..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Jonny Evans renews Manchester United contract until 2016

Jonny Evans has extended his contract with Manchester United in a deal that keeps him with Sir Alex Ferguson's side for another four years.

The Northern Irish defender, who has made 141 appearances in his Red Devils' career so far, put pen to paper on Friday.

The 24-year-old insisted that he has always felt right at Old Trafford, while expressing his desire to stay with the club for the foreseeable future.

“I’m delighted to sign my new contract," he told their official website. "I am so proud to play for such a great club, and there’s no better feeling than playing football in this team and winning games.

“I have always felt that this is the right club for me. Even when I was 9 or 10 years old back home in Northern Ireland, clubs asked me to go on trial but I didn’t go because I knew that Manchester United was the place I wanted to play football.

"I have come through the Academy here and developed as a player with the help of all my team-mates, the manager and the coaching staff. I would love to play here throughout the rest of my career.”

The centre-back joined the club's youth system as a nine-year-old in 2004, and, after making his debut against Coventry in 2007, has taken advantage of injuries to both Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic to establish himself in the first team.

Ferguson highlighted the importance of the defender to his squad, while mirroring the player's delight at the extenuation.

“Jonny has risen through the ranks to become an integral part of the first team squad," the Scot added. "He has developed into a top player for us and has scored a couple of important goals this season too. I am delighted he has signed a new contract.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratz Evans!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sir Alex Ferguson would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo back at Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted he would love to see Cristiano Ronaldo return to Manchester United later in his career.

The Portugal captain left Old Trafford for Real Madrid in a 80 million pound deal in 2009, but has been linked with a move away from the Liga champion recently, with Paris Saint-Germain touted as a possible destination.

However, the 70-year-old admits he is not seriously considering a move for the attacker at the moment, and joked he may only be able to make an offer when Ronaldo's contract at the Bernabeu expires.

“I’d love to see that, but it’s fanciful thinking really," Ferguson told reporters. “First of all, how much it would take to get him from Real Madrid, and secondly, I don’t think there’s any chance they would want to sell him anyway. But you never know. I don’t know when his contract finishes.

“He may want to go to another club at some point in his career and I’d hope he would want to come here. But that’s a long way off.

“I’ve been very fortunate in having [Paul] Scholes and [Ryan] Giggs. I’ve had fantastic players – [Eric] Cantona. He’s certainly in that bracket as one of the best I have managed, there’s no question about that.”

Ronaldo will return to Old Trafford in the New Year as Madrid and United square off in the last 16 of the Champions League and Sir Alex is expecting a warm welcome back for the Portuguese.

He added: “One thing is for sure, he’ll get a great reception when he comes to Old Trafford and when he comes on the pitch. After that, they can boo all they like!

“United fans have always been that way with players who performed for us. Players who are part of the history of the success of the club are recognized when they come back.

“We’re proud of the part we played in his career. To get six years out of a boy when he comes at 17 and played for us for six years, we’ve done well.

“He always had a hankering to go to Madrid in his career and we helped him on that way.

“It wasn’t disloyalty because I got another year out of him when he wanted to go the previous year. He honored that and was fantastic for us. He went with our blessing.

“My way of looking at it is that we were lucky to have him for six years and the United fans would share that.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Malaga ready to take UEFA to CAS following European ban

Malaga has announced that they will take UEFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport following the governing body's decision to ban it from the next European competition for which it qualifies.

As well as the suspension, the Andalucian club was also fined 300,000 euros due to alleged financial irregularities, but, in an act of defiance, the side's general director Vicente Casado has vowed to launch legal proceedings to clear its name.

"We are shocked and do not understand the reason for this excessive attack on Malaga, but we will go to CAS, as we are convinced this process will confirm that we have done things in a proper way," he said at a press conference. "We have until March 31 to appeal and we are preparing all the arguments that can revoke this decision made by UEFA.

"The owner [Sheikh Abdullah Al Thani] is outraged by this punishment but will continue to fight for the project to go forward."

