..::Football III::..

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Negredo the hero as Valencia keep up Champions League push

Valencia's pursuit of a Champions League position gathered pace on Saturday as Alvaro Negredo struck late to secure a vital 3-2 victory against Almeria.

Nuno Espirito Santo's side looked like losing ground in the race for the top four until Negredo headed in the winner seven minutes from time against the struggling visitors.

The result extends Valencia's unbeaten run to five matches and sees them move into third place, at least until Atletico Madrid face Granada on Sunday.

It was just the Spaniard's second goal since joining the club on loan and followed a frantic first half during which Tomer Hemed twice equalised after goals from Dani Parejo and Rodrigo.

Valencia face fifth-placed Sevilla next weekend, after the Andalusian side take on Malaga on Sunday.

Villarreal's own efforts to qualify for Europe's elite club competition received a boost as they beat Athletic Bilbao 2-0 to climb within a point of Sevilla.

On-loan Real Madrid midfielder Denis Cheryshev's well-taken opener gave Marcelino's men the edge at half-time before Bruno sealed a seventh win in nine league games with a late penalty.

Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes saw his Real Sociedad side stretch their winless run to four as they were beaten at home by Rayo Vallecano.

Moyes was on the touchline for the first time before beginning a two-match ban and watched ex-United man Manucho headed in the only goal of the game from a corner inside the final 10 minutes.

Felipe Caicedo's 90th-minute winner saw Espanyol edge past Celta Vigo 1-0.

 

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'We didn't play in the first half' - Garcia laments slow Roma start

Roma coach Rudi Garcia was left to rue his side's poor start in Sicily on Saturday as his side slumped to a 1-1 draw with Palermo.

Paulo Dybala gave the hosts the lead after just two minutes, combining with Fernando Vazquez to pounce on an early mistake from Roma defender Davide Astori.

A depleted Giallorossi side, missing the likes of Daniele De Rossi, Radja Nainggolan, Seydou Keita and Gervinho, failed to register a single shot on target in the first period before Mattia Destro scrambled in a second-half equaliser.

"We didn't play in the first half," Garcia told Sky Sport Italia.

"We were on our heels, there was no movement, which is dangerous against a team [like Palermo] who are in good form, and we presented them a gift after just two minutes.

"The whole team were poor in the first half… fortunately, we rediscovered our form after the break."

It was Roma's third draw in their last four Serie A outings and means league-leaders and reigning champions Juventus can extend their cushion at the top of Serie A to five points when they host Verona on Sunday.

 

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Carver: Penalty call could cost me the Newcastle job

John Carver fears that a failed penalty appeal in Saturday's loss to Southampton could cost him his chances of taking the Newcastle job on a permanent basis.

Ronald Koeman's high-flying Saints left St James's Park with a 2-1 victory thanks to Eljero Elia's double either side of Yoan Gouffran's fortuitous 29th-minute equaliser for the home team, leaving the caretaker boss having overseen a fourth winless game since Alan Pardew's departure for Crystal Palace.

The long-serving Magpies coach has made no secret of his desire to take the job permanently but was frustrated when Emmanuel Riviere's shot struck Southampton captain Jose Fonte's outstretched arm in stoppage time and referee Robert Madley refused to act.

"I think, when you play football, you understand what is and what isn't a penalty," he told Sky Sports. "If somebody's got their arms down by their side and it hits their arm, you can say maybe he didn't mean it, but when you have an L-shape with your arm and it blatantly hits your hand, it's a penalty.

"Unfortunately, sometimes big decisions like that can make big differences to people's livelihoods and futures."

Carver concedes that the loss means that he is unlikely to get the nod from the Newcastle board, whom he urged to make quick progress with the decision on Pardew's successor amid growing discontent among the Tyneside faithful.

"Everybody [the fans] is not sure what’s going on," he said. "They're just sitting there waiting for it and, I think, after the result tonight, the decision will be made.

"[The board] have to do something about it, whether it's me or it's somebody else. They're almost three weeks into the process now and I know for a fact they've been working hard behind the scenes. They've got to do something about it."

The 50-year-old maintains that he has the ability required to take on the post and added that a lack of cutting edge hampered his team’s efforts against Southampton.

"I know I can [do it]," he insisted. "I know the work that we've done and how we've played.

"We've come up against a side who are sitting third in the Premier League and I thought we dominated the game. We've just got to have a little bit more ambition in the final third."

