..::Football IV::..

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Mourinho demands consistent Man Utd after flattering Crystal Palace result


Jose Mourinho has demanded more consistency from his Manchester United side, despite the Red Devils cruising to another 4-0 Premier League victory on Saturday.

United thumped lowly Crystal Palace in comprehensive fashion at Old Trafford, with Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini's brace doing the damage.
11/2 for Brighton and Arsenal to draw


It represents their fourth 4-0 triumph of the campaign, but Mourinho was left disappointed by elements of his side's display."Three points were very important," Mourinho told Sky Sports."I told the players we had to respect and play seriously against an opponent in a difficult situation but are better than the results are saying.

"Probably the result is bigger than our performance because I don't think our performance was consistent. We had good periods, good moments, always control of the game."But I think we could do better, but the important thing are the three points, that's it."

Mata's goal three minutes in set the tone for another impressive win, with Fellaini's double all-but wrapping up the points prior to Lukaku netting his 11th United goal late on.And Mourinho, who sold Mata while Chelsea boss, was quick to praise the Spanish playmaker, along with United's more experienced players."I need good players and I need good people," Mourinho told reporters.

"I need some people with maturity, with the concept of 'team'. I know the new generation of players are more individuals because their entourage and society makes them this way.

"So to have people like Mata, [Ander] Herrera, [Antonio] Valencia and [Nemanja] Matic - i'm just giving you a few examples, there are more - is very important."It's great to have these players, because as managers we do not have an easy life now."

 

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Conte not expecting serious Morata injury despite early withdrawal vs Man City


Antonio Conte does not expect Alvaro Morata to spend too long on the sidelines after Chelsea's top scorer was forced off with a first-half injury during the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.

Morata scored his seventh goal in eight matches for the Blues as Conte's men came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League.But the Spain striker hobbled off in the 35th minute against City at Stamford Bridge, holding his left hamstring.

"It's a muscular problem," Conte told reporters after Kevin De Bruyne's excellent 67th-minute goal sent Pep Guardiola's side back to the top of the Premier League table."I don't think it's a serious problem because he stopped before it will become a serious injury.

"He said to me, 'Coach, I prefer to stop myself otherwise I risk a bad injury'. I don't know."The doctor now in the next days has to check the situation, but I don't think he's available for the national team."It's normal when you play three massive games in only seven days, you must consider this aspect [fatigue]."We needed to take this risk because Morata for us is an important player."

Conte's reliance upon Morata as the leader of his attack was underlined when winger Willian came on in his place, with Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi held back until his compatriot De Bruyne broke the deadlock to give the visitors the lead."It was a simple tactical decision," the Italian said.

"In this type of game I thought Willian with [Eden] Hazard was a good decision, to try to exploit the space behind the defenders. It's a simple tactical decision."Chelsea are now six points off the pace set by the Manchester clubs at the summit – United are one shy of City on goal difference after thumping Crystal Palace 4-0 – but Conte pointed towards a tough run of fixtures handed to his side over the opening weeks of the season.

"I think you have to consider that in seven games we played with Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and also Everton," he said."I think our start wasn't so, so easy. I think we have the points that we deserve."

On City's title credentials, Conte added: "Last season Manchester City was a very good team, very strong."I think after this transfer market they improved a lot. They strengthened, I think so.

"It's right to compliment our opponent. This is football. We have to accept the result, above all because we know that we gave everything."

 

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Conte: Man City match not simple for tired Chelsea


Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte suggested his team's midweek workload at Atletico Madrid was a mitigating factor in the 1-0 Premier League loss to Manchester City.

The English title-holders were magnificent in overcoming Atleti 2-1 in the Champions League on Wednesday but after the match Conte complained that City had been granted extra rest ahead of a crunch domestic clash – Pep Guardiola's men having beaten Shakhtar Donetsk 2-0 on Tuesday.

Kevin De Bruyne's brilliant 67th-minute winner on Saturday ensured City returned to the top of the Premier League table, having dominated for long spells at Stamford Bridge."It was a tough game but we know very well that Manchester City is a really big team and it's very difficult, this type of game. The details move the result," Conte told BT Sport.

