..::Football IV::..

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Neymar plays down Real Madrid talk: I'm happy with my team-mates


Neymar claims he's happy at Paris Saint-Germain amid mounting speculation that the Brazilian could be headed for Real Madrid this summer. Goal understands that PSG are prepared to let Neymar join Real Madrid this summer if he helps the club to Champions League success.

Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi claims that the rumours around Neymar are an attempt to "destabilise" his club, but there is also plenty of reason to believe that the Brazilian could well be on his way back to Spain.

While Neymar himself is pleased to constantly have his name linked to the top clubs, he claimed after Saturday's win over Montpellier that he was perfectly happy in France."I'm happy with my team-mates and I'm happy at PSG," he told reporters. "I have good games and numbers and come here to make history and do my best.

"Speculation has always existed and will always exist. Since Santos and in my years in Barcelona, ​​all the transfers windows had something with my name."It's impossible to stay out of it. But I'm happy because it means I'm a good player, and quality players are always speculated."One cause of the constant speculation is perceived rift with Edinson Cavani, who passed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to become the club's all-time leading scorer on Saturday.

The two stars have butted heads over who takes the penalties at PSG in the past, and the Brazilian was jeered by fans after striking from the late on in an 8-0 trashing of Dijon, with supporters believing he should have allowed Cavani a chance at breaking the record rather than netting his fourth of the night.But the 25-year-old remains unfazed, and claims the decision for him to take the penalty was down to the manager rather than the players on the pitch.

"I'm used to both boos and applause, but I'm happy with the victory in today's game, which is the most important thing. I think we had a great game."It's impossible for us not to know (Cavani record), but the coach defined me as a penalty taker and we have no controversy with that.

"We know what happened in the locker room and he decided that, so I have to assume this responsibility."Of course, I support Cavani and wanted that he can break the record like he did today, but I also know that he would do that some day, because we still have many games this season. I know all my responsibilities and I'm not here to hide, but to assume them."

The 4-0 win over Montpellier pushed PSG's lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table to 11 points ahead of Lyon's clash with Bordeaux on Sunday, and the French giants are set to take on Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 in February.

 

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Pastore talks up Inter move from PSG


Javier Pastore has admitted that he would be open to a move to Inter from PSG in January.Pastore came on as a substitute in PSG's 4-0 win over Montpellier on Saturday, marking just his 15th appearance in Ligue 1 this season.

The Argentina international revealed in November that he was considering his future in the French capital, and he is aware that he needs regular minutes if he is to make Argentina's squad for this summer's World Cup.

“I don’t know what I’ll do yet, because the situation is very difficult,” Pastore told reporters on Saturday.“I am very happy in Paris, but I haven’t made any decisions yet. All I want is to play more regularly so I can go to the World Cup. Not being in the tournament because I stayed here and didn’t play would be very painful for my career.

“I need to make a decision along with the club. I must do more to get into the World Cup squad, as I wasn’t called up by Argentina last time because I wasn’t playing. I have to play regularly to have a better chance.”

Pastore admits that San Siro is an attractive destination, having previously played for Palermo in Serie A.“There is a lot of talk about Inter and if I were to leave, I’d like to go there, especially as I know Serie A and my wife is Italian,” he added.“Inter could be a solution, but I don’t know what will happen. It’s not an easy decision for me or the club. We’ll see over the next few days and try to reach an agreement.”

 

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FA Cup Fixtures 2018.01.28

FA Cup Fixtures 2018.01.28

Chelsea Vs Newcastle

Cardiff City Vs Manchester City​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.01.28

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.01.28

Leganes Vs Espanyol

Atletico Madrid Vs Las Palmas

Sevilla Vs Getafe

Barcelona Vs Alaves​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2018.01.28

Serie A Fixtures 2018.01.28

Spal Vs Inter

Crotone Vs Cagliari

Fiorentina Vs Verona

Genoa Vs Udinese

Napoli Vs Bologna

Torino Vs Benevento

AC Milan Vs Lazio

Roma Vs Sampdoria​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.01.28

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.01.28

Leverkusen Vs Mainz

Hannover Vs Wolfsburg​

 

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Chievo - Juventus 0:2 Highlights 27/01/2018

