..::Football III::..

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Ronaldo's agent wins Globe Soccer Special Award

Cristiano Ronaldo's agent Jorge Mendes has been handed another accolade commending his five consecutive Agent of the Year prizes at the Globe Soccer Awards.

The Portugal star's chief representative was honoured for a fifth year in succession at the ceremony at the end of December, with the achievement now being recognised through a special trophy.

Mendes, who first lifted the award in 2010, received his latest recognition of his ongoing work with some of the game's top footballers, including Ronaldo and fellow Real Madrid star James Rodriguez at Marca's offices in Spain.

The Spanish newspaper are the official partner of the Globe Soccer Awards and could hand out a similar award to other figures who are successful in winning consecutive prizes at the annual event in future years.

 

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Schalke closing in on Nastasic deal, reveals Heldt

Schalke are closing in on a deal for Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic, according to the Bundesliga club's CEO Horst Heldt.

The two teams have been in negotiations over a move for the 21-year-old, who has found his playing time limited under Manuel Pellegrini, and are nearing agreement on a loan deal.

And, as Goal learned on Monday, any deal will include an option to buy for a fee believed to be around €10.2 million.

Speaking to Sport Bild, Heldt revealed: "You're holding talks back and forth, it's normal in this business.

"You're getting closer and in this case we are not wide apart. Therefore I am optmistic that we get the deal done in the next days."

"It is still a loan with an option to buy."

With Financial Fair Play restricting City to a budget of around €17m, a move for Wilfried Bony may depend on funds raised by moving Nastasic out of the club.

 

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Italy loves veterans - Di Natale

Antonio Di Natale says Italian football prefers experience over blooding young talent and called upon the country to do more to nurture the stars of the future.

The 37-year-old has been a chief beneficiary of the very preference he says exists in Serie A, with the likes of Andrea Pirlo at Juventus and Roma's Francesco Totti also continuing to flourish well into their 30s.

But though he acknowledges this very fact, Di Natale admits a new approach needs to be adopted whereby young players are trusted from an earlier age.

He said to Uefa.com: "I joked with [Luca] Toni after his 300th goal that if old timers like us are scoring so regularly, something is going wrong! Joking apart, I think young players in Italy struggle because clubs prefer more experienced players.

"However, I am optimistic for the future because there are players like [Simone] Zaza, [Domenico] Berardi, [Mattia] Destro, [Manolo] Gabbiadini and others who are proving to be very good forwards.

"We need to work more on young players in Italy and have more courage with them."

With eight goals in 16 appearances already this season, the end does not appear to be getting any closer for one of Italian football's favourite sons, and he admitted that he's still not ready to hang up his boots.

"It is difficult to plan a retirement when you are still eager to play and have your body support you," he added. "You take one season at a time. Personally speaking, I will go on as long as I wake up in the morning wanting to train."

Players often disregard the importance of personal statistics, but with 201 Serie A goals to his name, Di Natale confessed reaching Roberto Baggio's tally of 205 is a milestone he is desperate to eclipse.

"I was very motivated to reach the 200-goal landmark and now I am focused on 205 because catching a legend like Baggio would be a source of great pride. Milestones and new targets are crucial for your motivation. If you do not have them at my age, it is difficult to go on."

One potential new aim could be to break into Serie A's top five scorers of all time, which would require a further 11 goals, but the veteran is not looking too far ahead.

"I am not thinking about 216 – I take it one step at a time. Let's see if I reach 205."

 

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I'll sack Luis Enrique, Bartomeu tells Messi

Josep Bartomeu has told Lionel Messi he will sack Barcelona coach Luis Enrique after Sunday's clash against Atletico Madrid, with the Argentine believed to have requested the appointment of Frank Rijkaard.

The pair held a meeting on Friday, and reports on Spain's TV3 show Esports Club claim the Barcelona chief informed Messi of his plans, with the Argentine calling for the return of Rijkaard - the man who gave him his debut in 2004.