"I think we gave everything and I'm very happy for the commitment, desire and will to fight from my players against a really strong team."I think when you play against Manchester City, for sure, usually they dominate the ball."In this type of game you need a bit of time to recover, to run and put on pressure. If you are tired it is not simple to go box to box."

When pressed on the issue of fatigue following Chelsea's exertions in the Spanish capital, Conte said: "About this issue I have already spoken. It is not important to repeat the same concept."I am very proud to be the coach of these players."Chelsea's task was made more difficult by top scorer Alvaro Morata hobbling off with apparent hamstring discomfort after 35 minutes.

Conte sent on Willian in place of the Spain striker, only introducing a recognised centre-forward in Michy Batshuayi after De Bruyne broke the deadlock."We had to stay more calm during the game and wait for the right moments," the Chelsea boss added.

"We created chances and we didn't take them. Manchester City created chances and scored. Great compliments to this team."

 

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Neymar makes PSG confident, but not unplayable - Meunier


Paris Saint-Germain are confident when Neymar has the ball, but Thomas Meunier insists they are not unbeatable.Neymar produced a dazzling display as PSG thumped Bordeaux 6-2, scoring a sensational free-kick and a penalty either side of an assist for Edinson Cavani.

Meunier was also on target – along with Julian Draxler and Kylian Mbappe – as Unai Emery's side handed Bordeaux their first defeat of the Ligue 1 season.

However, having been held to a goalless draw at Montpellier last weekend, the Belgian right-back was unwilling to get carried away by their latest result.

"We can see that it is working well with exceptional players," Meunier told Canal+. "Against an undefeated team we scored six goals. What more can you ask for?
"When Neymar has the ball we're pretty confident going forward, but we can still raise our level."We got a little complacent at 3-0. We could have finished the game much earlier."We are not unplayable. We saw against Montpellier that they resisted us well.There will be teams that block us and it's up to us to get through."If we avoid injuries and the team continues to go well, whether in the Champions League or Ligue 1, it's promising."

Jeremy Toulalan felt Neymar's fifth-minute free-kick severely knocked Bordeaux's confidence, admitting they were outplayed.
"There is not much to say. They are superior and we knew that. We had to have a great game and we didn't," said Toulalan."We came with good intentions but we conceded a goal quickly and it went from there. Congratulations to PSG."We wanted to play with our philosophy but they were on a high level and we were below what we know how to do. The number of goals hurts."

 

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Yesterday match 1ke Neymar ge freekick 1ka patta​

 

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Mourinho hails Lukaku for matching 'legend' Cole


Jose Mourinho congratulated Romelu Lukaku for matching a Manchester United scoring record held by Andy Cole, but the manager insisted he does not only judge the striker on his goals.

United romped to a 4-0 victory at home to rock-bottom Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday, with the Belgium international again on the scoresheet.

After Juan Mata's opener had been followed up by two Marouane Fellaini strikes, Lukaku converted substitute Anthony Martial's cross to round off the scoring four minutes from time.He now has 11 goals in 10 games across all competitions and has tied Cole's club-record mark in scoring seven goals from his first seven Premier League matches.

Mourinho praised Lukaku for reaching another milestone early in his United career, but felt the 24-year-old had produced a positive performance even before the late strike.

"Of course it is nice for a striker to score, it is nice for him to equal the record of such a legend in the Premier League like Andy," Mourinho said to Sky Sports after the match."But I am happy with him – it doesn't matter if he scores or not.

"I was thinking in the latter stages of the game that probably Lukaku doesn't score in this game and I was thinking he [already] had a good performance and a good contribution for us."So Lukaku is not just about the goals he scores, he is about the way he plays and allows other people with different qualities than him to have conditions to shine and perform."

United have scored four goals in four of their last five matches and Mourinho is thrilled to see more players than Lukaku contributing in front of goal, after his side were accused of being overly reliant on Zlatan Ibrahimovic last season. "We always expect a striker to score more goals than the others but especially our attacking players, they have the freedom to play," said Mourinho.

"They can always be in finishing areas, in fact I want them to be, so if people like Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial score goals, I think it's just a natural consequence of the way we play."

