..::Football III::..

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Arsenal 2-1 Everton: Giroud and Koscielny on target as Gunners go top

Olivier Giroud was among the goalscorers as Arsenal moved to the top of the Premier League with a 2-1 defeat of Everton at the Emirates.

The hosts scored twice in three first-half minutes, Giroud converting Mesut Ozil's cross before Laurent Koscielny doubled the hosts' advantage with another fine header.

Ross Barkley pulled one back for Everton with a deflected strike just before half-time but, despite having plenty of chances, Everton could not conjure up an equaliser and their evening ended in further disappointment with the late dismissal of midfielder Gareth Barry for two yellow cards.

Arsene Wenger's men top the table with 22 points from 10 games but they can be replaced by Manchester City on Sunday should they get at least a draw in the Manchester derby.

Arsenal started the match confidently and threatened for the first time in the eighth minute. Giroud beat his marker to the ball from Santi Cazorla’s corner but the Frenchman failed to get his header on target.

Everton nearly opened the scoring against the run of play on the half-hour mark. Petr Cech failed to adequately deal with Aaron Lennon’s cross from the left, handing John Stones a golden chance to hand the visitors the lead but the England defender blasted wide from close range.

Arsenal grabbed the opener in the 36th minute. Ozil sent in a superb cross for Giroud and the striker beat Phil Jagielka to the ball before heading home from five yards out.

The hosts doubled their lead just two minutes later. Referee Lee Mason awarded Alexis Sanchez a free-kick down the left and Cazorla sent the ball into the box for Koscielny to head past the helpless Tim Howard.

Roberto Martinez’s side pulled one back shortly before the interval via Barkley. The England midfielder tried his luck from the edge of the area after a good run and saw his shot take a deflection off Gabriel to beat Cech at his near post.

Sanchez came close to restoring Arsenal's two-goal lead immediately after the break following a sublime pass from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain but he was denied by a fine block from Howard.

Giroud nearly doubled his personal tally in the 56th minute after a good combination with Oxlade-Chamberlain, only for Howard to again show his class with a superb reflex save.

Arsenal continued to dominate proceedings and Ozil was next to test the Everton goalkeeper with a volley from outside the box that was easily collected by Howard.

Barkley wasted a decent chance to equalise after some sloppy play from Nacho Monreal, but his shot lacked the power to worry Cech.

Giroud could have netted Arsenal’s 2,000th goal under Wenger in the 70th minute after an intelligent pass from Ozil, only to see his attempt hit the crossbar.

Romelu Lukaku did likewise at the other end as Everton searched for a leveller, his header from a Barry cross clipping the woodwork on its way over.

There was a late flurry of chances at both ends, Mathieu Flamini and Ozil coming close for Arsenal - the latter hitting the post with a crisp left-footed effort, while Gerard Deulofeu missed a wonderful chance to equalise with Cech distinguishing himself again with a smart block.

Everton's desperation boiled over in stoppage time as Barry lunged in on Kieran Gibbs and was shown a second yellow card.

 

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Arsenal dig deep with the resilience of champions


It's meant to be the sign of champions when a team is able to grind out victories in tight games when below their best.

That is exactly what Arsenal did as they dug deep and battled to a 2-1 victory against Everton on Saturday that takes them to the top of the Premier League table for at least a day. If they are still there when it really matters in the final weeks of the season, it will owe much to results like this.

No team can win every week in the sort of manner in which the Gunners blew away Manchester United with a 3-0 victory in September. On a sodden evening in north London, Arsene Wenger's side found it difficult to find their rhythm in the pouring rain.

But they got the job done. Pretty football alone does not win the major trophies and this was another un-Arsenal performance, much like the midweek victory over Bayern Munich. The back-to-back FA Cup triumphs seem to have changed the mentality around the club and you sense that this group of players truly believe that they can win the league.
They rode their luck and there were some heart-in-mouth moments. Romelu Lukaku hit the crossbar with a header late on before Petr Cech made a wonderful save to deny Gerard Deulofeu but those bounces of the ball can decide the destination of the Premier League trophy. This was the kind of game in which Arsenal would have dropped points in most of the previous years since their last title win in 2004.

After a start to the season that Wenger himself described as "very average", the Gunners players are brimming with confidence. Once again some of their big players stepped up to help get them out of trouble here and this time is wasn't Alexis Sanchez, either.

