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Florent Malouda unlocks the 'handcuffs' of Nicolas Anelka after scoring his first, and Chelsea's second, last night. Petr David Josek/AP
Champions League

Champions League mop-up: European romps for Arsenal and Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas hits top form as Arsenal put six past Braga, while Nicolas Anelka gets a brace as Chelsea beat Zilina 4-1.

TUESDAY NIGHT may have been all about English sides getting draws when they perhaps deserved more – but there were no such problems for the other two British teams last night with Arsenal and Chelsea scoring ten between them.

The Gunners battered Braga 6-0 at the Emirates in a match that will perhaps be better remembered as a definitive return to top form for captain Cesc Fabregas, who opened the scoring, scored a second and was instrumental in the side’s other goals.

Fabregas put Arsenal in front from the spot on nine minutes after Marouane Chamakh was floored in the box, and set up the second for Andrey Arshavin after Fabregas had made the running.

Chamakh grabbed a third before the break, while Fabregas opened the second half with a headed effort of his own. Carlos Vela rounded off the evening with two efforts – the second one after the ball was squared for him by Fabregas once more.

Afterward, Arsene Wenger commended the Spanish midfielder as being from “another dimension”, such was his performance on the night.

Chelsea, meanwhile, overcame an arduous trip to Slovakia with a thumping 4-1 victory of their own, with two goals from Nicolas Anelka bookended by efforts from Michael Essien and Daniel Sturridge, while Tomas Oravec grabbed a late consolation for the home side.

Anelka celebrated his first goal with a ‘handcuff’ gesture that he later explained was directed at the French Football Federation and its decision to suspend him for 18 international matches – a move which saw him retire from international duty.

Elsewhere in the continent, there were victories for Real Madrid, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Startak Moscow, Shaktar Donetsk and CFR Cluj.

Here, as suppled by 101greatgoals.com, are the video highlights:

Group E:

Group F:

Group G:

Group H: