..::Football III::..

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Stoke City 0-1 Aston Villa: Bojan debut ends goalless as Weimann seals win

Andreas Weimann scored the only goal of the game as Aston Villa picked up a priceless three points against Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.

Weimann hit the target five minutes into the second half, sweeping home a right-footed effort from inside the penalty area amid some questionable Stoke defending to secure the win.

New Stoke signings Bojan Krkic and Mame Biram Diouf failed to inspire a fightback for the home side at the Britannia Stadium, with Villa goalkeeper Brad Guzan enjoying a relatively quiet second half.

Stoke lost just three times at home last season, and Saturday's result represents their first opening-day defeat since 2010.

Mark Hughes handed Premier League debuts to Bojan, Diouf and Phil Bardsley, while full-back Alan Hutton was brought in from the cold for Villa having previously been frozen out by manager Paul Lambert.

The Villa defence, which also featured new boy Philippe Senderos for the first time, came under pressure early on, with Steven N'Zonzi sending a tame effort into the arms of goalkeeper Guzan before Bojan drilled wide of the left post.

N'Zonzi and Bardsley both required treatment after being caught by strong challenges during the first half, as new Villa assistant manager Roy Keane – capable of a full-blooded tackle himself during his playing days – watched on from the dugout alongside Lambert.

Gabriel Agbonlahor should have done better when Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic carelessly rushed to the edge of his penalty area, but diverted wide of the target after receiving the ball from debutant Kieran Richardson.

Bardsley saw a curling effort well saved by Guzan in the closing minutes of an open first half, before Stoke had to scramble the ball clear after Charles N'Zogbia had an effort blocked.

The home side were not so successful in clearing their lines five minutes into the second half, though, as the ball fell kindly to Weimann and he fired across Begovic into the back of the net to stun the home supporters.

The excitement proved too much for one fan, who made his way onto the pitch as Weimann celebrated his goal.

Bardsley and Weimann had a coming together in the Villa box on the hour-mark, but the Stoke defender's protestations for a penalty were ignored by referee Anthony Taylor.

Marko Arnautovic fired wide of the target as Stoke desperately went in search of an equaliser, before Villa substitute Leandro Bacuna wasted a chance to put the result beyond doubt when he ballooned an effort over in the closing stages.

However, Villa clung on to open their account for the new season with three points once again.

 

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West Ham 0-1 Tottenham: Dier scores dramatic late winner on Spurs debut

Tottenham debutant Eric Dier struck in injury time to secure a 1-0 opening-day derby win at West Ham in the Premier League.

England Under-21 defender Dier, a close-season acquisition from Sporting Lisbon, found himself on the end of Harry Kane's measured throughball to round goalkeeper Adrian and coolly convert. A win looked unlikely for Tottenham, playing under new manager Mauricio Pochettino, when Kyle Naughton was sent off for handball in the 29th minute, although Mark Noble missed the resulting penalty.

It was 10-a-side when West Ham defender James Collins collected a second booking in the 63rd minute and both teams pressed in a frantic finale before Dier had the final word.West Ham's board publicly stated in May that manager Sam Allardyce is under instructions to play a more expansive attacking game this term.

But Tottenham laboured during the first half at Upton Park when faced with well-established moves from the Allardyce playbook, as they were bombarded by crosses from set-pieces and open play.

New attacking recruits Enner Valencia and Mauro Zarate took their places on the home bench, leaving the familiar face of Carlton Cole to lead the line and he curled an early effort over at the near post.

Cole should have done better when he failed to control a 16th-minute Stewart Downing cross and right-wing deliveries from the former Aston Villa and Liverpool winger caused persistent problems for Tottenham.Cheikhou Kouyate - one of two West Ham full debutants alongside an assured Aaron Cresswell at left-back - and Ricardo Vaz Te headed narrowly off target from Downing deliveries.

Defending corners was also proving highly problematic for Tottenham and, when Naughton blocked with his arm as Kevin Nolan looked to turn home a set-piece knockdown, referee Chris Foy consulted with his assistant and pointed to the spot.
The subsequent red card sparked jubilation at Upton Park, but it was short-lived as the usually reliable Noble stroked his penalty wide.

Aaron Lennon shot over as Spurs offered a rare attacking threat on the break in the 41st minute and there was still time for Kouyate to send a free header into Hugo Lloris' grateful arms before the break - Downing once again the provider.
Downing opted for a more direct route with a stinging 53rd-minute drive that Lloris kept out sharply.

Cresswell made a vital 58th-minute challenge to stop Lennon from converting Danny Rose's low cross at the back post during a disjointed period for the home side, when their numerical edge was not overly apparent.It was one that did not exist five minutes later when Collins clumsily felled Emmanuel Adebayor to receive his marching orders.

A pitch invader ran on to lob into Adrian's arms as Spurs waited to take the resulting free-kick and it served to warm up the West Ham goalkeeper for an impressively athletic stop from substitute Andros Townsend.Adrian was rooted to the spot when the England winger flashed past his far post with 20 minutes to play, before Noble burst through but fired at Lloris, unable to atone for his earlier error.

The French goalkeeper then displayed razor-sharp reactions to deny Downing from point-blank range, paving the way for Dier's last-gasp winner.

 

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West Brom 2-2 Sunderland: Larsson snatches equaliser after Berahino double

Sebastian Larsson's late leveller denied Alan Irvine three points on his West Brom managerial debut as Sunderland snatched a 2-2 draw on Saturday.

A brace from Saido Berahino cancelled out Lee Cattermole's thunderbolt opener for Sunderland and appeared to have handed Irvine a dream start as the new Premier League season got under way.

However, Larsson swept home a low strike in the 85th minute to ensure Gus Poyet's men left The Hawthorns with a point.

Irvine was a surprise choice to replace Pepe Mel as head coach in June and Cattermole ensured a nervy start to the 56-year-old's West Brom reign with a rasping long-range drive after just five minutes.

The 26-year-old collected the ball 25 yards from goal after a Sunderland set-piece and lashed his strike into the top right-hand corner, Ben Foster unable to keep it out despite getting his hands on the ball.

Despite the setback, the home side enjoyed plenty of possession, but failed to create clear-cut chances.

Sunderland should have punished West Brom for their lack of attacking prowess on the half-hour mark when the unmarked Valentin Roberge was picked out by Larsson's teasing free-kick but he could only head wide.

Chris Brunt responded for West Brom with a fizzing strike from distance that went narrowly wide, before new signing Craig Gardner - making his debut against his former club - forced Vito Mannone to tip over the bar with a dipping shot.

West Brom's pressure paid dividends three minutes before the break.

Referee Neil Swarbrick perhaps harshly adjudged that Roberge had tugged down Victor Anichebe in the area and Berahino rolled the resulting spot-kick in the bottom left-hand corner, sending Mannone the wrong way.

West Brom thought they had gone ahead shortly after the restart when Craig Dawson's header appeared to cross the line, despite Fletcher's clearance, but the referee had blown for a foul in the area.

Sunderland were also denied by the officials when Cattermole's cross was flicked by Wes Brown into Fletcher, who headed home at the back post, only to be thwarted by an offside flag.

Berahino then put West Brom ahead.

Graham Dorrans' strike was well saved by Mannone, but Gardner collected the ball on the left of the box and lofted a wonderful cross that Berahino side-footed home at the back post.

Sunderland, however, struck five minutes from time to secure a share of the spoils.

Debutant Van Aanholt found space on the left and picked out Larsson, who applied the low finish from eight yards.

 

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Leicester 2-2 Everton: Wood rescues point for Premier League new boys

Chris Wood came off the bench to equalise with four minutes left as Leicester City drew 2-2 with Everton on their Premier League return.

Playing their first top-flight match since 2004, Leicester left it late to deny Everton on Saturday, with Wood curling in from just inside the penalty area to delight the King Power Stadium crowd.

Everton, still reeling from the loss of Ross Barkley – who will miss six to eight weeks with a knee problem suffered on the eve of the campaign – started brightly and took the lead thanks to Aiden McGeady's stunning 20th-minute finish.

