MANCHESTER UNITED pulled off one of the greatest triumphs of their rich European history - 7-1 against Roma

Cristiano Ronaldo (left) and Allan Smith flirted with a hat trick as Man Utd posted the second-largest win in the history of Champions League.

Euro glory for Blues and ManU.

MANCHESTER UNITED pulled off one of the greatest triumphs of their rich European history - 7-1 against Roma - while Michael Essien thumped Chelsea's stoppage-time winner in Valencia.

HOW ACTION UNFOLDED:

Michael Carrick needed just 11 minutes to put United level on aggregate at 2-2.

Cristiano Ronaldo jinked in from the right to slip a short pass that Carrick met with a flashing curler inside the near post from 25 yards. Stunned keeper Doni - yards off his line and perhaps responding a little slowly - could merely throw up his arms in despair as the ball dipped over him.

Gabriel Heinze and Ryan Giggs combined just five minutes later to put Alan Smith through for a thumping finish that defied the fact his last goal was in November 2005.

And it was 3-0 on 19 minutes when Wayne Rooney sidefooted Giggs' right-wing cross into the far corner.

Ronaldo fired the goal his performance deserved a minute before the break, surging in from way out on the right before hitting a firm right-footer inches inside the near post. Again, though, Doni's positioning was slightly dubious.

Brilliant winger Ronaldo poked home United's fifth on 49 minutes after Giggs slotted a deep centre from the left.

Carrick smashed the best goal so far on the hour, drilling a 25-yarder into the far top corner after Heinze retrieved Ronaldo's centre.

Daniele De Rossi volleyed a Roma response that was almost as good, albeit completely in vain, as he swivelled from 15 yards to drill in Fracesco Totti's 69th minute cross.

Twelve minutes later, though, Patrice Evra made it 7-1 12 minutes later, screwing his first ever goal in Europe inside the near post from the edge of the area.

ALEX FERGUSON'S REACTION

The United chief said: "It was a fantastic performance. The play, penetration, absolutely superb.

"Alan Smith deserved it more than anyone. He's been patient. He's trained like a beast.

"We can't wait for the semi-finals now."

Man U: Van der Sar, Brown, Ferdinand, Heinze, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Smith. Subs: Kuszczak, Evra, Solskjaer, Dong, Richardson, Cathcart, Eagles.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Mexes, Chivu, Cassetti, Wilhelmsson, De Rossi, Taddei, Pizarro, Mancini, Totti. Subs: Curci, Faty, Defendi, Ferrari, Vucinic, Rosi, Okaka Chuka.

Referee: Lubos Michel (Slovakia)

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