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FA Cup semi-final draw: Arsenal to face Wigan
Arsenal will face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semi-final, while Hull City meet Sheffield United in the other tie.
Arsene Wenger’s side beat Everton 4-1 in the quarter-finals on Saturday and will play the FA Cup holders, who secured a shock 2-1 win over City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Hull City eased to a 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday and are now up against League One outfit Sheffield United, who sealed a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at Bramall Lane to reach Wembley.
The two semi-final ties will be played on April 12 and April 13.
Semi-final draw
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Hull City v Sheffield United
Arsenal will face Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup semi-final, while Hull City meet Sheffield United in the other tie.
Arsene Wenger’s side beat Everton 4-1 in the quarter-finals on Saturday and will play the FA Cup holders, who secured a shock 2-1 win over City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Hull City eased to a 3-0 win over Sunderland on Sunday and are now up against League One outfit Sheffield United, who sealed a 2-0 victory over Charlton Athletic at Bramall Lane to reach Wembley.
The two semi-final ties will be played on April 12 and April 13.
Semi-final draw
Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Hull City v Sheffield United
Napoli 1-0 Roma: Callejon cuts the gap to Giallorossi
Napoli recorded a 1-0 win over Roma in Sunday evening's Serie A encounter at the Stadio San Paolo.
Both sides created a number of chances throughout the game, but Jose Callejon's header late in the second half eventually made the difference for the hosts and cut the gap to the second-placed Giallorossi in the table.
The away side got the first good chance of the game as Gervinho threatened after just three minutes of play, but the Cote d'Ivoire star failed to find the net from inside the area.
Roma were then dealt a big blow when Kevin Strootman was forced off with a knee injury and Napoli briefly took over the initiative.
Nevertheless, the guests looked to have grabbed the lead halfway through the first half when Mehdi Benatia headed home from close range, only to see the referee disallow the goal for offside.
Gervinho continued to cause the Napoli defence all kinds of trouble with his silky dribbles and the former Arsenal man should have opened the scoring in the 37th minute, but Pepe Reina pulled off a fine safe to deny the attacker.
The home team struggled to create any chances of note, yet went close in the dying minutes of the first half via Dries Mertens, whose shot was eventually parried by Morgan De Sanctis.
Napoli did start the second half the better and once more Mertens tried his luck, but the Belgium international's attempt from outside the area only grazed the crossbar.
Rafa Benitez's men again threatened shortly after through Callejon, who found himself one-on-one with De Sanctis, but the Roma goalkeeper denied the former Madrid attacker with his right foot.
A Maicon cross from the right then nearly saw Roma go ahead, but Reina pulled off a superb reflex stop to keep the ball out, while Alessandro Florenzi headed inches wide after good work from the Brazilian in the 75th minute.
Napoli broke the deadlock at last with 10 minutes to go after some good work from Faouzi Ghoulam. The left-back found Callejon with a perfect cross and the versatile attacker beat De Sanctis with a powerful header that went in off the crossbar to make it 1-0.
Napoli remain third in Serie A with 55 points from 27 games. Their next match is the Europa League clash with Porto on Thursday.
Roma are still sitting second in the table, trailing leaders Juventus by 14 points, but with a game in hand. They resume Serie A action at home against Udinese on March 17.
Napoli recorded a 1-0 win over Roma in Sunday evening's Serie A encounter at the Stadio San Paolo.
Both sides created a number of chances throughout the game, but Jose Callejon's header late in the second half eventually made the difference for the hosts and cut the gap to the second-placed Giallorossi in the table.
The away side got the first good chance of the game as Gervinho threatened after just three minutes of play, but the Cote d'Ivoire star failed to find the net from inside the area.
Roma were then dealt a big blow when Kevin Strootman was forced off with a knee injury and Napoli briefly took over the initiative.
Nevertheless, the guests looked to have grabbed the lead halfway through the first half when Mehdi Benatia headed home from close range, only to see the referee disallow the goal for offside.
Gervinho continued to cause the Napoli defence all kinds of trouble with his silky dribbles and the former Arsenal man should have opened the scoring in the 37th minute, but Pepe Reina pulled off a fine safe to deny the attacker.
The home team struggled to create any chances of note, yet went close in the dying minutes of the first half via Dries Mertens, whose shot was eventually parried by Morgan De Sanctis.
Napoli did start the second half the better and once more Mertens tried his luck, but the Belgium international's attempt from outside the area only grazed the crossbar.
Rafa Benitez's men again threatened shortly after through Callejon, who found himself one-on-one with De Sanctis, but the Roma goalkeeper denied the former Madrid attacker with his right foot.
A Maicon cross from the right then nearly saw Roma go ahead, but Reina pulled off a superb reflex stop to keep the ball out, while Alessandro Florenzi headed inches wide after good work from the Brazilian in the 75th minute.
Napoli broke the deadlock at last with 10 minutes to go after some good work from Faouzi Ghoulam. The left-back found Callejon with a perfect cross and the versatile attacker beat De Sanctis with a powerful header that went in off the crossbar to make it 1-0.
Napoli remain third in Serie A with 55 points from 27 games. Their next match is the Europa League clash with Porto on Thursday.
Roma are still sitting second in the table, trailing leaders Juventus by 14 points, but with a game in hand. They resume Serie A action at home against Udinese on March 17.
Real Madrid 3-0 Levante: Ronaldo and Marcelo put Blancos back on top
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo helped Real Madrid moved back to the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-0 win over Levante on Sunday.
The Portugal attacker buried a first-half header to set the hosts on their way before teeing up the Brazilian for a brilliant right-footed strike to double the advantage shortly after the break.
Levante - who had David Navarro sent off for a crude challenge from behind on Ronaldo - then further compounded their own misery as Nikos Karabelas scored a bizarre own goal to hand Carlo Ancelotti's a third in their 16th-straight win at Santiago Bernabeu.
