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Paris Saint-Germain 5-0 Toulouse: Blanc's men continue unbeaten start
Paris Saint-Germain resumed their Ligue 1 dominance after Tuesday's continental setback, opening up a 13-point lead at the top with a 5-0 win over Toulouse at Parc des Princes.
A 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid left Laurent Blanc's men with work to do to reach the Champions League knockout rounds, but they were comfortable throughout Saturday's encounter on home soil.
Toulouse entered the match without a win in 11 league games and looked every inch the underdogs as PSG stormed into a two-goal lead before the 20th minute.
Angel Di Maria's 40-yard free-kick sailed all the way in before shambolic defending from the visitors presented Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a simple goal.
Second-half substitute Lucas Moura wrapped up the result shortly after replacing Edinson Cavani - who struggled to impact the game from the left wing and reacted petulantly to being withdrawn.
Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi struck late on as the unbeaten champions ' procession to a fourth consecutive crown goes on.
PSG dominated Madrid for little reward in midweek but, the star of that loss, Di Maria finally enjoyed a stroke of luck as his sixth-minute free-kick curled beyond Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Ahamada, who was pinned to his line due to the presence of Thiago Motta attempting to get a head on the delivery.
The hosts were swarming forward and Di Maria could only scuff at the keeper after Ibrahimovic teed him up amid hesitant defending.
And another blunder at the back gifted PSG their second as Marcel Tisserand intercepted Ibrahimovic's knock-down in the area, only to nod the ball straight back to the Sweden star - who finished simply from inside the six-yard box.
PSG survived an indirect free-kick inside their own area after Kevin Trapp handled Gregory van der Wiel's backpass, but it was as good as Toulouse could muster going forward, with Ibrahimovic and Di Maria blasting off-target as Blanc's side failed to turn their total domination into a bigger advantage.
A visibly frustrated Cavani saw a 20-yard curler repelled by Ahamada before Toulouse ought to have scored as David Luiz's dithering allowed Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro to steal possession in the penalty area, but his centre was just out of strike partner Martin Braithwaite's reach and PSG were given a let-off.
Cavani skewed a left-footed shot wide and had a stony-faced reaction to being replaced by Lucas just after the hour mark, but the Brazilian justified Blanc's decision after three minutes on the pitch, popping up at the back post to guide Van der Wiel measured cross beyond Ahamada with his head.
Lucas was again influential as PSG made it four, driving through the heart of the Toulouse defence before firing a shot that Ahamada could only parry into the path of Ibrahimovic to tap home his ninth Ligue 1 goal of the season.
Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik rounded off a woeful defensive display from the visitors with another horrendous error, storming forward to clear Ibrahimovic's chipped pass, but missing the ball completely as Lavezzi nipped in behind to finish calmly.
Paris Saint-Germain resumed their Ligue 1 dominance after Tuesday's continental setback, opening up a 13-point lead at the top with a 5-0 win over Toulouse at Parc des Princes.
A 1-0 defeat at Real Madrid left Laurent Blanc's men with work to do to reach the Champions League knockout rounds, but they were comfortable throughout Saturday's encounter on home soil.
Toulouse entered the match without a win in 11 league games and looked every inch the underdogs as PSG stormed into a two-goal lead before the 20th minute.
Angel Di Maria's 40-yard free-kick sailed all the way in before shambolic defending from the visitors presented Zlatan Ibrahimovic with a simple goal.
Second-half substitute Lucas Moura wrapped up the result shortly after replacing Edinson Cavani - who struggled to impact the game from the left wing and reacted petulantly to being withdrawn.
Ibrahimovic and Ezequiel Lavezzi struck late on as the unbeaten champions ' procession to a fourth consecutive crown goes on.
PSG dominated Madrid for little reward in midweek but, the star of that loss, Di Maria finally enjoyed a stroke of luck as his sixth-minute free-kick curled beyond Toulouse goalkeeper Ali Ahamada, who was pinned to his line due to the presence of Thiago Motta attempting to get a head on the delivery.
The hosts were swarming forward and Di Maria could only scuff at the keeper after Ibrahimovic teed him up amid hesitant defending.
And another blunder at the back gifted PSG their second as Marcel Tisserand intercepted Ibrahimovic's knock-down in the area, only to nod the ball straight back to the Sweden star - who finished simply from inside the six-yard box.
