..::Football III::..

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Serie A 2014.03.30 Fixture

Serie A 2014.03.30 Fixture

Sassuolo Vs Roma

Hellas Verona Vs Genoa

Lazio Vs Parma

Sampdoria Vs Fiorentina

Torino Vs Cagliari

Napoli Vs Juventus​

 

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Arsenal 1-1 Manchester City: Flamini helps Gunners restore some pride

 

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Crystal Palace 1-0 Chelsea: Terry own goal damages Blues’ title tilt

 

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Napoli 2-0 Juventus: Callejon and Mertens keep Serie A title race alive

Napoli ensured the Serie A title race will remain alive for a while longer after Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens gave them a 2-0 win over Juventus on Sunday.

The Spaniard prodded home from close range in the first half to put the hosts in front, although he was fortunate to escape an offside flag following Lorenzo Insigne's cross.

Mertens sealed the win in the closing minutes with a well-taken finish to leave Juve's lead at the top at 11 points following Roma's win over Sassuolo.

The defending champions went into the match on the back of seven straight wins in the league and Inter's record points total of 97 looked very much in their sights, but Napoli's commanding display and win has put that in doubt.

Defeat for Juve - only their second in Serie A in 2013-14 - means their lead at the top of the table stands at 11 points after Roma won earlier in the day at Sassuolo, but Antonio Conte's men remain very much in line to secure a third successive title.

Conte's counterpart Rafael Benitez made the point of highlighting the two sides' differing revenues in the build-up and Juve's financial firepower was encapsulated by Italy international Pablo Daniel Osvaldo replacing the suspended Carlos Tevez in attack.

However, it was the hosts who looked more dangerous in the early stages and Buffon produced a crucial save after just six minutes, parrying away Callejon's close-range flick.

Marek Hamsik had a goal disallowed for offside a few moments later, but went close to netting legitimately in the 10th minute as Buffon acrobatically tipped his effort over following Henrique's cut-back.

The visitors finally tested Pepe Reina with 25 minutes on the clock, but he collected Stephan Lichtsteiner's tame left-footed shot with ease.

Juve's attacking threat continued to dwindle and they found themselves behind in the 37th minute, as Callejon directed Lorenzo Insigne's deep cross past Buffon, despite appearing to be offside.

After an inept first-half performance, Juve offered a little more from an attacking perspective in the second period, but Napoli still looked dangerous on the break and solid at the back.

Despite their improvement, Juve had to rely on Buffon once again to keep them in the game in the 60th minute, with the veteran palming Faouzi Ghoulam's free kick on to the roof of the goal.

Hamsik should have wrapped up the three points with 12 minutes to go as hit a gentle effort at Buffon, but Mertens made sure a few moments later, latching on to Goran Pandev's lofted pass before rifling into the net to secure a 2-0 win.

 

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Liverpool 4-0 Tottenham: Reds stampede into top spot as sorry Spurs are brushed aside

Liverpool routed Tottenham for the second time this season to move two points clear at the top of the Premier League with their eighth consecutive victory.

The visitors' resolve was broken inside two minutes when Glen Johnson's low cross was turned into his own net by Younes Kaboul, and Luis Suarez doubled the Reds' lead with a clinical finish on 25 minutes.

Coutinho added another layer of gloss to the scoreline with a wonderful low drive from distance on 55 minutes before Jordan Henderson's free-kick flew through a mass of bodies to compound Tottenham's humiliation.

Spurs showed little in the way of attacking threat, but it will be their basic defensive errors that will have head coach Tim Sherwood most concerned.

After glaring mistakes in recent games with Southampton and Chelsea, it was a familiar story for Spurs and Liverpool ruthlessly exposed their deficiencies in extending their unbeaten league run to 13 matches.

Liverpool got off to a flying start, taking the lead through Kaboul's own goal in the second minute.

Johnson sent in a low cross from the right and, after a slight deflection off Vertonghen, the Frenchman got his feet in a tangle and diverted the ball into the net from inside the six-yard box.

The visitors suffered a further setback midway through the half when they lost Vertonghen through injury, and his replacement Dawson's mistake led to Liverpool's second.

