..::Football III::..

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Rijeka confirm Chelsea Kramaric bid

Rijeka's sporting director, Ivan Mance, has confirmed the club have received a bid from Chelsea for striker Andrej Kramaric.

Goal revealed on Monday that the Croatia international was close to agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge, with the Premier League leaders willing to pay up to £8 million (€10m) to secure his sevices.

Mance has now confirmed that the Blues have made an opening offer for the 23-year-old Kramaric, who has scored 21 goals in 19 league appearances this season.

"I can confirm that our office has received a formal bid from Chelsea,” the Rijeka official told Sportske.

Leicester City have previously shown an interest in Kramaric, and Goal understands he could be loaned to the Foxes for the remainder of the campaign if his proposed move to Chelsea goes through.

The Blues sent a delegation to Croatia on Saturday to meet with the player's father and agent, Joza, as well as representatives from Rijeka.

 

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I'm fully recovered, insists Madrid starlet Jese


Real Madrid starlet Jese Rodriguez says that he has now fully recovered from the knee injury that sidelined him for nearly nine months.

The 21-year-old suffered ligament damage in the Champions League meeting with Schalke at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 18 and only returned to action on December 2, in a Copa del Rey clash with Cornella.Jese made his first start since the injury in Tuesday's friendly defeat to AC Milan and claimed afterwards that he is now back to full fitness.

“I have recovered and the important thing now is to help the team," the striker is quoted as saying by Madrid's official website."I have had seven days of holidays and have been training with my physiotherapist, who continues to treat the muscles on my knee.

"That is the most important thing and we are working on it."Meanwhile, Jese admitted that Carlo Ancelotti's men were disappointed by their friendly loss to Milan but that they will nonetheless enter the New Year confident that they can claim every trophy available to them in 2015.

"Real Madrid always have to win every game they play and that is why we are not satisfied with the failure to win," the attacker added."But the team are working well, and now we have another game in La Liga [at Valencia on Sunday], where things are going well for us. We have to keep going like that.

“I want to win titles in the coming year. The team has to fight for all of the titles being played for. That is the aim of the team-mates, as well my own."Madrid, who clinched the Club World Cup with their 22nd win in all competitions, currently sit top of La Liga, one point clear of Barcelona with a game in hand.

 

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Podolski sell kaloth thawa forward kenek ganna one

Ow machanWenger kiyala thibba Cavani gana interest 1kak thiyanawa kiyala​

 

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Cavani wa sell karaida

Sell karai wage bro.PSG future 1ka sure naha kiyala kiyannehabai sell kaloth Ibra wenuwata backup 1kak nathi wenawa.​

 

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-Happy New Year 2015-

Ape Football thread 1ke hamotamath Subama Suba nawa wasarak wewa!!!

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.01.01 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.01.01 Fixtures

Stoke City Vs Manchester United

Aston Villa Vs Crystal Palace

Hull City Vs Everton

Liverpool Vs Leicester

Manchester City Vs Sunderland

Newcastle United Vs Burnley

QPR Vs Swansea City

Southampton Vs Arsenal

West Ham United Vs WBA

Tottenham Vs Chelsea

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Half Time

Stoke City 1 Vs 1 Manchester United

​

 

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Manchester United defending nam anemandaadath hari nahaAttacking unath madi2nd half 1ke improve unoth hodai.

Good Luck Manchester United!
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Full Time

Stoke City 1 Vs 1 Manchester United

Stoke City Goal(s)

Shawcross 2'

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

Falcao 26'
​

 

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Congratulations Manchester United!

But performance nam hari nahaAdath poor

A.Young injured

Manchester United Pace 1ka madi & attacking unath meeta wada improve wenna one.Possession witharak thiyagena wadak nahane

Back line 1ke Evans & Smalling nam anemanda
​

 

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West Brom confirm Tony Pulis appointment

West Brom have confirmed the appointment of Tony Pulis as the club’s new manager.

