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Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 Nice: Ibrahimovic hat-trick sees champions pull clear of Monaco
A hat-trick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw Paris Saint-Germain cruise to a 3-1 win over Nice at Parc des Princes on Saturday.
PSG headed into Saturday's game at the Parc des Princes knowing they could take command of the title race after Monaco were held to a 1-1 draw by Evian on Friday.
And the reigning champions took full advantage as Ibrahimovic inspired them to victory, the striker taking his goal tally for the season to 16 in all competitions.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan star opened the scoring with a close-range strike in the closing minutes of the first half, before doubling the lead from the penalty spot in the early stages of the second.
Nemanja Pejcinovic pulled one back for Nice to raise the nerves among the home fans, but Ibrahimovic then eased any tension with a towering header 15 minutes from time.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc handed captain Thiago Silva his first start since picking up a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Monaco back in September, while Edinson Cavani was also recalled to the champions' side after the missing the Champions League clash against Anderlecht in midweek.
Lucas Veronese replaced the injured David Ospina in the Nice goal as the Cote d'Azur club searched for their first win at the Parc des Princes in four years.
PSG began the game with intent, but it was Nice who could have taken the lead after just three minutes as Thiago Silva's last-ditch challenge denied Dario Cvitanich the chance to convert Christian Bruls' right-wing cross.
But the visitors were fortunate not to fall behind when Veronese was called into action to keep out Maxwell's far-post delivery shortly after.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead after 25 minutes, Cavani turning home another Maxwell cross, but the goal was ruled out as Ibrahimovic was adjudged to have interfered with play from an offside position.
PSG were undeterred, though, with Ibrahimovic then drawing a fine save from Veronese after latching onto a superb throughball from Thiago Motta.
And the capital club were finally rewarded for their persistence seven minutes before the break when Ibrahimovic prodded home Gregory van der Wiel's volleyed cross.
PSG should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, but Sweden international Ibrahimovic could only nod Motta's free kick wide.
Blanc's men continued to dominate after the interval, with Cavani and Ibrahimovic both heading over from close range in the early stages of the second half.
Nice struggled to get a foothoold in the game, and three minutes before the hour mark they fell further behind as Ibrahimovic converted from the spot after Veronese had felled Cavani.
Claude Puel's men did find a way back into the contest with 20 minutes to play, as Pejcinovic tapped in Bruls' low delivery to give the visitors some hope.
But any thought of a surprise comeback was extinguished just five minutes later when Ibrahimovic rose highest to meet substitute Lucas Moura's delivery and complete his treble.
Moura went close himself in the dying stages, but a two-goal lead proved to be more than enough for Blanc's men to take victory and move them five points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
A hat-trick from Zlatan Ibrahimovic saw Paris Saint-Germain cruise to a 3-1 win over Nice at Parc des Princes on Saturday.
PSG headed into Saturday's game at the Parc des Princes knowing they could take command of the title race after Monaco were held to a 1-1 draw by Evian on Friday.
And the reigning champions took full advantage as Ibrahimovic inspired them to victory, the striker taking his goal tally for the season to 16 in all competitions.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan star opened the scoring with a close-range strike in the closing minutes of the first half, before doubling the lead from the penalty spot in the early stages of the second.
Nemanja Pejcinovic pulled one back for Nice to raise the nerves among the home fans, but Ibrahimovic then eased any tension with a towering header 15 minutes from time.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc handed captain Thiago Silva his first start since picking up a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Monaco back in September, while Edinson Cavani was also recalled to the champions' side after the missing the Champions League clash against Anderlecht in midweek.
Lucas Veronese replaced the injured David Ospina in the Nice goal as the Cote d'Azur club searched for their first win at the Parc des Princes in four years.
PSG began the game with intent, but it was Nice who could have taken the lead after just three minutes as Thiago Silva's last-ditch challenge denied Dario Cvitanich the chance to convert Christian Bruls' right-wing cross.
But the visitors were fortunate not to fall behind when Veronese was called into action to keep out Maxwell's far-post delivery shortly after.
The hosts thought they had taken the lead after 25 minutes, Cavani turning home another Maxwell cross, but the goal was ruled out as Ibrahimovic was adjudged to have interfered with play from an offside position.
PSG were undeterred, though, with Ibrahimovic then drawing a fine save from Veronese after latching onto a superb throughball from Thiago Motta.
And the capital club were finally rewarded for their persistence seven minutes before the break when Ibrahimovic prodded home Gregory van der Wiel's volleyed cross.
PSG should have doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time, but Sweden international Ibrahimovic could only nod Motta's free kick wide.
Blanc's men continued to dominate after the interval, with Cavani and Ibrahimovic both heading over from close range in the early stages of the second half.
Nice struggled to get a foothoold in the game, and three minutes before the hour mark they fell further behind as Ibrahimovic converted from the spot after Veronese had felled Cavani.
Claude Puel's men did find a way back into the contest with 20 minutes to play, as Pejcinovic tapped in Bruls' low delivery to give the visitors some hope.
But any thought of a surprise comeback was extinguished just five minutes later when Ibrahimovic rose highest to meet substitute Lucas Moura's delivery and complete his treble.
Moura went close himself in the dying stages, but a two-goal lead proved to be more than enough for Blanc's men to take victory and move them five points clear at the top of Ligue 1.
Crystal Palace 0-0 Everton: Toffees draw a blank against struggling Eagles
Crystal Palace avoided defeat for just the second time this season as they played out a goalless draw with Everton on Saturday.
Both teams had chances to take maximum points at Selhurst Park, with Kagisho Dikgacoi and Jerome Thomas squandering opportunities for the hosts, while Phil Jagielka hit the crossbar for Everton.
Despite probably seeing the result as two points dropped, Everton have now gone five and a half hours without conceding and have lost just one of their opening 11 Premier League fixtures.
Keith Millen made one enforced change to the Palace side that lost 2-0 at West Brom last weekend, with Yannick Bolasie coming in for the injured Adlene Guedioura.
Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, decided to stick with the starting line-up that played out a goalless draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
After traffic around the stadium caused kick-off to be delayed, a defensive lapse in the fourth minute saw Marouane Chamakh charge down a Jagielka clearance, but Tim Howard rushed off his line to ensure the Moroccan could not capitalise.
Leon Osman then went close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors in the 12th minute as he got a boot to a Leighton Baines cut-back, guiding the ball narrowly wide of the target.
Dikgacoi had a glorious opportunity to put Palace ahead 10 minutes before the break, but the South African applied a dreadful header to fantastic Jerome Thomas cross from the left.
As Palace ramped up the pressure on Everton, Thomas forced Howard into an acrobatic save with a curling effort from 20 yards out two minutes later.
Osman tried his luck from distance on the stroke of half-time, but a Julian Speroni save ensured the teams remained gridlocked at the interval.
Thomas beat the offside trap to find himself through one-on-one with Howard eight minutes into the second half, but the winger sent his chip wide of the American's left post.
