..::Football II::..

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Deschamps: Lloris should have spoken to Villas-Boas before joining Tottenham

France coach Didier Deschamps has said that Hugo Lloris was wrong to join Tottenham without speaking to Andre Villas-Boas about his role at the Premier League side.

The 25-year-old made his 12 million pounds move to north London on deadline day in August, but so far this season he has found competition for a place between the sticks with Brad Friedel fierce, making just one league appearance.

But Deschamps has suggested that the former Lyon stopper would not have moved to Spurs if he knew he would not be a first team regular.

"His situation appears to me to be incomprehensible," Deschamps told reporters. "We are not talking about a young goalkeeper but a guy who has been the France keeper for several years, who has played dozens of matches in the Champions League."

He added, "The problem is that he jumped on the train when it had already left the station and he did not start the season.

"The English league had started when he signed in August."

However, Deschamps clarified that Lloris, who saved a penalty against European champions Spain last time out for his country, would remain his No.1 keeper whatever the situation.

“The really important thing is that a player speaks directly with his coach and if Hugo had done that, maybe he would not have signed for Tottenham," he stated.

"But as for the French team, he is not in danger. He proved against Spain that he is a great keeper."

 

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Fabregas: Barcelona is so much more than just talent

Cesc Fabregas has stressed that Barcelona is much more than just a group of talented individuals, and has hailed the Catalans' desire to be successful in every game they play.

The 25-year-old left Arsenal to return to his boyhood club in the summer of 2011, and he has revealed that the team's willingness to win was one of the main reasons behind the move after an eight-year spell in the Premier League.

"This is a very competitive team. It’s much more than the talent that’s here, it’s the desire and effort that’s put into each game," Fabregas was quoted as saying on the club's official website.

"When I played for Arsenal I could see it, and I wanted to experience that. It’s magnificent to be able to be on the pitch with these players."

The midfielder then briefly reflected on Barca's 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Alaves on Tuesday, and said he was content with his side's display.

"We knew that if we didn’t start out strong the game could have become a bit complicated, the team put in a great performance," Fabregas stated.

Barcelona resumes league action on Saturday when it hosts Celta Vigo.

 

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David Villa: I want regular playing time

David Villa is desperate to get more playing time at Barcelona, but realizes that it will not be easy as he faces stiff competition for a place in the starting XI at the Blaugrana.

The 30-year-old featured from the start in Tuesday's 3-0 Copa del Rey win over Alaves, and netted once to take his season tally to five, even though he has mainly been used as a substitute so far this term.

"Like any footballer, I want to play as much as possible," Villa was quoted as saying on the official Barcelona website. "I play at the best club in the world, though, and the competition to get playing time is very fierce. We play a lot of games and there are a lot of competitions. I’m at the coach’s disposition. There’s another game on Saturday.

"I’m pleased with my performance against Alaves. I’m returning to form and that’s really good for me, I feel good on the pitch."

Barcelona resumes La Liga action on Saturday when it hosts Celta Vigo.

 

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Wigan 0-0 Bradford (2-4 penalties): Martinez's men shown up by League Two opponents

Wigan Athletic crashed out of the League Cup at the hands of League Two side Bradford after a scoreless 120 minutes at DW Stadium gave way to a penalty shootout, which the visitors took 4-2 to advance to the tournament quarterfinals.

Bradford had won its last six penalty shootouts and converted all four of its efforts from the spot as it went on to win a seventh, with goalkeeper Matt Duke seeing Shaun Maloney blast his kick over the bar before saving an effort from Jordi Gomez, who missed the best of his side’s several chances in extra time, as the Bantams completed a shocking giant-killing following an uneventful game.

The League Two side had brought a passionate crowd to the chilly DW Stadium with 5,000 away tickets sold. Wigan showed less enthusiasm for the tie and turned out in reduced numbers from its first home league win of the season on Saturday

Those that did attend saw the side’s young talents Fraser Fyvie, Daniel Redmond, and Callum McManaman get some playing time, while midfielder Ben Watson featured in a back three as Roberto Martinez’ side got off to a confident start with plenty of possession.

The Latics had the ball in the back of the net with just 11 minutes gone as Ivan Ramis headed Ronnie Stam’s free kick past Duke, but the Spaniard’s effort was disallowed for offside.

Minutes later, Mauro Boselli forced a good save from Duke after receiving a through ball from Gomez, who had been orchestrating play in midfield. The Argentine attempted to round the keeper but Duke was off his line quickly and got a vital hand to the ball, as he smothered the effort.

The game continued in similar vein after the break as Wigan retained control of the ball but struggled to create chances. As the game went on the away fans grew further in confidence while their side bringing on fresh legs in midfield and attack, and Zavon Hines almost gave them a reason to celebrate when he ran all the way to Wigan defense from inside his own half, but he saw his shot saved by Ali Al-Habsi.

