..::Football III::..

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I chose Roma to play with a monster like Totti - Doumbia

CSKA Moscow ace Seydou Doumbia has revealed that he has decided to join Roma in order to play alongside the "monster" that is Francesco Totti.

The Cote d'Ivoire forward is currently away on international duty at the Africa Cup of Nations but is nonetheless expected to complete a €15 million move to the Stadio Olimpico before the close of the winter transfer window.

Indeed, Doumbia cannot wait to join Rudi Garcia's attack-minded side, admitting that he is particularly excited by the prospect of teaming up with the club's iconic captain.

"I have chosen Roma for their offensive football and in order to play with a monster like Totti," the forward is quoted as saying by the Corriere dello Sport.

Doumbia is already a familiar face to Giallorossi fans, having faced Roma twice during the group stage of this season's Champions League.

The 27-year-old failed to net in either clash with the Serie A outfit but he did strike three times in two games against English champions Manchester City.

The Ivorian will fill the void left by Mattia Destro, who left Roma on loan to AC Milan with a view to a permanent move away from the capital this summer.

 

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Bartomeu: Neymar not falling for traps set by rivals

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has paid tribute to Neymar for refusing to be distracted or intimidated by opposition players and coaches.

The Brazil international's name dominated the headlines after Wednesday's contentious Copa del Rey clash with Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon.The forward not only decided the game - and the tie - in his side's favour with a classy double, but also suffered much of the home side's frustration.

Neymar was reportedly confronted by Atletico boss Diego Simeone and midfielder Gabi during the half-time interval - an incident which allegedly prompted the dismissal of the latter.

Atletico have subsequently denied that any such clash took place, but Gabi did label Neymar's behaviour during the game "irritating", while the former Santos man subsequently demanded that he be afforded more "respect".

Bartomeu has now saluted Neymar for the way in which the 22-year-old is standing up to the extra attention and scrutiny to which he is now being subjected.

"We currently have the best player in the world, which is [Lionel] Messi, and the footballing magic of Neymar, who is showing great maturity in his game without falling into the traps set by others," the Barca supremo told reporters."I am very proud of Neymar and how he is a person. We Barca fans really like his game and he is giving us a lot."

Meanwhile, Barca defender Jeremy Mathieu recently claimed that Messi and Luis Enrique had been involved in a training-ground argument during the winter break.
However, Bartomeu refused to be drawn on the apparent confirmation of tension between the Blaugrana's star player and his coach.

"I do not want to get into any controversy," he added. "The team are doing well and portraying an image that appeals to fans of the club."We have much to improve but we are in the middle of an exciting and successful season."

Barca currently sit second in La Liga, are in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey and also through to the last 16 of the Champions League.

 

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Van Gaal fumes at questions on Herrera's future

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reacted angrily to questions over the future of midfielder Ander Herrera in his press conference prior to the Leicester City match.

Herrera switched to Old Trafford from Athletic Bilbao in a big-money move before the start of this season, but has made just 12 Premier League appearances, half of which have been as a substitute.

His last league start came against Stoke City in early December and Van Gaal was displeased with questions about Herrera's standing at the club.

"Three weeks ago it was Radamel Falcao," the Dutchman said. "Next week it will be about another player who is not playing. It is unbelievable.

"I can only line up 11 players. It is not so interesting that you talk about the fee paid.

"Paddy McNair is also important and he cost nothing, so I do not agree. I am not discussing Herrera's omission with you."

 

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Zaha: Fergie taught me nothing

Wilfried Zaha has revealed that he was never coached by Sir Alex Ferguson, despite being brought to the club by the Manchester United legend.

The 22-year-old appears rejuvenated this season after returning to former club Crystal Palace on a season-long loan but has spoken out about his time at United.

However, the winger holds no ill-feeling towards Ferguson and remains grateful that the veteran recognised his ability.

Talking to The Sun, Zaha said: "Sir Alex obviously saw something in me and that's why he brought me back to United. But I never got to be coached by him. I signed and by the time I came back, he had left. That was weird.

