..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Burnley 0 Manchester United 2: Rooney makes goalscoring return in Ibrahimovic's absence

Wayne Rooney scored on his return to the Manchester United team in a straightforward 2-0 win at Burnley in the Premier League on Sunday.

The skipper's first start since March 4 came in place of the injured Zlatan Ibrahimovic - set to miss the rest of the season with a knee ligament injury - as United won comfortably to extend their unbeaten run to 23 league matches.

Anthony Martial gave United the lead with his 25th United goal, completing a terrific counter-attack with a cool finish after swapping passes with Ander Herrera.And United's advantage was doubled by Rooney before the interval, the club's record goalscorer on hand to turn home a loose ball after Tom Heaton could only parry Martial's effort.

Burnley rarely looked likely to make a comeback and United were able to conserve energy in the second half after their exertions against Anderlecht in the Europa League, though they may have another injury concern to contend with after Paul Pogba limped off late on.

United move a single point behind rivals Manchester City in the race for Champions League qualification ahead of Thursday's pivotal derby clash at the Etihad Stadium, while Burnley have won only one of their last 11 league matches and remain 15th, five points above the relegation zone.

Robbie Brady had the game's first sight of goal after five minutes when Michael Keane flicked on a free-kick, but the winger's volley flashed over the crossbar.

Rooney's deflected shot from Herrera's cutback was claimed by Heaton and Marouane Fellaini headed straight at the former United goalkeeper as a high-tempo start continued at a sunny Turf Moor.

And United made the breakthrough after 20 minutes with a brilliantly rapid counter-attacking goal.
Brady's cross was cut out and Martial burst away from Joey Barton before playing a neat one-two with Herrera and slotting home from close range.

Ashley Barnes and Ben Mee narrowly failed to convert terrific Brady crosses and a ruthless United took full advantage by extending their lead after 38 minutes.Pogba slipped Martial through the left channel and, although Heaton saved the Frenchman's shot, Rooney responded to poke home the rebound from close range for his 251st United goal.

United continued to threaten after the interval and Pogba forced a good save from Heaton with a deflected long-range drive, but Jose Mourinho's men appeared happy with a two-goal lead.

Burnley failed to record a single shot on target as the visitors controlled a quiet second period comfortably, with Eric Bailly magnificent in defence, and United's long unbeaten run continues to boost their Champions League hopes.

But United will rue too many dropped points at Old Trafford - having endured 10 draws in that run - as no team has ever gone so long without defeat in a Premier League season and not gone on to claim the title.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester United hit six-year Premier League high in Burnley win

Manchester United’s 23-match unbeaten run in the Premier League represents a six-year high in English top-flight competition.The Red Devils stretched their sequence of games without defeat with a 2-0 victory over Burnley on Sunday.

Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney got the goals at Turf Moor to keep Jose Mourinho’s side in the mix for a top-four finish.

United have not come unstuck in the league since suffering a 4-0 drubbing at Chelsea on October 23.
They have suffered just three defeats in all competitions in that time – one each in the Europa League, EFL Cup and FA Cup.

Mourinho’s men have cemented their standing in fifth place with victory over Burnley, although they are now only one point behind arch-rivals City ahead of a derby date on Thursday.

United have also hit the 50-goal mark for the season, while only Tottenham boast a better defensive record in the Premier League.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd boss Mourinho confirms Ibrahimovic, Rojo face surgery on knee injuries

Zlatan Ibrahimovic requires surgery after sustaining knee ligament damage, but Jose Mourinho is unwilling to give further details about the status of the striker.

Ibrahimovic suffered the injury against Anderlecht in Thursday's Europa League quarter-final at Old Trafford, with Marcos Rojo sustaining similar damage the same match.Mourinho was reluctant to set a timescale for the pair's recovery - with Ibrahimovic's United contract set to expire at the end of the current campaign - but confirmed both players will go under the knife.

"Everyone is very sad," Mourinho said after United extended their unbeaten league run to 23 matches with a 2-0 win at Burnley on Sunday. "We were thinking about them. They have to be strong.

"Unfortunately they won't be the first or last players to get an important injury.
"Surgery is waiting for them but I don't want to say too much as it's their privacy."

