Latest ads
-
Video Content Creator
- pramukag
- Updated:
-
QA Engineer Intern
- pramukag
- Updated:
-
Sell your Land, House on idamata.lk for FREE
- sajith.xp.pk
- Updated:
-
Handmade Character Soft Toys- anil1961
- Updated:
-
Bodim.lk out now !- Manoj Suranga Bandara
- Updated:
..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
- Start date
Carabao Cup Fixtures 2017.10.24
Carabao Cup Fixtures 2017.10.24
Arsenal Vs Norwich City
Bournemouth Vs Middlesbrough
Bristal City Vs Crystal Palace
Leicester City Vs Leeds United
Swansea City Vs Manchester United
Manchester City Vs Wolves
Arsenal Vs Norwich City
Bournemouth Vs Middlesbrough
Bristal City Vs Crystal Palace
Leicester City Vs Leeds United
Swansea City Vs Manchester United
Manchester City Vs Wolves
Thawath away match 1kak.Pahugiya matches wala mistakes hodagena ada match 1ka play kaloth hodai
Attacking nam godak improve wenna one
Good Luck Manchester United!
Attacking nam godak improve wenna oneGood Luck Manchester United!
Swansea City Starting Line-up
Nordfeldt
Rangel
Van der Hoorn
Mawson
Olsson
Ki
Mesa
Clucas
Routledge
Ayew
McBurnie
&
Manchester United Starting Line-up
Romero
Darmian
Lindelof
Smalling
Blind
Tuanzebe
Herrera
Lingard
McTominay
Martial
Rashford
Lindelof ta ada match 1keth chance 1ka deela balapu 1ka hodai.Hoda chance 1kak karagatthoth hodai Mourinho wa impress karanna
Good Luck Manchester United!
Good Luck Manchester United!
Congratulations Manchester United!
Lingard
Lingard ge 2nd goal 1ka patta.Niyama finish 1ka
& next Tottenham.meh season 1ke amaruma match walin 1kak.Loku fight 1kak denna wena match 1kak.Tottenham la godak fast & pattama form 1kaka inne.So godak improve wenna wenawa win karanna
Good Luck Manchester United!
Lingard
Lingard ge 2nd goal 1ka patta.Niyama finish 1ka
& next Tottenham.meh season 1ke amaruma match walin 1kak.Loku fight 1kak denna wena match 1kak.Tottenham la godak fast & pattama form 1kaka inne.So godak improve wenna wenawa win karanna
Good Luck Manchester United!
Swansea City 0 Manchester United 2: Lingard double gets Red Devils back on track
Jesse Lingard was at the double as Manchester United bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 defeat of Swansea City in the EFL Cup fourth round.
The 24-year-old produced a pair of clinical finishes either side of half-time as Jose Mourinho's men issued a composed response to their shock Premier League loss against Huddersfield Town.
Both teams rung the changes from their respective weekend defeats, although Victor Lindelof was promoted to the starting XI, despite a shaky display as a first-half substitute at the John Smith's Stadium.In truth, the Swede was rarely tested by a Swansea side perhaps focused more on their upcoming Premier League trip to Arsenal.
Lingard, who scored in the final as the Red Devils won this competition last season, quickly put any nerves to bed by coolly slotting away the opener after 21 minutes.
And the winger capped a comfortable return to type for the reigning champions just prior to the hour, sealing a quarter-final berth and getting Mourinho's men back on track ahead of a visit from Tottenham.
Shifting to a 3-5-2 system, Mourinho handed starts to youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Scott McTominay as two of seven changes to the team which was stunned on Saturday.The visitors found early fluency despite the adjustments as Chris Smalling nodded wide from a corner inside two minutes, before Kristoffer Nordfeldt tipped over a rising Lingard shot.
England international Lingard went one better in the 21st minute when, put clean through on goal by a delightful Marcus Rashford flick-on, he unerringly side-footed into the bottom right corner.
Swansea did come close to a fortuitous equaliser on the half-hour with Daley Blind's unconvincing header ricocheting past the post off Oliver McBurnie.Instead, Paul Clement's side suffered another setback as Martin Olsson was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury before half-time.
United were content to take the sting out of any potential comeback by soaking up possession in the lead up to the hour.And their plans paid dividends as Lingard again ghosted through the heart of Swansea's defence and clinically headed home Matteo Darmian's superb right-sided cross.The winger could well have completed his hat-trick in quick time, but fired across the face of goal from a narrow angle following McTominay's clever pass.
Swansea's angst would hardly have been helped by the introduction of Romelu Lukaku, although they did receive a let-off when Tuanzebe poked over the bar from close-range.
Clement threw on an attacking ace of his own in the shape of Tammy Abraham and the Chelsea loanee saw a firm effort pushed to safety by Sergio Romero, who also saved from Leroy Fer at point-blank range in stoppage time, denying Swansea a consolation as they switch attention back to their flailing league campaign.
Jesse Lingard was at the double as Manchester United bounced back to winning ways with a 2-0 defeat of Swansea City in the EFL Cup fourth round.
