..::Football III::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 1-0 Stoke City: Glen Johnson secures vital win for Rodgers

Glen Johnson's late goal ended Liverpool's four-match Premier League winless run and ensured a dramatic 1-0 win over Stoke City.

Brendan Rodgers' men had not won since October but Johnson - the subject of criticism for some below-par showings this term - was the hero as he bravely headed home with five minutes remaining on Saturday.

Rickie Lambert's looping header crashed back off underside the crossbar, with Johnson stooping to nod home the winner at the Kop end to spark delirious celebrations inside Anfield.

A nervy end to the game ensued when referee Craig Pawson added seven minutes of stoppage time after Johnson sustained a head injury while scoring, but Liverpool held on thanks to a stunning save from under-fire goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who brilliantly tipped a wonderful Bojan volley over the bar.

Rodgers, under fire since last weekend'd defeat to Crystal Palace, dropped captain Steven Gerrard to the bench while keeping faith with Mignolet.

Raheem Sterling, who had appeared jaded in recent games, was Liverpool's main threat in a dour first half as his dangerous delivery from the left failed to find Lambert, while Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel were able to deal with the limited initial threat posed by Bojan, Jonathan Walters and Diouf.

With Stoke already shorn of the injured Victor Moses, Hughes saw Steven Sidwell limp off to be replaced by Glenn Whelan, and the substitute was quickly among the action.

A foul on stand-in Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson allowed Lambert - who had scored in his last two games - a sight on goal, but his free-kick sailed way over to cap a low-key half an hour for the hosts.

Liverpool’s Jose Enrique - brought in at left-back - curled another inviting cross that went unanswered, before Philippe Coutinho's jinking run threatened an opening, only to be crowded out as Stoke got to the break on level terms.

Whelan was withdrawn at the break for ex-Liverpool man Charlie Adam and the Scot almost handed his former employers a golden opportunity when he lost possession cheaply.

Henderson shot wide six minutes after the break as Liverpool enjoyed their best spell of the game, although Bojan offered a reminder of Stoke's threat before the hour mark, with the Spaniard striking Mignolet's left-hand post after cutting in from the left.

The chances continued to flow as Sterling shot wide before Lucas Leiva and Lambert had efforts kept out by Asmir Begovic - before Joe Allen blazed over from inside the area.

Exactly sixteen years after making his Liverpool debut as a substitute against Blackburn Rovers, Gerrard was introduced with 15 minutes remaining.

The former England skipper - playing in a more advanced role - immediately brought a coolness to Liverpool's attacking play, and he watched on as Johnson finally broke Stoke's resistance.

There was more drama to come when Bojan forced Mignolet into action late on, before Ryan Shawcross headed a yard wide of the post, but Liverpool held on for three much-needed points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United 3-0 Hull City: Van Gaal's men hammer hopeless Tigers

Robin van Persie answered his critics with a goal and an assist as Manchester United thrashed Hull City 3-0 in the Premier League.

The Dutchman came in for some flak after last weekend's 2-1 win at former club Arsenal, with manager Louis van Gaal claiming the striker had a "very bad game".

However, playing a key role in two goals at Old Trafford on Saturday will help restore confidence in his abilities, as United registered three wins in a row for the first time since December last year.

Chris Smalling opened the scoring in scrappy fashion in the 16th minute, after Angel di Maria had given the hosts cause for concern when he left the field clutching his right hamstring.

Van Persie teed up Wayne Rooney to smash in a second from 20 yards three minutes before half-time, and the 31- year-old rounded off the win with a delightful left-footed strike.

The result lifts Manchester United to fourth in the Premier League following Arsenal's early win at West Brom, while Hull have now gone six matches without a win and sit above the bottom three on goal difference alone.

Of the three central defenders who started last weekend's 2-1 win over Arsenal, only Smalling retained his place in the United back line, with Marcos Rojo lining up alongside him and Michael Carrick playing just in front, while Hull brought James Chester and Mohamed Diame in for Tom Huddlestone and the suspended Gaston Ramirez.

It was United captain Rooney who got the first sight of goal – opening up his body to curl wide of the right-hand post from 20 yards in the seventh minute.

Van Gaal's decision to keep Smalling in his defence paid dividends in the 16th minute, when the 25-year-old broke the deadlock amid some questionable Hull defending.

The visitors failed to clear a corner, and the ball eventually found its way just over the line when Smalling drove goalwards after Allan McGregor had attempted to scoop away.