 

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Mourinho: I have always trusted Fellaini


Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insists he has always believed in Marouane Fellaini after the midfielder continued his fine start to the season with a double against Crystal Palace.Mourinho's men cruised to a 4-0 victory at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the Belgium international scoring two close-range finishes either side of half-time.

Juan Mata and Romelu Lukaku scored United's other goals as they made it seven straight victories across all competitions, with Fellaini now on four goals for the campaign.

Fellaini's impact comes with key midfielder Paul Pogba out for the long-term and Mourinho was full of praise for the 29-year-old."I always trusted Marouane since day one," Mourinho said to BBC Sport."I try to give him confidence and show him how useful he is for the team.

"Fellaini played really well - but this is what he has been doing for a long time," Mourinho added to Sky Sports. "He is confident, he is happy with his contribution to the team. The style of the team has the space for a player like him and he feels that, so I'm really happy."

Mourinho, who made five changes to his line-up after Wednesday's win over CSKA Moscow, added: "I could see the difference between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Fellaini. "Mkhitarayan played and Fellaini didn't in Russia. I had concerns. Palace had one week to prepare. We had to play in Russia and I had to make changes.

"The mentality allowed me to do that - everybody wants to play. The momentum is good and the players are happy and confident."Three points and a good performance. We rotated, we won and that's the most important thing."Mourinho continued to MUTV: "I'm happy. I would change this 4-0 for four 1-0 victories but that is not possible!

"We played solid and strong from the beginning. We were always in control. Some little mistakes, [which] I think [are] typical from some tired players and playing against a team that is lacking confidence, but we did well."Fellaini himself said: "We controlled the game. That's important and the confidence is there."In two weeks we have a big game against Liverpool. We have to go away with the national teams and come back fit."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.10.01

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.10.01

Arsenal Vs Brighton

Everton Vs Burnley

Newcastle Vs Liverpool

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.10.01

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.10.01


Real Sociedad Vs Real Betis

Barcelona Vs Las Palmas

Valencia Vs Athletic Bilbao

Villareal Vs Eibar

Real Madrid Vs Espanyol​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2017.10.01

Serie A Fixtures 2017.10.01


Napoli Vs Cagliari

Benevento Vs Inter

Chievo Vs Fiorentina

Lazio Vs Sassuolo

Spal Vs Crotone

Torino Vs Verona

AC Milan Vs Roma

Atalanta Vs Juventus​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.10.01

Bundesliga Fixtures 2017.10.01

Freiburg Vs Hoffenheim

Hertha Berlin Vs Bayern

Cologne Vs Leipzig​

 

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Barcelona 3 Las Palmas 0: Messi brace seals points at empty Camp Nou

Sergio Busquets and Lionel Messi were on target at Barcelona beat Las Palmas 3-0 behind closed doors at Camp Nou, preserving their 100 per cent record in LaLiga against a backdrop of unrest surrounding Catalonia's independence referendum.

LaLiga chiefs rejected a request from Barcelona to postpone the match in light of violent scenes that marred Sunday's vote and left 465 people injured according to the Catalan health ministry, after the referendum was declared to be unconstitutional by the country's national government

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu explained the decision to play at an empty Camp Nou was borne out of solidarity and a "rejection of what has been experienced" as the stadium scoreboard bore the message "Democracia", featuring an illustration of a ballot box.

But a home side featuring five Catalans were seemingly unsettled by the circumstances and their surroundings during a listless first-half showing. Las Palmas enjoyed the greater share of possession and hit the post through Jonathan Calleri, with Barca's only advantage appearing in a 4-0 yellow card count at the break.

The half-time introduction of Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta by Ernesto Valverde proved inspired as their midfield colleague Busquets – one of the Catalan contingent - crowned Barcelona's most convincing passage of play by breaking the deadlock in the 49th minute.

Messi then came to the fore in typical style with a brace inside the final 20 minutes to increase Barcelona's advantage over Real Madrid to 10 points before their rivals host Espanyol later on Sunday, although a late injury to Iniesta took some shine off the win.


Barca came out for kick-off in their cavernous surroundings wearing shirts bearing the red and yellow stripes of the Catalan flag, removing them before kick-off to unveil Barca's traditional red and blue – avoiding a clash with Las Palmas' canary kits.

