..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Jol: Fulham did everything it could to convince Dempsey to stay

Fulham boss Martin Jol insists he has "no regrets" over Clint Dempsey's summer departure to Tottenham, suggesting that the Cottagers did all they could to stop the midfielder from leaving.


The USA international was the club's top goalscorer last season with 23 goals in all competitions, but a desire to regularly play in Europe prompted a move to White Hart Lane on the last day of the summer transfer window.

And, ahead of Dempsey’s return to Craven Cottage with his new side, Jol has said he has no lingering regrets over the transfer saga and respects the American's decision to leave.

"We did everything we could do so there are no regrets,” Jol told reporters. "He wanted to be appreciated financially and he wanted a bigger club, a Champions League club, and that is what he probably got with Spurs.

"Even when I said in my last conversation with him that I loved him, it was not good enough to keep him here. If you feel appreciated, you would like maybe to stay at Fulham so there is a contradiction there.

"I think he felt loved but he still wanted to move, but of course I understand what he means.”

Jol went on to suggest that Dempsey’s mind was made up about leaving Craven Cottage as soon as he returned for preseason training in July, with Liverpool heavy touted as his initial destination.

"From the first day he came back from holiday he didn't want to play here. He wanted to move so of course you can force the issue and then come up with things," Jol continued. "But hopefully he will get over it and hopefully he will feel loved at Spurs."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Defoe wants 'fantastic' Beckham to consider Tottenham move

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has labeled David Beckham a “fantastic player” and publicly urged him to consider a move to White Hart Lane.

Former England captain Beckham recently revealed that he will not renew his contract with MLS side LA Galaxy when his current deal expires at the end of 2012.

And Defoe believes that Beckham would make a perfect addition to the north London side, suggesting that it would be a good challenge for the 37-year-old.

"He can come to Spurs if he wants, we’ll have him here," Defoe told Absolute Radio. "He’s a fantastic player and I think a credit to the game.

"If you talk about someone that’s done everything in a game and to still want to play and still have another challenge and still want to achieve something, when you’ve achieved so much, I think that’s a special person.

"He’s someone that I look up to, a legend in the game."

Defoe is currently tied with Beckham for goals scored for his country, with the pair on 17, but the 32-year-old forward is confident that he will surpass the midfielder’s tally.

He said: "Sorry Becks but I think I’ll do it. One more goal. It would be nice, not because of overtaking people, but it’s always nice to score goals for your country.

"It’s something that I’ve always wanted to do and then when you do it, it’s the best thing in the world."

The diminutive attacker also revealed his delight at his current role for both club and country, crediting his impressive run of scoring form to getting consistent time on the pitch.

He added: "As a forward you just want to score goals, but I think the key thing for me was just getting a run in the team, playing 90 minutes and I managed to do that.

"I feel sharper than ever, I feel strong and I’ve got a rhythm now so I believe that I’m going to get chances in the team that I’m playing."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Menotti: 'Martian' Messi will win the Ballon d'Or

Cesar Luis Menotti has praised Barcelona attacker Lionel Messi, claiming that the 25-year-old is from another planet.

The Blaugrana star has had an outstanding 2012, breaking record after record, and is on his way to overtake Gerd Muller as the most prolific striker over the course of a calendar year ever to ply his trade in Europe.

Messi is also on the final shortlist for the Ballon d'Or, and could lift the award for a record fourth time if he beats the competition of Cristiano Ronaldo and Andres Iniesta.

"Messi is a Martian, it is amazing what he has accomplished," Menotti told Radio Xarxa."There is no discussion, Messi is the best of the three [finalists for the Ballon d'Or]. He deserves the award because of his deep commitment to the team, his solidarity, cautiousness and respectfulness.

"When a goal is scored, he runs to hug his teammates, he will not celebrate on the podium."

He then took the time to give his take on one of the other finalists, Cristiano Ronaldo, and commented on a possible move to Barcelona for Brazilian Neymar.

"Cristiano Ronaldo is individually significant, but he is a player who plays to win the game individually. When he does not, the team plays with 10 [men].

