Champions League tie hit by racist abuse

Manchester City's Yaya Toure says he was subjected to "monkey chants" during Wednesday's European Champions League match against CSKA Moscow.

(CNN) -- It's supposed to be known as the "Beautiful Game" but the ugly face of racism returned to haunt European football once again Wednesday.

Manchester City's Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast midfielder, was subjected to "monkey chants" during his side's 2-1 Champions League win against CSKA Moscow in Russia.

City is expected to make a formal complaint to UEFA, the game's European governing body, with Toure urging for action to be taken following his side's victory courtesy of two goals from Sergio Aguero.

Read: The Secret Footballer on racism in soccer

"A couple of months ago, a friend was playing at Milan and he had the same problem, and today with me again, it's always the same," he told the club's official website.

Juventus president Andrea Agnelli (left) celebrates the Old Lady's 2013 Serie A title win with the club's coach Antonio Conte.Restoring an Italian classic Did FIFA make a mistake on Qatar? Football comes to Buckingham Palace

"I hope they will change it, I hope they will get big sanctions. They have to ban them at some stage, they have to ban a club for a couple of years.

"They don't know. They have to do something about it or they will always continue with it. I don't know why we just have this in football -- in volleyball or rugby, we don't have it.

"A few times when I went to the goal and tried to score, I missed it, some of the fans reacted badly. It's always the same - what they say about racism, but they have to stop it now. We have to act, I hope that UEFA will take action. I want it to stop.

"If UEFA don't take action about that, it will continue. We always have some guy saying 'we will have it, blah blah blah'."

Toure went on Twitter to thanks fans for their support following the incident with thousands retweeting his sentiments.

He tweeted: "Thank you for your support! Hate or racism cannot affect me when so many people are showing me love and support on a daily basis!

"I believe in football institutions, I know decision makers will take their responsibilities and show a red card to racism."

City captain Vincent Kompany, who is of Congolese descent, took to Twitter to hit out at the abuse and sent a message to UEFA and the Russian government.

"Racist chants again in Moscow today.. We've all said enough. @UEFAcom, @GovernmentRF, CSKA, all eyes are on you now.."

Read: Racism remains "significant" problem in English football

UEFA has vowed to crack down harder on fans which continue to partake in racial abuse.

In May, the body's executive committee ratified a 10-match minimum ban for racial abuse by players or officials.

As a player, Alex Ferguson enjoyed a moderately successful career. A prolific striker, he scored 170 goals in 317 appearances including 25 goals in 41 appearances for Glasgow Rangers.The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson Just what did former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson think about Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo? Read on......Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss The business behind the World Cup

At the time, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino stated that the organization's 53 members should adopt the same measures.

According to the new regulations, the first sanction for a club whose fans are found guilty of racist abuse will be a partial stadium closure. If the abuse persists, then there will be a full stadium closure and a $65,000 fine handed out.

"An association should adopt the same or similar measures," Infantino said in May.

"UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose. I don't think you measure the way of fighting against racism in one simple measure and sanction."

In August, Polish club Legia Warsaw was fined $41,000 and ordered to close the north stand of its stadium following racist behavior by supporters during a Champions League second qualifying round tie.

Read: Platini warns players over racism walk offs

UEFA has been heavily criticized in the past for the way it has punished those found guilty of racial abuse compared with other offenses.

During Euro 2012, Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner was handed a $125,800 fine for revealing a betting company's logo on his underwear after lifting his shirt while celebrating a goal.

From civil war to the football pitch Ginola answers questions on Qatar 2022 Al-Ahly of Tripoli, the country's biggest club, threatened to leave the Libyan football league after its coach and a player were both shot by snipers. The team is expected to return to action on October 26 according to the club's owner.Libya's footballers in the firing line

UEFA also handed out a larger fine to Chelsea following its semifinal defeat by Barcelona in 2009 after Didier Drogba confronted referee Tom Ovrebo after his failure to award the London club several penalties.

