..::Football II::..

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Mourinho praises Real Madrid attitude after Osasuna draw

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho has praised the attitude of his players despite drawing 0-0 with Osasuna on Saturday.

The Primera Division struggler managed to shut out los Blancos for large periods of the game, restricting them to few clear-cut opportunities in an encounter which also saw Kaka sent off.

"It's not easy to create chances here against opponents like these," explained Mourinho to reporters after the match. "We had chances to score though, not many, but we had some.

"I liked the attitude of the team, and several players had great games. [Raul] Albiol and [Fabio] Coentrao deserve praise, playing very well despite just returning from long injuries."

Speculation of internal unrest has refused to go away, with Mourinho's recent decision to drop captain Iker Casillas criticized by supporters.

But the former Inter boss only had words of praise for the club icon, stating: "In our last two games, the team has played well defensively, and he has been a part of that.

"I liked how he played against Celta as well, rising to the occasion to give his team a boost. Nevertheless, it is still too early to tell if he will play against Valencia on Tuesday."

The Liga champion will now turn its attentions to the Copa del Rey, when they host Ernesto Valverde's men at the Santiago Bernabeu.

 

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Sneijder: Galatasary decision will be difficult

Inter midfielder Wesley Sneijder has admitted his decision to join Galatasaray in January will be a difficult one.

The Turkish champion's sporting director Abdurrahim Albayrak claimed on Friday that an announcement was imminent, but the Netherlands international has revealed he is still mulling over his future.

"It is a difficult decision to make," he told Sky Sport 24. "There are still two weeks until the end of the window and I still have time. See, I'm fine and I'm calm. I do not need to decide on Monday."

Earlier on Saturday, the Istanbul giant had issued a statement to deny widespread Turkish reports that the former Real Madrid star had agreed to move to the Turk Telekom Arena.

"The transfer of Wesley Sneijder has been agreed between Inter and the club and negotiations are ongoing with the player," a statement on the club's official website read. "This has been brought to the attention to the public."

Sneijder was frozen out at the Giuseppe Meazza side over a contract dispute, and has not played since September.

The midfielder's agent said on Friday that the 28-year-old will consider offers over the next few weeks before making a final decision on his future.

 

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Pellegrini: Messi scores goals, but Xavi makes the difference for Barcelona

Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini has lauded Barcelona playmaker Xavi, claiming the 32-year-old is a class above the rest.

The Andalusians are set to face the Catalan giants on Sunday and although Xavi's teammate Lionel Messi grabs the headlines, the Chilean feels it is Xavi who could have a major say in how the weekend's encounter goes.

“Messi demonstrated in every game why he won the Ballon d'Or,” the 59-year-old told reporters.

“But I have always said that what makes Barcelona great is Xavi. He is what truly makes the difference.

“I know that Messi scores a great number of goals, but it is the Xavi philosophy that is so important.”

Pellegrini's side hosts the league leader, which is 21 points ahead of its opponent, while Malaga has conceded 15 goals in its last four meetings with the Blaugrana.

Despite this, Pellegrini still insists his side can get something from the game.

“In football the percentages don't matter,” he added. “Things change – every game is different. We have to go in and believe that we can win.

“It is our obligation to play a good game. We are two teams that treat the ball better than any other side.

“When we face a very good team, we have a lot of motivation, so I can see us doing well.”

 

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Galatasaray stunned by 'astronomical' Sneijder costs

Wesley Sneijder's move to Galatasaray looks to be in doubt after Abdullah Kigili labelled the costs to sign the player "astronomical".

Fatih Terim's side emerged as the front-runner to acquire the sought-after Inter playmaker, but the club's vice-president is not convinced the transfer is financially viable.

"If what I'm reading about is correct, the cost of Sneijder is both astronomical and absurd," he told Vatan. "Where will Galatasaray get this money?

"We have analyzed the club's accounts, and are aware that UEFA are monitoring them as well. Who will give us such money, to the point we can spend so much on a single player?

"Each transfer has to be well thought out. However, the amounts I'm hearing are simply blown out of all proportion."

