..::Football III::..

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AC Milan 1-1 Inter: Obi strike seals point on Mancini's return

A brilliant finish from Jeremy Menez put the Rossoneri in front before the Nigerian midfielder's accurate drive ensured the derby spoils were shared A second-half strike from Joel Obi earned a point for Roberto Mancini upon his Serie A return as Inter held AC Milan to a 1-1 draw on Sunday.

Former Manchester City boss Mancini was confirmed as Walter Mazzarri's successor during the international break - marking his return to the club he left in 2008.

Mancini won three Serie A titles and two Coppa Italia crowns in his four-your spell at the Inter helm, but he failed to get his latest tenure off to a winning start at San Siro on Sunday.Despite applying the early pressure, Inter found themselves a goal down after 23 minutes when Jeremy Menez volleyed home superbly from 12 yards.Inter struggled in their push for an equaliser, but eventually got back on terms shortly after the hour mark - Obi driving a low effort beyond Diego Lopez.

Stephan El Shaarawy should have done better when he hit the crossbar after 75 minutes, before Mauro Icardi lifted a half-volley just over four minutes later.But the spoils were shared in a result that will not do either side any favours as they remain languishing in mid-table.

Mancini opted for a four-man defence, in contrast to predecessor Mazzari's preference for playing three at the back, but a more conservative approach was not apparent in the opening seconds, with Milan captain Philippe Mexes lucky to escape punishment when he appeared to pull down Icardi just outside the penalty area within the first minute.

Icardi then failed to capitalise on a misplaced pass from Sulley Muntari, brought in for Nigel de Jong as one of three Milan changes, after eight minutes - thwarted by goalkeeper Diego Lopez after stealing into the box.

It was all Inter in the early stages, and Lopez had to be alert once again shortly after denying Icardi, when Fredy Guarin drew a diving save from the Spaniard with a driven effort from 20 yards.However, it only took one shot on target for Milan to take the lead.

El Shaarawy floated a cross into the area from the left, with Menez on hand to find the back of the net with a delightful side-footed volley from a central position.
The goal seemed to settle Milan, while Inter struggled to carve out any opportunities to level as they went in behind at the break.

Giacomo Bonaventura fired wide via a deflection seven minutes into the second half, before Icardi blasted over at the other end after Lopez's parry from a Zdravko Kuzmanovic strike resulted in a goalmouth scramble.

However, Inter were level soon after - Obi picking up a loose Cristian Zapata clearance to direct his effort low into the bottom right-hand corner.

Fernando Torres had spoken during the week of his desire to end the season as Milan's top goalscorer following a disappointing start to life in Italy, but the Chelsea loanee offered nothing in attack and was hauled off in favour of current leading scorer Keisuke Honda after 73 minutes.

El Shaarawy should have restored Milan's lead 15 minutes from time, but - after seeing Icardi squander a similar one-on-one situation in the first half - he lifted onto the ball onto crossbar, before Samir Handanovic kept out Honda's first effort on goal.

Icardi sent a half-volley agonisingly over before time was up, and Andrea Poli saw a last-gasp effort deflected wide by Andrea Ranocchia as the sides claimed a point apiece.

 

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Crystal Palace 3-1 Liverpool: Reds slip up again at Selhurst

Selhurst Park again proved an unhappy hunting ground for Liverpool as Crystal Palace came from behind to earn a 3-1 win over the Reds on Sunday.

Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak got the goals to ensure Brendan Rodgers' side, who famously let a three-goal lead slip at the ground last season in a game that derailed their Premier League title challenge, continued their poor start to the campaign.

It appeared Liverpool would exorcise the demons from last time out when Lambert, afforded a rare starting opportunity since returning to his boyhood team, converted his first goal for the club in the second minute.But Gayle, whose double in that 3-3 draw proved so pivotal in the title race, levelled matters 15 minutes later as Palace found the ideal riposte.

