..::Football III::..

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Chadli: Scoring against Arsenal gave me the best feeling

Nacer Chadli described his north London derby goal for Tottenham on Saturday as "the best feeling you can get as a football player".

Tottenham claimed the lead against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium when Chadli fired home his fourth goal in five Premier League games after 56 minutes.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replied to ensure the hosts claimed a share of the spoils, but Belgium international Chadli was still able to reflect on a special moment.

The 25-year-old told Spurs TV: "In such a derby, to score and be 1-0 up is a great feeling. It's the best feeling you can get as a football player.

"I'm very thankful for our fans - they were there, they pushed us and I'm very pleased to score."

Chadli admitted to a sense of disappointment after seeing Oxlade-Chamberlain equalise for Arsene Wenger's men, who dominated possession, with just 16 minutes remaining.

"I think we were very well organised. We fought well for each other and showed great team spirit, and that's what Tottenham is about," he added.

"The goal came at the wrong moment. We defended so well and, after that, they scored."

 

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Lallana is outstanding - Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has decribed Adam Lallana's performance in the 1-1 draw with Everton as "outstanding".

The England international, who joined from Southampton during the close-season, has started the Anfield club's last two Premier League matches, after recovering from a pre-season knee injury.

And Rodgers, who also picked Lallana for the midweek League Cup clash with Middlesbrough, believes the 26-year-old is improving quickly."I thought he was outstanding," Rodgers told reporters. "To come into his first derby game and play with that quality and intensity [was impressive].

"And he played the whole game in midweek against Middlesbrough. To deliver that performance was great because it shows me he's getting fitter and fitter now with each game."I thought his performance was outstanding."Lallana, meanwhile, says there is more to come from him as he seeks to regain full match fitness.

"After every game I'm feeling more comfortable," he told the club's official website. "I just want to keep working hard and I still feel I can improve even more, get better and put in better performances."I don't want to make excuses, but I did miss pre-season. It's a valuable part of getting the rustiness out. It's just going to be with game time now.

"Because of the injuries we've had, I've probably played a lot more than I would have done coming back from injury. But it has been great - that's what you need as a player.

"I felt great out there, fitness-wise, and it's just disappointing we couldn't get the three points."

 

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Robben: I'm being punished for World Cup dive

Arjen Robben has claimed that referees are "punishing" him for his memorable dive against Mexico at World Cup 2014.

The Dutchman has a reputation for going to ground easily and his theatrics were put in the spotlight in Netherlands' round-of-16 clash this summer, in which he won a penalty late in the tie.Although he claimed that he was fouled for the spot kick, he apologised after the match for purposefully diving in the first half against Mexico, although the opposition coach Miguel Herrera believes he leapt to the floor three times in the game.

Robben was denied a penalty in Bayern Munich's 2-0 win over Koln on Saturday and the winger - who has been in superb form over the past 12 months - blames his past diving antics for what he considers to be legitimate fouls being looked over by officials."I made a mistake at the World Cup, I admitted it, but now it seems that referees are punishing me for it," he told Sky.

"I deserved a penalty against Koln but, of course, the referee did not give one."
Bayern top the Bundesliga after six games and are back in action on Tuesday at CSKA Moscow in the Champions League

 

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Casillas happy to rotate with Keylor Navas

Iker Casillas insists he is not dwelling on Carlo Ancelotti's decision to rotate his Real Madrid goalkeepers this season.

The club captain returned to the starting line-up for the Blancos in their 2-0 win over Villarreal having been dropped for their midweek clash with Elche, with summer signing Keylor Navas starting between the sticks.Despite speculation that Casillas' days at the Santiago Bernabeu are numbered, the Spain international claims he has no problem with being rotated within the European champions' set-up.

"Football has changed and it is important that whenever the coach believes the goalkeeper needs rotating because he is convinced that the team will win as a result, then the decision is made."It is interesting, anyway, the goalkeepers are all more alert and not relaxing as a result."