The 24-year-old produced a pair of clinical finishes either side of half-time as Jose Mourinho's men issued a composed response to their shock Premier League loss against Huddersfield Town.
Both teams rung the changes from their respective weekend defeats, although Victor Lindelof was promoted to the starting XI, despite a shaky display as a first-half substitute at the John Smith's Stadium.In truth, the Swede was rarely tested by a Swansea side perhaps focused more on their upcoming Premier League trip to Arsenal.
Lingard, who scored in the final as the Red Devils won this competition last season, quickly put any nerves to bed by coolly slotting away the opener after 21 minutes.
And the winger capped a comfortable return to type for the reigning champions just prior to the hour, sealing a quarter-final berth and getting Mourinho's men back on track ahead of a visit from Tottenham.
Shifting to a 3-5-2 system, Mourinho handed starts to youngsters Axel Tuanzebe and Scott McTominay as two of seven changes to the team which was stunned on Saturday.The visitors found early fluency despite the adjustments as Chris Smalling nodded wide from a corner inside two minutes, before Kristoffer Nordfeldt tipped over a rising Lingard shot.
England international Lingard went one better in the 21st minute when, put clean through on goal by a delightful Marcus Rashford flick-on, he unerringly side-footed into the bottom right corner.
Swansea did come close to a fortuitous equaliser on the half-hour with Daley Blind's unconvincing header ricocheting past the post off Oliver McBurnie.Instead, Paul Clement's side suffered another setback as Martin Olsson was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury before half-time.
United were content to take the sting out of any potential comeback by soaking up possession in the lead up to the hour.And their plans paid dividends as Lingard again ghosted through the heart of Swansea's defence and clinically headed home Matteo Darmian's superb right-sided cross.The winger could well have completed his hat-trick in quick time, but fired across the face of goal from a narrow angle following McTominay's clever pass.
Swansea's angst would hardly have been helped by the introduction of Romelu Lukaku, although they did receive a let-off when Tuanzebe poked over the bar from close-range.
Clement threw on an attacking ace of his own in the shape of Tammy Abraham and the Chelsea loanee saw a firm effort pushed to safety by Sergio Romero, who also saved from Leroy Fer at point-blank range in stoppage time, denying Swansea a consolation as they switch attention back to their flailing league campaign.
Manchester City 0 Wolves 0 (aet, 4-1 pens): Bravo saves send Guardiola's men through
Claudio Bravo was Manchester City's hero, saving two spot-kicks as his side beat a brave Wolves team 4-1 on penalties to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.Alfred N'Diaye and Conor Coady were denied by the Chile goalkeeper, while the hosts scored all four of their attempts in the shoot-out.
Sergio Aguero was chasing City's goalscoring record, having equalled it against Burnley on Saturday by moving on to 177 goals, but endured a frustrating evening until scoring the winning penalty with a cheeky Panenka.The drama came after neither team could find a breakthrough as a tense, end-to-end battle over 120 minutes ended 0-0.
The Championship leaders made nine changes to their team but still produced an impressive defensive display and created three brilliant chances themselves, with Bravo, who was standing in for Ederson, the home hero on each occasion, before starring further on penalties.
Free-scoring City had netted 59 goals in 18 games since the last time they failed to score in a 0-0 draw with Manchester United in April, but were taken to the limit on a damp night.The win means Pep Guardiola still has all four potential avenues for silverware available as City look to make up for his trophyless debut campaign in England.
After a pitch-invading squirrel captured the home fans' attention ahead of kick-off, the record-chasing Aguero almost had them out of their seats when his early 20-yard strike was parried to safety by Wolves goalkeeper Will Norris.
Aguero - City's captain in the absence of Vincent Kompany and David Silva - then had an even better chance to make history when Raheem Sterling squared into his path, but could only scuff an effort wide from inside 12 yards.Despite fielding a weakened side, Wolves were competing well and threatened when Ryan Bennett's header tested Bravo.
An Aguero long-range drive was dealt with by Norris, while the Argentina forward lashed another Sterling delivery narrowly wide.It was Wolves, though, who had the best chance of the first half, Bright Enobakhare forcing a dallying Eliaquim Mangala to lose possession in a dangerous area and racing through on goal, only for Bravo to make a critical save.
After a quiet start to the second half, Bravo was called upon to make another vital stop, racing out to deny Helder Costa before the Portugal winger could dink a shot over him.
Norris then made a key touch at the other end to stop a frustrated Aguero from rounding him, atoning for a poor clearance from his goal, before the Wolves shot stopper kept out a drive from Bernardo Silva, who had charged into the box from the right channel.Aguero had a late penalty claim turned down as he surged into the box and appeared to be tugged back by Coady, while Sterling somehow missed the target after Norris parried a cross from substitute Kevin De Bruyne.
But there was still time for Wolves to waste another golden chance as the match moved into extra time, Enobakhare racing clear after being played in on the counter-attack and embarking on a lung-busting run from inside his own half, but failing to beat Bravo as he made a third key save of the contest.
