..::Football III::..

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LA Liga 2016.02.28 Fixture

LA Liga 2016.02.28 Fixture

Villareal Vs Levante

Valencia Vs Athletic Bilbao

Deportivo Vs Granada

Barcelona Vs Sevilla​

 

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Serie A 2016.02.28 Fixtures

Serie A 2016.02.28 Fixtures

Palermo Vs Bologna

Carpi Vs Atalanta

Chievo Vs Genoa

Sampdoria Vs Frosione

Udinese Vs Hellas Verona

Juventus Vs Inter​

 

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Full Time

Manchester United 3 Vs 2 Arsenal

Manchester United Goal(s)

Marcus Rashford 29',32'
Ander Herrera 65'

&

Arsenal Goal(s)

Danny Welbeck 40'
Mesut Özil 69'
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Congratulations Manchester United!

Manchester United is back!

Pattama match 1kak & Rashford niyamai!

Team 1kama hodata play kala
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Real Madrid are out of La Liga title race - Zidane


Real Madrid cannot win La Liga after Saturday's 1-0 defeat to rivals Atletico Madrid, according to coach Zinedine Zidane.

Antoine Griezmann's second-half goal secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the hosts to wrap up their third consecutive victory against their rivals at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Defeat leaves Zidane's side nine points behind league leaders Barcelona, who are yet to play Sevilla on Sunday evening and could go 12 points clear at the top with a win.

And the 43-year-old concedes they are now too far behind to stand a chance of catching the Catalans, but still states his men will not put any less effort in.

"Before you ask, the league is over," the Frenchman told reporters in his press conference. "It was always difficult. I told the players yesterday that if we lose points it will be more difficult.
"We are not going to throw the league away though, whatever happens."

Atletico played out a 0-0 draw with PSV in the Champions League on Wednesday while Madrid had not played since a 1-1 draw with Malaga in La Liga on Sunday.

The fact los Blancos had the entire week to prepare for the derby left Zidane underwhelmed by the result, claiming his side did not exploit any potential fatigue in their opponents.

"I'm not happy with the match and I'm not happy with the result," he continued. "The important thing for me and the team is to think about the next game.

"We didn't play the game how we prepared, so it's here we had to work more.

"When you play against a team who played on Wednesday you need to do more. They can't go into the match and be comfortable and that's what they did so it's more difficult to take."

 

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Neville: Valencia have bounced back from 'pain' of Barcelona trashing

Gary Neville admitted he felt "pain" he felt following Valencia's 7-0 Copa del Rey defeat to Barcelona but stated he has nevertheless been thrilled with the club's turnaround in fortunes.

Neville, who was appointed coach until the end of the season in December, faced an uncertain future amid a severe mauling at the Catalans' hands earlier in February, but the Englishman has now overseen a change of fortune at the club.

Valencia completed a 10-0 aggregate win over Rapid Vienna to reach the Europa League last 16 via a 4-0 victory on Thursday, taking the club's undefeated streak to five matches in all competitions.

And as los Che set their sights on winning a third successive La Liga fixture when they meet Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, Neville believes his side have moved on from their previous struggles under his charge.

Of the fans who had called for his sacking earlier this month, he told reporters: "I hope that they think I am a sincere and hard-working person.

"I want them to think that I give my all every day. When I was younger, the only thing I wanted from my team was that the players would die for the club, feel the shirt.

"That's what I want them to think when they think about me. After the 7-0 [loss against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey] I felt that pain. Now we have won four games on the trot."It was the players and the fans who won the Espanyol game and they are the most important people at this club.

"Obviously we are going into the game with confidence, the confidence you get
from winning matches, working hard in training and preparing ourselves well," Neville continued.

"A few weeks ago, I wasn't looking at the league table, nor am I looking at it now. I think we are in a good moment."Despite having turned around the tide, the former Manchester United captain is simply concentrated on the team's results now and not his future

"I haven't spoken to the club about my contract," Neville added. "We originally said March [for discussions] but March is almost upon us and we need to focus on the next games."Now's not the time. We'll leave it until April. I can assure you that there have been no discussions yet."

Valencia are 12th in the league with 31 points following back-to-back wins against Espanyol and Granada.

 

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I am not like Blatter - Infantino

New Fifa president Gianni Infantino is keen to put a stop to comparisons between himself and predecessor Sepp Blatter.Infantino was elected in Zurich on Friday and replaces Blatter, whose hometown lies just six miles from that of his compatriot.

