..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

No timescale on Bale return, Real Madrid confirm

Real Madrid have confirmed there is no timescale on Gareth Bale's return having suffered a calf injury against Shakhtar Donetsk.

The Wales international was replaced midway through the first half against the Ukrainian outfit, though Rafa Benitez played down fears the winger would be missing for an extended period.

And the Santiago Bernabeu club released a statement on Thursday, confirming that Bale's recovery would be monitored before any plans for his return are made.

"After tests today at the University Hospital Sanitas La Moraleja, Gareth Bale has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the left soleus, pending developments."

Los Blancos face the likes of Atletic Club, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in next month while Wales have Euro 2016 qualifiers against Bosnia-Herzegovina and Andorra on the horizon.

 

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Costa: Arsenal game comes at the perfect time for Chelsea


Diego Costa says that Chelsea's game against Arsenal gives the club the perfect opportunity to arrest their early-season slump.

The Blues thrashed Maccabi Tel-Aviv 4-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Spaniard scoring the third goal with a sublime volley.

Jose Mourinho's men have struggled domestically, however, and languish in 17th place, having taken just four points from their opening five games.

Chelsea face Arsenal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they go in search of just their second league win of the campaign and Costa believes that the match is a timely opportunity.

"There's nothing better than a game against Arsenal to win and fix this situation," he told reporters. "If we win then we'll take a step forward in terms of confidence and points; we know about the importance of the game.

"We have to remain calm. We have enough quality to fix the situation."

Chelsea did not make major changes to their squad in the summer transfer window and Costa says that the players know that they simply must improve in the coming weeks.

"[On Wednesday] it wasn't just important for me because I scored but also for the defence as we didn't concede," he added. "The most important thing is the victory, which gives us confidence. It's important to win, to score and not to concede goals. Big teams have to win.

"We know we are in a tough situation right now so, to fix it, we have to win games.

"The fact we won [against Tel-Aviv] is important to get confidence ahead of the next game here at Stamford Bridge in front of our fans. We know we have to give a little bit more; we are the champions of England and conquered the title last year with the same players we have now.

"We are the same ones but we do know we have to give that extra little bit of ourselves - the manager demands it. We have quality and players to fix this situation."

 

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Nainggolan apologises to injured Rafinha

Roma midfielder Radja Nainggolan has apologised to Rafinha after the Barcelona star was diagnosed with a torn knee ligament.

Rafinha was carried off on a stretcher in the second half of Roma's 1-1 Champions League draw with Barca on Wednesday following a challenge with the Belgium international, and the 22-year-old now faces surgery on his the problem.

Nainggolan is adamant he had no intention of hurting Rafinha, however, and has wished him a speedy recovery from his setback.

"I'm very sorry for the bad news, it wasn't my intention to hurt you," the 27-year-old wrote on his official Twitter account.

"I hope to see you on the pitch again soon. A big hug!"

Rafinha is expected to miss the majority of the season as a result of the injury.

 

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Mata urges Memphis to 'keep improving' for Manchester United

Juan Mata has urged team-mate Memphis Depay to continue improving in order to fulfil his potential at Manchester United.

Depay has made an encouraging start to life at Old Trafford, scoring against Club Brugge and old club PSV in the Champions League so far this season, though he was hauled off at half-time in the Premier League win over Liverpool.

Mata has no doubt that the Netherlands international has the talent to succeed at United, but he says Depay is aware he must sustain his hard work.

"He's very talented, everyone can see that," Mata told the club's official website.

"He is still young so he has to take things step by step, but I think he will do great. He's quick, he shoots on goal with both feet and he's intelligent. He's a great player, but he knows that he has to keep improving and keep going."

Mata has been deployed on the right of United's attack so far this season and, despite admitting he is far from an orthodox winger, the Spain international says he relishes the role.

"You must not fall asleep and take your position for granted. The competition helps us a lot," he said.

"I think I can play in every position offensively in the team and I think that's good for me to grow as a player.

"Obviously I am not a winger, if you imagine an old-school winger who is trying to play one-against-one and to cross the ball. I try to find my spaces from the right and cut inside and in behind, and try to assist my team-mates. I really enjoy it there.

"I think it's very important for us to create little triangles on the wings with myself and Matteo [Darmian] and then with the midfield. That's what the manager wants and we can play inside and outside."

Mata has also praised captain Wayne Rooney for his role in the team, despite England's all-time top scorer having struggled for domestic goals in 2015-16.

"Obviously it's easy when you have players like him there," Mata added.

"He is moving all the time and trying to make a line for your pass.

"I was very happy for him after his three goals against Club Brugge, but he's not a striker that just scores, he does a lot of work for the team offensively and also to protect the ball."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bordeaux 1-1 Liverpool: Lallana returns with a goal as Rodgers's men held in France

Adam Lallana marked his return to first-team action with Liverpool in style before Jussie snatched a late equaliser for Bordeaux in Thursday's 1-1 Europa League draw.

Brendan Rodgers left six first-team regulars at home for the Group B clash and was forced to endure a disjointed first-half showing before Lallana illuminated the contest.

The England midfielder had not featured for a month due to a thigh injury but scored with an excellent solo effort midway through the second half at the Nouveax Stade de Bordeaux.

It wasn't for the Reds, however, as home substitute Jussie was on hand to ensure a share of the spoils nine minutes from time, denying Rodgers a morale-boosting win on the back of consecutive top-flight losses.

Jordan Rossiter and Divock Origi started for Liverpool amid seven changes to the XI that lost 3-1 at Manchester United on Saturday and the Belgium striker teed up Philippe Coutinho in the fifth minute, with the Brazilian dragging his shot.

Rodgers reverted to a 3-4-3 formation as part of his selection reshuffle and the visitors' backline was unpicked by a raking ball towards Diego Rolan, but the Uruguay forward lifted his shot onto the roof of the net.

Another Bordeaux opening arrived in the 18th minute, Wahbi Khazri firing over after Nicolas Maurice-Belay was allowed room in the area to cut the ball back.

In between those opportunities, Kolo Toure collided with Simon Mignolet when the Liverpool goalkeeper charged out to clear a set-piece and the experienced defender was forced off before the half-hour.

It meant a senior debut from the bench for 18-year-old Spanish midfielder Pedro Chirivella, with Emre Can dropping into the back three before the untested Mignolet held a deflected 33rd-minute free-kick from Henri Saivet.

A mazy run from Khazri might have given Bordeaux the lead their first-half display merited, although they were almost behind when Coutinho clattered the post with a trademark long-range strike in injury time.

Liverpool played with greater control early in the second half, much to the credit of the teenage Rossiter-Chirivella midfield pairing, and a slick turn and shot from Lallana in the 58th minute drew the first save of note from Bordeaux goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso.

The hosts responded with captain Saivet – who collected both a goal and a red card in the 2-2 draw at Paris Saint-Germain on September 11 – meeting a corner at the near post and heading into the side-netting.

The breakthrough almost arrived in the 63rd minute as Mignolet saved from Maurice-Belay at close quarters and Enzo Crivelli was unable to adjust and turn the ball into an unguarded net.

Liverpool made the most of that let-off two minutes later as Lallana collected a short pass from Alberto Moreno on the left flank, nutmegged Pablo and slotted a shot beyond Carrasso into the far corner.

Danny Ings, on for Origi, almost made the points safe in the 74th minute as he also found Pablo wanting but was denied by Carrasso.

It was another replacement who would complete the scoring - Jussie feeding Crivelli and continuing his run to lash home the loose ball after Can and Gomez had failed to clear the ball.

A skidding low drive from Moreno almost stole the points for Liverpool but Carrasso was equal to the task.

 

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Napoli 5-0 Club Brugge: Mertens and Callejon on fire in clinical display

Napoli managed to relieve some of the pressure put upon new coach Maurizio Sarri, after racking up a comfortable 5-0 Europa League group win over Club Brugge at Stadio San Paolo.

Goals from Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik wrapped up the Partenopei's first three points in Group D, as the hosts looked to forget their Serie A stutters.

The former Real Madrid winger was able to open the scoring after merely five minutes, taking a leaf out of Thomas Muller's book to lift a cheeky chip over Sinan Bolat from the right-hand side.

Just before the 20-minute mark, Belgium international Dries Mertens struck. After great work from the first goalscorer down the right, the Spaniard whipped in a low cross that the ex-PSV man gratefully cushioned home from close range.

Six minutes later, Mertens had two. After a long ball was looped into the opposition penalty area by Jorginho, the Belgian wide man did brilliantly to guide a first-time volley across goal and into the bottom-left corner, giving the hosts a solid advantage at the break.

Club Brugge were unable to create too much throughout the contest, with Victor Vazquez and Abdoulay Diaby going closest with speculative efforts from range.

Fortune was to smile on the Partenopei in the second half, as Marek Hamsik made it 4-0 on 53 minutes. After a teasing cross from Mertens, which ricocheted between Oscar Duarte and Bolat, the Napoli captain was on hand to stroke a simple finish into an unguarded net.

Callejon grabbed his second of the night with 77 minutes on the clock, timing his run to perfection to get in behind the visitors' back four and slot a neat finish underneath the hapless goalkeeper.

