..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Milan 2-1 Crotone: Lapadula grabs late winner

Gianluca Lapadula scored a late winner as AC Milan came from behind to beat struggling Crotone 2-1 and stay within four points of Serie A leaders Juventus.

Juve put seven points between themselves and the chasing pair of Roma and Milan with a 3-1 win over Atalanta on Saturday, but the Rossoneri managed to keep pace with the reigning champions.

Milan wore the crest of Brazilian club Chapecoense, who had the majority of their team tragically killed in a plane crash this week, on their sleeves as well as the phrase 'Forca Chape' on the back for Sunday's contest, which saw Crotone take a surprise lead in the 26th minute through Diego Falcinelli's fifth goal of the season.

Vincenzo Montella's men levelled four minutes before half-time courtesy of Marko Pasalic's header but M'Baye Niang spurned a gilt-edged chance to complete the turnaround when he failed to convert a penalty won by Lapadula.

But Lapadula, who had earlier wasted a glorious opportunity of his own from point-blank range, spared Niang's blushes by firing home on the turn four minutes from time.

The result piles the pressure on Roma, who must now beat arch-rivals Lazio in the derby later on Sunday to stay level on points with Milan, and temporarily puts Crotone bottom.

An open start to proceedings saw Jose Sosa swerve an effort over for Milan before Leonardo Capezzi forced Gianluigi Donnarumma to tip the ball behind with a fierce drive from just outside the area.

Niang flicked a header over as Milan began to take control, with the Frenchman then surging into space only to curl a wild effort high and wide of the mark.

And Milan were made to pay for Niang's inability to take advantage of those opportunities by Falcinelli, who coolly slotted in the opener from close range after Marcus Rohden kept his composure under a clumsy challenge from Mattia De Sciglio to tee him up.Only a fine tackle from Federico Ceccherini prevented Niang from levelling matters, but parity was restored from the subsequent corner.

Suso's near-post delivery was flicked on by Gabriel Paletta and into the path of Pasalic, who made it 1-1 with a stooping header.

The turnaround should have been completed shortly after the restart when Ignazio Abate managed to direct a diving header back across goal for Lapadula, but the ball bounced off the striker's knee and onto his hand with the goal at his mercy from two yards out.

But Lapadula atoned for that bizarre miss almost instantly by winning a penalty, going down under an ill-advised challenge from Lorenzo Crisetig.

However, Niang was unable to end his five-game run without a goal, Alex Cordaz - a graduate of the Inter youth academy - springing to his right to deny him from 12 yards.

Milan's efforts to make amends were frustrated and they were grateful to Donnarumma for preventing Crotone from retaking the lead, Trotta's powerful low strike from the edge of the area parried by the teenage keeper following a well-worked counter from the visitors.

But Crotone could not hold out for the draw their performance merited, Lapadula having the final say after the visitors Trotta failed to deal with Keisuke Honda's free-kick.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bournemouth 4-3 Liverpool: Incredible comeback downs Klopp's men

Liverpool's title challenge suffered a stunning late blow as Bournemouth came from two goals down to beat Jurgen Klopp's men 4-3 in a thrilling clash at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday.

Ryan Fraser and Steve Cook struck in the latter stages of the second half before Nathan Ake hit an injury-time winner for the home side, who had trailed 2-0 at half-time and 3-1 with 25 minutes to play.

Sadio Mane and Divock Origi had put Liverpool in charge at the break after they capitalised on two errors in two minutes from goalkeeper Artur Boruc, and although Callum Wilson halved the deficit from the penalty spot, Emre Can's superb strike looked set to hand the visitors a fifth win in six league games.

But Bournemouth, who had lost seven of their previous nine meetings with Liverpool in all competitions, sprung an unlikely comeback and snatched a winner in the 93rd minute after Loris Karius spilled the ball into Ake's path.The result means Liverpool remain four points off leaders Chelsea, while Bournemouth climb into the top 10.

Liverpool should have taken the lead after only 10 minutes but Origi somehow failed to connect properly with Nathaniel Clyne's low cross from the right when he was unmarked at the far post.