Ledley and Jedinak finished the job with late strikes to heap further misery on Liverpool - whose bottom-half standing makes the lofty heights of 2013-14 seem an increasingly distant memory.Palace, meanwhile, climbed out of the bottom three on goal difference following a first win in six league outings.

Liverpool flew out of the blocks to take the lead as Lambert, playing in place of the injured Mario Balotelli, justified his selection in the second minute.

It was the striker's connection with Adam Lallana, so fruitful at Southampton before both completed summer moves to Anfield, that made the difference as the former picked out the 32-year-old with a lovely ball in behind Martin Kelly.

Lambert did the rest expertly, deftly controlling the ball before producing the coolest of finishes.Thoughts that an easy afternoon might ensue were quickly put to rest, however, as Gayle levelled in the 17th minute.

Yannick Bolasie was the architect, his strike at the end of a driving run rattling the post to gift Gayle a tap-in from the rebound.

The game took on an end-to-end nature thereafter, with Bolasie again threatening when forcing Simon Mignolet into a solid stop with a powerful strike from distance.
He continued to prove the biggest threat, epitomised by him forcing Dejan Lovren into a superb block at the end of a fine counter-attack.

His next chance came just before the break, striking it just over from a tight angle having collected Jason Puncheon's throughball.Liverpool created the first chance of the second period, with Martin Skrtel volleying just wide after Palace failed to clear Steven Gerrard's corner.

Yet Palace grew into the game again following that chance as they pressed forward with menace.The hosts were unable to take advantage of good openings - something they nearly paid for when Javi Manquillo side-footed just wide from 12 yards.

Liverpool were rueing that miss almost immediately, Ledley slotting through the legs of Mignolet following more good work from the outstanding Bolasie to send the home crowd into raptures.

Hopes of a Reds comeback were quickly snuffed out, too, as Jedinak produced a stunning 25-yard free-kick that flew into the top corner after Skrtel had brought down Gayle.

The full-time whistle confirmed the visitos' sixth top-flight defeat of the campaign and left a rain-soaked Rodgers with plenty to contemplate.

 

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Hull City 1-2 Tottenham: Eriksen seals late win after Ramirez red card

Tottenham recovered from going one down to beat Hull City 2-1 in the Premier League on Sunday, with Christian Eriksen scoring the decisive goal in the final seconds of normal time.

Jake Livermore put a 25-yard screamer past his former side within the first 10 minutes at the KC Stadium and Spurs would have been even further behind at half-time were it not for vital saves from Hugo Lloris.

But increased pressure in the second half - thanks in part to the Tigers being put a man down when Gaston Ramirez was ejected for a petulant outburst towards Jan Vertonghen - resulted in Harry Kane tapping in an equaliser on the hour.

And just as it seemed that the match was drifting away from Mauricio Pochettino's side, Eriksen popped up with a low finish past Allan McGregor to steal the points.

Tottenham had been beaten by Stoke City before the international break and their manager got the response for which he was looking, while Hull only have two victories to their name in the top flight this term.

Fit-again defender Michael Dawson returned to face his former club as one of six changes to the Hull side who lost at Burnley, with McGregor, Ramirez, Andrew Robertson, Hatem Ben Arfa and Nikica Jelavic also starting.

Pochettino also made six changes, as Eric Dier, Vertonghen, Ben Davies, Mousa Dembele, Erik Lamela and Roberto Soldado came into the side. Captain Younes Kaboul and striker Emmanuel Adebayor were not involved.

Hull had failed to score in their last three games but were in front after only eight minutes when Livermore returned to haunt Tottenham. The midfielder conceded in the build-up that it would be strange to face his former club and he looked unsure how to react after letting fly with a right-footed strike that found the far corner of the net from 20 yards out.

Davies then spared stand-in captain Lloris's blushes when he blocked Ramirez's effort after the France goalkeeper had flapped at a free kick 19 minutes in.