Blatter saw his reign come to an end amid allegations of corruption at world football's governing body and is now serving a reduced six-year ban from the sport.

The Swiss' punishment arose over payment of two million Swiss francs (£1.3million) made to Uefa boss Michel Platini in 2011 that infringed upon Fifa Code of Ethics.And Infantino is keen to shift the spotlight away from the common ground he shares with Blatter, telling SonntagsBlick: "Infantino is Infantino, Blatter is Blatter."

"Sepp Blatter marked an era in Fifa. I hope that I will characterise a new era in Fifa."I'm my own man. Otherwise I would not have won such a vote. But I am still on good terms with Platini."

Discussing life since the result, Infantino commented: "I have practically not slept, only a few minutes maybe. Everything is somewhere between a dream and reality.

"I have probably not yet fully realised what has happened. We celebrated with the family a little, drank a glass of red wine. I am very emotional but full of energy and drive.

"[I was] not confident of victory. I was very calm, surprisingly quiet. Normally I stress more. I had the feeling I had done everything possible in the election campaign and I wanted to enjoy the day."The emotions overwhelmed me almost. My wife hugged me - it was an incredible moment.

"Also, my 81-year-old mother was able to witness it all. It is a gift and it touched me deeply."

 

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Blatter warns Infantino: Friends become rare at Fifa

Former Fifa president Sepp Blatter has warned successor Gianni Infantino that friends will become increasingly difficult to come by in the corridors of power.

Infantino was elected in Zurich on Friday, replacing Blatter, who saw his reign come to an end amid allegations of corruption at Fifa and is now serving a reduced six-year ban from the sport.

The penalty arose over a payment of two million Swiss francs (£1.3m) made to Uefa boss Michel Platini in 2011 that infringed upon Fifa's Code of Ethics.
Blatter expressed delight at Infantino's election in the aftermath of the vote, but says his compatriot faces a tough road ahead.

"I congratulate you, but remember that this position you wanted will not be easy," Blatter wrote in an open letter published by French newspaper Journal du Dimanche.

"Miracles will be expected. I had these expectations for the last 18 years at Fifa, which I served for 41 years."He continued: "The miracles will be aided by the vote overwhelmingly taken for the reforms which I had also started.

"If by chance, you want an opinion or advice, do not hesitate. For now, stay calm. You have two months to implement the decisions taken."

And, as Infantino plots to guide Fifa out of this scandal-hit chapter in its history, Blatter has some early words of advice."Prepare yourself well but be vigilant," he warned. "While everyone supports you and tells you nice words, know that once you are the president, friends become rare.

"At 6:01pm on Friday, when you were elected, a weight lifted from my shoulders. I now have fewer responsibilities and more time to take care of my life. I am no longer president.

"But I gladly accept the French system which says that, once we are president, we remain president forever!"

 

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El Shaarawy hoping Roma form earns him Euro 2016 place

Stephan El Shaarawy has targeted a place in Italy's Euro 2016 squad after his impressive start to life on loan at Roma.

The striker has scored four goals in five Serie A starts since moving to the Italian capital on loan from AC Milan, marking a remarkable return to form for the 23-year-old.

He moved to the Italian capital after a miserable spell with Monaco where he failed to score in 15 Ligue 1 matches.El Shaarawy struck twice in Saturday's 3-1 win over Empoli that moved Roma into third place in Serie A and extended their winning run to six matches.

And the player, who has endured his share of trouble with injuries, is hoping to impress Italy boss Antonio Conte with his form.

"I came to Roma to give everything I've got and give my career a turning point, but also with the aim of going to the Euros," he told reporters after Saturday's win."I need to keep playing well for Roma and if possible keep scoring too, then we'll see.

"I think I have [proved a point] because I came here after six months at Monaco set on giving my all for this team."Before joining I sensed the club really believed in me. I knew I couldn't mess up. I've made a good start but I have to stay focused and keep it up."

The deal keeping El Shaarawy at Roma is due to run until the end of the season, when the Giallorossi have the option to make the move permanent.

 

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Rashford becomes Manchester United's fourth youngest Premier League starter

Marcus Rashford has become the fourth-youngest player to start for Manchester United in the Premier League.

The forward struck twice in his senior debut in Thursday’s 5-1 Europa League victory over FC Midtjylland, and has been rewarded for his performance with his first Premier League start against Arsenal on Sunday.

