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Mourinho: Injury crisis means Chelsea are 'in trouble'
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes his side are "in trouble" as injuries continue to mount at Stamford Bridge.
Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Ramires are among those currently missing due to fitness issues, though the Blues have been able to maintain an unbeaten start to the season without them as they sit top of the Premier League with a four-point lead over Southampton.
Mourinho's side travel to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday looking to avoid a Capital One Cup giant-killing, though suspensions picked up by Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta look set to stretch their resources even further.
And the former Real Madrid boss has admitted the likes of Andre Schurrle, Mohamed Salah and John Obi Mikel will be handed starts against the League Two side after missing out against Manchester United on Sunday.
"We are in trouble because we have so many injured players," he told reporters.
"The players who didn't play at Manchester United - Schurrle, Salah, [Kurt] Zouma, [Nathan] Ake and Mikel - are obviously going to play."
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho believes his side are "in trouble" as injuries continue to mount at Stamford Bridge.
Diego Costa, Loic Remy and Ramires are among those currently missing due to fitness issues, though the Blues have been able to maintain an unbeaten start to the season without them as they sit top of the Premier League with a four-point lead over Southampton.
Mourinho's side travel to Shrewsbury Town on Tuesday looking to avoid a Capital One Cup giant-killing, though suspensions picked up by Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta look set to stretch their resources even further.
And the former Real Madrid boss has admitted the likes of Andre Schurrle, Mohamed Salah and John Obi Mikel will be handed starts against the League Two side after missing out against Manchester United on Sunday.
"We are in trouble because we have so many injured players," he told reporters.
"The players who didn't play at Manchester United - Schurrle, Salah, [Kurt] Zouma, [Nathan] Ake and Mikel - are obviously going to play."
Diego Costa will eventually deliver for Spain, insists Del Bosque
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is confident Chelsea striker Diego Costa will eventually find his feet for the national team after a modest start to his international career.
Much was made of the attacker's decision to snub Brazil, the country of his birth, in favour of representing Spain, but he has made little impact since his debut against Italy in March.
Spain's torrid World Cup campaign - during which Costa failed to score - brought the forward's form into sharper focus as many questioned his role within Del Bosque's system, but the coach has backed the Chelsea man to make his mark for the European champions."I believe that a player who plays great with his club – both Atletico Madrid and Chelsea – cannot be damaging to the national team," Del Bosque told the official Fifa website.
"I'm convinced that in the next matches he will settle in to the group. He will adapt to the group and the group will adapt to him."Costa's next chance to impress for his country will come in November when Spain host Belarus in a European Championship qualifier, before welcoming world champions Germany in a friendly.
The 26-year-old has won seven caps, with his only goal coming in October's 4-0 victory over Luxembourg.
Spain coach Vicente del Bosque is confident Chelsea striker Diego Costa will eventually find his feet for the national team after a modest start to his international career.
Much was made of the attacker's decision to snub Brazil, the country of his birth, in favour of representing Spain, but he has made little impact since his debut against Italy in March.
Spain's torrid World Cup campaign - during which Costa failed to score - brought the forward's form into sharper focus as many questioned his role within Del Bosque's system, but the coach has backed the Chelsea man to make his mark for the European champions."I believe that a player who plays great with his club – both Atletico Madrid and Chelsea – cannot be damaging to the national team," Del Bosque told the official Fifa website.
"I'm convinced that in the next matches he will settle in to the group. He will adapt to the group and the group will adapt to him."Costa's next chance to impress for his country will come in November when Spain host Belarus in a European Championship qualifier, before welcoming world champions Germany in a friendly.
The 26-year-old has won seven caps, with his only goal coming in October's 4-0 victory over Luxembourg.
Roma hire female former USA striker
Former USA women national team striker Mia Hamm has been elected to join the board of directors at Roma.
The departures of former president Thomas DiBenedetto and new Bologna chief Joe Tacopina left the door open for two additions to the Serie A giants’ board, and the Giallorossi have responded by adding the one-time record international goalscorer to their ranks.
Hamm, 42, led the list for national team goals in both the men’s and women’s game with 158 in 275 appearances until compatriot Abby Wambach broke her record in 2013. However, she has been out of football since her 2004 retirement from playing.
She joins Boston Bruins ice hockey legend Cam Neely in being invited onto the Roma board by president James Pallotta, with both set to serve the standard three-year term in the Italian capital.During her time as a player, Hamm won the Fifa World Player of the Year award twice and was one of only two women to be included by Pele in Fifa’s list of the 125 greatest living footballers.
She also played a part in the USA’s World Cup wins of 1991 and 1999 as well as collecting gold medals at the 1996 and 2004 Olympic football events.
Former USA women national team striker Mia Hamm has been elected to join the board of directors at Roma.
The departures of former president Thomas DiBenedetto and new Bologna chief Joe Tacopina left the door open for two additions to the Serie A giants’ board, and the Giallorossi have responded by adding the one-time record international goalscorer to their ranks.
Hamm, 42, led the list for national team goals in both the men’s and women’s game with 158 in 275 appearances until compatriot Abby Wambach broke her record in 2013. However, she has been out of football since her 2004 retirement from playing.
She joins Boston Bruins ice hockey legend Cam Neely in being invited onto the Roma board by president James Pallotta, with both set to serve the standard three-year term in the Italian capital.During her time as a player, Hamm won the Fifa World Player of the Year award twice and was one of only two women to be included by Pele in Fifa’s list of the 125 greatest living footballers.
