Are AC Milan a serious contender for a Champions League spot?

A dreadful start to the campaign saw AC Milan languishing in the lower regions of the Serie A table for the majority of the opening half of the 2012-13 season, however their recent upsurge in form has seen them climb to fifth in the league, and they sit just six points adrift of the all-important third Champions League qualification spot.

'The Pharaoh' has been in amazing form for AC Milan all season

The Rossoneri lost five of their opening eight games; however a sequence of just one defeat in their 10 league matches has ensured the pressure of head coach Massimiliano Allegri has been relieved, for the time being at least! The turning point in AC’s season came about when the side trailed Napoli by two goals, before a Stephan El Shaawary double rescued a point. That unlikely point was then back upped by a solid victory against the Champions Juventus the following week, thanks a Robinho penalty. 

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European qualification for Brazil 2014 round up

Group A

Belgium and Croatia took giant steps to securing the top two spots in Group A as both won 2-0 at home to the group's two Great Britain representatives in Scotland and Wales respectively. 

Real Madrid's Luka Modric was in inspired form as Croatia cruised past Wales in Zagreb. Chris Coleman's side had done the hard part and kept the Croat's at bay for the opening 20 minutes; however a mix up between captain Ashley Williams and Lewis Price gifted the hosts their opener, with Mario Mandzukic blocking and then converting the goalkeeper's kick out. Croatia created a host of chances, and their deserved second duly arrived when the former Arsenal forward Eduardo Da Silva tapped in from close range. The defeat leaves Wales seven points adrift of Croatia, with their chances of qualification realistically all but over.

Eduaro sealed the points for Croatia

For the second consecutive match Scotland conceded twice late on to miss out on important away points. The Premier league duo of Christian Benteke and Vincent Kompany broke Scottish hearts to leave them bottom of Group A after two games, in doing so giving Belgium a brilliant chance of making the 2014 World Cup.

The group's other game saw Macedonia beat Serbia 1-0, to go level on four points with their counterparts. 

Belgium P4 Pts 10

Croatia P4 Pts 10

Serbia P4 Pts 4

Macedonia P4 Pts 4

Wales P4 Pts 3

Scotland P4 Pts 2

Group B

The ten men of Italy took a giant step towards Brazil following their 3-1 win over Denmark, who realistically are their closest rivals for the Group B top spot. Riccardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi appeared to set the Azzurri on their way to a routine home win; however a minute before and after half-time changed the games perspective. Denmark got on the score sheet on the stroke of the interval via William Kvist and the Danes chances of a result improved grately when just 19 seconds into the second half Pablo Osvaldo saw red for a reckless tackle. However having been played through beautifully by Andrea Pirlo, Mario Balotelli finished in style to secure the win. The groups other game saw the Czech Republic held at home by Bulgaria in a scoreless draw.

Italy P4 Pts 10

Bulgaria P4 Pts 6

Czech Republic P3 Pts 5

Armenia P3 Pts 3

Denmark P3 Pts 2

Malta P3 Pts 0

Group C

An amazing game in Group C saw Germany throw a four goal lead away at home to Sweden in a simply unbelievable match in Berlin. Seemingly cruising after a double from Miroslav Klose was backed up with strikes from Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil; however Sweden stirred up the most unlikely of comebacks. Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal on 62 minutes appeared to be just scant consolation, but Mikael Lustig and Johan Elmander ensured a nervy last ten minutes for the Germans, and they couldn't hold on as Rasmus Elm rescued an incredible point. 

The league's two other games saw the Republic of Ireland bounce back from their German nightmare on Friday in routine fashion with a 4-1 victory away to the Faroe Islands, whilst Austria thrashed Kazakhstan 4-0.

Ireland's win relived the pressure from manager Giovanni Trapattoni.

Germany P4 Pts 10

Sweden P3 Pts 7

Ireland P3 Pts 6

Austria P3 Pts 4

Kazakhstan P4 Pts 1

Faroe Islands P3 Pts 0

Group D

Holland eased to their fourth consecutive Group D win away to Romania, who prior to the defeat were level with the Dutch at the top of the group. Jeremain Lens, Marten Indi, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Robin Van Persie sealed a 4-1 win for the 2010 World Cup finalists. Turkey again disappointed as they blew a goal lead to lose away to Hungary 3-1 and ensure they went level with Romania in the battle for the all important second spot. Estonia scored their first goal in their first win as they overcame Andorra 1-0. 

Holland P4 Pts 12

Hungary P4 Pts 9

Romania P4 Pts 9

Turkey P4 Pts 3

Estonia P4 Pts 3

Andorra P4 Pts 0

Group E

All the Group E favourites won as Norway and Switzerland recorded impressive away victories. Those two will most likely battle it out for the one automatic qualification spot in the weakest European qualification group. Norway won 3-1 away to Cyprus whilst Switzerland overcame Iceland 2-0. The group's other game saw Albania beat Slovenia 1-0 to keep them on the tails of Norway. 

Switzerland P4 Pts 10

Norway P4 Pts 7

Albania P4 Pts 6

Iceland P4 Pts 6

Slovenia P4 Pts 3

Cyprus P4 Pts 3

Group F

Northern Ireland ruined Cristiano Ronaldo's 100th international for Portugal as the Group F minnows earned a 1-1 in Porto. Defensively superb through out and threatening on the counter attack, Northern Ireland deserved their point and only a late Helder Postiga goal cancelled out Niall McGinn's opener on the half hour mark.