The England defender claimed the goal, but McGregor appeared to knock the ball over his own line.

The ineffective Hatem Ben Arfa was hauled off 10 minutes before the break in favour of Sone Aluko, but Hull were soon two down.

Juan Mata chipped the ball forward for Di Maria's replacement, Ander Herrera, who in turn nodded the ball down for Van Persie on the edge of the penalty area. The Netherlands forward played the ball back for the advancing Rooney to drive home from 20 yards and give United a comfortable cushion at the interval.

Van Persie almost opened his own account with a header that was well palmed over by McGregor, although the linesman's flag had already gone up for offside, but the ex-Arsenal man got his goal 24 minutes from time.

After picking the ball up on the edge of the penalty area, Van Persie created the angle for himself to rifle in a powerful left-footed effort.

Hull were largely impotent in attack throughout - a Jelavic header after 76 minutes about as close as they came - and United were comfortable in seeing out a deserved victory, which could have been even more convincing had Michael Dawson not been on hand to block Radamel Falcao in the six-yard box in stoppage time.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Congratulations Manchester United!

but Di Maria injured

Get well soon Di Maria​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Swansea City 1-1 Crystal Palace: Eagles survive early bombardment to earn a point

Mile Jedinak's first-half penalty secured a 1-1 draw for Crystal Palace as they battled back to earn a share of the spoils at Swansea City on Saturday.

A strike from the spot earned a Premier League point for the Londoners at the Liberty Stadium last season, and history repeated itself this time around.

Wilfried Bony gave the home side an excellent start inside quarter of an hour, turning his man to fire home, before Jedinak equalised with a powerful spot-kick for his fifth goal of the campaign, after Jonjo Shelvey had brought down Marouane Chamakh.

Shelvey nearly made amends for his error after the break, only to volley straight at goalkeeper Julian Speroni.

However, a spirited second-half performance from Palace ensured they held on for a point, although Neil Warnock's men have now gone four away games without a win.

Despite a setback at Manchester City last week, Swansea came into the game having made their best Premier League start, largely due to an impressive home record that had seen them beaten just once in the league all season.

Boosted by the return of attacking duo Shelvey and former Palace winger Wayne Routledge, the hosts soon set about asserting themselves once again during the opening five minutes, with Bony heading just wide after some good work from Jefferson Montero.

Gylfi Sigurdsson flashed a free-kick just over the bar three minutes later, as the visitors struggled to find the fluency that saw them triumph over Liverpool last weekend, despite having only made one change to that winning side.

Palace had previously never won a Premier League game at the Liberty Stadium, and Warnock's side were behind inside 15 minutes when Sigurdsson picked out Bony in the area, with the Ivorian shaking off the attentions of Brede Hangeland to drive home for his sixth of the season.

The visitors were dealt a further blow when Dwight Gayle was forced to limp off, but they were given an unlikely route back into the game after 25 minutes when Shelvey was adjudged to have tripped Chamakh inside the box, with Jedinak duly converting from the spot.

That goal galvanised Palace, with Chamakh forcing a superb save from goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski four minutes later, before Yannick Bolasie saw his vicious strike from distance tipped over the bar on the half-hour mark.

The pace of the game began to slow after the break, although Shelvey should have put his side ahead on 52 minutes, volleying at Speroni from close range.

Speroni had to be alert again 10 minutes later, producing a smart save to deny Sigurdsson from distance, in what was otherwise a reasonably quiet second half.

The shortage of chances saw Swansea bring on Bafetimbi Gomis 18 minutes from time as boss Garry Monk looked for a winner, which nearly came four minutes later when the industrious Sigurdsson fired a low drive just wide from outside the box.

Swansea continued to press, but Palace held firm to deny the hosts a third consecutive home win.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Burnley 1-1 Aston Villa: Ings penalty rescues point

Danny Ings struck from the penalty spot three minutes from time to deny Aston Villa and maintain Burnley's good recent form.

Having had the better of the first half, Villa took the lead as Joe Cole poked home Andreas Weimann's through ball to net his first goal for 23 months.

Ings tested Brad Guzan moments later from long-range, and the goalkeeper had to be alert again after the break to deny Michael Kightly from close range.

But the American was eventually beaten as Jores Okore brought down Lukas Jutkiewicz on the edge of the box and Ings converted from 12 yards.

Villa's preparations were hardly helped by Roy Keane's decision to relinquish his role as assistant manager on Friday, though the visitors did look threatening during the early exchanges.

