..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Chile 2 Costa Rica 3: Waston brace sinks La Roja


Kendall Waston scored twice as Costa Rica survived a late rally from Chile to record a 3-2 away win in an international friendly at Rancagua's Estadio El Teniente.

The visitors, who had not won in their previous nine international matches dating back to before the World Cup in Russia, benefited from some poor defending from the hosts as they led 3-0 just past the hour mark on Friday.Central defender Waston rose highest in the 36th minute to head home Joel Campbell's corner, despite the efforts of Arturo Vidal, who could not clear off the line.

The 30-year-old, who plays his club football for Vancouver Whitecaps, then scored his third goal in two games for Los Ticos, when he turned home after the ball ricocheted off a combination of the post and Gary Medel.Four minutes later it was 3-0, Ronald Matarrita latching onto a long ball and firing into the top corner as boos rang out from the home supporters.

Chile pulled a goal back with 20 minutes remaining when Sebastian Vegas followed in to steer home the rebound after Nicolas Castillo's header was tipped onto the bar.

Alexis Sanchez's tame penalty was saved by Esteban Alvarado in the 82nd minute.
The Manchester United forward made amends minutes later when he controlled and finished to set up a tense finale.But the hosts were unable to force a leveller in the six minutes of stoppage time, as Costa Rica held firm for a rare away win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Argentina 2 Mexico 0: Funes Mori's header helps to sink El Tri


Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 in Cordoba on Friday thanks to Ramiro Funes Mori's header and a late Isaac Brizuela own goal.

Mexico should have taken the lead in the second minute of the friendly as Raul Jimenez hit the bar with a diving header from Marco Fabian's cross. Less than a minute later, Funes Mori's slip allowed Alan Pulido to play Fabian through on goal, but his tame shot was saved by Agustin Marchesin.

After surviving those early scares, Argentina settled into the contest and slowly began to threaten through Paulo Dybala and Lautaro Martinez, although they remained vulnerable, with Leandro Parades' inch-perfect sliding tackle inside the area denying Jimenez on the counterattack.


The pressure continued to grow, Guillermo Ochoa making a smart save to keep out Martinez's downward header from a Dybala free-kick in the 38th minute.And when the deadlock was eventually broken, it was another Dybala set-piece that did the damage, Funes Mori meeting his delivery from a free-kick unmarked to head home the opener.

Dybala sent a well-weighted chip narrowly over the bar in one of few chances of note during a disjointed second half, substitute Brizuela putting through his own net in the 83rd minute to prevent the lurking Mauro Icardi from opening his senior Argentina account.

The pressure continued to grow, Guillermo Ochoa making a smart save to keep out Martinez's downward header from a Dybala free-kick in the 38th minute.And when the deadlock was eventually broken, it was another Dybala set-piece that did the damage, Funes Mori meeting his delivery from a free-kick unmarked to head home the opener.

Dybala sent a well-weighted chip narrowly over the bar in one of few chances of note during a disjointed second half, substitute Brizuela putting through his own net in the 83rd minute to prevent the lurking Mauro Icardi from opening his senior Argentina account.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brazil 1 Uruguay 0: Neymar penalty settles tight contest

Neymar scored a controversial penalty as Brazil beat Uruguay 1-0 in a tightly fought friendly at Emirates Stadium.

A resilient display from Uruguay's makeshift defence looked set to end Brazil's winning run, but Tite's side were handed a lifeline when referee Craig Pawson deemed that Diego Laxalt had fouled Danilo.Uruguay had enjoyed the better of the chances prior to the penalty incident, with Alisson having made a series of fine saves to deny Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani.

But, despite a hint of handball from Danilo in the build up to the penalty incident and what looked to be an exaggerated fall from the defender, Uruguay's protestations fell on deaf ears as Neymar stepped up to secure Brazil's fifth straight win.

A slick team move resulted in Neymar tucking home in the 11th minute, only for the offside flag to cut Brazil's celebrations short.

It was Neymar's former Barcelona team-mate Suarez that drew the first meaningful save from either goalkeeper, as Alisson reacted sharply to tip the striker's shot over.Suarez turned provider on the stroke of half-time, floating a wonderful cross into strike partner Edinson Cavani, but Alisson came to Brazil's rescue once more.

Richarlison's introduction sparked Brazil and, although a last-ditch challenge from Miranda denied Suarez a certain goal at the other end, Tite's side had their winner in the 76th minute.

