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..::Football II::..
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QPR 1-3 Southampton: Hughes on the brink after dominant Saints leave hosts rock bottom
Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes saw his side remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after goals from Rickie Lambert, Jason Puncheon and an own goal from Anton Ferdinand consigned it to a 3-1 defeat against Southampton.
An impressive first 45 minutes from the Saints left QPR chasing a two-goal deficit going into the second half, as a header from Lambert and a sweet strike from Puncheon left QPR in a sorry state at the halftime break.
Rangers were unable to mount a comeback in the second half, despite an early goal from Junior Hoilett, as Southampton continued to cause the Londoners more problems and an own goal from Ferdinand ended their hopes of picking up a first Premier League win of the season.
Southampton started with the better of the action with two chances in the first 10 minutes, Lallana first blazing over after a lovely move and, just minutes later, an in-swinging cross from Puncheon found its way on to the post.
Following slack defensive play from QPR, another chance fell Southampton's way. From a corner, Lambert was left unmarked at the back post but the 30-year-old was unable to direct his header past Julio Cesar as the Brazilian tipped it wide.
From the ensuing corner, however, Southampton found the breakthrough. QPR were unable to clear their lines and the ball found its way to Cork in the area - a shot from the midfielder was skewed wide but Puncheon was there at the back post for what seemed like a routine tap-in. Jose Bosingwa thwarted the winger with a goalline clearance but, atoning for his earlier miss, Lambert was there to head home the rebound.
With the end of the first half already in sight, Puncheon added further to QPR's dismay when, following excellent work from Nathaniel Clyne down the right, the winger fired home with a powerful effort from the top of the box, with QPR pressure non-existant.
Predictably, QPR were booed off at halftime and Hughes acted accordingly, bringing on striker Jamie Mackie for defensive midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.
It was just minutes before an excellent Taarabt cross forced QPR back into the game. The midfielder picked up the ball on the left wing and delivered a dangerous inswinger. It proved too dangerous for Gazzaniga as he came and found himself nowhere near the ball, leaving Hoilett with a simple header.
Following the goal, Southampton asserted itself on the game once more as QPR's defense looked susceptible. Southampton remained dominant throughout the half with Puncheon causing problems. Chances continued to fall his way but he was unable to capitalize.
With Hughes' side struggling to trouble the away side, Yoshida forced a great save from Cesar in the 75th minute, following yet another troublesome corner.
Southampton's dominance paid off in the 82nd minute as a short corner caught QPR unaware, resulting in a low ball being played across the penalty area that Ferdinand could only divert into his own goal.
Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes saw his side remain rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table after goals from Rickie Lambert, Jason Puncheon and an own goal from Anton Ferdinand consigned it to a 3-1 defeat against Southampton.
An impressive first 45 minutes from the Saints left QPR chasing a two-goal deficit going into the second half, as a header from Lambert and a sweet strike from Puncheon left QPR in a sorry state at the halftime break.
Rangers were unable to mount a comeback in the second half, despite an early goal from Junior Hoilett, as Southampton continued to cause the Londoners more problems and an own goal from Ferdinand ended their hopes of picking up a first Premier League win of the season.
Southampton started with the better of the action with two chances in the first 10 minutes, Lallana first blazing over after a lovely move and, just minutes later, an in-swinging cross from Puncheon found its way on to the post.
Following slack defensive play from QPR, another chance fell Southampton's way. From a corner, Lambert was left unmarked at the back post but the 30-year-old was unable to direct his header past Julio Cesar as the Brazilian tipped it wide.
From the ensuing corner, however, Southampton found the breakthrough. QPR were unable to clear their lines and the ball found its way to Cork in the area - a shot from the midfielder was skewed wide but Puncheon was there at the back post for what seemed like a routine tap-in. Jose Bosingwa thwarted the winger with a goalline clearance but, atoning for his earlier miss, Lambert was there to head home the rebound.
With the end of the first half already in sight, Puncheon added further to QPR's dismay when, following excellent work from Nathaniel Clyne down the right, the winger fired home with a powerful effort from the top of the box, with QPR pressure non-existant.
Predictably, QPR were booed off at halftime and Hughes acted accordingly, bringing on striker Jamie Mackie for defensive midfielder Alejandro Faurlin.
It was just minutes before an excellent Taarabt cross forced QPR back into the game. The midfielder picked up the ball on the left wing and delivered a dangerous inswinger. It proved too dangerous for Gazzaniga as he came and found himself nowhere near the ball, leaving Hoilett with a simple header.
Following the goal, Southampton asserted itself on the game once more as QPR's defense looked susceptible. Southampton remained dominant throughout the half with Puncheon causing problems. Chances continued to fall his way but he was unable to capitalize.
With Hughes' side struggling to trouble the away side, Yoshida forced a great save from Cesar in the 75th minute, following yet another troublesome corner.
Southampton's dominance paid off in the 82nd minute as a short corner caught QPR unaware, resulting in a low ball being played across the penalty area that Ferdinand could only divert into his own goal.
Liverpool 3-0 Wigan: Sensational Suarez seals comfortable Reds win
Liverpool produced a dazzling second-half display to resoundingly beat Wigan 3-0 at Anfield on afternoon, with Luis Suarez scoring twice and Jose Enrique grabbing a third.
The hosts took the lead in the second half, with Suarez grabbing his ninth league goal of the campaign, with a vicious strike from inside the box after some superb work from Raheem Sterling pouncing on some loose Wigan play in midfield.
Suarez bagged his second of the game soon after courtesy of a brilliant run and pass from Jose Enrique which sent the Uruguayan through past the back four to prod home past the onrushing Ali Al-Habsi. Jose Enrique notched the third after tapping home unmarked after some neat interplay from Suarez and Sterling down the right.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers made three changes to the team which drew its last league game away at Chelsea, bringing goalkeeper Pepe Reina back into the side at the expense of Brad Jones, while Suso took Nuri Sahin's place and Martin Skrtel replaced Jamie Carragher with the team lining up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez named an unchanged starting XI from his team's home defeat against West Brom last weekend, with Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo once again leading the line.
The hosts started the brighter of the two teams and Jose Enrique, in a more advanced role, dragged an effort just wide from the edge of the area, while Daniel Agger went close shortly afterwards nodding past the post from a Steven Gerrard corner.
Moments before halftime, a flowing move involving Gerrard and Suarez down the right saw the latter drill in an excellent cross which Jose Enrique just failed to turn home, with Al-Habsi getting a strong palm on the ball to keep it out and the two sides went in at the break level.
Liverpool raced out of the blocks in the second half, though and took the lead in the 46th minute through Suarez. Sterling latched on to a poor Beausejour pass before rounding Figueroa at pace and breaking into the box, cutting the ball back for the forward to lash home into the top corner unmarked to hand his side the lead.
With Rodgers' side dominating possession, it doubled its advantage in the 57th minute with Suarez once again grabbing the goal, after coolly slotting home when put through one-on-one by a magnificent pass from Jose Enrique.
Liverpool made it three in the 65th minute with Jose Enrique capped another lively performance in an unfamiliar role on the wing by tapping home into an empty net after Al-Habsi palmed out Sterling's low shot after a fantastic one-two with Suarez in the box.
The hosts should have made it four minutes later when Jordan Henderson, on as a substitute for Suso, blazed over a volley at the back post when put through by a delicate Suarez pass over the top.
By this point it was simply a matter of damage limitation for Martinez's side and Johnson almost extended Liverpool's lead to four, but his drive from the edge of the box after a mazy run was pulled just wide of the bottom left-hand corner with the goalkeeper beaten.
Despite flooding forward in search of another, Liverpool was unable to add to their tally on an afternoon full of promising performances and energetic attacking play in a rare but hugely deserved home victory.
Liverpool produced a dazzling second-half display to resoundingly beat Wigan 3-0 at Anfield on afternoon, with Luis Suarez scoring twice and Jose Enrique grabbing a third.
The hosts took the lead in the second half, with Suarez grabbing his ninth league goal of the campaign, with a vicious strike from inside the box after some superb work from Raheem Sterling pouncing on some loose Wigan play in midfield.
Suarez bagged his second of the game soon after courtesy of a brilliant run and pass from Jose Enrique which sent the Uruguayan through past the back four to prod home past the onrushing Ali Al-Habsi. Jose Enrique notched the third after tapping home unmarked after some neat interplay from Suarez and Sterling down the right.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers made three changes to the team which drew its last league game away at Chelsea, bringing goalkeeper Pepe Reina back into the side at the expense of Brad Jones, while Suso took Nuri Sahin's place and Martin Skrtel replaced Jamie Carragher with the team lining up in a 4-3-3 formation.
Wigan boss Roberto Martinez named an unchanged starting XI from his team's home defeat against West Brom last weekend, with Arouna Kone and Franco Di Santo once again leading the line.
The hosts started the brighter of the two teams and Jose Enrique, in a more advanced role, dragged an effort just wide from the edge of the area, while Daniel Agger went close shortly afterwards nodding past the post from a Steven Gerrard corner.
Moments before halftime, a flowing move involving Gerrard and Suarez down the right saw the latter drill in an excellent cross which Jose Enrique just failed to turn home, with Al-Habsi getting a strong palm on the ball to keep it out and the two sides went in at the break level.
Liverpool raced out of the blocks in the second half, though and took the lead in the 46th minute through Suarez. Sterling latched on to a poor Beausejour pass before rounding Figueroa at pace and breaking into the box, cutting the ball back for the forward to lash home into the top corner unmarked to hand his side the lead.
With Rodgers' side dominating possession, it doubled its advantage in the 57th minute with Suarez once again grabbing the goal, after coolly slotting home when put through one-on-one by a magnificent pass from Jose Enrique.
Liverpool made it three in the 65th minute with Jose Enrique capped another lively performance in an unfamiliar role on the wing by tapping home into an empty net after Al-Habsi palmed out Sterling's low shot after a fantastic one-two with Suarez in the box.
The hosts should have made it four minutes later when Jordan Henderson, on as a substitute for Suso, blazed over a volley at the back post when put through by a delicate Suarez pass over the top.
