again though.

We're off. The first-ever meeting between these two sides is started by Lyon, who are playing in a rather fetching silver strip.

A minute's silence is held out of respect for the Pope. It isn't very well observed, in all honesty; there is a few shouts from the terraces. Unfortunately, they were in all French so I can't translate for you.

Lyon have three Brazilian internationals in their side: Capaca, Cris and Juninho. I have an uncle who lives in Brazil. I wonder if he's reading this?

So, here we go, readers. Are you ready? I'm ready. I've got goosebumps I'm so excited. Either that or I'm cold.

In Tuesday's second Champions League quarter-final Lyon, runaway leaders of the French League, meet PSV Eindhoven, runaway leaders of the Dutch league! This could be a classic. Live commentary here from 19.45 UK time.