When it comes to punishment for racism, UEFA has imposed relatively small fines, which has left the governing body open to extreme criticism.

Back in 2002, the Slovakian Football Association was hit with a $29,000 fine after fans abused England duo Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey.

A year later, Cole, Heskey and Sol Campbell were abused while on England duty in Macedonia with the host FA being forced to pay a fine of $27,000.

In June 2007, the Football Association of Serbia was punished with a $27,000 fine after its fans racially abused England players during the Under-21 Championship Finals in Holland.

The Croatian FA was made to pay just $16,000 after its fans were found guilty of "displaying a racist banner and showing racist conduct" during the Euro 2008 quarterfinal tie with Turkey.

In 2011, Bulgaria's FA was hit with a $54,000 fine after England's Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott were racially abused during a Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia.

Porto was fined $27,000 after its fans racially abused Manchester City's Mario Balotelli during a Europa League game last April.

That decision came a full six weeks after the incident and was then frowned upon further, after UEFA fined City $40,000 for coming out late ahead of the second-half of their last-16 Europa League game at Sporting Lisbon.

Both Russia ($39,000) and Spain ($26,000) were fined at Euro 2012 following problems of racism, but neither country was hit as hard in the pocket as Denmark striker Bendtner.

Champions League: 10 talking points from the midweek action

1) Good old Zlatan

A cynic does not have to look hard to find much that's distasteful about the megabucks gloss of the Champions League and a player who is paid €55m-a-year is distasteful in the extreme. But, it's hard not to raise a guilty smile about someone as ludicrously enjoyable as Zlatan Ibrahimovic. His first-half hat-trick for PSG against Anderlecht was a one-man marketing campaign for the excess and excellence of the competition: the first was a simple enough tap-in, the second a back-heel rabona, and the third a 40-yard screamer into the top corner. As if to point out he wasn't done there, he scored a fourth with the outside of his boot. Ignore the finances involved, and it's simply a pleasure to watch someone play the sort of football the rest of us are only capable of in our dreams. Tom Bryant

2) Do you think Uefa will act sufficiently? Really?

Perhaps the saddest thing about the racist abuse that Yaya Touré was subjected to in Moscow on Wednesday night is that it no longer comes as a surprise. We have been here countless times before, which was a point that Touré made afterwards, when he urged Uefa to take the strongest possible action. Vincent Kompany took a similar line when he tweeted: "Racist chants again in Moscow today.. We've all said enough. @UEFAcom, @GovernmentRF, CSKA, all eyes are on you now.. #StopRacism." Sadly, and depressingly, European football's governing body is weak when it comes to dealing with racism. This is an organisation that believes a player carrying the name of a betting company on his pants is a more serious issue than a footballer being targeted because of the colour of his skin. Touré talked about CKSA being banned from using their stadium for a couple of years - the sort of punishment that would demonstrate Uefa is committed to removing this stain from our game. More likely is that CSKA will be fined a paltry amount. As for Russia, we await the response from CSKA and the national football federation with interest. Stuart James

3) Dortmund's marksmanship undid Arsenal

The official Uefa statistics said that Dortmund had three shots on target but it was difficult to remember the one that Wojciech Szczesny stopped. The Arsenal goalkeeper was a virtual bystander. So, essentially, this was a cold-eyed demonstration from Dortmund in how to convert the big chance when it comes. Jürgen Klopp's team pressed and they fractured Arsenal's rhythm but it was in front of goal where they taught their opponents the hardest lesson. There was not a person inside the Emirates who thought that Robert Lewandowski was going to miss his 82nd minute volley on the counterattack, least of all the Poland striker himself. David Hytner