By this point it was simply a matter of damage limitation for Martinez's side and Johnson almost extended Liverpool's lead to four, but his drive from the edge of the box after a mazy run was pulled just wide of the bottom left-hand corner with the goalkeeper beaten.
Despite flooding forward in search of another, Liverpool was unable to add to their tally on an afternoon full of promising performances and energetic attacking play in a rare but hugely deserved home victory.
West Brom 2-1 Chelsea: Long and Odemwingie strike as Blues slip up in title chase
Shane Long was the star of the show as West Brom dealt Chelsea's title hopes a blow with a hard-fought win at the Hawthorns.
Long scored the first and set up the second to give the Baggies a victory which cements their best start to a league season in 35 years and extends the Blues' winless Premier League run to four matches.
The result gave West Brom boss Steve Clarke a famous triumph over his former club, while Roberto Di Matteo tasted defeat at the same ground where Andre Villas-Boas' Blues reign ended last term.
Di Matteo fielded a makeshift side with one eye firmly on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash away at Juventus.
Captain John Terry missed out having injured himself against Liverpool, with Juan Mata, Oscar, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Branislav Ivanovic all rested.
West Brom, meanwhile, fielded Boaz Myhill in goal in place of the injured Ben Foster and Long up front in the absence of Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian ineligible against his parent club.
Chelsea started brightly and, on seven minutes, Victor Moses’ pull-back found Ryan Bertrand, whose shot was cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell, with Jonas Olsson blocking Eden Hazard’s rebound.
But against the run of play it was the hosts who took the lead three minutes later with their first meaningful attack.
Zoltan Gera pulled the ball back to James Morrison, whose pinpoint cross found Long and, having evaded a statuesque David Luiz, the Irishman nodded in from close range.
The Baggies continued to look dangerous going forward, and on 35 minutes Long shrugged off Cahill before curling a low effort just wide of Cech’s post.
It was a miss they rued four minutes later when Cesar Azpilicueta’s hanging cross was met by Hazard, and his back-post header deflected off Billy Jones and past Myhill.
Sturridge and Moses both threatened as Chelsea finished the half strongly, but wayward finishing ensured both sides went in level at the break.
The visitors began the second half as they had ended the first, and on 47 minutes Moses’ driving run and cross found Sturridge, who tested Myhill with a fierce strike on the turn.
But three minutes later West Brom edged ahead again, with Long the provider this time.
After a sweeping counterattack, the Irishman curled a superb ball in from the right for Peter Odemwingie, who nodded his fourth Premier League goal of the season at the near post.
Chelsea pushed on again, and a minute later only a sliding block from Olsson denied Sturridge a simple tap-in from another dangerous Azpilicueta delivery.
Di Matteo introduced Mata and Oscar for Oriol Romeu and the ineffective Fernando Torres just after the hour, with Sturridge assuming his preferred role as central striker.
The changes almost had the desired effect when, with 12 minutes left, the Spaniard sent Sturridge clear, but the youngster’s firm strike was well saved by Myhill from close range.
Four minutes from time Sturridge missed another guilt-edged chance, but West Brom held on.
Shane Long was the star of the show as West Brom dealt Chelsea's title hopes a blow with a hard-fought win at the Hawthorns.
Long scored the first and set up the second to give the Baggies a victory which cements their best start to a league season in 35 years and extends the Blues' winless Premier League run to four matches.
The result gave West Brom boss Steve Clarke a famous triumph over his former club, while Roberto Di Matteo tasted defeat at the same ground where Andre Villas-Boas' Blues reign ended last term.
Di Matteo fielded a makeshift side with one eye firmly on Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash away at Juventus.
Captain John Terry missed out having injured himself against Liverpool, with Juan Mata, Oscar, Ashley Cole, Ramires and Branislav Ivanovic all rested.
West Brom, meanwhile, fielded Boaz Myhill in goal in place of the injured Ben Foster and Long up front in the absence of Romelu Lukaku, with the Belgian ineligible against his parent club.
Chelsea started brightly and, on seven minutes, Victor Moses’ pull-back found Ryan Bertrand, whose shot was cleared off the line by Liam Ridgewell, with Jonas Olsson blocking Eden Hazard’s rebound.
But against the run of play it was the hosts who took the lead three minutes later with their first meaningful attack.
Zoltan Gera pulled the ball back to James Morrison, whose pinpoint cross found Long and, having evaded a statuesque David Luiz, the Irishman nodded in from close range.
The Baggies continued to look dangerous going forward, and on 35 minutes Long shrugged off Cahill before curling a low effort just wide of Cech’s post.
It was a miss they rued four minutes later when Cesar Azpilicueta’s hanging cross was met by Hazard, and his back-post header deflected off Billy Jones and past Myhill.
Sturridge and Moses both threatened as Chelsea finished the half strongly, but wayward finishing ensured both sides went in level at the break.
The visitors began the second half as they had ended the first, and on 47 minutes Moses’ driving run and cross found Sturridge, who tested Myhill with a fierce strike on the turn.
But three minutes later West Brom edged ahead again, with Long the provider this time.
After a sweeping counterattack, the Irishman curled a superb ball in from the right for Peter Odemwingie, who nodded his fourth Premier League goal of the season at the near post.
Chelsea pushed on again, and a minute later only a sliding block from Olsson denied Sturridge a simple tap-in from another dangerous Azpilicueta delivery.
Di Matteo introduced Mata and Oscar for Oriol Romeu and the ineffective Fernando Torres just after the hour, with Sturridge assuming his preferred role as central striker.
The changes almost had the desired effect when, with 12 minutes left, the Spaniard sent Sturridge clear, but the youngster’s firm strike was well saved by Myhill from close range.
Four minutes from time Sturridge missed another guilt-edged chance, but West Brom held on.
Manchester City 5-0 Aston Villa: Tevez and Aguero double up to pile pressure on hapless visitors
Manchester City romped to a convincing 5-0 victory over Aston Villa to fire itself back to the top of the Premier League.
City had to rely on a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring. David Silva pounced on to a loose ball inside the Villa penalty area to score his first goal of the season from five yards out. The second half was much more entertaining as Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez grabbed two goals each to secure an emphatic win.
Manchester City made two changes to the side that beat Tottenham with Samir Nasri and Maicon returning to the starting lineup in place of Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov. Villa named an unchanged from the side that performed so well in defeat against Manchester United last weekend.
The hosts settled into the game very quickly and were controlling play nicely but struggled to find their way through the organised Villa defense.
However with halftime looming they got the break they were looking for as Silva tapped home following a goalmouth scramble. Sergio Aguero was the first to try and get on the end of Nasri’s corner, Vincent Kompany had the second attempt and Carlos Tevez had the third before the ball broke for Silva who nipped in front of Matija Nastasic to score from close range.
As the second half began the home side carried on where it left off and controlled the play with crisp passing and plenty of movement, and nine minutes into the second it was rewarded with a second goal following a controversial decision from the assistant referee.
Silva drifted in from the right hand side and played a perfect pass into Aguero but just as the Argentine was about to pull the trigger Ron Vlaar made a superb challenge to concede a corner. It was from the set piece that Andreas Weimann was adjudged to have handled the ball and a penalty was awarded. Aguero stepped up and made no mistake, beating Guzan down to the keeper’s left hand side.
Just when Paul Lambert thought things couldn’t get any worse they did as his side conceded another penalty from another handball, but this one was much clearer. Barry Bannan caught the ball with his arm as he slid in to tackle Sliva and referee Jon Moss had no hesitation to award the penalty. This time Tevez took the responsibility and he fired past Guzan.
Minutes later the score was 4-0 as Tevez released Aguero on the right hand side, he took on Enda Stevens and unleashed a shot from inside the area which was on target but the deflection it took off the young full back's foot caused it to beat Guzan at his near post.
The rout was complete in the 74th minute as Tevez added his second following a flowing move from the home side. Substitute Edin Dzeko released Nasri on the left hand side of the penalty area and his low cross found the Argentine who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
Manchester City romped to a convincing 5-0 victory over Aston Villa to fire itself back to the top of the Premier League.
City had to rely on a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring. David Silva pounced on to a loose ball inside the Villa penalty area to score his first goal of the season from five yards out. The second half was much more entertaining as Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez grabbed two goals each to secure an emphatic win.
Manchester City made two changes to the side that beat Tottenham with Samir Nasri and Maicon returning to the starting lineup in place of Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov. Villa named an unchanged from the side that performed so well in defeat against Manchester United last weekend.
The hosts settled into the game very quickly and were controlling play nicely but struggled to find their way through the organised Villa defense.
However with halftime looming they got the break they were looking for as Silva tapped home following a goalmouth scramble. Sergio Aguero was the first to try and get on the end of Nasri’s corner, Vincent Kompany had the second attempt and Carlos Tevez had the third before the ball broke for Silva who nipped in front of Matija Nastasic to score from close range.
As the second half began the home side carried on where it left off and controlled the play with crisp passing and plenty of movement, and nine minutes into the second it was rewarded with a second goal following a controversial decision from the assistant referee.
Silva drifted in from the right hand side and played a perfect pass into Aguero but just as the Argentine was about to pull the trigger Ron Vlaar made a superb challenge to concede a corner. It was from the set piece that Andreas Weimann was adjudged to have handled the ball and a penalty was awarded. Aguero stepped up and made no mistake, beating Guzan down to the keeper’s left hand side.
Just when Paul Lambert thought things couldn’t get any worse they did as his side conceded another penalty from another handball, but this one was much clearer. Barry Bannan caught the ball with his arm as he slid in to tackle Sliva and referee Jon Moss had no hesitation to award the penalty. This time Tevez took the responsibility and he fired past Guzan.
Minutes later the score was 4-0 as Tevez released Aguero on the right hand side, he took on Enda Stevens and unleashed a shot from inside the area which was on target but the deflection it took off the young full back's foot caused it to beat Guzan at his near post.
The rout was complete in the 74th minute as Tevez added his second following a flowing move from the home side. Substitute Edin Dzeko released Nasri on the left hand side of the penalty area and his low cross found the Argentine who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
Reading 2-1 Everton: Royals grab first win of season as Moyes' men throw away early lead
Reading claimed three vital points and its first Premier League win of the season on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Everton in controversial circumstances at the Madejski Stadium.
