..::Football III::..

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Benitez told me to get Vermaelen to Napoli - Mertens

Rafael Benitez has roped Napoli attacker Dries Mertens in to his attempts to sign Arsenal defender Thomas Vermaelen in January.

Merten, who moved to the club in June from PSV, claims that the Partenopei coach has already asked him to encourage his fellow Belgian to make the switch to Serie A. Furthermore, Mertens himself wants his international team-mate to move to Napoli, with Vermaelen having fallen behind Per Mertesacker and Laurent
Koscielny in the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium.

"I have already told Vermaelen to come to Napoli 10 times," Mertens, 26, told Knack."The city is magnificent and even Benitez asked me to convince Vermaelen to come here."But Arsenal is a great club and it won't be so easy for him to leave."

Vermaelen made only two league starts this season with the centre-back having previously stated a desire to play regularly in the run-up to World Cup 2014.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'You can't give an award like the Ballon d'Or to Ribery,' claims Coentrao

Real Madrid defender Fabio Coentrao has rubbished Franck Ribery's claims on the Ballon d'Or, arguing that "you can't give an award like this" to the Frenchman.

The Portugal international believes that the Bayern Munich ace should not be mentioned in the same breath as the two other players shortlisted for the accolade, compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi.

Even then, Coentrao is of the opinion that there is only one obvious choice for this year's Ballon d'Or, given Argentina's finest has been plagued by injuries in 2013.

"Messi is an excellent player, but he has been out of action a long time," the full-back told A Bola. "And you can't give an award like this to Ribery, who only scored 22 goals.

"Cristiano Ronaldo has always been at the top of his game and scored [more than] twice as many."

The winner of the 2013 Ballon d'Or will be announced at a special ceremony in Zurich, Switzerland on January 13.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter legend Suarez: Balotelli not world class

Inter legend Luis Suarez has claimed that last weekend's Milan derby proved that Mario Balotelli still cannot be considered a world-class player.

The Rossoneri forward struggled to make an impact in the game at San Siro, as Massimiliano Allegri's struggling side slumped to a 1-0 defeat, with Rodrigo Palacio scoring the only goal of the game with just four minutes to go.

Suarez was extremely underwhelmed with Balotelli's contribution to the AC Milan cause, arguing that the obvious dearth of talent around him cannot be used an excuse for such a sub-standard showing in one of the most famous fixtures in world football.

"One sees a world-class player in games like the derby, meaning he is not one yet," the former Spain international told Tiki Taka.

"Palacio and [Inter midfielder Fredy] Guarin played like world-class players, without the support of the team ..."

Balotelli has managed just six Serie A goals this season for Milan, who are currently languishing in 13th place in the standings.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League 2013.12.26 Boxing Day Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2013.12.26 Boxing Day Fixtures

Hull City Vs Manchester United

Aston Villa Vs Crystal Palace

Cardiff City Vs Southampton

Chelsea Vs Swansea

Everton Vs Sunderland

Newcastle United Vs Stoke City

Norwich City Vs Fulham

Tottenham Vs WBA

West Ham United Vs Arsenal

Manchester City Vs Liverpool

​

 

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Barclays Premier League 2013.12.26 Boxing Day Fixtures

Hull City Vs Manchester United

West Ham United Vs Arsenal

Manchester City Vs Liverpool

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City Vs Liverpool patta gamek yayi

 

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Half Time

Hull City 2 Vs 2 Manchester United

Pattama gemak yanne
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Half Time

Hull City 2 Vs 2 Manchester United

Pattama gemak yanne
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Full Time

Hull City 2 Vs 3 Manchester United

Hull City Goal(s)

James Chester 4'
David Meyler 13'

Manchester United Goal(s)

Chris Smalling 19'
Wayne Rooney 26'
James Chester 66'

Congratulations Manchester United
Pattama comeback 1kak
Anthima tike nam cool wela giya
​

 

[Persius]

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Welcome bro

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hull City 2-3 Manchester United: Rampant Rooney inspires stunning comeback

Manchester United overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Hull City 3-2 at the KC Stadium on Thursday afternoon thanks to an inspired performance from Wayne Rooney, who netted his 150th Premier League goal for the club.