Casillas was, however, delighted with keeping a clean sheet at El Madrigal after a shaky start to the season from Madrid's defensive unit."It was a difficult start, the team was strong though," he added. "We came into the game having conceded goals in almost every game of the season but this time we have kept a clean sheet which is always positive."

Real Madrid are back in action on Wednesday with a Champions League group stage trip to Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets.

 

[KPZ]

ඇඩෝව් පුෆ් බෝල්

 

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Hummels: Dortmund have had a bad week

Borussia Dortmund captain Mats Hummels has admitted his side have endured a "bad week".BVB were beaten 2-1 in the Ruhr derby by Schalke on Saturday, four days after being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Stuttgart on the back of losing to Jurgen Klopp's former club Mainz.

Hummels, who started his first game of the 2014-15 season against Schalke, was realistic about Dortmund's run of form and believes they were far from outclassed in any of their past three games."We had a bad week, you could say that," he told reporters when asked if BVB were going through a crisis. "Though we were just as good as Schalke today - as we were against Mainz and Stuttgart - we were not the worse team.

"We've just got to realise that luck was not on our side in crucial situations, we cannot force it."After Schalke went 2-0 up, we completely dominated. In the end, though, we it was not enough, even though we had many, many opportunities to score, but they were not compelling enough. But it is not a disaster.

"Reports of our fans criticising our Bundesliga performances is rubbish. I have seldom heard any complaints. Against Stuttgart we ran 123 kilometres. Quite a lot of people say that if you lose in the Bundesliga but win the Champions League, it's fine."

Dortmund are back in action on Wednesday with a Champions League group stage game versus Anderlecht.

 

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Van Persie: Win over West Ham worth more than three points

The Dutchman bagged his 50th goal for the club in Saturday's win over the Hammers and hailed the victory afterwards, claiming it was vital for the Red Devils' morale and confidence

Robin van Persie claims Manchester United’s 2-1 win over West Ham “goes even further than three points” following their recent slump.

United were beaten 5-3 by Leicester City last time out, despite holding a 3-1 lead at the King Power Stadium, but bounced back to beat the Hammers and pick up only their second win of the season, with Wayne Rooney and Van Persie both on the scoresheet.

Rooney was later sent off for kicking out at Stewart Downing, leaving United to hold on for victory with just 10 men, and Van Persie hailed the result at full-time.

“It was absolutely vital to get the three points for everyone’s belief and the fans’ belief,” he told MUTV. “They were right behind us and were absolutely great.

“I thought we played really well in the first half but in the second it was a completely different game because of the red card. At times it was a bit nerve-wracking but we did ever so well and everyone fought really hard.

“It was a bit frustrating to concede a goal when we did because in that period in the game the only way they looked like scoring was from a set-piece and it happened, just before half-time. That was a bad moment for us but I think we did really in the end to win this game. For everyone involved with Manchester United I think this is about more than just the three points.”

Van Persie’s goal was his 50th in 81 appearances for the Red Devils and, while he is pleased with the statistic, he insists that he is keen to increase his scoring rate.

“It’s an okay stat!” he said. “I would like to increase it a bit more - you always want to do better and improve, but if you play 81 games and score 50 goals it’s a good rate.”

 

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Atletico completely superior - Sevilla boss Emery

Sevilla coach Unai Emery made no excuses for his team's 4-0 loss at Atletico Madrid, conceding the hosts were simply better on Saturday.

The defending La Liga champions scored twice in each half as Koke, Saul, Raul Garcia and Raul Jimenez got on the scoresheet at the Vicente Calderon.For Sevilla, it was their first loss of the league season, but Emery accepted his team were outclassed and outplayed.

"We knew we would have a lot of things going against us that we would need to overcome on the field of play. We worked hard and ahead of the game, we have a positive vision of winning," Emery told a news conference."They were superior in both aspects of the game, we weren't able to stop the pressure they applied. They were better.