PSG survived an indirect free-kick inside their own area after Kevin Trapp handled Gregory van der Wiel's backpass, but it was as good as Toulouse could muster going forward, with Ibrahimovic and Di Maria blasting off-target as Blanc's side failed to turn their total domination into a bigger advantage.
A visibly frustrated Cavani saw a 20-yard curler repelled by Ahamada before Toulouse ought to have scored as David Luiz's dithering allowed Jean-Daniel Akpa Akpro to steal possession in the penalty area, but his centre was just out of strike partner Martin Braithwaite's reach and PSG were given a let-off.
Cavani skewed a left-footed shot wide and had a stony-faced reaction to being replaced by Lucas just after the hour mark, but the Brazilian justified Blanc's decision after three minutes on the pitch, popping up at the back post to guide Van der Wiel measured cross beyond Ahamada with his head.
Lucas was again influential as PSG made it four, driving through the heart of the Toulouse defence before firing a shot that Ahamada could only parry into the path of Ibrahimovic to tap home his ninth Ligue 1 goal of the season.
Jean-Armel Kana-Biyik rounded off a woeful defensive display from the visitors with another horrendous error, storming forward to clear Ibrahimovic's chipped pass, but missing the ball completely as Lavezzi nipped in behind to finish calmly.
Bayern Munich 5-1 Arsenal: Demolition in Germany leaves Gunners on the brink
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Stoke City 1-0 Chelsea: Mourinho absent as Arnautovic condemns Blues to defeat
Marko Arnautovic's second-half goal gave Stoke City a 1-0 victory over Chelsea to pile yet more pressure on the absent Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea boss Mourinho was not at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as he served a one-match stadium ban following his sending off against West Ham, and there was little to cheer the Portuguese - reportedly watching on television from the team's hotel - as his side fell to a result that marked his worst league run as a manager.
Defeat was the seventh in their first 12 Premier League matches for the Blues - the first time any defending champions have struggled so badly, as well as a personal unwanted record number of defeats in a league season for Mourinho.
The last time Chelsea lost so many games so early in the campaign, 1978-79, they ended up being relegated - and although they will surely not suffer that same fate this term, they are now 16th in the table, just three points clear of the bottom three.
Arnautovic's acrobatic goal ultimately proved the difference, as the Austrian forward scored with an excellent finish after 53 minutes.
Pedro shot against the post as Chelsea pushed for a leveller late on, but that was the closest they went to finding an equaliser.
The absent Mourinho made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Eden Hazard and Pedro for Cesc Fabregas and Oscar, who both dropped to the bench.
Stoke were unchanged, with Jon Walters starting in attack following the news earlier on Saturday that he had signed a new contract with the club until 2018.
The hosts made a bright start, as Xherdan Shaqiri shot off-target, before Glen Johnson collected a pass from Bojan, turned on to his left foot and sent a placed shot towards the corner to force Asmir Begovic into a diving one-handed save against his former club.
It was then home goalkeeper Jack Butland's turn to impress when he got up well to push a dipping long-range effort from Ramires over the crossbar.
Walters headed onto the roof of the net after good work from Shaqiri down the right, while Diego Costa’s shot was saved by Butland with his legs prior to half-time, and Stoke then opened the scoring eight minutes after the break.
A superb slide-rule pass from Shaqiri found Johnson in space on the right and the former Liverpool defender's cross was helped on by Walters before bouncing to Arnautovic. The Austrian netted with an excellent scissor kick – his first home goal in the Premier League for 18 months.
The visiting fans responded immediately with chants in support of their under-pressure manager, and Matic shot straight at Butland as Chelsea sought a response before Hazard lashed a shot off target.
They thought they had levelled soon afterwards when Willian found Pedro and the former Barcelona forward unleashed a left-footed attempt from the edge of the area, but the ball struck the foot of the post and bounced to safety.
Rui Faria and Steve Holland - taking charge of the champions in Mourinho's absence - brought on Fabregas, Oscar and Loic Remy in the closing stages as they attempted to turn the game around and Hazard shot just wide after a neat passing move with 10 minutes to go.
Walters missed the target with a presentable opportunity to put the game beyond doubt at the other end after being found by substitute Mame Biram Diouf, before Remy - off-balance after being clipped as he attempted to round Butland - passed up the last big opportunity to save Chelsea as their terrible start to the season continued.
