..::Football IV::..

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Granada 0 Atletico Madrid 1: Griezmann clinches big win in top-four race

Antoine Griezmann's late header earned Atletico Madrid a big three points in a laborious 1-0 win at struggling Granada ahead of a crucial run of fixtures for their top four hopes in LaLiga.

Atleti have been out of the running for the title for some time and a defeat to Barcelona coupled with a draw against Deportivo La Coruna saw Diego Simeone's men become embroiled in a battle just to qualify for the Champions League via their standing in LaLiga, although they did get back to winning ways against Valencia last time out.

Real Sociedad were just a point behind Atleti before the clash at Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes, though, and the visitors' prospects of securing back-to-back wins did not look good for long periods of a lacklustre contest.

However, as has so often been the case it was France forward Griezmann that came to the fore when he nodded in Koke's centre in the 84th minute to extend Atleti's gap over Sociedad, who play Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, to four points and leave Granada firmly in the bottom three.

Granada will ponder what may have been if Adrian Ramos had converted a decent second-half chance, but goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was called into action more and more towards the end of the game and the hosts' misery was compounded by a late red card for Mubarak Wakaso.

It may turn out to be a crucial victory for Atleti, who host third-place Sevilla next week, while next month Sociedad travel to the Vicente Calderon and Simeone's side visit the Santiago Bernabeu for the derby with Real Madrid.

Atleti started brightly enough and Yannick Carrasco directed an early header narrowly wide from Filipe Luis' measured cross, but the first effort on target came at the other end as Ramos nodded straight at Jan Oblak.

Chances were few and far between in a combative first half, though, with Granada relishing the midfield battle and enjoying the better of the possession.Griezmann in particular had struggled to involve himself in play for the visitors and flicked wide when Carrasco picked him out from a free-kick shortly before the break.

An Atleti flurry followed the restart, with Ochoa denying Carrasco's deflected drive after the forward had profited on a poor punch.

But Granada regrouped and Ramos might have done better as he tamely turned Uche Agbo's square pass into the arms of Oblak from in front of goal.With the game opening up, an Atleti counter created space for Griezmann to drill just past the right-hand post, before Carrasco jinked through to shoot wide on the other side.

Griezmann then nodded down for Koke to acrobatically force a smart stop from Ochoa, while Hector blazed over the top from a promising position for the hosts.Ochoa saved again as Angel Correa shot straight at him, then denied Carrasco as Atleti belatedly built momentum, with the goal finally arriving for Griezmann.

Koke received a short corner and delivered towards the back post where Griezmann was waiting to angle a header back across Ochoa into the corner to end Granada's resistance.

And the home side ended the game with 10 men as Wakaso, previously so impressive, lunged in on Griezmann in stoppage time to earn a second yellow card.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixture 2017.03.12

Barclays Premier League Fixture 2017.03.12

Liverpool Vs Burnley

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FA Cup Fixture 2017.03.12

FA Cup Fixture 2017.03.12

Tottenham Vs Millwall​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.03.12

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.03.12

Real Sociedad Vs Athletic Bilbao

Deportivo Vs Barcelona

Celta Vigo Vs Villareal

Real Madrid Vs Real Betis​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2017.03.12

Serie A Fixtures 2017.03.12

Sassuolo Vs Bologna

Chievo Vs Empoli

Fiorentina Vs Cagliari

Inter Vs Atalanta

Napoli Vs Crotone

Pescara Vs Udinese

Palermo Vs Roma​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.03.12

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.03.12

Schalke Vs Augsburg

Hamburg Vs Monchengladbach​

 

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Manchester United could sacrifice FA Cup for Europa League glory, says Neville

They are the defending champions but Manchester United could sacrifice the FA Cup for the Europa League in their bid for Champions League qualification, according to former captain Gary Neville.

United visit Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Monday and will be out for revenge following a 4-0 defeat on Jose Mourinho's return to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League in October.But the fixtures are coming thick and fast for Mourinho's men.

Having made the mammoth trip to Rostov for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday, United welcome the Russian outfit to Old Trafford three days after they face Chelsea, before travelling to Middlesbrough in the Premier League on Sunday.

