..::Football III::..

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    Lahm: I want to stay at Bayern my entire life

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    Philipp Lahm has made it clear that he wants to stay at Bayern Munich his entire life, although he is not interested in a coaching role once he hangs up his boots.

    The 31-year-old came through the ranks of the Bayern youth academy and has spent his entire career so far at the Bavarians - bar a two-year loan spell at Stuttgart.Lahm recently revealed that he aims to retire at FCB once his contract runs out in 2018 and he is hopeful of continuing at the club in a different role.

    "I cannot imagine myself becoming a coach. But I can see myself stay in football my entire life, ideally at Bayern. Bayern are my boyhood club," Lahm told AZ.
    "I once left Bayern with pain in my heart and that was to join Stuttgart on loan. I guess I like staying close to home."

    The ex-Germany international went on to defend head coach Pep Guardiola in the wake of criticism of his behaviour during the 1-1 draw with Schalke on Tuesday, where the Spaniard made headlines with a sprint toward the linesman to protest the decision to disallow Robert Lewandowski's goal, only to then hug the fourth official after Arjen Robben's strike.

    "You do not often see things like that," Lahm admitted. "But everybody who has worked with Pep knows how emotional he is, but also how kind he is to other people. I don't think any bad words have been said.

    "He is always there for his players and he loves the game. And you see this in the way he behaves on the sidelines."
     

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    Willian savouring 'best moment' of career

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    Chelsea's attacking midfielder Willian believes he is playing the best football of his career as the club push for the Premier League title.

    Jose Mourinho's men are five points clear of Manchester City after 23 matches, with the Brazil international featuring in 22 of them for the Blues.

    "I think this is the best moment of my career," Willian told Perform. I've been improving, developing my game.

    "I am very happy to play for a club such as Chelsea. It was my dream to have an opportunity to play in a big league like the English league.

    "I came to Chelsea to win titles and we are close to it this year.

    "So I think I am in a good moment, and I've put in my head that I can't ever feel comfortable. Even when I become a regular, I don't feel comfortable and try to always improve more.

    "That's what I have been doing."

    Following Chelsea's deadline-day signing of winger Juan Cuadrado, Willian insists he is happy to have additional competition for a starting berth.

    "Competition for a place in the squad is growing. But I will always fight for my place," he said.

    "As I said, I can't ever feel comfortable otherwise another player can come and take my position.

    "I need to always improve and that is why I work hard to try and keep my place in the squad.

    "[Cuadrado] took part in his first training session today. We spoke with him and he looks like a calm boy, a good guy. We hope he can be happy with us here at Chelsea."

    Chelsea play Tottenham in the League Cup final on March 1, and have a last-16 first leg date with PSG in the Champions League on February 17. Willian has admitted that both of those games are on the minds of the squad.

    "In our head we want to win all three titles. We have the squad for that, we know our qualities," Willian said.

    "But we also know how difficult is to win all of these trophies.

    "We will face a tough opponent in the Champions League, and if we go through it will be always be a tough match in the quarter and semi-finals.

    "We also have a difficult opponent in the League Cup, and we are top of the league with a five-point advantage.

    "All us players can do is to win as many titles as possible. We know how difficult it is going to be so we must be focused and try to win all we can."
     

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    Wilson reveals Manchester United's quickest player

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    Manchester United starlet James Wilson has revealed that an unlikely team-mate takes the honour of being the Red Devils' fastest player.

    The 19-year-old, who struck in United's 3-0 FA Cup win over Cambridge United, ranks himself among the quickest players at the club – but says that no-one can keep up with defender Chris Smalling.

    "We wear GPS tracking devices in training and they tell you how far you have run and how fast," he told United's official website.

    "Obviously there are players like Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, myself and a few others but, going on stats, it is probably Chris Smalling.

    "That is maybe not who you would think! But Chris has got a pretty good speed."

    Smalling has made 12 Premier League appearances for United this season, with Louis van Gaal's men conceding 12 times in those encounters and recording just one clean sheet.
     

