..::Football III::..

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'Di Maria was a bargain' - Martino

Gerardo Martino believes Manchester United got a "bargain" in signing Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid for €77 million over the summer.

The 26-year-old was one of Madrid's star men as they lifted the Champions League last season but was surprisingly allowed to leave the Santiago Bernabeu in August.United paid a club record fee to secure his services, but Argentina boss Martino says the forward is worth every penny.

He said: "I think that the club directors got him on the cheap because he is such a versatile player – he can adapt to any position on the field, on either wing or through the middle. Ángel is one of the most relevant players that Argentina have had in recent years."

Di Maria has made a flying start to life at Old Trafford, scoring three goals in his first five games for the club and will be part of the Argentina squad who take on Brazil and Hong Kong over the international break.

 

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Mourinho: Arsenal should have had three red cards

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was left unconcerned by a touchline altercation between himself and Arsene Wenger during his side's victory over Arsenal and said the Gunners should have had three men sent off.

The managerial rivals clashed during the first half of the Blues' 2-0 win at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, with Wenger laying his hands on the Portuguese's chest.

The spat was sparked by Gary Cahill's forceful challenge on Alexis Sanchez, which Wenger felt deserved a red card. Referee Martin Atkinson showed only a caution to the England international defender and the official then called over the managers following the fracas in an attempt to calm tempers.

The pair did not shake hands at full-time and Mourinho, who is yet to lose to Wenger in 12 previous meetings between the pair, seemed unfazed by the incident.

"For me it's over but the technical area is very clear," he told Sky Sports.

"I have mine and he has his, he cannot come to my technical area to put pressure on the referee to give cards to my players, so I told him to leave my technical area and don't come back, please, no problem."

Although Cahill was perhaps fortunate to remain on the field, Arsenal could have seen their numbers depleted.

Laurent Koscielny could have been shown a straight red card for his foul on Eden Hazard that allowed the Belgian to open the scoring from the penalty spot, while Calum Chambers was perhaps lucky to not receive a second yellow for a tug on Andre Schurrle. Danny Welbeck's two-footed lunge on Cesc Fabregas in the final moments, meanwhile, received only a caution from Atkinson.

"I think the referee, by the technical point of view, had a fantastic performance in a difficult match," Mourinho remarked. "I think they did a fantastic job because it's a red card on Koscielny and a double yellow card on Chambers.

"A clear red card on Welbeck but I accept that one, the game is over, he's a good kid and not aggressive. Maybe it was just a reaction of the frustration."

 

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Di Maria: Leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United a step up for my career

Angel Di Maria says that leaving Real Madrid for Manchester United this summer has been a boost to his career.

The Argentina international winger had been pushed down the pecking order at the Santiago Bernabeu before the Red Devils swooped in with a British-record €77 million bid.

Di Maria has settled in superbly to Old Trafford, scoring his third Premier League goal in Sunday’s 2-1 win over Everton, and he is convinced that the transfer was the right decision for him.

Speaking before Sunday’s match, he told MUTV: "Leaving a club like Real and coming to as big a club as Manchester United makes you grow as a player and helps you progress in your career.

"It was a very important moment and I'm really happy here.

"With every day that goes by, I feel much more relaxed and settled here. I've got a house and my family are happy.

"Since the day I arrived, people have shown real warmth towards me – at every corner kick or free kick, or even during open play, every time I have the ball I feel they're right behind me. That always makes you feel even happier.

"Let's hope things go well for me so I can be here for many years to come."

 

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Fabregas: I will always love Arsenal but I want to win everything with Chelsea

Cesc Fabregas insists he bears no ill feeling towards the Arsenal fans that booed him on his first appearance for Chelsea against his former club.

Goals from Eden Hazard and Diego Costa ensured Jose Mourinho stretched his unbeaten run against Arsene Wenger to 12 matches and sent the table-topping Blues nine points clear of the Gunners.

Fabregas, whose sumptuous pass helped created Costa’s clinching goal, spent his formative years at Arsenal and understands why a section of their support chose to boo him at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but revealed he will always hold the club in his heart.

He told Sky Sports: “I have huge respect for Arsenal. They gave me everything when I was little without them I wouldn’t be here.

“The fans – I take it in a positive way. I know they love me it’s all because we were together once. Circumstances means things like this can happen.

“I’ve always said it. I am not scared. They will always be in my heart forever. But now I am in this fantastic football club playing with a great coach, great players and great fans.

“ I want to win everything I am hungry I want to do well for this club and I hope I can make it in the future.”

 

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'Great' De Gea won the game for Manchester United - Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal lauded David de Gea after the goalkeeper's late heroics helped his side to cling onto a 2-1 Premier League win over Everton on Sunday.

The Spaniard kept out Leighton Baines's first-half penalty at Old Trafford before producing a string of stunning saves in the dying moments as the Red Devils held on to secure a second successive victory for the first time under Van Gaal.

Radamel Falcao scored the all-important goal, his 62nd-minute strike coming after Steven Naismith had cancelled out Angel Di Maria's opener.

But it was De Gea drawing plaudits from Van Gaal, who told BT Sport: "When you save a penalty and make three magnificent saves in the dying minutes, you are great. We won the game because of that."

Di Maria's performance was impressive, too, with the Argentine continuing his stunning form since joining from Real Madrid in August.

United boss Van Gaal added in his post-match media conference: "When you set up and score goals, what more can you ask?

"When you do that every week - and he does - we have to be very pleased."

Van Gaal knows there is more to come from his players, however, continuing: "I have told the players we are not playing well but we are fourth in the table. What is coming when we play well?"

The Dutchman also confirmed that Luke Shaw is unlikely to add to his ongoing injury problems, suggesting that the left-back - withdrawn after 70 minutes - was suffering from a "dead knee".

 

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De Gea Amazing Saves vs Everton

De Gea ge last minute save 1kanam pattama patta

Worldclass save​

 

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Napoli 2-1 Torino: Callejon completes Partenopei comeback

Jose Callejon netted the winner as Napoli maintained their resurgence with a 2-1 victory over Torino on Sunday.Fabio Quagliarella broke the deadlock after just 14 minutes of play but Lorenzo Insigne levelled matters just after the break.

Callejon then struck with 18 minutes to go to earn Napoli a third win on the bounce in all competitions, after last weekend's win at Serie A rivals Sassuolo and the midweek success at Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League.

Three points did not look likely for Napoli during the early stages, with Torino starting the far better of the two sides. Indeed, Kamil Glik had already headed a Marco Benassi cross wide when Quagliarella opened the scoring against his former club.The striker appeared to be in an offside position when he beat Rafael from an acute angle with a well-struck volley but the linesman's flag stayed down.

Napoli responded well to their early setback, though, with Insigne striking the bar before then seeing Jean-Francois Gillet pull off a fine instinctive save after being put through on goal.

Michu struck the bar with a header just after the break but Napoli did not have to wait much longer for a deserved equaliser, with Insigne nodding home a cross from Juan Camilo Zuniga.It was the Italy international's first goal of the season and the forward, who has endured a fractious relationship with the San Paolo faithful, appeared overwhelmed by emotion after breaking his duck.

Napoli poured forward in search of a winner and it arrived in the 72nd minute, albeit in fortuitous circumstances, with a wicked bounce enabling Callejon's cross-cum-shot to loop over Gillet.

Torino could have snatched a point in the dying seconds but Rafael pulled off a brilliant save to deny Alessandro Gazzi and propel Napoli into seventh place in the Serie A standings.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Monaco: Champions denied victory by late Martial leveller

Anthony Martial netted in the dying seconds as Monaco held Paris Saint-Germain to a 1-1 draw at the Parc des Princes on Sunday night.

The defending champions lived dangerously for much of the encounter, with Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Layvin Kurzawa going close for the visitors either side of the break.

Lucas Moura exposed a gaping hole in the Monaco defence to give PSG the lead in the 71st minute, and the hosts looked set to claim all three points at the Parc des Princes as the game entered the closing stages.

However, Martial stepped off the bench to lift the ball over goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu in second-half stoppage time and earn his side a share of the spoils.

The men from the French capital remain unbeaten in the league, but they have now drawn six of their nine matches so far this season, and sit seven points adrift of early leaders Marseille.

Monaco, meanwhile, have already lost as many matches as they did last season, and will likely view this - the fifth consecutive Ligue 1 stalemate between the sides - as a positive result.

PSG made just one change to the side that beat Barcelona 3-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Zoumana Camara coming in for the injured Marquinhos, while Ferreira Carrasco took the place of Dimitar Berbatov – sidelined by an ankle problem – in the Monaco XI.

After legendary sprinter Carl Lewis had taken part in a ceremonial kick-off, the match appropriately began at a frantic pace, with PSG's Marco Verratti the first to get a sight of goal.

However, the Italian lifted his seventh-minute effort over the crossbar after being teed up by Lucas Moura.

