News » be even more amped than when Green

LONDON -- Samuel Etoo and Gary Cahill scored first half goals as Chelsea turned in a dominant performance to beat Galatasaray 2-0 on Tuesday and reach the Champions League quarterfinals with a 3-1 victory on aggregate. Galatasarays former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba made no impact on his return to Stamford Bridge, being reduced to a minor role like the rest of his teammates in the second leg match of the last 16. Playing his first game at Chelsea since his last kick for the Blues won a penalty shootout with Bayern Munich in the final two years ago, Drogba received a warm welcome from the home fans. But Etoo quickly stole the spotlight, opening the scoring from a tight angle in the fourth minute. Cahill doubled the lead from close range in the 42nd. In the nights other match, Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Real Madrid beat Schalke 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to reach the quarterfinals with a 9-2 rout on aggregate. Drogba looked a shadow of his former self and did not have a single clear-cut chance. But both his manager Roberto Mancini and his former coach Jose Mourinho jumped to his defence. "It was not his fault, it was very difficult for him because we did not play tonight," Mancini said. Mourinho said his former protege was not helped by his teammates after they failed to produce attacking football. "We were very solid and very confident, we controlled the game," Mourinho said. "If youre a striker and your team doesnt attack, you feel a lonely man." All eyes were on Drogba as he entered the pitch to start his warm-up at a nearly empty stadium. The Ivory Coast forward did not change his usual routine, touching the grass and crossing himself before joining his teammates. After being lured from Marseille by Mourinho, Drogba scored 157 goals in 341 appearances for the London club between 2004-12 and was voted the greatest player in the clubs history. As teams entered the pitch before kickoff, Drogba pointed a finger towards the Chelsea kop where a banner reading "Drogba Legend" had been unfurled. He then ran to the touchline to give a handshake and a kiss to Mourinho. Though the spotlight was on Drogba, Etoo soon gave Chelsea a perfect start to the game. Eden Hazard linked up well with Oscar to release the ball for the Cameroon striker, who fired past goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. Wesley Sneijder struggled to build any attacks from midfield for the visitors, while Etoo created further danger from the right flank before his attempted cut-back was blocked by defenders. Drogba then tried his luck from the edge of the box but his acrobatic volley ended well over the bar in a moment that summed up his return to his former club. Toying with defenders with his usual frenzied pace and dribbles, Hazard produced another stellar performance for Chelsea. The Belgium playmaker was behind nearly all his sides attacks and his relentless efforts made it a tiring night for the Galatasaray defence. Hazard and Oscar exchanged a series of one-twos in the 22nd minute before the Belgium international crossed for Lampard, who missed his attempt and sent the ball over. Hazard took a shot from distance two minutes later but his effort was stopped by Muslera. Chelsea went closer in the 33rd minute when captain John Terrys superb left-footed volley from Lampards free kick flew over the bar with Muslera looking beaten. Another fast move between Hazard and Oscar almost paid off but Alex Telles return pass prevented Willian from doubling the lead. Chelseas tenacity was finally rewarded before the interval when Cahill scored from the rebound with a powerful finish after Muslera had parried away Terrys header from a corner. Hazard continued to torment Galatasarays defence in the second half. In the 49th, he went on a diagonal run across the pitch and evaded Semih Kaya before releasing the ball for Etoo -- but Oscars shot from the strikers cross was blocked by Melo. Though Galatasaray pushed forward in search of a goal, Chelsea comfortably kept the visitors at bay while being dangerous on the break until the final whistle. Drogba left the pitch to a standing ovation as Chelsea fans chanted his name. Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard was delighted with sides performance in west London. "It was everything we wanted it to be. We knew it was going to be a tough game and they hardly threatened," Lampard said. "It was a very controlled, very professional performance from all of us," said After Manchester City and Arsenal exited the competition last week, Manchester United will try to join Chelsea in the last eight when it hosts Olympiakos on Wednesday. However, David Moyes team needs to overhaul a 2-0 loss in the first leg to advance. Air Max 97 Shanghai Kaleidoscope . The Raptors have to get through the pesky New York Knicks Wednesday at Madison Square Garden and can lock up the third spot in the Eastern Conference with a win or a Chicago loss in Charlotte. Air Max 97 Valentines Day 2019 . The Asheville, N.C. native, who signed as a free agent with the CFL club last May, didnt see any action with Edmonton this season after opening the year on the injured list. http://www.outletairmax97.com/air-max-97...nce.html.Before a raucous sellout crowd, the Hawks won for the 29th time in 31 games to extend their Eastern-best record to 36-8.As usual, pretty much everyone chipped in.Four starters were in double figures and backup point guard Dennis Schroder led a spurt at the start of the fourth quarter that helped the Hawks pull away. Air Max 97 Just Do It White .com) - Semyon Varlamov more