..::Football III::..

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Van Gaal: Rooney's WRONG… Man Utd aren't playing with more freedom

Louis van Gaal has dismissed Wayne Rooney's suggestion that Manchester United's improvement has been down to playing with more freedom, insisting that confidence has been the main factor.

United have recovered from being beaten at home by Southampton on January 23, when Van Gaal and his players were roundly booed as they left the pitch at full-time, to record two wins on the bounce.

The Red Devils will be aiming to make it three when they face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but their Dutch coach does not agree that his side are now playing with more freedom, as had been suggested by Rooney after the FA Cup win over Derby County.

He told reporters: "I'm not agreeing with the remark of Wayne Rooney when he said that. It's only because they have more confidence. It is especially so with Wayne Rooney, who is saying that because he has scored seven goals in a row.

"Then he can say that he is playing with more freedom, because he has more confidence. But you want to write that it's because he gets another training session in another style or because Louis van Gaal gives more freedom? No, it's still the same.

"We train still the same, in the same way. It's not because of a change of attitude from Mr Louis van Gaal or another way of training. No, I'm sorry to say that.

"We are always working hard and very professionally in the philosophy of Louis van Gaal. That is also the same for Jesse Lingard."

 

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Hazard: I texted Mourinho to say sorry after his sacking

Eden Hazard has admitted he sent a message of apology to Jose Mourinho after the coach's sacking by Chelsea in December.

Hazard was named the PFA Player of the Year as Chelsea stormed to the Premier League title last season but his form in 2015-16 has fallen well short of those standards.

The Belgian did not score his first goal of the campaign - a penalty against Championship side MK Dons - until the end of January and says he felt guilty about Mourinho's dismissal.

"I sent him the message to say I was sorry he had gone and, well, just that I was sorry," Hazard told the Guardian . "We'd enjoyed all that success together last season, but this time round we hadn't."I felt a little bit guilty because I'd been player of the year. I'd been one of the most decisive players, and this year I'd performed less well.

"I hadn't been at the same level. So I sent that text to Jose and he came back to me, wishing me all the best for the future. For a team of champions to go through what we have this year even I can't explain.

"Things have been better recently, but we're still not winning games quite as we used to. No one can put his finger on what's happened at Chelsea."

Hazard ended a wait stretching back to May when he hit the target against MK Dons on Sunday but insists he never allowed his morale to drop during his barren spell.

"It never became an obsession for me to score at all costs," he said. "I've always said that I'm not a big scorer, I'm a worker. But you can't escape you've not scored and it's already January, so last Sunday was a bit of a relief."I don't think my morale was down, but it plays on your mind a bit. Everything went so well in the past. This year, not so much. But you have to tell yourself that football is like that.

"You still have to take enjoyment out of what you're doing and things will turn, and my smile has always been there. In good moments and bad. I'm somebody who can laugh even at myself."

Hazard revealed the importance of the support of his former team-mate Didier Drogba as Chelsea he struggled to turn his form around and believes he can become a leadership figure at Stamford Bridge by doing his talking on the pitch.

"He's always backed me," Hazard said of Montreal Impact striker. "I'm not sure whether he'd ever experienced periods like that in his career, but I've always considered him a bit like a big brother."He's there for me, whether it's a text message or a phone call, and he's helped raise my spirits. But I've never doubted myself.

"I've never been one to deliver speeches in the dressing room, like a John Terry, Frank Lampard or Drogba, but I've always tried to lead in my own way on the field: demanding the ball, trying to make a difference."The day I'm 100 per cent again, I'm convinced Chelsea will perform better too. It's up to me to raise my level again."

 

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Van Gaal: Mata wasn't good enough to be my No.10 & maybe Pereira's better!

Louis van Gaal has told Juan Mata he must keep his performances up if he is to avoid being usurped as Manchester United's attacking midfielder by Andreas Pereira.

The Spaniard has been used on the right wing for the most part this season, but he has started through the middle in United's past two games, helping Van Gaal's men to wins over Stoke City and Derby County.

Pereira has played just four Premier League games this term for the Red Devils and came on to play for the final few minutes against Stoke, replacing the ex-Chelsea man.