However, record signing Leonardo Ulloa, who joined from Brighton and Hove Albion for a reported fee of £8 million last month, provided a swift response within two minutes for Leicester.

With half-time looming, Everton took the lead again thanks to Steven Naismith's well-taken effort from inside the penalty area, but Wood's late strike ensured both sides would share the spoils.

Wood, who replaced Ulloa with 12 minutes to play, showed great composure to calmly slot past Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard and give Leicester a lift ahead of a tricky trip to Chelsea next week.

Leicester boss Nigel Pearson kept faith with the majority of players that won the club promotion from the Championship last term, with Ulloa the only new face to start for the hosts.

Everton begun brightly, controlling possession in the early stages, with Gareth Barry influential.

Leicester responded with a spell of pressure but their opponents broke the deadlock thanks to McGeady's outstanding goal, which came after Pearson's men failed to deal with a corner from the left and follow-ups from Leighton Baines and Sylvain Distin.

From there, the ball fell to McGeady, who took a touch and - despite goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel closing him down - curled an effort over three defenders, including Ritchie De Laet on the line, and into the top corner via the right post.

Leicester were not behind for long, though, as Ulloa marked his first start for the club by firing home from seven yards after Everton could not clear their lines from a corner.

McGeady and Naismith wasted chances to restore Everton's lead but the latter made amends in the final minute of the half, lashing a deflected cross from Baines into the back of the net to delight the travelling fans.

Neither side could match their first-half displays after the break, but substitute Jeffrey Schlupp did go close to equalising for Leicester.

A neat ball from Riyad Mahrez released the Ghana international behind the Everton defence but he could only blast over.

Schlupp's miss was soon forgotten, though, as Wood pounced with his late leveller.

 

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Stuttgarter Kickers 1-4 Borussia Dortmund: Reus & Subotic return in cup cruise

Marco Reus and Neven Subotic returned from injury as Borussia Dortmund eased to a 4-1 DFB-Pokal first-round win over Stuttgarter Kickers.

Neither featured in Dortmund's 2-0 DFL Supercup victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday and their reintroduction to competitive football proved tricky against determined 3. Liga opposition.

Reus, back in the side after three months out with ankle ligament damage, had a quiet match, while Subotic marked his return after nine months out with a busy day at the Mercedes-Benz Arena, as the hosts posed a strong attacking threat.

Dortmund may have taken a first-half lead through Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Kickers saw several chances go begging, particularly through Elia Soriano.

Jurgen Klopp's men added a second against the run-of-play early in the second half as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang found the net and, although Randy Edwini-Bonsu pulled one back, last season's runners-up netted once more through the Gabon star to progress.

Jurgen Klopp spoke of a wariness pre-match with the third-tier side coming into the game on the back of three games without defeat and he subsequently named a strong side, with the likes of Reus, Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan starting in attack.

After a slow start, Dortmund grew into the clash and Milos Jojic spurned a glorious chance 13 minutes in as he latched on to a loose ball after Adrian Ramos sliced Reus' cross, but the Serb shot wide from 14 yards.

The visitors' superiority began to tell as they took control of possession and eventually went ahead after the half-hour.

Lukasz Piszczek was the architect down the right flank and Mkhitaryan had an easy task to steer the Poland international's low cross home.

Kickers really should have at least drawn level before the break, however, as Soriano inexplicably fired wide of the target inside the area and then Sandrino Braun fired straight at Langerak from close range.

The match continued to entertain at the start of the second half and, after Aubameyang saw an early shot directed on to the post by Royal-Dominique Fennell, Kickers went close twice.

The first opportunity fell to the lively Soriano, who forced Langerak to turn his shot around the post, and then the off-balance Edwini-Bonsu fired at the goalkeeper from inside the six-yard box.

Kickers were made to rue their numerous wasted chances, though, becoming their own worst enemies in the 55th minute.

Fennell played a short back-pass and Aubameyang pounced, skipping past the goalkeeper and coolly stroking into the empty net.