Marko Arnautovic's second-half goal gave Stoke City a 1-0 victory over Chelsea to pile yet more pressure on the absent Jose Mourinho.
Chelsea boss Mourinho was not at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday as he served a one-match stadium ban following his sending off against West Ham, and there was little to cheer the Portuguese - reportedly watching on television from the team's hotel - as his side fell to a result that marked his worst league run as a manager.
Defeat was the seventh in their first 12 Premier League matches for the Blues - the first time any defending champions have struggled so badly, as well as a personal unwanted record number of defeats in a league season for Mourinho.
The last time Chelsea lost so many games so early in the campaign, 1978-79, they ended up being relegated - and although they will surely not suffer that same fate this term, they are now 16th in the table, just three points clear of the bottom three.
Arnautovic's acrobatic goal ultimately proved the difference, as the Austrian forward scored with an excellent finish after 53 minutes.
Pedro shot against the post as Chelsea pushed for a leveller late on, but that was the closest they went to finding an equaliser.
The absent Mourinho made two changes to his starting line-up, bringing in Eden Hazard and Pedro for Cesc Fabregas and Oscar, who both dropped to the bench.
Stoke were unchanged, with Jon Walters starting in attack following the news earlier on Saturday that he had signed a new contract with the club until 2018.
The hosts made a bright start, as Xherdan Shaqiri shot off-target, before Glen Johnson collected a pass from Bojan, turned on to his left foot and sent a placed shot towards the corner to force Asmir Begovic into a diving one-handed save against his former club.
It was then home goalkeeper Jack Butland's turn to impress when he got up well to push a dipping long-range effort from Ramires over the crossbar.
Walters headed onto the roof of the net after good work from Shaqiri down the right, while Diego Costa’s shot was saved by Butland with his legs prior to half-time, and Stoke then opened the scoring eight minutes after the break.
A superb slide-rule pass from Shaqiri found Johnson in space on the right and the former Liverpool defender's cross was helped on by Walters before bouncing to Arnautovic. The Austrian netted with an excellent scissor kick – his first home goal in the Premier League for 18 months.
The visiting fans responded immediately with chants in support of their under-pressure manager, and Matic shot straight at Butland as Chelsea sought a response before Hazard lashed a shot off target.
They thought they had levelled soon afterwards when Willian found Pedro and the former Barcelona forward unleashed a left-footed attempt from the edge of the area, but the ball struck the foot of the post and bounced to safety.
Rui Faria and Steve Holland - taking charge of the champions in Mourinho's absence - brought on Fabregas, Oscar and Loic Remy in the closing stages as they attempted to turn the game around and Hazard shot just wide after a neat passing move with 10 minutes to go.
Walters missed the target with a presentable opportunity to put the game beyond doubt at the other end after being found by substitute Mame Biram Diouf, before Remy - off-balance after being clipped as he attempted to round Butland - passed up the last big opportunity to save Chelsea as their terrible start to the season continued.
Lingard steals the show as Manchester United continue unbeaten run
Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard further cemented his status as a rising star at Old Trafford with a fine goal in the club's 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.
Picked to start ahead of Memphis Depay - who spent the entire game on the bench - Lingard "stole the show", according to Goal correspondent Kris Voakes.
Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard further cemented his status as a rising star at Old Trafford with a fine goal in the club's 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.
Picked to start ahead of Memphis Depay - who spent the entire game on the bench - Lingard "stole the show", according to Goal correspondent Kris Voakes.
Guardiola's Bayern future could be decided by Christmas
Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed Bayern Munich will meet with head coach Pep Guardiola to discuss his future at the start of the Bundesliga's winter break and says a decision could be made by Christmas.
The 44-year-old's existing contract with Bayern is due to expire at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and he has so far been reluctant to discuss his long-term future.
Nevertheless, Rummenigge has now suggested Guardiola's future could be clear by the end of the calendar year.
"I am relaxed and so is the coach. We will have a conversation after the last game of the first half of the season," Rummenigge told the official Bayern website.
"There will be a decision and we will announce what the outcome is.
"One way or the other, it depends on the outcome of the conversation we will have..."
Guardiola joined Bayern ahead of the 2013-14 campaign after a one-year sabbatical following his successful spell in charge of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.
