..::Football IV::..

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Guardiola: No decision on Hart's Manchester City future

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is still claiming no decision will be made on Joe Hart's future until the end of the season.

England number one Hart moved to Torino on loan in August after falling behind Willy Caballero in the pecking order at the Etihad Stadium and seeing Guardiola bring in Claudio Bravo from Barcelona.

Hart this week told the BBC he feels "surplus to requirements" at City, while his agent Jonathan Barnett told Sky Sports his future beyond this season had not been discussed with the Premier League club.

Guardiola has refused to be rushed on the futures of six first-team players who are out of contract at the end of the campaign and, speaking ahead of Saturday's FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough, he sounded a similar tone on Hart, whose deal with the club he joined from Shrewsbury Town in 2006 expires in 2019."Joe Hart is a Manchester City player and we will decide at the end of the season," Guardiola said."We will explain at the end of the season about all the players."

Caballero has replaced Bravo as first choice following a string of unconvincing displays from his colleague, although the Chile international is poised to return against Middlesbrough.

His contribution in terms of building attacks from the back was warmly praised by Guardiola after the 5-1 victory over Huddersfield Town in the previous round, even if Bravo's efforts on Harry Bunn's opening goal for the visitors left something to be desired.

Victor Valdes is another goalkeeper admired by Guardiola, having starred in his all-conquering Barcelona sides between 2008 and 2012, and he expects Boro's miserly defence to be a tough one to crack at the Riverside Stadium.

"I'm not thinking about titles. Of course all the managers in the big clubs want to fight for all the titles, but now it is thinking about tomorrow - what you can do to get to the semi-final," Guardiola said.

"The team is so difficult to make chances against because they are so stable, really well organised in those terms."[Alvaro] Negredo is so dangerous with long balls and Adama [Traore] is so fast on the counter."

City could only close to within 10 points of Premier League leaders Chelsea as they were held to a forgettable 0-0 draw against Stoke City in midweek and Guardiola chose to poke fun at himself after being named Premier League manager of the month for February.

"I think [Chelsea boss Antonio] Conte's cupboard is full, that's why they decided to give it to someone else," he said.

 

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Nice 2-2 Caen: Balotelli inspires comeback but hosts miss chance to go joint-top

Mario Balotelli inspired a two-goal comeback but Nice missed the chance to join Monaco at the top of Ligue 1 on Friday, avoiding their first home league defeat of the season by drawing 2-2 with Caen at Allianz Riviera on Friday.

Caen beat Nice 1-0 earlier in the campaign and looked on track to complete the double when they led 2-0 after 50 minutes, the visitors opening the scoring through Ivan Santini.

Vincent Bessat stood up a fine left-wing cross for Santini to tower above Dante and beat goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale with a powerful header, and Caen doubled their advantage in farcical fashion five minutes after the restart.

Santini turned provider for his side despite his lofted throughball appearing to be comfortable for Dante to deal with until Cardinale raced from his goal and misjudged his attempted clearance, leaving Yann Karamoh free to get the better of the Brazilian defender and slot into the open net.

Nice's day worsened when Wylan Cyprien suffered a seemingly serious knee injury as he landed awkwardly on his right leg, but Balotelli gave the hosts hope of a fightback with 19 minutes to go.

The Italian finished from close-range after Dante beat goalkeeper Remy Vercoutre to the ball and headed across goal for him to score for the first time since January.
Substitute Anastasios Donis levelled six minutes later when Dalbert's cross broke to him in the box and his untidy finish clipped both posts before crossing the line.

Mickael Le Bihan volleyed wildly over and Nice had strong penalty appeals rejected when Damien Da Silva appeared to handle the ball, but Lucien Favre's men had to settle for a draw that, temporarily at least, moves them above Paris Saint-Germain and into second place, two points behind leaders Monaco.

 

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Juventus 2 AC Milan 1: Dybala's 97th-minute penalty delivers dramatic win

Paulo Dybala netted a 97th-minute penalty just moments after Jose Sosa had been dismissed to help Juventus to a dramatic 2-1 win over AC Milan in Friday's Serie A encounter in Turin.

Referee Davide Massa showed Sosa a second yellow card in the 93rd minute after he brought down Kwadwo Asamoah, and Milan were unable to hang on with 10 men as Dybala made no mistake with a spot-kick awarded for a controversial handball decision against Mattia De Sciglio.

Medhi Benatia had previously opened the scoring for Juventus, but Carlos Bacca's equaliser appeared to be enough for a point as goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off numerous fine saves.

However, Donnarumma was unable to keep out Dybala from 12 yards, with Juventus consequently opening an 11-point lead at the summit.

The Turin side were by far the better side over the course of the game and eventually made their dominance count, though Milan may feel aggrieved by the nature of referee Massa's penalty decision.

The hosts had reasons for optimism heading into the encounter following their superb home form, last losing a Serie A game in their own stadium back in August 2015.

Milan will also have fancied their chances of getting a good result, though, having won the reverse fixture as well as the Supercoppa Italiana meeting back in December, even if they were beaten when both sides locked horns in the Coppa Italia in late January.

Juventus were in charge from the off and created a number of chances to open the scoring early on, Marko Pjaca - who replaced the ill Mario Mandzukic in the starting XI - testing Donnarumma with a powerful low shot after just four minutes.

Dybala was next to try his luck in the 10th minute, but Donnarumma showed his class with a sublime save, before thwarting Gonzalo Higuain halfway through the first period with yet another stellar reflex stop.

There was no denying Juventus, though, and they grabbed the lead when Benatia found the net at the half-hour mark after a sublime pass from Dani Alves, powering home from close range after beating the offside trap.

Milan slowly grew into the game and they equalised from their first chance of note, Bacca slotting the ball past Gianluigi Buffon with a clever finish from what seemed like an offside position after being sent clean through on goal by Gerard Deulofeu.

The hosts immediately went in search of a second goal after the break and Donnarumma did well to push Miralem Pjanic's free-kick wide for a corner, and the keeper frustrated Sami Khedira moments later with another fine save to keep his side in the game.

Juventus continued to create chance after chance and Donnarumma was fortunate to see Pjanic's shot after a corner routine go behind off the crossbar.There were more chances for Khedira and Higuain, but neither managed to find a way past the impressive Donnarumma.

But there would be late drama as Milan were reduced to 10 men in stoppage time when Sosa received his second booking for a reckless foul on Asamoah, before the referee awarded Juventus a penalty when Stephan Lichtsteiner's cross struck De Sciglio's arm.

Dybala stepped up to take it and the Argentine thumped home from 12 yards to seal a gripping win for Juventus.

 

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Guardiola: No trophies would make season a failure

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola accepts his side's season will be considered a failure if they are unable to win silverware.Guardiola arrived in England on the back of trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, and with expectations that would continue at City.

His team face Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday and are on track to reach the Champions League last eight, while their chances of winning the Premier League title are slim.

Guardiola said he knew how he would be judged come the end of the season, accepting trophies were needed."I know what my standard is in terms of the past and titles. I know what's on my shoulders and I have to handle that," he told UK newspapers.

"I know we will be judged on the titles we win. I know that. No silverware - it will not be a good season. I knew that in August."If I have no silverware, I will not be here for a long time. Being a manager depends on results.

"But I always believe deep in my heart that results depend on the way you play. That's why I need to be convinced that we're playing better every day."

Guardiola won three consecutive league titles at both Barca and Bayern, but was only able to deliver European success – twice – to the former.The 46-year-old said his inability to win the Champions League with the Bundesliga giants meant his stint was considered a failure.

"My period in Munich was judged like a disaster because we were not able to win the Champions League. I won three leagues in a row, we won two cups from three, we arrived every time in the semi-finals and finals, [but] it was a disaster," Guardiola said.

"I have to handle that but what I can say is try to play better, better, better than the previous month. That's what I want to see for the next year - be better."

 

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Karanka: Mourinho is the world's best coach, not Guardiola

Jose Mourinho is the world's best coach, not Pep Guardiola, according to Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.Mourinho and Guardiola arrived in Manchester ahead of this season, appointed at United and City, respectively.

Karanka, whose team face City in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, believes United picked up the better tactician."Pep is not the best coach in the world. The best coach in the world is Jose Mourinho," he told UK newspapers.

"He has shown it at Porto, at Inter Milan, Chelsea and Real Madrid and Manchester United. He was the best [in La Liga] and he still is the best."I've never worked with Pep, but Jose started this season with some criticism, but he has already won two trophies for Man United.

"Jose is the best for me. I think Pep has to win the Premier League to prove [he is one of the best]. I think he has to win a trophy [this season]."

Mourinho has led United to Community Shield and EFL Cup success this season, while they are still in contention for the Europa League and FA Cup.City are in the hunt for the FA Cup and Champions League, with Antonio Conte's Chelsea flying high atop the Premier League.Karanka believes Guardiola, who had trophy-laden spells at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, has taken time to adjust in England.

"I think he's realised that this is a different football, a different league, and he has grasped how difficult the challenge is. It's taking him time to adapt and it's not been easy for him," he said."It's difficult when you arrive in a new country, with a new philosophy where a lot of things are different.

"He has some very good players, but the mentality here is different. Things are different and it takes time to adjust."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.03.11

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.03.11

Bournemouth Vs West Ham

Everton Vs WBA

Hull City Vs Swansea

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FA Cup Fixtures 2017.03.11

FA Cup Fixtures 2017.03.11

Middlesbrough Vs Manchester City

Arsenal Vs Lincoln City

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.03.11

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.03.11

Valencia Vs Sporting Gijon

Sevilla Vs Leganes

Malaga Vs Alaves

Granada Vs Atletico Madrid​

 

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Serie A Fixture 2017.03.11

Serie A Fixture 2017.03.11

Genoa Vs Sampdoria​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.03.11

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.03.11

Bayern Vs Frankfurt

Hertha Berlin Vs Dortmund

Leipzig Vs Wolfsburg

Friedburg Vs Hoffenheim

Darmstadt Vs Mainz

Ingolstadt Vs Cologne​

 

[shw7]

Boooring game!!!..............

 

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Borussia Dortmund confident Aubameyang will stay

Borussia Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke is confident Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang will not leave Signal Iduna Park at the end of the season.

The prolific striker has a contract with BVB until June 2020, but is continually being linked with a move away from the Bundesliga giants, with Real Madrid believed to be among his admirers.Aubameyang recently fuelled speculation that he could be on the move when he stated he might have to leave in order to take the next step in his career, but Dortmund remain optimistic he will stay put.

"Ever since Auba joined Dortmund, I have never had the feeling that he is planning to leave this club," Watzke told Bild."And I think he realises that we are building a great team again here.

"We know what he means to us, but he also knows what we can do for him."We are not thinking about a transfer at all at this stage."The 27-year-old has been in sublime form this term and has already netted 28 goals in 31 appearances in all competitions.

 

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Middlesbrough 0 Manchester City 2: Wembley beckons for Guardiola's men

Goals from David Silva and Sergio Aguero either side of half-time helped Manchester City to the semi-finals of the FA Cup for the first time since 2012-13 at the expense of Middlesbrough.

Silva opened the scoring from close range after just three minutes, before Aguero completed the 2-0 win at Riverside Stadium after the break with a fine finish.

City boss Pep Guardiola had acknowledged ahead of Saturday's encounter that a lack of silverware in 2016-17 would mean his first season at the club will be considered a failure and he thus fielded a strong XI regardless of the upcoming Champions League trip to Monaco.

And the former Bayern boss' decision paid off as City were well in control throughout the game, eventually cruising to a comfortable win to prevent a repeat of the FA Cup exit versus Boro in 2014-15.

There was a further boost for Guardiola as his side kept a third successive clean sheet, perfect preparation for when they travel to Monaco defending a 5-3 lead with the plan of stopping Leonardo Jardim's potent strikeforce.

For Boro there were moments of positivity but - as has been the case all season - they lacked quality in the final third and will now turn their attention to Premier League survival.

City immediately charged forward and went a goal up after just three minutes through Silva, Boro goalkeeper Brad Guzan unable to keep his shot out despite getting a hand to it. Pablo Zabaleta did well to fire the ball across goal after being set up by Yaya Toure and, after Raheem Sterling failed to properly connect, the Spaniard blasted home from close range.

The hosts slowly grew into the game after a rocky start and they were unfortunate not to restore parity halfway through the first half when Rudy Gestede tested Claudio Bravo from Grant Leadbitter's right-wing corner, the City goalkeeper only just getting a hand to his header before Zabaleta cleared it off the goal-line.

Leroy Sane should perhaps have doubled the away side's lead in the 33rd minute following another intricate team move involving Silva and Sterling, only for the ex-Schalke star to mishit his shot with his weaker right foot after a low cross from the England winger.

It was all City again early in the second half and Silva could have doubled his personal tally after some great work from Sterling down the right, but the attacking midfielder aimed too high from just yards out.

Aguero was then unfortunate not to add his name to the score sheet when Guzan did just enough to deflect his low shot against the upright with a fine reflex save after yet another low Sterling cross.

A second goal seemed inevitable, though, and Aguero eventually grabbed it in the 67th minute, the Argentina international slamming home from close range after delightful work from the impressive Sane.

Sterling thought he had added a third minutes later when he pounced on a rebound, but the winger saw his goal disallowed for offside.

It mattered little, though, as City eased into the last four, while Guardiola was able to bring Aguero, Sane and Yaya Toure off for some valuable rest ahead of their midweek European journey.

 

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Bayern Munich 3 Eintracht Frankfurt 0: Lewandowski ton up to bring title nearer

Bayern Munich opened up a 10-point gap at the top of the Bundesliga with a clinical 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.Robert Lewandowski made it 100 goals in all competitions for the defending champions with a brace either side of Douglas Costa's 41st-minute strike.

Frankfurt asked plenty of questions of their illustrious hosts until Lewandowski's second in the 55th minute effectively ended the contest, with heroic defending from Mats Hummels and rank wastefulness from visiting striker Branimir Hrgota proving pivotal during the opening period.

Title rivals RB Leipzig went down to a goal from Wolfsburg's former Bayern striker Mario Gomez and, with 10 games remaining this season, a fifth consecutive Bundesliga crown appears an increasing formality for the Bavarian giants.Frankfurt spurned an unexpected opening in the second minute, with Ante Rebic blazing over after Bayern left-back David Alaba was dispossessed.

It was a lethargic start from the hosts and only a stunning last-ditch tackle from Hummels prevented Hrgota from putting Frankfurt ahead after he rounded Manuel Neuer.

Costa, one of the few bright sparks for Carlo Ancelotti's men during the first half-hour, sliced over from Alaba's cross but Frankfurt continued to operate on the front foot.

It was therefore against the run of play when Lewandowski slotted home his 20th Bundesliga goal of the season in the 38th minute, Thomas Muller sliding a low ball across the face of goal after the Poland striker's flick-on caused confusion in the visitors' defence.

Hrgota's frustrating outing in front of goal continued when he spurned the opportunity to register an instant Frankfurt response, stabbing wide at the back post following fine work from Rebic.Again, profligacy was punished, with Alaba darting down the left and teeing up Costa for an emphatic finish and a somersault celebration.

Muller thought he had added to his solitary Bundesliga goal this season but Makoto Hasebe made a sliding goal-line clearance, the Frankfurt defender thumping his knee on the base of the post for his troubles.

Niko Kovac's men were not cowed into abandoning their attacking intent and the impressive Rebic cut into the box to hit the crossbar before Danny Blum shot wildly over.

Bayern gave their opponents a lesson in efficiency once more, with Arjen Robben shifting on to his left foot to pick out Lewandowski, whose control and finish was impeccable to reach his landmark.

Hasebe was still feeling the effects of his earlier intervention in the 64th minute and he made way, meaning a first Bundesliga appearance for Marco Russ since the 31-year-old received the all-clear from testicular cancer treatment.

Blum kept Neuer honest, drawing a sharp low save from the Germany goalkeeper, who was protected by Jerome Boateng for the first time this calendar year – the centre-back replacing Javi Martinez midway through the half to mark a return from shoulder surgery.Lewandowski passed up a chance to claim the matchball, slotting past the post after Robben played him through.

Frankfurt lie sixth despite their losing run in the Bundesliga being extended to five matches and remain in contention for a European place.Bayern's loftier ambitions are set to be realised sooner rather than later.

 

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Hertha Berlin 2 Borussia Dortmund 1: Plattenhardt blows Champions League race open

Hertha Berlin blew the race for Champions League qualification from the Bundesliga open as Marvin Plattenhardt's stunning free-kick earned them a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

Dortmund had been in fine form coming into this clash, but their momentum was halted at the Olympiastadion by Hertha, who are now just three points behind Thomas Tuchel's third-placed side in fifth.

Although Dortmund started brightly, buoyed by a fine week in which they thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 6-2 and reached the Champions League quarter-finals, Salomon Kalou netted as Hertha profited from a Matthias Ginter error.

Hertha have the best home record in the Bundesliga, but they could not stop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scoring his eighth goal in four games in all competitions to equalise in the 55th minute

Dortmund continued to press, hoping for a winner, but more sloppiness from Ginter proved costly as his foul on Mitchell Weiser allowed Plattenhardt the chance to drill a fine set-piece beyond Roman Burki.Although the visitors threw on Ousmane Dembele and Christian Pulisic, Hertha were able to hold on and close the gap to the top four.

Dortmund should have been in front within two minutes, but Andre Schurrle, played in by Shinji Kagawa, inexplicably shot high and wide as he bore down on goal.

Ginter nodded a second early chance over the crossbar and was later caught in possession in his own half, allowing Vedad Ibisevic to tear clear on the right, brush off the recovering defender's challenge and centre for Kalou to tap into an open goal in the 11th minute.

Kalou immediately sought a second, forcing a fine save from Burki and then seeing his low shot from the subsequent corner cleared off the line by Raphael Guerreiro.
Dortmund took their time to muster a response, with Marc Bartra flicking Ginter's cross over as Hertha failed to remove the danger after a corner from the right.

Threatening deliveries at either end, from Plattenhardt and Erik Durm respectively, then saw Kalou and Aubameyang fail in their efforts to steer the ball home.But Hertha should have doubled their lead shortly after half-time when Kalou dummied Peter Pekarik's pass to create an opening for Per Ciljan Skjelbred, who screwed his shot wide.

Kalou continued to wreak havoc from the left for the home side, but Dortmund's own danger man levelled the scores with his first and only shot on target.Kagawa prodded a pass into the path of Aubameyang on the left-hand side of the area and he finished sublimely into the top-right corner.

That goal appeared to turn the game in Dortmund's favour and Gonzalo Castro dragged wide after bursting through the hosts' back-line, before Aubameyang lifted an effort past the post as the ball fell his way in the area.

But the visitors were made to pay for their profligacy when Ginter's foul gave Plattenhardt a 71st-minute free-kick 20 yards from goal, and he planted an explosive strike into the top-right corner.

Dortmund tried to salvage a point, but Schurrle's wide drive was the closest they came as Hertha clung on for the points.

 

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Everton 3 West Brom 0: Hosts equal last season's points tally with easy win

Romelu Lukaku's 19th Premier League goal of the season helped Everton beat West Brom 3-0 on Saturday in a win which saw them match their total points tally of 47 from last season, highlighting their marked improvement under Ronald Koeman.

Everton's display emphasised their increased solidity in defence since Roberto Martinez's departure, while there were no signs of that negatively impacting their effectiveness going forward as they equalled last season's record despite having 10 more games to play.

It did take them a little longer than they would have liked to open the scoring, but a brilliant six-minute spell at the end of the first half had Everton well on course to wrapping up a comfortable win, finally making the most of their superiority over a West Brom team which showed little attacking intent.

Kevin Mirallas got the first in the 39th minute, reacting quickest in the area before tucking away, with Morgan Schneiderlin then rounding off a fine first half with his first goal for the club.

West Brom enjoyed a little more time on the front foot after the interval, but they never had Everton looking particularly uncomfortable.And ultimately Everton sauntered to victory, as Lukaku struck late on to overtake his previous Premier League best of 18 goals in a single season to spoil Tony Pulis' 300th Premier League match as a manager.

Even from the early exchanges it looked set to be a long day for West Brom, as Everton started brightly and put their visitors under considerable pressure, though it took them 16 minutes to craft the match's first chance.

Gareth Barry tussled with Jake Livermore on the edge of the box and came out on top, before feeding Lukaku and he dragged a right-footed effort agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.

Lukaku went close again just before the half-hour mark, escaping Jonny Evans in the area and heading off target after a great left-wing delivery from Leighton Baines.But Everton finally found their range in the 39th minute.Ben Foster failed to hold on to Ross Barkley's 20-yard effort and Mirallas was there to pounce, smashing home from close range.

And Schneiderlin doubled their advantage on the stroke of half-time – prodding past Foster after latching on to Lukaku's precise reverse pass.Sensing they had already wrapped things up, Everton looked to invite West Brom pressure early in the second half.

And the visitors did at least get a shot on goal six minutes after the break, but Joel Robles pushed away Nacer Chadli's 25-yard effort with relative ease.Everton continued to look the more inventive in attack, though, and Barkley worried them just after the hour mark, shrugging off Gareth McAuley and rifling into the side-netting inside the area.

West Brom were finally finished off eight minutes from time - Lukaku rising to meet Barkley's cross and heading beyond the helpless Foster.It almost got even worse for West Brom in stoppage time, but Idrissa Gueye's 20-yard strike came back off the right-hand post.

 

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Bournemouth 3 West Ham 2: King hat-trick puts Hammers to the sword to seal vital win

Joshua King's hat-trick helped Bournemouth secure their first win of 2017 in a dramatic 3-2 triumph over West Ham, despite the Cherries missing two penalties at the Vitality Stadium.

Pacy forward King was the man to miss Bournemouth's first effort from 12 yards in the ninth minute with Michail Antonio putting the Hammers in front just 48 seconds later.

King quickly made amends with a fine solo goal to level proceedings before Benik Afobe this time fluffed his lines from the spot to add to Bournemouth's frustrations.

Bournemouth did take the lead early in the second half thanks to King's close-range effort, before late drama ensued, starting with Andre Ayew restoring parity with eight minutes remaining.But Eddie Howe's men were not to be denied as King again pounced from close range in the last minute of normal time to earn a timely three points for Bournemouth, who end an eight-match winless Premier League run and move eight points clear of the drop zone.

West Ham, meanwhile, have now gone four games without a win and missed out on the chance to force their way into the top 10.Ryan Fraser dragged a shot across goal and Afobe headed a Marc Pugh cross wide in a lively opening from Bournemouth.

The hosts looked poised to make the most of that bright start when Sofiane Feghouli hauled down Charlie Daniels when he burst into the box, but King placed his penalty wide.

And 48 seconds later West Ham went in front. Harry Arter's misplaced pass was stolen by Feghouli and he found Antonio, who picked out the bottom-right corner on the spin.

Antonio continued to trouble the home defence and he fizzed a 20-yard effort past the right-hand post before creating a chance for Manuel Lanzini, who failed to keep his shot down when well placed.

Bournemouth remained a threat, though, and West Ham goalkeeper Darren Randolph was called into action twice in the space of a minute to keep out Fraser's long-range half-volley and a powerful header from Steve Cook.

Randolph could do nothing to stop Bournemouth's equaliser, though, as King neatly chipped the ball over Jose Fonte's head with his right foot before drilling home with his left.

Incredibly, Bournemouth were awarded another penalty when Fonte was deemed to have tripped Pugh in the box.Afobe took the responsibility this time, but his tame effort was saved easily by Randolph low to his right.

The end-to-end nature of the opening period continued right up to the half-time whistle as only Artur Boruc's outstretched left boot prevented Feghouli from restoring the London side's lead.There was no let-up in the drama after the break as Bournemouth took the lead within three minutes.

Cook rose highest to meet Fraser's free-kick and, as the West Ham defence appealed in vain for offside, King calmly applied the close-range finish.Referee Bobby Madley duly consulted with his assistant as the visitors continued with their protests, but the goal was allowed to stand.

Afobe was then denied by Randolph as the Hampshire side pressed for a third goal, but as the final whistle loomed, West Ham began to look the more threatening and duly made it 2-2 with eight minutes left.Pedro Obiang's superb pass split the home defence wide open, Sam Byram delivered the low cross and fellow-substitute Ayew swept the ball home.

Bournemouth were not done, though, and King fittingly had the last word, rattling home from eight yards out after Randolph had parried Jack Wilshere's initial effort into his path.

 

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Monaco 2 Bordeaux 1: Jardim's men warm up for Man City clash with victory

Monaco warmed up for their Champions League match against Manchester City with a 2-1 victory over Bordeaux to move five points clear at the Ligue 1 summit.

With Nice having been held by Caen on Friday and Paris Saint-Germain not in action until Sunday, Leonardo Jardim's side - who lost the first leg of their last-16 tie against City 5-3 - took full advantage on home soil.

Kylian Mbappe and Joao Moutinho were on target inside the final 22 minutes to break the visitors' resistance, giving Monaco only their fourth win over Bordeaux in the last 22 top-flight meetings between the teams.

A late error from Monaco goalkeeper Danijel Subasic allowed substitute Diego Rolan to cut the deficit, but it mattered little.

The opener came when Radamel Falcao was first to a cross and then the loose ball, toe-ending a pass to Mbappe to coolly steer in.Moutinho's was a glorious curling finish from outside the area just six minutes later, ensuring that when Subasic failed to clear his lines and Rolan capitalised, it was merely a consolation.


Bordeaux stay sixth after only their second league loss of 2017, while Monaco host City on Wednesday in buoyant mood.

 

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'The EFL Cup is not enough' - Mourinho aware he must deliver further success at Man Utd

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes the gap between his side's potential and expectations at Old Trafford is a tough one to bridge.Mourinho took charge of the 20-time English champions after Louis van Gaal stepped down at the end of last season.

The reigns of David Moyes and Van Gaal, even allowing for last year's FA Cup triumph, marked a significant downturn from Sir Alex Ferguson's glorious reign at Old Trafford.

United won the first silverware of the English season by beating Southampton 3-2 in the EFL Cup final at Wembley last month and they head to Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup on Monday, with their interest in the Europa League on-going.

Nevertheless, they lie a distant sixth as Chelsea race clear at the top of the Premier League and Mourinho feels ready to settle in for the long haul, with plenty of work still to be done.

Speaking to BBC Football Focus, he said: "I work a lot but that's what I like. I love the club. I feel that I am here for much more time because the connection is so good with everyone.

"The hard part is the expectation because of the club's history. I am also a little bit guilty of it because I am used to winning trophies in every club."The relationship between our true potential and the expectations, there is a gap and that gap is the most difficult thing."

Thursday's 1-1 draw against Rostov in the last-16 of the Europa League, with a return at Old Trafford to come next week, underlines the strain United's current schedule places on United's squad but the manager is not content with one major honour.

"We are happy with the trophy, a trophy is always important," he said. "The reality is that many other teams in England are going to finish the season without a trophy and we have won the EFL Cup and the Community Shield [beating Leicester City 2-1 in August].

"We are in the quarter-final of the FA Cup but we have to fight for everything. The EFL Cup is not enough for us to say the season is over in February."

 

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Arsenal 5 Lincoln City 0: Routine FA Cup win unlikely to ease Wenger scrutiny

Arsenal avoided an upset and booked a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup on Saturday, but defeating fifth-tier Lincoln City 5-0 at Emirates Stadium is unlikely to ease the intense scrutiny bearing down on manager Arsene Wenger.

Strikes from Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Luke Waterfall's own goal sealed the victory, but more protests prior to the game called for the departure of the veteran manager, who is out of contract at the end of the season and under pressure to walk away having failed to win the Premier League since 2003-04.

A humiliating 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League in midweek, which sealed a catastrophic 10-2 aggregate exit at the last-16 stage for a seventh successive season, could yet prove too great an embarrassment for Wenger to bear when he comes to determine his future.

And ending lowly Lincoln's fairy-tale run in north London will do little to assuage the concerns of Gunners supporters demanding action from the club's board, who have staunchly backed the 67-year-old throughout a long spell of capturing minimal silverware.

Wenger has only delivered three FA Cups since 2005 and he could still lift the trophy again in May, Arsenal joining Manchester City in the last four, with Tottenham at home to Millwall on Sunday and Manchester United visiting Chelsea a day later.

But it is in the league where Wenger's future is likely to be determined, with anything less than a top-four finish and Champions League qualification expected to result in the departure of English football's longest-serving active manager.

Arsenal overcame a somewhat nervy start to control the contest as expected, although it took until the 14th minute for their first clear-cut opportunity to arrive, Lincoln goalkeeper Paul Farman making a strong save low down to his left to keep out Walcott's well-struck volley.

Wenger was forced to make a change in the 27th minute, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain limping off with a suspected hamstring injury and being replaced by Mesut Ozil.

Two minutes later, Lincoln carved out their first good chance. Played in by powerful centre-forward Matt Rhead, Nathan Arnold advanced into the area down the right, cut inside Laurent Koscielny and forced Petr Cech to turn the ball behind for a corner.

The away team's resistance was finally broken in stoppage time at the end of the first half, when Kieran Gibbs teed up Walcott just inside the box and the forward's deflected shot beat Farman.

They continued to dominate early in the second half and made it 2-0 in the 53rd minute, Hector Bellerin playing a neat one-two with Sanchez before cutting the ball back for Giroud, who made up for a clumsy attempt moments earlier by stroking the ball home confidently.

Waterfall allowed the floodgates to open when he inadvertently steered a Gibbs pass into the back of his own net two minutes before the hour mark.Sanchez then curled home a stylish fourth in the 72nd minute after skipping impudently past a heavy attempted challenge by Alex Woodyard.

The Chile international was instrumental in making it 5-0 three minutes later, the former Barcelona man bamboozling the Lincoln defence before finding Ramsey at the back post, where the Wales midfielder walked the ball around Farman and into the back of the net.

Next up for Arsenal, who nearly made it six when Sanchez smashed a free-kick against the bar in the 85th minute, is a trip to face West Brom in the Premier League, as the fifth-placed Gunners seek to get their top-four challenge back on track.