Edwini-Bansu pulled one back for Kickers with 30 minutes left, despite appearing to turn home from an offside position, but Aubameyang netted his second in the 78th minute, tapping in a low cross from the right.

Dortmund's third took the sting out of the hosts' attack and Klopp's men added a fourth in the 89th minute as Ramos raced on to a throughball and calmly slotted in to secure a second-round berth.

 

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Guardiola: Bayern Munich need Javi Martinez replacement

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Bayern Munich will try to sign a replacement for the injured Javi Martinez before the close of the summer transfer window.

The Spain international suffered knee ligament damage in Wednesday's DFL-Supercup loss to Borussia Dortmund and is now facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Given the versatile Javi Martinez was set to be used predominantly at the back this season, Guardiola believes it imperative that Bayern now attempt to sign a new centre-half by the end of the month.

"He was in outstanding form," the Catalan coach told Bild. "We will miss him very much.

"We certainly need a new player. We still have 15 days and will respond."

Guardiola confirmed that he has identified several possible replacements but he refused to name names.

"We are looking for a young player," he stated. "He shall have to be big, at least 1.95 meters tall, fast, strong in the air.

"He should also be good with both his right and left foot, and flexible ... And cost little!

"But we are perhaps a little late."

Bayern have already been linked with Roma defender Mehdi Benatia, Liverpool's Daniel Agger and Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid.

 

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Conte is right man for Italy job - Matri

Former Juventus attacker Alessandro Matri believes that Antonio Conte is the right man to lead Italy after the country's World Cup failure in Brazil.Conte was named as Cesare Prandelli’s replacement as Azzurri boss on Thursday, after agreeing terms on a two-year contract with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC).

Having worked with Conte at Juventus, Matri is in no doubt that the 45-year-old - who led the Bianconeri to three successive Serie A titles before leaving Turin this summer - can restore Italy to their former glory.“He is the right man for the national team,” the Genoa striker told Sky Sport Italia.“Nobody would’ve ever expected him to walk away from Juventus like that but I am very happy that he is the new Italy coach.

"Conte works very hard on the training ground and won’t have as much time with the players as at club level, so he’ll need players he already knows.”

Conte stunned Juve supporters when he resigned from his post last month, though reports were rife that the coach had clashed with club bosses over this summer's transfer policy.

However, Matri believes that Conte’s recent record of winning major domestic titles cannot be questioned and will stand Italy in good stead ahead of the 2016 European Championship in France.“He did so well over three years to win three consecutive Scudetti and set an all-time Serie A points record (102),” the forward pointed out.

“Conte is the right man for the national team."Matri is hoping that his time working under Conte may give him a better chance of returning to the Italy squad, but acknowledged that he has to perform well this season for Genoa, whom he is currently on loan to from AC Milan.

“Getting into the Italy squad passes through performances at club level, so if I received a call it would be because I played well at Genoa,” the 29-year-old said.
“Can the fact Conte worked with me before help? Of course, it’s only normal that can be an advantage.”Conte will hold his first press conference as Italy coach in Rome on Tuesday.

 

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Bravo confident of becoming Barcelona's No.1

New Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo believes he can become the club’s first-choice shot-stopper ahead of Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Jordi Masip.
Bravo joined the Catalan giants from Real Sociedad in June, one month after the club had signed goalkeeper Ter Stegen from Borussia Monchengladbach.

Despite the German being ruled out of the club’s opening day league clash at home to Elche with a back injury, Barca coach Luis Enrique still has to decide who will become the first-choice keeper at the Camp Nou after Masip was promoted from the Barca B team.

While Enrique recently admitted he is unsure who he will pick, Bravo has now revealed his confidence at securing his starting place in the team."He [Enrique] has reassured me,” Bravo told Spanish radio station Rac1.“Who will play [against Elche]? I always think I'll play.

"It is true that Ter Stegen came before, but, you can also see who brought me.”
Bravo revealed that he admires how humble the Barca players have been since he signed for the club earlier this summer."I have gotten along well with my colleagues and I admire the simplicity of the dressing room with all those who have come this summer,” Bravo said.

