..::Football III::..

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Real Madrid 1-0 Granada: Benzema the difference in narrow win

Karim Benzema made it four goals in as many games for Real Madrid to help Rafael Benitez's men secure a 1-0 La Liga win over Granada in Saturday's encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The home side created a number of fine opportunities in the opening 45 minutes, yet failed to break the deadlock, while Granada did find the net before the interval, but Youssef El Arabi's effort was ruled out for offside.

Benzema eventually gifted Madrid the lead when he headed home Isco's cross early in the second half, continuing his impressive start to the season. Isaac Success and El Arabi both threatened for the visitors in the second half, but to no avail as Keylor Navas kept another clean sheet.

Victory sees Madrid move top of the table for at least a day with 10 points from four games.Granada were happy to sit back and try to hit Madrid on the counterattack in the opening stages, a tactic that almost paid off after eight minutes.

Granada were happy to sit back and try to hit Madrid on the counterattack in the opening stages, a tactic that almost paid off after eight minutes.

Cristiano Biraghi sent in a dangerous cross after some good work from Rene Krhin and Marcelo nearly fired it into his own net as he attempted to clear the ball before El Arabi could get to it.Madrid threatened for the first time in the 14th minute when Isco tried his luck, but the attacking midfielder's shot lacked power and accuracy.

Granada goalkeeper Andres Fernandez was called into action again shortly after when he saw Cristiano Ronaldo show up in front of him and he displayed his class with a fine save to deny the Portuguese forward.

El Arabi then seemed to have opened the scoring for the visitors halfway through the first half, but his effort was controversially disallowed for offside.

Benitez's side should have broken the deadlock at the half-hour mark when Ronaldo set up Luka Modric in plenty of space, yet the Croatia international's unconvincing attempt only hit Fernandez's legs before the ball was cleared to safety.

Madrid once more came close in the 40th minute after a superb counterattack. Benzema set up Isco inside the area, only for the gifted midfielder to smash wide from a dangerous position.

Success looked lively throughout the game and had an opportunity to give his side a surprise lead shortly after the interval, but Navas did well to deny the Nigerian youngster.The hosts at last got the goal they were after in the 55th minute. Isco unleashed a sublime cross to the back post and Benzema coolly headed home to make it 1-0.

El Arabi continued to cause the Madrid defence problems and he came close to levelling the scoring at the hour mark, only for Navas to burst off his line and make a solid block.Ronaldo was again denied by Fernandez halfway through the second half after he had unleashed a powerful left-footed shot.

Madrid kept pushing for a second and perhaps should have been awarded a penalty when Isco was seemingly brought down inside the area. The referee decided otherwise, though, as it remained 1-0.

 

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Bournemouth 2-0 Sunderland: Wilson & Ritchie pile on more misery for Advocaat

Sunderland's woeful start to the Premier League season continued as Matt Ritchie's superb volley helped Bournemouth to a 2-0 win on Saturday.

Callum Wilson took his top-flight tally to five for the season with a clever turn and finish inside the opening 10 minutes at the Vitality Stadium, before Ritchie's stunning strike doubled the home side's lead.

Jermain Defoe squandered two glorious chances towards the end of the first half and Jeremain Lens had a header incorrectly disallowed for offside, but Dick Advocaat's side failed to provide a consistent goal threat and had Younes Kaboul dismissed 15 minutes from time.

The defeat means Sunderland slip back to the bottom of the table, while Eddie Howe's men climb up to 11th.

It took Bournemouth just four minutes to seize the initiative. Sunderland fell asleep at a throw-in, allowing Dan Gosling to feed Wilson, who turned brilliantly before firing low past Costel Pantilimon.

The home side doubled their advantage just five minutes later - and in some style - as Ritchie chested down and rifled a volley into the top corner from the edge of the box after the visitors thought they had cleared a corner.

A shell-shocked Sunderland began to gain a foothold but Bournemouth continued to look the more dangerous, with Marc Pugh particularly threatening down the left and causing panic in the Black Cats box with one clever run.

Kaboul saw a free-kick from distance blocked but Advocaat's side looked short on ideas in attack until Defoe missed their best chance of the half, Artur Boruc saving well at his feet after he forced his way into the area.

And Defoe wasted another clear opening shortly before the interval, heading high and wide of the target when unmarked close to the centre of the six-yard box.

Sunderland began the second half brightly and Lens headed Yann M'Vila's delivery high into the far corner of the net but the offside flag had already been raised, though replays showed the Netherlands winger was level.

Fabio Borini then aimed to replicate Ritchie's strike, chesting down a clearance and volleying right-footed narrowly over the crossbar as Sunderland pressed forward in search of a way back into the contest.

Advocaat threw on Steven Fletcher and Adam Johnson but Sunderland's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Kaboul was issued a second yellow card for tripping Wilson on the edge of the area.

Bournemouth came close to a third as Pugh's volley came back off the crossbar but their first-half salvo proved enough to take all three points.

 

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Aston Villa 0-1 West Brom: Berahino back with a bang for the Baggies

Saido Berahino went some way to redeeming himself at West Brom as his first-half goal sealed 1-0 win over Premier League rivals Aston Villa on Saturday.

The England Under-21 international publicly pushed for a move away from The Hawthorns during the transfer window and even stating on deadline day via social media that he would not play for the club again under chairman Jeremy Peace.

But after holding clear-the-air talks with boss Tony Pulis and his team-mates earlier in the week, Berahino looked focused on the task at hand at Villa Park, capping his return to the Albion side with a goal just before half-time.

The striker, one of three changes from the goalless draw against Southampton last week, when Berahino was used off the bench, popped up inside the area to deflect home James Morrison's powerful drive, rewarding an impressive first half for the visitors, who were largely untroubled by a disappointing Villa performance.

Salomon Rondon had two chances well saved midway through the second period before Micah Richards saw a headed effort disallowed for an earlier foul on a frustrating day for Tim Sherwood's side.

The result stretches Villa's winless league run to five games, with Sherwood now left to pick up his players ahead of another derby fixture in the form of Birmingham City in the League Cup on Tuesday.

All eyes were on the returning Berahino, but it was strike partner Rondon who had the first sight at goal inside two minutes, getting ahead of former Baggies defender Joleon Lescott to meet Chris Brunt's whipped cross with a powerful header and force a smart save from goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Jonny Evans headed a Berahino corner just over five minutes later, but Villa, who made one change from last Sunday's defeat at Leicester City as Alan Hutton started, weathered the early storm.

Despite doing well to tighten up the defence, there was precious little to excite the home crowd at the other end, with West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill largely untested in the first half.

Jack Grealish blazed a 25-yard effort over after 24 minutes and Carles Gil's goal-bound effort was blocked by Claudio Yacob moments later.

West Brom capitalised, with Darren Fletcher's 20-yard drive tipped round the post by Guzan before Berahino broke the deadlock six minutes before the interval.

James McClean's tenacity on the right allowed him to find Rondon, who touched it on to Morrison before his fierce low drive was deflected home by the foot of Berahino.

Despite the introduction of Rudy Gestede at half-time, West Brom continued to look the better side.

A great turn saw Rondon get away from Lescott on the edge of the area and sting the palms of Guzan with a vicious strike. He tested Guzan again with a low drive moments later.

Berahino was replaced by Craig Gardner as the visitors looked to solidify their defensive efforts, although Villa did have a ball in the net 20 minutes from time when Richards headed home, only for referee Martin Atkinson to call play back following a foul on Grealish.

Rondon had a far-post header gathered by Guzan eight minutes from time before Gestede nodded over in stoppage time, but that was as close as either side came to finding another goal.

 

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Stoke City 2-2 Leicester City: Mahrez & Vardy keep Ranieri’s men on a roll

Leicester City came from two goals down for the second consecutive Premier League game as they fought-back to draw 2-2 with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.

Second-half goals from Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy cancelled out earlier strikes from Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters, which had put Stoke two up midway through the opening period.

Making his first Premier League start since returning from a cruciate ligament injury, Bojan, whose last league goal came against Leicester back in January, fired Stoke ahead early on.That effort was Stoke's first at home in 2015-16, and shambolic defending from Wes Morgan then allowed Walters to add a second in the 20th minute.

Jack Butland had to be on form at the other end to deny N'Golo Kante, but Claudio Ranieri's men did pull one back early in the second half through Mahrez's penalty.

Vardy snatched a deserved leveller in the 69th minute, and though Stoke pressed for a late winner, Mark Hughes' men had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Leicester, who came from behind to beat Aston Villa 3-2 last time out, are now unbeaten in 10 league matches stretching back to last season and they started well here, with Geoff Cameron having to be alert to prevent Shinji Okazaki getting in on
goal in the first minute.

