..::Football III::..

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Advocaat quits as Sunderland manager

Sunderland have confirmed that Dick Advocaat has stepped down as manager after failing to record a single Premier League victory this season.

The 68-year-old Dutch boss, who took charge in March with the club just one point above the relegation zone, had considered quitting the Stadium of Light and retiring over the summer after guiding the Black Cats to safety, but was persuaded to remain in charge, signing a new one-year deal.

However, despite a £25 million summer spend, which brought in the likes of Fabio Borini, Jeremain Lens and Yann M'Vila, Advocaat's men made a disastrous start to the 2015-16 campaign.

Sunderland are winless in eight games this season, have the worst defensive record in the division and sit 19th in the table with just three points from a possible 24.

Advocaat has therefore stepped down to give a successor as much time as possible to turns things around, though says he has enjoyed his time on Wearside enormously.

“I want to thank everyone who has stood behind me. This is a very special football club, with so many great people, but I feel it is the right time to do this - not for me, but for the club,” Advocaat told the club’s official website.

“I have made the decision to go after only eight games as I felt it was important to give everyone time turn things around - like we did last year. I am thankful to the chairman for understanding my feelings and I remain on good terms with everyone at the club.
“I wish Ellis, Lee (Congerton), all of the staff, players and of course the supporters, who made me feel so welcome here, the very best of luck for the rest of the season. I have some wonderful memories to take with me and I hope I will return to see everybody again in the future.”

Advocaat's last match in charge was Saturday's 2-2 draw against West Ham, which saw the home side forfeit a two-goal lead as goalscorer Lens was sent off.

The veteran manager was thought to be considering quitting before his side extended their winless run to eight games, bringing down the curtain on a career that has featured 18 different managerial stints with sides such as PSV, the Netherlands, AZ, Rangers and Belgium.

 

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Bacca and Luiz Adriano must do more, says Mihajlovic

Sinisa Mihajlovic says he wants more from strike duo Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano as AC Milan prepare for their Serie A encounter with Napoli on Sunday.

Bacca and Luiz Adriano joined Milan from Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk respectively in the summer and together have scored four of the San Siro side's eight league goals so far this term.

Nevertheless, Mihajlovic is not entirely satisfied with his attacking duo, and has urged them to seek improvement."From Luiz Adriano and Bacca I am expecting that little bit more in terms of character and contribution," Mihajlovic said at a press conference.

"They have done well up until now, that is true, but I expect a bit more."No player is indispensable."

Despite Mihajlovic's comments, Bacca and Luiz Adriano are likely to start against Napoli, with Mario Balotelli ruled out due to a muscle injury.The Rossoneri have the opportunity to leapfrog rivals Napoli in the table with a win at San Siro this weekend.

 

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Everton 1-1 Liverpool: Lukaku leveller earns a share of Merseyside bragging rights

Romelu Lukaku's equaliser ensured Everton avoided defeat against Liverpool in a 1-1 Merseyside derby draw on Sunday.

Simon Mignolet made two excellent saves in the first half and the visitors capitalised when Danny Ings headed home the opener.

Lukaku equalised in first-half stoppage time after a mistake from Emre Can, before a second half ensued which failed to match the first for drama.

There were flashpoints between the two teams in a match that certainly was not lacking in passion, even though goalmouth action was at a premium after the break.

The result means Everton extend their poor derby record - they have now won only one of their last 18 clashes with Liverpool in the league.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have only one victory from their last six outings in the Premier League after a performance which is unlikely to ease the pressure on manager Brendan Rodgers.

Seamus Coleman and John Stones were both unavailable for Everton, while Christian Benteke did not make it back in time to play for Liverpool, who started with Daniel Sturridge after he was rested in the Europa League on Thursday.

Liverpool started the brighter of the two teams and Martin Skrtel missed the target with a header before Ings lashed a shot narrowly over the crossbar, and James Milner forced Tim Howard into a low save after a clever one-two with Philippe Coutinho.