Federico Macheda remains the youngest player to have started a Premier League game for United at 17 years and 254 days when he faced Middlesbrough in May 2009.

At 18 years and 21 days, Phil Neville is the second youngest player with his first start in the Manchester derby in February 1995.
At 18 years and 120 days, Rafael is United’s third-youngest starter in the Premier League when he faced West Brom in 2008.

James Wilson (18 years and 157 days) is the youngest player to score during his full Premier League debut as he struck twice in a 3-1 win over Hull City in May 2014.

 

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Rashford breaks ANOTHER record for Manchester United

Marcus Rashford has become Manchester United’s youngest ever player to score in his first Premier League start for the club.

The forward found the net with his first ever shot on goal in the Premier League to put United in front against Arsenal, while he followed that up shortly after with his second of the game.

At 18 years and 157 days, James Wilson had been United’s youngest player to score in his first Premier League start with a double in a 3-1 win over Hull City in May 2014.

Rashford was handed his first Premier League start after scoring twice in his senior debut for United in Thursday’s 5-1 win over FC Midtjylland in the Europa League.

At 18 years and 117 days, Rashford also became United’s youngest player to score in a European competition since George Best netted in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in October 1964.

 

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Congratulations Rashford!

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Remarkable Rashford rewriting the Man Utd record books


There have been plenty of overnight sensations over football’s long history, but Marcus Rashford’s is fast becoming one of the most dramatic stories anyone can remember.

So little regarded by the wider world two games ago that even Arsene Wenger admitted he had never heard of the 18-year-old - Rashford’s name is now the talk of the Premier League.

"I watched him [Rashford] last night and he was quite impressive!," Wenger said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"Rashford I didn't know but all the other players I knew. For us it's quite simple to prepare. We need to prepare on our side for a strong performance."

After netting the two goals which turned the tie in Manchester United’s favour against FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday, he scored twice more in the first half against Wenger’s Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Frenchman is under no illusion who Rashford is now.

In truth, the striker had hardly had a touch before giving United the lead in the 29th minute but perhaps that says much about his nature. His finishing has been his greatest weapon at youth level, where he has netted 11 goals in 18 starts this season, and it was his clinical touch in front of goal which left Arsenal floored in Sunday’s encounter.
First he fired home confidently after Gabriel half-cleared a Guillermo Varela cross to become the youngest Manchester United player to score in his first Premier League start, and then, just three minutes later, he had superbly headed a second past Petr Cech from Jesse Lingard’s chipped cross.

Of the few moments Rashford had enjoyed on the ball before he found the net, he left Gabriel for dead and induced a desperate late tackle just outside the area which had produced his side’s best effort from Memphis Depay’s drilled free-kick effort.

Danny Welbeck’s goal had put the game back in the balance by half-time, but the Rashford effect remains telling on Arsenal. The Gunners, perhaps largely because they didn’t know he existed before Thursday night, barely know how to counter him.

For now, he is the unstoppable scoring machine. An unknown just three days ago, Marcus Rashford is now a Premier League phenomenon.

 

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Van Gaal imitates dive in front of fourth official during Man Utd v Arsenal

Louis van Gaal accused Alexis Sanchez of diving during Manchester United's match against Arsenal on Sunday by mockingly falling over in front of fourth official Mike Dean.

The Dutchman drew huge cheers from the Old Trafford crowd when, after an argument with Dean, he suddenly collapsed on to his back in an apparent demonstration of what he had seen.

Unfortunately for Van Gaal, his unique form of protest did little to persuade Dean, with a bewildered Arsene Wenger watching on from the away technical area.

The 64-year-old's somewhat erratic behaviour - he asked his players to be "horny" before their Europa League match against Midtjylland - seems to be paying off, with United securing a third consecutive victory.

 

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Dirk Kuyt makes Eredivisie history after scoring Feyenoord winner

Dirk Kurt has become the oldest player in 56 years to score 15 goals in the Eredivisie.

The former Liverpool striker scored the winner in Feyenoord’s 2-1 victory over Utrecht on Sunday, which takes his tally to 15 goals in 25 Eredivisie appearances this season.

And it’s the first time anyone in the Dutch top flight has scored as many since 36-year-old Faas Wilkes and 39-year-old Abe Lenstra in the 1959-60 campaign.

Kuyt’s strike has pulled him level on 15 goals with AZ’s Vincent Janssen, while the 35-year-old is only three behind the Eredivisie’s top scorer Luuk de Jong.

