..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Udinese 1-1 Napoli: Partenopei share spoils with Zebrette

Napoli were forced to settle for a point as they surrendered a first half lead to draw 1-1 Udinese on Saturday afternoon.

Bruno Fernandes' goal ten minutes after the break cancelled out Jose Callejon's opener as Francesco Guidolin's side moved nine points above the relegation zone.

The game got off to a slow start with neither side creating many chances but picked up in the 20th minute as Lorenzo Insigne played a nice high ball to Callejon inside the box but Simone Scuffet was quick off his line to bring an end to the visitors' attack.

Minutes later, Gabriel Silva latched onto a neat pass down the right flank and sent an excellent cross into the box, Emmanuel Badu came charging in to meet it at the front post but headed wide of the mark.

The opener came after 38 minutes when a long throw-in into the box was nodded down by Duvan Zapata to Callejon who sent a magnificent volley beyond Scuffet.

Five minutes after the restart, Zapata looked destined to double his side's lead as he ran onto a through ball and charged towards goal, but he failed to control it properly and was dispossessed by Danilo.

Then, Insigne had a golden opportunity as Napoli broke forwards with speed. A long Callejon pass found him in acres of space and he skipped past the defender before sending it just wide of the post.

The Partenopei were made to pay for their sloppy finishing as, on 54 minutes, Udinese struck the equaliser. Pinzi intercepted an awful pass from Reina and slid the ball through to Fernandes who calmly placed it home with one touch.

Udinese grew in confidence following the equaliser and an excellent team passing ended with the ball being teed up for Badu on the edge of the box but the midfielder sent it blazing over the bar.

Muriel thought he had given the hosts the lead with 15 minutes left, latching onto an excellent chipped ball and knocking past Reina, but the assistant referee's flag was raised.

The home side continued to press forward in search of a late winner but failed to really test Reina in the dying stages and the referees whistle ensured the teams left with a point each.

 

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AC Milan 3-0 Livorno: Seedorf's men hammer damage visitors' survival dreams

Mario Balotelli celebrated his 50th AC Milan appearance by opening the scoring in their 3-0 win over Serie A strugglers Livorno on Saturday.

Adel Taarabt and Giampaolo Pazzini joined Balotelli on the scoresheet to settle the contest at San Siro and pile more misery on the relegation-threatened visitors.
The win marks Milan's fifth straight Serie A victory and keeps their hopes of Europa League qualification alive, as well as easing the pressure on coach Clarence Seedorf amid rumours that he will be replaced at the end of the season.

Balotelli had been a doubt to start after leaving the warm-up early with an apparent thigh problem, but showed no ill-effects as his 30th goal for the club ensured they led at the break.Milan continued to dominate after the break, and Taarabt combined with Balotelli for the second six minutes after the restart.Substitute Pazzini then rounded off matters late on when he latched onto a Balotelli throughball before coolly finishing past Francesco Bardi.

Seedorf's side move up to seventh with the win, five points behind fifth-placed rivals Inter, while Domenico Di Carlo's Livorno are now 19th, three points adrift of safety with four games remaining.After a somewhat tentative opening, Taarabt almost sparked the game into life with a rasping 25-yard drive that cleared the crossbar in the 11th minute.

Soon after, Milan went even closer. Captain Riccardo Montolivo played a hopeful free-kick from the halfway line into the area, where Adil Rami looped a header over Livorno goalkeeper Bardi but was denied by the bar.

The hosts continued to create the better opportunities and Kaka almost broke the deadlock with a fierce first-time strike from the left of the box that cleared the far post.

Livorno had largely been chasing shadows for the opening half hour, yet the visitors had claims for a penalty when Djamel Mesbah was tripped after outpacing Ignazio Abate, only for referee Massimiliano Irrati to correctly judge the infringement to have occurred just outside the box.And having survived that scare, Milan deservedly moved ahead two minutes before the interval.

Kevin Constant's superb whipped cross from the left was met with a glancing header by Balotelli, who marked his appearance milestone with his 14th Serie A goal of the campaign.Milan essentially ensured the three points shortly after the restart. Taarabt played a superb one-two with Balotelli before keeping his composure to slot past Bardi from eight yards.

Just after the hour mark, Kaka had the chance to extend the hosts' advantage but the Brazilian blazed over from close range.However, Pazzini, who came on for Kaka with 15 minutes remaining, got in on the act when he side-footed beyond Bardi after cleverly timing his run onto Balotelli's pass.

Milan have now won five consecutive league games for the first time since 2011, and their late challenge for European football continues.

 

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Parma 0-2 Inter: Nerazzurri see off rivals to boost Europa League hopes

Samir Handanovic provided some trademark penalty heroics as Inter edged 10-man Parma 2-0 to strengthen their grip on fifth in Serie A.

Handanovic's reputation as a penalty expert has continued to rise since arriving at Inter in 2012, and he saved a spot-kick for the second straight game on Saturday.
The Slovenian kept out Maxi Lopez in last week's 4-0 win over Sampdoria and he repeated the trick at Parma, tipping Antonio Cassano's penalty onto the post on the stroke of half-time at Stadio Ennio Tardini.

Gabriel Paletta was sent off for a second yellow card in the first minute of the second half and Hernanes' free-kick that followed was headed in by Rolando.
The defender nodded home unmarked and the goal will have done his hopes of sealing a permanent switch from Porto no harm after voicing his wish for a transfer in the game's build-up.

Substitute Fredy Guarin wrapped up the points with a late long-range stunner as Inter moved five points clear of Parma in the race for Europa League qualification.
Cassano, returning from an ankle injury, was tenacious in front of the onlooking Italy boss Cesare Prandelli, forcing a superb save from Handanovic before shooting wide with his left foot after Cristian Molinaro had surged down the left wing.

Inter gradually worked themselves into the game and Mauro Icardi should have opened the scoring, only to put his free header into the side netting after Hernanes' corner.Rodrigo Palacio then had a fierce volley tipped over by goalkeeper Antonio Mirante and he continued to impress, keeping out a 20-yard effort from Esteban Cambiasso.

The flashpoint of the first half would come with just three minutes left, as a heavy first touch saw Walter Samuel, already booked in the sixth minute, bring down Marco Parolo in the penalty area.Handanovic was Inter's hero again though, tipping Cassano's penalty onto the post, and Raffaele Palladino could only turn the rebound wide.

And there was still time for Inter to be denied by the woodwork as well, as Cambiasso, following up a blocked shot, struck a wicked left-foot effort from outside the area that hit the inside of the post and then Mirante's legs, leaving the veteran perplexed as the ball snuck out for a corner.The visitors' hopes of mounting a comeback were dashed as Paletta received his second yellow card for a lunge on Palacio in the 46th minute, and Inter took the lead from the resulting free-kick.

Slack marking from the Parma defence allowed Rolando, free at the back post, the simple task of heading Hernanes' ball back across the face of goal and in.The woodwork would again keep out both sides, with Hernanes hitting the outside of the post with a free-kick before Parma's Alessandro Lucarelli – who powerfully rose above Samuel and Rolando – saw his header thud into the bar.

Parma kept pressing, as Parolo volleyed over, but Inter's numerical advantage would eventually make a difference, as Guarin lashed a 25-yard strike into the bottom-left corner to extend his side's unbeaten run to five.

 

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Tottenham 3-1 Fulham: Spurs halt Cottagers' survival bid

Goals from Paulinho, Harry Kane and Younes Kaboul gave Tottenham a 3-1 victory over Fulham on Saturday, plunging Felix Magath's side back into the relegation mire.

A Steve Sidwell goal had raised Fulham's hopes of taking at least a point from White Hart Lane, but two second-half Spurs goals from Kane and Kaboul - coupled with a missed Cottagers penalty from the goalscorer - mean Magath's men remain firmly rooted in the bottom three.

Successive wins against Aston Villa and Norwich City had lifted the Cottagers to within touching distance of safety prior to this weekend, but an inability to defend set-pieces proved costly as they failed to make it three victories in a row.