Everton had not produced an early attacking threat but came closest to opening the scoring when Ross Barkley's free-kick was headed towards goal by Steven Naismith, with only an excellent one-handed save from Mignolet denying him.

Mignolet was at it again with a good diving stop from James McCarthy's drive as the home side started to move into the ascendancy.

But the first goal arrived at the other end on 42 minutes. Milner's corner found Ings unmarked just three yards from goal and the forward netted with a simple header.

However, Everton mounted an instant response in first-half stoppage-time. Emre Can made a poor clearance from Gerard Deulofeu's cross and Lukaku converted with an accurate low finish for his seventh goal of the season.

Tyias Browning headed over the bar as the second half started slowly, while a curling effort from Barkley dropped just past the post.

The home side were looking by far the most likely to find a winner and a right-footed Lukaku shot was kept out by Mignolet.

Coutinho cut inside and shot straight at Howard and Milner headed wide from a decent opportunity as Liverpool finally threatened, but the match ultimately finished level after a second period that failed to match the first.

 

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Sneijder: Money was never an issue in Galatasaray stay

Wesley Sneijder insisted money was never his motivation after his contract negotiations with Galatasaray ended successfully.

The Turkish champions announced on Saturday that they had tied the Dutch playmaker down to a new contract that will keep him at Turk Telekom Arena until 2018.Sneijder, 31, had been linked with a move away from Gala at points during last season, particularly when he went two months without receiving his wages.

But that matter was resolved and Sneijder spoke of his happiness in Istanbul at a press conference to formally confirm the contract renewal."I am really happy and I feel really comfortable here," said Sneijder. "My wife loves the city and club - my new baby will be born here.

"I never had doubts about the contract. The most important thing is feelings - how I feel and how the board feels about me. When that is there, money will never be a problem.

"Stability is very important for a player. I felt this at Ajax and I feel the same for Galatasaray. I will be here at least until 2018, when I will be 34. Maybe I will stay here more as a player or a coach. "I will be a head coach one day for sure but I don't think about retirement now. I am fit and I feel great."

Sneijder signed for Gala from Inter in January 2013 and has won the Super Lig title twice, adding to his previous league crowns won with the Nerazzurri, Ajax and Real Madrid.

Club president Dursun Ozbek added: "Sneijder is a very valuable player for us and we are delighted that he wants to continue serving us in the long-term.
"I wish him more good luck with his career at Galatasaray."

 

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Ajax 1-2 PSV: Pereiro double stuns De Boer’s league leaders

A Gaston Pereiro double fired PSV to a 2-1 victory over Eredivisie leaders Ajax at the Amsterdam ArenA on Sunday.

The Uruguayan's two strikes inflicted a first defeat of the domestic season on Frank De Boer's men, reducing the gap between the two sides to just two points.

Pereiro opened the scoring by firing into the roof of the net with seven minutes played, before Amin Younes brought the hosts level just three minutes later.

PSV striker Pereiro then popped up with the winner 11 minutes from time, making up for the absence of the injured Luuk De Jong, who leads the Eredivisie scoring charts, while Maxime Lestienne was also absent for family reasons.

Phillip Cocu's men subsequently join PEC Zwolle on 17 points in fourth position, while Ajax, level on point with Feyenoord remain top on goal difference.

 

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Liverpool are lucky the referee 'bottled it', claims Carragher

Liverpool were fortunate to finish the Merseyside derby with 11 men after referee Martin Atkinson "bottled" a decision and opted not to show Lucas a red card, according to Jamie Carragher.

The experienced Brazil international was booked early in the second half for clattering Ross Barkley from behind and escaped a second booking, despite tripping James McCarthy having made no effort to win the ball.

Brendan Rodgers's side clung on for a point after Romelu Lukaku equalised Danny Ings' first-half header but former Liverpool defender Carragher believes the result could have been different had Atkinson been braver with his decision making.

