..::Football II::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke City 1-0 QPR: Adam winner piles pressure on beleaguered Hughes

STOKE, England -- Stoke City recorded its second win of the season with a 1-0 victory over QPR, that leaves Mark Hughes’ men still searching for their first victory of the season.

Charlie Adam was the man who came to Stoke’s rescue after a dismal opening half, the Scot finding room inside the penalty area to send a volley past Julio Cesar and secure all three points for the Potters.

Stoke made two changes to the side that was beaten at Norwich last time out, Michael Kightly and Dean Whitehead dropped to the bench with Irish midfielder Glenn Whelan and winger Matthew Etherington replacing them in the starting lineup. The visitors made just one change as Alejandro Faurlin returned to the center of midfield in place of Jamie Mackie who dropped to the bench.

The opening half lacked any real goalmouth action, with Djirbil Cisse miscuing a volley following a Traore cross from the left. Adel Taarabt and Junior Hoilett looked dangerous for the visitors but were always denied by the resolute back four of Stoke. The hosts rarely tested Julio Cesar, Whelan sent a long range effort just wide but otherwise there was very little from Tony Pulis’ side going forward until the closing minutes of the half.

Steven Nzonzi created the best chance for Stoke in the 38th minute as he broke behind the QPR defence and pulled a low cross into Peter Crouch. The striker’s shot looked destined for the bottom corner but his effort took a deflection and dropped wide of the goal.

With minutes of the half left Hoilett stole a loose cross field pass and raced towards goal, he rolled a perfect pass into the path of Taraabt inside the penalty area. However the Moroccan chose to try and chip the ball over Asmir Begovic and got his angles all wrong as he fired wide of goal.

The hosts came out after the break intent on breaking the deadlock with some nice football and they got their reward as Adam fired in from inside the penalty area. Jon Walters flicked a ball onto Crouch, and although he couldn’t control it he was able to steer it into Adam and he lashed it into the back of the net.

That goal sparked QPR back into life and Taraabt brought two good saves out of Begovic with long range efforts the keeper was able to deal with fairly easily. The Moroccan also pulled a shot wide after dancing into the penalty area as he began to frustrate himself and his manager.

Hughes’ men continued to pile on the pressure but they were unable to find a way past Begovic who saved well from Granero and Taraabt late on.

 

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Arsenal 3-3 Fulham: Arteta fluffs late penalty as Giroud and Berbatov star in six-goal thriller

Arsenal and Fulham shared the spoils in an enthralling 3-3 Premier League draw at the Emirates that saw the hosts squander their second two-goal lead in a week and miss a last minute penalty.

Olivier Giroud and Dimitar Berbatov both scored braces for Arsenal and Fulham respectively. Lukas Podolski added a goal for the Gunners while Alexander Kacaniklic rounded out the Cottagers' scoring.

Another unconvincing defensive display from Arsenal is likely to see increased pressure on Arsene Wenger, with the Gunners having won only one of their last six games in all competitions.

The hosts had to make do without the services of Jack Wilshere, who was suspended following last week's red card at Old Trafford and Theo Walcott was included for his first Premier League start since the opening game of the season.

It was the unsettled winger who proved the spark behind the Gunners taking an 11th minute lead; with Walcott winning, then taking the corner that Giroud powerfully headed beyond Schwarzer at the near post.

As Kieran Richardson hobbled off clutching his hamstring, Fulham's cumbersome start was further punished as Podolski doubled Arsenal's lead. Mikel Arteta fortuitously found his way to the byline and his cut back was slammed home by the German, who came through the back-post presence of Sascha Riether all too easily.

That lead was short lived though, with the Gunners made to suffer for giving Berbatov an abundance of space in the six-yard area as he nodded home Bryan Ruiz's inviting corner.

Berbatov - who had been the inspiration for the visitors- then turned provider five minutes before the interval. The Bulgarian was released down the right hand flank after some smart Cottagers build up and his first time cross was met by Kacaniklic - Richardson's replacement - who stooped to head an angled effort past Vito Mannone.

Jol's side almost completed a remarkable turnaround on the stroke of half time, though with Ashkan Dejagah unable to connect properly with John-Arne Riise's cross, Gunners center back Per Mertesacker denied the onrushing Berbatov at the far post.

Walcott looked the most likely to help the Gunners reestablish their lead after the break, first sending in a cross that narrowly evaded Giroud with the goal gaping, before drifting in from the right flank to send a curling left-footed effort just wide of the upright.

However, it was Fulham who made the breakthrough courtesy of a cooly-struck Berbatov penalty after Arteta hauled down Ruiz after the Costa Rican had just dispoossed him in his own penalty area.

The Cottagers could, and should, have extended their lead but Kacaniklic could only fire straight at Mannone before Giroud drew the home side level. The Frenchman hit the post after some bizarre defending from Brede Hangeland though made no mistake after Walcott clipped the ball back into the area, heading home with power similar to his first.