The hosts had barely created a chance of note before Mesut Ozil produced a sublime cross for Olivier Giroud to glance in the opener in the 36th minute. It was a moment of genius from Ozil and he now tops the Premier League assists chart with seven so far this season, while Giroud is back on form, having scored four in his last five competitive appearances.

Less than two minutes later, Laurent Koscielny headed in the second from close range - but the second half was a nervy affair for Arsenal after Ross Barkley pulled one back with a deflected strike just before the break.
But Everton could not find a way through. At the back, Cech made one vital save while Gabriel was superb. Francis Coquelin screened the defence well and, up front, Giroud fought for every ball.

The Gunners are one point clear of Manchester City and three ahead of Manchester United ahead of the derby at Old Trafford on Sunday. They also have a kind run of fixtures coming up. Their next six league games are against Swansea City, Tottenham, West Brom, Norwich City, Sunderland and Aston Villa.

It is hard to see where the Gunners will drop points. In the past, you could guarantee that, at some point, they would shoot themselves in the foot when expected to win but more and more evidence points to an improved mentality and a new ability to dig deep to get results.

 

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Opponents must dread visiting Anfield again, says Allen

Joe Allen is keen for Liverpool to turn Anfield into a ground that opponents dread visiting again.

The midfielder hopes his side can replicate the home form that saw them come close to winning the Premier League title two seasons ago, in which Liverpool won 16 out of their 19 games at the Kop.And Allen admitted his side are missing the same fear factor most now, and is determined to turn the stadium into a fortress once more this campaign.

"Home form is something huge for any team, but I think if you look back to the season where we finished runners-up our home form was incredible,” Allen told the club's official website.

"Teams were dreading coming to Anfield and you almost felt that walking out onto the pitch, and you were ahead already."That’s what we want to try and recreate and give the fans things to cheer about."

The 25-year-old indicated he felt the home fans had already taken well to the changes introduced by new boss Jurgen Klopp, and hopes their support will help spur the side to success under the German."We want good results, exciting performances and I think the brand of football the manager wants to bring is going to do that in itself," he concluded.

"I think the supporters will respond really well to it and it only takes one or two things to set that ball rolling, and hopefully we can go on a great run at Anfield."Liverpool have won two out of their four home games in the Premier League so far this campaign.

The outfit host Southampton on Sunday seeking their first win under Klopp.

 

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Wenger: No one expected Arsenal to be top after opening-day defeat

Arsene Wenger is proud of his Arsenal team for recovering from their opening-day defeat to go top of the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Everton on Saturday.

Ahead of Manchester City's derby clash against Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal temporarily moved to the summit of the table after taking the three points against Roberto Martinez's side.

It is a feat that the coach feels may surprise a number of people given the criticism following their 2-0 loss to West Ham in their first outing of the new campaign."Let's keep going and continue to grow, keep the humility and desire to grow as a team," Wenger told Sky Sports.

"We lost the first game here at the Emirates and after that no one would have said we would be top tonight.

"When you win such a big game like they did on Tuesday it shows a lot about the mentality of your team. That's why I'm very proud of my team because they've shown the ability to refocus."

After coming from the bench to score in the 2-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich, Olivier Giroud replaced Theo Walcott in the starting line-up on Saturday.The Frenchman was on target once again, and Wenger feels his two key strikers are showing that doubts over their strength in the position were incorrect.

"Giroud came on and made a difference. When he starts he makes a difference," the coach added."There were a lot of questions on our strikers. Giroud and Walcott are outstanding at the moment and that confidence shows."

Giroud is pleased with the consistency Arsenal are showing and insists the competition between himself and Walcott is healthy."It's nice to win this kind of game after the Champions League," Giroud said."The main thing is the team is doing well - that's the best thing for me. As long as we are winning I am pleased with that.

"Me and Theo have a good understanding. He was in good form, now it's me, so we try and bring our small game to the big machine."

 

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Wenger: If you love football, you love Ozil

Arsene Wenger said "people who love football love Mesut Ozil" after he shone in Arsenal's 2-1 Premier League win over Everton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Germany international added to his recent run of stellar showings against Everton, setting up Olivier Giroud's opening goal and hitting the upright late on.

Ozil has had a hand in seven goals across his last five appearances in all competitions, leaving Wenger running out of superlatives.