Juan de Dios Crespo, an expert in litigation with the CAS, will be responsible for spearheading Malaga's case.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Marotta rules out Juventus pursuit of Drogba

Beppe Marotta has dismissed suggestions that Juventus is ready to sign Didier Drogba once the transfer window reopens in January.


The Cote d'Ivoire international only joined Shanghai Shenhua in the summer after he opted to call time on his eight-year spell at Chelsea, but he has been linked with a move to Turin following the Italian champion's struggles to find a consistent goalscorer.

However, speaking prior to Juventus' Serie A clash with Cagliari on Friday, the general manager explained that Drogba's imminent participation in the African Cup of Nations and Giorgio Chiellini's injury have forced the Bianconeri to change their plans in the market.

"Drogba? I don't know who has come up with this idea, but we have not had any contact, partly because he will play at the Africa Cup of Nations and be unavailable for an extended period," Marotta told Sky Sport Italia. "Due to the sale of Lucio and Chiellini's injury, we are looking for a defensive player. Regarding the attack, we are vigilant because there is also the Champions League.

"But you must have respect for this group [of players]. We are the team that have scored the highest number of goals in the box."

Marotta also reflected on the Lega Calcio's decision to move the match against the Sardinians to the Tardini in Emilia-Romagna and insisted that his side had no choice but to follow the governing body's orders.

"We had to adjust ourselves to the Lega Calcio's decision [to move the venue]," he added. "It is an inconvenience for us and our fans who have had to pay for tickets, but they will be refunded.

"It's no good to see a game like this with only 3,000 spectators."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Brest 0-3 Paris Saint-Germain: Parisiens pull three points clear


Paris Saint-Germain will likely finish 2012 top of Ligue 1 after securing a 3-0 victory over Brest at Stade Francis-Le Ble.

Although Zlatan Ibrahimovic found home goalkeeper Alexis Thebault in outstanding form, the Swede broke the deadlock in the second half after the hosts had been reduced to 10 men on 35 minutes when Abdou Sissoko was dismissed. Kevin Gameiro secured the points with quarter of an hour remaining, and an injury-time own goal which came after Christophe Jallet's shot was wickedly deflected made it three.

From the outset it was the capital side that dominated the encounter, although it took it some time to really test Thebault, who produced a string of terrific saves. The former Caen goalkeeper did particularly well to thwart Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic with a terrific double save midway through the first half.

Until Sissoko was shown a straight red card for a two-footed challenge on Ezequiel Lavezzi, the home team had been doing a relatively good job of quelling its opponent, but reduced to 10, it found life increasingly difficult.

It survived a dangerous 10-minute spell before the break, but only thanks to its goalkeeper, who denied both Pastore and Ibrahimovic.

Immediately after the restart PSG raised the tempo. Within 60 seconds Christophe Jallet had a fierce drive tipped away, but a breakthrough was always on the cards, and when the right back delivered a pin-point cross for Ibrahimovic, the Swede tucked the ball away neatly at the near post.

Within a minute, Lavezzi had danced his way round a challenge in the box only to shoot wide when clean through, while Thibault was at his best to thwart Ibrahimovic when the Swede escaped the defence down the left channel.

Even without the comfort of a two-goal cushion, there was an element of showboating from the visitors, and in particular their Swedish star, whose outrageous flying backheel would have made highlight reels for years to come had it not flown a foot wide of the post.

Ultimately, the second goal inevitably arrived. Pastore, who had gone close shortly before, created room for Thiago Motta to strike at goal, and though his shot was beaten away by Thebault, the custodian was helpless as the rebound was fired home by Gameiro.

In stoppage time, Jallet's effort deflected off Bernand Mendy before finding the net, with Brest having gone close to a consolation in the moments before.

This may not have been a tour de force to finish the year from PSG, but it was another encouraging performance from the capital club, which will only fail to win Ligue 1’s symbolic autumn champion title if Lyon or Marseille win over the weekend by a seemingly impossible margin.