The Toffees dominated proceedings throughout the first half, opening the scoring after ten minutes through Steven Naismith, but failed to double their lead while they had two big penalty shouts turned down.
Adam Le Fondre pulled one back just after the break, however, and with the visitors going all out for the win the game became very open. Then, with about ten minutes remaining, Reading was awarded a penalty, after a foul on Le Fondre - the striker stepped up himself and tucked it away to hand his side its first victory of the season.
The hosts made two changes from the 0-0 with Norwich; Hal Robson-Kanu and Adam Le Fondre coming in for Garath McCleary and Noel Hunt. Meanwhile David Moyes also made a couple of replacements, bringing in Thomas Hitzlsperger and Naismith for Kevin Mirallas and Phil Neville.
The Toffees made the brighter start to the game, and should have taken the lead very early on. Adam Federici firstly saved superbly to deny Phil Jagielka, before Nikica Jelavic made a hash of a brilliant chance moments later, his effort from two yards out going over.
However Moyes' men didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough, and they didn't have to work that hard either - the Royals' defense absolutely gifting them the opening goal.
Chris Gunter failed to rid the danger when his sliced clearance went up high and into his own box, then a mix-up between Kaspars Gorkss and Sean Morrison firstly allowed Marouane Fellaini to win the ball, though the hosts then half-cleared the danger, only for Jelavic to get it back and cross for the arriving Naismith - Gorkss and his defensive colleagues asleep once more.
Although Reading had a brilliant chance to level straight away, Le Fondre beating Tim Howard to a loose ball but lifting the ball over the bar as he tried to evade the men on the line, the rest of the first-half pressure all came from the visiting side.
Steven Pienaar nearly doubled the scores, but dragged his right-footed shot wide, before Everton saw the first of two penalty appeals turned away. Gorkss slid in recklessly from behind on Naismith, getting none of the ball, but the referee said no.
The visitors continued to create openings, Leon Osman seeing a one-on-one saved by Federici and Jagielka having a glancing header cleared off the line, while they were could have had another penalty when Jelavic's drive struck Morrison's hand, but for all their dominance the half ended 1-0.
After the break, however, Reading got itself back into the game though Le Fondre. The forward rose the highest and got his head on the end of Nicky Shorey's dangerous free-kick, beating Howard with the thudding effort.
The game then become incredibly open. Hitzlsperger wasted a clear opening by allowing Morrison to get back and block his effort, before the Everton man was then disposed at the other end by Roberts, who played in Le Fondre only for the Royals' goal-scorer to scuff it into Howard's arms.
As the clash became more stretched Le Fondre looked to be in on goal after a quick counter-attack, however, Seamus Coleman came out of nowhere to disposes him with a fantastic, goal-saving tackle.
The defender soon turned from hero to zero, though, as he conceded a penalty for a clumsy challenge from behind on Le Fondre, bundling the forward to the ground. Reading's number nine took it himself, sending Howard the wrong way and giving his side the lead and its first three points of the campaign.
Reading claimed three vital points and its first Premier League win of the season on Saturday, coming from behind to beat Everton in controversial circumstances at the Madejski Stadium.
The Toffees dominated proceedings throughout the first half, opening the scoring after ten minutes through Steven Naismith, but failed to double their lead while they had two big penalty shouts turned down.
Adam Le Fondre pulled one back just after the break, however, and with the visitors going all out for the win the game became very open. Then, with about ten minutes remaining, Reading was awarded a penalty, after a foul on Le Fondre - the striker stepped up himself and tucked it away to hand his side its first victory of the season.
The hosts made two changes from the 0-0 with Norwich; Hal Robson-Kanu and Adam Le Fondre coming in for Garath McCleary and Noel Hunt. Meanwhile David Moyes also made a couple of replacements, bringing in Thomas Hitzlsperger and Naismith for Kevin Mirallas and Phil Neville.
The Toffees made the brighter start to the game, and should have taken the lead very early on. Adam Federici firstly saved superbly to deny Phil Jagielka, before Nikica Jelavic made a hash of a brilliant chance moments later, his effort from two yards out going over.
However Moyes' men didn't have to wait long for the breakthrough, and they didn't have to work that hard either - the Royals' defense absolutely gifting them the opening goal.
Chris Gunter failed to rid the danger when his sliced clearance went up high and into his own box, then a mix-up between Kaspars Gorkss and Sean Morrison firstly allowed Marouane Fellaini to win the ball, though the hosts then half-cleared the danger, only for Jelavic to get it back and cross for the arriving Naismith - Gorkss and his defensive colleagues asleep once more.
Although Reading had a brilliant chance to level straight away, Le Fondre beating Tim Howard to a loose ball but lifting the ball over the bar as he tried to evade the men on the line, the rest of the first-half pressure all came from the visiting side.
Steven Pienaar nearly doubled the scores, but dragged his right-footed shot wide, before Everton saw the first of two penalty appeals turned away. Gorkss slid in recklessly from behind on Naismith, getting none of the ball, but the referee said no.
The visitors continued to create openings, Leon Osman seeing a one-on-one saved by Federici and Jagielka having a glancing header cleared off the line, while they were could have had another penalty when Jelavic's drive struck Morrison's hand, but for all their dominance the half ended 1-0.
After the break, however, Reading got itself back into the game though Le Fondre. The forward rose the highest and got his head on the end of Nicky Shorey's dangerous free-kick, beating Howard with the thudding effort.
The game then become incredibly open. Hitzlsperger wasted a clear opening by allowing Morrison to get back and block his effort, before the Everton man was then disposed at the other end by Roberts, who played in Le Fondre only for the Royals' goal-scorer to scuff it into Howard's arms.
As the clash became more stretched Le Fondre looked to be in on goal after a quick counter-attack, however, Seamus Coleman came out of nowhere to disposes him with a fantastic, goal-saving tackle.
The defender soon turned from hero to zero, though, as he conceded a penalty for a clumsy challenge from behind on Le Fondre, bundling the forward to the ground. Reading's number nine took it himself, sending Howard the wrong way and giving his side the lead and its first three points of the campaign.
Nurnberg 1-1 Bayern Munich: League leader frustrated by 10-man hosts
Bayern Munich failed to make the most of an early goal as it could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Bavarian rival Nurnberg.
Mario Mandzukic had put the visitors ahead inside three minutes but they were unable to assert themselves on the game despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.
Markus Feulner restored parity moments after the restart and der Club put in a resilient second-half display to ensure the spoils were shared despite being reduced to 10 men in the closing stages.
Despite the unavailability of Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery were among the players rested by Jupp Heynckes, but die Roten were not left wanting for firepower early on as they scored from their very first chance.
Anatoliy Tymoshchuk drilled a pass into Toni Kroos on the right side of the box and the Germany international controlled it well before rolling the ball to the back post. Mandzukic evaded his marker and raced in at the back post to net the opener with just three minutes on the clock.
Nurnberg did well to gather itself and ensure that Bayern was unable to maintain quite as ferocious of an attacking intent. A David Alaba cross that almost resulted in an own goal being the hosts' best opportunity to double their advantage until the 35th minute.
They had begun to push Heynckes' side back and get a hold of the ball, but a swift counterttack almost saw them fall further behind. Xherdan Shaqiri bided his time before slipping a through-ball to Rafinha but the Brazilian lacked the same composure and Raphael Schafer parried his effort aside.
Kroos sent a weak header from Shaqiri's cross straight into the arms of the keeper on the stroke of half time and it proved to be a costly waste.
In the second minute after the restart Kroos gave away possession in the Bayern half and Feulner picked up the loose ball. He drove at goal and his swerving 25-yard effort fooled Manuel Neuer, who could not keep it out of the bottom corner despite getting a hand to it.
Der Club could well have taken a shock lead minutes later but Timo Gebhart completely mishit Javier Pinola's cross. The former Stuttgart man sent the ball behind him, rather than testing the keeper.
With Dieter Hecking's men looking to consolidate the draw, the Bavarian giant became frustrated. A number of wayward tackles began to fly in and the match became increasingly scrappy.
That suited Nurnberg and it was offered two great chances to move ahead in the 68th minute. However, it was unable to capitalize as Sebastian Polter's header was turned behind by Neuer and Per Nilsson nodded wide from the resulting corner.
Timo Gebhart received his second yellow card for an elbow on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 77th minute but Bayern was unable to find a winner.
Die Roten could now see their eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga cut to five if Schalke emerges victorious against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening.
Bayern Munich failed to make the most of an early goal as it could only muster a 1-1 draw against 10-man Bavarian rival Nurnberg.
Mario Mandzukic had put the visitors ahead inside three minutes but they were unable to assert themselves on the game despite enjoying the lion's share of possession.
Markus Feulner restored parity moments after the restart and der Club put in a resilient second-half display to ensure the spoils were shared despite being reduced to 10 men in the closing stages.
Despite the unavailability of Arjen Robben, Philipp Lahm and Franck Ribery were among the players rested by Jupp Heynckes, but die Roten were not left wanting for firepower early on as they scored from their very first chance.
Anatoliy Tymoshchuk drilled a pass into Toni Kroos on the right side of the box and the Germany international controlled it well before rolling the ball to the back post. Mandzukic evaded his marker and raced in at the back post to net the opener with just three minutes on the clock.
Nurnberg did well to gather itself and ensure that Bayern was unable to maintain quite as ferocious of an attacking intent. A David Alaba cross that almost resulted in an own goal being the hosts' best opportunity to double their advantage until the 35th minute.
They had begun to push Heynckes' side back and get a hold of the ball, but a swift counterttack almost saw them fall further behind. Xherdan Shaqiri bided his time before slipping a through-ball to Rafinha but the Brazilian lacked the same composure and Raphael Schafer parried his effort aside.
Kroos sent a weak header from Shaqiri's cross straight into the arms of the keeper on the stroke of half time and it proved to be a costly waste.