"When I saw the news he was retiring, I was thinking 'What's going on? Why would he sign me if he knew he was going?'

"But I heard he had his own stuff to do so I can't really hold that against him."

Zaha also spoke about the problems he had adjusting to life at Old Trafford in comparison to the time he has spent at Palace.

He added: "I had a lot to deal with living on my own in Manchester. It was lonely, it wasn't the best.

"There were other players I used to speak to but everyone does their own thing.

"I don't think anyone really has time to stop and put an arm around you. You just have to get on with it - that's what I realised.

"It was a bit different for me. At big clubs, you just have to get on with it because there's no-one to tell you much. I don't think I was ready for it.

"If you're not playing, you're not happy. Sitting at home and watching the team play constantly, you feel like you could do something to help."

 

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Tevez: I'm still leaving Juventus for Boca Juniors next year

Carlos Tevez had made it clear that he has not intention of extending his stay at Juventus and will return to Boca Juniors when his contract expires in 2016.

The Argentine penned a three-year contract upon joining the Bianconeri in the summer of 2013 and adapted wonderfully well to life in Serie A, firing the Old Lady to the Scudetto last season.

Tevez has proven even more prolific this term, with 13 goals in 19 league games, meaning the Juve faithful are understandably desperate to see the striker extend his stay in Turin.

However, the 30-year-old is intent on rejoining his first professional club, Boca, and is annoyed that the media have created such a furore over his future, given he never made a secret of his plan to return to La Bombonera.

"I've already said it many times," he told Tuttosport. "For me, this discussion is closed.

"When I signed for three years with Juve, I said from the start, also to the club, that this would be my last contract before returning to Boca. But nobody said anything.
"Then, I said the same things again, including the fact I would return home at the end of my contract."But the problem is that when there is no news, they try to pull something out of nowhere.

"However, before leaving, I want to win it all here."

 

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Hull City 0-3 Newcastle: Magpies pile pressure on Bruce

John Carver marked his appointment as Newcastle United head coach with a win as goals from Remy Cabella, Sammy Ameobi and Yoan Gouffran earned a 3-0 victory at struggling Hull City.

Carver was confirmed as Newcastle boss until the end of the season in midweek - having taken the reins following Alan Pardew's departure earlier in January - and celebrated his first victory at the fifth attempt to keep Hull in the Premier League's relegation zone.

Cabella gave Newcastle the lead five minutes before the break when he capitalised on poor defending to open his account for the club with an impressive strike from distance.

There was more drama to come on the stroke of half-time as Ahmed Elmohamady appeared to have levelled - only to have his goal chalked off by referee Phil Dowd due to a blatant use of his hand, which earned him a yellow card.

Ameobi doubled the visitors' advantage five minutes into the second half when he let fly from distance to compound frustrations at the KC Stadium.

Gouffran's solo run and deflected strike 12 minutes from time ensured the points belonged to Carver and Newcastle, leaving Hull with work to do and Steve Bruce looking to the potential arrivals of Aaron Lennon and Dame N'Doye to brighten moods.

Both sides went close in a lively opening but it was the hosts who edged the early stages, with Gaston Ramirez, who caused a number of problems for Newcastle, putting in a danger delivery for Curtis Davies only for Fabrizio Coloccini to clear off the line.

Carelessness in possession and fouls from both sides soon became a common theme before Cabella gave Newcastle the lead with the game's first moment of real quality.

Sloppy play from Andrew Robertson handed the Frenchman possession, with Cabella shimmying left and firing past Allan McGregor.

Elmohamady did his best to level the scores but saw his cheeky effort ruled out after Dowd consulted his assistant.

Loose play in possession again cost Hull shortly after the break as Ameobi made the most of a careless pass to stride forward and take McGregor by surprise - finding the far corner with a stunning strike from 30 yards.

Coloccini almost gave Hull a way back into the game with a bizarre hooked clearance that nearly ended up in his own net but Vurnon Anita was able to head clear.