 

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Van Gaal on misfiring Falcao: I have to judge him on goals

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal admits he will judge Radamel Falcao on the goals he scores after the striker again failed to hit the target against QPR.

Falcao was recalled to the starting XI at Loftus Road after being left out against Southampton last week, but wasted a number of opportunities to make his mark.

The former Atletico Madrid forward was twice denied by Robert Green before failing to make contact with two crosses along the edge of the six-yard box late on.

And though Van Gaal admits there is more to Falcao's game than just goals, he insists the Monaco loanee should have found the net on at least one occasion against the Rs.

"In the first half we created only one chance which I think Falcao had to score and then he had three chances in the second half," the Dutchman told reporters.

"It’s not important what I think about Falcao because he wants to score goals. I have to judge how he has played and scoring goals is an important aspect of a striker.

"But for me it’s also important that he can be an attacking point of the attack and I think he did well."

Second-half strikes from substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson secured the three points for United and ended a three-match winless run in the Premier League.

Wilson's introduction saw the 20-time English champions switch from a 3-5-2 formation to a more conventional 4-4-2, and Van Gaal believes the change of system allowed his side to break down their hosts with more ease.

"We played in the first half like QPR wanted us to," he added. "We did the same thing as them, through the air and long balls. QPR are better than us at that.

"You have to play on the ground and in the second half we changed the shape. That helped us also. But the players are winning always.

"They have to show it on the pitch at the right moment and that is very difficult to do it very good every week.

"I think that when you win, everybody is happy and more comfortable. We lost to Southampton last time when we were the better team with the better chances."

 

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Mourinho: 'Perfect' Chelsea playing to their limit


Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho hailed his side as "perfect" in their victory over Swansea City while he believes his players are playing to their limit as they look to win four trophies.

Oscar and Diego Costa both found the net twice in the first half at the Liberty Stadium before Andre Schurrle added a fifth late on.

The victory moves the Blues five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, though Mourinho's side have played a game more.

And the former Real Madrid boss believes his team must secure some silverware to make sure they go down in history, though he feels his squad could not have done anything better in south Wales.

He told reporters: "We were perfect. Everything went in our direction.

"The first half was very good. We were solid and recovered the ball in good positions. The decisions we made with the ball were good decisions. I'm happy with the points and quality of our football.

"The team still has to win cups in order to be remembered in 20 years. They are trying to the limit to make history."

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois again missed out with a finger injury, meaning Petr Cech deputised for the second Premier League game in a row.

And though Mourinho admitted Courtois is close to a return, he faces a hard task to displace the Czech Republic international given his recent performances.

"Courtois' finger is getting better but I am happy with Cech's performance. Cech is on the top of his game."

 

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Inzaghi eyes more signings after AC Milan clinch Suso deal

AC Milan head coach Filippo Inzaghihas suggested that the signing of Suso from Liverpool will not be his last foray into the transfer market in January.

Spanish playmaker Suso completed his move to San Siro on Saturday after weeks of speculation.

Inzaghi had already delved into the market to bring Alessio Cerci to the club on loan in a deal that saw Fernando Torres move to Atletico Madrid in the opposite direction.

The former striker was delighted to bring Suso to the club and hinted that his business is not yet done, with a full-back top of his wish list.

"I am happy about the arrival of Suso and by arriving earlier he can understand how we play," he said.

"We will see if there is an opportunity [to sign] a full-back. But otherwise, we will be able to deal with it like we've done with the injuries to [Ignazio] Abate and [Mattia] De Sciglio.

"Suso will try and give us a hand. I will also try him as a wide midfielder and these months will allow him to integrate with the group."

Cerci made his first start for Milan in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Sassuolo in the Coppa Italia - a match that came just a week after the same opponents had beaten Milan by the same scoreline in the league before they drew 1-1 with Torino.

Inzaghi has been impressed by Cerci's early contribution to the squad, but is well aware Milan have to show more consistency as a team to boost their eighth-placed standing in Serie A - starting at Atalanta on Sunday.

"We have Cerci and he's arrived with the right humility, he's understood the spirit that exists and I think he can give us a big hand," he added.

"We have to focus on ourselves, look at our growth, improve on this see-saw of results. We have to become consistent.

"Atalanta will play a counterattacking game. However, based on Tuesday's match and the training sessions I am convinced we will have a great match."

 

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Blanc: Cavani and Lavezzi must bounce back from 'stupidity'

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc has urged Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzito bounce back and put their three-game omission behind them in the second half of the season.