Van Gaal is happy for Mata to continue in the role, but said the 27-year-old needs to keep impressing, otherwise he could be dropped for the 20-year-old Belgian-born attacker."I have already played Mata in the same role. Maybe you remember that," the Dutchman said.

"I'm not changing him from that role, he has changed himself because previously he wasn't good enough there. That is the reason."It is not the coach or the manager, but when he is playing like he has been playing now, he shall play at No.10.

"We will have to see if he plays there on Sunday against Chelsea. Maybe I have another No.10 who is better than Mata - maybe Andreas Pereira is better.

"I don't discuss that with you, I'll discuss it with Juan Mata. Juan Mata knows, and maybe he is doing better now."United, who sit fifth in the Premier League, take on Chelsea on Sunday.

 

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Barclays Premier League 2016.02.06 Fixtures

Barclays Premier League 2016.02.06 Fixtures

Manchester City Vs Leicester City

Aston Villa Vs Norwich City

Liverpool Vs Sunderland

Newcastle Vs WBA

Stoke City Vs Everton

Swansea Vs Crystal Palace

Tottenham Vs Watford

Southampton Vs West Ham

​

 

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LA Liga 2016.02.06 Fixtures

LA Liga 2016.02.06 Fixtures

Atletico Madrid Vs Eibar

Rayo Vallecano Vs Las Palmas

Athletic Bilbao Vs Villareal

Sporting Gijon Vs Deportivo​

 

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Serie A 2016.02.06 Fixtures

Serie A 2016.02.06 Fixtures

Bologna Vs Fiorentina

Genoa Vs Lazio​

 

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Manchester City have the power to sign Neymar, insists Ronaldinho

Ronaldinho believes that Manchester City have the power to lure Neymar away from Barcelona.

Earlier this week, Neymar’s father revealed that Manchester United had launched a €190 million (£144m) bid for the forward last summer.

City have also been linked with a move for the 24-year-old following confirmation that Guardiola will become their next manager, and Ronaldinho believes the Spaniard’s arrival, along with City’s financial power, put the club in pole position to complete a deal this summer.

“Neymar has already stated his desire to play for Pep,” the World Cup winner told the Daily Mirror.

“That was a big statement with most people knowing that Pep would be joining Manchester City in the summer.

“We know they can pay wages that no other club in Europe has the power to do.

“There has been a lot of talk about Neymar’s future recently, but I believe rumours of a move to Real Madrid are false.

“I will advise him to stay at Barcelona for at least a few more years, but if he wants City and they want him, we know they have the power to make it happen.”

 

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Mascherano: I will not retire at Barcelona

Barcelona star Javier Mascherano revealed he cannot envisage ending his professional career at the club due to physical demands - but hinted at a return to Argentina.

The Argentina international has been with the Spanish giants since 2010 after a €24million move from Premier League outfit Liverpool.

Mascherano has lifted 13 trophies in his time with Barca, but said he will only continue with the club for as long as his body holds up."I don't think that will happen [retiring at Barca]," the 31-year-old told Clarin.

"There will come a moment that because of my age I will not be able to keep up with the demands of Barca, especially physically.

"To play between 60 and 70 games and season is not easy. I would have to play at a club that is more in line with that I can achieve physically."But I will see how long I can give my maximum."

The midfielder-turned-central defender began his career with River Plate, and the Argentine said returning to his home country remains a chance."Yes, of course. But not with contempt," he said.

"I watch Argentinean football and I know that you have to be at a good physical level to play in it."There are much less games during a season than in Spain, and that is an advantage when you are older.

"In my head it is always to return. I will not allow myself to return if I'm not right, just on a whim. I will know if I can still perform."

 

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Suarez can score 50 goals this season - Carragher

Barcelona striker Luis Suarez can reach 50 goals for the club this season, according to his former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher.Suarez scored four times in Barca's 7-0 Copa del Rey win over Valencia on Wednesday, taking his season total to 35 from 33 games.

The Uruguay international has been in stunning form for the Spanish giants, with the club on course for another successful campaign.

And Carragher, who played alongside Suarez for a season and a half at Liverpool, thinks the forward has become even better since his €81million move.

"Suarez was always a fantastic player, but with Barcelona he's moved up another level," Carragher told Barca TV."We always knew how good he was at Liverpool, but had to do that in the Champions League. Now he's one of the greatest players in world football.

"You wonder how many goals he'll get by the end of the season. He should be looking at maybe 50 goals."

Suarez is joint leader in the Liga scoring charts with 19 goals, alongside Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, with Suarez's Barca team-mate Neymar three goals behind the pair.

 

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Ramsey names his toughest opponent for Arsenal this season

Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey has named Jamie Vardy as the toughest opponent he’s faced this season.

Vardy currently leads the way with 18 goals in the Premier League, while earlier this season, the Leicester City striker broke Ruud van Nistelrooy's record to become the first player to score in 11 consecutive games.

Arsenal beat Leicester 5-2 at the end of September but Ramsey believes the England striker, who scored twice in that match, has been “remarkable” this season.

“I’d say Vardy,” the Wales international told Complex when asked who is the toughest player he’s played against this term.

“He’s been unbelievable so far and what he’s done – scoring in 11 straight games – is absolutely remarkable.

“Full credit to him. When you look at where he started off to where he is now, it’s been a great story.”

 

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Hazard: I would like to play under Zidane

Eden Hazard admits he is flattered by the interest from Zinedine Zidane and says he would welcome the chance to play under the World Cup winner.

In November, Zidane admitted that the Chelsea midfielder was his favourite player after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, while Real Madrid have been linked with a summer move.

“It is always nice to hear that the player I admired during my childhood speaking about me,” Hazard told Belgian newspaper La Gazette.

“I have always appreciated Zidane. I know about him as a player but not so much as a coach, although he has been very successful debut at the Bernabeu. But I am still under contract at Chelsea and I feel fine.”

When asked if he would want to be managed by Zidane at some point in his career, Hazard replied: “Yes, of course.

“When I was little, I watched him on TV and on the internet for hours. I spoke Zidane, I ate Zidane.

“But, and I repeat, I feel very well at Chelsea, so this is not news.”

 

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Manchester City 1-3 Leicester City: Huth double sees Foxes move six points clear

Leicester City took a significant step in their sensational bid for the Premier League title with a ruthless 3-1 win at Manchester City.

The home team were favourites to replace Leicester at the summit at kick-off, ambitions that were soon dented when Robert Huth handed Leicester a second-minute lead at the Etihad Stadium.

Huth then led an impeccable defensive display as Manuel Pellegrini's team had little to show for sustained periods of possession, while appearing vulnerable to their opponents' counter-attack.

Much of the pre-match talk from the Manchester City camp revolved around the desire to give Pellegrini a glorious send-off following confirmation that Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola will take his job from next season.Their deeds on the pitch comprehensively failed to measure up, though, and Leicester exploited them mercilessly.

Riyad Mahrez danced through a shambling defence to brilliantly score his 14th Premier League goal of the season before Huth headed his second, with Sergio Aguero's strike coming too late to deny Leicester a six-point advantage at the top.

Boss Claudio Ranieri told television reporters before the match that Manchester City "have to win; we have to play" and his side began with freedom and confidence to startle their hosts.

N'Golo Kante burst through a flimsy challenge from Yaya Toure and, when Leicester worked possession wide, Mahrez skipped around left-back Aleksandar Kolarov to win a free-kick.

From Mahrez's delivery, Martin Demichelis allowed Huth to muscle in front of him and bundle the ball into the net.Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy raced through the home defence to call Joe Hart into action.

The England goalkeeper was also forced to race out in the 11th minute to deny Danny Drinkwater on the break as Leicester settled into the clinical counter-attacking style.

David Silva manoeuvred into space inside the Leicester box and shot wide, but there were further concerns for Pellegrini in the 20th minute when Vardy sped past Nicolas Otamendi and Shinji Okazaki just failed to convert his low cross.

