..::Football III::..

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Walcott: Players like decisive Ozil make life easier for us

Theo Walcott believes Mesut Ozil's red-hot form is making life easier for Arsenal in their tilt at the Premier League title.Ozil laid on goals for Walcott and Olivier Giroud as Arsenal saw off fellow title favourites Manchester City 2-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Monday.

Victory put Arsenal four points clear of third-placed City as well as helping them keep pace with Premier League leaders Leicester City, who host Manuel Pellegrini's side next week.

The Germany international's tally of 15 assists from 16 games leads the league by a distance, and Walcott is revelling in linking up with the playmaker.

"Mesut sees things. He knows when you are going to make your run," Walcott told Sky Sports. "It makes life easier for us to have players like him who make the difference.

"He gives so much to the team, both going forward and also defensively."

Ozil, meanwhile, remained humble on a personal level after yet another fine outing, but is confident Arsenal have what it takes to win the Premier League title."I am just happy to help the team. All my team-mates help me so I can play my own game. I try to do my best," the German stated.

"We have had a lot of games in recent weeks, difficult games. So we are very happy to win against City. I am delighted with the three points. "We believe in ourselves. We beat the big teams and know we can win the league. We will give our best all season."

 

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Ozil kalin hitapu form 1kata awith thiyenne​

 

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'I just don't get how Van Gaal is using Martial' - Henry

Thierry Henry has questioned Louis van Gaal's use of Anthony Martial this season, stating the youngster's struggles in front of goal for Manchester United stem from being forced to play out of position.

Martial's form has stuttered since he made an immediate impact in a Red Devils' shirt, failing to score in 10 straight Premier League outings after scoring four times in his first four appearances at Old Trafford.

The 20-year-old has oft featured on the wing in that period, with his failure to get in on the goalscoring act coinciding with United's torrid run of form, in which they have not won in six games in all competitions, losing three on the trot.

And former Arsenal-striker-turned-pundit Henry believes Van Gaal's use of Martial is responsible for the side's breakdown in attack and results, claiming his compatriot should instead be central to their plans.

"What are you [Martial] doing here [on the right wing]? I actually do not know what he is doing there," Henry was recorded as saying on Sky Sports during United's 2-1 home loss to Norwich City on Sunday.

"He should be there [in the penalty area], having a one versus one, scoring and celebrating. Is it fear? Is it because they have been brainwashed a bit too much? I just don't get it.

"They wanted a guy who scored goals. They wanted a guy to run in behind fast. He came in and did that. Suddenly now he finds himself out there, almost not touching the ball.

"I think if I had a player like that, he would be my No 9 and the rest are around him."Ex-Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher backed up his co-pundit, adding: "The interesting thing is that's the instruction from Van Gaal, to stay wide.

"Let's not forget, he is a centre forward/winger, so normally you would be expect him to make those runs inside."But he's had so much instruction now, that he has stayed out wide. That touch map is from a [Jesus] Navas of Mancheter City, someone who hugs the touchline, tries to beat the full back and put a cross in.

"You see how many touches he has had? Not one touch in the box, and just the one cross. So he's not even pulling wide and doing damage. "And that all comes from the instruction of the manager, and why Man United never look like scoring in the game."

Defeat at the weekend left the Old Trafford outfit fifth in the Premier League and nine points behind leaders Leicester City, with pressure mounting on Van Gaal

 

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Man City response proves we are title contenders - Pellegrini

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his side's second-half performance against Arsenal showed they are still worthy title contenders this season.City were beaten 2-1 at the Emirates on Monday after Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud netted first-half goals in London.

Yaya Toure pulled a goal back after the interval, but second-placed Arsenal managed to hold on to their advantage, which sees then move four points clear of City in the Premier League table heading into Christmas.However, Pellegrini was delighted with the way City responded after a lacklustre first 45 minutes.

"I am thinking about the future not the past," the Chilean told reporters afterwards. "We have 63 points more to win. I think the way we played in the second half we are going to be an important team in fighting for the title.

"In the second half we took more risks, we created a lot of chances, we had more possession, we had lots of shots but in a match this important you can’t make mistakes."We played better than Arsenal but for the second goal we made a mistake and that was decisive. I am very proud of the attitude of the team though. We kept fighting until the end and never gave up."

Argentina international Sergio Aguero made his return to the City line-up after almost a month out, and Pellegrini is hoping he can return to full match fitness in the coming weeks."I think that it was important for Sergio to return to the team," he said.

"Maybe he needs a few more matches to return to his form but it was important for the team that he played tonight."

 

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Perez: Real Madrid are the symbol of Spain

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez believes his club are the symbol of Spain and thus have an obligation to set an example for everyone else.