4) Chiellini costs Juventus

Juventus imploded as a team against Fiorentina last weekend, so at least they can say there were improvements tonight, when only two of their players made a show of themselves against Real Madrid at the Bernabéu. Arturo Vidal could have picked up at least three yellow cards for persistent transgressions, but only got the one. Good news for fans of slapstick: were he sent off, the world would have never witnessed his hacking up a divot the size of a small planet while missing the ball itself, tripping over his standing leg, skittering across the turf on his buttocks with an astonished look on his face, then having the chutzpah to claim for a penalty. A treat on so many levels. Don't go changing, Arturo. Giorgio Chiellini's meltdown was more costly for the away team. In the first half he needlessly hauled Sergio Ramos to the ground by the neck, conceding the penalty that decided this match, then got himself sent off for fiddling with Cristiano Ronaldo's face, a flapping nonsense that probably only merited yellow, but was stupid enough to give the referee an opportunity to flash red. Chiellini will want to take a long look at himself, because Juve were definitely the better team when it was 11 versus 11, Claudio Marchisio, Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Paul Pogba buzzing around in the bothersome manner. If they can just put a stop to the daft mistakes and rushes of blood, they're an exciting enough side to go deep in this season's Champions League. As for Real? Well, they won't fancy the upcoming trip to Turin, a match Juve won't want to lose after their slow start to this group. But first things first: what if they play like they did during the final exchanges here - when Juve went down to ten and passes refused to stick - in Saturday's clásico? Good luck, chaps. Good luck. Scott Murray

5) Neymar still struggling to make an impact

Considering his price tag, the Brazilian forward has not had the kind of impact Barcelona would have hoped. Against Milan he had a very, very quiet game and only flickered twice during the whole match before being replaced by Pedro with 10 minutes remaining. And with Alexis Sánchez also not at his best, Barcelona were left to rely, as with so many times before, on Lionel Messi for the equaliser at the San Siro. The more worrying thing, perhaps, was that they did not create that many clear chances against a pretty average Milan side who were pushed back for the entire second half. Oh, and one more thing to add from the game: Kaká was brilliant. Marcus Christenson

6) It's too soon to hail Fernando Torres's latest return

That Fernando Torres is a confidence player seems very clear: picked for the match against Schalke over Samuel Eto'o -who most had expected to start - he shone with a bustling, powerful performance. José Mourinho has been acknowledged as a master man manager and playing Eto'o against Cardiff City in the Premier League while saving Torres for the Champions League clearly gave the Spaniard some extra strut. Torres is back, was the post-match story. However, we've seen this before. Last December he kicked off Chelsea's 8-0 rampage against Aston Villa with his seventh goal in six matches once again to prompt headlines hailing his return. His next Premier League goal came midway through May, while the only goals he scored in January and February came against Brentford and Middlesbrough in the League and FA Cups. It's probably worth witholding judgment as to his latest return for a while yet. TB

7) Costa a cut above

No wonder the Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is determined not to let Diego Costa slip through the net. The Brazil-born striker is considering registering for Spain despite having played in two Brazil friendlies and Scolari is thunderous about the situation: "I have the legal authority and freedom to call him up whenever I think I should do so and no-one else ... and I'm thinking of giving him a call-up." Costa is currently the leading scorer in La Liga with 10 goals in nine appearances and he was brilliant again on Tuesday night as Atlético Madrid hammered Austria Vienna. His first was majestic: a run from the halfway line into the box, through two tackles, and a neat stroked into the corner. Atlético have reportedly put a £35m price tag on him. Expect someone to test their resolve in January. TB

8) Celtic's achievement overshadowed

If Celtic have got any sense, their Champions League training sessions will simply involve leaning against buildings. Because after their unlikely heroics last season, their impressive display against Barcelona this season, and their victory over Ajax on Tuesday night, it seems they are at their best with their backs to the wall. Having lost Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper over the summer, and without their captain, Scott Brown, Adam Matthews and Kris Commons, they managed to fend off Ajax with a performance that may not have been pretty but was resolutely gritty. Ajax's manager Frank de Boer was less than impressed. "Celtic did not create anything but scored two goals," he sniffed, his fury clear. It is a shame for Celtic that he was not more gracious (though hardly unexpected) because his comments and the behaviour of Ajax's fans - who are being investigated after being accused of tearing up seats - grabbed headlines rather than the fact Celtic may yet qualify despite the difficulty of being in a group comprising Barcelona, Milan and Ajax. TB