PSG boss Carlo Ancelotti will feel his side should have won by more, yet the year nevertheless ended on a very satisfactory note as Les Parisiens became the first team to shut Brest out at Stade Francis-Le Ble this term.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cagliari 1-3 Juventus: Matri returns to haunt Rossoblu

Juventus produced a late fightback in its final match of 2012 as it beat a plucky Cagliari side 3-1 at Stadio Ennio Tardini in Parma.

The Rossoblu took the lead in the first half when Arturo Vidal felled Marco Sau in the area and Mauricio Pinilla converted from the spot, but the Bianconeri fought back to level through Alessandro Matri and the substitute stole the victory for the visitors in added time with his second strike before Vucinic made sure of the points.

The Old Lady controlled the opening stages of the match, its players finding each other with consummate ease and exploiting the space offered up to them by their opponents, but couldn’t maintain that composure in the final third.

Their predicament was epitomized by Claudio Marchisio’s wasteful pass in the area after a sharp exchange between Sebastian Giovinco and Kwadwo Asamoah, the midfielder coming up short in his attempt to set up Fabio Quagliarella.Juventus then fell behind after 15 minutes as the hosts took the lead in their adopted home from the penalty spot.

Marco Sau was upended by a clumsy challenge in the area from Arturo Vidal and referee Antonio Damato took his time to deliberate before eventually pointing to the spot.

Mauricio Pinilla stepped up and rattled the penalty beyond Gigi Buffon into the top left-hand corner to give his side the unexpected advantage.The visitors continued to dominate possession but failed to put Michael Agazzi’s goal under any real threat before halftime.

Asamoah fizzed a dangerous ball across the face of goal and Quagliarella and Stephan Lichsteiner both blazed wide from promising positions, but it took until the 43rd minute for Andrea Pirlo to register the Bianconeri’s first shot on target with a low drive from the edge of the area.

Juventus had a penalty shout of its own turned down by Domato when Quagliarella appeared to be hauled down by Davide Astori as Cagliari protected their lead with minimal fuss up to the break.The visitors began to probe with a bit more intent after the break. Marchisio forced a more meaningful stop from Agazzi and a last-ditch block denied the same player after a smart turn in the area as Conte’s men tried to crank up the pressure on Cagliari.

At the other end Sau continued to keep the Bianconeri defense on its feet, firstly forcing Buffon to tip over after an instinctive turn and shot before flashing a low centre along the Juventus goal.

Asamoah felt he should have had a penalty midway through the second half when he was barged in the back following a corner. Leonardo Bonucci’s initial header came back of the frame of the goal and when substitute Alessandro Matri had his follow up saved, the winger appeared to be shoved in the back as he skewed his header wide from 2-yards out.

Cagliari was then reduced to 10 men as captain Astori was dismissed for a second bookable offense after a needless trip on Giovinco and soon after the visitors had a penalty of their own to level things up.

Substitute Dario Del Fabro’s first contribution to proceedings was to foul the tricky Giovinco in his own box but Vidal couldn’t atone for his earlier misdemeanor and skied his penalty over the bar.Cagliari’s luck eventually ran out and it was the combination of the two substitutes Mirko Vucinic and Matri that finally undid the hosts' defense.

Pirlo found the Montenegrin on the edge of the area and his ferocious effort was spilt by Agazzi at the feet of Matri who prodded the ball home after reacting quickest.Matri then proved to be the hero as Nene's poor clearance deflected off Vidal and into the former Cagliari man's path as he kept his cool to slot past Agazzi in stoppage time.

Vucinic then made sure of the points as he converted Giovinco's low center from a couple of yards out to complete the comeback.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal star Cazorla calls for introduction of winter break

Arsenal playmaker Santi Cazorla feels footballers would benefit from a winter break in the Premier League.

The Spanish midfielder is facing three league games in 12 days over the festive season, whereas he has previously enjoyed a rest period while playing in La Liga.

However, the former Malaga and Villareal player suggests that, while a break would give players breathing space, the hectic nature of the Premier League schedule means he is already adapting to the demands of English football.

