..::Football IV::..

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Scholes: Ibrahimovic is as fit as a 30-year-old!

Paul Scholes says Zlatan Ibrahimovic still has the demeanour of a 30-year-old as the striker continues racking up the goals for Manchester United.

Ibrahimovic netted his first United hat-trick against Saint-Etienne on Thursday to take his season tally to 23, and club legend Scholes has told Goal that the Swede’s fitness regime has helped him to prolong his career and silence the doubters.

"There’s always going to be doubters," said Scholes. “I wasn’t 100 per cent sure myself when a 35-year-old centre-forward comes over, but when you look at him he’s not a 35-year-old really with his physique and the way he looks after himself, he’s still a really fit lad. You’re probably still looking at a 30-year-old really!"

And Scholes added that Ibrahimovic has done a fantastic job for United regardless of his age, fitting in perfectly as part of Jose Mourinho’s fluid system.

"He’s been very good. I would have been worried if he’d been here the last couple of years, but the style of football they’re playing now suits him down to the ground," he continued.

"You knew he’d be good because he’s played at big clubs all around the world, it was never a signing that was a risk really as you knew he’d be capable of scoring goals and it’s proven so.

"The only thing I would have liked to see is someone supporting him a bit better with a few more goals, that’s the only thing and probably where the problem is: there’s probably a little bit too much pressure on him scoring goals. But he’s delivered, you have to say that. Twenty-plus goals in a team that’s sixth at the minute is fantastic."United face Blackburn Rovers next in an FA Cup fifth-round clash before taking their 3-0 Europa League advantage to Saint-Etienne for the return leg.

Ibrahimovic’s hat-trick on Thursday took his total against the Ligue 1 side to an incredible 17 goals in 14 matches, including three hat-tricks.

 

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'Real Madrid is Morata's home' - Zidane wants striker to stay

Alvaro Morata will start Real Madrid's match with Espanyol on Saturday as head coach Zinedine Zidane insists he is eager to keep him at the club.

The striker has been linked with a move away at the end of the season after reportedly growing frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities since his return from Juventus last June.

Morata admitted this week that he missed the Juve dressing room and suggested he would have turned down the chance to return to the Santiago Bernabeu if there had not been a buy-back clause in his contract.

Zidane has confirmed that the Spain international will face Quique Sanchez Flores' side from the start and has assured him it will not be his only chance to impress across 90 minutes for the remainder of the season.

"I would not like it if Morata wanted to go at the end of the season," he told a news conference. "He's had fewer minutes, fewer than Karim, but he has had them. This is his home.

"He'll play from the start and it's not the last game in which he'll play from the start. But you can't stop that - there will always be players who have more minutes than others."

A win for Madrid will see them move four points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga, having played a game fewer, with Luis Enrique's side not playing until Leganes visit Camp Nou on Sunday.

The champions' morale has taken a hit following their 4-0 Champions League thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, but Zidane believes their European campaign will have no impact on the domestic title race."If Barcelona are knocked out, it won't change La Liga," he said. "We only look at what we do.

"In the defeat, we saw a very strong Paris Saint-Germain and a Barcelona who were less so. But there is always a return leg and you have to play. We know Barca are a very good team and they can still do things in the competition."The former France star was hugely impressed by PSG's display but warned that they have a difficult task ahead of them if they want to go all the way in Europe's top competition for the first time.


"PSG are a clear candidate for the Champions League," he said. "They have great potential and they're among the favourites. But it's a long, hard road and it will be like that until the end. One result does not make you win the Champions League."

 

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Juventus 4-1 Palermo: Dybala double helps to fire hosts further clear at the summit

Paulo Dybala haunted his former club with two goals and an assist as Juventus routed struggling Palermo 4-1 to move 10 points clear at the top of Serie A.

The champions cruised to their 29th consecutive victory at Juventus Stadium and extended their advantage over Roma - who play Torino on Sunday - at the summit.

Claudio Marchisio put Juve ahead early on with his first Serie A goal since May 2015 and Dybala scored a brilliant free-kick to put his old side on the ropes before the break.

Gonzalo Higuain's 19th league goal of the season – and 12th in his last 10 games – then put the result beyond doubt just after the hour mark, the in-form striker converting a pass from Dybala.Dybala himself added a fourth with a minute remaining, before Ivaylo Chochev grabbed a late consolation for Palermo.