As the game entered its final stages both teams attempted, unsuccessfully, to snatch all three points. A last-gasp Laurent Koscielny tackle denied Berbatov at the far post, while Giroud saw his driven left-footed effort turned round the post by Schwarzer.

Substitute Andrey Arshavin earned the Gunners a disputable penalty as his cross hit Chris Baird on the arm in the game's closing seconds though Schwarzer was equal to Arteta's effort from 18 yards, with the game ending a 3-3 draw.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Augsburg 1-3 Borussia Dortmund: Reus rocket and Lewandowski double earn champions comfortable away win

Borussia Dortmund got back to winning ways in the Bundesliga with a routine 3-1 triumph over Augsburg at the SGL Arena on Saturday.

Jurgen Klopp's men ended their last league outing with a disappointing 0-0 stalemate at home to Stuttgart, but there were no signs of such a result repeating itself as the visitors strolled to a comfortable victory to see their fleeting title defense endure for another week.

Marco Reus opened the scoring with a free-kick right out of the top drawer, before a Robert Lewandowski double in the second half put Dortmund in cruise control.

Sascha Molders pulled one back for the home side with nine minutes to go, but there was no time left for a further response, as Dortmund snatched all three points, but still remains 11 points behind league leader Bayern Munich.

Augsburg fashioned the first real opening of the game after only five minutes, when Tobias Werner forced Roman Weidenfeller to parry, and Lukasz Piszczek had to be alert to remove the danger from the rebound.

But four minutes later, Dortmund was ahead. Reus did not let the angle faze him as he took authority over a set piece on the left side of the box, and curled a stupendous effort into the top corner that beat Simon Jentzsch all ends up.With halftime looming, a pair of golden chances from either side nearly turned the game on its head.

First, Daniel Baier was left shaking his head after failing to convert from an unmarked position eight yards out, with Weidenfeller making the save, before Mario Gotze, with the last kick of the half, drilled onto the woodwork after a clever move involving Reus and Kevin Grosskreutz.
Gotze would be far more decisive six minutes after the interval, as he cushioned a long punt forward into the path of Lewandowski, who did enough to slot under the body of Jentzsch, and send the visitors into a two goal lead.

But Dortmund was lucky to see that advantage remain intact after the hour mark, as a furious attack by Augsburg saw Weidenfeller parry Andreas Ottl’s shot from close range, before Knowledge Musona ripped the rebound onto the base of the post.

With 20 minutes to go however, BVB put the result beyond any doubt. After a giveaway from Augsburg in its own half, Lewandowski played a give and go with Reus, profited from a missed clearance from Sebastian Langkamp, and buried past Jentzsch for the second time.

In the 81st minute, Molders finally gave the home fans something to cheer after turning home a delivery from Matthias Ostrzolek, but it was too little too late for Augsburg, which slumped to another defeat to remain rooted to the foot of the table.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wigan 1-2 West Brom: Caldwell error keeps Baggies bandwagon rolling

Two first-half goals handed West Brom its first win away from home in the Premier League this season as the Baggies edged Wigan 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

James Morrison put the visitors ahead, nodding in from a corner, before their lead was doubled thanks to an own goal from Gary Caldwell.

The Latics struck back before the half was out through Arouna Kone, but failed to find a second goal as Steve Clarke's men held firm.

Unsurprisingly, Roberto Martinez picked the same Xi that impressively won 1-0 at Tottenham last weekend, while West Brom made four changes to the side that comfortably dispatched Southampton in its last match.

After an early spell of Wigan pressure it was West Brom which began to take control of proceedings. After Lukaku had almost made Maynor Figueroa pay for a poor clearance, the Baggies finally did take the lead in the 31st minute, with Brunt’s delivery both timed and executed to perfection for Morrision to head home his third goal of a highly impressive season so far.

Within 10 minutes the lead was doubled. After previously finding the side netting with a drifting shot, West Brom right back Billy Jones skipped into the Wigan area after being found brilliantly by Lukaku and his attempted cross was turned into his own net by Gary Caldwell.

However, within seconds the deficit was halved when a drilled Jean Beausejour delivery from the left was stabbed home by Ivorian striker Arouna Kone from inside the six-yard box to give the Latics some momentum going into the second half.

Indeed, Roberto Martinez' halftime team-talk appeared to have the desired effect as Wigan came out with a sense of renewed purpose, marked by a James McCarthy shot that was pushed out by Myhill only for Beausejour to fire over the top. However, West Brom retained a threat on the counter attack with its attacking pace and almost extended the lead when a loose ball was thrashed towards goal by Lukaku, only for Al Habsi to superbly tip the ball over the bar.

