..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Aston Villa 1-2 Sheffield United: Shock cup exit heaps pressure on Lambert

Ryan Flynn was Sheffield United's FA Cup hero on Saturday as the League One side battled to a shock 2-1 win against a lacklustre Aston Villa side.



The visitors took the lead through Jamie Murphy’s deflected effort midway through the first half at Villa Park, before Nicklas Helenius came off the bench to restore parity with his first Villa goal 15 minutes from time.

However, Flynn secured a historic win for the visitors with an unstoppable shot just five minutes later to put under-fire Villans boss Paul Lambert under more pressure.
Despite playing down the importance of the Cup beforehand, Paul Lambert named a strong side, making just four changes from Villa's 1-0 win at Sunderland on New
Year's Day.

United boss Nigel Clough, meanwhile, opted for just one alteration from the team beaten 2-1 at Walsall three days ago, with midfielder Conor Coady making way for Murphy.

The Premier League outfit started the game the brighter, but struggled to penetrate a resolute United defence, despite dominating possession.

That all changed after 20 minutes though, when a rare foray forward from the visitors saw Murphy given far too much space by the Villa defence, allowing him to cut inside from the right before drilling a superb drive from 12 yards that clipped Ciaran Clark before looping over Jed Steer and into the net.

The hosts continued to be frustrated in their attacking efforts, with shots from both Aleksander Tonev and Andreas Weimann being blocked by a crowd of bodies inside the United penalty area.Tonev then went close again just after the half-hour mark, firing just wide from distance.

Christian Benteke had a glorious opportunity to end his barren run of 11 games without a goal just before the break, the Belgian sending a free header just wide from Marc Albrighton’s teasing cross.

The 23-year-old then wasted an almost identical chance shortly after - much to the dismay of the home faithful, who made their feelings known to Lambert and his team at half-time.The visitors began the second period in buoyant mood, though, and were unlucky not to double their lead immediately after the break.

A mistake by Antonio Luna on the right-hand side allowed Flynn a glimpse at goal, with the 25-year old forcing Steer to turn a vicious right-footed strike round the post.

Flynn was on hand to test the keeper again just a minute later, as he drew another smart save from Steer from just outside the area as the away side began to noticeably grow in confidence.

Lambert's side struggled to cope with the tenacity of United, with Albrighton's deflected looping cross-turned-shot from 25 yards their only notable chance in the opening stages of the half.

Striker Helenius was introduced just before the hour mark, replacing the disappointing Tonev - and the Dane looked to have spared Villa's blushes when he bundled home from close range after United failed deal with a corner from the right.

Clough’s men almost restored their advantage straight away when Jose Baxter squared to Chris Porter, who fired over from close range.

But the 5,000 travelling fans were sent into dreamland five minutes later, when Flynn overpowered Fabian Delph on the edge of the box before smashing past Steer to secure United's progress to round four.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Norwich City 1-1 Fulham: Snodgrass leveller forces replay

Norwich City and Fulham will go to an FA Cup third-round replay after playing out a 1-1 draw at Carrow Road on Saturday.

Chris Hughton's side went into the tie having not won any of their last 11 games against Fulham, and were beaten 2-1 at home by Rene Meulensteen's men just 11 days ago in the Premier League.

A similar outcome looked to be on the cards when Darren Bent opened the scoring for the visitors after 40 minutes.

However, Fulham could not hold on to their lead and Robert Snodgrass deservedly equalised for the hosts just before the interval.

Norwich then generally controlled the play after the break, with Josh Murphy and Ricky van Wolfswinkel spurning inviting opportunities, but Fulham managed to earn a replay.

Hughton made eight alterations to the Norwich team that drew at Crystal Palace in their last Premier League match, with fit-again striker Van Wolfswinkel making his first start since October 6.

Meulensteen made nine changes of his own following Fulham's win over West Ham, including the re-introduction of Clint Dempsey after the USA international returned to the club on loan from Seattle Sounders.

Both sides could only threaten from range in the early stages, as Norwich's Murphy curled just over from the edge of the area on his full debut before Dempsey narrowly missed the target from 30 yards.

Teenager Murphy went close again eight minutes before the break when his curling effort was well saved by David Stockdale, but Fulham took the lead shortly after as Bent headed Chris David's cross past the helpless Mark Bunn.