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    Lewandowski frustrated with substitute role at Bayern

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    Bayern Munich attacker Robert Lewandowski has voiced his frustration with his substitute role against Schalke on Tuesday, although he understands Pep Guardiola's decision to rotate due to the Bavarians' busy schedule.

    The 26-year-old has made 15 starts so far this Bundesliga campaign, starting just three times from the bench, but admits he finds it tough when he is forced to watch from the sidelines.

    "Generally speaking, I always want to play 90 minutes," Lewandowski told Bild.
    "But rotation is part of the game when there's two matches per week and I will have to accept that. But it's not easy for me to warm the bench."You want to help the team, but you cannot do that from the bench."

    The Poland international has netted seven goals in the Bundesliga this term and he thinks he could struggle to reach his objective of 20 goals due to his changed role.
    "Seven goals is not great and I know I can do better," said the former Borussia Dortmund man."It will be hard for me to score 20 goals in the league this season, but it's possible once I explode...

    "You cannot compare my situation at Bayern to that at Dortmund, though. Pep Guardiola does not expect me to score each game, but also wants me to create space for others."
     

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    Barclays Premier League 2015.02.07 Fixtures

    Barclays Premier League 2015.02.07 Fixtures

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    Tottenham Vs Arsenal
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    Aston Villa Vs Chelsea
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    Leicester Vs Crystal Palace
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    Manchester City Vs Hull
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    QPR Vs Southampton
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    Swansea Vs Senderland
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    Everton Vs Liverpool
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    Stuttgart 0-2 Bayern Munich: Robben and Alaba secure first win of 2015

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    Arjen Robben and David Alba both found the back of the net as Bayern Munich picked up their first win of 2015 with a 2-0 victory at Stuttgart.

    Bayern coach Pep Guardiola dismissed talk of a crisis after the champions drew 1-1 against Schalke on Tuesday following a 4-1 hammering at Wolfsburg, and normal service was resumed by the Bavarian giants at the Mercedes Benz Arena.
    The leaders were not at their best against Huub Stevens' strugglers, but Robben took his goal tally to eight in his last nine games and 14 for the season with a fine strike to open the scoring late in the first half.

    Defender David Alaba then opened his Bundesliga account for the season with a sublime free-kick, six minutes after the break, to ensure Bayern remain eight points clear of second-placed Wolfsburg, who beat Hoffenheim 3-0.

    While Bayern remain on course for yet another title, Stuttgart are now bottom of the table and have secured only five points at home this season.

    The hosts have now lost their last 13 games against Bayern and have failed to score in their last four matches against any opponent, as they brace themselves for a battle to avoid the drop.

    There were two changes to the Stuttgart side that held Cologne to a goalless draw in midweek, with Gotoku Sakai and Vedad Ibisevic coming in for Sercan Sararer and Martin Harnik.

    Dante replaced the suspended Jerome Boateng at the heart of the Bayern defence, while Robert Lewandowski returned to the starting line-up as Thomas Muller dropped to the bench.Bayern enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening stages, but Stuttgart pressed the champions and would not allow them to settle.

    Stevens' men did not initially resemble a team facing a relegation battle and they went close to an opening goal when Sakai's measured strike clipped the outside of the far post following a swift counter-attack 27 minutes in.

    It was Bayern who were in front four minutes before the break, though, courtesy of a stunning strike from the in-form Robben.

    Stuttgart had done a good job of keeping the Netherlands winger quiet until he burst ahead of Sakai to get on the end of Mitchell Weiser's pass before unleashing an unstoppable left-footed first-time strike that flashed past Sven Ulreich and found the far corner.Muller replaced Weiser at half-time, while Stuttgart coach Stevens introduced Harnik and brought off Daniel Schwaab.

    Stuttgart were unfortunate to be behind but things soon went from bad to worse for the home side when Alaba produced a moment of magic to double Bayern's lead six minutes into the second half.The Austria left-back opened his Bundesliga account for the season in style, letting fly with a free-kick from 25 yards that gave Ulreich no chance.

