..::Football III::..

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Hiddink urges Costa to stay angry

Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink insists Diego Costa must not change his aggressive style, as he prefers his players to be passionate.

Spain international Costa is certain to be at the centre of the action again when Chelsea visit rivals Arsenal on Sunday, with the 27-year-old banned for three matches for violent conduct after the previous clash between the teams in September.

But Hiddink maintains he has no problem with Costa's behaviour on the pitch, and has also lauded the forward's attitude off the pitch.

"I'd prefer to have players who, sometimes, you have to control or tell them 'a little bit less' than have to push them," he said.

"Sometimes you are misjudged by images. Off the pitch, they seem to be the most vulnerable figures. He shows a lot of joy to everyone.

"I observe the players when they are in the canteen, dealing with people who prepare the pitches, not snobby or arrogant - that's good to see.

"They're different characters off the pitch. On the pitch they have that desperate will to win, almost at any cost. That's a slight change in character and behaviour."

Costa has scored seven Premier League goals this season as Chelsea sit 14th in the table after 22 games, and Hiddink believes a win over the Gunners could kick-start their campaign.

"This club is used to thinking about being top three or four in England," the Dutchman said.

"Winning these games might bring confidence to the club and the team to ask, ‘hey, where do we belong?’ And think about why this team has fallen so deeply in the recent period."

 

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Vieira: Mourinho impressed me more as a manager than Wenger

Patrick Vieira feels that Jose Mourinho was a bigger influence on him as a manager than Arsene Wenger.

The former midfielder spent nine years with the Gunners, winning three Premier League titles and four FA Cups, before moving to Juventus and then onto Inter where he worked briefly with Mourinho.

While Vieira’s time at San Siro was short-lived, he spent just 18 months in Milan before joining Manchester City, the impact Mourinho made on him was profound.

"[Mourinho] was the one who impressed me most on his work ethic," he told the Times. "He knew everything about the opposition, the strength, weakness.

"His detail was unbelievable - everything was so clear about what he wanted from each player. I don’t know what happened at Chelsea but he always got the best out of his players."

When asked which manager he would chose to lead his dream team, Vieira also had no doubt: "Jose. He’s the manager who had more influence on me.

"Arsene is more concentrated on his own team — he gives freedom to players to express themselves. It’s a different style."

The 39-year-old was appointed head coach at New York City FC back in November and says he has never been approached by Arsenal about working at the Emirates.

"I’ve never been contacted by anyone to manage or get involved with the club," he explained. "I was expecting something from them, but it didn’t come. It didn’t kill me.

"He [Wenger] is a busy man. I didn’t speak to him in quite a long time."

 

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Hiddink praises Cech response to Chelsea exit

Interim Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has praised the form of Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech ahead of the Blues' clash with the Gunners this weekend.

The Dutch coach worked alongside Cech during his first spell at Stamford Bridge and believes the 33-year-old remains one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Chelsea opted to cash in on the Czech international ahead of the 2015-16 season following the emergence of Thibaut Courtois, and Hiddink says Cech's response shows the professionalism of the 33-year-old.

"He was and is still [one of the best]," said Hiddink, ahead of Chelsea's trip to Arsenal on Sunday. "These kind of goalies are so determined, so ambitious, so detailed in their work.

"It's difficult to give a judgement [on Chelsea selling Cech] when you're not there at the moment the decision was taken. They had also a strong goalie with Courtois and at certain moments you have to make a decision.

"They made a decision because this upcoming young man had to play as well. It's easy to make a judgement when you are now more than a year [removed] from the decision. But I must say Petr has reacted very well.

"He is doing his job and goalies like this can go on as long as they maintain their fitness, even now at 33. He's a very good example of professionalism. I think he has proven in recent years that he is one of the best in the world.

"In a season even when you are at the top, you are not always good in 38 games. You have a certain period - mostly in October and November when the leaves start falling a bit - that the team might drop, and the good goalies in that period make points for your team. He is doing it."

 

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Allegri rubbishes Chelsea speculation

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has labelled reports linking him with a move to the Premier League with Chelsea next season as mere "speculation".