Huth got his body in the way of Kolarov's free-kick after Christian Fuchs fouled Pablo Zabaleta perilously close to the right-hand edge of the area.

The towering German defender then prevented Aguero from getting on the end of Raheem Sterling's looping cross and the striker thudded a shot into Kasper Schmeichel, as City upped their pressure but failed to find a way through before half-time.

Inexcusably, the hosts resumed in the sloppy fashion they had started and Mahrez punished them with a dazzling second.The excellent Kante drove the latest break and fed the winger to dance around Otamendi's reckless lunge and ease past Demichelis to finish emphatically.

Pellegrini responded with a double change, a folorn Toure and Fabian Delph making way for Kelechi Iheanacho and Fernando – the latter almost pulling a goal back when Schmeichel superbly saved his header from Silva's corner.

But a set-piece at the other end left City further in the mire, Huth heading a second after an hour despite strong suspicions of a foul on Demichelis.Hart again denied the tireless Vardy, who blasted into the side-netting in the 81st minute, as the swagger in Leicester's play piled embarrassment onto a dishevelled City.

They pulled one back when Aguero guided a cross from Premier League debutant substitute Bersant Celina past Schmeichel and the Argentina star almost capitalised on a poor backpass from Danny Simpson to further reduce the deficit.

But a late route back into the match would have been scarcely deserved for Pellegrini's men, who could conclude the weekend in fourth place.

 

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Hertha Berlin 0-0 Borussia Dortmund: Aubameyang flops as Tuchel's men slip up

A fine defensive performance from Hertha Berlin earned a scoreless draw against Borussia Dortmund at the Olympiastadion as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang failed to make an impact.

The Bundesliga's leading scorer had netted 20 goals in as many appearances heading into the game, but was shut out by the Hertha defence before he was taken off in the second half.

BVB had won their first two games of 2016, but Thomas Tuchel's men struggled right from the start as they failed to create any chances of note in the opening 45 minutes.Hertha, who have not lost in six league games, looked dangerous via Vladimir Darida and John Brooks before the break, but failed to beat Roman Burki.

Dortmund looked slightly more threatening after the interval, but Hertha's solid defence proved to be too much of an obstacle as the Bundesliga's second and third-placed sides spilled points in their attempts to cling onto Bayern Munich's coat tails.

Hertha would arguably have been the worthier winners and went close after just five minutes of play following some poor defending from Dortmund, but Darida's attempt from close range lacked the power and accuracy to worry Burki.

The hosts caused the BVB defence plenty of problems from set-pieces and they came close again midway through the first half when Brooks beat his marker to the ball after Darida's corner, only to see his header go inches over the bar, while Jens Hegeler headed Marvin Plattenhardt's delivery straight at Burki.

Dortmund, meanwhile, looked dangerous twice when Marcel Schmelzer charged forward down the left, but his final pass let him down on both occasions.

Long-range strikes from Sokratis Papastathopoulos and Ilkay Gundogan did not trouble Rune Jarstein between the sticks, while the Hertha goalkeeper did well to deny Mats Hummels around the half-hour mark after a rare chance for the away side.

BVB pushed hard for the opener early in the second half, with Marco Reus and Henrikh Mkhitaryan each trying their luck from a dangerous position, but they both failed to get their shot on target.

Hertha were happy to sit deep and try to hit Dortmund on the counterattack after
the break in an attempt to keep Aubameyang quiet.

Their pragmatic approach nearly paid off in the 70th minute when Vedad Ibisevic got a good chance just inside the box, but the striker failed to properly connect with the ball and Burki easily saved.

Mkhitaryan should have broken the deadlock just minutes later after some good work from Aubameyang, but the Armenian midfielder aimed just wide from 15 yards out.

Salomon Kalou came close late in the game after Aubameyang had been withdrawn from yet another quick Hertha break but, with team-mates well positioned ahead of him, the former Chelsea attacker's low shot went inches wide to cap a frustrating outing for both attacks.

 

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Leicester exploited Manchester City's weakness - Huth

Leicester City defender Robert Huth was surprised by Manchester City's sluggish start but not by their weakness at set-pieces in a potentially pivotal 3-1 win in the Premier League title race.