Stockdale then denied Van Wolfswinkel as Norwich went in search of an immediate equaliser, but the hosts did have to wait long to level as Murphy terrorised Elsad Zverotic down the left before seeing his cross converted by Snodgrass' diving header on the stroke of half-time.

The second half started as the first ended; with Murphy wreaking havoc on the left flank. The 18-year-old winger got in behind Zverotic again before whipping the ball across, but he just missed the goal and the lurking Van Wolfswinkel.

Norwich were gradually starting to control proceedings and, with just under an hour gone, Stockdale was forced into another good stop as he palmed away Van Wolfswinkel's excellent header.

The hosts looked intent on avoiding a replay, but Fulham's willingness to hold out for a draw was obvious as they invited pressure on to themselves in the final 15 minutes.

Hughton's side pressed for a late winner, but ultimately the visitors held firm to secure a rematch at Craven Cottage.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Brom 0-2 Crystal Palace: Gayle and Chamakh seal Eagles progress

Crystal Palace reached the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time in four seasons with a 2-0 victory at West Brom on Saturday.

Dwight Gayle opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, but Palace were left clinging onto their lead in the second half as West Brom put visiting goalkeeper Julian Speroni to the test.

However, Marouane Chamakh scored a second for Palace in stoppage time to secure his side's progression.

Keith Downing made eight changes to the West Brom side that beat Newcastle United 1-0 in the Premier League on New Year’s Day, with Ben Foster, Claudio Yacob and captain for the day Gareth McAuley the only players to retain starting berths.

Tony Pulis, meanwhile, made five alterations to the XI that drew 1-1 with Norwich City on Wednesday, handing starts to Jonathan Parr, Barry Bannan, Hiram Boateng, Gayle and Jonathan Williams. Top goalscorer Chamakh dropped to the bench.

The hosts - five-time winners of the competition - had the game’s first shot at goal, with Saido Berahino sending a speculative volley over the crossbar.

A flowing Palace move led to Bannan striking the post from a tight angle moments later – the Scot very nearly benefiting from a well-worked exchange of passes with Gayle.

Matej Vydra was the first man to work either goalkeeper as the clock ticked past the quarter of an hour mark, forcing Speroni to palm the ball away from close range after a defence-splitting through-ball from Zoltan Gera.

Yet it was Palace who broke the deadlock midway through the half, when Gayle turned and fired a left-footed effort into the bottom right-hand corner of the West Brom net from 20 yards.

The hosts almost hit back within a minute of the subsequent restart, but Craig Dawson’s header from a left-wing cross rattled the crossbar.

West Brom came out fighting at the start of the second period, with Berahino's 25-yarder drawing a decent stop from Speroni.

The attacker then caused the goalkeeper yet more problems, Speroni almost spilling the ball into the path of an advancing Shane Long after failing to hold a Berahino strike.

West Brom, who looked the better team after the break, continued to press for an equaliser as the half progressed, and Vydra had Speroni at full stretch soon after the hour mark with a volley from just outside the penalty area.

Berahino’s personal battle with Speroni continued, but it was the Palace man who came out on top once again when the former unleashed an effort from the edge of the box in the 70th minute.

West Brom had appeals for a penalty turned down following a Parr challenge on Long five minutes later, before Gayle had a goal ruled out for offside at the other end.

Palace wrapped up victory in stoppage time. After Gera saw a shot deflected wide for the hosts, Chamakh fired into the bottom right-hand corner from the centre of the penalty area.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke City 2-1 Leicester City: Jones & Adam strikes see Potters progress

Stoke City secured a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup for the fifth straight season with a 2-1 victory over Leicester City at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday.


The Premier League outfit had the better chances and proved more clinical in front of goal than the Foxes. Kenwyne Jones opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a towering header from a left-wing cross, before a long-range effort from Charlie Adam doubled the Potters' lead just before the hour.Leicester rarely troubled Jack Butland in the Stoke goal and even though David Nugent pulled a goal back, the visitors could not complete a famous turnaround.

The result sees Mark Hughes - dreaming of a return to Wembley after their final appearance in 2011 - go into the hat for the fourth-round draw on Sunday, while Leicester can focus on securing a return to the top flight as they sit top of the Championship.