He has since guided the Allianz Arena side to consecutive Bundesliga titles, while Bayern also won the DFB-Pokal, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in his first season at the helm.
Manchester City, with former Barca executives at the helm, have been heavily linked with a move to try and secure Guardiola's services.
Chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has revealed Bayern Munich will meet with head coach Pep Guardiola to discuss his future at the start of the Bundesliga's winter break and says a decision could be made by Christmas.
The 44-year-old's existing contract with Bayern is due to expire at the end of the 2015-16 campaign and he has so far been reluctant to discuss his long-term future.
Nevertheless, Rummenigge has now suggested Guardiola's future could be clear by the end of the calendar year.
"I am relaxed and so is the coach. We will have a conversation after the last game of the first half of the season," Rummenigge told the official Bayern website.
"There will be a decision and we will announce what the outcome is.
"One way or the other, it depends on the outcome of the conversation we will have..."
Guardiola joined Bayern ahead of the 2013-14 campaign after a one-year sabbatical following his successful spell in charge of Barcelona between 2008 and 2012.
He has since guided the Allianz Arena side to consecutive Bundesliga titles, while Bayern also won the DFB-Pokal, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup in his first season at the helm.
Manchester City, with former Barca executives at the helm, have been heavily linked with a move to try and secure Guardiola's services.
Ranieri hails 'electric' Leicester
Claudio Ranieri has labelled his Leicester City side as "electric" after they moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City and Arsenal following a 2-1 victory over Watford on Saturday.
Jamie Vardy scored the winner from the penalty spot as he closed to within one goal of Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games, after Heurelho Gomes' howler had enable N'golo Kante to open the scoring with his first Leicester goal.
And Ranieri commended another excellent display from his players, but insisted they will not get carried away with their lofty position.
"It was a fantastic afternoon but the match was very tough. We knew that Watford are a very good team, but in the second half we played the best and we deserved to win," the Italian told Sky Sports.
"The atmosphere and the feeling around the squad is electric, but it is not just from now on, it has been this way from the beginning.
"For me now I just want to get to 40 points and then after we do that we will see where we can go."
Leicester were not at their best in the first half, and were perhaps fortunate not to go in a goal down at the interval, with Odion Igalho having hit the post.
They improved after the restart however, and though Troy Deeney did pull one back for Watford, Vardy's penalty proved to be decisive.
Ranieri was delighted for the England forward – backing the 28-year-old to keep up his spectacular form after he became the first Englishman to score in nine successive Premier League games.
"This group is solid and they are friends who work very hard for each other," he added.
"Jamie [Vardy] wanted to score. It's so good for him to be scoring goals. Van Nistelrooy was a truly fantastic striker and Jamie has everything to reach that quality."
Claudio Ranieri has labelled his Leicester City side as "electric" after they moved level on points with Premier League leaders Manchester City and Arsenal following a 2-1 victory over Watford on Saturday.
Jamie Vardy scored the winner from the penalty spot as he closed to within one goal of Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games, after Heurelho Gomes' howler had enable N'golo Kante to open the scoring with his first Leicester goal.
And Ranieri commended another excellent display from his players, but insisted they will not get carried away with their lofty position.
"It was a fantastic afternoon but the match was very tough. We knew that Watford are a very good team, but in the second half we played the best and we deserved to win," the Italian told Sky Sports.
"The atmosphere and the feeling around the squad is electric, but it is not just from now on, it has been this way from the beginning.
"For me now I just want to get to 40 points and then after we do that we will see where we can go."
Leicester were not at their best in the first half, and were perhaps fortunate not to go in a goal down at the interval, with Odion Igalho having hit the post.
They improved after the restart however, and though Troy Deeney did pull one back for Watford, Vardy's penalty proved to be decisive.
Ranieri was delighted for the England forward – backing the 28-year-old to keep up his spectacular form after he became the first Englishman to score in nine successive Premier League games.
"This group is solid and they are friends who work very hard for each other," he added.
"Jamie [Vardy] wanted to score. It's so good for him to be scoring goals. Van Nistelrooy was a truly fantastic striker and Jamie has everything to reach that quality."
Liverpool deny deal for Pato
Liverpool have distanced themselves from reports claiming the club have agreed a deal in principle to sign Alexandre Pato, Goal can confirm.
Italian publications have suggested the Premier League side held negotiations with Corinthians for the striker, but the Reds have dismissed links to the 26-year-old.
