For the fifth year running, English teams have assured that there will be at least one English representative in the Champions League final. The only outsider in the Premier League club, Barcelona, will sort it out with Chelsea in the first semi-final, whereas Man United will go toe to toe with Arsenal in the all-English second semi.

And with three English teams in the semi-finals for the third consecutive year, this certainly has transpired as yet another miserable year for Uefa president Michel Platini.

Cristiano Ronaldo was on target for the Red Devils as he propelled his team to victory in Portugal, scoring the only goal as Manchester United assured that there will be no repeat of a Porto disappointment to their European quest this season around.

Ronaldo rocketed a missile of a shot from more than 35 yards that tore into the top corner of the net, gobsmacking just about everyone on the ground, including the travelling United supporters.

Out-of-form Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov, freshly snubbed for the PFA player of the year shortlist, had a shot saved. The fact that Berbatov was not even nominated is testimonial to the weak season he's had. His injury is hardly an excuse either, as most of the nominated players have had injuries this season at one time or another.. 

Porto could have equalised, but Lisandro Lopez's shot was saved by  Edwin van der Sar. Had Porto managed a goal and the score remained at 1-1, it would have been them through to the semis on the away goal rule, since the Portuguese side drew 2-2 in the first leg on Old Trafford.

Meanwhile, in London, Arsenal crushed 10-man Villarreal with a very powerful and aggressive display, which has gotten both Liverpool and United a little nervous. Liverpool faces Arsenal in the Premier League on April 21, whereas Man United will have to pass them if they want to defend their European crown, as well as playing them in the league in May.

Theo Walcott opened the account for the Gunners after collecting a beautiful Cesc Fabregas pass and then Emmanuel Adebayor put the Londoners two ahead.

Villarreal's Sebastian Eguren was shown his marching orders when he argued with the referee for the penalty Arsenal was awarded and subsequently converted by Robin van Persie, sealing the 3-0 victory for the hosts.
            
"We used our passing well and gave them a lot of problems," said Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, as quoted by the BBC. "We were explosive on the counter-attack. United are an attacking team so it should be a good game. It's a challenge we relish and we are excited about."

Manchester United Manager Alex Ferguson matched his old rival in praising his opponent: "It would be tough no matter who we played but the fact it is another English side gives a different type of spice to it," he told United's website.

"We are two good footballing sides, so it should be a terrific semi-final. Our game earlier in the season was fantastic. It was the way football should be played and we will look forward to it.