"He’s bottled it. I think he knows straight away. Sometimes in the first half you can book someone early and you’re not quite aware. But he’s booked Lucas 10 or 15 minutes ago and he’s well aware," Carragher told Sky Sports.

"He just froze. He’s refereed Merseyside derbies before and I think he’s sent off three players in his five games now. Going into the game he’s been determined and probably thought early on I’ll let a few things go.

"He knew straight away. Everyone did both Everton and Liverpool players. That’s why Rodgers brought him off. He bottled it."

 

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Sampdoria 1-1 Inter: Perisic leveller earns point for Mancini’s men

Ivan Perisic salvaged a 1-1 draw for Inter in Sunday's Serie A encounter versus Sampdoria at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

Walter Zenga's men dominated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes and Joaquin Correa in particular looked dangerous on a number of occasions, although he was guilty of an astonishing miss.

The Argentinian should have broken the deadlock shortly before the break, yet somehow missed from three yards out in front of an open net.

The hosts would go a goal up shortly after the break, however, when Luis Muriel got his name on the scoresheet from Pedro Pereira's cross.

Fredy Guarin was Inter's biggest threat, but it was Perisic who would eventually level with less than 15 minutes left on the clock, before Inter withstood some late Samp pressure to hold onto their point.

Sunday's draw sees Inter return to the top of the table with 16 points from seven games, although their stay may be short-lived with Fiorentina in action against Atalanta later on.

Samp made a fine start to the game and nearly opened the scoring after just three minutes when Ervin Zukanovic beat his man to the ball after a corner, yet the centre-back's attempt went narrowly wide.

Correa was next to try his luck, but twice the Argentinian saw his efforts thwarted by Samir Handanovic.

Alex Telles was the first one to threaten on Inter's behalf, but his 25-yard strike lacked the power to worry Emiliano Viviano.

Rodrigo Palacio looked dangerous for Roberto Mancini’s men halfway through the first period, but his shot from close range was kept out by Viviano, before Guarin wasted Inter's best chance of the half in the 30th minute when he blasted an acrobatic effort over the crossbar.

At the other end, Eder had an opportunity to gift his side the lead after being set up by Muriel, only for his shot to graze the post.

Samp should have gone a goal up in the 38th minute via Correa. The forward saw his first attempt kept out by Handanovic, but as the rebound fell kindly at his feet he somehow shot wide of the gaping goal from inside the six-yard box.

The home side got the goal they deserved shortly after the interval when Pereira sent in a cross toward the back post and Muriel was at hand to slide in and open the scoring.

The opening goal served as a wake-up call for Inter and Guarin got a chance to restore parity in the 57th minute after a cross from Telles, only to steer his effort wide.

A looping header from Perisic on the hour mark looked dangerous, but Niklas Moisander eventually got back in time to clear the Croatia international's attempt.

Inter would eventually get the equaliser in the 76th minute, though, when Perisic stabbed home from close range after being set up by Mauro Icardi, thus preventing a second consecutive defeat.

 

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Higuain: Sarri has made me indispensable for Napoli

Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has credited coach Maurizio Sarri for making him "indispensable" amidst his recent explosion in form.

Higuain was made a scapegoat for his club failing to qualify to the Champions League on the final day of last season when they were pipped by Lazio.

His penalty miss in the final of the Copa America next caused Argentina to be beaten by Chile, with Gerardo Martino opting to leave him out of Argentina's squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.

Despite his international woes, the 27-year-old has turned around his club fortunes by scoring six goals in all competitions this term under Sarri, and has credited the trainer for his new-found form.

"With Sarri, our relationship is very good. He has helped me so much early on and has made me feel like a player who is indispensable," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport."At times for a player, dialogue can be the most important thing.

"I feel like I'm in good mental and physical condition at the moment. I hope that I can improve even more, the same way that I hope Napoli will continue to get better too."