The visitors' jerseys were embroidered with the date and the Spanish flag, a move announced in a statement earlier on Sunday by Las Palmas in opposition to Catalan separatism.

Sergi Roberto, Barcelona's Spain international who has also played for Catalonia's representative side, had the first attempt of the match – Leandro Chichizola in the Las Palmas goal holding a low drive.

The surreal nature of the occasion appeared to stifle both teams in the early exchanges before Chichizola pawed a Messi free-kick away from his top corner and got up sharply to deny Luis Suarez on the rebound.

Calleri thudded a shot against of the post following a 43rd-minute cutback from the excellent Oussama Tannane and Barcelona's frustration was underlined by Busquets and Jordi Alba collecting bookings for dissent in the closing moments of the first half.Valverde turned to Rakitic and Iniesta at the restart and the midfield duo instantly lifted the flagging hosts.

Chichizola kept out another Messi free-kick and pushed Rakitic's dipping effort over the bar, although he was culpable from the resulting corner – coming out to his near post as Busquets got there first and headed in.

The goalkeeper got back on track by thwarting Messi again shortly afterwards and Luis Suarez was booked for simulation in the 52nd minute, going over under Chichizola's challenge when it appeared easier to score.

Unperturbed, the Uruguayan then darted in behind the Las Palmas defence to cause havoc in the area, although Messi planted a header wide from his eventual cross.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner seemed to be looking at a fruitless outing as another attempt was deflected past the post but he classily made the points safe.
Denis Suarez's 70th-minute throughball was inch perfect and Messi majestically danced around Chichizola to net a 10th LaLiga goal of the season.

There was more to come from Messi as he continued a darting run for Rakitic and Luis Suarez to work possession back to him for a trademark finish 13 minutes from time – another inevitable moment of brilliance from Barcelona's talisman on a day where his on-field heroics were forced to take a backseat in this football-mad city.

 

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An empty Cam Nou

 

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Hertha Berlin 2 Bayern Munich 2: Sagnol denied by stunning comeback as Ribery limps off

Bayern Munich's difficult week continued as Hertha Berlin came from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw in a pulsating clash at the Olympiastadion, where Franck Ribery was forced off by a potentially serious knee injury.

Trailing 2-0 in the 49th minute, the home side turned the match around in the space of seven second-half minutes to dramatically deny Willy Sagnol a debut victory as Bayern boss.Sagnol was installed on an interim basis following the sacking of Carlo Ancelotti on Thursday and appeared on course to start his stewardship with three comfortable points.

Dropped for the 3-0 defeat at Paris Saint-Germain, the result that cost Ancelotti his job, Mats Hummels joined Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery in the champions' starting XI and dispatched an early header to make it 1-0.And when Robert Lewandowski added a second shortly after the restart, the visitors appeared set to put a dramatic few days behind them.

But Ondrej Duda and Salomon Kalou responded for Hertha in a chaotic spell to ensure Bayern stay five points off pacesetters Borussia Dortmund, with the injury to Ribery adding to the Bavarian giants' growing list of problems.


Sagnol had no hesitation in recalling Ribery and Robben and the pair immediately linked up for the game's opening chance, with the Frenchman nodding tamely from Robben's clever cross.

Hummels was determined to prove a point of his own and should have done better when he headed Joshua Kimmich's corner past the post.The Germany defender made no mistake a second time around, though, as he expertly directed Jerome Boateng's cross beyond an outstretched Rune Jarstein for a 1-0 lead.

Hummels' opener arrived in just the 10th minute and the action remained relentless, with Hertha having a penalty overruled by the VAR after Javi Martinez was initially punished for a challenge on Vladimir Darida.Bayern's aerial dominance continued as Martinez whistled a header over the bar, before Lewandowski twice went close to doubling the advantage amid a near-constant stream of chances.

The striker first saw a dinked finish cleared off the line by a recovering Niklas Stark after the ball broke kindly in the area, before he next fired narrowly wide on the turn as Hertha somehow escaped to half-time with only a goal deficit.Almost unthinkably, the end-to-end drama only intensified in the moments after the restart.