Barca beat Elche 5-0 in the Copa del Rey on Thursday night to ease the pressure on Luis Enrique, whose relationship with the club's talisman has disintegrated after he was dropped for the 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Rumours have been rife in Catalan newspapers that the pair have had a number of confrontations, which neither have denied.

But Luis Enrique isn't expected to last much longer after being whistled by sections of the Camp Nou crowd, while Messi was afforded a typically grand reception, which appears to have confirmed Bartomeu's plans.

The club's president is under-fire himself following Barca's failure to win an appeal over a ban on transfers until 2016 and the subsequent sacking of sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta last week.

Carles Puyol also departed his role at the club, before Bartomeu announced the decision to hold a presidential election in the summer, one year ahead of schedule, amid rumours former chief Joan Laporta could launch a campaign to return to his former role.

 

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Shaqiri rejected €20 million Liverpool move

Xherdan Shaqiri rejected a €20 million move to Liverpool prior to signing for Inter, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed.

The Switzerland international agreed to join the blue and black half of Milan on loan until the end of the season on Thursday, with a permanent €15 million deal expected to go through at the end of the campaign.

His future has been the subject of intense speculation for much of the last 12 months, with Liverpool strongly credited with an interest throughout, but it appears the Swiss long had his future mapped out.

Asked why Bayern had turned down a larger €20m bid from the Reds, Rummenigge said: "I don't owe explanations to anyone.

"But if you really want to know, it's very simple: the boy only wanted to join Inter and it was the same for us. End of story. I also refused offers from half the continent back in the day so I could join Inter. Inter are Inter."

Shaqiri, 23, joined Bayern from Basel in 2012 with a reputation as one of Europe's finest attacking prospects, but found opportunities limited at the Allianz Arena.

He departs with two Bundesliga crowns and a Champions League title on his CV, but without ever nailing down a regular starting slot as a result of Pep Guardiola's preference to field Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the two wide roles.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini could hand him his first taste of Serie A action in the clash with Genoa at San Siro on Sunday.

 

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Frank de Boer rules out Newcastle move

Ajax coach Frank de Boer has ruled out a move to Newcastle United and insists that he will not leave the Dutch champions before the end of the season.

The 44-year-old has been among the names linked with the vacant managerial position at St James's Park following Alan Pardew's decision to depart for Crystal Palace at the start of January.

De Boer, who has won four consecutive Eredivisie titles with the Amsterdam outfit, admires Newcastle as a club but says that he will not consider his future until the summer.

"I've read about the rumours. Newcastle are a sleeping giant, a great club with a fantastic stadium and supporters," De Boer told Voetbal International.

"But I will stay at Ajax for the second half of the season, at least. If a good club comes in the summer, I will think about it."

Caretaker coach John Carver will be in charge for the Magpies' trip to face Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday, while Ajax, who currently trail Eredivise leaders PSV by four points, get their domestic campaign back underway on January 16 when they host Groningen.

 

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Messi would have a place in any team - Ancelotti

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes any team in the world could make room for Barcelona star Lionel Messi.

Doubt has been cast over the three-time Fifa Ballon d'Or winner's future at Camp Nou since the turn of the year amid a breakdown in his relationship with Blaugrana boss Luis Enrique.

Chelsea are reportedly keen to trigger the Camp Nou talisman's €250 million release clause should they feel he wishes to leave given the current turbulent state of affairs, and the Blancos boss admitted he thinks the 27-year-old would get into any team.

"[With] Messi, it's complicated to comment. I'd say that Messi would have a place in any team in the world," Ancelotti said in a press conference.

Iker Casillas has previously said that his club would not be interested in signing the Argentine, while also offering his opinion that Ancelotti is a better coach than his predecessor, Jose Mourinho.

Responding to the keeper's statement regarding the former boss at the Santiago Bernabeu, Ancelotti said: "I completely agree with the first statement (laughs). That suits me fine. Each person has their own personal opinion and I'm grateful for his words."

La Liga leaders Real Madrid will look to recover from consecutive competitive defeats when they host Espanyol in the top flight on Saturday.

 

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Van Gaal confident De Gea will sign new Manchester United contract

Louis van Gaal does not expect Victor Valdes's arrival at Manchester United to have an impact on David De Gea's future at Old Trafford.

The former Barcelona goalkeeper penned an 18-month contract at United on Thursday, with Van Gaal insisting the three-time Champions League winner will be second choice.

Valdes's arrival prompted further speculation regarding a possible exit for De Gea, but when asked if he expects the Spaniard to pen a new deal, Van Gaal told reporters: "I think so, yes. I think there is no problem for him to sign.

"When you are a [regular] player, then probably you are the best, and then the manager is very happy that a player that is fixed in the line-up will stay."

Upon joining the 13-time Premier League champions, Valdes said he was keen to help the "world's best goalkeeper" De Gea, but Van Gaal expects the 32-year-old to push for a starting berth.

"Nobody is happy to be number two and he has to have ambition to beat David De Gea - but it shall be very hard for him," he added.

"David de Gea has developed himself in the six months that I've been here very much. I'm very pleased with his development.

"When we invite Victor Valdes to have his rehabilitation here in Manchester United you do that for him and also for yourself.

"You have the chance to see his rehabilitation but also if his quality is still the same and he has confirmed both."

 

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De Gea

De Gea kohomahari Manchester United ma thiyaganna one

Aniwaryen Manchester United innama ona player kenek De Dea kiyanne​

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.01.10 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.01.10 Fixtures

Sunderland Vs Liverpool

Burnley Vs QPR

Chelsea Vs Newcastle United

Everton Vs Manchester City

Leicester City Vs Aston Villa

Swansea Vs West Ham

WBA Vs Hull City

Crystal Palace Vs Tottenham

​

 

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La Liga 2015.01.10 Fixtures

La Liga 2015.01.10 Fixtures

Real Madrid Vs Espanyol

Malaga Vs Villareal

Celta Vigo Vs Valencia

Eibar Vs Getafe​

 

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Serie A 2015.01.10 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.01.10 Fixtures

Sassuolo Vs Udinese

Torino Vs AC Milan​

 

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Burnley 2-1 QPR: Ings winner piles pressure on Redknapp

Burnley lept out of the drop zone after a hard-fought 2-1 win over QPR.

In a match between two candidates for relegation, it was Sean Dyche's men who took all three points, as QPR remain pointless on their travels in the Premier League this term.

Scott Arfield struck the first blow with a fine solo goal, only for former Burnley striker Charlie Austin - who scored and was sent off in QPR's 2-0 win in the reverse fixture in December - to level from the penalty spot.

Burnley led at the break, though, thanks to a calm finish from Danny Ings and that proved enough.The hosts saw Ings again go close after the break, while Ashley Barnes had a goal disallowed to ensure nerves remained frayed throughout.

Victory lifts Burnley to 16th, while QPR drop into the bottom three.Burnley named the same XI for the seventh Premier League match in a row, while QPR recalled Adel Taarabt for the first time in almost exactly a year.Blustery conditions at Turf Moor played a part in a tepid opening, but the match came alive in the 13th minute thanks to a fine solo effort from Arfield.

The midfielder collected the ball on the left flank and he skipped past the challenges of Eduardo Vargas and Richard Dunne before curling his shot into the far corner.QPR sought a response and the visitors were unlucky not to be level when Austin scooped Mauricio Isla's cut-back from the byline onto the right-hand post.

However, Austin would not be denied in the 33rd minute when the striker won a penalty after going to ground under a lazy challenge from Dean Marney.The striker picked himself up to drill his effort into the bottom left-hand corner, much to the chagrin of supporters who used to hold him in such high regard.QPR's parity lasted just four minutes, though, as Ings restored Burnley's lead.The forward showed expert control to collect Barnes' long ball before twisting past two challenges and coolly slotting past Green.