The Stamford Bridge outfit are looking for a permanent candidate to man their dugout following the sacking of Jose Mourinho, with current boss Guus Hiddink only contracted until the end of the season.

The Chelsea hierarchy have reportedly been impressed by Allegri's work at Juventus, with the 48-year-old leading them to Serie A and Coppa Italia victory along with a Champions League final appearance in his first season in charge.

A potential move at the end of the 2015/16 campaign has been suggested in the English media, but Allegri insists he is only focused on leading the Bianconeri to more silverware."My thoughts at this moment are on Serie A, the Coppa Italia and the Champions League," he told reporters at his press conference on Saturday.

"I am tied to Juventus until 2017 and, as I've already said many times, I am happy here. So that's that."Just as there's a game of transfer speculation around players, we get the same with coaches. It's normal."

Despite making a stuttering start to the domestic season, the four-time straight Italian champions are second in Serie A - only two points behind leaders Napoli.

 

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Spalletti: El Shaarawy has everything needed to excel at Roma

Roma coach Luciano Spalletti revealed that Stephan El Shaarawy has all the necessary attributes to do well at the club.The AC Milan-owned forward is reported to be set to join on loan with an option to buy having spent the first half of this season on loan at Ligue 1 club Monaco.

Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev recently said the Italy international was no longer in their plans after he failed to impress at the Stade Louis II, scoring just three goals in 24 appearances.

However, Spalletti revealed he had already spoken to the 23-year-old and is convinced he has the technical quality required to improve Roma.

"In the January transfer window you have to be good at getting into certain situations," the trainer told reporters at a pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Serie A clash with Juventus. "We must do well to substitute players who leave or try to improve our current situation, which is not easy.

"I remember El Shaarawy in a very positive way. He has technique, quality, pace and can score goals. He lost his way a little, I had the chance to speak to him and he gave me positive signals.

"If he comes here to play the final six months of the season and get back his image and a place in the Italy squad, he has to do well. There isn't much time."Anyone can have moments where he delivers less than he is capable of in a profession and I think this happened to him too."

Spalletti also addressed rumours Gervinho has requested a transfer following the sacking of his predecessor Rudi Garcia and is in talks with Chinese club Jiangsu Suning."Gervinho is disturbed at the moment by all the various reports," Spalletti added.

"We consider Gervinho to be a very important player for us, but in my view it is equally important that he wants to put his body, quality, mind and heart at the disposal of Roma.

"If he doesn't do that, then we'll go beyond him to see others with similar characteristics."

 

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We will not pay 'Disneyland money' for Teixeira - Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is not prepared to pay 'Disneyland money' to sign Alex Teixeira from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Goal understands that Teixeira is keen on a move to Anfield, with the Reds having tabled a bid in the region of £24 million for the attacker, who is able to play anywhere across the front line.

However, Klopp maintains that the Reds must be frugal in the market as they attempt to bolster their squad.

"I've tried my best, but I don't think in the short term. I knew when I came here, it was not the easiest way to go, that it would be difficult," he said.

"I had a few problems to solve, which three months ago nobody could know we would have.

"You can't just go 'We have money', and throw it away and take any players you want. It is always about the decision, you can sign a lot of rubbish with money or you can make really good decisions.

"I cannot say, 'It is only money going somewhere else'.

He added: "We have money, but we are not in Disneyland and can say, 'Come on, take what you want'. We have a budget, we work with it.

"We have a lot of things to do; the club is building a stand, this is for the long-term development of the club.

"I know I can handle pressure really good. Now we have a situation where we think 'What will help?'"

However, the former Borussia Dortmund boss has hinted that the club may instead splash the cash in the summer.

"Who can help from next season on for three, four, five years? In the summer we will have to make decisions; that is normal," he said.

"Now we have to work on this situation and then in the summer, believe me, we will be prepared for the next season."

 

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Norwich 4-5 Liverpool: Late Lallana strike snatches victory in thriller

Adam Lallana struck in the 95th minute to ensure Liverpool edged a nine-goal thriller by beating Norwich City 5-4 at Carrow Road.

Liverpool appeared to be on course to win 4-3 when James Milner put them ahead 15 minutes from time, only for Sebastien Bassong to equalise with a superb 20-yard drive two minutes into injury time.

However, substitute Lallana - who had earlier set up Roberto Firmino to draw Liverpool level at 3-3 - had other ideas, as his perfectly controlled left-footed volley bounced into the ground and over Declan Rudd to settle an incredible game and spark delirious Liverpool celebrations.

Liverpool's day started well as Firmino opened the scoring in the 18th minute after a crisp passing move, but their defensive frailties allowed Norwich back in.

After Dieumerci Mbokani had levelled things up after 28 minutes, Steven Naismith put the hosts ahead as he scored another debut goal against Liverpool - having also achieved the feat for Everton.

A needless foul on Naismith from Alberto Moreno allowed Wes Hoolahan to give the hosts a two-goal cushion, but Henderson, Firmino and Milner turned the game on its head.

Yet there was more drama to come, as Bassong found Simon Mignolet's bottom-left corner with a sweet strike, before Lallana reacted quickest to some pinball in the Norwich area to snatch all three points for Jurgen Klopp's team.

After three league games without a win, Liverpool initially lacked intensity, but they broke the deadlock through Firmino, the Brazilian sliding a left-footed finish in off the post after patient build-up down the Liverpool left

But Norwich were level just before the half hour when Liverpool failed to clear their lines from a corner. The ball eventually dropped to Mbokani, who produced a powerful backheel from close range to beat Mignolet.

And the hosts went into the break ahead as debutant Naismith struck, the former Everton man firing low beyond Mignolet after an exchange with Hoolahan.

Liverpool's day went from bad to worse eight minutes after the break when Moreno brought down Naismith inside the penalty area, the Spanish full-back making two clumsy challenges on Norwich's new signing.

Hoolahan made no mistake from 12 yards to put Norwich 3-1 ahead, but their two-goal advantage was short-lived as Liverpool skipper Henderson pulled one back 96 seconds later.

A right-wing cross from Nathaniel Clyne was flicked by Firmino onto his captain, Henderson expertly sweeping the ball past Rudd.

Liverpool were level in the 63rd minute when Firmino calmly lifted the ball over the advancing Rudd for his second of the afternoon, and Milner then capitalised on a dreadful backpass from Russell Martin to race clear and put the visitors ahead.

Bassong thought he had earned a share of the spoils when he rifled home Cameron Jerome's knockdown, but Lallana was on hand to settle a breathless encounter at the death.

 

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Simeone: Atletico can't hold Griezmann in chains

Diego Simeone says Atletico Madrid will not hold Antoine Griezmann in "chains" if the France winger decides he wants to leave the Vicente Calderon.

Atletico's Fifa ban on registering players for the next two complete transfer windows means sales are not on the agenda despite Griezmann being linked with a number of Europe's top clubs.

But Simeone, speaking ahead of a home clash with Sevilla on Sunday, has claimed the club will not attempt to keep a player against his will.

He told a news conference on Saturday: "The sporting directors have been speaking to him directly, with those close to him, in order to work out what's best for him and the club."Of course he's a very important player for us, but we can't hold him here with chains."

Atletico's rise to the top of La Liga has flown under the radar due to the near-constant focus on Real Madrid and Barcelona.

But Simeone's men have quietly put together another fine season, although their title credentials could be tested by Sevilla, about whom the Argentine was particularly complimentary.He added: "They're always a very competitive rival. [Unai] Emery has done a great job there, and by always freshening up the squad he's ensured that his side is equally competitive.

"At the moment he's changing things a bit, and is working more on pace in the side with [Kevin] Gameiro and then [Ever] Banega in behind him. This enables them to be a very dangerous team on the counter, because they're moving away a little from the side he started with [Fernando] Llorente and [Vicente] Iborra, with a more tactical set-up and a bigger aerial threat.

"We'll be looking to take the game in the direction we want it to go, which will be attacking with pace and using the channels."

 

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Klopp angered by 'really rubbish' set pieces after Norwich win

Liverpool's continued struggles at set-pieces were at the forefront of Jurgen Klopp's thoughts after edging a nine-goal thriller at Norwich City.Adam Lallana's last-minute strike sealed an incredible 5-4 win at Carrow Road on Saturday, although set-pieces had threatened to undo Liverpool again.

Twice the visitors were guilty of not clearing their lines, which allowed Dieumerci Mbokani and Sebastien Bassong to fire past Simon Mignolet, the latter doing so to level the score at 4-4 in stoppage time before Lallana's crucial strike.

"I think we were deserved winners in a spectacular game," Klopp told BT Sport.
"But it is crazy what we are doing there [at set-pieces] we have to solve this problem because it is not always possible to score five goals.

"Today we knew it would be difficult because they are not a normal team in this position in the table because they play football, it's not only long balls and deep defending.

"In the game we felt we could cause them problems but then we should not always concede goals from set plays, because it is easy to play against us. "You don't have to create chances you just have to throw the ball over the line and have a set play. Then bring your whole team into our box and something will happen.

"After the game it feels funny but it's really rubbish what we are doing, we have to solve this."

 

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Malaga 1-2 Barcelona: Messi magic overcomes stubborn hosts

Lionel Messi marked his return from injury in style as his stunning volley sent Barcelona top of La Liga with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Malaga on Saturday.

Messi missed Barca's 2-1 Copa del Rey win over Athletic Bilbao in midweek because of a hamstring problem, but was typically influential at La Rosaleda - earning all three points with a sumptuous finish from Adriano's cross.

The Argentina captain also had a hand in his side's first goal as Munir El Haddadi broke the deadlock for Barca - who were missing Neymar through injury - by capping off a wonderfully worked attack with a second-minute tap-in.

Malaga fought back well, however, and were rewarded for piling pressure on the Barcelona goal when Juanpi levelled in the 32nd minute. Attacking midfielder Juanpi pounced of some poor defending from Barca to equalise with a deflected close-range strike.

Yet Barca were not to be denied and in the 52nd minute Messi settled matters with a marvellous show of technique to move Barca one point clear of Atletico Madrid, who take on Sevilla on Sunday.

Barca broke down the Malaga defence almost immediately as Messi played Luis Suarez in down the right with a superb pass, with the Uruguay forward - who replays suggested was marginally offside - then squaring for Munir to tap into an empty net from a yard.

Malaga responded excellently to going behind and went agonisingly close to levelling in the 14th minute as Claudio Bravo turned Gonzalo Castro's drive from the edge of the area against the post.

The home fans were left incensed when Malaga were denied a penalty in the 25th minute, Charles booked for diving under a challenge from Javier Mascherano after Barca had carelessly conceded possession in their own half. But Barca failed to learn their lesson from that scare and were deservedly pegged back seven minutes later.

This time Mascherano was at fault as the Argentinian failed to properly clear his lines, allowing Charles to tee up Juanpi to hit home at the end of a well-worked team move.

Barca had failed to threaten the Malaga goal after opening the scoring but would have retaken the lead if not for Malaga goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and some fine last-ditch defending.Kameni did well to parry Munir's left-footed strike across the face of goal and Messi was denied on the rebound as Miguel Torres produced a brilliant block.

Thomas Vermaelen was replaced by Jeremy Mathieu after half-time and seven minutes after the restart Messi restored Barca's advantage in sublime fashion, meeting Adriano's inswinging cross from the left with a magnificent acrobatic volley that left Kameni with no chance.Malaga refused to lie down, though, with Bravo forced into action by Castro's cross-cum-shot.

Adriano was then forced off through injury for Barca before Ignacio Camacho was thwarted by the in-form Bravo as Barca saw out the game to put the pressure on Diego Simeone's men at the top.

 

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Watford 2-1 Newcastle United: Ighalo & Cathcart deepen Magpies' relegation woes

Odion Ighalo and Craig Cathcart scored as Watford broke a run of four straight Premier League defeats to record a 2-1 home win over Newcastle United on Saturday.