The South American duo were left out of the last three matches by Blanc after missing PSG's mid-season training camp in Morocco and then reporting late to their first session on French soil.

PSG beat Montpellier in the Coupe de France and Saint-Etienne in the Coupe de la Ligue despite their absence, but lost 4-2 at Bastia in the league last Saturday.

Blanc confirmed that the pair are available for selection for Sunday's visit of Evian and has called on them to display their quality after drawing the ire of the PSG hierarchy.

"Nothing is forgotten," Blanc said. "They are two important players, we did what we had to do.

"They must accept their stupidity. Now I rely on them to make a great second half of the season."

The capital club are winless in their last three league games and sit four points adrift of leaders Lyon in fourth place.

Despite their disappointing recent form, Blanc believes that the return to full fitness of Thiago Silva and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will help PSG turn things around.

"They [Silva and Ibrahimovic] have never been so fit, I think that's why there is hope and determination," he added.

"These are the leaders who lead the team to the highest level. When your leaders are in this configuration, you know you can count on them."

 

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Manchester United 'have to win every game' for top-four chance - Fellaini

Manchester United must "win every game" if they are to secure a return to the Champions League, says midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

The Belgian came off the bench to break the deadlock as Louis van Gaal's side took a 2-0 victory at QPR on Saturday, James Wilson adding a second late on.

Southampton also won on Saturday to maintain their top-four challenge, while a win for Arsenal against Manchester City on Sunday could put them within one point of United in fourth.

"We have to win every game to stay in the top four," Fellaini stressed to MUTV of their competition.

"Every team wants to play in the Champions League so we have to keep going in a lot of games."

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Wilson hopes to add more goals to his game after also burying the second at Loftus Road, believing that his late strike will boost his confidence after a mixed season so far.

"It gives me great confidence as I've been struggling for my first goal this season off the back end of last season and hopefully I can take it into the next game and the rest of the season," he enthused.

"Walking into the dressing room [afterwards], everyone was congratulating me and making me feel really good and welcome."

 

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Van Gaal defends 3-5-2 system after QPR win

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaaldefended the use of his 3-5-2 system after criticism from sections of the away supporters in Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win at QPR.

United ended a run of three league matches without a win as substitutes Marouane Fellaini and James Wilson scored in the second half to clinch all three points at Loftus Road.

However, it was a somewhat disjointed performance from United and some fans started chanting "4-4-2" in an apparent attempt to get Van Gaal to switch shape.

The Dutchman acknowledged that his side created more chances after changing tactics with the score at 1-0, but believes the defensive strength of his side is compromised when he plays four at the back.

"I know in advance when we play with four midfielders in a diamond that we create more chances," Van Gaal said.

"But then the balance of the team is also weak. And you see it because we have created chances but also Queens Park Rangers have, and we have to decide every week how to play. That's the question.

"But with the other system [3-5-2] we played against Tottenham, maybe you remember the first half - we created six or seven chances more than today and we did not score.

"So it's always the question - are you effective enough?"

Van Gaal recalled Radamel Falcao to his starting XI in the absence of injured Robin van Persie.

Earlier this week Van Gaal challenged the Colombia international to prove his worth to the team and though praising a decent showing, he stated the former Atletico Madrid man should have scored in the first half when he was denied by Rob Green at close range.

"In the first-half, I think we created one chance and I think Falcao has to score," Van Gaal added.

"But in the second-half I think Falcao was also three times [involved] with big chances and we scored two goals.

"It's not so important what I think because he wants to score goals and for me I have to judge how he has played and scoring goals is an important aspect of a striker, I know."

 

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Van Gaal defends 3-5-2 system after QPR win

Thawamath kiyawilla 3-5-2 magula ganamaneOya formation 1ka Manchester United hriyanne naha kiyala ochcharatama terenne nadda

Yesterday match 1keth dakkene 4-4-2 apply kalata passe thamai match 1ka change wenna gatthe nathuwa 3-5-2 1ken newei​

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.01.18 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.01.18 Fixtures

West Ham United Vs Hull City

Manchester City Vs Arsenal

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Manchester City Vs Arsenal hoda gemak yaiAguero Vs Sanchez​

 

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La Liga 2015.01.18 Fixtures

La Liga 2015.01.18 Fixtures

Getafe Vs Real Madrid

Atletico Madrid Vs Granada

Deportivo Vs Barcelona

Elche Vs Levante

Sevilla Vs Malaga​

 

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Serie A 2015.01.18 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.01.18 Fixtures

Lazio Vs Napoli

AC Milan Vs Atalanta

Cesena Vs Torino

Chievo Vs Fiorentina

Genoa Vs Sassuolo

Parma Vs Sampdoria

Udinese Vs Cagliari

Juventus Vs Hellas​

 

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Manchester City 0-2 Arsenal: Wenger masterclass produces shock win

Manchester City's hopes of retaining the Premier League title were dealt a blow as Arsenal ran out deserved winners at the Etihad Stadium.

