..::Football III::..

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Ronaldo ban not normal - Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti says Cristiano Ronaldo's three-match ban was not "normal" after seeing his side move top of La Liga with a 3-0 win over Elche.

The Portuguese was initially named in Madrid's squad for Saturday's game in the hope his appeal against serving the final match of a three-game suspension would be overturned prior to the clash.

But that bid proved unsuccessful, with Ronaldo forced to watch on from the sidelines. But it didn't matter in the end as goals from Asier Illarramendi, Gareth Bale and Isco secured a comfortable victory.

However, Ancelotti remains unhappy with the treatment of his star man but singled out several of his players for praise following their efforts at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We played well and won without Ronaldo but I still can't understand why he got suspended. Nobody was happy that he couldn't play. It wasn't normal that he was suspended for three matches," he told reporters.

"Bale's performance was good before the goal but brilliant afterwards. [Asier] Illarramendi had a great game, he is becoming more confident and I am happy for him."

Summer signing Isco again started on the bench but made an impact after replacing Jese Rodriguez in the second half, as he scored his seventh goal in 19 league appearances, with Ancelotti hailing his positional intelligence.

"Isco can play as a central midfielder or as a false nine, which is good for us."

Madrid move three points clear of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid at the top of the divisoin, but Barca can return to the top when they face Real Sociedad on Saturday evening, while Atleti are in action against Osasuna on Sunday.

 

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Hakan Calhanoglu Amazing Free Kick Goal vs Borussia Dortmund​

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Real Sociedad 3-1 Barcelona: Messi strike not enough as Barca suffer Basque nightmare

Barcelona lost ground in the La Liga title race as they were shocked 3-1 by Real Sociedad on Saturday evening.

An Alex Song own-goal 10 minutes from half-time was quickly cancelled out by a Lionel Messi goal that saw the Argentine surpass Raul's tally for Real Madrid and become the Spanish top flight's third top scorer in history, but things took a turn for the worse after the break for the Catalans.

Barca were undone by two strikes early in the second half, Griezmann scoring in the 54th minute after excellent work from Carlos Vela and David Zurutuza adding a third five minutes later.Sociedad move up to fifth, while Barca, who saw coach Gerardo Martino sent to the stands at half-time, could drop to third if Atletico Madrid avoid defeat against Osasuna on Sunday.

It took 20 minutes for the first threatening moment of the match to arrive as Barca opened up La Real's defence through Andres Iniesta and Pedro.The duo exchanged a number of passes before a chance opened up for Pedro, but he curled his effort wide of goal without testing Claudio Bravo.

Sociedad then made the breakthrough as Gorka Elustondo forced an error from Song. Sergio Canales delivered a pinpoint cross into the penalty area where Elustondo, who had got in front of the Cameroon international, saw his header deflect off Song's chest and fly past Victor Valdes.Sociedad's lead only lasted four minutes as Messi, anonymous in the opening half-hour, levelled with a low drive from the edge of the penalty area.

After flicking the ball out to Martin Montoya, the Argentine met his return pass after Sergio Busquets had let it run through his legs and made no mistake with a clinical finish.Both sides had chances to move ahead at the start of the second half. but it was Sociedad who got a second goal as Griezmann netted his 15th of the season in the league.

Vela was released behind the Barca defence and rolled the ball across the penalty area for Griezmann, who fired first time beyond Valdes.Things soon got even better for the hosts as they extended their advantage, with Griezmann heavily involved again.

The Frenchman spotted the late run of Zurutuza into the penalty area and the midfielder flicked the ball past Valdes to leave Barca with a mountain to climb.Even the introduction of Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez could not rouse Barca, who were lucky not to concede a fourth goal as Vela fired against the post in the final 10 minutes.

 

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Bale goal was amazing - Carvajal

Daniel Carvajal branded Gareth Bale's blockbuster goal against Elche "amazing" as Real Madrid secured a 3-0 win on Saturday.

The plucky visitors resisted but los Blancos ultimately claimed the points thanks to Bale's wonder strike from outside the box, flanked by goals from Asier Illarramendi and Isco.

And Carvajal recounted how time stood still as the Welshman lined up his shot, as well as stating the result bodes well ahead of his side's Champions League date with Schalke this week.

"I was ahead of Bale [when he shot]," the defender told reporters. "There was so much sound as the ball passed overhead. It was certainly an amazing goal.

"This result, another 3-0, gives us confidence. It will be a difficult game on Wednesday. We will give our all. We won't think about the league or the derby [with Atletico Madrid] yet, just Schalke."