That chance appeared to knock the stuffing out of the home side somewhat as the Baggies proceeded to continually find holes in the Wigan half. One such moment saw Liam Ridgewell charge in dangerously from the left back position but with several teammates to aim for, he only found the back up of the stands with an ill-advised shot.

Wigan continued to work hard and finally fashioned an opportunity to equalize with 20 minutes to play when Shaun Maloney, in acres of space inside the area, scooped his shot over the bar. An even better chance arrived on 80 minutes when Di Santo directed a downwards header wide of the goal.

The Argentine's miss appeared to drain all belief out of the DW Stadium and even five minutes of stoppage time were not enough as West Brom comfortably held onto yet another victory to continue its impressive league form so far this season.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wigan 1-2 West Brom: Caldwell error keeps Baggies bandwagon rolling

Two first-half goals handed West Brom its first win away from home in the Premier League this season as the Baggies edged Wigan 2-1 on Saturday afternoon.

James Morrison put the visitors ahead, nodding in from a corner, before their lead was doubled thanks to an own goal from Gary Caldwell.

The Latics struck back before the half was out through Arouna Kone, but failed to find a second goal as Steve Clarke's men held firm.

Unsurprisingly, Roberto Martinez picked the same Xi that impressively won 1-0 at Tottenham last weekend, while West Brom made four changes to the side that comfortably dispatched Southampton in its last match.

After an early spell of Wigan pressure it was West Brom which began to take control of proceedings. After Lukaku had almost made Maynor Figueroa pay for a poor clearance, the Baggies finally did take the lead in the 31st minute, with Brunt’s delivery both timed and executed to perfection for Morrision to head home his third goal of a highly impressive season so far.

Within 10 minutes the lead was doubled. After previously finding the side netting with a drifting shot, West Brom right back Billy Jones skipped into the Wigan area after being found brilliantly by Lukaku and his attempted cross was turned into his own net by Gary Caldwell.

However, within seconds the deficit was halved when a drilled Jean Beausejour delivery from the left was stabbed home by Ivorian striker Arouna Kone from inside the six-yard box to give the Latics some momentum going into the second half.

Indeed, Roberto Martinez' halftime team-talk appeared to have the desired effect as Wigan came out with a sense of renewed purpose, marked by a James McCarthy shot that was pushed out by Myhill only for Beausejour to fire over the top. However, West Brom retained a threat on the counter attack with its attacking pace and almost extended the lead when a loose ball was thrashed towards goal by Lukaku, only for Al Habsi to superbly tip the ball over the bar.

That chance appeared to knock the stuffing out of the home side somewhat as the Baggies proceeded to continually find holes in the Wigan half. One such moment saw Liam Ridgewell charge in dangerously from the left back position but with several teammates to aim for, he only found the back up of the stands with an ill-advised shot.

Wigan continued to work hard and finally fashioned an opportunity to equalize with 20 minutes to play when Shaun Maloney, in acres of space inside the area, scooped his shot over the bar. An even better chance arrived on 80 minutes when Di Santo directed a downwards header wide of the goal.

The Argentine's miss appeared to drain all belief out of the DW Stadium and even five minutes of stoppage time were not enough as West Brom comfortably held onto yet another victory to continue its impressive league form so far this season.

 

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Everton 2-1 Sunderland: Fellaini and Jelavic complete comeback to keep Toffees in top four

Everton recorded a 2-1 victory over Sunderland to extend its unbeaten run in the Premier League to eight matches.

The visitors took the lead in first-half stoppage time, as summer signing Adam Johnson scored his first goal for the club.

The home side reacted well, piling the pressure on the Black Cats defense throughout the second half. And with 14 minutes to play, Marouane Fellaini produced two moments of magic to hand his side victory.The Belgian scored his sixth goal of the season for the Toffees, before turning provider for Nikica Jelavic just seconds later.

There was action from the off at Goodison Park, as no sooner had Jelavic had a soft penalty shout turned down at one end, Stephane Sessegnon raced in behind Seamus Coleman and tested Tim Howard at the other. Moments later, Sessegnon set Steven Fletcher away with a defense-splitting pass, but the visitors’ top scorer fired narrowly wide of the target.

The hosts then began to find their rhythm, and after impressively completing over 30 passes around the edge of the Sunderland penalty area, Jelavic and Mirallas combined well to create a chance for the latter, but James McClean did well to intercept.

The Toffees continued to threaten the Black Cats’ goal, as Simon Mignolet was tested three times in quick succession - first by Jelavic and then twice by Steven Pienaar - but the Belgian was equal to both efforts and kept the scores level.

But the first goal went to the visitors, as a sloppy clearance from a Sunderland corner found Carlos Cuellar on the edge of the penalty area. The Spaniard lofted the ball back into the Everton penalty area towards Johnson, who managed to evade Leon Osman and slot the ball past an on-rushing Howard.Everton started the second half brightly, as Gary Naismith and John Heitinga both went close after two fantastic deliveries from Leighton Baines on the left.