In fact, Lambert's men went agonisingly close to taking the lead in the sixth minute as Okore flicked Ashley Westwood's corner towards goal, only to see Dean Marney clear from underneath the crossbar.

Villa continued to pile the pressure on and caused more problems from a corner a few moments later, with Marney again decisive as he blocked Ciaran Clark's goal-bound header.

Burnley eventually created their first chance of the match in the 14th minute as Kightly cleverly flicked the ball over his own head and then shot right across the face of goal.

Gabriel Agbonlahor really should have put Villa ahead shortly after, though, as the rapid forward linked well with Cole and then shot straight at Tom Heaton when one-on-one.

Villa eventually took a hard-earned lead seven minutes before the break; Cole poking inside the post after latching on to Weimann's well-weighted pass.

Burnley started the second half brightly and almost restored parity in the 56th minute as Guzan denied Kightly from close range after the forward dribbled past a couple of defenders.

Villa remained a very potent threat on the counterattack, however, and Heaton was forced into action two minutes later to palm a Weimann effort around the post.

Burnley were finally rewarded for their late pressure as Okore hauled second-half substitute Jutkiewicz to the ground in the box and Ings confidently smashed home the penalty.

The hosts continued to pile men forward and twice they went close in stoppage time as Ings hit the post and then Jutkiewicz headed just wide, but ultimately they had to settle for a point.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Queens Park Rangers 3-2 Leicester City: Austin goal decides Loftus Road thriller

Charlie Austin gave QPR a vital victory as they edged out Leicester City 3-2 at Loftus Road to move off the foot of the Premier League table.

In-form forward Austin was on hand to force home the winner with a close-range header in the 73rd minute, with his seventh league goal of the season ensuring Leicester are now bottom.

Austin's goal came just six minutes after Jeffrey Schlupp had pulled Leicester level, and lifted QPR above both their opponents and Burnley.

Esteban Cambiasso's second goal in Leicester colours had given Nigel Pearson's men the lead four minutes into a fast-paced first half, but QPR turned it around to go in ahead at the interval.

Leroy Fer found the net with a close-range half volley in the dying moments of the opening period, after the hosts had levelled in the 37th minute through Wes Morgan's own goal.

The visitors rallied well in the second period and equalised through Schlupp's strike from just outside the penalty area, but Harry Redknapp's side soon regained the advantage and duly held on for a third triumph of the season.

Leicester have endured a dire run of form in recent weeks – going seven games without a win prior to this fixture – but they made an encouraging start when Cambiasso scored their first goal since early October.

The veteran midfielder reacted quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box and placed a sublime finish in off Robert Green's right-hand post after Schlupp and Leonardo Ulloa had combined well down the left flank.

QPR responded well to the early blow, with both Niko Krancjar and Karl Henry going close, while returning Chilean duo Mauricio Isla and Eduardo Vargas caused havoc on the right.

Yet the hosts, who have the league's worst defensive record, were always susceptible to Leicester's swift counter-attacks and would have been two down if not for Steven Caulker's timely interception, which denied Riyad Mahrez.

QPR should have been level when Henry broke through the visitors' defence, but the midfielder's hesitation allowed Leicester to clear.

However, Foxes captain Morgan then put through his own net, under pressure from QPR top-scorer Austin, after Caulker had broken down the left and prodded a low cross into the six-yard box.

Leicester almost retook the lead a minute later when Jamie Vardy's powerful effort was parried away by Green, but it was Redknapp's side who went in ahead at half-time thanks to Fer's first goal for the club.

The Dutch midfielder was in the perfect position to power in a rebound after Austin's header had been well saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

Leicester responded well after the restart, and were unlucky not to equalise when Vardy's glancing header clipped the top of the crossbar.

They grabbed a deserved equaliser after 67 minutes when the versatile Schlupp flicked the ball up on the edge of the box before drilling home a superb half-volley.

The sides were not level for long, though, as Austin nodded in after Leicester failed to clear a scrappy set-piece.

Matty James saw an effort sail inches over the bar amid late Leicester pressure, but QPR held firm to secure a valuable three points.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Hertha Berlin 0-1 Bayern Munich: Robben scores winner as Bavarians edge capital clash

Arjen Robben's curled, first-half effort edged Bayern Munich to a 1-0 victory at Hertha Berlin on Saturday.

Bayern have fond recent memories of the Olympiastadion, having sealed the Bundesliga title there last March before beating Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal final three months later, and Pep Guardiola's team looked very much at home right from the off on Saturday.