United stopped Burnley from recording a single shot on target in a professional display at Turf Moor that saw Mourinho's men record their fourth straight away league victory thanks to Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney's goals.
And the Portuguese was pleased with the way his side performed after having to play extra-time against Anderlecht to move into the semi-finals of the Europa League."I'm very happy," Mourinho added. "It's not easy to win here and it's even harder to be in control and we were in control for 90 minutes.

"We understood the way they play and we played against their strengths. I think it was a great result that we deserved.

"We wanted Anthony Martial to get behind as he's faster - and he did well. But I can't choose an individual performance as they all did well."Paul Pogba and Eric Bailly get a mention after two hours of football at against Anderlecht."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Get well soon Ibra & Rojo!​

 

[Alucard_SxE]

faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 2 Manchester City 1 (aet): Sanchez winner sends Wenger's men into FA Cup final

Alexis Sanchez scored a dramatic extra-time winner as Arsenal came from behind to beat Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.The Chile international struck from inside the six-yard box in the first period of extra time as the Gunners booked a final date against London rivals Chelsea.

In a controversial match, Sergio Aguero had a penalty appeal turned down and a goal disallowed by referee Craig Pawson, who also rejected Sanchez's demands for a first-half spot-kick.

City striker Aguero did score for the 12th time in as many games to put City ahead just after the hour mark, but Nacho Monreal hit back with his first goal in over two years.

Yaya Toure and Fernandinho both hit the woodwork for City as the match moved into extra time, where Sanchez's strike proved decisive.

Arsene Wenger is under intense pressure with his Arsenal contract due to expire in June, but he now has the chance to win his seventh FA Cup, which would give him the outright record, following up on his side's 2014 and 2015 triumphs.

City had won their last eight FA Cup semi-final appearances, but this defeat means that, despite huge expectations upon his arrival, Pep Guardiola is almost certain to finish a managerial campaign without a trophy for the first time in his career.

Guardiola's focus must immediately switch to ensuring his side can at least salvage a top-four Premier League finish, with a crucial derby against Manchester United coming up on Thursday.

Arsenal threatened first when Olivier Giroud sent a header straight at Claudio Bravo, before Petr Cech had to work harder at the other end to save David Silva's aerial effort from Aguero's cross.

Laurent Koscielny had a goal correctly ruled out for offside after he raced onto Giroud's flick-on to beat Bravo, while City suffered a major blow when Silva went off injured after a challenge from Gabriel, Raheem Sterling replacing him.

City's mood was not helped when Aguero had a penalty claim turned down by Pawson, having gone down under slight contact from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the box.

Guardiola's men then suffered more frustration, Aguero forcing Leroy Sane's curling left-wing delivery over the line at the far post, only for the officials to rule the Germany winger's delivery had crossed the line before reaching the striker – a decision that looked marginal at best.

Arsenal themselves had an appeal for a spot-kick rejected just before the break, Sanchez claiming he was tugged to the ground by Jesus Navas as he tried to latch on to Oxlade-Chamberlain's free-kick.

The Gunners, again playing with a three-man defence, had made a solid start to the second half but fell behind after 62 minutes.

Aaron Ramsey lost possession to Toure just outside the City area and it only took one long pass from the Ivorian to send Aguero racing clear of Monreal, before dinking a clever finish over Cech as the blue half of Wembley erupted.

Arsenal produced a strong response and Mesut Ozil fired wide after a neat passing move before Wenger's men found a dramatic equaliser with 19 minutes remaining.

The influential Oxlade-Chamberlain delivered a cross from the right which found the opposite wing-back Monreal racing in at the back post and he stabbed in a right-footed volley from six yards.City almost won it when Toure unleashed a stunning 20-yard volley that was tipped onto the post by Cech.

And the woodwork denied City again in the closing stages as Fernandinho's header from eight yards crashed against the crossbar from Kevin De Bruyne's corner.

Wenger brought on Danny Welbeck for Giroud and the England striker beat Nicolas Otamendi before flashing an effort narrowly wide as the game moved into extra time.

Rob Holding was the first to squander a big chance in the additional period, sending a free header over the bar from six yards, but Arsenal did strike after the clock had ticked over to 100 minutes.

Welbeck missed Koscielny's knock-down from a corner but Sanchez pounced to take a touch and fire in from close range, the Chile international starring in an FA Cup semi-final again having netted twice against Reading in 2015.

Aguero had hobbled off for City just before that goal, with Fabian Delph coming on, meaning De Bruyne moved into a centre-forward role, but Arsenal were on top with Welbeck missing the target from a good headed chance.


