..::Football III::..

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Borussia Dortmund 5-1 Augsburg: Aubameyang hat-trick seals comfortable win

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's hat-trick inspired Borussia Dortmund to a 5-1 win over Augsburg on Sunday, closing the gap on leaders Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga to seven points.

Aubameyang, fresh from netting a treble in the Europa League win over Qabala on Thursday, gave the hosts the lead when he tapped home in the 18th minute, before a first-half brace from Marco Reus put Dortmund out of sight.

Reus was on hand to prod home Shinji Kagawa's fizzed cross in the 21st minute, before being set up by the Japanese international again to slot home just after the 30-minute mark.

Raul Bobadilla's header after the break gave the visitors hope, but there was no way back for the strugglers, as Aubameyang slid in to notch his second goal late on before completing his second hat-trick in four days with a composed finish in stoppage time.

The result stretches Dortmund's unbeaten home run to 13 games in all competitions and will give head coach Thomas Tuchel hope in the unenviable task of catching Bayern.

Augsburg, who earned an unlikely 1-0 win at Signal Iduna Park last season, remain rooted to the bottom of the table amid their worst-ever start to a Bundesliga season.

Aubameyang set the tone for this clash inside two minutes, with only a crucial intervention from Ragnar Klavan preventing the Gabon international sweeping home Gonzalo Castro's low cross.

Augsburg continued to find themselves on the back foot in the opening exchanges as Matthias Ginter headed wide, before Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Burki gathered from Koo Ja-Cheol's firm header in a rare Augsburg attack.

But the otherwise dominant hosts were not to be denied and took the lead on 18 minutes.

A fine team move down the right allowed Ilkay Gundogan to lose his man and square to Aubameyang, who made no mistake from six yards out.

The visitors barely had time to regroup before Reus extended the lead two minutes later, prodding home Shinji Kagawa's drilled cross in a rampant first-half performance.

Gundogan stung the palms of goalkeeper Marwin Hitz with 25-yard drive, before Reus doubled his tally by slotting home on 33 minutes following Kagawa's wonderful backheel inside the area.

Bobadilla managed to reduce the arrears four minutes into the second term with a looping header from Tobias Werner's whipped free-kick to offer slim hopes of a comeback, while Kagawa blazed over from 25 yards at the other end just before the hour.

Argentine Bobadilla might have had a second 10 minutes later, but could only scuff wide after Mats Hummels' clearance bobbled off Marcel Schmelzer inside the area.

Aubamayang forced Hitz into a smart save with a crashing drive from the edge of the area 10 minutes from time, but was not to be denied, sliding in to meet substitute Adrian Ramos' delivery across goal, before completing an impressive hat-trick by slotting home a composed finish in added time.

 

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Auba

Auba Vs Lewa hoda fight 1kak yai Bundesliga top goal scorer wenna​

 

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Liverpool 1-1 Southampton: Mane strike denies Klopp first win

A late Sadio Mane equaliser cancelled out Christian Benteke's opener to give Southampton a 1-1 draw at Liverpool and keep Jurgen Klopp waiting for his first win.

Benteke came off the bench to head Liverpool ahead brilliantly with just 13 minutes remaining at Anfield and spark a wild celebration from Klopp.

But Mane, who was subsequently sent off for a second bookable offence in injury time, denied the former Borussia Dortmund coach his maiden victory as Liverpool boss with a scrappy equaliser nine minutes later.

Sunday's result represents Klopp's third successive draw at his new club, while Southampton are now four games unbeaten in the Premier League. Both teams now have 14 points from 10 games this season.

Adam Lallana was the first to try his luck after being set up by James Milner in the seventh minute, but the former Southampton captain's attempt lacked the power and accuracy to worry Maarten Stekelenburg.

Southampton’s Steven Davis should have opened the scoring in the 20th minute after Mamadou Sakho failed to adequately clear a cross from the left, but the midfielder only managed a weak shot from close range that was easily collected by Simon Mignolet.

Milner came close to breaking the deadlock at the half-hour mark after a fine combination with Lallana, only for the Liverpool skipper to aim his shot from the edge of the area just wide.

Centre-back Virgil van Dijk had a gilt-edged chance to gift Southampton the lead in the 38th minute after a fine free-kick from Davis, yet Mignolet denied the Dutchman with a superb reflex save. The resulting corner saw Van Dijk again try his luck, only to see Lucas Leiva clear his header this time around.

Benteke nearly made an immediate impact after coming off the bench at half-time when he volleyed a corner from Milner towards goal, only to see Davis chest it off the line.

