..::Football IV::..

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Guardiola: Man City won't go on the defensive against Liverpool

Pep Guardiola has pledged to stick to his attacking instincts when Manchester City host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.

Guardiola's tactics during the 3-1 defeat at Monaco that saw City bow out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage on away goals came in for criticism, as lone holding midfielder Fernandinho was unable to adequately shield an exposed back four from a first-half onslaught.

FA Cup semi-finalists City lie third in the Premier League – a point and a place above a Liverpool side who have won the past four top-flight meetings between the two.

Speaking ahead of a clash that will see the Spaniard renew his respectful rivalry with former Bundesliga adversary Jurgen Klopp, ex-Bayern Munich boss Guardiola reiterated his stance that City's second-half improvement at the Stade Louis II, where they scored through Leroy Sane, underlined the benefits of an aggressive approach

Asked whether he would be more defensive against Liverpool, Guardiola said:"No, no. Again you have to try to defend better, but I think in about 12-15 minutes of the second half in our game in Monaco we created five chances and few teams in Europe can do that."Chances where you arrive at the byline and with one pass you score a goal, but we missed those chances. That's happened a lot, a lot of times.

"In the second half, Monaco created no chances [from open play] – [Tiemoue Bakayoko's] goal, which was a set-piece, nothing else."The problem in Monaco was in the first half when we didn't create. That is what worried me the most."In the last games in the Premier League we conceded few. We were so stable."

City had kept six consecutive clean sheets in all competitions before facing Leonardo Jardim's swashbuckling Monaco and Guardiola has been pleased with the form of John Stones.

The 22-year-old former Everton centre-back's maiden season in Manchester has been dogged by some high-profile errors, but his manager is optimistic over the England international's future prospects

"John Stones next season will be a better player," he said. "The last month, month and a half John made a huge step forward, but next season will be better."He is so young, it is the first time he has got to Europe to play at Camp Nou and these kind of stages."I am delighted with his performances and how important he will be for your national team in the future.


"Of course he makes mistakes, but it is part of the process. I never saw a central defender of 21 years playing on the biggest stages who doesn’t make mistakes. It is impossible. We need to create a good environment to help him."

 

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Klopp backs Mourinho over fixture complaints

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp backed Jose Mourinho over his complaints about Manchester United's fixture pile-up.

Mourinho is furious about a schedule which sees United face Middlesbrough at midday (local time) on Sunday, days after a Europa League win over Rostov.

Klopp's team encountered a similar problem last season and the German said he supported Mourinho, reiterating that more needed to be done to help sides in European competition.However, the Portuguese tactician was slammed by United great Roy Keane, who questioned whether the club was too big for Mourinho.

"It is all about using the experience you have and when you think of experience I heard what Jose Mourinho said and what the pundits think about it," Klopp told UK newspapers."Last season we had the same experience. It was really hard.

"We played Villarreal and then Swansea at 12. If you want to help you should not do that. I know it is contracted, but 12 or 4pm? Don't play then."Don't make it more difficult than it should be. We thought the same. We thought it was really hard. That was an experience."

Klopp's men are fourth in the Premier League – six points ahead of United but having played two more games – and have a trip to Manchester City on Sunday.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.03.18

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.03.18

WBA Vs Arsenal

Crystal Palace Vs Watford

Everton Vs Hull City

Stoke City Vs Chelsea

Sunderland Vs Burnley

West Ham Vs Leicester City

Bournemouth Vs Swansea

​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.03.18

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.03.18

Eibar Vs Espanyol

Athletic Bilbao Vs Real Madrid

Alaves Vs Real Sociedad

Real Betis Vs Osasuna​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2017.03.18

Serie A Fixtures 2017.03.18

Torino Vs Inter

AC Milan Vs Genoa​

 

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Budesliga Fixtures 2017.03.18

Budesliga Fixtures 2017.03.18

Cologne Vs Hertha Berlin

Augsburg Vs Friedburg

Hoffenheim Vs Leverkusen

Werder Bremen Vs Leipzig

Wolfsburg Vs Darmstadt

Frankfurt Vs Hamburg​

 

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'I don't know where I will be next season' - Januzaj unsure over Manchester United future

Adnan Januzaj admits he is uncertain over his long-term future following a difficult time on loan at Sunderland from Manchester United.

The Belgium international moved to the Stadium of Light in August to link up with former United boss David Moyes, under whom he enjoyed a superb breakthrough campaign in 2013-14.

Januzaj has struggled to hit the heights of those performances since then and has yet to score in 19 Premier League appearances this season, having spent a similarly frustrating loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last term.The 22-year-old insists he will be stronger for the experience of playing his part in a relegation battle, but is unclear where he will be playing next term.

