..::Football III::..

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Luis Suarez named PFA Player of the Year

Liverpool striker and Premier League top scorer Luis Suarez has been named the PFA Player of the Year.

The Uruguay international has netted 30 league goals this season to lead the division's scoring charts and fire Liverpool towards what could be a first league title in 24 years.

With two games remaining this term, Suarez still has the chance to equal, or even better, Cristiano Ronaldo and Alan Shearer's joint record of 31 goals in a 38-game season.

In addition to his monumental goal haul, the former Ajax frontman has registered 12 assists – the most in the Premier League.

Suarez's award cements an incredible turnaround in affection for the 27-year-old, who was booed on two occasions during last year's PFA ceremony.

He began the campaign by serving the remainder of a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic, which followed a race row involving Manchester United's Patrice Evra that also produced a lengthy ban.

But Suarez has put past controversies firmly behind him to light up English football and become only the second Liverpool player to be crowned Player of the Year in the Premier League era.

 

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Hazard named PFA Young Player of the Year

Chelsea's Eden Hazard has been named the PFA Young Player of the Year.

The Belgium international finished ahead of Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge, who was named as runner-up, while Southampton left-back Luke Shaw secured third place.

Hazard has been pivotal in Chelsea's Premier League title challenge this season having scored 14 goals and registered seven assists in 33 appearances.

The 23-year-old was also named in the PFA Team of the Year, which also featured his Chelsea team-mates Petr Cech and Gary Cahill.

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Everton's Ross Barkley and Liverpool's Raheem Sterling were also on the initial list of nominees.

 

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Congratulations For Suarez & Hazard!

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Yaya Toure, Gerrard & Suarez named in PFA Team of the Year

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge lead the line in a PFA Premier League Team of the Year which also boasts Yaya Toure, Eden Hazard and Steven Gerrard.

Suarez and Sturridge have scored 50 goals between them in the league this season to lead Liverpool to the brink of their first domestic title in 24 years.

Toure has scored an impressive 18 goals from midfield for Manchester City, while Hazard tops Chelsea's scoring charts with 14 goals from the wing.

Despite the costly error which gifted Demba Ba the opening goal in the Blues' shock 2-0 win over Liverpool on Sunday Gerrard has been an inspiration this season, scoring 13 goals from the base of midfield.

Adam Lallana completes a four-man midfield, while Southampton team-mate and rising star Luke Shaw is in defence alongside Gary Cahill, Vincent Kompany and Seamus Coleman.

Petr Cech is the man chosen in goal, having kept 16 clean sheets for Chelsea.

 

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Rodgers accuses Chelsea of parking 'two buses'

Brendan Rodgers accused Jose Mourinho of parking "two buses" after seeing his Liverpool side frustrated by a trademark display of defensive resilience from Chelsea at Anfield.

Demba Ba capitalised on Steven Gerrard's slip on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors the lead, while Fernando Torres raced through to set up Willian for an easy second late on to seal a famous victory.

Much of the match was defined by Liverpool's inability to break through Chelsea's massed defensive ranks, and afterwards Rodgers poured scorn on Mourinho's approach.

"We just couldn't find the breakthrough - there were probably two buses parked today, never mind one," he told reporters.

"Jose has got his result today, credit to [Chelsea]. Its the opposite of how we want to play. It's not difficult to coach, 10 players in the 18-yard box."

Mourinho, however, remained bullish about his team's performance, insisting they deserved to win and challenging the assertion that his tactics were defensive.

"The best team won," he told reporters. "The team that deserved to win won.

"Defensive display? I am confused what the media thinks about defensive displays. When a team defends well you call it defensive."

The Chelsea boss also brushed off criticism that his team looked to waste time and break up Liverpool's attacking rhythm throughout the game.

"Time-wasting? What is that?," he added. "We never spoke about this when we played lots of matches this season. Now we're speaking about it."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.04.28 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2014.04.28 Fixture

Arsenal Vs Newcastle

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La Liga 2014.04.28 Fixture

La Liga 2014.04.28 Fixture

Celta Vigo Vs Real Valladoid​

 

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Serie A 2014.04.28 Fixture

Serie A 2014.04.28 Fixture

Sassuolo Vs Juventus​

 

[Michael]

Rodgers accuses Chelsea of parking 'two buses'

Brendan Rodgers accused Jose Mourinho of parking "two buses" after seeing his Liverpool side frustrated by a trademark display of defensive resilience from Chelsea at Anfield.