The visitors kept up their early pressure as Bournemouth struggled to get the ball beyond the halfway line, and they capitalised on their dominance with 20 minutes played.

Can lofted a simple pass over the defence and into the path of Mane, and as Boruc hesitated while advancing off his line, the Senegal forward poked the ball past him and into the far corner.

Two minutes later, a second Boruc blunder allowed Liverpool to double their lead. The 36-year-old raced from his penalty area to try to intercept Jordan Henderson's pass to Origi but got nowhere near the ball, allowing the Belgian to move round him into space before curling a brilliant finish into the unguarded net from a tight angle.

Karius had been a spectator for much of the half, but he endured a nervy moment when he parried Josh King's low cross behind at the near post, and Bournemouth were furious not to win a penalty from the resulting corner when Ake went to ground after being caught by Roberto Firmino.

Eddie Howe introduced £15 million former Liverpool man Jordon Ibe at half-time, but it was fellow substitute Fraser - on for Junior Stanislas after Henderson's challenge injured his ankle - who handed Bournemouth a lifeline just moments after his introduction.

Fraser was bundled over by Milner as he drove into the penalty area, allowing Wilson to sweep the ball low into the net from the spot, with Karius diving the wrong way.

But just as the home fans raised the noise levels, Liverpool struck again. Mane worked some space down the right before prodding the ball to Can, who rifled a fine curling shot past Boruc and into the net from the edge of the area.

Liverpool - who took off Mane after he appeared to sustain an injury - were centimetres from a fourth after Boruc almost carried the ball across his own line, but the home side then enjoyed a blistering two-minute spell of their own to level the scores.

First, Fraser halved the deficit after he collected Benik Afobe's pass before drilling a low shot beyond Karius, who got hands to the ball but could not keep it out of the bottom corner.

And with 12 minutes to play, the former Scotland youth international turned provider for Cook, who controlled his cross superbly before arrowing a strike on the turn into the net beyond the static Karius from inside the area.

Afobe was denied a late winner by a fine save from Karius, before Origi fired narrowly over the bar from a corner, but Ake proved the hero for the home side in the 93rd minute, bundling the ball into the net after Karius had spilled Cook's shot.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lazio 0-2 Roma: Strootman & Nainggolan claim derby win

Having battled back from career-threatening knee injuries, Strootman pounced on an error from Lazio defender Wallace to put Roma on their way to victory midway through the second period at a half-full Stadio Olimpico - both club's 'ultra' fans remain unhappy at changes made to the stadium in an attempt to segregate unruly supporters.

The goal was followed by a bench-clearing melee that saw Lazio substitute Danilo Cataldi sent off and the mood among the home contingent darkened further when Radja Nainggolan drove home a second with 13 minutes to go.The Giallorossi are now unbeaten in eight derby games - their best run for 12 years.

Victory for Roma sees them remain four points behind Serie A leaders Juventus, having taken second place in the table back from AC Milan after their victory earlier on Sunday, with Lazio missing out on the chance to leapfrog their city rivals.
Lazio captain Lucas Biglia crunched into Diego Perotti a few seconds from kick-off to set the tone for a chaotic opening period.

Ciro Immobile blasted two good opportunities over the crossbar as Lazio made the early running against Roma's new-look back three, which was happy to sit deep and soak up the hosts' attacks.

Eventually Luciano Spalletti's system began to click and a spell of Roma dominance resulted in a moment of high controversy.Right wing-back Bruno Peres surged into the penalty area before slipping under the attention of Biglia, with referee Luca Banti pointing to the spot and issuing a booking to the Argentina international.

Lazio were incensed at the decision, prompting Banti to convene with his assistants on the line and behind the goal, before eventually overturning his decision and awarding a Roma free-kick outside the area, in turn angering the Giallorossi, who wasted the set-piece opportunity.

Federico Marchetti produced a stunning plunging save to deny Edin Dzeko just past the hour, but the Lazio goalkeeper was helpless when Wallace dithered in possession inside his own box, Strootman pouncing to rob him of the ball and dink a neat finish into the net.

After Strootman had taken to the running track to celebrate with the Roma fans, he was ambling his way back into his half before Cataldi yanked at his shirt and sparked a touchline scrap that resulted in his dismissal.