"When they went up 2-0, they tightened up defensively. A loss like this needs to serve as a lesson in humility. We need to know which is our league."Sevilla remain in fourth place with 13 points from their first six games and Emery added that there was much cause for optimism at the club despite Saturday's defeat.

"Losing was today in the calculation and getting to matchday six having these points makes me very optimistic," Emery said."We have not been up to scratch, but to a higher rival."

 

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Real Sociedad 1-1 Valencia: Canales denies old club top spot

Valencia missed out on the chance to join Barcelona at the top of La Liga when they were held to a draw at Anoeta by a well-organised Real Sociedad who themselves avoided a third successive league loss.

However, this might be considered a point gained by Valencia, given the possession and opportunities created over the 90 minutes by their hosts.

Chasing a fifth successive La Liga win, following victories over Malaga, Espanyol, Getafe and Cordoba, Valencia were fortunate keeper Diego Alves was in such good form during the early encounters.

After just four minutes, the Brazilian was tested when Carlos Vela cut in from the right on to his favoured left foot, the Mexican seeing his shot parried by the Valencia shot stopper.

Alves then produced an excellent diving save, throwing himself to his left when Imanol Agirretxe let fly from distance.

However, against the run of play Valencia served notice of why they are flying so high in the league this term by taking the lead after quarter of an hour.

Antonio Barragan centred from the right, finding Paco Alcacer whose knockdown landed in the path of Carles Gil who struck a measured volley with the inside of the left foot past the previously untroubled Enaut Zubikarai.

Real Sociedad countered almost immediately, a telling Vela cross forcing a diving punch from Alves who again showed some of the form that earned him 16 clean sheets last term when he clawed out an Agirretxe snap shot from long range.

The scoreline belied the home side's territorial advantage during the first period and eventually their pressure and perseverance was rewarded with an equaliser after 37 minutes.

Firstly Sociedad defender Inigo Martinez saw his header cleared off the line by Jose Luis Gaya, but when the ball was knocked out to left field, Sergio Canales low centre was missed by the in-rushing Agirretxe and the Valencia defence, leaving a distracted Alves to watch as the ball crept in at his far post.

It was a deserved equaliser for the hosts given their first half effort.

Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo looked to change things at half-time, introducing Filipe Augusto and Sofiane Feghouli, but Real were still the more committed to attack.

Alves needed to keep his wits about him, acting as a sweeper to deny Carlos Vela, while Augusto’s first real contribution came after 67 minutes, a speculative shot from long range. Had Rodrigo’s centre not carried as much pace it may well have connected with Alcacer who for once had escaped his marker.

Sociedad coach Jagoba Arrasate decided to pitch in his big money summer purchase, former Heerenveen striker Alfred Finnbogason in an attempt to win the match.

In the final seconds both teams had chances, Valencia denied with a great close range stop by Zubikarai from Shkrodan Mustafi, who at the other end headed away a goalbound attempt from Canales.

 

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PSG weaker without Ibrahimovic, says Mathieu

Barcelona defender Jeremy Mathieu believes that Paris Saint-Germain will be worse off without Zlatan Ibrahimovic when the two sides meet on Tuesday.The Swedish striker has a foot problem and missed Laurent Blanc's men's last two matches, but stands a chance of returning to face his former club at the Parc des Princes.

However, Mathieu is hoping that he will not recover and believes his team-mates stand a better chance of victory without the 32-year-old on the pitch."They're a very talented team," he is quoted as saying by RMC."But when Ibra is out, the team is not the same without him. But we have to concentrate 100 per cent."

Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona kick off at 20:45CET on Tuesday, in a re-match of their 2012-13 Champions League quarter-final, which the Catalans edged on away goals.

 

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Messi & Neymar beyond outstanding, says Zubi

Barcelona sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta says that Neymar and Lionel Messi are much more than just "outstanding" players.

