LONDON (AP):

MANCHESTER UNITED and Chelsea advanced to the semi-finals of the Champions League yesterday, putting at least two English teams into the last four of Europe's top club competition.

United routed AS Roma 7-1 in the second leg of the quarter-finals to advance 8-3 on aggregate. Chelsea came back from a goal down to edge Valencia 2-1 and advance 3-2 on aggregate. Michael Essien scored the winner in injury time.

Liverpool, who beat PSV Eindhoven 3-0 in the first leg, could make it three English teams in the semi-finals when they host the Dutch team in today's second leg. Bayern Munich host AC Milan in the other match after a 2-2 draw in Italy.

United will face either AC Milan or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals on April 24 and May 2. Chelsea will take on either Liverpool or PSV Eindhoven on April 25 and May 1.

Strikers

Two-time champions United got two goals each from Michael Carrick and Cristiano Ronaldo, while Ryan Giggs played a part in four of the seven. Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra also scored for United at Old Trafford, where fans fought with police outside the stadium before kickoff.

Chelsea, who trail United by only three points in the English league, are looking to win four trophies. The two-time defending English champions already have won the League Cup and are also in the semi-finals of the FA Cup.