The hosts got another fine chance minutes later when Alberto Moreno played a clever one-two with Emre Can before unleashing a powerful shot toward the far post, but his attempt went wide for a goal kick.

Southampton striker Graziano Pelle then went close as the match opened up, before Benteke opened the scoring after 77 minutes of play; Milner sent in a fine cross from the right and the Belgium striker beat his marker to the ball before finding the top corner with a booming header from 12 yards.

Benteke's goal was met with an exciteable celebration from Klopp, though his side were unable to see out the result as Mane restored parity with just four minutes left.

Substitute Gaston Ramirez found Mane with a header back across goal and the Senegal forward did well to tap home ahead of Mignolet, before he then picked up a second caution for a wild tackle on Moreno in stoppage time - though it was too late for Liverpool to make their numerical advantage count.

 

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Pellegrini praises Manchester City's defensive efforts

Manuel Pellegrini has praised Manchester City's defensive efforts after their derby draw against rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, but admits such tactics are "not my style".

The visitors went into the match having scored 11 times in their previous two Premier League games but the absence of influential attacking duo Sergio Aguero and David Silva through injury was keenly felt throughout a laboured 90 minutes.

Yaya Toure spurned the best two openings of the first half for the visitors but they were forced to defend after the break, with substitute Jesse Lingard striking the crossbar for United five minutes from time.

Pellegrini's team are back on top of the Premier League on goal difference ahead of Arsenal – two points better off than United – and the manager claimed it was "easy" to defend with his team stationed increasingly close to their own penalty area.

"I'm not disappointed because we did okay in a difficult stadium," Pellegrini told Sky Sports.

"We played better in the first half, but as a team we need to defend as well, it's a tactical game. It's easy to defend with 10 players in your box, for me it's not the way to do it but we did well.

"I don't know if we have played our best. I always read how teams going away and playing tactical are doing well - it's all mind games, and although it's not my way of playing we did it this time. We have returned to the top, which is important."

City had faded as an attacking force by the time Pellegrini made the uncharacteristically pragmatic move of replacing Toure with veteran defender Martin Demichelis in the 77th minute and the Chilean explained that his team's carelessness in possession forced a change in approach.

"We lost too many balls in the second half," he said. "We didn't have clear chances but we had more attempts than United did. It wasn't my intention to play that way second half but United had more of the ball."

 

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'Klopp has found out in two games... Liverpool are average'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has needed just two-and-a-half games to discover that he has an "average squad" at his disposal, according to former player Jamie Carragher.

The 48-year-old German coach replaced Brendan Rodgers in October and began his reign with a 0-0 draw away at Tottenham, before playing out a frustrating 1-1 draw with Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday.

Klopp took charge of his first Premier League game at Anfield against on Southampton on Sunday yet, with his side entering the interval at 0-0 having struggled to break down the Saints, Carragher hit out at his ex-club.

He told Sky Sports during half-time: "[Derrick] Origi, [Philippe] Coutinho, [Adam] Lallana have done nothing. They're not aggressive enough. They're too nice.

"Watching Liverpool now, Jurgen Klopp has soon found out in two-and-a-half games it's an average squad of players.

"He's come in with the idea of heavy metal football but for two-and-a-half games Liverpool have been playing like a church choir. That's what it's been like; slow, boring, nothing happening, no aggression, everyone's nice."

 

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Hat-trick hero Kane a better player for goal-shy period - Pochettino

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino believes Harry Kane is a better player for his dip in goalscoring form that was emphatically brought to an end with a hat-trick in a 5-1 Premier League win at AFC Bournemouth.

Kane had only scored once this season, in a 4-1 defeat of Manchester City last month, prior to his treble in Sunday's victory at the Vitality Stadium, a triumph that moves Tottenham up to sixth.

The England striker, who netted 21 goals in the league last term, scored a ninth-minute penalty to cancel out Matt Ritchie's opener for Bournemouth after being fouled by goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

And, after Mousa Dembele and Erik Lamela had made it 3-1, Kane completed his hat-trick in the second half.

"We never had any doubts about him [Kane]," Pochettino told a press conference. "[It was a] very important hat-trick for him, it's important for him to learn about that period, the good and the bad about football.

"I'm happy because he has become a much better player. This period was very tough for him."

Boruc ended a nightmare day, with three of his mistakes leading to goals, and Pochettino believes Tottenham's style of play contributed to his error-strewn performance.

"We put him [Boruc] under pressure and Bournemouth under pressure with the way that we pressed very high, the effort from the players was fantastic," Pochettino added.

