..::Football III::..

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Totti wants Serie A goalscoring record

Roma captain Francesco Totti has admitted that his dream is to become Serie A's all-time leading goalscorer.

Over the course of a remarkable career that spans 22 years, the iconic forward has struck a total of 237 times in Italy's top flight.

Totti sits second on the all-time scorers' chart, some 39 goals shy of the legendary Silvio Piola, but the 38-year-old forward still believes that he has enough left in the tank to make history.

"I'd be lying if I said that I've never thought about it," the former Italy international told the Corriere dello Sport.

"I want this most beautiful record. I know that it will not be easy, but then, they never even thought that I'd arrive at the tally I have today.

"I can reach Piola's record for the number of goals scored."

For the moment, though, Totti is concentrating on helping Roma achieve their twin goals for the season: claiming the Scudetto and reaching the knockout stage of the Champions League.

The Giallorossi currently sit second in Serie A, three points behind three-time defending champions Juventus, while they need to defeat Premier League titleholders Manchester City next week to guarantee progress in Europe.

Totti is well aware that getting the better of such illustrious adversaries will be difficult but he has the utmost faith in his club.

"I don't think it will be easy [to win the league] but we must give our all," he added. "I believe in Roma.

"And reaching the last 16 in a competition like [the Champions League] from a group like this [with City, Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow] would be an excellent achievement and a great satisfaction for the players, the club and the fans."

 

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Low: Borussia Dortmund will bounce back

Joachim Low is in no doubt that Borussia Dortmund will recover from their current slump and soon be back challenging Bayern Munich for the Bundesliga title.

BVB were champions of Germany in 2011 and 2012 and have finished as runners-up for the past two seasons as well as reaching the final of the 2013 Champions League, but eight defeats in 13 have left them bottom of the Bundesliga.

However, Low sees no cause for concern, as he is confident that Jurgen Klopp's men will soon return to winning ways.

"I regard the situation at Dortmund as a one-off," the Germany boss told Sport Bild. "They are still athletically and economically well positioned.

"After years of success, though, they are now just dealing with a difficult period that they have to overcome.

"Maybe they won't be in European competition for a year but they will regroup. I believe that Borussia will be a good rival for Bayern again in the coming years."

Dortmund will be hoping to lift themselves off the foot of the table when they host Hoffenheim at Signal Iduna Park on Friday.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2014.12.06 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2014.12.06 Fixtures

Newcastle United Vs Chelsea

Hull City Vs WBA

Liverpool Vs Sunderland

QPR Vs Burnley

Stoke City Vs Arsenal

Tottenham Vs Crystal Palace

Manchester City Vs Everton

​

 

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La Liga 2014.12.06 Fixtures

La Liga 2014.12.06 Fixtures

Elche Vs Atletico Madrid

Athletic Bilbao Vs Cordoba

Deportivo Vs Malaga

Real Madrid Vs Celta Vigo​

 

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Serie A 2014.12.06 Fixtures

Serie A 2014.12.06 Fixtures

Roma Vs Sassuolo

Torino Vs Palermo​

 

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Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Hoffenheim: Gundogan fires to lift hosts off bottom place

Borussia Dortmund climbed off the foot of the Bundesliga table and out of the relegation zone with a 1-0 win over Hoffenheim on Friday.

Jurgen Klopp's men have endured a torrid start to the domestic season and came into the clash at Signal Iduna Park propping up the rest of the division.Dortmund were the better side throughout much of the encounter and sealed victory courtesy of Ilkay Gundogan's first-half header.

For Gundogan, who recently returned after a long spell out with a back injury, it was a first goal for Dortmund since netting in the 4-2 win over Bayern Munich in the DFL Supercup in July 2013.

The hosts could have won by more and were wrongly denied a second goal when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw a header incorrectly disallowed for offside shortly after half-time, while the Gabon international saw another effort chalked off by the officials in the final 20 minutes.It mattered little, however, as Klopp's men held on to their slender lead to secure only their second victory in the past 11 league outings.

Dortmund made five changes from their 2-0 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt last weekend and were ahead after 17 minutes through Gundogan following a bright start.

Aubameyang got away down the right-hand side and delivered a teasing cross that goalkeeper Oliver Baumann came for but failed to get a touch on, allowing Gundogan to net with a flying header.

Sven Schipplock, who had been a doubt for the game with a groin problem, snatched an effort wide from 20 yards in the 37th minute as Hoffenheim went in search of an equaliser.