Tottenham's first and third goals arrived from Eriksen free-kicks, with Paulinho and Younes Kaboul converting from close range on each occasion.

Paulinho's 35th-minute opener was cancelled out by Steve Sidwell almost immediately.

However, Kane registered his third goal in as many games to restore the home side's advantage early in the second half before Kaboul capitalised on more poor defending just after the hour mark.

Sidwell had a chance to pull one back with 13 minutes remaining, but his penalty was saved by Hugo Lloris.

Fulham remain two points behind fourth-bottom Norwich, who host Liverpool on Sunday, while Tottenham, in sixth, will retain slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.

Tim Sherwood, who admitted prior to the game that he "could not tell you the best 11 players at Tottenham", selected Ezekiel Fryers in place of Vlad Chiriches at centre-half, yet there was no place for Sandro, with the midfielder taking to Twitter to confirm he was not injured.

Scott Parker returned to face one of his former clubs as Fulham made five changes from the win over Norwich, but loanee Lewis Holtby was ineligible.

The visitors started brightly, with Hugo Rodallega – scorer of the winning goals against Villa and Norwich – a lively presence in attack.

Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris dashed from his line to deny Rodallega from close range during an opening half-hour that saw Fulham operate with confidence.

However, after David Stockdale had pulled off a fine save at the other end – tipping a volley from Aaron Lennon on to his left-hand post, it was Tottenham who took the lead.

Eriksen's delightful free-kick from the right was allowed to run all the way through to Paulinho, leaving the Brazilian with the simplest of finishes from barely two yards.

To their credit, Fulham responded almost immediately. Fryers was unable to effectively clear a pass from Sidwell, who continued his run and jinked into the penalty area before finishing calmly.

Tottenham moved back ahead after the break when Lennon was allowed time to deliver a cross and Kane rose to beat Stockdale with a glancing header.

Within three minutes, Lloris pulled off an acrobatic stop to prevent another swift equaliser after Rodallega had met a cross from John Arne Riise with a powerful header.

Fulham were soon left to rue the missed opportunity as John Heitinga brought down Danny Rose and Kaboul got on the end of Eriksen's resulting free-kick.

Eriksen was then penalised for handball to provide Sidwell with an opportunity from the spot, but Lloris dived to his right to maintain Tottenham's two-goal cushion.

The hosts had few problems thereafter in securing only a third win in nine games across all competitions, leaving Fulham to face another week in the relegation zone.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Fiorentina 0-1 Roma: Nainggolan keeps Giallorossi's fading title dream alive

Radja Nainggolan scored the only goal of the game as Roma maintained their game pursuit of Serie A leaders Juventus with a 1-0 win at Fiorentina.

The Belgian struck midway through the second half, slotting home a sublime through-ball from former Viola ace Adem Ljajic, as the Giallorossi once again drew to within eight points of the Bianconeri, who had defeated Bologna 1-0 earlier in the evening.

Both sides went into the game without a host of first-team regulars through injury but it was the absence of the suspended Mattia Destro that proved most decisive, as it resulted in a start for Ljajic against his old club.

The Serbian did not pass up the opportunity to show the Viola what a talent they let go last summer.

Indeed, Ljajic created what should have been the opener just nine minutes in when he broke away down the left flank before rolling the ball across the area for an unmarked Gervinho. However, the Ivorian, with the goal at his mercy and just Neto to beat, criminally side-footed the ball wide of the far post.

Ljajic was not to be denied his seventh assist of the season, though. In the 26th minute, he weaved his way across the Fiorentina box, skipping past a couple of challenges, before slipping a pass through for Nainggolan, who went to ground to help the ball past Neto and into the back of the net.

Vincenzo Montella's men responded well to that setback, though, and Jospip Ilicic's set-piece prowess twice very nearly dragged his side back into an absorbing encounter.

First, the Slovenian saw a free kick flash just over the bar, and then, another set-piece special appeared to strike the arm of Roma skipper Francesco Totti.