Pato is on loan at Sao Paulo, but it understood he has a desire to return to Europe.
The Brazilian forward, who has 10 goals for his national team, was considered one of football’s premier talents during his early years at AC Milan.
However, after a disappointing final two injury-riddled seasons with the Italians, he returned to his homeland to resurrect his career.
He scored 17 goals for parent club Corinthians, who loaned him to Sao Paulo in February 2014. He has netted times 37 times during his temporary spell.
Liverpool have distanced themselves from reports claiming the club have agreed a deal in principle to sign Alexandre Pato, Goal can confirm.
Italian publications have suggested the Premier League side held negotiations with Corinthians for the striker, but the Reds have dismissed links to the 26-year-old.
Pato is on loan at Sao Paulo, but it understood he has a desire to return to Europe.
The Brazilian forward, who has 10 goals for his national team, was considered one of football’s premier talents during his early years at AC Milan.
However, after a disappointing final two injury-riddled seasons with the Italians, he returned to his homeland to resurrect his career.
He scored 17 goals for parent club Corinthians, who loaned him to Sao Paulo in February 2014. He has netted times 37 times during his temporary spell.
Sunderland are playing with fear - Allardyce
Sam Allardyce thinks Sunderland need to stop playing "with fear" after suffering defeat at home to Southampton on Saturday.
Dusan Tadic's penalty was the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light as Allardyce lost his third game in four since taking the helm.
The Sunderland boss believes overriding concerns over potential relegation are stopping them from picking up the results needed to escape from the bottom three.
"We are playing with fear and we need to get rid of that. In the end we have gifted it to Southampton," Allardyce told Sky Sports.
"When we play in the Stadium of Light we're not releasing ourselves like we can and playing with fear.
"We need to pass the ball better. Our passing in possession was poor and I think it's the fear of the position we are in.
"It could have been a point, it could have been a point at West Brom - that's two points.
"We have to do better and cut out the silly mistakes. At the moment we are not good enough."
The 61-year-old rued referee Mike Jones' decision not to award his side a penalty when Maya Yoshida blocked Jack Rodwell's header with his arm late in the match.
"In the end it's hinged on two decisions – definitely a penalty we gave away but Yoshida's handball inside the box wasn't given," Allardyce said.
"Irrespective of what's gone on in between - not playing as I would've liked and the players being disappointed with their performance - that decision means we might've overcome a disappointing end.
"Yoshida's definitely lifted his arm and it definitely hit him on the arm, whether Mike could see it from his position or not I don't know and maybe that's why he didn't give it, but it certainly looks like that could've got us an equaliser."
Sam Allardyce thinks Sunderland need to stop playing "with fear" after suffering defeat at home to Southampton on Saturday.
Dusan Tadic's penalty was the only goal of the game at the Stadium of Light as Allardyce lost his third game in four since taking the helm.
The Sunderland boss believes overriding concerns over potential relegation are stopping them from picking up the results needed to escape from the bottom three.
"We are playing with fear and we need to get rid of that. In the end we have gifted it to Southampton," Allardyce told Sky Sports.
"When we play in the Stadium of Light we're not releasing ourselves like we can and playing with fear.
"We need to pass the ball better. Our passing in possession was poor and I think it's the fear of the position we are in.
"It could have been a point, it could have been a point at West Brom - that's two points.
"We have to do better and cut out the silly mistakes. At the moment we are not good enough."
The 61-year-old rued referee Mike Jones' decision not to award his side a penalty when Maya Yoshida blocked Jack Rodwell's header with his arm late in the match.
"In the end it's hinged on two decisions – definitely a penalty we gave away but Yoshida's handball inside the box wasn't given," Allardyce said.
"Irrespective of what's gone on in between - not playing as I would've liked and the players being disappointed with their performance - that decision means we might've overcome a disappointing end.
"Yoshida's definitely lifted his arm and it definitely hit him on the arm, whether Mike could see it from his position or not I don't know and maybe that's why he didn't give it, but it certainly looks like that could've got us an equaliser."
Lingard in better shape than team-mates - Van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has praised Jesse Lingard for his contribution during the side's victory over West Bromwich Albion, after the midfielder opened the scoring at Old Trafford.
Lingard scored with a fantastic curled effort to break down the visitors' resistance seven minutes into the second half.