And the 30-year-old continued to look most likely to open the scoring as he was flagged for offside in the 67th minute after being sent clear on Howard once again.
Substitute Cameron Jerome created an angle for himself on the edge of the penalty area six minutes later, but skewed his effort well wide of Howard's left-hand post.
Everton centre-back Jagielka had the crossbar shaking after 77 minutes as his diving header from a corner came agonisingly close to giving Martinez's men the lead.
The visitors pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, but were forced to settle for a draw as Palace collected just their fourth point of the season.
Crystal Palace avoided defeat for just the second time this season as they played out a goalless draw with Everton on Saturday.
Both teams had chances to take maximum points at Selhurst Park, with Kagisho Dikgacoi and Jerome Thomas squandering opportunities for the hosts, while Phil Jagielka hit the crossbar for Everton.
Despite probably seeing the result as two points dropped, Everton have now gone five and a half hours without conceding and have lost just one of their opening 11 Premier League fixtures.
Keith Millen made one enforced change to the Palace side that lost 2-0 at West Brom last weekend, with Yannick Bolasie coming in for the injured Adlene Guedioura.
Roberto Martinez, meanwhile, decided to stick with the starting line-up that played out a goalless draw with Tottenham on Sunday.
After traffic around the stadium caused kick-off to be delayed, a defensive lapse in the fourth minute saw Marouane Chamakh charge down a Jagielka clearance, but Tim Howard rushed off his line to ensure the Moroccan could not capitalise.
Leon Osman then went close to breaking the deadlock for the visitors in the 12th minute as he got a boot to a Leighton Baines cut-back, guiding the ball narrowly wide of the target.
Dikgacoi had a glorious opportunity to put Palace ahead 10 minutes before the break, but the South African applied a dreadful header to fantastic Jerome Thomas cross from the left.
As Palace ramped up the pressure on Everton, Thomas forced Howard into an acrobatic save with a curling effort from 20 yards out two minutes later.
Osman tried his luck from distance on the stroke of half-time, but a Julian Speroni save ensured the teams remained gridlocked at the interval.
Thomas beat the offside trap to find himself through one-on-one with Howard eight minutes into the second half, but the winger sent his chip wide of the American's left post.
And the 30-year-old continued to look most likely to open the scoring as he was flagged for offside in the 67th minute after being sent clear on Howard once again.
Substitute Cameron Jerome created an angle for himself on the edge of the penalty area six minutes later, but skewed his effort well wide of Howard's left-hand post.
Everton centre-back Jagielka had the crossbar shaking after 77 minutes as his diving header from a corner came agonisingly close to giving Martinez's men the lead.
The visitors pushed hard for a winner in the closing stages, but were forced to settle for a draw as Palace collected just their fourth point of the season.
Chelsea 2-2 West Brom: Controversial last-gasp Hazard penalty saves Blues
Chelsea drew 2-2 at home with West Brom on Saturday after a 96th-minute Eden Hazard penalty saved a Premier League point for Jose Mourinho's men at Stamford Bridge.
Referee Andre Marriner awarded the controversial spot-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time for a challenge by Steven Reid on Ramires.
And Hazard duly converted for his fourth goal of the season on his return to the side after he was dropped for the midweek Champions League win over Schalke for missing a training session earlier in the week.
Stephane Sessegnon thought he had won the game for the visitors with his 68th-minute strike but the three points were snatched away from them by the late equaliser.
Sessegnon's strike followed Shane Long's leveller as former Chelsea player and assistant manager Steve Clarke looked set to end Mourinho's unbeaten run at home in the Premier League, which has now been extended to 66 games.
Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring for Chelsea on the stroke of half-time as he robbed Liam Ridgewell at the back post. Long then hauled the sides level just after the hour mark as the striker netted his first goal of the season from close range.
Sessegnon then put the visitors ahead with his second goal of the campaign after some sloppy defending from the hosts but Hazard rescued a point.
Mourinho – taking charge of his 100th home game in all competitions as Chelsea manager - recalled Hazard. Frank Lampard was the only other change from Wednesday's victory, the England international replacing John Obi Mikel.
The visitors welcomed Reid back for the injured Billy Jones and Claudio Yacob for James Morrison but there was no starting spot for Saido Berahino, despite his goal in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Chelsea began the stronger of the two sides and created good openings for Eto'o, though the striker was unable to convert any of the opening four chances he had.
Oscar went closest to breaking the deadlock after half an hour from a long-range free-kick but Boaz Myhill reached up to his left to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Yet, in the last minute of the first half, Eto'o finally found the net. Hazard saw a low shot parried by Myhill and the loose ball fell to Ridgewell - but he dallied in possession and the striker wrapped his leg around the defender to fire into an empty net.
West Brom, however, came out for the second half with renewed vigour and levelled just after the hour. Long grabbed the equaliser from close range minutes after both he and Jonas Olsson had missed chances.
The Republic of Ireland international made no mistake with his second opportunity in as many minutes as he reacted quickest to head home from three yards.
Gareth McAuley then saw his bullet header saved by Petr Cech but Long rose highest at the back post to head home.
And Sessegnon put the visitors ahead seven minutes later after receiving a pass from Ridgewell as he side-stepped the challenge of John Terry and slotted the ball under Cech.
There was late drama, however, as Reid was adjudged to have bundled Ramires to the floor, with Hazard making no mistake form 12 yards. Not for the first time, Mourinho's blushes were saved.
Chelsea drew 2-2 at home with West Brom on Saturday after a 96th-minute Eden Hazard penalty saved a Premier League point for Jose Mourinho's men at Stamford Bridge.
Referee Andre Marriner awarded the controversial spot-kick in the fourth minute of stoppage time for a challenge by Steven Reid on Ramires.
And Hazard duly converted for his fourth goal of the season on his return to the side after he was dropped for the midweek Champions League win over Schalke for missing a training session earlier in the week.
Stephane Sessegnon thought he had won the game for the visitors with his 68th-minute strike but the three points were snatched away from them by the late equaliser.
Sessegnon's strike followed Shane Long's leveller as former Chelsea player and assistant manager Steve Clarke looked set to end Mourinho's unbeaten run at home in the Premier League, which has now been extended to 66 games.
Samuel Eto'o opened the scoring for Chelsea on the stroke of half-time as he robbed Liam Ridgewell at the back post. Long then hauled the sides level just after the hour mark as the striker netted his first goal of the season from close range.
Sessegnon then put the visitors ahead with his second goal of the campaign after some sloppy defending from the hosts but Hazard rescued a point.
Mourinho – taking charge of his 100th home game in all competitions as Chelsea manager - recalled Hazard. Frank Lampard was the only other change from Wednesday's victory, the England international replacing John Obi Mikel.
The visitors welcomed Reid back for the injured Billy Jones and Claudio Yacob for James Morrison but there was no starting spot for Saido Berahino, despite his goal in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace last weekend.