    Lewandowski almost added a fourth goal eight minutes from time, but Ulreich spread himself to deny the Poland striker as Bayern finished with a flourish in a comfortable victory.
     

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    Freiburg 0-3 Dortmund: Aubameyang double breathes life into struggling BVB

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    Marco Reus and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came to Jurgen Klopp's rescue as they fired Borussia Dortmund to a desperately needed 3-0 win over Freiburg.

    A dominant start from Dortmund was rewarded on nine minutes when Reus tapped into an empty net after Aubameyang had rounded the goalkeeper, before the Gabon international slotted home himself just after half-time.The Gabon star then popped up again 18 minutes from time to finish off a superb team move on a comfortable afternoon for the visitors.

    Victory eases the pressure on coach Jurgen Klopp, who earlier in the week dismissed talk of stepping down following a rotten run that had left the 2013 Champions League finalists propping up the division.

    A first win in six Bundesliga games sees Dortmund leapfrog Freiburg into 16th, adding to the relegation worries of Christian Streich's men, who are now level on points with bottom-of-the table Stuttgart.

    Few would have expected Freiburg to have a two-point lead over Klopp's men heading into the game, but there was little sign of the hosts adding to the woes of their opponents as Dortmund made much of the early pressing.First Reus fired over inside two minutes, before Roman Burki was forced to parry away Shinji Kagawa's stinging shot four minutes later.

    The hosts soon buckled under the pressure, contributing to their own downfall on nine minutes.A poor back pass from Mike Frantz was seized upon by Aubameyang, who rounded the keeper to tee up Reus for a simple finish.

    The lead allowed Dortmund, who made three changes from Wednesday's defeat to Augsburg, to take their foot off the gas as the half wore on, but they remained dominant.

    Ilkay Gundogan curled a speculative effort just wide on 25 minutes, while only a poor connection prevented Kagawa from doubling the lead seven minutes later after some good work from the lively Aubameyang.

    At the other end, Frantz fired wide after being set up by Mats Moller Daehli inside the area six minutes before the break, while visiting goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller had to be alert to keep out Oliver Sorg's 25-yard half-volley.

    Reus and Aubameyang continued to link up well after the interval, the former dinking a volleyed cross from the left to set up his team-mate, who fired wide from a central position.Aubameyang was able to find the net after 56 minutes when he latched on to a sublime throughball from Gundogan to get behind the defence and slot home.

    Dortmund refused to rest, with Burki on hand to palm away Reus' angled effort 10 minutes later, and the visitors added a third on 72 minutes.

    A wonderful team move involving Reus, substitute Jakub Blaszczykowski and Kagawa allowed Aubameyang to pick his spot and make sure of a first win in 2015.
     

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    Swansea City 1-1 Sunderland: Ki rescues hosts after Defoe opener

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    Ki Sung-Yueng returned to haunt former club Sunderland as his second-half header rescued a 1-1 Premier League draw for Swansea City on Saturday.

    The South Korea international, back in the starting XI after reaching the Asian Cup final with his country, spent the majority of last season on loan at Sunderland.

    And the midfielder, who also had a goal ruled out in the first half, made a decisive contribution when he stooped low to meet Kyle Naughton's cross in the second half at the Liberty Stadium - denying Sunderland what would have been back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

    Swansea were somewhat unfortunate to go into the break 1-0 down after wasting several chances, with Jermain Defoe - who opened his Sunderland account in last weekend's 2-0 win over Burnley - showing his finishing skills with a low drive shortly before half-time.The hosts' pressure finally told with Ki's header and a draw was no more than Garry Monk's men deserved for their efforts.

    A point leaves Swansea in ninth, while Guy Poyet's Sunderland remain 14th.
    Swansea, who handed Jack Cork a debut in one of three changes from the 1-0 win at Southampton, engineered the first shot on goal in the ninth minute when Bafetimbi Gomis fizzed a low strike wide of the right-hand post.