Leandro Pereira did have the ball in the back of the net late on for the visitors, but was only to be denied by the offside flag. The Brazilian bounced a looping effort home, after a spill from Jose Reina, but it was promptly ruled out.

Sarri men's will top Group D for now, due to their superior goal difference, while Club Brugge root themselves to the bottom of the table after a terrible performance on their travels.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ajax 2-2 Celtic: Late Schone strike denies 10-man visitors

Ajax came from behind twice to clinch a 2-2 draw against 10-man Celtic in Thursday's Europa League encounter at the Amsterdam ArenA following Lasse Schone's late equaliser.

The Scottish champions made a brilliant start to the Group A opener as Nir Bitton opened the scoring within eight minutes.

Ajax quickly hit back, though, as Viktor Fischer restored parity after a sublime attack midway through the first half.

Yet Mikael Lustig gave Celtic the lead again just prior to half-time with a fine header after a corner kick.

Celtic suffered a setback after the break following Emilio Izaguirre's dismissal and Schone then made it 2-2 in the closing stages.

Sloppy play from Daley Sinkgraven saw Celtic break the deadlock early on. The Ajax midfielder lost possession inside his own half, allowing Kris Commons to set up Bitton and the Israeli midfielder beat Jasper Cillessen with a powerful low shot.

The Eredivisie side looked to threaten via the wings and this tactic nearly paid off in the 16th minute. Anwar El Ghazi skipped past Izaguirre down the right, yet his shot from a narrow angle was blocked by another Celtic defender.

Amin Younes then tried his luck after cutting inside from the left, but the Germany Under-21 international's attempt lacked the power to trouble Craig Gordon.

Ajax did get their equaliser in the 24th minute after a sublime move. Younes found Davy Klaassen after beating his marker, who in turn reached Fischer with a clever back-heel and the latter found the net with a well-placed shot from the edge of the area.

The visitors came close to restoring their lead when James Forrest linked up with Leigh Griffiths after a clever throw-in, yet Cillessen pulled off a superb save to deny the Celtic striker.

Celtic did get their second goal of the evening shortly after, though. Commons sent in a dangerous corner and Lustig beat his man to the ball before heading home.

Frank de Boer's men desperately pushed for another equaliser early in the second half and got two good chances to make it 2-2 in the 54th minute. First, Fischer miscontrolled Younes' pass when he appeared to be on his way to Gordon and Klaassen then attempted a back-heel for El Ghazi in a dangerous position rather than go for goal himself.

Ajax struggled to really create any chances of note after Klaassen's miss and only looked dangerous from set-pieces, both Nemanja Gudelj and Arek Milik aiming too high from free-kicks.

Celtic, meanwhile, were reduced to 10 men with just under 20 minutes left as Izaguirre received his second yellow card.

Klaassen then came close after a fine cross from Mitchell Dijks, yet the Ajax skipper aimed inches wide. Milik also got a decent chance to equalise, only to see his header hit the upright before the ball was cleared to safety.

However, Ajax did clinch a point with six minutes remaining as Schone found the net with a free-kick from a narrow angle that surprised Gordon.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 2-1 Krasnodar: Late Park goal seals three points

Park Joo-ho's late goal snatched a valuable victory for Borussia Dortmund as they ran out 2-1 winners over Krasnodar in the Europa League.

The win extended Dortmund's winning start to the season and brought Krasnodar's run of three games unbeaten away from home in European competition to an end.

Thomas Tuchel's side could not continue the free-scoring form that saw them cruise through the Europa League qualifiers, as Krasnodar proved to be fearless opponents at Signal Iduna Park.Krasnodar were ahead within 12 first-half minutes, when Pavel Mamaev managed to find himself unmarked at close range to open the scoring.

But Matthias Ginter's first-half equaliser dragged Dortmund back into the game, and Park's late header clinched all three Group C points for the home side.

Krasnodar's first attack of the game saw Fyodor Smolov break down the left flank, where his trickery took him past Ginter and he crossed to the near post for Mamaev to arrive unmarked and score with the easiest of finishes.

The Russian side did not allow Dortmund to settle and Gonzalo Castro squandered a great chance to level matters when Ginter's pass across the edge of the box found him with space and time to pick his spot, but he fired harmlessly wide.

Mats Hummels made a brilliant last-ditch challenge to deny Smolov a one-on-one with goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller, before Dortmund broke again and Henrikh Mkhitaryan nipped into the box where his close-range shot was smothered by Andriy Dykan.

Dortmund pushed for an equaliser before the break and a deep Adnan Januzaj corner found Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at the far post and he forced a good save from Dykan, before the ever-lively on-loan Manchester United winger flashed a shot across the face of goal with no player on hand to take it over the line.