Danilo looked to have handled as he barged his way into Uruguay's area, before going down easily after hanging out a leg to ensure contact with Laxalt – Neymar sending Martin Campana the wrong way from 12 yards, with Richarlison squandering a great opportunity to wrap up the win late on.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Netherlands 2 France 0: Wijnaldum & Depay decisive as Germany are relegated

Georginio Wijnaldum and Memphis Depay were decisive as Netherlands beat France 2-0 to relegate Germany in the Nations League and give themselves a chance at reaching the Finals.

Germany needed France to win to give them a realistic chance of escaping the drop, but Netherlands deserved their victory in Rotterdam to ensure Joachim Low's men are demoted from the top tier.Netherlands can claim progression to the final four with a point in their last outing away to the relegated Germans.

The home side had the better of the first period and deservedly broke the deadlock 44 minutes in through Wijnaldum, who made amends for an earlier miss.France never really showed the hunger to take control thereafter, and Depay wrapped things up with a stoppage-time penalty which beat the otherwise excellent Hugo Lloris in goal.

Netherlands made a ferocious start which almost gave them a second-minute lead, but Wijnaldum shot straight at Lloris from 12 yards after Depay's cut-back.The visitors responded and went close themselves soon after when Antoine Griezmann saw a header saved by Jasper Cillessen.

Netherlands' control dissipated as the first half progressed, but they did go ahead just before the break – Wijnaldum slotting in the rebound after Ryan Babel failed to beat Lloris from close range.Lloris had to be alert to prevent a second just after the hour, denying Denzel Dumfries' header and then blocking the defender's follow-up effort with his right leg.

Depay was the next to test Lloris 17 minutes from time – his 25-yard free-kick forcing the goalkeeper into save down to his left.The Lyon star went close again soon after, dashing beyond Benjamin Pavard and seeing Lloris deflect a left-footed drive wide.

France could not capitalise, however, as Netherlands made sure of the victory in the sixth minute of added time - Depay producing a cheeky 'Panenka' penalty after Frenkie de Jong had been tripped by substitute Moussa Sissoko.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wales 1 Denmark 2: Jorgensen and Braithwaite seal Nations League promotion


Denmark secured promotion to the top tier of the Nations League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Wales at Cardiff City Stadium on Friday.

Having won the reverse fixture 2-0 in Aarhus, Denmark completed the double over their hosts thanks to a goal in each half, Nicolai Jorgensen grabbing the first when he converted a one-on-one opportunity in the 42nd minute to finish off a rapid counter.

The visitors defended doggedly after the break before Martin Braithwaite struck late to double their advantage, the Middlesbrough midfielder volleying home after controlling a long throw on his chest.


Gareth Bale - available again after missing the games against Spain and the Republic of Ireland in October - quickly pulled one back for Wales when converting Ashley Williams' long pass over the top, but Wales could not find a leveller during five additional minutes.
The result means Ryan Giggs' side miss out on the chance to guarantee a play-off for Euro 2020, should they fail to reach the tournament during the regular qualifying process, while also relegating Ireland to League C.

It was a disappointing outcome to a record-equalling outing for Chris Gunter too, the Wales defender replacing the injured Paul Dummett in the first half to level Neville Southall's national record of 92 caps.Wales will look back with regret on their failure to take a series of headed chances in the first half, Bale nodding Connor Roberts' teasing cross wide after James Chester had twice missed the target when picked out by David Brooks.

Denmark made them pay three minutes before the interval, turning defence into attack to break the deadlock. Yussuf Poulsen - who had initially won possession - produced a first-time pass to put Jorgensen in the clear, allowing the Feyenoord striker to tuck a low shot beyond the advancing Wayne Hennessey.A combination of Schmeichel and the woodwork denied Bale an equaliser, though the Real Madrid forward did eventually find a way to beat the Leicester City goalkeeper, rounding him to slot into an empty net.

It was no more than a consolation effort, though, coming 84 seconds after Braithwaite's emphatic finish had made it 2-0 during a dramatic conclusion to proceedings.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ranieri tells Fulham fans not to expect repeat of Leicester 'fairytale'


Claudio Ranieri has warned fans not to expect a repeat of his Leicester City "fairytale" Premier League title heroics after being appointed as Fulham's new manager.Ranieri was confirmed as the replacement for the sacked Slavisa Jokanovic on Wednesday, seeing the Italian return to the Premier League for his third spell.

It was in his last stay in England that Ranieri had undoubtedly his greatest impact, as he led unfancied Leicester to the 2015-16 league title, a sporting achievement regarded as one of the greatest in modern times.