Russia are yet to concede or drop a point in Group F; however they needed a late disputable penalty to overcome Berti Vogts' Azerbaijan side, whilst Israel eased past Luxembourg 3-0 to go level on points with Portugal. 

Fabio Capello's side managed back to back 1-0 home wins this week to strengthen their grip on Group F

Russia P4 Pts 12

Israel P4 Pts 7

Portugal P4 Pts 7

Northern Ireland P3 Pts 2

Azerbaijan P3 Pts 1

Luxembourg P4 Pts 1

Group G

Bosnia continued their fine unbeaten start to qualification as they eased past Lithuania 3-0. Goals from Vedad Ibisevic, Edin Dzeko and Miralem Pjanic ensured Bosnia top the group ahead of Greece on goal difference. The Greek's themselves recorded an impressive 1-0 away win against Slovakia with Dimitris Salpingidis scoring the all important match winner. Latvia won the battle of the two previous pointless sides in their 2-0 victory at home to Liechtenstein. 

Bosnia P4 Pts 10

Greece P4 Pts 10

Slovakia P4 Pts 7

Lithuania P4 Pts 4

Latvia P4 Pts 3

Liechtenstein P4 Pts 0

Group F

Poland against England was postponed because of torrential rain, meaning the duo will have to play each other on Wednesday, causing embarrassment for the hosts whose stadium's roof wasn't used as they were unaware of the potential of the rain that was predicted. 

The group's other two games saw Ukraine's chances of qualification take a huge hit as they lost 1-0 at home to Montenegro. Dejan Damjanovic scored the game's only goal on the strike of half-time, meaning Stevan Jovetic's penalty miss was irrelevant. Moldova won the battle of the minnows as they secured a 2-0 victory away to San Marino. 

England P3 Pts 7

Montenegro P3 Pts 7

Poland P2 Pts 4

Moldova P4 Pts 4

Ukraine P3 Pts 2

San Marino P3 Pts 0

Group I

Olivier Giroud stunned Spain as France rescued a deserved point in the last minute of their group I qualifier. Sergio Ramos had given the European and World Champions the lead, and Cesc Fabregas blew the chance to double their advantage from the penalty spot after Hugo Lloris saved the former Arsenal midfielder's spot kick. Fabregas's miss was pivotal in the end as Giroud scored in stoppage time as France went some way to avenging their defeat to the Spanish at Euro 2012. Belarus overcame Georgia 2-0 to keep their slim chances of making Brazil alive. 

Spain P3 Pts 7

France P3 Pts 7

Georgia P4 Pts 4

Belarus P3 Pts 3

Finland P2 Pts 1

City battle to win over dogged Everton

Goals from second half substitutes Mario Balotelli and James Milner ensured City overcome a defensively good Everton in a 2-0 win.

With David Moyes's side keeping Manchester City at bay brilliantly for an hour, Roberto Mancini's decision to leave the unhappy Carlos Tevez on the bench paid dividend's when the Italian Balotelli opened the scoring.

Everton, who have won on their last four previous trip's to Manchester City, started the brighter and Maroune Fellaini caused Joleon Lescott problems early doors, however they failed to test Joe Hart in their dominant period

Jack Rodwell did a good man marking job on Manchester City's David Silva, and with the Spaniard being marked out of the early proceeding's, the pressure was on Samir Nasri to take ahold of the game, however the former Arsenal player was quiet as City failed to create any clear cut chances in the first half.

Manchester City came out of the blocks quick in the second half and Sergio Aguero was starting to get more into the game, however it took the change of Balotelli for them to open up a resolute Everton.

Consistant pressure from Mancini's side resulted in the opening goal as Aguero kept ahold of the ball to find the Balotelli whose shot took a little knick of Phil Jagielka giving Tim Howard little chance in the Everton goal.

The goal ensured Everton had to come out and look for a leveller, and David Moyes was furious that a Vincent Kompany apparent trip on Louis Saha wasn't given on the edge of the area.

Despite some spells of pressure Everton didn't look like breaking down City, and it was infact the Manchester side who scored the second goal of the game. Royston Drenthe gave the ball away in the midfield and Silva, who started to lose the shackles of Rodwell after Balotelli's opener, slid a perfect pass through for another sub in James Milner who beat Howard well.

A late clearence from Stefan Savic off the line prevented Fellaini from reducing the defecit in stopage time.

The win for Manchester City was a deserved one and shows the club has the character and patience to break down sides who are going to come and try and frustrate sides at the Etihad Stadium.

Manchester City player ratings: Hart 6, Richards 7, Kompany 7, Lescott 6, Clichy 7, Barry 6, Nasri 6 (Savic 5), Silva 8, Y Toure 7, Dzeko 6 (Balotelli 7), Aguero 8 (Milner 7)

Everton player ratings: Howard 7, Hibbert 7, Baines 7, Jagielka 7, Distin 7, Neville 6 (Drenthe 5), Coleman 5 (Vellios 5), Cahill 6 (Saha 6), Osman 7, Felliani 7, Rodwell 7