Much had been made of Arsenal's inability to beat the big clubs in the top flight ahead of Sunday's encounter, but Arsene Wenger's side proved they are no soft touch with an impressive display to consign City to a first defeat in 15 games.

Santi Cazorla opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the first half after returning City captain Vincent Kompany was adjudged to have blocked off Nacho Monreal.
City, who also welcomed leading scorer Sergio Aguero back into the starting line-up, were devoid of ideas going forward in the first half but were far more threatening after the break.

The defending champions were unable to pull off a fightback, though, and there was no way back when Cazorla turned provider with a free-kick that was headed home by Olivier Giroud.

Defeat for City was their second at home in the league this season and a first loss since back in November ensured Manuel Pellegrini's side remain five points behind leaders Chelsea, with the two teams set to face each other next in the Premier League.

Arsenal have now won five of their last six games and leafrog arch-rivals Tottenham into fifth place.

Aguero made his first start for six weeks and Kompany was also back in the City starting line-up along with James Milner.

There were two changes to the Arsenal starting line-up following victory over Stoke City last weekend, with Aaron Ramsey and Hector Bellerin in for Tomas Rosicky and Mathieu Debuchy.

City made a positive start and Aguero was unable to pick out a team-mate from the byline after referee Mike Dean played an excellent advantage when Laurent Koscielny clattered into Fernandinho with a clumsy challenge that resulted in a yellow card for the Frenchman.

It was Arsenal who were in front after 24 minutes, though, when Kompany tangled with Monreal after the full-back played a neat one-two with Giroud and, although Joe Hart guessed the right way, he was unable to keep out Cazorla's precise penalty.

City looked short of ideas going forward as a frustrated David Silva was unable to make his presence felt and Aguero was starved of service.

Pellegrini reacted to City's lacklustre first-half display by replacing Milner with Stevan Jovetic at half-time and Aguero came close to an equaliser just after the break when his deflected strike was only just off target.

The hosts were posing far more of a threat to the Arsenal defence and Jesus Navas' drive was beaten away by David Ospina before Fernandinho's strike was deflected over.

The game was being played at a frantic pace and Koscielny then got a crucial touch on Navas' cross to divert the ball for a corner as Aguero was poised to turn it into the empty net.

City were left with a mountain to climb when an unmarked Giroud punished some poor defending by nodding in Cazorla's free-kick after 67 minutes to stun the home fans.

Mathieu Flamini ought to have provided another goal for Giroud late on, but Kompany got in the way of his attempted pass as Arsenal saw out the game with ease.

 

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Arsenal lagen pattama win 1kak​

 

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Atletico Madrid 2-0 Granada: Mandzukic and Garcia fire champions to victory

Mario Mandzukic converted a first-half penalty and substitute Raul Garcia added a late second to earn Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win and inflict further misery on managerless Granada on Sunday.

This encounter at the Vicente Calderon saw La Liga's champions host the division's bottom club, who are without a permanent coach after the departure of Joaquin Caparros on Friday.Interim replacement Joseba Aguado will have been encouraged by his team's display in the first half an hour as Granada, who are without a Liga win since September, made an assured start.

But their good work was undone 11 minutes before the break when Abdoul Sissoko fouled Diego Godin, and Mandzukic - who returned to the side after missing the midweek Copa del Rey triumph over Real Madrid due to illness - tucked away the spot-kick for his 16th goal of the season.Mandzukic was replaced by Garcia six minutes from time, and Diego Simeone's change paid dividends four minutes later as the midfielder headed home Arda Turan's cross from the right to seal victory.

Defeat extended Granada's winless Liga run to 15 matches, while for Atletico victory was crucial after city rivals Real had beaten Getafe 3-0 earlier on Sunday.
Atletico sit four points behind Real, having played a game more, while Granada remain rooted to the foot of the table.