But it was Stoke who had the lead 13 minutes in as Bojan, one of four changes for the hosts, slotted home after being teed up by Marko Arnautovic, the Austria forward having jinked his way infield from the left.

And Stoke had a second soon after, Leicester captain Morgan failing to deal with a punt up-field from Butland – Walters capitalising on the defender's under-hit back-pass to slot home past Kasper Schmeichel.

Stoke should have had another prior to the half-hour mark as Cameron drilled in a wonderful cross from the right, but Walters was unable to apply the finish from close-range.

Butland has starred for Stoke so far in 2015-16, and did well to deny Kante a maiden Leicester goal, tipping the Frenchman's venomous effort wide.

Leicester were rewarded for a bright start to the second half five minutes after the resumption – Arnautovic pushing Danny Drinkwater in the area - with Mahrez stepping up to send Butland the wrong way from the spot for his fifth league goal of the season.Moments after Vardy was thwarted by Butland, the England striker made no mistake with his next chance, finishing clinically after pouncing onto a searching pass from former Stoke man Robert Huth.

Stoke twice went close to a winner late on, with Cameron heading wide and Xherdan Shaqiri testing Schmeichel with a dipping free-kick, but they could not snatch the points and remain without a win in the league this term.

 

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Mahrez & Vardy patta​

 

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Swansea City 0-0 Everton: Mirallas sent off in stalemate

Swansea City captain Ashley Williams gave a towering defensive performance as his side held firm against in-form Everton in a 0-0 Premier League draw in which late substitute Kevin Mirallas was sent off shortly after entering the fray.

Williams made a string of crucial blocks that ensured Everton left south Wales frustrated after a contest in which they had the better chances but found Garry Monk's side in resilient mood.

Everton picked up where they left off in their 3-1 win over Chelsea with a confident display of attacking football, with Ross Barkley and Steven Naismith providing chance after chance for Romelu Lukaku.

But Williams led from the back as Swansea maintained their unbeaten home record in 2015-16, although they were unable to secure a first league win over Everton, who had substitute Kevin Mirallas sent off late on for a cynical foul on Modou Barrow.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez made two changes to the side that beat Chelsea, starting hat-trick hero Naismith, and giving Tyias Browning a full Premier League debut in place of the injured Seamus Coleman, while Martinez's former team-mate Monk drafted Jefferson Montero into the Swansea line-up.

Browning's first task was to shackle Montero, but the Ecuadorian quickly forced the defender into a poor tackle from behind that drew a warning from the referee.
Bafetimbi Gomis shot wide, before latching onto a loose Gareth Barry header to break clean through on goal, and only a brilliant one-handed save by Tim Howard kept the scores level.

But Everton soon turned the tide and Williams had to be alert to stop Naismith with a crucial block as the game opened up, with the Swansea skipper was on hand again to deny Lukaku when he was played in by Barkley an opener failed to materialise before half-time.

The breakthrough almost came straight after the interval when Barkley got in behind Kyle Naughton, only for yet another Williams block to prevent Arouna Kone from converting.

Barkley continued to terrorise Naughton, beating him again to set up Brendon Galloway for a near miss, while at the other end John Stones, making his 50th Everton appearance, successfully shackled Gomis every time Swansea tried to pick him out.On the one occasion Williams was caught out, Barry slotted a through ball under his nose and Lukaku should have scored but instead blasted over from 15 yards.

Williams' hero act continued as he cleared Lukaku's mis-hit off the line, but Howard had to be alert at the other end as Montero tested him with a fizzing drive.

Naismith was inches from scoring after good work from Gerard Deulofeu, and it was predictably Williams who blocked Galloway's ensuing shot as Swansea kept the door shut.

Mirallas replaced Barkley in stoppage time, but the Belgian's only notable involvement was to go over the top of the ball and catch Barrow on the ankle – earning a red card and capping a deeply disappointing day for the visitors.

 

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Newcastle United 1-2 Watford: Ighalo double secures impressive away win

A double from in-form Odion Ighalo gave Watford a 2-1 victory over Newcastle United at St. James' Park as the hosts' dismal start to the new season continued on Saturday.The forward scored his third and fourth Premier League goals with a pair of cool finishes inside the first half-hour.