Sterling had a left-footed drive from the edge of the area saved by Norris in the first period of extra time, while Yaya Toure was also denied. Substitute Leroy Sane had an effort deflected inches wide and the Wolves keeper denied Aguero for a final time as the tie moved to penalties.
De Bruyne, Toure, and Sane all netted for City from 12 yards, while Leo Bonatini converted for Wolves, but that would prove in vain as Bravo showed impressive reflexes to deny N'Diaye and Coady, allowing Aguero to dink in the clinching penalty.
Claudio Bravo was Manchester City's hero, saving two spot-kicks as his side beat a brave Wolves team 4-1 on penalties to reach the EFL Cup quarter-finals.Alfred N'Diaye and Conor Coady were denied by the Chile goalkeeper, while the hosts scored all four of their attempts in the shoot-out.
Sergio Aguero was chasing City's goalscoring record, having equalled it against Burnley on Saturday by moving on to 177 goals, but endured a frustrating evening until scoring the winning penalty with a cheeky Panenka.The drama came after neither team could find a breakthrough as a tense, end-to-end battle over 120 minutes ended 0-0.
The Championship leaders made nine changes to their team but still produced an impressive defensive display and created three brilliant chances themselves, with Bravo, who was standing in for Ederson, the home hero on each occasion, before starring further on penalties.
Free-scoring City had netted 59 goals in 18 games since the last time they failed to score in a 0-0 draw with Manchester United in April, but were taken to the limit on a damp night.The win means Pep Guardiola still has all four potential avenues for silverware available as City look to make up for his trophyless debut campaign in England.
After a pitch-invading squirrel captured the home fans' attention ahead of kick-off, the record-chasing Aguero almost had them out of their seats when his early 20-yard strike was parried to safety by Wolves goalkeeper Will Norris.
Aguero - City's captain in the absence of Vincent Kompany and David Silva - then had an even better chance to make history when Raheem Sterling squared into his path, but could only scuff an effort wide from inside 12 yards.Despite fielding a weakened side, Wolves were competing well and threatened when Ryan Bennett's header tested Bravo.
An Aguero long-range drive was dealt with by Norris, while the Argentina forward lashed another Sterling delivery narrowly wide.It was Wolves, though, who had the best chance of the first half, Bright Enobakhare forcing a dallying Eliaquim Mangala to lose possession in a dangerous area and racing through on goal, only for Bravo to make a critical save.
After a quiet start to the second half, Bravo was called upon to make another vital stop, racing out to deny Helder Costa before the Portugal winger could dink a shot over him.
Norris then made a key touch at the other end to stop a frustrated Aguero from rounding him, atoning for a poor clearance from his goal, before the Wolves shot stopper kept out a drive from Bernardo Silva, who had charged into the box from the right channel.Aguero had a late penalty claim turned down as he surged into the box and appeared to be tugged back by Coady, while Sterling somehow missed the target after Norris parried a cross from substitute Kevin De Bruyne.
But there was still time for Wolves to waste another golden chance as the match moved into extra time, Enobakhare racing clear after being played in on the counter-attack and embarking on a lung-busting run from inside his own half, but failing to beat Bravo as he made a third key save of the contest.
Sterling had a left-footed drive from the edge of the area saved by Norris in the first period of extra time, while Yaya Toure was also denied. Substitute Leroy Sane had an effort deflected inches wide and the Wolves keeper denied Aguero for a final time as the tie moved to penalties.
De Bruyne, Toure, and Sane all netted for City from 12 yards, while Leo Bonatini converted for Wolves, but that would prove in vain as Bravo showed impressive reflexes to deny N'Diaye and Coady, allowing Aguero to dink in the clinching penalty.
Arsenal 2 Norwich City 1 (after extra time): Nketiah double books Gunners' EFL Cup quarter-final spot
Eighteen-year-old Eddie Nketiah scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to beat Norwich City 2-1 and book their spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.Nketiah, who made his debut for the Gunners against BATE Borisov earlier this season, was introduced in the 85th minute at the Emirates Stadium with his side trailing to Josh Murphy's cool first-half finish.
The youngster made an immediate impact, equalising with almost his first touch to send the game into extra-time.He then ensured the headlines would be his in the 96th minute with a superb header from Mohamed Elneny's corner to secure Arsene Wenger's side's place in the next round.
Norwich – unbeaten in nine in all competitions going into the game – were the better side for long spells and should have been out of sight in the second half, but Murphy, Nelson Oliveira and Mario Vrancic all squandered golden opportunities.
Wenger named Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi in his starting line-up, but none of them could make an impression against a stubborn Norwich defence, which only wilted following the introduction of Nketiah.
Norwich, buoyed by their 1-0 derby win over Ipswich Town on Sunday, started in confident mood and comfortably kept Arsenal at arm's length in the opening exchanges. Their positive display was rewarded in the 34th minute when Murphy netted his fourth EFL Cup goal of the campaign.
The 22-year-old latched onto James Maddison's through ball and clipped a cool finish over debutant goalkeeper Matt Macey to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead.