The Brazilian scored a hat-trick during the 6-0 demolition of Granada on Saturday, with the Argentine contributing two more, and the legendary goalkeeper has hailed their impact on the team.

"They are two outstanding players, who do much more than play good football and that's good for the team," he is quoted as saying by AS.The 52-year-old voiced his delight with how well Barca's summer signings have fared since arriving at Camp Nou and hopes Luis Suarez can have a similar impact once his ban for biting Giorgio Chiellini ends.

"The players who have arrived have done well. We have to put Luis Suarez, whose time will come, in the team. We are continuing to grow and learn."We have a new coach and this process takes time. All players are responding well. Life and football will lead us to where we want to go."

Barcelona's next game is a Champions League trip to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.

 

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'I want to grow at Chelsea' - Hazard dismisses PSG links

Eden Hazard has reiterated his desire to stay at Chelsea and ruled out a move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ligue 1 champions have repeatedly been linked with a big-money move for Hazard, with interest particularly high during the World Cup.

The 23-year-old Belgian winger has previously flirted with a move to the French capital but made his intention to stay at Stamford Bridge clear over the summer.

And speaking to Canal+, Hazard said: "When I left Lille, I wanted to leave France, so I couldn't have signed for PSG.

"Every year I'm the priority of PSG. But I'm Chelsea and this is where I want to grow. This is the most important.

"Never say never, but if I came back to Ligue 1, it would be with Lille, the team I support and I still love."

Hazard did pay tribute to the Parisians who, after years of progress, are regularly competing at the top table of European competition.

"Today, Paris is in the same world as Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern, but if they want to be part of the best, they must win the Champions League."

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.09.29 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2014.09.29 Fixture

Stoke City Vs Newcastle

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Serie A 2014.09.29 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.09.29 Fixtures

Udinese Vs Parma

Palermo Vs Lazio​

 

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Casillas is one of the best in history, says Roberto Carlos

Former Real Madrid star Roberto Carlos says Iker Casillas is already one of the best goalkeepers in football history.


The Spain captain has endured some hostile treatment from sections of the Santiago Bernabeu this season as some supporters call for summer signing Keylor Navas to be given a run in the first team.Carlos, who played alongside Casillas for 11 years at Madrid, insists the booing from fans is something to be expected in football and is adamant the 33-year-old has done enough to cement his place in history as one of the best in his position.


"Iker is a club institution. He's worn the shirt for 15 years, won many titles and had a lot of success. He's an idol, one of the best keepers in the history of football," he told AS."Fans sometimes oppose the players. It's something very normal. But Casillas has a lot of credit at Madrid."


Madrid opted to allow Angel Di Maria and Xabi Alonso to leave in the summer - denting the midfield "balance" which head coach Carlo Ancelotti was delighted to find last season - but Carlos is confident the Italian will mould the current crop of players into another successful system."Ancelotti is a top-class coach and he will find the balance. He did it last year and I'm sure that, like last season, he'll get Madrid to where he wants," the former Brazil full-back said.


"When a new season starts there are always things to adjust to, but I'm not worried. I respect Ancelotti a lot. With him, Madrid are a stronger team and will have a lot of success.

"Hopefully they can repeat the feats of last season and win the Undecima."
Carlos also had high praise for compatriot Marcelo for his recent form for the club."He's playing well. He's a perfect player for his position. I think he's one of the best left-sided players around at the moment."

 

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Lahm reminds me of Totti - Benatia

Bayern Munich defender Mehdi Benatia says club captain Philipp Lahm reminds him of iconic Roma attacker Francesco Totti.


Benatia joined the Bundesliga champions this summer in an acrimonious transfer from Rudi Garcia's side, having played alongside 38-year-old Totti during the 2013-14 season.