"It has been very difficult because it is not easy to go from Man United to Sunderland," he told The Northern Echo. "I had to just do it. I will learn from it because I am 22.

"People think I am 26 or 27 – I am only 22. I know people want more from me. The other side of it is that they have to look at other parts of my game."When I leave here I know I will be happy. I have learned a lot and it will make me stronger. I don't know where I will be, but I will feel much fitter and will be happy."

Januzaj revealed it was difficult to adapt to a system in which his first thought must be to defend, but he says he has enjoyed playing in recent weeks despite Sunderland sitting bottom of the table.

"I have been used to going into a team that tends to be winning," he said. "Now, this team has been losing and has been used to losing in recent years. I didn't know what was happening at first, but I am enjoying it now, enjoying playing football.

"It is hard. When you are in a team that sees more of the ball, then you're able to do more with the ball. Now, we defend more. It is not easy because you have to counterattack and when you do, you tend to have three or four players around you.


"Sometimes, it is not easy to find that last pass. I am one of the dangerous players, but my mindset here is to defend first and then attack."

 

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Only Iniesta can decide his Barcelona future, insists Luis Enrique

Barcelona head coach Luis Enrique says Andres Iniesta will have the final decision on his Camp Nou future.The 32-year-old, whose contract expires next year, stated this week he will only sign a new deal if he feels he is still "important" to La Liga's champions.

A report in Spain has claimed Iniesta has already rejected two offers from clubs in the Chinese Super League, including a deal that would see him earn a staggering €35million after tax per season.

Luis Enrique believes the World Cup and European Championship winner could consider a new challenge, much as Xavi did when he left in 2015 to join Al Sadd, but the Barca boss feels the Spain midfielder's future is in his own hands.

"I think we saw the best version of Iniesta at the start of the season but he has suffered two big injuries," he told a news conference. "Now he looks to be on that same path again and he's going to bring us a lot.

"You have to trust in Iniesta's words. There are two options when you reach the end of your career: one is to retire at Barca, and the other is to try something new, like Xavi. But only Iniesta can decide that."

Barca travel to Mestalla to face Valencia on Sunday knowing they will be five points adrift of leaders Real Madrid by the time they kick off if Zinedine Zidane's side beat Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.Luis Enrique, however, expects the title race to continue until the closing stages of the season.

"We're still involved in deciding this LaLiga and, as in previous seasons, it'll be decided at the end," he said. "I believe that it will finish in a very similar way to other seasons."

Barca loanee Munir El Haddadi has struggled for consistency at Valencia this term - although he did score in the 1-1 draw with Sporting Gijon last week - but Luis Enrique has faith he will develop into a top player."Munir needs to have minutes," he said. "He is very young and has a lot of potential. I'm sure he will improve."

Barca have been drawn against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals in a repeat of the 2015 decider, a game in which the Catalans triumphed 3-1 to secure a treble at the end of Luis Enrique's first season in charge.

The 46-year-old believes Juve are a stronger team than they were two years ago and expects a stern challenge."In the quarter-finals, you can't expect not to meet a big side," he said. "Everyone has the final in Berlin in mind, but [although] they have changed players, they are still a fearsome opponent.


"They have different options. In the last few games, they've played a 4-2-3-1, but ultimately it depends on the function of the players. I'm more worried about the collective than by individuals."

Barca have been drawn against Juventus in the Champions League quarter-finals in a repeat of the 2015 decider, a game in which the Catalans triumphed 3-1 to secure a treble at the end of Luis Enrique's first season in charge.

The 46-year-old believes Juve are a stronger team than they were two years ago and expects a stern challenge."In the quarter-finals, you can't expect not to meet a big side," he said. "Everyone has the final in Berlin in mind, but [although] they have changed players, they are still a fearsome opponent.


"They have different options. In the last few games, they've played a 4-2-3-1, but ultimately it depends on the function of the players. I'm more worried about the collective than by individuals."

 

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West Brom 3 Arsenal 1: Dawson wings in with double to increase Wenger woe

West Brom defender Craig Dawson netted a headed brace to pile further pressure on Arsene Wenger as Arsenal slumped to an abject 3-1 defeat at The Hawthorns.

Dawson was left unmarked to head home from in-swinging corners in each half, condemning the Gunners to a fourth defeat in their past five Premier League outings.

Alexis Sanchez fired a 15th-minute equaliser - his 22nd goal in all competitions this season - but Albion substitute Hal Robson-Kanu, released by the Gunners as a schoolboy, restored the lead 10 minutes after half-time and just 75 seconds after coming on, as Arsenal protested in vain for offside against James McClean.