Chelsea began the stronger of the two sides and created good openings for Eto'o, though the striker was unable to convert any of the opening four chances he had.
Oscar went closest to breaking the deadlock after half an hour from a long-range free-kick but Boaz Myhill reached up to his left to tip the ball over the crossbar.
Yet, in the last minute of the first half, Eto'o finally found the net. Hazard saw a low shot parried by Myhill and the loose ball fell to Ridgewell - but he dallied in possession and the striker wrapped his leg around the defender to fire into an empty net.
West Brom, however, came out for the second half with renewed vigour and levelled just after the hour. Long grabbed the equaliser from close range minutes after both he and Jonas Olsson had missed chances.
The Republic of Ireland international made no mistake with his second opportunity in as many minutes as he reacted quickest to head home from three yards.
Gareth McAuley then saw his bullet header saved by Petr Cech but Long rose highest at the back post to head home.
And Sessegnon put the visitors ahead seven minutes later after receiving a pass from Ridgewell as he side-stepped the challenge of John Terry and slotted the ball under Cech.
There was late drama, however, as Reid was adjudged to have bundled Ramires to the floor, with Hazard making no mistake form 12 yards. Not for the first time, Mourinho's blushes were saved.
Aston Villa 2-0 Cardiff City: Bacuna & Kozak boost Villans
Aston Villa beat Cardiff 2-0 to end a Premier League run of four games without a win at Villa Park on Saturday.
Leandro Bacuna's superb 76th-minute free kick was Villa's first goal in five matches and Libor Kozak's cushioned header eight minutes later proved enough to earn Paul Lambert's side their first win since the 3-2 victory over Manchester City at the end of September.
The closest the visitors came to scoring was in the 10th minute as Kozak almost put through his own net but, otherwise, Malky Mackay's side created very little in the way of goalscoring opportunities, failing to build on their memorable 1-0 victory over Welsh rivals Swansea City last week.
Manager Paul Lambert made two changes from last week's draw at West Ham, Aleksandar Tonev and Kozak replacing Matt Lowton and Andreas Weimann, who was absent with a hamstring injury picked up in the Upton Park clash.
For Cardiff, there was just one alteration from Sunday's derby triumph over Swansea as Aron Gunnarsson came in for Jordon Mutch, who dropped to the bench.
The hosts started the brighter, Marshall stretching to parry Karim El Ahmadi's effort from distance in the fifth minute, Steven Caulker nipping the ball away from Christian Benteke as the Belgium international looked to convert the rebound.
But Kozak almost gifted Cardiff the lead five minutes later, the striker inexplicably nodding Gary Medel's free-kick narrowly wide of his own goal under no pressure.
In a frantic opening, Brad Guzan rushed from his line to deny Gunnarsson in the 12th minute before the pace of the game slowed noticeably, the American comfortably catching Craig Bellamy's curling free kick on the half-hour mark with both sides struggling to create openings.
Goalmouth action was equally scarce after the break, with Ashley Westood fizzing a 25-yard shot narrowly wide in the 63rd minute as each struggled to make any impression on the opposition defences.
However, the hosts made a crucial breakthrough 13 minutes later, Bacuna bending the ball brilliantly around the wall from 25 yards to the relief of the home support inside Villa Park.
And shortly afterwards, Villa doubled the lead, Lowton nodding the ball back across goal, where Kozak was on hand to redirect beyond a despairing Marshall to seal the points and send Villa above their opponents in the table.
Aston Villa beat Cardiff 2-0 to end a Premier League run of four games without a win at Villa Park on Saturday.
Leandro Bacuna's superb 76th-minute free kick was Villa's first goal in five matches and Libor Kozak's cushioned header eight minutes later proved enough to earn Paul Lambert's side their first win since the 3-2 victory over Manchester City at the end of September.
The closest the visitors came to scoring was in the 10th minute as Kozak almost put through his own net but, otherwise, Malky Mackay's side created very little in the way of goalscoring opportunities, failing to build on their memorable 1-0 victory over Welsh rivals Swansea City last week.
Manager Paul Lambert made two changes from last week's draw at West Ham, Aleksandar Tonev and Kozak replacing Matt Lowton and Andreas Weimann, who was absent with a hamstring injury picked up in the Upton Park clash.
For Cardiff, there was just one alteration from Sunday's derby triumph over Swansea as Aron Gunnarsson came in for Jordon Mutch, who dropped to the bench.
The hosts started the brighter, Marshall stretching to parry Karim El Ahmadi's effort from distance in the fifth minute, Steven Caulker nipping the ball away from Christian Benteke as the Belgium international looked to convert the rebound.
But Kozak almost gifted Cardiff the lead five minutes later, the striker inexplicably nodding Gary Medel's free-kick narrowly wide of his own goal under no pressure.
In a frantic opening, Brad Guzan rushed from his line to deny Gunnarsson in the 12th minute before the pace of the game slowed noticeably, the American comfortably catching Craig Bellamy's curling free kick on the half-hour mark with both sides struggling to create openings.
Goalmouth action was equally scarce after the break, with Ashley Westood fizzing a 25-yard shot narrowly wide in the 63rd minute as each struggled to make any impression on the opposition defences.
However, the hosts made a crucial breakthrough 13 minutes later, Bacuna bending the ball brilliantly around the wall from 25 yards to the relief of the home support inside Villa Park.
And shortly afterwards, Villa doubled the lead, Lowton nodding the ball back across goal, where Kozak was on hand to redirect beyond a despairing Marshall to seal the points and send Villa above their opponents in the table.
Real Madrid 5-1 Real Sociedad: Ronaldo hat-trick fires ruthless Blancos to victory
Another hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo saw Real Madrid put Real Sociedad to the sword with a 5-1 thrashing at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The away side started the match brightly, but Ronaldo gave Real an early lead as he fired home following Karim Benzema's pin-point left-wing delivery, before the Portuguese returned the favour for his French team-mate for the second soon after.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated before the match that he would not rotate Ronaldo - who has now scored nine goals in his last four games - while he is in such a rich vein of form, and the former Manchester United man repaid that faith by slotting in a penalty for his 161st La Liga goal and Real's third of the game on 26 minutes.
World-record signing Gareth Bale set up Sami Khedira for the fourth goal before the break, and although Antoine Griezmann scored in a fifth successive match for Sociedad after the break, Ronaldo ensured he would leave with the match ball by burying a 76th minute free-kick to seal his 19th La Liga hat-trick.
Ancelotti made three changes to the side that won 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano in their last league match, with the most notable switch seeing Alvaro Arbeloa replacing the suspended Sergio Ramos, while the visitors made four alterations from their 5-0 win over Osasuna.
Ronaldo struck the crossbar early on, but in the eighth minute he would not be denied as Benzema floated a clever cross to him at the far post where he smashed ball past the helpless Claudio Bravo.