"If Neymar understands how to play in Barcelona, he has the conditions to be an important player. If a player does not understand that, he cannot play for Barcelona."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2012.12.01 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2012.12.01 Fixtures

West Ham United Vs Chelsea

Manchester City Vs Everton

Fulham Vs Tottenham

Liverpool Vs Southampton

WBA Vs Stroke City

QPR Vs Aston Villa

Arsenal Vs Swansea City

Reading Vs Manchester United

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

La Liga 2012.12.01 Fixtures

La Liga 2012.12.01 Fixtures

Getafe Vs Malaga

Valencia Vs Real Sociedad

Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

La Liga 2012.12.01 Fixtures

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid Patta gemak yai

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A 2012.12.01 Fixtures

Serie A 2012.12.01 Fixtures

Juventus Vs Torino​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Half Time

Reading 3 Vs 4 Manchester United

Pissuma Match 1kak yanne

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 1-0 Southampton: Sole Agger goal puts Reds back on track

Liverpool got back on track with a narrow 1-0 win over Southampton at Anfield, with Daniel Agger getting the only goal of the game in a match dictated by the home side.

A dominating performance from Liverpool saw plenty of action in the Southampton area, but a lack of clinical ability in front of goal. Agger, however, was able to finally break the deadlock a few minutes before halftime with a strong header into the top corner of the visitors’ goal.


The hosts continued their confident performance into the second-half, but once again failed to convert chances into goals and towards the end of the game looked to protect their tender lead.

There was encouraging news for the Liverpool camp in terms of team news, as midfielder Lucas was deemed fit enough to make his first start for the Reds since the 2-2 draw with Manchester City in August. Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson were dropped in favor of the Brazilian and also Jonjo Shelvey.

Meanwhile, Southampton manager Nigel Adkins thought it unnecessary to change his starting 11 for the fourth game in a row.

The hosts were perhaps the brighter of the two teams in the first 10 minutes, with Glen Johnson almost putting Liverpool one to the good with the deftest of touches from a Luis Suarez ball into the front post.

Jonjo Shelvey was next up looking to put the home side ahead, the midfielder unsupported and surrounded by defender, the young attacker took on the shot and forced a parried save from Paulo Gazzaniga. A similar situation some minutes later saw Suarez in the same scenario, but this time with a little more space to have a go on goal, with Southampton’s Argentine ‘keeper saving the Uruguayan’s shot a little more confidently this time around.

Continued pressure from Brendan Rodgers’ team had the Southampton defense struggling for composure and the likes of Suarez and Shelvey were fast becoming a real bugbear for visitors. However, a lacking in a clear sight on goal for Liverpool, mean that true chances were not as frequent as they should have been.

Liverpool deservedly took the lead after what had been a predominately imperious first-half for the hosts. A cross from Johnson found Agger on the penalty spot and the Dane directed the ball into the top corner with a great header past Gazzaniga.
After the break, Liverpool continued its dominance and pushed immediately for a second.

Suarez looked to lead the attacking line for the Reds, but chance after chance was either thwarted by the Southampton defense or squandered as a result of the hosts’ own lack of clinical ability in front of goal.

It looked as though Jose Enrique might be the man to double Liverpool’s lead, but the full-back’s effort on the angle was poked out for a corner by his marker. Gerrard followed up the attempt at the resulting corner, but the Red’s captain could get his shot on target.

Liverpool’s display looked to come off the boil in the later stages of the game and through its failure to double its lead, looked instead to protect the slender one the club currently had. However, this lead to a shaky end for the hosts and could have lost two points through a lack of composure.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

QPR 1-1 Aston Villa: Strugglers' stalemate leaves Redknapp's men bottom

A resurgent QPR side drew 1-1 against Aston Villa this afternoon, in what was Harry Redknapp's first home game in charge of the club.

Both sides started well in front of an electrified crowd at Loftus Road. But it was the hosts who struck first through a fantastic strike from Brett Holman, before the hosts grabbed an equaliser courtesy of a Jamie Mackie header.



The closing stages of the first half were marred by an injury to Stephanie Mbia, as he was stretchered off towards the end of the first half with a suspected neck injury and taken straight to hospital as a precaution. The hosts were unlucky not to snatch a winner during the second period, as they continued to dominate possession and create chances throughout.

There was just one change to the hosts’ lineup from the side that drew with Sunderland on Wednesday, as Shaun Wright-Phillips stepped in to replace Djibril Cisse, allowing Mackie to function as a lone striker with Adel Taarabt in support. Robert Green came into goal for Julio Cesar, who is suffering from a groin injury.
For the visitors, Chris Herd and Eric Lichaj replaced Andreas Weimann and Enda Stevens. Christian Benteke continued up front, as want-away striker Darren Bent was once again left on the substitutes’ bench.