And the Moroccan admits he has been deeply impressed by the professional standard of his new surroundings, paying particular tribute to the "modest" Lahm - a player he believes shares many of the best qualities of Totti."At Bayern, I've found the highest level of professionalism." he told Corriere dello Sport.


"Players like Lahm, [Mario] Gotze, [David] Alaba and [Arjen] Robben are incredibly strong."Lahm reminds me of Totti: always at the same club, always a top-level performer, and always modest. They are real champions."


Benatia has admitted in the past that both Barcelona and Real Madrid were among the clubs interested in his signature, but he maintains he only had eyes for Bayern."During the last window, many clubs wanted me, but when Bayern Munich wanted me it felt clear that I would continue my career there," he added.


"Roma are a great club and one of the clubs with the best prospects in Europe, but Bayern are among the top three teams in the world."I went to Munich to win many trophies. It was impossible to refuse an offer."

 

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Stoke City 1-0 Newcastle: Crouch header leaves Pardew on the brink

Peter Crouch heaped further misery on Alan Pardew as his header gave Stoke City a 1-0 win over Newcastle on Monday and extended the Magpies' wait for a first Premier League win of the new season.

The lead-up to the Britannia Stadium clash had been dominated by controversy over comments from Newcastle owner Mike Ashley indicating that Pardew would be sacked if they lost to Stoke.

A legal representative for Ashley later insisted that the remarks were made in jest, but he now has a decision to make after watching another lifeless performance which leaves Newcastle still awaiting their first league victory of the season.

The visitors enjoyed plenty of possession in wet Staffordshire conditions but their failure to create clear-cut chances was punished by Crouch.

The 33-year-old striker hit home his second goal in as many league games, converting a Victor Moses delivery to seal victory and spark further calls for Pardew to be removed from his post.

Jack Colback somehow crashed an effort against the crossbar as the minutes ticked away, leaving Pardew sweating once again over his future on Tyneside.

Marc Muniesa was retained after scoring twice against Sunderland in the Capital One Cup in Stoke's only alteration from their draw with QPR, but an unchanged Newcastle side had the first real chance in the 14th minute as Emmanuel Riviere lashed over following good work from Remy Cabella.

However, Crouch put Stoke ahead a minute later, rising above Newcastle captain Fabricio Coloccini to head home Moses' left-wing cross.

Newcastle responded well to going behind but were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Yoan Gouffran bundled Moses over in the area, with referee Craig Pawson unmoved despite the apparent foul.

There was more misfortune for the hosts as striker Mame Biram Diouf pulled his hamstring in setting up the opening and was replaced by Marko Arnautovic.

Stoke continued to have success hitting Newcastle on the counter, Mike Williamson impressively heading Muniesa's dangerous cross away with Steven N'Zonzi ready to pounce from point-blank range.

Despite creating the better opportunities Stoke were grateful to goalkeeper Asmir Begovic for keeping them ahead two minutes before the break as he turned Daryl Janmaat's low drive round his right-hand post.

Papiss Cisse - Newcastle's saviour versus Hull - was brought on by Pardew at half-time but it was Stoke that went closest to scoring after the break, Arnautovic clattering a half-volley against the woodwork.

Mark Hughes' side continued to dictate play in the second period, Moses denied only by the reflexes of Krul after the on-loan Chelsea forward had capitalised on confusion in the Newcastle defence.

With Newcastle seemingly heading for a meek surrender in the closing stages, their fans made their discontent evident with further chants directed at Pardew, who then saw his side's last chance at salvation go begging as Colback hit the bar from four yards after Gabriel Obertan's cross.

 

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Evra: I've no grudge against Suarez

Patrice Evra insists he does not hold a grudge against Luis Suarez following the racism row during their Premier League days.


Suarez accrued an eight-game ban and fine after being found guilty of racially abusing Evra during a Premier League clash between Liverpool and Manchester United at Old Trafford.