"Mesut is a top class player, honestly," Wenger said at his post-match news conference.

"Rather than talking about him I would rather watch him again. If you love to watch football, you love to watch Ozil.

"It is a combination of quality of the touch, intelligence and team attitude. He is a real team player, I said that Friday in the press conference.

"He puts his talent at the service of the team and he wants to help the team with everything he does. That makes him efficient."

Saturday's victory was Arsenal's third win of the week after previously beating Watford and Bayern Munich, putting them top of the Premier League pile.
"We went to Watford and won 3-0 and beat Bayern Munich 2-0, and beat Everton in one week. It has been a fantastic week. It is not easy," he added.

"We had a massive game on Tuesday night and after that it is a good test for your squad and the hand off to your players. I think we played with the right focus and desire.

"I believe that we will keep that solidarity, that desire to do well and I think we are well focused to do well and together we have improved on that front.
"We know that when we have the ball we can create goal chances."

 

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Palermo 1-1 Inter: Gilardino denies Nerazzurri

Former AC Milan striker Alberto Gilardino cancelled out Ivan Perisic's strike as 10-man Inter were held to a 1-1 draw by Palermo.

After a slow first half, the game burst into life after the break and Perisic's goal, a tap-in from substitute Jonathan Biabiany's cross, was well deserved as Inter got on top.

But the lead lasted just six minutes. The Nerazzurri failed to clear and Franco Vazquez hit a fierce cross-shot that was diverted home by an unwitting Gilardino from close range.Fredy Guarin came closest to snatching the points for Inter but Palermo goalkeeper Stefano Sorrentino was in fine form to deny him a winning goal.

Jeison Murillo's red card for two bookable offences halted the visitor's momentum and ensured their poor record at Palermo - where they have not won since 2010 - continued.The hosts started in confident mood, although they could not force the early goal their dominance deserved.

Gilardino headed a fine cross from Achraf Lazaar just wide and Samir Handanovic was soon called into action, getting down to block a cross with the former Italy forward waiting for a tap-in.

However, Inter worked their way back into the contest and Mauro Icardi had an effort blocked before a corner eluded three Nerazzurri players in the box with Sorrentino nowhere.Sorrentino again kept the scores level early in the second half, plunging down to his right to keep out Stevan Jovetic's free-kick.

Palermo's early failure to take their chances came back to haunt them as Perisic struck. Biabiany had only been on the pitch a few minutes, but he crossed low for Croatia attacker Perisic to tap in after a lofted ball opened Palermo up.

The hosts were soon level, as Gilardino tucked home his eighth Serie A goal against Inter when he was alert to divert in a fired cross by Vazquez.The game was wide open and Palermo almost made it 2-1 shortly after, but Andrea Rispoli's shot deflected just over the bar, with Sorrentino sharp at the other end to tip Guarin's deflected drive over the crossbar.

Inter's chances of forcing a winner took a blow when Murillo was sent off for a second yellow card after stopping Vazquez in full flow. And Sorrentino was the hero at the death, somehow denying Biabiany when he looked certain to score.

The Nerazzurri have struggled in front of goal all season, scoring just eight goals from eight games prior to their trip to Palermo, and they could not find the winning goal that would have taken them back to Serie A's summit.

 

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Navas an incredible goalkeeper - Jese

Real Madrid attacker Jese Rodriguez took time to praise Keylor Navas in the wake of his side's 3-1 La Liga win over Celta Vigo.

The Costa Rica international goalkeeper pulled off a number of sublime saves to help Madrid secure all three points on Saturday, preserving los Blancos unbeaten start to the campaign.And Jese was quick to highlight the shot-stopper's contribution after being impressed with his performances all season.

"He's incredible, a fantastic goalkeeper and a great guy," the forward told Madrid's official website.

"I'm really happy for him because he trains really hard and he deserves it. He's a great professional."Jese featured from the start for the third time in La Liga this term, and is pleased with the opportunities he has been given under coach Rafael Benitez."I'm very happy. I always try to make the most of the playing time the coach gives me, and I feel good and I have to carry on like this," he added.

"I've always wanted to be at Real Madrid and be a success."Saturday's win saw Madrid move three points clear of Celta in the table, and Jese was delighted with their victory at Balaidos.

"It's a really important win, because today was a difficult match against a really good side. We're very happy," the forward continued."I was expecting a really tough match, harder even than Wednesday's because of our exertions in that game.