David Ospina, on in goal following a first-half injury to Petr Cech, was to blame irrespective of the visitors' complaints and it capped a miserable afternoon for Wenger, after the opening was played out amid a bizarre backdrop of light aircraft slogans.

A plane sporting a banner urging Wenger to stand down emerged at kick-off, although another trailing the slogan "In Arsene we trust" appeared overhead around the time Sanchez restored parity.The afternoon would get no better for Arsenal's 67-year-old manager, whose prospects of Champions League qualification are in grave danger.

Liverpool are five points better off in fourth, while sixth-placed Manchester United can leapfrog them with victory at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The expected pattern of Arsenal dominating possession was established early but Tony Pulis' men hit the front in the 12th minute.

Cech beat a firmly hit shot from McClean behind but Dawson was allowed a free run at Nacer Chadli's delivery from the left to glance home.However, the two players involved in the Albion goal were culpable when Arsenal pulled swiftly level.

Right-back Dawson was drawn into the area, leaving space for Granit Xhaka to pick out Sanchez behind Chadli with a lofted pass and the Chile star chested down to smash in via the underside of the crossbar from eight yards.

Salomon Rondon, without a goal since a hat-trick against Swansea City in December, dragged wide as he sought to restore West Brom's lead, while Ben Foster saved superbly to deny Aaron Ramsey and Allan Nyom did enough to stop Theo Walcott from converting the rebound.Foster's opposite number Cech was similarly impressive in thwarting Darren Fletcher in the 34th minute but the veteran goalkeeper limped out of the action before half-time due to an apparent calf problem.

Rondon got above Laurent Koscielny to glance wide from Brunt's cross in the 51st minute, shortly before he made way for Robson-Kanu to make an instant impact.

McClean looked to get on the end of Chadli's lofted pass and was beaten to it by Ospina, but the Arsenal keeper inexplicably neglected to use his hands and bundled the ball into Robson-Kanu's path.The Wales striker prodded into an unguarded net, with McClean stepping over the ball in an offside position to let it run in.

Danny Welbeck headed a 65th-minute corner against the bar for Arsenal before West Brom broke and Ospina's inauspicious outing continued.

The Colombia international was hesitant in coming from his line to block Robson-Kanu and fell face first as Chadli gathered the rebound, grateful to look up and see Shkodran Mustafi block on the line.

But Ospina would be dreadfully exposed like Cech before him when McClean sent in a right-wing corner with 15 minutes to play - Dawson nodding in and colliding with the similarly unmarked Jonny Evans before wheeling away in celebration.

"Wenger Out" banners of a more conventional kind then became increasingly visible as an entirely different mood gripped the away end.

 

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Klopp: Nobody better than me for Liverpool job

Jurgen Klopp has claimed there is nobody better than him to be Liverpool manager and called for patience as he looks to build a team that can challenge for the Premier League title.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss said he would leave Anfield if he felt there was a candidate more suitable than him for the role, that assessment coming despite the team sitting 11 points behind leaders Chelsea, having played a game more.

Klopp feels the competitiveness of this season's Premier League means securing Champions League football would be an "outstanding" accomplishment.And the German reminded critics this is only his first full season at the helm, insisting he still has the support of Liverpool fans.

"When you reach a target, it is fantastic," Klopp said to Sky Sports. "If you don't get it, it doesn't mean you are bad or not the right person. Come on, let's try it again."I always think about alternatives. Is there somebody else who could do it better? If I knew somebody who could do it better I wouldn't be here.

"I feel supporters still think I'm the right person in the right place so we feel that trust and faith. We have to use it but around us is a lot of quality. We need to respect this."I am manager of Liverpool football team and I really enjoy this job. Maybe there are easier jobs out there but it is really good.

"I would say this season, going to the Champions League would be an outstanding success because of all the quality around us."This season is a good example for how close and how tight it is."

Klopp was reluctant to put a timeframe on how long it will take to win the Premier League, but he does not think a first title since 1990 should be an immediate expectation."We have a lot of fans that maybe were not alive when we won the last title and my job is to make it more likely," he said.

"I am really convinced about the circumstances and the basis we have. How long it will take? I have no idea but everybody should see we tried every day really hard.

"It is not only because we want it more or have wanted it for longer, it doesn't make it more likely. We have to do it better and that is what we are working on.

"I said at the beginning we cannot have the history of this fantastic club in our backpack. It makes no sense to carry it around.

"There is pressure and sometimes we are still not patient enough. In January and February you could feel everybody thought, 'It slips away again'. "But it was not again. It was the first time for us and that is different."