He was sacked in February 2017 with Leicester embroiled in a relegation battle, but Fulham owner Shahid Khan was clearly unperturbed and has put Fulham's own survival hopes in the 67-year-old.

Although a time may come to be ambitious, Ranieri told supporters to forget about "miracles"."We have to work hard," Ranieri told reporters at his presentation media conference. "That [the Leicester title success] was a bonus, a fairytale. We need to forget it.

"I think now it is important to not think about miracles, but think about a lot of battles and be ready together. I repeat; together. The club, the players, the fans – together.

"Together they must support us, and this is a bad moment because we're at the bottom [of the table]."I am an ambitious man, I have good players, but I choose those that show me fighting spirit.

"When players and fans help each other, [we] understand we are all together in the same way. Now I need the support of our fans to try do our best."Jokanovic played under Ranieri when he was in charge of Chelsea and the Italian commended the job his predecessor did in getting Fulham promoted last season.

Ranieri, though, added that things can change quickly in football if results are not being achieved – something he experienced with the Foxes.

"Jokanovic was a great player and also starting as a manager he made good things, fantastic things here at Fulham, but this is the life of the manager," Ranieri added.
"When something goes badly, you have to change. It happened to me at Leicester."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Italy 0 Portugal 0: European champions outplayed but secure Finals spot



Portugal made sure of a place in the Nations League Finals as they scraped a fortuitous 0-0 draw away to a dominant Italy on Saturday.

Fernando Santos' side were outplayed throughout at San Siro, but the hosts wasted some presentable openings and were unable to make the most of their superiority, allowing Portugal to claim the point they needed to top League A Group 3.

Italy looked infinitely better than their visitors in the first half, with Marco Verratti and Jorginho in complete control, but the lead eluded them as Ciro Immobile spurned a couple of excellent opportunities.


While the pattern of the match remained much the same after the interval, the chances dried up for Italy and ultimately Portugal managed to cling on to the draw they needed, rendering their final fixture with Poland an irrelevance.

Italy played with intent from the start and should have taken the lead four minutes in, but Rui Patricio saved Lorenzo Insigne's long-range strike and Immobile inexplicably put the rebound over.

Portugal simply could not get near Jorginho nor Verratti, and the latter crafted a golden chance with a defence-splitting pass in the 35th minute, only for Patricio to rush out and thwart Immobile.Leonardo Bonucci then went agonisingly close soon after, heading just wide from a Verratti free-kick.

Another chance went begging just after the restart – Nicolo Barella squaring to Federico Chiesa in the danger zone and his first-time shot deflected past the left-hand post.

Opportunities soon became less frequent and Italy had to rely on Gianluigi Donnarumma 14 minutes from time to keep the score level, as the goalkeeper made a remarkable save from William Carvalho's fierce 20-yard drive.But Portugal still did enough to confirm their progression, as the Euro 2016 victors eye more silverware under Santos.

While the pattern of the match remained much the same after the interval, the chances dried up for Italy and ultimately Portugal managed to cling on to the draw they needed, rendering their final fixture with Poland an irrelevance.Italy played with intent from the start and should have taken the lead four minutes in, but Rui Patricio saved Lorenzo Insigne's long-range strike and Immobile inexplicably put the rebound over.

Portugal simply could not get near Jorginho nor Verratti, and the latter crafted a golden chance with a defence-splitting pass in the 35th minute, only for Patricio to rush out and thwart Immobile.Leonardo Bonucci then went agonisingly close soon after, heading just wide from a Verratti free-kick.

Another chance went begging just after the restart – Nicolo Barella squaring to Federico Chiesa in the danger zone and his first-time shot deflected past the left-hand post.

Opportunities soon became less frequent and Italy had to rely on Gianluigi Donnarumma 14 minutes from time to keep the score level, as the goalkeeper made a remarkable save from William Carvalho's fierce 20-yard drive.But Portugal still did enough to confirm their progression, as the Euro 2016 victors eye more silverware under Santos.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd continue financial dominance over Man City


Manchester United have continued their financial dominance over Manchester City, per KPMG Football Benchmark.While Pep Guardiola's side won the Premier League last season by a staggering 19 points, earning 100 points, United maintain a stranglehold on the rivalry off the pitch.

The study, reported on at Soccerex, shows that City, who are owned by Abu Dhabi royal family member Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, have begun to close the gap on United, but remain well behind the Glazer family-owned outfit.