Daryl Janmaat struck after the break with a well-taken goal as Newcastle threatened a comeback, but Watford held out for an impressive win.The result means the visitors have two consecutive victories and only one defeat from their first six matches, while Steve McClaren's men are stuck at the bottom alongside rivals Sunderland on just two points.

Newcastle brought in Ayoze Perez for Vurnon Anita in their only change, while Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores replaced the suspended Valon Behrami with Ben Watson in his only alteration.

Ighalo had two early chances but shot wide on both occasions as Watford came flying out of the traps, while Newcastle had their own opportunity to take the lead when Papiss Cisse missed a golden chance, failing to make sufficient contact with the goal gaping after Heurelho Gomes and his defence had failed to deal with a threatening cross.

Ighalo had already provided Newcastle with two warnings and he made them pay with his third opportunity after 10 minutes. The home side gave possession away on the edge of the box and Etienne Capoue found the Nigeria international, whose well-placed shot beat Tim Krul at his near post.

Cisse squandered another opportunity when he finished poorly after being played in by Moussa Sissoko, before the midfielder himself failed to find the target from a presentable opening inside the penalty area.

Those misses proved costly as Watford made it two in the 28th minute. After a slick team move, captain Troy Deeney slipped a pass through to Ighalo, who rounded Krul and slotted home with a simple finish.Cisse was hooked at half-time as McClaren brought on Siem de Jong in a bid to change his side's fortunes and hopes of a comeback were raised on 62 minutes. Janmaat cut inside from the right and played a slick one-two with a sliding Sissoko before slotting a low finish under Gomes.

A crucial challenge from Chancel Mbemba denied Deeney the chance to shoot after he had linked up with Ighalo again before Janmaat forced Gomes into a diving stop with a stinging long-range effort at the other end.

De Jong shot straight at Gomes after a good run from Georginio Wijnaldum, but Newcastle could not find an equaliser despite late pressure.Indeed, it was almost three for Watford when Allan Nyom weaved his way into the box and flashed an effort over the crossbar.

 

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Juventus still Serie A favourites, insists Garcia

Roma coach Rudi Garcia feels Juventus remain the team to beat in Serie A this campaign, despite collecting just one point from their opening three fixtures.

The Turin side have dominated Serie A in recent seasons, clinching the last four titles, yet they have already fallen six points behind last season's runners-up Roma this term, while leaders Inter are eight points clear.

Garcia is not getting carried away, though, and has stressed that Roma cannot afford to lose focus if they are to stay clear of Juventus.

"Serie A will be more open this year, but I'm still of the opinion that Juventus are favourites," the Roma coach said at a press conference.

"We just want to continue our winning run against Sassuolo on Sunday and make it three in a row.

"We need to give everything on the pitch if we want a result. And we want to win."

Roma were without playmaker Miralem Pjanic in their 1-1 Champions League draw with Barcelona earlier this week, yet the midfielder could make an early return versus Sassuolo.

"Pjanic has recovered more quickly than expected. Doctors, physios and Miralem himself did a great job," Garcia added.

"Miralem could start the match or come on as a sub without running any risks."

Roma will be without Wojciech Szczesny on Sunday due to injury, but Garcia is confident Morgan De Sanctis is an adequate replacement.

"We knew all about Szczesny before he joined. He's a talented, experienced goalkeeper," he stated.

"Fortunately he didn't fracture his finger but we have to treat him properly so there are no risks.

"We're lucky to have two top goalkeepers. De Sanctis showed that when he came on against Barcelona."

 

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Premier League needs Costa controversy, says Mourinho

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho feels Diego Costa's controversial showing in the win over Arsenal made him man-of-the-match, adding it represents why the Premier League remains popular.

Costa was central to Gabriel's first-half dismissal - having struck Laurent Koscielny in the face before being kicked out at by the Brazilian centre-half, before Santi Cazorla was then dismissed.

But it was Costa's colourful display that attracted the ire of Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger - who branded the striker's behaviour "unacceptable", although Mourinho stated his display was pure theatre.

"If you want to speak about Diego Costa with me, he played like he has to play," he told reporters.

"That's why you have full stadiums and the game watched around the world by millions and millions. The game has to be played like that.

"That is why tomorrow I will go to see what I consider comparable in terms of dedication and passion, New Zealand and Argentina [in the Rugby World Cup] - I go tomorrow because I love it. Fantastic, Diego.

"Costa was man-of-the-match for me. Of course [it was not a red card for Costa].

"It was the same referee who made all the decisions in the game and who didn't give two clear penalties for us. There are also rules for what Gabriel did to Eden Hazard.

"Gabriel Paulista did something on Eden Hazard in the box that is allowed in rugby and not in football. In the box, it's a penalty. In the second half, someone did it on Diego Costa.

"In rugby it's fantastic but in football it's a penalty. I have to cope with my defeats, [Wenger] has to cope with his."

 

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Ranieri: Leicester's defensive concentration must improve


Claudio Ranieri has urged his Leicester City side to improve their concentration after they had to come from two goals behind for the second consecutive Premier League game to draw 2-2 with Stoke City.

Goals from Bojan Krkic and Jonathan Walters fired Stoke ahead early in the first half, but Leicester salvaged a point courtesy of a Riyad Mahrez penalty and Jamie Vardy's strike.

And the Italian has demanded that Leicester, who remain unbeaten in 2015-16 but have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last seven league games stretching back to last term, improve in defence.

"It's the fourth time we've had to come from behind. We always believe, but it's not always possible. We must concentrate," he said.

"We started well, but there were mistakes and they scored. We gave them the chances to attack us, so that wasn't good.

"But in the second half we played very well. We never gave up and had the right spirit that I like, because if we scored the first goal then anything was going to be possible.

"It's good that we're still unbeaten. You can afford mistakes, but not to repeat them over and over which we are doing, but we need to get a clean sheet soon."

Ranieri also confirmed that Nathan Dyer, who scored the winner in Leicester's previous outing against Aston Villa but missed Saturday's clash, will be in line for a return against Arsenal next week.

"Nathan felt something with his right knee in the game last week, so we decided to save him and he will be ready for the next match," the Italian added.

 

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Guardiola impressed with Bayern win

Pep Guardiola was left thoroughly impressed by Bayern Munich's 3-0 win over Darmstadt on Saturday.

Arturo Vidal, Kingsley Coman and Sebastian Rode were all on target for the Bundesliga champions to ensure their perfect start to the season continues.

The victory comes a few days after their 3-0 Champions League win over Olympiakos, and the coach was delighted to see them pick up a fifth straight league win.

"I am very, very happy," he told reporters. "We interpreted the game very well. We fought well.

"It's not easy to win here, especially after the Champions League. I am very happy for Javi Martínez following his return from injury. I really missed him this year."

Darmstadt coach Dirk Schuster felt did well for most of the game, but the result was a fair one.

"Until the 60th minute, we defended very well. We wanted to annoy Bayern as long as possible, but the third came immediately after the second one.

"The defeat was deserved."

 

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Reims 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain: Late Cavani goal spares champions' blushes

Edinson Cavani came off the bench to rescue a point for Paris Saint-Germain as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Reims in Ligue 1 on Saturday.

The defending champions looked set to lose their 14-game unbeaten record in the league when Theoson Siebatcheu put Reims ahead with seven minutes remaining.
Cavani had other ideas, though, as he met Javier Pastore's pinpoint pass to drag Laurent Blanc's side level a minute later.

Pastore thought he had put PSG ahead early on with a well-placed header, only for the the offside flag to cut his celebrations short.

Chances were at a premium for both sides and – after surviving a period of pressure from Reims – PSG returned to their offensive ways with Zlatan Ibrahimovic proving profligate after the break.

Siebatcheu's strike looked to have punished those misses until Cavani popped up and left the visitors relieved to take a point.

A lively start from the league leaders saw Layvin Kurzawa call Kossi Agassa into action after seven minutes, but the defender was unable to get enough power behind his header.

PSG's pressure continued unabated and the visitors thought they had taken the lead after 15 minutes when Pastore converted Kurzawa's tantalising delivery from the left, however the assistant referee's flag denied the Argentine an opener.

Reims – who had been limited to fleeting breaks on the counter attack – were forced into an early change midway through the half as Agassa's day ended prematurely, the goalkeeper replaced by Johny Placide after suffering a hamstring injury.

Blanc’s men continued to dominate possession but found it difficult to break down the packed Reims defence, and they were nearly caught out in the closing minutes as Nicolas de Preville saw a volley clip Kevin Trapp's right-hand post.

A corner just before the hour brought the best opening of the second half for the defending champions as Marquinhos rose highest, but he was left frustrated as Placide and Hamari Traore combined to clear off the line.Marco Verratti was next in line with a pile-driver from distance which Placide parried into the path of Ibrahimovic but the Sweden international nodded wide with the goal gaping.

Desperate for a breakthrough, Blanc introduced Cavani and Angel di Maria to the fray, however it was Reims substitute Siebatcheu who broke the deadlock by sweeping home amid poor PSG defending.

Their advantage lasted less than a minute, though, as Cavani levelled with a smart finish from his first chance of the game, rescuing a point and keeping PSG clear at the top.

 

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Ronaldo record has to wait as Benzema saves the day

It was supposed to be all about Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward looked set to become the all-time top goalscorer for Real Madrid, needing three goals against Granada to surpass Raul's record on Saturday.

But he couldn't do it. Instead, it took a Karim Benzema header to save the day for Los Blancos.

Ronaldo scored five in this fixture last season - a 9-1 win at the Bernabeu. Granada are a much better side now than they were back then, though, and the Andalusians caused their hosts plenty of problems in a first half which saw them unfortunate to see a good goal incorrectly ruled out for offside.

Madrid kept looking to Ronaldo, but this was a poor performance from the home team. Lacking the leadership and distribution of Sergio Ramos in defence, without Gareth Bale's pace and the creativity of James Rodriguez (all are currently injured), Real toiled in the afternoon heat.

Ronaldo saw a couple of penalty appeals turned down, disappointed with two tame free-kicks and was mostly off target with his shooting, coming close once in the second half from distance when he forced Granada goalkeeper Andres Fernandez into a fine save.

There were whistles as Madrid went in on level terms, the biggest cheers saved for Keylor Navas as the Costa Rican made a number of important interventions. "Keylor, Keylor, Navas!" sang supporters to the tune of Queen's "We Will Rock You".

The 28-year-old was on the verge of leaving the club on transfer deadline day but has impressed in Madrid's season start with five consecutive clean sheets.

But at the other end, Madrid needed to score and in the end the goal arrived through a moment of inspiration from Isco and Benzema, the former Malaga man curling in an exquisite cross for the Frenchman to head home at the far post.

Wanted by Arsenal in the summer window, Benzema is back on form for Real after recovering from injury and showed exactly why Madrid had no intention of letting him leave. The Gunners, meanwhile, lost at Chelsea earlier on Saturday with Theo Walcott looking lost in the role of central striker.

That goal proved enough, but there were more jeers at full-time as Madrid prevailed by a single strike when they had been expected to triumph with relative ease.

Ronaldo had the ball at his feet in an attacking position when the referee blew the final whistle and he blasted a shot in frustration over the crossbar before staring at the ground. Having scored eight goals in his last two games to move to within two of Raul's record 323 Madrid goals, he was unable to add to that in this match and appeared anything but happy with himself.

"We had chances, we didn't concede and we won the three points," Benitez said afterwards. "But we were lacking the fluidity of previous games."
The Madrid boss was also asked about Ronaldo's free-kicks and the fact that the Portuguese has netted only two in his last 77 attempts.

"We practise them in training and he scores a lot," Benitez said. "James and Bale take good free-kicks but they weren't available today anyway. We will keep placing our trust in Cristiano and we know he will score goals - we have great confidence in him."

Goals for Ronaldo come in many different forms, of course, and it is only a matter of time before he breaks Raul's record.

Against Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday, he will have another chance.

 

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Manchester City 1-2 West Ham: De Bruyne strike not enough as Hammers shock league leaders

League leaders Manchester City were beaten for the first time this season as West Ham United collected another major Premier League scalp with a stunning 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium.

Slaven Bilic's team returned with three-point hauls from their opening two away matches at Arsenal and Liverpool and they continued a remarkable run on their travels by halting City's 100 per cent record.

Victor Moses netted a sublime early opener and Diafra Sakho doubled the lead – as he did when West Ham beat the same opponents at Upton Park last season.

Record signing Kevin De Bruyne marked his first start for City with a fine finish on the stroke of half-time but there was no further way through for Manuel Pellegrini's men as away goalkeeper Adrian and some desperate defending repelled persistent second-half pressure.

The victory moves West Ham up to second place, three points behind their beaten opponents at the summit.

Nicolas Otamendi made his full City debut alongside De Bruyne, while an injury to David Silva in the warm-up meant Jesus Navas was restored to the starting XI.

Adrian returned from suspension in goal as one of three changes for West Ham, with Pedro Obiang and Carl Jenkinson replacing Cheikhou Kouyate and Angelo Ogbonna.

The visiting keeper was forced into early action as Fernandinho met De Bruyne's right-wing corner with a powerful header but West Ham stunned the Etihad Stadium by taking a sixth-minute lead.

Dimitri Payet fed Moses who advanced before unleashing a brilliant low drive into Joe Hart's bottom-left corner from 25 yards.

That was the first Premier League goal City had conceded for 572 minutes and they were almost gifted an instant response – Aaron Cresswell's header catching out Adrian, who had strayed from his area, but Sergio Aguero was unable to finish.

West Ham were not content to sit on their lead and it was 2-0 in the 31st minute, the hosts defending sluggishly as Obiang met a corner and Sakho scrambled home.

City might have entered the dressing room in further disarray but for a last-ditch challenge from Eliaquim Mangala which denied Sakho and they reduced the arrears in first-half stoppage time.

Aguero, who endured a frustrating 45 minutes in front of goal, set up De Bruyne to send a crisp, low strike beyond Adrian from the edge of the box.

Pellegrini made a defensive switch at the interval, with Martin Demichelis replacing Mangala, and Yaya Toure fired an early second-half warning in West Ham’s direction by fizzing an angled shot wide.

Adrian reacted superbly as Winston Reid almost turned a Navas cross into his own net before Toure had a venomous strike blocked and a bustling run into the box curtailed by the goalkeeper.

On an increasingly rare West Ham foray forward, Sakho rounded Hart but could not finish, while Toure continued his one-man quest for an equaliser by blasting across the face of goal in the 65th minute.

A close-range stop from Navas added to Adrian’s impressive body of work before Reid turned another Toure shot behind.

The Spanish goalkeeper saved his best moment until five minutes from time – an exquisite reaction stop keeping out an Otamendi header from De Bruyne’s corner – and he deservedly led the celebrations at the whistle as City’s club record run of 11 consecutive league wins came to an end.

 

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West ham unpredictable team 1kak wage.​

 

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AC Milan 3-2 Palermo: Bacca settles five-goal thriller

Carlos Bacca scored twice as AC Milan battled to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Palermo in Serie A at San Siro on Saturday.The Colombia international put the home side ahead with a clever early finish, but Oscar Hiljemark levelled with a header.

A stunning Giacomo Bonaventura free-kick put Milan back in front shortly before the break, but Palermo restored parity against the run of play in the second half through Hiljemark's second goal of the game.

Sinisa Mihajlovic's men were not to be denied, though, with Bacca's thumping header sealing a deserved and vital three points following last week's derby defeat to rivals Inter.

The win means Milan have won two and lost two of their opening four Serie A matches, while the defeat was the visitors' first of the new campaign.As he promised before the match, Mihajlovic named an unchanged starting XI, meaning Mario Balotelli remained on the substitutes' bench.

Palermo almost scored an own goal with only three minutes on the clock. Luiz Adriano made ground down the right and flashed in a cross that Aljaz Struna diverted at pace towards his own net before Stefano Sorrentino made a reflex save to bail out his team-mate.

Injury forced Milan into an early change, as Ignazio Abate was replaced after failing to shake off the effects of a challenge and Davide Calabria replaced him.

Keisuke Honda shot just over the crossbar after a spectacular piece of skill created the opportunity for himself before the opening goal came for Milan after 21 minutes.Bonaventura impressively gathered a cross from right and cleverly flicked to Bacca under pressure in the penalty area. The former Sevilla striker made no mistake, sending his first-time finish into the top corner with the outside of his foot.

Palermo had barely threatened in the opening stages, but drew level after 32 minutes. Robin Quaison's corner found Hiljemark, who headed home unchallenged from inside the six-yard box. Milan goalkeeper Diego Lopez appealed for a foul after getting nowhere near the cross, but appeared to have been taken out by his own player, Mattia De Sciglio.

Luiz Adriano almost netted with an instant response when he forced Sorrentino into a save with his legs after showing good strength to muscle into the area and chase his own flick-on. Bacca then forced the away keeper into action again with a cheeky effort.

A second goal appeared to be coming and Bonaventura delivered it in some style five minutes before half-time after he had won a free-kick himself. Stepping up from a prime central position just outside the penalty area, the Milan midfielder converted with a perfect dipping strike.Shortly after half-time, Bacca fired a powerful effort into the side netting after being found by Calabria.

