..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 1: Hazard winner gives Conte timely boost

Eden Hazard scored a second-half winner as Chelsea earned a deserved 1-0 away win over Bournemouth to move back within nine points of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

In the build-up to the game, manager Antonio Conte lashed out at "b******t" reports which claimed the players were unhappy with his training methods and linked Carlo Ancelotti to his job.

And there was further pressure on Chelsea after wins for City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool earlier on Saturday, but the champions responded with an assured display.

The visitors dominated the first half but could not find a breakthrough as Alvaro Morata missed a golden chance before having a goal controversially ruled out for offside.

However, Hazard did strike early in the second half, firing in his fifth Premier League goal in four matches against Bournemouth by beating Asmir Begovic at his near post.

Chelsea, who rallied to beat Watford with a thrilling late comeback last week, have now won two straight top-flight games after only tasting victory in one of their previous four.

The win means the Blues move back up to fourth in the Premier League, four points behind United in second and one adrift of third-placed Tottenham, who lost at Old Trafford.

Bournemouth had beaten Stoke City in their last league outing, but this defeat - in which they failed to produce a shot on target until second-half stoppage time - leaves Eddie Howe's side 19th in the table with only seven points and six goals to show from their first 10 games.


Pedro, a scorer against Watford, fired over from just outside the area early on.At the other end, Benik Afobe over-hit a pass for Charlie Daniels to end a promising Bournemouth attack, although it was the visitors who wasted the best chance of the first half.A poor clearance from former Chelsea goalkeeper Begovic allowed Hazard to slip Morata through on goal, but the striker could only put his tame finish wide.

Morata had the ball in net a few moments later, only to be denied when - in what looked like a marginal call - it was ruled Cesar Azpilicueta had strayed offside as David Luiz's original deflected shot was fired at the Bournemouth keeper.

The ex-Real Madrid striker's frustrating evening continued when, having again been found by Hazard, he dribbled past Simon Francis and saw his left-footed effort impressively saved by Begovic, with Conte visibly annoyed as half-time arrived with the match still level.

But it only took Chelsea six minutes to make the breakthrough in the second half, as Francis failed to cut out Morata's chipped pass and Hazard raced in to beat Begovic at his near post with a powerful left-footed finish.



Jordon Ibe, who had been brought on at the break after initially being left out as part of two changes from Howe, had a powerful strike deflect just over as Bournemouth sought a response.But Bournemouth were struggling to gain meaningful possession and creating little going forward, with Thibaut Courtois not having a shot to save in the whole match until Steve Cook fired straight at him in the final moments.

Cesc Fabregas lashed over from close range after being fed by Hazard late on, but that mattered little as Chelsea cruised to what was a comfortable victory, despite the close scoreline.

 

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Bayern Munich 2 RB Leipzig 0: Orban red card helps hosts go top despite Lewandowski injury

Bayern Munich went top of the Bundesliga after Willi Orban's sending off played a big role in the champions securing a 2-0 win at the Allianz Arena, despite Robert Lewandowski going off injured.

Borussia Dortmund's 4-2 defeat to Hannover earlier on Saturday meant either of these teams could have gone to the summit, but there only ever looked like being one winner after Orban's 13th-minute dismissal as Jupp Heynckes' men cruised.

It quickly became apparent that Leipzig were in for a long day in Munich, Orban sent off for a professional foul on Arjen Robben with the help of VAR and James Rodriguez – who has struggled so far at Bayern – opening the scoring after a fine move in the 19th minute.Lewandowski essentially wrapped things up with a cool finish before half-time, though he then had to be withdrawn with what appeared to be a hamstring problem, making him a doubt for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Celtic.

Without their talismanic striker, Bayern were a little less potent in attack and that resulted in a lack of clear-cut opportunities in a second half which had few highlights.

But their control on proceedings showed no sign of dissipating, as Heynckes' side followed up their DFB-Pokal penalty shoot-out win over Leipzig in midweek by playing some eye-catching football towards the end of a straightforward triumph.
Bayern made a purposeful start and went close to breaking the deadlock after just two minutes, Javi Martinez heading agonisingly wide after David Alaba's 20-yard drive was deflected wide.The Spaniard was proving a real nuisance at set-pieces and he nodded just off target again shortly after.


Bayern then received a massive boost as Orban was dismissed for barging Robben over when through on goal.And Bayern had a deserved lead a few moments later – James tucking a first-time effort just inside the right-hand post after Robben produced a pinpoint low cross from the flank at the end of a charging run.

The chances continued to flow for Bayern, with James seeing a dipping volley deflected just over, before Peter Gulacsi made a strong save to keep a Lewandowski header out.

But the Pole was not to be denied just before the break as he raced on to Martinez's pass and coolly found the bottom-right corner, though he was withdrawn with a suspected hamstring problem before the half was out.Bayern were not quite as free-flowing in attack upon the restart, but they did create a couple of half-chances in their search for a third goal, Alaba lashing into the side-netting before Robben shot straight at Gulasci.

