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Van Persie is Manchester United's Messi, says O'Neill
Following the striker's goal against Sunderland on Saturday, the Black Cats manager believes he influences his teammates in a similar manner to the Argentine
The 24 million pound summer signing has netted 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for his new side, including opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.
Messi scored his 89th and 90th goals of the calendar year on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid to extend his own record, and O’Neill believes Van Persie gives United a similar lift to that of the Argentine at Camp Nou.
"[Van Persie] can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening, you have players in the area, but all of a sudden he has opened up a gap," O'Neill told reporters.
"Would Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn't play? They are a very talented team, but without him you don't know, because Messi is their talisman.
"United have paid close on 30 million pounds for a player who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him. But it's not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic."
Following the striker's goal against Sunderland on Saturday, the Black Cats manager believes he influences his teammates in a similar manner to the Argentine
The 24 million pound summer signing has netted 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for his new side, including opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.
Messi scored his 89th and 90th goals of the calendar year on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid to extend his own record, and O’Neill believes Van Persie gives United a similar lift to that of the Argentine at Camp Nou.
"[Van Persie] can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening, you have players in the area, but all of a sudden he has opened up a gap," O'Neill told reporters.
"Would Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn't play? They are a very talented team, but without him you don't know, because Messi is their talisman.
"United have paid close on 30 million pounds for a player who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him. But it's not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic."
Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris admits he was 'terrified' after collision with Michu
Hugo Lloris has admitted he was “terrified” when he saw Swansea striker Michu on the floor after a collision during Tottenham's clash with the Welsh side on Sunday at White Hart Lane.
The French goalkeeper accidentally collided with the Spanish forward following his decision to leave his goal to punch clear a long ball into the area.
Despite the Spaniard being stricken on the ground, referee Mike Dean failed to stop play, which drew ire from Swans boss Michael Laudrup after the game.
"I was terrified when I saw him on the ground. I had to go for it and impose myself,” Lloris told reporters “I made the decision to punch and unfortunately there was a big collision."
He added, "It's OK, he got up and it was more a fear than injury. I asked him several times, he said there's no problem."
After an uncertain start to the season, that saw Brad Friedel preferred over him, the France captain has started in Tottenham's last eight games as he looks to tie down the No.1 spot at white Hart Lane.
Hugo Lloris has admitted he was “terrified” when he saw Swansea striker Michu on the floor after a collision during Tottenham's clash with the Welsh side on Sunday at White Hart Lane.
The French goalkeeper accidentally collided with the Spanish forward following his decision to leave his goal to punch clear a long ball into the area.
Despite the Spaniard being stricken on the ground, referee Mike Dean failed to stop play, which drew ire from Swans boss Michael Laudrup after the game.
"I was terrified when I saw him on the ground. I had to go for it and impose myself,” Lloris told reporters “I made the decision to punch and unfortunately there was a big collision."
He added, "It's OK, he got up and it was more a fear than injury. I asked him several times, he said there's no problem."
After an uncertain start to the season, that saw Brad Friedel preferred over him, the France captain has started in Tottenham's last eight games as he looks to tie down the No.1 spot at white Hart Lane.
Pique: La Liga is Barcelona's to lose
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has said that his side already has one hand on the Primera Division title after claiming a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan club holds a nine-point lead over Diego Simeone's men at the top of the table thanks to Sunday's result, with defending champion Real Madrid trailing by 13.
"La Liga is only ours to lose," he is quoted as saying by AS.
"We're in a very favorable position, but we cannot lose a game. If we relax, the danger is that we go into a run where we don't win two or three games and lose our advantage.
"If we lose a game, nothing happens, but we cannot have a losing streak. We're having a great season. It's something else to watch my teammates."
Pique went on to say that Atletico, and Radamel Falcao in particular, were tough opponents, and admitted that the match might have been different had Adriano not cancelled out the Colombian's opener.
"The first half took it out of us," he continued. "Adriano's goal gave us a lot. We had a very good game against a great team who are second.
"[Falcao] is a great player - he's having a great season. He runs a lot, so you have to be wary. He's very difficult on the field."
Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has said that his side already has one hand on the Primera Division title after claiming a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan club holds a nine-point lead over Diego Simeone's men at the top of the table thanks to Sunday's result, with defending champion Real Madrid trailing by 13.
"La Liga is only ours to lose," he is quoted as saying by AS.
"We're in a very favorable position, but we cannot lose a game. If we relax, the danger is that we go into a run where we don't win two or three games and lose our advantage.
"If we lose a game, nothing happens, but we cannot have a losing streak. We're having a great season. It's something else to watch my teammates."
Pique went on to say that Atletico, and Radamel Falcao in particular, were tough opponents, and admitted that the match might have been different had Adriano not cancelled out the Colombian's opener.
"The first half took it out of us," he continued. "Adriano's goal gave us a lot. We had a very good game against a great team who are second.
"[Falcao] is a great player - he's having a great season. He runs a lot, so you have to be wary. He's very difficult on the field."
Barcelona 4-1 Atletico Madrid: Breathtaking Blaugrana move nine points clear
Barcelona extended its lead at the top of La Liga to nine points on Sunday, as goals from Adriano, Sergio Busquets and two from Lionel Messi ensured tbe club reversed Radamel Falcao's opener to seal a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou.
It was first place versus second. Messi versus Falcao. But Barcelona glided to victory through depressing air of predictability. On Saturday, Tito Vilanova said that in any other league, Atletico would be top. But this isn’t any other league. And as the gap at te top grows, that between Atleti and their Madrid rivals continues to diminish.