Burnley almost scored a third seven minutes after the break when a quick throw-in caught QPR off guard and Arfield's half-volley produced a smart stop from Green.
At the other end, Steven Caulker saw claims for handball against Michael Keane in the penalty area dismissed by referee Andre Marriner.Ings' then flashed a shot wide from a quick Burnley break, before Barnes bundled home from a corner - only to see the goal chalked off for a foul on Green.

Green again prevented Burnley adding gloss with a superb point-blank stop from Keane's back-post header, before opposite number Tom Heaton made a terrific fingertip save from Caulker's header in injury time to preserve the precious points.

 

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Leicester 1–0 Aston Villa: Konchesky piles the pressure on Lambert

Leicester City had Paul Konchesky to thank for his fine strike during a 1-0 victory against Aston Villa.

The 33-year old was on hand to drive home a half-volley on the stroke of half-time to end a wait of over five years since his last top-flight strike and make it three league games unbeaten for the hosts.

Leicester enjoyed the better of the first-half exchanges with David Nugent at the centre of their best chances, the striker hitting the crossbar just before the opening goal.

Matty James saw red late on for a dangerous challenge on Jores Okore, an incident that also saw Villa's Ciaran Clark shown a second yellow for confronting the 23-year old.

Villa again struggled in front of goal, drawing a blank for the 12th time this season to leave Paul Lambert's side in danger of being dragged into a relegation battle.Meanwhile, Leicester - who remain bottom - have not tasted defeat in four games in all competitions, their best run of form so far this season.

The recent upturn in results saw Leicester boss Nigel Pearson talk up the levels of confidence among his players before this contest, and they began on the front foot against an Aston Villa side that had previously found the net just once in their last five Premier League games.

Nugent volleyed wide from Danny Simpson's diagonal cross after six minutes and poked another effort off target following a darting breakaway run from former Villa man Marc Albrighton down the left seven minutes later.

But there were still signs of defensive frailty from the hosts, who made four alterations from the win over Newcastle United last week, as Gabriel Agbonlahor burst through the middle before sending a 25-yard effort high and wide, snubbing better options.

Nugent came close yet again after crashing a half-volley onto the crossbar four minutes before half-time, but Konchesky finally broke the deadlock deep into first-half stoppage time.

Villa failed to deal with Leonardo Ulloa's cross, with a clearance only coming as far as the waiting Konchesky, who drilled home a low drive from the edge of the area.

Ex-Villa winger Albrighton had only made one previous Premier League start for the hosts, but proved to be a thorn in the side of his former employers all afternoon.

He was nearly at the heart of a second goal, whipping in a fantastic cross for an unmarked James, whose powered header was superbly tipped over by Guzan.
And Albrighton got a chance to test the American himself on the hour, shaking off his man inside the area to force a smart save. Alan Hutton came close to an unlikely equaliser but failed to keep his angled shot under the bar 20 minutes before the end, before Tom Cleverley inexplicably fired over from close range after the hosts failed to clear Joe Cole's corner.

Andreas Weimann and Kieran Richardson were introduced as Villa looked to salvage a point in the last 15 minutes, but they failed to make the difference.Aly Cissokho should have levelled matters in the final 10 minutes, but blazed his shot overe before red-card drama dominated the closing stages.

Both teams were reduced to 10 men after James was dismissed for a lunging challenge on Okore, while Clark was shown a second yellow for squaring up to the midfielder on another bad afternoon for Lambert's men.

 

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Everton 1-1 Manchester City: Pellegrini's men fall behind Chelsea again

Steven Naismith's late equaliser ensured that Manchester City fell two points behind Chelsea in the Premier League title race after being held by Everton at Goodison Park.

Manuel Pellegrini's defending champions entered the match level with the Blues at the Premier League summit and Fernandinho's 74th-minute header appeared set to preserve that state of affairs.

Yet Joe Hart, who had earlier made a pair of fine saves from Romelu Lukaku, came needlessly from his line and allowed Naismith to convert Leighton Baines' free-kick four minutes later.