The hosts seemed to become more intent on retaining possession and tiring out their visitors, who almost scored an own goal through Lukas Klostermann when Joshua Kimmich flashed a ball across the face of goal just after the hour mark.

Martinez attempted to add a spectacular third 10 minutes from the end when he blasted just wide of the top-right corner from 30 yards. That miss mattered little, however, as the home side strolled to a fifth straight victory under Heynckes.

 

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AC Milan 0 Juventus 2: Higuain-inspired champions go joint-top as Montella's men suffer again

Gonzalo Higuain scored his 100th Serie A goal as Juventus claimed a 2-0 win at San Siro to move joint-top with Napoli and ramp up the pressure on AC Milan boss Vincenzo Montella.

The Argentine striker found the back of the net once in each half to take his league tally to 101 and consign Milan to a fourth consecutive home game in all competitions without a victory.

If a miserable run at San Siro does not do for head coach Montella, it may be the Rossoneri's poor record against top-six sides this season that costs him his job - Juve followed Lazio, Roma and Inter in making light work of big-spending Milan.

While this was not a particularly poor Milan performance, they were listless in attack and their forwards' failings were only emphasised by the presence of Higuain in the opposing ranks.

The 29-year-old thrashed a ruthless effort into the net after 23 minutes and then doubled his tally shortly after the hour-mark with a similarly devastating strike, suggesting he is returning to his prolific best after a difficult start to the campaign.
Milan could slip into the bottom half this weekend as a result, while reigning champions Juve moved level at the summit with Napoli, who host Sassuolo on Sunday.


Clearly aware of the enormity of the fixture and their desperate need for a result, Milan started at a great pace at a baying San Siro.Gianluigi Buffon punched an early Ricardo Rodriguez free-kick away from his near post and Nikola Kalinic should have turned a shot on target amid a chaotic goalmouth scramble.

But as the blood and thunder of the opening 10 minutes faded, Juve gained a foothold and the dangerous Paulo Dybala tested Gianluigi Donnarumma from range before Higuain broke the deadlock.Dybala fed a pass into his strike partner, who controlled instantly and snapped a finish inside the right-hand post for his landmark strike.

The Bianconeri retreated into their shell, but Milan lacked the cutting edge to make the most of a dominant end to the first half and Kalinic passed up their biggest chance as he rattled the crossbar from close range. Milan's momentum slowed again following a bright spell after the restart and they were grateful to twice see Dybala miscue in positions he has readily scored from in the past.

But Higuain would not miss. Dybala dummied Kwadwo Asamoah's pass to give the former Napoli man time and space to steady himself and fire home via the base of the post.

Juve assumed complete control throughout the closing stages, with Higuain and Dybala continuing to combine but sparing Milan the humiliation of a third as Montella's men crumbled again.

 

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Arsenal 2 Swansea City 1: Landmark Ramsey goal earns comeback victory

Aaron Ramsey hit his 50th goal for Arsenal as Arsene Wenger's side came from behind once again to see off Premier League strugglers Swansea City 2-1.Swansea led at the interval courtesy of Sam Clucas' 22nd-minute effort, but found themselves behind just prior to the hour when Ramsey tucked home expertly from Sead Kolasinac's cross.

Ramsey's milestone strike came just moments after an abysmal miss from Laurent Koscielny, the impressive Kolasinac having earlier restored parity with his maiden Premier League goal.

Having seen their first-half superiority go unrewarded, Arsenal stepped things up after the interval and only the woodwork prevented Hector Bellerin from putting his side further ahead.Yet things could have been different had Jordan Ayew not squandered a gilt-edged chance to double Swansea's lead before the interval.

Arsenal's 13th successive victory at the Emirates Stadium lifts them into the top four, closing ground on north London rivals Tottenham, while Swansea linger just above the relegation zone.


Fresh from a thumping victory over Everton in their last league outing, Arsenal were quickly on the front foot. Mike van der Hoorn blocked Ramsey's goalbound effort before Lukasz Fabianski denied Alexis Sanchez. Swansea's back five settled relatively well, although Alfie Mawson had to react sharply to prevent Alexandre Lacazette tucking home a Kolasinac cut-back.

Against the run of play, though, it was the visitors who took the lead with their first touch in Arsenal's area as - having latched onto Tammy Abraham's throughball - Clucas kept his composure to prod a fine first-time finish past the onrushing Petr Cech.

Clucas went close to doubling his tally on 40 minutes, Cech left stationary as the midfielder's thumping long-range effort inched past the left-hand upright. That effort sparked Arsenal into life, however, and former Gunner Fabianski was at his best to keep out Sanchez's stinging strike.

Swansea could have snatched a second on the stroke of half-time when Ayew robbed Per Mertesacker of possession, but Cech was out quickly to smother the danger.Arsenal were quick to make Swansea pay for that miss six minutes after the restart, Kolasinac hammering home a venomous strike that Fabianksi could only help into the net.