"I do think it [a winter break] is beneficial because you are able to disconnect mentally, psychologically," he told the club's official website. "There are times when you become saturated with games, you are unclear about things, and the break that happens in Spain makes you more relaxed mentally.

"But I think that the Premier League overall is already tough with regards to the number of matches that you have to play in a row, so I do not think the month of December is very different from the rest of the months."

Arsenal will play Wigan, Newcastle and Southampton as it looks to haul back a 15-point deficit on league leader Manchester United.

The Gunners qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League and have been drawn against Bayern Munich, which was the losing finalist in last year's competition against Chelsea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Del Bosque: Spain job will be my last

Vicente del Bosque has admitted that his current role as Spain coach will be the last of his managerial career.

The 62-year-old took control of La Roja in the summer of 2008 following Luis Aragones' departure and has since led the side to consecutive major international honours, including the World Cup two years ago.



His achievements while at the helm of the Iberian nation have fueled speculation that he could seek a new challenge before he retires, but Del Bosque insists he plans to see his days out with Spain."The national team will be the last lap of my career," the former Real Madrid and Besiktas boss said in an interview with Spanish television.

Del Bosque then discussed his plans for Spain's upcoming friendly against Uruguay and revealed that in-form duo Michu and Iago Aspas will feature, while advising David Villa to ensure he secures regular playing time at either Barcelona or a club of a similar stature.

"Iago Aspas and Michu will appear," he added. "[As for Villa], he must stay in the top flight, whether at his current club or somewhere similar."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho: I hope Rafa wasn't thinking about Madrid during Club World Cup defeat

The long-standing rivalry between Jose Mourinho and Rafael Benitez again came to the fore on Friday as the Real Madrid manager questioned Chelsea’s performance against Corinthians in the Club World Cup Final.


The Blues lost 1-0 to the Brazilian side in Yokohama last Sunday, and interim manager Benitez has endured a tough time since taking over from Roberto di Matteo in November.

And Mourinho suggested that there could be a possibility that Benitez will succeed him at the Bernabeu.

“I do not know where he will go,” the 49-year-old stated at a press conference. “But as a fan of Chelsea, I hope that during the game against Corinthians he was not thinking of Madrid.”

The former Chelsea boss also took the time to discuss his side’s recent poor form, with rival Barcelona now 13 points ahead of current champion Madrid in La Ligaafter his side dropped two points at home in a 2-2 draw Espanyol.
“What happens is the fault of those who won the League. Everyone is guilty.

Everyone must find motivation so that we can improve. I unashamedly say that we are unhappy with the [displays in] recent months. We have to improve in everything.“I have more experience of victories than defeat. I’ve had 400 games and only lost 10 percent of them, so I have to adapt to this situation."

Madrid faces a trip to Malaga on Saturday, which is currently one place and five points below Mourinho’s side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ferguson rejects claims Scholes will retire at end of season

Sir Alex Ferguson has comprehensively dismissed claims that Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes will retire at the end of the season.

Reports had previously suggested that the 38-year-old Scholes, who has scored one goal in seven appearances this campaign, had told friends he will call an end to his career for the second time next summer. Ferguson believes the former England international has no such plans, though, and that he would be the first person Scholes would consult if he did.

"I would be surprised if Paul had spoken to someone without speaking to me - and he hasn't - so we can dismiss that,” Ferguson told reporters.

The United boss was also keen to quash similar speculation about Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand, stating that any rumors stem simply from the club’s contract policy.

"Ryan could play for another year or two. Rio has been terrific,” Ferguson said. “The speculation comes from our policy of only giving older players one-year contracts."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Arsenal is not a top club any more' - former Bayern star Salihamidzic

Former Bayern Munich midfielder Hasan Salihamidzic has stated Arsenal is no longer a "top club" after the Gunners were drawn against the German giants in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Arsene Wenger's side made it out of the group stages of the competition, yet face last season's finalists in a tricky tie and also trails Manchester United in the Premier League race by 15 points.

The 35-year-old thinks the German side - which leads the Bundesliga by nine points - should be considered the favorites to go through, but knows from past experience that Arsenal will provide a stern test.

