..::Football II::..

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Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Sunderland 0-1 Manchester United: Bramble own goal sees leaders grab seventh-straight league win

Manchester United sealed its seventh consecutive league victory to inch ever closer towards the club's 20th Premier League title thanks to a 1-0 victory at Sunderland. The hosts battled hard throughout but the Red Devils were ultimately comfortable and a first half own goal from Titus Bramble was all that was needed to secure the win.

Sunderland made four changes to the side that struggled to a 1-1 draw at home to Norwich. Stephane Sessegnon was declared fit to start up front alongside Danny Graham after top scorer Steven Fletcher was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Sitting pretty at the top of the Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson rotated his squad ahead of their FA Cup quarterfinal replay with Chelsea on Monday with the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs left out.

Martin O'Neill may have been recently accused of lacking spark but his team certainly came roaring out of the blocks, forcing David de Gea into a couple of decidedly shaky clearances in the first five minutes. However, it did not take long for the visitors to assert their authority on proceedings and they could have gone ahead on 11 minutes when full back Alex Buttner bundled his way into the box only to be denied by Simon Mignolet.

Sunderland's early fire was well and truly extinguished on 26 minutes when Robin Van Persie cleverly turned away from Phil Bardsley and arrowed a shot that had been heading wide only for Titus Bramble to deflect it into his own net.

The lead could have been doubled before half-time when first Anderson burst onto a quick-fire United counter-attack but just failed to get the better of Bramble before a confident-looking Van Persie stung the hands of Mignolet with a wicked curling free kick.

For all of Sunderland’s bluster and effort there appears to be a distinct lack of both quality and confidence running through the Stadium of Light at the moment. The start of the second half proved no different to the first as some early Mackems running was let down by poor decision making in the final third, with Adam Johnson a particular culprit.

On the hour Danny Graham showed good speed to negotiate a way past Nemanja Vidic but Sessegnon could not quite get his head to the ball ahead of Jonny Evans. From the resulting corner, David de Gea confidently punched clear but clattered into Vidic in the process to leave him needing medical attention.

The hosts suddenly had some momentum and roared on by their vociferous home support, proceeded to have their best spell of the match. It was nearly capped with an equalize but Chris Smalling defended superbly to stop Graham from nodding in a Johnson cross.

With 10 minutes to play, Buttner and Van Persie were both denied again by a sprawling Mignolet save as United closed in on the three points and a tiring Sunderland could not find an equalizer despite six minutes of stoppage time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Congratulations Manchester United!​

 

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Swansea City 1-2 Tottenham: Vertonghen and Bale move Spurs up to third

Goals from Gareth Bale and Jan Vertonghen helped Tottenham solidify its grip on a top-four place with a 2-1 win at Swansea.

The Belgian gave the visitors an early lead before Bale added a second with a spectacular long-range goal. Michu did reduce the arrears for the Swans, but they could not find the equalizer despite dominating much of the second half.

Chico Flores returned to the Swansea defense for the first time since February, while Brad Friedel came into the side for Spurs in place of injured goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham made the better start to proceedings and opened the scoring inside seven minutes with an excellent goal. Bale turned in space and lofted a ball through to Vertonghen who controlled excellently before slotting past Michel Vorm with a delicate finish.

Swansea almost got on the board when Michu headed wide from a corner, but less than a minute later Andre Villas-Boas' side was two goals to the good. Vertonghen and Bale combined neatly again before the Welsh midfielder unleashed a wonderful left-footed shot with the outside of his boot which flew into the top corner.

The hosts were not deterred by their poor start however, and came agonizingly close to levelling late in the first half as Nathan Dyer crashed a header against the bar from Dwight Tiendalli's delivery.

Michael Laudrup's charges refused to halt their onslaught after the break and came close to pulling one back as Michu was denied from close range by Friedel after latching on to a quick free kick from Wayne Routledge.

Michu could not be kept down however and after a sustained period of frenetic pressure from the hosts, the Spaniard finally got his goal, heading in a Ki Sung-Yeung corner to set up a frantic finish.