She also played a part in the USA’s World Cup wins of 1991 and 1999 as well as collecting gold medals at the 1996 and 2004 Olympic football events.
Real Madrid's LFP awards are a surprise, says Atletico president
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says he was "surprised" that Real Madrid won more LFP awards than his own title-winning side.
Cristiano Ronaldo scooped the prizes for best player, best forward and best goal of the 2013-14 season in the ceremony on Monday, while Sergio Ramos was named best defender and Luka Modric best defensive midfielder.
Despite receiving six nominations across the board, Diego Simeone - who scooped the best coach prize - was the only Atletico success on the night and while Cerezo could not hide his belief that the Liga champions had been dealt something of an injustice, he maintained they would respect the decision of the voting panel."I'm surprised Real Madrid received more prizes than Atletico, but there is a jury and we respect their decision," he told reporters after the event.
Defender Emiliano Insua also expressed his shock at Atleti's lack of success on the night."It is a bit unusual to see that not one Atletico player won an award at the ceremony," he said afterwards.
"It’s strange, especially considering what the team achieved last season – the league title, a Champions League final… but they are the official awards and we have got to accept it."Atletico have made a slower start to their Liga campaign in 2014-15 and although they sit just two points behind leaders Barcelona after nine games, Cerezo insists they cannot afford to concede any more ground in the title race.
He added: "We are going to try to fight throughout the season. It will be difficult, but anything else will leave us by the wayside."
Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo says he was "surprised" that Real Madrid won more LFP awards than his own title-winning side.
Cristiano Ronaldo scooped the prizes for best player, best forward and best goal of the 2013-14 season in the ceremony on Monday, while Sergio Ramos was named best defender and Luka Modric best defensive midfielder.
Despite receiving six nominations across the board, Diego Simeone - who scooped the best coach prize - was the only Atletico success on the night and while Cerezo could not hide his belief that the Liga champions had been dealt something of an injustice, he maintained they would respect the decision of the voting panel."I'm surprised Real Madrid received more prizes than Atletico, but there is a jury and we respect their decision," he told reporters after the event.
Defender Emiliano Insua also expressed his shock at Atleti's lack of success on the night."It is a bit unusual to see that not one Atletico player won an award at the ceremony," he said afterwards.
"It’s strange, especially considering what the team achieved last season – the league title, a Champions League final… but they are the official awards and we have got to accept it."Atletico have made a slower start to their Liga campaign in 2014-15 and although they sit just two points behind leaders Barcelona after nine games, Cerezo insists they cannot afford to concede any more ground in the title race.
He added: "We are going to try to fight throughout the season. It will be difficult, but anything else will leave us by the wayside."
Man Utd wait on Rooney injury update
Manchester United are waiting on updates over the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
Rooney is expected to return for derby at the Etihad Stadium after serving a three-match suspension for his sending off in the 2-1 win over West Ham on September 27, but concerns were raised after the striker suffered a foot injury in training.
Despite the setback, United expect the England captain to make a full recovery ahead of the weekend along with Radamel Falcao, who missed Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea due to receiving a knock in training.
Jones, meanwhile, has been suffering with shin splints for a number of weeks, causing him to have trouble walking after games.
"He had a sore feeling in his shin. On Saturday he could not continue training, even though it was a very light session before the match," Louis van Gaal told reporters after the draw with Chelsea.
"He had shin splints, which is very painful. I don't know how long it will take [for him to recover]."
Jones underwent scans on his shins on Monday to assess the extent of the damage, with the results due on Tuesday.
Manchester United are waiting on updates over the fitness of Wayne Rooney and Phil Jones ahead of Sunday's clash with Manchester City.
Rooney is expected to return for derby at the Etihad Stadium after serving a three-match suspension for his sending off in the 2-1 win over West Ham on September 27, but concerns were raised after the striker suffered a foot injury in training.
Despite the setback, United expect the England captain to make a full recovery ahead of the weekend along with Radamel Falcao, who missed Sunday's 1-1 draw with Chelsea due to receiving a knock in training.
Jones, meanwhile, has been suffering with shin splints for a number of weeks, causing him to have trouble walking after games.
"He had a sore feeling in his shin. On Saturday he could not continue training, even though it was a very light session before the match," Louis van Gaal told reporters after the draw with Chelsea.
"He had shin splints, which is very painful. I don't know how long it will take [for him to recover]."
Jones underwent scans on his shins on Monday to assess the extent of the damage, with the results due on Tuesday.
Andy Cole: Manchester United will be a force - but only if they tighten their defenceManchester United must improve defensively if they are to be a force again in the Premier League, according to former striker Andy Cole.
United boast some of the world's best attacking talent, with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Radamel Falcao, Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata at Louis van Gaal's disposal.
But they have struggled defensively - conceding 13 goals in nine league fixtures this season - highlighted by a stunning 5-3 capitulation at Leicester City last month.
The centre-back pairing of Chris Smalling and Marcos Rojo fared a little better against league leaders Chelsea as United salvaged a last-gasp 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.
With a mouth-watering Manchester derby set for Sunday, Cole - a five-time Premier League winner at Old Trafford - believes United can return to the top if they fix their defensive issues.
"I think the way Manchester United are now, they're very attack-minded," Cole told Perform.
"A lot of the players are attack-minded - want to score goals.
"I think at times we've conceded some silly goals, but I think if you patch up all those problems, Man United will be a force."