Guardiola threw on Kelechi Iheanacho for the second period and City embarked on a late charge, but the Nigeria international missed the target with a header, with De Bruyne also shooting off target and Arsenal substitute Hector Bellerin brilliantly blocking a Delph effort as Wenger's men held on for a famous victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

& Its Chelsea Vs Arsenal FA Cup Final!​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

PSV 1 Ajax 0: Locadia all but ends visitor's title hopes

Jurgen Locadia netted the only goal of the game to help PSV to a 1-0 win over Ajax in Sunday's Eredivisie clash at the Philips Stadium to effectively end the Amsterdammers' title hopes.

Peter Bosz's men knew they could not afford to slip up following leaders Feyenoord's 2-0 win over Vitesse earlier on Sunday, but PSV were on top right from the off and eventually went a goal up in the 25th minute.

Referee Kevin Blom awarded the hosts a free-kick in a dangerous position after Matthijs de Ligt brought down Steven Bergwijn and Locadia curled a free kick over the wall and past Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana to open the scoring.

The game was temporarily halted after the break when a smoke bomb was set off in the stands, but play was swiftly restored and Lasse Schone was unfortunate not to level the scoring at the hour mark with a low shot from the edge of the box, goalkeeper Jeroen Zoet doing well to deny the experienced midfielder.

Bergwijn then came close to doubling his side's lead after a poor backpass from De Ligt, only for Onana to step up and keep his side's chances of salvaging a good result alive.

It would matter little in the end, though, as Ajax lacked the freshness to get back in it after their Europa League exploits in midweek, with PSV holding on to the win without any noteworthy problems.

This weekend's defeat leaves Ajax four points behind Feyenoord with two games left, with PSV occupying third place an additional three points behind. Victory at Excelsior next week will see Feyenoord crowned as Eredivisie champions for the first time since 1998-99.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 1 Crystal Palace 2: Eagles soaring to safety as Benteke stuns Klopp

Christian Benteke returned to haunt Liverpool with a double as Crystal Palace took another huge step towards securing Premier League safety with a 2-1 win at Anfield.

Sam Allardyce's men looked to be in real trouble in February, but their triumph on Merseyside added to similarly impressive wins against Chelsea and Arsenal, taking them seven points clear of the bottom three.

Liverpool were by no means at their fluid best in the first half and it ended up being an act of individual brilliance which gave them the lead, Philippe Coutinho's stunning free-kick giving Wayne Hennessey little chance.Benteke continued his habit of scoring against the Reds just before the break, though, slamming into the roof of the net to convert for the fourth time in his last three Anfield visits as an opposition player.

Liverpool were no less dominant after the break and created chances more frequently, with Coutinho particularly prominent.

But their profligacy proved their undoing and Palace punished them, with Benteke providing Jurgen Klopp a costly reminder of his talents with the winning goal 16 minutes from time, giving Allardyce's side a huge boost and leaving Liverpool's top four hopes a little less certain.

Liverpool were on top from the start and dominated the early exchanges, but chances were difficult to come by against a compact Palace defence.

Palace were first to go close, with Benteke powering past a couple of challenges and caressing a 20-yard effort just wide of the bottom-right corner 21 minutes in.
It ultimately took a moment of magic three minutes later for Liverpool to break Palace's resolve, Coutinho bending a sumptuous 30-yard free-kick over the wall and into the left side of the goal.

Emre Can should have added a second, but the German – teed up by Georginio Wijnaldum 12 yards out – inexplicably scuffed a first-time effort so badly that it almost hit the corner flag.Palace made the most of that let-off. Yohan Cabaye laid the ball on a plate for Benteke and the Belgian smashed home from close range.

The hosts began the second period with renewed focus and the terrific Coutinho went close to a second early on, seeing his eight-yard effort brilliantly blocked by James Tomkins.

Coutinho threatened again in the 56th minute, arriving late in the area to meet Nathaniel Clyne's cross with a fierce header which was deflected into Hennessey's hands.

Palace took encouragement from Liverpool's wastefulness and Benteke made sure they were made to rue their misses, diving to meet Jason Puncheon's delivery with a header from the six-yard box.