"We've just kept at it without thinking about the others. What's important is that we've won and we stay top."

 

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Ferdinand: Only Martial will scare Man City

Rio Ferdinand says Anthony Martial is the only player in Manchester United's squad who will frighten Manchester City ahead of Sunday's clash between the city rivals.

The 19-year-old has been an instant hit at Old Trafford since joining the club for £36 million in August, and scored the equaliser - his fifth goal in his new club colours - in Wednesday's 1-1 draw with CSKA Moscow in the Champions League.

But, though Ferdinand is a big fan of Martial's talents, the former Manchester United defender fears the club lack match winners in their squad who will trouble teams in the final third.

He told BreatheSport: "If Chelsea had Arjen Robben, Damien Duff and Didier Drogba all playing you knew you had to be on it.

“But with this Manchester United team I don’t know if there are any ­players – apart from Martial – whose name you look at on the teamsheet and say ‘he can hurt us if we give him too much time’.

"Pace in the modern day game is a Godsend. Even I didn’t want to play against pace, and when I was in my prime I was quick.“I’d always want to know where my opponent was so I could put my hands on him and move him about.

“I didn’t want someone like an Andy Cole who wants to run in behind you all day and make your life a misery. Martial is like that.“But he’s not going to do it on his own. He will need other players but his pace is a great asset to have.”

 

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Manchester United need more speed and creativity, says Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he still needs to add more pace and creativity to his squad ahead of Sunday's derby with Manchester City.

United bolstered their attack by signing Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial in the summer transfer window, but allowed Angel Di Maria, Robin van Persie, Falcao and Nani to depart.

As a result, Van Gaal believes United are still short of quality in the final third and is keen on adding players with pace to his squad when the window reopens in January.

"I have said we need speedy, creative players in attack. You have seen which players I have bought - but we need more," the Dutchman said at a press conference.

"I think that all the players I want, want to come. So it is not a question of the players. It is a question of the clubs who are stopping them. I do know the players want to come to Manchester United. And I also think Manchester City."I don't think there is a difference [in size]. United and City are clubs players want to come to."

Just two points separate the two sides in the Premier League table, with City in second place and United in fourth ahead of the game, and Van Gaal stressed the need for United to keep their composure on Sunday.

"I think always the form of the players is a decisive factor, " he said. "And a game-plan and the referee. He can influence the game."And in a derby, a cool head is also very important. I believe our players shall show that. "

Van Gaal tasted victory over City in his first season as United boss last term, as they won 4-2 at Old Trafford, but stated he does not rate that performance as highly as other victories."Of course it was a fantastic afternoon and I drunk a fantastic glass of wine after that!" he concluded. "But if you ask me if that was the greatest moment, then, no.

"There were other games that, as a professional manager, were more satisfying than the performance against Manchester City. Tottenham away - in the first half there."And Liverpool away, and at home."

 

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Manchester United need more speed and creativity, says Van Gaal

Dan ithin oka kiyala wadak nahaneSummer transfer window 1ka patan gattha dawase idala kiwwe oka.Anthimata mokakda kale​

 

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Zabaleta: De Bruyne & Martial prove money really does buy success

Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta says spending big money is the only way clubs can acquire the best players and achieve success after witnessing the quality of Kevin De Bruyne and Anthony Martial up close.

City - who are owned by billionaire Sheikh Mansour - splashed out over £100 million to buy the Belgian along with Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Otamendi in the summer transfer window, while Manchester United shelled out £36 million for Martial.

The outlay appears to have paid off, with Manuel Pellegrini's men picking up 21 points from their opening nine games ahead of facing their city rivals on Sunday.

Victory will see City leapfrog their neighbours and overtake leaders Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, and Zabaleta said the club's financial muscle has - and will - continue to be key to them winning trophies."Football is like that. If you want to bring in big players you have to pay crazy money sometimes,” he told the Sunday People.

“I understand that, but probably today with television contracts you have two teams in Spain who can pay the money, a few teams in England, and Bayern Munich in Germany.

“Paying big fees is the only way you can bring in big players. Manchester City demand a successful season with trophies and the only way we can do that is to bring in top players like Kevin.

“He has made a great start to the season and Kevin is probably one of the key players for us at the moment. Somebody was talking about him as a possible player of the year, but it is too soon to be talking about that.