Sunday's trip to the defending champions provides Van Gaal's men with another stern test after a seemingly favourable opening to their 2014-15 campaign.
But United, who are four points adrift of City after Manuel Pellegrini's men lost at West Ham, will be boosted by the return of captain Rooney following a three-game suspension.
"He's a quality player, he's the captain of the team now," said Cole.
"When you're missing a player of his quality through suspension, you're going to miss him.
"So hopefully he'll slot back in and give Man United a big boost."
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Official World Cup 2018 logo revealed
he official emblem for the 2018 World Cup in Russia has been unveiled in a ceremony on Tuesday.
Fifa president Sepp Blatter was joined by 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Chairman of the Local Organising Committee Vitaly Mutko in a specially-arranged live event in Moscow to mark the first official milestone on the road to the tournament.
Russian TV presenter Ivan Urgant hosted a special version of his late-night show, with his band wearing the official jerseys of the eight World Cup-winning nations as his studio was converted to look like a stadium.
The emblem itself was unveiled by three astronauts in the International Space Station, who held up a copy of the logo to the camera as a projection was beamed at the iconic Bolshoi theatre in Moscow.
"The launch of the Emblem is a wonderful event to kick things off and I’m certain that the World Cup will be a success here in four years," Blatter said during the unveiling.
CURTAIN RAISER | Onlookers admire the projection on the Bolshoi Theatre
The World Cup in 2018 will take place across 11 different cities in Russia in June and July.
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Barcelona 1-1 Espanyol (Barca win 4-2 on pens): Suarez stars in cup win
Luis Suarez played a key role as Barcelona claimed the Supercopa de Catalunya on Wednesday with a penalty shoot-out triumph over Espanyol.
Suarez, who returned to action following his four-month ban for biting in Saturday's Clasico defeat to Real Madrid and set up the opening goal for Neymar in the Santiago Bernabeu, started in a strong Barca line-up and provided the stand-out moment in a hard-fought encounter in Girona.
The former Liverpool striker made the opening goal for Gerard Pique after 15 minutes. After turning inside his marker in the area, Suarez produced a sublime bit of skill to scoop the ball up to Pique at the far post and the Spain international headed into an empty net.
Suarez was withdrawn at the break, along with captain-for-the-night Pedro, Jordi Alba and Adriano, and Espanyol hit back almost instantly, Anaitz Arbilla planting a fine free-kick past Barca goalkeeper Jordi Masip.
Masip ensured the game went to spot-kicks with a wonderful save to keep out Abraham's volley deep into stoppage time.
Sandro missed for Barcelona but Xavi, Alen Halilovic, Alex Grimaldo and Ivan Rakitic scored, while Arbilla and Abraham failed for Espanyol to hand the Blaugrana the trophy.
Luis Suarez played a key role as Barcelona claimed the Supercopa de Catalunya on Wednesday with a penalty shoot-out triumph over Espanyol.
Suarez, who returned to action following his four-month ban for biting in Saturday's Clasico defeat to Real Madrid and set up the opening goal for Neymar in the Santiago Bernabeu, started in a strong Barca line-up and provided the stand-out moment in a hard-fought encounter in Girona.
The former Liverpool striker made the opening goal for Gerard Pique after 15 minutes. After turning inside his marker in the area, Suarez produced a sublime bit of skill to scoop the ball up to Pique at the far post and the Spain international headed into an empty net.
Suarez was withdrawn at the break, along with captain-for-the-night Pedro, Jordi Alba and Adriano, and Espanyol hit back almost instantly, Anaitz Arbilla planting a fine free-kick past Barca goalkeeper Jordi Masip.
Masip ensured the game went to spot-kicks with a wonderful save to keep out Abraham's volley deep into stoppage time.
Sandro missed for Barcelona but Xavi, Alen Halilovic, Alex Grimaldo and Ivan Rakitic scored, while Arbilla and Abraham failed for Espanyol to hand the Blaugrana the trophy.
Roma 2-0 Cesena: Destro and De Rossi sink strugglers
Mattia Destro made the most of a rare start by scoring the opening goal as Roma beat Cesena to move level on points with Juventus at the Serie A summit.
The 23-year-old was drafted in by coach Rudi Garcia, who rested captain Francesco Totti, and emerged as a key figure, netting early before Cesena's resistance was ended by Daniele De Rossi late on.
Roma's win and Juventus' injury-time defeat at Genoa means the Giallorossi are now level on points with the defending champions after nine rounds. They also have an identical goal difference and goals scored tally.
Garcia's men were in desperate need of a win after a 7-1 Champions League hammering by Bayern Munich was followed by a weekend draw at Sampdoria.
And despite the absence of Totti, Radja Nainggolan and goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis - all left out by Garcia - the home side started with purpose.
Vasilis Torosidis saw an early shot blocked with two subsequent follow-up efforts also bundled clear by the Cesena defence.
It did not take long for Roma to make the breakthrough, though, with Destro capping off a sweeping move to put them ahead after eight minutes.
Torosidis slipped the ball through for Gervinho and his low cross was inch-perfect for the forward to tap home from three yards.
The former Siena striker could have trebled his tally by the break but had a goal chalked off for offside after meeting Miralem Pjanic's free-kick with a crisp finish and then saw goalkeeper Federico Agliardi produce a fine save to deflect his drive past the post.
The visitors offered little as an attacking threat in the opening 45 minutes and spent much of the second period on the back foot as well.