Higuain's prolific streak continued on Thursday in a 2-0 win over Legia Warsaw in the Europa League, as he cut in from the left and curled home a wonderful strike to seal the points.Ahead of Sunday's trip to face Milan, Higuain added: "I believe that the goal I scored against Legia is among the finest I have ever managed in my career.

"I'm pleased with myself because that's exactly where I wanted to put the ball, right in the top corner.

"For us, we still have to prove we are a great team and can improve many things. The game against Milan could give us important indications about where we are."

 

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Rodgers: Whether it's me or someone else, Liverpool need time

Brendan Rodgers insists his side still need time after losing “quality players” following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Everton on Sunday.

Liverpool sit tenth in the Premier League after Danny Ings' opener was cancelled out by Romelu Lukaku at Goodison Park but Rodgers maintains he does not feel under pressure.

“The first point is I don’t feel any pressure whatsoever," said the Liverpool manager.

"There’s pressure to sell newspapers and make stories in the media, and I understand and respect that because that’s your job. For me, my job is to worry about the team, and that’s the only pressure I feel. When you send a team out you want them to be committed, relentless in the game and play with no fear. I think the team played like that today.

"This is a group of players looking to replicate what we did a couple of years ago, and that’s going to take time unfortunately. It’s frustrating for supporters who’ve watched us nearly win the league and then lose the quality players. That’s going to take time whether that’s me or someone else in the job.

"Whilst it’s me I’ll continue to give every ounce to the football club. Once the players are together for a number of years, they’ll be competitive. You see from the beginning of the season to now that they’re growing.

"Unfortunately people want to put pressure on me, but I don’t feel it and I don’t want it. I just feel the pressure to win from myself and worry about the team."

 

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Lukaku: Everton should have won

Romelu Lukaku felt Everton were unfortunate not to come away with a win following their 1-1 draw against Liverpool in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Lukaku cancelled out Danny Ings' header prior to half-time as the sides could not be separated in the Premier League for the third derby running.

The Belgium international produced a precise finish to secure a point for his side in a passionate affair that lacked clear-cut chances, but Lukaku stated the hosts deserved all three points.

"We deserved to win today, we controlled the game," he told Sky Sports.

"[Simon] Mignolet made some good saves and we should have had more composure in possession.

"To concede just before half-time was difficult, but we were lucky to score and that was a boost for the second half. We dominated the game but did not get the shots like we did in the first half."

Lukaku was involved in a confrontation with Mamadou Sakho late on which saw both players booked, though the Belgium international played down the incident.

"It was just a little shove," the Everton man added.

"We are two competitors, it is what people like to see but we are okay now."

 

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Why Van Gaal & Man Utd's DISASTROUS half at Arsenal had been coming for weeks

This had been coming. This was why fans and pundits alike were busy scratching their heads rather than delivering effusive praise when Manchester United reached the top of the Premier League after seven games.

United were beaten 3-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday after being overrun by exactly the kind of assault that many feared would be the Red Devils' undoing sooner or later. Louis van Gaal's side have been picking up the results despite looking entirely beatable at the back, and that run came to a shuddering halt in north London.

Against Tottenham on the opening day they were left clinging onto a 1-0 lead by their fingertips as the visitors upped the pace and forced them onto the back foot, while defeat at Swansea came after a short burst in the second half during which they were well off the pace. The same happened at PSV in the Champions League, while victory at Southampton came only after the home side had wasted several good chances when bossing the momentum early on.

So it was always likely to be the case that an Arsenal side who love to attack with speed and verve would cause United problems. And nobody can pretend to be surprised that the Gunners made hay between the lines in the first 20 minutes, turning around the statuesque midfield duo of Michael Carrick and Bastian Schweinsteiger before unleashing hell on the back line.

Arsenal had done their homework. They pressed high. They asked questions of United’s defenders on the ball rather than doing what most teams had done by sitting back and allowing Van Gaal’s men to dictate a slower pace to the play. The rewards looked set to be endless.