With United struggling to crack the top four domestically, the Europa League presents a golden opportunity to return to Europe's elite club competition, with the winners earning a place in next season's Champions League.

Speaking exclusively to Omnisport, United great Neville said: "It comes down to what Mourinho prioritises. The FA Cup could be a competition that United sacrifice because they have to try and get into the Champions League.

"Obviously the only two routes are the Europa League and Premier League games.
"It will be a big challenge mentally on Monday. It might be the one, at this moment in time, that they can sacrifice in terms of trying not to complicate the fixture congestion any more."

Despite enjoying a 17-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, United have been unable to improve on sixth position, with their title ambitions all but over for another season.

After being frustrated in a 1-1 draw against Bournemouth last time out, Mourinho's men find themselves 17 points adrift of leaders Chelsea and three off the Champions League qualification spots.

And Neville - who won eight Premier League titles and two Champions League finals during a trophy-laden career at Old Trafford - concedes Mourinho's task of returning the club to its former glory is bigger than initially anticipated."I thought United would have a chance at the start of the season," Neville said."But when Diego Costa and Eden Hazard turned up and they corrected their defensive problems by going three at the back, it became pretty apparent quickly that the old Chelsea were back.

"There's a lot of Premier League winners in that Chelsea team. The issue has been you don't know which Chelsea will turn up from one season from the next. Once the real Costa and Hazard turned up and you had David Luiz in defence and [N'Golo] Kante in midfield, you have a championship-winning team, or the makings of one.

"There is still a bit to go, they [Chelsea] still have some work to do. It won't be as comfortable as we think, there might be some dropped points in the next few weeks.

"The challenge at United was probably bigger than what everyone thought. When I look at it now, I don't think anyone could've won the league with United this season."

 

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Ozil: My Arsenal future does not depend on Wenger

Arsenal playmaker Mesut Ozil claims "everything is open" regarding a new deal at Emirates Stadium and says the future of boss Arsene Wenger will not define his own.

Germany international Ozil is out of contract at the end of next season and the possibility of himself and star forward Alexis Sanchez penning lucrative fresh terms in north London has been a consistent narrative over recent months, as Arsenal's form on the field has faded.

Ozil's dwindling performances have mirrored those of the team as a whole, bringing the 28-year-old in for considerable criticism, while long-serving boss Wenger was the subject of fan marches before this week's matches against Bayern Munich and Lincoln City that called for him to step down.

The No.10 previously revealed that a decision on his future would be made when Wenger gives an indication of where he'll be next season, but Ozil has since made a u-turn on those comments.

Despite this turbulence, the former Werder Bremen and Real Madrid star has not ruled out remaining with the Premier League side having already held contract talks."Everything is open. We had talks with Arsenal. Right now I concentrate on the current season," Ozil told Bild.

"Arsene Wenger was one of the main reasons I joined Arsenal. But I know that sometimes things go very fast in football and that you can never plan something.
"This is why it would be wrong to say that my future depends on my coach."

As for the scrutiny of his own game, 2014 World Cup winner Ozil insists this is nothing new."Criticism accompanies me since the start of my career," he said. "I polarise - in Bremen, in Madrid, in the national team and now in London."Of course it's not pleasant, but I am more thick-skinned today. I try to not let this get to me.

"I am a World Cup champion and I will always be."Bayern completed a humbling 10-2 aggregate defeat of Arsenal in the last-16 of the Champions League on Tuesday, running out 5-1 winners in London, but Ozil has not given up on achieving European glory with his current employers.

"You are never satisfied as a sportsman," he added. "You need the motivation."I want to win the Champions League one day, preferably with Arsenal. I have one more year on my contract here."

 

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Inter 7 Atalanta 1: Hat-tricks for Icardi and Banega in stunning triumph

Mauro Icardi netted a perfect nine-minute hat-trick before Ever Banega added a treble of his own as Inter demolished Atalanta 7-1 at San Siro.

Stefano Pioli's men are up to fourth in the Serie A table having started the day behind their visitors in the standings – making the yawning gulf in class on the field all the more remarkable.