    Sunderland, who named two changes to the side that beat Burnley including a first league start for Danny Graham since the last game of the 2012-13 season, gradually grew into the game and former Swansea midfielder Jordi Gomez flashed an effort wide.

    Their threat proved brief as Swansea reasserted themselves and Gomis was denied by a smart save from Costel Pantilimon, who was out quick to save the striker's low shot after he latched on to Jonjo Shelvey's throughball.

    The French striker went close again on the half-hour mark when he stretched to meet a teasing cross from Modou Barrow - making his first Premier League start - with his right foot, but he failed to make clean contact.

    It appeared as though the pressure had paid off when Ki side-footed home Shelvey's free-kick, only to see his goal ruled out for offside.

    Sunderland made the most of the reprieve in the 41st minute as Swansea's defenders backed off Defoe allowing the England international to fire a clinical strike low into the bottom left-hand corner from 18 yards.Shortly after the restart Sunderland's Ricky Alvarez - rewarded with a start after scoring in Tuesday's 3-1 FA Cup win over Fulham - thought he should have had a penalty when he was tripped by Ashley Williams in the penalty area.

    The hosts continued to enjoy the majority of possession and their reward finally came in the 66th minute when January signing Naughton's cross was met with a diving header from Ki that beat Pantilimon.Buoyed by the goal Swansea continued to probe and Shelvey bent a free-kick wide from 30 yards.

    Sunderland were forced to survive a few anxious moments in the closing stages, but - despite substitute Nelson Oliveira testing Pantilimon's reflexes late on - Swansea were left frustrated in their pursuit of a winner.
     

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    Manchester City 1-1 Hull City: Milner rescues champions from shock defeat

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    Manchester City put in a poor performance but James Milner's late equaliser was enough to take a 1-1 home draw with Premier League strugglers Hull City.

    Still without Yaya Toure, Manuel Pellegrini's men were unimpressive throughout and conceded not long before half-time when David Meyler capitalised on the rebound from a Gaston Ramirez effort that hit the post.

    The hosts dominated play in the second half as they searched for an equaliser and finally levelled matters at the death when Milner came off the bench to find the net.

    However, a below-par home side - who will be desperate for influential Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure to return from Africa Cup of Nations duty - still slipped seven points behind leaders Chelsea after Jose Mourinho's side beat Aston Villa 2-1.

    Though denied a fifth win of the Premier League season, Hull clambered out of the bottom three on goal difference above Burnley.

    Striker Edin Dzeko was one of three changes from Pellegrini and he threatened down the left early on before Sone Aluko - brought in by Bruce as Hull's lone forward - tested Joe Hart soon afterwards.

    Despite their dismal run of form, Bruce's men acquitted themselves well and had the game's first clear-cut chance when Ahmed Elmohamady crashed a header against Hart's crossbar 15 minutes in from a deep Robbie Brady cross.

    While the champions gathered themselves after that scare, Pellegrini's side continued to falter going forward and were eventually punished for their sluggish start when Meyler rewarded Hull's persistence.

    Brady's effort was saved by Hart following a poor Martin Demichelis clearance before Ramirez hit the post as Fernandinho failed to deal with the danger. However, when the rebound fell to Meyler, the midfielder made no mistake to open the scoring amid sloppy defending from Pellegrini's back line.

    Pellegrini responded at the break by taking Fernando off for Jesus Navas and his side responded well as Dzeko connected acrobatically with Pablo Zabaleta's cross to threaten Allan McGregor's goal.

    David Silva then saw penalty appeals waved away by Jon Moss as he went down under clumsy contact from Alex Bruce as the home side continued to knock at the door.

    The otherwise quiet Sergio Aguero almost gained his side a point late on as he controlled the ball with his right foot before unleashing a stunning strike against the crossbar with his left in the final minute of normal time.

    Pellegrini's men were eventually rewarded for their second-half onslaught thanks to Milner's perfectly dispatched free kick, although the Chilean has plenty to ponder in his quest to reel Chelsea in at the summit.
     