In a whirlwind start to the second half, Abraham thought he had restored Swansea's lead immediately, only for the linesman's offside flag to halt the visitors' celebrations.Arsenal's turnaround should have been complete moments later, only for Koscielny to head wide of a gaping goal from Sanchez's superb free-kick.

The error did not prove costly, though, as Kolasinac turned a neat pass inside for Ramsey, whose low finish crept in past Fabianksi. The goalkeeper may be disappointed not to have done better.Wenger's side suddenly looked rampant and Bellerin almost made it a goal apiece for Arsenal's wing-backs when he volleyed Ramsey's cross against the crossbar.

After losing Kolasinac to injury, Arsenal looked to finish with a flourish - substitute Olivier Giroud twice going close - but with Swansea devoid of ideas going forward, those misses mattered little as the Gunners cruised into the Champions League places.

 

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West Brom 2 Manchester City 3: Guardiola's side restore five-point lead

Manchester City restored their five-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 3-2 victory over West Brom on Saturday.Goals from Leroy Sane, Fernandinho and Raheem Sterling made it eight league wins in a row for Pep Guardiola's side and kept the title race firmly under their control.

Manchester United had moved to within two points with their 1-0 win over Tottenham earlier in the day but City looked unlikely to concede any ground to their rivals after Sane fired home the opener inside 10 minutes.The Baggies responded swiftly through Jay Rodriguez but City restored their lead two minutes later via a deflected Fernandinho strike.

Guardiola's side continued to dominate possession and eventually found the killer third goal with a little over 25 minutes remaining, as substitute Sterling finished a slick move for his seventh goal in eight league games.

Matt Phillips struck a stoppage-time consolation but it could not derail City's spectacular run ahead of next week's Champions League trip to Napoli, while West Brom remain just two points outside the bottom three after their 12th defeat to City in a row in the top flight.


City's early dominance paid dividends, as Sane collected Fernandinho's pass and forced Allan Nyom to back off towards goal before blasting left-footed past Ben Foster from a tight angle.

The hosts equalised barely three minutes later thanks to an error from Ederson, who found himself stranded from goal as he tried to get to Salomon Rondon's flick-on and allowed Rodriguez to lift the ball into the net.

The frenetic start continued before a quarter of an hour was played, though. Fernandinho was given time to set himself 20 yards out and his shot took a deflection off the studs of Gareth Barry's boot before bobbling in off the left-hand post.

City regained their control of proceedings and David Silva should have headed in a third before the break, but he contrived to nod Kevin De Bruyne's excellent cross over the bar from only six yards out.

West Brom managed less than 25 per cent of the possession in the opening 50 minutes but they continued to carry a threat on the break. Rondon should have done better with a header from close range after the Baggies won back the ball near the City box, and Grzegorz Krychowiak wasted a great chance just after half-time when he nodded Nyom's deep cross straight at Ederson.

They were misses that came back to haunt the home side. With 64 minutes gone, City produced their best passing move of the match and it ended with Kyle Walker sending in a low cross from the right for Sterling, who had the simple task of tapping home from point-blank range.

The visitors entered cruise control but Nicolas Otamendi could have made life a little difficult in the closing stages, the centre-back just pulling out of a lunging challenge on Jake Livermore that could otherwise have earned him a red card rather than a yellow.

Tony Pulis' side did snatch a lifeline in injury time thanks to a dreadful error from Otamendi, who chested a cross back towards Ederson only to see Phillips ghost in and poke the ball into the net, but they remain in a precarious position in the table and 18 points adrift of the leaders.

 

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Liverpool 3 Huddersfield Town 0: Sturridge reaches milestone as Klopp topples Wagner

Jurgen Klopp came out on top against good friend David Wagner as Liverpool recorded just their second Premier League win in seven games with a comfortable 3-0 home triumph over Huddersfield Town.

Still suffering a hangover from their 4-1 loss to Tottenham last Sunday, a lethargic home side struggled to break down resolute opponents during an opening half that saw Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl keep out a Mohamed Salah penalty.

However, Daniel Sturridge eased the simmering tension inside Anfield five minutes after the interval, capitalising on an error by Tommy Smith to break the deadlock and score his 100th goal in club football.

Roberto Firmino made it 2-0 eight minutes later, the Brazilian heading home a James Milner corner to give Liverpool breathing space in the first league meeting of the two clubs since 1972.

Georginio Wijnaldum added a third as Huddersfield, who have still not won away since the opening weekend of the campaign, were bought back down to earth with a bump following their shock 2-0 home win over Manchester United a week ago.

After facing questions over his team's defensive frailties following their collapse last Sunday, Klopp initially intended to keep faith with the same back four who started last time out, only to be forced into a late change.

Withdrawn just 31 minutes into the game at Wembley Stadium, Dejan Lovren failed to even make it to kick-off this time, the much-maligned centre-back ruled out after picking up an injury while warming up.