Tension mounted going into the final 10 minutes, as Martinez introduced attackers Maloney and Jean Beausejour to try and win this game in normal time. Maloney threaded a through ball to Fyvie but Stephen Darby slid in to block, and shortly Gomez found Boselli in the box but Duke saved once more.

The first period of extra time opened to heightened urgency from Wigan, which saw a powerful Beausejour shot blocked by defender Carl McHugh, Gomez volley wide, and a string of chances fall to the livewire Boselli, one in particular forcing a spectacular save from Duke.

Gomez missed the best chance of the game shortly into the second period of extra time after breaking past the last Bradford defender from a Watson through ball, but he rolled his shot wide from inside the penalty area.

 

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Alaves 0-3 Barcelona: Sublime Iniesta strike highlight of routine win for Copa holders

Two superb finishes from David Villa and Andres Iniesta either side of halftime, and a goal late on from Cesc Fabregas, gave Barcelona a 3-0 lead over Alaves going in to the second leg of this Copa del Rey tie, as the home side failed to pose much of an attacking threat at the Estadio de Mendizorroza.

Alexis Sanchez had a brilliant chance to give Barcelona the lead in the 13th minute after some fine play down the right from Dani Alves, but the Chile international could only head straight at Urtzi after being found unmarked inside the area by his teammate.

Alves served another enticing cross towards Sanchez just minutes later but again the attacker wasted the opportunity, this time nodding the ball wide of the Alaves goal under little pressure from either Agustin or Javier Hernandez.

Barcelona continued to threaten as the first half wore on, with Alves proving a constant torment for Manu Garcia down the right, and Iniesta came close to opening the scoring with a low shot in the 26th minute that was parried away well by Urtzi.

Vilanova's side did finally make its dominance pay in the 40th minute when Villa smashed an unstoppable effort past Urtzi from the edge of the Alaves box after controlling Iniesta's pass following a costly slip from Agustin.

Guzman had a glorious chance to equalise for the home side early in the second half but dragged his shot wide of the right hand post after barging his way into the Barcelona penalty area.

Barcelona immediately made Alaves pay for Guzman's miss as Iniesta curled a delicious strike in to the net to make it 2-0. Manu Garcia was guilty of dallying on the ball inside his own area, and after Cesc Fabregas dispossessed him, the ball was slipped to first Sanchez and then on to Iniesta. The Spain international didn't need a touch to set himself and instead opted to curl an arching first-time effort into the top right corner from the edge of the box.

Sanchez then thought he had increased Barcelona's lead to three shortly after Iniesta's strike, but his neat flick was wrongly ruled out for offside after some great play by Villa on the left-hand side of the Alaves penalty area.

The Blaugrana took greater control of the match following Iniesta's wonderful finish as Alaves showed little sign of coming back into the game, and went on to score a third late on through Fabregas following more outstanding play from Alves down the right. The former Arsenal player was left with the simplest of finishes from close range as he headed Alves' cross into an empty net with Urtzi caught out of position.

Barcelona takes a comfortable lead into the second leg of this Copa del Rey tie, with the return tie at Camp Nou on Nov. 27.

 

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Di Santo and Coloccini join Messi in Argentina squad

Wigan striker Franco Di Santo and Newcastle defender Fabricio Coloccini have been named in the Argentina squad for its upcoming friendly with Saudi Arabia.

The Albiceleste take on Frank Rijkaard's men in Riyadh on Nov. 14, and head coach Alejandro Sabella has made a number of surprising inclusions to his squad, which includes regulars Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Javier Mascherano.

Latics forward Di Santo has never made a senior international appearance for his country, despite playing more than 20 times for the Under-20 side. The 23-year-old looks set to finally get his opportunity after being called up following a string of impressive performances towards the end of last season and this term.

Magpies mainstay Coloccini has made 34 appearances for the national team, and was called up to the side as recently as September when he was named in the squad for the World Cup qualifier with Paraguay. The 30-year-old has struggled to maintain a permanent place in the set-up despite impressing many during his time on Tyneside.

Argentina travels home to Buenos Aires to face archrivals Brazil in the rescheduled second leg of the Superclasico de las Americas, a match made up of domestic-based players, just a week after their trip to the Middle East.

 

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Palermo 2-2 AC Milan: El Shaarawy completes comeback, but Rossoneri's inconsistency continues

AC Milan came back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with a spirited Palermo side in Sicily on Tuesday, with Stephan El Shaarawy completing the effort for the Rossoneri.

Fabrizio Miccoli’s penalty just before halftime and Franco Brienza’s low shot gave the hosts a 2-0 head start, but Riccardo Montolivo and the in-form El Shaarawy turned the tables in the final 22 minutes to make sure the points were shared.

Massimiliano Allegri's future as Rossoneri head coach was handed yet another lifeline by the comeback, though they only sparked into life with half an hour left in the match.