Inter captain Icardi has been a polarising figure for his club and back in his Argentine homeland but he lapped up the adoration as it rained goals in Milan, leapfrogging Edin Dzeko, Gonzalo Higuain and Dries Mertens in the race for the Capocannoniere in the process.He opened the scoring from close range, left-footed in the 17th minute, before winning and converting a 23rd-minute penalty.

A 26th-minute header brought up 20 top-flight goals for Icardi this season and, having floated in the corner for Inter's third, Banega then stunningly helped himself to a first-half brace.

Switzerland Under-21 midfielder Remo Freuler's solo effort offered brief punctuation to an exercise in unrelenting pain for Gian Piero Gasperini's team, previously so impressive this season, before ex-Atalanta man Roberto Gagliardini added a sixth and Banega arrowed in a superb free-kick.

Atalanta actually started brightly, captain Alejandro Gomez drilling wide with Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic rooted to the spot, before their afternoon unravelled spectacularly.

Inter were furious to see Rafael Toloi only booked for bringing down Icardi as he bore down on goal but revenge would be swiftly and brutally exacted.From the resulting free-kick, Ivan Perisic's shot punctured a disorganised defensive wall and fell invitingly for Icardi to sweep home.

The Argentinian latched on to Perisic's flick-on and was sent tumbling by Etrit Berisha before picking himself up to nonchalantly beat the cautioned goalkeeper with a penalty chipped high into the net.

Icardi completed a hat-trick clocking in at nine minutes and 13 seconds when he was left free to power home Banega's corner at the near post.

Playmaker Banega then took his turn to cash in on the defensive mayhem, delaying his run to slam home Antonio Candreva's cutback. When Candreva weaved through beleaguered opponents in the 34th minute, Banega repeated the trick.

Freuler offered a belated response as he cut into the Inter penalty area to net a fine individual goal – scant consolation three minutes from the end of an utterly shambolic half from his Atalanta team-mates.

Gagliardini was one of their number as recently as January but the 22-year-old, who never scored in Atalanta colours, displayed no mercy and the composure of a veteran when he collected Banega's pass to crash into the top corner after 52 minutes.

Gomez was denied by Handanovic as Atalanta passed the minutes of their ordeal by searching for a second consolation, but Banega clipped a 67th-minute free-kick past the embattled Berisha for his hat-trick.

Having ended February with a dispiriting 3-1 home loss to Roma, Pioli can reflect with much satisfaction as his players bettered their bounce-back 5-1 win at Cagliari last weekend – emphatic form that means clawing back a five-point deficit to the top three should not be ruled out entirely, although third-placed Roma do face Palermo later on Sunday.

Banega and Icardi departed to standing ovations, with a trip to Torino next on their agenda, while Gasperini must encourage a team that beat Napoli only two weeks ago to regroup when they host Pescara.

 

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Napoli 3 Crotone 0: Sarri's men cruise into second

Lorenzo Insigne netted twice as Napoli won 3-0 at home to struggling Crotone on Sunday to temporarily climb above Roma into second place in Serie A.

With Roma not playing until later in the day, Maurizio Sarri's side seized the initiative as Insigne's brace and a goal from substitute Dries Mertens proved the difference against the relegation-bound visitors.

Alex Cordaz made a string of saves in the Crotone goal in the first half, twice denying Jose Callejon, as well as Insigne, while Marcello Trotta squandered a big chance at the other end.

Insigne won and converted a penalty to beat the visiting goalkeeper after 32 minutes, but Crotone threatened again after the restart as Pepe Reina blocked well from Diego Falcinelli.

Napoli continued to toil in attack - Leonardo Pavoletti nodding wide - until a second spot-kick was awarded for a trip on Marek Hamsik, with Mertens this time scoring from 12 yards.

With the points secure, Insigne ran clear to extend the hosts' lead and Mertens was denied a fourth by both Cordaz and Bruno Martella in an ultimately dominant display.