And before Lazio could carve out a comeback, they were dead and buried as Nainggolan was allowed to roam towards goal before blasting a 25-yard effort beyond a poorly positioned Marchetti.

A string of tetchy Lazio fouls gave the game a bitter aftertaste, but winning four derbies in sequence for the first time in five years will be sweet enough for Roma, whose players celebrated in front of a barren 'Curva' after Francesco Totti and Daniele De Rossi's please for the ultras to attend had been ignored.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 1-1 Manchester United: Last-minute Baines penalty pegs back visitors

Leighton Baines scored a penalty with one minute remaining to deny Manchester United a much-needed Premier League win as Everton snatched a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.Zlatan Ibrahimovic's audacious lob from outside the penalty area gave United the lead shortly before half-time, his sixth goal in five matches.

And it looked like that would prove decisive, with Ander Herrera striking the frame of the goal and David de Gea saving from Kevin Mirallas in the two best chances of the second period prior to the penalty incident.

Marouane Fellaini - on as a late substitute for his 100th United appearance - fouled Idrissa Gueye against his former club and Baines confidently converted from the spot.

United have now only won two of their past 11 league matches, with this point moving them back above West Brom and into the top six, but nine points adrift of Manchester City in fourth as the pressure grows on manager Jose Mourinho.Everton, meanwhile, stay eighth, and have still only won once in their last nine league matches, despite their late revival.

After a quiet start to the match, Marcos Rojo escaped a red card despite lunging in with a two-footed challenge against Gueye, with referee Michael Oliver opting only to book him.

Tom Cleverley sliced a volley into the arms of De Gea for Everton, while Ibrahimovic blasted a free-kick straight into the wall from 20 yards at the other end.

There was not a shot on target in the first half until Ibrahimovic's brilliant opener after 42 minutes.Anthony Martial's high ball sent Ibrahimovic racing clear down the left and the striker scooped a magnificent lob over the onrushing Maarten Stekelenburg and was relieved when the ball hit both post and bar before spinning over the line prior to Ramiro Funes Mori getting back to clear.

Everton came close to an equaliser early in the second half, De Gea making a vital save from Mirallas - one of the hosts' three changes - after he had burst past Rojo into the box.

The game was livening up and Herrera had a golden chance to double United's lead, his left-footed strike from close range bouncing off the woodwork after Michael Carrick's cross had been cleared into his path.

Everton were still struggling to pose a consistent threat and Ronald Koeman brought on Gerard Deulofeu and Enner Valencia in an attempt to find a breakthrough, while Mason Holgate replaced the injured Seamus Coleman at the back - all of which meant Ross Barkley remained on the bench.

Gueye's swerving shot was beaten away by De Gea, before the Spain international did well to tip Holgate's header to safety and hold on to Valencia's effort as it looked like the visitors would give Mourinho a timely three points.

But Everton received a lifeline with a minute remaining when Fellaini clumsily tripped Gueye in the area allowing Baines to beat De Gea from 12 yards as the home crowed breathed a sigh of relief.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United performances much better under me, says Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho feels the club are performing much better under his management than they have done in previous years.

Mourinho's side suffered a blow on Sunday when Leighton Baines scored a dramatic late penalty to give Everton a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park after it looked like an away victory was on the cards thanks to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's first-half goal.That meant United have only won two of their last 11 top-flight matches and sit in sixth position, 13 points behind leaders Chelsea.

But, despite the poor results, Mourinho thinks performances are so much better than United fans were getting under Louis van Gaal.

"There is a huge change in relation to the performances from the last couple of years, but now you see the results are all that matter," he said at his post-match press conference at Goodison Park."If Ander Herrera doesn't hit the post, it is 2-0 - game over.

"It's another game with a very good performance in an emotional stadium against very good players. "It is a very good performance again. We are playing very well at home, we are dominant, we are having very controlling performances away.

"When you play bad and get bad results, you can try to play well to get better results. When you are playing well there is nothing more you can do. "We are playing very, very, very, very well. Opponents are leaving the stadium super happy that they get the 1-1.