As ever, Diego Simeone’s side was rigid and compact, intent on absorbing pressure and hitting their hosts on the counter. And Falcao very nearly gave them a shock lead inside the first 10 minutes, but saw his wonderfully flicked header bounce back off the inside of Victo Valdes’ post. Hearts were in Barca mouths again when Colombian raced clear of Carles Puyol after 23 minutes overstretching to drag his shot wide.
Falcao rarely misses – his 16 league goals prior to this evening had arrived via just 52 shots this season. He was never going to miss another, and he opened the scoring with a wonderful solo effort after half an hour. When Messi lost possession in midfield, he pulled square to receive a short pass before his first touch took him away from Busquets on the halfway line before racing clear to delicately lift his left-footed finish over Victor Valdes.
Barca had failed to carve out a single chance by then, its only two efforts on goal arriving as Messi sent one free kick into the wall and another into the stands. Atleti remained compact; Barca kept probing, waiting for you know who to step up.
But instead it was Adriano who provided a moment of genius. The Brazilian had shifted over to right back with Dani Alves having just recovered from injury, and drew the Blaugrana level with solo effort of his own just five minutes later, cutting inside from the right and smashing his curling shot in off the under side of Thibaut Courtois’ crossbar from the edge of the box.
The pendulum swung from that point, and Barca went ahead right on the stroke of halftime when Pique nodded a corner back across goal to Busquets. The Barca midfielder’s spatial awareness is an attribute often overlooked, and it was evident as he took a touch on the edge of the six-yard box before ducking inside Mario Suarez and firing past Courtois.
Messi had been oddly quiet for almost an hour, but the inevitable arrived after 57 minutes when he skipped around Juanfran to curl his shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his 90th goal of 2012.
Messi then grabbed his 34th of the season to round off the scoring with four minutes remaining after collecting Diego Godin’s awful attempt at a back heel inside in his own area to lift the ball over Courtois from close range.
Atletico failed to create a chance in the second period and will be disappointed with their performance after such a promising start.
Yet this defeat should take nothing away from the job Diego Simeone has done since arriving in Madrid. Atleti remains a work in progress – a considerable amount of which has been made over the first half of the La Liga season. And it ends the year rightly positioned as the second best team in the country.
For Barcelona, this was a good end to a fabulous first half of life under Tito, with 16 wins and a one draw during what has been the best start to a La Liga season by any side ever.
You get the feeling the New Year may well bring more of the same for both sides.
Barcelona extended its lead at the top of La Liga to nine points on Sunday, as goals from Adriano, Sergio Busquets and two from Lionel Messi ensured tbe club reversed Radamel Falcao's opener to seal a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou.
It was first place versus second. Messi versus Falcao. But Barcelona glided to victory through depressing air of predictability. On Saturday, Tito Vilanova said that in any other league, Atletico would be top. But this isn’t any other league. And as the gap at te top grows, that between Atleti and their Madrid rivals continues to diminish.
As ever, Diego Simeone’s side was rigid and compact, intent on absorbing pressure and hitting their hosts on the counter. And Falcao very nearly gave them a shock lead inside the first 10 minutes, but saw his wonderfully flicked header bounce back off the inside of Victo Valdes’ post. Hearts were in Barca mouths again when Colombian raced clear of Carles Puyol after 23 minutes overstretching to drag his shot wide.
Falcao rarely misses – his 16 league goals prior to this evening had arrived via just 52 shots this season. He was never going to miss another, and he opened the scoring with a wonderful solo effort after half an hour. When Messi lost possession in midfield, he pulled square to receive a short pass before his first touch took him away from Busquets on the halfway line before racing clear to delicately lift his left-footed finish over Victor Valdes.
Barca had failed to carve out a single chance by then, its only two efforts on goal arriving as Messi sent one free kick into the wall and another into the stands. Atleti remained compact; Barca kept probing, waiting for you know who to step up.
But instead it was Adriano who provided a moment of genius. The Brazilian had shifted over to right back with Dani Alves having just recovered from injury, and drew the Blaugrana level with solo effort of his own just five minutes later, cutting inside from the right and smashing his curling shot in off the under side of Thibaut Courtois’ crossbar from the edge of the box.
The pendulum swung from that point, and Barca went ahead right on the stroke of halftime when Pique nodded a corner back across goal to Busquets. The Barca midfielder’s spatial awareness is an attribute often overlooked, and it was evident as he took a touch on the edge of the six-yard box before ducking inside Mario Suarez and firing past Courtois.
Messi had been oddly quiet for almost an hour, but the inevitable arrived after 57 minutes when he skipped around Juanfran to curl his shot into the bottom corner from 18 yards for his 90th goal of 2012.
Messi then grabbed his 34th of the season to round off the scoring with four minutes remaining after collecting Diego Godin’s awful attempt at a back heel inside in his own area to lift the ball over Courtois from close range.
Atletico failed to create a chance in the second period and will be disappointed with their performance after such a promising start.
Yet this defeat should take nothing away from the job Diego Simeone has done since arriving in Madrid. Atleti remains a work in progress – a considerable amount of which has been made over the first half of the La Liga season. And it ends the year rightly positioned as the second best team in the country.
For Barcelona, this was a good end to a fabulous first half of life under Tito, with 16 wins and a one draw during what has been the best start to a La Liga season by any side ever.
You get the feeling the New Year may well bring more of the same for both sides.
Real Madrid 2-2 Espanyol: Brittle Blancos blow chance to close gap
After coming from behind to lead, Real Madrid failed to close out the game as it stuttered to a 2-2 draw with Espanyol.
Los Merengues' midweek malaise looked set to continue in the capital as Sergio Garcia gave Javier Aguirre's side the lead in the 31st minute. Goals from Portuguese pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao relieved the Madrid faithful but a late equalizer from Juan Angel Albin ensured more points were dropped for the hosts.