Their best chance came after 69 minutes when experienced Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida found time and space in the box but could only drag his header wide of goal.
It proved an expensive miss as Roma made sure of the win with nine minutes to go. A deep corner was headed back across goal by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and De Rossi was on hand to turn the ball home.
Mattia Destro made the most of a rare start by scoring the opening goal as Roma beat Cesena to move level on points with Juventus at the Serie A summit.
The 23-year-old was drafted in by coach Rudi Garcia, who rested captain Francesco Totti, and emerged as a key figure, netting early before Cesena's resistance was ended by Daniele De Rossi late on.
Roma's win and Juventus' injury-time defeat at Genoa means the Giallorossi are now level on points with the defending champions after nine rounds. They also have an identical goal difference and goals scored tally.
Garcia's men were in desperate need of a win after a 7-1 Champions League hammering by Bayern Munich was followed by a weekend draw at Sampdoria.
And despite the absence of Totti, Radja Nainggolan and goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis - all left out by Garcia - the home side started with purpose.
Vasilis Torosidis saw an early shot blocked with two subsequent follow-up efforts also bundled clear by the Cesena defence.
It did not take long for Roma to make the breakthrough, though, with Destro capping off a sweeping move to put them ahead after eight minutes.
Torosidis slipped the ball through for Gervinho and his low cross was inch-perfect for the forward to tap home from three yards.
The former Siena striker could have trebled his tally by the break but had a goal chalked off for offside after meeting Miralem Pjanic's free-kick with a crisp finish and then saw goalkeeper Federico Agliardi produce a fine save to deflect his drive past the post.
The visitors offered little as an attacking threat in the opening 45 minutes and spent much of the second period on the back foot as well.
Their best chance came after 69 minutes when experienced Portuguese striker Hugo Almeida found time and space in the box but could only drag his header wide of goal.
It proved an expensive miss as Roma made sure of the win with nine minutes to go. A deep corner was headed back across goal by Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and De Rossi was on hand to turn the ball home.
Tottenham 2-0 Brighton: Lamela & Kane help Spurs bounce back
Mauricio Pochettino's side recovered from their Premier League defeat by reaching the League Cup quarter-finals, seeing off Championship opposition at White Hart LaneGoals from Erik Lamela and Harry Kane were enough for Tottenham to see off Brighton 2-0 in the League Cup fourth round.
Spurs dominated proceedings against their Championship opposition but were unable to make it count in the first half.
Lamela, though, found the breakthrough 10 minutes after the break when he completed a one-two with Roberto Soldado to fire home.
Then Kane capitalised when Soldado's shot was parried into his path by Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Mauricio Pochettino made 10 changes to the Tottenham team who were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle on Sunday, with only Jan Vertonghen keeping his place in the side, and his fringe players did enough to see the London club into the last eight.
Sami Hyypia's Brighton side offered little going forward but will feel that they should have had a second-half penalty when Kazenga LuaLua went down under a challenge from Federico Fazio but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.
Clattenburg was taking charge of a game for the first time since it emerged that he will not officiate this weekend amid reports of two breaches of protocol.
Eighteen-year-old Walton was handed a senior debut for the visitors and LuaLua returned from suspension.
The start was delayed for 15 minutes due to traffic congestion and, when they belatedly got under way, it was one-way traffic as Brighton were forced onto the back foot.
Walton had a nervy moment when he flapped at a corner after nine minutes but got away with that mistake as Lewis Dunk cleared.
Dunk blazed wildly over the crossbar in a rare Brighton attack but that was a brief respite for the visiting defence and stand-in Tottenham skipper Aaron Lennon came close when he got on the end of a Soldado cross, only to see his effort loop wide of the far post.
Walton then made a confidence-boosting save with his feet to keep out Soldado's shot from a tight angle after Kane's initial effort had been blocked 10 minutes before the break.
Lamela replaced Lennon at half-time and took just nine minutes to make an impact, playing a one-two with Soldado before beating Walton with a right-footed finish.
The lively Kane flashed a shot just wide of the far post, then Soldado's drive struck the crossbar after a swift Tottenham break as Brighton struggled to get out of their own half.
Brighton thought they should have had a penalty when LuaLua went down under a challenge from Fazio but referee Clattenburg waved play on.
And Tottenham sealed the victory after 74 minutes when Kane was on hand to finish from close range after Soldado's effort was kept out following good work from Andros Townsend down the left.
Mauricio Pochettino's side recovered from their Premier League defeat by reaching the League Cup quarter-finals, seeing off Championship opposition at White Hart LaneGoals from Erik Lamela and Harry Kane were enough for Tottenham to see off Brighton 2-0 in the League Cup fourth round.
Spurs dominated proceedings against their Championship opposition but were unable to make it count in the first half.
Lamela, though, found the breakthrough 10 minutes after the break when he completed a one-two with Roberto Soldado to fire home.
Then Kane capitalised when Soldado's shot was parried into his path by Brighton goalkeeper Christian Walton.
Mauricio Pochettino made 10 changes to the Tottenham team who were beaten 2-1 by Newcastle on Sunday, with only Jan Vertonghen keeping his place in the side, and his fringe players did enough to see the London club into the last eight.
Sami Hyypia's Brighton side offered little going forward but will feel that they should have had a second-half penalty when Kazenga LuaLua went down under a challenge from Federico Fazio but referee Mark Clattenburg waved play on.
Clattenburg was taking charge of a game for the first time since it emerged that he will not officiate this weekend amid reports of two breaches of protocol.