The Potters boss handed Butland his first start in goal in the absence of Asmir Begovic (broken finger) and Thomas Sorensen (Achilles), while Marko Arnautovic and Jones replaced Peter Crouch and Jonathan Walters.

Jamie Vardy, Andy King and Jeffrey Schlupp were among those recalled by Leicester, who made five changes.

Both sides took time to settle into the game, with the first opening falling to the visitors in the 13th minute through Anthony Knockaert.The Frenchman went past Geoff Cameron and into the penalty area but his shot was parried by Butland, and Glenn Whelan cleared the danger.

Stoke responded with two chances in quick succession: the first was wasted by Adam, but Jones made no mistake in the 16th minute.

After Oussama Assaidi had raced down the left and delivered a perfect ball to the back post, the striker rose above his marker and powered a header past Kasper Schmeichel.

Nigel Pearson rearranged his side to cope with the width provided by Stoke and chances soon began to come Leicester’s way, with Knockaert and Schlupp both wasting good opportunities just before the half hour.Jones nearly grabbed a second soon after the break as he rose to meet a cross from Adam. The striker powered a header towards goal that Schmeichel pushed against the post before gratefully clutching the ball at the second attempt.

Stoke did double their advantage in the 55th minute as Adam scored his fifth of the season in all competitions.

Arnautovic won the ball inside the Leicester half and fed the Scot, who carried the ball towards the penalty area and fired a superb shot beyond Schmeichel from 25 yards.

Leicester halved their deficit with 13 minutes remaining through substitute Nugent. The striker had been denied by a fantastic Butland save moments earlier, but found the net with a close-range header from a Marcin Wasilewski cross.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Southampton 4-3 Burnley: Rodriguez punishes former club in seven-goal thriller

Jay Rodriguez scored on his first outing against his former club as Southampton beat Burnley 4-3 to progress into the FA Cup fourth round.

Rodriguez, who left Turf Moor for the south-coast club in 2012, came off the bench to put Southampton 3-2 up in the 66th minute after second-half strikes from Sam Vokes and Danny Ings had cancelled out goals from Nathaniel Clyne and Rickie Lambert in the opening period.

Another substitute, Adam Lallana, fired in a long-range effort at St Mary's Stadium to put Southampton further in front before Kevin Long set up a tense finale with his first goal for Burnley late on.

The Championship high-flyers were unable to force a replay, though, as their top-flight opponents won for just the second time in 10 games in all competitions.

Southampton made five changes from the New Year's Day defeat to Chelsea, Lambert among those to return at the expense of Rodriguez, while the visitors made two alterations in defence as Daniel Lafferty and Long came in.

Burnley threatened as early as the first minute, Scott Arfield sending in a curling effort from the corner of the box that flew just wide of the post.

Clyne gave his side the lead midway through the half in spectacular fashion, thumping a right-footed effort into the top corner from 25 yards for his first goal of the season.

Lambert doubled Southampton's advantage six minutes later as he picked the ball up in space on the edge of the area and unleashed another unstoppable drive beyond Tom Heaton into the top right-hand corner.

The England international's afternoon turned sour 10 minutes before the break, however, when he hobbled off with a knock to be replaced by Rodriguez.

Heaton dived to his right to keep out Luke Shaw's effort in the 41st minute as Southampton finished the first half strongly.

Six minutes into the second half, the visitors pulled one back as Southampton-born Vokes flicked home Kieran Trippier's right-wing cross for his 11th goal of the season.

Burnley drew level six minutes later as Ings cut in from the right and squeezed the ball between Kelvin Davis and the near post from a tight angle to take his tally for the season to 20.

Vokes almost completed a remarkable turnaround immediately following the equaliser, but his effort was superbly blocked by Davis.

And Vokes was made to pay for that miss in the 66th minute, Rodriguez sweeping home after the ball had bounced around the Burnley penalty area.

As the game became increasingly open, Ings came close to a second equaliser in the 72nd minute when his low drive came back off the post and Lallana went down the opposite end, advanced into space and fired low beyond Heaton from 20 yards.

