English giants sunk as Barca, Monaco advance to quarters

Barcelona's goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is congratulated by his team mates after saving a penalty from Manchester City's Sergio "Kun" Aguero (R) during their Champions League round of 16 second leg soccer match at Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, March 18, 2015. [Photo/Agencies]

LONDON - Manchester City were knocked out of the Champions League by Barcelona on Wednesday to leave the English Premier League without a representative in the last eight of Europe's elite club competition for the second time in three years.

As three Spanish sides, two French and one each from Germany, Italy and Portugal awaited the last-eight draw on Friday, England's much-loved and cash-washed top flight will have no direct interest in the latter stages of the tournament.

Chelsea were the last English winners in 2012, Manchester United triumphed in 2008 and reached the final in 2009 and 2011 while Chelsea made the last four 12 months ago before losing to Atletico Madrid.

French sides proved to be the nemesis for Chelsea and Arsenal this season.