But in stoppage-time in the first half, Dortmund's determined fightback paid off when Marcel Schmelzer created space for Park to cross and Ginter rose above everyone to crash home a header at the far post.

Dortmund burst out of the blocks in the second half and Januzaj hit a shot that took a deflection and looped into the box, where Mkhitaryan headed just wide.

Januzaj again fed Mkhitaryan 10 minutes later, splitting the Krasnodar defence with a throughball into the box, but the Armenian overhit his curling shot and put it wide of the far post.Despite bossing the second half in terms of possession, Dortmund lacked conviction in the final third, but Krasnodar threatened to take the lead when a passing move inside the home side's box allowed Smolov to poke a shot just wide.

Dortmund's cutting edge finally started to show when substitute Shinji Kagawa played in Januzaj, whose turn and shot inside the box forced Dykan into a superb two-handed save at full stretch.

Just as it looked as though Dortmund had run out of time, Ginter fired a low cross to the back post, where Park stooped low to head the ball high into the net, to the delight of the home crowd.

 

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Fiorentina 1-2 Basel: El Nenny rocket condemns 10-man Viola

Ten-man Fiorentina were defeated 2-1 by Basel thanks to a Mohamed El Nenny rocket in their Europa League group stage opener on Thursday.

Viola forward Nikola Kalinic could consider himself incredibly fortunate to get on the scoresheet early in the match, assisted by some extremely questionable goalkeeping and a potential handball.

Paulo Sousa – facing the Swiss team he coached last season – watched the tide turn against his players when Gonzalo Rodriguez was sent off for a two-footed challenge that left Embolo crumpled on the floor midway through the second half.

Five minutes later Bikir Bjarnason equalised with a hard-hitting shot that went in via the post, but it was nothing compared to the spectacular, long-range strike from El Nenny to seal all three points in the Group I game.

The Stadio Artemio Franchi enjoyed a positive – albeit ugly – start when three minutes in a defensive mix-up allowed Facundo Roncaglia to thread through Kalinic.

Basel defender Marek Suchy thought goalkeeper Tomas Vaclik was dealing with the through ball, and vice versa, which allowed Kalinic to sneak in and finish off – despite suspicions of handball.

Another defensive scramble between Vaclik and centre-back Daniel Hoegh almost saw the latter concede an own goal 15 minutes later as Fiorentina looked comfortably in control.

It wasn't all Fiorentina in the first half as the visitors kept the hosts' shot-stopper Luigi Sepe on his toes when Breel Embolo broke through the defence and forced a save with a rasping, low shot.

Jakub Blaszczykowski, making his full debut for the Viola, almost doubled the lead when substitute Khouma Babacar slotted him into the 18-yard box. The Pole controlled with the outside of his boot, took the ball away from the rushing goalkeeper and fired into the side netting from an acute angle.

Basel had the ball in the back of the net via the boot of forward Marc Janko shortly afterwards, but referee Michael Oliver correctly called play back for offside.

After a period of trading blows in the middle third of the pitch, a rash two-footed challenge on Embolo from Gonzalo Rodriguez near the centre circle saw the Fiorentina skipper red carded.

Viola defender Davide Astori – who had shortly beforehand clashed heads with a Basel player – then compounded the hosts' problems by being stretchered off injured and Urs Fischer's men tasted blood.

Five minutes after the red card and three minutes after Astori was replaced by Manuel Pasqual, Basel equalised as Bjarnason fired at the near post and saw his effort deflect in off the woodwork.

On the 79-minute mark, El Nenny sealed the triumph for the Swiss visitors by sprinting towards a loose ball 25 yards from goal and leathering it with venom into the top corner, crushing Fiorentina's spirit and condemning them to defeat.

 

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Fifa suspends Valcke amid World Cup corruption allegation

Fifa secretary general Jerome Valcke has been suspended amid allegations of corruption that surfaced on Thursday, which suggested he attempted to profit from inflated World Cup ticket prices.

Sepp Blatter's right-hand man - who has held his lofty position within Fifa since 2007 - has been accused of agreeing a deal with JB Marketing to keep 50 per cent of their World Cup 2014 ticket profits, which would have pocketed him over €2 million.

Brazilian outlet Estadao published a string of emails between Valcke and former JB Marketing consultant Benny Alon, who has attempted to blow the whistle on a deal struck in 2010 to sell tickets at the Confederations Cup and World Cup for prices four times what they should have been.

Valcke is alleged to have initially embraced the opportunity to pocket extra cash via the scheme, then had second thoughts upon considering a Fifa presidential race, and finally pulled the plug by telling JB Marketing's consultant that the scheme was illegal.