Steve Bruce's side raced to an early lead, with former United defender James Chester volleying in Alex Bruce's knock-down from close-range, before the home side doubled the lead through David Meyler, his limp shot taking an unfortunate deflection off Jonny Evans and trickling in.

But United came roaring back with Rooney instrumental. The forward's inch-perfect free kick was headed into the back of the net by Chris Smalling and moments later the 28-year-old saw his stunning volley fly past Allan McGregor to level the scores.

The Tigers regrouped at half-time and could have re-taken the lead when Bruce smashed the crossbar. However, having opened the scoring, Chester went from hero to zero as he headed past his own keeper to give the Red Devils the lead and the victory - despite Antonio Valencia receiving a red card late on.

Hull named the same side for the fourth straight match, while David Moyes included Darren Fletcher in the United starting XI for the first time in over a year. Michael Carrick, meanwhile, was fit enough for a place on the bench after overcoming injury.

The hosts stormed into the lead as early as the fourth minute. Tom Huddlestone's corner was headed back across goal by Bruce and Chester was on hand to volley home from close range. However, replays suggested a corner should not have been awarded as Ahmed Elmohamady had kicked the ball straight out of play.

Hull doubled their advantage just nine minutes later to leave the home supporters in dreamland. A bout of pinball in the United box resulted in Meyler's goalbound effort deflecting off Evans and deceiving goalkeeper David de Gea.

United needed a swift response and duly delivered after 19 minutes; substitute Adnan Januzaj tricked his way past Maynor Figueroa to win a free kick and Rooney's testing set-piece was powered into the back of the net by Smalling.

The visitors twice came close to levelling with a Danny Welbeck header and Tom Cleverley's long-range strike and the pressure was rewarded when Rooney played a one-two with Welbeck before teeing himself up for a volley that he rifled into the top corner from 25 yards.

Hull were forced into a change at half-time with goalkeeper Allan McGregor - who was involved in a first-half collision with Ashley Young - being replaced by Steve Harper.

The hosts twice forced good opportunities in the early stages of the second half. First Yannick Sagbo had an effort beaten away be De Gea before Curtis Davies glanced Huddlestone's corner wide. Bruce came even closer just after the hour mark when his header rebounded off the crossbar.

The visitors punished Hull for their profligacy in the 66th minute, though, as Young got past Figueroa and whipped a ball into the box that Chester headed past substitute goalkeeper Harper when under pressure from Rooney.

Hull pushed for a leveller in the closing stages and Danny Graham should have done better with a tame back-post header.

Valencia added to the tension in injury time when his petulance in kicking the ball away earned him a second yellow card, and Chester almost redeemed himself but saw his late toe-poked effort smuggled to safety by De Gea.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Ham 1-3 Arsenal: Podolski scores on return to cap Walcott double

Theo Walcott scored twice in three second-half minutes as Arsenal came from behind to beat struggling West Ham 3-1 at Upton Park.



The England winger's quickfire double got Arsenal's title hopes back on track after a run of three Premier League games without a win and ensured London rivals West Ham drop into the relegation zone.

Arsene Wenger's side had to respond to falling behind to Carlton Cole's 46th-minute tap in following a mistake from Wojciech Szczesny.

Walcott levelled in the 68th minute with a shot that ought to have been kept out by Adrian, before sending a powerful header home after meeting a cross from the returning Lukas Podolski, who was introduced after Aaron Ramsey had hobbled off with a muscle strain.Podolski himself sealed the win 11 minutes from time, marking his first appearance since August after a lay-off with a hamstring injury in style with a well-taken goal from Olivier Giroud's lay-off.

Kevin Nolan returned from suspension as Sam Allardyce made four changes, while Arsenal midfielder Santi Cazorla came in for Tomas Rosicky.The hosts started strongly and Mark Noble tested Szczesny with a curling free-kick from the corner of the penalty area in the 10th minute.

Arsenal responded well and tested Adrian for the first time five minutes later, the goalkeeper leaping to his right to keep out Cazorla's powerful header from the edge of the box.

Mohamed Diame sent in a rasping drive from 30 yards which Szczesney gathered at the second attempt in the 25th minute. Walcott ought to have given the visitors the lead a minute later, when he volleyed wide from eight yards after being picked out by Ramsey's chipped pass.