"Suarez called me negro seven times. I've had bananas thrown, I've had shouts from behind me, but I've never taken it on board: it's the ignorance of those who are afraid of something different, I understand that," Evra told La Repubblica.


"Suarez, however, was an opponent and I was going to react to him. I asked myself: what should I do? Give him a punch that would be seen around the world, that will earn a two-year ban, that all the kids will see?"I forgave him. I also voted him as the best player in the Premier League. A player doesn't hold a grudge, and the man does not concern me, whether he is racist or not."


Evra was involved in controversy with the France side at World Cup 2010 following a significant bust-up with coach Raymond Domenech, which prompted player strikes and ultimately a ban from international fixtures for the Juventus man.


Evra has made it clear that he felt he was doing his duty as captain by taking the fall-out from the incident, explaining: "With Domenech in 2010, I did what the group decided a captain should do. I told them to go on holiday; that I would take the flak."The 33-year-old also believes Juventus can go all the way in the Champions League as he aims to reach a remarkable fifth final in the competition, having previously played in three for Manchester United and one for Monaco.


"I live in the present, because the past is regret and the future is anxiety. I don't sell dreams to the fans, but - why not? It's a competition so crazy that it seems incredible to have played in four finals," he added.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hazard: Chelsea can win Champions League this season

Eden Hazard believes Chelsea have assembled a strong enough squad to win the Champions League this season.

The Belgium international arrived at Stamford Bridge in June 2012, a month after the club won the competition against Bayern Munich, with a semi-final berth last season their best finish in the tournament since then.

With the likes of Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Cesc Fabregas and Loic Remy joining the club during the close-season, Hazard is confident they have what it takes to reach the final in Berlin next May.

"My ambition in the Champions League is pretty much the same as it has been since I’ve been at Chelsea," he told the club's official website.

"Personally and collectively it is to go as far as we can, which is to win it.

"With the team we have I think that it's possible. There is also Real Madrid who are the holders, Bayern Munich are very strong again this year, there are some other great teams – so let's see how it goes.

"We have to qualify from the group stage first, that's the most important thing right now.

"But of course the dream is to win it. Every year when we play in the Champions League, we play to have the chance to win it. There is a lot of quality in our group and we are all hoping we can go to the end."

Chelsea face Sporting Lisbon in their second game of Group G on Tuesday looking to build on their 1-1 draw with Schalke last time out.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ramsey sidelined for six weeks

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey is set to be out for up to six weeks with a hamstring injury, Goal understands.

The Gunners' midfield talisman was diagnosed on Monday with a grade two hamstring strain sustained in his side's 1-1 draw with Tottenham last Saturday.

The Welshman will be joined on the sidelines by Mikel Arteta, who will miss two to three weeks with a grade one calf strain.

The absence of Ramsey until mid-November and Arteta until after the October international break is a huge blow for Arsene Wenger ahead of fixtures this week against Galatasaray on Wednesday and Chelsea on Sunday.

Goal has learned that key defender Laurent Koscielny is also a doubt for the Champions League match against Galatasaray with a long-running Achilles tendon problem.

The centre-back faces a late fitness test on the injury, while Jack Wilshere will learn on Tuesday the extent of the ankle problem he sustained in the north London derby.

Initial tests have suggested Wilshere's injury is not too serious but Arsenal are likely to be cautious with the England man given his history of ankle trouble.

The lengthy absence of Ramsey is a particularly grievous blow to Wenger given how badly he was missed when sidelined with a thigh injury for most of the second half of last season.

The midfielder's injury is not the most severe type of hamstring strain but he has a partial tear of the muscle and will miss the whole of October.

The Arsenal manager will also be conducting further investigation into why his squad still seem so susceptible to injuries, with the muscular problems suffered by Ramsey and Arteta of particular concern after they were rested from the Capital One Cup defeat to Southampton.

"We have to really analyse what happened," Wenger said on Saturday. "There's no logic as they had quite a light week for them. I don’t understand."