The hosts are now six points off the top, with Huth netting in the first and second half either side of Riyad Mahrez's brilliant goal – a blow from which Manuel Pellegrini's team never recovered.

Huth brushed aside Martin Demichelis to score a third-minute opener from Mahrez's free-kick, before he headed in a corner on the hour mark, amid suspicions of a foul on Demichelis.

The visitors had little cause to worry when Sergio Aguero pulled a goal back late on and Huth felt the tactics of Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri were perfectly judged."We expected them to come out flying, to be honest, but I thought in the first five or 10 minutes we came out better," Huth told BT Sport.

"We spoke about their weakness at set-pieces and it worked a treat on the first one."I think there were a few others after that, so we're happy with that."

In the build-up to the game, the Manchester City camp spoke regularly of their ambition to contest trophies on four fronts – with last-16 FA Cup and Champions League ties coming before their League Cup final appearance at the end of this month.

With fellow title aspirants Tottenham and Arsenal also still involved in the FA Cup and Europe, Huth thinks such distractions could lend Leicester an advantage in their improbable bid for glory.

"It certainly helps us. All the teams around us have Champions League, Europa League – those sort of games and it is inevitable that they think of other games rather than the league, especially the further they go.

"That can only work in our favour. I know the other teams have a bigger and better squad than us but we've only got the league to focus on."

 

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Barca players not affected by off-field issues - Luis Enrique

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique insists his players have been at Camp Nou long enough to be able to cope with the off-field issues surrounding the club.

On Friday Barcelona said they would consider "all legal actions" after communications organisation Mediapro alleged the club and former president Sandro Rosell were involved in disclosing their business secrets.

Stars Lionel Messi, Neymar and Javier Mascherano have all been the subject of investigations into tax offences in recent times.

But, speaking ahead of his 100th game in charge of the club at Levante on Sunday, Luis Enrique told reporters: "The team is focused on what we care about and what we prepare for and that is matches.

"There are non-sporting issues, we're not immune to those. The players have been here for a long time, it's not easy playing for Barca, that's part and parcel of the package."

In his 99 games in charge of Barca, Luis Enrique has won 79, drawn 11 and lost just nine.

Asked about his record, he added: "I'm proud of everything, the good and the bad that's part of my 100 games as Barca coach.

"We've all enjoyed these 100 games, the stats are what they are because we've got the best players."

Levante are bottom of La Liga, four points adrift of safety, but the Spaniard is refusing to take them lightly following a busy transfer window for the strugglers.

Luis Enrique said: "Levante have made some very good signings, [Giuseppe] Rossi for example is a player who can surprise us.

"They're a team that tries to play good football and they're going to put pressure on us that's for sure."

 

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Atletico Madrid 3-1 Eibar: Torres seals comeback victory with landmark goal

Fernando Torres finally scored his long-awaited 100th Atletico Madrid goal as they came from behind to defeat Eibar 3-1 at Vicente Calderon.

Substitute Torres had been one strike away from the milestone ever since netting against Saturday's opponents in the reverse fixture back in September, but his search for the elusive century goal finally came to an end with a finish in second-half stoppage time.

That capped a solid comeback win for Diego Simeone's title chasers, who piled the pressure back on leaders Barcelona at the top of the table and ended their four-match winless run in all competitions.

Suspensions for Diego Godin, Juanfran and Filipe Luis, and an injury to Stefan Savic, had forced Simeone to name a makeshift defence, with midfielder Saul Niguez deployed in an unfamiliar centre-back role.

A slip from the 21-year-old enabled Keko to open the scoring early in the second half for Eibar, but Jose Maria Gimenez headed in at the near post in the 56th minute to restore parity.

Saul then made up for his earlier error by nodding Atletico ahead, but the scoring was completed by Torres with 91 minutes on the clock.

The club icon replaced Yannick Ferreira Carrasco with 76 minutes played and sparked scenes of jubilation when he ended his personal drought and shifted the Liga focus firmly back towards Barca, who travel to Levante on Sunday.