After a poor first period Watford took the lead 44 seconds into the second half. Troy Deeney lofted a through-ball in behind for Ighalo, who hit his seventh goal in seven games at Vicarage Road.

Cathcart soon put the hosts in control with the second goal, thrashing home a loose ball in the penalty area, to put Watford on track for a third win against Newcastle this season in all competitions.Jamaal Lascelles gave Newcastle a route back into the match with a 71st-minute header, but Watford held on to secure their first ever Premier League double.

The three points lifts Watford back into the top half of the Premier League, while Newcastle remain in the relegation zone after their fourth straight defeat away from home.

Steve McClaren switched to a back three due to Newcastle's defensive injury crisis and handed a first Premier League start to newcomer Henri Saivet, while Watford made one change, with Juan Carlos Paredes replacing Allan Nyom at right-back.

Rolando Aarons was making his first appearance since September and he had the first sight of goal on four minutes, flashing a drive well wide after good work by Moussa Sissoko.

Watford could have taken the lead on 16 minutes but Rob Elliot pulled off a smart double save. Troy Deeney saw his shot turned away and Etienne Capoue should have put away the rebound, but his effort was also blocked by Elliot.Heurelho Gomes then kept out Aleksandar Mitrovic's shot with his legs as Newcastle sought their first goal in four away Premier League matches.

Watford were marginally on top but their final ball was poor, with little quality in the attacking third from either side.Nevertheless, the hosts took the lead within a minute of the restart, Ighalo scoring for the first time in five matches.

Deeney found his strike partner with a perfect chipped through-ball and Ighalo raced clear before shimmying past Elliot and slotting into the empty net for his 14th goal of the season.Cathcart lashed in from close range after Ighalo held off his man in the box to double the lead after 58 minutes.

Yoan Gouffran and Ayoze Perez both put headers well wide from good positions as Newcastle looked for a way back into the match.Lascelles gave his side a lifeline on 71 minutes, powerfully heading home Jonjo Shelvey's corner to mark his first Premier League start in style.

Mitrovic and Emmanuel Riviere both planted headers narrowly wide while Elliot saved from Ighalo and Etienne Capoue blazed over the crossbar with five minutes to go as Watford sought a vital third goal, but the one-goal cushion proved enough for Quique Sanchez Flores' men.

 

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Crystal Palace 1-3 Tottenham: Alli's scores wonder goal in comeback victory

Dele Alli scored one of the goals of the season to inspire Tottenham to a 3-1 victory over Crystal Palace.

From the edge of the area, Alli received the ball, flicked it over the head of the onrushing Mile Jedinak, and drilled a volley hard and low past Wayne Hennessey.

Spurs had gone behind in the 30th minute following Jan Verthonghen’s own goal, but second-half strikes from Harry Kane, Alli and Nacer Chadli keep Mauricio Pochettino’s men in four place but just two points behind second-placed Arsenal.

Spurs made one change from their last Premier League starting XI as Son Heung-min replaced Erik Lamela, while the home side were unchanged.

Tottenham made the brighter start, with Son shooting just wide after showing some quick feet outside of the penalty area and Kane forcing Wayne Hennessey to save with his legs from a tight angle.

But it was Palace who opened the scoring on 30 minutes, ending their drought. An initial attacking move had broken down but Vertonghen's heavy pass was mis-controlled by Christian Eriksen, allowing Wilfried Zaha space on the right.

The winger fired across goal and Vertonghen's attempted interception saw him divert the ball past Hugo Lloris.

Zaha then lashed a rushed effort over after impressively weaving past Danny Rose, before the Spurs defender came close to an equaliser at the other end.

Eriksen's cross picked out Rose, whose powerful volley at the far post was excellently held by Hennessey as Palace went into half-time ahead.

Tottenham came out strongly for the second half and had a penalty appeal turned down by referee Martin Atkinson when Son claimed handball against Scott Dann.

A brilliant Eriksen strike flew just past the top corner a few moments later, while Kane's downward header was saved by Hennessey.