No tickets are believed to have been sold and the Guardian claim Valcke is insistent ties were cut due to tickets being sold above face value, but questions have been raised as to why that happened eight months after the secretary general was informed of the practise.

The world football governing body reacted a few hours after the publication of the explosive allegations by removing Valcke from all duties with immediate effect pending an investigation.

"Fifa today announced that its secretary general Jerome Valcke has been put on leave and released from his duties effective immediately until further notice," the world football governing body said in a press release.

"Further, Fifa has been made aware of a series of allegations involving the secretary general and has requested a formal investigation by the ethics committee."

It has been a terrible 2015 for Fifa, which has endured a public relations nightmare during its presidential race, culminating in over a dozen FBI indictments on the morning of the elections.

Valcke also came under fire during that turbulent couple of weeks due to allegations he knew of a payment of $10 million in 2008 to disgraced former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner - a payment which the FBI had branded a bribe.

Blatter resigned in early June and a new election has been scheduled for February 2016 to decide the Swiss' successor.

Fifa was subsequently mocked upon the release of its self-funded, self-aggrandising film which depicts the organisation as benevolent and pure, with Blatter portrayed as a women's football-loving, equality-obsessed hero.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Anderlecht 1-1 Monaco: Traore rescues point for visitors

Monaco had Lacina Traore to thank after the substitute came off the bench to hit a late equaliser against Anderlecht in a 1-1 draw in Europa League Group J.

The Belgian side started the game in fine fashion when they broke away on a quick counter attack before Guillaume Gillet headed the hosts into the lead with just 11 minutes on the clock.

From then onwards, the first half was characterised by lengthy periods of Monaco possession, with Anderlecht forced onto the back foot for the majority of the period.

They came to life after the break, however, and looked as if they were on course to pick up all three points, but Lacina Traore ended their hopes of doing so late on when he beat Silvio Proto with a close-range header with just five minutes left to play.

Monaco arguably started the game as the favourites after entering the Europa League via the Champions League as a result of a narrow defeat against Valencia in the play-offs, but it was they who started the worse of the two sides, as poor defending allowed Anderlecht to fire themselves into an early lead.

Dennis Praet broke down the left flank and curled an excellent deep cross towards the back post, where Gillet flew past Elderson before beating Danijel Subasic with an excellent close-range header.

The visitors immediately threw everything they had at Anderlecht, who were forced to defend for the majority of an opening period that saw Monaco’s chances on goal severely limited.

Bernardo Silva came closest to scoring for the Ligue 1 side after an attempted headed clearance from Leander Dendoncker could only find the Portuguese winger, but his close-range strike was well saved by Proto.

That all changed after the half-time break, however, as Anderlecht went on the front foot and enjoyed several good chances in front of goal in the early moments, with Stefano Okaka proving to be a handful for the Monaco defence. The Italian striker came closest to scoring when his close-range shot beat Subasic only to roll just wide of the far post.

As the half wore on, Anderlecht dropped deeper in an attempt to hold on to their slender lead, leading the majority of the rest of the game to be fought in the middle of the pitch.

Monaco looked flat in possession and bereft of ideas when pushing forward, and even the introduction of both Traore and El Shaarawy initially seemed to do little to inject a sense of urgency into the visitors’ ranks.

With just five minutes left to play, it looked as if Anderlecht were going to be able to hold on to pick up a brilliant victory, but Monaco took advantage of tiring legs to salvage a point with a late goal, breaking the hearts of the home fans in the process.

Silva easily beat Ivan Obradovic before teeing up El Shaarawy, who immediately tested Proto from the edge of the six-yard box.

The goalkeeper, who had been excellent up until then, was only able to push the shot into the path of Traore, and the big striker coolly nodded the ball into the back of an empty net to salvage a point for Monaco in the most dramatic of circumstances.

 

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Tottenham 3-1 Qarabag: Son shines as Spurs fight back to claim victory

Son Heung-min's first goals for Tottenham inspired a 3-1 victory for the White Hart Lane club against Qarabag in their opening Europa League Group J fixture.

The recent signing from Bayer Leverkusen produced two neat finishes in the first half as the Premier League outfit came from a goal behind to take the points in north London on Thursday.

Mauricio Pochettino opted to rest Harry Kane in a much-changed XI, despite the England striker still seeking his first club goal of the season.

It mattered little, however, as Son quickly picked up the goalscoring baton after Richard Almeida had given Qarabag an unexpected lead.

The 23-year-old struck twice in the space of two minutes to ensure Tottenham headed into the break 2-1 ahead.

The second period was similarly entertaining, with a good night for the hosts capped when Erik Lamela chipped home a third.