In trying to lay the ball off to Kaboul, Dawson's errant pass allowed Suarez to get the better of the centre-back before racing clear and finishing across Lloris into the bottom right-hand corner.

Spurs responded brightly, Martin Skrtel blocking Christian Eriksen's effort before Simon Mignolet denied Roberto Soldado's curler.

Another Tottenham mistake almost put the game beyond doubt a minute later, Suarez seeing his back-post header brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Lloris after Kaboul had squandered possession to Raheem Sterling.

Liverpool were similarly wasteful in the 54th minute, Henderson failing to hit the target from 14 yards with just a defender on the line to beat.

But Coutinho's goal rendered that miss irrelevant a minute later, the Brazilian firing past Lloris from 25 yards after advancing into space.

Lloris kept out Daniel Sturridge's impudent backheel after yet more hesitancy in the Spurs' backline, but Henderson's set-piece rounded off the scoring as Liverpool moved a step closer to a first league title since 1990.

 

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Fulham 1-3 Everton: Mirallas & Naismith dent survival hopes for Magath's men

Substitutes Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas starred as Everton sent Fulham closer to relegation with a 3-1 triumph at Craven Cottage.

Naismith and Mirallas were both on target in the second half, while the former's shot led to home goalkeeper David Stockdale inadvertently putting through his own net as Roberto Martinez's men boosted their hopes of securing Champions League qualification.



The result was harsh on Fulham, who were excellent in the first half and looked to have sealed a deserved point when Ashkan Dejagah cancelled out Stockdale's own goal.

But Mirallas produced a composed finish 11 minutes from time and Naismith added a third to ensure Everton moved within four points of fourth-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.

Felix Magath's men are five points from safety with just six games remaining and will reflect on a game of missed opportunities as their Premier League fate hangs by a thread.

Fulham, who looked to have cause for a penalty appeal when Sylvain Distin appeared to handle in the box, threatened in the 13th minute as Brede Hangeland flicked on Holtby's corner, but Kasami was unable to steer his back-post header on target.Magath showed faith in 17-year-old striker Dembele by handing him a start and the Frenchman underlined his promise with a perfectly measured throughball for Richardson, whose effort was saved by the legs of Howard.

Stockdale produced a carbon-copy stop to thwart Gerard Deulofeu at the end of a swift Everton counter-attack, while Holtby and Dembele tested Howard with headers as the tempo continued to increase prior to half-time.

Martinez's side moved ahead with 51 minutes on the clock. Leighton Baines' corner eventually found its way to Naismith, on for the injured Ross Barkley, and his shot set in motion a chain of events that ended with Stockdale deflecting the ball into his own net.

The former Hull City loanee produced a stunning save to deny Romelu Lukaku just past the hour mark as Everton looked to take the game beyond Fulham, but the hosts were not a spent force and Dejagah netted an excellent equaliser, cutting in from the left before rifling past Howard at his near post.With Fulham in the ascendancy, Howard denied Heitinga and Kasami in quick succession before Mirallas raced away to make it 2-1.

There was still time for Naismith to turn in a square pass from Baines and the Scot also hit the post from distance as Everton ultimately prevailed with a degree of comfort.

 

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Liverpool & Everton meh season 1ke patta

 

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Sassuolo 0-2 Roma: Destro and Bastos help Giallorossi close in on second place

Mattia Destro continued his rich vein of goalscoring form as Roma saw off Sassuolo 2-0 on Sunday to tighten their grip on second place.

The 23-year-old struck early in the first half before Michel Bastos rounded off a comfortable win with a goal deep in injury-time.

The first chance of the game fell to Roma and Destro, with the in-form striker narrowly beaten to a ball across the six-yard box by the outstretched leg of Pedro Mendes.

There was then an opening at the other end as Paolo Cannavaro's strike from a corner-kick was deflected behind by Daniele De Rossi on 12 minutes.

And it wasn't long before the deadlock was broken, with the opening goal going the way of the visitors. Radja Nainggolan dispossessed Simone Missiroli in midfield before feeding Destro, who lifted the ball over the onrushing Gianluca Pegolo to make it 1-0.

The Giallorossi remained in control after the break, with Destro going close to doubling his and Roma's lead on 53 minutes when he tested Pegolo with a left foot drive from the edge of the box.