After a strong start from QPR, it was Aston Villa who struck inside the opening ten minutes. Ashley Westwood found Holman just outside the penalty area and the Australian took a touch before smashing a stinging half-volley towards goal, which Green could only touch into his own net.

But it was fantastic link up between Gabriel Agbonlahor and Benteke which led to the chance, with the latter showing good strength to fend off the defensive pairing of Clint Hill and Ryan Nelsen earlier in the move.

The home side then began to find its way back into the game, quickly netting an equaliser. Jose Bosingwa raced down the right before finding Samba Diakite on the edge of the area. The Malian produced an excellent cross towards the far post, and Mackie rose highest to nod past Brad Guzan.

Almost immediately after the restart Villa had the ball in the net through Benteke, but Howard Webb correctly ruled that the Belgian was offside. Wright-Phillips then went close twice in quick succession, with both opportunities coming from passes over the top of the Villans’ defence.

Guzan did well to rush out and narrow the angle for the first, forcing the winger to shoot straight at him. But the 31-year-old did better with the second, taking the chance early and smashing the ball against the post.

The Hoops started the second half much like the first, creating two fantastic chances within the first 15 minutes, but neither Wright-Phillips nor Park managed to find the back of the net. The home side continued to pepper the visitors’ goal through the half and was unfortunate not to snatch a winner in the closing stages.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Ham 3-1 Chelsea: Pressure piles on hapless Benitez as Hammers come from behind

LONDON -- Just three games into his Chelsea reign and the pressure is already piling on Rafael Benitez as West Ham came from behind to win 3-1 leaving the Spaniard still winless as the club’s manager.


‘You’re getting sacked in the morning’ came the taunts from all sides of the ground towards Benitez after his side let slip the one-goal lead given to them by Juan Mata in a first half they completely controlled.

West Ham hit back after the break as Sam Allardyce introduced Mohamed Diame, who scored the decisive second goal for the hosts four minutes from time in between strikes from Carlton Cole and Modibo Maiga.

It leaves Chelsea without a win in its last seven league fixtures while West Ham move to within four points off its decorated London rivals.

It seemed an unlikely result after a first half dominated by the visitors, but they were unable to find a second goal and tired after the break, perhaps an early sign of the fatigue in the squad that has worried Benitez as he prepares for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

Benitez made two changes from the side that drew with Fulham in midweek, recalling Juan Mata and Gary Cahill with Brazilian playmaker Oscar the main casualty as he dropped to the bench. West Ham was dealt a prematch blow with the news that Andy Carroll will be sidelined for six to eight weeks with a knee injury so Sam Allardyce selected Carlton Cole for the lone striker role.

Benitez would probably have been grateful to get away from the soulless, bitter atmosphere in which he has found himself at Stamford Bridge, not that it stopped the away fans from hailing former manager Roberto Di Matteo in the 16th minute as has become custom.

By that point, the European champions were dominant and already ahead thanks to Mata’s 13th minute strike.

Fernando Torres may be woefully off form in front of goal - he has not gone more than 12 hours without scoring - but the 50 million pounds striker played a decisive role in the opener.

After making a sharp run down the right side of the penalty area, Torres had the vision and alertness to cut the ball back for Mata to sidefoot effortlessly into the far corner from 12 yards.

Torres should have doubled the score after being set up by Ramires following a swift counterattack, but the Spaniard’s finish was horribly off target, betraying a complete lack of confidence.

Chelsea was dominant. Eden Hazard fired just over the crossbar, then Mata forced a superb save from West Ham goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen after being set up by Victor Moses.

Yet the goal wouldn’t come, and the fragility of a one-goal lead was highlighted just before the break when Kevin Nolan forced a full-stretch save from Petr Cech with a powerful header from seven yards.

The Hammers started the second-half with far more energy as Allardyce made a double substitution at the break, bringing on Matt Taylor and Diame for James Tomkins and Gary O’Neil.

West Ham played with far more energy after the restart and in the 63rd minute, the hosts found the equaliser with a goal typical of so many Allardyce teams.

Matt Jarvis whipped in a cross that hit Gary Cahill’s head and looped high into the air. It became a simple battle between Cole and Ivanovic and the West Ham striker wanted it more, heading into the bottom corner from five yards.