It sparked a rare period of Hull dominance but - despite Bruce being able to recall Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez from injuries - a lack of creativity going forward proved the hosts' downfall, with both strikers missing from close range before Newcastle killed the game off.

Gouffran exposed Hull's backline once more to burst into a dangerous area and round off the scoring with a somewhat fortuitous strike that looped in off the luckless Elmohamady.

 

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West Brom 0-3 Tottenham: Kane double boosts Spurs

Tottenham served notice of their Champions League ambitions with a commanding 3-0 victory at West Brom.Christian Eriksen's midweek brace against Sheffield United fired the London club into the League Cup final and the Denmark playmaker netted a sixth-minute free-kick at The Hawthorns to register his ninth Premier League goal of the season.

Kane has endured a relative fallow spell in his breakthrough campaign over recent weeks but the striker found the net for the first time in five matches to double the lead for Mauricio Pochettino's men.

West Brom grew into the contest and defender Craig Dawson struck the crossbar as Tottenham came under heavy pressure before half-time, although Kane's 20th of the season - courtesy of a second-half penalty - settled matters.

A sixth win in eight Premier League outings leaves Pochettino's side fifth ahead of Arsenal's game against Aston Villa on Sunday and in fine form leading into next weekend's derby match with their bitter rivals.West Brom are three points above the relegation zone after their first defeat under head coach Tony Pulis.

Callum McManaman made a quiet West Brom debut, the former Wigan Athletic man lasting an hour, while Paulinho made his first Premier League start of the season for Tottenham.

But it was a more familiar face in the visitors' midfield that opened the scoring.
Claudio Yacob fouled Mousa Dembele 25 yards from goal and Eriksen curled the resulting set-piece over West Brom's defensive wall, with Ben Foster only able to palm his strike into the roof of the net.Tottenham's superb start continued in the 15th minute as Dembele surged through an outnumbered West Brom midfield to find Kane, who cut inside Andre Wisdom to blast his past the helpless Foster.

Having spent most of the opening stages barricaded inside their own half, West Brom almost pulled a goal back in the 27th minute - Hugo Lloris at full stretch to touch James Morrison's strike behind before Joleon Lescott headed over from the subsequent corner.

Lloris excelled again two minutes later, getting down low to his right to deny Yacob, although the France captain was beaten when Dawson's header thudded back off the bar.

Eriksen fizzed a low, swerving drive narrowly wide early in the second half as Tottenham's earlier control returned.And they put the result beyond doubt in the 64th minute when a sliding Lescott handled Eriksen's cross and Kane converted from the spot.

Berahino flashed a half-volley just past the far post and called Lloris into action once more before Foster denied Kane a hat-trick by tipping his stinging 81st-minute free-kick over.

By that stage a comfortable Tottenham were able to turn their attentions towards Arsenal's keenly anticipated visit to White Hart Lane.

 

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Crystal Palace 0–1 Everton: Lukaku punctures Pardew’s momentum

Everton picked up all three points after a hard-battled 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. Roberto Martinez's visitors made a flying start during a frenetic first half, with Lukaku sliding in to put them ahead in just the second minute.

Phil Jagielka did well to maintain that advantage when he cleared Dwight Gayle's clever chip just two minutes later, but despite plenty of opportunities, the hosts were unable to level before half-time.

Palace, without club captain Mile Jedinak and in-form winger Yannick Bolasie due to the duo's international duties at the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations respectively, looked brighter after the restart, but they failed to fashion any clear openings during a low-key second half.

Everton could have wrapped the points up 13 minutes from time when Lukaku just failed to connect with Aiden McGeady's cross.

The visitors returned on Tuesday from a six-day training camp in Qatar, and that break seemed to have rejuvenated Martinez's side when they made a stunning start - Lukaku putting them ahead just two minutes in.

Damien Delaney's poor attempt at an interception allowed Steven Naismith to break into the box and when the Scot drilled a low cross towards goal, Julian Speroni could only parry the ball straight into the path of Lukaku, who bundled home.