With 16 minutes remaining the Italian then turned creator as he found Gervinho inside the area, only for the Sassuolo defence to scramble clear before the forward could get his shot away.

Substitute Bastos made it 2-0 with a goal in the sixth minute of injury-time to leave Roma in second place and nine points clear of Napoli in third.

 

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Napoli still not at Juventus' level, says Benitez

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez believes his side must develop a stronger mentality if they are to reach the same level as Juventus.

The Partenopei sealed an impressive 2-0 win over the league leaders on Sunday, and while he was impressed with his side's display, Benitez feels his charges must maintain their concentration throughout the season if they are to challenge for supremacy in Serie A.

"No performance is ever perfect. Tonight it was a top-level game against a top-level team. I said the squad would make the difference over a season, but in the starting XI anything can happen," Benitez told Sky Sport Italia.

"It's not easy, as we don't have as much strength in depth as Juventus and it becomes even tougher when you see Roma ahead of us aren't making any mistakes.

"It was key to have possession, which in the first half was remarkable as Juve only had 38 per cent. We could have scored more, but by keeping possession we ensured Juve couldn't hurt us.

"We played many games at a high level and it's tough to maintain that level throughout the season without remarkable strength in depth, especially when it's a Champions League game followed by a less important fixture.

"This step up in mentality is what we need to reach the level of a side like Juve."

Antonio Conte took a swipe at Napoli in his post-match interview, claiming they have developed very little despite investing over €100 million in the squad this season, but Benitez once again pointed to Juve's better financial turnover as proof that the Bianconeri should not complain over spending.

"A coach must try to keep that intensity up, but it requires time and experienced players who are prepared to sit on the bench. Today [Carlos] Tevez wasn't playing, so [Pablo Daniel] Osvaldo and [Mirko] Vucinic were ready.

"This is a winning squad that can cover all areas, which again is why I mentioned the revenue of the two clubs."

 

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Conte takes swipe at Napoli spending

Juventus coach Antonio Conte has taken a swipe at Napoli's spending policy, claiming their heavy investment has yielded next to nothing this season.

Rafa Benitez's side ended Juve's long unbeaten run in Serie A on Sunday as goals from Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens sealed a 2-0 win at the San Paolo.

Despite the win, the Partenopei remain 17 points behind the champions at the top of the table, and exited the Europa League in the last round after an aggregate defeat to Porto.

Benitez claimed prior to Sunday's match that Napoli could not compete with the financial turnover of Juventus, but Conte has hit back at his counterpart, claiming an investment of more than €100 million has failed to take Napoli any further forward.

"We faced a team that has spent more than €100m, and was built to win, not just to take part," he told reporters after the match.

"We have invested €25m in our team, they've spent €100m. They have spent in one year what we have invested in three seasons and they are 17 points behind us, as well as being out of Europe.

"We did not have a great first half, we were a little subdued," he said of his side's performance.

"We were also playing with the same players because we are dealing with so many injuries. We were better in the second half, but they deserved it over the 90."

 

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Napoli have played that well all season - Insigne

Napoli forward Lorenzo Insigne says the team were simply playing to their usual standard in Sunday's convincing win over champions Juventus.

Goals from Jose Callejon and Dries Mertens sealed a comfortable victory for Rafa Benitez's side, bringing the league leaders' 22-match unbeaten run in Serie A to and end.

Insigne - who set up Callejon for the opener - believes the Partenopei have consistently performed to the level they showed on Sunday this season and dedicated the win to the San Paolo's vociferous support.

"I salute the stands, the fans gave us a big helping hand. We repaid their confidence by beating the champions of Italy," he told Sky Sport Italia.

"Winning was important, it allows us to lock down third place without giving up on second.

"The best performance of the season? We always play like that, it gives us great satisfaction."

Insigne added his hopes that Italy coach Cesare Prandelli will be pleased enough with his performances this term to hand him a spot in the squad for the World Cup this summer.

"I'm giving my best to Napoli, I'm happy and I hope to be rewarded by Prandelli at the end of the season," he added.