It did not take the hosts long to double their lead as Ronaldo returned the favour for Benzema, laying the ball off for the France international to fire low past Bravo in the 18th minute.
Sociedad looked in danger of getting humiliated by this point, and things went from bad to worse when Markel Bergara conceded a penalty for handball on 26 minutes, allowing the irrepressible Ronaldo to net his second of the game.
The hosts continued to run riot thereafter and got their fourth nine minutes before the break as Bale passed to Khedira on the edge of the area and the German blasted past Bravo.
The second half started at a significantly slower tempo as Real had already all but secured the three points, while the visitors looked determined to keep the score as respectable as possible.
Jagoba Arrasate's men were clearly aggrieved not be awarded a penalty on the hour mark as Diego Lopez tripped Griezmann but, just a minute later, the Frenchman latched on to Carlos Vela's lofted pass and cleverly looped the ball over the goalkeeper to pull one back.
The lively Griezmann was in again shortly after, but after bursting behind the Madrid defence he could only poke a close-range effort just past Lopez’s right-hand post.
Ronaldo killed off any slim hopes of a late comeback as he drove in his 16th league goal of the season from a set-piece 16 minutes from time, moving Real on to 31 points, two behind Atletico Madrid and three adrift of leaders Barcelona.
Another hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo saw Real Madrid put Real Sociedad to the sword with a 5-1 thrashing at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The away side started the match brightly, but Ronaldo gave Real an early lead as he fired home following Karim Benzema's pin-point left-wing delivery, before the Portuguese returned the favour for his French team-mate for the second soon after.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti stated before the match that he would not rotate Ronaldo - who has now scored nine goals in his last four games - while he is in such a rich vein of form, and the former Manchester United man repaid that faith by slotting in a penalty for his 161st La Liga goal and Real's third of the game on 26 minutes.
World-record signing Gareth Bale set up Sami Khedira for the fourth goal before the break, and although Antoine Griezmann scored in a fifth successive match for Sociedad after the break, Ronaldo ensured he would leave with the match ball by burying a 76th minute free-kick to seal his 19th La Liga hat-trick.
Ancelotti made three changes to the side that won 3-2 at Rayo Vallecano in their last league match, with the most notable switch seeing Alvaro Arbeloa replacing the suspended Sergio Ramos, while the visitors made four alterations from their 5-0 win over Osasuna.
Ronaldo struck the crossbar early on, but in the eighth minute he would not be denied as Benzema floated a clever cross to him at the far post where he smashed ball past the helpless Claudio Bravo.
It did not take the hosts long to double their lead as Ronaldo returned the favour for Benzema, laying the ball off for the France international to fire low past Bravo in the 18th minute.
Sociedad looked in danger of getting humiliated by this point, and things went from bad to worse when Markel Bergara conceded a penalty for handball on 26 minutes, allowing the irrepressible Ronaldo to net his second of the game.
The hosts continued to run riot thereafter and got their fourth nine minutes before the break as Bale passed to Khedira on the edge of the area and the German blasted past Bravo.
The second half started at a significantly slower tempo as Real had already all but secured the three points, while the visitors looked determined to keep the score as respectable as possible.
Jagoba Arrasate's men were clearly aggrieved not be awarded a penalty on the hour mark as Diego Lopez tripped Griezmann but, just a minute later, the Frenchman latched on to Carlos Vela's lofted pass and cleverly looped the ball over the goalkeeper to pull one back.
The lively Griezmann was in again shortly after, but after bursting behind the Madrid defence he could only poke a close-range effort just past Lopez’s right-hand post.
Ronaldo killed off any slim hopes of a late comeback as he drove in his 16th league goal of the season from a set-piece 16 minutes from time, moving Real on to 31 points, two behind Atletico Madrid and three adrift of leaders Barcelona.
Southampton 4-1 Hull City: Lallana keeps classy Saints marching on
Southampton continued their fine run of form in the Premier League with a comfortable 4-1 win over Hull City in Saturday's meeting, with two of their England contingent helping move the club to third place in the league.
Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana were both on the scoresheet in the first half at St Mary's Stadium as Mauricio Pochettino's men made it four top-flight wins in a row at home, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Steven Davis also made sure that Yannick Sagbo's seond half goal was only a consolation.
The home side went ahead early on, with Schneiderlin taking advantage of poor defending in the Hull ranks to head home Lambert's knock-down.
Lallana was instrumental in the second, as he looked to get onto the end of a Lambert pass, only for the onrushing Steve Harper to take him down. Lambert then emphatically converted the penalty to maintain his 100 per cent record from the spot for Southampton from 33 attempts.
Southampton's third came after 36 minutes, courtesy of Lallana himself. The 25-year-old jinked his way into the area before calmly slotting the ball past Harper from a tight angle.
Yannick Sagbo pulled a goal back for Hull early in the second half following an error from Victor Wanyama. However, any hopes of a comeback had all but disappeared by the time Steven Davis hit a low drive past Harper in the closing stages.
Hull were unchanged from their last Premier League outing, which saw them beat Sunderland 1-0, although there was no place on the bench for Robbie Brady, who continues to struggle with a hernia problem.
Southampton also named an unchanged side, but recalled Pablo Daniel Osvaldo to the squad with the Italy international having recovered from a nerve problem.
Lambert, Lallana and Jay Rodriguez started for Pochettino, following their England call-ups, while 18-year-old Sam Gallagher made his first appearance in a league squad for the club.
Southampton edged a slow-paced opening and were rewarded when Schneiderlin recorded his first goal of the season from close range after 16 minutes.
Pochettino's side doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, with Lambert converting a penalty after Lallana was brought down in the area by Harper, who was booked.
The hosts continued to demonstrate their clinical streak, edging 3-0 ahead six minutes later courtesy of Lallana's third Premier League goal of the season.
Southampton had kept clean sheets in their previous four home Premier League games, but Hull got on the scoresheet nine minutes after the break, Sagbo coolly finishing after George Boyd pounced on a dithering Wanyama, who was withdrawn soon after.
Tom Huddlestone was next to threaten with a long-range effort before Lallana forced a save from Harper after good link-up play with Lambert in the Hull box.
Substitute Davis capped off a comprehensive win for the home side two minutes from time, swivelling well to convert Nathaniel Clyne's cross.
Southampton continued their fine run of form in the Premier League with a comfortable 4-1 win over Hull City in Saturday's meeting, with two of their England contingent helping move the club to third place in the league.
Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana were both on the scoresheet in the first half at St Mary's Stadium as Mauricio Pochettino's men made it four top-flight wins in a row at home, while Morgan Schneiderlin and Steven Davis also made sure that Yannick Sagbo's seond half goal was only a consolation.
The home side went ahead early on, with Schneiderlin taking advantage of poor defending in the Hull ranks to head home Lambert's knock-down.
Lallana was instrumental in the second, as he looked to get onto the end of a Lambert pass, only for the onrushing Steve Harper to take him down. Lambert then emphatically converted the penalty to maintain his 100 per cent record from the spot for Southampton from 33 attempts.