Palace were almost level just two minutes later when Gayle managed to squeeze an effort past Joel Robles, but Jagielka recovered superbly to scoop the ball off the goal-line.

Pardew's side continued to press and, as Everton struggled to cope with Marouane Chamakh's presence up front, the Moroccan was only denied an equaliser when John Stones blocked his venomous strike.

Unfortunately for Palace, Chamakh's game was cut short soon afterwards when he was taken off on a stretcher after suffering a suspected broken nose following a collision with Seamus Coleman.

Jordon Mutch, signed on Thursday, came on to make his Palace debut in place of the stricken forward, but he was unable to match Chamakh's impact as Everton retained possession well.

Palace became increasingly wasteful as half-time approached, and Everton were gifted the chance to double their lead when Naismith nipped in to claim the ball in midfield and found Lukaku, but the Belgian's touch was poor.The hosts came out strongly after the interval and went close when Gayle whipped in a terrific cross towards Yaya Sanogo, but the Arsenal loanee failed to connect and the ball drifted wide.

Pardew introduced Wilfried Zaha in place of defender Martin Kelly as the clock passed the hour mark in a bid to add a spark to Palace's blunt attack, while Martinez brought on Bryan Oviedo.Lukaku should have doubled his and Everton's tally in the 77th minute but he failed to latch on to McGeady's low pass across the face of goal.

Speroni then pulled off a superb save to deny McGeady before Lukaku fired another effort into the side-netting, as Everton secured the points.

 

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Stoke City 3-1 QPR: Walters hat-trick piles pressure on Redknapp

Queens Park Rangers remain without a point on their travels in the Premier League this season after Stoke City recorded a 3-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium.

Jonathan Walters' hat-trick secured the win for Mark Hughes' side as the visitors capitulated to an 11th consecutive top-flight defeat away from home this term.

Mistakes from Karl Henry and Eduardo Vargas gifted Stoke goals in the opening 45 minutes, with Walters converting twice before Niko Kranjcar pulled a goal back.An injury to captain Ryan Shawcross blighted the first half for the hosts and they struggled to find their momentum after the break.

QPR failed to take advantage, though, with Asmir Begovic only called into action once, the goalkeeper saving well from Vargas' acrobatic volley just before the hour.

Joey Barton was denied a late leveller when his free-kick rattled the crossbar, but the day belonged to Walters as he netted a third to move Stoke into ninth place in the table, while QPR missed the chance to climb out of the bottom three.

Stoke had the better of possession in a scrappy opening 20 minutes, but it was an error from Henry that enabled Hughes' side to break the deadlock.

The midfielder allowed the ball to run away from him and Stephen Ireland – in for the injured Bojan Krkic – was quick to pounce and play Walters in with a sumptuous backheel, with the striker making no mistake.Victor Moses almost doubled their lead three minutes later with a superb free-kick that flew narrowly wide of Robert Green's right-hand post.

Stoke were now in complete control and after 33 minutes another QPR mistake did bring a second goal as Walters broke with Ireland after intercepting Vargas' pass, the Republic of Ireland international holding off three defenders to double his tally.

However, QPR responded well and halved the deficit within three minutes as Kranjcar – starting ahead of Bobby Zamora – tapped home after Charlie Austin's shot had been blocked.

Stoke were forced into a late first-half substitution as Shawcross hobbled off with what looked to be a back injury, with Marc Muniesa replacing him in defence.
Moses wasted two chances to add to Stoke's tally before half-time, and three minutes after the restart Phil Bardsley fired a free-kick inches over the crossbar.

Set-pieces were proving to be the best source of chances after the break with Vargas calling Begovic into action after 56 minutes, the Chilean executing a superb volley from a Leroy Fer free-kick.

Substitute Peter Crouch almost sealed the win for Stoke nine minutes after coming on following a neat passing move, but the striker could not divert Ireland's low cross on target.Late QPR pressure saw Barton go within a whisker of ending his side's dismal away form after 78 minutes, but his free-kick crashed against the woodwork.