The visitors almost found one two minutes into the second period, but Mats Hummels was alert enough to run back towards his own goal and clear Sebastian Rudy's free-kick away from danger.

Dortmund should have seen their advantage doubled shortly afterwards, but, after Aubameyang nodded in Sebastian Kehl's flick-on at the far post, the linesman raised his flag to signal offside, with replays showing the decision to be incorrect.
The forward had the chance to render that injustice irrelevant on the hour, but his low effort after bursting through the middle was kept out by the left foot of Baumann.

The Hoffenheim goalkeeper excelled himself again a minute later, reacting smartly to tip Hummels' powerful header over the crossbar.Dortmund continued to dominate and Aubameyang was again denied by the linesman's flag in the 72nd minute, with replays this time proving it to be the tightest of calls.

Gundogan should have put the result beyond doubt when he volleyed over from 10 yards with seven minutes to go, and there were vociferous appeals from the Hoffenheim players three minutes later as they pleaded for a penalty after Elyounoussi tumbled under a challenge from Subotic.Referee Felix Zwayer was unmoved, however, as Dortmund were able to cling on to a much-needed victory.

 

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Fiorentina 0-0 Juventus: Montella's men end champions' winning streak

Juventus dropped points for just the third time in the league this season, as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Fiorentina on Friday night.

Massimiliano Allegri's men dictated play for much of the match on Friday, but failed to make the most of their superiority and subsequently handed second-placed Roma a boost in their battle to catch the champions.

The Juve coach seemingly had one eye on Tuesday's crucial Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid as he rested Carlos Tevez in favour of Kingsley Coman.And the visitors seemed to miss the Argentinian's work rate and harrying in the final third, while clear-cut chances were few and far between.Allegri eventually introduced Tevez from the bench with 30 minutes to go, but Fiorentina afforded the former Manchester City star little room for manoeuvre, generally nullifying his threat.

Vincenzo Montella's side were forced to withstand considerable pressure during the final stages, but held firm and claimed a commendable draw, meaning Roma can close to within one point of Juve with a win over Sassuolo on Saturday.

Juventus were greeted with a hostile atmosphere upon their emergence from the tunnel in the Artemio Franchi, with Fiorentina urged on from the start by their noisy support.But Juventus appeared utterly unfazed as they put the hosts under pressure during the early exchanges, with Paul Pogba firing just over from the edge of the area in the third minute.

Fernando Llorente followed suit just three minutes later, as he turned away from David Pizarro and struck an effort agonisingly over the crossbar from 25 yards.
Fiorentina did begin to tighten up at the back, however, and after settling into the contest the hosts almost went ahead in the 32nd minute, as Matias Fernandez saw his curling free-kick find the side-netting.Borja Valero and Arturo Vidal both missed the target with speculative half-volleys for their respective sides in the final seven minutes of the first half.

The away side began the second half much like they did the first, taking just three minutes to craft the first opportunity, as Neto palmed away a Patrice Evra effort after Pogba's clever pass.Juve looked more likely to break the deadlock, although Gianluigi Buffon found himself called into action with 66 minutes gone, parrying Juan Cuadrado's stinging drive from 25 yards.

Allegri's side poured men forward in the final 20 minutes, with Tevez's introduction appearing to galvanise the champions.But the Argentine's initial influence quickly wore off, as both sides cancelled each other out and ultimately settled for a point after an unremarkable match.

 

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Liverpool star Sterling has reached another level this season - Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers believes that young forward Raheem Sterling has taken his game to another level this season.

The England international was instrumental in the Reds' push for the Premier League title last season but has scored only three goals in the current campaign.

Sterling turns 20 on Monday and Rodgers feels that he has made great strides despite Liverpool's disappointing season so far.

The Northern Irishman told reporters: "He has taken on extra responsibility, absolutely, and kicked on. I have reiterated to him his qualities and strengths, his pace, skill, his directness – that's his game,

"I think you have seen him develop into a very good young footballer. He's not just someone who can run direct with the ball, he can play one-touch, he can play two-touch. He's such a threat.

"You looked at him the other night [against Leicester] against the boy [Ritchie] De Laet, who is a super-quick player. Raheem's pace was frightening.

"His runs were very good and at 19, nearly 20, I think he's shown he has gone to an extra level."

Much was made of Sterling's declaration that he was tired before England's Euro 2016 qualifier in Slovenia in October, which led to him being left on the bench by Roy Hodgson, and Rodgers has stressed the importance of ensuring that his prodigy does not play too many games at such a young age.