The Viola's furious appeals were waved away by referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni and the Giallorossi went in a goal to the good at the interval.

The excellent Ljajic could have made it 2-0 just moments after the restart but Neto was equal to his curling effort.

The Fiorentina shot-stopper also dealt well with a well-struck Totti drive midway through the second half to keep his side in contention.

In truth, though, the hosts never really looked like equalising, with a 72nd-minute header from Stefan Savic that sailed just wide the best they could muster.

Indeed, they were once again reduced to desperate appeals for a penalty right at the death, when Alessandro Matri's goal-bound shot struck Rafael Toloi on the hand, but the Brazilian's arms were firmly by his side and Roma justly departed the Artemio Franchi with all three points - and their fading title dream still alive.

 

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Messi must be at his best to earn new deal - Bartomeu

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has ruled out selling Lionel Messi, revealing that the Catalans plan to offer the attacker an "improved" contract - on the proviso that the he maintains his incredibly high level of performance.

There have been reports that the Blaugrana could consider selling their most prized asset as they bid to overhaul the club following a week in which they were eliminated from the Champions League, slipped back to third in the race for La Liga and beaten by Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.

However, Bartomeu has reassured Barca fans that the club will not cash in on Messi, explaining that they instead intend to give him a better deal.

"It’s not a question of offering a new contract," the Blaugrana supremo told 'Gol a Gol'. "We have proposed a modification of his existing contract, which will run until 2018.

"We want to offer him improved terms in line with the current climate in football.

"All we ask of him is that he continues to play as he has done until now."

However, while Messi's form, and indeed his motivation, have been the subject of much debate this season, Bartomeu insists that he has never lost confidence in the four-time Ballon d'Or winner.

"We’ve been unfair to him," he mused. "He had led the team for a number of years, he’s done an excellent job and we are sure that he will continue to be our standard bearer – and that is what he wants too.

"He’s still young, he’s the best player in the world and we have complete faith in him."

However, Bartomeu refused to confirm whether under-fire Barca boss Tata Martino will still be at Camp Nou next season.

"We respect the coach and we have to look towards the future as there are five league games left and we are in touch with the league leaders, who may slip up between now and the final day," he stated.

"We will deal with other issues when the time is right. Right now, we are focused on the league.

"We are behind him and will support him in these last few matches of the campaign."

 

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Pogba: I've not spoken with anyone about my contract with Juventus

Paul Pogba says that he has not spoken to anyone about his future or signing a new contract at Juventus.

It has been reported that the Italian champions are desperate for the in-demand midfielder to extend his current deal in Turin, which runs until 2016, with speculation rife that Paris Saint-Germain are ready to launch a massive bid for the France international this summer.

However, Pogba says he is simply enjoying his time with the Old Lady and is touched by the fans' desire to see him remain at Juventus Stadium.

"It makes me happy that the fans sing, 'Don't sell Pogba'," he told Sky Sport Italia. "It gives me so much of a charge when I go onto the field.

"At the moment, though, I'm concentrated solely on the present. I've not spoken with anyone, neither about my future or my contract."

Pogba was being interviewed after underlining his worth to Juve by netting the decisive goal in a 1-0 win over Bologna that put Antonio Conte's men within two victories of retaining their Serie A title.

The 20-year-old admitted that he does not feel that he is currently being utilised in the best possible way but insists that he is willing to do whatever he is asked in order to help the Bianconeri make it three Scudetti in a row.

"On the pitch, I'm not totally playing in the position I prefer, but anywhere I play, I think only of giving 100 per cent," he insisted.

"Along with my team-mates, I want to win this Scudetto with all my strength. We are close now, so we must continue in this way."

 

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Manchester City weighing up Muniain bid

Manchester City are considering a summer move for Athletic Bilbao midfielder Iker Muniain, Goal understands.

Manuel Pellegrini's side are keen to force Athletic's hand, with the 21-year-old out of contract in June 2015, and have been given indications by the Spanish network at the club that he could be available for as little as €18 million.