Angel Correa looked sharp for the hosts on his return from suspension and, in the 15th minute, a penetrating run saw him breeze beyond two players and into the box, where he went down under a challenge from Ander Capa that the referee deemed to be legal.

Thomas Partey was booked for a high challenge as the match became increasingly physical and dogged, but Atletico continued to look the more threatening.

Antoine Griezmann blazed a shot over from the left-hand side of the box after a great cross-field pass from Jesus Gamez after 19 minutes.

Jose Luis Mendilibar's side were blunted by the absence of their top-scorer Borja Baston - ineligible against his parent club as part of his loan deal - and they struggled to create chances, despite a decent amount of possession.

Correa and Jota missed chances at either end as neither goalkeeper was forced into a save before half-time, but, within a minute of the restart, the deadlock was broken.

A slip from Saul was pounced upon by Sergi Enrich, who squared for Keko to fire into the top corner.

Disappointed with his team's response, Simeone had Oliver Torres and Luciano Vietto ready to come on from the bench.

However, before the duo could be introduced, a series of Atletico corners culminated with Gimenez heading in the equaliser in the 56th minute.

Vietto and Oliver were brought on soon afterwards, but it was another defender who added to Atletico's tally.

Saul atoned for his earlier error by rising highest to steer Koke's corner beyond Asier Riesgo, who was unable to keep the shot out despite getting a hand behind it.

Torres was introduced after 76 minutes in place of Ferreira Carrasco and after Vietto had seen a goal ruled out for a marginal offside decision, the striker steered home from the Argentine's cross to complete the scoring and celebrate his personal landmark.

 

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Swansea City 1-1 Crystal Palace: Dann saves point for struggling Eagles

Scott Dann headed a second-half equaliser as Crystal Palace ended a five-match losing run away to Swansea City in the Premier League on Saturday.

The relegation-threatened hosts led at the Liberty Stadium through Gylfi Sigurdsson's early free-kick, but Dann levelled from a corner two minutes into the second half.

Yohan Cabaye's comeback from an ankle injury suffered against Tottenham last month ended prematurely in a worrying sign for Eagles manager Alan Pardew, but Palace were at least cheered by an encouraging debut from the Frenchman's replacement, Hiram Boateng.

The academy graduate nearly gave Palace the lead through a strike from long range a few moments after coming on with 20 minutes remaining, but ultimately neither team could force what would have been an invaluable winner.

The result leaves Swansea precariously placed just four points above the relegation zone, while Palace have stopped the rot but remain without a win since beating Stoke City 2-1 away on December 19 and are by no means clear of trouble.

The hosts' head coach Francesco Guidolin made just one change to the side that drew 1-1 at West Brom last time out, Alberto Paloschi earning a full debut in place of the concussed Ki Sung-yueng.

Pardew handed a first start to Emmanuel Adebayor and Cabaye returned to the starting line-up, with Jordon Mutch also coming into the XI.

Swansea started strongly and took a deserved lead after 13 minutes, Sigurdsson curling a free-kick past the wall and into the far corner of the net, beyond the fingertips of goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey for his fifth goal in six matches.

Andre Ayew came close to doubling the hosts' lead two minutes later, with a block in the area required to deny the Ghana international before Adebayor headed over from Cabaye's free-kick.

The Togo striker nearly cost his team at the other end in the 32nd minute, getting involved in a mix-up with Hennessey to hand Ayew a chance, but he steered his shot narrowly wide of the post.

Former Eagles winger Wayne Routledge should have made it 2-0 when he shot narrowly off target in the 35th minute, but Palace grew into the game as the half continued, Wilfried Zaha, Adebayor and Dann all threatening in quick succession just prior to the break.

And the visitors' attacking intent was rewarded as Dann levelled a minute into the second half, firing into the roof of the net after Damien Delaney flicked on Cabaye's corner at the near post.

Swansea had a good claim for a penalty waved away by referee Mike Dean 10 minutes into the second half, Ayew going down under a challenge from Zaha.
That incident proved the spark for Guidolin's men to enjoy a period of dominance, Ayew almost hooking a speculative attempt into the far corner of the net and Hennessey being forced to save low down on his line from Ashley Williams following a corner.