In spite of concerted pressure from the hosts, the Sunderland duo of Jack Colback and Sebastien Larsson put in a dogged display in midfield, with a number of crucial, last-ditch tackles to shield their defense.

But with 14 minutes to play, top-scorer Fellaini found himself with some space on the edge of the visitors’ penalty area. Cuellar was slow to close the Belgian down, allowing him to turn and neatly slot the ball past Mignolet.

Seconds later, Fellaini received the ball on the edge of the box again, but this time performed a delightful one-touch flick through the legs of John O’Shea to find Jelavic, who couldn’t miss from six yards out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tha Day of Comebacks wage!

 

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Southampton 1-1 Swansea: Saints off the bottom despite Dyer leveller

Southampton was denied three vital Premier League points on Saturday after Swansea held it to a 1-1 draw despite its dominance throughout.

After a first half in which the home side dominated, but failed to break through, it finally found the net when Morgan Schneiderlin got on the end of a Rickie Lambert flick on, and was left with a simple finish. However, a former Saint, Nathan Dyer, came back to haunt the south coast outfit, stealing the ball from Maya Yoshida before netting the equalizer.

Though Swansea dominated possession in the opening stages, it was Saints who created all the early chances. Scheiderlin blasted over from the edge of the box after good work from both Rickie Lambert and Puncheon. Then, Adam Lallana was denied by a brilliant Gerhard Tremmel save, Lambert involved once more, and Gaston Ramirez curled just wide.

Ki Sung-Yong stung Paulo Gazzaniga's palms with a powerful strike just after but it was the hosts who went on to threaten more regularly in the first half, Ramirez going close again after the Swans surrendered possession on the edge of their own box.

The Saints' pressure continued after a quiet spell just after the restart, with Ki sliding in to deny Lambert from shooting inside the penalty box and Monk then throwing himself in front of a Ramirez effort.

However, the dominance finally told just after the hour mark when Yoshida pumped a long ball into the Swans' area which Lambert flicked on, wrong-footing Hemmell and leaving Schneiderlin with a simple finish into the empty net.

But, with the Saints' defense notorious for leaking goals this season, a clean sheet was too much to ask. About 10 minutes later, Gazzaniga put his own defender, Yoshida, under real pressure with a poor clearance turn pass. The Japanese then failed to get rid of the ball before former Southampton winger Dyer, on as a substitute, stole the ball and finished past the keeper.

Lambert flashed a header just wide moments after, with Lallana having a penalty appeal turned away as well as the home side searched for a winner. But it could have also turned out worse for Saints had it not been for a last ditch sliding block from Yoshida, keeping the well-earned point safe and lifting the side off the bottom of the table.

 

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Reading 0-0 Norwich City: Winless hosts stutter to stalemate

Reading remains winless in the Premier League after a 0-0 draw at home to Norwich, with neither side really deserving of all three points.

While the hosts were much the better side in the first half, an increased urgency from the visitors saw Chris Hughton's team waste the few chances that it created in the second period.

The hosts were initially the more attacking of the two sides, with Chris Hughton's team set up for quick counterattacking. Reading looked dangerous with some crosses flying in from the right, but neither keeper was tested in the opening stages.

The first 45 minutes were, in truth, a tetchy affair in the most part, lacking any real efforts on goal. Norwich had a sum total of two shots in the first half, both deflected with one heading for a corner and the other nestling softly in Federici's arms.

John Ruddy was the more busy of the two keepers, blocking an effort from Garath McCleary, and coming a very long way to punch clear a looping free-kick. Aside from that though, it was a fairly stop-start beginning to the precedings, with referee Chris Foy perhaps getting a little more involved than he should have or would have liked.

The second half definitely stepped up a notch in terms of intensity though, with Norwich finding more of the ball, but the hosts looking more threatening.

Wes Hoolahan should have done better with a chance from the edge of the area, blasting wide of the post as he tried to bend it in with the outside of his foot.

Both teams were stretching to find the opening goal in a game that looked increasingly like it would take only one to settle it.

Jobi McAnuff came close for the hosts, whipping a shot just over the bar after cutting in from the left. Chances were becoming harder to come by, though, with both teams hoping to notch a goal on the counterattack.

Grant Holt had only one real chance throughout the game, but a cross towards him got a flick right in front of the striker, and bounced off his frame and out of play.

The visitors ended the strongest, with Robert Snodgrass missing a header and Anthony Pilkington pulling a shot well wide, but in the end neither team really did enough to warrant all three points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bayern Munich 2-0 Eintracht Frankfurt: Ribery and Alaba on target as leaders maintain momentum

Bayern Munich remains seven points clear at the top of the Bundesliga after a 2-0 win over in-form Eintracht Frankfurt at the Allianz Arena on Saturday afternoon.