Chelsea’s response was almost immediate. Jaaskelainen made a double save to deny Hazard and then Torres but was motionless as he watched Mata’s stunning free-kick from 30 yards curl over the wall and rattle against the post.

At the other end, Jarvis raced on to Mark Noble’s pass and forced Cech into a fingertip save before Ashley Cole headed Winston Reid’s header off the line from the resulting corner.

Four minutes from time, the Hammers did find the net. Cole received a throw-in and teed up Diame, who lashed home low and hard past Cech to send the home fans into raptures.

There was still time for a third. Ashley Cole conceded possession with a terrible pass and Maiga was on hand to finish after Taylor’s initial shot was saved by Cech.

 

[DANEWMEN]

Reading 3 - 4 ManU
First half!!!

manu defending chaaaaaaa....iooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Full Time

Reading 3 Vs 4 Manchester United

Reading Goal(s)

Kanu 8'
Adam Le 19'
Morrison 23'

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Anderson 13'
Rooney 16(PEN)',30'
RVP 34'
​

 

[achalar]

Full Time

Reading 3 Vs 4 Manchester United

Reading Goal(s)

Kanu 8'
Adam Le 19'
Morrison 23'

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Anderson 13'
Rooney 16(PEN)',30'
RVP 34'
​

GGMU!!!!

 

[nilangaferna]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Galaxy 3-1 Houston Dynamo: Second-half flurry gives Galaxy second straight MLS Cup

CARSON, Calif. -- In a flash, the Los Angeles Galaxy went from the cusp of falling off the top of the MLS mountain to fortifying its place as the league's most elite franchise.

Omar Gonzalez and Landon Donovan scored within minutes of each other to overcome Calen Carr's 44th-minute goal, and the Galaxy added a stoppage-time Robbie Keane penalty to capture its second consecutive MLS Cup title and send David Beckham out of MLS as a two-time champion with a 3-1 victory in front of a sellout crowd of 30,510 at the Home Depot Center.

Donovan netted the winner -- his MLS record 22nd postseason goal and record fifth MLS Cup goal -- from the penalty spot in the 65th minute, after a scramble in the area resulted in a handball on Ricardo Clark. That came moments after Gonzalez headed home the equalizer off a feed from Juninho. Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall had punched away a Beckham corner kick, but the ball worked its way back to Sean Franklin and then to Juninho, who sent in a perfect ball from the right to Gonzalez, who headed home in the 61st minute.

The Dynamo had taken the lead through Carr just before halftime. Adam Moffat played the speedy forward down the right, where he beat Tommy Meyer for pace and was kept onside by Gonzalez. Carr took a touch toward goal and finished with a blast by Josh Saunders as Meyer tracked back to recover, giving Houston a huge momentum swing heading into halftime.

Carr had been out with a left hamstring strain, missing the Eastern Conference final series against D.C. United but regained fitness at a perfect time for the Dynamo. He had a would-be second goal robbed by Saunders, who went full extension to his left to snatch a point-blank header from Carr off a feed from Will Bruin in the 56th minute. He departed soon after with an apparent leg injury after colliding with Gonzalez, though, and the Galaxy promptly equalized moments later.

The Galaxy had their fair share of chances to get on the board earlier in the game but couldn't convert. Donovan missed the most golden of the chances in the 13th minute. Beckham picked out Keane down the left with a trademark long pass out of the back, and Keane set up Donovan perfectly from point-blank range on a 2-on-1. The Galaxy captain's first-time effort went wide of the mark, though, as confetti cannons at the Home Depot Center shot off in anticipation of the finish.

The Galaxy then had another great chance in the 20th minute, with Beckham serving a pinpoint free kick from the right to the far post, where Mike Magee's close-range header went over the bar. Keane then had an apparent-equalizing goal waved off in the 48th minute after a redirected Beckham free kick was sent in Keane's path, but the Irishman was in an offside position as he fired past Hall.

Keane got his in the waning seconds, though, earning a penalty on Hall off a breakaway and firing home from the penalty spot to ice the match.

With the victory, Donovan has a record-tying five MLS Cup triumphs, Bruce Arena has an MLS-record four as a coach and the Galaxy tied D.C. United with a league-best four MLS Cup titles.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Good Bye Beckham

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 2-0 Atletico Madrid: Ronaldo the difference in dire derby

Real Madrid displayed its clinical side to emerge 2-0 victors over Atletico Madrid in tonight's Liga Derbi at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Mesut Ozil on target for the home team.