Ronaldo, who started the game as a striker, was finding plenty of space in the early exchanges. After firing wide in the second minute he fed Luka Modric in space on the left but the Croatian fared no better, shanking his shot past the far post.
Los Blancos were running into a lot of congestion in the center of the opposing half but great first touch from Modric enabled to work the space to get a shot away. His strike arrowed towards the bottom corner but despite beating Kiko Casilla it only rattled the post.
Yet the defensive complacency that had allowed Simao in earlier in the half reared its head again in the 31st minute, and this time it proved costly. Verdu slid a pass up to Garcia, who bullishy raced through a big hole left by Sergio Ramos and Pepe before adding a cool finish to silence the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo was denied by Casilla in the 40th minute after an exquisite Ozil pass but he got the equalizer on the stroke of halftime. Sami Khedira's cross found the 27-year-old at the back post who beat Javi Lopez to the ball to stab the ball into the net.
Jose Mourinho clearly had strong words for his players during the break as the emerged for the second half with renewed vigor.
It took Madrid just three minutes to go ahead as Ronaldo picked out Coentrao with a lovely reverse pass as he surged into the area. The left back controlled the ball tightly before sweeping a low shot past Casilla.
The keeper did well not to let the game get away from his side with a trio of excellent saves, first from Alvaro Arbeloa and then two from Angel di Maria. The last of which was a deflected effort that was tipped onto the bar, before 10 second-half minutes had passed.
Casilla continued to thwart the hosts' attempts to find a third, this time keeping out Ozil with a brilliant near-post stop after a delightful pass from Di Maria had put the German in on goal.
But Madrid was unable to hold out for the win and second-half substitute Albin was in the right place at the right time to slot home after a goalmouth scramble in the 88th minute.
Defeat means Mourinho's men will need a favor from their city rivals Atletico Madrid whch can stop Barcelona opening a 14-point gap at the top of La Liga with a win at Camp Nou.
After coming from behind to lead, Real Madrid failed to close out the game as it stuttered to a 2-2 draw with Espanyol.
Los Merengues' midweek malaise looked set to continue in the capital as Sergio Garcia gave Javier Aguirre's side the lead in the 31st minute. Goals from Portuguese pair Cristiano Ronaldo and Fabio Coentrao relieved the Madrid faithful but a late equalizer from Juan Angel Albin ensured more points were dropped for the hosts.
Ronaldo, who started the game as a striker, was finding plenty of space in the early exchanges. After firing wide in the second minute he fed Luka Modric in space on the left but the Croatian fared no better, shanking his shot past the far post.
Los Blancos were running into a lot of congestion in the center of the opposing half but great first touch from Modric enabled to work the space to get a shot away. His strike arrowed towards the bottom corner but despite beating Kiko Casilla it only rattled the post.
Yet the defensive complacency that had allowed Simao in earlier in the half reared its head again in the 31st minute, and this time it proved costly. Verdu slid a pass up to Garcia, who bullishy raced through a big hole left by Sergio Ramos and Pepe before adding a cool finish to silence the Bernabeu.
Ronaldo was denied by Casilla in the 40th minute after an exquisite Ozil pass but he got the equalizer on the stroke of halftime. Sami Khedira's cross found the 27-year-old at the back post who beat Javi Lopez to the ball to stab the ball into the net.
Jose Mourinho clearly had strong words for his players during the break as the emerged for the second half with renewed vigor.
It took Madrid just three minutes to go ahead as Ronaldo picked out Coentrao with a lovely reverse pass as he surged into the area. The left back controlled the ball tightly before sweeping a low shot past Casilla.
The keeper did well not to let the game get away from his side with a trio of excellent saves, first from Alvaro Arbeloa and then two from Angel di Maria. The last of which was a deflected effort that was tipped onto the bar, before 10 second-half minutes had passed.
Casilla continued to thwart the hosts' attempts to find a third, this time keeping out Ozil with a brilliant near-post stop after a delightful pass from Di Maria had put the German in on goal.
But Madrid was unable to hold out for the win and second-half substitute Albin was in the right place at the right time to slot home after a goalmouth scramble in the 88th minute.
Defeat means Mourinho's men will need a favor from their city rivals Atletico Madrid whch can stop Barcelona opening a 14-point gap at the top of La Liga with a win at Camp Nou.
Van Persie is Manchester United's Messi, says O'Neill
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has compared the impact Robin van Persie has had at Manchester United to that of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
The 24 million pound summer signing has netted 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for his new side, including opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.
Messi scored his 89th and 90th goals of the calendar year on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid to extend his own record, and O’Neill believes Van Persie gives United a similar lift to that of the Argentine at Camp Nou.
"[Van Persie] can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening, you have players in the area, but all of a sudden he has opened up a gap," O'Neill told reporters."Would Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn't play? They are a very talented team, but without him you don't know, because Messi is their talisman.
"United have paid close on 30 million pounds for a player who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him. But it's not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic."
Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has compared the impact Robin van Persie has had at Manchester United to that of Lionel Messi at Barcelona.
The 24 million pound summer signing has netted 12 goals in 17 Premier League appearances for his new side, including opening the scoring in a 3-1 win over the Black Cats on Saturday.
Messi scored his 89th and 90th goals of the calendar year on Sunday night against Atletico Madrid to extend his own record, and O’Neill believes Van Persie gives United a similar lift to that of the Argentine at Camp Nou.
"[Van Persie] can get goals out of very little. It looks like nothing is happening, you have players in the area, but all of a sudden he has opened up a gap," O'Neill told reporters."Would Barcelona have the same effect if Lionel Messi didn't play? They are a very talented team, but without him you don't know, because Messi is their talisman.