"From the beginning we want to press them and how we put the pressure on was the key for dominating the game and creating the chances we created."

 

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Kompany: There is no problem with me and Pellegrini

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany insisted there is no rift between himself and manager Manuel Pellegrini after returning to the starting line-up in a 0-0 draw against rivals Manchester United.

Kompany started City's previous two matches on the bench having gone against Pellegrini's wishes to play in Belgium's Euro 2012 qualifier against Israel despite missing five club matches with a calf injury.

The City skipper was restored to play a full part in his 19th and, arguably, most forgettable Manchester derby – a turgid contest of few chances at Old Trafford on Sunday – and he denied reports of a rift.

"Everyone knows how much this game means to me," Kompany told Sky Sports. "I was disappointed to be left out of the team but it is all about opinions.

"There is no problem with me and the manager."

City maintained their record of not conceding in the league this season with Kompany playing, keeping their first clean sheet in nine matches since he last completed 90 minutes at Crystal Palace on September 12.

"I don't know how it looked from the outside but it didn't feel like a dynamic derby," he added. "Both teams looked defensively solid."

United finished strongly, with substitute Jesse Lingard striking the crossbar before Chris Smalling drew a sharp save from Joe Hart, and the City goalkeeper was pleased with the resilience of his side.

"It's a performance that I'm glad we have in the locker but I'd prefer it if we didn't have to use it," he said.

"We came wanting three points but respect to Manchester United, we had to defend well and limited them to two half-chances.

"We don't want praise, we want points. We are back on top of the league now and we can hopefully kick on."

 

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'Why don't you shoot?' - Van Gaal AGREES with Man Utd critics

Louis van Gaal says his philosophy is not to blame for Manchester United's lack of shots against rivals City on Sunday, and insists he DID encourage his players to shoot more at the half-time interval.

The Red Devils did not register a single shot in the first half of a match for the first time since Opta began recording statistics back in 2003, and Van Gaal admits he was unimpressed with his side's lack of bite at Old Trafford.

"I said at half-time that we can also shoot from outside the box, you don't have to wait for the 16-metre area," explained the Dutchman. "That was my remark also, I thought 'You can shoot, why don't you shoot?'"

Asked if his team were too preoccupied with trying to score the perfect goal, he continued: "I like the question because I see that also but I don't have time yet to see my players and speak to them."One culprit for United's lack of firepower was the out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney, but Van Gaal refused to discuss his skipper and instead pointed out City's excellent defensive performance.

"I have to talk every week about Rooney, why? Write it down, it's your opinion. I don't give any more answers about Wayne Rooney because I'm sick of it.

"We should have scored one of our three chances, although [Jesse] Lingard did very well and it wasn't easy for him. But it was so difficult with the way they played so organised and played on the counter-attack. It's just like the game against Moscow - they were also organised."

Asked if only one side had turned up to win, he continued: "You have to ask not me but my colleague. You have seen that Manchester United has attacked. They have the right to play compact and they have done it.

"They have a fantastic team on the counter-attack but we have controlled that. I am disappointed that we don't have the luck because I have seen on the video that [Ander] Herrera - it was a penalty - but the referee has not given us the benefit.

"Of course I can see the video, that he doesn't touch the ball but the legs of Herrera. But that luck we don't have this season, though I understand it is not easy for the referee, but it is not the first time I see it has gone that was."

 

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'Why don't you shoot?' - Van Gaal AGREES with Man Utd critics

Pudumai piligattha ekamama hithuwa philosophy kiyai kiyala​

 

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Manchester derby 1kanam pattama boring unaSides 2kema kisima attack 1kak naha godak welawatawelawakata hithuna draw 1kakatamada play karanne kiyalath.

Specially hamadamath wage Manchester united 1st half performance gannama deyak naha.1ka shot 1ka naha 1st half 1ke

Boring ma derby match 1kak

Manchester United Shots on target 6(1)
Manchester City shots on target 6(1)

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Borussia Dortmund 5-1 Augsburg: Aubameyang hat-trick seals comfortable win

Auba

 

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Baston: Barcelona just as good without Messi

 

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Fiorentina 1-2 Roma: Salah down former club to send Giallorossi top

Mohamed Salah netted for Roma against his former club Fiorentina as they moved top of Serie A with a 2-1 win on Sunday, although the winger was later sent off.

The Egyptian arrived at the Giallorossi over the summer after spending the latter half of last season plying his trade at the Artemio Franchi, and turned up with the opener against his old team in the sixth minute with a curling left-footed strike.