Tottenham got off to an injudicious start as Reynaldo was afforded too much time to drive at the defence, although their blushes were spared when the Brazilian failed to trouble Hugo Lloris.

There was no such relief in the seventh minute, though, as the visitors took the lead through Richard's penalty.

Kieran Trippier was the villain, the debutant bringing down Afran Ismayilov and allowing Richard to emphatically convert from the spot.

Tottenham fans expecting an immediate riposte were left disappointed, too, as Qarabag continued to dominate in the early stages.

Yet their defending did not match that quality attacking play as the hosts were gifted a 28th-minute equaliser. Andros Townsend swung a corner into the six-yard box and Son, inexplicably unmarked, poked home.

If that goal owed much to the opposition's fallibility, Spurs' second came about through sheer class.

Son played a throughball to Dele Alli who turned his defender superbly and laid the ball back for the South Korean to slot in a second.

Things nearly got much better, with Alli denied by an onrushing Ibrahim Sehic before Toby Alderweireld headed a glorious chance just over.

Those misses almost proved costly, too, as Danny Rose's misjudgement let in Ismayilov, who somehow missed the target from eight yards.

The teams traded further solid openings before the half-time whistle, and there was no let-up after the break

A third goal almost came in the 53rd minute thanks to some more fine play from Alli.

The former MK Dons forward exchanged passes with Eric Dier but, just as he was shaping to shoot, Lamela got in front of him and curled against the post.

Qarabag continued to look a threat themselves, illustrated by Dani Quintana drawing a smart stop from Lloris.

But Tottenham could finally breathe a sigh of relief three minutes from time as Kane, having come off the bench, slipped the ball through for Lamela - who finished coolly.

 

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Wenger must take the chance to KO his old foe Mourinho

Arsene Wenger and Jose Mourinho have spent enough time living in London to know the old maxim about waiting for buses before two arrive at once.

It is doubtful that either man uses London's public transport network - although Wenger qualifies for free travel as a pensioner and Mourinho has parked a few buses - but the Frenchman will hope that the adage holds true when the pair renew hostilities on Saturday.

The Arsenal manager finally beat Mourinho at the 14th time of asking when his side ground out a 1-0 victory over Chelsea in the Community Shield in August. After years of goading, heckling and downright abuse from the Blues boss, it was a sweet moment for Wenger as he ended a remarkable and unwanted record against his foe.

The Portuguese has called him a "voyeur", a "specialist in failure" and mocked Arsenal's inability to win the Premier League title since 2004 as "very boring".

On Saturday, the two teams meet in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge with Wenger out to overcome his side's midweek setback in Europe and completely turn the tables on his old nemesis to kick Mourinho while he's down.

Wenger is yet to win a league match against the Chelsea boss but has a rare chance to pile on the misery for the west London club, who have lost back-to-back games in the Premier League and sit fourth from bottom in the table.

While Wenger often expresses compassion for other managers under pressure, he is unlikely to be quite so sympathetic towards Mourinho's current predicament. He feels that the Portuguese has crossed the line on too many occasions and shown him a lack of respect.

After the Community Shield, the Frenchman went out of his way to avoid a handshake with Mourinho, with whom he nearly came to blows with on the touchline last season during his side's 2-0 defeat in west London.

Their rivalry is one of the most compelling subplots in English football and the feud could reach boiling point if Arsenal and Chelsea ever find themselves near the top of the table at the same time.

Aside from his grumbles about Mourinho's lack of dignity, Wenger likes to suggest that the main differences between them lies in their football philosophies. At the heart of the animosity, though, is the fact that both are terrible losers.

Mourinho can be considered in many respects the anti-Wenger, a manager who jumps from club to club, achieving spectacular results without building for the long term. It is why he has never spent more than three years at a club - and he is struggling now at the start of his third season in his second spell at Chelsea.

But he is a winner and the man who stopped Wenger in his tracks. When Mourinho arrived at Chelsea in 2004, Arsenal had just won their third Premier League title under the Frenchman with the 'Invincibles' side. Since then, the Frenchman has won just three FA Cups and endured a nine-year gap without a trophy that was the basis for Mourinho's "specialist in failure" jibe.

The Portuguese, meanwhile, has won two Champions Leagues, eight league titles in four countries and 10 other cup competitions. When a club hires Mourinho, trophies are a guarantee. He implements short-term projects with spectacular results.
Mourinho riles at Wenger's criticism of his managerial methods and past complaints about Chelsea's money. It was in that context that he crossed the line in 2007 with a distasteful verbal attack in which he labelled the Arsenal manager a "voyeur".

Having also signed Petr Cech over the summer despite Mourinho's objections, Wenger might feel that his luck has already turned.