Lewandowski muscled his way to goal and beat Jarstein in a one-on-one to extend the visitors' advantage, but their 2-0 lead lasted only two minutes as Genki Haraguchi splendidly weaved through a crowded penalty area and teed up Duda for a simple tap-in.And it was 2-2 in the 56th minute, with Kalou firing home at close-range after Corentin Tolisso missed a chance to head away from a free-kick.

Sagnol's mounting headaches grew when Ribery trod on the ball and hobbled off with what appeared to be a potentially long-term knee injury.The stoppage in play for the winger to receive treatment served to halt Hertha's momentum, enabling Bayern to stabilise and secure what proved to be a hard-earned point.

 

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Everton 0 Burnley 1: Hendrick piles pressure on Koeman


Ronald Koeman is under increasing pressure after Everton slumped to a 1-0 home defeat against Burnley on Sunday.

The Everton boss made five changes in an attempt to breathe life into his side, who came into the game with only one win in their last five Premier League games and sitting bottom of their Europa League group following a 2-2 draw at home to 10-man Apollon Limassol on Thursday.

But despite a refreshed line-up, with Wayne Rooney left on the bench, the hosts produced another uninspiring display, Jeff Hendrick's 21st-minute strike proving to be the winner for Burnley.

Everton, tipped to push for a top-four place at the start of the season, remain 16th with only seven points from as many games, while Burnley surge up to sixth after making it five league games unbeaten.Sean Dyche's men have collected eight of their 12 points in four away games this season, more than they managed away from Turf Moor in the entire 2016-17 campaign.


Oumar Niasse, brought in as one of Koeman's changes after his match-winning goals against Bournemouth last week, threatened first, shooting straight at Nick Pope.

Everton squandered a better chance in their next attack, Gylfi Sigurdsson's tame finish from 12 yards saved comfortably by Pope after Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nikola Vlasic had taken advantage of a defensive error from Ben Mee.

But it was Burnley who struck first with their opening shot on target as a slick move that spanned 24 passes resulted in Stephen Ward cutting back to Hendrick, who shimmied past Morgan Schneiderlin and fired a low shot into the bottom corner for his first goal of 2017.

Burnley went into half-time a goal up, but felt they should have had the chance to double their lead from the penalty spot before the break when Scott Arfield went down under Ashley Williams' challenge, only for referee Jon Moss to controversially book the Canada international for diving.



Everton should have been level just after the hour mark when Niasse missed the target from Leighton Baines' left-wing cross, Koeman bringing on Rooney for Schneiderlin immediately after in a tactical change.

Calvert-Lewin was off-target with another headed attempt, but despite Burnley offering no attacking threat after the break, Everton were not creating clear chances as Koeman threw on Tom Davies and Sandro Ramirez in his final substitutions.

Koeman was unhappy to see a late penalty claim turned down when Rooney headed onto the arm of Matt Lowton, while Calvert-Lewin was denied by Pope as Burnley held on for a victory that leaves the Dutchman's future in the spotlight.

 

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Benevento 1 Inter 2: Brozovic fires Nerazzurri to victory


Inter extended their unbeaten run to seven games under Luciano Spalletti as Marcelo Brozovic's quickfire double helped them to a 2-1 victory over Serie A basement club Benevento.

Brozovic has failed to cement a place in Spalletti's first-choice starting XI during the opening stages of the campaign, but he did his chances of doing so no harm with a fine brace midway through the first half at Stadio Ciro Vigorito.Having headed in his first goal of the season to put Inter ahead, Brozovic displayed his quality with a sumptuous free-kick moments later.

And that strike ultimately proved decisive, with Benevento's second league goal of the season - courtesy of Marco D'Alessandro - applying some pressure.Indeed, Inter were fortunate not to be pegged back in the second half, Spalletti's side saved by the woodwork from D'Alessandro's header.

However, despite Benevento pushing for a first point of the campaign, a comeback never materialised, and Inter claimed the spoils to move - temporarily at least - above Juventus into second place.Inter predictably started on the front foot, with centre-back pairing Miranda and Milan Skriniar both testing Benevento goalkeeper Vid Belec.