'We have to put it right' - Jones frustrated as United lose another late lead
"We go back to work and hopefully on Thursday [against Zorya Luhansk in the Europa League] we can play as well."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Arsenal can still improve

Arsene Wenger has pledged there is still more to come from his Arsenal side after they destroyed West Ham United 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday.

Wenger's side bounced back from their 2-0 EFL Cup quarter-final home defeat to Southampton in style with a 14-minute Alexis Sanchez hat-trick sealing a thrilling victory for Arsenal at London Stadium.

A run of 13 games without defeat in the Premier League has kept Arsenal in title contention but Wenger believes his side can be even more destructive despite scoring eight goals in their last two league games."We can do better, there is still room for improvement," Wenger said.

"Certainly our percentage of chances converted was not the best. It is not in line with what we have done since the start of the season. Mainly in the second half.

"Ideally you want to kill teams off earlier. But I must say though that since the start of the season, the quality of our finishing compared to the chances we have created is quite good."Certainly much better than last year. We miss only 20 per cent of our chances this year, last year we missed over 100.

"I think recently we had lost a little bit of the quality from our game and we started a little bit to miss the results. A draw here, a draw there. A draw against PSG was not completely convincing, but against West Ham we found our flow again."

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain scored Arsenal's fourth goal and the forward earned praise from Wenger with his decisive impact."He has made a lot of progress this season," Wenger said. "He plays with a freedom and power.

"When he wins the ball in your half he has that power to get you out. I hope that continues for him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Harry Kane wants to see out career at Tottenham

Harry Kane sees no reason why he will not spend the rest of his playing career at Tottenham Hotspur, so long as the club keeps progressing.

The England striker signed a new contract at White Hart Lane that runs until 2022 this week and celebrated by scoring twice in a 5-0 battering of Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The 23-year-old, who has hit five goals in his last four Tottenham appearances, is targeting winning trophies with Spurs and expects to be in north London beyond the length of his new contract.

"From my point of view, as long as the club's always progressing and has got a vision and going forward, then I'd love to do that [stay for the rest of my career]," Kane said.

"At the moment, that's the case, so there is no reason for me to move anywhere else. My ambitions at Tottenham are to win trophies. Premier Leagues, Champions Leagues. We've got to aim high, we have everything in the right place.

"You see the stadium being built every time we come here, little by little. It's exciting. We've got everything in place to be one of the top clubs in Europe.

"That's the aim, that's my goal and I'm sure it is the club's too. I'm happy here, I feel the club's progressing, we've got a great manager who I believe in a lot and the players believe in a lot, the stadium, the training ground, they are exciting times.
"There was no hesitation about signing a new contract."An ankle injury disrupted the start of Kane's season but with seven Premier League goals to his name he is hitting top form again.

"When you are injured, you're always thinking what is it going to feel like when you are playing again," Kane said. "I did a lot of rehab work and a lot of stuff in the gym to be as ready as possible.

"It's very pleasing to come back from a period out and still be scoring goals. Hopefully I can keep doing that for the rest of the season. We know in the last couple of months we could have done a lot better.

"We spoke about how these next couple are very important. Last year in December and January we really pushed on and put a good string of results together. That is what we have got to do now.

"We have definitely got some winnable games coming up, some good games at home that we should definitely win. We are looking at these next two months to build on this win against Swansea, hopefully get a few wins in a row and push us up the league and start fighting for the title."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd loanee Andreas Pereira tells Mourinho: I'm ready if you need me

Manchester United's Andreas Pereira says he is ready to return to the club if Jose Mourinho needs him. The 20-year-old midfielder is currently on loan with La Liga side Granada and scored his first goal for the club in Saturday's 2-1 win over Sevilla.

Pereira made 11 appearances in all competitions for United in Louis van Gaal's final season and, despite being allowed to leave on a temporary deal, says he is in regular contact with Mourinho.And while the former PSV midfielder says his time in Spain has been enjoyable, he insists his long-term goal is to make an impact on the United first team.

He told Goal: "We [Pereira and Mourinho] are always in contact and we talk after my games. If Manchester United needs me, I am always ready.

"The experience here in Spain has been very good, even though the club has struggled a bit. But I think we have been improving game by game and the last two games it showed that we are on the right track.