“Alexis [Sanchez], despite being a man of few words, told me he was fine in Barcelona.”Bravo could make his debut for Barcelona when the club kick off their La Liga campaign at home to Elche on 24 August.

 

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Liverpool eyeing star striker, says Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers says the Premier League club intend to pursue a big-name striker until the transfer window closes.

Monaco sharpshooter Radamel Falcao and Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani have both been linked to the Reds, who are on the lookout for a replacement for €88 million Barcelona signing Luis Suarez.

New recruit Rickie Lambert and Daniel Sturridge are the only two recognised strikers at Anfield and the Liverpool boss is determined to land a leading centre forward, even if it means deadline-day madness on September 1.

"The money is there - and we will look to improve at the top end of the field until the very end of the window," Rodgers told reporters ahead of Sunday's Premier League opener against Southampton at Anfield.

"It's not easy to get a top-level striker, no, but we have to keep looking. We certainly need something because we haven't brought in another striker so far, apart from Rickie Lambert.

"You just never know what will happen in that last week - the window will always throw up something.

"We will persevere and the boys are working hard behind the scenes to see what information we can get on the availability of players."

Liverpool also secured the services of young striker Divock Origi this summer but the Belgium international will remain on loan at Lille for the 2014-15 season.

 

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Rakitic: Barcelona can be as scary as Real Madrid

Ivan Rakitic believes that Barcelona can be as feared as their bitter rivals Real Madrid in their hunt for silverware this season.Barca failed to win a major trophy last term while Madrid captured the Champions League crown and the Spanish Cup.

Real have continued their good run of form this season after Cristiano Ronaldo’s brace helped Carlo Ancelotti’s side seal a 2-0 win in the European Super Cup over Rakitic’s former club Sevilla this week.But, despite their impressive performance in Cardiff, Rakitic believes Barca can return to the summit of La Liga this term.

When asked about how scary Madrid had become with the arrivals of James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos, Rakitic told SPORT: “I respect everyone, even Madrid, but, I prefer to talk about the club.

“We work for ourselves, as every team in the league. We are also able to be scary and play well. We work every day for it.”He added: “It is normal for the biggest teams to have this kind of rivalry [between Barcelona and Real], but we have to think about ourselves. Here we have the world's best.”

Rakitic joined the Catalan giants from Sevilla for a reported €20 million [£15.8m] earlier this summer having won the Europa League with the Andalusians last term.
The Croatia international scored 12 goals for Sevilla last season, but, the 26-year-old has admitted that he wants to surpass that mark this term.“I do not want to limit myself, I want to be better, if I can also improve the numbers, the better, but the important thing is the play.

“I cannot say I'm going to play like [Lionel] Messi or will overflow into the tackle like [Andres] Iniesta. People who know me from Sevilla, know it’s about my play.
“I think at Barca it will be easy to adapt with such good players. So far it is fine for me, I'm happy, but I want to keep improving in every training and every game.”
Luis Enrique’s side kick off their La Liga campaign at home to Elche on 24 August.

 

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Wenger confident over Arteta contract

Arsene Wenger is confident that new Arsenal captain Mikel Arteta will extend his contract as he enters the final year of his current deal.

The Spaniard replaced Thomas Vermaelen as skipper after the Belgian became the fifth captain in nine years to be sold by the Gunners.

With less than 12 months to run on his current deal at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta has been linked with a return to Spain with Athletic Bilbao.

However, though Wenger's policy of offering just one-year extensions to players over the age of 30 has previously seen several stars leave, the Frenchman is sure that his new captain will not join that list.

He told the press: "You know the policy, nobody accepts it - but, even [players] at 75, you ideally want to sign for one more year!

"He is a strong personality, Mikel Arteta. I don't really doubt that he will extend his contract but, at the moment, it is not done."

Arteta joined Arsenal from Everton in 2011 and has gone on to play 124 times for the north Londoners.

He featured in all but one of their FA Cup games last season as Wenger's nine-year trophy drought was ended through a 3-2 Wembley win over Hull City.