Liverpool remain third with a three-point advantage over fifth-placed Manchester United - 2-0 winners at Burnley earlier on Sunday - who have two games in hand, one of which is against Manchester City who sit third.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd boss Mourinho reiterates Europa League priority over top-four finish

Jose Mourinho is aware that Manchester United is a club that “wants trophies," meaning that the Europa League must be prioritised over the Premier League.The Portuguese has already secured two pieces of silverware in his debut season at Old Trafford as a result of Community Shield and EFL Cup successes.

He has the opportunity to complete a hat-trick of triumphs in continental competition, with Mourinho prepared to rotate and put a top-four finish at risk in order to chase down that crown.

Following a 2-1 victory over Burnley that leaves United one point behind arch-rivals Manchester City ahead of a derby date on Thursday, the Red Devils boss said: “If we beat Celta Vigo, we go to the final and, yes, it is important to us to play Champions League, but this club wants trophies.“We cannot give the club the Premier League. We have a 25 per cent chance to win the Europa League.

“I will rotate players again to give some players a chance again. In terms of expectation, it is better to go into a derby with one point difference rather than four.”

Victory in midweek would lift United above their neighbours and into the Champions League spots.Mourinho will once again be looking for his injury-hit squad to do the business, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo the latest senior stars to make their way to the treatment room.

Early returns from niggles would aid the collective cause at an important stage of the campaign, and Mourinho has once again called on Phil Jones and Chris Smalling to step up and offer assistance to hard-working centre-half Eric Bailly.

He added: “Bailly was incredible [against Burnley].“If I was Smalling or Jones, I would play Thursday. I wouldn’t accept one guy to play nine matches in a row because I am injured.

“If they have a crazy mentality like I have, they will play. If they are safe thinking and they are surrounded by people with the mentality they have, they will need more time, they will be more cautious. If it was me, I’d step up to play.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Man Utd boss Mourinho reiterates Europa League priority over top-four finish

Europa League 1ka witharak newei EPL Top 4 finish 1kath focus karanna one​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Guardiola admits Manchester City struggled with Arsenal's long balls

Pep Guardiola accused Arsenal of playing long balls towards Olivier Giroud and defending with "eight to 10 players" after Manchester City crashed out of the FA Cup in the semi-finals.

Things were looking good for City when Sergio Aguero handed them the lead after the hour mark, but Nacho Monreal levelled the scoring to send the game into extra time, where Alexis Sanchez eventually made the difference.While Guardiola was frustrated by Arsenal's tactics, he was nonetheless pleased with his side's performance despite the 2-1 defeat.

"In games like this, a semi-final is like a final, you cannot expect to control every situation but we were in control most of the time," Guardiola stated at a news conference."They play long balls to Giroud and they counter-attack and with set-pieces they are a tall team. They beat us because of this.

"We did not create too much but it is not easy when there are eight to 10 players there. We put in a good performance, we played like you have to play a final. We did absolutely everything to play. We created more chances than Arsenal. We controlled. We did absolutely everything in the way we want to. We were there all the time. There were 10-20 minutes when they were on top."But it's about the result. And Arsenal won. Congratulations.

"But we did well in the cup, all the games away against Premier League teams. We arrive here and we compete, create more chances than our opponent, and hit the post. It was a little bit similar to what happened in the league. Teams do not need to do a lot of things score goals [against us]. We have some problems to score but we play like we want."City will now turn their attention to the Premier League again as they look to seal a top-four finish, with Manchester United awaiting on Thursday.

"We have to stand up and prepare for the games we have still to play," Guardiola added.

"We have three or four days to recover [before the game with United].
"We are sad now but as soon as possible we will stand up."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus 4 Genoa 0: Much-changed champions make light work of strugglers

Massimiliano Allegri's squad rotation had little impact on brilliant Juventus as the Serie A pacesetters blew Genoa away in a 4-0 win that moved them 11 points clear of Roma.

A host of first-team regulars such as Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon and Dani Alves were rested following Juve's Champions League progression against Barcelona, but the reigning champions looked no less effective as they put even more pressure on Roma ahead of their trip to Pescara on Monday.

Juve's breakthrough came via an own goal from Genoa centre-back Ezequiel Munoz and the lively Paulo Dybala added to that almost immediately with a confident finish.

Mario Mandzukic netted a glorious goal just before the break, his first in Serie A since early February, with Juve truly cruising against their struggling visitors.

But Leonardo Bonucci gave Mandzukic competition for the best strike of the match, as the defender produced an emphatic finish after a solo run in the 64th minute.