In the second minute after the restart Kroos gave away possession in the Bayern half and Feulner picked up the loose ball. He drove at goal and his swerving 25-yard effort fooled Manuel Neuer, who could not keep it out of the bottom corner despite getting a hand to it.
Der Club could well have taken a shock lead minutes later but Timo Gebhart completely mishit Javier Pinola's cross. The former Stuttgart man sent the ball behind him, rather than testing the keeper.
With Dieter Hecking's men looking to consolidate the draw, the Bavarian giant became frustrated. A number of wayward tackles began to fly in and the match became increasingly scrappy.
That suited Nurnberg and it was offered two great chances to move ahead in the 68th minute. However, it was unable to capitalize as Sebastian Polter's header was turned behind by Neuer and Per Nilsson nodded wide from the resulting corner.
Timo Gebhart received his second yellow card for an elbow on Bastian Schweinsteiger in the 77th minute but Bayern was unable to find a winner.
Die Roten could now see their eight-point lead at the top of the Bundesliga cut to five if Schalke emerges victorious against Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday evening.
Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham: Giroud and Walcott punish 10-man Spurs to seal vital comeback win
LONDON -- Arsenal rediscovered its attacking flair with a 5-2 victory over 10-man Tottenham in a captivating north London derby that hinged on a first-half red card shown to Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adebayor put Tottenham in front in the 10th minute but the former Arsenal turned from hero to zero eight minutes later as he was sent-off for a dangerous challenge on Santi Cazorla.
From that point on, Arsenal took complete control and was 3-1 up by half-time thanks to goals from Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
Santi Cazorla, the Gunners’ Spanish magician, scored the fourth on the hour mark and Theo Walcott added the fifth in the closing stages either side of a Gareth Bale strike that will offer little consolation to Tottenham supporters.
The final score mirrors the same fixture last season, the turning point in Arsenal’s campaign, and takes the Gunners up to sixth in the Premier League, two points ahead of Spurs.
The boos that have greeted recent Arsenal performances here were replaced by a sound of ‘Ole’ as Arsene Wenger’s side toyed with its great rival, a renewed optimism sweeping around the red half of north London.
It all started so well for Tottenham as it controlled the early exchanges and took the lead in the 10th minute. Jermain Defoe raced on to a long ball as the Arsenal defence stood statuesque and after his shot was saved by Wojciech Szczesny, Adebayor scrambled in the rebound.
But Spurs’ afternoon fell apart eight minutes later. Adebayor, clearly pumped up for the occasion as he was taunted by the home fans, could have no complaints after being sent-off by referee Howard Webb for a dangerous studs-up challenge on Cazorla.
From then on, Arsenal was dominant, teasing its neighbors and creating chances at will with their use of the ball in midfield.
In the 24th minute, Mertesacker leveled with a towering free header from 12 yards that nestled in the top corner after good work down the right from Walcott.
Hugo Lloris, making just his second league start in the Tottenham goal, had to be alert to make two excellent saves to deny Giroud but the Gunners eventually took the lead they deserved in the 42nd minute. Podolski tricked his way into the the penalty area and his shot flicked off the foot of William Gallas and spun fortuitously into the far corner. It was one of the more ugly goals seen in this stadium but few have been greeted with such a guttural roar.
On the stroke of halftime, Giroud made sure there was no way back for Spurs. The French striker, a constant menace throughout the game, was simply too sharp for the visitors’ center backs as he fired home Cazorla’s cross at the near post.
Villas-Boas responded by switching to three at the back during the break but his players were simply unable to stem the tide as Arsenal exploited the space created by their man advantage.
On the hour mark, Arsenal worked the ball to Podolski on the left and the German produced a perfect low cross from the left for Cazorla to score from eight yards. 4-1.
Bale fired in Spurs’ second of the game after a fine run but by that point Arsenal was going through the motions, conserving its energy ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Montpellier.
There was still time for Walcott to add a fifth with his right foot following a scorching run by substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. A potentially season-changing result for both sides of north London.
LONDON -- Arsenal rediscovered its attacking flair with a 5-2 victory over 10-man Tottenham in a captivating north London derby that hinged on a first-half red card shown to Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adebayor put Tottenham in front in the 10th minute but the former Arsenal turned from hero to zero eight minutes later as he was sent-off for a dangerous challenge on Santi Cazorla.
From that point on, Arsenal took complete control and was 3-1 up by half-time thanks to goals from Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
Santi Cazorla, the Gunners’ Spanish magician, scored the fourth on the hour mark and Theo Walcott added the fifth in the closing stages either side of a Gareth Bale strike that will offer little consolation to Tottenham supporters.
The final score mirrors the same fixture last season, the turning point in Arsenal’s campaign, and takes the Gunners up to sixth in the Premier League, two points ahead of Spurs.
The boos that have greeted recent Arsenal performances here were replaced by a sound of ‘Ole’ as Arsene Wenger’s side toyed with its great rival, a renewed optimism sweeping around the red half of north London.
It all started so well for Tottenham as it controlled the early exchanges and took the lead in the 10th minute. Jermain Defoe raced on to a long ball as the Arsenal defence stood statuesque and after his shot was saved by Wojciech Szczesny, Adebayor scrambled in the rebound.
But Spurs’ afternoon fell apart eight minutes later. Adebayor, clearly pumped up for the occasion as he was taunted by the home fans, could have no complaints after being sent-off by referee Howard Webb for a dangerous studs-up challenge on Cazorla.
From then on, Arsenal was dominant, teasing its neighbors and creating chances at will with their use of the ball in midfield.
In the 24th minute, Mertesacker leveled with a towering free header from 12 yards that nestled in the top corner after good work down the right from Walcott.
Hugo Lloris, making just his second league start in the Tottenham goal, had to be alert to make two excellent saves to deny Giroud but the Gunners eventually took the lead they deserved in the 42nd minute. Podolski tricked his way into the the penalty area and his shot flicked off the foot of William Gallas and spun fortuitously into the far corner. It was one of the more ugly goals seen in this stadium but few have been greeted with such a guttural roar.
On the stroke of halftime, Giroud made sure there was no way back for Spurs. The French striker, a constant menace throughout the game, was simply too sharp for the visitors’ center backs as he fired home Cazorla’s cross at the near post.
Villas-Boas responded by switching to three at the back during the break but his players were simply unable to stem the tide as Arsenal exploited the space created by their man advantage.
On the hour mark, Arsenal worked the ball to Podolski on the left and the German produced a perfect low cross from the left for Cazorla to score from eight yards. 4-1.
Bale fired in Spurs’ second of the game after a fine run but by that point Arsenal was going through the motions, conserving its energy ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Montpellier.
There was still time for Walcott to add a fifth with his right foot following a scorching run by substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. A potentially season-changing result for both sides of north London.
Juventus 0-0 Lazio: Bianconeri unable to beat masterful Marchetti
Juventus stuttered to a goalless draw against a determined but limited Lazio, which barely had a sniff of its opponents' goal and relied on an inspired performance from goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
The Old Lady dominated proceedings and spent the final half an hour in the visitors' half, but never really looked like finding a way past Marchetti, even though Leonardo Bonucci rattled the crossbar from close range.
The game started slowly, and the home side only had a speculative effort from Kwadwo Asamoah to show for their early endeavors.
Antonio Conte's side went closer after 18 minutes; after controlling a high ball, Sebastian Giovinco forced a fine low save from Marchetti with a half-volley on the turn, while Fabio Quagliarella could only fire the loose ball into the side netting from an awkward angle. With a little of the composure he has shown in recent weeks, the Italian might have given his side the lead.
Giovinco was at the heart of everything good as far as Juve was concerned in the first half, and had two opportunities to score the opening goal in a matter of moments. First, with a piece of skill similar to his earlier half-volley, he superbly brought down Mauricio Isla's right-wing pass and flashed a shot wide of the post from the edge of the area, before repeating the trick seconds later when he controlled Leonardo Bonucci's long ball and dragged another effort across goal.
Lazio had little to show for itself throughout, but Hernanes, as ever, looked to be the biggest threat during the first half. The Brazilian offered a warning to the Bianconeri with a driving run through their midfield 10 minutes before the break, only to be snuffed out. It was to be the story of the night for the away side.
The hosts finished the half on top in terms of possession, but without anything to show for their efforts, and that would be, ultimately, how the game ended.
A minute into the new half, Pogba lashed an effort over the bar from 25 yards as the Frenchman signaled his, and his team's, attacking intent.
Conte's men upped the tempo, but still they could not break down the Biancocelesti back-line, often due to poor service from the wide areas.
Yet they almost went ahead when Quagliarella deflected Arturo Vidal's long-range effort towards goal, only for Marchetti to change direction and push the ball over the crossbar thanks to a fine reaction save.
Marchetti came to his side's rescue yet again moments later when he got down low to cut out Isla's low ball across the area with Quagliarella waiting to pounce. It was to be the striker's last involvement in the game, as he swiftly made way for Alessandro Matri.
Again Juve came forward and again it was a low cross from the Chilean winger, but this time Abdoulay Konko was on hand to clear the danger with his goalkeeper beaten.
The visiting side came closer still with 15 minutes on the clock. This time Bonucci crashed the ball off the crossbar from around six yards out out following Matri's downward header. Had he gone to finish with a bit more control, Juve may have had its goal.
That man Marchetti was at full strength again three minutes later to keep out Matri's curling effort from 25 yards.
As the final whistle approached, the home side poured forward with more urgency than it had done at the end of the first half, but the end result was the same; it could not conjure up a piece of magic to carve open Lazio.
The Turin side has now failed to win its last two home league matches, and although it will move five points ahead of second-placed Inter, Andrea Stramaccioni's side will have the opportunity to close the gap at the top to two points when it plays Cagliari on Sunday.
Juventus stuttered to a goalless draw against a determined but limited Lazio, which barely had a sniff of its opponents' goal and relied on an inspired performance from goalkeeper Federico Marchetti.
The Old Lady dominated proceedings and spent the final half an hour in the visitors' half, but never really looked like finding a way past Marchetti, even though Leonardo Bonucci rattled the crossbar from close range.
The game started slowly, and the home side only had a speculative effort from Kwadwo Asamoah to show for their early endeavors.