Wagner had embraced Klopp on the touchline prior to the start but showed no willingness to help out his compatriot with his tactics, setting up the visitors to defend deep and frustrate their opponents.The policy worked during an opening half that saw Liverpool's players produce little to lift a subdued home crowd.

They were handed the chance to go ahead three minutes before the break when Smith's blatant shirt pull on Firmino at a corner was spotted by referee Kevin Friend, only for Lossl to guess correctly and keep out Salah's driven penalty.Huddersfield's club captain was still involved in the opening goal, however, as his attempt to head clear a long ball inadvertently teed up Sturridge, who expertly chipped the advancing Lossl in front of the Kop.

The England international missed out on his 101st club goal when Mathias Jorgensen's desperate sliding clearance prevented him from tapping home, although Liverpool did not have to wait much longer for their second.From the resulting corner, Milner's inswinging delivery picked out the run of Firmino, who evaded marker Aaron Mooy to plant a close-range header through Lossl and into the net.

After Joel Matip came close to converting from another set-piece opportunity, Wijnaldum rounded out the scoring in the 75th minute with a rising, right-footed shot that flashed high into the top-right corner.

 

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Bordeaux 0 Monaco 2: No Falcao, no problem as Lemar breaks drought



The absence of Radamel Falcao did not prevent Monaco from recording a second consecutive Ligue 1 victory, as goals from Keita Balde and Thomas Lemar secured a 2-0 win at Bordeaux on Saturday.Falcao is the league's leading scorer with 13 goals from nine matches this season, but the Colombia international sat out the match at Stade Matmut-Atlantique due to a thigh strain.

In his absence, Balde and Lemar netted twice in quick succession early in the second half as title-holders Monaco stayed second, still four points behind Paris Saint-Germain, who dispatched Nice 3-0 on Friday.

The away team created the first clear chance of the game, with Bordeaux goalkeeper Benoit Costil called into action to parry away a fierce Fabinho effort from Jorge's cutback.It took until the half-hour mark for Monaco to threaten again, Kamil Glik getting to Joao Moutinho's free-kick first but seeing his header saved by Costil.

Bordeaux were restricted to sporadic counter-attacks, Monaco defender Jemerson clearing confidently from Francois Kamano's dangerous ball across the face of goal with a minute remaining in the opening period.

Leonardo Jardim's men eventually broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, when Jorge was fortunate to avoid giving away a foul before swinging a cross into the area from the left flank. Moutinho's cushioned header fell perfectly into the path of Balde, who took the ball under control quickly and steered a tidy, low finish past the onrushing Costil.

Lemar doubled the advantage eight minutes later, receiving the ball from Glik before cutting in the from left, beating the Bordeaux defence with ease and firing the ball beyond Costil, who should have done better, for his first strike of the league season. Alexandre Mendy twice went close to pulling one back for Bordeaux, the substitute firing wide of the near post from a tight angle before seeing a header cleared off the line by Jemerson.



Monaco substitute Stevan Jovetic could have made it 3-0 soon after, with his curling effort from the top of the box sneaking just wide of the upright.

 

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Manchester United 1 Tottenham 0: Martial steals it for stubborn Mourinho

Anthony Martial struck the winner for Manchester United as they snatched a 1-0 victory from Tottenham at Old Trafford to cement second place in the Premier League.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan's breakaway effort secured an identical result in this fixture last season after Spurs had dominated possession and it was a similar story here as Mauricio Pochettino's men struggled without injured talisman Harry Kane.

The England man was absent with a hamstring problem, Pochettino choosing Son Heung-min over Fernando Llorente in attack, but Pep Guardiola's branding of Spurs as "the Harry Kane team" may be revisited after they failed to break down United's stiff defence.

Any suggestion that Jose Mourinho would throw the shackles off after soporific attacking displays in a draw at Liverpool and defeat at Huddersfield Town were quelled as the Portuguese matched Spurs up with a three-man defence.

But the Red Devils grew into the contest, and Romelu Lukaku hit the post late on before his flick-on sent Martial clear to score nine minutes from the end and reassert United in second place, now three points above their visitors.

Pochettino has suggested Kane could return for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Wembley and they will need his goal threat on this evidence.


United needed a response after turgid performances at Anfield and Huddersfield, but Mourinho's approach was suitably cautious and Lukaku was left badly isolated in attack, spooning an early chance out for a throw-in, while Marcus Rashford hit United's only shot on target of the first half from a 30-yard free-kick that Hugo Lloris comfortably tipped wide.

Spurs tentatively limited themselves early on to pot-shots from distance - Serge Aurier, Moussa Sissoko and Toby Alderweireld could not test David de Gea - but the goalkeeper found Phil Jones more of an obstacle, dropping a cross on his team-mate's shoulder to present Sissoko a chance that ballooned into the Stretford End.