The Tottenham star showed his class with a fine reflex save down to his left to deny Robbie Brady before Ben Arfa blazed a shot over the crossbar after Lloris had palmed Ramirez's left-footed strike into his path.

McGregor was called into action at the other end eight minutes before half-time, palming away Lamela's well-struck shot following a swift break, and Hull breathed a sigh of relief when Eriksen flashed a dangerous ball across the face of the goal but nobody was on the end of it.

Pochettino replaced Dier, who had been booked in the first half, with Vlad Chiriches at the break and Tottenham's chances of getting back into the game were enhanced when Ramirez was dismissed five minutes into the second half.

Referee Craig Pawson gave the Uruguayan his marching orders after his assistant spotted an off-the-ball incident between him and Vertonghen.

Hull boss Bruce was furious with the decision and he was left even more frustrated when Tottenham equalised after 61 minutes. Kane was on hand to turn the ball into an empty net after Eriksen's sublime free kick had struck the woodwork.

Kane ought to have put the visitors in front when substitute Aaron Lennon picked him out with a precise cross but the striker somehow headed wide from close range and Lamela blazed a shot over the crossbar after cutting in from the left as Tottenham dominated.

But Eriksen won it in the final minute as he made space for himself and unleashed a right-footed strike which found the far corner of the net.

 

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Podolski demands 'fair chance' at Arsenal

Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski has delivered the latest in a series of protestations against his bit-part role at the club, insisting that he will not be taken for "a buffoon who sits out his contract in the stands".

The Germany international has yet to start a Premier League or Champions League game for Arsene Wenger's side this season.

He has already indicated that he will seek a decision on his future in north London in January, though he would be keen to stay at the Emirates Stadium if given more game time.

"I love London, I love the club but I don't like the situation," Podolski told Kicker.

"I'm not a buffoon who sits out his contract in the stands.

"I have to try to talk to Arsene Wenger. I want a fair chance."

Germany coach Joachim Low has previously suggested that the forward should "think about his situation", though both Koln and Schalke have ruled out bids to sign him this winter while Wenger says that he is not for sale.

 

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Milan need Torres to start scoring - Inzaghi

Pippo Inzaghi admits AC Milan need Fernando Torres to find his goalscoring touch - but is confident it is simply a matter of time.

The 30-year-old has scored just once since his loan move from Chelsea in the summer and endured another frustrating night in the 1-1 draw against Inter on Sunday.

Inzaghi, however, believes Torres will quickly find a breakthrough in his scoring drought, pointing to another former Chelsea striker as proof of the virtue of patience.

"I believe Torres will soon get back on the scoresheet and I hope so, as we need his goals," he told Sky Sport Italia. "I tried to improve the level of quality in attack with players like [Keisuke] Honda, [Jeremy] Menez, [Stephan] El Shaarawy and [Giacomo] Bonaventura to provide better service for him.

"I am trying to put the best team out to get the best out of him. He does well in training, but not every game goes the same way.

"Torres gives his all and I always use the example of Hernan Crespo. Carlo Ancelotti stuck with him when he didn't score for two months, then when he made the breakthrough he never stopped scoring."Menez's fine first-half strike was cancelled out by Joel Obi's first ever Serie A goal on Sunday and Inzaghi admitted it was frustrating not to have seen out the win.

"It's disappointing to have some clear chances and not win," he said. "However, my team gave everything they had and it was a balanced game. Inter did well, too.

"Inter were pushing without making much of an impact, but they scored on our mistake. We know that we have to grow, but I believe the spirit, hunger and some of our moves were very good."The derby showed there are two teams who are works in progress, still under construction, and so there are going to be peaks and troughs.

"There was a change of coach, so that gave Inter new enthusiasm. Maybe there is a regret that we didn't make more of our scoring opportunities, but right now we mustn't look at the table. We need to look at the character and determination of this team."