It was the visitors who had the first real sight of goal in the 11th minute, as Youssef El-Arabi headed Allan Nyom's cross wide of the target with Atletico goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya stranded.And Moya had to be alert four minutes later to palm Piti's dangerous corner away from under his crossbar.

Granada continued to look the most likely to score, and Manuel Iturra called Moya into action for a second time with a curling effort from distance just before the half-hour.Somewhat against the run of play, Atletico took the lead through Mandzukic's penalty in the 34th minute.

Sissoko was adjudged to have dragged down Godin as the defender attempted to get on the end of Fernando Torres' cross, and Mandzukic sent the resulting kick into the top right-hand corner.Simeone introduced Antoine Griezmann in place of Torres in the second half, and the France international stung the palms of Granada keeper Oier in the 70th minute.

With Atletico going in search of a second to seal the game, Koke curled an effort narrowly over from the edge of the box five minutes later.The home side did not have to wait long, however, as Garcia's header condemned Granada to a sixth consecutive defeat against Atletico.

 

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AC Milan 0-1 Atalanta: Denis heaps misery on Rossoneri

AC Milan's mid-season malaise continued at San Siro on Sunday as they fell to a 1-0 defeat against lowly Atalanta - German Denis again proving to be the hero at a venue he has fond memories of.The Atalanta captain scored a 12-minute hat-trick at San Siro two seasons ago in a 4-3 win against Inter, but needed just the one goal to settle Sunday's affair and extend Milan's winless run in Serie A to four matches.

Having withstood what Milan threw at them early on, Atalanta took the lead when Denis - who also scored in a 2-1 win over Milan in May - made the most of slack defending with a deft finish 33 minutes in.Inzaghi had spoken in the week of a need to win ugly occasionally if Milan were to put their European aspirations back on track, but stoic defending from the visitors put paid to that.

While Giampaolo Pazzini's header nestled on the roof of the net, Stefano Colantuono's side were able to frustrate their hosts and pick up only a second away league win of the campaign - and their first since September.

Denis gave Milan a scare early on when he fired across goal after the hosts lost possession in midfield and offered another warning when he rattled the crossbar after 17 minutes.

Inzaghi must have been concerned to see Stephan El Shaaraway limp off after a challenge with Yohan Benalouane, but the Italy international was able to resume and proved to be instrumental in creating Milan's next opening.

The forward tricked his way into the box before unleashing a fierce shot which was saved by Marco Sportiello, with Giacomo Bonaventura only able to divert the rebound over the bar against his former club.Denis then made Milan pay for slack defending soon after the half-hour mark, as Maximiliano Moralez coasted through midfield and played in his captain.

The experienced Argentine then fired past Diego Lopez with the outside of his right foot to open the scoring and there was another blow for Inzaghi, as Daniele Bonera was injured and Pablo Armero came on to replace him.Jeremy Menez flashed a free-kick wide just before half-time, while birthday boy Riccardo Montolivo saw a tame set-piece easily cleared early in the second period.

As in the first half, Milan enjoyed plenty of possession but failed to make the most of it, with Nigel de Jong the next to go close with a header which was deflected off target by Montolivo.The pressure continued after the hour-mark, but Colantuono's side stood firm as Inzaghi's men struggled to engineer clear-cut chances other than Pazzini's angled header off target.

Denis' strike proved to be the winner as Atalanta's survival chances were given a shot in the arm, while Milan have work to do if they are to regain a spot in the top five.

 

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West Ham 3-0 Hull City: Carroll strikes in first league win in five games

West Ham scored three second-half goals to comfortably beat Hull City and record their first Premier League victory in five games on Sunday.

Strugglers Hull, without six first-team regulars through injury, tried to capitalise on any nerves born from a winless league run for the Irons that had stretched to four matches before Sunday's contest and the Yorkshire side arguably edged the first half.

However, West Ham were much improved after the restart and in-form striker Andy Carroll tapped home his fifth Premier League goal of the season shortly after the break.

Substitute Morgan Amalfitano made it 2-0 with a clever dink and Stewart Downing added further gloss with a composed finish in the 72nd minute. Victory for West Ham lifted Sam Allardyce's men to seventh place, while Hull returned north still in the relegation zone.

Sone Aluko was at the heart of a bright Hull start and the forward picked out a great pass from the byline to find Ahmed Elmohamady, who should have done better with a side-footed effort that went wide of the left-hand post in the sixth minute.