 

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Liverpool vs West Bromwich 2-3 All Goals & Highlights 28/01/2018 HD

 

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Valencia vs Real Madrid 1-4 - All Goals & Extended Highlights - La Liga 27/01/2018 HD

 

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Bayern Munich vs Hoffenheim 5-2 All Goals & Highlights 27/01/2018

 

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Newport County vs Tottenham 1-1 All Goals & Highlights 27.1.2018 HD

 

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Atletico Madrid 3 Las Palmas 0: Griezmann & Torres cut Barca lead to eight



Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres were on the scoresheet as Atletico Madrid got back to winning ways and cut the gap to LaLiga leaders Barcelona to eight points with a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas.

Atletico had failed to win any of their last three games, being held by Girona and losing in both legs of their Copa del Rey tie with Sevilla, and they were unconvincing for long periods against their struggling visitors with striker Diego Costa again out of the squad.

Parity at half-time was justified for Paco Jemez's side despite Griezmann hitting the bar for Atletico, but Diego Simeone's men stepped up a gear in the second half.



Griezmann made it 1-0 in the 61st minute as Las Palmas were caught on the counter, and they were failed to learn their lesson fom that goal.

A stray pass allowed Atletico to again break quickly, and the move was wonderfully finished off by Torres for only his second league goal of the campaign and the 600th Atleti goal under Simeone in all competitions.

Thomas Partey added late gloss to the scoreline but, while triumph narrows what should be a decisive lead for Barca, the leaders will be expected to stretch it back to 11 when they take on Deportivo Alaves later on Sunday.


Koke wasted an early opening for Atletico as he burst into space and towards the area, only to toe-poke the ball well over the crossbar. And the hosts would have fallen behind if not for a surprisingly adept piece of work from Angel Correa, who tracked back and robbed the ball from Jairo as he shaped to shoot after an excellent cross from the right from Hernan Toledo on the counter.

At the other end Leandro Chichizola was alert to deny Gabi after he was played in by Fernando Torres, who then sprung the offside trap only to flash an effort wide.
Antoine Griezmann went closest to breaking the deadlock and would have done so in spectacular fashion had his audacious heeled effort, which saw him wrap his right leg behind his leg to meet Juanfran's right-wing cross, not clattered the crossbar.

Jairo offered a reminder of Las Palmas' threat with a decent long-range strike wide of the left-hand post, but the visitors owed Alejandro Galvez for preventing Torres from opening the scoring after the break with a vital challenge after more good work from Juanfran.

But Las Palmas could do nothing to prevent Griezmann from finally opening the scoring as he latched on to a perfectly placed throughball from Juanfran, finishing confidently as he lofted the ball over Chichizola.

Yannick Carrasco saw a curling shot deflected wide and, though a goal-kick was incorrectly given, Griezmann was afforded a golden opportunity to make it 2-0 as he chipped Chichizola after Las Palmas carelessly conceded possession, only to be denied by the woodwork once more.

However, there was no reprieve for further sloppy play in possession from Las Palmas as Torres rolled back the years by brilliantly rifled into the roof of the net, substitute Thomas then rolling into an empty net after the visiting defence parted for a final time.

 

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Chelsea 3 Newcastle United 0: Batshuayi brace books fifth-round FA Cup spot

Michy Batshuayi struck a first-half brace as Chelsea cruised into the fifth round of the FA Cup with a comfortable 3-0 victory over a lacklustre Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The striker is rumoured to be heading out on loan ahead of Wednesday's transfer deadline but demonstrated his goalscoring ability with a double to help the Blues bounce back from their midweek EFL Cup semi-final disappointment against Arsenal.

Antonio Conte has been linked with a string of strikers, including Edin Dzeko, Andy Carroll and Ashley Barnes, in a bid to add back-up for Alvaro Morata, but on this evidence the answer may lie closer to home.Chelsea took the lead after a low-tempo opening half-hour, Eden Hazard and Marcos Alonso combining to tee up Batshuayi after Pedro's long pass opened Newcastle up.

Batshuayi recorded his 10th goal of the season in all competitions shortly before the break, Jamaal Lascelles' attempted block from the Belgian's shot looping the ball over goalkeeper Karl Darlow and in.

Alonso's sublime 25-yard free-kick wrapped up the victory and Chelsea's unbeaten run at home stretches to 15 matches, while Newcastle's appalling FA Cup record continues, with the Magpies last reaching the fifth round in 2006.


Gary Cahill's mistimed header from a Hazard corner was the only attacking incident of a poor opening 20 minutes, with Dwight Gayle having failed in an early attempt to win a penalty.

Massadio Haidara, making his first start of the season at left-back, beat Davide Zappacosta and delivered a fine cross for Jonjo Shelvey, but the midfielder's volleyed effort was easily turned around the post by Willy Caballero.Chelsea had barely threatened but the Premier League champions broke the deadlock in the 31st minute.

Pedro's long ball was perfectly weighted for Hazard to wait for Alonso's run and the wing-back slid the ball into the path of Batshuayi to slot home into the gaping goal.

Antonio Rudiger almost curled in a sensational strike, the defender seeing his shot fade wide of the far post after collecting a cross-field Hazard pass and cutting inside off the right flank.

Pedro and Hazard combined again for Chelsea's second in the 44th minute, the Belgian freeing compatriot Batshuayi for a powerful low strike that looped over the unfortunate Darlow after taking a big deflection off Lascelles.

Caballero made saves from Shelvey and Chancel Mbemba on the brink of half-time to protect the Blues' two-goal lead and Pedro fired narrowly over the crossbar shortly after the restart.Darlow made a tremendous save to keep out Alonso's deflected volley but the goalkeeper was left helpless from the defender's free-kick in the 72nd minute.

Alonso has carved out a reputation as one of the Premier League's finest set-piece takers and his seventh goal of the season in all competitions was a beauty, a 25-yard curler that bent out of Darlow's reach.

Although Darlow twice denied Batshuayi his hat-trick, a three-goal lead allowed Conte to introduce Ross Barkley for his home debut while youngsters Ethan Ampadu and debutant Callum Hudson-Odoi were given cameos, but the Italian will likely want further squad additions before the closure of the transfer window.

 

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Batshuayi: My Chelsea future is down to Conte


Michy Batshuayi does not know if he will still be at Chelsea when the transfer window closes on Wednesday.The Belgian has been strongly linked with a loan move as the Premier League champions have been linked with several strikers to compliment Alvaro Morata.

With Morata absent, Batshuayi struck a first-half brace to take his tally for the season to 10 in all competitions as Chelsea downed Newcastle United 3-0 in the FA Cup on Sunday.

But the 24-year-old is unsure whether his double will be enough to keep him in manager Antonio Conte's plans for the rest of the season."I don't know," Batshuayi told BT Sport when asked about his future. "It's up to the boss, it's better to talk to Conte."

Chelsea rarely needed to get out of second gear, with Marcos Alonso's free-kick wrapping up the scoring at Stamford Bridge. "It's very good for the team and for me I'm very happy," said Batshuayi. "When I have a chance I take the chance and I work every day – I'm very happy."

Victory ensured Chelsea bounced back from their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat to Arsenal last time out, leaving captain Gary Cahill happy with his side's showing.
"It was decent in the end," Cahill told BT Sport. "I thought we started a bit rusty. We needed that win and to progress is the most important."We need to try to reach the final rounds in this having gone out of the EFL Cup the other night so this is very important."After the first 10-15 minutes we got on with it. Especially this guy [Batshuayi], he took his opportunity."

 

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Man United target Fabinho: My time at Monaco is coming to an end


Highly rated Monaco midfielder Fabinho has admitted that he has come to the end of the line at the Ligue 1 club and is ready for a fresh start.

Fabinho, 24, has become a cornerstone of the Monaco team, racking up over 200 appearances in five years since moving from Real Madrid. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with clubs such as Manchester United and Atletico Madrid both linked to the Brazilian in recent weeks.

And Fabinho, who had revealed in December his wish to leave in 2018, is determined to pursue his career elsewhere after his prolonged spell in the principality.

"If the right move comes up, perhaps a change in league or to a club with a bigger structure and higher ambitions, I would love that," he explained to Lance!
"My time at Monaco has been great, I managed to win a title, now I believe my time here might be coming to an end. "I know that the club's goal is to take second place [in Ligue 1] and earn a spot in the Champions League, not to sign big-name players but rather youngsters to give them their start.