”We need players at the club who are hungry for success and Kevin is scoring great goals at the moment.

“He is doing really well and hopefully he can continue in that way."Zabaleta was adamant Martial's impact at Manchester United has been of the same magnitude as De Bruyne, adding: "It is the same with Martial.

"He is a quality player. I know United paid a lot of money for him but at the moment he is doing really well for them.”

 

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Inter cannot be satisfied with Palermo draw - Mancini

Roberto Mancini struggled to take positives from Inter's performance after they missed the chance to go top of Serie A by drawing 1-1 at Palermo.Inter took the lead through Ivan Perisic on Saturday, but Alberto Gilardino levelled just six minutes later after latching on to Franco Vazquez's cross.

The Nerazzurri had to play the last few minutes with 10 men after Jeison Murillo was sent off for two yellow cards, leaving them to cling on for a solitary point that keeps them second in Serie A, behind Fiorentina.

"We suffered in defence and attack, then Stevan Jovetic found his place between the lines and we did better," Mancini told Mediaset Premium. "We were unlucky on the Murillo sending off too."At this moment we are [joint] top of the table, but we are really not satisfied because we wanted to win. Unfortunately we didn't achieve it."

The Inter coach then defended Mauro Icardi after last season's joint league top scorer struggled in front of goal again, failing to add to his tally of two goals this season.

"These periods happen to all strikers at some stage, the important thing is that he stays calm and takes part in the team move," continued Mancini."We will keep working to find the right system, but in the meantime it's important to stay in the top places. We will find the best tactical shape."

However, Mancini was pleased with the impact made by substitute Jonathan Biabiany, who created Perisic's goal minutes after coming off the bench."Unfortunately he's not able to play 90 minutes yet, otherwise he would have started tonight. He is a player who can be very useful this season, as he attacks the space and can score too," the 50-yerar-old concluded.

"He was out of action for a year and a half [after being diagnosed with a heart issue], so it's not easy for him to find his form."

 

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Pellegrini reveals Rooney admiration

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has praised Wayne Rooney's longevity and backed the Manchester United captain to play well into his 30s like Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard.

Both Manchester sides meet on Sunday, but Pellegrini revealed his admiration for Rooney - who only turned 30 on Saturday - and the quality he has shown over a long period of time.

"I admire Rooney the same as with Gerrard and Lampard,“ Pellegrini told reporters. “I admire that they demonstrate what they can do over a long period."It is one thing to be good for one or two years, much more difficult to be good for 12 years. To stay on top for so long and demonstrate in almost every game why they are at that level is not easy.

“Players can continue without any problem until they are 35 or 36. Maybe you can’t play three games a week for a whole season any more but players these days know how to recover."Ten more derbies? Maybe that is one of his challenges. Maybe United’s challenge is to win the title with Rooney.”

Both sides are in the hunt for the Premier League this season and Pellegrini insists the rivalry has intensified ever since City achieved parity with Manchester United in terms of club profile.

"It is very different derby now,” he continued.“Everyone in Manchester was used to the fact that Manchester United was the most important team in the city and they dominated English football but in the last few years it has changed."That has given us an option to show there is not just one team in this city.”

 

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Chelsea eyeth kala neh

 

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Barclays Premier League 2015.10.25 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2015.10.25 Fixtures

Sunderland Vs Newcastle

Bournemouth Vs Tottenham

Manchester United Vs Manchester City

Liverpool Vs Southampton

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Manchester Derby!

Pattama gemak denna wenawa adaToughest match of the season.Team 1ke Attack,Passing & Defence 100% OK wennama wenawa

LVG pissu kelinne nathuwa hodama sqaud 1ka gassuwanam good result 1kak gana hopes thiyaganna puluwan.

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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LA Liga 2015.10.25 Fixtures

LA Liga 2015.10.25 Fixtures

Levante Vs Real Sociedad

Las Palmas Vs Villareal

Barcelona Vs Eibar

Atletico Madrid Vs Valencia​

 

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Serie A 2015.10.25 Fixtures

Serie A 2015.10.25 Fixtures

Sampdoria Vs Hellas Verona

AC Milan Vs Sassuolo

Juventus Vs Atalanta

Udinese Vs Frosinone

Fiorentina Vs Roma

Lazio Vs Torino

Chievo Vs Napoli​