Antonio Conte's side went closer after 18 minutes; after controlling a high ball, Sebastian Giovinco forced a fine low save from Marchetti with a half-volley on the turn, while Fabio Quagliarella could only fire the loose ball into the side netting from an awkward angle. With a little of the composure he has shown in recent weeks, the Italian might have given his side the lead.
Giovinco was at the heart of everything good as far as Juve was concerned in the first half, and had two opportunities to score the opening goal in a matter of moments. First, with a piece of skill similar to his earlier half-volley, he superbly brought down Mauricio Isla's right-wing pass and flashed a shot wide of the post from the edge of the area, before repeating the trick seconds later when he controlled Leonardo Bonucci's long ball and dragged another effort across goal.
Lazio had little to show for itself throughout, but Hernanes, as ever, looked to be the biggest threat during the first half. The Brazilian offered a warning to the Bianconeri with a driving run through their midfield 10 minutes before the break, only to be snuffed out. It was to be the story of the night for the away side.
The hosts finished the half on top in terms of possession, but without anything to show for their efforts, and that would be, ultimately, how the game ended.
A minute into the new half, Pogba lashed an effort over the bar from 25 yards as the Frenchman signaled his, and his team's, attacking intent.
Conte's men upped the tempo, but still they could not break down the Biancocelesti back-line, often due to poor service from the wide areas.
Yet they almost went ahead when Quagliarella deflected Arturo Vidal's long-range effort towards goal, only for Marchetti to change direction and push the ball over the crossbar thanks to a fine reaction save.
Marchetti came to his side's rescue yet again moments later when he got down low to cut out Isla's low ball across the area with Quagliarella waiting to pounce. It was to be the striker's last involvement in the game, as he swiftly made way for Alessandro Matri.
Again Juve came forward and again it was a low cross from the Chilean winger, but this time Abdoulay Konko was on hand to clear the danger with his goalkeeper beaten.
The visiting side came closer still with 15 minutes on the clock. This time Bonucci crashed the ball off the crossbar from around six yards out out following Matri's downward header. Had he gone to finish with a bit more control, Juve may have had its goal.
That man Marchetti was at full strength again three minutes later to keep out Matri's curling effort from 25 yards.
As the final whistle approached, the home side poured forward with more urgency than it had done at the end of the first half, but the end result was the same; it could not conjure up a piece of magic to carve open Lazio.
The Turin side has now failed to win its last two home league matches, and although it will move five points ahead of second-placed Inter, Andrea Stramaccioni's side will have the opportunity to close the gap at the top to two points when it plays Cagliari on Sunday.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-2 Stade Rennais: League leader upset by nine-man Bretons
Despite playing around 40 minutes with only nine men, Stade Rennais upset Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, as it survived a siege to secure a 2-1 victory over the Ligue 1 leader.
A fine goal from Romain Alessandrini proved the spark for a thrilling match, but the hosts were soon back level as Nene scored. Goalkeeper Benoit Costil may have been dismissed for the Breton club, but that did not stop Julien Feret putting it ahead again with a fine free kick, and it survived a remarkable second-half onslaught to claim three incredibly unlikely points.
Alessandrini had already given the home side warning of his shooting ability with a shot dragged wide after six minutes, yet the former Clermont midfielder was a good deal more clinical with his second effort on goal. When the ball broke to him at the edge of the area, a superb first-time shot left Salvatore Sirigu helpless.
PSG’s response was sluggish at first, yet it awoke when Nene hit the post following a smooth move. The Brazilian found the net shortly afterwards as he finished superbly after a perfectly-weighted pass from Javier Pastore.
The hosts were breaking the Rennes backline regularly at this stage, and when Jeremy Menez was upended by Costil outside the box, the goalkeeper’s dismissal was the logical outcome.
Against the run of play, Rennes moved ahead for a second time. A cheap free-kick conceded by Blaise Matuidi was swept cleverly into the net by Feret while the whole of the Parc des Princes was waiting for Alessandrini to unleash another strike.
Before the break the pressure really started to mount on the Breton goal. Substitute goalkeeper Cheick N’Diaye had to be alert to stop a curling effort from Nene, but the custodian’s life would get a good deal more difficult after the break.
Immediately the pressure on the visiting goal intensified, with Thiago Silva glancing a header wide, and when Makoun was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Maxwell – his first was for arguing Costil’s red – the guests were left with a two-man deficit.
The pressure on the Rennes goal was incredible. Pastore had a shot pawed away by the goalkeeper before Alex glanced marginally wide. Minutes later, the Argentine midfielder hit the face of the post as he pounced on the rebound of a Nene drive that had also struck the frame of the target.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men maintained this intensity until the end of the match, yet the Rennes defense was heroic, with Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik outstanding in the heart of the rearguard.
That Rennes held on will be remembered as one of the results of the season, and it brings it into title contention as the club has now won six of its last seven games to pull within a point of the leader, albeit with a slew of games still to be played this weekend.
Despite playing around 40 minutes with only nine men, Stade Rennais upset Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, as it survived a siege to secure a 2-1 victory over the Ligue 1 leader.
A fine goal from Romain Alessandrini proved the spark for a thrilling match, but the hosts were soon back level as Nene scored. Goalkeeper Benoit Costil may have been dismissed for the Breton club, but that did not stop Julien Feret putting it ahead again with a fine free kick, and it survived a remarkable second-half onslaught to claim three incredibly unlikely points.
Alessandrini had already given the home side warning of his shooting ability with a shot dragged wide after six minutes, yet the former Clermont midfielder was a good deal more clinical with his second effort on goal. When the ball broke to him at the edge of the area, a superb first-time shot left Salvatore Sirigu helpless.
PSG’s response was sluggish at first, yet it awoke when Nene hit the post following a smooth move. The Brazilian found the net shortly afterwards as he finished superbly after a perfectly-weighted pass from Javier Pastore.
The hosts were breaking the Rennes backline regularly at this stage, and when Jeremy Menez was upended by Costil outside the box, the goalkeeper’s dismissal was the logical outcome.
Against the run of play, Rennes moved ahead for a second time. A cheap free-kick conceded by Blaise Matuidi was swept cleverly into the net by Feret while the whole of the Parc des Princes was waiting for Alessandrini to unleash another strike.
Before the break the pressure really started to mount on the Breton goal. Substitute goalkeeper Cheick N’Diaye had to be alert to stop a curling effort from Nene, but the custodian’s life would get a good deal more difficult after the break.
Immediately the pressure on the visiting goal intensified, with Thiago Silva glancing a header wide, and when Makoun was shown a second yellow card for a foul on Maxwell – his first was for arguing Costil’s red – the guests were left with a two-man deficit.
The pressure on the Rennes goal was incredible. Pastore had a shot pawed away by the goalkeeper before Alex glanced marginally wide. Minutes later, the Argentine midfielder hit the face of the post as he pounced on the rebound of a Nene drive that had also struck the frame of the target.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men maintained this intensity until the end of the match, yet the Rennes defense was heroic, with Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik outstanding in the heart of the rearguard.
That Rennes held on will be remembered as one of the results of the season, and it brings it into title contention as the club has now won six of its last seven games to pull within a point of the leader, albeit with a slew of games still to be played this weekend.
Newcastle 1-2 Swansea City: Michu and De Guzman seal vital away points
NEWCASTLE, England -- Frustrations at St. James' Park continue to grow after Newcastle United fell to a successive Premier League home defeat on Saturday, this time at the hands of Swansea.
The Magpies failed to capitalize on a number of opportunities on goal, with second-half goals from Michu and Jonathan de Guzman enough to seal all three points for the Welsh outfit, who in turn leapfrog Alan Pardew's side in the table.
A wrangle with the Senegalese FA over Papiss Cisse's absence from international duty meant the striker was missing from the match-day squad, with Alan Pardew also forced to do without first-team regulars Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez.
Chiekh Tiote returned to the midfield after his three-game suspension, and was partnered in the middle of the park by Vurnon Anita.
For the visitors, Ki Sung-Yueng was ruled out through injury, but Pablo Hernandez shook off a knock picked up in the 1-1 draw with Southampton to start. Fellow Spaniard Michu continued for Michael Laudrup's side, with Nathan Dyer and Itay Shechter both coming into the starting XI.
Pablo carved out the first chance of the game within five minutes. The former Valencia man's through ball split the Newcastle center backs to play Dyer in on goal, yet the 24-year-old dragged his effort wide of Tim Krul's goalmouth. The Dutchman was then on hand to thwart the former Valencia man's attempt of his own from distance.
The lively Hatem Ben Arfa looked to spark St. James' Park into life with an effort that crashed against the side netting following a mazy run, yet the visitors continued to look the more threatening and only a brilliant save from Krul prevented Michu from opening the scoring.
The Frenchman was then on hand to tee up Demba Ba with a driven cross from distance. Yet the Senegalese striker, limited to long-ball service for much of the half, was unable to direct his header on goal.
Up popped Ben Arfa again to force a superb save from Gerhard Tremmel in the Swansea goal before Shechter failed to guide the ball beyond Krul as the half drew to a close with the scores goalless.
The introduction of Shola Ameobi after the break in place of Shane Ferguson gave Newcastle added impetus, with the striker teeing up Vurnon Anita to drive at goal from distance. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Ba gifted two opportunities in quick succession, but the striker failed to threaten on both occasions.
However, a poor Krul clearance gifted Laudrup's men an opportunity on the break, and the Dutchman was made to pay. Pablo picked up the ball on the halfway line, and drove down the flank before teeing up Michu to head Swansea into a deserved lead on balance.
The home crowd's frustrations were increased as Newcastle continued to prove wasteful in the final third - Sammy Ameobi a major culprit - while Swansea looked increasingly likely to score a second. Substitute Wayne Routledge released Pablo brilliantly on his return to St. James' Park, while Michu just failed to take advantage of a loose Mike Williamson back pass.
The visitors soon wrapped up the tie with De Guzman first to pounce on a rebound from a Krul save and drive the ball home from a tight angle. Newcastle may have hoped to have salvaged a point after Ba's late header, but its stuttering start to the season continues.