City's slick passing game clicked instantly into gear as they dominated for long periods of the first half, although wasteful finishing from Stevan Jovetic and Jesus Navas threatened to undermine them before Everton full-back Seamus Coleman clattered the crossbar from distance.

A more even second half followed and a buoyant Goodison Park crowd was delighted to see Naismith end a worrying slump for manager Roberto Martinez.

John Stones made his first Everton start since Boxing Day at centre-back with Antolin Alcaraz (suspension) and Sylvain Distin (groin) unavailable, while Aiden McGeady was preferred to Kevin Mirallas.

Captain Vincent Kompany and top scorer Sergio Aguero returned to the City bench following injury lay-offs as Yaya Toure's Africa Cup of Nations absence meant Fernando partnered Fernandinho in midfield.

David Silva posed early problems in front of the Everton defence and City's Spain playmaker threaded a pass for Jovetic to blast over in the ninth minute.

An error from Phil Jagielka gave Silva the chance to craft a clearer opening but Navas side-footed wastefully wide.

Everton spurned promising free-kick opportunities as Lukaku and Baines drove into defensive walls, but City remained on top in open play – Jovetic twice off target from the edge of the area having linked smoothly with Silva.

Pellegrini's team arguably over-played when pinning Everton back under sustained pressure and they almost paid two minutes before the break.

Hart stood firm to deny Lukaku and Coleman crashed a swerving left-footed strike against the crossbar to conclude the attack.

Those near-misses spurred Everton on during the opening exchanges of the second half, with Lukaku's powerful forward play to the fore.

The Belgium international stormed beyond Eliaquim Mangala in the 57th minute to draw a second excellent stop from Hart.

With City lacking a similar presence in attack, Pellegrini turned towards Aguero in favour of Jovetic with 24 minutes remaining.

Jagielka had the ball in the net in the 69th minute but Naismith was penalised for a foul on Hart, while Aguero teed himself up to volley goalwards at the other end.

Silva was predictably involved when City broke the deadlock – Fernandinho heading past Coleman on the line when his team-mate's deflected shot looped in his direction – yet their advantage was short-lived.

Baines arched in a fine free-kick from the left but Hart's decision to come for the cross was rash and Naismith nodded home, leaving City to ponder a two-point deficit at the summit as they prepare to host Arsenal next weekend.

 

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Chelsea 2-0 Newcastle: Oscar & Costa get Mourinho back to winning ways

Oscar provided the inspiration as Chelsea avenged their first defeat of the season against Newcastle to keep their place at the top of the Premier League.

Having failed to claim victory in their previous two Premier League outings, Jose Mourinho's title hopefuls were not at their best on Saturday but coped well with Newcastle's threat.

Ultimately, they struck at key times either side of the break to go two points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League, following the champions' 1-1 draw with Everton.

The hosts were on the back foot for long spells of the first half but led at the break when Oscar converted Branislav Ivanovic's cross from close range.

There was very little that fit-again Newcastle goalkeeper Tim Krul could do about that strike on his return from an ankle injury, and the Dutchman was similarly helpless when Costa made it two just before the hour mark.

John Carver once again led Newcastle following Alan Pardew's recent departure, and any long-term replacement in the dugout will likely take positives from their performance, even after a fifth straight Premier League away game without a win.

Despite having endured a difficult few weeks with Pardew's exit and the FA Cup defeat to Leicester City, Newcastle started well, with Moussa Sissoko's effort on target and Remy Cabella looking lively early on.

Cabella was part of four changes from the 3-3 draw with Burnley last time out in the Premier League and the Frenchman went close with a curled effort 19 minutes in that deflected wide off John Terry.

However, Chelsea offered a reminder of their quality on the break, with Jack Colback required to make a timely interception.

Oscar fired wide from inside the area when he perhaps should have done better, although it was Newcastle who continued to threaten - Cabella cutting in from the right and forcing a smart save from Petr Cech, preferred to Thibaut Courtois in the Chelsea goal.