Madrid are the most successful side in European football thanks to a combined 10 European Cup and Champions League trophies, but they have been criticised this season with the Spanish capital club third in La Liga under embattled coach Rafael Benitez.

Perez was speaking at his annual dinner with the media at the Santiago Bernabeu and took the opportunity to remind people of the responsibility representing the club holds.

"Real Madrid is a symbol of our nation and one of the most loved," he said in his address. "For many people, the image of Spain is of Real Madrid.

"This means an enormous responsibility for everyone and we have the obligation to protect it, be exemplary and transparent, and to keep alive the myth and the legend of Real Madrid."Perez has spent 12 years as Madrid president since 2000 - in two different spells - and has overseen some of the biggest transfers in world football history.

"We are a club with 113 years of life and with the best record in the history of football," he continued. "Real Madrid is considered the most prestigious and most valuable in the world.

"We are aware that we have to be respectful of our fans, with our members and the media, that have always accompanied us in this responsibility."

 

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Trapattoni tips Ancelotti to build on Guardiola's Bayern success

Giovanni Trapattoni says compatriot Carlo Ancelotti can build on Pep Guardiola's success at Bayern Munich and deliver another Champions League title in his time there.Ancelotti was confirmed as Guardiola's replacement on Sunday, with the Italian due to take over at the end of the season.

Guardiola has delivered two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal since arriving at Bayern in 2013 but has yet to replicate the European success enjoyed by predecessor Jupp Heynckes.

Trapattoni - who previously managed Bayern over two stints - backed three-time Champions League-winning coach Ancelotti to keep Bayern among Europe's elite.
"I would like to congratulate my old friends [and Bayern board members] Uli Hoeness, Franz Beckenbauer and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge on this terrific decision," Trapattoni told Bild.

"I am pleased that Carlo will soon take over Bayern. He is an extremely experienced coach. Just ask superstars like [Cristiano] Ronaldo.

"You will find no-one who says a bad word about Carlo. On the contrary, he has incredible experience in dealing with players and he's one of the best tacticians I know.

"His successes are no coincidence. Carlo has won the Champions League, twice with AC Milan and [once] with Real Madrid. Ancelotti will bring more titles for Bayern - I am firmly convinced. "Munich has the best team in the Bundesliga and one of the strongest in Europe and there is still upward potential.

"Pep is a super coach who is now looking for a new challenge. Bayern are in a comfortable situation - they have an outstanding coach and will get another super coach next summer."

Former Madrid coach Ancelotti will arrive on a three-year contract in June, while Guardiola has been linked with Premier League rivals Manchester City and Manchester United when he leaves Bavaria.

 

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Could Chelsea hand Mourinho the Man United job? The three games Van Gaal has to save himself

Having failed to win in his last six matches - and with Jose Mourinho waiting in the wings - Louis van Gaal is fast running out of time to prove his worth as Manchester United head into the hectic Christmas period.

The club's hierarchy are believed to have given the Dutch coach three matches to turn things around, so his fate is likely to be decided come January 2 - which also coincides with the start of the winter transfer window.

It is not just results that need to improve, however, but performances too, and the next three matches are all against teams in the bottom half of the table which should provide the chance to rack up the goals.

Here's what Van Gaal can expect over the next 10 days...

Stoke City have struggled a little at home this season, winning just three times, but two of those victories have come against Manchester City and Chelsea and they seem to prefer playing against the bigger sides.

They have traditionally struggled against United though, winning just one of their 14 Premier League matches against the Red Devils (W1 D2 L11).

More recently they have found a greater degree of resistance, however, losing only one of the last four meetings at the Britannia Stadium (W1 D2 L1) - last season Radamel Falcao scored the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

GOOD OMEN | Man Utd have won 18 of their last 19 fixtures played on Boxing Day - a 94 per cent win rate!

PREDICTION | Stoke City 1-2 Man Utd | The visitors will just edge out the Potters in a scrappy and unconvincing win, extending Van Gaal's stay of execution. But for how long?...
Chelsea gave a vastly improved display against Sunderland last time out and the departure of Jose Mourinho appears to have galvanised several of the stars who had struggled to perform this season.

In the same fixture last term, United needed a stoppage-time equaliser from Robin van Persie, while, at Stamford Bridge, Van Gaal's men bossed possession (70%) but still lost.

In fact, Chelsea have inflicted more Premier League defeats on United than any other team (16) and are unbeaten against the Red Devils in their last five meetings (W3 D2).

GOOD OMEN | Man Utd have kept a clean sheet in their final league game of 2012, 2013 and 2014.