The visitors began to make good ground out wide, a ploy that cried out for Llorente's presence in the box, but De Gea was brought into easy action twice more before the break by Dele Alli and Eric Dier.Only a brilliant intervention from Ben Davies denied Rashford after Lloris spilled Mkhitaryan's shot back into danger, but the skipper redeemed himself when turning the Armenian's cross out of Lukaku's path.

Pochettino summoned Llorente and Mousa Dembele shortly after the hour mark as increasingly persistent rain began to swirl Old Trafford, Antonio Valencia the next to go close to lifting the gloom when he fizzed over from 18 yards.It was Mourinho's introduction of Martial in Rashford's place that would change the game, but Spurs wasted a gilt-edged chance when Christian Eriksen's ball over the top picked out Alli, who could only scuff wide under pressure.

Substitute Jesse Lingard crossed for Lukaku, who planted a header against the foot of the right-hand post, but the Belgian's next touch with his head set up the winner.De Gea's long kick down the field was flicked on by Lukaku into the path of Martial, who raced clear of Dier and smashed home left-footed.

United's home form moves onto five wins from as many games without conceding and though the style of many of them was missing here, the substance outlines them and Mourinho as title candidates still.

 

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Hannover 4 Borussia Dortmund 2: Six-goal thriller opens the door for Bayern at the top

Borussia Dortmund were reduced to 10 men as their grip on top spot in the Bundesliga weakened further in a thrilling 4-2 reverse at Hannover.

Dortmund were defeated in a hectic contest after Dan-Axel Zagadou was shown a straight red card for a trip on Jonathas, meaning reigning champions Bayern Munich can overthrow Peter Bosz's men at the summit if they avoid defeat against RB Leipzig later on Saturday.Jonathas broke the deadlock from the penalty spot and then turned provider for Ihlas Bebou to restore the hosts' lead after Zagadou hit back with his first Bundesliga goal.

Andriy Yarmolenko struck a brilliant second equaliser, but Felix Kraus converted the free-kick that was awarded after Zagadou's dismissal and Bebou wrapped up the points with four minutes remaining.After taking 19 points from their first seven games of the league season, Dortmund have now lost two and drawn one of their last three fixtures to open the door for a rejuvenated Bayern.


Christian Pulisic and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both recovered from injury concerns to start, but BVB were dealt a major blow in the 20th minute as the hosts opened the scoring.Roman Burki upended Klaus as he stretched for the ball in the area and - after referee Patrick Ittrich used VAR - Jonathas tucked away the penalty.

Dortmund's response was strong, however, and the equaliser soon followed from the unlikely source of Zagadou, who volleyed beyond Philipp Tschauner as Hannover scrambled to clear a right-wing corner.Bosz's men tore forward in search of a second and Yarmolenko should have supplied it, somehow blazing high and wide after Pulisic - a menace on the left - raced away from the bumbling Salif Sane.

A thrilling first half continued in its unpredictable vein, though, and Bebou restored Hannover's lead with a cool finish at the end of a lightning counter-attack.There was again a Dortmund riposte when Sane met an outswinging cross with a tame header and Yarmolenko positioned himself beneath the dropping ball to send an effort arrowing into the bottom-right corner.

But the visitors' momentum was catastrophically disrupted once more as Zagadou tripped Jonathas and was duly dismissed, before Kraus exquisitely curled the resultant set-piece home.

Only a fine Tschauner stop kept Pulisic from netting another equaliser and Hannover could have widened their advantage as Bebou led a break and slipped in Kraus to shoot straight at Burki. Dortmund's chief tormentor Bebou added to his tally when he streaked away again and lashed a finish inside the left-hand post.

Although Burki denied Hannover a fifth by keeping out Martin Harnik's late overhead kick, the hosts had already done enough to clinch an impressive win.

 

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Athletic Bilbao 0 Barcelona 2: Valverde victorious on his return to San Mames

Ernesto Valverde enjoyed a triumphant return to Athletic Bilbao as a first-half goal from Lionel Messi and a late second from Paulinho secured Barcelona a 2-0 win at San Mames.

Facing the club he represented as both a player and a coach for the first time since taking charge of Barcelona, Valverde watched on as the talismanic Messi converted Jordi Alba's cut-back cross in the 36th minute to score his 12th LaLiga goal in 10 games this season.

The visitors needed a fine reactionary save from Marc-Andre ter Stegen to remain ahead before Paulinho secured the three points in stoppage time, tapping home the rebound after Luis Suarez's shot had been saved.

The Brazilian's strike condemned Athletic to an eighth straight league defeat against the Catalans, although it wasn't for a lack of effort against the unbeaten league leaders in Spain.

Still, Barcelona's hard-fought victory moves them four points clear of second-placed Valencia in the table and eight ahead of reigning champions Real Madrid, who now cannot afford any mistakes when they visit Girona on Sunday.

As for Messi, having begun the week by missing out to Cristiano Ronaldo for the Best FIFA Men's Player for the second year running, he ended it by once again underlining his importance to his club.

