Freak Valencia goal leaves Roma's hopes in tatters

A freak goal by Valencia striker John Carew left AS Roma's propects of reaching the quarter-finals of the Champions League in tatters as the Italian side lost 1-0 to the Spanish club on Tuesday.

The winner arrived in the 79th minute when Norwegian striker Carew spotted Roma keeper Ivan Pelizzoli out of position and curled a harmless looking ball into the area which slipped in at the near post.

It was a fitting finale to a scrappy match, in which neither side had distinguished itself but which leaves Roma bottom of Group B with no points after three games. Valencia join Arsenal and Ajax on five.

The home side - depleted by injuries to key players - had looked marginally the stronger in the opening stages, but were let down by poor finishing by striker Vincenzo Montella.

Valencia, meanwhile, lacked the fluency which had brought them four wins in their last five games in the Spanish league.

But then Carew scored and the life drained out of the home side, who exited amid whistles and must now hope for a miracle if they are to finish in the top two.