Palermo started as the brighter side, and midfielder Brienza wanted an early penalty but he was ignored - and correctly so - after going down under Kevin Constant’s fair shoulder barge 10 yards from goal. Not long after, Josip Ilicic, whose touch was marvellous all match, put Miccoli one-on-one with Milan’s last defender but the striker sliced just wide once inside the box.

Just as it looked like the teams would head into the dressing rooms at halftime goalless, Abate held his right arm out, Miccoli spotted his silly defensive decision and kicked the ball at it to win a penalty for the home team. The 33-year-old striker, a former Milan youth player, then buried the ball in the bottom left corner to open the scoring.

Barely 90 seconds after the restart, Brienza sent waves of delight around Stadio Renzo Barbera when he was given too much time and space 25 yards from goal and lashed in from the left edge of the 18-yard box, leaving goalkeeper Marco Amelia flat-footed and immobile.
Palermo head coach Gian Piero Gasperini then made the fatal decision to withdraw his most recent goalscorer afterwards, leaving a creative hole in his side and ensuring the hosts were on the back foot for the rest of the match.

Bojan Krkic’s introduction off the Rossoneri bench was a major catalyst in their fightback and he forced a top save from Samir Ujkani on 58 minutes. The Albanian shot-stopper made a string of crucial blocks to keep Palermo ahead but he could not hold back the tide of attacks energy forever.Montolivo’s first Serie A goal as a Milan player ignited some hope to go with a desperate surge forward on 69 minutes, converting from 15 yards after Bojan’s excellent dribbling and final pass on the right edge of the box.

Then El Shaarawy - so far often the player who has been saving Allegri’s blushes this Serie A campaign - completed the entertaining away comeback with an instinctive turn and strike, his shot sneaking in at the near post with just 10 minutes remaining.

 

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Swindon 2-3 Aston Villa: Benteke saves Villa with late winner

Aston Villa needed an injury-time winner to defeat Swindon Town in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup after letting a two-goal lead slip with 20 minutes to play, advancing to the quarterfinals for the third time in the last four seasons.

Paolo Di Canio's men looked far from out of their depth and fought back from Christian Benteke and Gabriel Agbonlahor strikes with Nicky Storey's double before the Belgian broke their hearts in the final moments off a pass from American fullback Eric Lichaj.

The tie started brightly, with Benteke wasting a decent chance for the visitors very early on when he failed to make any real contact on a Agbonlahor cross. However, it was the League One side that edged the following 15 minutes or so. Though they couldn't conjure up any clear opportunities, Di Canio's were able to boast the better share of possession.

Back came Lambert's men, though, as the likes of Andreas Weimann began to settle; a mix-up between the Austrian forward and Stephen Ireland denying a clear shot on goal once more. Swindon then finally mustered the first real chance of the night, Paul Benson passing Shay Given before dispatching a low shot across goal, however, Matthew Lowton was on hand to clear it form the line.

Di Canio was left rueing that miss just five minutes later when Benteke nodded past a helpless Wes Foderingham. Ireland made the goal with some neat work on the left side, as well providing a pin-point cross for the striker.

Though some resistance came courtesy of Matt Ritchie, who fired a number of dangerous balls into the box, Agbonlahor doubled the away side's lead with a little more than five minutes left in the half - smashing his effort past the keeper after more good play from Weimann and Ireland. And it could have been even worse when Weimann sent an effort goal-wards with the last action of the first period, but Foderingham pulled off a superb save to keep the hosts in the tie.

In similar fashion to the opening stages of first half, the Robins came out from the break fighting. Benson and Gary Roberts were both guilty of failing to connect with good crosses while Villa on the other hand looked off the pace.

As the half continued, though, Di Canio's side's tempo again died down as the visitors successfully disrupted the flow of the game; however, almost out of nowhere Roberts had a golden chance to hand the League One side a glimmer of hope, with the winger somehow heading wide from another fine Ritchie delivery.

Then, with the game looking all but settled, the hosts managed to give themselves a glimmer of hope with around 20 minutes remaining. Miles Storey, on as a substitute just moments earlier, beat Given with a smart finish.

Storey netted an improbable second less than five minutes later to draw the sides level. Yet another cross flew into the Villa box, with the replacement finishing the move off with a brilliantly improvised back-heel, sending the game into extra time.

The drama wasn't over, though, with Lambert having the last laugh. After a poor second half from the Premier League outfit, Benteke salvaged the win very late on after bringing down Lichaj's ball and keeping his cool to beat the keeper.

 

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Leeds 3-0 Southampton: Tonge, Diouf & Becchio strike to dump out Premier League struggler

Leeds United is through to the next round of the Capital One Cup after 1-0 victory over Southampton at Elland Road on Tuesday night, Michael Tonge scoring the only goal.

The first half saw Luke Varney waste a number of chances, but after good work from the forward, Tonge scored from the edge of the area, with the hosts dominating.

Little changed after the break, with Varney wasteful and Southampton uninterested until the final 15 minutes, and Leeds held on to its second Premier League scalp of the competition.