 

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'Ramos is no doctor' - Mourinho hits back in Costa & Fabregas feud

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at Sergio Ramos and Vicente del Bosque over the injuries which kept Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas out of the Spain squad.

Both Costa and Fabregas were ultimately declared unable to play during the international break but were decisive for the Blues in the 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.

Real Madrid defender Ramos was quoted as saying certain players should show greater commitment to the international cause last week, though he later insisted he was not talking about the Chelsea duo.

And Mourinho has defended their decisions to withdraw, stating that the Spain team doctor was always part of the consultation process and suggesting Ramos has little place to comment.

"Since I've known Sergio Ramos he has been a fantastic football player, but he is not a doctor. He is not a doctor and I am the same. I do my job the best I can but I am not a doctor," he is quoted as saying by the Mirror."My doctor and the doctor of the Spanish national team, they had the scans and they decided that the player was not in the condition to play.

"I am nobody to go against it and I don't think Sergio did a medicine Masters in the last couple of years to understand about it.

"[Vincent] Kompany didn't play for Belgium against Wales and he played today [Saturday]. Has he a compromise with his national team? I think he has. He is the captain of Belgium.

"Did he, how do you say, 'cheat' by not playing against Wales to play today? I don't think he did. So we all accept that he was injured."Mourinho took another swipe at Del Bosque in what is becoming a persistent feud over the fitness of Costa and his role in the Spain side.

"I trust my doctor 100 per cent. If Del Bosque doesn't trust his doctor that is his problem, not my problem. I speak with my doctor and I believe in what my doctor tells me. Nothing else. No problem," he said.

"Fabregas was in a doubtful situation, Diego no. Diego recovered totally from his problem with these two weeks that he had to rest and to improve his injury.
"Fabregas is different. Fabregas survived. Diego no, Diego now is in great condition."

 

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Eriksen revels in great weekend for Tottenham

Tottenham midfielder Christian Eriksen is delighted to have rounded off a good weekend for the club, in which many of their rivals dropped points, by scoring the winner against Hull City.

Jake Livermore's early goal against his former club at the KC Stadium had Mauricio Pochettino's men in trouble before Gaston Ramirez was sent off shortly after the break.

Harry Kane then equalised before the Dane stole the points just before the end of normal time and, with the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal having lost, Eriksen says that he will "sleep pretty well" as their chances start to look up in what has been a tough season so far.

He told Sky Sports: "In the first half we started slow, then we were quicker. With the 10 men it helped us and gave us space.

"I'm going to sleep pretty well tonight. It's nice to see those teams expected to be in top four lose this weekend and us get the points. A few wins and we'll be up there again."

While Spurs sit 10th in the Premier League 12 games into the campaign, they are only two points behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

 

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Mancini: I don't know how long it will take to fix Inter

Inter coach Roberto Mancini admits that he does not know how long it will take his charges to adapt to his tactics.

Walter Mazzarri was fired during the international break after leading the Nerazzurri to a poor start to the season, with the former Manchester City boss returning to his old club in his stead.

The 2010 European champions drew with local rivals AC Milan during his first game in charge on Sunday and the 49-year-old says he needs time to fix the team's problems.

"Derbies are always difficult and this was no different," he told Sky Sport Italia.
"I am very happy with the way the team moved, as with five days together to change a system after a year and a half playing 3-5-2 was not easy. They all did very well."I don't expect to change a team completely in five days, especially when the systems are different. It will take time, but our objective is to win as many games as possible quickly, even if we're not at 100 per cent.

"It takes a while, even though many of these players have already used a four-man defence, especially on international duty. It just takes time and I honestly don't know how long."

Mancini's next game is a Europa League clash with Dnipro at San Siro.

 

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Dortmund stopped me joining Real Madrid - Gundogan

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has revealed the club once turned down a transfer bid from Real Madrid.

The Germany international became one of the hottest properties in Europe in the 2012-13 season thanks to his performances both in the Bundesliga and Dortmund's run to the Champions League final.