Southampton's third came after 36 minutes, courtesy of Lallana himself. The 25-year-old jinked his way into the area before calmly slotting the ball past Harper from a tight angle.
Yannick Sagbo pulled a goal back for Hull early in the second half following an error from Victor Wanyama. However, any hopes of a comeback had all but disappeared by the time Steven Davis hit a low drive past Harper in the closing stages.
Hull were unchanged from their last Premier League outing, which saw them beat Sunderland 1-0, although there was no place on the bench for Robbie Brady, who continues to struggle with a hernia problem.
Southampton also named an unchanged side, but recalled Pablo Daniel Osvaldo to the squad with the Italy international having recovered from a nerve problem.
Lambert, Lallana and Jay Rodriguez started for Pochettino, following their England call-ups, while 18-year-old Sam Gallagher made his first appearance in a league squad for the club.
Southampton edged a slow-paced opening and were rewarded when Schneiderlin recorded his first goal of the season from close range after 16 minutes.
Pochettino's side doubled their lead on the half-hour mark, with Lambert converting a penalty after Lallana was brought down in the area by Harper, who was booked.
The hosts continued to demonstrate their clinical streak, edging 3-0 ahead six minutes later courtesy of Lallana's third Premier League goal of the season.
Southampton had kept clean sheets in their previous four home Premier League games, but Hull got on the scoresheet nine minutes after the break, Sagbo coolly finishing after George Boyd pounced on a dithering Wanyama, who was withdrawn soon after.
Tom Huddlestone was next to threaten with a long-range effort before Lallana forced a save from Harper after good link-up play with Lambert in the Hull box.
Substitute Davis capped off a comprehensive win for the home side two minutes from time, swivelling well to convert Nathaniel Clyne's cross.
Liverpool 4-0 Fulham: Suarez at the double for rampant Reds
Fulham boss Jol insisted he was not feeling the heat after last weekend's loss to Manchester United, but Saturday's heavy Premier League defeat to an impressive Liverpool side is sure to raise more questions over his future.
Liverpool were scintillating going forward and Steven Gerrard's dangerous free-kick went in off Fernando Amorebieta to put them in front, before Martin Skrtel headed home a Gerrard corner to score his first goal since he struck in a 4-0 victory against the same opposition last December.
Suarez made it three before half-time and then helped himself to his eighth Premier League goal of the season with another clinical finish shortly after the break as Fulham caved in.
Brendan Rodgers' side could have won by a more emphatic margin, but they have now won three in a row at Anfield - scoring 11 goals in the process - and Chelsea's home draw against West Brom ensured they moved up place to second, just two points adrift of leaders Arsenal.Fulham, on the other hand, have now lost their last four in all competitions and are languishing perilously close to the relegation zone.
Rodgers made three changes to the Liverpool side that lost at Arsenal last weekend, with Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Agger making their first starts since September. Glen Johnson also returned as Jon Flanagan, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho missed out.
Defender Elsad Zverotic was handed his first Premier League appearance for Fulham and ex-Liverpool midfielder Alex Kacaniklic also started in place of the suspended Sascha Riether and Bryan Ruiz, who dropped to the bench.
The home side started brightly and they were in front after 22 minutes when Gerrard whipped in a free-kick from the right that struck Amorebieta and bounced inside the near post.
There was more misery for Amorebieta three minutes later and Gerrard was once again the architect as Skrtel shrugged off the Venezuela international before planting a bullet header beyond the helpless Maarten Stekelenburg.
Fulham were on the ropes and Stekelenburg produced a magnificent save to deny the influential Coutinho, but the Dutch goalkeeper was beaten again nine minutes before the break when Suarez raced onto Jordan Henderson's fine through-ball before finishing unerringly with his right foot.
Liverpool carried on where they left off at the start of the second half and Stekelenburg produced a fine saves to deny Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
But Suarez added a fourth nine minutes after the interval when Gerrard robbed Kieran Richardson to play in the Uruguayan, who fired inside the near post.
The over-worked Stekelenburg then denied Coutinho again with Fulham at sixes and sevens at the back and, despite creating several more clear-cut opportunities, Liverpool were forced to settle for a four-goal winning margin.
Fulham boss Jol insisted he was not feeling the heat after last weekend's loss to Manchester United, but Saturday's heavy Premier League defeat to an impressive Liverpool side is sure to raise more questions over his future.
Liverpool were scintillating going forward and Steven Gerrard's dangerous free-kick went in off Fernando Amorebieta to put them in front, before Martin Skrtel headed home a Gerrard corner to score his first goal since he struck in a 4-0 victory against the same opposition last December.
Suarez made it three before half-time and then helped himself to his eighth Premier League goal of the season with another clinical finish shortly after the break as Fulham caved in.
Brendan Rodgers' side could have won by a more emphatic margin, but they have now won three in a row at Anfield - scoring 11 goals in the process - and Chelsea's home draw against West Brom ensured they moved up place to second, just two points adrift of leaders Arsenal.Fulham, on the other hand, have now lost their last four in all competitions and are languishing perilously close to the relegation zone.
Rodgers made three changes to the Liverpool side that lost at Arsenal last weekend, with Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Agger making their first starts since September. Glen Johnson also returned as Jon Flanagan, Kolo Toure and Mamadou Sakho missed out.
Defender Elsad Zverotic was handed his first Premier League appearance for Fulham and ex-Liverpool midfielder Alex Kacaniklic also started in place of the suspended Sascha Riether and Bryan Ruiz, who dropped to the bench.
The home side started brightly and they were in front after 22 minutes when Gerrard whipped in a free-kick from the right that struck Amorebieta and bounced inside the near post.
There was more misery for Amorebieta three minutes later and Gerrard was once again the architect as Skrtel shrugged off the Venezuela international before planting a bullet header beyond the helpless Maarten Stekelenburg.
Fulham were on the ropes and Stekelenburg produced a magnificent save to deny the influential Coutinho, but the Dutch goalkeeper was beaten again nine minutes before the break when Suarez raced onto Jordan Henderson's fine through-ball before finishing unerringly with his right foot.
Liverpool carried on where they left off at the start of the second half and Stekelenburg produced a fine saves to deny Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
But Suarez added a fourth nine minutes after the interval when Gerrard robbed Kieran Richardson to play in the Uruguayan, who fired inside the near post.
The over-worked Stekelenburg then denied Coutinho again with Fulham at sixes and sevens at the back and, despite creating several more clear-cut opportunities, Liverpool were forced to settle for a four-goal winning margin.
Bayern Munich 3-0 Augsburg: Ribery on target as champions make Bundesliga history
Franck Ribery was on target as Bayern Munich made Bundesliga history with a convincing 3-0 win over Augsburg on Saturday.
Last season's treble winners surpassed the mark set by Hamburg in 1983 to reach 37 games unbeaten thanks to excellent first-half finishes from Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery and a stoppage time penalty from substitute Thomas Muller.