Cazorla fizzed a 20-yard shot a foot over Adrian's crossbar before Giroud scuffed his shot wide 30 seconds later when through on goal.The visitors continued to press for the opener, Mikel Arteta sending his volley a yard wide from the edge of the box a minute before the break.

But they were stunned when Cole put the hosts in front inside the first minute of the second period, turning home the rebound from seven yards after Szczesny had spilled Nolan's shot from the edge of the box.

West Ham had three clear chances to double the advantage in the next 10 minutes, Szczesny beating away Matt Jarvis' effort before Joey O'Brien and Cole were both guilty of missing the target from close range.

O'Brien headed wide when unmarked eight yards out, before Cole poked an effort of target from similar range.Arsenal threatened an equaliser on the hour-mark, Adrian denying Cazorla before reacting smartly to keep out Mesut Ozil's follow-up with his legs.

The equaliser did arrive eight minutes later, Walcott cutting inside before scuffing a tame left-footed effort towards goal that Adrian somehow allowed to squirm through his grasp and into the net.

Three minutes later the turnaround was complete when Walcott headed home Podolski's left-wing cross to make it four goals in his last three matches.

Adrian rushed from his line to foil Podolski two minutes later, but the Germany international was not to be denied a goal as he lashed home a first-time effort to seal Arsenal's fifth win six visits to Upton Park.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ada Comeback Day 1kak

Manchester United 0-2 Down (Final 3-2)
Arsenal 0-1 Down (Final 3-1)
Newcastle United 0-1 Down (Final 5-1)
Fulham 0-1 Down (Final 2-1)​

 

[unicornx]

CIty won...But what the F*** did that ref do? Cancelled the goal and no penalty even

 

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West Ham 1-3 Arsenal: Podolski scores on return to cap Walcott double

podolski is back

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City 2-1 Liverpool: Negredo & Pellegrini profit from Mignolet howler

Alvaro Negredo's seventh goal in nine home matches saw Manchester City defeat Liverpool to move into second in the Premier League.

Negredo capped a devastating counterattack in first-half injury time with a shot which Simon Mignolet could only palm into his own net after Vincent Kompany had cancelled out Coutinho's opener.


Jordan Henderson's backheel was saved by Joe Hart and Raheem Sterling missed an open goal as Liverpool pressed for an equaliser after the break, but City held on for a big win.

City are now just a point behind leaders Arsenal in second place and have won six of their last seven top-flight games, while Liverpool sit three points behind Arsene Wenger's side in fourth.Martin Demichelis (knock) was ruled out, so Joleon Lescott came into the heart of the City defence. Pablo Zabaleta returned from a hamstring injury and Jesus Navas started as Gael Clichy and Edin Dzeko dropped to the bench.Liverpool were without full-back Jon Flanagan (hamstring), so Aly Cissokho got the nod to replace him.

City wasted no time in showing their intent and were almost in front after four minutes as Aleksandar Kolarov whipped in a cross and Navas stooped at the back post to head back across goal, but was denied by the outside of the post.
Liverpool soon got into their stride and were in front after 23 minutes when Sterling got on the end of Luis Suarez's exquisite flick then rounded Joe Hart and Coutinho nipped in front of the winger to slot into the empty net from a tight angle.
City were a constant threat and it took them only seven minutes to get back on level terms as Kompany rose to head down David Silva's corner and Joe Allen was unable to clear on the line.

Both sides were causing all sorts of problems going forward and Hart denied Coutinho a second goal after great link-up play by the lively Sterling and Suarez, before Martin Skrtel produced a vital last-ditch block to thwart Alvaro Negredo.

Negredo was not to be denied in first-half stoppage time, though, as Mignolet could only palm the striker's left-foot strike behind him and into the net after Navas had picked out his Spain team-mate.Liverpool started the second half on the front foot and Kolarov was almost made to pay for being far too casual in the area when Suarez robbed him, but the Uruguayan's shot hit Jordan Henderson and the defender's blushes were spared.

Negredo rose to meet a Silva corner but headed straight at Mignolet. Liverpool continued to ask questions of the City defence and Glen Johnson's touch let him down after Lescott's attempted clearance fell nicely for him.

Henderson forced a save out of Hart with a cheeky backheel and then Sterling spurned a golden opportunity after 72 minutes when he inexplicably fired over the bar from close range.

Suarez blasted a free-kick over the crossbar from long range, but there was no way back for Liverpool.