..::Football IV::..

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I'll only get better for Arsenal, Aubameyang warns after debut goal


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang says his debut goal for Arsenal was just a taste of things to come as he promises he will get even better in England.

The 28-year-old striker completed a club-record £55 million move to Arsenal on the final day of the transfer window, while the London club let Olivier Giroud go to Chelsea for £18m after the Frenchman became frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities this season.Aubameyang was immediately thrown into the starting XI for Saturday's clash with Everton, while £52m summer signing Alexandre Lacazette dropped to the bench.

As the Gunners strolled to an easy win over Sam Allardyce's side with three goals in 20 minutes, the Gabon international opened his account for his new side in the first half.

Although Aubameyang strayed offside as former Dortmund team-mate Henrikh Mkhitaryan's delicate touch made its way through to him, allowing him to chip it beyond Jordan Pickford.

The game may have included a hat-trick from Aaron Ramsey and a treble of assists from Mkhitaryan, but it was the new striker's debut goal which attracted the most attention, but he insists it will be the first of many. "Of course I was really happy," Aubameyang said via the club's website."We won the game in the first half and the second was a bit different. We are all happy.

"Is there more to come from me? I think so."Aubameyang and Mkhitaryan's bright start to life at the Emirates Stadium has impressed coach Arsene Wenger, who feels they looked right at home in their new team.

"The two players who came in during the transfer window look like they have always played with us with us because they have the same mobility, same ability and same technical quality," the Frenchman said after the game.Aubameyang arrived at Arsenal after making a strong start to the 2017-18 season with Dortmund, scoring 21 times in 24 games in all competitions.

However, his time at the German side soured towards the end as he was punished by the club and dropped from the squad as he forced his move to the English capital.

 

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Benevento 0 Napoli 2: Mertens limps off as Sarri's men return to summit

A 2-0 victory over local rivals Benevento on Sunday was enough for Napoli to make an immediate return to the summit of Serie A, although the sight of star forward and goal-scorer Dries Mertens limping off following a heavy challenge was a cause for concern.Maurizio Sarri's team had briefly been deposed by title rivals Juve after Massimiliano Allegri's reigning champions ran riot to beat Sassuolo 7-0 in Turin earlier in the day.

But goals in the first and second half from Mertens and Marek Hamsik respectively secured a comfortable victory for the visitors at Stadio Ciro Vigorito.Mertens opened the scoring in the 20th minute when he benefited from some clever play by Allan before directing a cross to the back post which, perhaps accidentally, fooled Benevento goalkeeper Christian Puggioni and fell over the line.

Just two minutes into the second half, Gaetano Letizia gave away possession in a dangerous area and Napoli pounced, Hamsik arriving at the back post to meet Jose Callejon's pass across the face of goal and steer home a simple finish.

Benevento were denied a penalty in the 56th minute when Kalidou Koulibaly committed a clumsy foul, only for the video assistant referee (VAR) system to show a Benevento player had been in an offside position during the build-up to the incident.



Mertens was withdrawn with 16 minutes to go after receiving a kick to the heel, and Sarri will hope the Belgian is not seriously hurt as attention turns to the visit of Lazio to Stadio San Paolo next weekend.

 

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Atletico Madrid 1 Valencia 0: Correa rocket closes gap on Barca to nine

Atletico Madrid gained on LaLiga leaders Barcelona as Angel Correa's screamer secured a 1-0 win over third-placed Valencia.Earlier on Sunday, Barca narrowly avoided suffering their first league loss of the season by rescuing a late 1-1 draw at Espanyol, and Atletico capitalised on a rare slip to reduce the gap to nine points.

Diego Simeone's side coped manfully with losing starting centre-halves Stefan Savic and Diego Godin to injury and Correa's 25-yard rocket sent the Wanda Metropolitano into raptures shortly before the hour.


His rasping drive flew into the top corner beyond Neto, who was perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty for earlier clattering into Godin in the incident that saw the defender leave the field.

Correa's strike was a standout moment of quality in an otherwise largely turgid affair in which Valencia offered next to nothing by way of an attacking threat, Marcelino's side failing to muster a single shot on target.

Victory moves Atletico nine points clear of their opponents, who now turn their attentions to overcoming a 1-0 deficit when they host Barca in Thursday's Copa del Rey semi-final second leg.Valencia came into the meeting on the back of successive defeats and they were on the back foot for much of the opening exchanges here, although Atletico's only effort of note saw Neto parry Saul Niguez's 35-yard drive around the post.

Diego Costa had missed the last two games with a hamstring injury but he introduced himself to Jose Gaya by wrestling his opponent to the floor at an Atleti set-piece just past the half-hour.

The striker continued his personal duel with Gaya, getting above his man to meet Koke's corner and power a header goalwards which was clawed away from the top corner by Neto.

Valencia's goalkeeper was in the action again early in the second period as he came to collect Antoine Griezmann's free-kick but succeeded only in punching Godin in the face, though referee Ignacio Iglesias was uninterested in home complaints.

Atletico had already lost Savic to a thigh complaint in the first half and Godin was also unable to continue as he departed down the tunnel and was replaced by Juanfran.The hosts soon shrugged off that setback, however, and forged ahead in the 59th minute as Correa picked up a pass from Koke, spun away into space and unleashed an unstoppable effort that zipped beyond Neto into the top-right corner.

Correa tried his luck again 15 minutes later from just outside the area, but this time his effort lacked the required venom and Neto got down to his left to make the save.

If Atletico expected a late glut of pressure from the visitors, it never arrived as Simeone's men were able to comfortably see out the victory and give their slim title hopes a welcome boost.

 

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Sarri: Contract talks to take place amid Chelsea reports


Napoli head coach Maurizio Sarri said discussions will take place regarding a new contract "over the next few days" following links with Premier League side Chelsea.

Sarri, 59, has reportedly emerged as a target for Chelsea, who are apparently considering the future of Premier League-winning boss and fellow Italian Antonio Conte.Napoli have earned rave reviews for their style of play under Sarri, with the Italian high-flyers a point clear atop Serie A.

Asked about reports president Aurelio De Laurentiis is set to offer a new deal, Sarri told Mediaset Premium: "I can't meet anyone on Friday, as we have a game on Saturday.

"I want to focus on other issues right now, so someone will meet with the president over the next few days and listen to the proposal on my behalf."There's no problem between Aurelio and I, so it's not an issue."

Napoli stayed top of the standings thanks to Sunday's 2-0 win over Benevento.
Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik scored for Napoli, who moved back above Juventus after the defending champions embarrassed Sassuolo 7-0.

"The surprising thing is that Napoli are up there, not Juventus," Sarri said. "This team picked up 60 points in 23 games, an extraordinary tally. Juve are going at more or less the same pace, but they are accustomed to it.

"We cannot feel pressure, because we are going beyond anyone's expectations. Don't forget, pre-season you all said it was a fight between Juventus and AC Milan. We are doing better than I expected, than the club expected, so there is zero pressure."

Mertens hobbled off with an ankle injury in the victory and Sarri said: "We'll evaluate Mertens tomorrow [Monday]. He had a knock and a slight sprain, it doesn't seem particularly serious."

 

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Liverpool 2 Tottenham 2: Kane's penalty redemption cancels out Salah stunner

Harry Kane's 100th Premier League goal earned Tottenham a 2-2 draw at Liverpool in a contender for the game of the season, the striker stepping up to snatch a point from the spot in a hugely dramatic match at Anfield.

Kane had been denied by Loris Karius from 12 yards shortly after Victor Wanyama's long-range blockbuster cancelled out Mohamed Salah's opener, and Liverpool looked to have snuck a win thanks to the Egyptian's wonderful solo effort in the first minute of stoppage time.

But referee Jon Moss pointed to the spot again when Virgil van Dijk challenged Erik Lamela and Kane stepped up to send Karius the wrong way and give a thrilling contest a fitting climax.




Salah had given Liverpool the lead in the third minute, becoming the quickest Reds player to reach 20 Premier League goals, beating club icons including Michael Owen, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres to the landmark.But the drama came at the very end, with three goals and a missed penalty all coming in the final 10 minutes.

The draw leaves Liverpool in third, two points clear of Spurs, with the race for Champions League qualification heating up over the second half of the campaign.


A breathless end followed a suitably fast start as Liverpool took the lead in just the third minute. Sadio Mane pressed Eric Dier into making a dreadful pass and Salah took advantage to race through on goal and calmly beat Hugo Lloris for another landmark goal in a special season.Van Dijk, on his first Anfield start in the Premier League, made a fine block to deny Son Heung-min, before two delightful Trent Alexander-Arnold passes did not receive the finishes they deserved.

Spurs finally worked Karius five minutes before the break, a rifled Mousa Dembele 20-yard drive forcing a decent save down to the goalkeeper's right.Karius raced off his line to deny Son after 55 minutes, with Dele Alli sending the rebound wide of the post. The England midfielder was soon after shown a yellow card for simulation in the Reds box, but later penalty decisions would go Spurs' way.

Mauricio Pochettino introduced Lamela and Wanyama as Spurs hunted an equaliser and the Kenya international immediately came up with a memorable strike.Karius' firm punch ran to Wanyama 25 yards from goal and he strode on to the loose ball, thumping a powerful drive out of the goalkeeper's reach.

Four minutes later, Kane went down under Karius' challenge, only to hit his penalty straight at the goalkeeper as a frantic finale hit overdrive.Salah had wasted a number of counter-attacking chances in the second half, but he showed another glimpse of his genius with a sensational solo effort to put Liverpool back in front.

The winger danced inside a series of half-hearted challenges to clip a brilliant finish past Lloris, a goal that deserved to win the game, although it was not to be.Moss pointed to the spot again - both decisions following a lengthy delay - after Van Dijk's clumsy tackle sent Lamela crashing to the ground.

Kane this time made no mistake, finding the corner to bring up a century of Premier League goals, but more importantly keep Spurs in the race for a top-four place.

 

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'The referee told me he made a mistake!' - Klopp fumes at 'unbelievable' penalty calls


Jurgen Klopp says referee Jon Moss told him he made a mistake as two controversial penalties helped Tottenham to snatch a 2-2 draw at Liverpool in a thrilling Premier League encounter on Sunday.

Mohamed Salah's third-minute opener put Liverpool on track before Victor Wanyama came off the bench to thrash in a long-range leveller and spark a hugely dramatic last 10 minutes at Anfield.Harry Kane went down under a Loris Karius challenge, but Liverpool felt there was an offside in the build-up to the incident, Moss pointing to the spot after lengthy discussions with his assistant.

Karius denied Kane and Liverpool edged back in front in the first minute of stoppage time thanks to Salah's superb solo strike, only for another arguable spot-kick to give Spurs the chance to steal a point.

Virgil van Dijk's challenge on Erik Lamela was adjudged to be a foul and this time Kane stepped up to send Karius the wrong way and score his 100th goal in the Premier League.Klopp, however, was left baffled by two debatable decisions that went against his side, although Dele Alli had been booked for simulation earlier in the second half.

"It was clear, two sides with high quality who were desperate to win and we've made the game," Klopp told Sky Sports."The result is massively influenced by decisions, always we have to take it. Did you ever hear [referees explain themselves]?

"I'm not allowed to go in the [referees'] room for half an hour after the game. The first thing after the whistle he [the referee] comes to me and says he made a mistake, clear offside, unbelievable. I don't know what they [the officials] were discussing."Second one, Van Dijk touches him but Lamela wants the touch and jumps 100 per cent, he feels the touch and it's [given as] a penalty. In the first half we got no free-kicks in this situation, go and play, that's the level for the game.

"A situation like that in the last minute you have to be sure, but he [Moss] wanted to be in the middle of interest and here he is."Salah's double appeared to have given Liverpool a crucial three points in the race for Champions League qualification, with Klopp pleased with Liverpool's performance despite Spurs earning a draw.

"How can you be completely in control against Tottenham?" Klopp said."We had fantastic moments and they had to chase the game with spaces in midfield but we created a lot of chances, lots of good crosses from both wings and big chances to be honest, fantastic moments, but you cannot control the game against them for 90 minutes. It's just hard to accept decisions.

"Physically it was difficult and then at the end we went to the three at the back and they had Lamela with two strikers and two 10s in the middle of the park, we did well. We have to defend with big passion and we did, but obviously we didn't get the benefit of it, but what can I say."

 

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'Kane has big, big balls!' Pochettino hails Spurs striker for 100-goal landmark


Harry Kane showed he has "big, big balls" in scoring a penalty to reach 100 Premier League goals having previously been denied from the spot at Anfield, according to Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Kane struck deep in stoppage time to earn Spurs a 2-2 draw in a pulsating Premier League clash against Liverpool on Sunday, the England forward having earlier hit a spot-kick straight at Loris Karius.Spurs escaped with a point to boost their Champions League qualification hopes after a pair of controversial penalties helped them fight back from a Mohamed Salah double.

Victor Wanyama's wondergoal contributed to a positive result for Spurs, but it was Kane who grabbed the attention of Pochettino after his latest landmark strike."He is one of the best strikers," Pochettino told a post-match press conference.

"He is so calm. To score 100 Premier League goals you need big, big balls."
Speaking to Sky Sports immediately after full-time, Pochettino expanded on his praise for Kane and his side after a battling performance."No doubt it's important to congratulate him on 100 Premier League goals, it's fantastic for him," Pochettino said. "He said thank you to everyone for the help of the team, he was so happy and excited to score 100 Premier League goals.

"I was calm and relaxed. But I think it was a great game to see and to watch for everyone. Two teams trying to play exciting football."We were better after 90 minutes, much better, deserved to win but that is football. What is important is the character and the performance."First half we were better too but we conceded after three minutes. We conceded the first goal but over the 90 minutes we were much better."

A point at Anfield rounded off a topsy-turvy week for Spurs, which included a 1-1 draw at Newport County in the FA Cup and then saw Pochettino's men completely outplay Manchester United in a 2-0 Premier League Wembley win on Wednesday.

"Difficult to speak in a week like this when the team showed what they showed, character and personality in my short history at the club we tried to give our best and always show personality and character," Pochettino added. "I'm happy, we played for the win and to change the history [of the club], we can only give it time."

 

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Klopp: If I say what I think I would get biggest fine in world football!


An angry Jurgen Klopp declined to speak his mind about referee Jon Moss after Tottenham were awarded two controversial penalties in a 2-2 Premier League draw at Liverpool on Sunday.

Klopp's men twice led thanks to goals from Mohamed Salah , only for a Victor Wanyama wonderstrike and Harry Kane's stoppage-time spot-kick to earn the visitors a point from an entertaining clash.Moss gave Spurs two penalties after long consultations with his assistant, with Loris Karius first denying Kane after the goalkeeper was adjudged to have brought the striker down, Liverpool protesting there was an offside in the build-up.

But after Salah's 91st-minute solo strike restored Liverpool's advantage, Kane converted from 12 yards to reach 100 goals in the Premier League , Moss having given a penalty for Virgil van Dijk's challenge on Erik Lamela.

Klopp told Sky Sports in a post-match interview that Moss had accepted responsibility for the first penalty being incorrect , but the German was unwilling to offer more criticism of the official for fear of being fined. "It was a very intense game. There were a lot of kicks not given and then the softest kick earns a penalty," Klopp said at a news conference.

"I heard Lamela was offside as well and runs into Van Dijk. He was already on the way down. The referee was saying play on and the linesman decided otherwise.For the first penalty, Kane was offside. My defence put him offside, it was good defending."I am angry but obviously I cannot change it now. What is my job now? To create headlines? If I say what I think I would get the biggest fine in world football!

"In the 93rd minute you whistle a penalty when you are 100 per cent sure. If it is clear that the opposite side wants to go down, then cool down. We have to accept it. We cannot change it."The linesman was sure. I cannot blame Jon Moss. If someone tells you they are sure you believe them."

Liverpool had been battered 4-1 at Wembley in the reverse fixture against Spurs in October, with Dejan Lovren withdrawn before half-time after a disastrous individual performance in trying to cope with Kane."In the first game they deserved it, but in this game we deserved [to win]," Klopp added."But life does not always work as you want it. In the first half they were lucky in moments that we didn't score."

Penalty controversy stole the headlines, but Salah made history with an early opener, becoming the fastest Liverpool player to reach 20 Premier League goals , taking just 25 appearances to do so and beating Luis Suarez, Fernando Torres, Michael Owen and other club icons to the milestone."It was a fantastic goal, an outstanding goal," Klopp said of Salah's mazy run and powerful finish. "It was an outstanding performance, [he was] a threat the whole 90 minutes, that's true.

"I saw now when I passed a [TV] screen, I saw the stats and it looks like Tottenham had the ball all of the time, but we had them really a lot in their own half and we let them play. First half, we were much higher."We played fantastic high pressure, it was unbelievably good, we created moments, we created chances. We had the cross from Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and the header from Roberto Firmino - you would not count it as a chance, it was not a shot on target, but situations like that, we had a few.

"We had the last situation of the first half when Mo unfortunately passed the ball as little bit too hard for Sadio [Mane], otherwise it would've been a chance. We had Sadio in a perfect position but he didn't find the player."So Mo, to go back to your question, he scored both goals [and] the first one was so cool, to get the ball there and with or without a goalkeeper, it makes no difference - that's how it looked.

"And the second one was outstanding, but it's really difficult to defend because I think everybody in the stadium, his team-mates included, thought he would play a pass and in the end he did it by himself – that was probably in this moment the best idea."

 

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Watford 4 Chelsea 1: Pressure piled on Conte as late show sinks 10-man Blues

Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra scored late goals as Watford piled the pressure Antonio Conte with a scintillating 4-1 win at home to 10-man Chelsea on Monday.

Eden Hazard's fine finish appeared to have saved a point for the Premier League champions, who were again awful after a 3-0 home thumping at the hands of Bournemouth last time out.However, it only served the sting the Hornets into a late flurry, which handed Javi Gracia a massive win on his home bow as Watford boss.




Tiemoue Bakayoko was booked twice inside five first-half minutes, although the Blues were already in the midst of a sloppy performance, in which they failed to test Watford's back line sufficiently.

And Watford led before half-time when Troy Deeney slammed home a penalty after Thibaut Courtois felled Deulofeu, although the Watford captain could face trouble after celebrating by brandishing his middle finger.

Hazard's impact seemed to have salvaged a draw, but with Chelsea with open at the back, Janmaat restored Watford's lead and Deulofeu, on his home debut, curled home before substitute Pereyra lashed in Watford's fourth to complete a famous win.

Conte spoke pre-match of desiring a statement of support from the Chelsea board, but after three defeats in four games in all competitions his time at Stamford Bridge could be coming to an end, with Tottenham now just a point behind the fourth-placed Blues.


As Chelsea routinely dithered in possession, Watford started on top, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and an unmarked Deeney shooting off-target, and the Blues poor opening to the game was worsened when the struggling Bakayoko was dismissed before the half-hour.

A clumsy foul on Capoue had earned Bakayoko his first booking and his second came soon after, referee Mike Dean brandishing red after a coming-together with Richarlison, although the decision seemed harsh.

Richarlison fired straight at Thibaut Courtois after a one-two with Doucoure, then Dean was at the heart of the action again, awarding Watford a penalty.Deulofeu poked the ball past Courtois and tumbled over the goalkeeper, with Deeney stepping up to smash home from 12 yards.

Chelsea's lacklustre showing continued after the interval and the lively Deulofeu came close to extending Watford's lead, before David Luiz lost possession to Deeney on the edge of his own box, with Richarlison curling his shot wide.

Conte's response to Chelsea's flat performance was to throw on new signing Olivier Giroud for a debut, and his fellow substitute Cesc Fabregas mustered Chelsea's first shot on target after 80 minutes, having being picked out by the previously anonymous Hazard.

But Hazard suddenly jumped into life, beating Adrian Mariappa and whipping in a delightful 25-yard strike to bring Chelsea level, although within two minutes the champions were behind again.With Chelsea left short at the back, Janmaat combined with substitute Pereyra in style before beating Courtois, the goalkeeper soon picking the ball out of his net twice more.

Deulofeu's first Watford goal consigned Conte's men to another defeat but worse was to come, Pereyra finding the top corner from a tight angle to wrap up a miserable night for Chelsea.

 

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'Perfect player' Sanchez can lift Lukaku – Rooney


Alexis Sanchez is the perfect player for Manchester United, according to former captain Wayne Rooney, who believes the Chile star can bring out the best in team-mate Romelu Lukaku.Sanchez swapped Arsenal for rivals United during the January transfer window and scored on his Premier League debut in Saturday's 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

United's all-time leading goalscorer Rooney — now back playing for boyhood club Everton — believes Sanchez can help inspire the Red Devils, who have not won the title since Alex Ferguson's final season in 2012-13.

"For me, he's the perfect player for Manchester United. He's got aggression, he's got passion, desire and you can see he's a winner," Rooney told Sky Sports."They are the players you want, almost like when [Carlos] Tevez joined United [from West Ham in 2007]."Them players lift the other players and get an extra 10 per cent of the players around him. I think Alexis Sanchez will do that."

Lukaku also scored against Huddersfield at Old Trafford, taking his season tally to 12 goals in the Premier League after his £75 million arrival from Everton.The Belgium international striker has been criticised for some of his performances this term, but Rooney feels Sanchez's presence will ease the burden on Lukaku.

"I think that's what Manchester United have lacked, players around Lukaku who are going to push Lukaku on as well and try help him get a bit more freedom and score more goals," Rooney added.Sanchez's deal involved out-of-favour playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan moving in the opposite direction to Arsenal.

The Armenia star has hit the ground running at the Emirates Stadium, providing three assists in Arsenal's 5-1 rout of Everton."I think at Manchester United he didn't get the freedom he really wanted to go and perform, that he had at Dortmund and that style of play that Dortmund played," Rooney said.

"And at Arsenal he'll have players round him running off the ball, taking the ball and he'll create goals and score goals. I really do think he'll kick on."

 

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Rooney: Kane may leave Tottenham if Spurs don't win trophies


Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney believes Spurs star Harry Kane could leave Tottenham in pursuit of trophies.

Kane – linked with Real Madrid – has established himself as one of the most lethal strikers in Europe, having won back-to-back Premier League Golden Boot awards.The 24-year-old tops the scoring charts again this season with 22 after reaching 100 Premier League goals in Tottenham's thrilling 2-2 draw at Liverpool Sunday.

Tottenham, fifth in the table and a point outside of the Champions League places, finished second last season, but Rooney warned Kane's motivation may turn from goals to trophies.

"At the moment, he is probably the best striker in Europe," Everton veteran Rooney told Sky Sports."He can go where he wants to, he's that good. He is like a young Alan Shearer. He scores all different types of goals.

"The problem that Tottenham are going to have is that his motivation is goals, but his motivation is going to change from goals to trophies."And if Tottenham don't win trophies in the next year, maybe two, he is going to want to move elsewhere to win trophies.

"That is a decision he is going to have to make in the next year or two, but Tottenham have also got to make a decision — bring more players in and have a real push to win the Premier League."Rooney added: "The goals are great, and they take you to a certain level. But the top players are remembered for the trophies they have won. The trophies take you on to that next level.

"I think if Harry Kane was in Man City's team and was going to win the Premier League this season, people would be talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Harry Kane."

 

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'Winner' Conte rejects claim player power will decide Chelsea fate


Antonio Conte declared himself a "winner" despite a second thrashing for Chelsea in six days, with the Italian rejecting suggestions player power could hold the key to his Stamford Bridge future following the 4-1 drubbing at Watford.One UK newspaper reported Conte would be sacked if his side followed a 3-0 humiliation at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Wednesday with another loss to Watford.

After Tiemoue Bakayoko's first-half red card, late goals from Daryl Janmaat, Gerard Deulofeu and Roberto Pereyra condemned Conte's men to another heavy defeat - the first time Chelsea have lost consecutive Premier League games by a margin of at least three goals since 1995 .

The heavy defeat at Vicarage Road on Monday piles the pressure on Conte and, although Eden Hazard scored a fine equaliser before Watford's late flurry, the Belgium star was among a few key players who were notably well below-par.Conte, however, denied claims his future at Stamford Bridge could be decided by his players, with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich reportedly in London to check on the club's stilted progress.

"It is very difficult for me to transfer my thoughts," Conte told a post-match press conference. "I hope tonight you understand me, I am not worried about my job. I work every day and give 100 per cent. I am not worried."Every day and every press conference I am asked, but no. Tomorrow is another day. My soul is clear and I go to sleep without the problem that maybe I could do this. I try to do everything. If this problem becomes of the club it is okay. Life goes on.

"Do you think that a club can decide to sack a coach if there is not the support of the players? I think only here, only here, you think this. You think that the players have this power? Yes? This is wrong. This is wrong. If this happens, okay."But, I repeat, in my life when I was a player, I was captain of Juventus and never, ever, did I speak about a coach with my club. And, if the club tried to ask me, this is not my problem.

"My task is to work with these players and to have honest players and they work with commitment. The problem is you try to create the problem. I do my job and I have zero issue to sleep."For sure, this is a difficult moment. If we want to find excuses, alibis, we can find everything. Tiredness, injuries... but this is not my way to face the situation, to solve the problem.

"The problems - you have to solve with work. You don't win with excuses. In my life, I like to be a winner - and I'm a winner."

 

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Sochaux 1 Paris Saint-Germain 4: Di Maria hits treble in easy Coupe de France win

Angel Di Maria scored his first hat-trick for Paris Saint-Germain as the Coupe de France holders cruised into the quarter-finals with a 4-1 win at Sochaux on Tuesday.

Neymar was rested by Unai Emery after his birthday celebrations at the weekend but PSG did not miss the Brazilian as they remained on track to win the tournament for the fourth year in a row.Di Maria starred in Neymar's absence, opening the scoring in the first minute by nodding in Kylian Mbappe's cross, and the Argentina international added two more in the second half.




Sochaux had drawn level thanks to a fine finish from Florian Martin, but the gulf between the sides was evident and, after Edinson Cavani put the Ligue 1 leaders back in front, PSG could have made the scoreline even more convincing.

Di Maria struck a brace in a demolition of Rennes earlier in the tournament and Ligue 2 side Sochaux struggled to cope with him and Mbappe, PSG winning their 21st successive Coupe de France match at a canter, despite Kevin Trapp's red card meaning Dani Alves had to go in goal.Emery had withdrawn January signing Lassana Diarra, Cavani and Marco Verratti for the closing stages, with PSG having one eye on next week's Champions League last-16 tie with Real Madrid as they continue their quest for a quartet of major titles.


PSG took just 54 seconds to score the opening goal, Di Maria on target with a back-post header.Florian Tardieu lost possession in his own half with PSG immediately springing into attack and Mbappe picked out the Argentine for a simple close-range finish.

Tardieu and Florin Berenguer came close to levelling and Sochaux's strong response to falling behind earned a deserved equaliser in the 13th minute as Martin thumped home after Verratti wasted two opportunities to clear.

Di Maria should have restored PSG's lead but somehow failed to get any contact on Mbappe's low ball two yards out, but Cavani would soon get the holders back on track.

PSG's record goalscorer tapped in at the back post from Layvin Kurzawa's left-wing cross after Di Maria had split the Sochaux defence and Thiago Silva headed against the crossbar after 40 minutes as the chances continued to come.

And PSG effectively wrapped up their victory in the 58th minute, Verratti playing a neat one-two with Julian Draxler to carve Sochaux apart, Di Maria finishing well across Lawrence Ati for his second of the night.Within four minutes Di Maria had claimed a match ball for the first time since 2010, capitalising on Ati pushing Cavani's powerful shot into the danger zone by flicking the loose ball home.



Di Maria could have had a fourth but kneed another Mbappe cross wide after 76 minutes, while substitute Javier Pastore failed to convert an impudent chipped centre from his compatriot to make the scoreline even more emphatic.

Trapp was perhaps harshly dismissed for catching Thomas Robinet after racing out of his box, meaning Alves had to take the gloves for the final few seconds, but PSG's place in the quarter-finals was never in doubt.

 

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Coutinho: 'Incredible' Messi improves every day


Barcelona star Lionel Messi gets better every day, according to team-mate Philippe Coutinho.

Messi is enjoying another stellar campaign with the La Liga giants, scoring 27 goals in 34 games in all competitions.Coutinho, a €160million arrival at the Camp Nou from Liverpool in January, said it was amazing to see Messi, 30, still improving.

"It seems incredible, but every day Messi gets better, and as a team-mate I can only take advantage of my moments with him," the Brazil international told 8TV ."I've learned a lot from everyone and I've tried to take advantage of everything they taught me."

Coutinho is still settling in at runaway league leaders Barca, making four appearances for the club so far. The 25-year-old praised Ernesto Valverde, saying the Barcelona coach was continually seeking to make his team better.

"Valverde welcomed me in, and he is always seeking to improve the team's game," Coutinho said."He talks a lot with players in training and corrects positioning, which is important."

Barcelona face Valencia in the second leg of a Copa del Rey sem-final on Thursday. The Catalans are nine points clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid heading into the business end of the season, and have draw Chelsea in the round of 16 in the Champions League.

 

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Aubameyang isn't another Alexis - Wright urges Arsenal's £55m new boy to be himself


Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang must be left to do what he does best, says Ian Wright, with Arsenal’s record signing not an Alexis Sanchez clone.

The Gunners saw their 30-goal top scorer from 2016-17 head for the exits during the January transfer window as a want-away figure secured himself a switch to Manchester United.Arsene Wenger landed Henrikh Mkhitaryan as part of a swap deal and had already added Alexandre Lacazette to his ranks over the summer.

He was, however, to splash out another £55 million on Aubameyang, with the Gabon international snapped up after proving himself to be a prolific marksman at St Etienne and Borussia Dortmund.

The 28-year-old is already up and running for Arsenal and Wright wants Arsenal to make the most of his predatory instincts rather than demand that he replicates the work rate of Sanchez.The Gunners legend told Radio 5 Live: “It’s been mentioned about Aubameyang not having enough touches in matches. “He can get away with that.

“If he stays right at the top there and let him get on with it, then why do you want touches when you’ve got [Mesut] Ozil, Mkhitaryan and all those players?
“You can stay on the edge and not touch it.“If Arsenal can play to his strengths, he’s that kind of player who could have four touches and score four goals.”

Wenger will be hoping to see that prediction proved correct.Aubameyang’s classy finish on debut against Everton – albeit having strayed offside – helped to show what he will bring to the Arsenal cause if given regular sights of goal.

He should get plenty as well, with Mkhitaryan a player he knows well from his days at Dortmund and Ozil finally free of the uncertainty which has clouded his campaign after committing to a new contract.

 

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Muller suffers thigh injury in Paderborn thrashing


Thomas Muller suffered bruising to his thigh in Bayern Munich's 6-0 DFB-Pokal quarter-final win over Paderborn, head coach Jupp Heynckes has confirmed.The Germany international was replaced by Corentin Tolisso after 32 minutes of Tuesday's match, with Bayern leading 2-0.

Heynckes says the forward was taken off as a precaution and expects updates on the problem over the coming days."Muller has a bruised thigh so we'll have to see how the injury develops over the next few days," he said. "He could have carried on, but was restricted and unable to give his maximum."

Muller's injury did not prove a hindrance to Bayern, with Joshua Kimmich, Tolisso and an Arjen Robben double adding to Kingsley Coman and Robert Lewandowski's earlier goals to secure their semi-final spot."Of course, everyone is delighted that we have qualified for the next round," said Heynckes. "We dealt with the difficult surface very well, scored wonderful goals and deserved the win."

Kimmich was impressed with the way the 3.Liga leaders performed at Benteler-Arena, despite the one-sided nature of the scoreline."They played really bravely," he told Sky. "Huge compliments to Paderborn. They tried to play football on this surface."

Paderborn coach Steffen Baumgart added: "It's impressive how they take advantage of things. We tried, but the opposition was too big for us."

 

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Courtois admits 'heart is in Madrid' as he waits on offers from Real and Chelsea


Thibaut Courtois is waiting on the offer of fresh terms at Chelsea, but admits his “heart is in Madrid” amid links to La Liga giants Real.

The Belgium international goalkeeper has long been linked with a switch to Santiago Bernabeu, having previously enjoyed a productive three-year loan spell at cross-city rivals Atletico.His young family remain based in the Spanish capital, with that emotional draw set to lead him back to La Liga at some stage.

Courtois admits he is no position to predict at present when such a move will be made, with the 25-year-old talking with Chelsea but aware that a counter approach could be made from elsewhere.Speaking to Belgian publication Sport/Foot Magazine, he said: "My personal situation is related to the city of Madrid.

"My two children live there with their mum. I have my daughter every day on FaceTime. She often tells me that she misses me. My son is still too small to communicate like that. "Whenever I have the opportunity, I try to return to Spain. As a situation, it is not always easy. Yes, my heart is in Madrid. It is logical and understandable.

"If they [Real] want me, they have to contact Chelsea. We'll see. But they have not done that. What is certain is that one day I will return to Madrid. I love Spain, I love the city, I spent three wonderful years there. It is there that I became an adult.

"Atletico was a real group of friends. We went out together and my team-mates taught me a language I did not know at all when I arrived. When I left, I cried. My first days in London were not easy. England, when I arrived, was colder, more business. Now, I feel very good here."I understand that the rumours are coming back today, as we are talking about a new goalkeeper there [at Real]. But I do not pay much attention to that, I stay focused on Chelsea.

"If Real are really interested, my personal situation could influence things. The family aspect is priceless. But I repeat to you that, for the moment, I'm busy talking to Chelsea to extend."Courtois is currently under contract at Chelsea until 2019, but fresh terms have been mooted for some time.

He added on how those discussions are progressing: "We agreed to meet again in February because the club had more urgent issues to deal with in January."There is no rush, I am under contract until 2019. Normally, there is no problem, I will extend. I am happy here and I see a club that still wants to win a lot of titles. The signs are positive."Their desire to also extend Eden Hazard's deal reassures me."

 

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Paderborn 0 Bayern Munich 6: Heynckes' treble quest rolls on

Bayern Munich breezed into the semi-finals of the DFB-Pokal with a 6-0 win over Paderborn on Tuesday.

First-half goals from Kingsley Coman, Robert Lewandowski and Joshua Kimmich laid the foundations for a comfortable victory at Benteler-Arena, while a header from Corentin Tolisso and an Arjen Robben double added gloss for Jupp Heynckes' side after the break. It means their hope of a second treble under Heynckes, under whom they won the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and Champions League in 2012-13, remain intact.




The visitors, who fielded a strong line-up against the 3.Liga leaders, survived a close offside call in the early exchanges before Coman and Lewandowski struck to put them in charge, the latter taking his tally for the season to 25 in all competitions.

Kimmich added a third ahead of the interval and Tolisso's emphatic finish made it 4-0 with just 55 minutes played, before two late Robben goals saw Bayern secure their place in the last four in style.

The Bundesliga leaders, who are on an 11-game winning run, now turn their attention to top-flight meetings with Schalke and Wolfsburg before the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie with Besiktas on February 20.


Lewandowski had a header saved early on but Bayern were fortunate to avoid going behind eight minutes in, when Sebastian Schonlau's goal was ruled out for offside despite the centre-back appearing to be level following Marlon Ritter's free-kick.

Bayern soon took charge of proceedings. With 19 minutes played, Coman swept home from six yards out after Thomas Muller saw a shot blocked in a scramble in the penalty area.The away side doubled their lead six minutes later, with Lewandowski chesting down and firing expertly across goal and into the left-hand corner after being picked out by Coman.

Muller was withdrawn after picking up a knock but it was 3-0 before half-time, with Kimmich allowed time and space in the penalty area to think about squaring for Lewandowski before clipping a clever finish past goalkeeper Michael Ratajczak.

Tolisso, who replaced Muller in midfield, saw a shot pushed around the post by Ratajczak seven minutes after the restart, but he made it 4-0 from the resulting corner, powering home a header from James Rodriguez's delivery as the Paderborn defence disappeared.The scoreline was harsh on the home side, who had performed well, and their frustrations deepened when Ben Zolinski's shot deflected off Niklas Sule and came back off the right-hand post.

Ritter was denied by Sven Ulreich in the Bayern goal after another promising counter-attack, but Heynckes' men were otherwise untroubled before Robben blasted home from the edge of the area in the 86th minute after Sebastian Rudy's clever lay-off.

Robben scored his second two minutes later, converting a simple tap-in after Franck Ribery had eluded the offside trap, as Bayern secured a semi-final date on either April 17 and 18.

 

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Man Utd Premier League champions 2019? Mourinho backed by Alenichev to deliver title


Jose Mourinho will deliver Premier League title success at Manchester United, potentially as early as 2019, says Dmitri Alenichev.The Red Devils turned to a proven winner in 2016 after enduring a humbling fall from grace in the wake of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement.

Three trophies were secured during a productive debut campaign under the Portuguese, but restoring domestic dominance in the English top-flight remains the ultimate target.

Arch-rivals Manchester City appear set to prolong that wait in 2018, but Alenichev expects Mourinho to see out a long-term project at Old Trafford and meet the demands of an expectant fan base.

A man who tasted UEFA Cup and Champions League success under the 55-year-old at Porto told RT Sport: “If I am honest, yes, I think [Mourinho] will stay at United for at least another three years. He is the kind of manager that Manchester United need, he is indispensable to them.

“Currently Manchester City are outdoing every team in the Premier League. But I think if Mourinho stays – the club hierarchy can decide that – if he stays, then even as soon as next year Man United have a real chance of becoming Premier League champions.” While being tipped to conquer the Premier League for a fourth time, Mourinho may find the going a little tougher in Europe.

United have returned to Champions League competition this season, but their manager will need to produce something special if he is to repeat his past successes at Porto and Inter.

“Maybe the favorites will be more Real Madrid, or Manchester City, or Barcelona,” added Alenichev.“I wouldn’t put United first in the list of favourites to win the Champions League, but in football all sorts of surprises get thrown up. Who knows, maybe even United can win it.”

United are through to the last-16 stage of the Champions League, where they will meet La Liga side Sevilla, but there are a number of European heavyweights still in contention for the 2018 crown.

 

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Man Utd Premier League champions 2019? Mourinho backed by Alenichev to deliver title

Aniwaryen puluwan

Habai ithin ekata team performance meeta wada godak improve karaganna one​