NEWCASTLE, England -- Frustrations at St. James' Park continue to grow after Newcastle United fell to a successive Premier League home defeat on Saturday, this time at the hands of Swansea.
The Magpies failed to capitalize on a number of opportunities on goal, with second-half goals from Michu and Jonathan de Guzman enough to seal all three points for the Welsh outfit, who in turn leapfrog Alan Pardew's side in the table.
A wrangle with the Senegalese FA over Papiss Cisse's absence from international duty meant the striker was missing from the match-day squad, with Alan Pardew also forced to do without first-team regulars Fabricio Coloccini, Yohan Cabaye and Jonas Gutierrez.
Chiekh Tiote returned to the midfield after his three-game suspension, and was partnered in the middle of the park by Vurnon Anita.
For the visitors, Ki Sung-Yueng was ruled out through injury, but Pablo Hernandez shook off a knock picked up in the 1-1 draw with Southampton to start. Fellow Spaniard Michu continued for Michael Laudrup's side, with Nathan Dyer and Itay Shechter both coming into the starting XI.
Pablo carved out the first chance of the game within five minutes. The former Valencia man's through ball split the Newcastle center backs to play Dyer in on goal, yet the 24-year-old dragged his effort wide of Tim Krul's goalmouth. The Dutchman was then on hand to thwart the former Valencia man's attempt of his own from distance.
The lively Hatem Ben Arfa looked to spark St. James' Park into life with an effort that crashed against the side netting following a mazy run, yet the visitors continued to look the more threatening and only a brilliant save from Krul prevented Michu from opening the scoring.
The Frenchman was then on hand to tee up Demba Ba with a driven cross from distance. Yet the Senegalese striker, limited to long-ball service for much of the half, was unable to direct his header on goal.
Up popped Ben Arfa again to force a superb save from Gerhard Tremmel in the Swansea goal before Shechter failed to guide the ball beyond Krul as the half drew to a close with the scores goalless.
The introduction of Shola Ameobi after the break in place of Shane Ferguson gave Newcastle added impetus, with the striker teeing up Vurnon Anita to drive at goal from distance. The hosts continued to pile on the pressure, with Ba gifted two opportunities in quick succession, but the striker failed to threaten on both occasions.
However, a poor Krul clearance gifted Laudrup's men an opportunity on the break, and the Dutchman was made to pay. Pablo picked up the ball on the halfway line, and drove down the flank before teeing up Michu to head Swansea into a deserved lead on balance.
The home crowd's frustrations were increased as Newcastle continued to prove wasteful in the final third - Sammy Ameobi a major culprit - while Swansea looked increasingly likely to score a second. Substitute Wayne Routledge released Pablo brilliantly on his return to St. James' Park, while Michu just failed to take advantage of a loose Mike Williamson back pass.
The visitors soon wrapped up the tie with De Guzman first to pounce on a rebound from a Krul save and drive the ball home from a tight angle. Newcastle may have hoped to have salvaged a point after Ba's late header, but its stuttering start to the season continues.
Villas-Boas refuses to blame Adebayor for Tottenham's defeat to Arsenal
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has refused to blame striker Emmanuel Adebayor for his side's 5-2 defeat to north London rival Arsenal on Saturday, after the striker was sent off after just 18 minutes.
The Togolese striker opened the scoring after 10 minutes, but was shown the red card following a reckless tackle on Santi Cazorla, with the Gunners going on to make full use of their one-man advantage.
Despite the loss, the Portuguese manager refused to lay the blame at the striker's feet and when asked by Sky Sports News whether the game swung on Adebayor's red card, he said: "No - first I am very, very proud of my players, I think it was too much time playing with 10 men.
"The sending off, these things happen in football. I think the referee made the right decision, but today I'm very proud of my team."
The 35-year-old chose to focus on other areas where he felt the game was lost - losing the third goal just before halftime, and Gareth Bale wasting a great opportunity to set up Jermain Defoe to reduce the deficit at 4-2.
He continued: "There are two key moments in the game; the 3-1 left us with a big margin to come back, but there were also a couple of chances for the 4-3.
"Had we taken the game to a one-goal difference in the second half I think we could have gone all the way through because we certainly had the football, the passion, the ambition and the desire with 10 men, so I don't take it as a defeat.
"I take the result but I am extremely proud of the team."
The White Hart Lane boss revealed he will not punish Adebayor for his early red card, adding: "Players go to dispute the ball not with the intention to do any harm but sometimes situations like this happen."
The manager also suggested the nature of the crowd left him believing a shock comeback was on the cards, and disputed Arsenal's superiority in the game as purely being down to its numerical advantage.
"We wanted to go to 3-2 and the players really felt it, and really believed if they scored and brought the result to a one-goal margin [they could come back]. The stadium was very very unbalanced," he added.
"It's easy to do 20 passes and score a goal against a team with 10 men and look all brilliant, but I don't think we were so poor. I think we were very, very good and we certainly showed it between 11 and 10 men."
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas has refused to blame striker Emmanuel Adebayor for his side's 5-2 defeat to north London rival Arsenal on Saturday, after the striker was sent off after just 18 minutes.
The Togolese striker opened the scoring after 10 minutes, but was shown the red card following a reckless tackle on Santi Cazorla, with the Gunners going on to make full use of their one-man advantage.
Despite the loss, the Portuguese manager refused to lay the blame at the striker's feet and when asked by Sky Sports News whether the game swung on Adebayor's red card, he said: "No - first I am very, very proud of my players, I think it was too much time playing with 10 men.
"The sending off, these things happen in football. I think the referee made the right decision, but today I'm very proud of my team."
The 35-year-old chose to focus on other areas where he felt the game was lost - losing the third goal just before halftime, and Gareth Bale wasting a great opportunity to set up Jermain Defoe to reduce the deficit at 4-2.
He continued: "There are two key moments in the game; the 3-1 left us with a big margin to come back, but there were also a couple of chances for the 4-3.
"Had we taken the game to a one-goal difference in the second half I think we could have gone all the way through because we certainly had the football, the passion, the ambition and the desire with 10 men, so I don't take it as a defeat.
"I take the result but I am extremely proud of the team."
The White Hart Lane boss revealed he will not punish Adebayor for his early red card, adding: "Players go to dispute the ball not with the intention to do any harm but sometimes situations like this happen."
The manager also suggested the nature of the crowd left him believing a shock comeback was on the cards, and disputed Arsenal's superiority in the game as purely being down to its numerical advantage.
"We wanted to go to 3-2 and the players really felt it, and really believed if they scored and brought the result to a one-goal margin [they could come back]. The stadium was very very unbalanced," he added.
"It's easy to do 20 passes and score a goal against a team with 10 men and look all brilliant, but I don't think we were so poor. I think we were very, very good and we certainly showed it between 11 and 10 men."
'I've shown everybody what I can do,' says Walcott after Arsenal thrash Tottenham
Theo Walcott insists he has fully proven himself after playing a starring role in Arsenal's 5-2 thrashing of Tottenham on Saturday afternoon.
Walcott's contract runs out at the end of the season and he is believed to want a regular starting position before committing his future to the Gunners.
The England international caused havoc for the Spurs defense throughout the match from the right wing and hit a deserved goal in stoppage time after assisting the Gunners' first, scored by Per Mertesacker.
"When you've got the big man [Olivier Giroud] up front he's going to cause havoc and when you put Per [Mertesacker] up front, who's just as big, it's going to help my game as well," he told Sky Sports.
"I think last season you could see a lot of glimpses of that, a lot of assists but like I say, I just wanted to play and hopefully I've shown everybody what I can do now."
Walcott believes the Gunners will take great confidence from their win, as they did from a victory by an identical scoreline over Spurs last season
He added: "These games always help us very early in the season and I think if we just showed that kind of ambition and courage in every game, we can climb right up that table now. We showed a few people how good we are today and everyone knows we're strong in the dressing room, we showed that today.
"It's going to give us tremendous spirit, we're getting a lot of players back fit now, which will always help, it's nice to see Jack [Wilshere] come on and get a good run out, he's got that different side to his game that we didn't have.
"Everyone's looking bright and looking very confident. Olivier's come in now and people were saying things at the start, but it's always going to take time, but he's shown what a great player he is and I love playing with him at the moment."
Emmanuel Adebayor was sent off for Tottenham, after netting the game's opening goal, but the Arsenal attacker believes the Gunners would have put in a good performance, whether the Togo international had been dismissed or not.
"I didn't really see it," Walcott said. "But I think he did go in quite two-footed but the referee's made the decision and you'd have to ask him what he felt.
"I think even if they did have 11 men I think we showed great pace and we never gave up."
Olivier Giroud was on target in his first north London derby, and believes he is starting to feel at home at the Emirates, after hitting four goals in his last three games.
"It was an amazing atmosphere this afternoon and I'm very happy to win my first derby," the Frenchman added. "It was something special for all the fans so I'm proud to have won this derby, it's important for the future to have won this game.
"I feel better and better in this team and we are finding a lot of matches between us which is important for goalscoring and today we showed it's better so we have to keep going and continue to go forward."
Theo Walcott insists he has fully proven himself after playing a starring role in Arsenal's 5-2 thrashing of Tottenham on Saturday afternoon.
Walcott's contract runs out at the end of the season and he is believed to want a regular starting position before committing his future to the Gunners.
The England international caused havoc for the Spurs defense throughout the match from the right wing and hit a deserved goal in stoppage time after assisting the Gunners' first, scored by Per Mertesacker.
"When you've got the big man [Olivier Giroud] up front he's going to cause havoc and when you put Per [Mertesacker] up front, who's just as big, it's going to help my game as well," he told Sky Sports.
"I think last season you could see a lot of glimpses of that, a lot of assists but like I say, I just wanted to play and hopefully I've shown everybody what I can do now."
Walcott believes the Gunners will take great confidence from their win, as they did from a victory by an identical scoreline over Spurs last season
He added: "These games always help us very early in the season and I think if we just showed that kind of ambition and courage in every game, we can climb right up that table now. We showed a few people how good we are today and everyone knows we're strong in the dressing room, we showed that today.