PREDICTION | Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea | United will boss possession against a still fragile Blues side, but struggle to find the cutting edge needed to beat Thibaut Courtois. The fans are restless...
After a stunning start to the campaign, Swansea City have fallen away in recent weeks, now lying in the relegation zone, and are still managerless after the dismissal of Garry Monk.

They have risen to the occasion against the bigger sides in the division, though, and have a frightening recent record against United; the Swans have won four of their last five meetings, all by a 2-1 scoreline.

Despite winning on two of their last three visits to Old Trafford, Swansea have generally struggled against United, losing nine of 12 league encounters away to the Red Devils (W1 D2).

GOOD OMEN | Man Utd have scored in every home league match against Swansea, scoring 25 times in total.

PREDICTION | Man Utd 0-1 Swansea City | The wheels finally fall off for Van Gaal as the visitors dig in and nick a winner thanks to Bafetimbi Gomis. Mourinho's on his way to Old Trafford...

 

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Maru matches 3nak thiyennelesi wenne naha 1kakwath.Stoke unath sure naha meh yana widiyata​

 

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Pedro anticipating working under Hiddink after 'perfect' chat

Chelsea winger Pedro says he is eager to begin work under Guus Hiddink, and has denied suggestions he wants to leave Stamford Bridge.Injury problems and the Premier League champions' dismal domestic form has made the former Barcelona forward's start to life in England a difficult one.

Some reports have claimed Pedro could consider quitting the club as soon as January, but the Spain international insists he is relishing the chance to play under the new boss.

"I'm happy here. This information that I'm not is false. I am very satisfied to be here in this club," he said to the Evening Standard.

"I am happy with the supporters and this team. Obviously the situation is not good but together it is possible for us to climb the table.

"Guus Hiddink is a very good coach and I am sure the club are confident about him. He spoke with me after the Sunderland game for a minute in Spanish, and I had a good feeling.

"For me it was perfect. He was telling me is happy here and with the team.".The Blues defeated Sunderland 3-1 in their first match of the post-Jose Mourinho era and will now look to climb the table further in their Boxing Day clash with Watford, in Hiddink's first match in charge.

 

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'Arsenal a long way from Premier League title'

Mathieu Flamini has warned Arsenal that they must not become distracted by talk of a Premier League title challenge following their victory over Manchester City.

Goals from Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud ensured Arsene Wenger's side moved to within two points of leaders Leicester City ahead of a packed schedule of matches over the Christmas period.

While Flamini admits the win serves as the perfect "early present" for the players, he insists there is still a long way to go in the title race.

"We play against them quite regularly so we know what to expect. We played well with great solidarity and I’m pleased for everyone, the players and the fans, and it was an early Christmas present," he said.

"We are very far from winning the title because it's not a sprint, it's a marathon. We're doing well at the moment and the communication on the pitch, the team spirit and the football is amazing.

"We enjoyed it because there was a lot of emotion on the pitch, off the pitch and we were victorious so I am so pleased for everyone."

Mesut Ozil drew plaudits following another impressive display against City, in which he provided two assists, and Flamini is delighted with the Germany international's form this season.

"I'm happy for him because he's a top guy on the pitch and off it as well," the Frenchman added. "We knew he was a top player and he's proving it every day. Everyone in the team is happy for him and we're pleased to have him on our side."

 

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Blatter appeals against eight-year ban

Suspended Fifa president Sepp Blatter has appealed against his eight-year ban from football, his legal team have confirmed.The official was issued a ban along with Uefa counterpart Michel Platini by Fifa's Independent Ethics Committee as a result of an alleged "disloyal payment" in 2011.

Fifa cleared both men of corruption charges but stated that Blatter could not demonstrate "a legal basis for this payment", prompting the decision to suspend the duo.Blatter branded the ban as "unjust", and has since confirmed he will appeal the decision.

"President Blatter will appeal the decision of the Adjudicatory Chamber to the Appeal Committee," a statement released on his behalf on Tuesday confirmed.

"While the decision announced yesterday confirmed that there was no corruption or bribery, president Blatter is eager to present his arguments to the Appeal Committee that the remaining charges must also fail because the evidence clearly demonstrates the relationship with Mr. Platini was in all respects appropriate.
"President Blatter is prepared to take all legal steps to prevail on the remaining charges and clear his name."

Blatter had described the payment made to Platini as "a gentleman's agreement", insisting it was nothing untoward despite the lack of written documentation to support it.

The latter has himself moved to clear his own name, stating he will be approaching the Court of Arbitration to seek a resolution.