 

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Arsenal on worst Premier League run under Wenger

Arsene Wenger’s future at Arsenal grew even more uncertain on Saturday as he watched his side slump to a 3-1 defeat against West Brom at the Hawthorns – meaning he is on his worst league run since taking charge in 1996.

Although Alexis Sanchez scored after 15 minutes for the visitors, they already trailed by a Craig Dawson goal. The centre-back would later add the hosts’ third after Hal Robson-Kanu found the target shortly after the restart.

It proved to be Arsenal’s sixth defeat in their last nine matches – a spell that has seen them fall off the top-four pace in the Premier League and crash out of the Champions League in an embarrassing manner against Bayern Munich.

The Frenchman’s side lost home and away to the Germans, while domestically they had also been defeated by Watford, Chelsea and Liverpool prior to Saturday’s game.

Incredibly, it is the first time that the Gunners have suffered four defeats in five league outings since Stewart Houston was in charge in April of 1995. Wenger took charge in September 1996 and had never known such a sequence until now.

Among this spell of wretched form, the Gunners’ only victories have come against non-league opponents Sutton United and Lincoln City in the FA Cup, as well as relegation-threatened Hull City in the Premier League.

 

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Wenger: Alexis ankle in a terrible state

Alexis Sanchez suffered an ankle injury during Arsenal's 3-1 defeat at West Brom, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

Sanchez equalised after Craig Dawson's 12th-minute opener but substitute Hal Robson-Kanu made an instant impact 10 minutes after half-time and Dawson headed a second to ramp up further pressure on the beleaguered Wenger.

Fan protests, both with banners in the away end at The Hawthorns and on the back of a light aircraft circling the ground - a rival plane had a message of support for Wenger - were again a feature as the 67-year-old lost his top scorer during Arsenal's fourth defeat in five Premier League games.

Sanchez was on the end of a heavy challenge from West Brom winger James McClean at the end of the first half and was visibly hampered until he made way for Alex Iwobi in the 78th minute, compounding a miserable outing that also featured goalkeeper Petr Cech limping off with a calf injury before the interval.

"We lost Petr Cech in the first half with a calf problem and after we lost, of course, Sanchez," he told Sky Sports ."He stayed on but in the second half he was not himself so I decided to take him off. His ankle doesn't look good."

Sanchez must now be considered a doubt for Chile's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Venezuela, although Wenger told a post-match news conference the former Barcelona man insisted on soldiering on after half-time at West Brom."It's a bad tackle and you see his ankle is in an absolutely terrible state," he said."He should not have played in the second half but he insisted that he wanted to come out.

"In the first-half he was the one who created many chances and many dangerous situations. In the second half you could see he couldn't anymore. In the end he limped [off]. We had to take him off. He shouldn't have even played in the second half."

Sanchez's participation for his country is likely to hinge upon whether he has suffered ligament damage."Chile go to Argentina for a massive game but they play only next week," Wenger added.

"If it is only a kick he will play. His ankle is swollen. If a ligament is damaged he will not play."

 

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West Ham 2 Leicester City 3: Late onslaught unable to burst Shakespeare's bubble

The post-Claudio Ranieri feel-good factor at Leicester City showed no sign of letting up as they beat West Ham 3-2 in a thriller at London Stadium to continue Craig Shakespeare's 100 per cent start as the Premier League champions' manager.

Tuesday's intense 2-0 win over Sevilla that secured passage to the Champions League quarter-finals did appear to impact their laboured second-half performance, but a sprightly start and dogged defending towards the end were ultimately crucial as Leicester clinched their first away league win of the season.

They picked up right where they left off on Tuesday with a remarkable start to go two goals up within seven minutes – Riyad Mahrez and Robert Huth stunning the hosts.

West Ham soon got themselves a lifeline through a fine Manuel Lanzini free-kick, though Leicester re-established a two-goal lead late in the first half through Jamie Vardy.

But West Ham responded once more as they pulled another one back just after the hour mark - Andre Ayew nodding in from close range as the home side looked to ensure a tense ending for Leicester.

Kasper Schmeichel was at his very best to make a vital late save, while an awful Ayew miss let Leicester off the hook and saw the match slip away from West Ham.Any suggestions of Leicester weariness following their Champions League exploits were swiftly put to bed during a ferocious start.

There was a hint of fortune about their fifth-minute opener, as Mahrez cut in from the right and saw his left-footed cross sail all the way into the bottom-left corner.But there was nothing fortuitous about their second just three minutes later.