The visitors made 11 changes from the side that lost 2-1 to Tottenham at the weekend with key players such as Jay Rodriguez, Rickie Lambert and Adam Lallana not even appearing on the bench.

Neil Warnock also made changes to his Leeds side, but not as extreme as his opposite number. Just three players missed out from the team that lost against Birmingham at the weekend, with David Norris, Danny Pugh and Luciano Becchio replaced by Aidan White, Michael Brown and Luke Varney.

The match started off at a good pace with both sides wanting possession, but it was Leeds which looked the more dangerous, with right back Sam Byram looking a particularly potent weapon as he surged forward at every opportunity.

Around the 15 minute mark the first chance of the match came for Leeds, and how it did not take the lead will remain a mystery. El-Hadji Diouf knocked a deep delivery back across goal and just when Varney looked set to score in an open goal, the forward put the ball wide of the post from just two yards out.

Varney went close on two more occasions, but he eventually made up for those misses around the half hour mark as he beat Daniel Seaborne before firing into the area, and although Kelvin Davis made the save, Tonge fired in the rebound on the edge of the area, with Leeds continuing to dominate through to halftime.

The players came out after halftime and one would have been forgiven for thinking the Saints would show enthusiasm, but the pattern of the match stayed the same, with Leeds very much on the front foot.

Chances were at a premium and the hosts generally controlled possession, but Saints did eventually have a decent chance as Jason Pearce’s poor clearance fell kindly for Emmanuel Mayuka in the area, but after bringing it down poorly, his strike went well wide.

Nigel Adkins’ charges showed a bit more urgency in the final ten minutes, with a Richard Chaplow cross nearly dropping nicely for Mayuka, while a Lloyd Isgrove delivery was forced behind by Tom Lees, but Leeds held strong.

Leeds secured the win in the 87th minute, with Rodolph marching forward brilliantly before shooting on the edge of the box, and although Kelvin Davis made the save, in came Diouf to knock in the rebound before Becchio smashed in a penalty in stoppage time.

 

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Sunderland 0-1 Middlesbrough: McDonald sends Championship side through to quarters

Middlesbrough is through to the quarterfinals of the Capital One Cup after a confident 1-0 win against Sunderland courtesy of a Scott McDonald strike.

Tony Mowbray's side came into this game off the back of four straight wins, and made it five thanks to a first half finish from the Australian striker.

Adam Johnson has struggled for the hosts since his move from Manchester City but put in two fine early crosses to unnerve Boro, with Louis Saha having an early shot after the visitors failed to clear their lines.

While the Black Cats hit the ground running, Ishmael Miller should have found the net for the visitors after 12 minutes. The imposing striker was through after John O'Shea's unfortunate slip, but he could not control the ball and the chance was lost.

Controversy followed soon after as McDonald was booked by Phil Dowd for a dive after 15 minutes, and the striker almost found the net on the half hour, but rattled the bar with his strike from 25 yards.

If that was a warning sign, O'Neill's men didn't heed it as McDonald did indeed find the net after 39 minutes. Miller again caused problems for the home side, drilling in a low cross to the striker, and the Australian found a fine finish to beat Westwood for his third goal in two games.

Miller beat Jack Colback for the goal, who looked uncomfortable at left back for the hosts - in contrast, George Friend and Seb Hines were imperious at the back for Middlesbrough, with Friend making driving runs down the left throughout.

O'Neill brought on James McClean to try and change the game for his side in the second half, with the ineffectual Saha being replaced, but Middlesbrough continued to hold firm after a solid first half display.

Stephane Sessegnon looked the sharpest player in red and white on his return to first team football, but could not find a way through as Sunderland was once again frustrated in forward positions by local opposition.

If there were to be further goals then the away side looked more likely, with Miller tormenting the Premier League defense in the closing stages.

The defeat to the Championship side leaves Martin O'Neill with the more important task of ensuring Sunderland does not get sucked into a relegation battle this season after an indifferent opening to the Premier League campaign.

 

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Celtic 5-0 St Johnstone: Commons hat trick inspires Hoops rout

Celtic booked its place in the semifinals of the Scottish League Cup with an 5-0 easy victory over St Johnstone.

A hat trick from Kris Commons and goals from Gary Hooper and Charlie Mulgrew saw the SPL champion past the Perth side in superb style.

After the defeat at home to Kilmarnock on Saturday, Celtic boss Neil Lennon decided to ring the changes once again, with Mikael Lustig, Scott Brown, Victor Wanyama, Tony Watt and Hooper all coming into the starting lineup in place of Adam Matthews, Beram Kayal, James Forrest, Mulgrew and Miku.

Lennon’s opposite number and former Northern Ireland teammate Steve Lomas only made two changes from the team that drew away to Inverness CT, Frazer Wright and Nigel Hasselbaink both dropping out with David McCracken and Kevin Moon moving into the starting lineup.