That goal gave Laudrup's men the confidence to press with even more urgency but they were almost caught out on the break, Bale racing 40 yards before clipping the outside of the post with a low strike.

Spurs were clearly second best in a half dictated by the Capital One Cup winners, but they continued to create the better chances, as substitute Jermain Defoe saw a close-range effort brilliantly saved by Vorm.

There was almost late drama in added time as Bale produced an excellent tackle to deny Dyer at the death, but in truth Spurs held out with relative comfort to secure a vital victory.

 

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West Ham 3-1 West Brom: Carroll double edges Hammers clear of danger

West Ham celebrated its confirmed move to the Olympic Stadium with a convincing 3-1 win over West Brom at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday.

Playing their first game since news of their Olympic deal was announced, the Hammers strolled to victory thanks to two goals from Andy Carroll and one from Gary O’Neil.

A lifeless Baggies side attempted to establish a foothold in the game during the second half but they could only muster one goal in reply through a late penalty from Graham Dorrans, while Youssuf Mulumbu was sent off late on.

The Hammers began the opening half terrifically as Mohamed Diame bossed the midfield, allowing Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Vaz Te to fashion chances straight away.

But true to form, the Baggies hit back immediately and managed to put the ball into the back of the net. The goal didn’t stand, however, as scorer Gareth McAuley had produced a blatant foul on Jussi Jaaskelainen before bundling it in.

Romelu Lukaku's deflected free kick then crashed against the post, almost fooling Jaaskelainen before the veteran keeper produced a fine stop to push it onto the woodwork before collecting safely.

That period of West Brom pressure was brief, however, and soon after, Carroll powered the home side into the lead, leaping above everyone else and sending a fine header home from a O’Neil corner.

And the 29-year-old turned scorer 12 minutes later as the Hammers doubled their lead with a fantastic counterattacking move. A Baggies corner was cleared and straight up the pitch went O'Neil, Vaz Te and Jarvis. After some slick passing, the midfielder received it on the edge of the box and curled a beautiful shot to his left and into the far bottom corner.

When halftime came, the Hammers were in total control and the visitors were determined to change that at the resumption. Steve Clarke’s men dominated possession early in the second half and kept the ball firmly in West Ham’s half.

But despite their ventures forward, the Baggies had little to show for their efforts, with Dorrans’ free kick across goal the closest they came.

After 70 minutes, West Ham looked to have sealed all three points as James Collins netted with a fine finish, only for the linesman to flag for offside.

West Brom's most notable contribution was the introduction of Peter Odemwingie - who was heavily booed by both sets of fans upon arrival. The Nigerian almost went from villain to hero with some fine skill but couldn't trouble Jaaskelainen with a near post shot.

But there would be no way back for the visitors as Carroll scored his second late on with a fantastic first-time volley from inside the box.

Dorrans scored from the spot for the Baggies late but it proved immaterial, while Mulumbu earned a red-card late on after kicking the ball at a West Ham player.

 

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Manchester City 4-0 Newcastle United: Dominant champions pile pressure on Pardew

MANCHESTER -- Manchester City will soon give up its Premier League title but it maintained its grip on second place by comfortably brushing aside Newcastle United 4-0 in a one-sided clash.

First half goals from Carlos Tevez and David Silva were supplemented by a delicious back-heeled flick from Vincent Kompany on his long-awaited return to the team early in the second half. Yaya Toure capitalized by smashing in the fourth.

As the first semblance of spring loosened winter’s icy grip on March, City has the warm feeling of a comprehensive victory that lifts it to 62 points and five clear of third-placed Tottenham. At lunchtime, Manchester United had maintained their iron grip on the title race by winning at Sunderland to extend their league lead to a remarkable 18 points.

Mancini has long accepted that the main fight is for the minor places, but at least the Italian had the satisfaction of City narrowing the gap back to 15 with one of their more convincing displays of the season. By contrast, Newcastle is left looking uncomfortably over their shoulders as they risk getting sucked into the drop zone. Wigan’s victory over Norwich means Alan Pardew’s team is now only three points clear of 18th place.