"United have paid close on 30 million pounds for a player who had just one year left on his contract, so that might tell you how valuable they perceive him. But it's not just the perception, the reality is that he has been fantastic."
'Things have changed' - Ancelotti happy with PSG team
Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his happiness with his Paris Saint-Germain side after its 1-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at Parc des Princes on Sunday.
The capital club had endured a poor run of form, leading the Italian to criticize his squad following a surprise loss in Nice, but he has been encouraged by the response the team has offered since.
"Football is strange," he told reporters after the match. "In difficult moments, you have to show your solidity.
"The players did very well - things have changed. At the moment, we have a good balance because the attackers do some good work at the back.
"The first half was difficult because Lyon changed their system, but, defensively, the second half was perfect.
"Lyon showed their quality, they're a solid team with plenty of character."
Ancelotti went on to say that he had no plans to make any further January signings, adding: "We do not need to recruit."
Carlo Ancelotti has voiced his happiness with his Paris Saint-Germain side after its 1-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at Parc des Princes on Sunday.
The capital club had endured a poor run of form, leading the Italian to criticize his squad following a surprise loss in Nice, but he has been encouraged by the response the team has offered since.
"Football is strange," he told reporters after the match. "In difficult moments, you have to show your solidity.
"The players did very well - things have changed. At the moment, we have a good balance because the attackers do some good work at the back.
"The first half was difficult because Lyon changed their system, but, defensively, the second half was perfect.
"Lyon showed their quality, they're a solid team with plenty of character."
Ancelotti went on to say that he had no plans to make any further January signings, adding: "We do not need to recruit."
Demba Ba: Arsenal are the kind of club who make you dream
Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has claimed that a potential move to Arsenal would be the kind of switch that "makes you dream".
The Senegal international is the Magpies' top scorer this season with 11 Premier League goals, only one behind Swansea City's Michu and Manchester United's Robin van Persie.
Manager Alan Pardew admitted to concern earlier in December that Ba’s current release clause could see him leave the club – with a fee of around 7 million euros thought to force Newcastle’s hand – but Ba spoke fondly of Arsenal amid reported interest from the north London outfit.
"Arsenal are one of these teams who make you dream," Ba told Canal+.
"I have nothing to say about the speculation. Nothing is about to happen.
"The press know Arsenal need another striker and also know about my release clause, and make their own mind up about it."
Arsenal has struggled in front of goal so far this season following the departure of last season's top scorer Van Persie to rival Manchester United, and could be set for a busy transfer market.
Newcastle United striker Demba Ba has claimed that a potential move to Arsenal would be the kind of switch that "makes you dream".
The Senegal international is the Magpies' top scorer this season with 11 Premier League goals, only one behind Swansea City's Michu and Manchester United's Robin van Persie.
Manager Alan Pardew admitted to concern earlier in December that Ba’s current release clause could see him leave the club – with a fee of around 7 million euros thought to force Newcastle’s hand – but Ba spoke fondly of Arsenal amid reported interest from the north London outfit.
"Arsenal are one of these teams who make you dream," Ba told Canal+.
"I have nothing to say about the speculation. Nothing is about to happen.
"The press know Arsenal need another striker and also know about my release clause, and make their own mind up about it."
Arsenal has struggled in front of goal so far this season following the departure of last season's top scorer Van Persie to rival Manchester United, and could be set for a busy transfer market.
'I have a family and I'm not going to take any risks' - Abidal cautious over return
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has promised that he will not to return to action too soon following his liver transplant earlier this year.
The Frenchman underwent the procedure in April and has been working his way back to health since. Football is not the chief priority for the former Olympique Lyonnais left back, who has said that his priorities lie with his family.
"My wish is to return and at the moment I'm very happy because I feel great," he told TV3.
"I want to play, but I have a family and I'm not going to take any risks. The first priority for me is them, and then myself.
"If I can play then perfect, and if not I can be with my family and the people who love me."
Abidal was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2011 but made a return at the end of the 2010-11 season to lift the Champions League trophy with the Blaugrana.
Barcelona defender Eric Abidal has promised that he will not to return to action too soon following his liver transplant earlier this year.
The Frenchman underwent the procedure in April and has been working his way back to health since. Football is not the chief priority for the former Olympique Lyonnais left back, who has said that his priorities lie with his family.
"My wish is to return and at the moment I'm very happy because I feel great," he told TV3.
"I want to play, but I have a family and I'm not going to take any risks. The first priority for me is them, and then myself.
"If I can play then perfect, and if not I can be with my family and the people who love me."
Abidal was first diagnosed with cancer in March 2011 but made a return at the end of the 2010-11 season to lift the Champions League trophy with the Blaugrana.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Olympique Lyonnais: Parisians take top spot away from les Gones
Paris Saint-Germain moved back to the summit of Ligue 1 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Blaise Matuidi got the only goal just before halftime to seal the hosts' third league win on the bounce. Lisandro slammed against the post for Lyon, which couldn't improve on its promising opening as a lack of urgency condemned the club to defeat.
Carlo Ancelotti named one change from the side that thrashed Valenciennes 4-0 on Tuesday, as they aimed to regain top spot in the league. Remi Garde meanwhile was boosted by the return of Anthony Reveillere, who passed a fitness test to start.
Amid a raucous atmosphere in the French capital, it would be the hosts who enjoyed the best opening as Jeremy Menez used fine pace and trickery to carve open the defense before being denied by the re-emerging Dejan Lovren.