While City’s revenue growth since the 2011-12 season of 108 per cent dwarfs that of United’s 76%, United’s 2017-18 figure of €666 million ($754.8m) still hugely outweighs their rival’s overall figure of €568m ($643.7m).

City's broadcast revenue of €239m ($270.8m) is marginally the greater, the capacity of United’s 75,000-seater Old Trafford stadium means that its overall matchday revenue continues to dominate that of the Etihad.

At €124m ($140.4m), United’s matchday numbers almost double those of City, whose home games brought in €64m ($72.4m) of revenue during the 2017-18 season.The report reads: "While in the first season under analysis United registered revenues 39 per cent higher than City, in the last season such a gap was reduced to 17 per cent.

"These figures are a result of the wider international appeal gained by Manchester City FC in recent seasons, which is especially reflected in broadcast (+129 per cent over the seven seasons), thanks to constant UEFA Champions League participation unlike the Red Devils." City and United met on the pitch before the international break, with Guardiola's men running out 3-1 winners.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Luis Enrique rejects criticism of Spain star David de Gea


Luis Enrique has branded criticism of David de Gea "unfair" but declined to reveal whether the under-pressure goalkeeper will remain a starter for Spain.De Gea was closely scrutinised for his part in Tin Jedvaj's late winner in the costly 3-2 defeat to Croatia in the Nations League on Thursday.

The Manchester United man is struggling to find form on the international stage, saving less than half of the shots he has faced since the start of La Roja's disappointing World Cup campaign.

Chelsea's Kepa Arrizabalaga is reportedly under consideration to step in for the friendly against Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday.Luis Enrique would not confirm which way he was leaning, but defended De Gea's concerning recent record."What's strange is what the criticism means. Criticism must be for the whole team and the coach, too," he told reporters."When it's aimed at one person it's unfair because this is a team sport.

"Goals aren't just scored because of the goalkeepers – when we concede we're all responsible. It's unfair to personalise it, but we accept criticism.

"I won't put my players on trial. I analyse things in a general sense and from there I make decisions."I won't talk about my preferences, as my actions speak louder than words."The other goalkeeping option in the current Spain squad is Real Betis' Pau Lopez.

 

[EXCELSIOR]

Im also a football lover. my love for cr7...

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Im also a football lover. my love for cr7...

 

[Wolverine GTR]

England 2 Croatia 1: Kane able to secure Nations League Finals spot

Harry Kane scored an 85th-minute winner as England fought back from a goal down to beat Croatia 2-1 and secure a place in the Nations League Finals.A repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi-final seemed set to end in heartbreak for England again when they fell behind to Andrej Kramaric's deflected strike in the 57th minute at Wembley.However, substitute Jesse Lingard poked home a close-range equaliser with 12 minutes remaining, setting up a frantic finish as qualification was suddenly up for grabs again.

Captain Kane completed the turnaround, the striker overcoming a mixed performance in front of goal by poking home Ben Chilwell's cross from England's left flank.

Like his team, the striker had appeared set to endure a frustrating outing until his telling contribution; he had scuffed over the top from a corner as well as seeing Tin Jedvaj and goalkeeper Lovre Kaliinic block on-target attempts in a first half the hosts dominated.

Raheem Sterling twice wasted one-on-one opportunities too, and the misses appeared set to be costly when Croatia struck on the counter.Kramaric appeared to have wasted the shooting opportunity when he continuously dummied onto the opposite foot, only to eventually pull the trigger with a right-footed effort that found the net via a crucial touch off Eric Dier.

However, England took the direct route to finding an equaliser, Joe Gomez's long throw flicked on by John Stones and while Kane's stabbed attempt was partially blocked, Lingard was in the right place to provide the finishing touch from under a yard.

The Manchester United winger popped up on his own goal line to make a crucial intervention in defence, hacking clear Domagoj Vida's header from a corner, before Kane struck, his finish on the stretch relegating Croatia from the top tier and gaining a modicum of revenge for the 2-1 loss in Moscow in July.

 

[RottenCOLT]

England 2 Croatia 1: Kane able to secure Nations League Finals spot

achchara asama team dekak thibba. asama nathi team eka select una

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger's Real Madrid talks revealed as ex-Arsenal boss is backed for PSG post


Arsene Wenger held talks with Real Madrid while still in charge of Arsenal, claims former Paris Saint-Germain president Charles Villeneuve, with the Frenchman now being tipped for a role in his homeland.