Sissoko struck the outside of Cech's left-hand post after the half-hour mark, with Cesar Azpilicueta’s injury-enforced withdrawal seemingly adding to Mourinho's frustrations before the end of the half.

However, slack defending cost Newcastle dear just before half-time as Willian found an unmarked Ivanovic from a quick corner and the Serb's delivery reached Oscar, who made no mistake with the finish.

Costa should have doubled Chelsea's lead early in the second half but he fired over from inside the area, with the Spain international livid soon afterwards as referee Roger East waved away his penalty appeals following an apparent handball from Fabricio Coloccini.

Mourinho's men were enjoying their best spell of the game and Costa soon doubled the advantage after 59 minutes by firing past Krul following a clever flick-on from Oscar inside the area.

As Newcastle laboured in an attempt to get back into the game, Costa was then denied a second by Coloccini's clearance, but in the end Mourinho's side claimed their first points of 2015 with relative ease.

 

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Real Madrid 3-0 Espanyol: Bale and James arrest slump

Gareth Bale and James Rodridguez both scored to help Real Madrid arrest a worrying dip in form as they dispatched Espanyol 3-0 on Saturday.

Karim Benzema struck the post on 10 minutes but the home side didn't have to wait long for an opener, as James converted Cristiano Ronaldo's pass.

The Ballon d'Or nominee then watched on as Bale doubled Real's lead with a fine free-kick in the 28th minute.But when Coentrao received a red card following a nasty collision with Jose Canas shortly after half-time, Madrid were forced into an enforced reshuffle.

Thankfully for Carlo Ancelotti's men, Espanyol struggled to make the most of their advantage and substitute Nacho Fernandez, added a third to move the leaders four points clear of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who meet on Sunday.

Espanyol started the contest brightly and created two chances inside the first three minutes, Felipe Caicedo scuffing wide after a clever run and Sergio Garcia firing straight at Iker Casillas from 20 yards.Madrid soon clicked into gear, though, and Benzema went extremely close in the 10th minute, striking the post with a fierce half-volley.

The goal frame failed to save Espanyol a few moments later as the home side took a deserved lead through James, who steered home after receiving Ronaldo's well-placed cut-back.The Champions League winners continued to dominate after taking the lead and, although Raphael Varane headed a presentable chance wide in the 16th minute, a second goal soon arrived.

Bale stepped up ahead of usual free-kick taker Ronaldo just before the half-hour mark and sent an unstoppable effort in off the right-hand post from 30 yards, leaving goalkeeper Kiko Casilla helpless.

Madrid were not given an ideal start to the second half as Coentrao was controversially dismissed after Canas and the Portugal international had crashed into each other with 53 minutes on the clock.However, the sending off had little impact and Ronaldo almost netted his side's third shortly after, shooting narrowly wide of the bottom-left corner from the edge of the area.

The capital club did wrap things up eventually, as Nacho - introduced in response to Coentrao's red card - slammed a half-volley past Casilla following Alvaro Arbeloa's dinked cross 14 minutes from time.

Victory sees Madrid provide the response Ancelotti had demanded following the defeats to Valencia and Atletico, while also putting the pressure back on Barca ahead of their showdown with the La Liga champions on Sunday.

 

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West Brom 1-0 Hull City: Berahino strike hands Pulis first victory

Saido Berahino scored the only goal of the game as Tony Pulis first Premier League match in charge of West Brom ended in victory over Hull City.

The future of in-form striker Berahino has been the subject of much speculation and Albion's leading scorer capped another lively display by firing home a deflected free-kick from inside the penalty area 13 minutes from time after Allan McGregor had picked up Ahmed Elmohamady's back-pass.

Berahino, who has been linked with the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool, scored four times in a 7-0 rout of Gateshead in the FA Cup third round last weekend and he was the stand-out player once again at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

Pulis has now won both games since replacing Alan Irvine at the helm, but Albion were anything but convincing in what was only their third home victory of the season in the top flight.