Walters completed his treble in stoppage time with a well-placed header as QPR dallied in defence, ending any hope the visitors had of ending their barren run.

 

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Manchester United 3-1 Leicester City: Falcao & Van Persie on target

Manchester United avenged their humiliating defeat to Leicester City earlier in the season by recording a 3-1 victory over the Premier League's basement club.

Louis van Gaal's side were beaten 5-3 at the King Power Stadium in September, but they never looked in danger of suffering a similar fate at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Robin van Persie opened the scoring with his first goal in five matches in all competitions - a well-taken 27th-minute effort following a teasing ball over the top from Daley Blind.

That strike was swiftly followed by Radamel Falcao's bundled second, before Wes Morgan sent the ball beyond his own goalkeeper just before half-time.

United failed to build on their healthy lead after the interval, and conceded a late Marcin Wasilewski header, but they comfortably staved off the kind of comeback that earned Leicester their remarkable win earlier in the campaign.

Victory lifts United above Southampton, who play Swansea on Sunday, into third, while Leicester remain rooted to the foot of the table.

United, who wore black armbands to mark the 57th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, made three changes from their goalless FA Cup draw at Cambridge United, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer was handed a first Premier League start for Leicester.

Despite United's best efforts to probe the Leicester defence, the veteran stopper went largely untested in the early stages, with Falcao flagged offside when he appeared to have found an opening.

Leicester scored with all five of their shots on target when the sides met in September, and their first opportunity fell to Jeffrey Schlupp, who - with United temporarily down to 10 men as Phil Jones laced up a new pair of boots - raced down the left. He was unable to shake off the attentions of Antonio Valencia as his shot went high and wide.

United broke the deadlock in the 27th minute as the architects of one of the most memorable goals of 2014 combined again.

Blind, who provided the assist for Van Persie's spectacular diving header against Spain at the World Cup, found his Netherlands team-mate with a ball over the top before the striker expertly hooked a shot beyond Schwarzer, despite appeals for offside.

Falcao then pounced to force the ball over the line from close range after the goalkeeper had failed to hold an Angel Di Maria strike.

Having provided the assist for United's opener, Blind was again involved in United’s third as his header from a corner led to Morgan inadvertently diverting past Schwarzer a minute before the break.

Leonardo Ulloa went down in the box under the challenge of Marcos Rojo just after the hour mark, but referee Martin Atkinson waved away the visitors' optimistic claims for a penalty.

While United may not have looked as dangerous during the second period, Leicester offered little going forward and looked destined to end the match without registering a single shot on target.

However, Wasilewski nodded home his first goal for more than three years from a Marc Albrighton cross with 10 minutes to go, although that proved little more than consolation for the well-beaten visitors.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!

but godak sathutu wenna widiyak nahameeta wada hodata peform karanna oneSpecially ball possession thiyagena inna welawata​

 

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Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad: Benzema at the double as hosts fight back

Karim Benzema starred in the absence of the suspended Cristiano Ronaldo by scoring twice in Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.

Ronaldo received a two-match ban after lashing out at Cordoba's Edimar in Real's last league outing, but the leaders marched without the Portugal forward at Santiago Bernabeu.

Sociedad, who beat Carlo Ancelotti’s side 4-2 at the Anoeta in September, were out to record their first away win over Real since 2004 and they enjoyed a fine start, as Aritz Elustondo headed them in front in the first minute.James Rodriguez equalised just two minutes later, but Sociedad carried a serious attacking threat until Carlos Vela's injury 17 minutes in.

The hosts began to take control after the Mexico striker's substitution and Sergio Ramos put them ahead eight minutes before the break with his 41st Liga goal, with Benzema adding a third early in the second half.

Real saw several chances go begging in the second half, but Benzema completed the scoring in spectacular fashion with 14 minutes to go as Real moved four points clear of Barcelona, who face Villarreal on Sunday.