9) Moyes still struggling to win hearts and minds

Manchester United's win over Real Sociedad will not have changed many people's minds about the club's direction under David Moyes. Those who are convinced the manager is on the wrong track will point to the periods were United lost control in midfield to erratic opponents and defended with panic, while those who think the future holds promise will highlight, in particular, the vibrance of the team's attacking, which was let down only by wonky finishing. Wayne Rooney sure enjoyed the freedom given to him by Robin van Persie's absence but cannot be said to have made the most of it. Paul Doyle

10) Come back Kompany

If Manchester City needed any reminders as to Vincent Kompany's worth to the side, it came against CSKA Moscow. The Russian side had failed to score in six of their seven previous matches before facing City. One look at a back four that had Javi García and Matija Nastasic at its heart, and their eyes lit up. Manchester City were a defensive shambles against CSKA Moscow and were frequently undone by simple, direct passes over the top. It didn't help that neither of the two deep-lying midfielders, Yaya Touré or Fernandinho, tracked back but Joleon Lescott must be wondering just why he is on the bench while someone as defensively inept as García is in the starting lineup. TB

Champions League tie hit by racist abuse

Manchester City's Yaya Toure says he was subjected to "monkey chants" during Wednesday's European Champions League match against CSKA Moscow.

(CNN) -- It's supposed to be known as the "Beautiful Game" but the ugly face of racism returned to haunt European football once again Wednesday.

Manchester City's Yaya Toure, the Ivory Coast midfielder, was subjected to "monkey chants" during his side's 2-1 Champions League win against CSKA Moscow in Russia.

City is expected to make a formal complaint to UEFA, the game's European governing body, with Toure urging for action to be taken following his side's victory courtesy of two goals from Sergio Aguero.

Read: The Secret Footballer on racism in soccerJuventus president Andrea Agnelli (left) celebrates the Old Lady's 2013 Serie A title win with the club's coach Antonio Conte.Restoring an Italian classic Did FIFA make a mistake on Qatar? Football comes to Buckingham Palace

"It is quite disappointing when you're talking about people continuing to do that,' Toure told Sky Sports.

'It is unbelievable and very sad on my part. I think UEFA need to do something strong. It would be nice if we could stop that.

"Some of the songs today were quite stupid and I think UEFA have to do the work. Every time we say something it continues, something has to be done to stop it."

City captain Vincent Kompany, who is of Congolese descent, took to Twitter to hit out at the abuse and sent a message to UEFA and the Russian government.

"Racist chants again in Moscow today.. We've all said enough. @UEFAcom, @GovernmentRF, CSKA, all eyes are on you now.."

Read: Racism remains "significant" problem in English football

UEFA has vowed to crack down harder on fans which continue to partake in racial abuse.

In May, the body's executive committee ratified a 10-match minimum ban for racial abuse by players or officials.

As a player, Alex Ferguson enjoyed a moderately successful career. A prolific striker, he scored 170 goals in 317 appearances including 25 goals in 41 appearances for Glasgow Rangers.The seven moments which define Alex Ferguson Just what did former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson think about Wayne Rooney, Roy Keane, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo? Read on......Alex Ferguson's book: 10 things not to miss The business behind the World Cup

At the time, UEFA General Secretary Gianni Infantino stated that the organization's 53 members should adopt the same measures.

According to the new regulations, the first sanction for a club whose fans are found guilty of racist abuse will be a partial stadium closure. If the abuse persists, then there will be a full stadium closure and a $65,000 fine handed out.

"An association should adopt the same or similar measures," Infantino said in May.

"UEFA has always acted in a way to try to convince people rather than impose. I don't think you measure the way of fighting against racism in one simple measure and sanction."

In August, Polish club Legia Warsaw was fined $41,000 and ordered to close the north stand of its stadium following racist behavior by supporters during a Champions League second qualifying round tie.