When asked if Sterling will need a rest from time to time, Rodgers replied: "There will be a period where we will do that - it was always in the plan.

"Of course there is the short term but you have got to think in the longer term. He's a kid coming off the back end of a long season where he played a lot of games and then [went] on travelling to a World Cup.

"He's a young player coming back. I think a lot of the players that were away and coming back; it takes a bit of time to get going again."

 

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Neuer: Ballon d'Or nod special for a goalkeeper

Bayern Munich star Manuel Neuer says it is "special" to have been nominated for the Ballon d'Or as it is harder for goalkeepers to win individual awards.

Last week, the Germany international was named in the final three for the prize, alongside Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, ensuring he will be the highest-finishing keeper in the running for the award since Oliver Kahn finished as runner-up 2002.

Messi and Ronaldo have scored over 100 goals between them this year and Neuer says it is inevitable that attackers will stand out that much more than the players tasked with stopping them.

"As a goalkeeper, it is something quite special. To reach [the last three] makes me very proud," he told Bild.

"Here you can see how hard it is for a goalkeeper. What's mostly left after a match? The scenes in front of the goal where the attackers are the highlights of the play.

"But doing the spectacular is not particularly important to me. I just want to play for my team."

After winning the German double, the 28-year-old helped inspire his country to the World Cup earlier this year, earning Fifa's Golden Glove and a place in the team of the tournament.

The former Schalke man made quite an impression in Brazil with his propensity to rush from his goal-line in order to snuff out enemy attacks – an approach he says is vital to his club side's style.

"With Bayern we want a lot of ball possession and to control the play so I operate sometimes like the 11th outfield player.

"Thus I am included a lot into the build-up play and have a lot of touches of the ball. I know that I often take risks, but it is always for the purposes of the team."

Neuer is hoping to become only the second goalkeeper in history to win the prize after the Soviet Union's Lev Yashin took the gong in 1963.

 

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Martino: I regret everything I did at Barcelona

Former Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says he would do almost everything different if he were to have his time at the club again.

Martino's single season with the Catalans ended this past summer as he failed to lift any major titles, save the Spanish Supercopa.

Martino's Barca were eliminated from the Champions League quarter-finals by Atletico Madrid and lost the Liga title to the same opponents on the final day of the season.

The 52-year-old has since been appointed Argentina coach but concedes he still has a lot of regrets about his short-lived spell at Camp Nou.

"From our very first contact, I would have done almost everything differently," he told Marca.

"I won't give any examples, but I regret a lot of things that happened during that time, although they've helped me to learn and not repeat the same mistakes."

The former Paraguay and Newell's Old Boys coach also pledged his support once again for Lionel Messi’s quest for the 2014 Fifa Ballon d'Or, adding that the public ballot of national team coaches, captains and journalists may need a rethink.

"Some coaches just aren't very objective on the matter," he said. "I'm one of them. If Messi is in the mix, that's who I want to win. I voted for him.

"Maybe we should reconsider who votes for this award. There are many personal implications."

Messi, seeking his fifth world player of the year prize, faces competition from Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo and Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. The winner will be announced January 12, 2015.

 

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Inzaghi: I will stand by Torres

Filippo Inzaghi says he will continue to stand by Fernando Torres, explaining that he wanted the Spaniard at AC Milan and is thus determined to help the under-fire forward rediscover his goalscoring touch.

Torres arrived at San Siro on a two-year loan from Chelsea just before the close of the summer transfer window, the Rossoneri rescuing the 30-year-old from a disastrous stint at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues had paid a British-record £50 million (€60m) to sign the striker from Liverpool but he managed just 20 goals in 110 appearances and his form has hardly improved in Italy, with Torres netting just once in 10 Serie A outings.

However, Inzaghi, himself a former forward, is in no doubt that Torres can turn his career around, arguing that all the World Cup winner needs is a confidence boost.

"Torres is a player who gives everything," the Rossoneri coach told reporters on Saturday. "I hope that bit by bit he goes back to being the player we all know.

"He’s been missing a goal, but in these particular moments, it’s better to let him rest to be able to come back in a better physical and mental moment.

"I think he just needs one goal. I wanted this player and I have the duty to try [to help him] all the way. I hope that he can soon score again or tomorrow [against Genoa]."

Milan allowed Alessandro Matri to join the Grifone on loan during the summer and the Italy international has flourished at the Luigi Ferraris, scoring six goals in 11 games so far.

However, despite Torres' current struggles, Inzaghi insists that he does not regret allowing Matri to leave in search of regualar game time.