Earlier, City welcomed skipper Kompany back into the team after two months and eight matches on the sidelines. He was partnered in central defense by Joleon Lescott as Mancini made five changes from the team that lost to Everton on 16 March, with Yaya Toure, Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri also returning to the starting X1.

Injury-crippled Newcastle, missing a host of regulars including Tim Krul, Hatem Ben Arfa, Mathieu Debuchy, Fabricio Colocinni and Cheick Tiote, made four changes, with Danny Simpson and Gabriel Obertan handed rare starts. Rookies Adam Campbell and Curtis Good, neither of whom have made a first-team start, were named on the substitute’s bench.

The champions nearly became the latest victims of a volleyed special from Papiss Cisse midway through the opening period. A floated Vurnon Anita cross was met with a stinging shot from a seemingly nonthreatening angle but Joe Hart’s left leg prevented the Senegalese striker putting his team ahead.

Moments later, Gareth Barry was unable to match Cisse’s composure in front of goal. The midfielder had the goal at his mercy after a rebound fell neatly into his path but, much to the joy of the Newcastle fans behind Rob Elliot’s goal, Barry blazed his finish wildly over the bar.

While the Englishman looked for a giant hole to swallow him up, City finally threw off the shackles. Gael Clichy had a shot saved well by Eliot, Dzeko headed just wide from a corner and Silva had a goal correctly ruled out for offside. Four minutes before the break, Newcastle’s resistance was over. Clichy’s teasing cross on the run presented Tevez with a golden opportunity to extend his scoring run and the Argentine duly bundled in his seventh goal in six matches.

On the cusp of halftime, a now rampant home side doubled their advantage. Silva was surrounded by a posse of black-and-white shirts as he collected Nasri’s pass in the box, but the Spaniard smartly shifted the ball to his left and arrowed his shot across the goal and beyond Eliot’s left hand.

The visitors demonstrated greater purpose after the break, with Yohan Cabaye coming close to giving the traveling Newcastle support something to really sing about.

However, the game was effectively made safe for City after 56 minutes when the visitors failed to clear a corner. Barry’s fizzed shot from the edge of the box was met with the most impudent and delicate of flicks from Kompany, who back-heeled it into the net on the volley.

Toure steamrollered past a retreating Newcastle defense to smash in the fourth from a tight angle, although the Ivorian benefited from a slight deflection from sub James Perch. Immediately afterwards, Kompany left the pitch to a standing ovation. The job had been done and the home fans could relax and enjoy a passing exhibition for the remaining minutes.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 1-2 Juventus: Matri settles Derby d'Italia as Old Lady continue title march

Juventus took a significant step towards a second successive Scudetto by battling its way to a 2-1 victory over Inter in Saturday's Derby d'Italia at San Siro.

Fabio Quagliarella opened the scoring in sensational fashion just three minutes in with a stunning strike from just outside the area, after Alessandro Matri had created space for him with an ingenious stepover.

Rodrigo Palacio drew a game home side level shortly after halftime with an impressively composed finish but there was no containing the Bianconeri's front two, who combined to devastating effect again on the hour mark. Matri this time applied the finishing touch in far more routine fashion to send Antonio Conte's men 12 points clear at the summit of Serie A. Esteban Cambiasso capped off the match with a late, ugly challenge which drew a deserved red card.

Juve would have been forgiven for having one eye on its midweek Champions League meeting with Bayern Munich, but the likes of Gianluigi Buffon spoke before the game of a burning desire for vengeance, having seen a 49-game undefeated run in Serie A ended by the Nerazzurri all the way back in October.

Therefore, the way in which Juve tore into the hosts right from the first whistle really should have come as no surprise. The manner of the opener was most certainly spectacular, Quagliarella picking up possession some 25 yards out following a wonderful dummy from strike partner Matri before whipping the ball into the top right corner of Samir Handanovic’s goal.