A typically dominant first-half display was illuminated by Robben's wonderful goal shortly before the half-hour mark and, in truth, the champions - showing few ill-effects from their 3-2 Champions League defeat at Manchester City in midweek - should have gone in at the break two or three to the good.

Hertha hung on and contributed to a much more even contest in the second period as Bayern's intensity dropped, but they were unable to find a way past Manuel Neuer - who kept a clean sheet for the 10th time in 11 Bundesliga outings.

Robben's strike was sufficient to ensure what appears to be another Bayern procession to the title rolls on, with Guardiola's side now 10 points clear of Wolfsburg ahead of their meeting with third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach on Sunday.

Guardiola recalled Dante, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller to his starting line-up after they were rested for the game in Manchester, and it was the latter of that trio who created Bayern's first chance after just two minutes.

Muller raced away down the right and fired in a superb low cross, which an under-pressure Robert Lewandowski could only put well over the bar from six yards.
Predictably, Bayern dominated possession, with the fluid interchanging between Muller, Lewandowski, Franck Ribery and Robben causing Hertha no end of problems.

And it was three of that foursome who combined brilliantly to give the champions a deserved lead 27 minutes in. The elusive Ribery popped a ball into Gotze, before Muller deftly flicked the ball into Robben's path and the Dutchman curled an unstoppable left-footed effort beyond Thomas Kraft from 25 yards.

Hertha were struggling to get out of their half and Robben almost doubled his tally shortly before the break when he diverted Lewandowski's pass off target. To their credit, Hertha attempted to get a foothold in the game early in the second half, Julian Schieber had their first shot on goal three minutes after the restart, but the former Dortmund striker sliced wide from an acute angle.

Bayern were less vibrant after the interval, but the scare of Hajime Hosogai having a goal correctly ruled out for offside seemed to spark the Bavarians back into life.
Lewandowski had a good chance to seal the points on 72 minutes when he latched on to Robben's pass, but the Pole scuffed wide of Kraft's far post.

It was simply not Lewandowski’s day in front of goal, as Kraft made an excellent stop to deny him shortly after, but the ex-Dortmund man’s profligacy mattered little as Bayern racked up their 10th league win of the season despite some late Hertha pressure.

 

[rcccc]

Henry hints at Arsenal return

"One thing is certain: I will stay in football, to coach, to be a consultant... we'll see. The second certainty is that I would like to see Arsenal win the Champions League.

"Whether from near or far, it does not depend on me, but I'd sure like to help. Because this is my club and, as a player, I have not been able to give them the Champions League."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Malaga 1-2 Real Madrid: Benzema & Bale earn Blancos record-breaking 16th consecutive win

Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale got the goals as Real Madrid made it a club-record 16 wins in a row by defeating Malaga 2-1 on Saturday night.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti had found his future called into question after Los Blancos lost consecutive Liga games to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid in September.

But the European champions have been irresistible since then, winning every game they have played in all competitions and netting an incredible 59 goals in the process.

Karim Benzema opened the scoring early on at La Rosaleda after fine work by Cristiano Ronaldo, before Gareth Bale grabbed the crucial second late on with an excellent finish after latching on to Ronaldo's flicked header.

Former Malaga playmaker Isco was then harshly sent off for a second booking, before Roque Santa Cruz ensured Real would face a nervy last minute or so when he nodded home in stoppage time.

However, Ancelotti's side held on for a deserved three points that ensures they will end the weekend top of La Liga.

The two sides contested a lively opening to the game, with both goalkeepers forced into important saves inside the first quarter of an hour.

Ronaldo was the first to go close in the 12th minute as the Portuguese star fired straight at the outstanding Carlos Kameni from nine yards after a clever pass from Bale.

Malaga caught Madrid on the counter almost immediately after that chance, and their move ended with Iker Casillas tipping a Santa Cruz header on to the roof of the net.

The open nature of the match suited Real, though, and they eventually went ahead in the 18th minute, as Ronaldo exploded past Roberto Rosales down the left and saw his cross instinctively steered in by Benzema.

The shaky Casillas almost handed Malaga an equaliser shortly after, but the Madrid captain's blushes were spared by the post after he spilled Sergi Darder's long-range effort.

Bale should have doubled Real's lead in the 40th minute as he raced on to a Ronaldo throughball, but he could only shoot straight at the onrushing Kameni.