"I’m very happy when Matri does well because he’s a friend," he stated.

"We spoke during the summer to discuss his future and he preferred to go to a team where he could play, and I now hope he can come back stronger than before."

Meanwhile, Inzaghi admitted that he has yet to decide whether fit-again midfielder Ricardo Montolivo will make his first start of the season, against Genoa.

"Montolivo has fully recovered," he said of the Italy international's leg break. "He is giving me doubts whether to play him from the start or not.

"I will speak with him and try to understand his feelings and then I will decide."

Milan currently sit sixth in Serie A, two points and two places behind their hosts on Sunday afternoon.

 

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Klopp: Dortmund win must be the first of many

Jurgen Klopp says Borussia Dortmund fully deserved the 1-0 win over Hoffenheim which has lifted them off the bottom of the Bundesliga.

Dortmund were on top throughout Friday night's clash and Ilkay Gundogan's first-half goal was enough to give them all three points - just their fourth win in 14 league games.

Klopp feels his side were worthy of the victory, but insists it must be the first of many triumphs if they are to recover from a poor start to the season.

"It was a really intense game and the atmosphere was unique," he told reporters after the match.

"I feel relief - the happiness will not come until later.

"We must continue to work for more victories, so stay tuned! We still don't have a fantastic number of points, but the three in this match were the maximum.
"It was a good game and a deserved victory. But only one."

Hoffenheim were denied a penalty late in the game when Tarik Elyounoussi tumbled under a challenge from Neven Subotic which could have ensured a dramatic twist to the match and the coach admits his side were fortunate.

But Klopp also pointed to Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang having two goals ruled out for offside at the other end - one of which was a clear mistake from the officials.
He added: "We have had enormous luck in the penalty situation and insane bad luck with the offside situation."

 

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Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace: Spurs labour to disappointing draw

Tottenham were held to a 0-0 draw by Crystal Palace at White Hart Lane on Saturday as the hosts were left to rue a lack of cutting edge.

Spurs were looking to win back-to-back home games in the Premier League for the first time this season, but failed to break down a resolute Palace backline.

While Neil Warnock's side had the better of the first half in north London, largely inspired by lively wingers Yannick Bolasie and Wilfried Zaha, Palace had their defensive ranks to thank after the break.

The visitors did well to keep the likes Harry Kane and Roberto Soldado quiet in the face of almost constant Spurs possession as Warnock's men bounced back from their 1-0 defeat at fellow strugglers Aston Villa on Tuesday.

The Spaniard in particular spurned his fair share of chances, displaying a lack of sharpness despite scoring his first league goal since March against Everton last weekend.

Both sides had chances late on - substitute Jason Puncheon almost giving Palace their first away league win since September when he rattled the crossbar - as sections of the home support voiced their discontent at the goalless draw.

Christian Eriksen sparked the game into life following a relatively low-key start, as he cleverly nutmegged Martin Kelly before firing into the side-netting seven minutes in.

Palace's first sight of goal came shortly after as James McArthur blazed high and wide it was Bolasie's turn to showcase his skills.

Bolasie beat Eriksen with a deft spin before setting up the returning Joe Ledley to fire over after 20 minutes.

With Palace on top, Soldado - one of two Spurs changes - missed the opportunity to put the hosts in front against the run of play when he cleared the crossbar from inside the area.

Jan Vertonghen - making his 100th Tottenham appearance - was needed to deny Zaha's progress soon after following a tricky run into the area.

Having switched wings with Bolasie midway through the half, Zaha went close again prior to the interval as the Manchester United loanee bamboozled Eric Dier and Ryan Mason before curling his strike wide.

Mauricio Pochettino brought on Nacer Chadli for Erik Lamela at the break, but Spurs continued to be contained by a well-drilled Palace outfit.

The home side dominated possession and upped the pressure in search of an opener, with Soldado slicing a shot well wide from inside the area following an incisive ball from Eriksen just after the hour.

Palace almost grabbed the winner 17 minutes from time as substitute Puncheon crashed a strike off the underside off the crossbar before Joel Ward blocked Paulinho's goalbound strike inside the six-yard box.

However, the spoils were shared in a result that will likely please Warnock much more than his opposite number Pochettino.

 

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Hull City 0-0 West Bromwich Albion: Tigers held by stubborn Baggies

Hull and West Bromwich Albion played out a 0-0 draw at the KC Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with Graham Dorrans missing a penalty for the Baggies.
Alan Irvine's side travelled to the KC Stadium following four consecutive defeats and wasted a great chance to end that sequence when Allan McGregor saved Dorrans' poor spot-kick after just 10 minutes.