Arsenal's start to the season has not gone entirely to plan, either, but the Gunners are fourth in the table after five games, five points behind leaders Manchester City but already six ahead of Chelsea.

Wenger's side go in to the game off the back of an embarrassing defeat by Dinamo Zagreb but the 65-year-old rested six players in Croatia on Wednesday night to ensure that he could play his best team against Chelsea.

It took 11 years for Wenger to record his first win over Mourinho. He would love nothing more than to beat Chelsea again and leave his bitter rival facing the awkward questions.

 

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Mourinho Vs Wenger​

 

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De Boer: Celtic parked two buses

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has voiced his frustration with Celtic's negative approach in Thursday's 2-2 Europa League draw at the Amsterdam ArenA.

The Amsterdam side dominated large parts of the encounter, but only managed to salvage a draw via Lasse Schone after the guests had been reduced to 10 men following Emilio Izaguirre's dismissal with 20 more minutes on the clock.

"It’s always difficult. They parked two buses in front of us," De Boer said at a news conference.

"It was a bit of a false start for us with the early goal for Celtic. The spaces were small and tight. We had great difficulty, but we scored a great goal.

"It’s disappointing when you control the game, but then they score another goal.

"After the break things went better for us. We wanted to see more individual actions. [Anwar] El Ghazi had more pressure on Izaguirre in the second than in the first half. They had to make more fouls and we did well after the red card. We were waiting for the equaliser.

"We have dropped points for sure. You have to win your home games."

 

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Roberto Carlos rates Neymar above Messi and Ronaldo

Brazil legend Roberto Carlos has stressed that he prefers Neymar over Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi and Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo.

Messi and Ronaldo are widely regarded as the two best players around in the game and have won seven Ballon d'Ors between them over the past seven years.

Nevertheless, Carlos, who has taken charge of Indian Super League side Delhi Dynamos, feels his compatriot should not be underestimated and is on his way to surpass the duo.

"People are always talking about whether Messi or Ronaldo is the best, but for me it's Neymar," Roberto Carlos was quoted as saying by AS.

"Barcelona's Neymar does a lot more than Brazil's Neymar, because the team is better established. Brazil are building a team for next year's Copa America."

Neymar has netted once in three appearances in all competitions for Barcelona so far in 2015-16 and the 42-year-old is certain he produces his optimum performances at club level.

"The Neymar we see at Barcelona is his best version. It is too much responsibility for him to be Brazil's leader already," he added.

"He has Messi and Luis Suarez alongside him at Barcelona, which makes him feel more comfortable."

 

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Heung-Min Son offers Kane welcome respite as Tottenham survive Qarabag scare

It was widely reported that Tottenham failed to buy a striker in the summer transfer window. A protracted pursuit of West Brom’s Saido Berahino ultimately came to nothing, with the two sides engaging in a war of words over the proposed deal, while interest in Javier Hernandez never manifested itself into a formal bid.

Instead, the versatile Heung-Min Son came in from Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of £22 million.

In stark contrast to the Berahino deal, reported interest became real within a matter of days and Son’s signing was sealed almost as the bid was mooted.

An underwhelming debut against Sunderland did little to satisfy those who prophesised a mid-table finish after the failure to sign Berahino. But on Thursday, Son truly arrived.

A whirlwind of a player, the South Korea international – who recently hit a hat-trick in an 8-0 mauling of Laos at international level – scored twice in a routine 3-1 win over Qarabag in the Europa League.

Of course, there will be those who claim that it is just the Europa League, but this is the competition where Harry Kane first marked himself out as a first-team striker, and he promptly went on to score 31 goals in all competitions last season.

Both of Son’s goals appeared simple; the first came from a piece of woeful Qarabag defending as he was left unmarked at a corner. Andros Townsend picked his new team-mate out and he poked the ball home.

Just two minutes later, the exciting Dele Alli burst into the box, squared the ball and, again, Son was there to finish.

As easy as the strikes may have seemed, the best forwards are identified by their predatory instincts and Son was in the right place at the right time twice in quick succession. It was no accident.

Chances came to make it three, but he was repeatedly foiled by Ibrahim Sehic prior to his substitution in the second half.

As White Hart Lane rose to applaud their latest goal-scoring hero, Kane took to the field in the South Korean’s place.

How Son’s performance must have lifted a weight off of Kane’s shoulders. One of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League last season, the England international is in need of a kickstart to his season at White Hart Lane.

His two goals thus far this campaign have come for the Three Lions, against San Marino and Switzerland.

As yet, he has done little to suggest he will recapture last season’s form any time soon. There remains a worrying reliance on Kane in north London, though, with the ball continually funneled to the striker following his introduction.