Soon after, Remy Vercoutre was called upon to produce a fine stop to deny Javier Pastore. The Argentine international latched onto a brilliantly disguised pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as his powerful effort was beaten behind by the goalkeeper in the first real chance of the game.
The visitors took their time to find their rhythm, though they too would spurn a decent opening. Blaise Matuidi gave away a free kick after a rash challenge on Lisandro. Consequently, Michel Bastos' free kick deflected off Christophe Jallet, as Bafetimbi Gomis struggled to connect with the ball as Salvatore Sirigu easily collected.
The league leaders were nevertheless in the ascendancy as the first half wore on. After Gomis saw a tame effort picked off by Sirigu, Lisandro then proceeded to strike the post. A fantastic cross-field delivery picked out the forward, who ghosted in behind Thiago Silva and saw his volley power against the woodwork and out.
Ancelotti's side rallied as it finally scored the opener amid a dramatic ending to the first half. Ibrahimovic's innocuous stamp on Lovren went unpunished by referee Antony Gautier, before Lisandro was denied by a last ditch challenge by Thiago Silva, who inadvertently ignited a PSG counter-attack.
Ibrahimovic's galloping run down the right was unchecked, as his brilliant delivery in towards Matuidi was converted in by the midfielder, for his third league goal of the season. It could've been 2-0, as Ibrahimovic's effort was thwarted by Vercoutre.
Buoyed by their opener, the hosts were in the ascendancy in the second half, as Ibrahimovic was once more denied by the goalkeeper after controlling a fine pass from Menez over the defense. Pastore also saw a chance spurned, as Vercoutre parried away his effort from an acute angle.
Les Gones struggled to find an equalizer, and lacked the urgency as the second half progressed. In fact, it was PSG again which was closer to its second as Christophe Jallet fired in from the edge of the area, pouncing on a loose ball which whistled furiously wide before Ezequiel Lavezzi lobbed over the bar.
The hosts held on to move back to the top of the table on goal difference, level on 35 points with Lyon and Olympique de Marseille. Their final game of 2012 sees them travel to Stade Brest, as Lyon host high-flying Nice at the Stade Gerland next weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain moved back to the summit of Ligue 1 with a narrow 1-0 victory over Olympique Lyonnais at the Parc des Princes on Sunday.
Blaise Matuidi got the only goal just before halftime to seal the hosts' third league win on the bounce. Lisandro slammed against the post for Lyon, which couldn't improve on its promising opening as a lack of urgency condemned the club to defeat.
Carlo Ancelotti named one change from the side that thrashed Valenciennes 4-0 on Tuesday, as they aimed to regain top spot in the league. Remi Garde meanwhile was boosted by the return of Anthony Reveillere, who passed a fitness test to start.
Amid a raucous atmosphere in the French capital, it would be the hosts who enjoyed the best opening as Jeremy Menez used fine pace and trickery to carve open the defense before being denied by the re-emerging Dejan Lovren.
Soon after, Remy Vercoutre was called upon to produce a fine stop to deny Javier Pastore. The Argentine international latched onto a brilliantly disguised pass from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as his powerful effort was beaten behind by the goalkeeper in the first real chance of the game.
The visitors took their time to find their rhythm, though they too would spurn a decent opening. Blaise Matuidi gave away a free kick after a rash challenge on Lisandro. Consequently, Michel Bastos' free kick deflected off Christophe Jallet, as Bafetimbi Gomis struggled to connect with the ball as Salvatore Sirigu easily collected.
The league leaders were nevertheless in the ascendancy as the first half wore on. After Gomis saw a tame effort picked off by Sirigu, Lisandro then proceeded to strike the post. A fantastic cross-field delivery picked out the forward, who ghosted in behind Thiago Silva and saw his volley power against the woodwork and out.
Ancelotti's side rallied as it finally scored the opener amid a dramatic ending to the first half. Ibrahimovic's innocuous stamp on Lovren went unpunished by referee Antony Gautier, before Lisandro was denied by a last ditch challenge by Thiago Silva, who inadvertently ignited a PSG counter-attack.
Ibrahimovic's galloping run down the right was unchecked, as his brilliant delivery in towards Matuidi was converted in by the midfielder, for his third league goal of the season. It could've been 2-0, as Ibrahimovic's effort was thwarted by Vercoutre.
Buoyed by their opener, the hosts were in the ascendancy in the second half, as Ibrahimovic was once more denied by the goalkeeper after controlling a fine pass from Menez over the defense. Pastore also saw a chance spurned, as Vercoutre parried away his effort from an acute angle.
Les Gones struggled to find an equalizer, and lacked the urgency as the second half progressed. In fact, it was PSG again which was closer to its second as Christophe Jallet fired in from the edge of the area, pouncing on a loose ball which whistled furiously wide before Ezequiel Lavezzi lobbed over the bar.
The hosts held on to move back to the top of the table on goal difference, level on 35 points with Lyon and Olympique de Marseille. Their final game of 2012 sees them travel to Stade Brest, as Lyon host high-flying Nice at the Stade Gerland next weekend.
Hummels: 'We must do more next year'
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has urged his teammates to go on a good run in the second half of the season.
The defending champions sit a disappointing 12 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table, but the Germany international remains fairly happy with their performances so date.
"We've got 30 points, but we have played under ourselves quite often," he told Sky after the 3-1 win over Hoffenheim. "That's why 30 is good, but we have to collect more next year."
Looking back on the Rhein Neckar Arena Arena clash, Hummels said that the match went according to plan for his side, which was wary of the threat Hoffenheim posed.
"This was how I wanted the match to be - without the goal we conceded, of course," he continued. "It was important for us to get those three points. Losing the ball is pretty dangerous against Hoffenheim, which is why we tried not to."