"It's going to give us tremendous spirit, we're getting a lot of players back fit now, which will always help, it's nice to see Jack [Wilshere] come on and get a good run out, he's got that different side to his game that we didn't have.
"Everyone's looking bright and looking very confident. Olivier's come in now and people were saying things at the start, but it's always going to take time, but he's shown what a great player he is and I love playing with him at the moment."
Emmanuel Adebayor was sent off for Tottenham, after netting the game's opening goal, but the Arsenal attacker believes the Gunners would have put in a good performance, whether the Togo international had been dismissed or not.
"I didn't really see it," Walcott said. "But I think he did go in quite two-footed but the referee's made the decision and you'd have to ask him what he felt.
"I think even if they did have 11 men I think we showed great pace and we never gave up."
Olivier Giroud was on target in his first north London derby, and believes he is starting to feel at home at the Emirates, after hitting four goals in his last three games.
"It was an amazing atmosphere this afternoon and I'm very happy to win my first derby," the Frenchman added. "It was something special for all the fans so I'm proud to have won this derby, it's important for the future to have won this game.
"I feel better and better in this team and we are finding a lot of matches between us which is important for goalscoring and today we showed it's better so we have to keep going and continue to go forward."
Puyol to make Barcelona return against Zaragoza
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is set to make his return from injury in Saturday's clash with Zaragoza.
The Blaugrana captain has been sidelined since suffering an elbow injury in his side's 2-0 win over Benfica on Oct. 2, but has handed coach Tito Vilanova a timely boost after coming through training unscathed.
"Puyol has had a few games training with the group and lacks match fitness," Vilanova told reporters at a press conference. "However, since his elbow injury he has not stopped and that's pretty great."
The 43-year-old now has both of his first-choice center backs available for selection, with Gerard Pique playing all 90 minutes of his side's 4-2 victory over Mallorca on Sunday.
The Catalan club heads into Saturday's contest top of La Liga on 31 points, three ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona defender Carles Puyol is set to make his return from injury in Saturday's clash with Zaragoza.
The Blaugrana captain has been sidelined since suffering an elbow injury in his side's 2-0 win over Benfica on Oct. 2, but has handed coach Tito Vilanova a timely boost after coming through training unscathed.
"Puyol has had a few games training with the group and lacks match fitness," Vilanova told reporters at a press conference. "However, since his elbow injury he has not stopped and that's pretty great."
The 43-year-old now has both of his first-choice center backs available for selection, with Gerard Pique playing all 90 minutes of his side's 4-2 victory over Mallorca on Sunday.
The Catalan club heads into Saturday's contest top of La Liga on 31 points, three ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Manchester City 5-0 Aston Villa: Tevez and Aguero double up to pile pressure on hapless visitors
Manchester City romped to a convincing 5-0 victory over Aston Villa to fire itself back to the top of the Premier League.
City had to rely on a goalmouth scramble to open the scoring. David Silva pounced on to a loose ball inside the Villa penalty area to score his first goal of the season from five yards out. The second half was much more entertaining as Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez grabbed two goals each to secure an emphatic win.
Manchester City made two changes to the side that beat Tottenham with Samir Nasri and Maicon returning to the starting lineup in place of Pablo Zabaleta and Aleksandar Kolarov. Villa named an unchanged from the side that performed so well in defeat against Manchester United last weekend.
The hosts settled into the game very quickly and were controlling play nicely but struggled to find their way through the organised Villa defense.
However with halftime looming they got the break they were looking for as Silva tapped home following a goalmouth scramble. Sergio Aguero was the first to try and get on the end of Nasri’s corner, Vincent Kompany had the second attempt and Carlos Tevez had the third before the ball broke for Silva who nipped in front of Matija Nastasic to score from close range.
As the second half began the home side carried on where it left off and controlled the play with crisp passing and plenty of movement, and nine minutes into the second it was rewarded with a second goal following a controversial decision from the assistant referee.
Silva drifted in from the right hand side and played a perfect pass into Aguero but just as the Argentine was about to pull the trigger Ron Vlaar made a superb challenge to concede a corner. It was from the set piece that Andreas Weimann was adjudged to have handled the ball and a penalty was awarded. Aguero stepped up and made no mistake, beating Guzan down to the keeper’s left hand side.
Just when Paul Lambert thought things couldn’t get any worse they did as his side conceded another penalty from another handball, but this one was much clearer. Barry Bannan caught the ball with his arm as he slid in to tackle Sliva and referee Jon Moss had no hesitation to award the penalty. This time Tevez took the responsibility and he fired past Guzan.
Minutes later the score was 4-0 as Tevez released Aguero on the right hand side, he took on Enda Stevens and unleashed a shot from inside the area which was on target but the deflection it took off the young full back's foot caused it to beat Guzan at his near post.
The rout was complete in the 74th minute as Tevez added his second following a flowing move from the home side. Substitute Edin Dzeko released Nasri on the left hand side of the penalty area and his low cross found the Argentine who had the simple task of tapping the ball into an empty net.
හේ........ හේ......... දැන් City පලවෙනියා.......
Norwich City 1-0 Manchester United: Pilkington punishes lackluster visitors
An Anthony Pilkington header was enough for Norwich City to secure a shock 1-0 victory over Manchester United at Carrow Road.
Pilkington, a former Old Trafford youth player, headed the Canaries in front from an excellent Javier Garrido cross.
John Ruddy was forced into a stoppage-time save off the head of Sebastien Bassong and second-half substitute Danny Welbeck went close with a deflected header, but Chris Hughton's side held on for a famous three points.
Sir Alex Ferguson was without Wayne Rooney due to tonsillitis, and David De Gea who required dental work on his wisdom teeth.
But the visitors launched straight into the ascendancy and went close in the third minute through Van Persie, who forced Ruddy into a save with a low, curling effort.
The hosts should have gone ahead after 25 minutes, when Pilkington’s clever disguised pass released Garrido on the left-hand side, but Grant Holt could not connect with the full back’s driven cross-shot.
Norwich impressed in the first half and continued to create chances as Snodgrass wrong-footed Rio Ferdinand after more good work from Hoolahan and only a last-ditch interception from Chris Smalling prevented Holt from shooting.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side finished the half the stronger as Van Persie tried the spectacular but failed to connect with a long ball from Ryan Giggs, and Ruddy was called into action by Young again, pushing a powerful attempt around the post.
The visitors started brightly after the interval and went close through Van Persie, who brought down a pass from Young and held off a challenge, only to scuff a shot harmlessly into Ruddy’s body.
But Norwich was ahead just before the hour mark, when a superb move involving Hoolahan and Holt released the overlapping Garrido, whose cross from the left wing was brilliantly headed over and beyond Lindegaard by Pilkington, who timed his run perfectly.
Trailing with just over 20 minutes to play, Sir Alex Ferguson made two changes as Paul Scholes came on for Antonio Valencia and Danny Welbeck replaced the anonymous Chicharito.
The substitutions had an immediate effect as Scholes began to control the midfield and Welbeck nearly pulled his side level, but his header from a Young cross deflected off Bassong and wide for a corner.
Norwich responded, bringing on Steve Morison and Johnny Howson for Holt and the influential Hoolahan, while Anderson came on for Rio Ferdinand in a final throw of the dice for the Old Trafford club.
The hosts had the chance to kill the game off on the counterattack as Morison played in Howson, but with just Lindegaard to beat the midfielder dragged his shot hopelessly wide.
Ruddy was twice called into action late on, first tipping over a Bassong header, before managing to hold on to a stinging Anderson drive to ensure the Canaries took all three points.
Arsenal 5-2 Tottenham: Giroud and Walcott punish 10-man Spurs to seal vital comeback win
LONDON -- Arsenal rediscovered its attacking flair with a 5-2 victory over 10-man Tottenham in a captivating north London derby that hinged on a first-half red card shown to Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adebayor put Tottenham in front in the 10th minute but the former Arsenal turned from hero to zero eight minutes later as he was sent-off for a dangerous challenge on Santi Cazorla.
From that point on, Arsenal took complete control and was 3-1 up by half-time thanks to goals from Per Mertesacker, Lukas Podolski and Olivier Giroud.
Santi Cazorla, the Gunners’ Spanish magician, scored the fourth on the hour mark and Theo Walcott added the fifth in the closing stages either side of a Gareth Bale strike that will offer little consolation to Tottenham supporters.
The final score mirrors the same fixture last season, the turning point in Arsenal’s campaign, and takes the Gunners up to sixth in the Premier League, two points ahead of Spurs.
The boos that have greeted recent Arsenal performances here were replaced by a sound of ‘Ole’ as Arsene Wenger’s side toyed with its great rival, a renewed optimism sweeping around the red half of north London.
It all started so well for Tottenham as it controlled the early exchanges and took the lead in the 10th minute. Jermain Defoe raced on to a long ball as the Arsenal defence stood statuesque and after his shot was saved by Wojciech Szczesny, Adebayor scrambled in the rebound.
But Spurs’ afternoon fell apart eight minutes later. Adebayor, clearly pumped up for the occasion as he was taunted by the home fans, could have no complaints after being sent-off by referee Howard Webb for a dangerous studs-up challenge on Cazorla.
From then on, Arsenal was dominant, teasing its neighbors and creating chances at will with their use of the ball in midfield.
In the 24th minute, Mertesacker leveled with a towering free header from 12 yards that nestled in the top corner after good work down the right from Walcott.
Hugo Lloris, making just his second league start in the Tottenham goal, had to be alert to make two excellent saves to deny Giroud but the Gunners eventually took the lead they deserved in the 42nd minute. Podolski tricked his way into the the penalty area and his shot flicked off the foot of William Gallas and spun fortuitously into the far corner. It was one of the more ugly goals seen in this stadium but few have been greeted with such a guttural roar.
On the stroke of halftime, Giroud made sure there was no way back for Spurs. The French striker, a constant menace throughout the game, was simply too sharp for the visitors’ center backs as he fired home Cazorla’s cross at the near post.
Villas-Boas responded by switching to three at the back during the break but his players were simply unable to stem the tide as Arsenal exploited the space created by their man advantage.
On the hour mark, Arsenal worked the ball to Podolski on the left and the German produced a perfect low cross from the left for Cazorla to score from eight yards. 4-1.