than earned his third shutout of the season as he made a career-high 54 saves to lift the Colorado Avalanche to a 2-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday. Air Max 97 Have a Nike Day Tropical Twist . - After spending the morning in the hospital, Logan Couture gave the San Jose Sharks the spark they needed.SEATTLE - Eventually, the paths of Green Bay and Seattle were going to cross again.After they opened the 2014 NFL season in early September, it seemed inevitable that Aaron Rodgers would get a second chance to throw at Richard Sherman — if he wanted to. That Russell Wilson would have to avoid Clay Matthews trying to chase him down. And that the Packers would get another opportunity to topple Seattle and be the elite of the NFC.They were the two best teams in the conference in the second half of the regular season. So its only fitting the Packers and Seahawks meet Sunday for the NFC championship and a trip to the Super Bowl.Its just the way it should be. It should be just like that right now, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said.Dont be mistaken by their recent prowess, this wasnt a smooth ride for either franchise. Whether it was Rodgers telling Packers fans to R-E-L-A-X early in the season, or Seattle dealing with the expectations of being a Super Bowl champion, along with the stunning midseason trade of Percy Harvin, this was no cruise.It was a process throughout the year, Green Bay linebacker Julius Peppers said. You get better and better each week. That is the main thing you want to do each week, get better than you were before, and I think we accomplished that over the season.Green Bay has added one more obstacle in the post-season: Rodgers left calf injury that has limited his mobility. But Rodgers showed in last weeks divisional-round win over Dallas he can manage just fine, throwing for 316 yards and three touchdowns in the 26-21 victory.Now All-Pro Rodgers gets his first shot at an NFC title since winning at Chicago in January 2011. A Super Bowl victory over Pittsburgh followed.Its a different team, Rodgers said. I think its less than 20 guys still here from that team. Its only four years ago. But we have confidence that we can win on the road.Heres what else to watch for as Seattle tries to become the first defending champion in a decade to reach consecutive Super Bowls:CALF WATCH: Rodgers injury is slowing him from scrambling before throwing, one of his strengths. His right arm is just fine. Rodgers got hurt during the Dec. 21 game against Tampa Bay. He still completed 74 per cent of his passes in his last three games, including the win over Dallas. Coach Mike McCarthy has had Rodgers operating out of shotgun formations to help limit his movement.Perhaps just as importantly for the Packers has been the solid work of the offensive line much of the year. All-Pro fullback John Kuhn, an excellent blocker, has also seen more time of late. Rodgers will need top-notch protection against Seattles tough defence.SILENT SHERMM: Sherman, another All-Pro, was bored when Green Bay visited in the season opener.dddddddddddd Through the entire game, Rodgers refused to throw at the cornerback, instead turning to the other side of the field. Sherman took Rodgers approach as a sign of respect. It also left him frustrated. He described it as being a 12 on a 1-10 scale.Everybodys like, Man, thats cool, nobody threw to your side, Sherman said. But if youre a player, you want to make plays in the game, you feel you can help your team, you want the ball coming your way more.Sherman doesnt expect it the same this time.Im not surprised either way, Sherman said. But I expect them to execute their game plan, whatever that may be. Not sure what theyre going to do.ATTITUDE: Linebackers Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers draw the headlines and make big plays on the Packers defence. Lineman Mike Daniels supplies the attitude. A mainstay up front, Daniels demeanour sets a stern tone on game day.Theyll need Daniels and fellow lineman Letroy Guion to slow down bullish running back Marshawn Lynch just enough to allow linebackers Matthews and Sam Barrington, and safety Morgan Burnett to try to finish off tackles up the middle. Daniels has 14 tackles and two sacks over his last four games.COMING OF AGE: When Green Bay visited in Week 1, centre Corey Linsley, wide receiver Davante Adams and tight end Richard Rodgers were all making their NFL debuts. Now theyre integral parts of the offence. Adams was the star of Green Bays win over Dallas last week with seven catches for 117 yards and a touchdown.You expect those guys to hit some sort of lull during the year, as the college season is usually 12 or 13 games, Aaron Rodgers said. After the preseason, youre looking at midway through the season, thats a normal college season for these guys, and you havent seen it.THANKS BUFFALO: Seattle ultimately owes thanks to Buffalo for Sundays title game being played at CenturyLink Field. The Bills victory over Green Bay in Week 15 was the difference in Seattle winning the tiebreaker for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Instead of Seattle being forced to deal with the freezing temperatures of Wisconsin, the Packers are about to enter the Seahawks cauldron of noise — certain to be even more amped than when Green Bay visited to open the season.Any time we get the home games, especially the NFC championship at home, and we get to play in front of the 12s, its exciting, Seattle safety Kam Chancellor said of the teams fan base. Its exciting for us, exciting for them, and I think we deserve it and they deserve it, as well.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '