..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho sets challenge to Martial after confirming he'll start against Wigan

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed Anthony Martial will start Sunday's meeting with Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup.

The France international has been in and out of the United starting XI throughout the season and was left out of last week's 1-1 draw with Stoke City in the Premier League as well as Thursday's defeat to Hull City in the FA Cup.Martial has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford due to a frustrating period, with his agent admitting an offer from Sevilla would be considered.

However, alongside goalkeeper Sergio Romero, he will be back in the team to face the Latics, and will have a chance to make a claim for a regular spot in the first-team.

Mourinho said: "This is the second match for us in the FA Cup and I want to do it in a serious way. We have to play with a very good team; the only player that is out is De Gea – I’ll give him a few days off.

"I will play Romero, I will put Joel on the bench and apart from that I go with a good team because we want to try to beat them. Anthony will play on Sunday and if he plays magnificently, he will play against Hull in the next match – it’s simple.

"I will make some changes – that’s obvious. We play Hull again three days after Wigan but I’m going to play a good team with the responsibility to give fans a good performance at home and with the responsibility to try to win against Wigan."

While United have been in good form of late, despite their recent defeat to Hull City, Mourinho is adamant his side appreciae the challenge ahead of them in the shape of Warren Joyce's men."We know the difficulty to play against Championship teams. We played Wigan already in pre-season and now they are with Warren [Joyce], who knows us well and will come with special motivation to play against his old club.

"I worked at the club with him for a few months but it was enough to know he’s a very nice man, a very passionate football man. He took the risk, accepted the challenge and left a good situation at this club.

"His team will be very aggressive, very well organised defensively and also emotional, like the manager is emotional, so it will be a difficult match."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Martial wa onawata wada pressure karanna hoda nahaahema unoth wenne kisi deyak karaganna bari wena 1ka​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Manchester City accept FA anti-doping charge

Manchester City have accepted a Football Association (FA) charge in relation to an anti-doping rule breach.

City were charged by the FA on January 11, with the association alleging that the Premier League club failed to ensure that their 'club whereabouts' information was correct.

Failure on the part of clubs to meet this requirement is contrary to the FA's regulations, which stipulate that accurate records must be kept in relation to training, including times, dates and locations.

Following City's acceptance of the charge, the case will now go before an Independent Regulatory Commission to be heard.A date has yet to be set for the hearing, but it is expected to occur within a number of weeks.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

OFFICIAL: Gomez signs new five-year deal at Liverpool

Joe Gomez has signed a new five-year deal at Liverpool following positive talks driven by Jurgen Klopp.The manager was keen to extend and improve the 19-year-old’s terms at the club, viewing him as a central part of the Reds’ rearguard in future.

Having turned down loan offers for the athletic, versatile defender, Gomez will continue his advancement on Merseyside with a contract that runs until 2022."He will have a big role to play in our future, but he's also important for our present," Klopp told the club's official website.

"He has all the attributes you need to succeed at the very highest level in his position. That is on the physical and the mental side, he has it all. But I think it's his hunger and willingness to learn that will serve him best in his career."

The England Under-21 international started the FA Cup match against Plymouth Argyle at Anfield as well as the replay at Home Park as he builds up his sharpness following the anterior crucial ligament rupture he suffered in October 2015.Gomez's rehabilitation process was set back by tendinopathy of the Achilles discovered during the summer.

The centre-back was also on the bench for the first leg of the League Cup semi-final at Southampton and the Premier League draw away to Manchester United.Gomez made seven appearances for Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers in 2015-16, operating at left-back, after signing from Charlton Athletic.
“I feel like I’ve been through so much since I’ve been here already,” he said.
“Having that year where I was shown a lot of support and so on from the fans, it made me have a good feeling around the club and made it feel like home to me.

“Putting that behind me, it’s nice to be back in the position to play and trying to do well for the club. I do feel at home here now and that’s obviously why I’m so happy to stay here for a good few more years.”Klopp, meanwhile, has revealed that he is unlikely to add to the Liverpool squad before the transfer deadline.

"What's your favourite answer?” he responded when asked if there was to be a surprise signing."I saw a few days ago this show [on TV] only about transfers. And after two minutes, I lost it. I thought 'which club? Which player?' Unbelievable!"If you want, I can say 'yes' and then you can put Liverpool on the screen. But it's not really likely."It's life and it's always possible. Maybe."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Inter target Verratti 'more than happy' at PSG, says agent

Marco Verratti’s agent insists the Italy international is “more than happy with his adventure at Paris Saint-Germain”.Speculation continues to suggest that the 24-year-old’s days in the French capital are numbered, with interest mounting in his services.

Chelsea have been credited with holding a long-term interest in the combative midfielder, with the Blues one of a few sides that boast the financial firepower required to put a deal in place.It is, however, talk of a possible return to his homeland that is building at present, with Verratti said to form part of ambitious plans at Inter.

Recent reports have suggested that a €78 million summer bid could be tabled from the San Siro, with the Nerazzurri prepared to spend big in an effort to reclaim domestic dominance.

Verratti’s representative doubts a Serie A switch will be made, though, as his client is settled at Parc des Princes and setting his sights on more major honours.

Donato Di Campli told Goal on the possibility of an Italian homecoming being made: "I believe that would be a major difficulty.“Marco is more than happy with his adventure at Paris Saint-Germain, a club with which he has a contract until 2021 and one where he is greatly admired by the supporters. It's obvious that he wants to win."

Di Campli has admitted in the past to having received offers from Serie A, telling TeleLombardia in December: "There are a lot of teams interested in him, but you would have to ask PSG.

"Will he stay in Paris for life? I can assure you - no. I can confirm that he has had offers from Italy, but I have no news at the moment.”Verratti has made 28 appearances for club and country this season, netting two goals.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Rakitic: There is no such thing as a replacement for Xavi

Ivan Rakitic insists that there is no way that he could replace Xavi at Barcelona.

The Croatian signed for the Catalans in 2014 - what proved to be Xavi's last season at Camp Nou - and won a treble of La Liga, the Champions League and Copa del Rey that term.

He went on to form a key part of Luis Enrique's plans in his first two seasons, while he has made 14 league appearances this season as Barcelona seek a third straight title.

However, Rakitic is adamant that he never thought of himself as Xavi's direct successor in midfield, stating that such a thing does not exist in football and insisting that he does not want to be compared to any of his team-mates, past or present.

"First point: replacing Xavi? That doesn't exist," the 28-year-old told Jot Down. "Secondly, I would like not to be compared with anyone, I want to be myself and give the team what I can.

"I don't dribble like Leo Messi, score like Luis Suarez, give passes like Andres Iniesta [and] I'm not always switched on like Gerard Pique but I think I add my qualities.

"With respect to Barca, maybe [the style has changed a little] but, if a team offers you that possibility, if they press high and leave space behind, it would be absurd not to emply [different tactics]. It would be to do what the rival wants."One thing is the players you have in your team, another is the way you have to plan keeping in mind the opposition."

Rakitic has been rotated more often this season as Luis Enrique explores his midfield options between summer arrivals Andre Gomes and Denis Suarez, with Rakitic increasingly linked with the exit door.

However, he says that he is at peace with his coach's decisions and, while he is keen to play, will continue to bide his time and give his best for the club."It's the manager's plan and you have to understand that," Rakitic added. "I would have liked to play more minutes but it's Luis Enrique's decision, he's in charge.

"What I can try is to show that I'm needed, even if sometimes I need to be given a break. I have to show that he can count on me and, if it's not possible [to play], to make sure he knows I'm at 100 per cent.

"You have to understand the role everyone has, like in any company. In a bar each person does their job; there's the barman, the waiter, someone else in the kitchen - it's the same at Barca.

"I would like to score all the goals Neymar, Messi and Suarez score but each person has to improve the team with what they can add."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Coutinho: I want to beat Barcelona at Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho has insisted he is not interested in joining Barcelona and wants to be part of a world-class team at Liverpool instead.

The Brazil playmaker recently signed a new contract running until 2021 at Anfield despite interest from Camp Nou and the possibility of linking up with his international team-mate Neymar.

Coutinho says he would rather help Jurgen Klopp turn the Reds back into the dominant domestic and continental force they were in the 1970s and 80s, when they won 11 English First Division titles and four European Cups.

"I believe in finding somewhere you can express yourself, play without fear, play with everything you have," he told the Daily Mail. "When you find that place, stay.

"This club, Liverpool, it has a plan: to be back on the top, and that's what I believe in. I want to be part of that.

"From the owner, the manager, my team-mates. There is nothing that stops us competing with the big clubs. Clubs in England. Clubs in Europe. Yes, clubs like Barcelona. Why not?

"This is a great club. I remember how helpful everyone was when I first came to England, like a family. They made me welcome, comfortable. They removed any obstacles, they allowed me to think first about football and second about football. I remember that.

"For certain, I am comfortable here, my family is comfortable here. No doubts."
Coutinho added that the feeling of belonging on Merseyside was a major factor in persuading him to sign a new deal."There are two parts to this decision [to sign]: first the ambition of the club and then my family," he said. "They are with me.

"Every player here is treated well. The club supports us and allows us to focus on the football. Not just me, everyone. Nothing special for me. There is a structure to help."When a new player comes, especially from abroad, they have a team to support the wife, the family. When I go to play, I can concentrate and play. It is professional, professional like a big club."

In terms of fulfilling his ambitions at Liverpool, Coutinho insisted there was no reason for him to wait any longer to renew his deal as the Klopp era at Anfield takes shape.

"No need to wait," he added. "I know. I live this every day, I can smell it. I see the ambition of the club, my team-mates, the manager. I am living it, seeing it. Wait to sign? No. No. Now is the right time."I understand what Liverpool means. We can say Dalglish, Rush, Hansen, Souness, Suarez, Gerrard. I've been here quite a few years already, it's not like I am new. I understand.

"To have signed a new contract at this club, my goal is to be thought of one day in the same way as these players. They are legends. You define the success of a player by his loyalty or his titles. Or both. In order to be part of this group, I have so much to do."I want to win titles. Five years is my new contract... it gives me that opportunity."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger slapped with four-match touchline ban for pushing fourth official

Arsene Wenger has been handed a four-match touchline ban and fined £25,000 for pushing fourth official Anthony Taylor during Arsenal's win over Burnley.

The Frenchman was sent to the stands in injury time of the 2-1 victory after clashing with Taylor, towards whom he was also charged with using abusive or insulting language.Wenger was also penalised for remaining in the tunnel area to watch the final minutes of the match.

As a result, he will not be in his technical area for the Gunners' crucial Premier League fixture against Chelsea on February 4 as well as three other games.

Wenger will begin his suspension immediately, sitting in the stands for the FA Cup tie at Southampton on Saturday before Arsenal take on Watford, Chelsea and Hull City in the English top flight.

The incident in question occured after he was sent off after complaining to referee Jon Moss about the awarding of a 93rd-minute penalty to Burnley, which Andre Gray converted to equalise before Alexis Sanchez netted a spot-kick of his own to seal a dramatic win for Arsenal.

After moving to stand in the tunnel amid a heated exchange with fourth official Taylor, Wenger appeared to push the official as he attempted to usher him away.

The 67-year-old apologised for his actions and requested a personal hearing with the Football Association, which took place on Friday before his suspension was announced."I regret everything," Wenger said after the game. "I should have shut up and gone home basically. And I apologise for that.

"It was nothing bad, I said something that you hear every day in football. Overall nine times out of 10 you are not sent to the stands for that but if I am I am and I should have shut up completely."I was quite calm the whole game, more than usual, but just in the last two or three minutes…"

A statement from the FA reads: "Arsene Wenger has been given a four-match touchline ban with immediate effect after he was charged for misconduct following Arsenal’s game against Burnley on Sunday 22 January 2017."It was alleged that in or around the 92nd minute, he used abusive and/or insulting words towards the fourth official.

"It was further alleged that following his dismissal from the technical area, his behaviour in remaining in the tunnel area and making physical contact with the fourth official amounted to improper conduct.

"The Arsenal manager, who was also fined £25,000, admitted the charge and requested a personal hearing which took place before an Independent Regulatory Commission [on Friday]."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

FA Cup Fixtures 2017.01.28

FA Cup Fixtures 2017.01.28

Liverpool Vs Wolves

Blackburn Vs Blackpool

Burnley Vs Bristol

Chelsea Vs Brentford

Crystal Palace Vs Manchester City

Lincoln Vs Brighton

Middlesbrough Vs Accrington

Oxford Vs Newcastle

Rochdale Vs Huddlesfield

Tottenham Vs Wycombe

Southampton Vs Arsenal​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.01.28

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.01.28

Villareal Vs Granada

Alaves Vs Atletico Madrid

Eibar Vs Deportivo

Leganes Vs Celta Vigo​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A Fixtures 2017.01.28

Serie A Fixtures 2017.01.28

Lazio Vs Chievo

Inter Vs Pescara​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.01.28

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.01.28

Ingolstadt Vs Hamburg

Leipzig Vs Hoffenheim

Darmstadt Vs Cologne

Werder Bremen Vs Bayern Munich

Wolfsburg Vs Augsburg

Leverkusen Vs Monchengladbach​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Falcao reveals he rejected three money-spinning Chinese offers


Monaco striker Radamel Falcao has revealed that he rejected no less than three offers to move to the Chinese Super League as he continues to put his career back on track.

Once considered one of the most fearsome strikers in world football, the Colombian lost ground after repeated injuries ruined spells at Manchester United and Chelsea.

Now back amongst the goals in the principality, however, El Tigre affirmed that he was not swayed by the astronomic salaries on offer in the Asian powerhouse.

"It's not easy to refuse such an offer," Falcao explained to L'Equipe. "I've already said no three times about going over there."And I believe that it's also not easy for the club, who have turned down a lot of money.

"But I feel something in my body, it's important for my career and for the team to be here. I want to win with Monaco. I want to show that I'm at 100 per cent."

Falcao went on to clarify that the possibility of falling out of Jose Pekerman's Colombia plans did not cross his mind in turning down the offers. "No, the coach calls up players who play in China. But I dream of winning something with Monaco," he added.

The 30-year-old forward has hit an impressive 18 goals in 22 appearances this season for Monaco, firing the Ligue 1 side to the top of the table as well as a place in the Champions League last 16.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Liverpool 1-2 Wolverhampton Wanderers: Klopp's side limp out of FA Cup

Liverpool's disastrous start to 2017 continued as Wolves won 2-1 at Anfield on Saturday to dump the Reds out of the FA Cup.

Richard Stearman opened the scoring early on with a header from close range, before Andreas Weimann made it two shortly before the break, with Divock Origi's goal coming too late for the hosts to try and snatch a draw.

Jurgen Klopp's men had won just one of their seven games since the turn of the
zyear ahead of this encounter, losing further ground on Chelsea in the race for the Premier League title, as well as being eliminated from the EFL Cup.

That poor run of form meant the FA Cup was arguably their only realistic chance of winning silverware, but Klopp nonetheless opted to field an experimental side, perhaps with one eye on Tuesday's match versus Chelsea, making nine changes to the team that lost to Southampton in midweek.

Klopp would be made to regret that decision, though, as Stearman and Weimann handed Wolves a two-goal lead at half-time.Liverpool managed to find a way back in late on when Origi found the net, but it was not enough, as their cup dreams came to an abrupt end in the fourth round.

Wolves got off to a dream start when Stearman opened the scoring after just 52 seconds. Helder Costa curled in a sublime free-kick from the right and the centre-back lost his marker before beating goalkeeper Loris Karius with a header from close range.

The Championship side continued to cause Liverpool all kinds of trouble in the opening stages and Costa got a fine chance to make it two after a superb run from his own half, the winger eventually aiming wide under pressure from Ben Woodburn.

Liverpool, meanwhile, struggled to create any chances of note in the opening stages, Lucas Leiva's wayward shot from 20 yards out and a Roberto Firmino strike that went high and wide their only minor moments of danger.

Things went from bad to worse for Liverpool in the closing stages of the first half when Weimann doubled Wolves' lead after a rapid counterattack. Costa shrugged off Alberto Moreno before setting up the Austria international and he coolly rounded Karius before slotting into the empty net to make it 2-0.

The Reds brought on Philippe Coutinho at half-time as they looked to get back in the game and Firmino threatened early on with a good header, only to see team-mate Ragnar Klavan divert the ball wide for a goalkick.

Coutinho then failed to worry goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne with an opportunistic long-range strike as Liverpool at last recorded their first shot on target at the hour mark.Fellow substitute Daniel Sturridge was next to try his luck as the hosts continued to look for a goal, aiming a shot straight at Burgoyne from 25 yards out.

Jon Dadi Bodvarsson then missed a late chance to net a third, before Origi pulled one back in the 86th minute, volleying home from just yards out after Sturridge had headed the ball back across goal.

There would not be a late equaliser, though, as Wolves eventually held on to record a sensational 2-1 victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Morata plays down exit talk amid Arsenal, Chelsea and Juventus links

Alvaro Morata has seen his Real Madrid future called into question but the striker insists that he remains fully committed to the Primera Division leaders.

Reports have suggested that the Spain international "feels cheated", with Cadena Ser claiming that he feels that promises made last summer have been broken.
That was said to have led to a breakdown in the working relationship between Morata and coach Zinedine Zidane.

With the 24-year-old apparently disilluiosned with life back at the Santiago Bernabeu, he was said to be mulling over another move.

A return to Juventus – who saw Madrid exercise a buy-back option his contract in 2016 – has been mooted, while Premier League heavweights Arsenal and Chelsea are long-time admirers.

Morata, though, has taken to social media in an effort to bring an end to the rumours, stating on Instagram: "Whatever they say #HalaMadrid forever."

While he is not guaranteed a regular starting role at the Bernabeu, Morata has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season.

He has netted nine times in those outings but his last goal came against Deportivo La Coruna on December 10 – with a seven-game drought endured since then.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'I'm responsible, not the young players' - Klopp takes blame for Liverpool's FA Cup exit

Jurgen Klopp has taken the blame for Liverpool's FA Cup exit at the hands of Wolves on Saturday.

The Championship side shocked the Reds 2-1 at Anfield thanks to first-half goals from Richard Stearman and Andreas Weimann, with Divock Origi's goal coming too late to stage a comeback.

Klopp made nine changes to his starting XI from the EFL Cup semi-final defeat to Southampton in midweek and the German acknowledged he was the man responsible for the latest loss."We put in a very bad performance, we started badly and could not improve," Klopp told BT Sport.

"There are not a lot of good things to say. It is difficult to explain this loss. The start gave them confidence. We were not ready. We gave the ball away and made a foul that led to the goal.

"We tried, but were not good enough in the first half. The second half was better, but not enough."I am responsible, not the young players. You learn a lot about players in games like this, but I am responsible.

"We will see how much this affects us. Our problems were obvious, we caused them ourselves."But we should not forget Wolves did really well. They defended well and did well on the counterattack. But we were not good enough."

Liverpool have now lost three home games on the spin, having also suffered a 3-2 reverse against Swansea City in the Premier League before their cup exits.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Werder Bremen 1-2 Bayern Munich: Robben & Alaba on target as Ancelotti's men extend run

Arjen Robben and David Alaba struck as Bayern Munich maintained their lead at the top of the Bundesliga with a battling 2-1 win at Werder Bremen.

Bayern moved into a two-goal advantage in the first half, with a superb finish from Arjen Robben being followed up by a stunning David Alaba free-kick, his first league goal of the season.

Max Kruse got one back for Bremen after the break and tensions were raised when the visitors had two penalty claims turned down.But Carlo Ancelotti's side held on for a record-breaking 13th consecutive league win over Bremen.

Bayern's lead over RB Leipzig remains three points after their rivals won a crucial clash against previously unbeaten Hoffenheim 2-1.In-form Bayern have now won seven straight league matches, while Bremen are winless in four and stay 15th.

Franck Ribery, recalled to the team as one of two changes, had an early shot saved by Felix Wiedwald, before Bremen suffered an early blow when Claudio Pizarro was withdrawn through injury.

The hosts were soaking up pressure but posing a threat on the break, with Serge Gnabry capping one counterattack by testing Manuel Neuer, while Kruse also forced the goalkeeper into action.

But it was the away side who struck first through after 30 minutes, and it was their fearsome wing duo, who have tormented the Bundesliga for almost a decade, that did the damage.

Ribery cut in from the left and drove into the box before squaring for Robben , who fired a magnificent first-time finish high past Wiedwald from just inside the area.

Bayern struck a magnificent second in first-half stoppage-time, Alaba curling in a magnificent free-kick from 20 yards that clipped the post on its way in after Robben had drawn a foul from Niklas Moisander.Ribery had a goal ruled out for offside after the break, having mistimed his run onto Thomas Muller's pass.

Gnabry fired inches wide after a precise pass from Kruse at the other end, but Bremen did get a goal back eight minutes into the second half. An impressive move led to Zlatko Junuzovic feeding it into Kruse 's path and he evaded Alaba before thumping a shot past Neuer to net his third goal in six games.

Bayern were denied a penalty when Robert Lewandowski was shoved to the ground by Robert Bauer as he attempted to get on the end of Joshua Kimmich's cross.Robben was the next to have a claim rejected by referee Sascha Stegemann after he went down under Moisander's challenge in the box.

Muller and Robben were replaced by Renato Sanches and the returning Kingsley Coman as he looked for a goal that would make sure of victory, but Bremen were still battling, Kruse lashing just over from a difficult angle.

The hosts, though, could not fashion a clear late opportunity for an equaliser as Bayern held on to keep their winning run alive.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Chelsea 4-0 Brentford: Blues cruise through as Ivanovic strikes

Branislav Ivanovic celebrated what may well be a farewell goal in Chelsea's comfortable 4-0 home win over Brentford to help his side through to the FA Cup fifth round.

The 32-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Zenit, which would bring to an end his nine-year stint at Stamford Bridge, but he netted the third on Saturday to offer a timely reminder of his quality.

Brazil international Willian opened the scoring with a curling free-kick early on as the Premier League leaders underlined the gulf in class against their second-tier visitors.Pedro doubled the Blues' advantage with a cool finish midway through the first half, with Brentford digging in to avoid further first-half punishment.

Despite showing a much higher tempo and more attacking intent after the break, Dean Smith's side could not seriously trouble a Chelsea line-up showing nine changes from the weekend win over Hull City.

And the match was ended as a contest when substitute Ivanovic drilled in the third, before winning the penalty from which Michy Batshuayi completed the scoring, keeping Chelsea on course for an eighth FA Cup crown following a 10th consecutive home win.

Chelsea took the lead in the 14th minute when Pedro won a free-kick on the edge of the box and Willian, off a short run-up, bent it home from 20 yards.

John Terry, sent off in the 4-1 win over Peterborough United in the previous round, sent a scuffed shot wide soon after, with Chelsea enjoying plenty of the ball.
They made that possession count when Pedro, who netted twice in that third-round triumph, finished through Daniel Bentley's legs from Batshuayi's defence-splitting pass.

It could have got worse for the Bees before the interval, but Batshuayi's scrambled close-range effort was kept out on the line by a recovering Bentley, who also produced a superb save to deny Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

Brentford – who earned a replay against their illustrious neighbours when they met in 2013 – emerged for the second half with renewed vigour and Lasse Vibe should have done better when the ball fell for him six yards out, with Asmir Begovic smothering at the Dane's feet.Yet it was still Antonio Conte's men who carried the greater threat and only the crossbar denied Loftus-Cheek as he attempted to lift an angled shot over Bentley.

Begovic was called into action just past the hour mark to thwart Nico Yennaris, before Smith sent on star striker Scott Hogan for the final 25 minutes, the Bees' top scorer having been left on the bench amid reported interest from West Ham.

But it was Ivanovic who made the impact off the bench as he drilled low into the net from inside the box following some excellent link-up play with Kurt Zouma and Pedro.

The Serbia international was then fouled in the box by Yoann Barbet and Batshuayi made no mistake from the spot to wrap up a convincing triumph.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City: Sterling and Sane fire Guardiola's men through

Raheem Sterling, Leroy Sane and Yaya Toure were the men on target as Manchester City booked their place in the fifth round of the FA Cup with a routine 3-0 win at Crystal Palace.

City manager Pep Guardiola welcomed captain Vincent Kompany back into his side for the first time since November, when he suffered knee ligament damage at the same ground, and the Belgium centre-back was rarely extended by Sam Allardyce's men over the course of 90 minutes.

Palace's best spell of pressure immediately preceded the opening goal, when Sterling gratefully accepted and converted a beautifully judged pass from full debutant Gabriel Jesus two minutes before half-time.

Sane was a big-money arrival from Schalke during the close-season and, having taken time to settle in England, the 21-year-old Germany winger made it three goals in as many appearances when David Silva pulled Palace apart in the 71st minute.

Toure made his surprise return to the City starting line-up at Selhurst Park two months ago and, now part of the furniture once more, he garnished victory with an excellent free-kick in stoppage time.

Overall, City rediscovered the clinical edge Guardiola has criticised them for lacking too often this season, although Sane made an inauspicious start with a dreadful headed miss from Sterling's third-minute cross.Fabian Delph, like Kompany back in the side following a lengthy injury absence, was the next City player to botch a header from a dangerous Sterling delivery.

Referee Mike Jones drew the ire of the home supporters with half an hour played when, having booked Toure two minutes earlier, he neglected to produce red after the former Ivory Coast international fouled Jordon Mutch.

Palace striker Christian Benteke headed over from the resulting set-piece before City goalkeeper Willy Caballero was called into action, plunging to his left to superbly deny James Tomkins at close quarters.

The visitors appeared to be the side most in need of half-time but hit the front when Sterling latched on to Jesus' throughball and relocated his early season poise to slot past Wayne Hennessey.The Wales keeper reacted brilliantly to deny Jesus what would have been a crushing second on the stroke of the interval.

Allardyce introduced Loic Remy in place of Benteke as his attacking spearhead at the break and the Frenchman quickly made a nuisance of himself, harrying City centre-backs Kompany and Aleksandar Kolarov before thrashing a 50th-minute volley over.Guardiola's men responded, with Sterling attempting a backheel finish following probing work from Sane and Hennessey tipping Delph's drive from the edge of the box wide.

Joe Ledley whistled a strike narrowly wide after the hour, as torrential rainfall became heavy hailstones – a brief interlude of extreme weather that had passed by the time the tie was settled.

Silva strode purposely towards the heart of the Palace defence, masterfully orchestrating a counter-attack that reached its crescendo when the Spain playmaker picked out Sane for a calm finish.

Ledley headed beyond the top corner as the clock ticked down but he was notably short of willing allies as the Eagles slumped to a fifth defeat in eight outings under Allardyce.

The Wales midfielder's last notable involvement was one to forget as he brought down the relentless Jesus for Toure to add the final flourish from 30 yards.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Alaves 0-0 Atletico Madrid: Simeone's men lucky to avoid defeat

Atletico Madrid's erratic form continued on Saturday as Diego Simeone's men were lucky to hold Alaves to a 0-0 LaLiga draw in Vitoria.

demonstrated Atletico's character as they netted a late leveller, but they were dominated from start to finish at Alaves and looked utterly toothless in attack.

Atletico pair Saul Niguez and Koke were often overrun, particularly in the first half, with Alaves enjoying complete control and going close to breaking the deadlock on numerous occasions.Deyverson was particularly culpable for wasting two fine opportunities, the second of which came just after Victor Laguardia struck the visitors' crossbar.

Atleti were routinely let off the hook by Alaves' questionable finishing, with Victor Camarasa also spurning a chance early in the second half.

The men from the capital showed a little more fight towards the end as Alaves began to tire, but ultimately the hosts had little difficulty keeping them at bay, meaning Simeone's side could finish the weekend 10 points behind pacesetters Real Madrid, who face Real Sociedad on Sunday.

Simeone was forced into naming a very attack-minded line-up due to injuries and suspensions in midfield, but that forward-thinking approach only played into the hands of Alaves.

The hosts should have gone ahead as early as the eighth minute, as Kiko Femenia's right-wing cross picked out Ibai Gomez at the far post and the winger's effort was parried by Miguel Angel Moya, before Deyverson scuffed the rebound wide.Atletico struggled to get out of their own half, with Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann particularly anonymous.

And they had a lucky escape after half an hour, as Atletico-owned Theo Hernandez's free-kick delivery was volleyed on to the frame of the goal by Laguardia and then Deyverson inexplicably headed over from close range.

The match opened up at the start of the second half, though Alaves remained a big threat and went close five minutes after the restart.

The lively Camarasa darted on to Gaizka Toquero's headed flick-on but was forced a little wider than he would have liked and could only find the side-netting with his close-range chipped effort.Simeone opted to replace the ineffective Gameiro and Yannick Carrasco with Angel Correa and Fernando Torres just after the hour.

Neither made a huge difference, but Atletico did nearly take all three points 12 minutes from time when Nico Gaitan ran clear and attempted to round goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco, only for him to make vital contact with his hand.

Alaves almost wrapped up a win for themselves in the dying moments, but Theo was denied a dramatic winner against his parent club by a strong Moya save, while tempers flared between the sides at the final whistle.