Jose Mourinho gave Los Blancos' fans the opportunity to boo him on the pitch 40 minutes before kick-off, but was greeted positively by those supporters inside the stadium, despite coming under criticism for his side's poor start to the Liga campaign that saw them start this match eight points behind their city rivals.

It did not take long for his side to take the lead in the match, as Ronaldo made it 1-0 to the reigning Liga champions with an unstoppable free kick in the 16th minute, while Mesut Ozil added a second after the break to seal the win.

Atletico's in-form forward Radamel Falcao was allowed his first glimpse at goal in the seventh minute when he got the wrong side of Pepe, but the Madrid center back managed to regain his composure and knock the ball behind as the Colombian attacker pulled back his left foot to shoot from the a tight angle.

Despite being second-best in the opening exchanges the home side took a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute in emphatic fashion through Ronaldo. The Portugal international made Diego Simeone's men pay for Arda Turan's foolish handball 30 yards from the Atletico goal by hammering the resulting free kick past Thibaut Courtois and into the bottom corner.

Tempers began to flare as the first half wore on, with Madrid's Sami Khedira following Turan into the referee's notebook, and Falcao's strike-partner Diego Costa seemingly doing his best to join them by clattering into a number of challenges with Madrid's centre-back pairing of Pepe and Sergio Ramos.

Madrid nearly increased its lead to two from another set piece in the 37th minute when Xabi Alonso set up Ronaldo for a long-range effort but Courtois was able to keep the attacker's strike out on this occasion, diving brilliantly to his right to parry the ball away.

The home side was slightly fortunate to end the first half with eleven men on the pitch after Ramos caught Falcao with a stray elbow as the two tussled for possession right in front of the linesman, while Atletico's midfield duo of Gabi and Mario Suarez avoided bookings in the minutes before the break after both went in late on Ronaldo.

The 15-minute break failed to calm either team as the second half was punctuated by spats between players from each side, just as the first half had been.

A clumsy challenge from the away side's right back Juanfran resulted in another dangerously-positioned free kick for Ronaldo, and again Courtois was forced into making a smart stop low down to his right to keep the score at 1-0.

However, three minutes later Madrid did manage to increase its lead, courtesy of Mesut Ozil. Atletico's makeshift left back Cata Diaz was caught out of position after his teammate Miranda headed the ball straight into the path of Ronaldo, and the Madrid forward quickly sprayed a pass to Ozil on the right. The Germany international adjusted his body well to meet the ball on the half volley with his left foot, and his shot flew straight and true into the bottom left corner.

Ronaldo still had time to strike both the crossbar and the post as Madrid controlled the closing stages, in stark contrast to the sluggish start it had made to the match.

Mourinho's men remain in third place in La Liga despite their win tonight, but the gap between these two sides now stands at just five points, with unbeaten Barcelona a further six points ahead of Atletico.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 3-0 Torino: Bianconeri bounce back against 10-man Granata

Juventus got back to winning ways against its local rival with a convincing 2-0 win over Torino in the Serie A.

Goals from Sebastian Giovinco and a pair from Claudio Marchisio ensured the hosts came away with all three points against a Granata side which was forced to play almost an hour of the game with 10 men after the sending off of Kamil Glik.

Torino entered the derby having not beaten its more illustrious rival for 17 years, but it started the brighter of the sides, enjoying the better share possession in the opening 10 minutes.

Juventus did eventually grow into the game and started to create chances of their own, their first one falling to Paul Pogba who gained possession in the box with Torino goalkeeper Jean-Francois Gillet on the ground, however, the referee adjudged him to have committed a foul before it came to anything.

Five minutes later it was the Frenchman again who threatened when he sent in a half-volley from outside the box but Gillet did well to touch it over the bar. Just moments after, Pogba then hit a spectacular shot from all of 30 yards but, again, Gillet was equal to it.

The complexion of the match changed completely on 36 minutes when Torino's Kamil Glik was given his marching orders for a wild high-footed tackle on Emmanuele Giaccherini.

With the numerical advantage, Juventus pushed further forward to search for the opener and it received a great opportunity when Pogba went down in the box and they were awarded a penalty. However, Andrea Pirlo missed the target completely from 12 yards out.