Lucas Ocampos squandered a similar opportunity when he fired over at the other end eight minutes later, before PSG had a penalty appeal turned down.

Edinson Cavani hit the floor under the challenge of Andrea Raggi in the box after 22 minutes, but referee Benoit Bastien was right to wave away the home side's protests.

Despite both sides maintaining a high tempo, a lack of quality in the final third meant that their respective goalkeepers enjoyed a relatively quiet first half.

But Sirigu had to be alert a minute before the break – getting the slightest of touches to a fierce Ferreira Carrasco strike to force the ball onto the crossbar.

The first 10 minutes of the second period passed without incident, before substitute Jean-Christophe Bahebeck forced Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic into a one-handed save from a tight angle.

Monaco then had arguably their best chance to break the deadlock, when Sirigu palmed the ball into the path of Kurzawa, whose subsequent half-volley was desperately cleared off the line by Gregory van der Wiel.

PSG appeared to have snatched victory in the 71st minute, when Lucas Moura was allowed to stroll into the area unmarked to convert a simple tap-in, after Bahebeck had squared the ball from the right.

But Monaco had the final say, with Martial - on as a 76th-minute replacement for Ocampos - benefiting from PSG's failure to clear their lines and lifting the ball over Sirigu from close-range.

 

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Real Madrid 5-0 Athletic Bilbao: Ronaldo hits third hat-trick in four La Liga games

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his third hat-trick in four La Liga matches as Real Madrid smashed Athletic Bilbao 5-0 on Sunday.

The Portugal international had trained alone in the build-up to the match due to the problem suffered in Wednesday's Champions League victory over Ludogorets, but he showed no ill effects to take his tally to 13 goals in six La Liga games so far this season.

It took just two minutes for Ronaldo to open the scoring with a close-range header and, after Karim Benzema had converted for the second, the Fifa Ballon d'Or winner was again on hand to finish off a crisp attacking move early in the second half.

Ronaldo was at the heart of Real's fourth goal, too, as he selflessly rolled the ball into the path of Benzema to give the Frenchman a second of the match on 69 minutes.

But, predictably, there was only ever likely to be one man who stole the headlines as Ronaldo scored his third - albeit controversially with the aid of his arm - in the 89th minute to add to a treble against Deportivo La Coruna and a four-goal haul in a rout of Elche, all in just over a fortnight.

In netting his 22nd Liga hat-trick, Ronaldo also equalled the Spanish top-flight record held jointly by Telmo Zarra and Alfredo Di Stefano.

Real's fourth successive league win lifts them up to fourth in the table, while Athletic's winless run was extended to seven games in all competitions as pressure begins to build on coach Ernesto Valverde.

The Basque club have not won a competitive game since the end of August and remain in the bottom three after this defeat.
Both sides made a handful of changes from their Champions League exploits in midweek, with the hosts welcoming Pepe back to the heart of their defence in place of Raphael Varane.

Athletic, who were beaten by BATE on Tuesday, found themselves behind before they could settle into any sort of rhythm as Ronaldo opened the scoring in just the second minute.

Gareth Bale lifted a cross to the back post from the edge of the penalty area for the Portugal international to register his 11th league goal of the season with a powerful header.

Madrid's pace in attack continued to cause Bilbao plenty of problems and Ronaldo saw a low shot well saved by Gorka Iraizoz prior to Benzema failing to convert two good crosses from Bale.

Having spent the opening 20 minutes chasing shadows, the visitors slowly began to settle into the game, but only Iker Muniain's 23rd-minute strike tested Iker Casillas, the goalkeeper easily tipping over a dipping effort.

Madrid continued to pose the greater threat and, after Ronaldo had seen another chance well saved by Iraizoz, they doubled their lead through Benzema, the striker rising to meet a right-wing corner with a powerful downward header.

Four minutes after the break, Bale was presented a chance to extend their lead even further but the 25-year-old, under pressure from Aymeric Laporte, blazed over at the end of a flowing Madrid move.

They did not have to wait long for the third goal, though, as Bale was released by Benzema before laying the ball on for Ronaldo to tap home his second.

The visitors were barely seeing anything of the ball and with 20 minutes to play they were further behind as Ronaldo raced clear before rolling a pass to Benzema, who applied the simplest of finishes.

Iraizoz's goal remained under threat despite Real's big lead and the goalkeeper made good saves from Ronaldo and Bale in the closing minutes.