 

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Title dream not in my mind, insists Liverpool boss Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers maintains he is not thinking about a title challenge following his side's 4-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday.

The victory at Anfield has fired Liverpool to the top of the Premier League, two points clear of Chelsea, although Rodgers' side will be overtaken by Manchester City if they win both of their games in hand.

"The dream is for our supporters, they want to win the title but it is not in my thinking," Rodgers told Sky Sports.

"My thinking it is to prepare the team and perform well and if we do that we can continue to win games and then we can see where that takes it.

"I thought today was as good an atmosphere as there has been.

"It is a monumental size of club and when we have that support behind us it is a real force and the supporters recognise how hard we are working and hopefully that takes us a long way."

An own goal from Younes Kaboul after two minutes handed Liverpool an early lead against Tottenham, while goals from Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson wrapped up an eighth consecutive win in the Premier League.

"To perform like we did from the first whistle it was an immense performance and I am very proud of the them today," said Rodgers.

"We are very confident with how we play, a lot was made the other night [against Sunderland] of us being anxious but that was not it.

"Today, Tottenham had a spell similar to Sunderland but the difference is we were 4-0 up today and not 2-1, but the confidence in how the players pass the ball, the intensity, they are very calm and focussed on the job and it was a wonderful team performance.

"It is credit to the players, the mentality in each game, we have shown over the course of the season the flexibility in the team - we have a played a 4-4-2 diamond in recent games today but today it was back to 4-3-3 but with two strikers up-field with one side open.

"So that is credit to them the flexibility and the ideas we have in games, but everyone knows their job and when to press."

 

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Barca are favourites to beat Atletico, says Godin

Atletico Madrid defender Diego Godin says Barcelona are favourites for their upcoming Champions League quarter-final tie.

The two sides meet at Camp Nou for the first leg on Tuesday, with both enjoying an impressive run of form that sees them separated by just a point at the top of La Liga.

Although it is Atletico who are in pole position domestically, Godin feels the Blaugrana are the favourites for the Champions League clash - but is sure his side can put up a good fight against the reigning Spanish champions.

"We have never felt less than anyone," he told Marca. "We know what our strengths are and what we need to do in order to win matches.

"Clearly, if you look at this tie, the clear favourite is Barcelona, but we know what our weapons are and that we can do a lot of damage.

"We are very sure what is the best way to go about winning big games against these teams. If you've seen Atletico over the last two and a half years, not much has changed in the way we play and each time the peformance is better individually and as a team, which is the key to success for this team."

The 28-year-old feels Gerardo Martino's side have been underestimated lately and also praised their star player Lionel Messi, but stressed that a collective effort from the Rojiblancos can stop him.

"Recently people said there was a lot of uncertainty in Barcelona, but they are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, the Copa del Rey final and are fighting for the league, so you can't say things are going wrong," he added.

"Now it is a great time, they have a lot of confidence after winning the derby and have great quality individually and as a team and they have been playing together for many years and doing well.

"What can we say about Messi? The numbers speak for themselves, Messi has found his best form again and that also goes along with Barcelona playing well again. Messi is one of the best in the world.

"The best way to stop him is standing well together. He is very good and is able to make a difference, but we are very strong."

 

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Everton can reach Champions League but need to be 'perfect' - Martinez

Everton boss Roberto Martinez believes his side have a very real chance of qualifying for the Champions League, but warns they will need to be “perfect” if they are to overhaul fourth-placed Arsenal.

The Spaniard saw his side defeat Fulham 3-1 at Craven Cottage on Sunday to move within four points of the Gunners, whom they face next weekend.

And with a tough run-in comprising fixtures against Manchester United, Manchester City and relegation battlers Crystal Palace, Martinez believes his players have no room for error between now and the end of the season.

“We always embrace the challenge and we always enjoy playing at Goodison, believe me we've created an incredible relationship between the fans and the players,” the Spaniard told reporters.

“The fans have been patient with the way we want to play, we feel supported and we feel we've got a real advantage playing at home.

“We've got Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Crystal Palace so they are as difficult as they get but, even then, we feel that, if we can be perfect in what we do, we've got a great chance to get points and that's the way we're going to approach the final 7 games.”