After halftime, Giovinco helped start the scoring by whipping in a great cross which was met by Marchisio, finally breaking the deadlock to put the Old Lady ahead just before the hour mark after a long spell of dominance.

The diminutive Italian striker soon got on the scoresheet and deservedly so. The Turin-born striker received the ball this time from Marchisio, and he lashed the ball home from inside the box after nicely cutting in on his right foot.

Fifteen minutes from time, it was substitute Nicklas Bendtner who had an opportunity to extend the home side's lead, and he should have done much better having being set up beautifully by Mirko Vucinic with a chance within the six-yard box, yet somehow Gillet ended up with the ball safely in his hands.

With the game starting to resemble a training match for champions, Giovinco was brought off for Alessandro Matri but there was still time for one more as Marchisio notched his second of the night to seal the victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona 5-1 Athletic Bilbao: Record-breaking Blaugrana butcher Basques

Barcelona made Liga history in the most emphatic fashion on Saturday evening after a Lionel Messi double led them to a scintillating 5-1 triumph over Athletic Bilbao at Camp Nou.

The victory sees the Blaugrana make the best-ever start in the Spanish top-flight's 113-year history, surpassing the mark set by Radomir Antic's Real Madrid side of the 1991-92 season, while Messi's exploits, his 83rd and 84th goals in 2012, moved him to within one of Gerd Muller's 85-goal record in a calender year.

The marker was set from the 23rd minute, when Gerard Pique poked home the opener, before Messi and Adriano also struck to send the Blaugrana into a fully deserved three-goal lead at halftime.

Cesc Fabregas added a fourth shortly before the hour mark and despite a consolation effort from Ibai Gomez, Messi scored again with 20 minutes remaining to put the finishing touches on the win and send Barca six points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, which faces a derby clash against Real Madrid later in the day.

Fabregas replaced David Villa in the home side’s attack, with Carles Puyol dropping to the bench as Pique and Javier Mascherano were chosen to start in the centre of defense. For Bilbao, Fernando Llorente was left out of the starting XI, as first-choice forward Artiz Aduriz returned from a one-match suspension to lead the line for the visitors.

The hosts fashioned the first clear cut chance of the match, when Andres Iniesta’s agility saw him get the better of Jonas Ramalho and free him for a strike on goal, but Gorka Iraizoz was equal to it and pushed wide.

The Bilbao keeper was left helpless in the 23rd minute however, as he made a brilliant save on a close range effort from Fabregas, only to see Pique dispatch the rebound into the back of the net to give Barca the lead.

And the Catalans would double that advantage almost immediately after the restart, when Messi latched on to a glorious pass from Xavi to clip over Iraizoz, with an attempted clearance by Amorebieta only serving to accelerate the ball’s progression over the line.

Barca continued to create shooting opportunities, as Pedro and Fabregas both narrowly missed the target, before the latter forced Iraizoz into action again to tip away his low drive towards the corner.

Iniesta then missed badly from a great position inside the box, before Messi thought he had scored after getting past his marker at the near post, but his effort smacked off the underside of the bar.

The third goal would come, however, and it was no surprise to see Messi at the heart of the move. Seemingly surrounded by half the Bilbao team inside the area, the Argentine still managed to pick out Fabregas at the top of the box, who wasted little time in releasing the overlapping Adriano for a confident finish high into the net, right on the stroke of halftime.

The pattern persisted in the second half, as Iraizz was again called upon to deny Messi, before the Argentine’s control let him down inside the area after a great backheel from Iniesta seemed set to release him.

It was 4-0 in the 57th minute, and Iniesta again was the man setting events in motion, evading his marker at the top of the box before slipping in the unmarked Fabregas for a simple finish from close range.

Bilbao managed to pull one back nine minutes later, with a superb ball over the top from Iturraspe picking out Gomez, whose control afforded him the time he needed to slot between the legs of Victor Valdes.The respite would not last long, however, as the hosts added a fifth in the 70th minute, with Messi striking again with a right-footed finish into the far corner after a good piece of supportive play from Pedro.

Pique spurned a late chance for a sixth goal as Barca played out the remaining minutes in complete control, and now awaits the result of the Madrid derby, with the potential for a six-point lead at the top of the table looming should arch rival Real Madrid emerge victorious.