A back injury has since blighted his career, with Gundogan forced to miss most of the last 18 months of football, including Germany's successful campaign at the World Cup this summer.

However, the 24-year-old is determined to recapture the form that led Madrid to make a move for his services and says his heart is set on joining a major club in England or Spain in future.

"Real Madrid made a bid but my club didn't want to accept it. I was under contract for two more years," he told TRT."My injury broke my plans. I didn't play for 14 months. Now I want to make up for this time with success. One day, I'll leave here, I want to play for one of the big teams in Spain or England."

Gundogan is also desperate to enjoy success at Euro 2016 after missing out on Brazil this summer and says he still hopes to get his hands on the World Cup trophy."I was not supposed to be injured for the World Cup. I would have been in the first XI," he said.

"We were very good and it went to plan. I'm sad I didn't realise my dream but I have Euro 2016 in front of me. I want to add a World Cup in my career."

 

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Liverpool slump is my responsibility, admits Rodgers


Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admits that he is ultimately responsible for the club's slump in form this season after another costly Premier League defeat, this time by Crystal Palace.

Last season's runners-up endured another afternoon to forget at Selhurst Park on Sunday, having thrown away a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 on the same ground last season in a result that ultimately proved crucial in the title race.

This time, they could not even escape with a point as goals from Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak overturned Rickie Lambert's second-minute opener as the game ended 3-1.

It marked a fourth consecutive loss for Rodgers's side, who find themselves in the bottom half of the table, and the Northern Irishman concedes that they are suffering from a crisis of confidence.

"It was bitterly disappointing," he told reporters. "It was nowhere near the level that we would expect. We started the game as you would want but I think you saw a team low on confidence.

"We're not quite together as a team, which is what we pride our work on. We need to find a solution very quickly because it was very disappointing.

"It's my responsibility as the manager, ultimately. I picked the team and put the team out there and I pick the best team I think can win us the game.

"We made mistakes that you would not expect to see at this level for a team that wants to be challenging. We go 1-0 up and then we fail to manage the game. Overall, there's that intensity and togetherness that's not quite there in our game. When you don't get the results, that is affected."

Rodgers will have little time to reflect as he bids to mastermind a turnaround. Liverpool face a must-win trip to Ludogorets in the Champions League on Wednesday before returning to Premier League action at home to Stoke City.

Defeat in both games could leave them looking to only the domestic cup competitions for a realistic chance of silverware this term but Rodgers insists that they can still turn around their season.

"We need to find a way because we've seen over the last couple of years as we have seen this group develop that they are very talented players," he added, "but it's been a new phase this season and we've had a lot of games, a lot less preparation time in terms of coaching and injuries that were key for us.

"But we can't complain. We just have to get on with it and find ways of getting results because that's what Liverpool is about."

 

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Falcao returns to Manchester United training

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has confirmed that he has returned to training after recovering from a calf problem.

The Colombia international had hoped to return for Saturday's 2-1 win over Arsenal but manager Louis van Gaal later revealed that he expected him to be out for a further two weeks with a new injury.

Falcao has not featured for the Red Devils since their 2-2 draw with West Brom on October 20 and is yet to complete 90 minutes for his new club since his summer move.

However, the striker wrote on Twitter: "Back to training 100 per cent and ready to help the team in the next games.”

Saturday's victory at the Emirates Stadium saw United move to fourth place in the Premier League table after 12 games.

The Red Devils now face two games in four days, with Hull City and Stoke City the next visitors to Old Trafford.

 

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Vermaelen suffers hamstring injury

Thomas Vermaelen has been ruled out of Barcelona's Champions League clash with APOEL after suffering a hamstring injury.

The defender has not played a single minute for the Spanish side following his move to Camp Nou from Arsenal because of inuries and will have to wait even longer to make his debut for the club.