Augsburg performed creditably in the early stages of the second period but failed to extend Germany number one Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal.
The afternoon was made sweeter for home fans at the Allianz Arena when news filtered through of a 2-1 defeat for title rivals Borussia Dortmund at Wolfsburg, meaning Bayern's advantage at the Bundesliga summit is extended to four points.
Arjen Robben returned from a groin complaint to be named among the Bayern substitutes, while Augsburg were without Dominik Reinhardt and Panagiotis Vlachodimos due to tendon problems.
Bayern immediately pushed their visitors back and, in the third minute, Augsburg goalkeeper Marvin Hitz dashed out of his area to thwart Mario Mandzukic before scampering back to touch Javi Martinez's speculative follow-up behind.
Replays suggesting Mandzukic was offside when challenging Hitz for the loose ball leant an air of controversy as Bayern scored from the resulting corner – Dante heading on towards the back-post where Boateng swivelled to thrash a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Pep Guardiola's side almost doubled their advantage in the 16th minute when Ribery's shot from the left-hand edge of the box skidded past the far post as Mario Gotze just failed to find the decisive touch.
Augsburg had started to feel their way into the game, the industrious Andre Hahn at the centre of their good play, but when Paul Verhaegh brought down Ribery 20 yards out three minutes before the break, the France international punished them with an unstoppable free-kick.
Bayern looked to press home their advantage early in the second period but Ribery and Gotze were guilty of over-elaborating on the final pass.
In the 52nd minute, Mandzukic managed to find Ribery in the area but he fired his attempt wide.
Augsburg boss Markus Weinzierl then replaced Halil Altintop with Arkadiusz Milik and the new man might have made an instant impact when David Alaba blocked his shot from Hahn's lofted pass.
That move heralded the visitors' most productive spell of the match, Hahn dragging wide from 18 yards in the 64th minute, but Bayern could have made the points safe when Martinez was left unmarked to head wide from a Gotze corner before the latter made way for Robben.
The Dutch winger produced a lively cameo and twice game close to finding the net, but it was fellow replacement Muller who confidently converted from 12 yards after Matthias Ostrzolek was harshly penalised for handling Robben's cross.
Bayern now turn their attentions towards the eagerly anticipated trip to Dortmund after the international break, and do so from a position of strength.
Franck Ribery was on target as Bayern Munich made Bundesliga history with a convincing 3-0 win over Augsburg on Saturday.
Last season's treble winners surpassed the mark set by Hamburg in 1983 to reach 37 games unbeaten thanks to excellent first-half finishes from Jerome Boateng and Franck Ribery and a stoppage time penalty from substitute Thomas Muller.
Augsburg performed creditably in the early stages of the second period but failed to extend Germany number one Manuel Neuer in the Bayern goal.
The afternoon was made sweeter for home fans at the Allianz Arena when news filtered through of a 2-1 defeat for title rivals Borussia Dortmund at Wolfsburg, meaning Bayern's advantage at the Bundesliga summit is extended to four points.
Arjen Robben returned from a groin complaint to be named among the Bayern substitutes, while Augsburg were without Dominik Reinhardt and Panagiotis Vlachodimos due to tendon problems.
Bayern immediately pushed their visitors back and, in the third minute, Augsburg goalkeeper Marvin Hitz dashed out of his area to thwart Mario Mandzukic before scampering back to touch Javi Martinez's speculative follow-up behind.
Replays suggesting Mandzukic was offside when challenging Hitz for the loose ball leant an air of controversy as Bayern scored from the resulting corner – Dante heading on towards the back-post where Boateng swivelled to thrash a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Pep Guardiola's side almost doubled their advantage in the 16th minute when Ribery's shot from the left-hand edge of the box skidded past the far post as Mario Gotze just failed to find the decisive touch.
Augsburg had started to feel their way into the game, the industrious Andre Hahn at the centre of their good play, but when Paul Verhaegh brought down Ribery 20 yards out three minutes before the break, the France international punished them with an unstoppable free-kick.
Bayern looked to press home their advantage early in the second period but Ribery and Gotze were guilty of over-elaborating on the final pass.
In the 52nd minute, Mandzukic managed to find Ribery in the area but he fired his attempt wide.
Augsburg boss Markus Weinzierl then replaced Halil Altintop with Arkadiusz Milik and the new man might have made an instant impact when David Alaba blocked his shot from Hahn's lofted pass.
That move heralded the visitors' most productive spell of the match, Hahn dragging wide from 18 yards in the 64th minute, but Bayern could have made the points safe when Martinez was left unmarked to head wide from a Gotze corner before the latter made way for Robben.
The Dutch winger produced a lively cameo and twice game close to finding the net, but it was fellow replacement Muller who confidently converted from 12 yards after Matthias Ostrzolek was harshly penalised for handling Robben's cross.
Bayern now turn their attentions towards the eagerly anticipated trip to Dortmund after the international break, and do so from a position of strength.
Wolfsburg 2-1 Borussia Dortmund: Olic wonderstrike condemns Klopp's men to second consecutive defeat
A stunning strike from Ivica Olic saw Wolfsburg beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Saturday and condemn Jurgen Klopp's side to a second consecutive defeat this week.
Free-kicks from Marco Reus and Ricardo Rodriguez either side of half-time saw the game finely poised at 1-1 before Olic sent a tremendous curled effort past Roman Weidenfeller to earn Wolfsburg all three points.
Reus struck another set-piece against the post late on, but the home side held on to secure their fourth straight league win.
The defeat for Dortmund is the team's second in the Bundesliga this season and follows up the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in midweek.
Wolfsburg made one change from the side that won at Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday, with Daniel Caligiuri replacing the injured Diego.
Long-term absentee Bas Dost was named among the substitutes after recovering from an ankle injury.
The visitors were boosted by the return of defender Mats Hummels, who missed the Arsenal game with a thigh injury, while Jakub Blaszczykowski was ruled out with a gastrointestinal infection.
Dortmund coach Klopp had called for a reaction after Wednesday's Champions League setback, and he will have surely been pleased by his team's bright start to this game.
Hummels gave the hosts an early scare after five minutes when he found himself on the end of a whipped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cross from the right, but could not keep his header down.
Aubameyang was at the centre of things again four minutes later, breaking free of his marker inside the box before firing just wide.
Wolfsburg had chances of their own, though, and nearly took the lead just after 20 minutes through former Dortmund forward Ivan Perisic, who headed just wide.
Dieter Hecking's men began to take the game to Dortmund as the half wore on. First, Slobodan Medojevic volleyed wide before Patrick Ochs had a long-range effort tipped over the bar.
Neven Subotic was carried off on a stretcher just before the break after landing awkwardly, but Klopp's worries were soon eased when Reus stepped up to curl a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net on the stroke of half-time.
The goal predictably boosted Dortmund's confidence, with Reus and Aubameyang both looking lively, the latter wasting a great opportunity 10 minutes into the second half.