Juve hit the crossbar or post three times before the end of the match, but there was never any risk of Genoa punishing those misses. The visitors remain six points above the drop zone.

In light of Juve's European exploits during the week, Genoa would have been encouraged by Allegri's significant rotation. However, they were unable to hold out for long.

Juve went ahead 17 minutes in as Gonzalo Higuain chipped a clever pass into the danger zone and Munoz accidently nudged the ball into his own goal after Claudio Marchisio had missed it.

Dybala then added a second a minute later, emphatically finding the bottom-right corner from 16 yards after a one-two with Sami Khedira.

Any chance of a Genoa comeback was essentially vanquished just before the break.Mandzukic saw his initial left-wing cross blocked, but the ball bounced back towards him and the Croatian caressed a sumptuous effort into the bottom-right corner.

Juve appeared to ease off slightly after the break, though at the back they looked as resolute as ever, with Genoa remaining ineffective despite seeing a little more of the ball.

Bonucci was key to Juve's strong display at the back and also made a decisive impact at the other end just after the hour.Having picked up the ball inside his own half, the centre-back charged forward, darted past a couple of opponents and then sent a fine effort into the roof of the net from 25 yards.

It almost got even worse for Genoa a few moments later, but they were twice saved by the frame of the goal in quick succession, with Marchisio's 20-yard half-volley coming back off the crossbar and Higuain hammering the rebound on to the left-hand post.

Kwadwo Asamoah also hit the post with a 20-yard drive, though it had no impact on the outcome of the match as Juve unsurprisingly strolled home.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 3: Messi settles thrilling Clasico as Barca go top of LaLiga

Lionel Messi scored his 500th Barcelona goal in second-half stoppage time as Barcelona beat 10-man Real Madrid 3-2 in an unbelievable Clasico at Santiago Bernabeu, a victory that puts them top of LaLiga.

Substitute James Rodriguez had scored a dramatic late equaliser that looked like it would give Madrid a draw to put them on the brink of a first league crown since 2012, only for Messi to bring up his milestone with the last kick of the game.

Prior to those late goals, a breathless and controversial contest looked like it would be settled by Ivan Rakitic's excellent strike, especially when Sergio Ramos was sent off for a lunge on Messi.

James – whose Madrid future has been the subject of huge speculation since Zinedine Zidane took charge at Santiago Bernabeu – scored within four minutes of coming off the bench to send the home fans wild, only for Messi to steal the show with his second of the match.

The contest was typically controversial, Cristiano Ronaldo having a strong early penalty claim turned down, while Barca wanted Casemiro's opener chalked off as they claimed for offside against Ramos in the build-up, a goal that was promptly cancelled out by Messi before half-time.

Barca then called for Casemiro to be sent off as he got away with two first-half fouls despite having already been booked, but it was Madrid's turn to be angry with the officials after Ramos was dismissed for a wild challenge on Messi.

The story was still to be told, though, with James' strike followed by Messi's astounding 92nd-minute winner to ensure Spain's top-flight is in for a thrilling conclusion over the final weeks of the season.

Both sides are now level on points with Barca ahead by virtue of their head-to-head record, although Madrid still hold a crucial game in hand.There was controversy inside two minutes when Ronaldo latched on to Dani Carvajal's cutback in the box and went down under Samuel Umtiti's challenge, but referee Alejandro Jose Hernandez Hernandez was unmoved.

Ronaldo then tested Marc-Andre ter stegen with two efforts, the second - after he had cut inside Gerard Pique - forcing the goalkeeper into a magnificent one-handed save.Karim Benzema, meanwhile, produced a poor strike straight at Ter Stegen when presented with a decent shooting opportunity.

Luis Suarez fired wide with two attempts for Barca at the other end, his second chance set up by Paco Alcacer, who was starting in attack with Neymar out through suspension.

Messi was left bloodied after being caught by Marcelo's arm and had to play on with cotton wool in his mouth, before Gareth Bale – a surprise starter who was forced off before half-time with what appeared to be a recurrence of his calf injury – volleyed straight at Ter Stegen.

Madrid opened the scoring after 28 minutes through an unlikely source. Marcelo's cross found Ramos, who was not flagged for offside in a marginal call despite huge Barca claims, and he hooked an effort against the post, with Casemiro sliding in to finish left-footed.

But, against the run of play, Barca drew level within five minutes when Messi collected Rakitic's pass and glided past the challenges of Luka Modric and Carvajal before beating Keylor Navas down low from 12 yards.