Read: Platini warns players over racism walk offs

UEFA has been heavily criticized in the past for the way it has punished those found guilty of racial abuse compared with other offenses.

During Euro 2012, Denmark striker Nicklas Bendtner was handed a $125,800 fine for revealing a betting company's logo on his underwear after lifting his shirt while celebrating a goal.

From civil war to the football pitch Ginola answers questions on Qatar 2022 Al-Ahly of Tripoli, the country's biggest club, threatened to leave the Libyan football league after its coach and a player were both shot by snipers. The team is expected to return to action on October 26 according to the club's owner.Libya's footballers in the firing line

UEFA also handed out a larger fine to Chelsea following its semifinal defeat by Barcelona in 2009 after Didier Drogba confronted referee Tom Ovrebo after his failure to award the London club several penalties.

When it comes to punishment for racism, UEFA has imposed relatively small fines, which has left the governing body open to extreme criticism.

Back in 2002, the Slovakian Football Association was hit with a $29,000 fine after fans abused England duo Ashley Cole and Emile Heskey.

A year later, Cole, Heskey and Sol Campbell were abused while on England duty in Macedonia with the host FA being forced to pay a fine of $27,000.

In June 2007, the Football Association of Serbia was punished with a $27,000 fine after its fans racially abused England players during the Under-21 Championship Finals in Holland.

The Croatian FA was made to pay just $16,000 after its fans were found guilty of "displaying a racist banner and showing racist conduct" during the Euro 2008 quarterfinal tie with Turkey.

In 2011, Bulgaria's FA was hit with a $54,000 fine after England's Ashley Young, Ashley Cole and Theo Walcott were racially abused during a Euro 2012 qualifier in Sofia.

Porto was fined $27,000 after its fans racially abused Manchester City's Mario Balotelli during a Europa League game last April.

That decision came a full six weeks after the incident and was then frowned upon further, after UEFA fined City $40,000 for coming out late ahead of the second-half of their last-16 Europa League game at Sporting Lisbon.

Both Russia ($39,000) and Spain ($26,000) were fined at Euro 2012 following problems of racism, but neither country was hit as hard in the pocket as Denmark striker Bendtner.

Champions League 2013 Groups: Full Standings After Match Day 3

We're halfway through the 2013-14 Champions League group stage

While the results have gone about as you would have expected before the campaign began, there have been enough surprises to keep things interesting.

Some critics of the Champions League argue that the competition doesn't get interesting until the knockout stages.

However, that hasn't exactly been the case this season. You've got Juventus' 1-1 draw with Copenhagen, Bayern Munich's 3-1 demolition of Manchester City, Basel's 2-1 win over Chelsea and pretty much all of Group F as proof that the group stage can be a thrilling occasion.

Here are the full standings after the third match of the group stage.

Manchester United have had problems moving on from Sir Alex Ferguson this season. While those issues have hampered their Premier League campaign, the Red Devils are top of Group A, one point ahead of Bayer Leverkusen.

With away matches against both Leverkusen and Real Sociedad, United will have a tough fight in order to hold on to that top spot.

The Shakhtar Donetsk-Bayer Leverkusen match on Nov. 5 could well decide this group. Shakhtar are always much better in the Donbass Arena and will have a great chance to jump into second.

What has happened to Juventus? The back-to-back Serie A champions are third in Group B, seven points off Real Madrid at the top. Some might point to the ageing Gianluigi Buffon as the biggest culprit, but the entire defense has been off its game.

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As a result they've got some work to do if they're going to upend Galatasaray for second.

At least Madrid have done their job. Los Blancos defeated Juve 2-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu Wednesday and are in the driver's seat in Group B.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not of this world. He scored four-yes, four-goals against Anderlecht on Wednesday night. People often talk about whether Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo is the true best player in the world, but Ibra deserves some consideration as well.

With him as the talisman, Paris Saint-Germain remain favorites to win Group C. The French club should have things wrapped up pretty soon.