Alexis Sanchez flicked home superbly after Ashley Young and Daley Blind had been exposed down United’s left, then Mesut Ozil put the finishing touches to a move which saw Theo Walcott drive through a huge hole in front of the visitors’ defence. Seven minutes. Two goals.

For the first time in Premier League history United found themselves three behind inside 20 minutes, Sanchez again thriving in front of the back four before escaping Matteo Darmian and beating the hesitant Chris Smalling and Carrick to the ball before thrashing a shot into the top corner. The defensive resources Van Gaal decided not to strengthen over the summer were left looking completely insufficient. Bookings for Darmian and Young only added more concern and misery.

While they showed a slight improvement in the second half, they did so against an Arsenal side going through the motions with the game in the bag. Van Gaal has spoken in recent days about his players being tired, but they were not tired at the Emirates. They were just too slow, both in body and in mind.

United were said to be coming up against their first huge test of the season on Sunday. They failed it, and badly. An Arsenal side needing to bounce back from Champions League humiliation came up against the ideal back line to bully.

If this United side are going to challenge for the Premier League, more has to be done to anticipate and prepare against this kind of afternoon.

 

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Swansea City 2-2 Tottenham: Eriksen free-kicks salvage point for Spurs

Christian Eriksen scored two brilliant free-kicks as Tottenham fought back twice to draw 2-2 with Swansea on Sunday.

The Dane opened his account for the season and spared the blushes of team-mate Harry Kane, whose own goal had handed the hosts a 2-1 half-time lead at the Liberty Stadium.

Kane's gaffe came after Eriksen had wrong-footed Lukasz Fabianski - who was otherwise excellent - from a dipping set-piece to cancel out Andre Ayew's 16th-minute opener.

Spurs, who have never lost to Swansea in the Premier League, applied pressure after the interval and - having survived a couple of scares - levelled in the 65th minute as Eriksen found the top-right corner from the edge of the box.

Mauricio Pochettino's side carried the greater threat in the remainder of the game, but could not beat Fabianski for a third time, with Spurs now having lost just one of their last 10 in all competitions, while the Swans - who hit the crossbar in stoppage time - are winless in five.

A slow start to the match offered little hint of what was to follow, with Nacer Chadli's early long-range effort easily gathered by Fabianski after some careless play from Bafetimbi Gomis.

It was Swansea who went ahead with their first attack of note, Ayew climbing well to meet a cross from Jefferson Montero, one of two changes for the home side.
Spurs' response was a spirited one and the visitors were level 11 minutes later as Eriksen's free-kick deceived Fabianski, with the Pole covering the wrong side of his goal.

But Kane's own goal put Pochettino's men - who beat Manchester City 4-1 last time out in the league - on the back foot again, the England striker slicing an attempted near-post clearance from Jonjo Shelvey's corner into the net.

Kane tried to make amends with a strong run and shot two minutes later, but Fabianski - who also kept out another Eriksen set-piece - was equal to it.
The lively Eriksen brought another smart stop from Fabianski before the interval as Pochettino's side continued to underline their threat.

That theme carried through to the opening stages of the second half as an excellent passing move culminated in Kane prodding goalwards from close range, but again Fabianski made the save.Gomis failed to connect properly with a back-post header at the other end, with the open nature of the contest continuing to serve up chances.

Shelvey's foul on Dele Alli afforded Eriksen another opportunity to threaten from a deadball situation and he did not disappoint the travelling fans as he curled a second effort beyond former Arsenal shot-stopper Fabianski.

From thereon in it was the Londoners who looked the more likely to grab a late winner, with substitute Andros Townsend bringing an unorthodox save from the busy Fabianski in the closing 10 minutes.

Eriksen narrowly missed out on a hat-trick as his low injury-time shot drifted wide, before Hugo Lloris went full stretch to tip Federico Fernandez's header onto the bar as the hosts almost won it at the death.

 

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Walcott dedicates Arsenal's win over Man Utd to Wenger

Theo Walcott has dedicated Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United to Arsene Wenger and believes the team’s performance was the best he’s ever been involved in.