Spalletti's side had their breakthrough inside 19 minutes, though - Antonio Candreva engineering room for a cross that Brozovic duly headed home.Benevento were further behind three minutes later, Brozovic doubling his tally for the season with a sublime free-kick that nestled in the top-right corner.

Inter's lead looked to have been cut almost immediately, only for Pietro Iemmello's goal to be harshly disallowed for offside after Ledian Memushaj's strike had clattered the crossbar.

Mauro Icardi had the ball in the net on the half-hour mark, though again the goal was chalked off for offside, while D'Alessandro flashed a strike wide at the other end.D'Alessandro did better prior to the interval, however, when he latched on to Iemmello's throughball to dispatch coolly past Samir Handanovic.


The Benevento winger was desperately unlucky not to restore parity after the restart, his close-range header rebounding back off the left-hand upright. Brozovic nearly turned provider shortly after the hour, when his wicked cross picked out Ivan Perisic, who was unable to direct his header on target.

D'Alessandro continued to threaten for the hosts, while Icardi could have put a disappointing display behind him late on, only for Inter's skipper to skew his close-range effort over.



Ultimately, though, Icardi's miss mattered little, as Inter held firm to make it six wins from Spalletti's opening seven games in charge.

 

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Arsenal 2 Brighton and Hove Albion 0: Monreal and Iwobi on target as Sanchez shines

Nacho Monreal and Alex Iwobi stretched Arsenal's winning run to four consecutive games in all competitions as Alexis Sanchez dazzled in the 2-0 Premier League victory over Brighton and Hove Albion.

Monreal's opening goal arrived after Alexandre Lacazette was denied by the post during the early stages for Arsene Wenger's side, although Solly March was similarly close to a Brighton equaliser before half-time.Sanchez took centre stage after the break and set up Iwobi to double the Gunners' advantage with a sublime backheel.

The 28-year-old forward was unable was unable to claim a maiden Premier League goal of the season but his performance offered a vindication of Wenger's hardball transfer window tactics, which left Sanchez unable to complete a deadline-day move to Manchester City.Arsenal are unbeaten in seven matches since their 4-0 humbling at Liverpool in August and are now level on points with defending champions Chelsea in fourth.

Lacazette unleashed a rasping 25-yard drive against the post inside two minutes and Arsenal dominated the opening exchanges with pleasingly slick interplay.Clear-cut chances were not forthcoming, however, and it took a more robust approach to bring about the 16th-minute opener.


Shkodran Mustafi had an effort blocked following a set piece on the right and Hector Bellerin's follow-up also cannoned into a Brighton body before Monreal rifled in for a first Premier League goal since March 2013.

Brighton had limited opportunities to exert themselves as an attacking force but March rattled the upright when a free-kick was laid into his path after 28 minutes, with Petr Cech helpless. Lewis Dunk was unable to direct his follow-up volley on target.

A scramble in the Arsenal penalty area opened up into a swift counter-attack for the hosts three minutes before the break. Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez, Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac were all involved before Albion goalkeeper Mathew Ryan saved with his boot from Aaron Ramsey.Sanchez turned in a virtuoso performance after half-time, with his standout moment of brilliance making the points safe in the 56th minute.

The Chile star collected Ramsey's pass in the area and moved towards the edge of the box with his back to goal, only to unfurl a delightful backheel. It meant Iwobi received the ball with ample time to thump into the top corner as the Brighton defence headed off in the wrong direction.With the result all but settled, the game became a means for Sanchez get the goal his efforts deserved.

He would ultimately be frustrated by Dunk clearing off the line after Ryan took the pace off a 61st-minute effort, while he dragged a later effort wide.Dunk, who performed tirelessly at the back for Brighton and produced a brilliant recovery tackle on Lacazette, brought down Sanchez at the end of a menacing run, only for the former Barcelona man to swipe the free-kick over.

He pulled his shirt over his face in frustration – an entirely different emotion to that experienced by Wenger and the Arsenal supporters still able to watch Sanchez in their colours when this mood grabs him.