BVB rounds off 2012 with a DFB-Pokal clash with Hannover on Wednesday.
Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has urged his teammates to go on a good run in the second half of the season.
The defending champions sit a disappointing 12 points behind league leaders Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga table, but the Germany international remains fairly happy with their performances so date.
"We've got 30 points, but we have played under ourselves quite often," he told Sky after the 3-1 win over Hoffenheim. "That's why 30 is good, but we have to collect more next year."
Looking back on the Rhein Neckar Arena Arena clash, Hummels said that the match went according to plan for his side, which was wary of the threat Hoffenheim posed.
"This was how I wanted the match to be - without the goal we conceded, of course," he continued. "It was important for us to get those three points. Losing the ball is pretty dangerous against Hoffenheim, which is why we tried not to."
BVB rounds off 2012 with a DFB-Pokal clash with Hannover on Wednesday.
West Brom 0-0 West Ham: Woodwork denies Baggies in goalless draw
West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United shared a goalless draw in a disappointing affair in the West Midlands, as the Baggies' run of failing to find the back of the net extended to over five hours.
Scotland international James Morrison came closest for the home side as he was twice denied by the crossbar after an acrobatic scissor kick and a thumping header struck the framework as Sam Allardyce's side escaped back to the Boleyn Ground with a hard-fought point.
Both sides went into the game at The Hawthorns desperate to arrest their respective slumps, one which has seen the Baggies lose their last three games, while Allardyce's side has mustered just one win in its previous five outings.
The home side was without both Steven Reid and Liam Ridgewell through injury, meaning Billy Jones and Goran Popov deputized at their expense. The Hammers, meanwhile, were only able to name six substitutes in the Black Country and made just the solitary change, with Gary O'Neil replacing talisman Mohamed Diame after he picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat to Liverpool last week.
Both sides showed brief attacking glimpses in the opening five minutes but Matt Taylor's looping header failed to trouble Boaz Myhill. It took until the 15th minute for the first meaningful shot on goal though when Peter Odemwingie found space to turn and plunder a long-range drive comfortably into the arms of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Morrison was the next to unleash an effort from distance, but he dragged his effort harmlessly wide before Shane Long turned on the edge of the area and skewed his shot the wrong side of the upright with his weaker foot. On the half-hour, Chris Brunt tested the Icelandic goalkeeper's reflexes with another piledriver, but the former Bolton stopper comfortably gathered.
Allardyce's side had barely ventured out of its own half in the opening 30 minutes, but Winston Reid should have put the visiting team in front when he somehow contrived to volley over James Collins' header back across goal from inside the six-yard box. It seemed to galvanize the Irons, and Carlton Cole was the next to pull the trigger when he stung Myhill's frosty palms but as halftime approached, neither side had demonstrated enough quality in the final third to break the deadlock.
The game finally sprung to life immediately after the restart and Steve Clarke's side was unlucky not to open the scoring after it put the visiting team under a barrage of pressure. A flurry of corners resulted in Morrison's speculative effort caressing the top of the crossbar.
West Ham responded through an unlikely source though, as Gary O'Neil cantered forward only to see his sumptuous curling effort drift narrowly the wrong side of the post before skipper Kevin Nolan slashed wide on the turn and the onrushing Matt Taylor fired an attempt off target following a neat move.
The hour mark passed without a clear cut opening and Zoltan Gera's fizzing drive was well beaten away by Jaaskelainen before Morrison was again denied by the bar when his thumping header clattered the woodwork. But both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, as Albion failed to leapfrog Everton and move back into the top five.
West Bromwich Albion and West Ham United shared a goalless draw in a disappointing affair in the West Midlands, as the Baggies' run of failing to find the back of the net extended to over five hours.
Scotland international James Morrison came closest for the home side as he was twice denied by the crossbar after an acrobatic scissor kick and a thumping header struck the framework as Sam Allardyce's side escaped back to the Boleyn Ground with a hard-fought point.
Both sides went into the game at The Hawthorns desperate to arrest their respective slumps, one which has seen the Baggies lose their last three games, while Allardyce's side has mustered just one win in its previous five outings.
The home side was without both Steven Reid and Liam Ridgewell through injury, meaning Billy Jones and Goran Popov deputized at their expense. The Hammers, meanwhile, were only able to name six substitutes in the Black Country and made just the solitary change, with Gary O'Neil replacing talisman Mohamed Diame after he picked up a hamstring injury in the defeat to Liverpool last week.
Both sides showed brief attacking glimpses in the opening five minutes but Matt Taylor's looping header failed to trouble Boaz Myhill. It took until the 15th minute for the first meaningful shot on goal though when Peter Odemwingie found space to turn and plunder a long-range drive comfortably into the arms of Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Morrison was the next to unleash an effort from distance, but he dragged his effort harmlessly wide before Shane Long turned on the edge of the area and skewed his shot the wrong side of the upright with his weaker foot. On the half-hour, Chris Brunt tested the Icelandic goalkeeper's reflexes with another piledriver, but the former Bolton stopper comfortably gathered.
Allardyce's side had barely ventured out of its own half in the opening 30 minutes, but Winston Reid should have put the visiting team in front when he somehow contrived to volley over James Collins' header back across goal from inside the six-yard box. It seemed to galvanize the Irons, and Carlton Cole was the next to pull the trigger when he stung Myhill's frosty palms but as halftime approached, neither side had demonstrated enough quality in the final third to break the deadlock.
The game finally sprung to life immediately after the restart and Steve Clarke's side was unlucky not to open the scoring after it put the visiting team under a barrage of pressure. A flurry of corners resulted in Morrison's speculative effort caressing the top of the crossbar.