"I came here to play games, get a good experience playing in a top league and then to go back [to United] and to fight for a spot in the squad."

Pereira also tipped Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or and says he thinks Mourinho's side can still win trophies this season despite another set-back at Everton on Sunday.He added: "They are playing each game better and I believe that they will be competing for silverware at the end of the season."

The promising United midfielder has represented Brazil at youth and under-23 level and lost a friend in the Chapecoense air crash disaster.

After scoring against Sevilla, Pereira dedicated his celebration to the victims of the tragedy and insists he is disappointed to have received a yellow carded for the t-shirt gesture.

He said: "I think it is a shame that for doing something nice I needed to get booked, but he was just following the law. Perhaps the club will argue this [and appeal].

"Some tributes are a bit exaggerated, but this one was the biggest tragedy in football and I could not let it pass and do nothing. If I had to get the yellow card, it is what it is, but I needed to show my respect.

"Matheus Biteco [who died in the crash] was a friend of mine. We played together in the national team at under-20 level. It is very sad that he passed away, as well as the entire team of Chapecoense."

 

[Alucard_SxE]

Manchester United performances much better under me, says Mourinho

Blaming Van Gaal for the failures
then saying he's doing much better
Mara dial ekak thama. lagadima sack wei kiyala hena bayen aththe

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ian Wright: Arsenal can't win Premier League title

Arsenal cannot be considered serious contenders for the Premier League title, according to former Gunners striker Ian Wright.

Arsene Wenger’s side occupy second place in the English top-flight standings at present, with just three points separating them from table-topping Chelsea.

Both sides enjoyed convincing victories over the weekend, with an Alexis Sanchez-inspired Arsenal putting five past London rivals West Ham.

Chelsea, though, hit back from a goal down to see off fellow title hopefuls Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad Stadium – putting down a serious marker of their credentials.

Wright believes it is those in blue that are the more likely capital contenders to take the crown, with those in red from north London not quite ‘there yet’.

He told BT Score when asked if Arsenal can take the title: “No. I don’t think so especially after how Chelsea played. They seem to have the momentum at the moment. “I haven’t seen anything from Arsenal’s last three or four games to make me think they’re there yet.”

The Gunners have taken eight points from the last 12 available to them, with eight goals netted in their last two outings.Chelsea, though, have now won eight in a row, finding the target 22 times and conceding just twice.

Wenger’s side are doing well to hang on to the coattails of those from Stamford Bridge, but Emmanuel Petit is another former title winner who feels that Arsenal may be a little short when it comes to competing with the very best in the business.

The Frenchman added on BT Score: “They’re missing a couple of players. Defensively, I’m not confident. “Last year, they were performing defensively well. I think they’re dropping points because of their defence.”

Arsenal’s defence has been questioned on a regular basis in the past, and at times again this season, but there is not a lot more that they can do at present.

Only Chelsea and Tottenham have been tougher to breach in 2016-17, with the Gunners having conceded just 14 times in as many fixtures this term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blaming Van Gaal for the failures
then saying he's doing much better
Mara dial ekak thama. lagadima sack wei kiyala hena bayen aththe

Ow bro...eka atthaManchester United current form 1kata LVG ta blame karana 1ka waradi.mehema wenna lokuma hethuwa thamai Mounrinho ge bad decisions.Kiwwath wage Mourinho kohomath dan sure nathuwa inne bro.Koi welawe sack 1ka set weida danneth nahane.​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ego might keep Alexis at Arsenal, claims Ferdinand

Being the ‘main man’ at Arsenal may help to keep Alexis Sanchez at the Emirates Stadium, according to former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.

The Chilean’s long-term future in north London has been a topic of heated discussion in recent weeks, with no extension thrashed out as yet to his current deal.

That agreement is due to run until the end of the 2017-18 campaign, but the Gunners are understandably reluctant to see a key figure enter the final 12 months of a contract.

Arsene Wenger has remained optimistic when pressed on the matter, with the French coach confident that Sanchez will commit the best years of his career to Arsenal.