Modric had a fierce long-range drive kept out by Ter Stegen as Madrid looked to respond, but the first half ended level after Barca protests for Casemiro to be given a second yellow card for his third foul of the match were ignored.

Madrid continued to dominate after the break, with Ter Stegen saving from Toni Kroos before he impressively managed to keep out a close-range Benzema header with his legs after great work from Marcelo down the left.

But Barca had a big chance of their own, Alcacer thwarted by Navas after a poor finish, having been found with space in the box by Rakitic.And as Luis Enrique's side grew into the game, Navas got down sharply to keep out Pique's thumping header.

Ronaldo then wasted a glorious chance to get Madrid back in front, firing over the bar with only Ter Stegen to beat after Marco Asensio - Bale's replacement - had squared to him in the area after a breakaway from the hosts.A thrilling game continued at the other end as Andres Iniesta found Suarez at the far post and the striker fired a shot that Navas superbly kept out from close range.

And Barca moved in front with 17 minutes remaining, Rakitic cutting inside Kroos and launching an unstoppable left-footed strike from 20 yards into the far corner.
Madrid's hopes of a comeback appeared to be over four minutes later, Ramos furious to be shown a straight red card for jumping in two-footed on Messi and sarcastically applauding the officials on his way off.The impressive Navas somehow denied Pique from eight yards after substitute Andre Gomes had found him wide open and then also saved Messi's powerful drive.

And those stops became all the more crucial as James grabbed an equaliser with five minutes to play, converting Marcelo's cross with a high finish past Ter Stegen as the home support erupted.

But Messi had the last word, finishing off a slick move by converting Jordi Alba's cutback with a trademark left-footed finish and celebrating by holding his shirt up to a dismayed Bernabeu.

 

[Alucard_SxE]

feels so fkin shit

marcelo........................... why de hell did you let sergio roberto run with da ball at the last minute!??!!!
you should've fkin stopped him by a shirt pull and gotten a yellow!!!!
A terrible terrible mistake!!!!
And it cost us 3 fkin points!!!!
Shittttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!

Please don't this be a another bottled la liga title in the end

got 1 game in hand but behind in goal difference. So if we loose 1 more game than barca from the upcoming fixtures, we loose the title
And two madrid derbys coming up in the ucl. Nice way to get pressure

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Lyon 1 Monaco 2: Falcao and Mbappe make the difference

Monaco defeated Lyon 2-1 at Parc OL courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappe and Radamel Falcao to return to the top of the Ligue 1 table.

Leonardo Jardim's men had dropped to second place following Paris Saint-Germain's win over Montpellier on Saturday and knew they could not afford to slip up in the race for the title.

Monaco dominated proceedings in the opening 45 minutes and eventually went a goal up when Falcao headed home from close range after Kamil Glik had diverted Thomas Lemar's corner into his path.They immediately went in search of a second goal and were rewarded for their attacking intent in the 44th minute, Mbappe finding the net after some good work from Bernardo Silva.

Lyon refused to give up, though, and Lucas Tousart pulled one back early in the second half with a good header following a cross from Memphis Depay.

But there would not be an equaliser as Monaco held on for their seventh consecutive league win to further boost their title hopes.Sunday's win sees Monaco go level on points with PSG again, while they still have a game in hand.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Marcelo: Madrid not inferior to Barca after Clasico loss

Real Madrid's last-gasp Clasico defeat to Barcelona does not make the European champions inferior to their bitter rivals, insisted Marcelo as the full-back remained upbeat.

Madrid's lead atop La Liga was erased as title-holders Barcelona stunned the hosts 3-2 in a thrilling top-of-the-table clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

Lionel Messi scored in the 92nd minute — his second of the match — to silence Madrid and their fans in the Spanish capital after substitute James Rodriguez had equalised seven minutes earlier following Sergio Ramos' red card in the second half.With the result, Barca and Madrid moved level on points, though the latter have a game in hand in their pursuit of a first La Liga title since 2012, and Marcelo was in a positive mood post-match.

"Everyone expects a lot of things from El Clasico. We've done everything we could to win and even draw with a player less, but we conceded a goal at the end," Marcelo said."We did a great job and we go away with our heads held high. We're well placed in two competitions and we'll keep working as we were before. This defeat does not make us inferior.