West Ham responded through an unlikely source though, as Gary O'Neil cantered forward only to see his sumptuous curling effort drift narrowly the wrong side of the post before skipper Kevin Nolan slashed wide on the turn and the onrushing Matt Taylor fired an attempt off target following a neat move.
The hour mark passed without a clear cut opening and Zoltan Gera's fizzing drive was well beaten away by Jaaskelainen before Morrison was again denied by the bar when his thumping header clattered the woodwork. But both sides were forced to settle for a share of the spoils, as Albion failed to leapfrog Everton and move back into the top five.
Reading 2-5 Arsenal: Cazorla treble pulls Gunners within two points of fourth
Arsenal did not manage to score seven on this occasion but thumped Reading 5-2 in another goal-fest between these two sides at the Madejski Stadium.
A Santi Cazorla hat trick and a Lukas Podolski strike put Arsene Wenger’s team four goals clear at the hour mark with some football that was irresistible at times.But there is a fragility to this Arsenal side and Reading pulled it back to 4-2 after 71 minutes through Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe strikes, which was enough to generate nerves in the visitors’ camp.
But Theo Walcott, who was given a rare opportunity in the center forward role, finished off Reading’s brief comeback with the seventh goal of the game and his 11th of a stop-start season.
It helped Arsenal claim all three points and leapfrog Norwich City, West Brom and Everton to climb into fifth position in the Premier League and quieten the talk of crisis following the dismal Capital One Cup exit at League Two Bradford City.
Reading remains bottom of the Premier League on nine points, six adrift of 17th-placed Southampton, and already looks down and out.
Following the 12-goal Capital One Cup thriller at this stadium last month, few expected another scoring bonanza but, once again, there was plenty to warm a chilly Berkshire evening.Arsenal cut Reading’s defense open at will during a first-half display that began nervously for the visitors but soon developed into a cakewalk.
The best early opportunities fell to Reading’s Noel Hunt and Pavel Pogrebnyak, starting his first game for the club since Oct. 27, but Wenger’s team then took control with Podolski’s goal after 14 minutes and never looked like relinquishing it.
The German has symptomized Arsenal’s indifferent recent form but he took his goal with great assurance, firstly killing Kieran Gibbs’ cross with a velvet touch and then thumping past Adam Federici with his left foot.
The generosity of the home side’s defending was apparent in the space afforded to Podolski and it was to become the theme of the evening, as the visitors set about eagerly dispelling the negativity surrounding the club.Walcott’s finish failed to match the timing of his run in the 25thminute when through on goal but fan-favorite Cazorla doubled his team’s advantage shortly after the half-hour mark.
The Spaniard may have been the smallest man on the park, but, so static was the home side’s defense, that he was able to easily nod in Podolski’s beautiful curled cross.
Three minutes later, Cazorla scored his second and Arsenal’s third, greedibly gobbling up Gibbs’ second assist of the match with a swivelled shot following fine work from Walcott on the right.
At this stage, a second consecutive seven-goal haul at the Madejski Stadium did not look beyond Arsenal.Cazorla became only the third Spaniard, after Fernando Torres and Jordi Gomez, to score a Premier League hat trick when he finished off a sublime passing move at the hour mark.
Le Fondre scored what appeared to be merely a consolation goal after 66 minutes when he took advantage of Gibbs’ abject pass but a few hearts among the 2,000-strong travelling support may have skipped a beat when Kebe stroked a composed second past Wojciech Szczesy.
Walcott calmed Arsenal nerves with the last goal of the game after 80 minutes. With his contract situation still up in the air, it ended a comeback but started a whole new debate.
Arsenal did not manage to score seven on this occasion but thumped Reading 5-2 in another goal-fest between these two sides at the Madejski Stadium.
A Santi Cazorla hat trick and a Lukas Podolski strike put Arsene Wenger’s team four goals clear at the hour mark with some football that was irresistible at times.But there is a fragility to this Arsenal side and Reading pulled it back to 4-2 after 71 minutes through Adam Le Fondre and Jimmy Kebe strikes, which was enough to generate nerves in the visitors’ camp.
But Theo Walcott, who was given a rare opportunity in the center forward role, finished off Reading’s brief comeback with the seventh goal of the game and his 11th of a stop-start season.
It helped Arsenal claim all three points and leapfrog Norwich City, West Brom and Everton to climb into fifth position in the Premier League and quieten the talk of crisis following the dismal Capital One Cup exit at League Two Bradford City.
Reading remains bottom of the Premier League on nine points, six adrift of 17th-placed Southampton, and already looks down and out.
Following the 12-goal Capital One Cup thriller at this stadium last month, few expected another scoring bonanza but, once again, there was plenty to warm a chilly Berkshire evening.Arsenal cut Reading’s defense open at will during a first-half display that began nervously for the visitors but soon developed into a cakewalk.
The best early opportunities fell to Reading’s Noel Hunt and Pavel Pogrebnyak, starting his first game for the club since Oct. 27, but Wenger’s team then took control with Podolski’s goal after 14 minutes and never looked like relinquishing it.
The German has symptomized Arsenal’s indifferent recent form but he took his goal with great assurance, firstly killing Kieran Gibbs’ cross with a velvet touch and then thumping past Adam Federici with his left foot.
The generosity of the home side’s defending was apparent in the space afforded to Podolski and it was to become the theme of the evening, as the visitors set about eagerly dispelling the negativity surrounding the club.Walcott’s finish failed to match the timing of his run in the 25thminute when through on goal but fan-favorite Cazorla doubled his team’s advantage shortly after the half-hour mark.
The Spaniard may have been the smallest man on the park, but, so static was the home side’s defense, that he was able to easily nod in Podolski’s beautiful curled cross.