A Juan Mata penalty later assured a 2-0 victory which keeps United in the hunt for the title.
"Already last year I had put him in the line-up for the first game against Swansea because he had impressed me," Van Gaal told reporters after the game.
"He got a very heavy injury in that game and had to recover, which takes a long time.
"I told him at the beginning of the season, 'I want to keep you'.
"He has had to wait but now he is in better shape than his companions. Now he is playing, he is playing very well."
Despite the win, Van Gaal has admitted that he was still not happy with his side's overall performance.
"I know the feeling of the fans. We have to attack better against these defensive organisations but it's the most difficult way you can play as a team," he said.
"It is good that we have won because the next manager will not choose so easily this strategy this time. It is good that they can do that but we can say 'Ok. but still you lose'."
Manchester United manager Louis Van Gaal has praised Jesse Lingard for his contribution during the side's victory over West Bromwich Albion, after the midfielder opened the scoring at Old Trafford.
Lingard scored with a fantastic curled effort to break down the visitors' resistance seven minutes into the second half.
A Juan Mata penalty later assured a 2-0 victory which keeps United in the hunt for the title.
"Already last year I had put him in the line-up for the first game against Swansea because he had impressed me," Van Gaal told reporters after the game.
"He got a very heavy injury in that game and had to recover, which takes a long time.
"I told him at the beginning of the season, 'I want to keep you'.
"He has had to wait but now he is in better shape than his companions. Now he is playing, he is playing very well."
Despite the win, Van Gaal has admitted that he was still not happy with his side's overall performance.
"I know the feeling of the fans. We have to attack better against these defensive organisations but it's the most difficult way you can play as a team," he said.
"It is good that we have won because the next manager will not choose so easily this strategy this time. It is good that they can do that but we can say 'Ok. but still you lose'."
Costa provides Chelsea's biggest problem
It took less than five minutes for Diego Costa to endear himself to the Stoke City faithful, with the Spain striker aiming a petulant kick at Ryan Shawcross after winning a corner. But as has been his way this season, it was again his goading rather than his goals that was most prevalent at the Britannia Stadium.
Chelsea’s defensive issues have been laid bare throughout the campaign, and were again on Staffordshire as Marko Arnautovic was left free to volley in the winner for the home side, but it is at the other end of the pitch where their main problem lies.
Costa was a revelation in his first year at Stamford Bridge, a powerful forward with unerring finishing ability that offered a neat contrast to the other outstanding striker in the division – Sergio Aguero – in his maiden campaign.
All that is a distant memory now. Instead it seems Costa is being deployed as a player to unsettle defences rather than unlock them. That may be Mourinho’s plan for certain matches – see the victory over Arsenal as a prime example – but it is a flawed one. If Chelsea are to get out of this mess they first need to work out a way to get their star striker firing.
In previous weeks those playing directly behind Costa could have shouldered a decent proportion of the blame, but at Stoke that was far from the case. The recalled Eden Hazard and – to a lesser extent – Pedro did enough to suggest they should be given further run-outs after the international break while Willian remains the one player in Mourinho’s squad to have shown improvement this term.
But ahead of them Costa lacks the movement or pace to really hurt defences as he did for both Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in previous years. Last season, he seemed to relish the idea of proving those centre-backs who reacted to his antics that he was more than just a nuisance. Now many are prepared for his aggressive style and are more inclined to brush it off and concentrate on defending.
His attempted runs lack any real direction, and with his history of hamstring injuries inhibiting him, he has become a far easier man to mark from open-play. His prowess in the air remains, but at present it is his only redeeming feature.
His only effort of note at the Britannia came about when he showed something of the old Costa in dragging Phillipp Wollscheid wide before striking a shot towards bottom corner. Unfortunately for him, he came up against a goalkeeper in Jack Butland, who - along with Petr Cech and David de Gea – the most in-form goalkeeper the league has to offer.
By the second half, however, he proved to be a mere passenger in Chelsea’s push for an equaliser, and had to turn to diving when looking to get past Shawcross and arguing with both centre-backs in a bid to halt their concentration. It did not come close to working.
There are a number of players who will have to take long looks at themselves should Roman Abramovich’s patience run out with Mourinho and his side’s poor results, with very few members of the squad having covered themselves in anything close to glory in the opening months of the season.