 

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Martinez: Barkley could be out for five months

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley will be out for a "long, long time", according to manager Roberto Martinez.The 20-year-old sustained medial ligament damage in training on Friday as Everton finalised preparations for their Premier League opener at Leicester City on Saturday.

And Martinez said he expects the 20-year-old to be sidelined for anything between seven weeks to five months."We had a scan but it was difficult to determine the extent of the injury. It is a problem with a medial ligament in his knee, but we don’t know how bad the injury is," Martinez said.

"We know there is a partial tear of the ligament and that could mean anything from seven weeks to four or five months, so we need to be cautious."

The Spaniard admitted the injury comes as a huge blow to him and his team, but insists the squad can cover for the loss.

"I think Ross Barkley is a phenomenal footballer and we are going to miss him – there are no two ways about it," he added.

"He was so sharp in pre-season and I think he came back with a different approach and a different mindset.

"He was very unfortunate to get injured in such an innocuous challenge in training and now he is going to be out for a long, long time.

"The squad should be big enough and be able to cope with losing a player, but it is a disappointing.

"Now we have to cope with that frustration and allow him to work on other aspects and make sure that when he comes back, he’s fit and ready for what is left in the season."

 

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Official: Liverpool sign Moreno from Sevilla

Liverpool have confirmed they have completed the signing of Alberto Moreno from Sevilla.

Brendan Rodgers has courted the Spanish left-back for most of this summer, finally completing the deal on the eve of their Premier League opener, against Southampton on Sunday, for a fee believed to be in the region of €15 million.

"In my view, Liverpool are the best club in England and I couldn't waste an opportunity to come and play for them," Moreno told the club's official website.

"I spoke with Xabi Alonso, Pepe Reina and Alvaro Arbeloa and they told me this is a spectacular club whose fans follow it in a very special way.

"They all told me I can grow a lot here as a footballer as this is a massive club. I'm very happy to be joining a club as big as Liverpool. I hope to give my best and do all I can to help."

 

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Van Gaal doubts Manchester United title credentials

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal has conceded that his side may not be capable of winning the Premier League title, but insists he knew that before Saturday's defeat against Swansea City.

The Red Devils lost 2-1 at Old Trafford and despite stating throughout pre-season that he wants the club to challenge for first place, he has admitted that it is not possible with his current squad.

Asked if the players at his disposal are good enough to win the title, Van Gaal replied: "That is not the question because I knew that before this game.

"But also with other players it's also a question of if they can play like a team and if they can reach the level. And today we don't reach that level and then you cannot play as a team so easily.

"And that we have seen today. But in spite of that we could have won also.

"But when you don't play like a team and you miss the chances then it's very difficult because every team should also create possibilities or chances against us. Because we are playing with a big space behind us. That's always difficult to defend."

Van Gaal fielded youngsters Tyler Blackett and Jesse Lingard in a 3-5-2 formation at Old Trafford after losing a raft of experienced players on free transfers and new signing Luke Shaw to injury.

And he says he already knew of the importance of signing new players before Saturday's defeat.

"Yes, but I have thought that before this match also so that is not the difference," he added. "But when we are playing in the USA, I thought the same.

"I know in what positions we need a better player. But you have to buy only when the player can fulfil the way of playing what I ask. And we have to wait and see. But we could have won today also."

On the subject of showing players the Old Trafford exit door, Van Gaal added: "I don’t think it’s only up to me, it’s up to the players to decide because we have given them problems.

"I shall tell the players what I think and what I want from them but I shall never say they have to go."

United fell behind to a Ki Sung Yeung goal in the first half, but even after Wayne Rooney equalised with an acrobatic effort from close range it was Gylfi Sigurdsson who struck the decisive goal.

And Van Gaal admitted he made the decision to ditch his much-heralded 3-5-2 system during the first half.

"[I decided to change] in the first half. They made the pitch very big and we had to press in front, so 4-3-3 is better system to press.

"In the beginning, we did well, we scored, and we had chances to make it 2-1 but chances are not enough, you have to [score] the chances.