Bale was satisfied with his goal but towed the party line by insisting what counted was taking the capital side a step closer to their objectives.

"The most important thing's the three points. It was a difficult game and we had to work for it, but I am happy to have gotten a good goal," the €100 million summer buy stated.

"We want to win every game in every competition and tonight we had to win to put pressure on our opponents."

Carlo Ancelotti's men now sit three points ahead of title rivals Barcelona after the Catalans suffered a 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad later on Saturday.

Bale Goal Vs Elche

 

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Moyes: It would have cost a lot to replace Rooney

Manchester United boss David Moyes admits replacing Wayne Rooney would have been costly following his goalscoring performance against Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Rooney put pen to paper on a new five-and-a-half-year deal on Friday before wrapping up United's 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park 24 hours later.

Robin van Persie had put the Premier League champions ahead after 62 minutes, before Rooney registered his 10th league goal of the season with a smart finish from inside the area.

And Moyes insisted that tying down Rooney - who was linked with a move away from Old Trafford prior to the start of the season, with Chelsea openly expressing their interest - was a vital step forward for the club, as the Scot seeks to build on what has been a disappointing campaign so far.

"It is great news. It is a great signing for us. To try to buy a player like Rooney is going to cost you a lot," Moyes told Sky Sports.

"He's a really important player, you think about the amount of clubs who wanted to sign him. Wayne is one of the top players, he shows it week in, week out.

"We never had any intention of letting him go. Wayne has been great since day one."

Moyes also urged Rooney to keep on improving and become a key figure in the Scot's Old Trafford tenure.

"The finish (for his goal) was exquisite," he added. "It's a bit like Wayne, (having) not much time to think about it and bang, he pulls the trigger.

"We're on his case and we want him to keep at it."

 

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Martino: Barca defeat my fault

Gerardo Martino says he is to blame for Barcelona's 3-1 defeat at Real Sociedad on Saturday as he did not prepare his team sufficiently.

Lionel Messi's strike and leap to third in La Liga's all-time top scorers charts proved scant consolation as the Blaugrana were outdone by Antoine Griezmann and David Zurutuza, as well as an own goal by Alex Song.

And Martino, who was sent to the stands at half-time for calling La Real's assistant coach an idiot in Argentine, admitted his men were totally inferior to their hosts.

"I didn't prepare us for the game well enough, Real were the better team. Now we have to get up, we have a week to prepare the next game," the 51-year-old told reporters.

"It was probably a mistake not to make changes when the score was at 1-1. Introducing Xavi wouldn't have made any sense, as [Cesc] Fabregas and Alexis [Sanchez] were already present.

"I don't have anything to say about the decision to send me off. The referee made that decision and that's that."

Defeat sees Real Madrid go three points clear at the top of the table, but Andres Iniesta refused to throw in the towel yet despite acknowledging the set-back.

"The league is tight, so this defeat is a step back," the midfielder stated. "It isn't a good feeling, but the league isn't over yet."

The Catalans will seek to get back on their feet next Sunday when they host Almeria at Camp Nou.

 

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Fletcher to sign new Man Utd deal

Manchester United are planning to offer Darren Fletcher a contract extension after the midfielder returned to action following a nightmare 18 months battling a chronic bowel condition.

Club officials are hoping to sit down with the 30-year-old to discuss the option of a 12-month rolling contract, with his current deal set to expire at the end of the 2014-15 season.

Fletcher was diagnosed with a condition known as ulcerative colitis in 2011 and his appearances for the Old Trafford side were limited throughout the following two seasons.

But the midfielder underwent successful surgery in January 2013 and returned to action as a second-half substitute against Aston Villa in mid-December before going on to feature in a further nine games under David Moyes in all competitions.

Fletcher also earned a recall to the Scotland squad for the upcoming friendly against Poland on March 5 having not played for his country since 2012.

United are pleased with Fletcher's recovery but have been eager not to rush him back, with Moyes of the belief that the Scot can continue to contribute at the highest level in the immediate future.

Fletcher currently earns around £60,000-a-week and the proposed new contract, which would begin in 2015, would see the midfielder pick up a similar figure.

 

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Bologna 0-1 Roma: Nainggolan goal keeps Giallorossi's title hopes burning

January signing Radja Nainggolan opened his goalscoring account for Roma in Serie A as they defeated Bologna 1-0 on Saturday to close the gap on Juventus at the top of the standings to six points.

The Rossoblu were toothless throughout the first half and Mattia Destro almost scored midway into the opening period with an effort that clipped the post and spun wide, before Nainggolan made up for lashing a couple of efforts well past by calmly converting from eight yards.