A leveller appeared to be coming and it arrived on 63 minutes when substitute Chadli's looping cross found Kane, who leapt well above Damien Delaney to convert with a close-range header.

Palace produced their first shot on target in response, with a diving Lloris impressively keeping out a left-footed strike from Zaha before the France captain pushed away a Pape Souare drive.

The home side went even closer to a dramatic late winner when Jason Puncheon's free-kick was headed against the bar by Dann and substitute Mile Jedinak then smashed the bar himself with his effort from the rebound.

Those misses became more significant when Alli netted one of the goals of the season with six minutes left on the clock. The midfielder controlled Eriksen's header, brilliantly flicked the ball over Jedinak and unleashed a stunning volley past Hennessey.

Alli almost made it three for Spurs when he beat Delaney and crashed a shot against the crossbar, but the third goal did arrive in stoppage time when Chadli cut inside on a solo run and curled an excellent finish into the far corner.

 

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Leicester City 3-0 Stoke City: Ulloa caps off comfortable win

Danny Drinkwater's first Premier League goal and second-half strikes from Jamie Vardy and Leonardo Ulloa sent Leicester City back to the top of the table in a convincing 3-0 win over Stoke City.

Leicester went into Saturday's contest at the King Power Stadium level on points with Arsenal, who play Chelsea on Sunday, and second only on goal difference.

And Claudio Ranieri's side – who had won just one of their past five top-flight games – were ahead at half-time when Drinkwater showed great technique to fire low into the bottom left-hand corner, albeit with the help of a Marc Wilson deflection.

The game was put beyond all doubt in the 66th minute when Vardy brilliantly rounded Jack Butland to score his first goal since December 14, before substitute Ulloa added gloss in the closing stages.

It was a deserved three points for Leicester, who are refusing to wilt in their unlikely tilt for the title and the win puts pressure on Arsenal against rivals Chelsea.
Stoke have earned plaudits for their style of play this season, but Mark Hughes' men failed to hit their stride and slipped to ninth.

Leicester named the same XI that drew at Aston Villa last weekend and Vardy had the first sight of goal with a sweetly struck first-time shot from Marc Albrighton's left-wing centre that Butland could only parry.

Xherdan Shaqiri returned from his injury-enforced three-match absence in one of two Stoke changes and the winger's dangerous cross from the right drew an excellent defensive header from Danny Simpson, with Mame Biram Diouf ready to pounce.Stoke were then dealt a blow on the half-hour mark when captain Ryan Shawcross limped off to be replaced by Wilson.

Leicester finished the half well and the hosts moved ahead in the 41st minute.
A corner from the right was only cleared as far as Drinkwater 20 yards from goal and his excellent half-volley deflected off Wilson into the net for his first goal since April 2014.

Leicester will feel they should have made more of a lightning counter-attack led by Riyad Mahrez 10 minutes after the break, the winger's attempted pass to Shinji Okazaki was weak, though, and Stoke scrambled clear.

It almost proved costly as at the other end Glen Johnson's pinpoint cross was met by the unmarked Joselu, who wastefully headed straight at Kasper Schmeichel.
And Stoke were made to rue that miss in the 66th minute.

Vardy gave chase to Drinkwater's superb throughball and the England striker kept his composure to round Butland and slot home his 16th Premier League goal of the season.Robert Huth's sliced free-kick will no doubt have raised a few wry smiles from his former Stoke team-mates, but Leicester added a third with three minutes remaining.

Mahrez jinked into the area and his miscued shot was prodded in by the sliding Ulloa as Leicester earned a potentially priceless three points ahead of a difficult period where they play Liverpool, Manchester City and Arsenal in consecutive games.

 

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Manchester United 0-1 Southampton: Austin stuns Old Trafford with late winner

Southampton beat Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford for the second season in a row after Charlie Austin scored an 87th minute winner on his debut.

Austin returned to the Premier League this week as Saints pounced for the former QPR man, and he came off the bench to stun the home support and pile more pressure on United boss Louis van Gaal.

The home faithful did not hold back their displeasure as their side failed to score before half-time for an 11th consecutive home game and Juan Mata's half-time introduction brought no more than sporadic flickers of life in attack.