Long turned in Junior Stanislas' corner three minutes from time as Burnley continued to battle right to the end, but Southampton hung on to progress.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 4-0 QPR: Barkley, Jelavic & Coleman fire Toffees through

Nikica Jelavic bagged a brace for Everton to send Roberto Martinez's side through to the fourth round of the FA Cup with an emphatic 4-0 win against QPR at Goodison Park on Saturday.


England youngster Ross Barkley struck an impressive opener from 15 yards out after being set up well by Bryan Oviedo on 35 minutes as the Premier League side dominated Harry Redknapp's Championship hopefuls.

Jelavic deservedly doubled the Toffees' lead a minute before the break with his first goal of the season by firing past Julio Cesar from 20 yards, and grabbed his second of the game with a close-range finish on 68 minutes.

The Croatian missed the chance to score a hat-trick by hitting the crossbar with a penalty after being felled by Nedum Onuoha with 16 minutes remaining, but Seamus Coleman took his tally for the season to six goals when his thunderous effort from the right-hand side almost broke the back of the net 60 seconds later.

Martinez won the FA Cup with Wigan Athletic last season and will be hoping for a repeat performance in a competition he described as "unique" on Friday.

The Spaniard made five changes to his starting line-up, with Jelavic coming in for his 50th start for the club. Goalkeeper Julio Cesar was handed his first QPR start since the two sides last met at Goodison Park in April.Rangers fashioned the first chance of the game when midfielder Gary O'Neil tried his luck with a volley from long range and was narrowly off target.

Everton enjoyed plenty of possession, but O'Neil should have put the visitors in front when he failed to connect with Danny Simpson's inviting cross.

The home side raised the tempo and Leon Osman spurned a great chance when he fired over the crossbar after Cesar had palmed away Barkley's effort from a tight angle.Barkley was brimming with confidence and the midfielder showed why he is so highly regarded as he cut in from the left and found the bottom corner of Cesar's net with a clinical right-foot finish 10 minutes before the break.

Everton doubled their lead just before half-time, when Karl Henry was caught in possession and Jelavic fired home the loose ball with a fine left-foot strike from 25 yards out.

QPR gave the ball away again in midfield and Coleman should have punished them, but the overworked Cesar made a fine fingertip save 11 minutes after the break.

Everton looked dangerous every time they attacked and Jelavic capitalised on some poor defending to convert Bryan Oviedo's cross from close range after 68 minutes.The outstanding Barkley then burst forward on a stunning solo run but fired over the crossbar and Everton were awarded a penalty after 74 minutes when Oviedo was brought down by Cesar.

Jelavic went for the cheeky chip for his hat-trick, but it back-fired as he struck the crossbar.

However, Everton were not to be denied a fourth goal two minutes later when Coleman beat Cesar with another a sublime right-footed finish as Rangers crumbled.

Steven Naismith and Jelavic both had efforts cleared off the line by Clint Hil late onl as Rangers were totally outclassed.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Newcastle 1-2 Cardiff City: Solskjaer starts with a win courtesy of Campbell

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made a winning start to his Cardiff City reign as his side fought back from a goal down to earn a 2-1 win against Newcastle United at St. James' Park to progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The Magpies twice hit the woodwork through Hatem Ben Arfa before finally breaking the deadlock on the hour-mark, with Papiss Cisse latching onto a loose ball inside the box and tucking the ball beyond David Marshall.

But the away team responded with two quick-fire goals. First, Craig Noone sent a fizzing long-range effort into the back of the net, before fellow substitute Frazier Campbell completed the turnaround by converting Peter Whittingham's corner moments later.

Newcastle were without the suspended Mathieu Debuchy, while Cisse started in attack in a side captained by Cheick Tiote in the absence of Fabricio Coloccini.

Solskjaer, meanwhile, made five changes to Cardiff's starting XI from the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal, with Andreas Cornelius and Peter Odemwingie paired up front for the visitors.

Cardiff made the better start to proceedings and looked to have taken the lead when Mark Hudson headed home Whittingham's corner after nine minutes, only for the goal to be ruled out for a push in the area.

Kevin McNaughton and Kim Bo-Kyung then went close from distance as Newcastle struggled to gain a foothold in the game.