Any thoughts that they might sit back and hold onto their advantage in the second half were soon dispelled by more impressive attacking play.An incisive break in the 55th minute should have resulted in a red card for Elneny, but referee Andrew Madley only gave him a caution for a foul on Oliveira despite the Egyptian being the last man.
Norwich then missed a hat-trick of opportunities to put the game out of sight. First, Oliveira blasted over after 69 minutes before Murphy sent a half-volley wildly over with only Macey to beat.Vrancic then inexplicably fired wide from close range after taking two Arsenal defenders out of the game with a fine dummy.
They were made to pay for that profligacy in the 85th minute when substitute Nketiah stabbed home from close range to take the game into extra-time.Theo Walcott was denied by a fine Angus Gunn save, but from the resulting corner Nketiah rose highest to send a thumping header into the top corner.Norwich were denied a late penalty when James Husband was hauled down in the area by Mathieu Debuchy, as Arsenal held on thanks to Nketiah's memorable intervention.
Eighteen-year-old Eddie Nketiah scored twice as Arsenal came from behind to beat Norwich City 2-1 and book their spot in the EFL Cup quarter-finals.Nketiah, who made his debut for the Gunners against BATE Borisov earlier this season, was introduced in the 85th minute at the Emirates Stadium with his side trailing to Josh Murphy's cool first-half finish.
The youngster made an immediate impact, equalising with almost his first touch to send the game into extra-time.He then ensured the headlines would be his in the 96th minute with a superb header from Mohamed Elneny's corner to secure Arsene Wenger's side's place in the next round.
Norwich – unbeaten in nine in all competitions going into the game – were the better side for long spells and should have been out of sight in the second half, but Murphy, Nelson Oliveira and Mario Vrancic all squandered golden opportunities.
Wenger named Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Alex Iwobi in his starting line-up, but none of them could make an impression against a stubborn Norwich defence, which only wilted following the introduction of Nketiah.
Norwich, buoyed by their 1-0 derby win over Ipswich Town on Sunday, started in confident mood and comfortably kept Arsenal at arm's length in the opening exchanges. Their positive display was rewarded in the 34th minute when Murphy netted his fourth EFL Cup goal of the campaign.
The 22-year-old latched onto James Maddison's through ball and clipped a cool finish over debutant goalkeeper Matt Macey to give the visitors a deserved half-time lead.
Any thoughts that they might sit back and hold onto their advantage in the second half were soon dispelled by more impressive attacking play.An incisive break in the 55th minute should have resulted in a red card for Elneny, but referee Andrew Madley only gave him a caution for a foul on Oliveira despite the Egyptian being the last man.
Norwich then missed a hat-trick of opportunities to put the game out of sight. First, Oliveira blasted over after 69 minutes before Murphy sent a half-volley wildly over with only Macey to beat.Vrancic then inexplicably fired wide from close range after taking two Arsenal defenders out of the game with a fine dummy.
They were made to pay for that profligacy in the 85th minute when substitute Nketiah stabbed home from close range to take the game into extra-time.Theo Walcott was denied by a fine Angus Gunn save, but from the resulting corner Nketiah rose highest to send a thumping header into the top corner.Norwich were denied a late penalty when James Husband was hauled down in the area by Mathieu Debuchy, as Arsenal held on thanks to Nketiah's memorable intervention.
Real Murcia 0 Barcelona 3: Arnaiz bags debut goal to put Catalans in charge
Jose Arnaiz scored a superb debut goal as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 first-leg win over Murcia in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey.The 22-year-old, drafted into the side after impressing for Gerard Lopez's B team, fired home the goal of the game after Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu had put the holders in control at the Nueva Condomina.
Ernesto Valverde named Arnaiz, Carles Alena and Thomas Vermaelen – making his first start of the season – in a much-changed line-up, as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez, Paulinho and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were all left out.Murcia performed well for much of the first half, looking a threat on the break, but Alcacer's well-taken header saw Barca take control just before half-time.
Deulofeu added a second shortly after the break before Arnaiz netted the third to put the LaLiga leaders in command of the tie ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou on November 29.The Catalans now turn their attention to a league trip to Valverde's old club Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, for which Arnaiz could well be in contention following an excellent display.
Arnaiz – playing on the left of the attacking three – enjoyed a bright start as the visitors applied the early pressure, although Alex Ortiz came close to nodding Murcia in front after Barca failed to clear their lines.
The home side were doing well to keep the majority of Barca's possession away from their penalty area, although Alena missed a glorious chance after 22 minutes, somehow turning the ball away from goal from point-blank range.
Murcia's counter-attacking game had Barca unsettled, though, and Fernando Llorente missed a great chance to grab a shock lead before half-time, blazing over the crossbar after Nadjib had bundled his way past Vermaelen.
Alcacer had endured a frustrating opening but made amends to put the Catalans ahead with barely a minute left in the half. Having shown excellent movement to elude his marker, the former Valencia man met Deulofeu's cross and steered a header past the static Alejandro Santome.
Barca's lead was doubled less than seven minutes after the restart thanks to the lively Deulofeu, who won back possession outside the Murcia half, drove into the box and slotted a good finish beneath Santome from a tight angle.