Southampton carried a set-piece threat before Austin entered the fray in place of Sadio Mane in the 79th minute and his decisive goal owed something to an over-eager challenge from returning United substitute Adnan Januzaj.

Making his comeback after a fruitless loan stint at Borussia Dortmund, Januzaj brought down Austin and the former Burnley striker planted a fine header beyond David de Gea from James Ward-Prowse's right-wing delivery.

United slip five points behind fourth-placed Tottenham, while Southampton move up to eighth, having claimed three consecutive Premier League wins for the first time this season.

Cameron Borthwick-Jackson made his first Premier League start at left wing-back after Ashley Young sustained a groin injury, with Van Gaal switching to 3-5-2 to match his opponents' shape.

Two goals in the 3-0 win over West Brom were not enough to keep Ward-Prowse in the Southampton XI, as the midfielder joined Austin on the bench as Jordy Clasie and Dusan Tadic earned starts.

Mane had the best sight of goal in a poor first half in the 37th minute, but his touch and footing deserted him in the United area after playing a neat one-two with Tadic.

That let-off did not quell discontent in the stands - the now familiar lament of "attack, attack, attack" ringing out - and Jesse Lingard's deflected stoppage-time effort spinning wide could not prevent half-time jeers.

Van Gaal responded by sending on Mata in place of the ineffective Marouane Fellaini in an attempt to spark some creativity.

Mata and Wayne Rooney combined in the desired fashion after 54 minutes, although Anthony Martial could not get a shot off and Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster gratefully grasped the ball.

Van Gaal defensive injury woes worsened when Matteo Darmian came off worse in a 58th-minute collision with Shane Long – the Republic of Ireland striker heading a subsequent corner wide under pressure from the Italian's replacement, Paddy McNair.A goalless draw seemed inevitable before Austin's accurate finish thrillingly grabbed the bragging rights for Koeman over his old rival Van Gaal after just eight minutes on the field.

Another Southampton sub, Oriol Romeu drew a sharp save from De Gea as the visitors threatened further misery before Januzaj failed to atone for his error by fizzing an injury-time shot wide.

The final whistle brought further ire for Van Gaal, as a second-successive 1-0 home defeat to old foe Koeman concluded the latest chapter of an increasingly unpopular tenure.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 5-1 Angers: Di Maria hits a double in easy demolition

Angel Di Maria netted twice to help Paris Saint-Germain to a 5-1 victory over Angers at the Parc des Princes, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Lucas and Gregory van der Wiel also finding the net.

The reigning champions were without the injured Thiago Silva, Marquinhos, Javier Pastore and Marco Verratti, while Edinson Cavani was benched once more, but still they were utterly dominant as Laurent Blanc's side made it 31 top-flight matches unbeaten this season. Ibrahimovic and Lucas found the net in the opening 45 minutes, before Van der Wiel effectively put the match early in the second half.

Pierrick Capelle pulled one back for the visitors, but it was nothing more than a consolation goal as Di Maria scored two within the space of five minutes to make it 5-1.To highlight PSG's remarkable dominance of the division, they now sit 26 points clear of a fourth-placed Angers side who would have gone second had they won.

Blanc's men started the match in fine fashion and Ibrahimovic came close to opening the scoring after just two minutes following some good work from Lucas, but the Sweden international's chipped effort went wide of the target.

Van der Wiel should have broken the deadlock midway through first half after a clever through-ball from Di Maria, but the Netherlands international failed to beat Alexandre Letellier from close range.PSG kept pushing and were eventually rewarded in the 32nd minute.

Blaise Matuidi dispossessed Billy Ketkeophomphone inside his own half, found Ibrahimovic down the right and the powerful attacker beat Letellier with a low shot that took a slight deflection off Romain Thomas for his 17th goal in as many league games.

Angers got their first chance of the match shortly after the opening goal when Thomas beat his marker to the ball after a free-kick from the right, but Kevin Trapp did well to collect the defender's header.