However, the hosts did finally threaten when Hatem Ben Arfa crashed an effort against the left-hand post after 24 minutes.

Yoan Gouffran then shot wide on the half-hour mark, but Newcastle generally struggled to test the Cardiff goalkeeper.

Marshall was called into action twice in the early stages of the second half as he denied both Ben Arfa and Moussa Sissoko.

But Newcastle were rewarded for their positive second-half showing in the 61st minute, Cisse converting from point-blank range for only his third goal of the season after Sissoko's initial shot had been only partially cleared.

Cardiff's response was a strong one and Solskjaer's men came close to levelling when Campbell struck the post with an effort from 18 yards.

It was Noone's introduction that would prove pivotal, though, with the midfielder's driving run and long-range piledriver flying past Rob Elliot and into the top corner.

The tie appeared poised for a replay at that point, but, with both sides pushing for a winner late on, it was the Welsh side who ultimately got it - as with 10 minutes left Campbell rose highest to head Cardiff into the fourth round.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Malaga 0-1 Atletico Madrid: Koke sends Rojiblancos three points clear of Barcelona

Koke scored the only goal of the game as Atletico Madrid moved three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Malaga.


The Rojiblancos struggled to get going during the opening half at the Rosaleda but they improved after the interval and claimed a crucial victory when their homegrown 21-year-old midfielder fired home with just 20 minutes remaining.

With winter champions Barcelona hosting Elche on Sunday, Atletico went into the game knowing that they would almost certainly have to win at Malaga if they were to end the weekend still level on points with the Blaugrana at the summit of the standings.

However, it was Malaga who began the brighter of the two sides, with defender Sergio Sanchez firing over the bar seven minutes in, after the ball had dropped invitingly for him in the area.

Indeed, the Rojiblancos did not threaten the home side's goal until the 23rd minute, when Willy Caballero dealt easily with a low drive from Juanfran.

The hosts upped the ante just after the half-hour mark, with Eliseu Pereira testing Thibaut Courtois at the end of an incisive drive into the area.

Vitorino Antunes let fly just moments later but his curling effort from wide on the right-hand side never looked like creeping inside the far post.

Still, there was no denying that Malaga looked the more likely victors as a slightly underwhelming first half drew to a close.

Credit to Diego Simeone's men, though, they looked far more energetic after the break, with the introduction of Adrian Lopez in place of the ineffective Oliver Torres playing a key role in their transformation.

Indeed, Adrian went close to opening the scoring on 62 minutes after finding some space in the area but he was closed down by Antunes at the last second.

However, Atletico finally made the breakthrough soon after when Koke pounced on a loose ball and calmly fired home to secure three precious points for the visitors.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Blackburn 1-1 Manchester City: Petulant Boyata sees red as Rovers force replay

Blackburn Rovers pounced on an error from Costel Pantilimon to earn a hard-fought draw against 10-man Manchester City in the FA Cup third round on Saturday to set-up a replay at the Etihad Stadium.

Gary Bowyer's men had matched their Premier League opponents for much of the first half until, just before the break, Edin Dzeko's flick-on from a corner was headed into the back of the net by Alvaro Negredo.

The home team were gifted an equaliser moments after the restart, though, as Pantilimon spilled Rudy Gestede's header into the path of Scott Dann, who tucked the ball past the Romanian from close-range.

Blackburn pushed for a winner late on, bringing on top scorer Jordan Rhodes just before City saw defender Dedryck Boyata sent off, but, despite going close, were unable to breach Manuel Pellegrini's men for a second time.

Pellegrini promised to field a strong side in the competition and he kept to his word, with regulars such as Fernandinho, David Silva and Negredo all handed starting spots, while the Chilean named Joleon Lescott captain after dismissing reports that the defender could leave the club in January.

For the hosts, Paul Robinson made his first start since December 2012 having suffered a blood clot on his lung while Gestede was preferred to leading scorer Rhodes up front.

City, who were defeated in the final of last season's competition, enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening exchanges but were let down by their final ball while Rovers' first effort on target came courtesy of Dann's header, which was easily saved with by Pantilimon.

It sparked the hosts' first spell of pressure as Tom Cairney's free kick delivery and another Dann header caused problems for City's back line.