The former Crystal Palace boss has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at the Hawthorns and replaces Alan Irvine, who was sacked on Tuesday following the club's 2-0 defeat to Stoke, their seventh loss in nine games.

Pulis, who has never been relegated, takes over with the club in 16th place in the Premier League, just one point above the drop zone, and he has already expressed his desire to hit the ground running.

“I’m absolutely delighted to accept the job and I do so with a simple but important message for the Albion fans and everyone at the club,” Pulis told the club’s website.

“Every successful club is built on unity and that is what I shall strive to help bring to Albion. We need everyone together from top to bottom – the supporters, all the staff, the players, everyone who has an interest in the club’s welfare.

“With that, we can go forward together and hopefully take this club up the Premier League.”

Pulis won the Premier League's Manager of the Year award last season after guiding Crystal Palace to 11th in the league, a feat achieved after he took over with the club six points from safety.

 

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Gonalons: Lyon are building a formidable team

Lyon captain Maxime Gonalons believes the Ligue 1 giants will return to the summit of French football in the next two to three years - provided they can keep their best talent.

Lyon won seven successive Ligue 1 titles between 2001-2008 but they have struggled to keep pace in France's top flight since big-spending Paris Saint-Germain established their recent dominance.

Since their last championship-winning season in 2007-08, Lyon's best finish to a campaign has been second behind Marseille in 2009-10.

But led by Gonalons and Ligue 1 top goalscorer Alexandre Lacazette (17), Lyon are showing glimpses of a resurgence, with the team sitting above PSG in second at the mid-season break.

And Gonalons feels his young team-mates are on the right track to become a "formidable" team once again.

"The young lads still have a lot to learn; the world of professional football isn't easy, either on or - especially - off the pitch," the 25-year-old told BeIN Sports.

"There are lots of different parameters to take in to account. But I've always said, if the club is capable of holding on to all the young players, I think that in two or three years we'll have a really formidable team, because we have quality players and good people.

"The big new stadium is going to be ready early in 2016. When you see the club's ambition it makes you want to stay."

Gonalons, who joined the club at the age of 11, added: "There's a real club culture here; the coaches are all former Lyon players and they've developed their skills and their winning mentality.

"Winning is very important here - you only need to see the president to know that - and it's this mentality that has enabled Lyon to reach such a high level.

"He [Jean-Michel Aulas] wants to win time and time again. When you see his attitude you can't help but give your all every single day."

 

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Real Madrid want the treble in 2015 - Ramos

Sergio Ramos says Real Madrid are gunning for the treble in 2015 as they look to build on their success of the past year.

Madrid clinched the Club World Cup in December to end a remarkable 12 months that saw them win the Champions League, the Copa del Rey and set a new record for consecutive victories.

With Carlo Ancelotti's side sitting top of La Liga and having stormed through the group stage in Europe, Ramos is adamant they will not take their foot off the gas in their charge for silverware.

"I hope the year is at least as good as last year, that would be a good sign, although we do not just want to sit back and relax and we will aim to surpass last year and - why not - aim for the treble," he told Madrid's official website.

"I would ask the fans to keep supporting us as they have done. We want them to keep placing their belief in us. We are going to give everything to have the best possible season and celebrate titles with them.

"I hope that injuries stay away in 2015 and that it is a good year for Sergio Ramos, that would help Madrid to have a good year too. I especially hope that we win titles; ultimately, that is what will be remembered."

 

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Di Maria inching closer to Manchester United return

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal expects Angel di Maria to return to training this week after missing fixtures against Newcastle United, Tottenham and Stoke.

The Argentina international, who has made 12 Premier League appearances since his €75 million move from Real Madrid, suffered a knock in training after the club's 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.

That game marked his comeback from a hamstring injury that had kept him out for three weeks and Van Gaal has now revealed that the 26-year-old is once again inching closer to a return.