Celtic dominated the first half, with Commons as the main tormentor of the Perth side as he peppered the St Johnstone goal with several long range efforts which had Alan Mannus in the St Johnstone goal extremely busy.

Eventually the home side did take the lead when Commons received the ball from Lustig on the edge of the area and unleashed a drive which cannoned off of Liam Craig and past Mannus in the Saints' goal.

The second came shortly after, when a superb passing move that started on the halfway line with Hooper finding Brown on the right and he in turn played in the overlapping Lustig, the Swedish international then found Hooper who had ran into the box and he slid in Commons to fire home his second of the game.

Lennon’s side continued to pile on the pressure, with St Johnstone’s McCracken smashing a header off of his own bar, before Emilio Izaguirre played the ball from the left to Commons and he played in Hooper to claim Celtic’s third of the evening.

St Johnstone started the second half a lot better than it had played during the first, but unfortunately couldn’t find a way towards the Celtic goal, with goalkeeper Fraser Forster having a quieter evening than he did in Barcelona last week, with only Gregory Tade coming anywhere near his goal.

The visitors were culpable for the fourth goal of the game as Steven Anderson hauled down Tony Watt as the striker tried to get onto a cross from Mulgrew and that allowed Commons to claim his hat trick from the penalty spot.

The mistakes continued at the back for St Johnstone, as this time Gary Miller failed to properly clear the ball inside his own six yard box, allowing substitute Mulgrew to get in on the goalscoring exploits, rattling the ball into the net.

Lomas' side had a couple to chances to get a goal back in the closing minutes, but neither David Robertson or Hasselbaink could find the target as Celtic cruised through to the semifinals of the competition.

 

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Llagostera 0-2 Valencia: Jonas and Nelson Valdez ensure straightforward first-leg win in Copa del Rey

Valencia secured a comfortable 2-0 win away at Segunda Division B outfit Llagostera to get its Copa Del Rey campaign up and running in the first leg of the Round of 32 tie on the strength of goals by Jonas and Nelson Valdez.

The hosts’ fielded a strong starting XI, with coach Oriol Alsina looking to cause and early upset against the under-performing Primera Division side. Meanwhile, Los Che coach Mauricio Pellegrino named a significantly weakened squad for the trip to the Catalan side, taking only 16 players with him to the Estadio Municipal, and resting key starters Adil Rami, Joao Pereira and Roberto Soldado.

Llagostera pressed for the opener and came close through Pitu and Alberto Tito, but both were denied by the respective defensive exploits of Ricardo Costa and Ever Banega. It was Valencia, then, that began to control proceedings, and the visitors finally made their dominance count on the stroke of halftime, with Jonas on hand to head home from a well worked free-kick involving Dani Parejo and Mexican international Andres Guardado.

Jonas felt he had netted his second of the evening four minutes, only to see his half volley chalked off for offside, despite replays suggesting it was the incorrect call by the referee’s assistant.

Sola Enric Pi then came within inches of equalizing for the hosts, with his free kick drifting just wide of the far post, but it mattered little, as Nelson Valdez extended the advantage for Los Che. The Paraguayan rose highest to head home from Parejo’s corner to double the lead.

Llagostera was given a lifeline with eight minutes to go when Antonio Barragan brought down substitute Marc Serramitja in the 18-yard box, but Marc Sellares was unable to capitalze, smashing his penalty against the post, despite sending Vicente Guaita the wrong way.

Despite late pressure from the hosts, Valencia held on for the win as its gears up for a tough weekend La Liga encounter away at Atletico Madrid, while Llagostera hosts Oriheula.

 

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Half Time

Chelsea 1 Vs 2 Manchester United

Last Goal.....

Chicharito 42'
​

 

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Chelsea 5-4 Manchester United (aet): Sturridge and Ramires send Blues through in Halloween thriller

For the second time in four days Chelsea and Manchester United played out a thriller at Stamford Bridge, with the hosts gaining some revenge for their Premier League defeat by winning 5-4 to book their spot in the quarterfinals of the Capital One Cup.

As expected both clubs made significant changes to their starting lineups, Roberto Di Matteo handed rare starts to Cesar Azpilicueta, Oriol Romeu, Victor Moses, Lucas Piazon and Daniel Sturridge while the visitors made 10 changes to their team, with Rafael the only man to retain his place from Sunday's win.

After the chaos of the weekend, it was perhaps little surprise that the first half was a frenetic affair, played at great pace, with goals, bookings, a penalty and the visitors once again heading into the break 2-1 ahead.

Yet there was more than a hint of farce about United’s opening goal with Petr Cech’s short kick out to Romeu, allowing Anderson to nick the ball off the Spaniard and find Ryan Giggs who finished clinically to open the scoring.

The goal sparked Chelsea into life, and by the half hour mark the game was level. The lively Victor Moses burst into the box only to be brought down by Alexander Buttner, giving the referee an easy decision to point to the spot. Up stepped David Luiz who smashed the ball confidently past Anders Lindegaard who got a touch but could not keep it out.