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    QPR 0-1 Southampton: Late, great Mane sinks sorry Rangers

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    A dramatic late winner from Sadio Mane piled more misery on managerless QPR as Southampton claimed a 1-0 Premier League win at Loftus Road.

    Relegation-threatened QPR saw manager Harry Redknapp resign on Tuesday, citing an imminent knee operation as the reason for his departure.

    Chris Ramsey and Kevin Bond took caretaker charge of the Londoners on Saturday, and it looked as though they were set to oversee a hard-earned draw until Mane struck in the third minute of injury time.

    QPR had stood firm for much of the match, despite the visitors dominating proceedings, and they even had chances to win it themselves before Mane struck.
    But the Senegal man - back in the side after returning from the Africa Cup of Nations - proved his quality in the final moments.

    The forward fired home a powerful strike into the roof of the net at the near post to break the home side's resistance and boost Southampton's aspirations of UEFA Champions League qualification.

    Ronald Koeman's Southampton move up to third in the Premier League as a result, while QPR stay second bottom of the table with 19 points.QPR named Adel Taarabt – a peripheral figure under Redknapp - in their starting XI as one of four changes aimed at increasing their threat in front of goal.

    But it was Southampton who unsurprisingly dictated the early going, although without creating any clear-cut opportunities.The visitors were dealt a blow in the 20th minute when Matty Targett suffered a head injury after being caught by a Matt Phillips elbow.

    The left-back received treatment for several minutes before being taken off on a stretcher and replaced by Florin Gardos.

    Despite that setback, Southampton continued to dominate proceedings and they would have taken the lead in the 34th minute had Jose Fonte's volley not cannoned off the crossbar after Mane had forced Robert Green to tip his shot around the post from close range.

    Mane - by far the most dangerous player on the pitch - then got in behind the home defence again, only to fire wide of the far post.

    Neither team could take advantage of the seven minutes of first-half stoppage time that came as a result of Targett's injury, and chances continued to be few and far between following the restart.QPR gradually began to take control of the game, though, and only the heroics of Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster prevented them from going ahead.

    The former Newcastle and Celtic shot-stopper pulled off a brilliant reaction save to keep out Charlie Austin's point-blank effort after Joey Barton's strike had deflected into his path.

    Despite that near-miss, QPR would still have been content with a point against one the Premier League's form sides, but Mane snatched that away as he turned in the area and struck home the winner.
     

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    Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea: Ivanovic the hero for Mourinho's men

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    Chelsea went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 away win at Aston Villa.

    The Blues took the lead almost immediately through Eden Hazard but the Villans struck back through Jores Okore straight after half-time, ending their goal drought just short of 11 hours of play.

    But Chelsea's quality told and Branislav Ivanovic secured the points with a powerful finish in the 66th minute.

    Before Okore's goal, Villa had gone 659 minutes without finding the net - the fourth-longest barren spell in Premier League history - but for Paul Lambert and his side, the end of their scoreless run will be of little consolation, with the Villans now winless in nine league matches and just two points above the relegation zone.

    Chelsea, meanwhile, will be buoyed by putting further daylight between themselves and City, as they go in search of a third league title under Mourinho.

    The visitors made an assured start and were ahead inside eight minutes when Oscar fed Willian, whose pass was swept home first time by Hazard from 10 yards.

    Villa responded well to going behind and Gabriel Agbonlahor - recalled for Christian Benteke as one of three changes - headed over Fabian Delph's cross in the 19th minute.

    Brad Guzan had to parry away Oscar's fierce shot at the near post three minutes later as Chelsea went in search of a second, though a stiffened Villa back line kept the leaders at arm's length until the interval.

    The hosts began the second half brightly and were level within three minutes of the restart. Chelsea failed to sufficiently clear Carles Gil's corner and, as the ball came back to the Spaniard, his cross was headed home at the far post by Okore.

    Willian twice fired narrowly wide as Chelsea attempted to retake the lead and they did not have to wait too long as Ivanovic produced a superb strike.