A frustratingly brittle Inter side could easily have folded in the face of such an early onslaught but, credit to Andrea Stramaccioni’s side, it came storming back and Buffon was twice forced to come to the visitors’ rescue, tipping a low strike from Antonio Cassano around the post before then scrambling a Palacio header off the line.

It was Juve which continued to carry the greater attacking threat, though, and only some alert goalkeeping from Handanovic prevent Arturo Vidal from getting a shot away after the Chilean had been put through by a characteristically sublime ball over the top from Andrea Pirlo. The latter then tested Handanovic himself shortly before the break with a stinging drive from distance.

Inter responded with a tame downward header from Palacio, following more good work from Cassano, but, in truth, they home side was somewhat fortunate to go in just a goal behind at halftime.

It looked a different side after the break, though, and deservedly drew level when Palacio, with the aid of the most exquisitely timed arrival into the area, took a measured pass from Cassano in his stride before casually rolling the ball past an exposed Buffon.

However, the equalizer merely raised Juve from the interval-induced slumber and it reclaimed the lead on the hour mark. Again, the goal owed everything to the tremendous telepathy between their front two, Matri slotting home first time at the near post after being the recipient of a terrific cut-back from Quagliarella.

Inter tried valiantly to rally but it was unable to secure even a point from the game, thus all but ending their hopes of a top-three finish. Before the final whistle went, Cambiasso lunged in with an ugly challenge on Sebastian Giovinco, deservedly earning a straight red card.

 

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Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona: Messi completes Liga collection but Oubina denies Blaugrana

Barcelona suffered a slight hiccup in pursuit of the Liga title after it was held to a 2-2 draw by Celta Vigo at the Balaidos on Saturday.

Lionel Messi's second-half strike means that he has now scored against every team in the Spanish top flight this season, and also extended his incredible goalscoring streak to 19 consecutive games.

Celta certainly proved to be no pushovers, however, and even took a lead in the 38th minute through a close range Naxto Insa strike that reflected its encouraging first half play.

But Barca responded just before the interval, as Messi set up Tello for a splendidly taken equalizer, before converting the 21-year old forward's feed in the 73rd minute to seemingly put the visitors on their way to all three points.

However, with one minute remaining, Borja Oubina rose highest to head home the tying goal to deny the Blaugrana victory, though they still hold a 14 point lead at the top of the table.

With PSG on the horizon, interim coach Jordi Roura rang the changes, as Marc Bartra, Martin Montoya, Alex Song and Tello were all handed starts for the Catalans.

Barca, as usual had plenty of possession, but was perhaps lacking a bit of cutting edge in the final third as it struggled to create much more than half chances against a stubborn Celta defense.

The home crowd, already rocking long before kickoff, were left howling in disbelief when Park Chu-Young was bundled over by Bartra inside the area, only for the referee to wave play on.But their side would grow in confidence as the first half wore on, and Jose Pinto had to be at his absolute best to parry a terrible deflection off Gerard Pique, before recovering in time to deny Fernandez from the rebound.

Barca had a penalty shout of their own denied when Messi went down under pressure from Vladim Demidov, but the best openings continued to fall the way of the hosts, with Borja Oubina coming close with a header from a corner.

And with seven minutes to go until halftime, Celta would get the goal that its play just about warranted. Fabian Orellana’s jerky run fooled the entire Barca defense, and despite his shot lacking any kind of power, Naxto was there to prod home from in close.

But the Catalans would hit back before the break. Messi forced Javi Varas into a sprawling save from a 25-yard free-kick, before clipping a great ball over the defense to find Tello, who opened up his body to bend a sumptuous finish into the far corner.

Neither team really shone above the other in the initial stages of the second half, though Park had a decent opportunity when he stabbed Fernandez’ cross the wrong side of the post.

But as time wore on, Celta began to abandon its attacking intent, and focus on protecting the scoreline. And that approach gave Barcelona all the momentum it needed, introducing David Villa and Andres Iniesta to provide a boost off the bench.But it was a familiar combination that would send the Catalans into the lead, when Messi spread to Tello out wide, continued his run into the box, and stroked the return pass home from close range with 17 minutes remaining.