With the score level the Blues began to dominate possession yet they fell behind once again just minutes before the break. Anderson was again the creator, picking out a great pass to Chicharito, after Luiz had lost the ball on a forward run, and the Mexican finished smartly past Cech for his sixth goal in nine appearances against Chelsea.

The second half began in much the same vein and within minutes Chelsea was back on level terms. A Mata corner from the left was thundered home by Gary Cahill, the ball clearly crossing the line, despite Rafael's attempts to head clear.

Yet back came United once again just three minutes later, with Nani, swapping passes with Anderson and racing into the box before dinking a delightful finish over Cech to put United ahead for the third time.

The chances continued to flow, particularly for the hosts, with Azpilicueta missing perhaps the best opportunity when free at the back post, before Juan Mata was left howling for a penalty after his cross hit the arm of Michael Keane, the referee waving the Spaniard's appeals away.

As full-time approached, Chelsea looked to be heading out of the competition but once again there was to be late drama. Another penalty, this time after Scott Wootton clumsily fouled Ramires, allowed Hazard to coolly roll home a spot-kick to send the game into extra time.

The momentum was very much now with the hosts and the Blues took the lead for the first time in the game in the seventh minutes of extra-time. A poor header by Wootton left Sturridge with just Lindegaard to beat, and the Chelsea striker, who had endured a profligate evening, this time made no mistake.

On another fascinating evening in the Capital One Cup, there was, of course, still time for more goals, with Hazard twisting and turning past a host of United defenders before finding Ramires who tapped home the fifth.

United, however, refused to give up and with seconds remaining Giggs grabbed his second of the night from the penalty spot after Azpilicueta fouled Chicharito, but it was to prove too little too late as Chelsea ended a difficult few days on a high.

 

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Liverpool 1-3 Swansea City: Suarez strike not enough as holder crashes out

Brendan Rodgers was haunted by the ghost of his past as former side Swansea City beat holder Liverpool 3-1 in the Capital One Cup fourth round.

Chico Flores' goal from a corner was just reward for a first half points victory on the visitors' part and Luis Suarez's swift reply to Nathan Dyer's second period tap in was not enough for the Reds. Jonathan De Guzman confirmed the upset in injury time on a similar break.

Joe Allen lined up against his former side and Samed Yesil made his second starting appearance for Liverpool while Stewart Downing and Joe Cole were amongst nine changes. Michael Laudrup, meanwhile, named a close-to-full-strength team.

A low key start saw both sides surrendering possession easily but the Swans upped their game after the quarter hour. The energetic Pablo Hernandez came close to an opener as he combined with Michu but Jamie Carragher got in to make an important block.

De Guzman might have scored as well, chipping over when simple would have been better after great work on the wing from Dyer.

Though Downing probed, the Swans' dominance turned into a lead. De Guzman's corner was weighted perfectly for Chico and the Spaniard nodded home with little fuss. At the other end, Cole missed a chance to reply with a weak header.

Liverpool needed a big improvement at the break and Rodgers duly summoned Steven Gerrard and Luis Suarez. The change immediately livened the hosts up but the Uruguayan took just two minutes to miss his first chance, heading over from Jonjo Shelvey’s cross.

There was a blow for Swansea as goalscorer Chico succumbed to an injury, Garry Monk replacing him in central defense, and the Reds smelled blood.

Gerrard surged forward just past the hour and his low, powerful effort rebounded off the post. With Tremmel in no-man's-land, Downing should have put it away but awkwardly pulled it wide instead.

After a series of Swansea shots were blocked and Ashley Williams headed over, Liverpool looked like punishing its profligacy with a dangerous free kick bounced dangerously but failed to convert and paid the price.

A sensational break provided the visitors' second, Michu supplying Hernandez, who raced ahead before putting it on a plate for Dyer. The two-goal cushion did not last long, though.

The substitutes combined to give the hosts hope, Gerrard swinging in the free kick and Suarez getting his header right this time to flick home.

Liverpool was increasingly desperate and, after Michu twice nearly broke free for a third, Suarez nearly wriggled his way into emulating his opener from the Everton match but was blocked this time around.

A generous five minutes of added time were provided but the Reds only used it to let Swansea free on the counter, Michu wrapping up a fine game by setting up De Guzman to confirm that it will be a different name on the trophy this season.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 Olympique de Marseille: Thiago Silva and Menez ease capital club into next round

Paris Saint-Germain cruised into the quarterfinals of the Coupe de la Ligue with a 2-0 win against great rival Olympique de Marseille, which played more than an hour with only 10 men.

The match was finely poised until Rod Fanni was harshly dismissed for a foul inside the box on Guillaume Hoarau, but Thiago Silva showed no clemency as he converted the resultant penalty. After the break, PSG dominated and added a second through Jeremy Menez, but it could have certainly won by a more emphatic margin.