The visitors came into the game having conceded just one goal in their previous five games, but their backline was put to the test early on in a strong spell of Real pressure.
Ronaldo was the first to test Keylor Navas with a side-footed effort on the volley from inside the area and the forward then put Real ahead after just 11 minutes.
He rose highest to head home an Angel Di Maria corner and move to 38 goals for the season in all competitions.
Andreas Ivanschitz volleyed over from outside the area when Levante carved out their first opportunity.
That proved a rare period of respite as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema linked shortly after, leading to Navas thwarting the Frenchman from close range.
Di Maria flashed an effort wide from distance as Real continued to probe and Benzema almost doubled the lead shortly before the break, but Navas continued his heroics by tipping a header onto his right-hand post and wide.
Ronaldo turned provider for the second, which saw Marcelo shimmy past Navarro, cut onto his right foot and fire past a helpess Navas to record his first league goal since January 2012.
Keylor was again called into action to deny Benzema before Levante were reduced to 10 men as a result of Navarro's late challenge from behind on Ronaldo.
Karabelas inadvertently swept Marcelo's cross into his own net to put the result beyond any doubt nine minutes from time as Madrid moved three points clear at the summit of La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo helped Real Madrid moved back to the top of La Liga with a comfortable 3-0 win over Levante on Sunday.
The Portugal attacker buried a first-half header to set the hosts on their way before teeing up the Brazilian for a brilliant right-footed strike to double the advantage shortly after the break.
Levante - who had David Navarro sent off for a crude challenge from behind on Ronaldo - then further compounded their own misery as Nikos Karabelas scored a bizarre own goal to hand Carlo Ancelotti's a third in their 16th-straight win at Santiago Bernabeu.
The visitors came into the game having conceded just one goal in their previous five games, but their backline was put to the test early on in a strong spell of Real pressure.
Ronaldo was the first to test Keylor Navas with a side-footed effort on the volley from inside the area and the forward then put Real ahead after just 11 minutes.
He rose highest to head home an Angel Di Maria corner and move to 38 goals for the season in all competitions.
Andreas Ivanschitz volleyed over from outside the area when Levante carved out their first opportunity.
That proved a rare period of respite as Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema linked shortly after, leading to Navas thwarting the Frenchman from close range.
Di Maria flashed an effort wide from distance as Real continued to probe and Benzema almost doubled the lead shortly before the break, but Navas continued his heroics by tipping a header onto his right-hand post and wide.
Ronaldo turned provider for the second, which saw Marcelo shimmy past Navarro, cut onto his right foot and fire past a helpess Navas to record his first league goal since January 2012.
Keylor was again called into action to deny Benzema before Levante were reduced to 10 men as a result of Navarro's late challenge from behind on Ronaldo.
Karabelas inadvertently swept Marcelo's cross into his own net to put the result beyond any doubt nine minutes from time as Madrid moved three points clear at the summit of La Liga.
Manchester City 1-2 Wigan: Lightning strikes twice as Perch stuns Pellegrini's men
Wigan Athletic again proved Manchester City's FA Cup scourge by following last season's final triumph with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals.
In one of the biggest upsets in the recent history of the decorated competition, Ben Watson grabbed the only goal as Wigan - who would go on to suffer relegation from the Premier League - triumphed over big-spending City in May last year.
Watson was not available this time around having suffered a broken leg last month but his spirit was invoked by the Wigan players, who wore shirts bearing his picture and the slogan, 'We can do it! For Ben' in the warm-up and went on to spring another sensational shock.
They were given a helping hand, too, by the much-maligned Martin Demichelis, who was arguably at fault for Wigan's two goals.
In a moment akin to when he earned a red card that set up a Champions League defeat to Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, Demichelis gifted the visitors a penalty - which Jordi Gomez dispatched - with a clumsy challenge on Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Things then went from bad to worse for the defender, whose dreadful positioning aided James Perch's strike.
Demichelis' blushes appeared set to be spared when Samir Nasri pulled one back with 22 minutes remaining, but Wigan held on to book a semi-final clash with Arsenal at Wembley and complete a happy return to Manchester for City legend and Wigan boss Uwe Rosler.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini, chasing a domestic treble in his first season at the helm having overseen a Capital One Cup win at Wembley last week, fielded his strongest XI, with the exception of resting midfielder Fernandinho and playmaker David Silva ahead of the midweek second-leg tie with Barcelona.
Yet it was Wigan who edged the opening exchanges as City struggled to break down a team determined to sit back and counter-attack.
The visitors' patience paid dividends in the 26th minute as Gomez sent Costel Pantilimon the wrong way after Demichelis felled Fortune, having been beaten for pace by the striker.
City's frustration increased thereafter as patient build-up play failed to yield openings of any note. Their annoyance grew considerably at the start of the second period when Wigan grabbed a second.
James McArthur found space on the left wing and crossed for Perch to slide home ahead of Gael Clichy at the back post.
Pellegrini turned to the bench for answers, bringing on Silva, James Milner and Edin Dzeko in a triple change.
It almost paid immediate dividends as a Dzeko header struck the inside of the post from Clichy's cross.
City did score soon after, though, as Nasri volleyed home from the edge of the area, his effort controversially going through the legs of Joleon Lescott, who appeared to be stood in an offside position.
The sides traded golden opportunities thereafter, Micah Richards curling just wide before Fortune blazed into the stands instead of sliding in James McClean.
Wigan's goal then came under siege, with Emerson Boyce's last-gasp challenge denying Dzeko before Scott Carson kept out Sergio Aguero at full stretch, but Rosler's men held on for another famous win.
Wigan Athletic again proved Manchester City's FA Cup scourge by following last season's final triumph with a 2-1 win at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-finals.
In one of the biggest upsets in the recent history of the decorated competition, Ben Watson grabbed the only goal as Wigan - who would go on to suffer relegation from the Premier League - triumphed over big-spending City in May last year.
Watson was not available this time around having suffered a broken leg last month but his spirit was invoked by the Wigan players, who wore shirts bearing his picture and the slogan, 'We can do it! For Ben' in the warm-up and went on to spring another sensational shock.
They were given a helping hand, too, by the much-maligned Martin Demichelis, who was arguably at fault for Wigan's two goals.
In a moment akin to when he earned a red card that set up a Champions League defeat to Barcelona a couple of weeks ago, Demichelis gifted the visitors a penalty - which Jordi Gomez dispatched - with a clumsy challenge on Marc-Antoine Fortune.
Things then went from bad to worse for the defender, whose dreadful positioning aided James Perch's strike.
Demichelis' blushes appeared set to be spared when Samir Nasri pulled one back with 22 minutes remaining, but Wigan held on to book a semi-final clash with Arsenal at Wembley and complete a happy return to Manchester for City legend and Wigan boss Uwe Rosler.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini, chasing a domestic treble in his first season at the helm having overseen a Capital One Cup win at Wembley last week, fielded his strongest XI, with the exception of resting midfielder Fernandinho and playmaker David Silva ahead of the midweek second-leg tie with Barcelona.
Yet it was Wigan who edged the opening exchanges as City struggled to break down a team determined to sit back and counter-attack.
The visitors' patience paid dividends in the 26th minute as Gomez sent Costel Pantilimon the wrong way after Demichelis felled Fortune, having been beaten for pace by the striker.
City's frustration increased thereafter as patient build-up play failed to yield openings of any note. Their annoyance grew considerably at the start of the second period when Wigan grabbed a second.
James McArthur found space on the left wing and crossed for Perch to slide home ahead of Gael Clichy at the back post.
Pellegrini turned to the bench for answers, bringing on Silva, James Milner and Edin Dzeko in a triple change.
It almost paid immediate dividends as a Dzeko header struck the inside of the post from Clichy's cross.
City did score soon after, though, as Nasri volleyed home from the edge of the area, his effort controversially going through the legs of Joleon Lescott, who appeared to be stood in an offside position.
The sides traded golden opportunities thereafter, Micah Richards curling just wide before Fortune blazed into the stands instead of sliding in James McClean.
Wigan's goal then came under siege, with Emerson Boyce's last-gasp challenge denying Dzeko before Scott Carson kept out Sergio Aguero at full stretch, but Rosler's men held on for another famous win.
Freiburg 0-1 Borussia Dortmund: Kehl tightens BVB grip on second place
Borussia Dortmund tightened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga thanks to Sebastian Kehl's solitary strike in the 1-0 win over Freiburg.
The Dortmund captain struck in style just before the hour mark to move Jurgen Klopp's side four points clear of third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who could only draw at Hannover on Saturday.Kehl instinctively shot after Kevin Grosskreutz fed the ball into his path, with the 25-yard effort curling over Freiburg goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and into the back of the net.
The midfielder's first goal in any competition since April 2012 secured the three points for the visitors, but they were made to work hard by the relegation-threatened hosts.
Christian Streich's side felt Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos should have been sent off for bringing down the impressive Philipp Zulechner on the stroke of half-time.And Freiburg were made to rue their misfortune as they remained in the bottom two of the Bundesliga.
Hampered by the absence of Robert Lewandowski (knee) and Marco Reus (foot), Dortmund started slowly, with a weak Nuri Sahin free-kick all they could muster in the early stages.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired wide after a neat team move but Freiburg were well organised at the back, frustrating their opponents, who had won the last seven meetings between the two sides.
Zulechner, making his first start since arriving from Austrian side Grodig last month, shot over after a corner was not properly cleared, but the home fans were the liveliest aspect of a tame first 30 minutes.
Mats Hummels' well-weighted long ball could have caused Freiburg problems but Baumann was quick to react before the first half's major talking point angered the hosts.
Zulechner, who was sent through on goal, was hauled down by Sokratis in the 43rd minute, but the Greece defender – who was the last man – was only given a yellow card.Dortmund capitalised on their good fortune with a promising start to the second half as Julian Schieber, deputising for top scorer Lewandowski up front, shot into the side netting.
Schieber then agonisingly missed a teasing ball across the face of goal from Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 54th minute but the visitors soon had the lead, with Kehl's piece of brilliance leaving Baumann with no chance.
Freiburg battled for an equaliser and regularly got into good positions, with Ahmed Mehmedi a constant threat.
Dortmund nearly scored again, with substitute Jonas Hofmann blazing over from close range after Aubameyang's cut-back in the dying stages, but one goal was enough as Klopp's charges continued their excellent record against Freiburg.
Borussia Dortmund tightened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga thanks to Sebastian Kehl's solitary strike in the 1-0 win over Freiburg.
The Dortmund captain struck in style just before the hour mark to move Jurgen Klopp's side four points clear of third-placed Bayer Leverkusen, who could only draw at Hannover on Saturday.Kehl instinctively shot after Kevin Grosskreutz fed the ball into his path, with the 25-yard effort curling over Freiburg goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and into the back of the net.
The midfielder's first goal in any competition since April 2012 secured the three points for the visitors, but they were made to work hard by the relegation-threatened hosts.
Christian Streich's side felt Dortmund defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos should have been sent off for bringing down the impressive Philipp Zulechner on the stroke of half-time.And Freiburg were made to rue their misfortune as they remained in the bottom two of the Bundesliga.