Reports have suggested the Istanbul outfit have met the Nerazzurri's valuation of 10 million euros for the 28-year-old, although the annual wages demanded by the player are believed to be in excess of 5 million euros.

When quizzed on the topic, president Massimo Moratti simply told reporters: "I’m tired of this saga.

"I don't know how this story will end. Wesley will decide freely. He has the opportunity to move and we’ll see if he takes it, otherwise he’ll stay here."

 

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Stroke Match 1ke Eden Hazard ge goal 1ka Patta!

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Redknapp confirms QPR working on Odemwingie and Livermore deals

QPR manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed the club is lining up moves for West Brom forward Peter Odemwingie and Tottenham midfielder Jake Livermore this month.

Livermore broke into the Spurs first team under Redknapp, but his game time has been significantly more limited under new boss Andre Villas-Boas.

“Yeah, we’re taking Livermore,” Redknapp told reporters.

“We’re doing a deal to take Jake on loan. I like Jake, I’m a big fan of Jake’s. Good, young player. It will be good experience for him, I think.”

But Tottenham’s Portuguese boss was less committal on Livermore’s potential loan move, stating that the deal was yet to be concluded.

“There’s nothing confirmed yet,” Villas-Boas said after watching his side draw 0-0 against QPR. “I think when we announce it, it will be official from all three parties.”

Redknapp – currently short of quality strikers on his roster – also confirmed his interest in bringing West Brom’s Nigerian forward Odemwingie to Loftus Road, a player he has long admired.

“We made an enquiry for Odemwingie, yes,” the QPR boss revealed.

“I don’t know whether [chief executive] Philip Beard has put an offer in, but he was a player that we spoke about and he’s someone that I was interested in making an offer for.

“And there’s every chance we have made an offer for him, but I haven’t spoke to him [Beard] today. Probably an offer may well have gone in.

“I don’t know what’s happened with the offer, if there is one. He’s just a player that I spoke about, I said he was an interesting player, find out if West Brom would sell him and that’s how I left it with the chief executive to try to find out for me.”

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.01.13 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.01.13 Fixtures

Manchester United Vs Liverpool

Arsenal Vs Manchester City

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La Liga 2013.01.13 Fixtures

La Liga 2013.01.13 Fixtures

Real Betis Vs Levante

Real Sociedad Vs Deportivo

Atletico Madrid Vs Real Zaragoza

Malaga Vs Barcelona​

 

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Serie A 2013.01.13 Fixtures

Serie A 2013.01.13 Fixtures


Torino Vs Siena


Cagliari Vs Genoa


Catania Vs Roma


Lazio Vs Atalanta

Napoli Vs Palermo

Parma Vs Juventus

Udinese Vs Fiorentina

Sampdoria Vs AC Milan​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Manchester United 2-1 Liverpool: Van Persie and Evra fire United past resurgent Reds

MANCHESTER -- Manchester United extended its Premier League lead to 10 points after disposing of Liverpool 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Robin van Persie’s first-time 19th minute goal helped Sir Alex Ferguson’s team take a stranglehold that it never looked like relinquishing as the club cantered to a home-and-away season double over its historic rival.


Although Daniel Sturridge pulled one back after Nemanja Vidic had inadvertently doubled United’s advantage from a free kick, the home side was resilient enough to cope with Liverpool’s strong finish.

Sir Alex Ferguson had claimed beforehand that he no longer checks where the Merseysiders are in the table but it will give him some satisfaction that United is a mammoth 24 points ahead of Liverpool with 16 games of the season still to go.

Of more immediate significance, United moved 10 points clear of main title challenger Manchester City ahead of the the club's encounter at Arsenal later on Sunday afternoon.

The gulf in class between United and Liverpool appeared to be mental as much as technical or physical on an afternoon which demonstrated how much Brendan Rodgers’ side needs to improve to be anything other than a twice-a-season nuisance to the 19-time league winner.

Liverpool was far better in the second half but ultimately paid the price for an abject first half and it is a damning statistic that the club has yet to beat anyone above it in the table this season.