Ferdinand is reluctant to speculate on what discussions may bring, but concedes that the 27-year-old’s ‘ego’ may play a part as he has already played a supporting role at Barcelona in the past and walked away from a giant of the global game.
Pressed on whether he thinks Sanchez will pen fresh terms with the Gunners, the Premier League title winner told BT Sport: “It depends what he wants.

“He’s been at Barcelona – he had that opportunity to go to a team that was winning and it didn’t happen for him.“Here [at Arsenal] he’s the main man, the talisman. He might want that for his ego.”

Sanchez once again highlighted his value to the Arsenal cause over the weekend as he netted a 14-minute hat-trick in the Gunners’ 5-1 mauling of London rivals West Ham.He now has 11 Premier League goals for the season, while he has also contributed four assists.

Wenger’s side have moved into second spot in the top-flight standings on the back of Sanchez’s recent efforts, with only three points separating them from leaders Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lewandowski close to new Bayern deal

Robert Lewandowski is close at agreeing a new contract with Bayern Munich, making him one of the club's highest earners.Mark Barthel, who works with Robert Lewandowski's agent Cezary Kucharsky, has revealed that the 28-year-old is set to extend his stay at the Allianz Arena.

"It won't be long until he signs," Barthel told kicker.Lewandowski's current contract expires at the end of 2019, but Bayern are eager to see the Poland international extend his deal, after he was linked with a move away.Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge discussed the ongoing negotiations in August, saying the Bundesliga club 'won't sell' their top scorer.

"We have had several talks with his agents," Rummenigge told Bild. "We're ready to extend it. We certainly won't sell him."We are always ready to extend contracts prematurely and adjust their conditions to the present situation and market value.

"We won't be able to pay wages similar to those at Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain."We are paying very good salaries, but these clubs pay crazy wages in some cases."

However, Bayern are likely to offer a new contract which will see him equal Thomas Muller's salary of €15 million per year.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Arsenal sending negative message to potential signings'

Arsenal are sending “a negative message to players who are thinking of joining” by failing to tie Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez to new contracts, claims Jamie Redknapp.The Gunners are eager to see both men commit to fresh terms, but as yet no extensions have been put in place.

That has helped to keep unwelcome discussion regarding their respective long-term futures ticking over, with speculation suggesting that either could yet move on.
In contrast to goings on at Emirates Stadium, north London rivals Tottenham have been showing how contract talks should be held.

Several key figures at White Hart Lane have signed new deals this season, with Harry Kane and Jan Vertonghen the latest to put pen to paper.

Redknapp feels Arsenal’s inability to follow that lead could end up costing them dear, with there a danger that top transfer targets will snub interest from the Gunners if they fear top talent already on Arsene Wenger’s books will be allowed to slip through the net.He told the Daily Mail: "Tottenham were given a huge boost last week with Harry Kane and Jan Vertonghen signing new deals.

"Now Arsenal must follow suit and get Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil signed up.
"The fact that Sanchez and Ozil are yet to sign sends a negative message to players who are thinking of joining Arsenal.

"The Premier League is so tight this season - I can equally see Arsenal winning the league or finishing fifth - and it is crucial they tie down their best players."Sanchez and Ozil were at their talismanic best once again over the weekend, as the Gunners put five past capital rivals West Ham.

Ozil opened the scoring and provided an assist at London Stadium, while Sanchez bagged a 14-minute hat-trick.

Arsenal now sit second in the Premier League table, with only three points separating them from leaders Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata: Man Utd have the potential and desire to succeed

Juan Mata is taking heart from the “potential” and “desire” which remains on show at Manchester United during a testing period for the club.

The Red Devils surrendered two points late on at Everton on Sunday, with Marouane Fellaini’s clumsy challenge on Idrissa Gueye allowing Leighton Baines to snatch a 1-1 draw from the penalty spot.Once again, United had looked to be in complete control of the contest only to shoot themselves in the foot.

That has been a recurring theme for Jose Mourinho’s men of late, with performances not being reflected in their results.Mata remains convinced that the tide will turn, with the Spain international looking for the Old Trafford outfit to end the calendar year on a high and surge into 2017.

“I prefer to look forward, think about the potential of this squad and how united we are in the desire to convert all these draws into wins,” he wrote in a blog on his personal website.