Rudi Garcia's men were almost made to pay for their dropped tempo and intensity after the break, with the hosts going close to levelling three times in the final 20 minutes but ultimately falling to a narrow defeat.

The victory sees the Giallorossi leave third-placed Napoli seven points adrift of them with Sunday's round of matches still to play, while the hosts remain just two points clear of relegation.

Davide Ballardini's men started brightly, despite their later lethargy, with Rolando Bianchi beautifully controlling a long ball forwards on the counterattack and forcing Morgan De Sanctis to leap backwards to cling to the Rossoblu striker's chipped shot.

Eighteen minutes in saw Destro look on with despair as, laid off neatly by Gervinho, he struck the post with a low attempt from the edge of the box. He then had to watch as the ball agonisingly spun sideways and out for a goal kick.

Nainggolan skied two shots in quick succession but made up for his wayward finishing by converting a promising Roma attack with eight minutes remaining until half-time. The former Cagliari midfielder latched onto a deft chip across goal from Miralem Pjanic to tap home from close range.

The hosts improved marginally before the break, but they remained lacklustre in comparison to Garcia's fluid and effective charges.

The second half saw a drop in tempo as the visitors slowed their attacking pace due to their lead and Ballardini's side struggled to find gaps to exploit at the other end. Chances were few and far between but the home crowd remained in fine voice to try to rouse their team to an equaliser.

Substitute Andrea Mantovani almost upset the script 17 minutes from time by heading inches wide from a corner as shot-stopper De Sanctis stood helplessly rooted to the spot.

Roma's attacks were much more fleeting in the second 45 minutes as their primary concern became defending the slight lead they held.

Their lack of interest in extending the lead almost cost them late on, as Bologna substitute Davide Moscardelli nodded forwards to Ibson, but De Sanctis was quick off his line to block the sliding attacker's effort.

The game almost had a jaw-dropping finale as Moscardelli dinked in a cross from the right and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos - unmarked - somehow put his header wide to the left, burying his face in the turf with frustration as he knew he had scuppered a golden chance to equalise.

 

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Rooney: I've let my football do the talking

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney is eager to refocus on his football after agreeing a new five-and-a-half-year deal with the club.

Rooney struck United's second goal in their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, having pledged his long-term future to the Premier League champions 24 hours earlier.

His goal, an angled strike from inside the area, capped a comfortable performance from David Moyes' men as they moved up to sixth in the table.

And Rooney was pleased to be able to finally put the speculation surrounding his future behind him and get back to doing what he does best on the pitch.

"The deal was important. It has more or less been agreed for a month just the fine details needed finishing off. Thankfully it is done," he told Sky Sports.

"I have let my football do the talking. I am happy and settled."

Rooney also felt United deserved their victory - a result that serves as ideal preparation for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg clash with Olympiakos.

"We moved the ball well, maybe could have created more chances. But we controlled the game and knew once we scored the goal we could see the game out. It was a great three points," he continued.

"Whether I signed a new deal or not, I always give 100 per cent.

"We all stick together and hopefully we can bring some success in the near future.

"We have to go on a good run now, hopefully [qualification in the Champions League] will come and if not we'll look to next year."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.02.23 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.02.23 Fixtures

Liverpool Vs Swansea

Newcastle Vs Aston Villa

Norwich City Vs Tottenham

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La Liga 2014.02.23 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.02.23 Fixtures

Rayo Vallecano Vs Sevilla

Real Betis Vs Athletic Bilbao

Valencia Vs Granada

Osasuna Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

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Serie A 2014.02.23 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.02.23 Fixtures

Livorno Vs Hellas

Chievo Vs Catania

Inter Vs Cagliari

Sampdoria Vs AC Milan

Udinese Vs Atalanta

Juventus Vs Torino

Lazio Vs Sassuolo​

 

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Rooney signs new Manchester United contract

Congratz Rooney

 

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Wenger: Rosicky was our Bergkamp

Rosicky ge goal eka patta

 

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Hamburg 3-0 Borussia Dortmund: BVB embarrassed by Bundesliga strugglers

 

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LIVERPOOL 4-3 SWANSEA(FULL TIME)

 

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Osasuna 3-0 Atletico Madrid: Rojiblancos blitzed by Garcia's men to gift Real Liga lead

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to draw level with city rivals Real at the top of La Liga, after suffering a shock 3-0 hammering at Osasuna.

The hosts made a stirring start in Pamplona, deservedly taking the lead just six minutes in through Alvaro Cejudo.

Emiliano Armenteros added a sensational second approaching the midway point of a shockingly one-sided first half and Roberto Torres effectively put the game to bed with his effort shortly before the break.

After losing to Almeria early this month, Atletico suffered their second defeat from their last three league games to raise more doubts over the club's title credentials.

And up next is the visit of neighbours Real next Sunday, with the performance against Osasuna suggesting that Diego Simeone's side will need to significantly improve at a key juncture in Atletico's season.

Left-back Filipe Luis returned to Atletico's starting line-up following a thigh strain, but coach Simeone rested key trio Miranda, Arda Turan and Koke, with all three starting on the bench.

Osasuna got off to the perfect start and took the lead within six minutes as the unmarked Cejudo turned in Armenteros' deep corner after arriving late at the back post.

Mario Suarez was in the right place at the right time four minutes later as Cejudo's right-wing cross looked destined to be knocked in by Oriol Riera, but the Atletico midfielder flicked it away with an important header.

Atletico were punished again after 21 minutes, however. Armenteros was given too much time and space about 25 yards from goal and the Argentine belted an unstoppable drive past the powerless Thibaut Courtois.

With half-time approaching quickly, Torres amazingly put the hosts three up as he burst between Diego Godin and Toby Alderweireld to head Damia's cross into the bottom-left corner.

Atletico were almost gifted a way back into the contest in the 57th minute as Jordan Loties sliced Filipe's cross towards his own goal, but luckily for Javi Gracia's men it flew just wide.

Simeone had made all three of his changes by the 61st minute as Koke, Turan and former Osasuna star Raul Garcia all came on, but still Atletico struggled to cut through a well-organised defence.

Cejudo should have scored a second 18 minutes from time as Riera looped a pass over Godin for the winger, but his first touch was poor and his eventual shot only found the side netting.

Atletico nearly pulled one back through Garcia in the 77th minute as he volleyed Koke's delivery wide from a tight angle but Osasuna held on to crank up the pressure on Simeone and his players heading into next weekend's Madrid derby.

 

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Juventus 1-0 Torino: Tevez decides Derby della Mole in Bianconeri's favour

Carlos Tevez's sweet strike saw Juventus claim a 1-0 victory over Torino in Sunday's Derby della Mole.

The Argentine fired home in the 30th minute to not only move the reigning Serie A champions nine points clear of second-placed Roma but also become the league's joint-top goalscorer with Giuseppe Rossi, on 14.

It is now 19 years and 16 matches since Torino won against their illustrious rivals, and they have failed to even register a goal against Juve since a 2-2 draw in February 2002.

Tevez's first-half goal proved the difference between the two sides, the Argentine being afforded too much space on the edge of the area to turn and fire a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Daniele Padelli.

Goalmouth action was rare from that moment on with the visitors, who in Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile boasted a forward line with 24 league goals to its credit this season, offering very little in attack.

The win extends Juve's unbeaten league run to 17 matches and sent them nine points clear of second-placed Roma, although Rudi Garcia's side have played a game fewer.

Antonio Conte's side extended their perfect league record at Juventus Stadium with the win, but it was the visitors who threatened first, Omar El Kaddouri lobbing an effort just over the crossbar after bursting through the middle in the 10th minute.

The hosts responded immediately, Tevez bringing a smart save out of Padelli with a stinging effort a minute later.

Andrea Pirlo curled a free-kick onto the roof of the net from the left-hand edge of the penalty area, two minutes before Tevez broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark.

The Argentina international picked up Kwadwo Asamoah's pass 20 yards from goal before swivelling on the ball and arrowing a shot into the bottom left-hand corner for his 14th league goal of the campaign.

Matteo Darmian thumped an effort straight at Gianluigi Buffon from 30 yards at the start of the second half before the next 20 minutes followed a familiar pattern, with Torino content to let their opponents have the ball for large spells.

Tevez threatened a second midway through the half, but Padelli was quick to rush from his line and block his attempt as the forward looked to turn home a bouncing ball.

The visitors had a penalty appeal waved away in the 80th minute when El Kaddouri felt he was tripped by Pirlo inside the box, but the referee waved play on and the visitors failed to create any chances of note in the closing stages as their miserable run against their city rivals continued.

 

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Hannover 0-4 Bayern: Bavarians rampage to 14th Bundesliga win in a row

Bayern Munich rampaged to a 14th Bundesliga win in a row with a double from Thomas Muller capping the 4-0 win at Hannover.

Pep Guardiola's side capitalised on the defeats suffered by closest rivals Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund on Saturday, stretching their unbeaten run to 47 games in the German top flight and their lead to 19 points.

Hannover offered some spirited early resistance at the HDI Arena but fell behind after 25 minutes through Muller's 10th league goal of the season, a powerful header that proved too strong and accurate for Ron-Robert Zieler.

Thiago Alcantara added the second in the first half, while Muller rounded off an impressive display by completing his double just before the hour and Mario Mandzukic deservedly added a fourth with 24 minutes remaining, nodding in Rafinha's cross.

The result makes for a fine week for Bayern following their comfortable 2-0 win over Arsenal in the Champions League, while Hannover saw their four-match unbeaten home run come to an end.

Bayern coach Guardiola rested some key players following European clash in midweek, as Arjen Robben, Toni Kroos and Manuel Neuer dropped to the bench.

The visitors unsurprisingly dominated possession early on, but it was Hannover who created the first meaningful chance.

Artjoms Rudnevs collected Szabolcs Huszti's throughball and surged past Tom Starke, but the goalkeeper recovered to make an important block.

Bayern broke the deadlock with their first real opening midway through the half, Rafinha delivering a pinpoint cross from the right for the unmarked Muller to head home.

Zieler was called into action twice in quick succession just after the half-hour mark as he produced good saves from Mario Mandzukic and Mario Gotze, but he was powerless three minutes later.

Bastian Schweinsteiger played a brilliant lofted pass into the area for Thiago and the former Barcelona man confidently controlled the ball before smashing past Zieler.

Bayern put the result beyond doubt with 59 minutes gone as Mandzukic flicked on David Alaba's left-wing cross for Muller to convert.

Mandzukic added the fourth when Rafinha fired in another teasing cross from the right and the Croatian rose highest to head in.

Christian Schulz went close to grabbing a late consolation for the hosts as his half-volley was deflected agonisingly wide of the left post, but Bayern ultimately held on to their clean sheet.

 

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Norwich City 1-0 Tottenham: Snodgrass sinks sorry Spurs

Robert Snodgrass gave Norwich's Premier League survival hopes a huge boost by sealing a 1-0 victory over Tottenham on Sunday.

Chances were few and far between for both sides in the first half at Carrow Road, but Chris Hughton's men burst out of the blocks in the second period.Some good work by Bradley Johnson sent Snodgrass through on goal and the Scot made no mistake in slotting past Hugo Lloris.

The win is Norwich's first in five top-flight matches and their first at home over Tottenham in the league since 1991, alleviating some of the pressure that has built up on Hughton in recent weeks.Spurs failed to score for the first time under Tim Sherwood in the league and end the weekend six points adrift of the top four.

Tottenham were back at full strength after resting players for the 1-0 Europa League defeat at Dnipro on Thursday, with Lloris, Mousa Dembele and Emmanuel Adebayor among those to come into the starting XI.

However, it was Norwich who had the first goalscoring opportunity in the third minute, but Ricky van Wolfswinkel - who had only mustered four shots on target in his previous 17 Premier League appearances - was unable to meet Snodgrass' cross with a meaningful touch, despite having two bites at the cherry.

Chances were at a premium for both sides as the half progressed, with goalkeepers John Ruddy and Lloris seeing little action for the duration of the opening period.Paulinho did get a sight of goal from the edge of the penalty area in the 23rd minute, but saw his effort sail high and wide of the target.

Tottenham, who were forced into an early substitution when Etienne Capoue hobbled off in the opening 10 minutes, looked like they might be nursing some heavy legs following their midweek trip to the Ukraine, as Norwich tried their best to take full advantage.

And the hosts were ahead two minutes into the second half, when Snodgrass lost his marker to meet a Johnson pass and curl a left-footed effort around Lloris into the bottom left-hand corner of the net – just Norwich's 12th home league goal of the season.Adebayor was then sent clean through on goal on the hour mark, but Ruddy rushed off his line to gather the ball at his feet, before Snodgrass stung the palms of Lloris with a 20-yard strike at the other end.

Sherwood introduced Roberto Soldado five minutes later, but the Spaniard's first contribution was to skew an effort wide of the right-hand upright having been teed up by Adebayor. His second was to miss the target with a header from an Aaron Lennon cross shortly afterwards.Nacer Chadli was denied by Ruddy late on, as Spurs finally registered their first shot on target in the 81st minute.

Johnson clattered the underside of the crossbar from a free-kick three minutes later before Nathan Redmond saw an effort saved by Lloris in a frantic finale as the Canaries clung on for the win.