Hull were unable to punish the midfielder by securing all three points and are back in the relegation zone after their winless run was extended to eight matches.

The sides came into the contest occupying the two positions immediately above the relegation zone and their lack of confidence was evident as goalscoring opportunities were at a premium.

West Brom head coach Alan Irvine opted to drop striker Saido Berahino to the bench after the striker failed to score in his last five league matches.

Things will get no easier for struggling Hull, as they face a daunting trip to Chelsea next weekend, while West Brom have something to build on ahead of facing local rivals Aston Villa.

Having left out Berahino, Irvine opted to employ a five-man midfield.

But lone striker Anichebe proved more than capable of causing Hull problems on his own and the former Everton frontman had two strong appeals for a penalty in the opening eight minutes.

He went down under a challenge from Michael Dawson in the first instance, only to have been adjudged to have fouled the defender first.

But there was no doubt in referee Michael Oliver's mind the next time he went down in the box, pointing to the spot after Jake Livermore had wrestled Anichebe to the ground following a smart turn.

Dorrans failed to take advantage from 12 yards however, as his poor effort was pushed away by McGregor, diving low to his left.

McGregor has now saved all three penalty kicks he has faced in the Premier League, but his latest stop failed to spark Hull into life.

Bruce made two changes to the team that earned a point at Everton in midweek, but neither of the returning Sone Aluko and Abel Hernandez could make an impact in the first half.

West Brom's extra man in midfield allowed them to dominate possession, albeit without creating anything clear-cut from open play.

That pattern of play continued into the second half, but the hosts went close after 57 minutes when Stephen Quinn met Livermore's chipped cross from the right with a diving header, only to be denied by a good save from Ben Foster.

Hull grew into the game after that chance and looked the more likely to grab a goal. Hernandez had a good opportunity, but sent his looping header just over the bar after 78 minutes.

Irvine introduced Berahino from the bench, but the seven-goal striker was by this point feeding off little service as Hull pushed forward in search of a winner but were unable to secure an elusive victory.

 

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Liverpool 0–0 Sunderland: Subdued Reds fire Anfield blanks again

A toothless Liverpool failed to break down Sunderland as the two sides played out a dour goalless draw in the Premier League on Saturday.

Brendan Rodgers' side came into the clash at Anfield buoyed by back-to-back victories over Stoke City and Leicester City but they fell short of making it three consecutive league wins for the first time this season.

Captain Steven Gerrard, so impressive at Leicester on Tuesday, was back on the Liverpool bench and replaced by Philippe Coutinho.

But the Brazilian failed to provide the creative spark Liverpool so desperately needed, and it was the visitors who arguably had the better of the chances through Wes Brown and Connor Wickham.

For Sunderland, who have never won in the Premier League at Anfield, a point represents an encouraging response following their chastening 4-1 defeat to Manchester City on Wednesday.

Gus Poyet's side remained solid throughout, with the likes of Coutinho, Adam Lallana and Raheem Sterling unable to provide frontman Rickie Lambert with any clear chances to break the stalemate.

Gerrard was introduced in place of Lallana midway through the second half, but Liverpool's talisman was unable to inspire his side to find a winner as they were forced to settle for a share of the spoils.

Coutinho for Gerrard was one of two changes for the hosts, with Alberto Moreno coming in for Javi Manquillo in defence.

Poyet promised to freshen things up following the defeat in midweek, and stuck to his word as the team showed five alterations.

The visitors had shouts for a penalty waved away in the third minute when Wickham went down under a challenge from Martin Skrtel.

Goalmouth action was scarce, but Sunderland had the best chance before the break when Brown powered a header over the crossbar from Seb Larsson's corner on the stroke of half-time.

Liverpool appealed for a penalty in the 51st minute when Moreno's low cross deflected off John O'Shea and struck Jordi Gomez on the arm, but once again referee Neil Swarbrick was unmoved.

Wickham then flashed a left-footed volley across goal as Sunderland threatened an opener, before Liverpool's first effort of note arrived in the 64th minute as Lucas Leiva's strike from distance brought a comfortable save out of Costel Pantilimon.

The Romanian goalkeeper was in action again 12 minutes from time, parrying Coutinho's drive following a mazy dribble and pass from Sterling.