Looking ahead to the game against the Gunners, Martinez acknowledged there is more pressure on Arsenal, as Everton have a game in hand on the north Londoners, but believes they will handle it.

"I think they cope with that expectation,” Martinez added. “They need to be coping with those expectations. I don't think that's an issue now.

“In fact, it's the opposite. If they would play without expectations I think that would be very difficult. I don't think it's a problem for Arsenal.”

 

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Oscar not seeking Chelsea departure despite PSG interest

Oscar insists he is happy with Chelsea despite mounting speculation that Paris Saint-Germain will try to sign him this summer.The Brazil international arrived at Stamford Bridge in July 2012 and has impressed this season as the London club look to regain the title under Jose Mourinho.

However, Chelsea's hopes were dented on Saturday with a surprise 1-0 defeat at relegation-threatened Crystal Palace that marked their second loss in three league matches.

Rumours of a potential switch to PSG - Chelsea's opponents in the Champions League quarter-finals - have emerged, with compatriot Lucas Moura urging Oscar to join him at the Ligue 1 leaders.However, Oscar is settled at Stamford Bridge, where he is hoping to enjoy similar success to that of former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba.

"Jose [Mourinho] has shown me I can be one of the best," Oscar is quoted by The Daily Star Sunday.

"The manager has given me this confidence and I have grown better and better under him. Now I just hope I can keep on getting better and win titles with him at the end of the season."The team is top of the Premier League and the manager has his own way of playing. He alternates quite a bit because we have a lot of games.

"But that's normal. I'm playing well at Chelsea and am in my prime right now.
"Didier [Drogba] was always an idol."I'd watched him lots on the TV and then suddenly I was wearing the same Chelsea jersey he always wore. I feel very proud about that.

"But I am writing my own story. I have my own style and hopefully I will be able to have my own great story at Chelsea - just like he did."

 

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Barca and Atletico as good as each other, says Xavi

Barcelona midfielder Xavi believes his side’s Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid will be even as both teams have a great chance of progressing to the semi-
finals.

The two sides meet in the first-leg of their quarter-final clash at Camp Nou on Tuesday and both are in good form as they remain separated by just one point at the top of La Liga.

And Xavi feels there is nothing to separate the two sides, admitting that the Blaugrana don’t like playing against Diego Simeone’s side and praising their star striker Diego Costa.

"We’re second in the league now but we know we’re up against a very strong team," he told Barca’s official website. "Atletico Madrid are in brilliant form at the moment."Maybe the only handicap we face is that we play the return leg at the Vicente Calderon, but I think the tie is 50-50.

"Perhaps we’re slight favourites because of our history. But if we look at how both teams are playing, it’s very even. It’ll be decided by the details."We don’t usually enjoy playing them because they don’t give you any space.They’re good at closing down the areas where we try to create things. In Diego Costa they have a player who’s in brilliant form. He makes the most of every situation."

Costa's coming | Atletico's star striker has been in imperious goalscoring form lately The Spain midfielder says the Rojiblancos will set out defensively when the two sides meet and feels neither side will be able to create a lot of chances in both legs.
"Atletico are a tough team, they’re very strong physically. They hardly give you any goalscoring chances.

"I don’t like playing Spanish teams in the Champions League. Atletico know us very well. The way they play makes them awkward opponents, they’re very defensive and good on the counter attack. They have some extraordinary players.
"We won’t see many chances in either game because of the way Atletico play."
The 34-year-old went on to discuss what he thinks will be the key aspects of Tuesday's game.

"I can see Barca having more of the ball and we’ll try to create more chances than we did in the other three games against them this season."One of the keys of the first-leg will be not conceding a goal at home. Preventing the opposition from scoring is a big plus because we usually score in a game.

"We can’t give away fouls and corners because they are very strong and have tall players."I think the faith and the intensity that makes them believe they can beat any team. Simone has instilled in them an extraordinary winning mentality."

 

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Arsenal open to Podolski offers

Arsenal will listen to offers for Lukas Podolski in the summer.

The Germany international has been a marginalised figure in his second season at the club and is now eyeing a transfer in the next window.

Gunners are ready to sanction Podolski's sale if they can recoup the majority of the £11 million that they paid for him in 2012.