It seemed like the Catalans did enough to secure the win, but with stoppage time looming, Oubina headed home a cross at the far post to send the crowd into delirium and give the hosts a crucial point in their battle for survival.

 

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Osvaldo: Playing for Real Madrid would be a dream

he Italy international would be open to a move to the Primera Division champions, but is focused on his current club for now Roma striker Pablo Osvaldo has admitted that a possible transfer to Real Madrid could prove to be too tempting to turn down.

The Santiago Bernabeu side is reportedly keen to add some fresh blood to its attack in the summer transfer window, and recent reports from Spain claim that Osvaldo is one of Madrid's top targets.

"Real Madrid's interest? Every player dreams of wearing the jersey of a club like Madrid," Osvaldo was quoted as saying by Marca.

"However, I will have to do well with Roma first and win trophies here.

"We have to do our utmost to make sure we secure third place in the table and qualify for the Champions League."

Osvaldo previously played in La Liga at Espanyol from 2010 until 2011, before eventually joining Roma ahead of the 2011-12 campaign.

The 27-year-old has a contract with the Giallorossi until the summer of 2016.

 

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Bayern Munich 9-2 Hamburg: Visitors completely dismantled as Bavarians continue procession to title

A stunning performance from Claudio Pizarro was the highlight for an exceptional Bayern Munich, which destroyed sorry Hamburg 9-2.

The Peruvian notched his first four goals of the season in the Allianz Arena as HSV folded without fight, while Xerdan Shaqiri, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben's double added to the humiliation for the hapless visitors who had a late shout thanks to Jeffrey Bruma and Heike Westermann.

While Borussia Dortmund's last-gasp victory meant that Bayern could not be crowned champion in March, Jupp Heynckes' men nevertheless knew that the Bundesliga title is little more than a formality. With that in mind, and despite resting several first-team players, Die Roten gave an exhibition of football as they destroyed HSV from the first whistle.

With just six minutes on the clock, Bayern was on the board. Hamburg's defense were complicit in the strike as they stood off first the advancing Toni Kroos, and then Xerdan Shaqiri; the Switzerland international made them pay with a brilliant left-foot shot that flew low past Rene Adler and inside the post. The visitors briefly raised hopes of coming back with a wicked effort from Heung-Min Son that was saved by Manuel Neuer, but there was no slowing down the rampant hosts.

The Hamburg backline did well to deny Robben, who was waiting to convert Pizarro's low cross, but later let themselves down. A quick corner was nodded in by Bastian Schweinsteiger, criminally unmarked. The floodgates were now well and truly open. Claudio Pizarro was the next man to make the scoresheet, again from a quickly-taken corner, converting Javi Martinez's flick on to record his first league goal of the season.

The Peruvian had been used only sporadically for Bayern throughout 2012-13, but he was immensely enjoying a rare start in the Allianz Arena. A perfectly-timed backheel completed an exchange with Robben, and the Netherlands star did not let his side down as he fired the return into the corner of the net, giving Adler no chance to save. Hamburg was reeling, four down within little more than 30 minutes, but Bayern was in no mood to let up.

A clinical move from the Bundesliga leaders left Shaqiri free in the box and, although the forward could not add his second with an effort off the post, Pizarro was on hand to tap in and put Die Roten 5-0 ahead, entering the dressing room to rapturous applause at halftime.

Bayern could have been forgiven for taking its foot off the accelerator after such an electric half, but there was no sign Hamburg would be spared as it continued to rain goals. A brilliant burst from Robben down the right left Heiko Westermann standing, and his cross was turned in with a cheeky backheel from Pizarro as 'El Conquistador' celebrated his hat trick.

The Peruvian turned provider just seconds later, chasing down Bruma deep in the Hamburg half, stealing the ball cleanly and unselfishly passing off to Robben, who chipped over Adler for the seventh of the evening.