Olympiakos and Benfica are having a fun battle for second, though. The decline of Greek football hasn't affected Olympiakos as they have a talented side that snagged a 1-1 draw in Lisbon on Wednesday night.

As long as they can get a result against Anderlecht and hold out for another draw against Benfica, they could be in the knockout stages again.

Bayern Munich have been the class of Group D by a wide margin. Their systematic dissection of Manchester City in the Etihad was one of the most definitive thrashings of a top club in recent memory.

Replacing Jupp Heynckes for Pep Guardiola hasn't quite been the disaster some predicted it would be.

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Even after that loss, City look like they should finish second in the group. They recovered well and got a hard-earned three points against CSKA Moscow in Russia.

Give Manuel Pellegrini credit. He was brought in for his European pedigree and he's delivering more UCL success so far than Roberto Mancini did.

As you'd expect, Chelsea and Schalke are the top two in the group. They're the two best clubs in Group E and they've so far demonstrated why.

After a slow start to the season, Chelsea have begun to find their footing. They got that huge 3-0 win in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday night to go top of the group. The Blues should be able to stay there as they'll have Schalke at home in the next meeting between the two clubs.

You won't want to sleep on FC Basel, though. The Swiss club has built a solid record in European competitions and knocked Manchester United out of the group stage in 2012.

When the draw was made, Group F looked like the proverbial "Group of Death" and has so far lived up to the billing.

You can eliminate Olympique Marseille as a threat, though. The French side are bottom of the group and have struggled this season in Ligue 1. They won't be able to make up a six-point gap in three matches.

That leaves Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli fighting it out for those top two spots.

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The German giants could be positioned the best as they get both Arsenal and Napoli at home coming up. Getting three points points at the Emirates was a huge boost.

Arsenal and Napoli look to be the candidates fighting it out for that second spot.

Atletico Madrid were perfect in their first three matches. As a result, they've built an almost unassailable lead at the top. Even if Los Colchoneros don't finish top of Group G, they should be able to grab second place.

The interesting battle will be between Zenit St. Petersburg and FC Porto. Zenit got a 1-0 win in the Estadio do Dragao on Tuesday. Now they've got the reigning Portuguese champs coming into Russia for the return match.

Spare a thought for Ajax. Despite having a great European pedigree and boasting an entertaining style of play, it looks like once again they'll be bounced in the group stage. Ajax's problems in Europe speak to the Eredivisie's overall decline in recent years.

Barcelona are in control of Group H. They get both Celtic and AC Milan at home over the coming months, and they should be able to handle Ajax in Amsterdam.

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Can Celtic pull off another run to the knockout stages? This is one of the worst Milan sides in recent memory and the Rossoneri have a trip to Celtic Park on Nov. 26.

Champions League Results: Analysis for Real Madrid

Real Madrid 2-1 Juventus: Ronaldo at the Double as Home Side Edge Encounter

Real Madrid edged a controversial and dramatic Group B encounter with Juventus on Wednesday, putting them in firm control of the group heading into the second half of the group stages.

Two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, the second of which came from the penalty spot, saw Madrid to the three points-rendering Fernando Llorente's first-half equaliser little more than a temporary road block.

But there was plenty of drama in the contest, with Giorgio Chiellini being dubiously dismissed in the 48th minute for putting an arm across Ronaldo's face-before a bizarre incident involving Arturo Vidal in the Real Madrid penalty area.

Ronaldo opened the scoring after just four minutes, rounding Gianluigi Buffon before clipping home from a tight angle. But Juventus roared back, with Llorente soon bundling home after Paul Pogba had nearly beaten Iker Casillas with a far post header.

Parity lasted just a further six minutes, however, before Chiellini was penalised for pulling down Sergio Ramos in the box as he tried to get on the end of a free-kick.

Ronaldo duly found the top corner, in what turned out to be the winning goal.