Marc Albrighton nudged a short free-kick to Mahrez, before receiving it back courtesy of a disguised pass from the Algerian that took West Ham by surprise, and the former Aston Villa midfielder's brilliant lofted ball with the outside of his right foot picked out Huth for an easy headed finish.

West Ham's situation was made even worse by Winston Reid's forced withdrawal with a suspected thigh problem in the 18th minute.They pulled one back a few moments later, though, Lanzini finding the top-left corner from an exquisite 20-yard free-kick.

But their joy was short-lived, as Vardy smashed home from close range after Mahrez's corner fell kindly to him just before the break.Leicester reverted to the counter-attacking setup that served them so well last season when they came back out for the second half.

And it almost brought about a fourth goal just before the hour - Shinji Okazaki pouncing on a loose ball before feeding Vardy through on goal, only for the England striker to slice wide under pressure from Darren Randolph.West Ham then made the most of that let-off, as Ayew steered in from close range after Andy Carroll headed a Lanzini cross back into the danger zone.

Carroll was involved again 14 minutes from time, forcing Schmeichel into a marvellous save down to his left after a bullet header.

Ayew was then guilty of a terrible miss as he blazed over when one-on-one with Schmeichel, before Cheikhou Kouyate's effort from six yards out amid a goalmouth scramble was kept out by a combination of Leicester defenders.

Schmeichel came to the rescue again in stoppage time, rushing out to deny Carroll from point-blank range as the desperate champions just about held on to a hard-fought win to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

Carroll was involved again 14 minutes from time, forcing Schmeichel into a marvellous save down to his left after a bullet header.

Ayew was then guilty of a terrible miss as he blazed over when one-on-one with Schmeichel, before Cheikhou Kouyate's effort from six yards out amid a goalmouth scramble was kept out by a combination of Leicester defenders.

Schmeichel came to the rescue again in stoppage time, rushing out to deny Carroll from point-blank range as the desperate champions just about held on to a hard-fought win to move six points clear of the relegation zone.

 

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Everton 4 Hull City 0: Lukaku dominates headlines again with late double

Romelu Lukaku proved his worth to Everton as he scored twice and set up another as Ronald Koeman's side moved up into the top six of the Premier League with a 4-0 victory over 10-man Hull City.

Lukaku publically questioned the club's ambition in the days preceding Saturday's contest to cast doubt over his Everton future, but the Belgian added the gloss to a convincing victory as he moved top of the league's scoring charts with a late double at Goodison Park.

Having already teed-up Enner Valencia's strike, Lukaku took advantage of slack Hull defending to move two clear of Tottenham's Harry Kane in the race for the Golden Boot on 21.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin squandered a terrific chance in the reverse fixture in December, but the youngster made no mistake on this occasion as he nudged in Tom Davies' cross to give Everton the lead early on.

Marco Silva's side responded well to going behind, but any hopes of a Hull comeback were all-but ended when Tom Huddlestone was dismissed - harshly so - for a lunge on Idrissa Gueye midway through the second half.

Valencia secured the points just over a minute after coming on, with Lukaku adding a quickfire double. Hull remain planted in the relegation zone, while Everton - who face Liverpool after the international break - move level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal.

Despite Lukaku's reported refusal to sign a new contract, Everton fans showed no hesitation in getting behind the striker as the teams were announced in the pre-match build-up.

But for all of the attention on the Belgian, it was Lukaku's strike partner Calvert-Lewin who opened the scoring after nine minutes.Ross Barkley and Davies combined brilliantly to set-up the 20-year-old, who duly tucked home to open his Premier League account.

Calvert-Lewin went close to a second before Lukaku looked to have responded perfectly to his critics when he found the net, only for a late offside flag to deny the former Chelsea man his 20th league goal of the season.

Gareth Barry replaced the injured Morgan Schneiderlin on the half-hour mark, and the veteran nearly made an immediate impact with a cross into Ashley Williams, who headed straight at Eldin Jakupovic.Hull looked bright after the restart, with Everton lacking the zip and guile that was present in the opening stages, though Lukaku went close with a rasping strike.

Lukaku, desperate to reinforce his comments with a goal worthy of a world-class talent, forced Jakupovic into a fine save soon after, while Andy Robertson should have done better with a close-range volley at the other end.But as Hull looked to be building a head of steam, they were reduced to 10 men - Huddlestone receiving a straight red card after diving in on Gueye.

Everton soon made their numerical advantage pay - Lukaku teeing-up Valencia with a delightful flick - the West Ham-loanee proceeding to thump a precise finish into the bottom-left corner.