Some great work from Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw the Armenian cut the ball back to the former Saint-Etienne striker, who scuffed his shot wide from 12 yards.
Dortmund were left to rue that miss just two minutes later when Rodriguez's teasing 35-yard free-kick from the right eluded everyone before bouncing past Weidenfeller.
Three minutes later things got worse for Klopp's side when Olic received the ball on the right flank before cutting inside and sending a vicious left-footed strike in off the post from just outside the box.
The goal shocked Dortmund, who came close to hauling themselves level 15 minutes from the end when Reus saw his free-kick come back off the post.
Wolfsburg's nerves were tested late on with Robert Lewandowski having several penalty appeals turned down, although the home side could have extended their lead at the death when Perisic raced away from the Dortmund defence before firing agonisingly wide.
The result leaves BVB four points behind Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga ahead of the sides' meeting following the international break.
A stunning strike from Ivica Olic saw Wolfsburg beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 on Saturday and condemn Jurgen Klopp's side to a second consecutive defeat this week.
Free-kicks from Marco Reus and Ricardo Rodriguez either side of half-time saw the game finely poised at 1-1 before Olic sent a tremendous curled effort past Roman Weidenfeller to earn Wolfsburg all three points.
Reus struck another set-piece against the post late on, but the home side held on to secure their fourth straight league win.
The defeat for Dortmund is the team's second in the Bundesliga this season and follows up the 1-0 loss to Arsenal in midweek.
Wolfsburg made one change from the side that won at Eintracht Frankfurt last Saturday, with Daniel Caligiuri replacing the injured Diego.
Long-term absentee Bas Dost was named among the substitutes after recovering from an ankle injury.
The visitors were boosted by the return of defender Mats Hummels, who missed the Arsenal game with a thigh injury, while Jakub Blaszczykowski was ruled out with a gastrointestinal infection.
Dortmund coach Klopp had called for a reaction after Wednesday's Champions League setback, and he will have surely been pleased by his team's bright start to this game.
Hummels gave the hosts an early scare after five minutes when he found himself on the end of a whipped Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang cross from the right, but could not keep his header down.
Aubameyang was at the centre of things again four minutes later, breaking free of his marker inside the box before firing just wide.
Wolfsburg had chances of their own, though, and nearly took the lead just after 20 minutes through former Dortmund forward Ivan Perisic, who headed just wide.
Dieter Hecking's men began to take the game to Dortmund as the half wore on. First, Slobodan Medojevic volleyed wide before Patrick Ochs had a long-range effort tipped over the bar.
Neven Subotic was carried off on a stretcher just before the break after landing awkwardly, but Klopp's worries were soon eased when Reus stepped up to curl a 25-yard free-kick into the top corner of the net on the stroke of half-time.
The goal predictably boosted Dortmund's confidence, with Reus and Aubameyang both looking lively, the latter wasting a great opportunity 10 minutes into the second half.
Some great work from Henrikh Mkhitaryan saw the Armenian cut the ball back to the former Saint-Etienne striker, who scuffed his shot wide from 12 yards.
Dortmund were left to rue that miss just two minutes later when Rodriguez's teasing 35-yard free-kick from the right eluded everyone before bouncing past Weidenfeller.
Three minutes later things got worse for Klopp's side when Olic received the ball on the right flank before cutting inside and sending a vicious left-footed strike in off the post from just outside the box.
The goal shocked Dortmund, who came close to hauling themselves level 15 minutes from the end when Reus saw his free-kick come back off the post.
Wolfsburg's nerves were tested late on with Robert Lewandowski having several penalty appeals turned down, although the home side could have extended their lead at the death when Perisic raced away from the Dortmund defence before firing agonisingly wide.
The result leaves BVB four points behind Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga ahead of the sides' meeting following the international break.
Villa wants more Atletico players in Spain squad
David Villa wants to see more Atletico Madrid players in the Spain squad following Diego Costa's long-awaited call-up.
Brazil-born Costa featured in two friendlies for the Selecao earlier in the year, but as been included in Vicente del Bosque's squad for the games with Equitorial Guinea and South Africa after declaring his intentions to play for la Roja.
As well as Costa and Villa, Atleti duo Juanfran and Koke were included in Del Bosque's squad for the friendlies, with the likes of Adrian Lopez and Mario Suarez having previously been capped, and Villa is confident Atletico's strong start to the season will pave the way for more team-mates to earn a place at the World Cup."Let's hope even more Atleti players get called – the more Atleticos at the World Cup, the better," he said at the draw for the fourth round of the Copa del Rey.
Holders Atletico have been drawn against Sant Andreu in the tournament and Villa has urged Diego Simeone's side to show their credentials for retaining the trophy from the outset this season."Atletico have to show why we won the competition last season and we need to do that right from day one," he added.
"Of course we need to be humble but believe that we can retain the trophy."
David Villa wants to see more Atletico Madrid players in the Spain squad following Diego Costa's long-awaited call-up.
Brazil-born Costa featured in two friendlies for the Selecao earlier in the year, but as been included in Vicente del Bosque's squad for the games with Equitorial Guinea and South Africa after declaring his intentions to play for la Roja.
As well as Costa and Villa, Atleti duo Juanfran and Koke were included in Del Bosque's squad for the friendlies, with the likes of Adrian Lopez and Mario Suarez having previously been capped, and Villa is confident Atletico's strong start to the season will pave the way for more team-mates to earn a place at the World Cup."Let's hope even more Atleti players get called – the more Atleticos at the World Cup, the better," he said at the draw for the fourth round of the Copa del Rey.
Holders Atletico have been drawn against Sant Andreu in the tournament and Villa has urged Diego Simeone's side to show their credentials for retaining the trophy from the outset this season."Atletico have to show why we won the competition last season and we need to do that right from day one," he added.
"Of course we need to be humble but believe that we can retain the trophy."
Transfer fee brings no pressure, insists Lamela
Tottenham winger Erik Lamela insists his €30 million price tag has not added any extra pressure during his move to White Hart Lane.
The Argentina international moved to London from Roma during the close-season but has failed to live up to expectations with some of his early performances.
However, an impressive display in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League win over Sheriff, which included a 60th-minute goal to put Spurs ahead, indicates the 21-year-old is beginning to turn a corner.
"The size of the transfer fee is a good thing for me," he said. "It means that Tottenham were prepared to go the extra mile to get me, so I want to show them what I can do, for the benefit of the team.
"The transfer fee is no pressure for me, because when I went to Roma in 2011, they paid quite a lot to bring me from River Plate."
Lamela is also keen to shake off his label as a replacement for Gareth Bale, who joined Real Madrid for a world-record €100m.
"Everyone can bring his own qualities and give his best for the team but it is wrong to say I was brought here to replace Bale," Lamela added.
"People have said many things about me and about the other players who joined last summer.
"When I said recently that I would be capable of making the difference here, I said it because I believe in myself.