 

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Tottenham 6 Millwall 0: Hat-trick hero Son sends Spurs to Wembley, but fears for injured Kane

Son Heung-min scored a hat-trick as Tottenham coasted into the FA Cup semi-finals thanks to a 6-0 thrashing of London rivals Millwall but Mauricio Pochettino will have fears over Harry Kane, who limped off early in Sunday's contest.England striker Kane was injured followed an innocuous looking challenge with Jake Cooper in just the eighth minute at White Hart Lane, but it did little to stem Spurs' blistering attack against the League One side.

Christian Eriksen, Kane's replacement, put the home side ahead after 31 minutes and Son's superb curling effort made it 2-0 before half-time.

Son delighted the home fans with another fine effort, watching a long ball over his shoulder and volleying home, before Dele Alli made it 4-0 and White Hart Lane was treated to Vincent Janssen's first goal from open play in his 30th appearance for the club.

The rout was complete by Son's first hat-trick for Spurs in injury time to take his tally in this season's competition to six goals, the most of any Spurs player, and they can look forward to a last-four tie at Wembley.

Tottenham will now assess Kane, who will also be a concern for England ahead of a double header with Germany and Lithuania this month, but Pochettino will be delighted with how his Spurs attack stepped up in his absence on what is their last FA Cup game at White Hart Lane before a new stadium is built its place.

Spurs poured forward early and Harry Winks forced a save from Tom King with a curling shot just outside the area.The hosts' flow was interrupted when Kane turned his ankle under a challenge from Jake Cooper and had to be replaced by Eriksen.

Dele Alli saw strong penalty claims turned away when he was hauled down by Millwall captain Tony Craig, while at the other end Steve Morison arrowed a shot just over from 20 yards.

Spurs initially struggled for a focal point in Kane's absence, but they went in front in the 31st minute.Alli chested the ball down in the area and Eriksen half-volleyed his shot low into the bottom-left corner, leaving King no chance.

Spurs doubled the lead shortly before the break when Alli combined with Eric Dier to feed Son, who recovered from his initial poor control to turn his marker and bend a glorious left-foot shot past a helpless King.

The Millwall goalkeeper was called into action as soon as the second half began, saving Eriksen's long-range drive at full stretch but there was nothing he could do to stop Son making it 3-0 after 54 minutes.Kieran Trippier sent a long ball into the box and it fell over Son's right shoulder before he hit it on the volley and under King's body.

Millwall still had not registered a shot on target when Trippier broke down the right flank and passed to Eriksen, whose cross found Alli unmarked at the far post and he scored his 16th goal of the season with a simple tap-in.Janssen had only been on the pitch for five minutes when Son burst into the box and squared the ball to the Dutchman, who slotted home a fifth.

King had been outstanding for Millwall and he was unfortunate to be beaten for a sixth time when Son met Eriksen's cross with a shot that squirmed under the goalkeeper's body and ensured the matchball left the field in his arms.

 

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Leicester confirm Ranieri's replacement is Shakespeare

Leicester City have confirmed that Craig Shakespeare will remain manager of the club for the remainder of 2016-17.

Claudio Ranieri was sacked on February 23 as Leicester languished near the bottom of the Premier League table, just nine months after their euphoric and unexpected title win.

Shakespeare had served as Ranieri's assistant manager during their Premier League winning season, having previously held the same position under predecessor Nigel Pearson.

Following Ranieri's departure, Shakespeare was initially handed the reins at the King Power Stadium on a temporary basis, guiding the Foxes to a 3-1 win over Liverpool in his first game in charge.
The former Grimsby Town and West Bromwich Albion midfielder then followed that up with another 3-1 win, defeating Hull City.Leicester vice chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha confirmed the news, praising Shakespeare's leadership of the club since taking temporary charge.

“Craig’s skills as a coach and the high regard in which he is held by everyone the club were well known to us. We always knew the team would be in good hands when we asked him to take charge a fortnight ago," Srivaddhanaprabha told the club's official website.



“He has initiated the type of positive response that we hoped change would bring, showing great leadership qualities and composure under considerable pressure to produce two very important results. We have asked him to continue to lead the team this season and we are very happy that he has accepted.”

 

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Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 1: Shock defeats brings leaders back down to earth

Barcelona were brought back down to earth with a thud as they lost 2-1 away to Deportivo La Coruna in LaLiga.

Four days after recording the biggest comeback in Champions league history with a 6-1 thrashing of Paris Saint-Germain, Barca were extremely poor as they fell to a costly defeat in the title race.

Joselu punished a first-half mistake from goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen to put hosts Depor ahead after his only other two league goals this season had come against Real Madrid.

Luis Suarez, who scored four when Barca won 8-0 at the Riazor last season, appeared to have got the visitors back on track after the break, but Depor captain Alex Bergantinos' header with 16 minutes remaining proved decisive.

Barca had won six league matches in a row coming into the fixture, but could now lose top spot in LaLiga on Sunday, with Real Madrid still just one point behind ahead of their home match against Real Betis.

Impressive Depor are now four matches unbeaten under new boss Pepe Mel, this victory opening up an eight-point gap on the relegation zone.A quiet start to the match saw Joselu fire an effort straight at Ter Stegen in the only early opportunity of note.

Barcelona, who made five changes from the PSG triumph, did not threaten until Luis Suarez poorly sent a free header into the arms of German Lux after latching on to Lionel Messi's free-kick just before the half-hour mark.Depor went close when a superb half-volley from Joselu was impressively kept out by Ter Stegen at full stretch, Fernando Navarro creating the chance.

But the hosts went one better from the resulting corner, Ter Stegen failed to gather Javier Mascerhano's attempted clearance, allowing Joselu to thump in from close range.

Barca wasted no time in response, Luis Suarez scoring just 59 seconds after the restart.Denis Suarez's cross from the right was only half cleared by Alejandro Arribas and Luis Suarez sent a powerful finish past Lux at his near post to move on to 21 league goals this season.

Depor's Carles Gil had a penalty claim turned down after being challenged by Sergio Busquets, while Faycal Fajr's shot deflected just over as the hosts reacted well to the blow.

Luis Enrique sent on Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta for Arda Turan and Andre Gomes in an attempt to seal victory, but the home side threatened again when Joselu's impressive volley tested Ter Stegen after Bruno Gama had led a fast break.

Denis Suarez had an effort saved for the visitors as they struggled to make an impact, while Depor forced Ter Stegen into action again through Arribas' bouncing header.And from the resulting corner, Bergantinos got above Jordi Alba to head in substitute Emre Colak's delivery.

Paco Alcacer was thrown on in Barca's final change and the visitors pushed hard for an equaliser, Luis Suarez denied by Lux from close range and Messi also seeing a shot saved by the keeper.

Messi then wasted a good free-kick opportunity in a frantic stoppage-time period that saw Fajr race clean through on goal before seeing one shot saved by Ter Stegen and another hacked off the line by Alba.

Mel's men held on for a deserved victory, with Barca's hopes of retaining their title suffering a significant setback as they struggled without the injured Neymar.

 

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Liverpool 2 Burnley 1: Can's the man in comeback win

Emre Can struck the winner as Liverpool beat Burnley 2-1 at Anfield to close the gap to third-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table ahead of their meeting next weekend.

With the rest of the top six in FA Cup action, Jurgen Klopp's side came from behind to beat Burnley and consolidate fourth place, while closing to within a point of City and Tottenham.

Liverpool did not have it all their own way in the first half, though, with Ashley Barnes opening the scoring for the visitors as they eyed a maiden away win this term and a first seasonal double over the Reds since 1930.

But Georginio Wijnaldum equalised in first-half stoppage time and Can's long-range stunner completed the turnaround just past the hour, clinching the points with Burnley's attempts at a leveller of their own coming up short.

Klopp's men took until the sixth game of the calendar year to taste a league victory in 2017, but they have now won three of their last four with a trip to City's Etihad Stadium to come next Sunday.It had looked as though the Reds' woes against middling opposition had returned when Burnley deservedly led after seven minutes.

Matthew Lowton delivered a superb low cross from the right and Barnes, arriving behind Joel Matip at the back post, stretched to finish high past Simon Mignolet.
The visitors retained a threat on the break through Andre Gray and he shot across the face of goal from a narrow angle, but, having previously offered little in response, Liverpool drew level on the stroke of half-time.

Divock Origi drifted wide to the left and cut back inside to deliver a cross towards Wijnaldum, who saw his attempted flick blocked but then pounced on the rebound to wrong-foot Tom Heaton with a calm strike.

Barnes sent an effort dipping wide shortly after the restart, but Liverpool finally took control with just under half an hour remaining.Origi was again the provider as he squared for Can, 25 yards from goal, to step forward and drill beyond Heaton into the bottom-right corner.

The hosts were given an immediate reminder of Burnley's menace as a ball dropped for Barnes in the area from a set-piece, but Ragnar Klavan dived across to block magnificently.

Ben Woodburn, on for Philippe Coutinho, flashed a cross just past the right-hand post and only a fine Heaton save kept Sadio Mane from adding a third, before Burnley's best late chance fell to right-back Lowton, rather than a striker, and he blazed over.

 

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Liverpool 2 Burnley 1: Can's the man in comeback win

Emre Can struck the winner as Liverpool beat Burnley 2-1 at Anfield to close the gap to third-placed Manchester City in the Premier League table ahead of their meeting next weekend.

With the rest of the top six in FA Cup action, Jurgen Klopp's side came from behind to beat Burnley and consolidate fourth place, while closing to within a point of City and Tottenham.

Liverpool did not have it all their own way in the first half, though, with Ashley Barnes opening the scoring for the visitors as they eyed a maiden away win this term and a first seasonal double over the Reds since 1930.

But Georginio Wijnaldum equalised in first-half stoppage time and Can's long-range stunner completed the turnaround just past the hour, clinching the points with Burnley's attempts at a leveller of their own coming up short.

Klopp's men took until the sixth game of the calendar year to taste a league victory in 2017, but they have now won three of their last four with a trip to City's Etihad Stadium to come next Sunday.It had looked as though the Reds' woes against middling opposition had returned when Burnley deservedly led after seven minutes.

Matthew Lowton delivered a superb low cross from the right and Barnes, arriving behind Joel Matip at the back post, stretched to finish high past Simon Mignolet.
The visitors retained a threat on the break through Andre Gray and he shot across the face of goal from a narrow angle, but, having previously offered little in response, Liverpool drew level on the stroke of half-time.

Divock Origi drifted wide to the left and cut back inside to deliver a cross towards Wijnaldum, who saw his attempted flick blocked but then pounced on the rebound to wrong-foot Tom Heaton with a calm strike.

Barnes sent an effort dipping wide shortly after the restart, but Liverpool finally took control with just under half an hour remaining.Origi was again the provider as he squared for Can, 25 yards from goal, to step forward and drill beyond Heaton into the bottom-right corner.

The hosts were given an immediate reminder of Burnley's menace as a ball dropped for Barnes in the area from a set-piece, but Ragnar Klavan dived across to block magnificently.

Ben Woodburn, on for Philippe Coutinho, flashed a cross just past the right-hand post and only a fine Heaton save kept Sadio Mane from adding a third, before Burnley's best late chance fell to right-back Lowton, rather than a striker, and he blazed over.

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Real Madrid 2 Real Betis 1: Ramos late show helps Blancos leapfrog Barcelona

Sergio Ramos scored a dramatic late winner as Real Madrid returned to the top of LaLiga with a 2-1 home victory over 10-man Real Betis.

Madrid took advantage of Barcelona's shock loss to Deportivo La Coruna earlier on Sunday by coming from behind to win after it had looked like a dreadful Keylor Navas blunder would cost them dear.The Santiago Bernabeu was stunned when Navas scored a bizarre own goal as he failed to deal with Antonio Sanabria's shot midway through the first half.

Cristiano Ronaldo headed in his fifth goal in four league matches before the break, but it looked for a long time like Madrid would have to settle for a draw that would have kept them behind Barca.

That was until Betis' Cristiano Piccini saw red and Ramos headed in his 10th goal of the season with nine minutes remaining to save Zinedine Zidane's men.Madrid are now two points clear of Barca with a game in hand, having overcome a sticky spell to win their last two league games.

Ronaldo was heavily involved in the early action, having a penalty claim turned down after clashing with German Pezzella before having a left-footed effort unconvincingly saved by ex-Madrid keeper Antonio Adan.James Rodriguez, in as one of Zidane's four changes, also tested Adan while Isco's searing drive just missed the target from 25 yards.

But, after the hosts' bright start, Navas featured in two major moments in quick succession midway through the first half.

Initially he was hugely fortunate to avoid punishment from referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz after racing out of his penalty area and taking down Darko Brasanac, the Betis midfielder furious when not even a free-kick was given after his path to goal was crudely blocked.

Then on 25 minutes, a Riza Durmisi cross from left set up Sanabria, whose low shot from 15 yards appeared to have been saved by Navas before he allowed the ball to squirm out of his grasp and knocked it over the line.

Madrid responded four minutes before half-time as Marcelo's cross from left found an unmarked Ronaldo, who crouched to plant in a header from eight yards and move on to 19 league goals for the season.

Aissa Mandi had a header saved by Navas after the break, while Ruben Castro fired over from a presentable chance after excellent work from Dani Ceballos to set him up.

Madrid began to find their feet when Luka Modric tested Adan and Betis needed a superb challenge from Pezzella to stop Ronaldo racing clear, but the match remained in the balance.Zidane brought on Karim Benzema and Lucas Vazquez in place of Alvaro Morata and James for the final 20 minutes.

Ronaldo had the ball in the net but was flagged offside in a marginal call after racing on to Modric's pass, before he missed the target from a good shooting opportunity given to him by Isco's throughball a few moments later.

Betis were reduced to 10 men with 12 minutes to play when Vazquez raced clear on the counter-attack and was tugged back by Piccini, who received a second yellow card having already been booked in the first half for a foul on Marcelo.And the winner arrived within three minutes, Ramos charging in to power home Toni Kroos' corner from eight yards.

There was one last push from Betis and Navas went some way to making up for his earlier blunder in stoppage time, a powerful header from Sanabria kept out by the Costa Rica international at full stretch as Madrid took a big step towards winning their first league title since 2012.

 

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Lorient 1 Paris Saint-Germain 2: Champions bounce back from Barcelona nightmare

Paris Saint-Germain recovered from their Champions League humiliation at the hands of Barcelona to beat Ligue 1's bottom club Lorient 2-1 on Sunday.

The French champions were not at their best at Stade du Moustoir with memories of their 6-1 drubbing at Camp Nou fresh in the memory, but a first-half own goal by Benjamin Jeannot and Christopher Nkunku's first Ligue 1 strike ensured a return to winning ways.

Head coach Unai Emery was given the backing of PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi in the aftermath of his side's European exit, and anything other than victory over Lorient - who have now lost five consecutive league games - would have been disastrous.

Emery's opposite number Bernard Casoni sent out a well-drilled side, who created a number of chances to score, and Michael Ciani's second-half headed goal was well deserved.

The defeat does nothing to help Lorient, six points adrift of safety at the foot of the table, while the narrow margin of victory kept will not have pleased Emery, whose side must improve before Lyon arrive at Parc Des Princes next weekend, having taken second place in the table back from Nice.

Edinson Cavani flashed a free-kick over the crossbar in the third minute but Lorient had early chances of their own, with Alhassan Wakaso bending a shot just wide of Kevin Trapp's goal after Marquinhos gave the ball away.

The home side sought to take advantage of any residual nerves PSG's defenders might have been feeling after their Champions League humiliation and Ciani fired wide from the edge of the box while the visitors struggled to get into their stride.

Thiago Silva aimed a header towards goal after Javier Pastore's cross picked him out but Lorient goalkeeper Benjamin Lecomte made a good one-handed save to keep the scores level.

The champions began to find their flow and Julian Draxler's backheel played in Cavani, whose shot was well saved by Lecomte. Angel Di Maria took the ensuing corner and the slightest touch from Jeannot was enough to take it past the goalkeeper and Arnold Mvuemba on the line, and into the net.

Lorient continued to frustrate PSG after the break, playing some neat passing football in midfield, but they were undone again just seven minutes into the second half.Cavani squared the ball to Nkunku and the teenager hit a 20-yard shot that swerved past Lecomte, who seemed to be deceived by the ball's flight.

The home side deserved a goal for their efforts and it arrived when Sylvain Marveaux's corner was met by a downwards Ciani header that bounced up into the net to make it 2-1 after 68 minutes and set up a tense final quarter of the game.

Cavani should have put the result beyond doubt when Di Maria let Layvin Kurzawa's cross run to him in the box, but the chance went begging and PSG's travelling supporters had to settle for an uncomfortably narrow victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Smalling promises improved showing on Stamford Bridge thrashing

Chris Smalling believes Manchester United will put in an improved showing in Monday's FA Cup quarter-final clash at Chelsea compared to their Premier League thrashing at Stamford Bridge in October.

United have not lost since the 4-0 league defeat to the Blues, with Jose Mourinho's side unbeaten in 17 matches. Despite their fine form, they sit sixth in the league table, 17 points behind the runaway leaders.

Mourinho's latest return to Chelsea offers an opportunity for redemption and Smalling pledged United will perform at a higher level than in their previous visit.
"Chelsea have been by far the most consistent team in the league and they deserve to be in the position where they are now," Smalling told MUTV."But I think we are on a good run and we will give a much better account of ourselves than we did last time."

The England international was carrying an injury in the 4-0 October humiliation and Smalling accepts he perhaps should have missed the game, with United targeting another FA Cup title after last season's success.

"In hindsight, it was probably not the game I should have played in," he said. "But as a player you try to push yourself and force yourself to play in all sorts of games. That was a big one and I am a player who doesn't want to miss those games.

"In the lead-up to that week, we had drawn with Liverpool and won in Europe too so we were starting to build up momentum. Then that game at Chelsea completely knocked us - it was definitely one of our worst performances of the season. But from then on we have kicked on and done a lot better."I think we all learned a lot of things from that game and, not only do we have progress in this competition to play for, we also have our pride as well.

"The FA Cup is a tough trophy to defend and looking at previous records, not many people have been able to do it and I know United haven't. So to be a part of history by retaining the cup would be brilliant. We're in the quarter-finals already and we can see the finishing line is not too far away if we play as well as we can."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

I want to be a Chelsea legend like Mourinho, says Conte

Antonio Conte has hailed Jose Mourinho as a Chelsea great and described his counterpart as 'one of the best in the world' as his side prepare to face Manchester United in the FA Cup on Monday.

Mourinho had said in recent weeks that watching Chelsea is 'boring', while he has also said that the fixture list has been favourable to his former club.

Conte, however, has refused to be drawn into mind games and spoke positively of Mourinho's impact at Chelsea, where he won the club's first league title for 50 years back in 2004-05.

"I hope so. I hope so," Answered Conte when asked if he would like to emulate Mourinho's success at Chelsea. "His history with Chelsea was great. I know very well he's in the heart of Chelsea's fans. It's great because he deserves it.

"For sure, I hope in the future to emulate his wins here. I think Jose Mourinho wrote a good part of the history of Chelsea. He won a lot with the players. He did a great job here - it's important, always, not to forget this.

"I have great respect for him because he's a winner. I like his mentality. He has a winning mentality. For sure, he's one of the best in the world and, here, he did a great job. I think every single fan must respect him.”

Mourinho and Conte have only faced off twice before in their managerial careers, with Conte's Chelsea having beaten United 4-0 earlier in the season and having faced each other in a pre-season clash back in July 2008.

The game is likely to see both sides field their strongest eleven at Stamford Bridge as Conte hinted that he may use the same team that he does in the league rather than his recent cup line ups, which have seen the likes of Nathan Ake, Kurt Zouma and John Terry start.

"When you arrive at this level of the FA Cup... it's a top competition for all so, for this reason, I want to make the best decision for the game against United," he added. "We didn't play during the week.

"We have to play Monday and then we play on Saturday. I don't see the necessity to rest people. Also because, I repeat, United will do the same against us.”

Conte was pressed on whether he promised game time to his second string in the FA Cup and the former Juve boss was firm that he will only select a team to try to win the match. "No. I didn't promise anything in the FA Cup. Nothing. I didn't promise nothing to anyone."