The forward, who turns 29 in June, has two years remaining on his contract and, like Mikel Arteta, was ignored in the recent flurry of extended deals handed to senior players.

Podolski has started two of Arsenal's last three matches but, despite the team being decimated by the lengthy absences of Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott, has failed to establish himself as a regular in Arsene Wenger's side.

The Arsenal boss does not believe that the Germany international has the physical power and technical ability to spearhead the attack and he is behind the likes of Walcott, Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky in the battle for the flank roles.

There was strong interest from Schalke in Podolski last summer and a return to the Bundesliga is a possibility, while he is also being monitored by Serie A clubs.

 

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'Everyone can beat everybody' - Wenger urges Arsenal to fight on

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that his side's Premier League title hopes remain alive as Saturday's results proved that "everyone can beat everybody".

The Gunners' charge for glory has slowed in recent weeks, with a 6-0 hammering by Chelsea on March 22 followed up with a 2-2 home draw with Swansea City, but they battled back for a 1-1 draw with rivals Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium while the Blues suffered a shock defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

The north Londoners remain five points behind Jose Mourinho's men, while both City and Liverpool could extend their advantages, but Wenger urges his side to use the latest twists as reason to keep fighting for their first league title in a decade.

"What happened to Chelsea doesn't help us because it doesn't give us more points," he told reporters. "It just shows that we have absolutely to fight until the end of the season because everyone can beat everybody.

"Mathematically we are still in there but it is not in our hands. You cannot say it is just depending on us, it's not realistic maybe to say that.

"We have been consistent since the start of the season. Maybe, if you've never played at that level, it's difficult to explain the mental insecurity that is in every single team after one or two bad results.

"For example, you have Real Madrid, who went 30 games unbeaten and lost in the big game [4-3 to Barcelona in the Clasico] and lost the game after [to Sevilla] because the disappointment is so difficult to deal with, the pressure that is behind the team after big bad results. It's easy for nobody."

 

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Mata deserved first Manchester United goal - Moyes

Manchester United manager David Moyes welcomed Juan Mata's goal in the club's 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday as just reward for some impressive performances.

The Red Devils came from behind to defeat Paul Lambert's men at Old Trafford, with Mata drawing the foul from Leandro Bacuna for Wayne Rooney to put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot, before the ex-Chelsea man slotted home his side's third goal.

It was the Spaniard's first for United after agreeing a club-record £37.1 million transfer from Chelsea in January and Moyes feels that it had been a long time coming.

"He's deserved it," the Scot enthused to reporters. "His play has been very good. He's made a difference to the team, he's helped the team.

"Goals were one of the reasons we bought him. He's always scored goals, he's got a very good goalscoring record.

"I think he was probably feeling it a little bit - he missed a chance in midweek, missed two good chances against West Ham - so I think there have been signs, the opportunities have been coming for him to score goals but, whenever he's played, he's made a difference and done very well for us."

 

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Seedorf hopes Milan 'storm' is over

Clarence Seedorf hopes that AC Milan have weathered the worst of turbulent season after securing a 3-0 win over Chievo on Saturday.The hosts earned a comfortable win at San Siro through an early Mario Balotelli strike and two from Kaka to climb to eighth in the table at the expense of the struggling Gialloblu.

"I don't know if the storm has passed," the 37-year-old told Sky Sport Italia.
"I didn't create the storm but we are very happy for all the Milanisti who can have a calmer time now."

The game also saw Kaka's 300th appearance for the Serie A club and, amid rumours that the Brazilian may leave the club at the end of the season after announcing his intention to one day play in the MLS, Seedorf was full of praise for the midfielder.

"Kaka worked hard in training so I am very happy he is able to express himself at his best," the Rossoneri coach continued."I cannot talk for Kaka [and rumours of his departure] as that's his future. There are no doubts on what I think of him.

"There are other players who deserve a mention, as [Keisuke] Honda did everything to help the team tonight and it's a shame he didn't score as he has the quality to make the difference.

"I said the other day that the club's objective remains, which is to qualify for Europe."

Milan currently sit eighth in Serie A with 42 points from 31 games, five points behind Inter in fifth who have played two games less.