Silva and Nedgredo both went close midway through the half before City eventually went ahead through the former Sevilla man on the stroke of half time.

Negredo continued his fine form by latching onto Dzeko's header from Silva's set-piece, calmly converting at the far post amid disagreements and shouts of offside from the Blackburn defence.

Blackburn were level 10 minutes after the interval, however, with Pantilimon largely culpable, as he flapped at a routine header from Gestede before allowing skipper Dann in for a simple finish.

City had not lost or conceded a goal in their previous five FA Cup ties against lower division opposition and quickly set about trying to score a second and re-take the lead.

Negredo acrobatically headed wide with an open goal gaping after Robinson saved from Dzeko, before the hosts' goalkeeper was alert to deny substitute Jesus Navas' long-range strike.

City piled on the pressure late in the game but to no avail, and, when Boyata received a second yellow card for a poorly-timed challenge on DJ Campbell, the hosts smelt blood. Cairney went closest with a powerful long-range effort but Bowyer's men had to settle for a replay.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Garcia dismisses Juve link: I'm 100 per committed to Roma

Rudi Garcia has rubbished rumours linking him with Juventus, declaring that he is "100 per cent" committed to Roma.

It has been reported that the Bianconeri would consider turning to the Frenchman to replace current coach Antonio Conte, should the former Italy international ever decide to leave Turin.

However, Garcia, speaking ahead of Sunday's Serie A showdown with Juventus, dismissed the speculation out of hand.

"I'm 100 per cent committed to the Roma project," the former Lille boss told reporters.

Indeed, Garcia insisted that while has the utmost respect for the reigning Italian champions, his sole focus is on defying those who feel his undefeated Giallorossi side, who currently lie five points behind Juve, have no chance of triumphing in Turin.

"We have a strong team; they have a strong team," he mused. "We have strengths and weaknesses, just like them.

"It's important to win, but even if we draw or lose, there's an entire second half of the season to go. So, there are so many steps ahead of us. [Sunday] will not change anything, but I want to win.

"We know that they have a great team and two players up front that can score goals. They also have a world-class player like Pirlo.

"They have two teams of the same level. If one player does not play, another does and the standard doesn't drop. They'll play at home and this is also an advantage for them.

"Apart from the Romanisti, everyone thinks that the game is already lost to us. So, we can only gain; we have nothing to lose."

 

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Trezeguet: Pogba should stay at Juventus

David Trezeguet has urged Paul Pogba to resist advances from elsewhere and remain at Juventus.

The France international has established himself as one of the most impressive young midfielders in the world since joining the Bianconeri from Manchester United in the summer of 2012.

Consequently, he has reportedly caught the attention of the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, but Juventus legend Trezeguet can see no reason why his compatriot would want to leave Turin.

"I have spoken very little with him," the 36-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport. "But, for me, he should stay at Juventus. I would strongly advise him to do that.

"For someone like him, it is important to stay. He's playing and Juventus are a club on the rise. They will get even better."

Trezeguet is currently plying his trade in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys and the ex-France forward has revealed that he has already spoken with Juventus chairman Andrea Agnelli about taking on an ambassadorial role when he finally hangs up his boots.

"I think I could be able to help Juventus in South America," the Euro 2000 hero explained. "This club has a great image and is now growing with all these South American players that are doing very well.

"But it is a continent that they could exploit even better with and I could lend a hand to Juventus.

"I spoke with Andrea Agnelli about what possibilities there are for me. I could be a Juventus ambassador, but also something more.

"I did a sporting director course, which is endorsed by FIFA. I'm also doing the course as a coach, but I see my future more as a director or scout.

"I could travel around South America to assess talents or help Juve in other ways in the territory."

 

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Monaco sign Traore from Anzhi

Monaco have confirmed the signing of Lacina Traore from Anzhi Makhachkala for an undisclosed fee.

The Cote d'Ivoire international only joined the Russia outfit in June 2012, for a reported €18 million, but has now become the latest high-profile departure from Dagestan after club owner Suleyman Kerimov announced severe cost-cutting measures last summer.

"Lacina Traore, 23, has signed a four-and-a-half-year contract with AS Monaco FC," read a statement on the Ligue 1 side's official website.