Valencia returned the favour in the 91st minute, sliding a throughball into Lukaku who confidently despatched past Jakupovic. Lukaku was not finished there, though, doubling his tally in the final minute of stoppage time after latching onto Omar Elabdellaoui's awful back-pass.

 

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Athletic Bilbao 1 Real Madrid 2: Benzema and Casemiro send Zidane's side five points clear

Real Madrid stretched their lead at the top of LaLiga to five points thanks to a 2-1 victory away to Athletic Bilbao at San Mames.

Goals from Karim Benzema and Casemiro, either side of an Aritz Aduriz header, were enough to settle a hard-fought encounter at San Mames and put the pressure on Barcelona ahead of their meeting with Valencia on Sunday.

Athletic had won 16 and drawn three of 19 games in front of their own fans since their last home defeat, which came against Barca in August, and were bright and industrious in the early stages.

They were given a warning sign of Madrid's threat on the counter when Cristiano Ronaldo had an early goal disallowed but the Portugal star exploited the home side's high defensive line to better effect in the 25th minute, as he raced through before crossing for Benzema to side-foot home his 16th goal of the season.

Ernesto Valverde's side enjoyed plenty of possession without threatening Madrid's goal too often, but Aduriz capitalised on a rare moment of slack defending to head his team level midway through the second half.

But Casemiro proved Madrid's unlikely hero just three minutes later, tapping in from close range after being left unmarked at a corner to secure Madrid's 13th win in 15 league meetings with the Basque side.

The result ensures that Zinedine Zidane's team will be top of the table heading into the international break and leaves Barca needing a good result at Mestalla to keep the pressure on in the title race.

Athletic had Madrid penned back into their own half in a dominant opening 10 minutes, although Keylor Navas was forced to make only one save of note to keep out a Raul Garcia volley.Madrid had the ball in the net with their first attack of the match but Ronaldo was offside when he tapped in Dani Carvajal's low cross from the right.

Yeray Alvarez prodded a glorious chance wide following Garcia's knockdown but Madrid continued to look dangerous on the break, and Kepa was forced into a one-handed stop low to his left after Ronaldo was played in by Benzema.

It was a warning sign Athletic failed to heed, though, with the visitors' attacking duo combining in ruthless fashion to give them the lead after 25 minutes. Ronaldo timed his run to escape the offside trap and reach Casemiro's pass, and his low cross from the left was guided into Kepa's bottom-right corner by the Benzema.

Madrid looked content to sit back and try to hit Athletic on the break, with Gareth Bale spurning one half-chance just after half-time, but Navas was called on to make a fine low save to deny Inaki Williams after Oscar de Marcos picked him out on the edge of the six-yard box.

But the lively Williams played a pivotal role in Athletic's equaliser with 25 minutes to play, as his deep cross from the right was headed back to the six-yard box by Raul Garcia, allowing the unmarked Aduriz to nod the ball into the net.

The jubilation around San Mames lasted only three minutes, though. Ronaldo rose highest to glance a corner into the feet of the unchallenged Casemiro, who was free to tap home from two yards out after Kepa had already gone to ground.

Marcelo fired over the crossbar with the goal gaping after another defensive mix-up in the home penalty area and Navas preserved Madrid's lead when Williams again escaped down the right and drilled a shot towards the near post.

Zidane withdrew Ronaldo for an extra midfielder in the shape of Isco in the closing stages, and Madrid stayed impressively compact to see out what could prove to be a crucial victory in their quest for a first league title since 2012.

 

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Stoke City 1 Chelsea 2: Late Cahill strike sends Blues 13 points clear

Gary Cahill's 87th-minute effort sent Chelsea 13 points clear at the Premier League summit with a 2-1 victory over Stoke City in a tempestuous encounter at the bet365 Stadium.

Chelsea looked set to miss the chance to extend their advantage over the chasing pack, but Cahill atoned for giving away a penalty by pouncing after a tactical switch from Antonio Conte to pile more pressure on Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool - all of whom play on Sunday.

With the teams level after 70 minutes, Conte - who was without star forward Eden Hazard due to a reported muscle injury - changed his much-vaunted 3-4-3 formation to a 4-2-3-1 and Chelsea responded by upping the pressure to force a late winner.

The Blues led after 13 minutes when Willian caught Lee Grant out with a near-post free-kick for his first top-flight goal since scoring a double in the reverse of this fixture in December.

After having a goal ruled out for Saido Berahino's shove on Cesar Azpilicueta, Stoke were awarded a soft penalty when Cahill pushed Johnathan Walters to ground - the forward slamming the spot-kick beyond Thibaut Courtois.