Bilbao were hopeful of tying Muniain to a new deal, and inserting a sizeable €50m buy-out clause, but, with talks continuing to hit an impasse, the Liga club are concerned their prize asset could have his head turned.

Once billed as the next big thing in Spanish football, Muniain has dipped under the radar in the last couple of years and has failed to build on his one cap for Spain that he earned back in 2012 in a friendly against Venezuela.

Muniain currently earns €2.4m-a-year at San Mames, although City would be in a position to dwarf that amount should they successfully negotiate a fee with Athletic.

Pellegrini is confident that he can develop Muniain into a Premier League star, with the former Malaga boss having had a positive impact on Isco's career before the 21-year-old made the move to Real Madrid in the summer.

City are keen to boost their numbers in attacking midfield areas where Muniain would slot in to challenge the likes of David Silva, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas for a starting berth in the 2014-15 campaign.

As well as chasing Muniain, City are looking at Porto stars Eliaquim Mangala and Fernando, while William Carvalho and Luke Shaw are also summer targets with the likes of Gareth Barry, Micah Richards and Jack Rodwell all likely to be moved on.

 

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AC Milan have improved since I arrived, says Seedorf

Clarence Seedorf has no interest in discussing his AC Milan future, insisting only the club's hierarchy can decide his fate but he feels the team have improved since he took over.

The Dutchman witnessed his side win their fifth straight league games for the first time since 2011 in a 3-0 victory over Serie A strugglers Livorno on Saturday.
Mario Balotelli marked his 50th Milan appearance with his 30th goal for the club thanks to a glancing header shortly before half-time, while Adel Taarabt's composed finish doubled the lead before Giampaolo Pazzini wrapped up the points in the closing stages.

Milan's hopes of securing a spot in the Europa League have been boosted by their recent fruitful run, but that has failed to quell rumours that Seedorf will depart San Siro at the end of the season, despite only replacing Massimiliano Allegri in January.

But the coach insists he is not the person to ask regarding his future and said he feels the side have made progress under his guardianship."I don't know [if I will be replaced]," the Dutchman said. "You'd have to talk to the club. I can't speak for others.

"I want to respect the personal situation of president [Silvio] Berlusconi and so we haven’t spoken much. Until the club says otherwise, I will continue on this path, trying to help improve the side and its results and looking to plan for next season.

"We’re growing and we’re getting to know each other better. Things don’t just happen out of nothing, they take time to create. We’ll continue with this intensity and approach.

"Next week, we've got a tough Roma side to play. They’re achieving incredible things this season. We’ll try and give our very best."The 38-year-old then praised Balotelli for his impact, as he played a part in all three goals and added he believes the Italy international is improving the mental side of his game.

He added: "Balotelli is maturing psychologically and this allows him to do better both on and off the field."I hope he continues along this path."

 

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Muller: Braunschweig a good test ahead of Real Madrid

Bayern Munich forward Thomas Muller believes that his side had a good test against Eintracht Braunschweig ahead of their Champions League trip to Real Madrid.

The Bavarians were made to work hard for all three points in Brunswick, with Mario Mandzukic and Claudio Pizarro scoring in the final 15 minutes to secure a 2-0 win.

And the Germany international feels the match will stand them in good stead ahead of the semi-final showdown at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"It was a good test for us, especially in terms of physical power," he told reporters.

"We were up for the fight. It was a very intense game and the atmosphere was great. We were not great but it was difficult with these opponents on the pitch.

"We fought well and we were patient."

Coach Pep Guardiola meanwhile, praised Braunschweig for their commitment but says he is satisfied with the eventual result.

"Braunschweig played with a lot of heart and passion so it wasn't easy. We fought. In the second half, we controlled the game more. We won and we're satisfied."

 

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Falcao expected to go to World Cup

Radamel Falcao is unlikely to be fully fit for the start of the World Cup, according to the surgeon who carried out his knee operation, but he could still make the Colombia squad for the tournament.

The 28-year-old has been out of action since suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage in the Coupe de France game against Chasselay in January.