"[The draw] is a top quality encounter footballers live for. However, it needs to be said that Arsenal aren't among the top clubs anymore. They have too many problems this season," he told TZ Online.

He added, "Bayern are favorites, clearly [the] favorites in this match. But they have to be careful: it's always difficult to win in England."

"Arsenal don't play typically British but rather a well-groomed combination football. But I actually think that Bayern can take advantage of this - they will be able to adapt better to that than against teams who park the bus. They will be interesting matches."

And while Jupp Heynckes can call on the likes of Bastien Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm and Thomas Muller to drive his team on to victory, Salihamidzic thinks a German player in Arsenal's side could decide the tie - Lukas Podolski.

"[Podolski] will be motivated - after all he will play against his colleagues from the [German] national team. For sure he will want top show that he has become an important player in England. Therefore, [Bayern] will have to watch out for him."

The midfielder also stated that the Bundesliga leaders are favorites alongside Spanish giants Barcelona to win the competition.

"FC Barcelona and Bayern are the teams who currently convince the most and have the best consistency in their performances," he stated.

"I think that Barca and Bayern are a bit above the rest at the moment."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sneijder preparing for Inter exit, says wife

Wesley Sneijder is prepraring to leave Inter in the early part of January, according to his wife Yolanthe.The Netherlands star has been frozen out of the Nerazzurri first team after reportedly failing to agree terms on a new contract that would see him take a paycut.



He was sent on early holiday leave for Christmas by the club, and is set to depart San Siro for pastures new in the coming weeks."We are about to leave Milan," she told RTL Boulevard.

"Everything could be sorted out in the first few days of January. Our destination? We’re looking for an ideal place for our family. For the moment, I’m not thinking of my career."

Inter is currently in second in Serie A, seven points behind leader Juventus. It hosts 19th-place Genoa at San Siro on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Allegri: New striker arrival depends on Robinho or Pato leaving

AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has claimed that the signing of a new forward will depend on whether or not Alexandre Pato and Robinho leave the club.



The Brazilian duo have both been linked with a return to their homeland, and the former Cagliari boss says they could both leave San Siro during the winter transfer window."If Pato and Robinho leave, then we’ll need another striker. Five attackers is the right number, but it all depends on Galliani," the 45-year-old told reporters.

He added, "Then we will look at what the best solutions are to strengthen the team. But talking about this now makes no sense.

"If a player arrives then it will be an important player and if it is an important player then they would probably have already played in the Champions League this season."He went on to play down his chances of signing Mario Balotelli and Javier Pastore, who both had been linked with a move to the Rossoneri.

"I’ve never trained Balotelli and until I do I can’t pass judgment on him," he explained. "He’s a Manchester City player and there’s no point talking about him.
"Javier Pastore? I don’t think Paris Saint-Germain will let him leave."Meanwhile, Milan is currently preparing for its trip to Roma on Saturday, and the trainer is confident of success as long as his team play to their full potential.

“We have to play a good game from every point of view knowing that we’ll be up against one of the three best teams in the League with players that suit Zeman’s game well," he noted.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Falcao: Now we should talk about Barca and Atletico for La Liga

Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao is confident that his side and Barcelona are the real contenders for the Liga crown after helping his side to second place in the table.


The capital club ended last season in sensational style, winning the Europa League, and have since emerged as title challengers, with the Colombian notching 17 goals in 15 league games.

The club sits four points clear of current champions Real Madrid in the table, and Falcao is certain that Diego Simeone's side cannot be overlooked after a near-perfect calendar year.

"With the budgets available to Real Madrid and Barcelona, they can have the best players in the world," heSpanish television station Cuatro."But it is Barca first, Atletico second and Madrid third. So now we should talk about Barca and Atletico.

"The mark for the year is maybe a nine - there was just a little bit missing, so a nine-and-a-half, maybe."

Meanwhile, Simeone has claimed that a change in attitude has transformed the club's fortunes since his arrival 12 months ago.