Barely three minutes later and the tie was effectively killed off thanks to Arnaiz's moment of brilliance. The former Real Valladolid man cut inside from the left and fired right-footed past the helpless keeper and into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the area.
Jasper Cillessen denied Chamorro in the closing stages as Barca began to ease off and there was time enough for them to hand a debut to Marc Cucurella off the bench, with their quest to win the trophy for the fourth season in a row off to an encouraging start.
Jose Arnaiz scored a superb debut goal as Barcelona cruised to a 3-0 first-leg win over Murcia in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey.The 22-year-old, drafted into the side after impressing for Gerard Lopez's B team, fired home the goal of the game after Paco Alcacer and Gerard Deulofeu had put the holders in control at the Nueva Condomina.
Ernesto Valverde named Arnaiz, Carles Alena and Thomas Vermaelen – making his first start of the season – in a much-changed line-up, as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez, Paulinho and Marc-Andre ter Stegen were all left out.Murcia performed well for much of the first half, looking a threat on the break, but Alcacer's well-taken header saw Barca take control just before half-time.
Deulofeu added a second shortly after the break before Arnaiz netted the third to put the LaLiga leaders in command of the tie ahead of the return leg at Camp Nou on November 29.The Catalans now turn their attention to a league trip to Valverde's old club Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, for which Arnaiz could well be in contention following an excellent display.
Arnaiz – playing on the left of the attacking three – enjoyed a bright start as the visitors applied the early pressure, although Alex Ortiz came close to nodding Murcia in front after Barca failed to clear their lines.
The home side were doing well to keep the majority of Barca's possession away from their penalty area, although Alena missed a glorious chance after 22 minutes, somehow turning the ball away from goal from point-blank range.
Murcia's counter-attacking game had Barca unsettled, though, and Fernando Llorente missed a great chance to grab a shock lead before half-time, blazing over the crossbar after Nadjib had bundled his way past Vermaelen.
Alcacer had endured a frustrating opening but made amends to put the Catalans ahead with barely a minute left in the half. Having shown excellent movement to elude his marker, the former Valencia man met Deulofeu's cross and steered a header past the static Alejandro Santome.
Barca's lead was doubled less than seven minutes after the restart thanks to the lively Deulofeu, who won back possession outside the Murcia half, drove into the box and slotted a good finish beneath Santome from a tight angle.
Barely three minutes later and the tie was effectively killed off thanks to Arnaiz's moment of brilliance. The former Real Valladolid man cut inside from the left and fired right-footed past the helpless keeper and into the bottom-right corner from the edge of the area.
Jasper Cillessen denied Chamorro in the closing stages as Barca began to ease off and there was time enough for them to hand a debut to Marc Cucurella off the bench, with their quest to win the trophy for the fourth season in a row off to an encouraging start.
Inter 3 Sampdoria 2: Icardi and Skriniar send Spalletti's men top
Mauro Icardi scored twice and Milan Skriniar was also on target as they came back to haunt former club Sampdoria and send Inter to the top of Serie A, for 24 hours at least, with a 3-2 win on Tuesday.
Having claimed a thrilling 3-2 derby win over AC Milan and then held Napoli to a 0-0 draw in their last two games, Luciano Spalletti's men continued their unbeaten start to the season with a dominant display at San Siro.
It represented a second defeat of the season for sixth-placed Samp while Inter moved a point clear of Napoli, who visit Samp's arch-rivals Genoa on Wednesday, and four ahead of champions Juventus and Lazio ahead of their respective games with SPAL and Bologna.Skriniar left Samp for Inter in the close season and his scruffy 18th-minute opener was reward for a strong start from the hosts.
Inter continued to bombard the Samp goal and it was Icardi, who departed them for Inter in 2013, that made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute, taking advantage of some unconvincing defending to lash home.A simple 54th-minute finish from Icardi, who took his tally to 11 in 10 league games, brought about the third goal.
Samp pulled one back through Dawid Kownacki before Fabio Quagliarella sent home nerves jangling with a late header, but Inter held on for a win that will only increase talk of them challenging Juve.
After Samp's Duvan Zapata had sent the game's first chance well over the crossbar, Antonio Candreva went much closer with a long-range effort that swerved just past Christian Puggioni's right-hand post.Inter soon began to take control and Ivan Perisic supplied a low cross which Danilo D'Ambrosio should have converted, the right-back instead side-footing narrowly wide.
Candreva was then denied by Puggioni at the end of a driving run, but the deadlock was broken a minute later.Skriniar never scored for Samp but netted his second goal for Inter as he poked home from point-blank range after Matias Vecino had diverted a corner into his path.
Icardi was presented with an opportunity to double Inter's lead in stunning fashion but the Argentina striker could not get the direction on his volley from Candreva's right-wing cross following a surging Vecino run through midfield.
And Puggioni was soon extremely grateful that an incredible 40-yard lob from Perisic, after a weak clearance from the goalkeeper, bounced off the right-hand upright and into his arms.