"I believe that I have been through that, I came here as a nobody, made my name in the club, achieved things; so maybe I need something new, a new challenge."Fabinho also referred to compatriot Neymar's move to Paris Saint-Germain at the start of the current season, a transfer he believes was a coup for Ligue 1."It was a surprise to see Neymar come to France. I did not expect him to go to PSG, but it was great for the league to get one of the three best players in the world," he added.

"The league has had much more attention, because he is a world-class player. It was great in that sense, because the other teams are suffering playing against him here, he is brilliant."For the television viewer it is fantastic to see a show every week. He added a lot of good things to the league and he is the guy everyone is talking about, which is normal because he is the best player.

"I hope, as a Brazilian, that he has a lot of sucess at PSG, although unfortunately for the rest that will mean a few more years of dominance for them!"

 

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SPAL 1 Inter 1: Paloschi extends Nerazzurri's winless run

Inter have now gone seven games without a win in Serie A following a 1-1 draw with SPAL on Sunday.A second-half own goal from Francesco Vicari looked set to give Luciano Spalletti's side all three points until Alberto Paloschi's 90th-minute header snatched a point for the home side.

Inter's last win was a 5-0 thrashing of Chievo on December 3, although consecutive draws against Lazio, Fiorentina and Roma had given the Nerazzurri belief that their form required little drastic improvement.




They laboured for much of the first half at the Stadio Paolo Mazza, though, with an Antonio Candreva strike the closest they came to breaking the deadlock as new signing Rafinha watched on from the bench, from where he was only introduced in stoppage time.The opener came three minutes into the second half, when Vicari turned in Joao Cancelo's teasing delivery and sapped the growing optimism out of the home fans.

Ivan Perisic almost scored a second and their failure to kill the game proved costly, just as it did at Fiorentina two weeks ago, with Paloschi's fine header denying Inter the win that would have moved them level on points with third-place Lazio ahead of the latter's meeting with AC Milan.


Mirco Antonucci came within inches of turning a Jasmin Kurtic cross goalwards, but Alex Meret was forced into a fine stop to deny Candreva in a lively start in Ferrara.Alberto Grassi headed a half-chance over the crossbar but there was little else of note in a competitive first half that was low on quality, with Inter bossing most of the possession but creating very little for striker Mauro Icardi.

The Argentine did waste a clear opening just before the break, though, steering a Danilo D'Ambrosio cross over the bar on the volley from barely 10 yards out.

Spalletti made a change at the interval, replacing Candreva with Eder, but Inter's breakthrough came courtesy of a helping hand from the hosts.Cancelo turned brilliantly into space down the left and sent in a teasing cross, and Vicari, trying to cut out the ball, contrived to prod it into the right-hand corner past the static Meret.

The positivity among the home fans had suddenly disappeared and it nearly got worse for SPAL 58 minutes in, with Meret reacting brilliantly to tip Matias Vecino's shot over the bar after good work from Perisic.The visitors continued to create chances to kill off the match, with Perisic's stinging strike tipped over the bar by Meret and the resulting corner somehow bouncing over and out of play after a brief scramble.

Samir Handanovic had been given little to do but he was given a fright in the closing stages, with Kurtic blasting over from close range and Paloschi heading over the bar after the Inter keeper had failed to intercept a cross.That looked to be as close as the 18th-place side would come until the 90th minute, when Paloschi met Antenucci's cross with a diving header that nestled into the right-hand corner.

 

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Jean Michael Seri: The Man Utd target with Barcelona DNA and cold feet


Five months ago, Jean Michael Seri stood on the cusp of achieving his dream.Barcelona had taken note of his talents and had opened negotiations with Nice over brokering a deal for the 26-year-old midfielder. Personal terms had already been agreed; it was only a matter of Barca getting the deal over the line.

It was a transfer that fell through, however, as a fee between the clubs could not be agreed, leaving the Ivory Coast international heartbroken.




