..::Football IV::..

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Bilic: Payet will definitely stay at West Ham

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic has reiterated the club's desire not to part with star forward Dimitri Payet.

Payet signed a fresh five-year deal in February following a stellar debut season in the Premier League, however, the France international continues to be linked with a move away from London.

Having previously said he would not "close the door to anything", a possible reunion with Marseille has been reported.Payet was also substituted during Monday's 2-0 loss to Manchester United, but Bilic insisted it was not something to look into.

"We said that he started the season and we are moving up and forward and we want to keep our best players," Bilic said.

"He is definitely our best player and we want to keep him. He's playing well, playing good. Recently he's playing really good. He worked really hard today."Don't forget we put in this amount of energy two days after a game [Saturday's loss away to champions Leicester].

"He showed his quality and energy for the team. He had to defend a lot, very deep against [Antonio] Valencia. He doesn't look troubled [by the speculation]."Payet has scored two goals in 18 Premier League appearances this season, while tallying six assists.

 

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'I was just following orders!' - Game-changer Rashford praises Mourinho after Man Utd win

Marcus Rashford said he was "just following orders" handed out by Jose Mourinho after coming off the bench to inspire Manchester United to a 2-0 win at West Ham.

The England striker was introduced after 58 minutes at London Stadium and created the opening goal five minutes later, wriggling free down the left flank before pulling the ball back for fellow substitute Juan Mata to score.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic added a late second for United against a West Ham side reduced to 10 men after just 15 minutes following Mike Dean's decision to send off Sofiane Feghouli for a challenge on Phil Jones.

Asked what message Mourinho had given him before he went on, Rashford said: "He just told me to stay wide and try to isolate the full-back and we did in the end. I'm just following orders, of course!"I'm very pleased with the three points."We're in and around the top four. It's very tight between sixth and second so we have to take it game by game and try to win every game."

The win moved United within a point of fourth-placed Arsenal, who play Bournemouth on Tuesday.Mata added: "We needed to win. We knew about the results from our rivals so we needed to get the three points."It started to feel like one of those nights. Marcus did a great job on the wing and I just tried to put the ball in the back of the net.

"[Mourinho told me] just try to score, try to create something. There were some spaces in between the defenders and I just tried to create some chances. With the help of everyone, we won and we continue on this run of results."Mourinho was pleased his substitutions had paid dividends, with his team starting to look frustrated at their inability to break West Ham down.

The Portuguese told the BBC: "These fixtures are very difficult for everyone but I managed to calm the team and tell some key players in the second half to do exactly what I want."I was happy with my choices in the second half, with Mata and Rashford, because they gave us what we needed.

"In the past two matches, Rashford was absolutely crucial to us. I know that they [West Ham] don't have another right-back on the bench and I felt that Marcus could finish the job for us."Mourinho believes the 19-year-old has what it takes to become a major player for United in the years to come.

He said: "It's a bit of everything but he's the one who is responsible. He is very professional, very mature. For sure people in the academy and Mr [Louis] Van Gaal had a contribution to his formation, which we'll try to end in the next couple of years.

"He's a Manchester United player with Manchester United DNA and with Manchester United quality."

 

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Man City could sign central midfielder in January

Manchester City are exploring the possibility of signing a central midfielder in the January transfer window, Goal understands.

City sporting director Txiki Begiristain has publicly played down the chances of any January signings, other than the arrival of Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, but privately he is working to bolster the squad in certain key areas.

Pep Guardiola has admitted he would like to bring a new full-back to the club this month, and City's decision to loan out Angelino and Pablo Maffeo, two young options for the position, suggests the Catalan will get his way.There is also a suggestion that the Blues would sign a central defender if the right option presents itself, with Southampton's Virgil van Dijk a target.

But while defensive reinforcements are seen as a priority, the club have been open to signing a midfielder since Ilkay Gundogan injured his cruciate knee ligaments in the middle of December.

And with Fernandinho now set to miss the next four matches after being sent off against Burnley on Monday, his second Premier League red card of the season, City's options in the middle of the pitch are even more limited.

Fernando, Yaya Toure and Fabian Delph, who has missed most of the campaign through injury, represent the club's available senior options, while 19-year-old Aleix Garcia will also be hoping for game time, although he has not featured since a late cameo against Middlesbrough in November.

Sevilla midfielder Steven N'Zonzi has been linked with a £25.6 million move to the Etihad Stadium, though it is understood City would bring in a short-term solution, potentially on loan, if they cannot attract a more expensive target who could be expected to contribute for years to come.

Man City battle to victory but public opinion on Guardiola is wavering
Meanwhile, City will finally welcome Gabriel Jesus to the club on Tuesday. The 19-year-old, who signed from Palmeiras in the summer but was allowed to finish the Brazilian season with his boyhood club, arrived in Paris on Tuesday morning before flying on to Manchester.

Jesus has had around three weeks off over the Christmas period but Guardiola does not expect him to take too long getting up to speed when he finally starts training with his new team-mates this week.

 

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OFFICIAL: PSG sign Draxler for £30m

Julian Draxler's €35 million (£30m) move to Paris Saint-Germain from Wolfsburg has been finalised, with the winger signing a deal until 2021.

The Bundesliga club confirmed last month that the Germany international was due to complete a switch, with the Ligue 1 champions formally announcing the deal on Tuesday.Draxler, who will earn a salary of €9m, joined Wolfsburg from Schalke in 2015 and has a combined 153 league appearances for the two clubs."It is with great joy and great anticipation that I join Paris Saint-Germain," the winger told PSG's official website.

"For the first time in my career, I am going to discover a new country, a new championship and I am very proud to live this new stage in a club which has become a reference in Europe, which has recruited many very great players.

"I intend to help Paris Saint-Germain win new titles and continue to grow internationally."PSG have paid €35m up front for Draxler and will pay €10m in bonuses to Wolfsburg.

President Nasser Al-Khelaifi added: "I am delighted to welcome Julian Draxler into the family of Paris Saint-Germain."The signature of this coveted German international reaffirms the strong power of attraction of the club to the players of great talent.

"His qualities have everything to fit in the project of our team and to entertain our fans."With the recruitment of Julian Draxler, we maintain the ambitions of the PSG to a very high level."

'David Luiz protected better than if he were in family planning clinic' Draxler joins a PSG side toiling somewhat under new coach Unai Emery as they go in search of a fifth successive Ligue 1 title.At the mid-season break, PSG sit third, five points behind leaders Nice and three behind second-placed Monaco.

 

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Real Madrid defender Pepe ruled out with calf injury

La Liga leaders Real Madrid have confirmed defender Pepe has sustained an injury to the calf muscle in his left leg.The Portugal international last played in a 3-2 win over Deportivo La Coruna on December 10.

He travelled with the squad to Japan for the Club World Cup last month, but played no part as Zinedine Zidane's side defeated Club America and Kashima Antlers to lift the trophy.

And Pepe looks likely to miss at the least Madrid's Copa del Rey last-16 first leg against Sevilla on Wednesday after the European champions confirmed the 33-year-old's injury.

"Following the tests carried out on Pepe at the Sanitas la Moraleja University Hospital, the player has been diagnosed with a grade 2 injury to the inner calf muscle of his left leg. His recovery will continue to be assessed," a brief statement read on the club's official website .After facing Sevilla, Madrid return to La Liga action at home to Granada on Saturday.

 

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Zidane swats away speculation surrounding James, Pepe and Morata

James Rodriguez, Pepe and Alvaro Morata were the subject of much of Zinedine Zidane's news conference, the Real Madrid coach dismissing transfer rumours surrounding the trio.

Zidane faced the media ahead of Wednesday's Copa del Rey last-16 first-leg meeting with Sevilla as Madrid return to action in 2017, having lifted the Club World Cup in Japan last month.

The opening of the January transfer window has led to the usual speculation surrounding some of Madrid's stars, with James again a hot topic of conversation.
The Colombia international has found first-team opportunities hard to come by this season, fuelling rumours he could depart this month, although the player's father, his agent and Zidane have all insisted he will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu.

"James is a Real Madrid player, an important player," Zidane said."I get along with James just as well as I do with the rest of the players because they're all important and we're going to keep working together.

"It's a difficult moment when you don't get to play in a [Club World Cup] final, it's easy to be angry. I understand that it's difficult, but now that's in the past and we want to look at what's ahead of us and be together.

"Yes we've talked, I told him he's a Real Madrid player. He wants to be here, he's in the best club in the world. I want him here, there's nothing else to say. We'll keep doing our work and that's the important thing."

Zidane also addressed rumours concerning Pepe - who has been linked with a move to the Chinese Super League - and Morata, whom it was reported was unhappy and seeking a return to Juventus.

"Pepe is our player, an important player who's been here for 10 years and made history," Zidane said. "When you ask me about here and there I'm not interested.

"I'm interested in what he is going to do with us from now until the end."It [Morata speculation] is not close to the truth at all. Alvaro is happy here, this is his home, he's working well. He's 100 per cent behind this project and that's that.
"What people say outside this club doesn't really matter, I don't think it's true, but you'll have to ask them."

 

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Mourinho's side look more like the old Man Utd, says Neville

Jose Mourinho has got his rejuvenated side winning "a lot more like Manchester United used to", says Gary Neville.

The Red Devils, on the back of a frustrating opening to the campaign, have collected six straight Premier League victories.The most recent of those came away at West Ham on Monday, with the 10-man hosts seen off 2-0 by a thoroughly professional display.

Mourinho saw his substitutions work to perfection, with Juan Mata and Marcus Rashford making telling contributions at the London Stadium.

Fortune is favouring the Portuguese once more, having previously bemoaned a run of bad luck, and United's class of 2016-17 are starting to look more like the title-winning squads of old.

They are still 10 points adrift of table-topping Chelsea in the battle to land the top-flight crown but have moved to within one point of the top four and five behind second-placed Liverpool.

"They've probably left themselves too much to do," Neville told Sky Sports of a possible title bid."Their next league game is a big one, a really big one, a home game against Liverpool. I think that will really determine where Manchester United are at for the rest of the season.

"I think, if they can win that match, you can really see them being quite dangerous. They are on the up, they're getting better - a lot better than they were last season.
"The team is better, they've got more arrogance, more personality, and in the last two games they've been starting to win a lot more like Manchester United used to win."

United were famed for their style and swagger under legendary former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, with a side also capable of grinding out results helping themselves to 13 Premier League titles.

 

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Iheanacho not the same player under Guardiola - Owen

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is having a negative effect on Kelechi Iheanacho's confidence and ability, according to Michael Owen.The former Liverpool striker was impressed with Iheanacho's performances under Manuel Pellegrini, but believes he has "regressed" under Guardiola.

Iheanacho scored eight goals last season for City and has netted six times in the current campaign since Guardiola took charge at the Etihad, including four in the league.

But the Nigeria international lasted just 45 minutes of Monday's Premier League clash against Burnley being replaced at half-time by Sergio Aguero, who bagged the winning goal for City.

Owen believes that Guardiola's management style is affecting Iheanacho, and that he does not look like a striker filled with confidence.

"Iheanacho isn’t the same player he was once," Owen told BT Sport. "His confidence has taken a hit, I think he plays with lot of pressure as he is unsure what could happen next unlike when Pellegrini was in charge.

"He is surrounded by players he knows have the trust of the manager unlike during Pellegrini’s reign where he has the trust of the manager and knows it. "He has regressed under Guardiola. He is under pressure."Iheanacho could get another opportunity to start in Friday night's FA Cup third round visit to West Ham.

 

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OFFICIAL: Swansea confirm Clement appointment

Swansea City have appointed Paul Clement as their new head coach, the club have confirmed.

Clement, who succeeds Bob Bradley, has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at the Liberty Stadium and will take a watching brief for Tuesday's crucial Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, with the Swans bottom of the table. Bradley was dismissed after just 11 matches in charge last week with the club languishing in the relegation zone.

The likes of Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs and Wales boss Chris Coleman were linked with the position, but former Derby County manager Clement quickly emerged as the favourite.

And the 44-year-old has decided to leave his post as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant at Bayern Munich in favour of a switch to south Wales.As well as managing Derby, Clement has also held assistant posts at Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Clement will be the fourth man to take charge of Swansea in the Premier League this term, with Bradley replacing Francesco Guidolin, while Alan Curtis was in interim charge for Saturday's 3-0 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth and will again deputise against Palace.

Nigel Gibbs has been brought in as Clement's assistant, with the 51-year-old having been a number two at Reading, Leeds United and Millwall, while Karl Halabi joins as head of physical performance.

 

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OFFICIAL: Witsel completes move to China

Axel Witsel has completed his January transfer to Chinese Super League outfit Tianjin Quanjian after turning down Juventus.

The 27-year-old came within hours of joining the Italian giants in the summer, only for a deadline-day move to fall through, and was widely expected to complete the protracted transfer this month.€300,000 [£254,000] a week, has seen the Belgium international join the likes of Oscar and Tevez in making the move to the Far East for a fee understood to be €21 million [£18m].

Witsel, who has made 76 appearances for Belgium, will now play under former World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro at Tianjin after penning a five-year deal.

"It was a very difficult decision because on one hand there was a great team and a top club like Juventus," Witsel told Tuttosport on Monday. "But on the other there was a crucial offer for my family that I couldn't turn down.

"The directors at Juventus have always behaved like gentlemen with me and I can only be grateful to them.

"I will cheer for Juventus and I hope they can win the Champions League. Then who knows, maybe one day in the future our paths will finally meet."

 

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OFFICIAL: Leicester secure Ndidi signing

Leicester City are set to complete the signing of Genk midfielder Wilfred Ndidi.The 20-year-old is set to sign a five-and-a-half year deal with the Premier League champions, subject to securing a work permit.The Foxes will reportedly pay in the region of £15 million for the Nigeria international as they look to stave off the threat of relegation.

Ndidi has already undergone his medical at the King Power Stadium and Leicester expect the formalities of his transfer to be completed later this week.The 20-year-old has spent the past two seasons in the Belgian Pro League after joining Genk on his 18th birthday and helped the club finish top of Group F in the Europa League this season.

Since selling N'Golo Kante to Chelsea in July, Leicester have lacked the bite the France midfielder provided in their remarkable title-winning season.Manager Claudio Ranieri will hope Ndidi's arrival changes that, the defensive midfielder having impressed since his move from centre-back in 2015-16.

The Nigeria international quickly established himself as an integral player for Genk, encouraging clubs from across Europe to take note, but it is Leicester who have won the race for his signature.

 

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Barcelona loanee injured in training - Roma to evaluate Vermaelen calf swelling on daily basis

Thomas Vermaelen will be monitored on a day-to-day basis by Roma after tests revealed the on-loan defender has swelling in his left calf.

The former Arsenal centre-back, who is on loan from Barcelona, picked up the injury in Monday's training session.

Vermaelen has made just three Serie A starts for Roma in his time at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Belgian was sent off just 41 minutes into his Roma debut against Porto in August, following two bookable offences, the latter of which for catching Andre Silva with a high leg as the forward looked to burst through on goal in the Champions League play-off match.

Roma are four points behind leaders Juventus having played a game more and resume league action with a visit to Genoa on Sunday.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.01.03

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.01.03

Bournemouth Vs Arsenal

Crystal Palace Vs Swansea

Stoke City Vs Watford

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Spanish Copa Del Rey Fixtures 1st Leg 2017.01.03

Spanish Copa Del Rey Fixtures 1st Leg 2017.01.03

Osasuna Vs Eibar

Valencia Vs Celta Vigo

Real Sociedad Vs Alaves

Las Palmas Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

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Bournemouth 3-3 Arsenal: Gunners fight back to rescue precious point in title race

Arsenal produced an incredible comeback to seal a 3-3 draw at Bournemouth on Tuesday that could keep their Premier League title hopes alive.

The Gunners produced a dismal display for the first hour against a spirited Bournemouth, who took the lead through Charlie Daniels' composed finish as Arsenal loanee Jack Wilshere watched on from the stands.

Callum Wilson - whose penalty in the reverse fixture at the Emirates Stadium was Bournemouth's first competitive goal against Arsenal - doubled the advantage from the spot before half-time and Ryan Fraser made it 3-0 prior to the hour mark.

Arsenal, who were without the ill Mesut Ozil, gave themselves hope through Alexis Sanchez and Lucas Perez before Olivier Giroud headed home in injury time after Bournemouth had seen Simon Francis sent off.

The draw moves Arsenal to within eight points of leaders Chelsea, but they will drop out of the top four if rivals Tottenham beat Antonio Conte's side on Wednesday.

The leaders themselves could move 11 points clear of Arsene Wenger's men with a win over Spurs - a gap that would leave even the most optimistic of Arsenal fans fearing a 13th season without a title win.

Petr Cech was the busiest man in a positive opening spell from Bournemouth, with the Gunners goalkeeper saving a speculative effort from Junior Stanislas before just making enough contact on a through ball to deny Wilson a run at goal or a penalty shout.

But there was nothing Cech could do to stop the home side taking the lead after 16 minutes. Stanislas fired a long pass to Daniels on the left flank and the full-back skipped inside a challenge from the sleeping Hector Bellerin before side-footing home at the near post.

It got worse for Arsenal four minutes later, as Granit Xhaka shoved Fraser to ground inside the area on a Bournemouth break, allowing Wilson to sweep the ball down the middle and into the net from the penalty spot.

Aaron Ramsey, starting in the number 10 role in place of Ozil, flashed a shot wide on the turn, but Arsenal struggled to cause any undue problems for Artur Boruc and the Bournemouth defence.

Indeed, it almost got worse for the Gunners before the break, with Stanislas bending a shot inches wide of Cech's left-hand post from 20 yards in stoppage time at the end of the half.

Arsenal turned up the pressure early in the second half, but they thought they were 3-0 down after 55 minutes, only for referee Michael Oliver to award a handball in their favour after Wilson diverted Harry Arter's shot into the net with his arm.But Bournemouth only needed another two minutes to send the Vitality Stadium into dreamland. Fraser chased down a long ball with Bellerin before nudging the defender to the ground, striding into the area from the left and slotting low past Cech and into the bottom corner.

However, things soon unravelled for the home side. Sanchez dived to nod Giroud's header across goal into the net and give the Gunners a glimmer of a comeback with 20 minutes to play, before Lucas volleyed in expertly from a tight angle five minutes later to leave home fans fearing the worst.

Bournemouth lost Francis to a straight red card in the closing stages for a lunge on Ramsey and Arsenal made their superior numbers count, with Giroud glancing Xhaka's cross from the right into the bottom corner to salvage a draw.

 

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Arsenal lagen hoda comeback 1kak​

 

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OFFICIAL: Hull City sack manager Phelan

Hull City have announced they have parted ways with manager Mike Phelan.

Phelan took charge on a caretaker basis following the departure of Steve Bruce in July, before being handed the reins on a permanent basis in October.

However, Hull have won just one of their last 18 top-flight matches, with Monday's 3-1 defeat at West Brom proving Phelan's final match in charge.A statement read: "The club can announce this evening that it has parted company with head coach Mike Phelan.

"We would like to thank Mike for his efforts both as assistant manager [to Steve Bruce] and head coach over the last two years."The search for a replacement has begun and an announcement will be made in due course."

Former Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett is being heavily linked with replacing Phelan.

 

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Stoke 2-0 Watford: Crouch on target as Hornets' miserable run continues

Stoke City avoided a sixth straight game without a win as Ryan Shawcross and Peter Crouch secured a 2-0 Premier League win over Watford.

The hosts went into Tuesday's contest with pressure beginning to build on manager Mark Hughes but provided him with some welcome relief against a similarly out-of-form Watford side.

Injury-hit Watford, who were missing 10 first-team players for the game, had failed to win in their previous four and rarely looked like ending that run at the bet365 Stadium.

Stoke always appeared the more likely goalscorers, but it took them until the stroke of half-time to break the deadlock, captain Shawcross doing so by turning in at the near post from Charlie Adam's corner.Just under four minutes after the restart Crouch made it 2-0 with only his second league goal of the season.

Hughes' men had opportunities to put the game beyond doubt and were fortunate not to be punished as Watford wasted chances of their own in the closing stages, Stoke holding firm to go nine points clear of the bottom three.The two defences dominated the opening 45 minutes, with both sides struggling to carve out anything resembling a goalscoring opportunity.

Heurelho Gomes was finally tested on the half-hour mark, the Watford goalkeeper springing to his right to prevent Crouch from finding the net with a header from Erik Pieters' cross.

Watford spurned an opening of their own when Abdoulaye Doucoure opted to pull the ball back to Adlene Guedioura instead of shooting himself in space on the left-hand side of the box.

But, with the last kick of the first half, Watford fell behind as Shawcross swept home Adam's left-wing delivery, despite Gomes appearing to get a hand to the ball.

Stoke were grateful to Lee Grant - set to join the club on a permanent basis after a fee for the on-loan goalkeeper was agreed with Derby County - for preserving their lead as he kept out a curling Doucoure effort two minutes after the restart.

And their advantage was doubled two minutes later, Sebastian Prodl failing to deal with an Adam cross from the left and allowing Crouch to divert the ball beyond Gomes with his knee.

Ibrahim Afellay then fired a rasping long-range volley wide before his cross was inadvertently nodded down to Walters by Crouch, but the Republic of Ireland international was unable to beat Gomes from point-blank range.

Jerome Sinclair saw a header cleared off the line for Watford, with Prodl then heading narrowly wide from a corner, yet the visitors' defence remained extremely suspect and only another Gomes save from Walters stopped the scoreline from becoming an emphatic one.

 

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Crystal Palace 1-2 Swansea City: Rangel drags Eagles into relegation danger

Angel Rangel's dramatic late goal ensured Swansea City started the Paul Clement era with an important 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Crystal Palace, lifting them off the foot of the Premier League.

For large parts of the game it looked as though Clement, who signed a two- and-a-half-year deal to replace Bob Bradley at the Liberty Stadium on Tuesday, would be celebrating a 1-0 win, after Alfie Mawson headed his maiden goal for the club in the first half.

Palace thought they had earned a point when Wilfried Zaha - playing his last game before heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ivory Coast - levelled with a spectacular acrobatic volley in the 83rd minute.

However, there was time for another late twist from an unlikely source at Selhurst Park as Swansea - who won the chaotic reverse fixture 5-4 - stole the points when Rangel squeezed home a late winner.

Clement, who was supposed to be taking a watching brief but ended up on the touchline in each half, now takes over a side who are just one point adrift of Palace in 17th.

Opposite number Sam Allardyce, meanwhile, is still searching for a first win as Palace boss and he will be frustrated at seeing two penalty calls go unrewarded.
Swansea started well and Fernando Llorente nodded wide after good play from Wayne Routledge on the right.

The visitors launched a swift counter-attack in the 17th minute that led to Llorente playing in Jack Cork, who dawdled on the ball and allowed Wayne Hennessey to make a simple save.

Swansea remained in the ascendancy and Federico Fernandez - one of four changes - should have headed on target when he leapt to meet Gylfi Sigurdsson's teasing free-kick, before Routledge failed with a tame lob after eluding the offside trap.

Palace were lacking confidence and the home fans voiced their disapproval, but the Eagles faithful soon turned their ire towards referee Paul Tierney for not awarding a penalty to Christian Benteke, who felt he was clipped when leaping over goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski in the area.And their mood worsened three minutes before the break when the unmarked Mawson flicked a header into the bottom-right corner from Sigurdsson's free-kick.

Benteke, who was holding his shoulder late in the half, was replaced by Fraizer Campbell at half-time and Bakary Sako soon came on in place of Andros Townsend, who left the pitch to a handful of jeers.

And it was Sako who brought the first meaningful save out of Fabianski just shy of the hour mark with a stinging free-kick.Sako's introduction gave Palace added impetus and Rangel was fortunate not to concede a spot-kick for handball when challenging the winger.

But the equaliser arrived in the 83rd minute. Martin Kelly had space on the right and his cross into the area was met with a stunning scissor kick from Zaha that nestled in the left-hand corner.

Swansea were not to be denied, though, and substitute Rangel latched on to Leroy Fer's clipped pass before poking past Hennessey to seal an 88th-minute winner, much to the delight of the travelling supporters and new boss Clement.

 

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Las Palmas 0-2 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's men in control after convincing Copa win

Atletico Madrid's trademark defensive nous provided a strong platform as Diego Simeone's men began 2017 with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Las Palmas to put one foot in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

The home side dominated possession for much of the first-leg contest and produced some eye-catching football, but they struggled to break through the stubborn defence of an Atletico side who inflicted a first home defeat on Las Palmas in any competition since March.

Atletico's performance in the first half was vintage Simeone, as they took the lead through Koke against the run of play before then sitting back and absorbing pressure rather comfortably.

Las Palmas continued to enjoy more of the ball in the second half, with Jonathan Viera particularly lively, but they were caught out at the back just after the interval and Antoine Griezmann added Atletico's second from close range.

Kevin Gameiro should have put the tie beyond Las Palmas a few moments later, though Atletico were ultimately not made to rue that miss, keeping things tight at the back to take a commanding lead to the Vicente Calderon for next Tuesday's second leg.

Las Palmas looked the more purposeful of the two sides during the early exchanges and caused Atletico some bother in the 14th minute, but Miguel Angel Moya was alert as Asdrubal headed Viera's cross straight at the goalkeeper.

Atletico swiftly looked to take charge and Koke fired a warning shot shortly after, hammering into the side-netting from the left corner of the penalty area.And the hosts failed to heed that warning, as Koke put Atletico ahead in the 23rd minute – the Spain international sending a fierce 20-yard effort into the bottom-left corner.

Atletico showed little attacking intent thereafter until the break, challenging Las Palmas to break them down, and Quique Setien's men failed to pose much of a threat.Las Palmas' task was made even tougher five minutes after the restart.

Sime Vrsaljko's right-wing cross brilliantly picked out Kevin Gameiro at the back post and the Frenchman nodded the ball across the face of goal for his compatriot Griezmann to head into an empty net.Gameiro should have had a goal of his own soon after, but he blasted wide from 18 yards under pressure from Aythami Artiles at the end of a rapid break.

Las Palmas plugged away during the final stages and caused problems, with Vicente Gomez forcing Moya into a good save from just inside the area.But Atletico never looked like surrendering their lead and will be huge favourites to progress in the second leg.