Puggioni was required to make two saves in quick succession to thwart Yuto Nagatomo and Icardi, but could do nothing to prevent the latter from finding the second goal Inter's onslaught deserved, the 24-year-old rifling into the bottom-right corner after Sampdoria failed to properly clear Vecino's ball into the box.
Only the woodwork stopped Icardi from making it 3-0, his header from Candreva's corner clattering against the right-hand post.But just nine minutes into the second half he put the game seemingly beyond doubt by tapping in Perisic's cross with Puggioni stranded at the end of a well-worked team move.
Icardi returned the favour by sending Perisic through on goal down the left side of the box, but the winger cannoned his effort against the bar.Despite being second-best throughout, Samp pulled one back against the run of play, Kownacki turning Quagliarella's ball to the back post beyond Samir Handanovic from a tight angle.
Candreva fired wide before Quagliarella wasted a gilt-edged chance and was then thwarted by some fine defensive work from Perisic before finally beating Handanovic from Dennis Praet's cross, with Inter left to cling on to take their place at the summit.
Mauro Icardi scored twice and Milan Skriniar was also on target as they came back to haunt former club Sampdoria and send Inter to the top of Serie A, for 24 hours at least, with a 3-2 win on Tuesday.
Having claimed a thrilling 3-2 derby win over AC Milan and then held Napoli to a 0-0 draw in their last two games, Luciano Spalletti's men continued their unbeaten start to the season with a dominant display at San Siro.
It represented a second defeat of the season for sixth-placed Samp while Inter moved a point clear of Napoli, who visit Samp's arch-rivals Genoa on Wednesday, and four ahead of champions Juventus and Lazio ahead of their respective games with SPAL and Bologna.Skriniar left Samp for Inter in the close season and his scruffy 18th-minute opener was reward for a strong start from the hosts.
Inter continued to bombard the Samp goal and it was Icardi, who departed them for Inter in 2013, that made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute, taking advantage of some unconvincing defending to lash home.A simple 54th-minute finish from Icardi, who took his tally to 11 in 10 league games, brought about the third goal.
Samp pulled one back through Dawid Kownacki before Fabio Quagliarella sent home nerves jangling with a late header, but Inter held on for a win that will only increase talk of them challenging Juve.
After Samp's Duvan Zapata had sent the game's first chance well over the crossbar, Antonio Candreva went much closer with a long-range effort that swerved just past Christian Puggioni's right-hand post.Inter soon began to take control and Ivan Perisic supplied a low cross which Danilo D'Ambrosio should have converted, the right-back instead side-footing narrowly wide.
Candreva was then denied by Puggioni at the end of a driving run, but the deadlock was broken a minute later.Skriniar never scored for Samp but netted his second goal for Inter as he poked home from point-blank range after Matias Vecino had diverted a corner into his path.
Icardi was presented with an opportunity to double Inter's lead in stunning fashion but the Argentina striker could not get the direction on his volley from Candreva's right-wing cross following a surging Vecino run through midfield.
And Puggioni was soon extremely grateful that an incredible 40-yard lob from Perisic, after a weak clearance from the goalkeeper, bounced off the right-hand upright and into his arms.
Puggioni was required to make two saves in quick succession to thwart Yuto Nagatomo and Icardi, but could do nothing to prevent the latter from finding the second goal Inter's onslaught deserved, the 24-year-old rifling into the bottom-right corner after Sampdoria failed to properly clear Vecino's ball into the box.
Only the woodwork stopped Icardi from making it 3-0, his header from Candreva's corner clattering against the right-hand post.But just nine minutes into the second half he put the game seemingly beyond doubt by tapping in Perisic's cross with Puggioni stranded at the end of a well-worked team move.
Icardi returned the favour by sending Perisic through on goal down the left side of the box, but the winger cannoned his effort against the bar.Despite being second-best throughout, Samp pulled one back against the run of play, Kownacki turning Quagliarella's ball to the back post beyond Samir Handanovic from a tight angle.
Candreva fired wide before Quagliarella wasted a gilt-edged chance and was then thwarted by some fine defensive work from Perisic before finally beating Handanovic from Dennis Praet's cross, with Inter left to cling on to take their place at the summit.
Magdeburg 0 Borussia Dortmund 5: Impressive Isak opens account as Pokal holders cruise through
Gonzalo Castro made an immediate impact off the bench to set Borussia Dortmund on their way to a 5-0 DFB-Pokal second-round win at Magdeburg on Tuesday.
Holders Dortmund were insipid for much of the first half against their third-tier hosts until Castro entered as a 41st-minute substitute for Mahmoud Dahoud and 32 seconds later converted with his first touch.Castro was the beneficiary of an assist from Alexander Isak, and the teenage Sweden international marked his first Dortmund start with his maiden goal early in the second half with a calm finish.
Andriy Yarmolenko's penalty, Marc Bartra's header and Shinji Kagawa's neat finish inside the final 20 minutes capped a satisfactory outing for Peter Bosz's side, who came into this clash with one win from five in all competitions.