"I feel a huge joy, because when we arrived here the situation was not easy. The players have made a huge effort to be competitive," Simeone explained."Above all, I feel very happy for having been at the club I love for a year."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2012.12.22 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2012.12.22 Fixtures

Wigan Vs Arsenal

Southampton Vs Sunderland

WBA Vs Norwich City

Tottenham Vs Stroke City

Newcastle United Vs QPR

Manchester City Vs Reading

West Ham United Vs Everton

Liverpool Vs Fulham

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[Wolverine GTR]

La Liga 2012.12.22 Fixtures

La Liga 2012.12.22 Fixtures​

Real Betis Vs Mallorca​

Real Valladoid Vs Barcelona​

Malaga Vs Real Madrid​

Osasuna Vs Granada​

Athletic Bilbao Vs Real Zaragoza​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A 2012.12.22 Fixtures

Serie A 2012.12.22 Fixtures
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Inter Vs Genoa
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Atalanta Vs Udinese
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Bologna Vs Parma
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Palermo Vs Fiorentina
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Sampdoria Vs Lazio
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Siena Vs Napoli
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Torino Vs Chievo
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Roma Vs AC Milan​

 

[Banks PLK]

City 1-0 Reading

Lucky yo get ! 3 points ! today !
Reading defended well today

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 4-0 Fulham: Gerrard, Suarez and Downing sparkle in Reds romp

Liverpool ended its 2012 home schedule on a high with a dominant 4-0 victory over Fulham at Anfield.

Martin Skrtel handed the hosts the lead with a close-range drive following a corner before Steven Gerrard doubled the advantage after latching onto Stewart Downing's ball in behind.

The winger then capped arguably his best Premier League performance since moving to Anfield by hitting the third after an impressive run from the right. Luis Suarez grabbed the goal his tireless running merited from close range late on.

Brendan Rodgers took the somewhat risky decision to hand virtual ever-presents this season Joe Allen and Raheem Sterling a rest, with both starting the game on the bench. That meant a return for the fit-again Jose Enrique, while Suso started his first Premier League game since Nov. 17.

Liverpool started the game brightly, just as it had done in defeat to Aston Villa the week before, but, unusually for a game at Anfield, capitalized on that dominance with a goal after just nine minutes. A Gerrard corner was allowed to travel as far as Skrtel, who took a measured touch unbefitting of an aggressive center back before smashing home on the volley.

The Reds fully deserved the lead and set about trying to capitalize on it but were largely kept at arm’s length by a Fulham team slowly finding their feet. Their slow passage back into the game was underlined as Kacaniklic’s shot was kept out following an excellent run and through ball from Dejagah.

However, the visitors were soon given a huge let off as Daniel Agger showed decidedly less attacking prowess than his center half partner in contriving to put Suarez’s ball across the box over from four yards with the goal gaping.

The Reds have generally lived to regret such wastefulness at Anfield in recent history but with 36 minutes on the clock they found themselves two ahead. A wonderful eye-of-the-needle pass from Downing found Gerrard’s excellent run in behind the back four and the captain finished with aplomb into the far corner.

Rodgers’ men took that lead into halftime and came out for the second period with clear intent of increasing it as Suarez missed a golden opportunity at the back post, driving Downing’s deflected shot wide when he should have done better.

The much-maligned winger had clearly gained confidence in notching his first Premier League assist for Liverpool and soon had his first goal in the English top flight since moving to Merseyside. Gerrard showed excellent vision to find Downing's run on the right and he jinked inside the anonymous John Arne Riise before smashing the ball past Schwarzer.

Liverpool dominated from then on, with the introduction of Kerim Frei failing to spark the visitors while Raheem Sterling’s arrival only added impetus to a Reds team full of confidence. The hosts were subsequently unfortunate not to add a fourth, as a slalom run from Suarez was denied the finish it deserved by a desperate Schwarzer dive.

The game was capped by the now customary denial of a penalty for the hosts –when Sterling was up-ended after a slick interchange with Suarez– but the Reds got their fourth when the Uruguayan tapped in from an excellent Enrique run.