The visitors made a breathtaking start at the Bernabeu and broke the deadlock in the first minute, as Elustondo rose highest to meet Ruben Pardo's corner with an unstoppable header.

Moyes' men had barely finished celebrating when the hosts equalised just two minutes later, though.Rodriguez darted in front of Yuri in anticipation of a cross and placed a fine header into the top-left corner when Marcelo's delivery eventually arrived.

Sociedad went close to retaking the lead a few moments later, as former Real midfielder Sergio Canales poked agonisingly wide after latching on to Esteban Granero's wayward effort.

But the away side's chances of securing a surprise win suffered a blow with Vela's forced withdrawal due to injury in the 17th minute and Real took control from then on.

Sociedad were forced to withstand waves of attacks and their resistance eventually broke in the 37th minute, Ramos lashing home from close range after Jeronimo Rulli denied Benzema.It should have been 3-1 three minutes later, but Gareth Bale saw his effort deflected wide of an open goal after taking the chance off Rodriguez.

Bale made amends for that mistake six minutes into the second half, however, as the Wales forward raced down the left and cut a well-placed pass back for Benzema, who steered home a simple finish.

The visitors' attacking threat had long since diminished and Ancelotti’s side looked certain to add a fourth in the 56th minute, but the terrific Marcelo could not beat Rulli after collecting Benzema's clever pass.

Benzema rounded off a fine individual display in the 76th minute, combining well with Isco before curling a sensational strike into the top-right corner from 20 yards, doubling his tally as ruthless Real claimed a comfortable win.

 

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Liverpool 2-0 West Ham: Sturridge scores on his return

Daniel Sturridge was on target in his first Premier League appearance since August as he rounded off the scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win over West Ham at Anfield.

Sturridge has been plagued with groin and thigh injuries so far this term, but came off the bench to add to Raheem Sterling's opener after the forward had given Liverpool the lead shortly after the break.

The mood was positive around Anfield prior to the fixture due to Sturridge being named on the bench and Sterling added to the feel-good factor by helping maintain Liverpool's mid-season revival with a smart finish following a clever pass from Philippe Coutinho.

Chances continued to prove few and far between, but Sturridge's return for the final 22 minutes gave Liverpool added impetus.

The England international then finished from close range to put the game to bed and extend Liverpool's unbeaten run in the league to seven matches as the hosts leapfrogged Sam Allardyce's side into seventh.

Andy Carroll made his first Anfield appearance since leaving permanently in 2013 and wasted little time in making his presence felt - the striker perhaps fortunate to escape punishment for catching Emre Can in the face with his elbow.

It was Liverpool who were on the front foot early on as Lazar Markovic went close from inside the area and Coutinho tested Adrian with a side-footed effort after some slick build-up play.

Despite struggling to create much of note on the attacking third, West Ham went closest before the break with Carroll's header from inside the area after the half-hour mark.

Strong running from Sterling created a chance that Adam Lallana was unable to finish, while Markovic spurned another opportunity late in the half when he shot wide following careless play in possession from Stewart Downing.

The hosts' pressure continued after the interval and Liverpool were rewarded when Coutinho's clipped pass evaded James Tomkins and put Sterling clean through.

Sterling calmly slotted the ball past Adrian and things looked to have got worse for the visitors when Carroll appeared to hurt himself in a challenge with Can.

The striker returned to action having initially hobbled off, but was replaced by Carlton Cole after the hour mark.

Without Carroll's presence up top, West Ham continued to struggle to gain a foothold in the game, while Liverpool introduced Sturridge to a rapturous applause from the Anfield faithful.

The striker - influential in Liverpool's title tilt last term - needed just 12 minutes to score his first goal since the opening day as he slipped Coutinho's ball past Adrian to seal the points.