Gomez stung the palms of Simon Mignolet with a rasping drive three minutes later and although Liverpool enjoyed the majority of possession in the closing stages, Rodgers' men failed to make the crucial breakthrough.

 

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Newcastle 2-1 Chelsea: Blues' unbeaten run ended by Papiss Cisse

A Papiss Cisse brace gave 10-man Newcastle a shock 2-1 win over Chelsea on Saturday, despite a late fightback from the Blues.

The Senegal international fired home four minutes after coming on in the second half before adding what proved to be a decisive second goal with 12 minutes to play, ensuring Jose Mourinho has still never masterminded a Premier League win at St James' Park.

Chelsea dominated the first half but failed to find a way through, with Willian and Cesc Fabregas both wasting good chances.

They were made to pay after 57 minutes, as Cisse netted his sixth league goal of the season by tapping home Sammy Ameobi's cross.

Cisse then doubled Newcastle's advantage, and although Didier Drogba pulled a goal back after Steven Taylor had been sent off for a second bookable offence, for the second time in the space of a week Chelsea dropped points in the North East.

Defeat enables Manchester City to close the gap to just three points at the top of the table if they beat Everton on Saturday.

Alan Pardew rang the changes after Newcastle's draw at Burnley on Tuesday, with Fabricio Coloccini and Remy Cabella two of five players coming in.

Chelsea welcomed back leading scorer Diego Costa from suspension at the expense of Drogba, while John Obi Mikel replaced the banned Nemanja Matic in midfield.

The visitors dominated possession in the first half and had their first sight of goal after 10 minutes, when Willian fired narrowly wide of Rob Elliot's goal after good work from Costa and Eden Hazard.

Chances continued to come for Chelsea but Willian was again guilty of missing a great opening 18 minutes with a curling effort 18 minutes in, before Cesc Fabregas saw a low shot deflected wide.

Having soaked up plenty of pressure, Newcastle eventually began to pose more of an attacking threat and Thibaut Courtois had be alert to deny Jack Colback in the 31st minute, the midfielder collecting an Ayoze Perez pass inside the penalty area only to be denied by the Belgium goalkeeper.

Newcastle's goalkeeping problems worsened at half-time as Elliot, in for the injured Tim Krul, limped off and was replaced by 21-year-old Jak Alnwick.

The debutant commanded his area well and, having weathered another spell of Chelsea pressure, Newcastle opened the scoring.

Sammy Ameobi made good ground down the left, Cahill failed to deal with his low cross and Cisse had the simple job of tapping home from close range.

Mourinho introduced Andre Schurrle and Drogba from the bench and Chelsea began to lay siege to the Newcastle goal.

Valiant defending from Coloccini and Taylor denied Costa on the turn, and Hazard saw a low shot hit the post.

Newcastle then punished the leaders on the counter attack as Colback found Moussa Sissoko, who then rolled the ball to Cisse and the striker made no mistake.

Taylor was then dismissed a second bookable offence for a foul on Schurrle, which led to Drogba heading home a Fabregas free-kick in the 83rd minute, setting up a tense finale.

But Alnwick came to Newcastle's rescue in the closing minutes with saves to deny Costa and Filipe Luis as Newcastle held on for all three points.

 

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Elche 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Mandzukic maintains fine form in routine win

Mario Mandzukic continued his fine run to help Atletico Madrid beat Elche 2-0 as the Liga champions leapfrogged Barcelona into second.

Jose Gimenez's first-half strike sent the visitors on their way to victory and Mandzukic's eighth goal in nine matches across all competitions secured all three points just after the break.

Atletico did find their hosts hard to break down on occasions at Estadio Martinez Valero on Saturday, although it came as no surprise when their opening goal arrived after a well-worked set-piece.

Gimenez drilled in an unstoppable half-volley to break the deadlock, with Elche subsequently struggling to gain any foothold in the contest.

Fran Escriba's men appeared more fluid going forward right at the start of the second period, but that only seemed to play into Atletico's hands, as Mandzukic finished a swift counterattack by claiming his sixth La Liga goal.

The result means Atletico's formidable defensive partnership of Uruguayan duo Gimenez and Diego Godin claimed the club's fourth consecutive clean sheet in all competitions.

Following an unsavoury week for Spanish football that included the death of a Deportivo La Coruna supporter after angry clashes with Atletico fans last Sunday, the champions were keen to turn attentions back to on-field matters.

And, despite a tame opening from both sides, the visitors found the breakthrough in the 16th minute.