Juve have now won six straight league games and have impressive momentum going into next Wednesday's crucial Champions League last-16 first leg away to Porto.

Palermo, meanwhile, remain eight points from safety in 18th position and have lost their last 10 Serie A meetings against Juve.Juve made five changes perhaps with the Porto game in mind, but dominated from the off, with Dybala curling a 25-yard free-kick against the foot of the post.

The hosts were ahead in the 13th minute, Marchisio taking one touch and firing a left-footed strike high into the net from eight yards after Gonzalo Higuain's initial shot had been saved by Josip Posavec.

Gianluigi Buffon kept out Ilija Nestorovski's effort from a tight angle at the other end, before Juve almost doubled their advantage when Sami Khedira diverted Marko Pjaca's cross towards goal, only for Haitam Aleesami to hack clear off the goal-line.

Having come close earlier, Dybala made no mistake with his next free-kick opportunity from a similar distance.After Bruno Henrique had fouled Stefano Sturaro, the forward curled a magnificent effort past Posavec five minutes before half-time.

The second half got off to a quiet start before Juve got their third after 63 minutes, Higuain coolly lofting his finish over Posavec having been set up by Dybala's throughball.

Palermo breathed a sigh of relief late on when keeper Posavec got back on his feet after what had looked like a serious head injury incurred in a nasty accidental clash with team-mate Edoardo Goldaniga.


Juve added gloss to the scoreline when Dybala struck with a low finish after Higuain had robbed Goldaniga and set him up, before Chochev's thumping header from substitute Alessandro Diamanti's inswinging cross ended the hosts' run of five straight league clean sheets in injury time.

 

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Guardiola rules out Messi reunion at either Man City or Barca

Pep Guardiola has ruled out the possibility of returning to Barcelona as coach at any point in the future.

Luis Enrique’s position at the club beyond this season is in some doubt following the 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Tuesday night, as well as an indifferent league campaign.

It has also been reported that Lionel Messi, who Goal understands is yet to hold talks about a new contract, wants Guardiola back in charge at Camp Nou as Luis Enrique’s replacement.

But the Manchester City boss says there is no chance of him going back to his former side."No, I will never go back to Barcelona to be coach there,” he said. “My period there is gone."

City have long believed they would be at the front of the queue should Messi become available, and were confident around this time last year that Guardiola’s arrival at the club would help persuade the Argentine to make the move.

But Guardiola, as he has done on several occasions this season, dashed any hopes of Messi joining him in Manchester."I said many times about Messi, my desire is that he will finish his career at Barcelona."

City, meanwhile, will head to Abu Dhabi next weekend for a short warm-weather break ahead of their return to Premier League action.Guardiola's men have 12 days between their Champions League clash with Monaco on Tuesday and the trip to Sunderland on March 5, and the Blues boss says they will get the opportunity to see the club's decision makers.

"We are going there to find some sun because there has been a lot of time in Manchester without seeing the sun," he said. "And to see our chairman!"

 

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FA Cup Fixtures 2017.02.18

FA Cup Fixtures 2017.02.18

Burnley Vs Lincoln City

Huddersfield Vs Manchester City

Middlesbrough Vs Oxford United

Millwall Vs Leicester City

Wolves Vs Chelsea​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.02.18

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.02.18

Sporting Gijon Vs Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid Vs Espanyol

Deportivo Vs Alaves

Sevilla Vs Eibar​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2017.02.18

Serie A Fixtures 2017.02.18

Atalanta Vs Crotone

Empoli Vs Lazio​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.02.18

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.02.18

Dortmund Vs Wolfsburg

Frankfurt Vs Ingolstadt

Hertha Berlin Vs Bayern

Hoffenheim Vs Darmstadt

Mainz Vs Werder Bremen

Hamburg Vs Freiburg​

 

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Sporting Gijon 1-4 Atletico Madrid: Superb Gameiro hat-trick seals win for Simeone's men

A devastating hat-trick from Kevin Gameiro gave Atletico Madrid a 4-1 victory away to Sporting Gijon on Saturday that keeps their top-four hopes firmly in their hands.

The striker came off the bench to score three times in five minutes in the closing stages to secure maximum points for Diego Simeone's side and inflict a damaging defeat on the struggling hosts at El Molinon.

Diego Simeone had warned before the match that Sporting's committed approach under Rubi could pose some problems, and the hosts certainly enjoyed the better of a scrappy first half, with loan signing Lacina Traore missing the best of the initial chances.

Yannick Carrasco broke the deadlock just seconds after the restart but Sporting hit back almost immediately to level and only a strong reaction save from Miguel Angel Moya stopped Sergio Alvarez from doubling his tally.

Antoine Griezmann had a goal disallowed for offside but he set up Gameiro for the game's crucial third goal with 10 minutes to play, before Gameiro struck twice more in a clinical cameo that ended a goal drought in La Liga stretching back to November.

The win sees Atleti close to within a point of third-place Sevilla and will give them confidence ahead of their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, while Sporting remain 18th.

Chances were scarce in a combative first half that was short on attacking quality, although it took a timely challenge from Lucas Hernandez to deny Traore a clear opening after the striker muscled his way towards the six-yard box.

The noise levels in El Molinon rose as Sporting's pressure began to mount late in the half, and Traore missed a second opportunity when his first-time effort following a Moi Gomez cross clipped the outside of Moya's right-hand post.The match might have been far from enthralling in the first half but it roared into life within three minutes of the second.

Thirteen seconds after the restart, Gabi's long ball was flicked on by Fernando Torres and into the path of Carrasco, and although Ivan Cuellar blocked his initial effort, the Belgian followed up to smash the ball in from on the line.

Sporting promptly pushed forward for a response and they got it with the next attack of the game. Burgui's cross from the left found its way to Alvarez, who took a touch before firing a controlled half-volley through the crowded six-yard box and into the net.

Alvarez came close to putting Sporting ahead twice in the next 10 minutes, with Moya clawing one effort off the line before the midfielder met a Douglas Costa cross but could only steer it up and onto the roof of the net.

Substitute Saul Niguez brought a save from Cuellar with a header at the other end, before Griezmann - who had been kept firmly on the fringes of proceedings - controlled the ball before prodding it into the bottom corner only to see the offside flag raised for the narrowest of infringements.But just as it looked as though Sporting would see the game out for an important point, Gameiro struck in clinical fashion, latching onto Griezmann's devilish reverse pass before rounding Cuellar and slotting home.

A minute later, Thomas Partey charged down a clearance and sent Gameiro into the penalty area, where the striker fired low across goal and into the bottom-left corner of the net, and he completed his remarkable hat-trick when he raced in behind the static Sporting defence and placed the ball into the same spot.

 

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Rashford must show Mourinho what he can do, says Wes Brown

Former Manchester United defender Wes Brown has urged Marcus Rashford to keep on fighting for his chance as he is confident the young attacker still has a role to play at Old Trafford.

Rashford broke into the first team at United last term under Louis van Gaal, but he has been struggling to secure regular first-team action following the arrival of Jose Mourinho during the close-season.Brown endured a similar scenario when he came through the ranks of the United youth academy and he has told Rashford not to let his head drop.

"It is hard," Brown was quoted as saying by the Manchester Evening News .
"I remember when I got through, it is not as bad as this, but you know you have got a couple of games to show what you can do otherwise you get dropped back again.

"It is not the end and he has obviously done fantastic. At the moment he has not played that much, he has come on as a sub."But he is young and I am sure Mourinho has got him in his plans for the future."Rashford could start for United in Sunday's FA Cup encounter with Brown's current club Blackburn Rovers.

 

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No chance of Jesus joining Inter, says agent

Gabriel Jesus will not leave Manchester City to join Inter in the near future, his agent has said.

The 19-year-old enjoyed a spectacular start to his career at the Etihad Stadium, registering three goals and two assists in his first five appearances, although a broken metatarsal looks set to keep him sidelined for most of the rest of the season.

Inter had been linked with Jesus before he opted to sign for City from Palmeiras and former club president Massimo Moratti has encouraged the Serie A side to pursue his signature again.

But the forward's agent, Cristiano Simoes, has dismissed the notion of moving to San Siro so soon after the start of his Premier League career."Moratti is a very important personality and we are flattered by his words but there is no chance to see Gabriel Jesus joining Inter in the near future," he told Calciomercato.com .