The Gunners raced into a three-goal lead inside the opening 20 minutes as Alexis Sanchez struck twice, while Mesut Ozil netted his second of the season.

Wenger faced criticism following his side's 3-2 defeat to Olympiacos earlier in the week but Walcott has described the display against United as "the Arsenal of old".

“You could sense the desire was there we need to show that in more games. But our Premier League record is actually very good,” Walcott told Sky Sports.

“Everyone is beating everyone else at the moment. But we’re where we are want to be just about but we want to be dominant at home against big teams and we should be playing like that every week. There will be a lot of aching bodies tonight but so it should be and that was for the manager.

“We’ve spoken to each other on our own we wanted to do this for the fans. Sometimes we have great performances but don’t get the results you need but today that first 25 minutes was unbelievable. Nobody would’ve been able to cope with us. The best football I’ve ever been involved in. It was the Arsenal of old.”

 

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Henry: Arsenal MUST win the title this season

Thierry Henry believes Arsenal must now go on and win the title after Sunday's impressive 3-0 win over Manchester United.

The Gunners cruised to victory at the Emirates Stadium, scoring three goals within the first 20 minutes as Alexis Sanchez struck two and Mesut Ozil also found the net, with Louis van Gaal's side unable to find an answer.

The result moves Arsenal up to second in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester City, and Henry has challenged the north Londoners to capitalise on their strong position and deliver their first title since 2004.

He told Sky Sports: "For me they must win the league this year. They must win it.

"I don't know if they'll get a better chance than this season. They must win it this year."

 

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Arsenal team peformance hodai so hoda fight 1kak denna puluwan wei CITY lata title challenge 1kata​

 

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Bayern Munich 5-1 Borussia Dortmund: Lewandowski and Muller send Pep's men further clear

Robert Lewandowski scored twice against his former club as Bayern Munich thrashed Borussia Dortmund 5-1 at the Allianz Arena.

Thomas Tuchel named a surprising line-up, with Marco Reus and Matthias Ginter dropping to the bench and Muller made the most of sloppy play from the visitors when he finished well 26 minutes in.

Muller had his second from the spot soon after when Henrikh Mkhitaryan fouled Thiago Alacantara - but Dortmund were given hope as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang tapped home before the break.

Former Dortmund man Robert Lewandowski restored Bayern's two-goal cushion less than a minute into the second half before extending the advantage prior to the hour with his 12th goal in his past four outings.

Gotze's first Bundesliga goal since February made it five - with Bayern having also dispatched last season's runners-up Wolfsburg by the same scoreline already this term - as Tuchel's unbeaten start to life at Dortmund ended with a limp performance against opponents they have traditionally run close.

The visitors were quick out of the blocks and Thiago was required to block Mkhitaryan's cross with the recalled Aubameyang and Shinji Kagawa waiting as Bayern struggled to threaten until Douglas Costa bamboozled stand-in right back Sokratis Papastathopoulos and fired at Roman Burki.

Bayern's breakthrough came from route one tactics as Jerome Boateng's ball over the reshuffled Dortmund defence sent Muller clear to clip the ball over the onrushing Burki and roll home the opener.

It buoyed Guardiola's men and the champions doubled their lead from the spot 34 minutes in when Muller converted after Mkhitaryan was punished for catching Thiago inside the area.

However, Aubameyang's 10th Bundesliga goal of the season reduced the arrears prior to the break, as Castro's precise ball across the Bayern box was finished well by the Gabon striker.

That brief glimmer of hope was dimmed within a minute of the restart as another lofted Boateng pass caused chaos in the Dortmund backline. Lewandowski was the beneficiary as he continued his goalscoring streak by nicking the ball past Burki and hammering Bayern's third in from a yard.

Reus was introduced soon after along with Adnan Januzaj but Bayern's pressure continued. Gotze scooped over the crossbar from six yards before turning provider with a delightful pass for Lewandowski to finish.