That run had allowed Bayern Munich to catch them atop the Bundesliga as well as leaving their Champions League hopes in tatters, but they can at least console themselves with an assured passage to the Pokal third round, safe in the knowledge one of their main rivals is set to bow out on Wednesday as RB Leipzig host Bayern.
The home fans produced a spectacular pre-match display inspired by the Saw movie franchise, depicting the Jigsaw mask along with with the message "You think it's over, but the games have only just begun".But if Dortmund were meant to be intimidated there were few signs of any fear as the visitors ought to have taken the lead inside three minutes.
Magdeburg failed to clear a corner and Bartra teed up Maximilian Philipp, who struck the post with the goal gaping from six yards and Isak's rebound was brilliantly denied by the feet of Alexander Brunst.The Magdeburg goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the half, keeping out Yarmolenko at his near post.
As half-time approached Dahoud walked from the field nursing a neck injury, with Dortmund later confirming he had been taken to hospital as a precaution, and his replacement Castro timed his run into the box and steered Isak's knockdown beyond debutant Brunst from six yards.
The lead was doubled within two minutes of the restart as Dortmund broke from a corner and Philipp fed Isak, who slipped his finish between the legs of Brunst.Nuri Sahin stung the palms of the keeper from just outside the box but the game was made safe in the 73rd minute as Yarmolenko converted his spot-kick after Steffen Schafer handled Raphael Guerreiro's cross.
Bartra glanced in Kagawa's delivery six minutes later and the Japan international slotted home right at the end to give the scoreline a somewhat harsh appearance as Dortmund made light of resting top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Gonzalo Castro made an immediate impact off the bench to set Borussia Dortmund on their way to a 5-0 DFB-Pokal second-round win at Magdeburg on Tuesday.
Holders Dortmund were insipid for much of the first half against their third-tier hosts until Castro entered as a 41st-minute substitute for Mahmoud Dahoud and 32 seconds later converted with his first touch.Castro was the beneficiary of an assist from Alexander Isak, and the teenage Sweden international marked his first Dortmund start with his maiden goal early in the second half with a calm finish.
Andriy Yarmolenko's penalty, Marc Bartra's header and Shinji Kagawa's neat finish inside the final 20 minutes capped a satisfactory outing for Peter Bosz's side, who came into this clash with one win from five in all competitions.
That run had allowed Bayern Munich to catch them atop the Bundesliga as well as leaving their Champions League hopes in tatters, but they can at least console themselves with an assured passage to the Pokal third round, safe in the knowledge one of their main rivals is set to bow out on Wednesday as RB Leipzig host Bayern.
The home fans produced a spectacular pre-match display inspired by the Saw movie franchise, depicting the Jigsaw mask along with with the message "You think it's over, but the games have only just begun".But if Dortmund were meant to be intimidated there were few signs of any fear as the visitors ought to have taken the lead inside three minutes.
Magdeburg failed to clear a corner and Bartra teed up Maximilian Philipp, who struck the post with the goal gaping from six yards and Isak's rebound was brilliantly denied by the feet of Alexander Brunst.The Magdeburg goalkeeper was called into action again midway through the half, keeping out Yarmolenko at his near post.
As half-time approached Dahoud walked from the field nursing a neck injury, with Dortmund later confirming he had been taken to hospital as a precaution, and his replacement Castro timed his run into the box and steered Isak's knockdown beyond debutant Brunst from six yards.
The lead was doubled within two minutes of the restart as Dortmund broke from a corner and Philipp fed Isak, who slipped his finish between the legs of Brunst.Nuri Sahin stung the palms of the keeper from just outside the box but the game was made safe in the 73rd minute as Yarmolenko converted his spot-kick after Steffen Schafer handled Raphael Guerreiro's cross.
Bartra glanced in Kagawa's delivery six minutes later and the Japan international slotted home right at the end to give the scoreline a somewhat harsh appearance as Dortmund made light of resting top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Eric Bailly has resumed training with Manchester United on Tuesday after recovering from an injury he sustained on international duty.The 23-year-old suffered a knock in Cote d'Ivoire’s 2018 World Cup qualifying tie against Mali on October 6 and has been sidelined since then.
The former Villarreal defender took to social media to herald his return to the action after training with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and goalkeeper David de Gea on Tuesday.
Bailly could make his seventh league appearance this season when the Red Devils welcome Tottenham Hotspur to the Old Trafford on Saturday."Feeling good after today’s training session. Too bad I’m surrounded by these guys," Bailly wrote on Instagram
Wenger lauds Nketiah contribution after Carabao Cup brace
Arsene Wenger hailed the contribution of 18-year-old Eddie Nketiah, who came off the bench to score twice against Norwich City and book Arsenal's spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Nketiah was introduced in the 85th minute at the Emirates Stadium with his side trailing to Josh Murphy's cool first-half finish.The youngster made an immediate impact, equalising with almost his first touch to send the game into extra time.
He then ensured the headlines would be his in the 96th minute with a superb header from Mohamed Elneny's corner to secure his side's place in the next round.