Ronaldo's attempts to get his hat-trick saw Iraizoz punch clear a free kick in the closing minutes but the attacker's moment finally arrived when he deflected a Pepe shot into the back of the net with a minute to go, although replays showed the ball may have come off his elbow.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Ronaldo!

3 Hat-tricks in 4 La liga gamesRonaldo patta gahillak gahanne

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Fiorentina 3-0 Inter: Cuadrado on target as Mazzarri's men are humbled

Juan Cuadrado put in a star turn as Fiorentina breezed past Inter to record a 3-0 win on Sunday.

Vincenzo Montella's injury-hit side went into Sunday's clash at the Artemio Franchi with just six points from five games, but two spectacular early goals sent them on their way to a deserved victory.

Inter were looking to produce a response to a humbling 4-1 defeat at home to Cagliari in their last league outing, but Khouma Babacar's unstoppable effort after only seven minutes gave them an uphill struggle.

The hosts - who were without Marko Marin, Mario Gomez and Giuseppe Rossi, among others - doubled their lead 12 minutes later as fit-again Cuadrado tried to better Babacar's effort, netting an exquisite finish of his own.

Inter's record against Fiorentina was excellent going into the game, having lost just one of their previous 16 Serie A meetings.

However, the Milan club never looked like salvaging anything and Nenad Tomovic secured all three points and a first home success of the campaign for Montella's men with 14 minutes to go, increasing the pressure on Inter coach Walter Mazzarri.

Montella had warned his side about a potential backlash following Inter's humiliating defeat by Cagliari.

But the visitors showed no signs of such a threat early on as Fiorentina seized the initiative after just seven minutes, with Babacar blasting a sensational strike into the top-left corner from 25 yards to give them the lead.

Mauro Icardi almost drew Inter level a few moments later when he curled a shot just wide from the edge of the area, and Mazzarri's side were soon made to rue that miss.

With 19 minutes on the clock, Cuadrado – returning from a knee injury – cut in from the left, skipped past one challenge and then bent a fine effort past the helpless Samir Handanovic.

Fiorentina allowed Inter plenty of the ball in the final third as the first half progressed, but the visitors' lack of creativity ensured chances were few and far between.

As Inter continued to chase the match, Fiorentina looked to exploit any weaknesses on the counter-attack and they almost netted a third with nearly half-an-hour gone, as Babacar just failed to make contact with Cuadrado's teasing delivery.

Proceedings were significantly tighter at the start of the second half, before Fiorentina began to exert more pressure in search of another goal.

Their first real chance of the second period came courtesy of the impressive Babacar, who fired just wide from 25 yards in the 59th minute, and the Senegalese forward was involved again a few moments later.

Cuadrado played a clever one-two with Babacar on the edge of the area and, upon receiving possession back, the Colombian beat a couple of challenges before inexplicably poking a shot straight at Handanovic from seven yards.

Inter's attacking threat failed to improve and Fiorentina ultimately put the result beyond them in the 76th minute, as Tomovic surged in from the right side of the area and drilled a low effort past Handanovic, wrapping up a comfortable win.

 

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Wenger stands ground over Mourinho confrontation

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits that he pushed Chelsea counterpart Jose Mourinho "a little" during their Premier League clash on Sunday but has no regrets over his behaviour.

Laurent Koscielny, Calum Chambers and Danny Welbeck were all arguably fortunate not to be given their marching orders by referee Martin Atkinson during a 2-0 victory for the Blues, while Gary Cahill's aggressive challenge on Alexis Sanchez sparked an altercation between the two managers on the touchline during the first half.

Wenger entered Mourinho's technical area and laid his hands on the Portuguese's chest before Atkinson called both coaches over to calm tempers.

The Frenchman explained his actions in a post-match press conference and was unequivocal in his response when asked if he regretted the incident.

"No," he replied. "What is to regret after that?

"I wanted to go from A to B and somebody confronted me in between without any sign of welcome. B was Sanchez, to see how badly he was injured. Honestly, I don't listen to what [Mourinho] says."

Wenger conceded that he had pushed Mourinho "a little" and felt that some of Chelsea's players were perhaps fortunate not to be sent off.

"I think Oscar was lucky to stay on the pitch with the repeated fouls he made," he argued. "He got a yellow card in the 88th minute and he was purposefully fouling on every break. [Branislav] Ivanovic as well. There were some bad fouls but that's down to the referee, it's not down to me."

Defeat saw Arsenal's unbeaten start to the league campaign come to an end but Wenger feels that there was little to choose between the two teams.