After substitute Boateng flashed his drive past the upright, Sigurdsson almost restored Swansea's lead with another free-kick from just outside the area.
This time Hennessey was equal to the task, diving acrobatically to tip the shot around the post on 83 minutes.

The Iceland international then delivered a corner which Williams smashed fiercely into Pape Souare with two minutes to go, Swansea finishing strongly but unable to register a second win in three matches under Guidolin.

 

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Tottenham 1-0 Watford: Trippier strike sends Spurs second

Kieran Trippier's second-half goal gave a dominant Tottenham a 1-0 win over Watford at White Hart Lane on Saturday and moved Mauricio Pochettino's men into second-place in the Premier League.

The home side headed into the game knowing that a win would see them leapfrog Manchester City after their defeat to leaders Leicester, and Trippier finally broke the Hornets' dogged resistance in the 64th minute with a back post tap-in from substitute Dele Alli's cross.

Spurs have now won four consecutive league matches and are Leicester's closest challengers as they sit five points adrift at the top.

Watford slip down to 10th in the table and have only won once in their last eight league games, failing to score in four of their last five after a poor performance that did not see them register a shot on target at White Hart Lane.

In-form Spurs made four changes to the team that defeated Norwich City 3-0, with Alli and Son Heung-min among the players to drop to the substitutes' bench.

Watford made five alterations from the goalless draw with Chelsea, with captain Troy Deeney left out of the starting XI for the first time in the league this season as Odion Ighalo was deployed as a lone striker.

The home side were on top in the first half and it was defender Ben Davies, one of the players to come into the side, who surprisingly proved the most effective attacking threat.

The left-back's first effort deflected just wide off Allan Nyom after he had been set up by Christian Eriksen, before he forced a good low save from Heurelho Gomes following a neat one-two with Nacer Chadli.

Davies forced his way through the Watford defence and tested Gomes again before the end of the half, while Erik Lamela was also denied by the ex-Spurs goalkeeper and Harry Kane volleyed just over from Eric Dier's cross.

A cautious Watford side only mustered one attempt in the opening 45 minutes, although that was a close shave for Hugo Lloris, as Almen Abdi's chip drifted just over with the France international caught off his line.

Quique Sanchez Flores brought on Deeney and Valon Behrami in a double half-time change and an injury to Miguel Britos meant he had used all three of his changes by the 54th minute.

Despite his tweaks, the pressure kept coming from Spurs after the break. Kane was unhappy not to be awarded a penalty in two separate claims after going down under Gomes' challenge and then under pressure from Sebastian Prodl a few moments later.

Pochettino turned to Alli just after the hour mark and the England midfielder made an instant impact with his involvement in the opening goal, which came just after the hour mark.

Alli directed a perfect delivery across the face of goal with the outside of his foot from the left and Trippier made no mistake with a simple finish at the back post.

Lamela fired wide from a decent opening created by Eriksen and substitute Son was kept out by another Gomes save as in-form Spurs settled for a narrow, but comfortable triumph.

 

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Stoke City 0-3 Everton: Lukaku on target in easy Toffees win

Stoke City's troubling recent form persisted in suitably miserable conditions at the Britannia Stadium, as free-scoring Everton ran riot in a 3-0 Premier League victory.

In howling wind and pouring rain, the Potters conceded three goals for the third successive outing in all competitions and rarely threatened their visitors on an outing to forget.

Stoke included record signing Gianelli Imbula in their starting XI, but fell behind to Romelu Lukaku's early penalty and conceded twice more – to Seamus Coleman and Aaron Lennon – before half-time.

From that situation, a recovery was impossible and Stoke are now without a win in four matches.

Everton, meanwhile, bounced to a third victory in a row in league and cup, and made amends for the 4-3 defeat to their opponents in the corresponding fixture at Goodison Park back in December.

Lukaku struck the frame of the goal in the second period and Jack Butland made several impressive saves to prevent the defeat becoming a mauling but Everton were still worthy and emphatic victors.