The Bavarians opened the scoring through Franck Ribery right at the end of an open and absorbing first half and although Anderson Bamba headed against the bar for the visitors, Jupp Heynckes' men ultimately doubled their advantage when David Alaba converted a controversial penalty on 76 minutes.

Bayern had begun the game brightly, as if intent to put the upstarts from Frankfurt firmly in its place. Indeed, the hosts could have been ahead inside eight minutes, Toni Kroos breaking down the left-hand side before dragging a ball across the six-yard box which a stretching Arjen Robben managed to get on the end of but could only divert into the side netting.

An offside Claudio Pizarro then stupidly got in Alaba’s way after the Austrian had been slipped in on goal by Ribery. Alaba then tested Kevin Trapp with a well-struck free kick before Ribery was presented with a golden opportunity to open the scoring 26 minutes in.

Pizarro held the ball up well before feeding the supporting Kroos, who played a sublime first-time ball over the top for Ribery. The Frenchman did almost everything right but Pratt managed to keep out his low strike with his outstretched left leg.

Perhaps buoyed by that let off, Frankfurt began to impose itself on the proceedings and Stefan Aigner, Sebastian Rode and Alexander Meier all wasted excellent headed openings during a purple patch around the half-hour mark.

Bayern, though, raised its game just before the break and after Daniel van Buyten had had a goal ruled out for offside, Ribery finally broke the deadlock, side-footing home at the far post after Javi Martinez had sprung the offside trap following a storming run down the right wing by Alaba.

The Bavarians could even have doubled their advantage before the half-time whistle blew but Trapp produced excellent stops to deny both Kroos and Ribery.

However, Frankfurt regrouped during the interval and came agonizingly close to leveling matters five minutes into the second period, Anderson heading against the bar after getting on the end of Meier’s flick-on.

That scare sparked Bayern back into life, though, and Kroos blazed wastefully over the bar after latching onto Ribery’s clever through-ball. The game remain delicately poised, though, until Alaba converted from the spot with 14 minutes remaining after Vadim Demidov had been harshly penalized for felling Bastian Schweinsteiger in the area.

Unsurprisingly, Frankfurt kept fighting but it was unable to find a route back into the game and Bayern saw the game out quite comfortably to make it 10 wins from 11 Bundesliga games this season, thus putting 10 points between the club and its opponents.

 

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Iniesta: Winning World Cup 2014 would be extremely special

Barcelona midfielder Andres Iniesta says he is already looking forward to World Cup 2014 and has described the thought of winning as "very, very special".

The 28-year-old has been a key part of the Spain squad that have won back-to-back European Championships in 2008 and 2012, with a World Cup success in South Africa sandwiched inbetween.

In an interview with The Guardian, the Roja ace looked ahead to the showpiece tournament in South America, where his country will defend the trophy they lifted two years ago courtesy of his goal against Netherlands in the final.

"It's massive, especially because it is in Brazil with all that means. A World Cup in Brazil is unique," Iniesta said.

He added, "It could be that after winning two European Championships and the World Cup, when maybe you would think there would be nothing else to strive for, this is a gift. Something to fight for. Another title and an achievement that would be very, very special."

When asked about the significance of winning the World Cup bears in comparison to the Ballon d'Or, the recipient of which will be announced in due course, the midfielder insisted: "Anyone would love to be there.

"Recognition is the World Cup and the European Championships. It's a team sport and they are the team prizes... But of course it would be nice."

It has been a long journey for Iniesta, from when he arrived at La Masia at the age of 12 in 1996, to now contesting the individual honor with clubmate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo 16 years later.

Speaking about his early days at Barcelona, he said: "Those days were the worst of my life."

"You're 300-odd miles away, you're without your family. You're from a small place where you can walk everywhere and the change is huge. There were lots of nights I thought: 'I want to go home.' [They were] very hard moments. I thought I was never going to make it.

"But you have to be strong. Even at the age of 12 you think: 'I have to fight. I've come this far, there's no going back.'"

 

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Cahill: Chelsea needs to tighten up

Gary Cahill believes Chelsea must shore up its defense to become serious contenders both domestically and in Europe.

The former Aston Villa and Bolton center back insists the Blues have the attacking talent to match any team in the world but admits they are being let down by a leaky backline.

Often paired alongside David Luiz, Cahill commonly finds himself as the last line of defense and says he sometimes feels more exposed than he perhaps should be.

"There are times when things aren't as tight or you feel a bit more exposed than usual," he told The Guardian.

He continued to explain, "The other night, against Shakhtar Donetsk, I was thinking: 'Wow, this is a bit end-to-end.' But, for the neutral, it was great to watch. And with the players we have, would people be happy if we were just winning 1-0 every week? At least this is entertaining."
Chelsea seems to have gone into matches this season with the aim of simply outscoring its opponents. While this may have been a fruitful plan so far in the league, Cahill suspects it is not a game plan on which to base a title challenge.