The Frenchman added: "It was down to the little things that were on their side but it was a very even game.

"If you look at the number of saves our keeper had made, you find nothing, and theirs as well - so the game was about who can take advantage of an opportunity. We couldn't score and they did so, at the end of the day, you have to say yes, [Chelsea were more ruthless]."

 

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Allegri admits: Vidal was offside for winning goal

Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri has admitted that Arturo Vidal was in an offside position for the winning goal in Sunday's 3-2 victory over Roma.

After Francesco Totti and Juan Manuel Iturbe had turned an enthralling top-of-the-table Serie A showdown in the visitors' favour, Carlos Tevez slotted home his second penalty of the game before Leonardo Bonucci volleyed home with just four minutes to go.

However, Vidal was standing in front of Roma goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski when the defender struck his shot from the edge of the area and Allegri felt that, while Juve merited all three points, the goal should not have stood."The images speak for themselves," he told Sky Sport Italia. "Vidal was in front of the goalkeeper.

"It was a very intense game in which both teams played well. It was a game between two leaders but we worked harder for the win."The game tonight proved that we are a great team achieving great results, but Roma are doing just as well.

"The boys handled the game well and deserved the win."Consequently, Allegri was reluctant to be drawn on the performance of referee Gianluca Rocchi, who awarded Juve two contentious penalties, dismissed Alvaro Morata and Konstantinos Manolas and sent Roma coach Rudi Garcia to the stands.

"Clashes are part of the game," the former AC Milan boss mused."Rocchi made some big decisions when he had to make them. I think it's pointless to speak about him."

 

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Buffon: Unfair of Roma to criticise referee Rocchi

Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon defended referee Gianluca Rocchi after Sunday's controversial 3-2 win over Serie A rivals Roma .

The official awarded the Bianconeri two penalties during the game in Turin - both of which were converted by Carlos Tevez - while he also failed to notice that Arturo Vidal was standing in an offside position in front of Giallorossi goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski for Leonardo Bonucci's late winner.Both Rudi Garcia and Francesco Totti blasted Rocchi after the game but Buffon felt that the criticism was unjustified and was more interested in praising Roma for a fine performance.

"You cannot question the ability of a referee of as much experience as Rocchi," the Italy shot-stopper told Sky Sport Italia."I believe that there is no longer much to choose between Roma and ourselves. It was a great game, a match of many incredible swings.

"It's clear that they are stronger than they were last season. This is a new season and they are definitely better. We've seen that tonight."Roma have shown a different mentality. They have become a very strong team, thanks to their hard work and their experience.

"It's no surprise that they have closed the gap between us."Juve's victory sees them move three points clear of the previously undefeated Giallorossi at the summit of the Serie A standings.

 

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Mazzarri: Inter mortified by Fiorentina loss

Walter Mazzarri admitted after Sunday's 3-0 loss at Fiorentina that his Inter players are "mortified" by their poor form in Serie A.

The Nerazzurri were hoping to make amends for last weekend's shock 4-1 defeat at home to Cagliari but they were outplayed from start to finish at the Artemio Franchi, with Khouma Babacar and Juan Cuadrado both netting inside the opening quarter before Nenad Tomovic put the outcome beyond all doubt with 14 minutes to go.

Mazzarri was bitterly frustrated with his side's performance, and his troops' fitness levels in particular, but insisted that he is the right man to turn things around."I need to shake up the team, but I already knew we weren't in good physical shape," the former Napoli boss told Sky Sport Italia.

"I told the lads we have to work hard over the next 15 days so we're in a different condition when we get back on to the pitch. It'll be tough, as many of them will be away on international duty."I have a clear view of what our problems are, which we managed to hide in the Europa League [a 2-0 win over Qarabag in the Europa League in midweek], but [they] emerged against Cagliari and again tonight.

"I know how this world is, that anything I say will be taken the wrong way. In the locker room, all the players know what's wrong and took on their share of the responsibility."People claim I find excuses, so I've been through this many times before. Believe me, the less I say, the better it is.

"The important thing is the players know what I said and they are mortified at the situation."

 

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Ronaldo: Benzema the best striker in La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo hailed Karim Benzema as the best striker in La Liga after his Real Madrid team-mate netted twice in Sunday's 5-0 rout of Athletic Bilbao.

Benzema has been booed by his own supporters this season but his name was ringing around the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of a stellar display in the Spanish capital.