Marcos Alonso rattled the crossbar before Conte made his tactical move and it played out perfectly for the Italian thanks to Cahill's late intervention, while Stoke's misery was compounded when Phil Bardsley was sent off for a second bookable offence in second-half stoppage time.

Chelsea led early on after Willian's free-kick beat Grant, who dived down to his near post and got a hand to the ball but failed to stop it finding the back of the net.

The visitors' dominance continued unchecked and they should have moved two up in the 30th minute, Victor Moses scooping the ball into the box for Alonso, who drilled his shot straight at Grant.

Stoke thought they had equalised when Bruno Martins Indi headed home, but the goal was ruled out as Berahino - standing in an offside position - pushed Azpilicueta away from the ball.

The hosts did not have to wait long for another chance, though. Cahill sent Walters tumbling and referee Taylor pointed to the spot, the Republic of Ireland international drilling home the penalty himself.

Diego Costa was his usual fiery self and was involved in heated clashes with Ryan Shawcross and Bardsley before half-time, the latter earning a yellow card.

Tempers seemingly cooled during the break and Chelsea would have regained the lead in the 66th minute had the bar not come to Stoke's rescue by keeping Alonso's brilliantly struck 20-yard free-kick out.Conte switched to a four-man defence by replacing Moses with Cesc Fabregas for the final 20 minutes and it was a move that paid dividends.

Chelsea upped the pressure and finally broke through when Erik Pieters followed up a lapse in concentration that gifted the visitors a corner by failing to clear David Luiz's header and Cahill thumped the loose ball home.

Stoke left gaps at the back as they pushed for an equaliser and Costa hit post before Ruben Loftus-Cheek was denied his first goal of the season in stoppage time.

Frustrations then boiled over for Bardsley, who was given a second booking for a clumsy foul on Fabregas, as Chelsea ground out a huge win in the race for the title.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Torino 2 Inter 2: Visitors held despite Hart errors

Two calamitous errors from Joe Hart proved costly as Torino and in-form Inter battled-out a thrilling 2-2 draw in Serie A.In an enthralling contest at Olimpico Grande Torino, it was the visitors who took the lead 27 minutes in, Hart allowing Geoffrey Kondogbia's tame strike to squirm under his grasp.

Torino fought back through Daniele Baselli, and - after a string of impressive stops from Samir Handanovic - Stefano Pioli's side found themselves behind midway through the second half when Afriyie Acquah netted in terrific fashion.

However, Inter - who recorded 5-1 and 7-1 wins in their previous two matches - wasted no time in levelling proceedings, Hart again at fault as he flapped at a cross, enabling Antonio Candreva to steer home into an empty net.

Hart did atone for his errors late on, making a wonderful finger-tip save to deny Inter substitute Eder as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils, leaving Inter still five points outside the Champions League places.

Torino boss Sinisa Mihajlovic did not shy away from praising Inter in the pre-match build up, and it was not difficult to see why as the visitors dominated the opening stages.Mauro Icardi thought he had broken the deadlock nine minutes in, only for his strike to be cancelled out by a late offside flag.

Inter maintained the pressure, and unconvincing goalkeeping from Hart almost resulted in Danilo D'Ambrosio thumping into an empty net, but the full-back's strike whistled wide.But Hart was punished for his next error.

Kondogbia did well to engineer space in Torino's area, but his resulting shot should have represented a routine save for the England goalkeeper, who instead made a dreadful attempt at parrying the ball clear, allowing it to trickle over the line.

For all their dominance, Inter were pegged back 33 minutes in - Baselli capitalising on slack defending to head home unmarked from Adem Ljajic's corner.Torino came out strong after the restart, and only a superb save from Handanovic prevented Andrea Belotti's deflected strike putting Torino ahead.

Inter's goalkeeper was all at sea for Torino's next opportunity though, leaving a huge gap between himself and the near post that Cristian Molinaro somehow failed to exploit.

Torino continued to press, and they got what they deserved when Acquah swept home a sublime first-time strike from the edge of the area, giving Handanovic no chance.

Hart looked to have recovered from his earlier blunder when he pulled off an instinctive stop to tip Eder's effort over, but he was at fault again as Inter swiftly restored parity.

The Manchester City loanee raced out confidently to claim Cristian Ansaldi's floated cross, only to completely miss his attempted punch - Candreva taking the ball down before unleashing a powerful strike into the left corner.Torino forward Lucas Boye was introduced as the half wore on, and he could well have made an immediate impact if not for a vital block from Kondogbia.