“We have to look forward; complaining about the bad luck is not worth it. We must close the games and get what we deserve. That should be the only idea in our heads.

“We have six more games to complete a very busy December and close 2016, namely, Zorya, Tottenham, Crystal Palace, West Brom, Sunderland and Middlesbrough on New Year’s Eve. Three at home and three more away, although we don’t make any distinctions. We look at the best possible finish to the year and I’m sure we can do it.”

United are starting to slip off the pace in the battle for a top-four finish, with nine points now separating them from the Champions League places.They have, however, progressed positively in the EFL Cup and Europa League respectively and need to take inspiration from their exploits in knockout football as they seek to kick-start a frustrating top-flight campaign.

Mata will have a big part to play in that quest as, despite being benched for the trip to Goodison Park over the weekend, he has already netted five times this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Simeone: Some day I will coach Inter

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone says there is no problem with his son Giovanni stating he will coach Inter in the future because he has often spoken of a desire to lead the Nerazzurri later in his career.Simeone has made no secret of the fact he plans to return to San Siro to coach a club he represented as a player and with whom he won the UEFA Cup in 1998.

Giovanni, who plays for Genoa in Serie A, told Onda Cero last week that he expects his father to move back to Italian shores in the future.

And the Simeone senior defended his son's comments at a news conference ahead of Atleti's final Champions League group stage game against Bayern Munich."It is normal that my son, my father, my sister, my wife would say that I will train Inter in the future, because they know someday I will lead Inter," he said.

However, Simeone insists that does not place his immediate future at the Vicente Calderon in doubt, adding: "I have nothing to say about my future. It is abundantly clear."

When Atleti travel to the Allianz Arena, Simeone will come up against a familiar foe in Carlo Ancelotti, who led Real Madrid to Champions League glory at Los Rojiblancos' expense in 2014.

Bayern have not been firing on all cylinders under Ancelotti, though, and cannot overhaul Simeone's men at the top of Group D, while they trail surprise package RB Leipzig by three points in the Bundesliga.

But Simeone rejected suggestions Ancelotti is facing a crisis."I do not think they've had a crisis," he said. "During the season there are always difficult situations.

"Sometimes you and sometimes you lose touch. Knowing Ancelotti, I have no doubt that they will fight for the Champions League."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton confirm serious knee injury for Bolasie

Everton have confirmed that winger Yannick Bolasie will require surgery on what they describe as a "serious" injury to his knee.The 27-year-old was substituted in the 68th minute of Sunday's 1-1 Premier League draw with Manchester United and was sent for scans on the problem.

The club have since announced that Bolasie has sustained cruciate ligament damage and will be operated on this week.

"Yannick Bolasie will undergo surgery after sustaining a serious knee ligament injury against Manchester United on Sunday," an Everton statement said.

"Scans have now confirmed anterior cruciate ligament damage to the right knee. Bolasie will undergo surgery in the next few days."Initial reports have suggested that he could be out for the remainder of the season.Bolasie has been ever-present in Ronald Koeman's side since arriving from Crystal Palace in August for a reported fee of £27million.The DR Congo international has scored one goal and provided four assists in those 16 appearances in all competitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mkhitaryan: I'm to blame for my slow start, not Mourinho

Henrikh Mkhitaryan says he was at fault for taking longer than expected to earn a first-team berth at Manchester United, not Jose Mourinho.

The Armenia international arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund with high expectations after being named the Bundesliga Players' Player of the Year for 2015-16.

He struggled to adapt, though, and was hauled off at half-time on his first start for the club, a 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City, after which Mourinho said Mkhitaryan was guilty of turning in a "really poor individual performance".

Mourinho subsequently suggested that Mkhitaryan would struggle under the pressure of a crunch match with Arsenal, but the playmaker insists he did not fall out with his manager.

"There was no bad relation with him [Mourinho], it was always good but the problem wasn't him, it was me," he told Sky Sports News."Now I understand why I have got my chance and I will keep it, I will hold it, because it is very important for me to play, to be a part of Manchester United.