Victory for the Midlands club moved them above Hull into 14th in the table and was only their second Premier League success in their last 11 games.

Hull offered very little going forward and the loss of Nikica Jelavic and Abel Hernandez to injury in the first half will no doubt hasten Steve Bruce's attempts to bring in at least one striker, with Jermain Defoe and Yaya Sanogo mooted as targets.

Pulis handed midfielder Claudio Yacob only his second Premier League start of the season, while record signing Brown Ideye was preferred to Victor Anichebe in attack.

Jelavic recovered from illness to take his place in a Hull side that showed eight changes from the team which lost in the FA Cup at Arsenal last weekend.

After an uneventful start to the game it was Berahino who had the first opportunity when he played a one-two with Stephane Sessegnon before firing wide of the far post after 18 minutes.

Both sides looked devoid of ideas going forward in a drab first half, but Berahino remained lively and forced a save out of McGregor with a strike from 20 yards out after taking a pass from Chris Brunt.

Hull suffered a double blow when they lost Jelavic and Hernandez to injury before half-time, with Robbie Brady and Tom Ince replacing the strike duo.

Brady wasted no time in making an impact as he unleashed a left-foot strike from a tight angle which Ben Foster tipped over the crossbar.

Ideye then had the best chance of the game 42 minutes in, when Berahino's perfectly weighted first time pass sent the Nigeria striker clear but he failed to hit the target with a tame finish.

The dangerous Berahino caused the Hull defence more problems early in the second half when he flashed the ball across the face of the goal but there was nobody on hand to apply the finish.

Pulis was typically animated on the touchline as the home side continued to look short of ideas and Albion's fans grew increasingly frustrated.

Anichebe replaced the ineffective Ideye with 17 minutes remaining and moments later there was a nervous moment for a poor defensive header gifted Elmohamady with a chance to open the scoring, but his shot was blocked.

The Egyptian was in the thick of the action again as his needless back-pass was picked up by McGregor and Berahino rifled home a free-kick from around 10 yards which nicked off Jake Livermore on its way in to give Albion three precious points and take his impressive tally for the season to 14 goals.

 

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Swansea 1–1 West Ham: Noble error gifts Swans a point

Bafetimbi Gomis' header secured a point for Swansea City as they held West Ham at the Liberty Stadium.

The French striker has been challenged to grasp his first-team chance in the absence of Wilfried Bony, who has departed for the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast while rumours of an imminent transfer to Manchester City persist.

And, after Andy Carroll had opened the scoring with a superb left-footed strike two minutes before half-time, Gomis was instrumental in Swansea's equaliser.

Gomis rose highest from a Gylfi Sigurdsson corner to head across goal in the 74th minute, with Mark Noble inadvertently touching the ball into his own net.

The former Lyon man Gomis produced a French flag as he celebrated his leveller in an apparent tribute to the victims of the recent terror attacks in his homeland.

The result sees Swansea and West Ham remain ninth and seventh respectively in the Premier League.

Assistant manager Neil McDonald stood in for the unwell Sam Allardyce in the West Ham dugout, but the London club were sent to Swansea with a new formation – starting with three across the back, flanked by wide men Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Cresswell.

Despite including three central defenders in their starting XI, West Ham almost allowed Gomis to weave his way through the middle of their backline inside the opening five minutes.

The France international's eventual strike was deflected into the path of Nathan Dyer on the right, but Gomis was unable to get his head to a dangerous cross from the winger.

Ashley Williams – making his 300th Swansea appearance – appeared to haul Enner Valencia to the ground in the build-up to a West Ham free-kick, although the home captain escaped with a talking to, before Gomis drew a routine save from Adrian with a low drive from distance.

West Ham kept their hosts quiet in the opening stages and had chances to break the deadlock themselves inside half-an-hour – Jenkinson blasting over, while Kevin Nolan narrowly cleared the crossbar with a shot from the edge of the box.