“I couldn’t play for Nice this weekend as my head wasn’t in football,” he admitted to Mundo Deportivo in the aftermath of the breakdown. “My dream was to play for Barcelona, but that’s been taken away from me – and it feels terrible.”While interest from Camp Nou seems to have cooled, temporarily at least, Seri remains a man in demand.

Chelsea and Liverpool remain in the running for the midfielder, and while Jose Mourinho appeared to rule out any more signings at Old Trafford before the end of the window, a curveball from the Portuguese cannot be discounted, especially for a player tipped by a legend to be perfect for Barca.

Xavi, now 38 and in what he says is the final season of his career with Al Saad in Qatar, wants to see that return. After negotiations for PSG’s Marco Verratti failed during the summer, he admitted he would love to see his old club turn to Seri.

“He would do so well at Barca. He can play anywhere in the middle. He is fantastic. He has what they call the Barca DNA,” the Spain great explained to Le Parisien.“I'm not used to seeing such talent in midfield any more. The short game, long game, tactical intelligence, long-range shooting, personality, organisation of the play...”

These words are the greatest compliment possible to Seri, who has attempted to model his passing game on the Blaugrana legend. ‘Hidden passes’ have become something of a speciality for the 26-year-old.

“Xavi did it all the time for Barcelona and I tried to copy him. It’s a trick I’ve worked hard at and tried to master,” Seri, who puts his technical ease on the ball down to the fact that he played barefoot for so long, confessed.

It was his intelligent backheel to set up Alassane Plea against Ajax that carried Nice to within a knockout tie of the Champions League. Napoli proved a hurdle too much for Lucien Favre’s depleted squad, with even Seri’s quality helpless against wholly superior opposition.

Even Nice’s push for third place in Ligue 1 last season was influenced tremendously by their midfielder. Having started the season as one of the deeper players in a 4-2-3-1 formation, injuries to Wylan Cyprien and Alassane Plea forced head coach Favre to use him further up the field. In the tightest of spots, he came good, most notably scoring a fine winner against Nantes.

He finished the Ligue 1 campaign with seven goals and nine assists, quietly establishing himself as a key member of the side, even if it was Mario Balotelli who often caught the headlines due to his scoring and his history. But while the Italian’s peak seems to have passed, despite his increasingly mature attitude and consistent displays, Seri’s star is one that is very much on the rise.His qualities on the field are not purely offensive, however.

Defensively, he is a workhorse. His energy when it comes to ball recuperation is formidable and, combined with his stature, has been compared to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante.Seri is nether a Kante nor a Xavi, he falls somewhere in between, and that blend of skill and energy would make him a formidable asset to any side that can stump up the money to take him off Nice’s hands.

England may not, however, be his ideal destination.“I have ingrown toenails and when it’s cold I need special treatment,” he admitted to Le Point. “I don’t see myself playing in a country where it’s cold. I hurt everywhere and I struggle to train.”

Cold, wet Wednesdays in Stoke may not be his thing, but that does not appear to have stifled interest from the likes of Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea.A gentleman’s agreement with Nice president Jean-Pierre Rivere - release clauses in contracts are illegal in France - meant that until July 15 of last year, he could have been snared for as little as €40 million. Now, however, the Cote d’Azur club are free to demand whatever price they see fit.

So far, no-one has been able to match their demands. When a buyer is found, though, Seri will leave with Xavi’s seal of approval – and there can be few higher compliments of a midfielder.

 

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Barcelona 2 Alaves 1: Suarez and Messi turn tables on brave visitors

Lionel Messi assumed the familiar role of hero as Barcelona averted a Camp Nou scare to beat struggling Alaves 2-1 in LaLiga.Atletico Madrid's 3-0 win over Las Palmas earlier on Sunday placed a modicum of pressure on Ernesto Valverde's runaway leaders and it seemed to weigh upon them in a ragged first-half showing.

Philippe Coutinho made his full debut, but it was a more unheralded January signing, Alaves' Celta Vigo loanee John Guidetti, who threatened the upset with a fortuitous 23rd-minute opener.Abelardo Fernandez's side remain two points above the drop zone and were left to rue missed chances by the time Luis Suarez netted for the eighth top-flight match in succession with 18 minutes to play.