"I think that we can do it with both systems. You have seen the first half that we are not playing very good and we are behind and that's why I have changed the system and this system they have played always in Manchester United.

"And then I changed it again. So I do everything to win. And to my players I cannot say that you didn't do your utmost best. Unbelievable work and fantastic mentality they have shown.

"But reaching the level is different, not only running but also using your brain and then you can play like a team. But that we have failed today."

 

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Arsenal 2-1 Crystal Palace: Ramsey bags late winner for relieved Gunners

Aaron Ramsey netted an injury-time winner to snatch a 2-1 Premier League victory for Arsenal over managerless Crystal Palace.

The south London club were rocked by Tony Pulis' departure by mutual consent on the eve of the season on Friday, but they performed admirably before taking a shock lead at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

Having comfortably absorbed waves of Arsenal pressure, debutant Brede Hangeland headed Palace and their caretaker boss Keith Millen into a 35th-minute lead.


Laurent Koscielny levelled on the stroke of half-time, but the FA Cup holders looked like they would fail to capitalise, even as Palace winger Jason Puncheon departed for a second booking in the closing stages.But Ramsey was on hand to prod home from point-blank range when Mathieu Debuchy's shot was saved, following a display of set-piece defending that would have left Pulis horrified.


Hangeland joined fellow defender Martin Kelly and striker Fraizer Campbell in making his Palace debut, while Arsenal were unchanged from last weekend's Community Shield win over Premier League champions Manchester City.Arsene Wenger's team tore forward during the early stages in the hope of capitalising on any vulnerability after a turbulent 24 hours for their London rivals.


But the massed ranks of Palace defenders retained the hallmarks of their former boss and Ramsey's tumble under a challenge from Scott Dann for an optimistic eighth-minute penalty shout underscored a frustrating opening for the hosts.Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni had to wait until the 29th minute to make his first save - parrying smartly behind after Jack Wilshere's drive bounced awkwardly.


Marouane Chamakh tried to embarrass his former club with an audacious attempt from distance that Koscielny cleared to safety after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny tore out of his area to challenge Campbell.


The incident appeared to unsettle Arsenal and they were still reeling when Hangeland shrugged off Alexis Sanchez and leapt above Koscielny at the near post to glance home Palace's first corner of the match.But the roles were reversed in first-half stoppage time when Koscielny peeled away from Hangeland to nod Sanchez's floated free-kick beyond Speroni.


Arsenal left-back Kieran Gibbs limped off with a suspected hamstring problem to be replaced by Nacho Monreal seven minutes into the second half, by which time the match had settled back into the pattern established the last time it was level.Sanchez drove at the Palace defence in the 68th minute and cleverly exchanged passes with Santi Cazorla, but Speroni's save was routine.
Olivier Giroud and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain emerged from the bench as Arsenal pushed for a second goal, the former agonisingly close to turning home a close-range winner in the 75th minute.


Arsenal's efforts appeared in vain until Ramsey's late intervention. Palace showed plenty of the spirit that Pulis fostered in escaping relegation last term and will hope this result is not an indication of how much they will miss his Midas touch.

 

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Ibrahimovic injury is strange - Blanc

Paris Saint-Germain coach Laurent Blanc says the injury Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered in his side's 2-0 win over Bastia was a "strange" one.

The Sweden international appeared to take a knock on his side and had to be substituted after just 15 minutes.

The striker's absence was not felt too much, though, as Lucas Moura and Edinson Cavani steered the champions to a routine victory.

Blanc says a collision was not the cause of Ibrahimovic's injury and instead it was the way he landed which forced him off, adding that he does not know the severity of the injury as of yet.

"At first, I thought he had taken a hit, but no, it was when he turned," the coach told reporters."He has a sharp pain in his side. It is a strange injury. I don't know if it is serious, but knowing Ibra, for him not to end the match is something very unusual."


PSG have picked up four points from their first two Ligue 1 matches and face Evian in their next fixture on August 22.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon for Barkley & Ibra!
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[Wolverine GTR]

Scholes: Big improvements are needed at United

Paul Scholes has insisted Manchester United need to make big improvements if they are to qualify for the Champions League.