At a freezing but vibrant Old Trafford, which numbered Jose Mourinho among the spectators, both sides had picked their strongest available sides for a match that still resonates with prestige and significance.

For United, Rio Ferdinand, Vidic, Patrice Evra, Michael Carrick, Ashley Young and the newly-crowned Premier League player of the month Van Persie all returned to the team after being rested from the side that started at West Ham last weekend. Rodgers overlooked Sturridge in favor of Stewart Downing, while Fabio Borini returned to the squad for the first time since October 7 following a foot injury.The game began quietly as neither side could seize the initiative but the first chance of note was put away with lethal precision by Van Persie.

Following a smooth passage of build-up play from the home side, the ball was shifted out to Evra on the left, where he drilled a low cross into the area that was turned into the net first time by United’s Dutch maestro for his 17th league goal of the season.

The impressive Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley came close to doubling United’s advantage in the first half as the home side threatened every time it poured forward and it required a desperate clearance from Martin Skrtel to prevent Van Persie scoring his second with a back-heel on the cusp of halftime.

United had not been at its best and did not need to be. The halftime whistle could not come soon enough for Liverpool, with midfield trio Lucas, Steven Gerrard and Joe Allen particularly poor.Lucas was replaced by Daniel Sturridge at halftime, which brought greater vibrancy to the visitor’s attack.

However, United extended the advantage after 54 minutes with a free kick following a poor challenge on Welbeck from Skrtel. Evra was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet Van Persie’s whipped center at the back post and his header deflected off Vidic into the net.

David De Gea's technique against long-range shots will come under scrutiny again following Liverpool's reply three minutes later.

Gerrard did well to maneuver himself some space on the outside of the box and his drilled shot was heading for the corner, but the Spaniard should have done better than paw it into the danger area, allowing Sturridge to gobble up the rebound.
Gerrard led Liverpool’s late rally, in which the lively Sturridge came close to putting away a number of half chances, but United held on to the lead to lay down another title marker.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Congratulations Manchester United!​

 

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Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City: Milner and Dzeko down Gunners as both sides see red

LONDON -- Manchester City moved back to within seven points of the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Arsenal as both sides finished with 10 men on a hostile afternoon in north London.

The Gunners were forced to play with a man disadvantage for most of the game after Laurent Koscielny was sent off for hauling down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area - although the Bosnian striker missed the resulting penalty.

City made the man advantage count with two first-half goals as James Milner fired an excellent opener from a tight angle before Dzeko did manage to get his name on the scoresheet with close-range tap in.

Both teams were then forced to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men after City captain Vincent Kompany was also sent off for a two-footed challenge on Jack Wilshere.

Under pressure following Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool earlier in the day had temporarily extended the gap at the top of the table to 10 points, second-placed City responded to its bitter rival in impressive style while Arsenal remains sixth in the Premier League, six points adrift of the top four.

Arsenal made four changes to the side that drew its FA Cup clash with Swansea as Thomas Vermaelen, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby - after three months out with a thigh injury - returned to the starting lineup. For City, Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic returned while Carlos Tevez was again paired up front with Dzeko with Sergio Aguero still sidelined through injury.

City started brightly and zipped the ball around with confidence in the early stages before the match-defining moment of the game in the ninth minute as referee Mike Dean awarded City a penalty and showed a red card to Koscielny.

While the decision infuriated Arsene Wenger and the home crowd - who hurled abuse at Dean throughout the game - the official had no choice after Koscielny elected to tackle Dzeko in the penalty area as the City striker attempted to turn and shoot.

Yet Arsenal was not punished immediately amid bizarre scenes. Dzeko stepped up himself to take the spot kick, which was saved by Wojciech Szczesny with his legs before the ball rebounded off the post and across the goal line into the goalkeeper’s arms.

City, however, dominated possession and made the man advantage count in the 21st minute with a beautifully worked opener. David Silva was alert enough to take a quick free kick before Tevez slipped a delightful pass to Milner, who smashed his finish into the far corner from a tight angle via the post.