A man who spent 22 years in charge of the Gunners has never made any secret of the fact that he was targeted by La Liga giants during his reign in north London.It has now been revealed that he went as far as holding discussions with Madrid as they endeavoured to lure him away from the Premier League.

No deal was done, though, and Wenger only severed ties with Arsenal over the summer as those in north London sought to welcome in a new era after more than two decades of stability in the dugout.Villeneuve told Paris United of previous exit meetings: “Two clubs always wanted him as a coach.“One was Bayern Munich, because he speaks four different languages.

“I also went to a gymnasium in Italy to attend negotiations with Real Madrid, but he stayed at Arsenal.”Villeneuve was a journalist prior to filling a presidential role at PSG between May 2008 and January 2009.

He has always been a fan of Wenger and believes he would be a shrewd appointment for those at Parc des Princes.

It is unclear what role the 69-year-old could fill in the French capital, though, with there still a desire on his part to return to coaching after being linked with posts at Bayern Munich, AC Milan and Real Madrid .Villeneuve added on a possible homecoming at PSG: “I think he'd offer great services, but not as president.

“The current president Nasser Al-Khelaifi does his job well, but great clubs are made through great leaders.

“A club isn't only made by great players, so I'd welcome Wenger's arrival at PSG.
“The leaders there love Wenger a lot, but he never wanted to go.
“He is monogamous and his club is Arsenal.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pogba & Lukaku have to step up before Man Utd's season becomes impossible - Roone


Wayne Rooney has challenged the likes of Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku to prove that they are “big characters” for Manchester United and prevent the club’s season from becoming “impossible”.

The Red Devils have endured a testing 2018-19 campaign to this point, with Jose Mourinho’s side currently sat eighth in the Premier League table.Too many players are considered to have underachieved, with United relying on individual form rather than collective harmony to deliver positive results.

Rooney believes it is now up to senior figures within the squad to step up and deliver, with Mourinho requiring big-money additions to help ease some of the pressure on his shoulders.

United’s all-time leading goalscorer told MUTV: “Jose can do what I know he’ll be doing – he’ll be working with the team and setting them up.“But I think a lot of the responsibility has to go on the players' shoulders.

“They go on the pitch, they have to take that responsibility and they have to thrive on it. There will be tough moments throughout games, that is where the big characters have to lead by example on the pitch and almost drag the team through some games.

“You have got players like [Anthony] Martial, Pogba, [Marcus] Rashford and Lukaku. When games aren't going well, they need to be the players who can just get that goal which wins you the game and calms everyone down.”

Rooney believes the next few weeks could define United’s season, with there little margin for error as the Red Devils endeavour to force their way back into the battle for top-four finishes.

The Old Trafford icon said ahead of a return to domestic action for Mourinho’s men at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday: “The Christmas period in the Premier League always determines how well you’re going to do for the rest of the season.

“I think it’s an important four to six weeks coming up for United. You have these games and it’s important to take advantage of them. You can either fall away, which would make it almost impossible to get to where you want to be, or you can build momentum and keep closing that gap.

“If you close it to a point where you are putting pressure on the leaders, it can make them look back and think 'oh, they are on a great run'.

“Hopefully United can do that and then we'll see where they go from there.”
After facing Palace, the Red Devils will take in a Champions League clash with Young Boys.

Their December schedule will then see them tackle Valencia in European competition, while crucial Premier League meetings will be taken in against Southampton, Arsenal, Fulham, Liverpool, Cardiff, Huddersfield and Bournemouth.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

achchara asama team dekak thibba. asama nathi team eka select una

Spain nam marama unlucky brothawa kalayak yai wage hoda place ekakata ennaStrikers lage awla thamai godakma thiyenne

btw England nam godak improve wela thiyenne kalinta wada.issarahata meetath wada hoda place ekakata enna puluwan wei bro​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Spain 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0: Debutant Mendez spares Morata's blushes

Debutant Brais Mendez got Spain back to winning ways with a late strike in an unconvincing 1-0 friendly victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Gran Canaria.

Celta Vigo midfielder Mendez came off the bench in the second half and needed just 19 minutes to find the back of the net on Sunday, his strike coming after Ibrahim Sehic could only parry Isco's low drive.Spain's margin of victory should have been wider but Alvaro Morata's toils for La Roja continued as he skewed wide prior to Mendez's winning goal.