The second half saw more drama, with Chiellini harshly dismissed for his clash with Ronaldo. Yet despite that setback Juventus continued to push, albeit without finding an equalising goal.

Real now control Group B with nine points, while Juventus slip to third with just two points acquired from their three games so far.

Shots: 13-13

On target: 4-5

Pass completion: 92-86

Possession: 56-44

Champions League

Manchester United benefited from the fastest goal of this season's Champions League group stage to complete a 1-0 home win over Real Sociedad at Old Trafford.

David Moyes's side should have won by more with Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs producing a terrific level of performance, but were forced to settle for the only goal of the Group A tie from their first real attack of the night on 69 seconds.

Rooney - who turns 28 on Thursday - managed to ease himself past a couple of visiting shirts before knocking a shot against a post. The ball came back out to the Sociedad defender Iñigo Martínez, who seemed to panic before slamming his intended clearance into his own net.

With Robin van Persie given the night off to fully heal from nagging injuries, Rooney accepted the mantle of leading the line with some style. Some of the support work from Giggs and Shinji Kagawa was also a joy to behold as United moved top of their section with seven points from their opening three matches.

A win away from home against Sociedad in a fortnight's time should be enough to seal their spot in the last 16 with their Spanish opponents already out of contention without a point from their three outings.

KEY MOMENTS

2' - ROONEY RAMPANT: United move ahead. Brilliant start for the home side. Rooney hits the post, but Martinez bundles the ball into his own net. United ahead.

11' - ROONEY CONTINUES TO THRIVE: Rooney almost in for the second goal. Left footed volley, but Claudio Bravo does well to make the stop on that occasion.

18' - GIGGS OPENS UP SOCIEDAD: Giggs plays a lovely one-two with Rooney. Lovely delivery to the back post, but Hernandez is offside as he nods into the net.

26' - DE GEA REFLEXES: De Gea with a brilliant diving stop to nudge the ball over the bar from Haris Seferovic's blistering shot. Slight deflection off Evans so the save even more impressive.

38' - GRIEZMANN MISFORTUNE: Antoine Griezmann sees a free-kick fly over the wall and come back off a post. Brilliant effort from 25 yards. So unlucky.

52' - BRAVO BRILLIANCE: Jones sees a header beaten out by Bravo. Powerful header by Jones, but the keeper was equal to it.

57' - DE BELLA HITS BAR: Sociedad quickly picks up possession. Cracking effort from De la Bella. Ball comes back off the bar. De Gea wasn't getting there.

60' - VALENCIA STRIKES POST: Valencia with a golden chance to kill matters off. Should have been the second, but his effort comes back off a post.

KEY STATS

Manchester United have scored after 69 seconds, the fastest goal in this season's Champions League.

This is only the fourth time Manchester United have scored inside two minutes in a Champions League game - last one was Rooney v Bayern in 2010.

United have scored five goals from six shots on target so far in the Champions League this season.

United have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last nine games in the Champions League, their longest such run in the competition.

Manchester United have made more headed clearances than any other side in this season's Champions League.

Opta MATCHCAST: FULL COMMENTARY AND STATS

TALKING POINT: How is David Moyes handling matters after Fergie's autobiography? Not too bad. At one point, the singing section at Old Trafford urged the manager to give them a wave. He obliged, but his side are surely destined to say hello to the last 16 of this tournament.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United): Back to his very best. The man was a class act for United in an impressive team performance going forward. Doubts remain at the back.

PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester United: De Gea 7; Rafael 6, Jones 7, Evans 6, Evra 6; Valencia 7, Carrick 7, Giggs 8, Kagawa 8; Rooney 8, Hernández 6..subs: Young 6, Smalling 6

Real Sociedad: Bravo 8, Martínez 6, Mikel 6, Iñigo 6, De la Bella 7, Bergara 6, Zurutuza 6, Prieto 6, Seferovic 6, Griezmann 7, Vela 6..subs: Castro 6, Agirretxe 6, Pardo 6

THE MATCH IN A TWEET The match in a tweet

Champions League round

By David Kent

PUBLISHED: 17:44 EST, 22 October 2013 | UPDATED: 18:13 EST, 22 October 2013

Brazil forward Hulk broke the hearts of his former club's supporters when he set up Aleksandr Kerzhakov's late winner for Zenit St Petersburg in a 1-0 Champions League victory at Porto on Tuesday.