In the 32nd minute, the game was effectively over as a contest as Dzeko did find the net. Milner whipped in an excellent low cross from the right and the forward was on hand to tap home his 10th league goal of the season after Szczesny saved Tevez’s initial effort.

The Premier League champion nearly went three ahead before the break but Wilshere was alert to clear Javi Garcia’s header off the line from a corner.

After the break, City went into cruise control as it looked to save energy and coast to victory. Dzeko headed just off target shortly after the re-start while Tevez was thwarted by Szczesny as he ran through on goal.

Arsenal showed fighting spirit in the second half and was given hope in the 75th minute when Kompany was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Wilshere. The Belgian clearly won the ball but Dean took action after ruling that the tackle was dangerous.

It made little difference as City saw out the result to repay the traveling fans and keep the pressure on United.

 

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Parma 1-1 Juventus: Sansone strike sees Bianconeri stumble again

Juventus' lead atop Serie A is down to three points after the defending champion dropped points in a 1-1 draw with Parma, which retained its unbeaten record at home this season through a Nicola Sansone equalizer

After an extremely stretched first half that saw no goals, Andrea Pirlo fired home his eighth-career goal against Parma, more then he has netted against any other Serie A outfit, seven minutes after the restart. The Bianconeri sat back and attempted to see the game out but the Crociati kept their heads up and found a way to salvage a point and frustrate Juve.

Despite a boisterous atmosphere, both sides began fairly pensively. Juventus looked the more dangerous of the pair but two Fabio Quagliarella efforts that bounce wide of the goal were all Juve could muster in the opening 10 minutes.

As time passed the game became increasingly open, with Parma playing a more attacking role. Ishak Belfodil almost netted a goal to remember in the 21st minute, as he beat Martin Caceres inside the area, but he failed to curl the ball in at the far corner.

With 34 minutes on the clock, Belfodil finally managed to beat Gianluigi Buffon, but Stephan Lichtsteiner was back on the line to keep the ball out. The rebound fell to Amauri, but his attempted overhead kick sailed well over the bar.

The end-to-end action continued, as four minutes later Pirlo's brilliant free kick looked destined for the top corner, but a great save from Antonio Mirante kept the ball out.

Seven minutes in to the second half, though, Mirante could not emulate his first-half heroics. From the top of the box, Pirlo opted to shoot inside of the wall, and a deflection off of Jonathan Biabiany guided the ball past the despairing keeper.

Juventus' lack of urgency in the second half proved costly, as in the 78th minute a brilliant pass from Paletta caught Caceres out of position. Sansone made the most of it, latching onto the pass and firing a low shot past Buffon and into the far corner to force the draw and allow Lazio to climb within three points of Juventus atop Serie A.

 

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In-form Vela finds net again for Real Sociedad

It is safe to say that Mexican forward Carlos Vela has settled in quite nicely with Real Sociedad after finally getting a full transfer from Arsenal this past summer.

The constantly loaned forward found the net again for his new permanent home, as his 45th-minute goal pulled Sociedad level with Deportivo La Coruna and forced a 1-1 draw on Sunday. Vela bodied off a defender to run onto an errant touch, cut inside the box and blasted a left-footed shot inside the far post to score his eighth goal of the season and his sixth goal in his last eight league games.

The 23-year-old Vela, who has started 16 of Sociedad's 19 La Liga matches, is closing in on his single-season high of 12 goals. He set that mark last year while on loan with Sociedad from the Gunners.

 

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Neymar: There is no agreement with Barcelona

Neymar has dismissed reports of a pre-existing agreement that will see him move from Santos to Barcelona, reaffirming his commitment to his current club.

Reports emerged in October from RAC1, among others, that the Blaugrana had reached a deal that would see them pay 10 million euros up front with a futher 40 million euro transfer fee either in the summer of 2013 or after the 2014 World Cup.

In an interview with Uruguayan newspaper El Pais, though, Neymar denied that any such arrangement had been made.