Eighteen-year-old Walton was handed a senior debut for the visitors and LuaLua returned from suspension.
The start was delayed for 15 minutes due to traffic congestion and, when they belatedly got under way, it was one-way traffic as Brighton were forced onto the back foot.
Walton had a nervy moment when he flapped at a corner after nine minutes but got away with that mistake as Lewis Dunk cleared.
Dunk blazed wildly over the crossbar in a rare Brighton attack but that was a brief respite for the visiting defence and stand-in Tottenham skipper Aaron Lennon came close when he got on the end of a Soldado cross, only to see his effort loop wide of the far post.
Walton then made a confidence-boosting save with his feet to keep out Soldado's shot from a tight angle after Kane's initial effort had been blocked 10 minutes before the break.
Lamela replaced Lennon at half-time and took just nine minutes to make an impact, playing a one-two with Soldado before beating Walton with a right-footed finish.
The lively Kane flashed a shot just wide of the far post, then Soldado's drive struck the crossbar after a swift Tottenham break as Brighton struggled to get out of their own half.
Brighton thought they should have had a penalty when LuaLua went down under a challenge from Fazio but referee Clattenburg waved play on.
And Tottenham sealed the victory after 74 minutes when Kane was on hand to finish from close range after Soldado's effort was kept out following good work from Andros Townsend down the left.
Genoa 1-0 Juventus: Champions' unbeaten start comes to an end
Genoa shocked Juventus 1-0 to hand the champions their first league loss since March and sour Gianluigi Buffon's 500th Serie A appearance.
Luca Antonini bundled the winner home from six yards in the 94th minute and, with just 20 seconds of stoppage time remaining, there was no way back for Massimiliano Allegri's men.Genoa substitute Alessandro Matri - formerly of Juve - drew the attention of two defenders and cut-back to the unmarked Antonini, who saw his unconvincing effort hit the back of the net despite the best efforts of the desperate visitors.
It was a cruel way for Buffon's milestone match to end as a tired Juve lost just their second league match of 2014.Juve were twice denied by the woodwork on Wednesday, with Fernando Llorente firing into the base of the left post midway through the first half.
Defender Angelo Ogbonna lifted over Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin in the 70th minute, but saw his effort hit the post after the hosts were caught napping at the back.
And those close-calls came back to haunt Juve - playing their fourth match in 12 days - as Antonini netted a dramatic winner.Juventus remain top of the league, but second-placed Roma beat Cesena to join them on 22 points.
Buffon wore a special captain's armband that simply read '500' for a Juventus side which brought Paul Pogba and Stephan Lichtsteiner back to the starting line up, while Matri started on the bench for the hosts - despite scoring in their 2-1 win at Chievo on Sunday.
After a slow start, Juve - controlling possession - finally turned the screw in the 22nd minute, as Carlos Tevez cut inside and forced a good save from Perin when he tried to fire into the bottom-right corner.
Llorente was next to go close, but shot into the woodwork after showing good control to shield an opponent.
Tevez and Pogba saw efforts from distance go wide as half-time approached and the off-target efforts continued after the break, with Lichtsteiner and Leonardo Bonucci the next culprits.
Buffon made his first save of the night in the 64th minute, tipping a swerving Giovanni Marchese effort over the bar, while at the other end, substitute Alvaro Morata played in Tevez - only for him to smash over from 20 yards.
Ogbonna then had his near miss after he reacted quickest to a header back into the box, only to see his effort come back off the post.Morata forced a tidy stop from Perin from an acute angle in the 84th minute, and the goalkeeper went one better as the final whistle approached, reacting quickly to excellently tip another effort from the Spaniard over.
And Perin's saves proved crucial as his side stormed forward in the dying minutes, with Matri squaring it to Antonini who was able to knock it home for his first league goal of the season and give Genoa a famous win.
Juve's first league defeat of the season coupled with Roma's 2-0 win over Cesena on the same night sees the two teams level on points at the top of the Italian top flight.
Genoa shocked Juventus 1-0 to hand the champions their first league loss since March and sour Gianluigi Buffon's 500th Serie A appearance.
Luca Antonini bundled the winner home from six yards in the 94th minute and, with just 20 seconds of stoppage time remaining, there was no way back for Massimiliano Allegri's men.Genoa substitute Alessandro Matri - formerly of Juve - drew the attention of two defenders and cut-back to the unmarked Antonini, who saw his unconvincing effort hit the back of the net despite the best efforts of the desperate visitors.
It was a cruel way for Buffon's milestone match to end as a tired Juve lost just their second league match of 2014.Juve were twice denied by the woodwork on Wednesday, with Fernando Llorente firing into the base of the left post midway through the first half.
Defender Angelo Ogbonna lifted over Genoa goalkeeper Mattia Perin in the 70th minute, but saw his effort hit the post after the hosts were caught napping at the back.
And those close-calls came back to haunt Juve - playing their fourth match in 12 days - as Antonini netted a dramatic winner.Juventus remain top of the league, but second-placed Roma beat Cesena to join them on 22 points.
Buffon wore a special captain's armband that simply read '500' for a Juventus side which brought Paul Pogba and Stephan Lichtsteiner back to the starting line up, while Matri started on the bench for the hosts - despite scoring in their 2-1 win at Chievo on Sunday.
After a slow start, Juve - controlling possession - finally turned the screw in the 22nd minute, as Carlos Tevez cut inside and forced a good save from Perin when he tried to fire into the bottom-right corner.