Missing defensive regulars Ryan Shawcross, Geoff Cameron and Marc Wilson, the home side looked shaky throughout and Everton were handed the lead in the 11th minute.

Bryan Oviedo slid in Tom Cleverley after a tidy touch from Ross Barkley in midfield and the Manchester United man was hauled down as he went around Butland. Lukaku made no mistake from the spot for his 20th goal of the campaign.


The two teams exchanged possession with alarming regularity in the moments after the goal until, in the 28th minute, Coleman popped up to put the away side further in front, glancing Cleverley's left-wing delivery into the far corner for his first goal in 11 months.

Stoke tried to find a quick reply but Mame Biram Diouf nodded off target from Ibrahim Afellay's cross, before Imbula sent a wild shot high and wide, and Mark Hughes' men imploded three minutes before the break.Phillip Wollscheid's woeful pass only succeeded in playing in Lennon, who cantered into the Stoke box and slotted calmly beyond Butland.

Stoke came out after the interval with renewed determination but, as they pushed forward in search of a way back into the contest, Everton were able to expose their hosts on the counter.

Barkley and Lukaku combined twice to hit the side netting and bring Butland into a fine save respectively, and the Stoke keeper had to be alert again just after the hour mark to deny the Belgian from close range.

Glen Johnson saw a swerving, 20-yard drive pushed away by Joel Robles in the Everton goal on a rare Stoke attack, but Butland had to brilliantly save Arouna Kone's effort soon after from and, from the resultant corner, Funes Mori wasted a free header.

The England keeper's heroics were wholly in vain, however, as Everton leapfrogged their opponents and into the top half.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 2-2 Sunderland: Reds stunned in late collapse

Liverpool collapsed from a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Premier League strugglers Sunderland on Saturday.

With manager Jurgen Klopp a late withdrawal from the game due to a bout of appendicitis, the Reds looked just as sluggish as their relegation-threatened opponents in a turgid first half but cranked it up a level after the break and soon made the breakthrough.

A fine cross from the left wing by James Milner, aimed deep in towards the far post, picked out Roberto for a firm header as the Brazilian continued his fine recent form in front of goal.

The impressive Firmino was not done there, turning provider after 69 minutes for Lallana to tap in as the Reds capitalised on their chances coming thick and fast.

However, the mood turned in the closing stages as, moments after swathes of the home crowd began a mass walkout over ticket prices, Adam Johnson netted a free-kick for the Black Cats.

Seven minutes later, Jermain Defoe beat Mamadou Sakho all ends up to find space for a shot past Simon Mignolet, sending an already quieter Anfield into shock.

While Allardcye recalled Duncan Watmore and handed Wahbi Khazri his first Sunderland start, Liverpool's only change saw Joe Allen replace Lucas Leiva in midfield.

The hosts' recent injury troubles have been well documented and they were dealt an early blow when Dejan Lovren was forced off. After Kolo Toure replaced the Croatia international, Liverpool enjoyed the game's first spell of pressure as Alberto Moreno delivered a dangerous cross before seeing a low effort saved by Vito Mannone.

Sunderland were then forced into a change as Dame N'Doye replaced Watmore after the winger landed awkwardly on his right foot.

Firmino sent two efforts over the crossbar from distance before the break but Liverpool's frustrations continued as Allen limped off injured before half-time and was replaced by Jordon Ibe.

Ibe added much needed pace and trickery as Liverpool remained on the front foot after the interval, Firmino going close again before eventually getting on the scoresheet. The Brazilian peeled away from his marker and diverted Milner's deep left-wing delivery back across goal on the hour to lift the mood at Anfield.

Patrick van Aanholt found the side netting when clean through on goal but Firmino showed endeavour to hound Billy Jones into a mistake before selflessly squaring for Lallana to tap in and seemingly settle matters.

But, after sections of the home support streamed out in protest, the visitors roared back as Johnson gave Sunderland hope with a free-kick that crept past Mignolet at the goalkeeper's near post.

And, after strong running from Van Aanholt and Khazri down the left, Defoe turned smartly and finished clinically to earn Sunderland the most unlikely of points amid audible boos from those who remained at Anfield.