Wayne Routledge then sent Gomis clear as Swansea went in search of an opener, but the striker checked his run twice before showing too much of the ball to James Tomkins.

Sigurdsson, who was uncharacteristically anonymous for much of the first half, fired a tame effort straight at Adrian in the 38th minute, before Carroll broke the deadlock at the other end.

The towering striker picked the ball up in the box and turned to face goal, before rifling a left-footed effort into the corner from 18 yards, although the visitors had a last-ditch Jenkinson challenge to thank for denying Routledge an almost instant reply.

Sigurdsson curled just wide from 25 yards within 30 seconds of the restart, but it was West Ham who looked most likely to find the net.

Gomis squandered a golden opportunity shortly before the hour when he blasted over following a through-ball from substitute Marvin Emnes, but he atoned for that miss in the 74th minute.

Noble made a mess of his attempts to clear Gomis' header off the line, diverting the ball into the net to restore parity.

West Ham twice came close to snatching the three points in the closing stages - Stewart Downing drawing a great save from Lukasz Fabianski, before Carroll fired wide after the Polish goalkeeper had parried a Cresswell free-kick - but Swansea held on for a share of the spoils.

 

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Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool: Markovic makes his mark to seal victory

Lazar Markovic's first Premier League goal earned Liverpool a narrow but comfortable win over struggling Sunderland.

The Serbia international, who was denied an early penalty, opened his top-flight account to break the deadlock in the eighth minute at the Stadium of Light on Saturday with a determined off-the-ball run and finish.

Markovic was at the centre of Liverpool's best play and also struck the woodwork with an acrobatic effort, while ex-Sunderland loanee Fabio Borini was wayward with his shot from a tight angle after rounding Costel Pantilimon in a dominant first half for Brendan Rodgers' side.

Liam Bridcutt was sent off early in the second period to make Sunderland's task even harder and, although Adam Johnson struck the crossbar soon afterwards, there was no way back for the home side.

Gus Poyet's men now have just one win from their last 11 top-flight matches, while Liverpool are unbeaten in seven in all competitions.

Jordan Henderson and under-fire goalkeeper Simon Mignolet lined up against their former club, as did Borini, who took the place of the rested Raheem Sterling.

The hosts were without Steven Fletcher (groin), while his planned replacement, Jozy Altidore, was laid low with a sickness bug, leaving Connor Wickham up front on his own.

Liverpool started brightly and felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Markovic took a tumble under a clumsy challenge from Wes Brown after four minutes, with referee Craig Pawson unmoved.

But Markovic, one of three Liverpool changes from the New Year's Day draw against Leicester City, soon capped a swift break with the opening goal.

Having initially taken possession out wide on the right, Markovic played the ball inside and continued his run before being picked out by Borini's toe-poked pass. The Serb took that in his stride and bundled through a challenge before steering a shot beneath Pantilimon.

Liverpool continued in the ascendancy and Steven Gerrard, on target twice in Monday's 2-1 FA Cup triumph over AFC Wimbledon, saw two efforts from outside the box tipped behind for corners by Pantilimon.

The Romanian goalkeeper was beaten by Markovic's improvised 29th-minute volley, but the ball came back off the crossbar and went out for a corner via Pantilimon's elbow.

Rodgers' men still had time to spurn another presentable opportunity before the end of the half, as Borini went past Pantilimon only to shoot into the side netting.

Gerrard did not return for the second period as Dejan Lovren came on, but Liverpool were boosted by Bridcutt's dismissal in the 49th minute after he had hauled back Emre Can to earn a second yellow.

Sunderland's best effort on goal arrived two minutes later, when Johnson's swerving effort caught out Mignolet and Martin Skrtel had to be alert to clear the ball after it had come back off the crossbar, with Patrick van Aanholt closing in.

And, though John O'Shea went close to sliding in a late leveller from Sebastian Larsson's corner, Liverpool looked comfortable in wrapping up three well-deserved points.