"The first thing the attacking players in the team think about is hurting the opposition and getting forward," he stated. "Our style is more attractive than people thought last year but it's all about winning games and being disciplined at times. We could have done better in terms of discipline over the last two or three weeks and some of the goals we conceded could have been prevented.

"As a defense, we have to strive for that clean sheet while also giving the attacking players the license to go and create."

 

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Agent blasts Juventus for dropping Pogba

Paul Pogba has been left out of the Juventus squad for Saturday's Serie A match against Pescara after reporting late for two training sessions.


The 19-year-old has showed promise in Turin following his summer arrival from Manchester United and had been in contention for a starting place against Pescara before it was announced that he would not travel with the team.

A statement on the club's official website reads: "Pogba stays behind in Turin after reporting late to training on two separate occasions."

The player's agent Mino Raiola has since come out and criticized the Turin side for deciding to publicize news of his client's indiscretions.

“Whoever decided to put this news out on the website is evidently confused,” Raiola told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I hope it wasn’t [coach Antonio] Conte’s own decision, otherwise it means he is unable to deal with situations at this level.

He added, "Paul is very disappointed with what happened, both for his lateness – despite good reasons – and for not being a part of the squad."

“In the first instance of lateness he was notified late at night. In the second he had some appointments - the club themselves had organized for him to go through some paperwork.”

 

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Hiddink: Anzhi takes Europa League very seriously

Anzhi Makhachkala boss Guus Hiddink has spoken of his pleasure at recording a 1-0 Europa League win over Liverpool on Thursday and claimed his side is treating the competition with respect.

The Dutchman signed an 18-month deal with the big-spending Russians in February and is enjoying his time in Russia following an unsuccessful spell in charge of the Turkey national team which ended in failure to qualify for Euro 2012.

"In the end I am very happy with the 1-0 victory over Liverpool. We're top of a very tough group," Hiddink wrote in his column for De Telegraaf.

"We take the Europa League very seriously and it's a nice experience for Anzhi. In the Russian league, things are going okay as well. Right now we're second and that's above expectations.".

The 66-year-old recently missed an Anzhi match due to a buildup of fluids in his knee but has shrugged off suggestions in the wake of the incident that he should retire or take a step back from football.

"When I was younger, I didn't expect I would still be coaching at this age," he stated. "But I've still got the energy. Right now we're playing games every three or four days, but I don't have to wipe the sweat off my forehead because I am able to do everything."

Anzhi's next match is a Russian Premier League fixture away to Lokomotiv Moscow on November 11.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!!!

Aston Villa 2-3 Manchester United: Inspired Chicharito denies Weimann and Lambert

Chicharito came off the bench to score two goals and play a significant part in another as Manchester United came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.

Andreas Weimann completed sweeping counterattacking moves either side of halftime to send Paul Lambert's side into a shock two-goal lead.

But Chicharito, who had replaced Ashley Young at the break, made all the difference. The Mexican pulled United back into the game after 58 minutes before another of his shots deflected off Ron Vlaar to level the score.

And the clinical striker finally made United's pressure pay when he headed home Robin van Persie's free-kick in the final minutes at Villa Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson made two changes to the side that beat Arsenal 2-1 the previous weekend. Chris Smalling made his league return in defense in place of Jonny Evans, who had a groin injury, while Tom Cleverley dropped to the bench to be replaced by Paul Scholes in central midfield.

For most of the first half, the possession statistics showed United enjoying around 70 percent of the ball but Villa, led by Vlaar in central defense, continued to stand up to the test and the visitors' frustration grew.

On the stroke of halftime, Lambert's team made its excellent rearguard resistance count. Agbonlahor initiated a break down the left flank that was continued by Benteke. The Belgian showed tremendous pace and power to shake off the challenge of Chris Smalling before rolling the ball into the path of Weimann, who slammed a shot from 18 yards into the roof of the net.

Ferguson did not hesitate to make a change. Young, who had faded as the half wore on, was withdrawn at the break for Chicharito. The sloppy play which had plagued United - for which Scholes was unusually culpable - persisted, though, into the second 45 minutes.

Villa was not as devastatingly quick as it had been for the opening goal, but again it was Benteke that played a significant role in exposing the United defense. His dummy created the space in which Ireland was able to pick out Agbonlahor, whose low cross from the left was swept home by Weimann.

Scholes went some way to making amends by playing the pass that brought United back into the game just before the hour mark. Chicharito did superbly to control the midfielder's chipped ball and shake off Ciaran Clark before steering a low finish through the legs of Guzan.