 

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Has Dani Alves aimed a jibe at Ronaldo's rant?

Barcelona's Dani Alves launched a seemingly veiled criticism of Cristiano Ronaldo after he made the headlines insulting his team-mates, stating that the Catalans' strength is based around their team spirit.

The Real Madrid star complained that his companions at the Bernabeu were not up to his level, stating that if they were the Blancos would be first in La Liga.

As the actual leaders prepare for their clash with Sevilla, Alves took the opportunity to praise the togetherness of Barca's squad in a post that can be interpreted as a response to Ronaldo's individualist point of view.

"The greatness of a team lies in the respect and cooperation we have for each other, we were, are and always will be together for whatever happens," the Brazilian wrote on Instagram.

"A big day, let's go family, Barca v Sevilla."

The Portugal international was not directly mentioned in the post, but it seems more than likely Dani was thinking of his rival when he shared a photo of Barca's big happy family.

 

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Manchester United 3-2 Arsenal: Rashford double downs Gunners

Teenage sensation Marcus Rashford scored two goals on his Premier League debut to help fire Manchester United to a 3-2 win over Arsenal.

The 18-year-old was thrust into the starting XI for Thursday's Europa League last-32 second-leg clash with Midtjylland when Anthony Martial pulled up injured in the warm-up.Two goals in that 5-1 win helped United into the next round and Rashford showed no signs of slowing down against the title-chasing Gunners.

He scored twice in the space of three first-half minutes – netting his first Premier League brace at exactly the same age as club captain Wayne Rooney when he registered his (18 years, 120 days).

Former United man Danny Welbeck pulled one back for Arsenal before the interval but Ander Herrera made it three in the 65th minute with Rashford providing the assist.

Ozil once again reduced the deficit four minutes later, but Arsenal left empty-handed and now sit five points behind leaders Leicester City, while United climb back to fifth.

Welbeck, who was deemed surplus to requirements by Louis van Gaal at United, came into the Arsenal starting line-up, while the Dutch manager – who is desperately short of attacking options due to an injury crisis - was once again forced to deploy Rashford.

The first chance of the match came courtesy of an unlikely source, though, as Nacho Monreal fired straight at the returning David de Gea after being played in by Ozil.

Rashford threatened the Arsenal defence with an early surge into the box. He won a free-kick on the edge of the area after being brought down by Gabriel Paulista, but Memphis Depay could only fire the set-piece straight at goalkeeper Petr Cech.

United had conceded three goals by the 19th minute in the reverse fixture but Arsenal, who positioned Welbeck out wide with Theo Walcott down the middle, did little to suggest they could carve open the home defence with the same lethal touch this time around.

And Rashford's dream week continued when Arsenal failed to clear a Guillermo Varela cross from the right, with the young striker placing a shot beyond Cech from the centre of the box.

The home fans had barely caught their breath when, three minutes later, Rashford headed in a second from a Jesse Lingard delivery – a goal with roots firmly in the United academy.

Rashford is a graduate of Fletcher Moss Rangers, for whom Arsenal's Welbeck also once played, and the community football club celebrated a treble when the latter headed beyond De Gea from an Ozil free-kick to make it 2-1 at the break.

United continued to impress after half-time and, following blocked shots from Morgan Schneiderlin and Depay, Rashford teed up Herrera to score from 20 yards, although the effort owed more than a little to a huge deflection off Laurent Koscielny.

Ozil's volley brought Arsenal back to 3-2 when the ball bounced kindly for him some 12 yards out in the 69th minute, before tempers briefly flared between Aaron Ramsey and Herrera.

Van Gaal showed his displeasure at a decision by referee Craig Pawson by dramatically throwing himself to the ground on the touchline late on, but it is Arsenal who must now pick themselves up after a string of disappointing results in the FA Cup, Champions League and now the Premier League.

 

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Tottenham 2-1 Swansea City: Spurs keep title hopes alive with comeback win

Goals from Nacer Chadli and Danny Rose saw Tottenham come from behind again in the Premier League to beat Swansea City 2-1 at White Hart Lane and maintain their title push.

Mauricio Pochettino's side have now recovered a league-high 17 points from losing positions this season, as two goals in the final 20 minutes secured all three points on Sunday.

Spurs found themselves behind after Alberto Paloschi netted his first Swansea goal in the 19th minute, the Italian reacting fastest to beat Hugo Lloris.