"I have no agreement with Barcelona or anyone else," said the 20-year-old Brazil international after winning the newspaper's prestigious "King of South American Football" award, which he collected in Montevideo.

"The only thing I have signed is with Santos, and I'm happy. They're a big club with whom I'm under contract until 2014. The most important thing is to be happy, and I'm with my family. My objective is to help Santos and Brazil, and the best will come with hard work."

 

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Welbeck hails 'different class' Van Persie after victory over Liverpool

Danny Welbeck said Robin van Persie was a "different class" of player after the Dutchman netted his Premier League-leading 17th goal and set up the game-winner in Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool on Sunday.

The 28-year-old clipped home from Patrice Evra's cross before Nemanja Vidic deflected the Frenchman's header off van Persie's free kick for the decisive tally.

"Robin's different class," Welbeck told Sky Sports after the match. "He produces moments in games that others can't do and we're glad to have him on our side. As he's shown today, he put the ball in the back of the net.

The England international also hailed the overall team performance, insisting United must look to win every game as it aims to maintain its lead at the top of the table.

"I think during the season, we need to get three points in every game. It's what we set out to do today and thankfully, it's happened," Welbeck said. "We had our gameplan set up, and I think it worked really well to be honest in the first half. Second half, they got into it a bit more but it was a great team performance, I think we dug in really well."

The 22-year-old failed to score but put a fine shift in up front, hassling the Reds' backline and creating chances for teammates.

"I'm going to work hard in the game and once I get my chance playing on the pitch, that's when I can show what I can do and try my best for the team. That's the most I can do and I'm not going to give anything less than that," Welbeck said.

Daniel Sturridge came on as a halftime substitute for Liverpool and added an attacking impetus that saw the Reds push United all the way to the end, and Welbeck held praise for his fellow England international.

"Studge is a quality player with goalscoring instincts as well," Welbeck said. "So when he came on the pitch we had to set up a little bit different, but I think it was a great team performance all-round and they've got many quality players in their side also, it's not just the one."

 

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Barcelona 5-0 Cordoba (Agg 7-0): Doubles from Villa and Alexis help holders stroll into quarterfinals

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Stroke Match 1ke Eden Hazard ge goal 1ka Patta!

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පට්ට ගෝල් එක

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Arsenal 0-2 Manchester City: Milner and Dzeko down Gunners as both sides see red

LONDON -- Manchester City moved back to within seven points of the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 victory against Arsenal as both sides finished with 10 men on a hostile afternoon in north London.

The Gunners were forced to play with a man disadvantage for most of the game after Laurent Koscielny was sent off for hauling down Edin Dzeko in the penalty area - although the Bosnian striker missed the resulting penalty.

City made the man advantage count with two first-half goals as James Milner fired an excellent opener from a tight angle before Dzeko did manage to get his name on the scoresheet with close-range tap in.

Both teams were then forced to play the final 15 minutes with 10 men after City captain Vincent Kompany was also sent off for a two-footed challenge on Jack Wilshere.

Under pressure following Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Liverpool earlier in the day had temporarily extended the gap at the top of the table to 10 points, second-placed City responded to its bitter rival in impressive style while Arsenal remains sixth in the Premier League, six points adrift of the top four.

Arsenal made four changes to the side that drew its FA Cup clash with Swansea as Thomas Vermaelen, Lukas Podolski, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Abou Diaby - after three months out with a thigh injury - returned to the starting lineup. For City, Joe Hart and Matija Nastasic returned while Carlos Tevez was again paired up front with Dzeko with Sergio Aguero still sidelined through injury.

City started brightly and zipped the ball around with confidence in the early stages before the match-defining moment of the game in the ninth minute as referee Mike Dean awarded City a penalty and showed a red card to Koscielny.

While the decision infuriated Arsene Wenger and the home crowd - who hurled abuse at Dean throughout the game - the official had no choice after Koscielny elected to tackle Dzeko in the penalty area as the City striker attempted to turn and shoot.