Llorente was next to go close, but shot into the woodwork after showing good control to shield an opponent.
Tevez and Pogba saw efforts from distance go wide as half-time approached and the off-target efforts continued after the break, with Lichtsteiner and Leonardo Bonucci the next culprits.
Buffon made his first save of the night in the 64th minute, tipping a swerving Giovanni Marchese effort over the bar, while at the other end, substitute Alvaro Morata played in Tevez - only for him to smash over from 20 yards.
Ogbonna then had his near miss after he reacted quickest to a header back into the box, only to see his effort come back off the post.Morata forced a tidy stop from Perin from an acute angle in the 84th minute, and the goalkeeper went one better as the final whistle approached, reacting quickly to excellently tip another effort from the Spaniard over.
And Perin's saves proved crucial as his side stormed forward in the dying minutes, with Matri squaring it to Antonini who was able to knock it home for his first league goal of the season and give Genoa a famous win.
Juve's first league defeat of the season coupled with Roma's 2-0 win over Cesena on the same night sees the two teams level on points at the top of the Italian top flight.
Manchester City 0-2 Newcastle United: League Cup holders stunned & Silva suffers injury
Holders Manchester City crashed out of the League Cup after goals from Rolando Aarons and Moussa Sissoko secured victory for Newcastle United.
Youngster Aarons opened the scoring after just six minutes as he capitalised on some sloppy play from Fernandinho to slide a finish underneath Willy Caballero.
The hosts were handed a further blow just minutes later as David Silva limped off, and Caballero had to be alert to stop Paul Dummett from doubling the Magpies' advantage.
Manuel Pellegrini threw on Jesus Navas and Sergio Aguero in pursuit of an equaliser, but instead Sissoko found the net as he skipped past Fernandinho and Bacary Sagna before sending the away fans into raptures with a cool finish.
Inter 1-0 Sampdoria: Icardi nets late winner for Nerazzurri
Mauro Icardi converted a last-minute penalty to earn Inter a crucial 1-0 win over Serie A rivals Sampdoria on Wednesday night.
The Nerazzurri looked set to be held at home for the third successive game in all competitions - which would have heaped further pressure on coach Walter Mazzarri - but Zdravko Kuzmanovic was felled by Alessio Romagnoli with just seconds of normal time remaining.
Icardi, who had been repeatedly frustrated by Sergio Romero in the Sampdoria goal, then stepped up to beat his fellow Argentine from 12 yards out to send the Giuseppe Meazza wild and end the visitors' unbeaten start to the season in the process.
Mazzarri had found himself up against one of the reported favourites to replace him at the helm, in the shape of Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but he came out on top against the ex-Nerazzurri defender.
The hosts were wasteful in the first half, with Rodrigo Palacio in particular spurning several good chances, but they managed to snatch all three points at the death through Icardi to move to within a point of third-placed AC Milan.
Daniele Gastaldello was lucky to escape punishment for elbowing former team-mate Icardi in the face early on, before a wayward pass in midfield allowed Mateo Kovacic to play the ball in to Palacio, who inexplicably missed the target from close range.
Palacio was again guilty of wasting a great opportunity in the 13th minute, as the Argentine latched on to Gary Medel's incisive through-ball and poked a shot straight at Romero from 12 yards.
Inter continued to dictate the tempo as the first half progressed, but they found themselves up against an in-form Romero, who produced an excellent reaction save to keep Icardi's deflected effort out five minutes before the break.
And they were almost made to pay for their wastefulness in the final minute of the half, as Alfred Duncan struck the crossbar after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Palacio spurned another opportunity in the 50th minute, shooting wide from six yards.
Inter's chances were seemingly dealt a blow a few moments later when Hernanes was forced off with an injury.
Kuzmanovic, the Brazilian's replacement, wasted a glorious chance with 28 minutes remaining, hitting a tame effort straight at Romero when through on goal.
But Inter continued to press and salvaged a dramatic late winner, with Kuzmanovic again central to the action.
He was tripped by Romagnoli when racing through and Icardi fired the resulting penalty into the right-hand side of the net to move Inter up to seventh and end Samp's unbeaten start at eight matches - one game shy of their club record.
Mauro Icardi converted a last-minute penalty to earn Inter a crucial 1-0 win over Serie A rivals Sampdoria on Wednesday night.
The Nerazzurri looked set to be held at home for the third successive game in all competitions - which would have heaped further pressure on coach Walter Mazzarri - but Zdravko Kuzmanovic was felled by Alessio Romagnoli with just seconds of normal time remaining.
Icardi, who had been repeatedly frustrated by Sergio Romero in the Sampdoria goal, then stepped up to beat his fellow Argentine from 12 yards out to send the Giuseppe Meazza wild and end the visitors' unbeaten start to the season in the process.
Mazzarri had found himself up against one of the reported favourites to replace him at the helm, in the shape of Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic, but he came out on top against the ex-Nerazzurri defender.
The hosts were wasteful in the first half, with Rodrigo Palacio in particular spurning several good chances, but they managed to snatch all three points at the death through Icardi to move to within a point of third-placed AC Milan.
Daniele Gastaldello was lucky to escape punishment for elbowing former team-mate Icardi in the face early on, before a wayward pass in midfield allowed Mateo Kovacic to play the ball in to Palacio, who inexplicably missed the target from close range.
Palacio was again guilty of wasting a great opportunity in the 13th minute, as the Argentine latched on to Gary Medel's incisive through-ball and poked a shot straight at Romero from 12 yards.
Inter continued to dictate the tempo as the first half progressed, but they found themselves up against an in-form Romero, who produced an excellent reaction save to keep Icardi's deflected effort out five minutes before the break.
And they were almost made to pay for their wastefulness in the final minute of the half, as Alfred Duncan struck the crossbar after pouncing on a loose ball inside the area.
The start of the second half followed a similar pattern to the first as Palacio spurned another opportunity in the 50th minute, shooting wide from six yards.
Inter's chances were seemingly dealt a blow a few moments later when Hernanes was forced off with an injury.
Kuzmanovic, the Brazilian's replacement, wasted a glorious chance with 28 minutes remaining, hitting a tame effort straight at Romero when through on goal.
But Inter continued to press and salvaged a dramatic late winner, with Kuzmanovic again central to the action.
He was tripped by Romagnoli when racing through and Icardi fired the resulting penalty into the right-hand side of the net to move Inter up to seventh and end Samp's unbeaten start at eight matches - one game shy of their club record.
Cagliari 1-1 AC Milan: Bonaventura rescues point for Inzaghi's men
AC Milan dropped points for the second game in succession, but were grateful to Giacomo Bonaventura for rescuing a 1-1 draw at Cagliari.
Filippo Inzaghi's side - denied victory in Serie A by Fiorentina at the weekend - were second best for long periods as they claimed a point at Stadio Sant'Elia on Wednesday.
Zdenek Zeman's Cagliari missed out on a Milan double, having beaten Inter 4-1 earlier in the season, after Victor Ibarbo's deserved first-half opener was cancelled out by Bonaventura's sublime 30-yard lob.The hosts steadied themselves in the second period and looked the more likely to win the game as Daniele Conti struck the post with a well-struck free-kick.
Milan were forced to defend desperately for long stretches, but remain unbeaten on their travels in Serie A this term, while Cagliari's wait for a first home success goes on.
The hosts entered the game fresh from a 4-0 thrashing of Empoli on Saturday, and their excellent start to the game looked like being rewarded as early as the fourth minute.
Ibarbo had a gaping goal in front of him after Danilo Avelar squared to take Christian Abbiati out of the game, having collected Conti's perfect throughball. However, Adil Rami reacted and produced a sensational sliding block to somehow keep the scores level.Ibarbo's pace and power had Milan on the back foot throughout the opening exchanges and he did make the breakthrough on 24 minutes.
The Colombian spotted a gap between Rami and Mattia De Sciglio, and darted into the space to beat Abbiati to Marco Sau's inviting, clipped cross from the left and head into the net from eight yards.The same pair combined for Cagliari eight minutes later with roles reversed, but this time Abbiati did well to save with his feet.
Milan then drew level out of nothing after 34 minutes. Bonaventura received a throw-in 30 yards from goal under no pressure at all and had time to spot Alessio Cragno off his line before executing a perfect curled lob into the top corner, stunning the stadium into silence.Despite conceding, the hosts were not to be discouraged and began the second half in much the same manner as they had the first.
Conti whipped in a dangerous low cross from the right 10 minutes after the break and only a desperate lunge from Ignazio Abate took the ball off the toe of an on-rushing Andrea Cossu, denying a certain goal.Milan were relying on the frame of the goal to keep them level three minutes later as Conti thrashed in a free-kick, after Rami had been turned by Ibarbo, which bounced wide off the post.
Substitute Diego Farias should have won it for Cagliari in the final minute of regulation time, but fired straight at Abbiati from seven yards after being picked out by Sau.
AC Milan dropped points for the second game in succession, but were grateful to Giacomo Bonaventura for rescuing a 1-1 draw at Cagliari.
Filippo Inzaghi's side - denied victory in Serie A by Fiorentina at the weekend - were second best for long periods as they claimed a point at Stadio Sant'Elia on Wednesday.
Zdenek Zeman's Cagliari missed out on a Milan double, having beaten Inter 4-1 earlier in the season, after Victor Ibarbo's deserved first-half opener was cancelled out by Bonaventura's sublime 30-yard lob.The hosts steadied themselves in the second period and looked the more likely to win the game as Daniele Conti struck the post with a well-struck free-kick.
Milan were forced to defend desperately for long stretches, but remain unbeaten on their travels in Serie A this term, while Cagliari's wait for a first home success goes on.
The hosts entered the game fresh from a 4-0 thrashing of Empoli on Saturday, and their excellent start to the game looked like being rewarded as early as the fourth minute.
Ibarbo had a gaping goal in front of him after Danilo Avelar squared to take Christian Abbiati out of the game, having collected Conti's perfect throughball. However, Adil Rami reacted and produced a sensational sliding block to somehow keep the scores level.Ibarbo's pace and power had Milan on the back foot throughout the opening exchanges and he did make the breakthrough on 24 minutes.
The Colombian spotted a gap between Rami and Mattia De Sciglio, and darted into the space to beat Abbiati to Marco Sau's inviting, clipped cross from the left and head into the net from eight yards.The same pair combined for Cagliari eight minutes later with roles reversed, but this time Abbiati did well to save with his feet.
Milan then drew level out of nothing after 34 minutes. Bonaventura received a throw-in 30 yards from goal under no pressure at all and had time to spot Alessio Cragno off his line before executing a perfect curled lob into the top corner, stunning the stadium into silence.Despite conceding, the hosts were not to be discouraged and began the second half in much the same manner as they had the first.