And the frailty of the visitors' advantage was highlighted shortly before the break as Duda struck the crossbar with an audacious 35-yard free-kick.

Real looked threatening again at the start of the second half, and Ronaldo almost doubled their advantage in spectacular style in the 54th minute, narrowly missing the target with an acrobatic scissor-kick.

The Ballon d'Or holder - who has scored 20 Liga goals this term - should have made sure of the points with 13 minutes to go but Kameni produced a stunning save to palm away his low drive after he had capitalised on a mix-up between Marcos Angeleri and Weligton.

Malaga almost made the most of that let-off as Santa Cruz tested the unconvincing Casillas from the edge of the area, but Bale raced on to Ronaldo's flick-on and fired home in the 83rd minute to make the points safe.

A harsh second yellow for Isco, who was given a rousing reception from the home fans as he left the pitch, and Santa Cruz's excellent header made it a tense ending, but the Madrid juggernaut rolls on.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Sunderland 0-0 Chelsea: League leaders held in scrappy clash

Sunderland again proved a scourge for Chelsea when holding the Premier League leaders to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Jose Mourinho's men had scored in every league outing this season, yet could not find a way through against the team who handed them their last domestic defeat.

The pre-match expectation was for Chelsea, six points clear of their nearest challengers at kick-off, to collect an 11th win from 13 league outings this season.

Yet Sunderland, who triumphed 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in April, more than held their own for long periods.

The best chances were split in the opening period, Willian and Santiago Vergini each hitting the woodwork.

Sunderland had the better opportunities in the second half and Chelsea - who seemed fortunate not to be reduced to 10 men when Diego Costa was only booked for an apparent elbow on Wes Brown - will have been relieved to leave with their unbeaten record intact.

The early signs were ominous for the home side as Chelsea knocked the ball around with the confidence of a side topping the standings.

Yet Sunderland, driven by a raucous crowd and the tough-tackling Lee Cattermole, began to find a foothold in the game, epitomised by Connor Wickham curling an effort just over the crossbar.

That was a rare journey forward for the inhibited hosts in the opening exchanges, with Chelsea almost breaking the deadlock when Willian's low drive struck the outside of the post.

Mourinho's side looked threatening every time they went forward and Sunderland were indebted to a fine sliding challenge from John O'Shea that denied Costa an almost certain goal.

The resolute defending of Gus Poyet's side was best summed up by Cattermole, who threw his body in the way of several goal-bound efforts.

Costel Pantilimon was also alert when his time came, brilliantly saving with his right leg to deny Branislav Ivanovic after the right-back had been freed by Willian's pass.

Sunderland fashioned a great opening of their own soon after, though, as Cattermole's deflected cross ran into the path of Vergini - who saw a volley scrape the crossbar.

The visitors came out with plenty of intent after the break, Pantilimon keeping out a Gary Cahill header from Cesc Fabregas' corner.

Willian was the next to threaten, striking narrowly wide from 20 yards as Chelsea began to turn the screw.

They could easily have been down to 10 men not long after, only for Kevin Friend to show Costa just a yellow card following his challenge on Brown.

Undeterred, Sunderland continued to grow in confidence and made life uncomfortable for their opponents.

And they almost went ahead with 11 minutes remaining, lively substitute Jozy Altidore wriggling his way into the area and seeing a close-range effort blocked.

Adam Johnson spurned an even better opportunity soon after, poking narrowly wide from 12 yards after Altidore had again caused problems.

Chelsea continued to look vulnerable, Johnson threatening again with a curling 20-yard effort that flew just wide, but there was to be no breakthrough for either side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Torres is not finished yet, insists AC Milan boss Inzaghi

AC Milan coach Filippo Inzaghi has dismissed the suggestion that Fernando Torres' best years are behind him and claimed that he feels duty-bound to help the Spaniard rediscover his best form.

Torres established himself as one of the most feared forwards in world football during his time with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.

However, he infamously failed to justify his transfer fee following his €50 million move to Chelsea in 2011 and, after being allowed to leave Stamford Bridge on loan in August, he is now struggling to find his feet at San Siro.

Inzaghi, though, is in no doubt that Torres still has much to offer at the highest level, using his own career as a case in point.

"He’s not on a downward spiral," the former Milan and Italy striker told reporters on Saturday. "I had my best years of my career beyond the age of 30.

"He needs to re-find his self-confidence and it’s all down to me. It’s my duty.

"Torres is not a problem. I have to do everything to get the best out of him. Torres is a great champion."