 

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Real Madrid 2 Espanyol 0: Isco double secures first LaLiga home win for Zidane's side

A brace from Isco helped Real Madrid edge past a dogged Espanyol 2-0 to secure a first LaLiga win of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane's side were a long way from their free-flowing best, but Isco's goals in either half were enough to end a run of three league matches without a win at home and keep pace with leaders Barcelona, who remain seven points ahead of them.Cristiano Ronaldo's wait for a first LaLiga goal of the season goes on with the Portuguese superstar squandering two excellent chances to get off the mark in the first half.

As violent scenes marred the Catalan independence referendum in Espanyol's home city of Barcelona, Madrid fans waved Spanish flags and chanted "Viva Espana".Quique Sanchez Flores' side did pose problems for the hosts' backline throughout, but they proved powerless to resist two moments of brilliance from Isco.


Madrid, who handed Achraf Hakimi a debut at right-back with Dani Carvajal sidelined by a viral pericardium infection, started at a blistering pace and should have been ahead after just 24 seconds.

Isco ghosted in behind Espanyol's defence to latch onto Sergio Ramos' searching ball, but his effort was too close to Pau Lopez, who duly parried away. Isco was involved again when his long-range shot was comfortably gathered by Lopez, before Marco Asensio scuffed wide from a corner.Ramos was denied an opener midway through the first half as Lopez pawed away his thundering header from Ronaldo's clipped cross.

Ronaldo then laid on the opener in the 30th minute. The Portuguese superstar picked the ball up 30 yards from goal and played a clinical through ball for Isco, who cleverly prodded past Lopez before he had a chance to set himself.

Ronaldo squandered two golden opportunities to add to the lead before half-time. First, a crisp left-foot volley arrowed just over the bar and then Lopez got down well to smother the 32-year-old's effort after he expertly controlled a long ball over the top with his chest.

The visitors offered almost nothing going forward in the opening period, but came agonisingly close to levelling just before the break when Gerard Moreno crashed a shot against Keylor Navas' post.Buoyed by that chance, Espanyol started the second period in a positive fashion with Navas alert to keep out Mario Hermoso's drilled effort.

The visitors continued to press for an equaliser and they were left exposed in the 71st minute as a devastating Madrid counter-attack produced the second goal. Ronaldo was instrumental again as his surging run created the space for Isco – who started the move by winning possession – to collect Asensio's pass and slide into the bottom corner past Lopez.



Substitute Lucas Vazquez nearly made it three late on as he stretched to meet Ronaldo's teasing cross, but it would have been harsh on an Espanyol side who acquitted themselves well.

 

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Atalanta 2 Juventus 2: Dybala misses penalty as champions held

Juventus' 100 per cent start to the Serie A season was snapped by a battling Atalanta side who came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw against the champions.

A roller-coaster ride at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia featured four goals and a pair of contentious VAR decisions as either side felt aggrieved by reviews made by referee Antonio Damato.

Federico Bernardeschi, making his first start for Juventus, opened the scoring for the visitors in the 21st minute, before supplying the assist for Gonzalo Higuain to make it 2-0 three minutes later.

Atalanta's fightback started when Mattia Caldara – on loan from Juventus – pulled a goal back shortly after the half-hour mark and at 2-1, Juventus had a Mario Mandzukic goal cancelled out following Stephan Lichtsteiner's foul on Alejandro Gomez.

The comeback was completed by Bryan Cristante, who scored the pick of the goals with a pinpoint second-half header, but Atalanta's efforts looked to have fallen short when Juve were given a controversial penalty late on for an Andrea Petagna handball, upheld on review.

But Etrit Berisha, at fault for the game's opening goal, denied Paulo Dybala from the spot to leave Massimiliano Allegri's side trailing the faultless Napoli at the top of the table.


Juventus had the better of the early going and went close after 14 minutes when Mandzukic knocked the ball down and into the path of Higuain near the penalty spot, but the Argentine's effort lacked the necessary power to beat Berisha.

Bernardeschi was in the thick of the action as Juve forged ahead, first by pouncing when Berisha spilled Blaise Matuidi's drive at his feet and poking the ball into the net from point-blank range.

The €40million signing from Fiorentina then threaded a pass into the box for Higuain, who shook off the challenge of Jose Luis Palomino and rifled the ball high into the roof of the net to double Juve's advantage.