However, it has not yet been confirmed whether the striker will, as rumoured, be immediately loaned to Premier League strugglers West Ham United for the remainder of the 2013-14 season.

Monaco, who only achieved promotion back to the French top flight last season, are currently second in the standings, just three points behind leaders and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain.

 

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Martino: Messi has the look of a killer

Lionel Messi "has the look of a killer" as he battles to recover full fitness, according to Barcelona head coach Gerardo Martino.

Messi has not played since injuring his hamstring against Betis in early November, but scored a superb hat-trick in a training match earlier this week after returning to Catalunya following recovery work in Argentina.

Although he has been left out of the squad to face Elche on Sunday, Martino is confident the Argentine star will soon be ready for first-team football.

"He's come back really well, he's had three good training sessions. He has the look of a killer," Martino said of the 26-year-old at a press conference.

"He's lacking the rhythm of training with his team-mates, he's done more work with the ball.

"We are looking at when he will be ready to play."

Martino has largely a full squad to choose from for Sunday's encounter, with Victor Valdes included in the matchday squad after recovering from injury.

And Martino admits his side will now be expected to perform at their very best in their return from the winter break.

He added: "The squad have come back really well. We've got everyone back. That always raises expectations when you have the chance to chose from a rich squad."

 

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'Totti is wrong - Juventus are stronger than Roma', says Lichtsteiner

Juventus wingback Stephan Lichtsteiner insists Francesco Totti was wrong when he claimed Roma have better players than the Bianconeri.

Totti suggested earlier this week that Roma possess greater individuals than the reigning Serie A champions ahead of the sides' meeting in Turin on Sunday, but Lichtsteiner says this is far from the case.

"Totti is wrong," the Switzerland international stated to Rai Sport. "We are the better team. Juventus are stronger than Roma.

"It's going to be a great game on Sunday, as both teams want to win, even though it won't be decisive for the title.

"In order to win a Scudetto, you need to be consistent throughout the entire season."

Sunday's top-of-the-table clash at Juventus Stadium kicks off at 20:45CET.

 

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I had no doubts over Atletico move, says Sosa

Jose Sosa says he had no second thoughts about joining Atletico Madrid after signing on loan until the end of the season.

Sosa completed a temporary switch from Metalist Kharkiv earlier in the week after spurning interest from a number of other European sides, including fellow Liga outfit Malaga, who face Atletico on Saturday.

Malaga boss Bernd Schuster admitted he was disappointed to have missed out on the 28-year-old after opening talks with the player as early as November, but Sosa says he had eyes only for Atletico once Diego Simeone came calling.

"A few clubs were interested in signing me but as soon as I found out that Atletico was one of them, I was in no doubt at all," he told reporters this week after his first training session. "I know the coaching staff and the project; I'm going to give my best in what is a new challenge for me.

"Malaga were interested as were other clubs but when I learned about Atletico's interest and spoke to the coaching staff, I knew right away that I wanted to come here. It was an instinctive feeling and that's why I am here now."

Sosa - who will wear the No. 24 shirt for the Rojiblancos - says it is vital for him to adapt to Simeone's plans quickly as he looks to secure regular football to boost his chances of a World Cup place with Argentina.

"I was able to have a chat with him [Simeone] today. He'll give me more details about what he wants in time," Sosa continued. "It's important that I adapt as soon as possible and over the course of the next few days, I'll get a clearer idea of what he expects from me.

"I already know everyone in the technical team - that will give me the chance to adapt quicker. I know that I have to give the best of myself, I will accept all of the decisions the coach makes."

 

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Cavani: Defences are scared of Ibrahimovic

Paris Saint-Germain attacker Edinson Cavani claims opposition players are scared of team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic's form this season.

The Sweden star netted 23 goals in the first half of the campaign in all competitions as PSG romped through to the knockout phase of the Champions League, while establishing themselves at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Cavani - who himself has struck 18 times in his debut season with les Parisiens - has paid tribute to Ibrahimovic's all-round impact on the pitch, and says he is now happy in his role alongside his team-mate.

"I feel good next to Zlatan," he told Le Figaro. "He is a high-class player, who opens up space and gets you into excellent positions.

"He scares plenty of opponents with his playing style and because he can score at any time."