    Cesar Azpilicueta's initial cross was blocked by Okore before the Chelsea man dug out a bouncing ball towards Ivanovic, who sent an excellent left-footed volley into the top-left corner from 16 yards.

    With their lead re-established, Chelsea were content to cruise for the remainder of the match and Mourinho was able to give a debut to Juan Cuadrado, who replaced Willian with 10 minutes remaining.
     

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    Tottenham 2-1 Arsenal: Kane the hero as Spurs come from behind in derby thriller

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    Harry Kane's 21st and 22nd goals of the season turned things around for Tottenham as they recorded a 2-1 Premier League win over rivals Arsenal in the north London derby.

    Mesut Ozil had given the visitors the lead early in the first half with a brilliant finish to a Danny Welbeck cross flicked into his path by Olivier Giroud, though Spurs were rarely without threat to reply.

    Such a response was finally delivered through Kane in the 56th minute when the young striker was the first to pick up on the rebound from David Ospina's smart save from a header at a corner.

    And Kane was on call again in the dying minutes of normal time when he rose to meet Nabil Bentaleb's cross with a superb header past Ospina to secure the points.

    It brought to an end Arsenal's five-match winning run in all competitions, Tottenham leapfrogging their rivals into the top four.

    The hosts edged a cagey opening, with Ospina forced to tip wide Kane's early effort before the Colombian easily collected Danny Rose's disappointing delivery from the left.

    However, in Arsenal's first purposeful foray forward, the recalled Welbeck burst past a surprisingly sluggish Rose to square for Giroud in the centre. The Frenchman cleverly helped the ball onto Ozil, with the Germany international able to angle his body and volley past Hugo Lloris to score for a third game running.

    An increased intensity from both sides saw chances flow before the half-hour mark, with Rose threatening Ospina's goal twice more down the left. However, the Arsenal defence stood firm to soak up Spurs' pressure - wasteful finishing from Christian Eriksen and Ryan Mason helping their opponents' cause.

    Welbeck was required to clear Eriksen's dangerous free kick late in the first half and Spurs started the brighter after the break.

    A lack of cutting edge in the final third continued to prove their downfall until Kane drew his side level with a cool finish at the back post after Ospina had failed to palm Erik Lamela's corner out of danger.

    The goal was no more than Spurs' pressure deserved but Welbeck almost put Arsenal back in front soon after - his curling effort kept out at full stretch by Lloris.

    Ospina was called on again to deny Kane - having initially saved from Nabil Bentaleb - but the 21-year-old would not be denied as he further cemented his status as Spurs' latest fan favourite.

    Kane's 22nd goal in all competitions came courtesy of a wonderful arching header from Bentaleb's cross as the striker impressed again in front of watching England manager Roy Hodgson.
     

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    :shocked:Atletico Madrid 4-0 Real Madrid: Champions gatecrash Ronaldo party

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    Atletico Madrid produced a stunning attacking display to stun Real Madrid 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon and cut the gap between the two sides to just four points at the top of La Liga.

    Diego Simeone's men would have fallen 10 points behind Real with defeat at the Vicente Calderon, but the Liga pacesetters were rolled over in ruthless fashion by a rampant home side.

    Victory extends Atletico's unbeaten run against their neighbours to six games this season after the visitors were out-fought and out-thought in every department.

    Ancelotti, who insisted his men were "not scared" of Atletico, was able to call upon the services of Cristiano Ronaldo again following his suspension, but the visitors looked in trouble from the off and Tiago opened the scoring with 14 minutes gone.
    Saul, an early substitute for the injured Koke, doubled their tally with a delightful bicycle kick four minutes later, leaving the Liga leaderscompletely stunned.

    The visitors rarely looked capable of mounting a response and Atletico added further goals through Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic to move within four points of Real at the summit.Atleti began the contest with purpose and looked particularly threatening down the right flank through Arda Turan, who caused problems inside the first 10 minutes.