Typically, it fell to Messi to apply the coup de grace as he curled a delightful free-kick home in the 84th minute to spark raucous celebrations.Barcelona remain undefeated and 11 points clear on their apparent procession to LaLiga glory.


Coutinho was lively in the opening stages but looked on as Barca's old guard fashioned an opening in the 15th minute – Messi dropping deep and exchanging slick passes with Andres Iniesta and Suarez before forcing a clearance behind.

Alaves sprung forward from the corner and Marc-Andre ter Stegen was out sharply to deny Ibai Gomez. It was a warning Barca did not heed.Fernando Pacheco saved low down from Suarez a few moments before Alaves streamed into a vacant Barcelona half on the counter-attack.

Guidetti bore down on Ter Stegen and enjoyed a touch of fortune as he lost his footing and kicked the ball against his other boot, the result leaving the Germany goalkeeper with no chance.

Ter Stegen arched his back to brilliantly keep out a header from Ruben Sobrino, who then ran out of steam having dribbled from halfway into the Barca box to get a shot away.

Coutinho almost found a response when his 32nd-minute effort was deflected wide, while Messi saw an angled free-kick pushed over before Pacheco tipped his next dead-ball attempt against the post to preserve Alaves' unlikely advantage at the interval.

Seven minutes into the second half, Valverde opted to replace his full-backs, with Jordi Alba and Sergio Roberto on in place of the largely ineffective Lucas Digne and Nelson Semedo.Their introduction added another dimension to Barca's attacking play, but Messi was crowded out when he looked to convert Alba's cutback from the byline.

Ibai should have given Valverde's men a mountain to climb after the hour when he broke through on goal, only to cut back on himself and play in full-back Ruben Duarte, whose rasping shot was deflected behind by Gerard Pique.

Paco Alcacer replaced Coutinho in the hosts' final change and Pacheco judged his angles perfectly in the 68th minute, standing up to thwart Suarez after Messi threaded a delightful pass through Duarte's legs.Paulinho was unable to bundle in when a roaming Pique caused havoc in the Alaves box, but the pressure eventually told.

Iniesta rolled back the years, embarking on a jinking run before sending a searching cross to the back post, where Suarez's volley took a pair of deflections to spin beyond a helpless Pacheco.Mubarak Wakaso clattered into Alcacer on the edge of the box, leaving a sense of inevitability when Messi stood over the consequent set-piece six minutes from time, though that did not make his decisive strike any less exquisite.

Alaves felt aggrieved when handball claims against Samuel Umtiti were rejected following a late raid into the area, but, for all the visitors' gallant efforts, earlier wasted opportunities meant they only had themselves to blame.

 

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AC Milan 2 Lazio 1: Cutrone on target as Rossoneri resurgence continues

AC Milan made it three wins in a row in Serie A for the first time since March last year as they claimed a 2-1 victory over Lazio on Sunday.Goals from Patrick Cutrone and Giacomo Bonaventura, either side of an Adam Marusic strike, sealed all three points for Gennaro Gattuso's side and prolonged their impressive unbeaten league run against Lazio at San Siro, which stretches back to 1989.

Simone Inzaghi's side travelled to Milan on the back of a six-game streak without a top-flight defeat, but they looked unsettled from the off as the Rossoneri produced one of their best performances of another difficult campaign.


Cutrone's third league goal of the season, which replays showed came off his arm, was cancelled out by Marusic's fine finish, but Bonaventura's emphatic header restored Milan's lead before the break as the home fans roared their approval.

Lazio threatened in the second half through Sergej Milinkovic-Savic but could not come up with a second equaliser, meaning they are now just two points above fourth-placed Inter.Milan, meanwhile, are level on points with Sampdoria in sixth and beginning to present themselves as contenders for the European spots once more.


Hakan Calhanoglu had Thomas Strakosha at full stretch with a fierce effort from 25 yards after 10 minutes, although Lazio appeared the more settled of the teams in the opening exchanges.

Milan started to play their way into proceedings and broke the deadlock with 15 minutes played when Cutrone glanced Calhanoglu's free-kick high into the net from six yards out, although the ball was actually turned in with his arm.

The lead lasted just five minutes, though. Lucas Leiva picked out Marusic in space inside the penalty area and the winger cut back onto his left foot before placing his finish into the bottom-left corner, out of Gianluigi Donnarumma's reach.Luis Alberto came close to giving Lazio the lead, crashing a shot off the top off the crossbar after drifting inside from the left, but Milan seemed the more likely to find the third goal and it took another good Strakoshka save to keep out a Calhanoglu drive.

He could do nothing to stop Bonaventura restoring Milan's advantage two minutes before the break, though, the midfielder racing onto Davide Calabria's brilliant curling cross and powering a header into the net.

Inzaghi made an attacking change early in the second half, introducing Felipe Anderson for Lucas, and the Brazilian teed up Milinkovic-Savic 12 yards out only for Donnarumma to repel his low strike. Milinkovic-Savic was posing as the most likely candidate to spark another Lazio comeback and he was again denied by Donnarumma when he rose highest to head Marusic's cross towards goal, before he sent a 20-yard strike into the keeper's grasp.

Substitute Andre Silva almost poked home a late third and Lazio captain Senad Lulic failed to get good contact on a clear late chance from Felipe Anderson's cross, but Milan survived to claim one of their best league wins of the campaign.

 

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Cardiff City 0 Manchester City 2: De Bruyne and Sterling down Bluebirds amid Sane fears

Manchester City booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a 2-0 win at Cardiff City but left the Welsh capital with fears over the fitness of winger Leroy Sane.

A clever eighth minute free-kick from Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling's 19th goal of the season were due rewards for first-half dominance and came either side of a scintillating Bernardo Silva strike that was controversially ruled out for offside.

Sane was trying to add to the Championship side's misery before the break, embarking upon a storming counter-attacking run that was halted when an ugly, lunging challenge from Joe Bennett took away his left ankle.


He made way for Sergio Aguero to play his part in a second half gripped by a feeling of formality but attention will now turn to how much damage Sane has suffered as the Premier League leaders prepare for a pivotal phase of their battle for honours on all fronts this season.

With an eye towards Germany's World Cup commitments, the world champions illuminated proceedings by addressing Cardiff over the treatment meted out to Sane and countryman Ilkay Gundogan.

They and Guardiola will hope the cautionary words did not arrive too late, while Bennett belatedly earned his red card with a second caution for hacking down teenage substitute Brahim Diaz.


Cardiff goalkeeper Neil Ethridge stood firm to repel Gundogan effort in the sixth minute before the midfielder required treatment when Joe Ralls clattered into him on the edge of the box in pursuit of the rebound.

The challenge proved particularly ill-advised as De Bruyne cleverly slotted the resulting free-kick beneath the leaping Cardiff wall and into the net.Not for the first time in Manchester City colours, Claudio Bravo produced some unsound handling to almost let a speculative Junior Hoillet effort in for an equaliser.

The visitors thought they were 2-0 up in the 25th minute when Silva thundered into the top corner, although Leroy Sane was ruled to be in an offside position – replays suggested he was level – and obscuring the view of Ethridge, who was rendered relatively helpless by the velocity of the strike.The decision went down badly with Guardiola, who remained visibly dissatisfied on the sidelines when referee Lee Mason unsuccessfully told him to calm down.

Silva was at the heart of things once more when it came to improving his manager's mood in the 38th minute, with a sweetly struck left-wing cross dispatched beyond Ethridge despite Sterling's header not being one from the textbook.

Aguero's introduction in place of the stricken Sane did not stop Manchester City's attack from functioning smoothly, with a magnificent tackle by Cardiff captain Sean Morrison required to deny Sterling the seeming formality of a third after the England winger rounded Ethridge.

Kenneth Zohore snatched at a rare opening for the hosts, firing over the near post after Paterson got the better of Vincent Kompany with a flick on.Guardiola's men had dropped their intensity to dangerously low levels and Cardiff sensed a route back into the contest, with substitute Anthony Pilkington almost making an immediate impact from Morrison's set-piece knockdown before Hoilett's sweetly struck 25-yarder rippled the top of the netting.

Manchester City rode out some discomfort before the excellent Silva and Danilo almost added gloss to the scoreline, meaning Guardiola will have at least a few more weeks to be irritated by quadruple talk. Bennett, on the other hand, might wish to undertake some quiet reflection.