The home team made it hard for themselves when Hector Herrera was sent off in the sixth minute. It was the quickest dismissal in the history of the competition for a player receiving two yellow cards.

Second-placed Zenit have four points from three games in Group G, five behind runaway leaders Atletico Madrid who beat Austria Vienna 3-0.

Porto are third with three points and Vienna have one.

Hulk had promised not to celebrate if Zenit scored and he kept his word after setting up substitute Kerzhakov for a fine header in the 86th minute.

"Everyone knows that part of my heart is with Porto. I have a lot of friends here and can only say thank you for such a warm welcome," Hulk told TVI television.

"When we receive Porto in Russia it is going to be hard. Perhaps even harder than it was today."

Atletico Madrid's Champions League debutant Diego Costa scored twice, including one of the goals of the season, in a thumping 3-0 victory against Austria Vienna as the La Liga side seized control of Group G on Tuesday.

Playing at the Ernst Happel stadium where Spain beat Germany 1-0 to win Euro 2008, Atletico took the lead in the eighth minute when Koke sent Felipe Luis clear on the left and he squared for Raul Garcia to tap into an empty net.

Brazil-born Costa showed why Spain coach Vicente del Bosque wants to call him up when he made it 2-0 in the 20th after racing from inside the Atletico half, dancing past the last defender and slipping the ball into the corner of the net.

The home side tried to force their way back into the match but Costa dashed any hopes of a comeback when he controlled an Emiliano Insua centre and struck from close range eight minutes into the second half.

Atletico have a maximum nine points from three matches, with Russia's Zenit St Petersburg on four after their 1-0 win at Porto. Vienna have one point in fourth and last place, two behind the Portuguese side.

Costa was making his Champions League debut having been suspended for Atletico's opening group wins against Zenit and Porto after picking up a red card in last term's Europa League.

The 25-year-old, who holds dual Brazilian and Spanish nationality, is the fourth Atletico player to net a double on his first Champions League appearance after current coach Diego Simeone, Sergio Aguero and Juan Esnaider.

"We played a great game," Costa, who is the La Liga top scorer this term with 10 goals in nine games, said on UEFA.com.

"I felt good out on the pitch and was very happy to make my Champions League debut in such a manner," he added.

"Our way of thinking is to take things on a game by game basis, trying to reach our maximum level in each encounter."

An 88th-minute goal by substitute Leandro Tatu salvaged a 1-1 home draw for bottom club Steaua Bucharest in their Champions League Group E match against Basel at the National Arena on Tuesday.

Basel had taken the lead in the 48th minute when Chilean midfielder Marcelo Diaz gave keeper Ciprian Tatarusanu no chance with a delightful curling shot from outside the area after a blunder by Iasmin Latovlevici.

The Swiss club, who beat Chelsea in their opening game, are now third in the group with four points, two behind the Londoners and Schalke 04.

Steaua, winners of the European Cup in 1986, have one point from three matches.

"The result was fair," Steaua coach Laurentiu Reghecampf told DigiSport. "Our team's attitude was very good and we won our first point, that's all that matters.

"I told the players we need to be more aggressive and not make big mistakes because we are up against very strong opponents."

The Romanians enjoyed a lot of possession but Basel created more scoring chances after finding holes in the home team's rearguard.

Steaua refused to give up and earned their reward when Brazilian striker Tatu, who came on as a second-half substitute, scored to delight the home fans.

"It was a game we wanted to win and it's a pity we missed our opportunities in the first half," said Basel coach Murat Yakin.

"But this is a positive result for us because we played against tough opponents today. Romania has quality players and a very strong championship."

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