Legia march on

FC Utrecht had a night to forget as they tumbled out of the UEFA Cup at the hands of a slick Legia Warszawa side.

Uphill battle
After losing 4-1 away in Poland two weeks ago, it was always going to be an uphill battle for Utrecht tonight and they eventually succumbed 3-1. Their efforts were not helped when home supporters came on to the pitch following a goal from Legia's  Cezary Kucharski six minutes into the match. It caused players and officials to leave the pitch for 38 minutes before the game could eventually restart.

Wave after wave
The home side were the quickest to find their stride and launched wave after wave of attacks on the visitors' goal. Just as it seemed Legia were going to weather the storm, though, Utrecht managed to draw level right on the stroke of half-time. Legia goalkeeper Radostin Stanev found Stefaan Tanghe's piledriver too hot to handle and in the ensuing goalmouth scramble the ball was forced over the line by Dirk Kujit.

Mountain to climb
But Utrecht, trailing now 5-2 on aggregate, still had a huge mountain to climb and it proved too much, Legia ending the contest with two goals in seven minutes midway through the second half. They retook the lead on the night after 62 minutes when a Tomasz Kielbowicz cross was headed in by Stanko Svitlica. It was all over seven minutes later when Svitlica scored his second from the penalty spot after Zwaanswijk, whose mistake had led to the opening goal, impeded Kucharski in the box.