Gervinho later doubled the capital outfit's lead from a perfectly-executed counter-attack right after the half-hour mark, as Alessandro Florenzi sent the Ivory Coast international through on goal with only Ciprian Tatarusanu to beat.

Salah was then sent off for two cautions in quick succession in the 87th minute and Khouma Babacar halved the deficit shortly after.

But Rudi Garcia's men clung on for a result that sees them replace the Viola at the top of Serie A.

 

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Dybala happy to repay Allegri faith

Juventus striker Paulo Dybala was delighted with his team's performance in their 2-0 win over Atalanta, and stated he has always enjoyed the backing of coach Massimiliano Allegri.

The striker scored a goal and assisted another in Sunday's 2-0 win at Juventus Stadium, as the champions found their goalscoring touch after consecutive goalless stalemates with Inter and Borussia Monchengladbach.

Allegri had come in for criticism for not using the €40 million summer arrival from Palermo enough, but the 21-year-old did not feel his impressive display against Atalanta proved a point over his playing time this season

"I talk to my team-mates and don't read what is written in the newspapers. I’d like to thank the fans for their affection," the new Argentina international told Mediaset Premium."I'm happy, we put in a great performance and kept the ball throughout. It's a deserved victory.

"I've got the full backing of my boss and team-mates. When I play I always give everything I’ve got."Allegri was angered by Juve's decisions in the final third during the midweek Champions League draw against Monchengladbach.

But with the Bianconeri having returned to winning ways, was pleased with what he saw on Sunday."It was a good game from the lads, we kept a clean sheet and played some decent stuff in patches," he said.

"Dybala must operate between the lines. He's young and needs to improve but has what it takes to be a top player."

 

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Barcelona 3-1 Eibar: Suarez hat-trick keeps heat on Madrid

Luis Suarez marked the one-year anniversary of his Barcelona debut with a hat-trick as the Spanish champions fought back from a goal down to see off Eibar 3-1 at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

The Uruguayan made his Barca bow in the Clasico of October last year and, 365 days on, was pivotal as Barca recovered from a sluggish start to move second and keep pace with leaders Real Madrid despite Javier Mascherano's late red card.

The domestic and European champions, who emerged for kick-off wearing shirts expressing their support for club great Johan Cruyff following his lung cancer diagnosis last week, were stunned when Atletico Madrid loanee Borja Baston took his tally to six goals in his last five games 10 minutes in.

However, Suarez hauled Barca level before the break - capping a wonderful team move involving Sergio Busquets and Sandro Ramirez - before Neymar teed up a second three minutes into the second half. The Uruguayan then completed his treble five minutes from time.

The pair have largely carried Barca in recent weeks amid the absence of injured forward Lionel Messi and combined again as Suarez moved to 10 goals in all competitions to top the club's scoring charts this term.

Mascherano's dismissal seven minutes from time mattered little as Suarez bagged his hat-trick with a right-footed effort, Eibar losing for just the second time in the league this season while Barca continue to prosper even without the likes of Messi, Andres Iniesta, Rafinha and Sergi Roberto.

Ander Capa had the first effort on target for Eibar three minutes in and, having seen a Suarez strike find the side-netting, the hosts gained an early lead through Baston.

Following a slick counter that Barca would have been proud of, Claudio Bravo denied Keko only for Baston to tuck home the rebound and silence Camp Nou.

Dani Alves's block from Takashi Inui soon after kept the score at 1-0 before Barca saw penalty appeals turned down when Neymar tangled with Capa in the box.

However, Luis Enrique's side were back level soon after courtesy of a sublime team goal that began with Busquets finding Ramirez down the right-hand side of the area with an expert pass.

The forward then crossed for Suarez to mark the anniversary of his debut with a well-taken header.

Sandro turned Jordi Alba's cross wide as Barca sought to complete the turnaround before half-time while Keko's seemingly goal-bound effort was blocked on the line by Marc Bartra after Dani Alves surrendered possession cheaply.

However, Suarez continued to make the most of his landmark appearance, capitalising on industrious play from Neymar down the left to calmly fire home from inside the area.

Suarez saw a volley well saved by Asier Riesgo before Neymar's free-kick from the edge of the area hit the wall as Eibar struggled to regain their early rhythm having fallen behind.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's men threatened briefly in the latter stages but it was Barca who finished the stronger despite Mascherano's red for apparent dissent; Suarez having the final say five minutes from time as Luis Enrique's side join Madrid on 21 points, second only on goal difference.