Victory ensures Spain finish 2018 on a positive note after successive defeats in the Nations League, England's 2-1 win over Croatia earlier in the day ending Luis Enrique's side's hopes of reaching next year's Finals.
Spain's inexperienced side survived an early scare when Edin Visca broke through in the opening minute, but the forward was denied by Kepa Arrizabalaga. It was a rare moment in the attacking third for Bosnia as Spain dominated possession, although they were unable to turn it into clear-cut chances.

Suso, Marco Asensio and Isco all blazed over before the latter finally brought a save out of Sehic five minutes before the break, the goalkeeper comfortably holding onto the Real Madrid midfielder's low shot.

Chances continued to be at a premium until the hour when Asensio fired low towards goal and the rebound should have been put into the unguarded net by Morata but he somehow managed to fire wide.

It was his final action as Rodrigo Moreno replaced him soon afterwards, but it was another substitute who settled the clash as Mendez did what Morata could not with 12 minutes to play.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bosnia match eketh Morata open goal ekak miss karala​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Switzerland 5 Belgium 2: Seferovic treble crowns incredible comeback

A Haris Seferovic-inspired Switzerland sensationally recovered from an early two-goal deficit to crush Belgium 5-2 and surge into the Nations League Finals in Lucerne on Sunday.

Roberto Martinez's men needed only a point to sew up top spot in Group 2 of League A and seemed right on course as Thorgan Hazard struck twice in the opening 17 minutes.

That left Switzerland – beaten 2-1 in the reverse encounter – needing an improbable four unanswered goals to advance, a mountainous task they had remarkably almost completed before half-time through Ricardo Rodriguez's penalty and a 13-minute Seferovic brace.


Such a stunning response set the scene for Nico Elvedi to head Vladimir Petkovic's side in front on the head-to-head aggregate score after the interval and their place in the final four was fittingly confirmed late on by hat-trick hero Seferovic.
Belgium's mission appeared straightforward as the younger Hazard lit the fuse in the second minute.The 25-year-old pounced on Elvedi's poor back-pass to open the scoring and doubled his tally with an unerring drive into the bottom-left corner.Switzerland's first real incursion into the box from an Edimilson Fernandes cross enticed Nacer Chadli into a panicked trip on Kevin Mbabu and they used the lifeline to storm into the ascendancy.

Rodriguez beat Thibaut Courtois from the spot before Xherdan Shaqiri's cushioned header freed Seferovic to tuck in the equaliser five minutes later.And the incredible turnaround continued a minute before the break, Benfica striker Seferovic guiding beyond Courtois from Fernandes' cutback.

One more was required to secure an away-goals advantage and it was left to the unlikely Elvedi to seal the unthinkable by nodding in Shaqiri's 62nd-minute cross, star man Seferovic later adding polish to a gleaming Switzerland performance with a header of his own.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea target Arnautovic refuses to comment on West Ham future


Marko Arnautovic has refused to comment on reports he could leave West Ham in the January transfer window.

Arnautovic has impressed for the Hammers so far this season, scoring five goals in 10 Premier League matches.That has led to speculation the former Stoke man could seek to leave the London Stadium when the winter window opens.

The 29-year-old fuelled talk of a January exit last week by telling an Austrian newspaper that he wanted to “compete with the very best”.Then Arnautovic's agent, his brother Daniel, suggested a host of top sides in England are monitoring his situation.

Chelsea and Everton were two sides mentioned as possible destinations, while a return to Serie A - where Arnautovic had a short loan spell with Inter Milan during the 2009-10 season - was also mooted.

But when asked about his Hammers future after Austria’s late win over Northern Ireland, Arnautovic was non-committal, saying:"I don't want to talk about it. I am concentrated on West Ham."We have a big game against Manchester City on Saturday and I am only thinking about this game and the following games and what is being said is not my business.”

The game at Windsor Park looked to be heading for a draw after Corey Evans had cancelled out Xaver Schlager’s opener.However, a stoppage-time strike from Valentino Lazaro secured a dramatic victory for the visitors.

The result had no impact on their Nations League progress however, with Franco Foda’s side already guaranteed to finish second in Group B3 behind winners Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Arnautovic was a 71st minute substitute for Austria after initially being considered a doubt for the game in Belfast with a knee injury.

The winger has trained away from his teammates in the build-up to the game, but reassured West Ham supporters about his fitness ahead of their huge Premier League clash with champions Manchester City on Saturday.

"I will be OK. Two days in a row was a bit too much but the gaffer asked me to play the last 25 minutes if needed, and it was needed. I am glad I could help."