But Costa is far more at fault than most. He is becoming public enemy number one and his goalscoring exploits of last season are a mere memory. It is time for him to step up before this Chelsea side inexplicably finds itself entrenched in a relegation battle no one saw coming.
Mourinho sets new unwanted record after Chelsea's defeat to Stoke
Chelsea slipped to their seventh defeat on Saturday evening as they were beaten by Stoke City - and Jose Mourinho now enters uncharted territory.
Marko Arnautovic netted the winner at the Britannia Stadium as Chelsea now face the prospect of being a whopping 17 points off the top by Sunday evening.
It's now official that Mourinho is going through his worst ever spell in his managerial career, while Premier League history tells us that Chelsea would do well to finish in the top six, let alone secure a Champions League place...
Chelsea slipped to their seventh defeat on Saturday evening as they were beaten by Stoke City - and Jose Mourinho now enters uncharted territory.
Marko Arnautovic netted the winner at the Britannia Stadium as Chelsea now face the prospect of being a whopping 17 points off the top by Sunday evening.
It's now official that Mourinho is going through his worst ever spell in his managerial career, while Premier League history tells us that Chelsea would do well to finish in the top six, let alone secure a Champions League place...
AC Milan 0-0 Atalanta: Donnarumma the saviour in goalless draw
AC Milan's winning run was ended by an impressive Atalanta in a 0-0 draw at San Siro in Serie A on Saturday.
Sinisa Mihajlovic's side had won three games in succession to move themselves into fifth in Italy's top flight prior to this weekend but they had to rely on the heroics of young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn a share of the spoils against Edy Reja's men.
M'baye Niang - making his first start of the season - came closest for the home side in the first half but Atalanta took control after the break, with Luca Cigarini spurning the best of a number of chances.
Mihajlovic threw on both Luiz Adriano and Keisuke Honda in an effort to snatch a winner but there was nothing to separate the two sides in what was only their second draw in 19 Serie A encounters.
The result means Milan can be overtaken by both Sassuolo and Lazio should they win their respective games on Sunday, while Atalanta remain two points behind the Rossoneri.
Alejandro Gomez just failed to connect with Mauricio Pinilla's teasing delivery after just six minutes, before Juraj Kucka came close to turning Alessio Cerci's corner toward goal, as both sides pushed forward in an end-to-end opening 20 minutes.
Carlos Bacca raced clear of the offside trap and cut inside onto his right foot only to be denied by a block from Gabriel Paletta, before Niang flicked Cerci's resulting cross beyond the far post.
De Sciglio was booked for a heavy challenge on Cigarini and Atalanta were left angry that a second yellow card was not forthcoming after he missed a clearance and kicked Pinilla.
The pace of the game slowed as the half drew to a close but Niang saw a low shot saved by Marco Sportiello after a bright run forward, and Niang was thwarted again by Sportiello on 50 minutes, bending a right-footed shot straight down the centre of the goal.
Milan survived a scare when Gomez went to ground in the area following a challenge from Davide Calabria, who replaced De Sciglio at the break, but the referee correctly showed the Argentine a yellow card for diving.
Cigarini had a moment to forget just past the hour mark as he wasted a golden opportunity for Atalanta. The midfielder headed down to draw a fine save from Donnarumma before he somehow contrived to turn the rebound over the crossbar with the goal gaping from five yards.
Morales drew another strong parry from Donnarumma at the near post before Marten de Roon fizzed a shot into the side-netting from 18 yards out as Atalanta looked the more likely to find a breakthrough.
The 16-year-old shot-stopper was again called into action to block Alberto Grassi's effort with his legs following a strong run and cut-back from Gomez.
The hosts turned up the pressure late on, with Luiz Adriano's header cleared away from the corner of the goal by Cigarini.
Cerci raced clear on the counter right at the death but could only fire into the side-netting from a tight angle after rounding the goalkeeper.
There was to be no late breakthrough, however, as Milan dropped their first points since the 1-1 draw with Torino on October 17.
AC Milan's winning run was ended by an impressive Atalanta in a 0-0 draw at San Siro in Serie A on Saturday.
Sinisa Mihajlovic's side had won three games in succession to move themselves into fifth in Italy's top flight prior to this weekend but they had to rely on the heroics of young goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma to earn a share of the spoils against Edy Reja's men.