PSG - who were beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid in a friendly match on Thursday - play against Brest in the Coupe de France on Sunday.

 

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Alves: Ballon d'Or or not, Messi is the best


Dani Alves believes Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is still way ahead of the competition at the summit of world football.

Messi missed much of 2013 through injury, but has made the shortlist for the Ballon d'Or along with Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo and Bayern Munich’s Franck Ribery.

The four-time winner is not favourite this year with Ronaldo in pole position to claim the Fifa and France Football award.

But Alves insists that, regardless of who picks up the trophy for the year’s outstanding player, Messi remains the game's greatest individual talent.

“The Ballon d’Or thing is a little tiresome because it has been moved to a different playing field,” said the defender.

“It has moved to the field of opinions and off the field of play. But if we look at the field of play, I think Leo, for as long as he is around, will push the rest into second place.

“Moving away from that, perhaps he has less chance. The winner will be the one who has had the best campaign, or the best publicity campaign.

"We are talking about the Ballon d’Or as if we were talking about politics. The one with the best campaign wins, not the one who plays the best football, the one who makes the most incredible runs or scores the most goals."

While a significant part of the Ballon d’Or marks are made up of journalists’ votes, the FIFPro World XI - also announced in Zurich on January 13 - is decided exclusively by footballers and Alves believes that makes inclusion in the team more satisfying.

 

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Manchester City boss Pellegrini open to January signings

Manuel Pellegrini has not ruled out making additions to his Manchester City squad during the January transfer window, after watching his side draw 1-1 with Blackburn in the FA Cup at Ewood Park on Saturday.

The Premier League challengers went ahead through Alvaro Negredo just before the break, but Rovers captain Scott Dann netted an equaliser for the Championship side in the second half to force a replay at the Etihad.

The City boss confirmed there are currently no deals in place for the club, but is open to bringing new faces into his squad should any opportunities present themselves.

"For the moment we will stay exactly the same," he told BT Sport. "What I am saying doesn't mean that we cannot do maybe something from now till the end of January, but for the moment, nothing important."Last year's beaten finalists were out of sorts for large parts of the game at Ewood Park but Pellegrini was relaxed after the game, stating that Gary Bowyer's men were more "motivated" for the visit of City.

"No, we were not lucky [to avoid defeat]," he told reporters. "I think it was a very close match and we had more options than Blackburn Rovers, more clear options, but we play against a very strong team here at home with lots of motivation.

"Disappointed? No. Of course everyone wants to win all the games but I repeat we played against a very strong team at home.

"I'm sure if Blackburn play the same way [in the Championship] they would maybe be in a different position in the table.

"It's normal [to have] motivation when they play against us."

 

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CITY la thawath team 1ka strong karagani wage

 

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Rooney could leave if Manchester United miss out on top four, admits Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes has admitted that striker Wayne Rooney may not sign a new contract if the champions miss out on a top-four finish.

The Red Devils currently languish in seventh place in the Premier League, five points behind Liverpool in fourth and 11 points off top-of-the-table Arsenal.

Rooney’s current deal expires at the end of next season and, as exclusively revealed by Goal in December, the striker has rejected United’s latest attempts to open talks over a new contract.

When asked how confident Moyes was of Rooney signing a new deal if United missed out on the top four he told reporters: "Well, we would have to wait and see what [would] happen if that situation arose."

The former Everton man has, however, been in top form for the reigning champions this season scoring 11 times and his manager feels he is happy at Old Trafford.

"I thought if you looked at his performances you'd have to say he's certainly playing at his best," he added.

United are in FA Cup action on Sunday, a game Rooney is expected to miss through injury, although Moyes is confident he could return in midweek for the Capital One clash with Sunderland.

"He's got a groin injury and won't be available for the game," he said before adding he "had a chance" of facing the Black Cats.

United face Swansea at Old Trafford having lost six times already at home this season but Moyes has urged his side to improve and insists the FA Cup is important to the club.

"To have not won the FA Cup for 10 years is something which is a bit of a surprise but it's something which we'll try and do," Moyes said.

"We're trying to win all the competitions we enter which we're sure most people are trying to do but as far as I'm concerned we'll do everything we possibly can.

"The cup is important to me, it always has been but I'm sure it's important to every club."