"He's chosen Manchester City and he's very happy there. We're all delighted with his performances in England."Gabriel Jesus is only focused on Manchester City. He's doing a great job with Guardiola and wants to return to action as soon as possible."

Inter, backed by majority shareholders Suning Holdings Group, are expected to invest heavily in the playing squad in the next transfer window in order to set up a challenge for the title and a return to the Champions League.

Speculation has persisted that they could launch a shock bid to sign Lionel Messi from Barcelona, but Moratti feels Jesus would be a more realistic target."He made me fall in love with football again," he told Sky Sport Italia this week. "Every now and again you need this new kind of player to reignite your passion and Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City is, for me, a player you have got to pursue.

"Messi is outstanding, but it's difficult to get him. But it's beautiful when you see a player who you believe has potential by the bucket load - and who knows what great things he will do. For me, Jesus is one of these.

"Some of our hopes have been reignited because a lot of things are really happening again. Inter are making you want to go and watch them again, but in addition to this desire to see them, they are also giving the idea of a positive future.

"At the moment, the gap between the Nerazzurri and their rivals ahead of them is not as big as it was in years gone by. They just need a few minor adjustments here and there and they will already be on that level."

 

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'We are on the way' - Klopp confirms Liverpool talks for summer transfer targets

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Liverpool are currently in talks regarding potential new additions to his squad, but conceded that qualification for the Champions League will "have an influence" on any business they conduct.

Having been eliminated from the FA Cup, the Merseyside outfit are currently in La Manga for a mid-season training camp, as they attempt to ensure that they improve upon a disappointing run of form that has seen them drop out of the top four.

Klopp's side brought an end to their winless streak - which had stretched to five games - with a 2-0 win over Tottenham last week and they must continue to pick up the points if they are to qualify for next season's Champions League.

Philippe Coutinho signed a new long-term contract in January and Adam Lallana is another player who is expected to ink a new deal, but Klopp is also eyeing new additions.

"We are in talks with different people - players, agents, all that stuff," Klopp told the Liverpool Echo. "Not a lot of decisions have been already made at this point. Why should they at this stage?

"But we are on the way. At the end I'm sure we will have a really good squad."We already have a good squad and a few more good players will make it even better. There's a good base."

Following their win over Spurs last week, Liverpool are in fifth place, one point off Arsenal in fourth, as the race for Champions League qualification heats up.

Klopp suggested that not qualifying for Europe's premier club competition should not necessarily have an affect on whether a player sees Anfield as an enticing destination, but conceded that it would be a boost if they are participating in the tournament.

"I actually don't think so but we will see," the former Borussia Dortmund boss said when asked if Champions League football is a necessity to lure players. "We don't have to talk about the Champions League now because we are not even qualified.

"But of course if we are in the Champions League then it would have an influence. We would need a deeper squad and you have to be prepared for that. No question."Even with the league this season, we could have needed a deeper squad with the injuries we had. But we're through that now.


“We will adapt our plans to the number of tournaments we play next year."

 

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Borussia Dortmund 3-0 Wolfsburg: Dortmund bounce back with easy win

Lukasz Piszczek scored once and had a hand in two more to help Borussia Dortmund to a 3-0 Bundesliga victory over Wolfsburg at Signal Iduna Park as they returned to winning ways after a disappointing week.

Jeffrey Bruma inexplicably headed the ball into his own net in the 20th minute, with Polish wing-back Piszczek adding his name to the scoresheet early in the second half, before Ousmane Dembele put the match to bed on the hour mark.

Dortmund have endured a difficult few days ahead of Saturday's encounter as they followed up a shock domestic loss to bottom club Darmstadt last week with a Champions League defeat to Benfica.

To make matters even worse, Dortmund were handed a partial stadium closure following the incidents during the match against RB Leipzig this month, meaning they took on Wolfsburg in front of an empty Yellow Wall.

The reduced capacity did not stop them from putting in a dominant performance, though, as they dictated play from start to finish and eventually cruised to a comfortable win.