Conti whipped in a dangerous low cross from the right 10 minutes after the break and only a desperate lunge from Ignazio Abate took the ball off the toe of an on-rushing Andrea Cossu, denying a certain goal.Milan were relying on the frame of the goal to keep them level three minutes later as Conti thrashed in a free-kick, after Rami had been turned by Ibarbo, which bounced wide off the post.
Substitute Diego Farias should have won it for Cagliari in the final minute of regulation time, but fired straight at Abbiati from seven yards after being picked out by Sau.
Stoke City 2-3 Southampton: Pelle seals dramatic late win
Southampton beat Stoke City for the second time in five days as they enjoyed a 3-2 victory in the League Cup.
After a 1-0 Premier League win at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday, Graziano Pelle set the Saints on their way at the Britannia Stadium with a thunderous strike from 25 yards in the first half.
Shane Long bagged his first goal for the club to give Ronald Koeman's side the half-time lead but the visitors let their control slip and the Potters riposted after the break through Steven N'Zonzi and Mame Biram Diouf.
The latter's goal looked to have prompted extra time but Pelle buried a second with two minutes remaining of the 90 to send Southampton through, just after Peter Crouch was sent off for a second booking.
The Saints began like a side brimming with confidence and took the lead in just the sixth minute. Pelle took full advantage of being afforded too much space when superbly curling a 25-yard effort off the inside of Asmir Begovic's left-hand post and into the net.
Stoke - boasting an attacking line-up with Bojan Krkic, Marko Arnautovic and Diouf brought into Hughes's XI - were unable to carve out a clear-cut opportunity as they sought to respond.
The hosts then fell further behind in the 31st minute when Long - one of the new faces in a Southampton line-up featuring four changes from the weekend - turned Steven Davis's cross through the legs of Begovic to cap a superb passing move.
Jonathan Walters had a goal ruled out for offside before Pelle almost made things worse for Stoke, uncharacteristically blazing a half-volley over the bar after being found by Dusan Tadic's clever ball.
Whatever Hughes said to his players at half-time appeared to do the trick as N'Zonzi, capitalising on the visitors' defenders backing off, unleashed a powerful strike into the bottom-left corner from just outside the box.
Yet the home side were then left thanking their goalkeeper as Begovic twice rushed from his line to deny Long and Victor Wanyama.
Stoke spurned a great chance midway through the second half as a two-on-one went to waste when Diouf was somehow not picked out by the disappointing Bojan, who was unsurprisingly withdrawn soon after.
The home side continued to put their opponents' goal under siege and, having cleared a series of corners with last-gasp challenges, Southampton finally succumbed when Diouf headed in at the back post after Phil Bardsley had flicked on Charlie Adam's set-piece.
There was still to be another twist in the tale as Crouch, who had replaced Bojan, picked up a second yellow card in quick succession.
It was to prove a defining moment, too, as the ball dropped to Pelle off Erik Pieters from the resulting free kick, and the striker instinctively placed the ball beyond Begovic.
Southampton beat Stoke City for the second time in five days as they enjoyed a 3-2 victory in the League Cup.
After a 1-0 Premier League win at St Mary's Stadium on Saturday, Graziano Pelle set the Saints on their way at the Britannia Stadium with a thunderous strike from 25 yards in the first half.
Shane Long bagged his first goal for the club to give Ronald Koeman's side the half-time lead but the visitors let their control slip and the Potters riposted after the break through Steven N'Zonzi and Mame Biram Diouf.
The latter's goal looked to have prompted extra time but Pelle buried a second with two minutes remaining of the 90 to send Southampton through, just after Peter Crouch was sent off for a second booking.
The Saints began like a side brimming with confidence and took the lead in just the sixth minute. Pelle took full advantage of being afforded too much space when superbly curling a 25-yard effort off the inside of Asmir Begovic's left-hand post and into the net.
Stoke - boasting an attacking line-up with Bojan Krkic, Marko Arnautovic and Diouf brought into Hughes's XI - were unable to carve out a clear-cut opportunity as they sought to respond.
The hosts then fell further behind in the 31st minute when Long - one of the new faces in a Southampton line-up featuring four changes from the weekend - turned Steven Davis's cross through the legs of Begovic to cap a superb passing move.
Jonathan Walters had a goal ruled out for offside before Pelle almost made things worse for Stoke, uncharacteristically blazing a half-volley over the bar after being found by Dusan Tadic's clever ball.
Whatever Hughes said to his players at half-time appeared to do the trick as N'Zonzi, capitalising on the visitors' defenders backing off, unleashed a powerful strike into the bottom-left corner from just outside the box.
Yet the home side were then left thanking their goalkeeper as Begovic twice rushed from his line to deny Long and Victor Wanyama.
Stoke spurned a great chance midway through the second half as a two-on-one went to waste when Diouf was somehow not picked out by the disappointing Bojan, who was unsurprisingly withdrawn soon after.
The home side continued to put their opponents' goal under siege and, having cleared a series of corners with last-gasp challenges, Southampton finally succumbed when Diouf headed in at the back post after Phil Bardsley had flicked on Charlie Adam's set-piece.
There was still to be another twist in the tale as Crouch, who had replaced Bojan, picked up a second yellow card in quick succession.
It was to prove a defining moment, too, as the ball dropped to Pelle off Erik Pieters from the resulting free kick, and the striker instinctively placed the ball beyond Begovic.
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