Atletico cleverly worked space for themselves down the left following a short corner and, after receiving Arda Turan's cut-back, Gimenez lashed a fierce half-volley past Przemyslaw Tyton in emphatic fashion.

Diego Simeone's men tightened their grip on proceedings after taking the lead, with Gabi and Tiago dictating the play in the heart of the Atletico midfield.

But, opportunities were infrequent at both ends of the pitch, with Mandzukic and Jonathas starved of service from their respective team-mates.

However, Elche did go close to drawing level unexpectedly in the 34th minute, as Faycal Fajr's deep cross appeared to be heading for the top-left corner, only for Miguel Angel Moya to claw it out from underneath the crossbar.

Elche began the second half brightly as they pushed forward in numbers, but that ultimately proved their undoing as Atletico exploited them on the break.

Gabi dropped an excellent lofted pass over the hosts' defence for Mandzukic and the Croatian coolly slotted past Tyton after holding off David Lomban eight minutes into the second period.

Elche did force Moya into action with 16 minutes to go as the goalkeeper kept out Cristian Herrera's deflected effort, but Atletico had little trouble in absorbing the hosts' late pressure and the victory keeps the pressure up on leaders Real Madrid.

 

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QPR 2-0 Burnley: Fer & Austin seal vital Rangers win

Goals from Leroy Fer and Charlie Austin gave QPR a 2-0 win over relegation rivals Burnley at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon.

Former Burnley striker Austin fired home his eighth goal of the season in the 74th minute to help lift the hosts out of the relegation zone, but saw red just two minutes later.

Leroy Fer gave the home side the advantage early in the second half, before the in-form Austin sealed the victory.

Sean Dyche's men piled on the pressure in an attempt to salvage a point, but QPR defended stoically, with Robert Green and Richard Dunne in inspired form.

Harry Redknapp's side are now unbeaten in four at Loftus Road as they ended Burnley's four-match unbeaten streak, with the visitors remaining in the relegation zone.

Just one point and one league place separated the teams before kick-off and the visitors, who had won only one of their previous six away games, started confidently in a frantic opening half.

Ashley Barnes blazed high over the bar following good link-up play with Danny Ings before Scott Arfield forced Green into an instinctive save 11 minutes in.

And Green was again the hero just before the half-hour mark, expertly tipping George Boyd's venomous left-footed strike onto the post.

QPR could have taken the lead a minute later, when Michael Keane scrambled away Eduardo Vargas' effort after the Chilean jinked his way through the Burnley defence and fired beyond Tom Heaton.

The hosts started with purpose after the break and deservedly took the lead when Fer snatched his second goal in the space of a week in the 51st minute.

The Dutchman combined well with Austin to break through Burnley's stubborn defence, recovering from a heavy first touch to prod over Heaton with the aid of a deflection off Ben Mee.

Burnley pressed for a leveller and Ings should have done better when he connected with Dean Marney's whipped cross, but headed just wide of the upright from close range.

A goal seemed inevitable as the visitors continued to push against the Premier League's leakiest defence, but it was QPR who doubled their lead.

Top scorer Austin, who joined QPR from Burnley in 2013, capped off a swift move from the hosts to side-foot home after latching on to Mauricio Isla's cut-back.

However, Austin received his marching orders soon after when referee John Moss deemed that the forward had lead with his elbow while challenging for a header with Keane – just four minutes after he had gone in late on Kieran Trippier.

Dyche's side pushed for a goal late on, but were unable to penetrate QPR's stubborn defence and slumped to their first league defeat in over a month.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke City 3-2 Arsenal: Gunners slump to defeat after first half horror show

Arsenal slumped to a shock 3-2 defeat against Stoke City after a disastrous first half at the Britannia Stadium.

The Gunners fell behind to a Peter Crouch goal within seconds of kick-off, before Bojan and Jon Walters both struck ahead of half time.

Bojan then saw a goal disallowed after the interval and Arsenal rallied as Santi Cazorla converted a penalty and Aaron Ramsey volleyed home.

But Calum Chambers was sent off for a second bookable offence late on and Stoke held on to claim all three points in a thrilling game.

Stoke made the dream start as Crouch - restored to the starting XI as part of three changes made by Hughes - capitalised on Arsenal's failure to deal with Steven N'Zonzi's right-wing cross to slot home from six yards.

Arsenal should have levelled in the 10th minute as teenage right-back Hector Bellerin teed up Olivier Giroud with a cross from the right, but the France striker could only head wide at the far post.

Argentinian goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez pulled off a superb diving stop down to his left to keep out Mame Biram Diouf's diving header after a Bojan free-kick had been flicked into the Senegal international's path by Walters.