Inzaghi, who succeeded Clarence Seedorf as Milan coach during the summer, joined Milan from Juventus in 2001and went on to write himself into Rossoneri history by scoring both goals in their Champions League win over Liverpool six years later at the age of 33.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Casillas: Real Madrid record 'unthinkable' two months ago

Iker Casillas has admitted that it was "unthinkable" that Real Madrid would go on a club-record 16-game winning streak after their stuttering start to the season.

The Blancos came in for heavy criticism after back-to-back Liga losses to Real Sociedad and Atletico Madrid on August 31 and September 13, respectively.

However, they have since won 16 games on the bounce in all competitions - a streak which has seen them storm to the top of La Liga and reach the knockout stage of the Champions League.

"We are very happy with the record," the Madrid captain told reporters after Saturday's 2-0 Liga win at Malaga. "We've reached 16 consecutive victories.

"It's almost unthinkable that we've gone two months without defeat. Our team has reacted well."

Madrid's top scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo, surprisingly failed to net at the Rosaleda but the Portuguese created both goals, for Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.

Consequently, Casillas felt that the reigning Ballon d'Or holder once again underlined why he should retain his crown.

"I've already voted and I won't make it public," the goalkeeper explained. "But for me, Cristiano Ronaldo is the best in the world."

Ronaldo is expected to face stiff competition for the prestigious individual prize from Barcelona ace Lionel Messi and Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Ancelotti: Real Madrid's record run like a dream

Carlo Ancelotti says he feels like he is living in a dream after leading Real Madrid to a club-record 16th consecutive win.

The Blancos hit the historic mark courtesy of a 2-1 victory at Malaga, with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale netting for the capital club before Roque Santa Cruz pulled a goal back for the hosts in the dying seconds.

"I'm happy," Ancelotti told reporters after the game at the Rosaleda. "This seems like a dream.

"We are very happy about the streak. I hope it continues.

"I will get some credit for this, but I'm lucky to train a fantastic team with fantastic players at a fantastic club.

"But this is only part of a long season. The key is to keep working hard because in football the past is the past."

Cristiano Ronaldo failed to add to his tally of 26 goals in all competitions so far this season but the Portuguese created both goals against Malaga, much to Ancelotti's satisfaction.

"I really liked his performance," the Italian enthused. He did a fantastic job and was the key to the game.

"It's rare that he does not score but he finished with two assists."

Ancelotti also played down the severity of the knock Benzema sustained during the game at the Rosaleda.

"He got hit in the leg and he was a bit uncomfortable," the former Chelsea boss explained. "That's why I took him off."

Ancelotti's Madrid will now be hoping to extend their winning run when they face Cornella in the Copa del Rey at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday night.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Thiago Silva: PSG's players suffering from fatigue

Thiago Silva admitted that Paris Saint-Germain's players are suffering from fatigue on account of their hectic schedule.

The Ligue 1 champions made it nine successive wins in all competitions by defeating Nice 1-0 at the Parc des Princes on Saturday afternoon.

However, despite scoring early through Zlatan Ibrahimovic, PSG failed to hit top form in the French capital and Thiago Silva admitted afterwards that he and his colleagues are feeling the effects of chasing a third successive domestic title and a first Champions League crown.

"We had a good first half, but I think we can still do better," the centre-half is quoted as saying by his club's official website. "After the break we weren't as good.

"Perhaps it's the fatigue of playing every three days, and playing a team that had all week to prepare for this game.

"But these three points are great. Now we turn our attentions to Wednesday's game against Lille."

Thiago Silva's defensive partner David Luiz also admitted that PSG had not been at their best against Nice but he feels that Laurent Blanc's men are improving with each passing game.

"The match was more difficult in the second half," the Brazilian stated. "It's normal because we didn't kill of the game earlier.

"With Thiago Silva we did our job in the middle of the defence and didn't concede a goal.

"That's nine wins in a row, we need to keep going in this way.

"The team is improving, I can feel it and we need to maintain this rhythm and chase Marseille."

PSG's victory over Nice moves them back to within a point of Marseille.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea can cope without suspended Costa - Mourinho

Jose Mourinho is confident Chelsea can cope without Diego Costa for Wednesday's Premier League clash with Tottenham.

Costa picked up his fifth yellow card of the season during the goalless draw at Sunderland on Saturday.The Spain striker was fortunate not to be given a red card at the Stadium of Light, first kicking out at John O'Shea in the first half and then being booked for appearing to strike Wes Brown with his trailing arm in an aerial challenge.