He is adored by the fans and highly regarded by Mauricio Pochettino but the goals simply won’t come.

Son’s effervescent display gives Pochettino options and could do wonders for Spurs’ attacking play in the long run.

While Erik Lamela impressed throughout – his early-season displays suggest he may yet come good for the club – and Alli ran the game, there were long periods where Spurs were simply too static in the final third.

It has been a chronic problem for Pochettino, who continues to stick to his favoured 4-2-3-1 formation, but Son is a player who loves to run in behind and his versatility opens the door to a switch to 4-4-2.

Whether Pochettino will partner Son and Kane remains to be seen, but in Europe at least, the South Korean looks set to offer the England striker some welcome respite.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carragher: Shaw had been Manchester United's best player this season

Jamie Carragher has lamented the timing of Luke Shaw's serious injury as he feels the defender had arguably been Manchester United's best player in 2015-16 and was on his way to becoming England's undisputed left-back ahead of Euro 2016.

The former Southampton youngster sustained a double leg fracture in the 2-1 Champions League defeat at the hands of PSV on Tuesday and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines as a result.

"It's very sad for him and for Manchester United," ex-Liverpool and England defender Carragher told Sky Sports.

"You think of how well he has performed this season, he has possibly been United's best player alongside Chris Smalling in the early weeks.

"He was probably about to really cement that left-back position as his own and also with England ahead of the Euros, just as Ashley Cole did for a decade.

"Hopefully for him he can come back for United before the end of the season and then make the Euros, but it could be a long road to recovery.

"Over the next few weeks he has to get over the disappointment and then work to try and get back because he has shown what a good player he is. I think when he returns we will see the Shaw we have seen over the last three-four months.

"He will get there, he is a young, powerful lad and I am sure he won't cut any corners - Manchester United won't allow that."

 

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Neymar doesn't need a new Barcelona deal, says father

Neymar does not need a new contract at Barcelona, according to his father, who says his son will not be jumping ship any time soon.

The Brazil international was rumoured to be on Manchester United's radar in the summer transfer window, although he played down any suggestion he might depart ahead of deadline day.

With Neymar's contract running out in June 2018, there has been speculation that the World Cup 2014 star is angling for an improved deal.

Indeed, Barca technical director said a new contract for the 23-year-old is “on track” while club president Josep Maria Bartomeu had suggested he could retire at Camp Nou.

Neymar's father, who infamously pocketed €40 million of the official €57m that Barca paid to purchase his son in 2013, played down talk of new contracts and new clubs.

"People can relax, Neymar is staying at Barcelona," Neymar Sr told Deportes Cuatro. "We don't need to reach an agreement with Barcelona because he has three years left on his contract.

"The club doesn't need to sit down with Neymar for a contract renewal."

After suffering from a bout of mumps in the early weeks of the new campaign, Neymar has scored once in three appearances for Barcelona in 2015-16.

He will be hoping to continue playing his part in the successes of Luis Enrique's men after scoring 39 goals in 51 games last season as the Catalans stormed to Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey glory.

 

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Manchester United announce record sponsor revenues

Manchester United have announced record income from sponsorship deals but a decrease in matchday and broadcast revenues for the 2015 fiscal year.

United were expected to reveal a sharp decrease in money earned from TV revenue as a result of missing out on Champions League football last season following David Moyes' disastrous spell in charge of the club.

However, while the club have confirmed a drop of more than 20 per cent in broadcast money to £107.7 million and a 16.2% decrease in matchday income to £90.6m, they remain in a healthy financial position thanks largely to new sponsorship deals.

The club have enjoyed a record £154.9m sponsorship revenue - an increase of 14.1% - due in the main to a total of 11 new lucrative partnerships, while a decrease of 5.5% in the total wage bill has softened the blow of a lack of European football.

A mammoth 10-year contract with kit sponsor Adidas, worth £75m per year, has also contributed to a commercial revenue of £196.6m - a 4% increase on 2014.

Though United's total revenue for 2015 has dropped from £432m to £395m, a growth of 10%in the most recent quarter underlines that income is on the up, while net debt has now dropped to £255m despite a 20% rise in gross debt to £411m as a result of the strengthening of the US dollar.

Crucially, the 20-time Premier League champions have also confirmed they expect total revenue of between £500m and £510m for the 2016 fiscal year, which would be a club record.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: "As we look to the new season, we are enthusiastic about our strong position, both on and off the pitch.

"In recent weeks we have further strengthened our squad with an exciting mix of experience and youth, qualified for the group stage of the Champions League, and seen an impressive launch of our partnership with Adidas.

"Our record revenue and EBITDA guidance for 2016 reflects the underlying strength of our business and our confidence in its continued growth."