 

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Struggling Manchester United will be desperate to beat Stoke, says Hughes

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes expects his players to meet a Manchester United side desperate to end their recent dreary form at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.Louis van Gaal's position has come under scrutiny at Old Trafford after three successive defeats and a run of six games without a victory.

Jose Mourinho's departure from Chelsea and Pep Guardiola's impending exit at Bayern Munich have fuelled speculation surrounding Van Gaal's position as United prepare to visit the Potteries this weekend.And former United striker Hughes told reporters: "They are a huge club and they have a very good squad of players there.

"I have been asked whether this is a good time to play them but I am always wary of that because these sort of clubs more often than not bounce back emphatically.

"The players there are representing a global brand and the players have a responsibility to produce the goods more often than not, so they will be desperate to get back on track at the weekend."Manchester United will know themselves that they are in a period of transition and are in a different cycle now.

"Things are changing and sometimes things can take a while before you become successful again. We are certainly taking nothing for granted because we are fully aware as to how difficult a challenge they will pose to us on Boxing Day."I am looking forward to the game though, it is a great fixture for Boxing Day."

Hughes expects to be without Geoff Cameron (hamstring) for the meetings with Manchester United and Everton over the next few days, with Peter Crouch (hamstring) and Stephen Ireland (knock) also still out.

 

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Neymar not yet on same level as Messi and Ronaldo, says Davids

Edgar Davids has hailed the focus shown by Neymar in improving his craft since his move to Barcelona but says he is still not on the level of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Neymar - who joined Barca in June 2013 - is in the running to win the Fifa Ballon d'Or but is up against stiff competition in club colleague Messi and Real Madrid star Ronaldo for the honour.In the last seven years Messi has won the award four times while Ronaldo has received the gong on three occasions and could win it for the third consecutive year when the recipient is announced on January 11.

Brazil captain Neymar scored 39 goals in all competitions last season and already has 16 to his name in this campaign, his efforts in adjusting to European football and then thriving drawing praise from Davids.

The Dutchman, who spent a loan spell at Barcelona in 2004, told Fifa's official website: "Neymar is from Brazil so you have to come from a different country, you have to adapt to a different system, different players."He was a talent, still, talent alone is not enough - a lot of big players have talent - but really maximising that talent, working every day, mentally working [on] that talent every day, that is hard.

"It's not easy and you see he's maintained that and he's stayed focused and now you see he is up there [but] he's still not on that level of those two [Messi and Ronaldo].

Neymar helped Barcelona to win the Club World Cup by beating River Plate in Yokohama, Japan, on Sunday.

 

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Hiddink must restore title-winning mindset at Chelsea - Zenden


Boudewijn Zenden says Guus Hiddink must restore last season's title-winning mindset in the Chelsea players if his interim spell in charge is to be a success.

Hiddink was appointed on Saturday following the departure of Jose Mourinho, who had overseen what has so far been a dismal defence of their Premier League title.Chelsea are a lowly 15th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone despite Saturday's 3-1 win over second-bottom Sunderland.

Hiddink, who led Chelsea to FA Cup success during an interim spell in 2009, is the man tasked with pulling the London club away from trouble and sustaining a challenge in the Champions League, where they have again been pitted against Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16.

The 69-year-old left his role as coach of Netherlands in June after a poor start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, which saw the 1988 champions ultimately fail to reach the finals in France.

Zenden, who played for Chelsea between 2001 and 2004 and was an assistant to Rafael Benitez during his stint as manager, told Omnisport : "He's a well experienced manager.

"He's been in the job before, first time he was there he did a great job as an interim manager, even won a trophy for them. Only future will tell if he was the right man for the job."It's obviously difficult to get an interim coach with a big name, Hiddink has proven himself over the years but of course the critical note is he's had to leave the Dutch national team because they underperformed.

"The main problem [with Netherlands] was the quality in the group, that is something he will not have at Chelsea because it's mainly the same players as last year [when] Chelsea won the league."It's a matter of getting the mindset of the players back to where they were last year."

 

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Ranieri: Leicester fans are dreaming of title and I don't want to wake them up

Claudio Ranieri is eager to keep Leicester City supporters' dreams of a sustained Premier League title tilt burning bright into 2016.Leicester have been the league's surprise package this term and top the table approaching the midway point of the campaign.

The 28 goals supplied by Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have helped put Leicester two points clear of second-placed Arsenal and Ranieri wants their fans to keep dreaming amid discussion outside of whether his side are credible title challengers.

"I'm proud of my players and our fans. The fans are dreaming and I don't want to wake them up," said the Italian, whose side visit Liverpool on Saturday."We must enjoy, play free and without pressure. If the world are speaking about you then you enjoy and continue to play."