United's shock seventh-placed finish last term means they are playing no part in this season's elite European club competition for the first time since the 1995-96 campaign.

And the Old Trafford outfit made a poor start to the new Premier League season on Saturday as goals from Ki Sung-yueng and Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Swansea City a surprise 2-1 away win.

New United manager Louis van Gaal gave 20-year-old defender Tyler Blackett a Premier League debut in his favoured 3-4-1-2 formation, but he was forced to switch systems at the break and play Ashley Young as a left-back.

United's defensive frailties were evident during the match, but former midfielder Scholes felt the entire side struggled, particularly in midfield.

"It wasn't good enough," Scholes told BT Sport. "When you miss the likes of [departed defensive trio Nemanja] Vidic, [Rio] Ferdinand and [Patrice] Evra…you saw defensively, they were inexperienced and just got caught too many times.

"In the midfield area, the quality just wasn't there. When you've got strikers like [Wayne] Rooney and [Javier] Hernandez… there's nothing to feed off.

"When they got the goal, you expect United to go on and score one, two, three…but you never got that impression."

Scholes, who made over 700 appearances for United, is disappointed by the club's inability to attract stars to the club in the transfer window, despite the likes of Ander Herrera and Luke Shaw joining in the close-season.

And he feels that Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas, who have moved to Real Madrid and Chelsea respectively, would have been excellent additions to United's squad.

"There's no doubt there's a massive improvement needed from these players if [Van Gaal] doesn't spend," he added.

"The two quality players who haven't come here and gone to other clubs, Toni Kroos and Cesc Fabregas, would have made a huge difference here."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 1-2 Fiorentina: Viola come from behind to beat European champions

Goals from Mario Gomez and Marcos Alonso overturned Cristiano Ronaldo's early opener and gave Fiorentina a 2-1 friendlt win over Real Madrid on Saturday.

Keylor Navas, who moved to Santiago Bernabeu from Levante earlier this month, was handed his debut in the match after he was overlooked in favour of Iker Casillas for Real's 2-0 Super Cup victory over Sevilla on Tuesday.Angel di Maria and Sami Khedira also started despite rumblings that the duo could leave Real.Carlo Ancelotti's men made a bright start and Cristiano Ronaldo rounded off a swift break with the opening goal, but Mario Gomez equalised with a strong header just before the half-hour mark.

And the Serie A side secured a morale-boosting win thanks to a fine solo effort from Marcos Alonso.Navas was called into action in the third minute, making a smart save at his near post from Khouma Babacar's well-struck shot.Real then produced a blistering counter-attack from Fiorentina's resulting corner to take the lead.

Ronaldo started and finished the move, bursting clear before picking out Di Maria, who in turn slid a well-placed pass to the back post where the Portugal forward was on hand to apply the finish into the gaping goal.After a slow start the Italian side grew into the match and Gomez fired a warning shot with a strike from the edge of the box that went just wide, before he netted the equaliser in the 27th minute.

Alberto Aquilani found space on the right and picked out the Germany international, who thumped home his header from eight yards.Real thought they had re-taken the lead when Di Maria collected Khedira's throughball in the area and finished well, but he was ruled to be in an offside position.The La Liga giants then had another goal chalked off shortly after the restart.Karim Benzema - one of four players to enter the fray at the break - received a deflected shot in the area and his left-foot shot beat Neto, but the France striker was adjudged offside.

Real continued to enjoy the better of the possession, but the tempo dropped significantly as the match wore on.However, Alonso produced a moment of quality in the 69th minute as he beat two men on the left of the box before sliding a right-foot shot past Navas, with Nacho Fernandez unable to clear on the line.Juan Manuel Vargas almost gave Fiorentina a third from distance, but Navas produced an excellent stop low to his left.

Di Maria ought to have equalised, but got his finish all wrong when he attempted to chip the keeper and dragged his effort wide with his left foot.
That would prove to be Real's chance and they will now look ahead to Tuesday's Supercopa de Espana first-leg tie with rivals Atletico Madrid.