"He's coming back," said the former Netherlands coach. "I think he shall train with us this week."

When asked if the star's injury was serious, Van Gaal added: "No, I have said that already."

Third-placed United are 10 points behind leaders Chelsea ahead of their trip to the Britannia Stadium, but Van Gaal has urged his side to concentrate on what they are doing rather than keeping an eye on their rivals' results.

When asked if United can afford to drop any more points, Van Gaal said: "That depends on Chelsea and Manchester City. They are the only teams who are above us and you have seen Manchester City, in spite of a 2-0 score at half-time against Burnley, it was 2-2 at the end.

"In our last three games - Aston Villa, Newcastle, Tottenham - we should have had nine points in my opinion so you can never predict. You have to always do it by yourself and not depend on results of the other teams.

"You just have to be busy with yourself, with your own preparation and imagination of the game ahead. All the players have to do that - dream of the game. You have to play the game already in your bed."

 

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Stoke City 1-1 Manchester United: Falcao strikes to earn point for visitors

Manchester United extended their unbeaten run to 10 Premier League games with a 1-1 draw at Stoke City on New Year's Day.

Radamel Falcao's third United goal earned a share of the spoils from an encounter affected by heavy winds after Ryan Shawcross had given Stoke an early lead at the Britannia Stadium.

Stoke headed into the clash having won back-to-back games over the festive period and, despite star man Bojan being unavailable due to a hamstring injury, the feel-good factor remained for the hosts as Shawcross opened the scoring in the second minute.

Louis van Gaal's men came back into the game, however, and went into the break level thanks to Falcao.

The second half did not bring any other goals, although Stoke ended the game having been denied what appeared a clear penalty for a Chris Smalling handball and seen Peter Crouch rattle the woodwork.

Stoke could not have enjoyed a better start as they went in front almost immediately courtesy of their captain.

A well-worked Marko Arnautovic corner to the back post found Crouch, who nodded down for former United man Shawcross to side-foot a volley home.

The visitors came back into the game thereafter, although clear-cut chances were not initially forthcoming.

And they could easily have been further behind when Jonny Evans failed to deal with a long ball, gifting Mame Biram Diouf a golden chance that he somehow curled wide.

Stoke were left to rue that missed opportunity even more in the 26th minute as United equalised.

Again it was a set-piece that proved critical, with Michael Carrick flicking on Wayne Rooney's corner for Falcao to cleverly sweep home despite an awkward bounce.

That continued to look the most likely route for another goal, with typically blustery winds at the Britannia creating issues for both sides.

United began to take control around the hour mark, yet Stoke were unfortunate not to be given a penalty when Smalling handled Crouch's header.

Van Gaal's side almost took full advantage of that let-off when Juan Mata chipped into Robin van Persie, who followed fine chest control by flicking a superb effort with the outside of his foot wide.

They were still vulnerable from set-pieces, however, epitomised by Crouch heading another Arnautovic delivery against the post.

Diouf was next to threaten, seeing his powerful, deflected volley fly wide as United failed to deal with another dangerous corner.

United came on strong towards the end of the game, even if the best chance fell to Stoke when Oussama Assaidi hit straight at David de Gea.

But both sides were left to settle for a point in the Premier League's opening match of 2015.

 

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Van Gaal: A point is all Manchester United deserved

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says his side did not play well enough to merit victory against Stoke City on Thursday.

The Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw against Mark Hughes' side in the match on New Year's day, with Radamel Falcao scoring in the first half to cancel out Ryan Shawcross' early opener.

And Van Gaal believes the a point was all his side deserved from a flat and timid performance.

"It was a draw and we don't deserve more," the Dutchman said to Sky Sports.

"They were closer to the goal than us. It's difficult for us to defend long balls and we also saw that in our home match against Stoke. I think we had a lot of time and space to build up but we didn't do that.

"In the second half it was a little bit better but we didn't create as much. The crosses were not so good, normally they are much better.