Yet Arsenal was not punished immediately amid bizarre scenes. Dzeko stepped up himself to take the spot kick, which was saved by Wojciech Szczesny with his legs before the ball rebounded off the post and across the goal line into the goalkeeper’s arms.

City, however, dominated possession and made the man advantage count in the 21st minute with a beautifully worked opener. David Silva was alert enough to take a quick free kick before Tevez slipped a delightful pass to Milner, who smashed his finish into the far corner from a tight angle via the post.

In the 32nd minute, the game was effectively over as a contest as Dzeko did find the net. Milner whipped in an excellent low cross from the right and the forward was on hand to tap home his 10th league goal of the season after Szczesny saved Tevez’s initial effort.

The Premier League champion nearly went three ahead before the break but Wilshere was alert to clear Javi Garcia’s header off the line from a corner.

After the break, City went into cruise control as it looked to save energy and coast to victory. Dzeko headed just off target shortly after the re-start while Tevez was thwarted by Szczesny as he ran through on goal.

Arsenal showed fighting spirit in the second half and was given hope in the 75th minute when Kompany was dismissed for a two-footed lunge on Wilshere. The Belgian clearly won the ball but Dean took action after ruling that the tackle was dangerous.

It made little difference as City saw out the result to repay the traveling fans and keep the pressure on United.

 

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Malaga 1-3 Barcelona: Messi and Cesc expose Malaga's defensive errors

Barcelona reached the mid-way point of the Liga season unbeaten this evening, as the club took advantage of some defensive mishaps to secure a 3-1 victory over Malaga at La Rosaleda.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a well-taken goal in the first half, before a crisp finish from Cesc Fabregas and a well-worked goal from Thiago after the break secured all three points, but not before Diego Buonanotte scored a superb late consolation goal for Malaga.

Barcelona welcomed coach Tito Vilanova back to the dugout after he missed Thursday's thumping Copa del Rey win over Cordoba due to a medical appointment in New York, and he was nearly celebrating a goal after just seven minutes.

A brilliant piece of goalkeeping from Willy Caballero stopped Messi from giving Barcelona the lead, after Welligton gifted the Argentine a shooting opportunity by not controlling the ball inside his own penalty area. Caballero reached out to push the ball away from Messi with his left arm, just as the attacker appeared set to round him and shoot into an empty net.

Twenty minutes later, however, Caballero was unable to repair another teammate's mistake. Ignacio Camacho's back pass to the goalkeeper was far too weak, which allowed Messi to seize the ball ahead of Caballero, cut back on to his right foot and then slid a finish into the bottom right corner to make it 1-0 to Barcelona.

After starting the game brightly Malaga looked stunned by Barcelona's goal and could easily have gone two behind just minutes after Messi's opportunistic opener. Fabregas was the man who came close, as his sweeping effort drifted just wide of the right post with Caballero beaten.

Malaga's best chance of the half fell to Roque Santa Cruz, but he could only direct a header straight at Victor Valdes after connecting with Joaquin's whipped free kick from the left.

Shortly after the break Barcelona fashioned some breathing space and Fabregas made it 2-0. The former Arsenal man evaded the attentions of stand-in right back Sergio Sanchez on the left to latch on to a mesmerizing through ball from Messi and clip a fine shot past Caballero.

The away side never looked like letting the lead slip after the second goal, as on the rare occasions that los Boquerones did steal the ball from Barcelona's midfield they were then thwarted in the attacking third by some robust defending from Gerard Pique and Javier Mascherano.

In the 82nd minute Thiago got in on the goalscoring act to make it 3-0 by finishing off a well-worked team goal. The Spanish midfielder exchanged passes neatly with Dani Alves on the edge of the Malaga box before hammering a low shot into the bottom left corner.

However there was still time for Malaga substitute Diego Buonanotte to ensure he had something to remember from the game in the final minute of normal time, as he curled a delicious free kick past Victor Valdes from 20 yards to make it 3-1.

Just two days separate this fixture and the two side's next meeting, with the Blaugrana playing host to Malaga at Camp Nou on Jan. 15 for the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarterfinal.