..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter 1-0 Verona: Melo makes it five wins from five

Inter maintained their perfect start to the season with Felipe Melo's second-half header giving them a narrow 1-0 win over Verona at San Siro.

The Brazilian thundered a header home 10 minutes after the interval, moments after Verona's Jacopo Sala saw a vicious strike cannon off the crossbar, as the hosts equalled their club record start to a league season.

That was as close as the visitors, missing talismanic striker Luca Toni, came to troubling Roberto Mancini's men, who will now be quietly confident of mounting a serious title challenge.

Despite their impressive form coming into Wednesday's contest, Inter were slow out of the blocks, with Verona – who made five changes from the draw with Atalanta – doing well to frustrate Mancini's side during a largely uneventful opening 15 minutes.

The visitors were dealt a blow five minutes later when Giampaolo Pazzini, in for the injured Toni, was forced off with an apparent ankle problem.

Inter nearly took advantage after 22 minutes, with Fredy Guarin seeing a low effort blocked on the edge of the area, before Ivan Perisic forced a smart save from goalkeeper Rafael.

The Brazilian was called into action again after half an hour, this time denying Alex Telles, while Geoffrey Kondogbia nearly capitalised on a defensive lapse following Davide Santon's cross 10 minutes before the break, only for his acrobatic half-volley to whistle over the bar from six yards.

Verona looked to have weathered the storm and came close to taking the lead when Sala rattled the woodwork nine minutes after the break, but Inter soon picked up the pace again and found a breakthrough just before the hour when Melo rose highest to head home a teasing Telles corner.

Inter came close to doubling their lead on 64 minutes when Perisic was denied by Rafael at the near post, but Verona refused to allow the floodgates to be opened and should have levelled 15 minutes from time.

A superb run saw Leandro Greco weave in from the left to tee up Luca Siligardi inside the area, only for the substitute to fire wide.

Mauro Icardi saw an effort smothered at the other end two minutes later as Inter remained threatening but, for the third game on the bounce, one goal proved enough for Inter to seal victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Athletic Bilbao 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema double gives Benitez’s men victory

Real Madrid moved top of La Liga as Karim Benzema struck in each half to earn the visitors a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo went into the game one off 500 career goals and three away from becoming Madrid's all-time leading goalscorer ahead of Raul, but it was Benzema who made the difference - scoring either side of Sabin Merino's equaliser in a predictably difficult encounter for Rafael Benitez's men.

Benitez was without Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez but a sloppy backpass from Mikel San Jose to goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz allowed Benzema to open the scoring 19 minutes in against the run of play.

Benzema's fifth goal in as many appearances this season was cancelled out by Merino as Ernesto Valverde's hosts claimed a well-deserved equaliser seven minutes after the hour.

It was the first competitive goal conceded by Real under Benitez but Benzema was on hand again within three minutes to restore his side's lead as the visitors made the most of Barcelona's surprise defeat to Celta Vigo earlier in the night.

They go top of the table - level on points with Celta - having negotiated arguably the toughest test of the Spaniard's reign so far without a host of key players.

Athletic won the corresponding fixture last term courtesy of an Aritz Aduriz goal and the striker should have tested Keylor Navas early on but hesitated and allowed Raphael Varane to recover.

Benzema saw two efforts veer off target in the opening 15 minutes before being gifted the opener as Athletic undid all their early good work.

Iraizoz played the ball out to San Jose and, under pressure, the centre-back underhit his pass back, allowing the Frenchman to steal in and prod home the opener.

The hosts' goalkeeper was called on again to deny Ronaldo's dipping effort from distance as Madrid asserted control, Benzema next to threaten as he almost got on the end of Marcelo's cross.

Aduriz went close with a header at the other end, while Raul Garcia's strike was well blocked by Pepe before the break. Iraizoz was also kept busy, saving from Mateo Kovacic at close range.

Athletic were the brighter following the restart as Navas was tested by another Aduriz strike - the visitors struggling to create much attacking rhythm in the absence of Bale and Rodriguez.

Valverde's men continued to apply pressure and they gained their reward when Merino made the most of a quick break to convert Markel Susaeta's dangerous delivery with Madrid's defence stretched.

However, parity was shortlived as Athletic this time saw themselves cut open at the back, Isco the architect for Benzema's second.

The striker converted a crucial strike from close range with 20 minutes remaining, as Benitez's Madrid continue to show their gritty side.

Ronaldo's wait for further Bernabeu history, meanwhile, goes on.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal fans tear down hoardings following League Cup win at Tottenham

Arsenal fans have pulled down perimeter boards at White Hart Lane after watching their side beat north London rivals Tottenham 2-1 in the League Cup.

Two goals from Mathieu Flamini either side of a Calum Chambers own goal sent the Gunners into the fourth round of the competition.

But their fans will attract negative headlines for their behaviour following the final whistle.

Kept inside by police in order to avoid clashes with home fans leaving the stadium, a number of Arsenal supporters tore off the hoardings of the upper tier of the Park Lane stand.

Before kick-off there had also been claims that some Gunners fans had chanted anti-Semitic songs on the approach to White Hart Lane.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 3-0 Ipswich Town: Rooney, Pereira & Martial on target in comfortable win

Andreas Pereira marked his first start with a goal as Manchester United beat Ipswich Town 3-0 in the League Cup third round.

The highly-rated Brazilian's second-half free-kick was sandwiched by goals from Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial as United put in a professional performance at Old Trafford.

Perhaps remembering the disappointment of last season, when his side were embarrassed 4-0 at MK Dons in the League Cup second round, Louis van Gaal chose a strong XI featuring the likes of Rooney and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

The move paid quick dividends, too, as the previously out-of-form Rooney netted in the 23rd minute, his first goal in the competition since the 2010 final against Aston Villa.

Ipswich did not give up afterwards and had threatened an equaliser prior to Pereira's sweet strike in the 60th minute.

Martial then completed a good night's work by coming off the bench to net a fourth United goal in as many appearances since his deadline-day move from Monaco.

The Premier League giants predictably assumed immediate control against an Ipswich team boasting 11 changes from their Championship draw with Birmingham City.

Pereira looked bright from the off, forcing Bartosz Bialkowski into a save when unleashing a powerful effort from range.

That was the only real attempt of the opening exchanges, however, as Ipswich held their own.

Yet that changed when Rooney put the hosts ahead midway through the first half.

Daley Blind played a delightful long ball and, after controlling impressively, the England captain ran through before slotting between the legs of Bialkowski.

Juan Mata was next to threaten when seeing a half-volley saved by Bialkowski after lovely interplay between Ashley Young and Marouane Fellaini.

Ipswich came back into the game before half-time and went close to levelling as Tommy Oar shot narrowly wide.

Seemingly inspired by that moment, the visitors flew out of the blocks after the interval - epitomised by Daryl Murphy and Jay Tabb just failing to connect with David McGoldrick's superb cross.

That appeared to awaken United, with Antonio Valencia almost grabbing a second when Bialkowski kept out his stinging effort.

The goalkeeper could only stand helpless a few moments later, however, as Pereira curled in a pin-point set-piece after Mata had been brought down.

Not content, Van Gaal then brought on big-money recruit Martial for his late cameo.

It was Pereira who continued to look the biggest threat, the 19-year-old forcing another save from Bialkowski in the 86th minute.

But Martial had the last word, running on to Memphis Depay's chested lay-off and curling confidently into the bottom corner.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barcelona must learn from Celta defeat - Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique hopes his La Liga champions will learn the lessons from their shock 4-1 defeat to Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

The holders saw their 100 per cent start to their title defence come undone at Balaidos as Iago Aspas scored twice alongside further goals from Nolito and John Guidetti.

Neymar was on target 10 minutes from time for the Catalans but it mattered little for Luis Enrique's side, who were fully punished for an out-of-sorts display, especially at the back.

"I'm not happy to lose 4-1. I'll evaluate and analyse it but it's a test to show how difficult it can be," the Barca boss told reporters.

"All that remains is to congratulate Celta. They played a very complete game, in terms of effectiveness and their football.

"We suffered a lot in the individual battles - the first goal for Nolito went in the top corner but the second was our mistake.

"This result will be useful to tell us that it costs a lot to win - I prefer it when a team wins like Celta did, playing well. They're one of the more attractive [teams].

"We already knew if we committed mistakes we were going to be made to pay for them."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 1-1 Carlisle (aet, 3-2 on penalties): Ings & Bogdan edge Reds into League Cup fourth round

The pressure mounted on Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool scraped through 3-2 on penalties after being held to a 1-1 draw against League Two Carlisle United in the third round of the League Cup.

With Carlo Ancelotti the latest big-name manager to be linked with the Anfield job, Rodgers required a convincing performance and result from his players on Wednesday to ease fears over his future.

But things did not go to plan on Merseyside, despite Danny Ings' second goal in as many games giving the hosts - winless in five matches - the lead.

For all Liverpool's possession and despite a barrage of shots at goal - they clocked up more than 40 across 120 minutes of action - Derek Asamoah's first-half leveller proved enough to take the match to extra time and then penalties.

Debutant goalkeeper Adam Bogdan helped to spare Rodgers the humiliation of defeat as his save from Bastien Hery's spot-kick proved decisive, despite Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho missing their efforts.

It was cruel on Keith Curle's side, who beat QPR in the previous round and will return to the rigours of fourth-tier football with a home match against Newport County on Saturday.

Rodgers made six changes to the line-up that drew with Norwich City last time out, handing starts to Lallana and Roberto Firmino and both went close early on with rasping long-range drives.

On just his second Liverpool start, Ings was the next to test Mark Gillespie, the young goalkeeper doing well to parry away a dipping effort from the former Burnley forward.

However, Ings was rewarded for his lively start when he latched onto Lallana's precise cross to head home the opener from close range.

Liverpool should have extended their lead shortly after, but Ings could not double his tally – this time heading over after meeting Alberto Moreno's cross at the back post.

And Asamoah made the hosts pay shortly after the half-hour mark, poor defending from Martin Skrtel on his 300th Liverpool appearance allowing the Ghanaian to prod in at Bogdan's near post after being teed up by Hery.

Gillespie had to be alert to prevent substitute Divock Origi netting his maiden Liverpool goal after the restart, diving to his left to tip the ball wide.

Curle introduced top scorer Jabo Ibehre on the hour mark – the forward having netted 10 goals in 11 games this term – while Coutinho replaced Joe Allen for the hosts.

James Milner – winner of this competition in 2014 with Manchester City – drilled wide soon after and Coutinho went close with a curling strike as the game went into extra time.

Ibehre should have done better after being slipped through by Hery in a rare foray forward from Carlisle, with Origi having a goal-bound effort blocked at the other end.

Matters were made worse for Liverpool when Dejan Lovren was taken off on a stretcher late on, as Rodgers' side had to settle for penalties.

Carlisle's dream was ended when Hery's tame spot-kick was parried away with ease by Bogdan, with Liverpool set to face AFC Bournemouth in the next round.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Crystal Palace 4-1 Charlton Athletic: Gayle hat-trick books safe passage to round four

Dwight Gayle's second-half hat-trick steered Crystal Palace into the League Cup fourth round courtesy of a 4-1 victory over Charlton Athletic on Wednesday.

Making his first start of the season, Fraizer Campbell – who has been linked with a loan move away from Palace – broke the deadlock early in the second half at Selhurst Park with a neat shot on the turn.

The former Sunderland striker was then felled for the 59th-minute penalty that Gayle duly dispatched, before the latter netted again from the spot after he was sent tumbling by Alou Diarra, who was sent off for the challenge.

Wedged in between Gayle's brace, Naby Sarr headed home from a corner, although Wayne Hennessey will feel he perhaps should have done better.

Gayle grabbed his third with four minutes left when he found the net with a glancing header from Chung-yong Lee's cross.

Victory over Palace boss Alan Pardew's former club halted a run of successive defeats and the Premier League side were good value for the win, signalling their intent with a flurry of early chances.

Gayle whipped a free-kick just over from the edge of the area, Wilfried Zaha headed Lee's cross over when he should have hit the target and Diarra managed to make a timely block to keep out Campbell's rasping effort.

Gayle had Nick Pope at full stretch with a 25-yard shot that flew just wide as the hosts continued to crank up the pressure. A head injury to Damien Delaney led to a short stoppage of play before he was replaced by Brede Hangeland.

Charlton were given a let-off when Campbell headed a Zaha centre wide with the goal at his mercy five minutes after the restart, but it was a short reprieve as the duo combined for the Palace opener less than a minute later.

Gayle and Zaha linked up down the Palace right before the latter picked out Campbell, who sharply slotted past Pope.

Campbell had the ball in the net again four minutes later, but it was disallowed for offside. Palace, though, did double their advantage after Diarra bundled over Campbell in the area and Gayle slammed the resulting spot-kick home.

Sarr gave Charlton hope with his header, but Diarra tangled with Gayle 17 minutes from time as Palace were awarded a second spot-kick that the former Peterborough United forward tucked away.

And there was still time for Gayle to cap a dominant Palace display with a third late on as Pardew's men marched into the next round.

 

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Tottenham 1-2 Arsenal: Flamini brace sends Gunners into round four

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[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 3-0 West Brom: Jarvis and Lafferty makes the difference for Neil's men

Strikes from Matt Jarvis, Kyle Lafferty and an own goal from Sebastien Pocognoli saw Norwich City progress to the fourth round of the League Cup at the expense of West Brom.

Norwich were the better side of the two at Carrow Road, but initially struggled to find an opening in the visitors' defence.

Gary O'Neil came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half, but was unfortunate to hit the post. Jarvis had more luck after the break, though, as he found the net with a stunning finish before Lafferty and an own goal from Pocognoli in the closing stages of the game sent the home side through.

Norwich dominated proceedings in the first 45 minutes and created a number of chances to open the scoring.

The biggest opportunity fell to O'Neil in the 33rd minute, but the midfielder's attempt hit the upright, with Elliott Bennett failing to convert the rebound as he scuffed his left-footed effort wide with just Anders Lindegaard to beat.

Craig Gardner threatened for the away side with a superb long-range strike after the break, but his attempt went just wide.

Norwich were rewarded for their dominance on the hour mark. Dieumerci Mbokani set up Jarvis, who fired home the opener off the underside of the crossbar.

Gardner was West Brom's biggest threat and he once more came close in the 68th minute after a good cross from Pocognoli, yet his header went narrowly off target.

Mbokani could have doubled Norwich's lead and effectively put the match to bed after a corner from Jarvis, but he lost his balance and the chance went begging.

Rickie Lambert had an opportunity to equalise with 10 minutes left on the clock, but Declan Rudd did enough to tip it over the bar.

Lafferty then struck after a quick counter-attack to double his side's lead, before Pocognoli diverted the ball into his own net to make it 3-0 and end West Brom's cup ambitions.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Flamini: I had a point to prove to Arsenal

Mathieu Flamini said he wanted to prove a point to Arsenal after inspiring his side to a 2-1 League Cup win over rivals Tottenham.

The 31-year-old made his first appearance of the season and scored either side of a Calum Chambers own goal at White Hart Lane to send Arsene Wenger's side through to face Sheffield Wednesday.

Flamini was linked with a move away from Arsenal in the transfer window, with Galatasaray among the clubs understood to be chasing his signature, and the former Milan midfielder said he was happy to have delivered when afforded a rare chance to impress.

"I'm happy for the team and personally," he told Sky Sports after the match. "I've heard many things in the press and I am still here.

"I don't have any problems with anyone at the club. It is never easy when you don't play every game. I had a point to prove."

Wenger himself revealed he was never sure of Flamini's plans prior to the start of the season after he told the Frenchman he could not guarantee him regular football.

"I don't know how close he was to leaving in the summer. I told him he might have to wait for an opportunity," Wenger said.

 

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Benzema on track to score 25 goals for Real Madrid this season, says Benitez

Rafael Benitez hailed Real Madrid match-winner Karim Benzema after the Frenchman's double in the 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao and says he expects him to score 20-25 goals this season.

Benzema continued his prolific start to the campaign in Bilbao - scoring either side of Sabin Merino's equaliser - as Madrid negotiated arguably their trickiest test of the season so far without the likes of Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale due to injury.

Benitez had previously challenged the striker to score between 20-25 goals this term and, with six to his name already, the Spaniard revealed his delight at that blistering start.

"Benzema is a great player. He is a different number nine," Benitez told reporters. "He and Cristiano [Ronaldo] have become a very good pairing, and when they are near the area they are very dangerous.

"I told him that the target is 20-25 goals and he is on the right track."

A visit to San Mames tripped up Madrid last term, as they fell 1-0 in the corresponding fixture, but Benitez's side have shown their gritty side so far this campaign and now sit top of the league.

Merino's leveller was the first competitive goal Madrid have conceded since the former Liverpool coach's arrival, and he was delighted with their response.

"The team has gained confidence. Everyone said that this was a test we had to pass," Benitez added. "I'm happy because we won and the team has shown two faces - quality in the first half and character in the second.

"We lacked precision in the final shot or pass but we made up for that with our character. The quality of the players is what makes a difference"

 

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Wenger hails Arsenal response after derby win

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger was thrilled with the way his side responded to a disappointing seven days in their 2-1 League Cup win over Tottenham on Wednesday.

The Gunners were shocked by Dinamo Zagreb in their opening Champions League group game last Wednesday before losing 2-0 to Chelsea in a bad-tempered Premier League clash at the weekend.

However, the club got back to winning ways thanks to two goals from Mathieu Flamini at White Hart Lane, which booked a fourth-round meeting with Sheffield Wednesday next month, and Wenger was delighted with his side's display in the north London derby.

"It was a very intense game, I think we responded very well, physically and mentally," Wenger told Sky Sports after the match.

Despite Flamini's brace Wenger was keen to praise the impact of substitute Alexis Sanchez, who entered the game as a second-half substitute.

"He [Sanchez] had an impact straight away. I think, at the same time, Tottenham dropped a little bit physically which gave us some space to play," Wenger added.

"I've said many times we have to find the right team in the right game. It's not so much a question of ready or not ready, it's a question of finding the right selection for the next game."

Arsenal travel to Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Van Gaal a 'happy coach' after League Cup victory

Louis van Gaal declared himself "a happy coach" after Manchester United eased to a 3-0 League Cup win over Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

The Dutchman, wary of suffering a repeat of last season's 4-0 loss to MK Dons in the competition, named a surprisingly strong XI for the clash at Old Trafford, with the likes of Wayne Rooney and Bastian Schweinsteiger both picked to start.

He was rewarded, too, as Rooney put aside questions over his form to open the scoring, before Andreas Pereira curled home a stunning free-kick in his first competitive start.

A fine night for the hosts, which saw Phil Jones play for the first time this campaign following a blood clot, was then capped when big-money signing Anthony Martial made it four goals in as many games after coming off the bench.

And Van Gaal expressed his delight at the result afterwards, telling MUTV : "The result was great. We don't have injuries. Jones has played a lot of minutes, so I'm a happy coach."

While Jones' comeback is a welcome boost, it is Martial who has revitalised the United fans following his promising start to life at Old Trafford, and Van Gaal was effusive in his praise of the Frenchman.

He added: "He knows that he can score and he can score because of his fellow players. We made it very easy for him two times because we'd won the game and the gaps are existing.

"With his speed and composure he can score. He did it against Liverpool and now again. We are happy but still we have to keep our feet on the ground."

The performance of Pereira will also give Van Gaal a headache, with the Brazilian belying his inexperience to put in a man-of-the-match display.

"He had a big participation in that game because he shoots the free-kick in a fantastic way," admitted Van Gaal.

"He's been training on that. Like all the other players there is space for improvement for Pereira."

United will face Championship opposition again in the next round, with Middlesbrough set to visit Old Trafford, and Van Gaal is wary of Aitor Karanka's men.

"It is one of the top clubs in the Championship so it is not so easy. I am very happy with the result," he added.

"I am happy we are playing at home. We are travelling a lot so it is good to stay at home."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter are not Barcelona but season's only started - Mancini

Roberto Mancini defended the quality of Inter's performances after another hard-fought win on Wednesday, arguing that while his side are hardly on the same level as Barcelona, they still have plenty of time to improve.

The Nerazzurri are the only side in Serie with a 100 per cent record after five rounds of action and their latest triumph, a 1-0 success over Verona at San Siro, moved the Milan outfit three points clear at the top of the table.

However, despite making their best start to a league campaign since 1966, Inter have been criticised for the unconvincing nature of their victories, given that they have won all of their matches to date by a solitary goal.

Mancini, though, is bemused by the flak his troops are taking, pointing out that they are still a work in progress after a summer of several new arrivals.

"I do not get this thing of having to play well," he told Sky Sport Italia. "I do not think there is someone that can play like Barcelona, ​​or at least I have not seen any team that can win games four or 5-0.

"It doesn't take much to figure out we are not Barcelona, but we are at the beginning of the season. AC Milan won a championship always winning 1-0!

"I think it takes time for a team like us, as we have added many new players."

Felipe Melo scored the only goal of the game against Verona, with the Brazilian midfielder heading home a corner 11 minutes into the second half.

Mancini was pleased with Inter's display after the interval, particularly as he felt that they had started sluggishly.

"I'm not satisfied with the first 20 minutes played by the team; they were subdued," the former Manchester City boss added.

"Later we came out well in the second half and we did well. The first league matches are never easy and the results of other teams prove it."

 

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Mourinho claims FA are condoning retaliation

Jose Mourinho has blasted the Football Association for overturning Gabriel's red card and subsequently hitting Diego Costa with a three-match ban following their altercation in Chelsea's win over Arsenal on Saturday.

Chelsea followed that Premier League victory by beginning their defence of the League Cup with a third-round 4-1 win at Walsall, but Costa's ban – having been charged by the FA on Monday – continued to be the focus in the aftermath of Wednesday's victory.

The Spain international appeared to strike Laurent Koscielny while tussling with the Frenchman the area and the striker duly clashed with Gabriel moments later as a result.

Gabriel, who was sent off for his part in the spat, had his red card overturned by the FA on Tuesday and Mourinho believes that such actions from the governing body, coupled with Costa's retrospective ban, condone retaliation.

After beating Walsall, the Chelsea boss told reporters: "We know something which is that retaliation is allowed now. You can do it.

"You cannot compare a leg almost broken with men's discussion, you cannot compare that with a leg almost broken. That's what it was, a men's discussion.

"I don't comment [any further] because if I bring examples and go deep and bring feelings into the discussion a big suspension for me will be waiting and I don't want that. The team doesn't need that.

"We lost an important player for three match and don’t need to lose their manager. So I prefer to keep calm and quiet.

 

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Rodgers misses press conference after Liverpool narrowly avoid cup upset

Under-pressure Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers decided against facing the press after his side narrowly avoided a League Cup upset against Carlisle United on Wednesday night.

Liverpool took the lead through Danny Ings in the first half but were forced to a penalty shoot-out after extra time following Derek Asamoah's equaliser.

Adam Bogdan was the hero, saving three penalties as the hosts won the shoot-out 3-2.

Rodgers, who has seen his side fail to win any of the last six games in normal time in all competitions, has come under scrutiny for recent results, with Carlo Ancelotti linked with the manager's job at Anfield.

And the Northern Irishman sent assistant manager Gary McAllister to the post-match press conference at Anfield.

When asked about Rodgers, McAllister said: "Like everybody, he's delighted to be through to the next round."

Liverpool had 47 shots on goal against Carlisle and, despite only beating goalkeeper Mark Gillespie once, McAllister was pleased to see the Reds try their luck.

"That is the positive [having nearly 50 shots]," he said. "The positives are that we're through to the next round and that we've had over 50 shots at goal and we've been asking the players to step forward and take a wee bit of the responsibility to take on the shot, and we had that tonight. We just didn't work the keeper enough."

 

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'Angry' McClaren challenges Newcastle to show fighting mentality

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren has challenged his players to come out fighting against Chelsea following their shock 1-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.

The Championship side made 10 changes to their starting line-up for the League Cup trip to St James' Park, but Lewis McGugan's 76th-minute strike gave them a third-round victory.

With Newcastle having now lost four games in a row, during which time they have only scored once, the former Middlesbrough coach has thrown down the gauntlet to his team before the Premier League champions visit on Saturday.

"I've been in football too long to be embarrassed. [I'm] angry, disappointed," McClaren admitted after the game.

"Things like that can happen in football, we said that beforehand, and yes, it's a very disappointing result and evening for everybody.

"We have said to the players, 'You can't feel sorry for yourselves. You have got to come out on Saturday and be a fighter or a victim', and it's one or the other, and we can only have fighters in there [dressing room] now.

"We say how far do we have to go before we turn it around, because the players are capable of doing that. We can't talk about it, we have to do it.

"There's not a lot you can say. There are no excuses - back in [on Thursday], Chelsea Saturday, it's the fighting mentality we need."

 

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Seven, ten, eleven... Versatile Pereira shines as Man Utd make winning League Cup return

Thirteen months ago, Manchester United were humiliatingly dumped out of the League Cup by Milton Keynes Dons. Such were the reverberations of the 4-0 defeat, Louis van Gaal has slowly moved on the vast majority of that night’s 18-man squad. The likes of Jonny Evans, Shinji Kagawa, Anderson and Javier Hernandez are long since departed.

On Wednesday night at Old Trafford just two of the men who were selected in that dismal contest were called up for United’s return to the competition against Ipswich Town. David de Gea kept a clean sheet and finished the night as captain, while Andreas Pereira stole the show with a delightful free-kick which gave the home side breathing space on the way to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

It was a surprise to many pre-match that the Brazilian was the only youth-team regular to be picked for a match which would in years gone by have been viewed as the perfect opportunity to give the first-team squad a rest. Perhaps burnt by his experience last season, Van Gaal decided not to rotate too much and was rewarded with a very composed performance by Pereira.

For those who watched the 19-year-old take centre stage during United’s pre-season tour of the United States, the desire and drive he showed on Wednesday will have come as little surprise. He was the first player to force a save out of visiting keeper Bartosz Bialkowski and looked like the Red Devils’ most profitable outlet for most of the night.

He dragged another shot wide moments before Wayne Rooney’s opening goal but rarely gave away possession as Ipswich right-back Josh Emmanuel did his best not to dive in as the Brazilian’s twinkle toes mesmerised the crowd. The Under-21 Player of the Year delivered a fantastically mature showing which would have been worthy of praise even without his fantastic goal on the hour.

Juan Mata was pulled down just outside the area and appeared ready to have a crack from the set-piece, but Pereira insisted he could do the job. After the Spaniard dummied, Pereira drifted a perfectly-weighted effort just over the wall to leave Bialkowski beaten.

On this evidence he won’t be a youth-team player much longer, and Van Gaal insisted afterwards that he remains in contention for the Premier League and Champions League too, even if competition is fierce.“He can play 7, 10 and 11, on the right wing, the left wing and at No.10,” the Dutchman told a post-match press conference.

“His competitors are Ashley Young, Memphis Depay, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Wayne Rooney and Jesse Lingard too because he also plays 7, 10 and 11. That's the reason why I keep these players: so I don’t have to keep many players because I have multi-functional players in Lingard and Pereira. But they can play if their level remains high.”

And while striker James Wilson continues to wait for a chance there is another 19-year-old who just keeps getting better and better. Anthony Martial was only given 20 minutes to shine but it was all he needed.

Just as he did against Liverpool on his debut, he came off the bench to slide home a perfect finish from the left side of the area after leaving a defender for dead. Four games ago the Frenchman was being touted as potentially the biggest transfer risk on record. Now he has four goals to his name and is fast becoming a sure thing in front of goal. He’s already looking a bargain at £36 million.

He may have an injury crisis brewing on the left side of his under-fire defence, but Van Gaal has all sorts of options in the attacking department. Martial has given his forward line a new dimension, and a few more performances like this one can surely only help Pereira’s push for more game-time with the big boys.Forget the MK Dons debacle, the League Cup continues to bring out the best in Manchester United’s young stars.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Andreas Pereira pattama talent 1kakHoda future 1kak thiyanawaDigatana chance 1ka denna one

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[Wolverine GTR]

Capital One Cup draw: Home ties for Manchester clubs​

Manchester United and Manchester City were rewarded with home draws in the fourth round of the Capital One Cup.Louis van Gaal's side will host Championship side Middlesbrough having eased past Ipswich 3-0 at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.​

Manchester City will welcome Crystal Palace to the Etihad Stadium, while Sheffield Wednesday's reward for beating Newcastle United is a home game against Arsenal, 2-1 conquerors of Tottenham at White Hart Lane.​

There are four other all Premier League ties with Everton playing Norwich, Southampton paired with Aston Villa and Stoke hosting the holders Chelsea.​

Liverpool suffered an almighty scare against League Two Carlisle - squeezing through 3-2 on on penalties at Anfield after it finished 1-1 after extra-time. They will now host Bournemouth in the next round.​

Fourth round draw​

Manchester City v Crystal Palace
Liverpool v Bournemouth
Manchester United v Middlesbrough
Everton v Norwich
Southampton v Aston Villa
Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal
Hull v Leicester
Stoke v Chelsea​