A tight encounter was forecast and for the opening 20 minutes such predictions seemed accurate as Marseille warded off PSG’s early vigor and settled into the game. Mathieu Bodmer scooped a glorious chance over the top for the hosts, but Mathieu Valbuena had gone close at the other end with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

When Hoarau went down easily under Fanni’s challenge, referee Anthony Gautier wasted no time pointing to the spot and dismissing the center back for a last-man challenge. Thiago Silva stroked the ball into the corner of the net, giving Les Parisiens the advantage.

Although disadvantaged numerically, Marseille coped with the challenge well, as it raised its game. Benoit Cheyrou mustered their best effort, but this was held well by Nicolas Douchez in the home net.

OM was not content with a damage-limitation exercise after the break, but though it went close with an Andre Ayew header, it looked vulnerable on the break and moments later an individual run from Javier Pastore saw the Argentine fire just over.

In a similar move, PSG moved decisively clear of its opponent. Menez controlled brilliantly to burst clear of the back four before launching a ferocious shot into the roof of Mandanda’s net from well inside the box.

Further goals could have followed for Carlo Ancelotti’s men. The exciting Menez once again got clear, but his clip over the goalkeeper was cleared on the line by Kassim Abdallah. Teenage substitute Adrien Rabiot then delivered a magnificent cross for Hoarau to glance just too high before fizzing a fine effort of his own just past moments later.

When Cheyrou hit the post with a free kick late on, it was simply the final throes of OM’s effort.

Marseille’s three-year control of the Coupe de la Ligue has therefore been broken, and in a rather meek manner. Paris Saint-Germain, meanwhile, will automatically be made favorite to claim its rival’s title, and this was a performance deserving of such a status.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 2-1 Tottenham: Late Spurs collapse and missed Dempsey penalty haunt sloppy Spurs

Chris Hughton's second-half substitutes combined to change the outcome of Norwich City's Capital One Cup tie against Tottenham as Alexander Tettey and Simeon Jackson scored late goals to secure a come-from-behind 2-1 victory.

Gareth Bale had given Tottenham the lead after the break with a 20-yard shot that found the bottom corner and beat the reach of the otherwise excellent Mark Bunn.

But Norwich showed great spirit to secure a place in the quarterfinal as Tettey fired home the equalizer before Grant Holt, another of Hughton's introductions, forced a save that left Jackson with a simple finish.

Andre Villas-Boas' team had a chance to send the game to extra time when Kyle Walker was fouled by Marc Tierney in the box but Clint Dempsey's penalty was saved by Bunn.

Dempsey led the line for Tottenham while Bale also started, but Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe both took a place on the bench. Hugo Lloris, Michael Dawson and Kyle Naughton were brought in at the back, with Brad Friedel, Jan Vertonghen and William Gallas rested.

Norwich boss Hughton, meanwhile, handed a competitive debut to Steven Whittaker and a second start to fellow new signing Jacob Butterfield.

Whittaker faced the daunting task of stopping Bale on his debut but after 15 quiet minutes, the Welsh winger was switched to the right flank and became Tierney's responsibility. It was at that point that Spurs first began to ask questions of the host's back four, with Dempsey prodding a shot narrowly over the bar after Bale had supplied a through pass.

Bale was lively throughout but the first period was, on the whole, one of half-chances as both sides struggled to work the space needed in midfield to gain any attacking rhythm. Lloris and Bunn, both aiming to unseat established goalkeepers at their respective clubs, looked assured when the likes of Bale and Morison did threaten.

The game was more open after the break. Andrew Surman was twice denied a shot on goal by good tackling inside the Tottenham penalty area and Iago Falque freed Bale with a measured through ball but Bunn comfortably saved.

Falque was growing in influence and forced Bunn into his best save yet when he cut inside and curled a shot towards the far corner. Lloris continued to match his counterpart by saving at Morison's feet and punching well from the subsequent corner.

A moment of individual magic always looked the most likely route to goal and Bale was always the most likely man to provide it. His opening strike was simple enough. Lacking passing options, the 23-year-old turned and glided past David Fox before drilling a low, right-footed shot beyond Bunn from 25 yards.

Robert Snodgrass teed up Jonny Howson from similar range but Lloris had a clean sheet in sight and parried strongly. Unfortunately, there was nothing he could do as Norwich roared into life in an astonishing final 15 minutes.

Tettey had been introduced moments before Lloris' best save and the Norwegian, who is yet to lose a game with the Canaries, inspired the comeback. Substitute Jan Vertonghen could only head a corner as far clear as Tettey and his left-footed volley found the bottom corner with the help of a deflection off the Belgian's leg.

Norwich took the initiative and added another to dispatch another of north London's clubs at Carrow Road. Snodgrass' free kick from the left was headed towards goal by another replacement, Holt, and while Lloris denied the captain's effort he could do nothing to stop Jackson slamming home the rebound.