Hampered by the absence of Robert Lewandowski (knee) and Marco Reus (foot), Dortmund started slowly, with a weak Nuri Sahin free-kick all they could muster in the early stages.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang fired wide after a neat team move but Freiburg were well organised at the back, frustrating their opponents, who had won the last seven meetings between the two sides.
Zulechner, making his first start since arriving from Austrian side Grodig last month, shot over after a corner was not properly cleared, but the home fans were the liveliest aspect of a tame first 30 minutes.
Mats Hummels' well-weighted long ball could have caused Freiburg problems but Baumann was quick to react before the first half's major talking point angered the hosts.
Zulechner, who was sent through on goal, was hauled down by Sokratis in the 43rd minute, but the Greece defender – who was the last man – was only given a yellow card.Dortmund capitalised on their good fortune with a promising start to the second half as Julian Schieber, deputising for top scorer Lewandowski up front, shot into the side netting.
Schieber then agonisingly missed a teasing ball across the face of goal from Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the 54th minute but the visitors soon had the lead, with Kehl's piece of brilliance leaving Baumann with no chance.
Freiburg battled for an equaliser and regularly got into good positions, with Ahmed Mehmedi a constant threat.
Dortmund nearly scored again, with substitute Jonas Hofmann blazing over from close range after Aubameyang's cut-back in the dying stages, but one goal was enough as Klopp's charges continued their excellent record against Freiburg.
Inter 1-0 Torino: Palacio strike piles pressure on Fiorentina
Rodrigo Palacio's 30th minute goal saw Inter beat Torino 1-0 and cut the gap on fourth-placed Fiorentina to just one point.
Walter Mazzarri's side are unbeaten in five matches after further denting the ambitions of a Torino side they now lead by eight points.
Palacio, who scored twice in October's reverse fixture, haunted the visitors again with a clever header half an hour into the game.
Torino had a better time of it in the second half as the game opened up, but Inter stood firm as they marked their 106th anniversary with a victory.Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile almost combined to create an opening after eight minutes as the hosts' defence made a shaky start.
After struggling to deal with a number of deliveries, Inter produced another poor clearance that fell to Cerci, who could only fire over from inside the area.
Fredy Guarin's powerful drive was blocked well by a combination of Guillermo Rodriguez and Giuseppe Vives, and Palacio saw a header palmed wide by Padelli as the home side gradually grew into the game.
However, Palacio did open the scoring with a well-angled header from a delightful Cambiasso pass just before the half-hour mark.It was deserved, given Inter's strong period of play from the 10-minute mark and Cambiasso was at the centre of things again soon after - almost finding Mauro Icardi in a dangerous position.
Hernanes almost doubled Inter's advantage five minutes before the break with an effort from distance, while Cerci was unable to reach a long ball from Immobile that could have provided him with a chance to level.
In a lively opening to the second half, Rolando headed straight at Padelli from Hernanes' delivery and Handanovic was forced into an early save from Immobile's effort.
Migjen Basha rippled the side-netting with a well-struck effort from distance but Inter stood firm and ensured Torino's goal drought now stands at three games.
Rodrigo Palacio's 30th minute goal saw Inter beat Torino 1-0 and cut the gap on fourth-placed Fiorentina to just one point.
Walter Mazzarri's side are unbeaten in five matches after further denting the ambitions of a Torino side they now lead by eight points.
Palacio, who scored twice in October's reverse fixture, haunted the visitors again with a clever header half an hour into the game.
Torino had a better time of it in the second half as the game opened up, but Inter stood firm as they marked their 106th anniversary with a victory.Alessio Cerci and Ciro Immobile almost combined to create an opening after eight minutes as the hosts' defence made a shaky start.
After struggling to deal with a number of deliveries, Inter produced another poor clearance that fell to Cerci, who could only fire over from inside the area.
Fredy Guarin's powerful drive was blocked well by a combination of Guillermo Rodriguez and Giuseppe Vives, and Palacio saw a header palmed wide by Padelli as the home side gradually grew into the game.
However, Palacio did open the scoring with a well-angled header from a delightful Cambiasso pass just before the half-hour mark.It was deserved, given Inter's strong period of play from the 10-minute mark and Cambiasso was at the centre of things again soon after - almost finding Mauro Icardi in a dangerous position.
Hernanes almost doubled Inter's advantage five minutes before the break with an effort from distance, while Cerci was unable to reach a long ball from Immobile that could have provided him with a chance to level.
In a lively opening to the second half, Rolando headed straight at Padelli from Hernanes' delivery and Handanovic was forced into an early save from Immobile's effort.
Migjen Basha rippled the side-netting with a well-struck effort from distance but Inter stood firm and ensured Torino's goal drought now stands at three games.
Juventus 1-0 Fiorentina: Asamoah exacts Viola revenge
A 42nd minute strike from Kwadwo Asamoah was the difference between the two sides as Juventus saw off Fiorentina 1-0 in Turin.
The sides are set to meet three times in less than a fortnight, with Sunday's Serie A clash to be followed by two encounters in the Europa League last 16.
Juve enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half at Juventus Stadium, but had to wait until the 42nd minute to break the deadlock through Asamoah.
Fiorentina threatened to battle their way back into the tie after the break, with Modibo Diakite having a goal disallowed, but Juve held out to avenge their sole league defeat of the season, which came in the reverse fixture back in October.
The victory strengthens Juve's position at the summit of the Italian top flight, with the reigning champions now 14 points clear ahead of the clash between chasing duo Napoli and Roma later on Sunday.
Antonio Conte welcomed Giorgio Chiellini and Arturo Vidal back from injury and suspension respectively, and it was the hosts who applied the early pressure amid an intense atmosphere in Turin, with Carlos Tevez seeing an effort deflected wide by Gonzalo Rodriguez in the opening five minutes.