"I came here to give the team what they need. I will bring what I can and hope to do well."
Tottenham host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Tottenham winger Erik Lamela insists his €30 million price tag has not added any extra pressure during his move to White Hart Lane.
The Argentina international moved to London from Roma during the close-season but has failed to live up to expectations with some of his early performances.
However, an impressive display in Thursday's 2-1 Europa League win over Sheriff, which included a 60th-minute goal to put Spurs ahead, indicates the 21-year-old is beginning to turn a corner.
"The size of the transfer fee is a good thing for me," he said. "It means that Tottenham were prepared to go the extra mile to get me, so I want to show them what I can do, for the benefit of the team.
"The transfer fee is no pressure for me, because when I went to Roma in 2011, they paid quite a lot to bring me from River Plate."
Lamela is also keen to shake off his label as a replacement for Gareth Bale, who joined Real Madrid for a world-record €100m.
"Everyone can bring his own qualities and give his best for the team but it is wrong to say I was brought here to replace Bale," Lamela added.
"People have said many things about me and about the other players who joined last summer.
"When I said recently that I would be capable of making the difference here, I said it because I believe in myself.
"I came here to give the team what they need. I will bring what I can and hope to do well."
Tottenham host Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday.
Mourinho hits out at Premier League over scheduling of Chelsea fixtures
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at the Premier League over the scheduling of his side’s game against West Brom.
The Blues were in Champions League action on Wednesday and face Steve Clarke’s men on Saturday while rivals Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United all play on Sunday.
The Portuguese has already been critical of his side’s fixture list after watching them take on Arsenal in the Capital One Cup just two days after a crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City.
And now Mourinho feels his team is once again being given less time to rest than their rivals but admits he is powerless to do anything about it.
“I feel our match is very special because from every English team involved in Euro competitions, especially the ones involved in Champions League matches, we’re the only team that play Saturday,” he told reporters.
“Everybody else has one more day to rest. Others play Tuesday and Sunday. Once more we’re really special and our game v WBA becomes the ‘Special Saturday’ not ‘Special Sunday’! It’s happening a lot with us.
“The people who decide the fixtures, I think they laugh [at us]. They know what they can do and laugh because I can do nothing.”
Mourinho also added his thoughts on the current debate surrounding diving, and insisted once again, that action should be taken against play-acting.
“If, because of diving, a football result directly is affected, I think the player should be punished. But I don’t need to speak to my players because they don’t dive,” he said.
“I have the biggest example here. For Eden Hazard to go on the floor they [opponents] need to kill him. Sometimes he gets kicked by one, two or three players but he never dives.”
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit out at the Premier League over the scheduling of his side’s game against West Brom.
The Blues were in Champions League action on Wednesday and face Steve Clarke’s men on Saturday while rivals Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City and Manchester United all play on Sunday.
The Portuguese has already been critical of his side’s fixture list after watching them take on Arsenal in the Capital One Cup just two days after a crucial Premier League clash with Manchester City.
And now Mourinho feels his team is once again being given less time to rest than their rivals but admits he is powerless to do anything about it.
“I feel our match is very special because from every English team involved in Euro competitions, especially the ones involved in Champions League matches, we’re the only team that play Saturday,” he told reporters.
“Everybody else has one more day to rest. Others play Tuesday and Sunday. Once more we’re really special and our game v WBA becomes the ‘Special Saturday’ not ‘Special Sunday’! It’s happening a lot with us.
“The people who decide the fixtures, I think they laugh [at us]. They know what they can do and laugh because I can do nothing.”
Mourinho also added his thoughts on the current debate surrounding diving, and insisted once again, that action should be taken against play-acting.
“If, because of diving, a football result directly is affected, I think the player should be punished. But I don’t need to speak to my players because they don’t dive,” he said.
“I have the biggest example here. For Eden Hazard to go on the floor they [opponents] need to kill him. Sometimes he gets kicked by one, two or three players but he never dives.”
Buffon's Italy place safe, says Prandelli
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has dismissed suggestions Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon might not be his number one goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup.
Buffon's position with the national team has come under fire after some unconvincing performances by Juventus' veteran goalkeeper in the opening months of the Serie A season.
However, Prandelli has refused to buy into concerns surrounding Buffon ahead of his team's friendly against Germany on November 15.
"I would never doubt Buffon; he will be our first choice at the World Cup. Full stop," Prandelli told Tuttosport.
"I am convinced that his personality, his charisma and his desire to be considered as the best in the world will be effective weapons.
"He knows that by playing in the role he does that one mistake will see him see him end up in the eye of a storm."
Buffon, 35, became Italy's most-capped player earlier this year and has represented his country on 137 occasions so far.
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has dismissed suggestions Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon might not be his number one goalkeeper at the 2014 World Cup.
Buffon's position with the national team has come under fire after some unconvincing performances by Juventus' veteran goalkeeper in the opening months of the Serie A season.
However, Prandelli has refused to buy into concerns surrounding Buffon ahead of his team's friendly against Germany on November 15.
"I would never doubt Buffon; he will be our first choice at the World Cup. Full stop," Prandelli told Tuttosport.
"I am convinced that his personality, his charisma and his desire to be considered as the best in the world will be effective weapons.
"He knows that by playing in the role he does that one mistake will see him see him end up in the eye of a storm."
Buffon, 35, became Italy's most-capped player earlier this year and has represented his country on 137 occasions so far.
Giggs: Manchester United are not underdogs against Arsenal
Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs has dismissed suggestions Arsenal are the favourites ahead of the two teams’ clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The reigning champions go into the game eight points behind the Gunners having already lost three times in the Premier League this season.
Arsenal, meanwhile, are in fine form and full of confidence following impressive victories against Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
While Giggs recognises Arsene Wenger’s men are in a strong position, he insists that does not make them favourites ahead of Sunday’s clash.
“Man United v Arsenal at Old Trafford, and we are underdogs?” Giggs told reporters at the launch of Manchester United’s Official Timekeeper, Bulova.
“I wouldn’t say we were underdogs. But I take the point that Arsenal are probably the form team and it is going to be a tough game.
“You know what you’re going to get, they’re going to keep the ball, they have got plenty of quality and they are in good form.
“I think this season they have added a bit of steel, they’re not giving many goals away.
“Arsenal have always had the class to produce good performances and, this season, they have done it consistently. Confidence is high in their camp, but equally, we are finding a bit of form.”
After an inconsistent start, David Moyes’ men are unbeaten in their last eight games and Giggs says the team are starting to put a consistent run together.
“When Arsenal come to Old Trafford, it is always a big game,” he added. “But yes, over the years, there has been us and them going for the title and there have been some juicy meetings.
“With the start that they have had this season, they are top of the league so everyone is looking at this game as an important one.
“They had a great win in the week against Borussia Dortmund, so we are going to be up against it. But at Old Trafford we are always confident that, no matter who we are playing, we can beat them.”
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