"In the end, some mistakes and small details have made the difference, not just the counter-attack. I don't give my opinion on referees, although a sending off affects a team because it leaves you with one less player."We don't get carried away when we win and we won't get down after a defeat."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Carvajal: Ramos red card defined Clasico

Dani Carvajal lamented Sergio Ramos' red card in the last-gasp defeat to Barcelona, feeling the incident defined the Clasico as Real Madrid lost top spot in La Liga.

Captain Ramos was sent off in the second half of Madrid's dramatic 3-2 loss at home to bitter rivals and titleholders Barcelona in the Spanish capital on Sunday.

Ramos saw red for a two-footed challenge on Messi with 13 minutes remaining and the five-time Ballon d'Or winner came back to haunt Madrid after settling the Clasico in the second minute of stoppage time.Barca's win erased Madrid's three-point lead atop the table and full-back Carvajal was less than impressed.

"The sending off defined the game," Carvajal said post-match."We had managed to draw level and in the last passage of play we failed and have lost the game. The game had been end to end and we didn't have any luck."

Madrid stormed out of the blocks at the Santiago Bernabeu, Casemiro the unlikely scorer of the game's opening goal in the 28th minute.Messi hit back within five minutes however, as Barca eventually took a 2-1 lead via Ivan Rakitic with 17 minutes remaining.

Just as Barca looked set to stun the Madrid faithful, James Rodriguez came off the bench and equalised in the 85th minute, only for Messi to pop up and score his 500th goal for the Catalan giants.

Carvajal added: "You have to congratulate them for the victory, but there is still a lot of the league left, we have played a game less and we have to make the most of it.

"Messi had a good game."The team has fought and had chances, we have to be calm and keep battling because we can still depend on only ourselves."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Messi cannot surprise anyone' – Rakitic lauds Barcelona's Clasico hero

Barcelona midfielder Ivan Rakitic was delighted for Lionel Messi and said the star's Clasico winner should come as no surprise.

Messi completed his brace with a dramatic 92nd-minute strike to guide Barca to a 3-2 win over a 10-man Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.Rakitic, who scored in between Messi's double with a fine goal of his own, lauded the Argentina international.

"Messi cannot surprise anyone," he said, via Marca."You can put him anywhere and he can hurt teams."We are very happy for the victory and for him, because we need him."Barca's win came after Casemiro had put Madrid ahead and James Rodriguez had dragged the hosts level following Sergio Ramos' sending off.

However, Messi's late goal brought the LaLiga title race back to life, sending Barca top – although Madrid have a game in hand and are level on points.

Rakitic said: "We deserved the victory and we are very happy."But we have to keep going. We were better 11 against 11 rather than 11 against 10 and we have to learn to be calmer."We have shown that we have a lot of character."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'One day I will leave' - Arsenal boss Wenger continues future mind games

Arsene Wenger continues to keep everyone waiting when it comes to a decision regarding his future as Arsenal manager, saying “one day I will leave."The Frenchman has faced serious questioning this season, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.

Certain sections of the Gunners support have protested against his reign being extended past the summer, with there a feeling that he has taken the club as far as he can in 20 years.Wenger, though, has vowed to keep fighting and believes that whatever happens in the coming weeks and months, Arsenal are in a healthy position heading forward.

After seeing his side book their place in the FA Cup final with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday, he said: "The club is in a very strong state.

"We have a very strong overall situation and strong team. One day I will leave and I'm sure Arsenal will always be a great club that everyone admires."When you watch the stands, and see how big this club is, I'm just happy our fans can go home happy. We have gone through a very difficult period. We have shown a united response."

Keeping Arsenal on course for major silverware this season has helped to ease some of the pressure on Wenger’s shoulders, with a top-four finish in the Premier League also still there to be shot at.

Having seen off Middlesbrough last time out, Arsenal have now claimed back-to-back victories for the first time since January.Both successes have come with Wenger reverting to a back three, with a change in approach helping to bring the club out of a slump.

"No matter what you do, people say, 'Why didn't you do it earlier?' You can always judge it both ways,” Wenger said of his tactical tweak."What I did was to give the team more security [playing a back three]. We conceded three goals at Liverpool, West Brom and Crystal Palace and we needed something for the players to focus on.

"I made some tough decisions this season., We have gone through a tough period. It's my job to get it right and when it does we are happy."Arsenal are next in action against reigning Premier League champions Leicester City on Wednesday.