Demba Ba capitalised on Steven Gerrard's slip on the stroke of half-time to give the visitors the lead, while Fernando Torres raced through to set up Willian for an easy second late on to seal a famous victory.

Much of the match was defined by Liverpool's inability to break through Chelsea's massed defensive ranks, and afterwards Rodgers poured scorn on Mourinho's approach.

"We just couldn't find the breakthrough - there were probably two buses parked today, never mind one," he told reporters.

"Jose has got his result today, credit to [Chelsea]. Its the opposite of how we want to play. It's not difficult to coach, 10 players in the 18-yard box."

Mourinho, however, remained bullish about his team's performance, insisting they deserved to win and challenging the assertion that his tactics were defensive.

"The best team won," he told reporters. "The team that deserved to win won.

"Defensive display? I am confused what the media thinks about defensive displays. When a team defends well you call it defensive."

The Chelsea boss also brushed off criticism that his team looked to waste time and break up Liverpool's attacking rhythm throughout the game.

"Time-wasting? What is that?," he added. "We never spoke about this when we played lots of matches this season. Now we're speaking about it."

infact he is the special one! lol

 

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Arsenal make Sagna 'take-it-or-leave-it' offer

Sagna giyoth nam aparadhi

 

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Arsenal 3-0 Newcastle: Ozil, Giroud & Koscielny strengthen Gunners' grip on fourth

Arsenal comfortably defeated Newcastle 3-0 at the Emirates on Monday to strengthen their grip on fourth-place in the Premier League.

Having seen top-four rivals Everton lose to Southampton on Saturday, Arsenal knew a win would see them extend their lead over the Merseyside club to four points.

And the result never looked in doubt after Laurent Koscielny's simple finish sent the hosts into a 26th-minute lead at the Emirates Stadium, with Mesut Ozil doubling the advantage before the break.

And the three points were in the bag midway through the second half, when Ozil turned provider to tee up an Olivier Giroud headed goal.

A sixth consecutive defeat for Newcastle will undoubtedly heap pressure on manager Alan Pardew, who has now overseen the club's longest losing league run since 1987.

Pardew was back in the dugout following his seven-match ban for headbutting Hull City's David Meyler, with opposite number Arsene Wenger offering a warm welcome to the manager with whom he had his own heated confrontation at West Ham in 2006.

Top scorer Loic Remy returned to the Newcastle starting XI, but it was the unchanged hosts who looked more dangerous on the attack in the opening stages.

However, clear-cut opportunities proved difficult to come by for both sides until the 18th minute, when Ozil drilled an effort wide of the right-hand post after Koscielny had collided with goalkeeper Tim Krul in the penalty area.

And defender Koscielny was in the mix in the Newcastle penalty area again eight minutes later as he broke the deadlock, this time making the most of Moussa Sissoko's lacklustre marking to poke home from a Mikel Arteta free-kick.

Lukas Podolski pulled wide of the target as Arsenal chased a quickfire double and the German drew a strong hand from Krul with a powerful header from a corner soon after.

Cheick Tiote evoked memories of his stunning equaliser in Newcastle's famous 2011 4-4 draw with Arsenal when he stung the palms of Wojciech Szczesny with a thunderbolt of an effort from 30 yards, but the home side doubled their advantage three minutes before the break.

Giroud failed to find a way past Krul after having two bites at the cherry, but the ball fell kindly for Ozil to tap-in from inside the six-yard box, although the midfielder appeared marginally offside.

Yoan Gouffran surged forward in a rare Newcastle attack 10 minutes into the second half, but Szczesny made himself big to deny the Frenchman.

And it was all over for Newcastle in the 66th minute, when Giroud nodded home from an Ozil cross, prompting fans in the away end at the Emirates to unfurl a banner asking: "Next excuse Pardew?"

It remains to be seen if under-fire Pardew has an answer for his own club's supporters, but few question marks now exist over whether Arsenal have what it takes to win the race for fourth.