Inter piled on late pressure, Eder unleashing a venomous strike that looked destined for the top corner, but Hart was on hand to ensure the visitors missed out on the chance to move into the top four.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United target Bakayoko replaces Pogba in France squad

Didier Deschamps has added Monaco's Champions League hero Tiemoue Bakayoko to his squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifier against Luxembourg and the friendly versus Spain after Paul Pogba was forced to pull out due to injury.
Pogba suffered a hamstring problem in Manchester United's Europa League win over Rostov and will be out of action for an estimated two weeks.

The United man's absence paved the way for Deschamps to call up a replacement and the 22-year-old Bakayoko is now in line for his senior France debut.

Bakayoko scored the decisive goal in Monaco's 3-1 win over Manchester City on Wednesday, which saw them progress to the last eight on away goals.

"Didier Deschamps has called up Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko following the withdrawal of Paul Pogba, with medical tests confirming he will be unavailable for 15 days," a brief statement on the French Football Federation website read.

Bakayoko has represented France at Under-21 level, but still awaits his first senior cap.France travel to Luxembourg on March 25, before hosting Spain three days later.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Age no barrier to evergreen Manchester United defender Valencia

Antonio Valencia claims to feel as though he is “just 21 years old” as he sets his sights on an extended stay at Manchester United.The Ecuador international turned 31 last August, as he prepared to take in an eighth season at Old Trafford.

He has been a model of consistency throughout his time with the Red Devils, and prior to that with Wigan Athletic.Valencia has now spent over 10 years in the Premier League, during which time he has made over 250 appearances in the English top-flight.He remains determined to add to that tally, with the energy levels that he is famed for showing no sign of waning.

Valencia, who saw a 12-month option on his contract taken up in January, told Inside United: "I’ve changed in a lot of ways but with my willingness to keep on training hard, my hunger to keep on improving and my desire to want to remain here at United, I feel like I’m still just 21 years old.

"I’m thankful to this great institution [the club] which has given me the chance to fulfil my dreams. And, of course, I’ll continue to fight hard to remain here for a bit longer!"

The two-time Premier League title winner has also discussed his conversion from a fleet-footed winger into a buccaneering defender, with Jose Mourinho regularly lauding him as the finest right-back in world football.

He added: "Sir Alex would play me at right-back in a few games and I think he gradually began to realise that I could defend."David Moyes also used me in that role in a few games.

"Then came [Louis] van Gaal and he played me there in a lot of games. I did a good job there and he continued to play me at right-back.“Now the gaffer has come here and he’s given me the opportunity to keep working up and down that right-hand side, which I’m enjoying."

Valencia has made 33 appearances for United in all competitions this season, helping them to EFL Cup glory while also progressing positively in the Europa League and in a bid to secure a top four finish in the Premier League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Koeman: Everybody loves Lukaku - you don't sell your best players

Ronald Koeman has reaffirmed Everton's commitment to keeping top scorer Romelu Lukaku after the Belgian's quickfire double helped them to a 4-0 victory over 10-man Hull City.

Lukaku moved two clear of Tottenham's Harry Kane on 21 goals in the hunt for the Premier League's Golden Boot award with two stoppage-time strikes at Goodison Park, adding to earlier efforts from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Enner Valencia.

Everton moved level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal thanks to the victory - having played two games more than Arsene Wenger's side - and Koeman was quick to praise Lukaku after a week in which the striker refused to sign a new contract with the Merseyside club.

"The fans love Rom. Everybody loves Rom," Koeman said of Lukaku, who has just over two years remaining on his current deal.

"He's the key player and the top scorer and he showed why [against Hull]. If he gets that space he will punish the opposition and that's one of his big qualities.
"Of course we want to keep the best players. We're in a good position in this project and you don't sell your best players."

Calvert-Lewin's maiden Premier League goal put the hosts ahead early on, though an injury to Morgan Schneiderlin resulted in a stuttering display from the Toffees.

However, a harsh decision by referee Paul Tierney to dismiss Tom Huddlestone for a lunge on Idrissa Gueye enabled Everton to wrap-up the points in style late on, although Koeman acknowledged that Hull presented a tough challenge.

"We kept the momentum. But the final result didn't reflect what happened on the pitch," Koeman added."The decision of the referee about the red card was too harsh I believe. But it gave us more space to kill the game and we did that.

"We now have the opportunity in two weeks to play Liverpool and Manchester United. If we want to do something more special this season then we need to beat the teams above us."

Hull boss Marco Silva, meanwhile, agreed with his counterpart's assessment of the red card incident, insisting that his side did not deserve to lose by such a margin.
"We didn't deserve this result and we didn't deserve what happened," Silva said. "I don't want to talk about [the red card] too much. We didn't deserve this. It decided the game."