The Argentina international started and finished the move that gave Barca the lead at the end of an eventful first half. Having hit a first-time pass out wide to Alba, he ghosted beyond three static opponents to convert the return ball from his team-mate.


His first-time shot beyond Kepa Arrizabalaga made amends for an earlier miss, with Messi somehow hitting the post from close range with his right foot after waltzing around Athletic's goalkeeper.Paulinho also struck the woodwork – sending a rising drive against the crossbar – but the hosts had their opportunities too.

The usually reliable Aritz Aduriz had two excellent chances in as many minutes as Athletic – held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Formentera in the Copa del Rey in midweek – produced a much-improved display for the visit of their former boss.

After a glancing header was comfortably saved by Ter Stegen, the veteran striker failed to convert when played through on goal, Barcelona's goalkeeper guessing correctly to keep out a curling effort low to his left.However, Ter Stegen needed the bar to deny Raul Garcia's header early in the second half, as Jose Angel Ziganda's side started strongly after the break.

Unai Nunez produced two crucial blocks to prevent Barcelona from doubling their lead, keeping the result in the balance as the visitors visibly tired.Inigo Cordoba volleyed over from a tight angle but Aduriz came the closest to grabbing an equaliser for Atheltic, his near-post header from a corner kept out by a diving Ter Stegen.



Instead Barcelona grabbed the game's decisive second goal in stoppage time, Messi leading a three-on-two counter that ended with Paulinho knocking the ball into an unguarded net with Arrizabalaga out of position.

 

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Allegri praises Higuain but wants improvement in Europe


Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri lauded the "extraordinary" Gonzalo Higuain, but challenged the forward to continue improving.

A brace from Higuain led Juve to a 2-0 win over AC Milan on Saturday, taking the Argentina international's tally to 101 Serie A goals.Allegri was full of praise for the 29-year-old forward, but he wants to see even more from Higuain.

"Higuain is currently fit because he has worked a lot during the international break and he normally works with a lot of intensity during those sessions," he told a news conference.

"When it's like this, one feels better, runs more, smiles more. It's the same for people like me who don't practice sports anymore but if we feel fit, we are not overburdened, we feel lighter and we don't fall asleep. We smile more, we feel better and brighter.

"And the same goes for footballers. If one feels well, things become a lot easier."Especially because Gonzalo is a great player – he is technically very gifted, he is extraordinary."But he must not stop, he still needs to improve his condition, he needs to raise the bar especially in Europe."

Higuain scored in either half to see Juve to their win, which sees them sitting second to Napoli in the table.
Allegri was pleased with his side's performance, saying: "Playing in Milan is never easy because the San Siro always commands great performances."When you play a Milan-Juventus game, technical values just reset and some balanced games are the result of this."The boys have showed that they are at a certain level and are made of some substance."

 

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Heynckes praises James' creativity after RB Leipzig win


Bayern Munich head coach Jupp Heynckes praised James Rodriguez for his creativity in his side's 2-0 win over RB Leipzig.James, on loan from Real Madrid, opened the scoring at Allianz Arena on Saturday for what was just his second goal for Bayern.

The Colombia international has two goals and an assist in five Bundesliga games and Heynckes liked what he saw as his side moved top of the table.

"He had a great game. He had a lot of touches and showed he has a lot of creativity when it comes to playing football," he told a news conference."But I'm a coach who always wants more and we'll put in some more work, not only with him, but with the entire team.

"You always notice some things that need improving and we haven't always had much time to train well, to set a certain focus, or work on the tactical schemes or on set-pieces because we've been playing on a Wednesday and Saturday rhythm."
Bayern have little time before their next outing – a trip to Celtic in the Champions League on Tuesday.

 

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Wenger: Kolasinac proves you can find 'good deals'


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes Sead Kolasinac's success proves it is still possible to find bargains in the modern transfer market.

Kolasinac, who signed on a free transfer from Schalke ahead of this season, scored one and set up another for Aaron Ramsey at Emirates Stadium as the Gunners came from behind to beat Swansea City 2-1 in the Premier League.

Wenger feels Saturday's display and the 24-year-old's other outings since arriving at Arsenal show you can still get bargains in the inflating market, which has seen fees explode to a new level this year with moves for the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe.

"It's just down to quality," Wenger said at his post-match media conference. "I believe that since he has arrived, he has convinced everybody that he is a good signing."When you see the quality of his performance again, you see there are still some good deals to make out there.

"Kolasinac was decisive because he scored and made an assist. We had a bit more space on the left, we saw that and we wanted to take advantage of that in the second half because they blocked Hector Bellerin a lot with Sam Clucas on our right side. "For us it was important to build up on the right and change quickly to the left and create some space for Kolasinac. He did that very well.

"[He has been a success] because he has the natural qualities that suit firstly his position as a wing-back and, secondly, because he has the absolute body power that is needed in the Premier League."

