Sporting briefs

Gerrard: Steven Gerrard is confident that Liverpool's impressive form against Chelsea this season will help them upset the odds in Wednesday's Champions League semi-final return leg. "We were the better team when we played them in the league at Anfield and again in the Champions League only for both games to end in draws," Gerrard told reporters, referring to two 1-1 home draws. "Chelsea have a great home record and we haven't done too well down there (no goals in eight games) but history will go out of the window that night."

Levante: Levante were relegated from the Primera Liga with four games left to play after they lost 2-0 at Recreativo Huelva yesterday. The Valencia-based side's 23rd defeat of the season left them five points behind Real Murcia at the bottom of the table and 15 points behind Osasuna, who occupy the last place above the drop zone.

Dutch Cup: Feyenoord won the Dutch Cup yesterday when first-half goals by Denny Landzaat and Jonathan de Guzman secured a 2-0 victory over Roda JC Kerkrade. With their 11th cup win and first since 1995, Feyenoord ended a six-year spell without a trophy, the last being the UEFA Cup triumph of 2002. Feyenoord finished sixth in the league and now qualify for the UEFA Cup while Roda have to play off against Utrecht, Groningen and NEC Nijmegen for the remaining UEFA Cup spot.

Ligue 1: Valenciennes vs Nancy 1-1; Monaco vs Marseille 2-3. Leading standings: Lyon 72; Bordeaux 68; Marseille 58; Nancy 57.

Primera Liga: Getafe vs Atl. Madrid 1-1; Espanyol vs Zaragoza 1-1; Mallorca vs R. Santander 3-1; Valladolid vs Almeria 1-0; Rec. Huelva vs Levante 2-0; Valencia vs Osasuna 3-0; Deportivo vs Barcelona 2-0; Murcia vs Sevilla 0-0; Real Betis vs Villarreal 0-1; R. Madrid vs Ath. Bilbao 3-0. Leading standings: R. Madrid 75; Villarreal 65; Barcelona 61; Atl. Madrid 55; R. Santander 53; Sevilla 52; Deportivo 49.