Tottenham's efforts to get back into the game saw former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski produce a number of fine saves to maintain Swansea's lead, but eventually he was beaten.

Chadli turned Kyle Walker's low shot past the Pole to bring the hosts level in the 70th minute before Rose put them ahead for the first time in the match with a low strike.

Victory sees Tottenham close the gap on leaders Leicester City back to two points and move three clear of Arsenal – who were beaten 3-2 by Manchester United – while Swansea remain three points clear of the bottom three in 16th.

Swansea made a bright start and should have taken the lead after three minutes, former Spurs midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson seeing his close-range effort superbly pushed over by Lloris from Paloschi's pull-back.

Tottenham responded immediately as Erik Lamela found space inside the Swansea six-yard box, his flicked effort from Rose's cross looping over Fabianski's crossbar.

The hosts continued to press and saw Harry Kane – wearing a mask to protect his broken nose after missing Tottenham's Europa League win over Fiorentina – denied by a low save from Fabianski.

Despite Tottenham's pressure it was the visitors who broke the deadlock as Paloschi opened his Premier League account, the Italian pouncing after Leon Britton's shot had deflected off Jack Cork.

The goal prompted Tottenham to lay siege to the goal of Fabianski, who kept the hosts at bay with a string of fine saves.

Having dived full-length to keep out Christian Eriksen's free-kick the Pole was on hand again to deny Son Heung-min and Eric Dier – the latter with a remarkable close-range stop – before the break.

Fabianski's personal battle to maintain Swansea's lead continued after the restart as he clawed away another Eriksen set-piece, before diverting a swerving effort from Kane for a corner.

Just before the hour Eriksen managed to evade the goalkeeper's grasp but his free-kick whistled agonisingly wide as frustrations began to build inside White Hart Lane.

Rose was also denied by the keeper, but from the resulting corner Fabianski was finally beaten, Chadli diverting home Walker's cross seven minutes after replacing Lamela.

Tottenham kept the pressure on Swansea's goal and the strugglers buckled with 13 minutes left as Rose found room to lash home his first of the season.

Paloschi nearly snatched a point for the visitors in the final 10 minutes but Lloris was alert at his front post as Tottenham – who saw a late Walker effort ruled out for offside – moved back to within touching distance of Leicester.

 

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Same old Arsenal always choking! Wenger's men are kissing the title goodbye

When the third Manchester United goal hit the back of the net, Arsene Wenger flung an arm in the air in disgust and muttered something to the heavens.

It is more likely that he was cursing the Gods than asking for some sort of divine intervention.

Arsenal were beyond help at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Given the circumstances, this was as bad a performance as Arsenal have produced all season as their Premier League title chances took a huge hit with this 3-2 loss to United.

It was a totally avoidable result and one that leaves the Gunners five points behind league leaders Leicester and three off second placed Tottenham.

Wenger spoke in the build-up to the game about his belief that there is a better focus and stronger mentality in the current Arsenal squad compared with previous years when their title chances fell away.

They will never get a better chance to win the league for the first time since 2004 but on this evidence, they are going to choke again.

Heading out of the Champions League in the last 16 stage and their title chances potentially slipping away. Arsenal supporters have every right to fear that Wenger and his players will fail to prove them wrong this season.

Against a United side that have struggled for goals all season, Arsenal gifted the hosts all three of their goals courtesy of some utterly appalling defending.

Gabriel was particularly culpable, making mistakes for both of Marcus Rashford’s goals as United took a 2-0 lead, firstly with a dreadful clearance and then by allowing the striker to head in virtually unmarked.
The Gunners came into the game having failed to win their previous eight league games at Old Trafford, but as big favourites against a United side enduring a poor season and ravaged by injuries.

The blueprint for Arsenal coming into this match must surely have been the ruthless 3-0 evisceration of United when the sides met in October.

It was a performance they have since been unable to repeat.

Arsenal took on a United back four that included two central midfielders playing out of position at centre-back, a right-back making his second Premier League start and a left-back who had not started a match since November.

Yet Arsenal were passive, appearing to assume that their greater quality would automatically guarantee them the points.

Only Mesut Ozil can return to London with any sense of pride in his performance. The German set up a glorious chance for Nacho Monreal early on, provided the free-kick for Danny Welbeck’s goal and scored Arsenal’s second himself.

Without Ozil, Wenger’s men would be nowhere near the top of the table.

As it is, they are once again kissing the title goodbye anyway.