Stephan Lichtsteiner should have put Juve in front 10 minutes later when he received the ball from a Vidal cut-back, but skewed his attempt wide of the left-hand post.
Fiorentina were struggling to get out of their own half, with home goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reduced to the role of spectator. Tevez failed to bring the ball under control when clean through on goal in the 24th minute, as he knocked the ball out for a goal-kick as Juve continued to press.
The visitors had Neto to thank for keeping the game goalless, two minutes later, when he punched behind from a deflected Asamoah strike, before Paul Pogba lofted a volley over the crossbar.
Juve’s pressure finally paid off three minutes before the break as Asamoah pulled off a delightful piece of skill in the penalty area to tee himself up for a right-footed thunderbolt, that flew into the back of the net off the right-hand upright via the slightest of deflections.Diakite then looked to have pulled Fiorentina level early in the second period, but his strike was ruled out for offside.
Vincenzo Montella's men saw a lot more of the ball after the break and came close to an equaliser once again when Mario Gomez headed just wide of the target from a Manuel Pasqual cross from the left.Juan Manuel Vargas was next to get a sight of goal in the 68th minute, but sent the ball well over the crossbar of a grateful Buffon.
Viola substitute Ryder Matos struck the crossbar with a header from a Vargas cross before going into the referee's book for a dive in the area under the challenge of Chiellini, as Juve lived dangerously in the closing stages.
However, the Serie A leaders were not to be denied and maintained their perfect home league record this season, which now stands at 14 victories from 14 games.
A 42nd minute strike from Kwadwo Asamoah was the difference between the two sides as Juventus saw off Fiorentina 1-0 in Turin.
The sides are set to meet three times in less than a fortnight, with Sunday's Serie A clash to be followed by two encounters in the Europa League last 16.
Juve enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half at Juventus Stadium, but had to wait until the 42nd minute to break the deadlock through Asamoah.
Fiorentina threatened to battle their way back into the tie after the break, with Modibo Diakite having a goal disallowed, but Juve held out to avenge their sole league defeat of the season, which came in the reverse fixture back in October.
The victory strengthens Juve's position at the summit of the Italian top flight, with the reigning champions now 14 points clear ahead of the clash between chasing duo Napoli and Roma later on Sunday.
Antonio Conte welcomed Giorgio Chiellini and Arturo Vidal back from injury and suspension respectively, and it was the hosts who applied the early pressure amid an intense atmosphere in Turin, with Carlos Tevez seeing an effort deflected wide by Gonzalo Rodriguez in the opening five minutes.
Stephan Lichtsteiner should have put Juve in front 10 minutes later when he received the ball from a Vidal cut-back, but skewed his attempt wide of the left-hand post.
Fiorentina were struggling to get out of their own half, with home goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon reduced to the role of spectator. Tevez failed to bring the ball under control when clean through on goal in the 24th minute, as he knocked the ball out for a goal-kick as Juve continued to press.
The visitors had Neto to thank for keeping the game goalless, two minutes later, when he punched behind from a deflected Asamoah strike, before Paul Pogba lofted a volley over the crossbar.
Juve’s pressure finally paid off three minutes before the break as Asamoah pulled off a delightful piece of skill in the penalty area to tee himself up for a right-footed thunderbolt, that flew into the back of the net off the right-hand upright via the slightest of deflections.Diakite then looked to have pulled Fiorentina level early in the second period, but his strike was ruled out for offside.
Vincenzo Montella's men saw a lot more of the ball after the break and came close to an equaliser once again when Mario Gomez headed just wide of the target from a Manuel Pasqual cross from the left.Juan Manuel Vargas was next to get a sight of goal in the 68th minute, but sent the ball well over the crossbar of a grateful Buffon.
Viola substitute Ryder Matos struck the crossbar with a header from a Vargas cross before going into the referee's book for a dive in the area under the challenge of Chiellini, as Juve lived dangerously in the closing stages.
However, the Serie A leaders were not to be denied and maintained their perfect home league record this season, which now stands at 14 victories from 14 games.
Benitez: Napoli must be doing something right
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez hailed his side for adapting to changes to claim a 1-0 win over Roma on Sunday.
Jose Callejon's 81st-minute header was all the hosts needed at the San Paolo to move to within three points of second-placed Roma in Serie A.
Having lost Valon Behrami and Jorginho to pre-match ailments, Benitez praised his side for still having the character to claim three points.
"We've seen many games that Napoli played well and didn't win, so to beat a strong side like Roma I think we ought to be happy," Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.
"I think we are the only team this season who have beaten Roma twice. That must mean we are doing something right.
"We lost Valon Behrami and Jorginho this morning, so we had to change things around, which made the win even more pleasing.
"We've had quality throughout the year and without certain players today we still had intensity, scoring opportunities and kept a clean sheet."
Faouzi Ghoulam picked out Callejon at the back post and the attacker found the top corner with his header, which went in off the post for the game's only goal.
Benitez was unhappy with how often his team turned over possession, but was pleased his side took their chance.
"Of course we had a few problems on the counter-attack, but that was because we lost the ball, so we have to work on that," he said.
"Our idea is to attack and we went forward from the start, trying to get the victory.
"I think both teams had their chances and it could've gone either way, but we took our opportunity and won the game."
Benitez also defended midfielder Marek Hamsik as the Slovakian continues to struggle on his return from injury.
"At the start of the season he did very well, but he was out for two months and is really struggling to regain full fitness," the Spaniard said.
"We know he has the quality and will get there eventually."
Napoli coach Rafael Benitez hailed his side for adapting to changes to claim a 1-0 win over Roma on Sunday.
Jose Callejon's 81st-minute header was all the hosts needed at the San Paolo to move to within three points of second-placed Roma in Serie A.
Having lost Valon Behrami and Jorginho to pre-match ailments, Benitez praised his side for still having the character to claim three points.