M'baye Niang - making his first start of the season - came closest for the home side in the first half but Atalanta took control after the break, with Luca Cigarini spurning the best of a number of chances.
Mihajlovic threw on both Luiz Adriano and Keisuke Honda in an effort to snatch a winner but there was nothing to separate the two sides in what was only their second draw in 19 Serie A encounters.
The result means Milan can be overtaken by both Sassuolo and Lazio should they win their respective games on Sunday, while Atalanta remain two points behind the Rossoneri.
Alejandro Gomez just failed to connect with Mauricio Pinilla's teasing delivery after just six minutes, before Juraj Kucka came close to turning Alessio Cerci's corner toward goal, as both sides pushed forward in an end-to-end opening 20 minutes.
Carlos Bacca raced clear of the offside trap and cut inside onto his right foot only to be denied by a block from Gabriel Paletta, before Niang flicked Cerci's resulting cross beyond the far post.
De Sciglio was booked for a heavy challenge on Cigarini and Atalanta were left angry that a second yellow card was not forthcoming after he missed a clearance and kicked Pinilla.
The pace of the game slowed as the half drew to a close but Niang saw a low shot saved by Marco Sportiello after a bright run forward, and Niang was thwarted again by Sportiello on 50 minutes, bending a right-footed shot straight down the centre of the goal.
Milan survived a scare when Gomez went to ground in the area following a challenge from Davide Calabria, who replaced De Sciglio at the break, but the referee correctly showed the Argentine a yellow card for diving.
Cigarini had a moment to forget just past the hour mark as he wasted a golden opportunity for Atalanta. The midfielder headed down to draw a fine save from Donnarumma before he somehow contrived to turn the rebound over the crossbar with the goal gaping from five yards.
Morales drew another strong parry from Donnarumma at the near post before Marten de Roon fizzed a shot into the side-netting from 18 yards out as Atalanta looked the more likely to find a breakthrough.
The 16-year-old shot-stopper was again called into action to block Alberto Grassi's effort with his legs following a strong run and cut-back from Gomez.
The hosts turned up the pressure late on, with Luiz Adriano's header cleared away from the corner of the goal by Cigarini.
Cerci raced clear on the counter right at the death but could only fire into the side-netting from a tight angle after rounding the goalkeeper.
There was to be no late breakthrough, however, as Milan dropped their first points since the 1-1 draw with Torino on October 17.
Corinthians 'praying' to sell Pato
Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade is keen for the club to offload Alexandre Pato at the start of 2016.
The striker is on loan at Sao Paulo and has scored 26 goals in all competitions in 2015, but will return to his parent club at the end of the year.
Corinthians are eager to offload Pato - who they recently valued at €25 million - due to the burden of paying his sizeable salary.
Reports on Friday suggested that the Brazilian side had agreed a deal with Liverpool, but the Anfield club denied any approach to Goal.
De Andrade also told Globo Esporte that this was not the case but confirmed the player's agent has been talking to European clubs.
"Yes [I'm praying to sell him]. We know how difficult it would be if he were to return. I'm quite sure [he will be sold]," he said on SporTV.
"Corinthinas have not been approached by any club asking about the cost of Alexandre Pato.
"His agent is working with some clubs in Europe, making inquiries so that we can sell. It is being very well received.
"He has a market, is a great player, is 26-years-old - he meets all the requirements to play in a big club. I'm certain he will be sold."
Corinthians president Roberto de Andrade is keen for the club to offload Alexandre Pato at the start of 2016.
The striker is on loan at Sao Paulo and has scored 26 goals in all competitions in 2015, but will return to his parent club at the end of the year.
Corinthians are eager to offload Pato - who they recently valued at €25 million - due to the burden of paying his sizeable salary.
Reports on Friday suggested that the Brazilian side had agreed a deal with Liverpool, but the Anfield club denied any approach to Goal.
De Andrade also told Globo Esporte that this was not the case but confirmed the player's agent has been talking to European clubs.
"Yes [I'm praying to sell him]. We know how difficult it would be if he were to return. I'm quite sure [he will be sold]," he said on SporTV.
"Corinthinas have not been approached by any club asking about the cost of Alexandre Pato.
"His agent is working with some clubs in Europe, making inquiries so that we can sell. It is being very well received.
"He has a market, is a great player, is 26-years-old - he meets all the requirements to play in a big club. I'm certain he will be sold."
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