It leaves Liverpool looking upwards at the European places, while West Ham remain without a win at Anfield since 1963.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Livepool season 2nd half 1ke hoda fight 1kak dei​

 

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Sunderland 2-0 Burnley: Defoe opens account in much-needed win

Jermain Defoe scored his first goal for Sunderland as Gus Poyet's side cruised to a comfortable 2-0 home victory over fellow Premier League strugglers Burnley.

The former Tottenham man arrived from MLS outfit Toronto earlier this month, and marked his third appearance in all competitions with a simple close-range finish shortly after the half-hour mark.

Sunderland were already one ahead by that stage, as both Burnley centre-halves Jason Shackell and Michael Keane were drawn to the presence of Defoe inside the box, leaving Connor Wickham with an easy header from Anthony Reveillere's cross.

The goals earned Sunderland just their second win in 13 league outings, and sealed a potentially crucial three points against a side likely to be embroiled in a relegation scrap come the end of the season.

Burnley had mounted stirring comebacks in each of their last two away games, at Manchester City and Newcastle United, but there was to be no repeat performance at the Stadium of Light as Sean Dyche's side failed to create any clear-cut chances.

For Sunderland, meanwhile, it was a welcome victory - their first league win on home turf since early October lifting Poyet's men up to 14th in the table.

In a quiet opening to proceedings, Wickham's turn and finish was ruled out after the striker was adjudged to have fouled Keane in the build-up.

The visitors had the first notable chance in the 18th minute when Ashley Barnes headed David Jones' free-kick wide, shortly before Wickham put Sunderland ahead.

Reveillere got in behind the Burnley backline on the right and delivered a perfect cross for Wickham who was left all alone to nod home from six yards.

George Boyd had a chance to equalise just before the half-hour mark, but he was off-balance as he shot and the effort lacked the requisite power to defeat Costel Pantilimon.

With 34 minutes gone, Sunderland doubled their lead thanks to Defoe.

Jordi Gomez's clever ball picked out Patrick van Aanholt's run down the left and, with goalkeeper Tom Heaton committed, the defender's cut-back left Defoe with the simple task of tapping in from close range.

Burnley showed signs of encouragement at the start of the second half, as Barnes' header from Boyd's delivery was easily handled by Pantilimon before the striker's shot from the edge of the box was deflected wide.

Danny Ings - the subject of speculation about a move to Liverpool this week - was largely ineffective and was replaced by Lukas Jutkiewicz on the hour mark, with Ross Wallace also coming on in place of Boyd.

The changes failed to have the desired effect, however, as Sunderland were able to comfortably see out victory and leave their opponents remaining a point and a place above the drop zone.

 

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De Gea wa yawagatthama hari nekaranna one aluth contract 1kak offer karana 1ka...karume kiyanne thiyaganna hadanawa wenuwata yana 1kak gana karanawa danOkkotama wada hodai LVG giyanam​

De Gea ta yanna dunnoth nam aparade.De Gea thamayi godak match beragaththe

 

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West Brom 0-3 Tottenham: Kane double boosts Spurs

Kane & Eriksen patta ne

 

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Roma 1-1 Empoli: Giallorossi stumble again in Scudetto race

Roma's mid-season slump continued as they failed to win for the fifth time in six Serie A games, drawing 1-1 at home to Empoli.

Kostas Manolas was deservedly sent off for a foul on Riccardo Saponara in the first half and Massimo Maccarone coolly converted from the spot.

Empoli were then unlucky to receive similar treatment, with Saponara booked twice in the space of four minutes on the brink of half-time - the latter an innocuous-looking shoulder control of the ball - to make it 10 vs 10 in Rome.

Maicon's sweetly-struck equaliser triggered a barrage of Giallorossi attacks, but Empoli held on for a hard-earned point, leaving Roma at risk of falling nine points behind Juventus in the title race should the Scudetto holders win on Sunday.

Roma's lack of key players - such as Gervinho, Daniele De Rossi and Kevin Strootman - was telling in the early stages, where they were restricted to long-distance strikes on goal.

The game simmered in tempo as the first 20 minutes dragged on, with the visitors happy to shut up shop. Alessandro Florenzi was brought on for injured Juan Iturbe with a third of the game almost gone and what followed was Roma's best chance yet.