But Arsenal failed to heed the warning signs and were made to pay as Walters linked up with Bojan again in the 32nd minute to double Stoke's lead.

The Republic of Ireland international whipped in a superb right-wing delivery and Bojan stole in ahead of an Arsenal defence that failed to react to turn the ball beyond Martinez.

Walters was at the heart of almost every Stoke attack and got his reward for a typically industrious display on the stroke of half-time.

Crouch rose highest to meet Bojan's corner, with his deflected header falling to Walters to lash home at the far post.

Hughes' men were fortunate to see their advantage preserved in the 56th minute when Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez raced through the Stoke defence and rounded Asmir Begovic, only to hit the post with the goal at his mercy.

Stoke defender Marc Muniesa limped off in the 62nd minute, but the hosts looked to have made sure of the points three minutes later as Bojan found the net for a second time.

However, referee Anthony Taylor disallowed the goal as Diouf was ruled to have interfered with play from an offside position.

And Diouf was soon at fault again, conceding a penalty after being adjudged to have brought down Mathieu Flamini.

Cazorla coolly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner and Ramsey then cut the deficit further as he brilliantly fired in from Alexis' corner after Danny Welbeck had been denied with a one-on-one save from Begovic.

Arsenal's task was made harder when Chambers was shown a second yellow for pulling back Bojan 12 minutes from time and, although Cazorla tested Begovic from range, the London club never came close to finding a crucial third goal.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Nantes: Ibrahimovic at the double as champions go top

Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck twice as Paris Saint-Germain came from behind to defeat Nantes and go top of Ligue 1.

Laurent Blanc's side fell behind to an early Alejandro Bedoya goal at the Parc des Princes, but their Swedish superstar took his league tally to eight for the season with two well-taken strikes.

Ibrahimovic's first came from a Lucas Moura cross after 34 minutes, the 33-year-old getting in front of his marker to tap past Remy Riou.

A stunning free-kick gave Ibrahimovic a second goal in the opening minutes of the second half and PSG promptly coasted to victory.

The French champions' advantage could have been greater had Lucas and Ezequiel Lavezzi not wasted good opportunities, but it mattered little as Blanc's side prepared for their midweek Champions League showdown with Barcelona with a comfortable win.

Victory moves PSG to the top of the table at the expense of Olympique de Marseille, who play on Sunday, while Nantes are eighth.

Blanc opted to rest six players ahead of their trip to Camp Nou on Wednesday, but there were recalls for Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti.

Bedoya was one of three changes for the visitors and he had an immediate impact with the game's opening goal after eight minutes.

A surging run from midfield was halted by a strong Thiago Silva challenge, but the loose ball dropped perfectly for Bedoya and the American fired beyond Salvatore Sirigu into the top corner.

Nantes were unlucky not to have a second four minutes later when Verratti cynically brought down Georges-Kevin N'Koudou and, from the resulting free-kick, Oswaldo Vizcarrondo volleyed home at the back post, but his effort was ruled out for offside.

That let-off seemed to ignite PSG and chances quickly began to materialise, but Serge Aurier and Lucas were unable to find the final ball.

However, the hosts got their goal after 34 minutes as Ibrahimovic got in front of Vizcarrondo to poke Lucas' low cross under Riou.

PSG should have gone into the break ahead, but Riou came to Nantes' rescue in the final minute, the goalkeeper reacting well to save Silva's header with his knees.

The home side did not have to wait long for that second goal, though, as Ibrahimovic thundered a 20-yard free-kick past Riou two minutes after the break.

The Sweden international fired the ball over the wall and into the top corner after Olivier Veigneau had fouled Verratti.

Having taken the lead, PSG assumed control of proceedings and Lucas should have extended their advantage two minutes after the hour.

Ibrahimovic rose above his marker and played a cushioned header into the Brazilian's path, but he dragged his shot wide of goal without testing Riou.

Another chance went begging seven minutes later as Aurier made excellent ground down the right and his low cross was met by Lavezzi, but he was unable to guide the ball into the far corner, his effort just curling wide.

Sirigu, who had been untroubled for the entire second half, was eventually called into action after 76 minutes as a swift counterattack saw substitute Lucas Deaux fire towards goal, but the Italian was more than equal to his tame effort.

Blanc was able to give Verratti, Lucas and Javier Pastore a rest in the second half with the hosts in control, ensuring PSG will be at full strength for their trip to Spain.