Palermo brought on ex-Milan striker Alberto Gilardino in a bid to turn their fortunes around before Balotelli made his entrance with 20 minutes remaining, coming on for Luiz Adriano.

The visitors had not mustered another attempt on target other than their goal, but they stunned San Siro on 72 minutes with an equaliser. Gilardino slipped in Hiljemark, who slotted his finish through the legs of Lopez for his second goal of the match.

Rather than feel hard done by, though, Milan replied with the game's decisive fifth goal just three minutes later. Juraj Kucka whipped in a cross from the right and Bacca got up superbly to power a header into the bottom corner from 12 yards.

With the game developing into an end-to-end classic, Hiljemark came close to a hat-trick, but saw his left-footed drive repelled by Lopez's low diving save and Franco Vazquez was inches off target with a shot from distance as the hosts fended off Palermo's late rally.

Elsewhere in Serie A on Saturday, Empoli came from behind to win 2-1 at 10-man Udinese - their first win of the new season. Duvan Zapata had put the hosts ahead, but goals from Leandro Paredes and a stoppage-time strike from veteran Massimo Maccarone sealed the comeback after Panagiotis Kone had been sent off.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Eibar 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Angel Correa & Fernando Torres break down stubborn hosts

Super-subs Fernando Torres and Angel Correa struck to give Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win away to Eibar on Saturday.

Diego Simeone's side missed a handful of chances in the first half, with Jackson Martinez particularly wasteful, but Correa's fine finish just a minute after coming on gave them the lead.

The home side battled for a way back into the match, but Torres, who was introduced at half-time, clipped a deft finish into the far corner following Correa's pass to secure the victory and send Atletico to within a point of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Luciano Vietto, starting in the three-pronged attack alongside Jackson and Antoine Griezmann, brought the first save out of Asier Riesgo with a low shot from distance.

Griezmann's corner was headed towards the bottom corner of the net by Jose Maria Gimenez, but his effort was blocked and Eibar were able to clear, before Jackson's placed effort from inside the box was well saved by Riesgo.

Eibar looked dangerous on the break and Saul Berjon tested Jan Oblak from one quick breakaway before Atletico spurned their first clear-cut chance of the half. Koke's flighted ball was turned back across goal by Jackson, but Vietto failed to connect properly at the far post with the goal at his mercy and he managed only to ripple the side-netting.

Filipe Luis was bailed out by Gimenez's headed clearance after he totally misjudged a long ball up to Keko, and Jackson was denied by a smart block from Ander Capa following Griezmann's clever reverse pass.

The Colombian was inches away from connecting with the lively Griezmann's fizzed cross and Vietto saw a header comfortably held as Atleti began to take control towards the end of the half.

Fernando Torres and Oliver Torres replaced Jackson and Vietto at the break, but it was Filipe Luis who came close to breaking the deadlock, Riesgo diving superbly to claw his deflected strike from distance behind for a corner.

Oblak was called into action to deny Berjon at the near post a few moments later and the stop proved pivotal as Atleti took the lead just past the hour mark.

Torres battled to win a hopeful ball over the top and he teed up Correa, who dummied superbly before firing past Riesgo from inside the area for his first goal for the club - and all just a minute after being brought on for Koke.

Oliver dragged a shot wide after some fine footwork as Atleti pushed for a second, but Oblak was called into action to deny Sergi Enrich following a long ball upfield.

Atleti doubled their advantage after 77 minutes. Correa turned provider with a clever throughball to Torres, who chipped it over the onrushing Riesgo and into the far corner.

Eibar pushed for a late foothold and Juanfran almost gifted it to them, heading past Oblak before scrambling to clear the ball off the goal-line, but Atletico held firm for three points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2015.09.20 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.09.20 Fixtures

Tottenham Vs Crystal Palace

Liverpool Vs Norwich City

Southampton Vs Manchester United

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[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga 2015.09.20 Fixtures

LA Liga 2015.09.20 Fixtures

Sevilla Vs Celta Vigo

Deportivo Vs Sporting Gijon

Villareal Vs Athletic Bilbao

Barcelona Vs Levante

Las Palmas Vs Rayo Vallecano​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A 2015.09.20 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.09.20 Fixtures

Chiveo Vs Inter

Roma Vs Sassuolo

Atalanta Vs Hellas Verona

Bologna Vs Frosione

Genoa Vs Juventus

Torino Vs Sampdoria

Carpi Vs Fiorentina

Napoli Vs Lazio​