He will now miss Wednesday's trip to White Hart Lane, but Mourinho insists the absence of his star striker will give Loic Remy or Didier Drogba an opportunity to step up.

"We don't cry about injured or suspended players," the Chelsea boss told reporters. "If he's suspended, he is suspended. We have Drogba and Remy."We are top of the league and we have another match on Wednesday."

When it was suggested Costa was 'feisty' and may have to be careful in the Premier League, Mourinho replied: "Why do you always talk about Diego? I don't think so."

Opposite number Gus Poyet refused to be drawn on the specific incidents involving the forward, yet did concede that Costa often gives officials decisions to make.

"He is always close to the limit," the Uruguayan added. "I think the decisions can go one way or the other. I haven't watched the video yet. They are 50/50s; one day they go for you and others they don't."If it was Lee Cattermole, he would have got sent off for sure."

Mourinho withdrew Costa and introduced Drogba and Remy on 76 minutes but Chelsea could not force a winner and Sunderland ended the match in the ascendancy.Yet while the Blues boss was far from satisfied with a point, he refused to criticise his players' performance.

"It was difficult," he admitted. "They had spent one week preparing for the match and had a clear strategy. Many people criticise defensive teams. I don't do that because you have to do it well and they did.

"We always tried to play and move the ball but they defended very, very well. I praise them for their success in getting a clean sheet. I have no negative words to my players because they tried everything and were not successful."I thought it was a fair result. We are not happy with a point but we have to be mature and experienced enough to know every match is difficult in this league.”Any frustration felt by Mourinho was in stark contrast to Poyet’s emotions.

"I am realistic so I am pleased," he continued. "To have the chance to get something against a team like Chelsea, first you need to defend - and do it properly.

"We did that. That's a minimum. We had chances at the end because there was space."You never know if it's fate or not but we need to be pleased with the performance. It was our best for a while."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

D.Costa ge discipline nam echchara hari naha​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Pique: Messi more naturally talented than Ronaldo


As the Ballon d'Or race hots up, Gerard Pique has stated that Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi is more naturally talented than Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

The duo have collectively won the past six awards, with Messi's four triumphs sandwiched in between Ronaldo's accolade for his 2008 performances and last year's success.

As a result both are favourites and battlelines are being drawn, with Uefa president Michel Platini publicly chastised by Real Madrid on Friday for suggesting a German - and not Ronaldo - deserved to win the Ballon d'Or following the nation's World Cup victory.

In response, Luis Enrique goaded the European champions by insisting that the new La Liga and Champions League top goalscorer of all-time has been the best player of 2014.

Pique, however, did not outright stress his belief that Messi has had a superior 12 months to his former Manchester United colleague.

Instead, the Camp Nou centre-back praised Ronaldo for the effort he has put in to stay at the same standard as someone as gifted as his current Argentina team-mate.

"Messi is more of a natural talent," he told Voetbal Magazine. "He's not as obsessed with training. It is not a matter of who's better but of perception.

"I admire the mental strength shown by Cristiano after Messi won the Ballon d'Or four times. I was pleased for him that he had won in 2013.

"It's not only just the talent though. Behind Messi there is a lot of work, he's a formidable force with a very powerful engine that makes him tick. Cristiano is more physical than Messi, yes, but if you lack the physical ability, nothing works."

On Monday the final trio of Ballon d'Or candidates will be announced ahead of January 12's Ballon d'Or ceremony.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: Arsenal are united around me


Arsene Wenger defended his management of Arsenal after some fans called for his resignation during and after Saturday's 1-0 win over West Brom.

Danny Welbeck's second-half header was enough to secure the points at The Hawthorns and launch Arsenal back into the fight for a top-four spot in the Premier League.However, a banner was unfurled at full-time reading: 'Arsene, thanks for the memories but it's time to say goodbye'.

The Frenchman, though, remains confident he is the man for the job."I try to do my best for this club that I love and we are very united with the players and the staff around the team and that's all you can do," he told BT Sport.

The visitors should have seen off West Brom by a more comfortable scoreline, but Wenger was simply relieved to take three points for the first time in three league outings, hot on the heels of a 2-0 Champions League triumph over Borussia Dortmund.