Gotze got on the scoresheet against his former employers with 24 minutes left - guiding Thiago's deft backheel past Burki - as Guardiola's men opened up an ominous early gap at the top, having seen third-place Schalke beaten by Cologne earlier on Sunday.

 

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Wenger: Arsenal criticism is ALWAYS excessive

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger issued a riposte after their 3-0 victory against Manchester United on Sunday, saying criticism is "always excessive".

There had been doubts about the Gunners' title credentials heading into the match but they were silenced following a masterful performance in which an Alexis Sanchez brace either side of Mesut Ozil's had the hosts coasting within the first 20 minutes.

And Wenger believes the commanding nature of the win exposes how fickle criticism of his side has been - particularly now that they are only two points behind leaders Manchester City at the summit."To win in a big game is always a statement and we are in it. We are second, two points off the top," the Frenchman told reporters after the match.

"It’s [criticism] always excessive, we’ve played some great games, we’ve won four away games. I have managed many teams and never one has played at the same level from the first game to the last," .

"It’s desire, focus, subsconsciously we turn up in the Champions League maybe and in the Premier League we are on our toes and maybe that’s where we must step up. We won’t have that problem against Bayern, of course.

"Let’s not forget we beat Leicester 5-2 last week, we missed our opportunity in midweek, but we are on a good run in the Premier League. We lost on Tuesday and the performance was not disciplined enough. We acknowledged that and responded today."

"We were good against Manchester United because we decided to start strong, to press high, to win balls and get quickly into transition and when we do that well we know we can score goals. After that we were disciplined and focused to defend well together."

Wenger singled out Theo Walcott for special praise after he laid on two assists and proved a constant threat, while confirming Sanchez picked up a groin strain, although he reassured it was not that serious.

"I must say Walcott was hugely committed and convincing," he continued. "I like to praise strikers when they don’t score too. He gave assists and he showed he can fight as well - he is improving as a centre forward in some aspects of his game.

"He [Sanchez] has a little groin problem. You cannot stop him from going to chile. He loves so much to play for his country and they play against Brazil and Peru. he won’t want to miss that. I hope he will come back in good shape."

Finally, Wenger paid tribute to former Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers, who received the axe following their 1-1 draw at Everton in the Merseyside Derby earlier on Sunday."I’m always sad when that happens. I think he’s a quality manager. The pressure is always intense on managers," he concluded.

"I think he was very unlucky not to win the Premier League - he was the closest of all the managers that have worked for the club. I wish him good luck, and I’m sure he will find a job again."

 

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Van Gaal mystifed by Manchester United horror show

Louis van Gaal insists Manchester United's under-par first-half performance against Arsenal on Sunday came as a big surprise to him.

United were beaten 3-0 by Arsene Wenger's side, with all three goals coming in the first 20 minutes through Alexis Sanchez (2) and Mesut Ozil.

And following the defeat, which sees United drop to third place in the Premier League table, the Dutchman railed against the idea that the performance had been on the cards.

"We didn't expect it. We were top of the league and won our last four matches - we had to protect our position. But it was always possible this could happen against Arsenal," Van Gaal told Sky Sports. "We started without emotion - that’s hard to understand. We have to look for reasons.

"When you start like that you can never win a game. We lost every duel, every second ball. We were not tight on their midfielders. They can play. They are a fantastic team. I said in advance that when you give them space it'll be difficult. At 2-0 after five minutes it is even more difficult."

Asked if he had any answers for his side's shoddy start, Van Gaal added that he will have to speak with his side.

"I’m looking for [answers]. I never have seen this of my team before. That is the question I need to put to my players. You have to see the images.

"It was not only one player. Then I can take measure. But it was more than half my team that was not doing what we had agreed in our game plan."

"The biggest concern is that the players are now flying out from London to their national teams. We cannot prepare properly for Everton. You have to wait to see now if they are fit to play but also if they are mentally fit to play."