The attacking substitute had the ball in acres of space at the back post, but he took too long to swap to his stronger foot and his shot was blocked excellently by Daniele Rugani.

The home team's failure to break down Maurizio Sarri's men - and a disorganised back-line - allowed Saponara to break into the box with Yanga-Mbiwa trailing him, and Manolas was careless as he clattered into the back of the opposition player.

The Greek was shown a straight red card for his clumsiness and Maccarone fired his strike from 12 yards into the bottom corner, sending Morgan De Sanctis the wrong way.

Unsurprisingly, Rudi Garcia's side looked a little lost after the shock of going behind and a man down but, on the brink of half-time, they were given a helping hand by the referee as he controversially showed Saponara a second yellow card for an alleged handball, though replays suggest he ball struck his shoulder.

After the break, Maicon threw himself to the ground in Empoli's area, but on this occasion the referee saw through the veteran Brazilian's ruse.

However, the Brazilian made amends in the 57th minute as he curled a wonderful left foot shot in off the post from the corner of the box after a neat pass from Miralem Pjanic.

Roma had the wind in their sails from that point onwards. Substitute Davide Astori hit the crossbar with a header then Mario Rui pulled off a stunning slide tackle in his own area to deny Adem Ljajic what looked set to be a certain goal.

Empoli were the only side in Serie A heading into the clash at the Stadio Olimpico not to have conceded in the final 15 minutes this season, and that statistic was maintained on Saturday as Roma's push for a winner subsided as fatigue seeped in.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Borussia Dortmund: Draw leaves BVB rock-bottom

Borussia Dortmund were left rock bottom of the Bundesliga after they drew 0-0 with Bayer Leverkusen in their first match after the winter break.

A tight game saw both sides struggle to create chances, with Mats Hummels denying Gonzalo Castro an opener on the goal line towards the end of the first half, before Ciro Immobile was denied by Bernd Leno just after the interval.Leno was perhaps lucky to stay on the pitch having handled outside the area early in the contest, in one of the game's few talking points.

It was a reasonably quiet introduction for Dortmund debutant Kevin Kampl, with the visitors unable to break down a resolute home defence.

The result does little for either side, with Dortmund's league campaign lurching to another low point, while a rare blank drawn by Leverkusen at home sees them slip from a Champions League spot after Schalke and Borussia Monchengladbach victories in Saturday's earlier action.

Speculation linking star players Marco Reus and Mats Hummels with moves away will only add to the pressure on boss Jurgen Klopp, who was recently backed by the club's CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.





































































































Leverkusen took a Bundesliga record-breaking nine seconds to score when the sides met in August's reverse fixture, and they soon went about setting the pace once again, with visiting goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller forced into a smart save by Roberto Hilbert's speculative 25-yard drive within the opening minute.Klopp came into this game having never overseen a Dortmund defeat at the BayArena, but his side remained cagey during a tightly contested start.

The hosts were perhaps lucky not to go down to 10 men inside 13 minutes, when goalkeeper Leno appeared to handle outside the box as he rushed out to deny Immobile, but referee Knut Kircher remained unmoved.

Dortmund grew into the game, but largely struggled to call Leno into action, Nuri Sahin cutting inside to bend an effort wide from the edge of the area just before the half hour.

They were nearly made to pay for their profligacy seven minutes before half-time when a sweeping counter-attack allowed Karim Bellarabi to get behind the defence on the right flank.The winger squared to Castro inside the area, only for his shot to be cleared off the line by Hummels' diving header.

Dortmund responded and nearly broke the deadlock five minutes after the break when a charged down clearance allowed Immobile to race into the area, but his angled shot was palmed away.

Stefan Kiessling fired wide for the hosts four minutes later, following some good work from Josip Drmic and Castro, with the latter chipping over the bar when one-on-one, 13 minutes, from time to sum up a frustrating outing for both sides.