"I think we played well but we couldn't take our chances sometimes because of the final ball sometimes because of the finishing," he said."Then when we were 1-0 up having given a lot on Wednesday night we finished the game with solidarity because the legs were a bit jaded but we kept it together."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger: It's not impossible Thierry Henry could return to Arsenal

Arsene Wenger admits club legend Thierry Henry may return to Arsenal in a coaching capacity.

The Frenchman scored 227 goals during his first spell in north London, before adding another one to his tally during a loan return to the club in 2012.

Speculation has been rife that Henry could return for a third stint at the club, with his career in MLS with New York Red Bulls drawing to a close, and Wenger admits that a return to the Emirates could be on the cards in the future.

"It's not something that's current,” he told L’Equipe. “And then there must be a post available. For the moment, that's not the case. But it's not impossible.”

Wenger also aired his belief that Henry would be best served by emulating Zinedine Zidane when he finally hangs up his boots, and manage a reserve team before stepping up to a senior team.

"He is better to have responsibility for a team, like Zidane at Real Madrid,” Wenger added. “Because you learn to handle a dressing room, to handle personalities. This trade, it's above all to have ideas and put them into practice.

“And you can only do that if you have the respect of your team. You have another example in France with Claude Makelele [sacked by Bastia after less than four months in charge]. He was an assistant coach [to Ancelotti then Blanc at PSG], but he never had the responsibility of a team before and I think that's important."

Wenger, though, is sure that Henry will become a good coach in the future, claiming that his talent is “obvious.”

“He is intelligent and passionate about football,” he added. “It's a good base to be a great player, but there are many other ingredients. But yes, he could be a very good manager.

"He understands quickly, he understands the play. He has a good nature and is a nice manner with people. He has all the qualities. But it's a choice that must come profoundly from the inside, because it's a lifestyle choice.

“You must sacrifice everything to be a manager. It's a calling. The real question that must be asked is: 'Are you ready to sacrifice everything, the rest of your days for this?' After that, his potential exists. It is so evident."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Brom 0-1 Arsenal: Welbeck the difference for the Gunners

Danny Welbeck struck as Arsenal's resurgent end to November was consolidated with a hard-fought 1-0 win at West Brom in the Premier League.

Consecutive defeats domestically - following a 3-3 draw with Anderlecht in the UEFA Champions League, which saw Arsenal throw away a three-goal lead - had seen Arsene Wenger's ability to guide the London club to further silverware this season questioned.

However, a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in midweek proved Arsenal's capabilities against European opposition and the grit displayed at The Hawthorns will have enthused Wenger.

Arsenal were always in control of the contest and could have won by more, but Welbeck's second-half header was ultimately enough to secure the points on a day the England striker found himself on the left wing due to Olivier Giroud's return from injury.

Laurent Koscielny stepped back into the Arsenal defence to add a degree of calm and control, the Frenchman largely keeping the in-form Saido Berahino at arm's length throughout.

The recent England call-up hit the bar in the closing stages, but a deserved third defeat in a row without scoring leaves Alan Irvine's side looking nervously over their shoulders as the bottom half of the Premier League bunches up.

Koscielny and Giroud returned to Arsenal's XI after respective eight-week and three-month injury absences, though a lack of goalkeeping options saw Emiliano Martinez make a first Premier League start.

The Argentinian was afforded a comfortable outing in truth, though his opposite number Ben Foster had to be sharp early on to deny Santi Cazorla and Alexis Sanchez as Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges.

Wenger was dealt a blow midway through the half as left-back Nacho Monreal was forced off and replaced by Kieran Gibbs, further adding to Arsenal's fitness woes in a week that saw Jack Wilshere ruled out for three months.

Foster did well to close the space as Welbeck was fed by Aaron Ramsey, before surrendering possession cheaply to Giroud, but the Frenchman could not hit the net from a narrow angle.

Ramsey himself went close shortly before half-time, but the sides went in at the break level despite Arsenal firing in eight shots on goal to the hosts' zero.

Arsenal continued to dominate in the second half and, though Berahino hit the side-netting, their persistence was rewarded just before the hour mark.

Cazorla broke down the left flank and past Andre Wisdom before clipping an inviting cross which Welbeck powered beyond Foster - though the keeper could perhaps have done better having got a glove to the effort.

The goal finally sparked West Brom's attack into life, but Berahino saw his looping header bounce back off the woodwork and Ramsey got a crucial toe to Craig Gardner's fierce drive.

The well-earned points move Arsenal back into top-four contention, though a midweek meeting with Southampton and subsequent trip to Stoke City will once again provide an examination.