Porto 2-1 Arsenal: Fabianski Flops As The Gunners Stumble

The Dragons hold the advantage after a horror show from the young Polish shot-stopper...

Porto secured a first leg advantage after defeating Arsenal 2-1 in the Estadio do Dragao this evening - but visiting goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski handed the Portuguese side the win with a dreadful display.

The Pole allowed a Valera cross to fumble over the line before being involved in a calamitous breakdown in communication with Sol Campbell that led to Falcao's winner in the second half.

Campbell had equalised for the Gunners, but now they must turn the tie around in the second leg if they are to progress.

Porto were unbeaten in their last five league matches, and more importantly for coach Jesualdo Ferreira he could once again call on the services of mercurial striker Hulk, for the first time in two months following his ban for allegedly assaulting a steward.

Arsenal, meanwhile, were dogged by a series of injuries to key players, including William Gallas, Manuel Almunia, Andrei Arshavin and long-term victim Robin van Persie. Veteran Sol Campbell was handed his first Champions League experience for three-and-half years in the Gunners’ back line.

It was the Portuguese hosts who did the majority of the early running, and Campbell’s aptitude at this level came under scrutiny in the opening moments. Falcao got the better of him and ran in on goal, but the 35-year-old recovered brilliantly with a perfectly timed, last-ditch tackle.

Moments later, Valera made inroads on the right flank and laid in Hulk, but perhaps the Brazilian's lack of minutes contributed to him dragging his effort wide of Fabianski’s post.

However, Porto’s pressure eventually was awarded, and Arsenal’s young goalkeeper will shoulder the responsibility for a horrendous error. Lauded by Arsene Wenger pre-match, Fabianski let his faithful boss down as he inexplicably spilled Valera’s driven cross into his own-net with no-one in blue and white anywhere near him.

Wenger was dismayed, the Pole dejected – and Arsenal were behind.

The first half was an open, flowing contest, and its offensively-geared nature was instrumental in allowing the Gunners to ease their way slowly back into the contest.

Nicklas Bendtner was hugely unlucky to see a snap shot drift inches wide of the upright, but it wasn’t long before honours were even, and from the most unlikely of sources.

A deep corner eventually found its way to Tomas Rosicky at the back post, and his intelligent header found Sol Campbell unmarked, and he powered the ball past Helton and into the net.

As half-time approached, the frenetic pace slowed slightly, but it didn’t discourage either side from creating chances. Fabianski partially redeemed himself for his aberration by superbly palming a Ruben Micael drive away to safety, while at the other end Helton spectacularly tipped a Bendtner header over the crossbar.

Tempers flared on on the break as Fabregas was heavily involved in a fracas with a number of Porto players, but the referee ushered the players from the pitch, and an exciting first half was brought to a close.

In the opening moments of the second period, two incidents in the space in two minutes were instrumental in shaping the outcome of the contest.

Firstly, Rosicky burst into the area on the right, and was seemingly felled by Alvaro Ferreira in a clumsy fashion. The referee urged the Czech to get to his feet, but subsequent replays showed that Ferreira didn't touch the ball.

As play raced up field, Campbell clearly knocked the ball back to Fabianski with his foot, but the 'keeper incredibly proceeded to gather the ball into his arms. As both he and Campbell protested to the referee at the award of an indirect free kick, Porto got on with the match. Micael snatched the ball and laid it neatly into the path of Falcao, who simply rolled home from ten yards.

It was one of the most bizarre goals seen in recent years in the Champions League, and Arsenal only had themselves to blame in what was becoming a farcical night for the English club.

However, they rallied and pushed forward, playing a procession of passes in and around the Dragons' penalty area without any real penetration. Wenger introduced Theo Walcott and Carlos Vela but their impact, in particular that of the Englishman, was minimal.

Porto were happy to travel to the Emirates with a lead to defend, but Arsenal will be furious that a pair of fundamental errors from their inexperienced goalkeeper contributed to an evening to forget for the Premier League side.

Sursa: www.goal.com