    The hosts were dealt the blow of losing Koke to a hamstring injury in the 10th minute, but produced a marvellous response to the setback, taking the lead four minutes later.

    In truth, there was a hint of fortune about the goal, as Tiago met Mandzukic's well-weighted pass on the edge of the area and drilled a low effort at Iker Casillas, who allowed the ball to squirm under him.

    There was no doubt over the quality of Atletico's second, which came in the 18th minute.Guilherme Siqueira produced a marauding run on the left wing, riding two challenges on his way, and then picked out a precise cross for Saul, whose acrobatic overhead kick flew in off the post.

    Real picked things up after the half-hour mark, but Atletico continued to look lethal in attack and should have been awarded a penalty in the 34th minute when Sami Khedira blocked Diego Godin's goal-bound effort with his arm.Simeone's men started the second half strongly and Griezmann tested Casillas with a stinging drive from the edge of the area, before sending a bicycle kick just over the crossbar.

    The lively France star was not to be denied in the 67th minute, though, as Griezmann latched on to Saul's header across goal and poked in ahead of the sluggish Raphael Varane.

    Real made a laboured attempt to salvage a consolation towards the end, but the champions ultimately sapped them of their remaining pride as Mandzukic headed in substitute Fernando Torres' cross for a fourth.
     

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    Juventus 3-1 AC Milan: Tevez on target to heap more misery on Inzaghi

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    Juventus tightened their grip on top spot in Serie A and piled more pressure on Filippo Inzaghi as they beat AC Milan 3-1 in Turin on Saturday.

    In what is traditionally a clash between title rivals, the contest at Juventus Stadium highlighted the current gulf between the two sides, as Massimiliano Allegri completed a league double over his former employers in a dominant display.

    The reigning champions, who are now 39 unbeaten at home in the league, edged ahead in the 14th minute through Carlos Tevez, despite calls for the Argentina international to be given offside.

    Luca Antonelli, one of two Milan debutants alongside Gabriel Paletta, levelled just before the half-hour mark, though they were level for only a few minutes, with Leonardo Bonucci restoring Juve's lead.

    Milan produced a slight improvement after the break, though Juve also took things up a notch and opened up a two-goal deficit with 25 minutes to go through Alvaro Morata, who finally appears to have dislodged fellow Spaniard Fernando Llorente.

    Filippo Inzaghi, who reportedly endured a fractious relationship with Allegri in their time together at Milan, saw his side's late efforts count for nothing, while Juve moved well clear of second-placed Roma ahead of their trip to Calgiari on Sunday.

    Juve began the contest in purposeful fashion, pushing forward in numbers and pressing fiercely in midfield, forcing early errors from Milan.

    And it came as little surprise when the hosts broke the deadlock 14 minutes in, as Tevez, who looked to have strayed marginally beyond the last defender, latched on to Morata's header and tucked an effort under Diego Lopez after charging away from the helpless Paletta.

    The home side crafted another opportunity a few moments later, as Patrice Evra knocked Andrea Pirlo's free kick delivery back across goal, but nobody could capitalise.

    And Milan made the most of that let-off, drawing level with 28 minutes on the clock thanks to Antonelli's fine glancing header.

    The visitors were level for barely three minutes, though, as Bonucci stabbed home after Tevez headed Pirlo's corner back into the danger area.

    Milan's chances suffered a further blow eight minutes before the break, with top-scorer Jeremy Menez forced off and replaced by Giampaolo Pazzini.

    Juve continued to dictate proceedings in the second half, though Milan spurned a good opportunity to equalise for a second time in the 54th minute, Gianluigi Buffon producing a smart save to deny Pazzini.

    The hosts swiftly came to grips with Milan's brief improvement and effectively secured all three points in the 65th minute, as Morata was left with an easy tap-in after a Claudio Marchisio effort came back off the post.

    Milan's attempts to force an unlikely late comeback left the visitors vulnerable on the break, but Juventus were unable to punish Inzaghi's men further, with Lopez doing well to deny Marchisio with eight minutes left.
     
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