"We've seen many games that Napoli played well and didn't win, so to beat a strong side like Roma I think we ought to be happy," Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.
"I think we are the only team this season who have beaten Roma twice. That must mean we are doing something right.
"We lost Valon Behrami and Jorginho this morning, so we had to change things around, which made the win even more pleasing.
"We've had quality throughout the year and without certain players today we still had intensity, scoring opportunities and kept a clean sheet."
Faouzi Ghoulam picked out Callejon at the back post and the attacker found the top corner with his header, which went in off the post for the game's only goal.
Benitez was unhappy with how often his team turned over possession, but was pleased his side took their chance.
"Of course we had a few problems on the counter-attack, but that was because we lost the ball, so we have to work on that," he said.
"Our idea is to attack and we went forward from the start, trying to get the victory.
"I think both teams had their chances and it could've gone either way, but we took our opportunity and won the game."
Benitez also defended midfielder Marek Hamsik as the Slovakian continues to struggle on his return from injury.
"At the start of the season he did very well, but he was out for two months and is really struggling to regain full fitness," the Spaniard said.
"We know he has the quality and will get there eventually."
Nasri apologises to Manchester City fans after FA Cup exit
Samir Nasri has apologised to Manchester City’s fans after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic at the Etihad Stadium.
Uwe Rosler’s side beat City in the final of last year’s competition and poured more misery on the hosts with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch.
Nasri did manage to get his name on the scoresheet as he pulled one back for Manuel Pellegrini’s men but it was to prove no more than a consolation for City.
Wigan will now go on to meet Arsenal in the semi-finals of the tournament, at Wembley, with Hull City taking on Sheffield United in the second semi-final.
City, meanwhile, must now regroup and face a tough fixture on Wednesday as they travel to Camp Nou to take on Barcelona in the Champions League, trailing 2-0 from the first leg.
Nasri has admitted his side were not at their best against the Latics but has urged City to focus on their trip to Spain.
“Disappointing performance from us, sorry to the fans let's focus on Wednesday and the league,” he wrote on Twitter.
Captain Vincent Kompany also gave his thoughts on the game, suggesting the team would learn from their shock defeat.
"If any lessons have to be learned, it's that anything is possible in football and that's not unimportant considering the task that's ahead," he Tweeted.
City’s cup commitments also saw them slip further behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League after the Blues thrashed Tottenham 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho's men are now nine points clear of Pellegrini’s men, albeit having played three games more, although the Blues boss insists City still have the advantage in the title race.
Samir Nasri has apologised to Manchester City’s fans after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic at the Etihad Stadium.
Uwe Rosler’s side beat City in the final of last year’s competition and poured more misery on the hosts with a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch.
Nasri did manage to get his name on the scoresheet as he pulled one back for Manuel Pellegrini’s men but it was to prove no more than a consolation for City.
Wigan will now go on to meet Arsenal in the semi-finals of the tournament, at Wembley, with Hull City taking on Sheffield United in the second semi-final.
City, meanwhile, must now regroup and face a tough fixture on Wednesday as they travel to Camp Nou to take on Barcelona in the Champions League, trailing 2-0 from the first leg.
Nasri has admitted his side were not at their best against the Latics but has urged City to focus on their trip to Spain.
“Disappointing performance from us, sorry to the fans let's focus on Wednesday and the league,” he wrote on Twitter.
Captain Vincent Kompany also gave his thoughts on the game, suggesting the team would learn from their shock defeat.
"If any lessons have to be learned, it's that anything is possible in football and that's not unimportant considering the task that's ahead," he Tweeted.
City’s cup commitments also saw them slip further behind leaders Chelsea in the Premier League after the Blues thrashed Tottenham 4-0 at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho's men are now nine points clear of Pellegrini’s men, albeit having played three games more, although the Blues boss insists City still have the advantage in the title race.
Real Madrid were nearly perfect, says Marcelo
Marcelo feels Real Madrid put in a near-perfect performance against Levante as they cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu to move top of La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock for the capital club after just 11 minutes of play, with Marcelo making it two shortly after the break before an own goal by Nikos Karabelas put the match to bed in the 81st minute.
"I don't think we were perfect, but we came pretty close. We were slightly stronger after the break than in the first half. But the most important thing is that we did not concede any goals," Marcelo told AS.
"We could not afford to spill points against Levante [following Atletico Madrid's win], even though we are not looking at the other teams fighting for the title.
"It's obviously good for us if they drop points, but we are focused on our own performances."
Dani Carvajal suffered a late knee injury on Sunday and Marcelo stressed that he's ready to play at right-back if head coach Carlo Ancelotti should require him to fill the gap after Alvaro Arbeloa was ruled out for three weeks with a cracked knee cap.
"I hope that Carvajal's injury is not too serious," the Brazil international added.
"But I am happy to help the team out wherever the coach needs me."
Marcelo feels Real Madrid put in a near-perfect performance against Levante as they cruised to a 3-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu to move top of La Liga.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the deadlock for the capital club after just 11 minutes of play, with Marcelo making it two shortly after the break before an own goal by Nikos Karabelas put the match to bed in the 81st minute.
"I don't think we were perfect, but we came pretty close. We were slightly stronger after the break than in the first half. But the most important thing is that we did not concede any goals," Marcelo told AS.
"We could not afford to spill points against Levante [following Atletico Madrid's win], even though we are not looking at the other teams fighting for the title.
"It's obviously good for us if they drop points, but we are focused on our own performances."
Dani Carvajal suffered a late knee injury on Sunday and Marcelo stressed that he's ready to play at right-back if head coach Carlo Ancelotti should require him to fill the gap after Alvaro Arbeloa was ruled out for three weeks with a cracked knee cap.