Bale fired in Spurs’ second of the game after a fine run but by that point Arsenal was going through the motions, conserving its energy ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Montpellier.
There was still time for Walcott to add a fifth with his right foot following a scorching run by substitute Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. A potentially season-changing result for both sides of north London.
Real Madrid 5-1 Athletic Bilbao: Benzema leads Los Blancos to fifth successive Liga win
Real Madrid was in imperious form as it trounced an utterly helpless Athletic Bilbao 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to rack up its fifth consecutive Liga win.
Karim Benzema scored twice, one either side of a Sergio Ramos header, to put los Blancos three goals up within 32 minutes, but a great strike from Ibai Gomez gave Jose Mourinho something to think about at halftime.
The hosts were unperturbed after the break, though, and they continued with their dominant attacking display in the second half. Indeed, Mesut Ozil quickly ended hopes of a Basque comeback before Sami Khedira completed the scoring in the 72nd minute.
The signs of a domineering Madrid performance were clear from the opening 10 minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo saw his header deflected narrowly wide before Gorka Iraizoz did well to hold Jose Callejon's powerful shot moments later.
But Marcelo Bielsa's side could not hold out for much longer and the deadlock was broken as soon as the 12th minute. Luka Modric's long pass forward was plucked down by Benzema and his delightful effort took a slight deflection off Jon Aurtenetxe which looped over the keeper from the top of box.
Bilbao was powerless to resist the rampant Merengues, who narrowly missed out on a second moments later as Gurpegi cleared Callejon's shot off the line.
Ramos saw a header turned over the bar by Iraizoz midway through the half but as the hosts maintained the attacking onslaught, he did not fail at the second time of asking.
Ozil's in-swinging free kick was met by Ramos who was left unmarked to bury his header in the bottom corner with 23 minutes on the clock.
It only took two minutes for Madrid to find another and it came courtesy of another superb strike from Benzema. With his back to goal, the Frenchman dropped a should to gain a yard on Mikel San Jose before bending a sumptuous effort on the spin into the far corner.
Mourinho's side almost netted a fourth when Callejon hit the post on the stroke of halftime but the Bernabeu was stunned as Bilbao countered and found the net. Markel Susaeta was afforded space on the right and his rolled ball into the area was drilled home by Gomez.
The Basque side was unable to gain momentum from the equaliser and 11 minutes after the restart Ozil rounded off a fine move when he fired Benzema's cross home from close range.
Madrid was giving a performance befitting of a champion and it remained in the mood for goals. Benzema was only denied his hattrick moments later as Aurtenetxe got back to clear his clipped shot off the line.
But in the 72nd minute the fifth goal finally came. Coming in from the wing, Alvaro Arbeloa laid the offloaded to Khedira on the corner of the box. The Germany international took a touch before rifling a low shot underneath Iraizoz and into the net.
Madrid was wholly worthy of the emphatic scoreline and it ensured that they remains in third position, eight points behind league leader Barcelona.
Real Madrid was in imperious form as it trounced an utterly helpless Athletic Bilbao 5-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to rack up its fifth consecutive Liga win.
Karim Benzema scored twice, one either side of a Sergio Ramos header, to put los Blancos three goals up within 32 minutes, but a great strike from Ibai Gomez gave Jose Mourinho something to think about at halftime.
The hosts were unperturbed after the break, though, and they continued with their dominant attacking display in the second half. Indeed, Mesut Ozil quickly ended hopes of a Basque comeback before Sami Khedira completed the scoring in the 72nd minute.
The signs of a domineering Madrid performance were clear from the opening 10 minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo saw his header deflected narrowly wide before Gorka Iraizoz did well to hold Jose Callejon's powerful shot moments later.
But Marcelo Bielsa's side could not hold out for much longer and the deadlock was broken as soon as the 12th minute. Luka Modric's long pass forward was plucked down by Benzema and his delightful effort took a slight deflection off Jon Aurtenetxe which looped over the keeper from the top of box.
Bilbao was powerless to resist the rampant Merengues, who narrowly missed out on a second moments later as Gurpegi cleared Callejon's shot off the line.
Ramos saw a header turned over the bar by Iraizoz midway through the half but as the hosts maintained the attacking onslaught, he did not fail at the second time of asking.
Ozil's in-swinging free kick was met by Ramos who was left unmarked to bury his header in the bottom corner with 23 minutes on the clock.
It only took two minutes for Madrid to find another and it came courtesy of another superb strike from Benzema. With his back to goal, the Frenchman dropped a should to gain a yard on Mikel San Jose before bending a sumptuous effort on the spin into the far corner.
Mourinho's side almost netted a fourth when Callejon hit the post on the stroke of halftime but the Bernabeu was stunned as Bilbao countered and found the net. Markel Susaeta was afforded space on the right and his rolled ball into the area was drilled home by Gomez.
The Basque side was unable to gain momentum from the equaliser and 11 minutes after the restart Ozil rounded off a fine move when he fired Benzema's cross home from close range.
Madrid was giving a performance befitting of a champion and it remained in the mood for goals. Benzema was only denied his hattrick moments later as Aurtenetxe got back to clear his clipped shot off the line.
But in the 72nd minute the fifth goal finally came. Coming in from the wing, Alvaro Arbeloa laid the offloaded to Khedira on the corner of the box. The Germany international took a touch before rifling a low shot underneath Iraizoz and into the net.
Madrid was wholly worthy of the emphatic scoreline and it ensured that they remains in third position, eight points behind league leader Barcelona.
Napoli 2-2 AC Milan: Sensational El Shaarawy salvages point for Rossoneri
Struggling AC Milan showed tremendous fighting spirit in coming from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Napoli at the San Paolo on Saturday night.
The Partenopei took control of the contest with goals from Gokhan Inler - his first for the club - and Lorenzo Insigne, both of which should have been saved by Christian Abbiati.
However, Stephan El Shaarawy gave the visitors hope with a stunning goal just before halftime and then struck again with seven minutes remaining to salvage a point for the Rossoneri.
In light of last weekend’s demoralizing defeat at home to Fiorentina, it was imperative that a Milan side desperately low on confidence made a solid start to the game. It did not, gifting the hosts a goal inside four minutes.
There appeared to be little to worry about when Inler let rip from distance but Christian Abbiati was completely deceived by the Swiss international’s swerving shot and could only watch on forlornly as the ball flew past him.
In fairness to the visitors, they responded well to falling behind, dominating possession and territory, albeit without really threatening to score. Therefore, Napoli’s second goal came as a hammer blow. Again Abbiati was at fault, the veteran keeper somehow how allowing Insigne’s low strike to go under his body.
However, Allegri’s troops refused to let their heads drop and El Shaarawy, so often their savior this season, dragged them back into a game that looked lost with a stunning, first-time curling effort from the edge of the area that Morgan De Sanctis didn’t even bother attempting to stop.
Buoyed by that wonderful strike, Milan bossed the second period and Bojan Krkick toed wide after a terrific move down the right-hand side before Kevin-Prince Boateng wasted a decent headed opening.
Napoli continued to threaten on the break, though, with Christian Maggio only just failing to get on the end of Marek Hamsik’s ball across the six-yard box, while Abbiati went some way towards making amends for his earlier errors by saving well with his feet after Edinson Cavani had engineered some space for himself on the edge of the area.
Cavani then turned provider, putting Hamsik in on goal but the Slovak fired wide with the goal at his mercy. The Uruguayan was then again denied by the feet of Abbiati before the hosts were almost inevitably punished for profligacy, El Shaarawy calmly side-footing past De Sanctis after being put through by Robinho.
El Shaarawy then very nearly won it for the visitors but this time around De Sanctis was equal to it and Milan ultimately had to settle for a point that will lift their spirits, while at the same time devastating Napoli, which had hoped to close the gap to leader Juventus with a win.
Struggling AC Milan showed tremendous fighting spirit in coming from two goals down to snatch a 2-2 draw against Napoli at the San Paolo on Saturday night.
The Partenopei took control of the contest with goals from Gokhan Inler - his first for the club - and Lorenzo Insigne, both of which should have been saved by Christian Abbiati.
However, Stephan El Shaarawy gave the visitors hope with a stunning goal just before halftime and then struck again with seven minutes remaining to salvage a point for the Rossoneri.
In light of last weekend’s demoralizing defeat at home to Fiorentina, it was imperative that a Milan side desperately low on confidence made a solid start to the game. It did not, gifting the hosts a goal inside four minutes.
There appeared to be little to worry about when Inler let rip from distance but Christian Abbiati was completely deceived by the Swiss international’s swerving shot and could only watch on forlornly as the ball flew past him.
In fairness to the visitors, they responded well to falling behind, dominating possession and territory, albeit without really threatening to score. Therefore, Napoli’s second goal came as a hammer blow. Again Abbiati was at fault, the veteran keeper somehow how allowing Insigne’s low strike to go under his body.
However, Allegri’s troops refused to let their heads drop and El Shaarawy, so often their savior this season, dragged them back into a game that looked lost with a stunning, first-time curling effort from the edge of the area that Morgan De Sanctis didn’t even bother attempting to stop.
Buoyed by that wonderful strike, Milan bossed the second period and Bojan Krkick toed wide after a terrific move down the right-hand side before Kevin-Prince Boateng wasted a decent headed opening.
Napoli continued to threaten on the break, though, with Christian Maggio only just failing to get on the end of Marek Hamsik’s ball across the six-yard box, while Abbiati went some way towards making amends for his earlier errors by saving well with his feet after Edinson Cavani had engineered some space for himself on the edge of the area.
Cavani then turned provider, putting Hamsik in on goal but the Slovak fired wide with the goal at his mercy. The Uruguayan was then again denied by the feet of Abbiati before the hosts were almost inevitably punished for profligacy, El Shaarawy calmly side-footing past De Sanctis after being put through by Robinho.
El Shaarawy then very nearly won it for the visitors but this time around De Sanctis was equal to it and Milan ultimately had to settle for a point that will lift their spirits, while at the same time devastating Napoli, which had hoped to close the gap to leader Juventus with a win.
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