• Europa League

Hazard goal downs Liverpool

Fernando Torres was shackled by the Lille defence © Getty Images

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Liverpool face an uphill battle to make the quarter-finals of the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat at Lille, while Fulham have a two-goal deficit to overturn after going down 3-1 at Juventus.

Rafael Benitez fielded a strong side in northern France, but his side were dominated for long spells and Hazard's free kick on 85 minutes handed Lille a 1-0 victory. Eden Hazard's strike from wide on the left evaded everyone and flew beyond Jose Reina, but it could have been worse for Liverpool.

The Spanish keeper made saves from Pierre-Alain Frau and Stephane Dumont, saw Daniel Agger turn the ball narrowly wide of his own post, was helpless as Yohan Cabaye's shot flew just over the top and watched Pierre Aubameyang's shot cannon back off the post.

But despite being territorially dominated, Liverpool created chances of their own, with Ryan Babel shooting too close to Mickael Landreau and Fernando Torres' header being brilliantly saved by the goalkeeper in the first half.

Liverpool will have a second leg at Anfield to rectify the damage, but Benitez's charges will have to up their game against a side who are not shorn on confidence.

Fulham, meanwhile, will take an away goal back to Craven Cottage, but a two-goal deficit leaves their hopes of a fairytale place in the quarter-finals hanging by a thread.

The Cottagers struggled for possession in the first half and went 2-0 down within 30 minutes thanks to goals from Nicola Legrottaglie and Jonathan Zebina.

Dickson Etuhu pulled one back but Hodgson's men always looked second best and David Trezeguet's sharp third goal emphasised the gulf in class between the two sides.

Elsewhere, Torsten Frings' penalty gave Werder Bremen a first-half lead at Valencia, but despite having Ever Maximiliano Banega sent off, Valencia were able to claw their way back into the tie for a 1-1 draw, courtesy of Juan Manuel Garcia Mata's goal shortly before the hour-mark.

Atletico Madrid were held to a goalless draw at home to Sporting Lisbon, and Ruud van Nistelrooy's goal helped ensure Hamburg a 3-1 victory over Anderlecht.

Standard Liege enjoyed a 3-1 victory over Panathinaikos in Athens, while Hatem Ben Arfa's 90th minute equaliser earned Marseille a 1-1 draw at Benfica.

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