"I was thinking that I would be here as a starting line-up player but when I arrived I saw that there were 25 players fighting for their place and I understood that it wasn't going to be easy.

"I had a bad game against Manchester City but that is in the past so I kept working. I have done a great job to get my chance back and I think I did it a really long way until I start playing."

Mkhitaryan earned a standing ovation after assisting two goals in last month's 4-1 EFL Cup win over West Ham before turning in another fine performance from the start against Everton on Sunday.And he hopes to maintain that form and earn a regular place in Mourinho's plans going forward.

He added: "I hope so because it is really very important to play in every game, doing your best, because if you are not going to do your best then you are not going to play in the next game.

"The manager has a lot of choice, he has five or six players in that position but I know that playing now I know what I have done bad in the past and what good I can do in the future.

"So I know how I can help the team and I will be doing my best."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Strootman banned for sparking Rome derby brawl

Roma midfielder Kevin Strootman has been handed a two-match ban for sparking the brawl that saw Lazio's Danilo Cataldi sent off on Sunday.

Unused substitute Cataldi received a red card in the 66th minute of the Rome derby, having grabbed Strootman's collar, prompting the Dutchman to drop to the ground in an exaggerated manner and leading to a confrontation between players and staff on the touchline at Stadio Olimpico.

Footage later showed Strootman had antagonised his opponent by tossing the contents of a water bottle in Cataldi's face after scoring the opener in a 2-0 win. Italian authorities have now taken retrospective action against the 26-year-old.

Cataldi has only been given a one-game suspension, while Strootman, having been found guilty of seriously unsportsmanlike behaviour in the form of provocation and simulation, will miss important Serie A matches against AC Milan and Juventus.

Lazio's Senad Lulic, meanwhile, remains under investigation by the Italian Football Federation after making comments about Roma defender Antonio Rudiger that were construed as racist by many commentators.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

NYCFC star David Villa named 2016 MLS MVP

David Villa was named Major League Soccer's MVP on Tuesday after scoring 23 goals and adding four assists for New York City FC during the 2016 season.

Villa was the first player signed by NYCFC when the club joined the league prior to the 2015 season. After missing the playoffs in its inaugural season, the 35-year-old forward led the club to a second-place finish in the Eastern Conference behind crosstown rival New York Red Bulls.

"I'm very proud to represent NYCFC and to receive this award," Villa said. "It's a big day for me because this is one of the things I said I wanted to do when I came here two years ago.

"This is an important day in my career — this is an important moment for me. This award is for the best player in this amazing league which has many quality players so this is a very happy and proud day for me."

The former Spain international beat out New York Red Bulls duo Sacha Kljestan and Bradley Wright-Phillips for the Landon Donovan MVP Award, receiving 25.9 percent of the total votes.

Wright-Phillips, the Golden Boot winner with 24 goals, finished second with 19.3 percent of the votes cast by players, media and club management. Kljestan, who led the league in assists with 20, had 17.6 percent of the votes.

Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco came in fourth place despite receiving the same amount of media votes as Villa and Wright-Phillips. The fact he missed six games through injury likely played a part in the Italian missing out on his second straight MVP award.

Previous MLS MVP award winners:
2015: Sebastian Giovinco – Toronto FC
2014: Robbie Keane – LA Galaxy
2013: Mike Magee – Chicago Fire
2012: Chris Wondolowski – San Jose Earthquakes
2011: Dwayne De Rosario – D.C. United
2010: David Ferreira – FC Dallas
2009: Landon Donovan – LA Galaxy
2008: Guillermo Barros Schelotto – Columbus Crew
2007: Luciano Emilio – D.C. United
2006: Christian Gomez – D.C. United
2005: Taylor Twellman – New England Revolution
2004: Amado Guevara – New York/New Jersey MetroStars
2003: Preki – Kansas City Wizards
2002: Carlos Ruiz – LA Galaxy
2001: Alex Pineda Chacon – Miami Fusion
2000: Tony Meola – Kansas City Wizards
1999: Jason Kreis – Dallas Burn
1998: Marco Etcheverry – D.C. United
1997: Preki – Kansas City Wizards
1996: Carlos Valderrama – Tampa Bay Mutiny