Spurs were handed a lifeline when Tierney fouled Kyle Walker as he charged into the box but Dempsey's penalty was weakly-struck and Bunn capped off a fine display with a crucial save.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 2-1 Bologna: Pogba powers champions four points clear in Serie A

A last-gasp header from Paul Pogba was enough to clinch all three points for Juventus in a 2-1 win after a battling display from Bologna.

After Fabio Quagliarella tapped home from close range to put his side in the lead early in the second half, Saphir Taider's thunderous drive looked to have ensured the Rossblu would depart Turin with a valuable point, and cut the champions' lead at the top to two points in the process.

However, Pogba rose highest to head home Sebastian Giovinco's cross in the dying minutes to ensure the Bianconeri retain their advantage at the top.

Pogba started the match brightly and thought he had given his side the lead after 13 minutes when he nodded home a corner at the far post, but the goal was disallowed after the youngster was unfairly penalized for pushing in the area.

The Frenchman was then cruelly denied once more a few minutes later, as he picked up Isla's pass before rifling a curling left-footed shot from 20 yards which rattled off the post.

Pogba then spurned the best opportunity of the opening 45, directing his header back across goal and out of play after a brilliant delivery from Andrea Pirlo from deep, but that was all the champions could muster as they trudged off the sodden Turin turf at halftime in somewhat frustrated fashion.

It was Bologna, however, who came closest shortly after the break, when Michele Pazienza intercepted a poor pass from Mauricio Isla and rifled a low deflected shot just beyond Gianluigi Buffon's near post.

However, just as it looked like the visitors were growing into the match, the champions finally broke the deadlock. Pogba clipped a clever ball over the top of the defense, allowing Emanuele Giaccherini to square for Fabio Quagliarella to slot home.

Then, out of nothing, Bologna found itself on level terms. Taider picked up the ball to the right of the area and lashed a stunning, swerving strike beyond the despairing reach of Buffon to silence the home support.

The game was suddenly there for the taking. Pirlo swung in another perilous delivery which somehow eluded everyone in the area, before Archimede Morleo upset his teammates by blazing an ambitious effort over the bar when Bologna had men to spare in the Juventus box.

Mikael Antonsson then saved his team with a brilliantly-timed interception as Bendtner looked destined to tap his side back into the lead from point-blank range, before Pirlo bent a curling effort just over the crossbar.

Bologna had everyone behind the ball and looked to have held on for an important point until the second minute of injury time, when Pogba headed home the winner. After Pirlo's initial free-kick cross was cleared, Giovinco expertly created space on the left and whipped a terrific ball to the far post, where the former Manchester United man rose tallest to head in at close range, with the referee this time allowing the goal to stand.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 4-0 Kaiserslautern: Pizarro and Robben at the double as hosts cruise through

Bayern Munich strolled into the third round of the DFB-Pokal with a 4-0 victory over Kaiserslautern at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.

Claudio Pizarro opened the scoring with a cool drive from the edge of the box, and Arjen Robben's first goal of the season put the hosts into a commanding advantage just after the break. The Peruvian forward made it three soon after, and his Dutch colleague added insult to injury with a late fourth.

Bayern had suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss to Leverkusen at the weekend, but looked eager to get ahead early to avoid any upset, with the returning Robben darting in off the right and firing a shot just over the bar.

Robben then received a Rafinha long ball on the right wing, tickled the ball between two defenders, and Pizarro was there to drive the ball past Tobias Sippel and put his side a goal ahead.

Falling behind failed to dampen Kaiserslautern's spirits, though. Idrissou had another chance to net soon after, but Tom Starke, making his Bayern debut, palmed his shot wide, before Steven Zellner struck the woodwork with an ambitious effort from distance.

Eventually, the match settled into more of a rhythm, with Bayern controlling possession in the center of the park, but the hosts had a brilliant opportunity to extend the lead when Diego Contento's cross cannoned off Robben to Alaba, whose first-time volley was superbly parried by the Lautern keeper.

Bayern started a seige of the visitors' goal shortly after the break, and Sippel was forced into another save within seconds when Shaqiri tried an acrobatic volley from the edge of the box.

Seconds later, however, the hosts finally doubled their advantage. An awful Leon Jessen header fell straight to Pizarro, who nodded it onto Robben, and the Dutchman smashed it home from close range.

It was not long before the third arrived. Shaqiri swung in a free-kick from the left wing, and Pizarro, completely unmarked, headed home from the edge of the six-yard box.

Alaba then fired an ambitious effort high and wide from distance, before Pizarro missed an excellent opportunity to complete his hat trick, taking a heavy first touch in the area and allowing Sippel to claim the ball.

It looked as though three would be enough for the visitors, but seconds before full-time, Robben made it four. Pizarro was sent clean through, only for Marc Torrejon to tackle the former Werder Bremen forward and gift the ball to the Dutchman to round off an easy night for the Bavarians.