 

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Sassuolo 1-3 Juventus: Tevez and Llorente fire Conte's side to the brink of the title

Juventus moved a step closer to retaining their Serie A title after coming from behind to beat Sassuolo 3-1 on Monday.

Simone Zaza handed the relegation-threatened hosts a shock lead after just nine minutes but Carlos Tevez rifled home an effort 10 minutes before the break to restore parity.

Claudio Marchisio's clever close-range finish put Juve in front just after half-time and Fernando Llorente's brilliant backheeled finish 15 minutes from time sealed victory for Antonio Conte's side at a rain-soaked Citta del Tricolore.

With three games now remaining, the champions now hold an eight-point lead over Roma, while Sassuolo remain above the drop zone only due to their superior head-to-head record with Bologna.

Victory for Juve is another step towards a third consecutive Scudetto and Conte's men will finish the job if they beat Atalanta at home in seven days' time, or if Roma fail to win at Catania 24 hours earlier.

Juve made an uncharacteristically slow start to the game and Nicola Sansone flashed a shot narrowly wide in the second minute before setting up the opening goal seven minutes later.

Sansone supplied strike partner Zaza, whose shot took a deflection off the foot of Angelo Ogbonna and skidded off the wet surface before creeping under the body of Gianluigi Buffon at the near post.

It took until the 22nd minute for Juve to muster a meaningful effort, Tevez firing a volley wide of the left-hand post after being teed up by Giorgio Chiellini.

It was Argentine Tevez who levelled matters 10 minutes before the break, finding a pocket of space on the edge of the box and unleashing a shot that whistled beyond Gianluca Pegolo via a slight deflection off Alessandro Longhi.

The hosts responded strongly, Zaza forcing a fine save out of Buffon at the near post as Sassuolo ended the first half with a flourish.

The home side's positivity was punctured 13 minutes after the interval, however, as Marchisio caressed a low finish beyond Pegolo after being picked out by Pirlo's deft chip over the Sassuolo backline.

Marchisio stung the palms of the goalkeeper 10 minutes later from Paul Pogba's lay-off, while Tevez struck the crossbar with a curling effort 13 minutes from time.

Juve did claim the third goal that their second-half dominance merited when Llorente turned home substitute Stephan Lichtsteiner's cross in the 76th minute with a delightful backheel.

Conte's focus will now shift to overturning a 2-1 deficit in Juve's Europa League semi-final second leg at home to Benfica on Thursday.

 

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'I'd bet on Ancelotti to be next Spurs boss'

Former Tottenham caretaker manager Clive Allen believes Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti will be the man to replace Tim Sherwood at White Hart Lane.

Sherwood, who signed an 18-month deal to replace Andre Villas-Boas midway through the season, is widely expected to leave his post at the end of the current campaign, with Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal and Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino among the candidates linked with the role.

However, with Van Gaal looking likely to take over at Manchester United in the coming weeks, Allen - who played more than 100 games for Spurs before caretaker spells in charge in 2007 and 2008 - believes Ancelotti could make a shock switch from Santiago Bernabeu to north London in the summer.

"If I was a betting man I'd have my money on Carlo Ancelotti," he told talkSPORT when asked who could take over from Sherwood.

"There won't be just the one option, because if was Van Gaal was on their list, that's gone now, his move to Man United looks to be done and he's been very clever with his recent comments.

"I think they'd look at someone like Pochettino too."

Ancelotti has also been linked with a possible move to United this summer, though the Italian himself stressed on Monday he wants to remain with Madrid "for a long time" as he attempts to guide them past Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

 

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Arsenal have missed Ozil, says Arteta

Mikel Arteta hailed Mesut Ozil as "very important for the team" after the Arsenal midfielder inspired his side to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Monday.

Ozil scored once and assisted Olivier Giroud's third goal in the win – with Laurent Koscielny also netting – despite only just returning from injury.

The €50 million signing from Real Madrid made his comeback in last weekend's clash with Hull City following a five-week lay-off with a hamstring injury, and Arteta believes the Germany international was sorely missed while he was out.

"He is very important for the team," the Spaniard told Sky Sports. "He has been missed while he has been injured.

"We have been missing very important players through very important periods of the season so we're really pleased to have people like him back in the team and performing at the top because that's what we need."

As a result of Monday's victory, Arsenal can seal fourth spot with victory over West Brom in their next fixture and Arteta is confident they can pick up all three points against the Baggies.

"We've got a massive chance at home, last game of the season which is always very important and the atmosphere is great, so lets take it and not take any chances," he added.

 

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Wenger: Injuries cost Arsenal title challenge

Arsene Wenger has refused to blame Arsenal's faded Premier League title challenge solely on the absence of Aaron Ramsey but said that the volume of injuries in his ranks prevented his side pushing for the crown.

The Welsh midfielder was in sensational form in the opening stages of the season before a thigh injury saw him sidelined for three months.

During that time, Arsenal slipped out of title contention, but Wenger insists there was more to their slump than the loss of Ramsey, who played in the north London club's 3-0 victory over Newcastle on Monday.

"I would not like to take anything away from Aaron Ramsey but we lost a number of other players in the same period and altogether I think that would harm the chances of many teams," Wenger told reporters.

"We would love for the season to be longer. We were top of the league but lost too many players at the crucial point of the season."

Three league wins on the spin have put Arsenal back in the driving seat to claim the fourth Champions League spot, with Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud all finding the net during their win over the Magpies, and Wenger believes his men are now capable of taking six points from their final two games of the season.

"We had some problems at the start of the game, trying to find our way through the defence," he added. "When we found an opening we became stronger.

"We are four points ahead of Everton and we want to take maximum points from now until the end of the season."

Arsenal's four-point lead over Everton means Wenger's men are now just one win from Champions League qualification with two matches left to play.

 

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Conte takes swipe at Garcia after Juventus close in on title

Antonio Conte hit out at Roma boss Rudi Garcia after Juventus moved to the brink of clinching the Serie A title with a 3-1 win at Sassuolo.

In pouring rain at the Citta del Tricolore on Monday, Conte watched on as his side fell behind to Simone Zaza's ninth-minute opener.

Carlos Tevez levelled the match 10 minutes prior to the interval, before second-half goals from Claudio Marchisio and Fernando Llorente sealed the victory.

The result leaves Juve eight points clear of Roma with three matches remaining, and Juve will clinch the title with a win at home to Atalanta next Monday, or if Roma fail to win at Catania on Sunday.

Conte, who slid on his knees in celebration when Llorente scored 14 minutes from the end, feels his side have not been given enough credit for their achievements this season and claimed Roma's form has been greatly overhyped.

"I hear people say Roma are doing something stratospheric," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"I say we are eight points ahead of Roma and playing in the Europa League semi-final. If Roma are stratospheric then I cannot find an adjective to describe Juventus.

"Anything Juventus do becomes almost expected. If we win the Europa League, it'll be considered a worthless trophy. If we lose, then people will say Juve aren't ready for Europe. When we achieve something, people act as if it's normal.

"I think those behind us are irritable, not us. They should be careful with what they say, as Roma and Garcia took a step backwards by feeding into the culture of suspicion with talk of 'help' and opponents not giving their all.

"If this is football culture, then it's a step backwards."

When quizzed about his exuberant celebration in the second half, Conte explained it was an action born out of passion.

"What was going through my mind was that we were making a very important step towards a historic Scudetto, as it'd be the third in a row," he said.

"I always had a certain attitude, right from when I was at Arezzo. I was always passionate and enthusiastic as a player and continue that way as a coach.

"I live my profession with great enthusiasm and participation, which I think the players appreciate, as I am there fighting with them on the field, in good times and bad."

Garcia suggested earlier on Monday that Conte was feeling the strain of his side's title push as a was of words between the two coaches continues to build.

 

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'He was our hero' - Barcelona bids final farewell to Tito Vilanova

Friends, family, former colleagues and key figures from the world of football joined together at Barcelona's cathedral on Monday evening to bid a final farewell to Tito Vilanova.

The ex-Barca boss lost his two-and-a-half year battle with cancer on Friday at the age of 45 and some 53,000 people turned out at Camp Nou over the weekend to pay respects to the Catalan coach, many of them leaving flowers and messages.

Many more well-wishers and fans flocked to the ceremony in the centre of Barcelona on Monday, which was broadcast on two giant screens outside the cathedral.

Inside, Barcelona's board, past presidents (including both Joan Laporta and Sandro Rosell), current coaching staff and the entire first-team squad were present, along with Catalan leader Artur Mas and other prominent personalities from the world of football, such as former Bayern Munich boss Jupp Heynckes, ex-Blaugrana defender Eric Abidal and Espanyol trainer Javier Aguirre.

"Today is a very sad day for FC Barcelona," said club president Josep Maria Bartomeu in his speech. "We promise that he will remain deep in our hearts and that we'll never forget him."

In remembrance | Barca players at the ceremony on Monday


Jordi Roura, one of Vilanova's best friends, also addressed the congregation. "You always said you were a normal guy, but in the end you weren't. A normal person doesn't receive all this [affection and love]," he said, in reference to the huge outpouring of good will towards Tito.

"And don't worry about your children," he added. "We will take good care of them."

At the end of the ceremony, Carlota (19) and Adria (17) then took to the stage and each made a beautiful speech in honour of their father.

"Our father was our hero, he was the example we followed, and he was my first love," Carlota said. "Love that I felt when I didn't even know what love was.

"Nothing fell out of the sky for my father. His passion for football, his hard work and his dedication allowed him to achieve his dream of coaching Barca, the team that has always been in his heart."

Adria, a promising defender in Barca's youth team, added: "I'm so grateful for everything you taught me. The best present you gave me was 17 years by my side. I'll dedicate all my successes to you and your memory will help me to overcome difficulties. You will be my guardian angel."

The pair left stage to huge applause and the ceremony ended with a cry of "Visca Tito Vilanova" from one of the guests, which was repeated by a large number of those present.

 

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Good Bye Tito!​

 

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Real will set out to score against Bayern, says Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti says Real Madrid will set out to score in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich.

Los Blancos take a 1-0 lead to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday despite Bayern having dominated the first leg in the Spanish capital.

Ancelotti insists his team won't set out to scrape a goalless draw from the return leg and has called on his players to show the mental fortitude required to reach their first final in more than a decade.

"It is possible to advance even if we don't score, but our intention is to do so," he told reporters. "We have scored a lot in the Champions League and in La Liga and my intention is that we do so again in this one.

"We can play different styles of football, but in the majority of games we try to attack. We look to take advantage of our physical and technical strengths.

"We know tomorrow's game is going to be very difficult. We are playing against a great team with a small advantage, so we are not that stupid as to think we have already qualified.

"It is true that we have athletes of the highest calibre; we are physically very strong. I don't think tactically the game is going to change a lot tomorrow. Bayern have their footballing philosophy, but I don't think tactics will be all-important. I actually think the mental side of things will be more important."

Ancelotti was not impressed with the way his side began the clash at Santiago Bernabeu last week and has urged his players to take the game to Bayern from kick-off.

"We started too timidly in the first leg; if we do the same tomorrow it will be very dangerous. We need to start stronger, and must make a big effort. We will need maximum effort from everyone in order to reach the final. Our system is not all-important, the work aspect will be.

"Playing 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 won't change the overall outcome much. We will see two teams with different philosophies because of the players available to them. That's what makes football so beautiful. Personally, I prefer football that is quick during the build-up."

 

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Ancelotti rules out Manchester United switch

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he has not been approached by Manchester United and has ruled out a move to Old Trafford this summer.

Louis van Gaal has already agreed a deal to become United’s next permanent manager after Netherlands’ World Cup campaign, while reports have suggested Ancelotti is also a frontrunner for the role.

Ryan Giggs is currently in temporary charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season and the 54-year-old says he is not interested in leaving the Spanish capital.

"I respect everyone," said Ancelotti.

"I haven't had contact with Manchester United.

"I want to stay at Real Madrid for a long time. It's strange to discuss my future in the middle of a Champions League semi-final."

Madrid travel to Germany for their Champions League semi-final second leg with a 1-0 lead over Bayern Munich thanks to Karim Benzema's goal at the Bernabeu.