Substitutes Franck Ribery and Thomas Muller were determined to join in the festivities, and combined perfectly to tee up Pizarro for a fourth and continue the rout. Although Jeffrey Bruma at least hit a consolation late on, the goal only spurred a furious Bayern to restart its offensie and hit again through Ribery. Heike Westermann hit for a second HSV strike, but it did little to dull the party for Die Roten as they completed a sensational win.

With seven games left in the season, Bayern needs just two points to ensure the Bundeliga title, which will take the honor from Dortmund after two consecutive runner-up finishes.

 

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Bayern la Patta Gahillak gahalane​

 

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Inter 1-2 Juventus: Matri settles Derby d'Italia as Old Lady continue title march

 

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Celta Vigo 2-2 Barcelona: Messi completes Liga collection but Oubina denies Blaugrana

 

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Bayern Munich 9-2 Hamburg: Visitors completely dismantled as Bavarians continue procession to title

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Arsenal 4-1 Reading: Cazorla and Gervinho inspire Gunners to third straight win

 

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Chievo 0-1 AC Milan: Montolivo the man as Rossoneri continue excellent form

Riccardo Montolivo's close-range strike midway through the first half was enough for AC Milan to stretch the winning record in Serie A to five matches at the expense of 10-man Chievo.

The Italy midfielder took advantage of a goalkeeper error to stab home, and despite Mario Balotelli doing everything in his power to make the points safe, the Rossoneri had to settle for a single goal.

Center back Dario Dainelli saw red for the home side late on and his dismissal put to bed any chance of Chievo getting back into the match.

After a slow start, Milan almost gifted the home side the opening goal as Cyril Thereau's cross from the right was spilled by Christian Abbiati. The ball bounced goalwards off Daniele Bonera, but the goalkeeper recovered well and smothered the ball just short of the line.

Despite running out winners in all of their four previous Serie A matches, Milan were struggling to put their stamp on the game, and Abbiati was called into action again when Thereau's week effort almost sneaked in at his near post.

The Stadio Marc Antonio Bentegodi pitch was incredibly wet, with the ball regularly skidding off the surface, and Massimiliano Allegri's side used this to its advantage to break the deadlock.

Balotelli's low free kick bounced just in front of goalkeeper Christian Puggioni, and after he could only parry it back into the six-yard box, Montolivo was on hand to bury the rebound.

Former Manchester City striker Balotelli had sensed a weakness, and again tried his luck with a dead ball. Puggioni failed to gather the ball at the first attempt, but this time managed to recover before any of the onrushing Milan players could double the lead.

The match was slowly turning into a scrappy encounter punctured with a Balotelli free kick, and that pattern continued as the Italy international tried his luck once more, with Puggioni, who had obviously been affected by the previous two dead balls, nervously punching the ball away.

Balotelli's set pieces continued to worry the Chievo goalkeeper as the halftime break drew nearer, with Puggioni opting to punch a fourth effort of the half when catching seemed the sensible option.

If Puggioni thought the second half would bring him some respite from the bombardment of free kicks, he was incorrect as Balotelli again tested him with a curling effort. The goalkeeper again chose to parry the shot, but this time at least turned it behind.

The visiting side was relentless in its quest for a second goal, and after Sulley Muntari fired just wide from distance, Balotelli again tested Puggioni from a set piece.

The goalkeeper was called into action once more, this time from open play, as he got down well to block Robinho's effort, and all his good work almost proved crucial as Chievo went close at the other end.

Substitute Luciano cut onto his left foot on the edge of the area and fired in a powerful shot, only to see Abbiati pull off an unbelievable save to deny him an equalizer.

The home side was coming more into the game, but the chances of taking any points from the match were dealt a huge blow as Danielli was dismissed for a second bookable offense. Balotelli naturally tested Puggioni from the resulting free kick.

With only 10 men Chievo tried to push forward in the hope of claiming a draw, but the club failed to test Abbiati as the San Siro outfit held on.