Arsenal skipper Cesc Fabregas struck twice in the 4-1 win against AZ Alkmaar at the Emirates Stadium to put Arsene Wenger's men on the brink of the Champions League knockout stages.

Fabregas struck either side of half-time, with Samir Nasri and Abou Diaby grabbing the other goals to put the hosts in total control of Group H with two matches left to play.

By sweeping aside their Dutch opponents, the freescoring Gunners have now scored 18 goals in their last five home matches. Jeremain Lens pulled one back for the visitors.

Liverpool came so close to a Champions League miracle in Lyon but saw their qualification hopes take another hit thanks to Lisandro Lopez's last-gasp leveller to make it 1-1.

A stunning Ryan Babel goal gave the Reds the lead with only seven minutes left, and a victory would have kept them in with a realistic chance of still qualifying for the last 16.

But Lisandro grabbed an equaliser in the last minute to give Lyon the draw they needed to qualify and left Liverpool's hopes hanging by a thread.