West Ham, who made just one change to the XI that drew 1-1 with Swansea City in their last Premier League match, grew into the game and James Tomkins headed over inside the six-yard box under pressure from Hull goalkeeper Allan McGregor.

At the other end, Aluko, who returned to the starting XI in one of three Hull changes from last weekend's 1-0 loss at West Brom, continued to torment the West Ham defence, but he was twice guilty of over playing when he had the chance to shoot.

The hosts finished the half strong. Enner Valencia looped a header onto the crossbar and, when Downing returned the ball into the area, McGregor was on hand to make a smart low save from Tomkins' header.

Hull were then dealt a blow in stoppage time when James Chester had to be replaced by Maynor Figueroa due to an apparent shoulder injury.

Steve Bruce had to make a further change with son Alex coming off for Harry Maguire, while West Ham were also forced into a substitution as Winston Reid replaced James Collins.

West Ham had more tempo to their play after the break and that resulted in the deadlock being broken in the 49th minute.

McGregor failed to parry Valencia's 20-yard shot to safety and Carroll was quickest to react to tap in the rebound.

Hull almost gifted West Ham a second when Michael Dawson's wayward pass was latched on by Valencia, who took a first poor touch before lashing his shot into the side-netting.

There was no let-off in the 69th minute, though, as Amalfitano - who had replaced Mark Noble three minutes earlier - collected Valencia's throughball and his delicate chip beat the outstretched McGregor.

Hull's misery was compounded three minutes later. Alex Song played a defence-splitting pass that sent Downing clear and the England international kept his composure to slot his shot into the bottom right-hand corner.

West Ham continued to turn the screw in the closing stages and Kevin Nolan almost added a fourth when his fierce shot from a tight angle crashed against the crossbar.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 4-2 Evian: Champions leave it late against struggling visitors

Edinson Cavani marked his return from his Paris Saint-Germain exile with a goal as the Ligue 1 champions came from behind to beat Evian 4-2.

Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi were named in Blanc's squad for the first time in 2015 after being omitted from the last three games for missing a mid-season training camp.

And the Uruguay striker repaid the faith shown in him by the under-pressure PSG coach by putting the finishing touches to his side's first league win of the year.
Blanc - who saw PSG throw away a two-goal lead at Bastia in a 4-2 loss last weekend - must have feared the worst when Cedric Barbosa put lowly Evian ahead in the 14th minute.

David Luiz levelled on the half-hour mark and Marco Verratti gave PSG the lead six minutes later, only for a Gregory van der Wiel own goal just after the hour to leave the hosts on the brink of dropping more points in their pursuit of table-topping Lyon.However, Pastore popped up to coolly steer home a pull back from Lucas Moura before substitute Cavani tapped in a fourth a minute from time to move PSG back to within four points of Lyon. Evian, meanwhile, remain 18th.

PSG offered little going forward early on and were punished for a defensive lapse by a fine strike from Barbosa.

The hosts conceded possession from a throw-in deep inside their own half and Barbosa duly took advantage with a volley into the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.Blanc's men were wasteful in possession for much of the first half, and when they did find their rhythm, they were repeatedly denied by Benjamin Leroy.

The Evian goalkeeper produced a brilliant reaction save to keep out David Luiz's close-range effort and then did just enough to turn a Zlatan Ibrahimovic shot around the post following great work down the left from Blaise Matuidi.

Leroy came to the rescue again to palm a Lucas drive over, but his resistance was finally broken from the resulting corner - the stopper unable to keep David Luiz's near-post header out despite getting two hands to the ball.

Evian would have retaken the lead had Barbosa not fired wide at the end of a rapid counter soon after. And the visitors were quickly punished for Barbosa's profligacy when Verratti powered home from 10 yards following Evian's failure to clear a Lucas free-kick.

A scrappy second half was light on goalscoring opportunities but Van der Wiel gifted Evian a route back into the game. The Netherlands international headed Daniel Wass' right-wing free-kick under the legs of goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigu.Ibrahimovic latched on to a Pastore flick-on as PSG sought an immediate reply, only for Leroy to divert the Swede's effort off target.

Cavani was thrown into the fray to aid PSG's cause, yet it was Pastore that provided the crucial contribution with a well-taken finish in the 74th minute to lift some of the pressure on Blanc.And there was still time to Cavani to apply the gloss to an unconvincing PSG display, turning home Ibrahimovic's cross-cum shot from point-blank range.