Falcao - who scored nine goals in 17 Ligue 1 appearances prior to his injury - is facing a race against time in his rehabilitation as he battles to be selected for the World Cup.And his surgeon, Jose Carlos Noronha, expects Falcao to be in Brazil, even if he has not quite fully recovered.

"At the highest level, at the beginning of the competition, Falcao may not be 100 per cent," Noronha told Lusa."I think he will go to the World Cup."

Falcao revealed earlier this month that his recovery is going to plan, although he stopped short of saying for certain that he will back in time.The former Atletico Madrid forward said: "I hope that I can play in the World Cup, but it's still too soon to be certain.

"I'm a little ahead of what was expected, but we know very well that it's day to day that we'll see the evolution. I have the desire and motivation to return."

 

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Moyes wants respect from Everton fans

Manchester United manager David Moyes believes he deserves respect from Everton fans as he prepares for his Goodison Park return.Moyes, who left the Merseyside club at the end of last season, was booed by the supporters who once adored him when the teams met in December.

The 50-year-old Scot played down the significance of his return to Everton on Sunday, but feels he deserves more respect from his former club's fans.

"They had their own reasons for it [in December]," Moyes said."There were a few problems with us trying to sign a couple of their players, but overall I was just doing my job for Manchester United.

"We sourced a big majority of the players at Everton and put them towards the team. I think we did everything in our power at Everton to make sure we got the best team we could."This game isn't about me. It's about two teams, both of whom are still in need of winning the game.

"The focus of attention shouldn't be on me, it should be on the players, but I go there and I understand the Everton supporters have to get right behind their team."
Moyes bought midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton to Old Trafford for £27.5 million on the final day of the transfer window and has also targeted left-back Leighton Baines.

"Maybe people don't believe how it [signing with United] happened, but it happened two weeks before the end of the season and you'd have to say it couldn't have been done much better," he added."I think there was also animosity because of the players. We'd like to have brought a couple of them here.

"But lots of United players go to Everton - so there is a reverse."Hopefully in time everyone will look at it and say it was a really good period in Everton's history."

 

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Klopp rules out Barcelona move: I'm still in love with Dortmund

Jurgen Klopp has moved to reassure Borussia Dortmund fans that he has no intention of leaving for Barcelona, claiming that he is still "in love" with the Bundesliga club.

The current incumbent coach at Camp Nou, Gerardo Martino, is currently under intense media pressure after a disastrous week for the Blaugrana in which they were knocked out of the Champions League, slipped to third in La Liga and beaten by rivals Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final.

Klopp has been touted as a potential replacement, with a Marca-run poll revealing that the German is the fans' favourite to take over.

However, the former Mainz told BVB Total!: "No one needs to worry. We are all still a little bit in love with this club and how things are done here."

However, Klopp could not resist a joke when asked about current Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel's claim that the 46-year-old would make an ideal host for the German television show, 'Wanna bet?'.

"I would love to host it," Klopp enthused, "but only if it takes place in Barcelona!"

The BVB boss has led the club to two Bundesliga titles and one DFB-Pokal since arriving at Signal Iduna Park in 2008.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.04.20 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.04.20 Fixtures

Norwich City Vs Liverpool

Hull City Vs Arsenal

Everton Vs Manchester United

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ada thiyenneth aniwa win karannama one match 1kakaduma tharame Europa League playoff 6th place wath secure karaganna nam ada Everton match 1kath 1kkama anith matches okkoma wage dinanna one

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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La Liga 2014.04.20 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.04.20 Fixtures

Almeria Vs Celta

Rayo Vallecano Vs Real Betis

Sevilla Vs Granada

Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao​

 

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Newcastle 1-2 Swansea: Bony heroics secure huge three points

Cabaye PSG giyata passe Newcastle chorama wuna

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.04.20 Fixtures

Norwich City Vs Liverpool

Hull City Vs Arsenal

Everton Vs Manchester United

​

La Liga 2014.04.20 Fixtures



Barcelona Vs Athletic Bilbao​

 

[unicornx]

Liver takes 5 Pt lead

hapoi​

 

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adath kawa neda

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