"I hope that Carvajal's injury is not too serious," the Brazil international added.
"But I am happy to help the team out wherever the coach needs me."
Pellegrini calls for 'immediate' reaction from Manchester City after shock FA Cup exit
Manuel Pellegrini has called for an "immediate" reaction from his players after Manchester City were dumped out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
Goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch fired the Championship club into a semi-final tie against Arsenal at Wembley as City failed to find an equaliser after Samir Nasri's strike.
"I think we cannot be eliminated in the FA Cup here at home against Wigan. We had three or four clear chances at least to draw," Pellegrini told BT Sport.
"But Wigan played well and had a lot of intensity and they deserve to continue.
"I don't like to divide defence and attack but we could do more with both goals Wigan scored but also we didn't play very well in attack."
City now travel to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday and must overturn a 2-0 deficit in order to progress to the quarter-finals.
Pellegrini's men are also nine points behind Chelsea in the Premier League but have three games in hand over Jose Mourinho's side.
"We are in the last part of the season. It is important to react from tomorrow until the end of the season," said the City boss.
"We must go now to Barcelona and try to continue in the Champions League. We know it's difficult but we must try. And then we must try to finish in the Premier League and be top of the table again.
"I repeat what I have said every week. we are going to try and win every match we play and at the end of the season we’ll see who scores more points.
"It's important to react immediately because we have important things from now until the end of the season."
Manuel Pellegrini has called for an "immediate" reaction from his players after Manchester City were dumped out of the FA Cup by Wigan Athletic on Sunday.
Goals from Jordi Gomez and James Perch fired the Championship club into a semi-final tie against Arsenal at Wembley as City failed to find an equaliser after Samir Nasri's strike.
"I think we cannot be eliminated in the FA Cup here at home against Wigan. We had three or four clear chances at least to draw," Pellegrini told BT Sport.
"But Wigan played well and had a lot of intensity and they deserve to continue.
"I don't like to divide defence and attack but we could do more with both goals Wigan scored but also we didn't play very well in attack."
City now travel to Barcelona for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday and must overturn a 2-0 deficit in order to progress to the quarter-finals.
Pellegrini's men are also nine points behind Chelsea in the Premier League but have three games in hand over Jose Mourinho's side.
"We are in the last part of the season. It is important to react from tomorrow until the end of the season," said the City boss.
"We must go now to Barcelona and try to continue in the Champions League. We know it's difficult but we must try. And then we must try to finish in the Premier League and be top of the table again.
"I repeat what I have said every week. we are going to try and win every match we play and at the end of the season we’ll see who scores more points.
"It's important to react immediately because we have important things from now until the end of the season."
Mata: March results crucial to Manchester United's top-four hopes
Juan Mata is confident March can be Manchester United's month as they look to break into the top four of the Premier League.
Victory over West Brom on Saturday moved United into sixth place in the table and extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games.
David Moyes' side have fixtures against fierce rivals Liverpool and Manchester City before the end of the month, and they will also aim to overturn a two-goal deficit in their Champions League last-16 second-leg clash with Olympiacos.
Mata, who moved to Old Trafford from Chelsea in January, is confident United can carry momentum through their upcoming fixtures.
"It is a crucial month for us and, to be honest, I am very positive about it," he told MUTV. "I can feel [confidence] in the players that we have and the things that we can do.
"We know that we have to win as many games as we can until the end of the season and we have to start with this month.
"We play against very big teams like Liverpool and Manchester City and we will try to win as many points as we can."
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No Losts & No DrawsWadagathma de thamai Liverpool,City & Everton matches 3na thiyana 1ka
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Hummels: Dortmund were lucky to win
Mats Hummels believes Borussia Dortmund were lucky to beat Freiburg 1-0 on Sunday.
Last year's Champions League finalists were sluggish at Signal Iduna Park, but a solitary Sebastian Kehl strike in the second half eventually saw BVB record a 1-0 win.
"I must admit that it was a bit of a lucky win for us," Hummels told Sky Sport.
"We did not create a lot of chances and the referee could have sent off Sokratis."
Kehl, meanwhile, was full of praise for Freiburg as well after BVB's hard-fought win, while he stressed that his goal was not a coincidence.
"Freiburg did a great job. They never let us play our own game and we failed to create any chances of note. It was a difficult match for us.
"I knew that Oliver Baumann stands quite far off his line."
Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga table following this weekend's results, with the win extending their lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to four points.
Mats Hummels believes Borussia Dortmund were lucky to beat Freiburg 1-0 on Sunday.
Last year's Champions League finalists were sluggish at Signal Iduna Park, but a solitary Sebastian Kehl strike in the second half eventually saw BVB record a 1-0 win.
"I must admit that it was a bit of a lucky win for us," Hummels told Sky Sport.
"We did not create a lot of chances and the referee could have sent off Sokratis."
Kehl, meanwhile, was full of praise for Freiburg as well after BVB's hard-fought win, while he stressed that his goal was not a coincidence.
"Freiburg did a great job. They never let us play our own game and we failed to create any chances of note. It was a difficult match for us.
"I knew that Oliver Baumann stands quite far off his line."
Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga table following this weekend's results, with the win extending their lead over second-placed Bayer Leverkusen to four points.
Khedira nearing Real Madrid comeback
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is hopeful that he can return to training within the next few weeks after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury.
The Germany international has not featured for Madrid since November 9 after rupturing his cruciate knee ligaments, but he is optimistic about his chances of making a comeback before the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
"It's possible that in two to three weeks I'll be able to train with the squad again. I'm a deeply optimistic person, but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself," Khedira told Sportstudio.
"I do all that the coaches and physiotherapists tell me. I am not worried about what will happen in two months' time.
"If I don't make it to the World Cup I'll be sad. I'm still fighting, though, and everything is in my favour."