Within five minutes, United was level. Agbonlahor failed to track the run of Rafael on the right flank and when the Brazilian crossed to the far post, Chicharito was on hand to pounce with the help of a deflection off Vlaar.

Weimann almost had a hat trick when he was denied by De Gea from close range but for the majority of the final 20 minutes, Benteke was the only Villa player not stationed behind the ball. When Robin van Persie struck the crossbar twice in quick succession, the signs were ominous.

And just as Villa seemed to have weathered the worst of the storm, Chicharito headed home from the Dutchman's inswinging free-kick to strengthen the Red Devils' grip on top spot in dramatic style.

 

[මුගටියා]

Aston Villa 2-3 Manchester United: Inspired Chicharito denies Weimann and Lambert

Chicharito came off the bench to score two goals and play a significant part in another as Manchester United came from behind to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Aston Villa.

Andreas Weimann completed sweeping counterattacking moves either side of halftime to send Paul Lambert's side into a shock two-goal lead.

But Chicharito, who had replaced Ashley Young at the break, made all the difference. The Mexican pulled United back into the game after 58 minutes before another of his shots deflected off Ron Vlaar to level the score.

And the clinical striker finally made United's pressure pay when he headed home Robin van Persie's free-kick in the final minutes at Villa Park.

Sir Alex Ferguson made two changes to the side that beat Arsenal 2-1 the previous weekend. Chris Smalling made his league return in defense in place of Jonny Evans, who had a groin injury, while Tom Cleverley dropped to the bench to be replaced by Paul Scholes in central midfield.

For most of the first half, the possession statistics showed United enjoying around 70 percent of the ball but Villa, led by Vlaar in central defense, continued to stand up to the test and the visitors' frustration grew.

On the stroke of halftime, Lambert's team made its excellent rearguard resistance count. Agbonlahor initiated a break down the left flank that was continued by Benteke. The Belgian showed tremendous pace and power to shake off the challenge of Chris Smalling before rolling the ball into the path of Weimann, who slammed a shot from 18 yards into the roof of the net.

Ferguson did not hesitate to make a change. Young, who had faded as the half wore on, was withdrawn at the break for Chicharito. The sloppy play which had plagued United - for which Scholes was unusually culpable - persisted, though, into the second 45 minutes.

Villa was not as devastatingly quick as it had been for the opening goal, but again it was Benteke that played a significant role in exposing the United defense. His dummy created the space in which Ireland was able to pick out Agbonlahor, whose low cross from the left was swept home by Weimann.

Scholes went some way to making amends by playing the pass that brought United back into the game just before the hour mark. Chicharito did superbly to control the midfielder's chipped ball and shake off Ciaran Clark before steering a low finish through the legs of Guzan.

Within five minutes, United was level. Agbonlahor failed to track the run of Rafael on the right flank and when the Brazilian crossed to the far post, Chicharito was on hand to pounce with the help of a deflection off Vlaar.

Weimann almost had a hat trick when he was denied by De Gea from close range but for the majority of the final 20 minutes, Benteke was the only Villa player not stationed behind the ball. When Robin van Persie struck the crossbar twice in quick succession, the signs were ominous.

And just as Villa seemed to have weathered the worst of the storm, Chicharito headed home from the Dutchman's inswinging free-kick to strengthen the Red Devils' grip on top spot in dramatic style.

another comeback

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pescara 1-6 Juventus: Quagliarella nets treble as brilliant Bianconeri destroy Delfini

Juventus got back to business in Serie A with an astounding 6-1 thrashing of Pescara at Stadio Adriatico on Saturday, with Fabio Quagliarella bagging a hat trick.

Their unbeaten leage run may have been ended at 49 games at the hands of Inter one week ago, but the Bianconeri showed no signs of letting that affect them with a scintillating performance that featured six goals of the highest quality.

Artuo Vidal broke the deadlock after nine minutes with a well-struck finish, before Quagliarella made it 2-0 with an equally clinical strike from inside the area on 22 minutes. Pescara threatened to make a game of it when Emmanuel Cascione halved the deficit with his head three minutes later, but an acrobatic overhead kick from Kwadwo Asamoah on the half hour mark.

Giovinco volleyed home a fourth Juventus goal after combining superbly with Quaglierella, who himself struck his second deadly finish just before halftime, and added the goal of the game with a magnificent volley straight from a corner early in the second half.

The Bianconeri now move four points clear at the top of the table over nearest challenger Inter, which is in action Sunday away to Atalanta.

Quagliarella was the only change from Juve's 4-0 win over FC Nordsjaelland in the Champions League during the week, the veteran striker replacing Alessandro Matri in the starting lineup.
The visitors raced out of the blocks, and Giovinco forced the first opportunity of the game, calling Mattia Perin into action with a drive from the edge of the area after only two minutes.