"He showed great anticipation in the box to score and that's a quality that you cannot teach at that age," Wenger said."I like the second goal that he scored because he's not tall and he got very high – it shows that he's a guy who wants it."
Wenger made 11 changes from the side that beat Everton 5-2 at the weekend and says his decision not to name any senior players on the bench was a deliberate ploy so that he would be forced to blood some of his youngsters. "This is the competition every year that we decide to educate young players who have good potential," he added.
"It is good to only have young players on the bench because if you have experienced players you go for them – having young strikers on the bench is great for us."
Arsene Wenger hailed the contribution of 18-year-old Eddie Nketiah, who came off the bench to score twice against Norwich City and book Arsenal's spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.
Nketiah was introduced in the 85th minute at the Emirates Stadium with his side trailing to Josh Murphy's cool first-half finish.The youngster made an immediate impact, equalising with almost his first touch to send the game into extra time.
He then ensured the headlines would be his in the 96th minute with a superb header from Mohamed Elneny's corner to secure his side's place in the next round.
"He showed great anticipation in the box to score and that's a quality that you cannot teach at that age," Wenger said."I like the second goal that he scored because he's not tall and he got very high – it shows that he's a guy who wants it."
Wenger made 11 changes from the side that beat Everton 5-2 at the weekend and says his decision not to name any senior players on the bench was a deliberate ploy so that he would be forced to blood some of his youngsters. "This is the competition every year that we decide to educate young players who have good potential," he added.
"It is good to only have young players on the bench because if you have experienced players you go for them – having young strikers on the bench is great for us."
Valverde hails Arnaiz after impressive Barcelona debut
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was delighted with the performance of debutant Jose Arnaiz in his side's Copa del Rey win at Real Murcia.The 22-year-old marked his first start for the club with the third goal in the 3-0 win over the Segunda B side at the Nueva Condomina on Tuesday.
Arnaiz has impressed for Gerard Lopez's Barcelona B team since arriving from Real Valladolid and looked dangerous throughout on the left-hand-side of the attack, in the absence of rested senior stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Valverde believes it is an encouraging start for the forward and was pleased to be able to give him game time, along with midfielder Carles Alena and Marc Cucurella, who also made his debut.
"He's a player with self-assuredness," Valverde said of Arnaiz. "He has the goal in his head. I believed he could help us in this game and that it's good for them [the B team players] to come and face a situation like this."He scored a great goal, he has a powerful shot. It's a first step. We'll see if we can help us more."
The victory puts the Copa holders in pole position to progress to the last 16 and maintains Barca's fine form this season, with the Catalans having won 12 of their 13 matches in all competitions since their Supercopa de Espana loss to Real Madrid.
"It was a typical day in the cup. The opponents had a lot of enthusiasm," said Valverde."In the first half, we weren't too clear. In the second, we managed to get two more goals.
"It's true they played well at times but I'm happy because the B players made their debut, we won and we have to keep going."
Barcelona boss Ernesto Valverde was delighted with the performance of debutant Jose Arnaiz in his side's Copa del Rey win at Real Murcia.The 22-year-old marked his first start for the club with the third goal in the 3-0 win over the Segunda B side at the Nueva Condomina on Tuesday.
Arnaiz has impressed for Gerard Lopez's Barcelona B team since arriving from Real Valladolid and looked dangerous throughout on the left-hand-side of the attack, in the absence of rested senior stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Valverde believes it is an encouraging start for the forward and was pleased to be able to give him game time, along with midfielder Carles Alena and Marc Cucurella, who also made his debut.
"He's a player with self-assuredness," Valverde said of Arnaiz. "He has the goal in his head. I believed he could help us in this game and that it's good for them [the B team players] to come and face a situation like this."He scored a great goal, he has a powerful shot. It's a first step. We'll see if we can help us more."
The victory puts the Copa holders in pole position to progress to the last 16 and maintains Barca's fine form this season, with the Catalans having won 12 of their 13 matches in all competitions since their Supercopa de Espana loss to Real Madrid.
"It was a typical day in the cup. The opponents had a lot of enthusiasm," said Valverde."In the first half, we weren't too clear. In the second, we managed to get two more goals.
"It's true they played well at times but I'm happy because the B players made their debut, we won and we have to keep going."
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes defender Phil Jones will be ready to face Tottenham in Saturday's blockbuster Premier League clash.
Jones limped off with an apparent thigh injury in United's shock 2-1 defeat at newly-promoted Huddersfield Town last week but the Englishman was on the bench for Tuesday's 2-0 Carabao Cup victory over Swansea City.
And Mourinho said Jones – who has not missed a Premier League match this season – is in line to take on visiting Spurs, who are level on points with second-placed United.
"It was quite comfortable and no injuries," said Mourinho. "So a good day for us.
"I think Jones will be [back] because, today [Tuesday], he was on the bench and he told me he will be ready in case I need him. So I believe he'll be even better for Saturday.
"Apart from that, I have no news and no hopes [for any other players]."
United and Tottenham are level on 20 points after nine matches, five points adrift of Manchester City.