Three minutes later, Cazorla scored his second and Arsenal’s third, greedibly gobbling up Gibbs’ second assist of the match with a swivelled shot following fine work from Walcott on the right.
At this stage, a second consecutive seven-goal haul at the Madejski Stadium did not look beyond Arsenal.Cazorla became only the third Spaniard, after Fernando Torres and Jordi Gomez, to score a Premier League hat trick when he finished off a sublime passing move at the hour mark.
Le Fondre scored what appeared to be merely a consolation goal after 66 minutes when he took advantage of Gibbs’ abject pass but a few hearts among the 2,000-strong travelling support may have skipped a beat when Kebe stroked a composed second past Wojciech Szczesy.
Walcott calmed Arsenal nerves with the last goal of the game after 80 minutes. With his contract situation still up in the air, it ended a comeback but started a whole new debate.
Rodgers: Liverpool will look to add but won't spend big in January
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted he will resist the temptation to spend heavily in the January transfer window.
The Reds are seven points short of fourth-placed Tottenham, despite having endured a mixed start to the season under their new boss. Even though Rodgers remains committed to bringing in fresh faces, the Northern Irishman was keen to dampen expectations regarding any potential big-money moves.
"There is a bigger picture for sure and it goes back to affordability," Rodgers told The Independent. "We will spend money in January to try and bring fresh faces into the group and give us that support at the top end. But the reality [about] all the names bandied about is 'Are they going to be available?' Certainly we will bring in what we can help us and then we will revisit again.
"All our problems were never going to be solved in this window, because the January window is one of the least productive and the least movement goes on there. But we will look to solve some of our problems then and then we will look to revisit it in the summer knowing that in the summer we will be better placed than the last previous summer."
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has insisted he will resist the temptation to spend heavily in the January transfer window.
The Reds are seven points short of fourth-placed Tottenham, despite having endured a mixed start to the season under their new boss. Even though Rodgers remains committed to bringing in fresh faces, the Northern Irishman was keen to dampen expectations regarding any potential big-money moves.
"There is a bigger picture for sure and it goes back to affordability," Rodgers told The Independent. "We will spend money in January to try and bring fresh faces into the group and give us that support at the top end. But the reality [about] all the names bandied about is 'Are they going to be available?' Certainly we will bring in what we can help us and then we will revisit again.
"All our problems were never going to be solved in this window, because the January window is one of the least productive and the least movement goes on there. But we will look to solve some of our problems then and then we will look to revisit it in the summer knowing that in the summer we will be better placed than the last previous summer."
Wenger delighted by convincing Arsenal win
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has underlined the importance of his side's "convincing" 5-2 win over Reading during a week in which the club suffered an embarrassing cup defeat to Bradford City.
A hat trick from Santi Cazorla and goals from Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski helped the Gunners easily dispatch the Royals at the Madejski Stadium on Monday, and the Frenchman expressed delight at the manner of the North London side's win, following a disastrous League Cup exit.
"The target was to win in a convincing way," Wenger told reporters. "We focused on playing the game. At 4-0 we had a little wobbling period. And at 4-2, after what happened last week, we became a bit uncertain. We lost a bit of focus and paid for it. But overall it was important to go out and play and give the right answer on the football pitch."
Wenger also hailed Theo Walcott's performance in a central striking role and confidently predicted that his team will continue to improve.
"In training sessions he has shown the abilities to play in this position - the timing of his movement - and for his first game I think he has done very well. There are very encouraging signs," Wenger said. "We had pace, that was the target in the build-up to the game and overall we gave them many problems through that.
"I said many times I believe in this team and the players want to do well. In the league - apart from the Swansea game - we have been quite consistent but we need to go from strength from strength. It's been difficult [the past week], you'd prefer it when everything goes well. It's been interesting also - you discover who is strong and you discover who can remain united and on that front in the club we were very good.
"In 16 years we went out just once against a team from a lower division. If you compare that record to all the other clubs in England it is still the best record. I agree that it was hurtful, and very disappointing. But on the night Bradford did very well. I am responsible for when it goes well - and I have to take the criticism when it doesn't go well."
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has underlined the importance of his side's "convincing" 5-2 win over Reading during a week in which the club suffered an embarrassing cup defeat to Bradford City.
A hat trick from Santi Cazorla and goals from Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski helped the Gunners easily dispatch the Royals at the Madejski Stadium on Monday, and the Frenchman expressed delight at the manner of the North London side's win, following a disastrous League Cup exit.
"The target was to win in a convincing way," Wenger told reporters. "We focused on playing the game. At 4-0 we had a little wobbling period. And at 4-2, after what happened last week, we became a bit uncertain. We lost a bit of focus and paid for it. But overall it was important to go out and play and give the right answer on the football pitch."
Wenger also hailed Theo Walcott's performance in a central striking role and confidently predicted that his team will continue to improve.
"In training sessions he has shown the abilities to play in this position - the timing of his movement - and for his first game I think he has done very well. There are very encouraging signs," Wenger said. "We had pace, that was the target in the build-up to the game and overall we gave them many problems through that.
"I said many times I believe in this team and the players want to do well. In the league - apart from the Swansea game - we have been quite consistent but we need to go from strength from strength. It's been difficult [the past week], you'd prefer it when everything goes well. It's been interesting also - you discover who is strong and you discover who can remain united and on that front in the club we were very good.
"In 16 years we went out just once against a team from a lower division. If you compare that record to all the other clubs in England it is still the best record. I agree that it was hurtful, and very disappointing. But on the night Bradford did very well. I am responsible for when it goes well - and I have to take the criticism when it doesn't go well."
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