This weekend's results see Dortmund leapfrog Eintracht Frankfurt into third place in the table with 37 points from 21 games.Dortmund were well in control in the opening stages of the first half and they created a number of chances to break the deadlock early on.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang threatened in the seventh minute with a low shot from inside the area after some good work from Piszczek and Marco Reus tested Wolfsburg goalkeeper Diego Benaglio with a powerful effort from 20 yards out after cutting in from the left.

Aubameyang was denied by Benaglio a second time but there was nothing the shot stopper could do to prevent the opener in the 20th minute when Bruma found his own net in bizarre fashion.

Piszczek did well to keep the ball alive after a corner from the left and tap it back across the face of goal, where the Netherlands international headed beyond Benaglio to gift Dortmund the opener.

Wolfsburg struggled to get out of their own half before the break, yet they nearly equalised against the run of play in the closing stages of the first half, Yunus Malli shooting narrowly wide after being set up by Vieirinha.

The hosts immediately pushed for a second goal after the restart and it came in the 48th minute through Piszczek, who headed home from close range after Matthias Ginter had inadvertently volleyed Dembele's cross in his direction.

Things went from bad to worse for Wolfsburg from there on and Dembele made it three when he beat Benaglio with a fine header after Piszczek's cross from the right.Daniel Didavi went close to pulling one back for the visitors with 20 minutes left, only to be thwarted as Roman Burki turned his effort behind.

Dortmund did have the ball in the net for a fourth time but Aubameyang was well offside as the hosts delighted the fans who were able to attend with a performance that marked an impressive return to form.

 

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Hertha Berlin 1-1 Bayern Munich: Last-minute Lewandowski grabs point

Robert Lewandowski spared Bayern Munich's blushes by equalising with the last kick of the game to earn a 1-1 draw at Hertha Berlin, but it did little to mask over a dreadful performance in the wake of their Champions League exploits.

Carlo Ancelotti's side were irresistible when they obliterated Arsenal 5-1 in Europe's elite competition on Wednesday, but they looked utterly devoid of ideas and craft before second-half substitute Lewandowski stabbed home from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage time to prevent a first Bundesliga loss since November.

Bayern were behind for much of the match and deservedly so, as Vedad Ibisevic punished poor defending to score Hertha's first goal against the Bavarians since March 2014.The visitors looked toothless for the entirety of the first half despite dictating the tempo for much it, and half-time did not inspire a significant improvement either.

Hertha coach Pal Dardai appeared to get his tactics spot on, as the hosts not only nullified Thomas Muller in attack, but also restricted service to the German and stifled Bayern's creativity.

But the champions showed their character and spirit, as Lewandowski found the net for the 16th time this season amidst a goalmouth scramble deep into stoppage time to stun the hosts, who had seemingly done enough to wrap up a first win over the Bavarians since 2009.

Right from the early exchanges it was clear that Bayern were not going to have everything their own way in Berlin, with the home side looking more purposeful in attack.

Hertha's intense start brought about the first chance after seven minutes and Ibisevic should have done better, as the Bosnian met a corner at the near post and glanced a header right across the face of goal.Bayern failed to heed that warning, though.

Ibisevic took full advantage of similarly slack marking 14 minutes later, getting in front of Mats Hummels and directing Marvin Plattenhardt's left-wing free-kick into the roof of the net.Although Bayern controlled possession, they struggled to produce a response to going behind.

Arjen Robben did test Rune Jarstein with a right-footed 16-yard effort eight minutes before the break, but the shot never worried the goalkeeper and that was as close as they went in the first period.

Ibisevic's tormenting of Bayern continued four minutes after the restart, reaching another Plattenhardt cross at the near post and prodding the ball into the side-netting after sneaking in front of David Alaba.

Hertha looked particularly lively on the break and should have made the most of such an opportunity just before the hour mark, but Neuer pounced on Vladimir Darida's deflected 20-yard effort after Salomon Kalou broke up the left.

Ancelotti finally introduced Lewandowski for Arturo Vidal shortly after, though the Poland international struggled to have the desired effect at first.Lewandowski's eyes lit up when presented with a free-kick right on the edge of the box 20 minutes from the end, only for the striker to slam his effort straight into the wall.

But he was on hand to break Hertha hearts in the sixth of five minutes added on, prodding in from eight yards after Thiago Alcantara's free-kick on the left caused havoc, with the referee blowing the full-time whistle straight after as the two sets of players clashed angrily.

 

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Huddersfield Town 0-0 Manchester City: Aguero and Co. draw a blank in FA Cup clash

Manchester City drew a frustrating blank in the fifth round of the FA Cup as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Championship high-flyers Huddersfield Town.

Pep Guardiola had an eye on Tuesday's Champions League last-16 showdown with Monaco as he made eight changes to the side that beat Bournemouth 2-0 at the start of this week, but opposite number David Wagner also heeded on priorities elsewhere.

Huddersfield's XI displayed seven alterations ahead of a crunch clash with promotions rivals Reading in midweek but the hosts still settled more convincingly than their visitors.

Sergio Aguero sparked improvement from City after the break but too often their final ball and decision-making around the box lacked conviction, with Huddersfield never needing to repel the kind of onslaught they might have expected.

It leaves Guardiola facing an additional game following the first goalless draw of his tenure, having suggested at a pre-match news conference that FA Cup replays should be scrapped.

Claudio Bravo, back in the City goal following his demotion for Premier League games, made his first save in 47 days when Rajiv van La Parra finished a crisp move by firing too close to the Chile international.

Winger Jesus Navas had a shot cleared off the line by Huddersfield captain Mark Hudson and Aguero lifted a shot beyond the bar after goalkeeper Joel Coleman charged from his area in the 24th minute, but these were sporadic moments of encouragement amid a disjointed start to the contest.

Bravo was at full stretch to tip Jack Payne's free-kick over and Town had a goal chalked off from the resulting corner – Van La Parra impeding Bravo from an offside position when Philip Billing rifled in.

City forward Nolito swung a volley against the stanchion behind Coleman's right-hand post, although Huddersfield remained the more dynamic attacking force as Bravo denied Van La Parra once more.Aguero orchestrated City's best move of the half five minutes before its close but was unable to get Fernandinho's return pass out of his feet and Coleman gathered his shot at the second attempt.

The Argentina star drove at the Huddersfield defence purposefully after the restart and forced Coleman into a more taxing stop low to his left.

Aguero, who is likely to have the chance to quell speculation over his future with a sustained run as Guardiola's attacking spearhead on the back of Gabriel Jesus' broken metatarsal, was at the heart of most of City's good work as Huddersfield's intensity dropped noticeably.The breakthrough was still not forthcoming and City's boss called on Kevin De Bruyne and Leroy Sane from the bench with 21 minutes to play.

Navas flashed a dangerous ball across the face of Huddersfield's goal but a finish was not forthcoming and that attack handily summarised the lack of cutting edge in attack that hindered City throughout a forgettable 90 minutes.

 

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Millwall 1-0 Leicester City: Last-gasp Cummings goal knocks out Foxes

Leicester City's woes deepened as they were sent crashing out of the FA Cup at the hands of 10-man Millwall to pile the pressure on Claudio Ranieri.

Shaun Cummings was the League One side's hero at The Den, scoring in the last minute as Neil Harris' men overcame the dismissal of Jake Cooper to secure a spot in the quarter-finals.

The Foxes are hovering just above the Premier League relegation zone in a meek defence of their title and Saturday's loss will ensure speculation over Ranieri's future intensifies.

They made a positive start against the Lions, Demarai Gray curling an early effort narrowly wide, while Jordan Archer produced a stunning save to keep out Shinji Okazaki's near-post header.Ahmed Musa also sent a powerful strike just over the crossbar as Leicester's promising first-half showing failed to yield reward.

When Cooper was handed a second yellow card seven minutes after the interval it looked as though the path to the last eight was opening up for Leicester.

Jamie Vardy was introduced 18 minutes from time in a bid to force the issue, while the best chance fell to Okazaki inside the six-yard box, the Japan international dallying and Archer capitalising to block his prodded attempt.

A replay for the third-tier side would have been just reward for their resilience, but Cummings had other plans and calmly picked out the bottom-left corner after collecting Lee Gregory's pass.

Sadly the understandably exuberant celebrations of the home fans were somewhat marred by a pitch invasion that saw some Millwall supporters approach the away end.

- Millwall beat the reigning English top-flight champions in a competitive match for the first time since a 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup in 1927.

- It’s the first time since 1936/37 that the Lions have eliminated three top-flight sides in the same FA Cup campaign.- Jake Cooper received just his second career red card, having also been sent off for Reading against Crystal Palace in March 2016.

- Leicester’s tally of 12 shots in the first half was their most in the first 45 minutes of any game this season - however, only one of these was on target.- Leicester City failed to score for the seventh time in 10 competitive games in 2017.

- It was the Foxes’ first FA Cup defeat to a side in the third tier or lower since they were knocked out by Wycombe Wanderers in March 2001.

 

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Real Madrid 2-0 Espanyol: Bale marks Liga return with goal as Merengue triumph

Gareth Bale scored on a dream comeback from injury as Real Madrid moved four points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 home win over Espanyol.

Alvaro Morata headed in Isco's cross to score on his first league start of 2017 in the first half of a low-key match which produced few scoring opportunities after the hosts made seven changes to their team.

Madrid received an added boost when Bale returned from three months out with an ankle injury as a substitute to cap a late counterattack and seal victory, Isco again with the assist.

Madrid still have a game in hand on both Barca and third-placed Sevilla, who can reduce the leaders' advantage down to three points by beating Eibar later on Saturday.Zinedine Zidane's men have now won eight straight league games at the Santiago Bernabeu as they continued their push for a first title since 2012.

Espanyol, meanwhile, have failed to beat Madrid in 19 league meetings – their worst run against any team - and stay ninth after suffering a second consecutive league defeat.Pepe – in for the injured Sergio Ramos – squandered the first chance of the match, heading wide from Toni Kroos' corner.

The hosts dominated possession but did not threaten again until a rapid spell of attacks just after the half-hour mark, Cristiano Ronaldo firing wide after Lucas Vazquez had capitalised on a mistake from Pablo Piatti to create the shooting opportunity.Morata had the ball in the net a few moments later, but was denied by an offside flag after he had strayed beyond the last defender from Kroos' low cross.

But Morata scored one that did stand after 33 minutes, the Spain forward confidently heading into the bottom corner from six yards after Isco was allowed far too much time to float in a cross from the right.

Morata then lashed another chance wide following Nacho's delivery as Madrid went into half-time on top.

Ronaldo struck a poor free-kick straight into the wall from 25 yards early in the second half, while Kiko Casilla was tested for the first time at the other end when he beat away substitute Hernan Perez's near-post strike.Morata created Madrid's next opportunity, making good ground down the left and crossing for a stretching Ronaldo to head over.

Bale was brought on in place of Morata in the closing stages and sealed the win with seven minutes remaining.Isco was again the creator as Madrid launched a rapid counterattack, feeding Bale to produce a calm finish into the far corner.

Madrid were untroubled from then on, with Ronaldo denied a late penalty due to an offside call as Espanyol's run of scoring in eight straight league games was brought to an end.

 

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Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-2 Chelsea: Pedro and Costa see Blues into FA Cup quarter-finals

Pedro extended his fine goal-scoring run in the FA Cup and Diego Costa was also on target as Chelsea saw off Wolves 2-0 to book a place in the quarter-finals on Saturday.

The Premier League leaders took over an hour to break down the Championship strugglers and Blues boss Antonio Conte was an animated figure on the Molineux touchline as his side laboured for long periods against a team they were comfortably expected to beat.

However, Pedro connected with Willian's cross to head home his fourth FA Cup goal of the season and maintain his record of having scored in every round of the competition, before Diego Costa rounded off the win in the closing stages.

It may have been a different story had Chelsea youth player George Saville found the net with a shot that rattled the frame of the goal in the 10th minute for Wolves, but Paul Lambert's men offered little goal threat thereafter and slowly the visitors began to show their quality.

Wolves had dumped Stoke City and Liverpool out in their previous two rounds, but Chelsea proved a step too far and the home side were lacking in all departments leaving Lambert to turn his focus to steering Wolves - who are 19th - away from the relegation zone.

For Chelsea, the focus quickly returns to the Premier League and they host a resurgent Swansea City at Stamford Bridge next week with an eight-point gap over second-place Manchester City.

Wolves made a bright start and Conor Coady's looping cross forced Asmir Begovic to punch the ball over the crossbar, before an error by Kurt Zouma afforded former Saville a golden opportunity to score but his shot crashed onto the post and bounced clear.

Cesc Fabregas, making his 100th Chelsea start in one of seven changes from the 1-1 draw with Burnley last time out, beautifully weighted a pass to put Willian clean through on goal for Chelsea but the Brazilian failed to get a shot away, and Chelsea struggled to retain possession as Wolves tirelessly harried and pressed them.

Wolves were given ample time and space in Chelsea's half of the field and Helder Costa turned neatly before firing a shot into the arms of Begovic, but there was a sense that the visitors were only biding their time before stepping up a gear.

The more involved Eden Hazard became, the more Chelsea threatened but the skilful Belgian too often cut a lonely figure on his mazy dribbles and Wolves were able to shackle him with some robust challenges.

Both Pedro and Zouma wastefully shot wide from distance as Chelsea started to open Wolves up with some neat passing, and Costa hit the side netting with his first clear chance of the game after turning Danny Bath inside the box.

The breakthrough arrived in the 65th, though. Fabregas and Costa split the Wolves defence before Willian sent over a cross that left the unmarked Pedro with a straightforward header at the back post.Chelsea might have doubled their lead when Fabregas put Willian through, but Kortney Hause did just enough to block his shot.

But the visitors did have a second when substitute N'Golo Kante's run and pass provided Costa with an opportunity that he finished with aplomb, shooting low into the corner of the net.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mata outlines season target at Manchester United

Juan Mata is hoping to see his goal return at Manchester United reach double figures once again, with the Spain international having made a habit of hitting that mark.He really should not have too much trouble achieving that target, with the 28-year-old already on nine for the season.

Mata has been a regular source of important efforts for the Red Devils, with his strikes spread across Premier League, EFL Cup and Europa League competition.
His ability to create in the final third has been an integral part of his game since bursting onto the scene, with those talents having taken the World Cup winner to the very top of his profession.

He has no intention of allowing his standards to slip, with it important for him to continue contributing positively to the collective cause.

Mata told United Review: “I'm happy with it (goals return). I've got nine goals so far and hopefully I can score many more between now and the end of the season and then look back on a really good season.

“So far in February that amount of goals for a midfielder is not bad.“I haven't really set a target but hopefully I can do it again (double figures) and have 10 goals for three seasons in a row.”

While Mata has been impressing in United’s forward line this season, so too has Henrikh Mkhitaryan since breaking into the side.

The Armenian took a while to find his feet in England, but he is now showing his true colours and has struck up a productive understanding with those around him at Old Trafford.Mata added: “Micki is a great player and he has a lot of good qualities. He understands the game, he's very fast and also quick with the ball at his feet.

“He has goals, he has assists and he has good vision, so it is a pleasure to play with a player like him.“We understand each other very well on the pitch. He makes things easy.Hopefully there are more goals from us both to come.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Isco 'happy and committed' at Real Madrid, insists Zidane

Zinedine Zidane believes Isco is "happy and committed" at Real Madrid after his impressive performance in the win over Espanyol.Isco created both of Madrid's goals in Saturday's 2-0 LaLiga victory at Santiago Bernabeu, Alvaro Morata and the returning Gareth Bale scoring in either half.

The playmaker was linked with a shock move to Clasico rivals Barcelona last month after talks over his contract - which is due to expire in 2018 - were put on hold until the end of the season, while several Premier League clubs have long been connected with a potential transfer.Zidane, though, was full of praise for Isco and thinks the 24-year-old is enjoying his football.

"Isco is happy and committed to what he is doing," Zidane said at his post-match media conference."I'm pleased with how well he has done. He had a great game and I'm not just looking at his two assists for the goals. He worked well from the start.

"It was difficult to get both goals. We attacked for the whole game but we didn't get the second goal to give us some breathing space [until late on]."We were patient in the game and that is what is important. I like to mix patience with a touch of speed."

Madrid have now scored in 42 consecutive matches across all competitions, with Bale's return after three months out with injury meaning Zidane now has his BBC strikeforce - which includes Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo - to call upon once again."I'm happy to have the front three available because we know what they can offer, as well as what the rest can do," said Zidane.

"Gareth Bale is a key player and we are all happy, not least the player himself."We must carry on playing like we did in this game to continue our scoring streak.