Juventus looked to be heading for a comfortable outing until the 31st minute when Gianluigi Buffon failed to hold Gomez's free-kick and Caldara was on hand to side-foot the rebound into the corner of the net.

Gian Piero Gasperini sent on Josip Ilicic, who swung in a dangerous cross that Jasmin Kurtic headed just wide as the home side pushed for an equaliser before half-time.

Higuain and Dybala linked up well as Juventus reasserted their grip on the game in the second half and the former fired a shot just over the crossbar shortly before the visitors had the ball in the net for a third time.

Dybala crossed for Mandzukic to head the ball down into the net after 57 minutes but Damato consulted the video and ruled the goal out due to a foul in the build-up by Lichtsteiner, who was shown a yellow card for elbowing Gomez in the face.

Lichsteiner was swiftly withdrawn by Allegri as his spat with Gomez rumbled on and, having survived the scare, Atalanta sprung into life to draw level.After he was booked for a foul on Lichtsteiner, Gomez found his composure to deliver a neat cross, which Cristante rose to meet with a powerful header into the corner of the net in the 67th minute.

Atalanta were fuming when Juve were awarded a penalty in the 83rd minute, and Damato saw fit to stick with his decision, despite viewing replays which appeared to show the ball hitting Petagna's shoulder.

But Dybala's spot-kick was saved by Berisha, who dived down to his left to push the ball away and preserve a passionately celebrated point for the hosts.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan 0 Roma 2: Dzeko, Florenzi pounce to leave Montella in trouble

Second-half goals from Edin Dzeko and Alessandro Florenzi were enough to secure a 2-0 win for Roma at AC Milan as Eusebio Di Francesco increased the pressure on his friend and San Siro counterpart Vincenzo Montella.

Clear chances were at a premium for much of a match that was billed as a direct contest between the two coaches, who remain close after winning the Scudetto together at the Giallorossi in 2000-01.

The Milan boss had joked before the game about Carlo Ancelotti, sacked by Bayern Munich last week, joining him as an assistant but the availability of a Rossoneri great could give the incumbent real cause for concern should recent struggles continue for his team, who finished the match with 10 men when Hakan Calhanoglu received a second yellow card in the 80th minute.

Milan underwent an expensive makeover in the off-season but have now lost their last two league matches and trail the early Scudetto contenders in seventh spot.Roma meanwhile are fifth thanks to their fourth league victory in succession.

Stern tests await both teams after the international break, with the Rossoneri due to face in-form neighbours Inter in the Milan derby and Roma set to host table-topping Napoli at Stadio Olimpico.


A spirited start to the game quickly descended into scrappiness and it took until the 17th minute for either team to register a shot on goal, Kevin Strootman's speculative attempt from long range sailing wide after a poor Gianluigi Donnarumma clearance left the Milan goal unprotected.

Roma called the keeper into action three minutes later, Donnarumma saving easily from Florenzi, who failed to catch a strike cleanly after a good run and pass from the outside of Aleksandar Kolarov's boot.Milan were restricted to long-distance half-chances for Franck Kessie and Calhanoglu, while Roma were forced to withdraw Strootman after just 30 minutes, Lorenzo Pellegrini replacing the Netherlands midfielder.

The substitute tested Donnarumma when he burst into the area with four minutes to go in the half, but the killer blow was lacking once again as the break arrived with the deadlock intact.Milan improved after the break and twice went close to opening the scoring just after the hour mark.

Andre Silva narrowly failed to connect with a cross to the back post and Leonardo Bonucci's fierce strike drew a good save from Alisson either side of Donnarumma denying Florenzi one-on-one.Nikola Kalinic was the next to threaten, holding off Kostas Manolas before turning and shooting straight at the Roma keeper from close range.

But it was Roma who finally pounced, Dzeko receiving a pass from Pellegrini and benefiting from a deflection to beat Donnarumma with a powerful effort from outside the area in the 72nd minute.

And Florenzi settled it five minutes later, following up a Radja Nainggolan strike to slot home the rebound from close range, his first league goal in 18 months. Milan's situation worsened when Calhanoglu's foul on Nainggolan earned him a second booking, leaving the hosts unable to mount an attempted comeback in the closing exchanges.