Wednesday, September 27 2006 14:17 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Paris: Real Madrid steps confidently back into Champions League contention on Tuesday (26 Sep, 2006) as the British clubs involved in the competition made it a winning night of football all round.

Real, humbled 2-0 two weeks ago by French champions Lyon, puts in an exemplary performance against Dynamo Kiev which ends in a 5-1 win.

Two goals apiece from Ruud van Nistelrooy and captain Raul, and one from Jose Antonio Reyes, give Real their best win in continental competition since their 6-0 win over Genk in 2002.

Despite their performance up front, Real coach Fabio Capello admits his side still has to work on their defence.

"There were some things I didn't like but on a night like this I can't complain too much," says Capello who guided Milan to the Champions League title in 1994.

The result leaves Real in second place in-group E as the impressive French champions Lyon waltzed away from Bucharest with three points and a 3-1 victory over Steaua.

Brazilian forward Fred gives Gerard Houllier's men a half-time breather with the opener two minutes before the interval.

Only ten minutes after the restart, Tiago doubles their lead to which is added another goal in the last minute of regulation time by late substitute Karim Benzema.

Lyon now top the group and Houllier will be hoping his side can now build the momentum to finally make it past the quarterfinals.

"I think we've got half of our ticket for the last 16 in our pocket because we've got four matches left and if we get six points from them then we're qualified," he says. Former champions Manchester United had French striker Louis Saha to thank for the three points, which are secured, by his game-winning goal in the 1-0 win away at Benfica.

United thus avenges their defeat to the Lisbon team, who knocks the English side out of the competition last season.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side are now top of group F on six points following their 3-2 win over Celtic in their group opener at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

Ferguson says afterwards, "It was a magnificent strike by Louis. It was a good bit of football down the channel. He came in on his left foot, marvelous goal."

"I think it was a good performance by us. We showed good pace in our game."

Celtic, still buoyant after their 2-0 domestic win over arch rivals Rangers on Saturday (23 Sep, 2006), holds on against FC Copenhagen to claim a 1-0 win and their first three points of the competition.

Kenny Miller scores from the penalty spot, the Scotland striker claiming his second goal for the club after his first against Rangers on Saturday (23 Sep, 2006).

Last year's beaten finalists Arsenal meanwhile has Thierry Henry to thank after the Frenchman score one goal and help create another as the Londoners send former champions FC Porto packing with a 2-0 defeat.

Henry claims his 50th goal in European football when he opens the scoring with a superbly taken header shortly before half time and then he sets up the second for Alexandr Hleb three minutes after the interval.

Arsenal coach then has the temerity to suggest that Henry should score more goals with his head.

"He has really good timing to anticipate when the cross will come. I would like him to do it more often because he is very powerful in the air," says Wenger, who nevertheless gave credit where it is due.

"If you look for the players who have scored as many goals in Europe as him you won't find many. The numbers don't lie."

Wenger's side have now won four consecutive matches after a slow start to the season and look odds-on to qualify comfortably from a group they lead after two wins.

Elsewhere AC Milan has a night to forget when they are held to a scoreless draw away at French side Lille, who are playing Champions League matches at the stadium of neighbours Lens.

The Italian giants still top group H with four points and a two-point lead on both Lille and Anderlecht of Belgium. AEK Athens, who draws 1-1 with Anderlecht in Athens, is bottom of the group with just one point.

Earlier, CSKA Moscow beat SV Hamburg 1-0 to secure second spot in-group G two points behind Arsenal.