Wenger revealed Kolasinac had a hip problem, which was why he came off for Rob Holding with 12 minutes remaining. He said: "It's a hip problem, a tight muscle in his hip. How long will he be out? I don't know. We hope to get him fit for next Sunday [against Manchester City].

"He had that before and we managed to get him always available."Yes, of course [staying on the pitch] is what he wanted. I thought there was no need to take a gamble, so I took him off."

Arsenal have won four straight matches across all competitions ahead of a key week that sees them face Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League before an away game against Premier League leaders City.Meanwhile, Swansea boss Paul Clement felt his side deserved more than a defeat.

He told Sky Sports: "The result? Disappointing. The performance was okay, good in the first half, it went according to plan and we looked very solid defensively. We had a good shape and there was very little space for them."I liked a lot of things about the performance. We've played in games recently where our performances and results haven't been so good, and the results not so good either.

"The performance was better and I think we possibly deserved more than we got. They've got so much quality in and around the area, playing those little one-touch balls, give and go, and we just couldn't contain them in the second half."

 

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'It's not too serious' - Lewandowski provides positive update on injury


Robert Lewandowski believes the injury he picked up in Bayern Munich's 2-0 victory over RB Leipzig on Saturday is "not too serious".

The Polish forward - who scored his side's second goal in the 38th minute - pulled up holding his hamstring and, after attempting to play on, he was replaced by Arturo Vidal shortly before the half-time interval.

However, the player revealed after the game the decision to take him off was precautionary, although he will undergo a further examination of what the club described on their website as a minor muscle problem on Sunday.

"I didn't want to take any risks. I think it's not too serious. Tomorrow we will check it," he told the media.Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes will now have to wait to find out if Lewandowski will be fit to feature in Tuesday's Champions League clash with Celtic.

The Bavarian club warmed up for their trip to Glasgow by beating Leipzig for the second game in succession, following up their penalty shoot-out success in the midweek DFB-Pokal meeting with a routine triumph in the league.

Willi Orban's early dismissal made life easier for Bayern, who broke the deadlock through James Rodriguez before Lewandowski doubled their lead with a cool finish from the edge of the penalty area.

"After Wednesday's cup fight we were once again very committed and motivated. Our preparation was ideal," Heynckes told the club's website."If you're reduced to 10 men after 14 minutes, as Leipzig were today, it's a disadvantage. But my team controlled the match and were clever."We could have scored one more goal, but it was more important to be disciplined in defence and take no risks. I really liked it."

 

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'The pressure was there' - Klopp relieved to pick up much-needed win


Jurgen Klopp acknowledged Liverpool's 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town was a "big relief" as his side returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturday.

After last Sunday's harrowing 4-1 loss to Tottenham at Wembley left them with just one win in their last six league outings, Liverpool were under pressure to produce a response in front of their own fans at Anfield.

The hosts laboured against resolute opponents in the first half, albeit they missed a glorious chance to go ahead before the interval when Mohamed Salah saw his penalty saved by Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.

However, Klopp's demand for his players to be more positive paid off after the break, Daniel Sturridge, Roberto Firmino and Georginio Wijnaldum all finding the net to secure three much-needed points.

"We had not the best week as you can imagine - it's not that we don't take the situation really seriously, it's really important for us," Klopp told the club's website."Tottenham was the worst game we've played in this season so far and you cannot ignore it, but you have to work with it and that's what we did.

"It can happen, especially with the style Huddersfield played today – a rather defensive style and we were a little bit stiff. It was not fluent, we had too many players behind the ball, it was clear we wanted to give them no opportunity for counter-attack and stuff like this, but you don't need seven players behind the ball to protect the counter-attack.

"That's how it looked a little bit in the first half, so it was not too difficult to fix at half-time. You could see immediately in the second half really, we had more players between the decisive lines and so it was more difficult for Huddersfield to defend.

"We had more chances, but it's a big relief to be honest because the pressure was there. There is no doubt about that. I could hear that people didn't like the first half too much, I know it's hard work but in the end probably nobody remembers the first half because the second half was really much better."

Klopp went up against fellow German David Wagner for the first time in a competitive fixture, with the two putting their strong friendship to one side for 90 minutes.

Visiting manager Wagner - who received a kiss on the cheek from his compatriot straight after the final whistle - felt Huddersfield performed admirably to silence the home crowd before a poor header from Tommy Smith set up Sturridge to break the deadlock.

"It is not very often you see Liverpool so quiet for 60 minutes," he told BBC Sport.
"The first goal was a problem for us. We did not have the best position to defend the long ball and we gave the assist for the first goal unfortunately.

"I am disappointed because the players have given good effort and worked hard. The game changed after that first goal. It looked very well until we conceded that first goal."

 

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Conte asks for patience for Morata after misses


Alvaro Morata is still recovering from injury and needs more time to return to top form after his missed chances against Bournemouth, according to Chelsea manager Antonio Conte.Chelsea striker Morata missed the target on a glorious one-on-one opportunity, had a goal controversially disallowed for offside and saw another effort impressively saved by Asmir Begovic in the first half of his side's 1-0 away Premier League victory on Saturday.