"The opponent also had the problem of the windy conditions. They are used to that and they played long balls.

"Nevertheless we have got the space and time to play football. The wind was not so heavy as maybe everybody thinks. We could have played better today."

The goal from Ryan Shawcross was the 20th conceded by United in their opening 20 games and the defender will not have too many easier chances, as he knocked it home from close range after Peter Crouch had diverted a corner towards goal.

"You know they will play high balls. We have had two meetings about that.
“We know that Crouch is doing that and that he does not always hit it at the goal but to the second player and they were totally free without any opponent around them so that was very bad.

"It's good that we kept the spirit, equalised and played better in the second half.
"We have to play better in away matches, there is no difference between away and home. The fans from United were again loud and fantastic. We have to do that better."

There was also more bad news on the injury front for United as Ashley Young was forced off after 75 minutes. He could now be the latest player set for a spell out of action, while worries arose from the substitution of Luke Shaw."Young - it's a hamstring injury again," added Van Gaal.

"With Shaw, I don't think that's a problem. It was a planned change. He needsmatch rhythm and he doesn't have that yet."

 

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Mascherano wants River Plate return

Barcelona’s Javier Mascherano has declared that he would love to return to River Plate in Argentina, but admitted that his long-term future is not entirely in his hands.

Mascherano, 30, started his career in Buenos Aires with River before moving to Brazilian side Corinthians in 2005. Since then, he has gone on to represent West Ham and Liverpool before joining Barcelona in 2010, where he has won La Liga, Champions League, Copa del Rey and Club World Cup.The defensive midfielder, who has also played as a centre-back at the Camp Nou, recently signed a long-term contract but is already looking to the future.

"In principle I have four more years at Barcelona - but in football it's really difficult to plan more than a year ahead,” he told Fox Sports.

"I've always said that I would like to finish my career at River, which would be like going full circle because I started there.

"It would be great to go back to Argentina and River eventually but the reality is that I'm not sure if I'll be in the physical condition to play football at the level River would require, and if River would need a player such as myself at that moment in time.

"These things are all completely normal factors, you can't force them and, when the time comes, we'll see if the parties involved can come to an agreement. But something like this is not solely dependent on me!"

 

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Liverpool 2-2 Leicester City: Anfield stunned as hosts surrender two-goal lead

Leicester City came from 2-0 down to secure a point at Liverpool thanks to two goals in two minutes from David Nugent and Jeffrey Schlupp.

Resurgent Liverpool looked to be heading for a third consecutive Premier League victory when two Steven Gerrard penalties put them in command at half-time on New Year's Day.

Bottom-of-the-table Leicester understandably felt aggrieved with the first of those spot-kicks, when referee Mike Jones adjudged Wes Morgan to have handled Raheem Sterling's cross but the ball struck the defender in the face.

Gerrard, who also scored in Liverpool's 3-1 win at Leicester last month, tucked home the resulting spot-kick and struck again from 12-yards after Danny Simpson also handled.

But Nigel Pearson's strugglers were in no mood to feel sorry for themselves and two goals in as many minutes from Nugent and Schlupp salvaged a point at Anfield.

Leicester's fightback came on the back of a victory at Hull City that ended their dismal 13-game winless run and will give them great heart in their battle to avoid the drop.

A point for Liverpool ensured they have suffered only one defeat in 11 games, but the draw will undoubtedly be viewed by manager Brendan Rodgers as two points dropped.

Riyad Mahrez's strike at the KC Stadium ended Leicester's long wait, of 99 days, for a win and the Algeria international almost gave the visitors a shock lead at Anfield after only two minutes.

Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was clearly expecting Mahrez to cross a free-kick from long range, but the winger opted to shoot and his left-footed effort came back off the post.

It was Liverpool who were in front after 17 minutes, though, courtesy of a highly controversial penalty as referee Jones adjudged Morgan to have handled Sterling's cross when the ball struck the Leicester captain in the face as he slid on the ground.

