..::Football IV::..

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    Chelsea 5-0 Everton: Hazard at the double as Conte's men go top

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    Chelsea cruised to the top of the Premier League with an emphatic victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge thanks to two goals from Eden Hazard with Marcos Alonso, Diego Costa and Pedro also on target.

    Not since winning the 2014-15 title have Chelsea led the top flight, but they took advantage of Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough earlier on Saturday to do so, though Arsenal or Liverpool could displace them by winning their respective matches on Sunday.

    Antonio Conte's team, unchanged for the fourth straight league match, ran riot and punished visiting manager Ronald Koeman for his decision to switch to a three-man defence.That surprise tactical change came despite Everton having ended a run of five games in all competitions without a win at home to West Ham last time out.

    Hazard opened the scoring in the 18th minute, converting for the fourth successive league game for the first time in his career, before Marcos Alonso opened his Chelsea account with his maiden goal for the club just 70 seconds later.

    Koeman sent Kevin Mirallas on for Bryan Oviedo in a bid to add stability through a more familiar formation, but the hosts continued to dominate and Diego Costa fired home three minutes before the interval.

    Hazard struck a sensational second 11 minutes into the second half before Pedro added a goal to his two assists, rounding off a phenomenal display of attacking football that extends Chelsea's unbeaten run at home against Everton to 22 matches.

    There were fireworks at Stamford Bridge ahead of kick-off and sparks soon flew on the pitch when Seamus Coleman's lunge on Costa went unpunished by referee Robert Madley.

    Chelsea applied all the early pressure and made the breakthrough when Hazard stepped inside from the left and curled an excellent finish past Maarten Stekelenburg, returning from a foot injury in place of Joel Robles.

    Within two minutes Conte's team doubled their advantage, Alonso scoring through a gap in Stekelenburg's legs after arriving to meet Pedro's square pass from the right-hand side of the box.Victor Moses volleyed against the post in the 34th minute and Koeman responded by replacing Oviedo with Mirallas and reverting to a four-man defence.

    That did not stop the flood of goals, though, as Hazard's corner was flicked on by Nemanja Matic at the near post and Costa drilled home a half-volley, though he failed to add to his tally from a one-on-one in first-half stoppage time.

    Chelsea continued to dominate and brilliant interplay between Hazard and Pedro on the right saw the Spaniard beat Ashley Williams and fire a low effort inside the near post.

    Stekelenburg kept out an acrobatic volley from Costa but the striker was integral to the hosts' fifth in the 65th minute. After nutmegging Phil Jagielka he teed up Hazard, and the winger's shot rebounded straight to Pedro for a simple finish.

    Pedro and Hazard received standing ovations as they were replaced in the closing stages, while Stekelenburg produced a good save to tip a volley from David Luiz over.

    Everton failed to get a single shot on target throughout the 90 minutes, with Chelsea, for whom fit-again John Terry made his first top-flight appearance since September 11 as a late substitute, keeping a clean sheet for the fifth straight Premier League match.
     

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    Simeone: No excuses for Atletico defeat

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    Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone refused to look for excuses in the wake of his side's 2-0 LaLiga defeat at the hands of Real Sociedad on Saturday.

    Second-half penalties from Carlos Vela and Willian Jose saw Atletico beaten for the second time this campaign and Simeone believes the home team were simply the better of the two sides at Anoeta Stadium."We never look for excuses," Simeone told reporters.

    "Both of the penalties were correctly awarded. The referee judged the action well.
    "Our defeat was a result of Real's good play. We played well in the first half and had good opportunities to score, such as Kevin Gameiro's chance, but in the second half Real Sociedad started better and from the first penalty onwards we could not find a way to equalise.

    "It is true that away matches are proving difficult for us this term."
    Atletico sit third in the table with 21 points from 11 games. Both Sevilla and Villarreal are potentially able to climb above them on Sunday.
     

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    Chelsea by far the better team, accepts Koeman

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    Ronald Koeman conceded that Chelsea were a class above his Everton side in Saturday's 5-0 battering at Stamford Bridge.

    Chelsea moved top of the Premier League after running roughshod against the sorry Toffees with the impressive Eden Hazard scoring a brace, while Marcos Alonso, Diego Costa and Pedro were also on target in a ruthless attacking display.

    Everton manager Koeman had no complaints about the outcome and tipped Antonio Conte's men to be in the running for the title come the end of the season."Yes, I think [they will be title contenders]," he said. "It's a difficult system to play against.

    "The big difference with Chelsea is they have that winning mentality. Not only that mentality, but the quality on the ball, with players like Hazard, Oscar, [Nemanja] Matic, [N'Golo] Kante."They are really strong. They were too strong for Everton."

    Koeman, though, is adamant that his players' efforts should not be questioned despite the heavy defeat."Maybe it looked like they were more aggressive, but they were more confident as well after the first and second goals," he said.

    "That was the difference. It looks like we don't run, but you have to accept that, sometimes in life, your opponent is by far the better team. That was what happened."

    Taking to Twitter, the Dutchman said: "Outclassed in every aspect of football today. Feeling sorry for the fans. Focus on the next game now."
     

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    Conte delighted with 'complete player' Hazard

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    Antonio Conte labelled Eden Hazard as a "complete player" after the Belgium international inspired Chelsea to a 5-0 hammering of Everton at Stamford Bridge.

    Hazard continued a fine run of form by scoring twice in a terrific showing, while Marcos Alonso, Diego Costa and Pedro were all on target as Chelsea went top of the Premier League by sweeping aside the Toffees.The Chelsea faithful awarded Hazard a standing ovation when he was substituted by Michy Batshuayi with 10 minutes remaining.

    Hazard has now scored in four consecutive league matches and Conte rates his star man among the best when he displays the sort of form he has shown in recent weeks.

    "Eden played an impressive game," he told BT Sport. "We know he's a great talent. I see he is working a lot for the team."He is a complete player when he plays in this way."

    Chelsea have now won five league matches on the spin during which time they have not conceded a goal and scored 16.

    Conte has been particularly pleased with the defensive improvement after Chelsea failed to keep a clean sheet in their opening six league matches, but the Italian is disappointed their momentum will be halted by the international break."I'm pleased, because to win in this way is fantastic," he said. "We played confidently, with a good intensity. All the players played in the right way with the ball.

    "We created many chances to score. Also, this is the fifth clean sheet in a row. It's fantastic because, if you look at the past, it is incredible to reach this number."It's a pity that now we have to stop for the international break. I wanted to continue.

    "I am pleased for the players, because they were fantastic. I am pleased, but we must continue to work very hard."
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Ronaldo set to sign new Real Madrid contract

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    Cristiano Ronaldo will sign a new contract with Real Madrid, keeping him tied to the club until June 2021, Marca reports.

    The Portuguese star is set to put pen to paper when his agent, Jorge Mendes, meets with Madrid directors in the coming days.

    Ronaldo will remain Madrid's highest paid player as most details have been finalised, though the duration could be changed before it is signed - potentially as early as Monday.

    The 31-year-old guided Los Blancos to an 11th Champions League crown last season before winning Euro 2016 with Portugal.He has scored seven goals in 11 games in all competitions this season.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    That was for Moyes, says hero Anichebe

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    Victor Anichebe dedicated Sunderland's first Premier League win of the season to boss David Moyes after the Black Cats came from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1.

    Despite falling behind early on and later having Steven Pienaar sent off, the visitors fought back to snap their 10-game winless run in the league.

    Anichebe levelled and then won the penalty from which Jermain Defoe netted the winner as Moyes, serving a touchline ban following a misconduct charge, watched on from the stands.

    "We did this for the manager. Over the last few weeks we have not done him justice," Anichebe, who ended a 546-day top-flight goal drought, told Sky Sports.

    "It has been a huge transition from last year to this one. For all the work the manager has done, this one was for him. He is the one who has been getting the blame, even though we are the ones on the pitch.

    "You could see by the reaction at the final whistle. We have wanted this result for so long. It was a must-win game, even when we were down to 10 men, we didn't sulk, we ground it out."

    Anichebe's goal showcased his strength as the former West Brom forward muscled his way into space before powering an effort past Artur Boruc.But the 28-year-old revealed he had been carrying an injury.He explained: "The first half I cracked my rib, I couldn't move properly."

    Defoe, who netted his sixth goal of the season, paid credit to the manager and Sunderland's support, who faced a 700-mile round trip to the south coast."It is a massive win. Week by week I feel like we have improved, it is just a case of luck," he said.

    "The energy levels were brilliant, we showed great team spirit and character when it was hard. Credit to the boys. "Managers get sacrificed at the end of the day, they put they work in but they can only do so much. It is down to the players.

    "David Moyes wasn't on the bench, but I can imagine he is delighted.
    "This win is for the manager and fans, who are unbelievable."
     

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    Real Madrid 3-0 Leganes: Bale stars as Zidane's men march on

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    Gareth Bale scored a brace as Real Madrid cemented their position at the top of LaLiga with a 3-0 home victory over Leganes.

    The Wales international, who signed a new six-year contract last week, scored twice in the final seven minutes of the first half before missing multiple chances to secure his hat-trick after the break.

    Alvaro Morata then sealed the win for Madrid with an impressive finish in the closing stages for his sixth goal in as many appearances across all competitions.

    The victory puts Zinedine Zidane's side – the only team still unbeaten in the top-flight – five points clear of Barcelona, who face an away game against Sevilla later on Sunday as Leganes stay in 17th after a fourth straight defeat.

    In another boost for Madrid as they recovered strongly from Wednesday's Champions League draw against Legia Warsaw, Luka Modric came off the substitutes' bench to make his first appearance in almost six weeks after a knee injury.

    Leganes made a competitive start to the game, with Madrid failing to register an attempt at goal until Morata headed just over from Bale's cross midway through the first half.Cristiano Ronaldo was in an offside position when he blazed over the crossbar and the Portugal international then dragged another shot wide.

    The Madrid breakthrough did arrive, though, in the 38th minute. Isco - in for the injured Karim Benzema - clipped through a great pass from the left that allowed Bale to race clear, round goalkeeper Jon Serantes at the second attempt and finish from a tight angle.Alexander Szymanowski's effort deflected just off-target at the other end, before Zidane's men struck again in first-half stoppage-time.

    Morata and Raphael Varane helped on a free-kick which caused disarray in the Leganes box, allowing Bale to scramble in his second from close range.

    Serantes was eager to deny Bale his hat-trick, getting down sharply to deny him as he raced clear early in the second half before sprawling left to keep out the winger's header from Ronaldo's delivery.

    Bale was persistent and worked Serantes with another header prior to Modric's return, while Szymanowski forced Keylor Navas to tip his shot over for Leganes after racing on to Omar Ramos' throughball.

    But the match was ended as a contest with 14 minutes remaining, as Morata latched on to Toni Kroos' pass, forced his way through challenges from two of the visitors' defenders and placed his finish past Serantes to cap a comfortable outing for the leaders.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Payet hints he may leave West Ham in January

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    Dimitri Payet says he is "not closing the door to anything" when questioned on a possible January exit from West Ham.

    The playmaker was an outstanding performer during his first season in England, helping the Hammers to finish seventh and earning a prominent role in France's run to the final of Euro 2016 on home soil.

    West Ham have struggled to recapture their best form since moving to London Stadium, failing to qualify for the group stage of the Europa League and winning just three of 11 Premier League matches so far this season.

    That has led some observers to suggest Payet could target a switch to a club competing for major honours and during an appearance on French television the 29-year-old was asked directly if he might leave West Ham during the mid-season transfer window.

    "I'm asking myself other questions, I have ambition, but I'm not closing the door to anything," he told Telefoot."It's always the sports project that interests me. For now, PSG [Paris Saint-Germain] and OM [Marseille] did not come to me [with an offer]."

    Of the Hammers' poor opening to 2016-17, he added: "It was a very bad start with West Ham, we're trying to get into the top half of the table."

    Former Bayern Munich and France defender Bixente Lizarazu was appearing alongside Payet on the programme and suggested the attacking midfielder, who left Marseille to join West Ham in June 2015, was ideally suited to the Premier League, saying: "I think the future of Dimitri will always [be in] England. He's made to play there."

    Payet also backed his international team-mate Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid to feature in the top three of France Football's prestigious player of the year award, the Ballon d'Or."I would like Griezmann to be on the podium for the Golden Ball," he said.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    'Goal machine' Aguero will not leave Manchester City, says Gundogan

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    Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan is convinced Sergio Aguero will stay at the club and has described the striker as a "goal machine".

    Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid have been among the major teams linked with a move for the Argentina international since he was dropped by manager Pep Guardiola for last month's Champions League defeat at Camp Nou.

    Aguero, though, was in the line-up for this week's home victory over Barca in the return match and scored his 150th City goal in Saturday's 1-1 Premier League draw against Middlesbrough."I think he will stay here - I have no doubt about that," Gundogan said to the Mirror.

    "Sergio is extremely important for us and while he didn't score against Barcelona in our Champions League win he worked a lot and ran a lot and just tried to keep every ball for us."He is very good. I'm lucky that I played with Robert Lewandowski at Borussia Dortmund and now Sergio.

    "Lewandowski, of course, is taller, but both are very strong and are able to keep the ball. And Sergio, he's just a goal machine. "I mean if he has the chances to score, then 90 to 95 per cent of the time he will score.

    "If you know you have such a player in your team then you know that you are always able to score and will always create your chances."
     

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    Juanfran confident Atletico will beat Real in Madrid derby

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    Juanfran is adamant Atletico Madrid will beat Real Madrid when the two La Liga rivals meet after the international break, despite Saturday's shock loss at Real Sociedad.

    Atletico's title challenge suffered a major blow after they were surprisingly beaten 2-0 by Sociedad on Saturday.

    Sociedad emerged triumphant thanks to second-half penalties from Carlos Vela and Willian Jose, leaving Atletico potentially six points adrift of Real if Zinedine Zidane's men beat Leganes on Sunday.

    Atletico have a chance to regroup heading into the international break but Juanfran has already set his sights on the Madrid derby on November 19."Atletico Madrid now have more time to plan ahead for this important game," the 31-year-old Spanish defender said.

    "We approach it with our heads held high and I'm sure that at home we'll win."
    As for the result and performance itself, Juanfran added: "There are no excuses."We were aware of the potential that Real [Sociedad] had and they played a good game.

    "They were better than us and we must congratulate them. Now we need to think ahead to the next game."
     

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    Arsenal 1-1 Tottenham: Kane penalty denies Gunners victory

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    Arsenal missed the chance to move top of the Premier League after being held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham in the north London derby at the Emirates.

    The unfortunate Wimmer became just the second man after Chris Armstrong to put through his own net in a north London derby during the Premier League era, as Spurs trailed going into the break.

    But England international Kane, back in the team after recovering from an ankle injury, struck from the spot early in the second half as Mauricio Pochettino's visitors earned a share of the spoils from an entertaining contest.

    The equaliser, Kane's fifth goal in four league meetings with the Gunners, saw the north London derby become the highest scoring fixture in Premier League history.
    The result leaves Arsenal third, one point behind leaders Chelsea and three ahead of fifth-placed Spurs.

    Tottenham started strongly on enemy territory, Kane narrowly failing to get on the end of an inviting pass to the back post five minutes in after good work down the left from Son Heung-min.And the striker was inches away from opening the scoring in the 21st minute, his glancing header bouncing narrowly wide from Christian Eriksen's cross.

    Arsenal's first clear-cut opportunity ended in disappointment just past the half-hour mark, Alex Iwobi shooting straight at Hugo Lloris after being played in by Alexis Sanchez.

    The Gunners slowly began to assert themselves and, with six minutes to go before half-time, Theo Walcott was found in space down the right and cannoned a vicious strike against the upright with Lloris beaten.

    The deadlock was finally broken - through an unexpected source - in the 42nd minute, Wimmer attempting to head clear Mesut Ozil's free-kick only to inadvertently dispatch the ball beyond the reach of the diving Lloris.Spurs responded by starting the second half strongly and were level in the 51st minute after Laurent Koscielny felled Mousa Dembele inside the area.

    Referee Mark Clattenburg had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Kane kept his cool from 12 yards, waiting for Petr Cech to dive before dispatching his penalty straight down the middle.

    Cech was called on to prevent Tottenham from going ahead four minutes later, producing an excellent reaction save to keep out Eriksen's shot after the Arsenal centre-backs failed to clear an awkward high ball.

    Jolted into life by those narrow escapes, it was Arsenal's turn to threaten in the 61st minute, Granit Xhaka coming agonisingly close to heading home Iwobi's inviting cross.

    Hector Bellerin almost restored Arsenal's lead when he broke into the area with 15 minutes to go, the full-back's deflected shot slipping wide of the post after ricocheting into the body of Kyle Walker.

    In the 84th minute, an Eriksen free-kick somehow evaded a host of bodies - including Cech - inside the area, before striking the post and bouncing clear, in what was the last real chance of a game, despite a sustained period of late Arsenal pressure.

    The next assignment for Arsene Wenger's men is a trip to face two old enemies in the form of Jose Mourinho and Manchester United after the international break, when Spurs host another capital city clash against West Ham at White Hart Lane.
     

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    Palermo 1-2 AC Milan: Late Lapadula strike gives visitors victory

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    Substitute Gianluca Lapadula salvaged a late 2-1 victory for AC Milan with his first goal for the club against Serie A strugglers Palermo at the Renzo Barbera.

    In his sixth top-flight appearance since joining from Pescara, Lapadula replaced Carlos Bacca - whose run without a goal now stands at five matches - in the 79th minute and flicked home the winning goal three minutes later.

    Suso had put Milan ahead in the 15th minute when he pounced on an error from Palermo goalkeeper Josip Posavec to drill home, but Vincenzo Montella's side stepped off the gas and came under intense pressure.

    Palermo deservedly restored parity in the 71st minute through Ilija Nestorovski, the Macedonian taking his tally for Serie A campaign to six - two-thirds of his team's total.

    After Posavec atoned with a pair of stunning saves from Suso, Lapadula restored Milan's advantage to deny Palermo a first point in front of their own fans this season.

    The goal was all the more important as, with Juventus winning 2-1 away at Chievo, Montella's team temporarily move into second and remain five points adrift of the Serie A leaders.

    Milan passed well in the opening stages and, after Giacomo Bonaventura fired wide, a mistake from Posavec led to the opening goal. The Palermo keeper failed to gather Mattia De Sciglio's deflected cross and Suso took full advantage.

    With M'Baye Niang absent due to illness Mario Pasalic was handed his first Milan start since joining on loan from Chelsea. He was denied a maiden goal for the club when Sinisa Andjelkovic's block stopped him converting the rebound after Posavec parried Bacca's fierce 25-yard drive.

    Palermo were by no means toothless, though. Bruno Henrique's low 20-yard drive was kept out of the bottom-left corner by Gianluigi Donnarumma before Thiago Cionek headed narrowly wide from the resultant corner as Roberto De Zerbi's side mounted a strong finish to the half.

    Second-half substitute Alessandro Diamanti added further energy to Palermo's attack and his surge down the right created an opportunity for Bruno Henrique, but the Brazilian was blocked from 12 yards by the sliding Gabriel Paletta.

    Diamanti continued to cause Milan problems and he slid in Nestorovski, who guided a cool finish past the onrushing Donnarumma and into the bottom-left corner with 19 minutes remaining.

    Milan reacted positively and Suso had a 25-yard free-kick palmed over by Posavec before the Croatian produced a sensational one-handed stop to deny the Spaniard from a similar distance off the resultant corner.

    But the pressure soon told, with another Suso drive heading straight to Lapadula. The striker showed great instincts to wrongfoot Posavec by flicking the ball into the opposite corner as it rolled between his legs.

    It will be a bitter defeat for Palermo who have now lost five Serie A matches in succession for the first time since March 2011, while Milan have won seven of their last nine outings.