Leicester travel to Anfield to face a Liverpool side enduring their first notable sticky patch since Jurgen Klopp was appointed in October, having not won in three Premier League matches.

However, Ranieri added: "At Liverpool, there's a very good atmosphere and we'll have to show our very best if we want to win there."We have Mahrez, but Liverpool have two of Mahrez in [Philippe] Coutinho and [Adam] Lallana.

"Possession is important but it's not our best [quality]. Why should I show that? We're strong because we play to our strengths."I appreciate Klopp a lot. I watched him in last season's winter break [while at Borussia Dortmund] and saw how he worked. Liverpool have a very good manager."

 

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Ranieri: Mahrez is Leicester's king


Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri has described Riyad Mahrez as a "king" after his agent insisted he would be staying at the Premier League leaders.

Mahrez has been key to Leicester's stunning surge to the top of the table, having scored 13 league goals already this season.

Unsurprisingly his performances have led to speculation of a move away from the club, but his representative, Kamel Bengougam, is adamant he will stay put.

Ranieri said: "He wants to stay with us, we want to keep him and that's it.
"He has to improve and when he improves, the team improves and when that happens why would he want to go away? He's a king here.

"He can grow with the team because if you stay at the bottom and fight no-one knows you but now everybody is talking about you and that is maybe a bit of pressure.

"You have to manage this kind of pressure. It's important for him to manage this stress. It's important he understands on the pitch is one thing and the TVs and newspapers are another thing."

 

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Neville backs Van Gaal to succeed at United

Former Manchester United defender Phil Neville is confident under-fire manager Louis van Gaal can turn the club's fortunes around.

United are fifth in the Premier League following a run of six matches in all competitions without a win, while their Champions League and League Cup hopes are already over for this term.

Similar poor form hindered David Moyes when he succeeded Alex Ferguson for the 2013/14 season, with the Scot ultimately paying for that failure with his job before the campaign ended.

Neville had a first-hand view of his demise, serving as assistant manager to his former Everton boss, but he believes former Barcelona and Bayern Munich coach Van Gaal can find success amid intense speculation over his future."United are having a tough spell at the moment and they're finding it difficult," he told BreatheSport.

"But there's a long way to go, it's such a big club."I have total faith that Louis Van Gaal can, and will, bring success to Old Trafford."

Neville has been working as a coach at La Liga side Valencia since the start of this season and is now the number two to his brother Gary at the Mestalla, following the ex-Manchester United captain's appointment as head coach earlier this month.

"Me and Gary have a very clinical relationship. We both know what we want, we trust each other and we work really well together," said Phil, who retains ambitions of his own to be a number one in the future."At some stage I'd like to manage, that is the long-term aim," he added.

"However, I know that I've got a lot of time, so I see no need to rush. When I feel I've got the right experience and there is a job that I think suits me, I'll think about it."For now, I want to focus on doing a great job as a coach and an assistant here at Valencia."

 

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No agreement between Manchester United and Mourinho, says Mendes

Manchester United have not approached Jose Mourinho about replacing Louis van Gaal and there is no agreement between the two, according to agent Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford following his departure from Chelsea last week.

Mourinho has revealed he has no intention of taking a sabbatical and is looking for another managerial opportunity.

Van Gaal has come under increasing pressure at United after a poor run of six games without a win that has seen the club fall nine points behind leaders Leicester and drop out of the Champions League.

However, Mendes has moved to play down reports that the former Chelsea coach is set to move to Old Trafford.

"There is nothing. We don't know what will happen in the future but now there is no agreement,” he told Globo Esporte.

"There isn't an official proposal either, that's not true."

Van Gaal's side are next in action on Boxing Day when they face Stoke at the Britannia Stadium, before welcoming Chelsea to Old Trafford on Decmber 28.

 

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Guardiola or Mourinho?​

 

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Rooney should play for England ahead of Vardy and Kane - Crouch

Stoke City striker Peter Crouch believes Wayne Rooney should play up front for England at next summer's European Championship.

The Manchester United captain has struggled for goals this season, finding the back of the net in the Premier League on just two occasions.

Leicester City's Jamie Vardy is the division's top scorer with 15 strikes, while Tottenham's Harry Kane has nine goals to his name, but Crouch still believes that Rooney should lead the line for Roy Hodgson's side.

"I think he is our best centre-forward," the 34-year-old said of Rooney.“Of course, we have some good young players coming through but his experience of playing in big competitions will be invaluable.

“His record is unbelievable – Premier League, Champions League and England, he’s the country’s all-time top scorer!“For me he is a top class player and someone that we are lucky to have.”