Lucas doubled PSG's lead five minutes before half-time after yet another good run down the right from Van der Wiel, the full-back cutting the ball back for the Brazilian to convert from five yards.

Van der Wiel effectively put the match to bed in the 54th minute with a sublime finish after a superb team move involving Ibrahimovic, Di Maria and Matuidi. The latter eventually reached the Dutchman with a fine cross from the left and the right-back tapped home at the far post to make it 3-0.The hosts pulled one back shortly after, though, when Capelle volleyed home from 20 yards after the PSG defence failed to adequately clear a corner.

There was no stopping PSG, however, as Di Maria quickly restored their three-goal lead. Lucas angled a pass back to the edge of the area and the former Real Madrid man beat the Angers goalkeeper with a stunning volley.

Di Maria piled even more misery on the visitors in the 66th minute. The winger outpaced his marker after a sublime pass from Matuidi and found the net with a subtle chip over Letellier as PSG recorded an easy win.

 

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Austin: 'It doesn't get better' than Old Trafford winner

Southampton striker Charlie Austin said the feeling of scoring the goal that sunk Manchester United 1-0 at Old Trafford in a dream debut "doesn't get any better".
A dour encounter appeared to be heading for a predictable stalemate before Austin entered the fray, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Sadio Mane.

The former QPR and Burnley man then drew a foul from United replacement Adnan Januzaj and planted home a header from the resulting 87th-minute free-kick.

Repeating last season's single-goal triumph at United lifts Southampton up to eighth in the table on the back of a three-match winning run, and Austin was understandably jubilant.

"It doesn't get any better than that," the 26-year-old told Sky Sports. "I've come on and I think it was my second touch – right place, right time and I've put the ball in the net.

"To get my debut goal, I'm delighted and I'm happy for the lads because they put in a great effort for 80 minutes before I came on."They defended superbly from back to front. Our back five were superb.

"Our aim is a top-10 finish to get to where we did last season. That's three wins on the bounce so hopefully we can continue on this run."Austin had just arrived from Championship side QPR earlier this month.

 

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Koeman slams 'bulls***' Chelsea links after United victory

Southampton's Ronald Koeman dismissed the possibility of him moving to Chelsea as he pledged his future to his current club.

The Dutchman, who has been linked with the job currently occupied by compatriot Guus Hiddink, was quizzed on the rumours following a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. Koeman had stated on Friday that he would consider a move to a bigger club and hoped Hiddink "puts a good word in" for him at the English champions.

However, the former Barcelona star insists his words then had been misinterpreted, and did not mince his words denying he was considering leaving Southampton for Stamford Bridge.

"That's the problem when you do an interview in Dutch. It's all bulls***. You can't win when you talk to them," he fired to reporters in the press conference.

"I continue at Southampton and I still have one year on my contract."While Koeman admitted his next move was still up in the air, he insisted there was no truth to the Chelsea speculation.
"After that, who knows. I didn't say anything about Chelsea, I got asked about Chelsea and about Hiddink so I answered," he explained. "It's all bulls***."Koeman has been in charge at St Mary's Stadium since 2014, overseeing a seventh-place finish for Southampton last season.

Victory over Louis Van Gaal's men lifted the Saints up to eighth in the Premier League, nine points shy of Tottenham in the final Champions League qualification spot.

 

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Darmian taken to hospital after spitting blood

Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian has been taken to hospital with a suspected rib injury after "spitting blood" on the pitch during the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

Charlie Austin headed home an 87th minute winner as United's inconsistent season continued with another disappointing defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday.Their misery was compounded by the injury to Darmian, who was replaced by Paddy McNair in the 60th minute.

Van Gaal said after the game: "He was spitting blood on the pitch so he has gone to the hospital and we have to wait and see what happened."All I can say is that's the fifth full-back we have lost. It is probably one rib and also the chest, there is something wrong."

Darmian's injury leaves United desperately short of defensive cover, with Ashley Young out for two months with a groin injury and Luke Shaw still recovering from a broken ankle.

The result leaves Van Gaal's side in fifth place in the Premier League table, five points adrift of Tottenham, who sit in fourth.