The Belgium international has struggled with several muscle problems at the Liga side but had resumed training and appeared to be on track to feature for Luis Enrique's side in midweek.

However, the centre-back is struggling with pain in his right hamstring and coach Luis Enrique has ruled him out for the match in Cyprus on Tuesday.Andres Iniesta has also been excluded from Barca's squad for the meeting with APOEL, as he is yet to be declared fully fit.

 

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Reus ruled out for remainder of 2014

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed that Marco Reus will be out of action for the remainder of 2014 with a ligament injury.

Reus was forced off with an ankle problem following a strong challenge from Marvin Bakalorz after scoring his side's second goal in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Paderborn.

The club have revealed that the Germany international will be out of action until the beginning of 2015."Borussia Dortmund midfielder Marco Reus suffered a torn ligament in his right ankle in Saturday’s Bundesliga game at SC Paderborn," a statement read.

"The injury will rule the 25-year-old Germany international out for the rest of the year. Reus could return to training at the start of 2015 when BVB begin their preparations for the second half of the season."

Hans-Joachim Watzke, the club's CEO, wished the former Borussia Monchengladbach star "a speedy recovery", pondering “How much bad luck can you have?”

 

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Messi record disputed by Zarra family

The daughter of Telmo Zarra says Lionel Messi may have scored more goals than her father but has not beaten his La Liga record.

Zarra's benchmark of 251 goals for Athletic Bilbao had stood since 1955 but Messi moved onto 253 following a hat-trick in Barcelona's 5-1 win over Sevilla on Saturday.

However, Carmen Zarra told Spanish radio station Cope: "Messi scored more goals but did not beat his record."The record will be beaten when someone scores 251 goals in 267 matches, but Messi needed 280 matches."

Carmen added: "We don’t know clear statistics for my father. Athletic said that he scored 251 on their website, but others sources said that he scored 253."Messi will overcome his figures because he is an excellent player but he played 12 matches more than my father.

"He scored more goals but I think that the media are wrong when say that he beat my father’s record."Zarra played for Athletic from 1940 to 1955 and was "a complete forward", according to his daughter.

"Each player has their own style but he was great, a great goalscorer. He used his head but many say he was also had skilful feet and had excellent physical strength."
At 27, Messi has time on his side to set a remarkable new La Liga goalscoring record, with his closest playing rival Cristiano Ronaldo, 29, on 197 strikes with Real Madrid.

 

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Fabregas insists Premier League title is not Chelsea's yet

Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas insists the race for the Premier League title is still wide open despite the club's unbeaten run of form.

A 2-0 victory against West Brom on Saturday saw the Blues extend their lead at the top to seven points with second place Southampton due to face Aston Villa on Monday night.

Jose Mourinho earlier played down suggestions that his side are guaranteed the title and Fabregas, who picked up a 10th league assist of the season against the Baggies, echoed his manager’s thoughts.

"We know it is a long way to go," he told the club’s official website.

"We don’t look at all the comments from TV, press or fans because if you start looking at it now, everyone will think that Chelsea has already won the title and it is not like that.

"We are professionals and some of us have been playing these type of competitions for a very long time and we have only played a few games really [this season].

"It is a long way to go and we still have to do better than that."

Chelsea’s unbeaten start to the season is a new club record in the top-flight but, as parallels begin to be drawn with Arsenal’s 'Invincibles' a decade ago, Fabregas has resisted the temptation for comparison.

"I don’t compare us with any other big sides because we haven’t won anything," he insisted.

"This is just the beginning. Everyone is talking well about Chelsea now, how great we are and then you lose two games they will talk about how bad we are.

"We have been long enough in football not to fall into this trap and to just keep going the way we want to achieve things."

 

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Tevez: I'm in the form of my life

Juventus striker Carlos Tevez says he is in "the best form of his career" after netting his 11th goal of the season against Lazio on Saturday.The Serie A leaders beat the Biancocelesti 3-0 at the Stadio Olimpico with Tevez's second-half strike sandwiched between a brace from Paul Pogba.