The Spain international went on to set up Eden Hazard's second-half winner and Conte insists he was happy with his performance.

Conte believes the fact his club-record signing suffered a hamstring strain in the home defeat to Manchester City before the international break is still having an impact.

Morata, 25, was not involved as the champions suffered a shock 2-1 loss at bottom side Crystal Palace earlier this month, but has played in the four matches since without scoring.

"Honestly, I'm happy with his commitment, his desire, his will to fight," Conte said of Morata at his post-match media conference."For sure, he can do better but, don't forget, he is recovering from a muscular problem.

"When you have this type of problem, it needs a bit of time to come back to the best physical condition. "But I'm very happy with his performance. He recovered very important balls a lot of times in transition."

Conte is hopeful N'Golo Kante will be fit for a big upcoming week of action that sees Chelsea play away to Roma in the Champions League before hosting Manchester United in the Premier League. Kante has not played for Chelsea for a month having sustained a hamstring injury on international duty with France.

Asked if the midfielder could face Roma, Conte said: "I hope. I hope. He could be ready. "But you know very well the importance of this player. I want to be sure he is ready.

"Honestly, I hope to have him in this game. But I'd prefer not to take a risk. If he's ready, he plays."

 

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Manchester United can compete for the title, claims Matic


Nemanja Matic says Manchester United can compete for the Premier League title should they replicate their performance in the victory over Tottenham against their other top-six rivals.

Anthony Martial's late strike sealed a hard-fought 1-0 win for Jose Mourinho's side on Saturday, with Tottenham suffering from Harry Kane's absence at Old Trafford.

Matic was at the heart of a resilient display from the hosts, who hit the post through Romelu Lukaku just prior to Martial's winner, and having gone two league games without a win, the former Chelsea midfielder claimed a victory was vital to put United back on track for a title challenge."If we play like this and continue to play like this we can compete for the title," Matic told Sky Sports.

"It was very important for us against a very good team - one of the best teams in the league."And thanks to Martial we managed to score and win a difficult game against opponents who were very good today.

"They had more of the ball in the first half but we had more clear chances than them. As I said they are great and play great football but the most important thing is the result and we managed to win.

"It's important to continue to win these types of games. We dropped points in the last game and against Liverpool so it was very important to win at home especially."Overall, it was a game of few chances - with Dele Alli going closest for Tottenham before Lukaku's header struck the woodwork.

But Martial's introduction in place of Marcus Rashford changed the course of proceedings, and the France striker acknowledged that - after netting four goals from the bench this season - he is eager to start more games.

"I want to play," Martial told Sky Sports."I don't want to be on the bench but Rashford has played good too, so the manager wants to try to give us a chance so we have to score and give assists.

"The manager told me to find the space. I know Romelu is good with his head and it was a good header so I found the space behind and managed to score."

 

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Mourinho hails Manchester United response after nicking Spurs win


Jose Mourinho hailed a perfect response to Manchester United's defeat at Huddersfield Town after his side downed Tottenham 1-0 at Old Trafford.

Anthony Martial's late strike stole the points for United in Saturday's early kick-off, getting them back to winning ways in the Premier League after poor performances in a draw at Liverpool and last week's loss at the John Smith's Stadium.

If United fans wanted a more expansive performance they did not get it, but Mourinho's three-man back line of Eric Bailly, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling held firm against a Spurs attack shorn of Harry Kane.

Having cemented their grip on second place, moving three points ahead of Mauricio Pochettino's side, Mourinho hailed the response of his players.

"We all feel we have to win every match so that's why I felt disappointed at Huddersfield," Mourinho told Sky Sports. "In that match, it looks like we didn't know the responsibility, we didn't know the ambition. Every point is a precious point.

"Today, if we drew the match or if in the last minute we concede I would never be against the players because from minute one, every ball was like the last ball of their careers, they gave everything and I'm really happy." He added: "Both teams were trying to win but both knowing the opponent was strong.

"But I think the only team that had opportunities I think was us, I think just the Dele Alli chance, apart from that we controlled them very well and I think we had more chances to win the match."[It was a] big football match, tactically difficult for both teams, tactically difficult for players, a big match.

"We kept trying by bringing fresh people but for the same positions, the same dynamic as we were telling you. We were both trying to win but both knew one defensive mistake and we could win the match which happens to them."But I think we were pushing a little bit more after 15-20 minutes the balance came to the match and in the second half we created more problems with more movement.

"With [Marcus] Rashford tiring, Martial comes better running with the ball. We tried and I think we deserved the victory."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.10.29

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.10.29

Brighton Vs Southampton

Leicester City Vs Everton

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LA Liga Fixtures 2017.10.29

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.10.29

Getafe Vs Real Sociedad

Girona Vs Real Madrid

Eibar Vs Levante

Malaga Vs Celta Vigo​