The diminutive midfielder would be far more decisive in the ninth minute, however, as he threaded a fine pass through to Vidal, who slotted coolly past Perin to send the visitors into a deserved lead.Juve continued to dominate and scored again in the 22nd minute. Mauricio Isla was the architect, sending in a fantastic ball that was met with a sublime finish from Quagliarella inside the box.

Just when it looked like the visitors were ready to run away with the match, however, Pescara pulled one back. After Juan Quintero smacked a free kick agonizingly off the woodwork, the ball was worked towards Matti Lund Nielsen, who crossed for Cascione to angle a header past Gianluigi Buffonn

Pescara was buoyed by the goal, but the side's enthusiasm was short-lived, as a flick from Quagliarella ricocheted into the path of Asamoah eight yards out, and the Ghanaian reacted wonderfully to send an overhead kick into the back of the net.Quagliarella then sent two good opportunities badly off target, before Cascione nearly repeated the trick with another header towards the far post that flew just wide.

However, with seven minutes to go until halftime, Juve stormed further ahead. Giovinco linked up brilliantly with Quagliarella, playing a one-two and lashing a superb volley past the hapless Perin.The scoring wasn’t done for the first half, and Quagliarella, who was outstanding all game, latched onto a magnificent long pass from Vidal to drive another clinical finish home on the stroke of the interval.

Quagliarella would complete his hat trick eight minutes into the second half, meeting Pirlo’s corner with a gloriously acrobatic volley to rack up the Bianconeri’s sixth and final goal.
The tempo died down shortly after, though Giovinco went close to his second with 11 minutes remaining after a beautiful shimmy freed him for a shot at the edge of the box that was sent just off target, moments after hitting the side netting after rounding Perin following a one-two with Nicklas Bendtner.

There were no more goals to come, but the damage had been done in the first half, and Juve played out the remaining minutes in complete control to record an emphatic victory that puts events against Inter last week firmly in the rear-view mirror.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carlos Bianchi: Messi is the best player of all time

Former Argentina international Carlos Bianchi believes that Barcelona star Lionel Messi is the greatest player the game has ever seen.

Many have questioned the 25-year-old's claim to that title due to his failure to find success at international level, but his compatriot feels that his consistency puts him above all others.


"I see him as the best player of all time," he told La Garganta Poderosa. "People to say to me: 'He's not a world champion,' but Messi plays a game every three days and he is great every time. If he does not score, we miss it.

"We have to be aware that before us is a player the likes of which we will never see again, for his performances and his consistency."

Messi, the current captain of the Albiceleste, has scored 31 goals in 75 appearances for his country.

 

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Manchester City assistant boss Platt fears 'potent' Defoe

Manchester City assistant manager David Platt has highlighted Jermain Defoe as Tottenham's biggest threat ahead of Sunday's meeting between the sides.

Defoe has scored five goals in 10 Premier League games this season and, having struck a hat trick in his last outing, is likely to start at the Etihad Stadium.

And Platt, who worked with the 30-year-old during his spell as manager of the England Under-21 team, has hailed the forward's goalscoring instincts.

"He is potent, Defoe will always score goals. He could go six or seven games without scoring but you know if he does there is a glut coming because his stats tell you he scores goals," Platt told reporters.

"He has done all his career, ever since he was a young kid. I have had him in an [England] Under-21 team and training. He will get efforts on goal and he can finish."

The former England international also acknowledged Tottenham's other attacking threats, suggesting that goals are always likely when Spurs play.

"You look at them as a collective and you feel as though there are goals in their team," he continued.

"They've got several individuals who can turn a game in an instant and it becomes very difficult because of that. They change their team but they are dangerous.

"What Tottenham have got is over the years, with what Harry [Redknapp] has created and Andre Villas-Boas has added to and developed, a group of young, energetic players that can harm you, [that] can score a goal in an instant."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Quagliarella: Inter loss inspired Juventus

Fabio Quagliarella believes that last week's 3-1 loss to Inter inspired his Juventus teammates to beat Pescara 6-1 on Saturday.

The Bianconeri let their 49-game unbeaten run slip to the Nerazzurri, but have since responded in style, thrashing Nordsjaelland 4-0 in midweek before the Stadio Adriatico victory, which saw the 29-year-old net a hat trick.

"The important thing was to win, and we really, really won," he told reporters after the match. "We showed that is possible to have a setback against a great team like Inter and still be here.

"That defeat was just a stumble and, if anything, it made us stronger, as we are right back on track with the hunger we need."

The former Napoli man went on to dedicate his treble to his mother, who is in currently hospital to have an operation.

"It's the first hat trick of my career, so I will treasure the match ball," he said. "I dedicate the goals to my mother, who is in hospital after undergoing surgery."

Arturo Vidal, Kwadwo Asamoah and Sebastian Giovinco got the other goals for the Bianconeri, who now sit four points clear of Inter in the race for the Scudetto.