Gerrard made no mistake with the resulting spot-kick, which he buried into the bottom-right corner of the net.

Leicester had every right to feel hard done by with Liverpool's first penalty, but there was no doubt Simpson handled when referee Jones pointed to the spot five minutes before the break and the full-back was punished when Gerrard sent Ben Hamer the wrong way from 12-yards out.

Jordan Henderson almost had a contender for goal of the season when he showed great technique to meet a Gerrard corner with a volley that flew narrowly wide shortly before the break.

Adam Lallana limped off 10 minutes into the second half and Leicester were back in the game just before the hour when Jamie Vardy, preferred to leading scorer Leonardo Ulloa in the starting line-up, chested the ball down and Nugent beat Mignolet with a fine half-volley from 20-yards out.

And Liverpool were stunned two minutes later as Mahrez picked out Schlupp and he equalised with a left-footed drive from outside the area.

Substitute Fabio Borini fired over the crossbar after Sterling had picked him out inside the penalty area and Hamer denied Henderson five minutes from time.

Borini went down under a challenge from Morgan in the box late on, but Jones this time saw nothing untoward before Lazar Markovic headed wide as Leicester held on for a precious point.

 

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West Ham 1-1 West Brom: Berahino cancels out Sakho opener

West Brom ended their losing run under the watchful eye of new boss Tony Pulis on Saturday with a 1-1 draw against West Ham at Upton Park.

Pulis was appointed head coach at The Hawthorns earlier in the day - replacing Alan Irvine - and watched from the stands as Saido Berahino cancelled out Diafra Sakho's opener before half-time.

His strike ended a run of three straight Premier League defeats for the Midlands club while Sam Allardyce's West Ham failed to get back to winning ways after ending 2014 with back-to-back defeats to against Chelsea and Arsenal.

Despite West Brom starting well, Pulis watched on as his backline was carved open by a clever ball from Morgan Amalfitano, Aaron Cresswell subsequently crossing for Sakho to head home early on.

The good and bad sides to West Brom were then on show for Pulis as the visitors wasted several chances before the recalled Berahino eventually equalised three minutes from half-time.

Allardyce's side were much improved after the break but neither team was able to find a winner as West Ham remain sixth while West Brom stay a point clear of the drop zone in 17th.

Eager to impress their new boss, West Brom began brightly with Stephane Sessegnon and Berahino helping the visitors start on the front foot.

West Ham's first foray forward came about from a slick passing move nine minutes in, which saw Cresswell stumble inside the area before he could connect with a shot on goal.

However, Cresswell was then instrumental in giving West Ham their lead when crossing for Sakho to head home his eighth Premier League goal 10 minutes in.

Former West Brom man Amalfitano played Cresswell in behind Andre Wisdom and the full-back's delivery was met by Sakho, whose header found its way past Ben Foster off the far post.

Stewart Downing tested Foster from close range soon after, with opposite number Adrian saving well from Chris Baird's volley as West Brom forged their first opening.

As in the Boxing Day defeat to Manchester City, West Brom continued to waste chances as Sessegnon blazed wide when afforded time and space in the area.

Allardyce had brought Carl Jenkinson and James Collins into his defence and they were tested further when Chris Brunt evaded Collins - only to divert Sessegnon's pass wide before Berahino finally levelled shortly before the break.

Sessegnon - who shook off a knock to keep his place in caretaker Rob Kelly's starting XI - was again influential, bursting forward before squaring for the striker to sidefoot home.

Berahino was denied a second early in the second half by a sprawling Adrian as Kelly's men continued to impress before the home side eventually managed to regain a foothold in the game.

Cresswell's free-kick struck Foster's left-hand post while Downing's cross from the right led to a goalmouth scramble, but the hosts failed to regain the lead as the spoils were shared in east London.