The 30-year-old's strike moved him to the top of Italy's goalscoring charts and he admitted after the game that he couldn't be happier.

The former Manchester United and Manchester City player told Sky Sport Italia: “I am at a great club, I am happy playing my football and I am giving my all on the field. I do agree, this is the best form of my career.”

Tevez recently ended his three-year exile from the Argentina team as was delighted that Juve avoided any repeat of the slip that followed the last international break, when they drew at Sassuolo.“I expected this performance, although it was the first game after the international break and we couldn’t afford to get this wrong after last time,” he said.

With Juve three points clear in Serie A, their attention now turns to the Champions League, where their progress to the knockout stages is far from certain."First we need to play Malmo, then we’ll see where we are," Tevez said.

"We have to play the same way we did against Parma and Lazio, as with that level of performance it’s tough for us to lose.”

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.11.24 Fixture

Barclays Premier League 2014.11.24 Fixture

Aston Villa Vs Southampton

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La Liga 2014.11.24 Fixture

La Liga 2014.11.24 Fixture

Granada Vs Almeria​

 

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Serie A 2014.11.24 Fixture

Serie A 2014.11.24 Fixture

Genoa Vs Palermo​

 

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Aston Villa 1-1 Southampton: Clyne rescues draw for out-of-sorts Saints

Nathaniel Clyne's late strike salvaged a 1-1 draw for a below par Southampton side away to Aston Villa on Monday night, extending the hosts' winless run to eight games on the same day that manager Paul Lambert celebrated his 100th game in charge.

Though the visiting side dictated the opening exchanges, it was the relegation-fearing Villans who struck the first blow to end the Saints' run of over seven hours without conceding a goal.

A hopeful long ball forward forced Fraser Forster to dash from his area but he was beaten to the ball by the electric pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor, who was able to finish into an unguarded net.

Southampton pushed forward in search of an equaliser and finally found it with time running out. Left-back Ryan Bertrand raced towards the byline and pulled the ball back for Clyne, fresh from making his England debut, who lashed a fierce shot past Brad Guzan as the spoils were shared.

Jores Okore made his first Villa appearance since September 2013 after a serious knee injury as part of three changes to Villa's back four, which was quickly put under siege by the visitors.

Southampton came into the game as one of the league's form sides after five straight wins in all competitions and went close three times in the opening 10 minutes as they looked to impose themselves on the contest.

The makeshift Villa defence stood firm, however, not allowing Southampton anything clear-cut, while Agbonlahor looked a menace on the counterattack despite a lack of support, with normal partner-in-crime Christian Benteke still serving a suspension.

And it was the Villa captain who duly managed to break the deadlock all by himself on the half-hour mark.

A heave out of the Villa defence should have been easily dealt with, but Toby Alderweireld left the ball for an indecisive Forster, allowing Agbonlahor to nip in and round the England goalkeeper before slotting into the net.

Sadio Mane drew a flying save out of Brad Guzan as Southampton were unable to even the scores before the interval and Ronald Koeman began the second half with Dusan Tadic closer to Graziano Pelle in an attempt to penetrate Villa's stubborn defence.

It did little to boost the visitors initially and they could not find a way into the heart of the stubborn Villa defence despite dominating possession.

Indeed, Villa should have doubled their advantage in the 78th minute. Andreas Weimann led a swift counterattack that resulted in Agbonlahor squaring for the Austrian 12 yards out, but he launched his shot high into the Holte End.

And he was made to pay just three minutes later, with England defender Clyne providing perhaps an unlikely source of inspiration as his scorching effort gave Guzan no chance.

The point only moves Villa up to 16th - though recent draws against two of the league's in-form sides will boost confidence - while Southampton's failure to win leaves Chelsea a dominant six points clear at the top of the Premier League table.