Khedira has made 11 La Liga appearances so far this term, scoring once in the process.
Real Madrid midfielder Sami Khedira is hopeful that he can return to training within the next few weeks after a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a knee injury.
The Germany international has not featured for Madrid since November 9 after rupturing his cruciate knee ligaments, but he is optimistic about his chances of making a comeback before the end of the 2013-14 campaign.
"It's possible that in two to three weeks I'll be able to train with the squad again. I'm a deeply optimistic person, but I'm not going to put any pressure on myself," Khedira told Sportstudio.
"I do all that the coaches and physiotherapists tell me. I am not worried about what will happen in two months' time.
"If I don't make it to the World Cup I'll be sad. I'm still fighting, though, and everything is in my favour."
Khedira has made 11 La Liga appearances so far this term, scoring once in the process.
Every game is now a final for Atletico - Diego
Diego has called on his Atletico Madrid team-mates to trust themselves and not think too far ahead as they look to continue their title bid.
Los Colchoneros took advantage of Barcelona's surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Valladolid, with David Villa scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday to send his side above the Catalans into top spot.
Speaking to journalists after the game, Diego spoke of Atleti's need to retain their concentration for the rest of the campaign and focus on winning themselves rather than simply hoping for Real Madrid and Barcelona to make errors.
'We know what we have to do," the 29-year-old told reporters.
"We have to keep trusting. Every game has to be a final and we must take it game by game. We are focused on our game. It was a very complicated, very difficult encounter, so we did well."
Diego has played four times in La Liga and scored once since re-joining los Rojiblancos from Wolfsburg in January and expressed his satisfaction with his performances as well as the quality of his team-mates, most notably Diego Costa.
"I'm feeling very well," he continued.
"I'm playing more and more minutes. Some things you can only get in games. In training I feel great - I think I'm going in the right direction.
"[Diego Costa] has indisputable quality. If we win with or without him, we know its importance, but if we don't have him available we have to find alternative solutions. We have a team of great quality with spectacular players. David Villa did very well."
Atleti sit top of La Liga with 64 points from 27 games, but are level with Real Madrid who have played a game less and take on Levante on Sunday.
Diego has called on his Atletico Madrid team-mates to trust themselves and not think too far ahead as they look to continue their title bid.
Los Colchoneros took advantage of Barcelona's surprise 1-0 defeat at the hands of Valladolid, with David Villa scoring twice in a 2-0 win over Celta Vigo on Saturday to send his side above the Catalans into top spot.
Speaking to journalists after the game, Diego spoke of Atleti's need to retain their concentration for the rest of the campaign and focus on winning themselves rather than simply hoping for Real Madrid and Barcelona to make errors.
'We know what we have to do," the 29-year-old told reporters.
"We have to keep trusting. Every game has to be a final and we must take it game by game. We are focused on our game. It was a very complicated, very difficult encounter, so we did well."
Diego has played four times in La Liga and scored once since re-joining los Rojiblancos from Wolfsburg in January and expressed his satisfaction with his performances as well as the quality of his team-mates, most notably Diego Costa.
"I'm feeling very well," he continued.
"I'm playing more and more minutes. Some things you can only get in games. In training I feel great - I think I'm going in the right direction.
"[Diego Costa] has indisputable quality. If we win with or without him, we know its importance, but if we don't have him available we have to find alternative solutions. We have a team of great quality with spectacular players. David Villa did very well."
Atleti sit top of La Liga with 64 points from 27 games, but are level with Real Madrid who have played a game less and take on Levante on Sunday.
I'm more angel than demon - Suarez
Liverpool star Luis Suarez insists he is more of "an angel than a demon" despite the series of controversies that have blighted his career.
Suarez has attracted as much criticism as praise during his time in England as a result of his racism row with Patrice Evra and biting of Branislav Ivanovic.
But the Uruguayan has let his football do the talking this season, scoring an incredible 24 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions to spearhead a surprise Liverpool title surge.
And despite his past indiscretions, Suarez is adamant he is a nice person away from the football pitch.
"I think I'm more an angel than a demon," he told Telefoot. "I'm very shy in life."
Suarez also insisted he makes an effort to adjust to the country in which he plays, hinting he might one day consider a move to France when questioned about Paris Saint-Germain.
"I always try to learn the culture and language of the country where I play," he added. "I did it in Netherlands and now I speak English.
"So if I play abroad in the future, I'll learn the language and I'll learn French if I play in France."
But despite this, the 27-year-old remains clear on what he wants to achieve with Liverpool.
"My main objective is to play in the Champions League with Liverpool," he revealed. "Playing a Champions League game at Anfield would be awesome."
Liverpool star Luis Suarez insists he is more of "an angel than a demon" despite the series of controversies that have blighted his career.
Suarez has attracted as much criticism as praise during his time in England as a result of his racism row with Patrice Evra and biting of Branislav Ivanovic.
But the Uruguayan has let his football do the talking this season, scoring an incredible 24 goals in 27 appearances in all competitions to spearhead a surprise Liverpool title surge.
And despite his past indiscretions, Suarez is adamant he is a nice person away from the football pitch.
"I think I'm more an angel than a demon," he told Telefoot. "I'm very shy in life."
Suarez also insisted he makes an effort to adjust to the country in which he plays, hinting he might one day consider a move to France when questioned about Paris Saint-Germain.
"I always try to learn the culture and language of the country where I play," he added. "I did it in Netherlands and now I speak English.
"So if I play abroad in the future, I'll learn the language and I'll learn French if I play in France."
But despite this, the 27-year-old remains clear on what he wants to achieve with Liverpool.
"My main objective is to play in the Champions League with Liverpool," he revealed. "Playing a Champions League game at Anfield would be awesome."
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