Consequently, while Ronaldo bagged a hat-trick to take his goals tally for the fledgling 2014-15 campaign to 13, the Portuguese was more enthused by the way in which Benzema got the club's fans back on his side."I'm happy for him," the Ballon d'Or holder is quoted as saying by AS . "He is the best striker in the league and one of the world's best. "Criticisms are part of being a professional footballer and we have to be above such things.

"We [Benzema, Gareth Bale and Ronaldo] like it [their partnership], we're used to playing together and are very happy."The victory over Athletic was Madrid's sixth in a row in all competitions since their loss at home to city rivals Atletico but Ronaldo says that there is even more to come from Carlo Ancelotti's men.

"We are improving," the 29-year-old enthused. "As the coach said at the press conference we are improving in some aspects and we are growing, we have room for improvement.

"The team has played well and the team has scored five goals without reply, we are very happy."

 

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'World-class' De Gea was the differnce, says Everton boss Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez paid tribute to "world-class" David de Gea following his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

Defeat to Louis van Gaal's men came amid a stunning performance from De Gea, who made a string of fine saves late on and kept out Leighton Baines's first-half penalty.

De Gea's efforts ensured Radamel Falcao's first goal since joining United on loan from Monaco was decisive, which came after Steven Naismith had cancelled out Angel Di Maria's strike.

"I just felt that De Gea made two world-class saves that stopped us getting a positive result," Martinez told BT Sport. "[Our] second-half performance deserved more than we got."

Martinez has urged his side to put their poor start to the Premier League campaign behind them after the international break, though he argues that playing some of the division's top teams has distorted their position.

He added: "We want more points. We are not hiding from the fact. We feel we have dropped many points but we have played four of the top six teams already.

"We are getting sharper and stronger. We need to get a good break now and after we'll try to get the results our performances deserve."

An injury to John Stones added to Martinez's woes, with the Everton boss confirming that the defender has an ankle problem.

The Spaniard revealed: "He has a problem with his ankle, ligament problems. It is a massive blow as he plays with incredible arrogance."

 

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'Ronaldo the most complete player in history'

Former Spain international Marcelino believes Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Lionel Messi, arguing that the Real Madrid superstar is "the most complete player in the history of football".

Ronaldo bagged his third hat-trick in four Liga games - a record-equaling 22nd in the Spanish top flight - in his club's 5-0 rout of Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, thus taking his goal tally for the season to 13.

Consequently, while Marcelino has the utmost respect for Barcelona ace Messi, the retired defender believes that Ronaldo is currently peerless and a near-certainty to retain his Ballon d'Or title."He's the most complete player in the history of football," the 43-year-old told Sky Sports."He can score goals with his head, with his feet. He's as strong as anyone; as powerful as anyone.

"He looks like he wants to keep improving. He wants to score and add more numbers to his statistics."There's been this debate between Messi and Ronaldo. Messi has been fantastic but Ronaldo, and I keep saying it, is the most complete player ever.

"If the [Ballon d'Or] were awarded now, he would get it."Ronaldo has been crowned the best play in the world on two occasions, with Messi triumphing four times in total.

 

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'World-class' De Gea was the differnce, says Everton boss Martinez

Everton manager Roberto Martinez paid tribute to "world-class" David de Gea following his side's 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.

Defeat to Louis van Gaal's men came amid a stunning performance from De Gea, who made a string of fine saves late on and kept out Leighton Baines's first-half penalty.

De Gea's efforts ensured Radamel Falcao's first goal since joining United on loan from Monaco was decisive, which came after Steven Naismith had cancelled out Angel Di Maria's strike.

"I just felt that De Gea made two world-class saves that stopped us getting a positive result," Martinez told BT Sport. "[Our] second-half performance deserved more than we got."

Martinez has urged his side to put their poor start to the Premier League campaign behind them after the international break, though he argues that playing some of the division's top teams has distorted their position.

He added: "We want more points. We are not hiding from the fact. We feel we have dropped many points but we have played four of the top six teams already.

"We are getting sharper and stronger. We need to get a good break now and after we'll try to get the results our performances deserve."

An injury to John Stones added to Martinez's woes, with the Everton boss confirming that the defender has an ankle problem.

The Spaniard revealed: "He has a problem with his ankle, ligament problems. It is a massive blow as he plays with incredible arrogance."

Just like Real Madrid, Man Utd sucks at defending set pieces

 

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Congratulations Ronaldo!

3 Hat-tricks in 4 La liga gamesRonaldo patta gahillak gahanne

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Bale, Kroos pattama supportive CRta