..::Football IV::..

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    :cool:Messi equals Ronaldo with fourth Golden Shoe award

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    Lionel Messi drew level with Cristiano Ronaldo's tally of four European Golden Shoes after receiving the award at a ceremony on Friday.

    The Barcelona superstar claimed the prize – handed to Europe's top goalscorer – for his 37 La Liga strikes in 2016-17.It is the fourth time Messi has taken the honours, after his successes in 2010, 2012 and 2013.

    His impressive tally came from 34 top-flight games and saw him top the charts ahead of Sporting CP's Bas Dost, who netted 34 in the Primeira Liga, while Borussia Dortmund's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang rounded out the top three with 31.

    Ronaldo, winner of the award in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2015, scored 25 league goals last season and did not make the top five.Last year's victor and Messi's Barcelona team-mate Luis Suarez was fifth this time around with 29, one fewer than Bayern Munich's Robert Lewandowski.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Congratulations Manchester United!:love:

    Lucky goal ekak.Lucky win ekak:)

    Allround gatthama Manchester United performance nam godak madi:baffled::eek:Brighton la godak hodata play kala:yes:

    & next thiyenne Watford & Arsenal away matches.Wins walata yanna nam meeta wada godak hodata improve wenna wenawa:yes:Good luck Manchester United!:love:
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Levante 0 Atletico Madrid 5: Gameiro and Griezmann shine in romp

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    Kevin Gameiro scored twice and Antoine Griezmann ended his LaLiga goalscoring drought with a double of his own as Atletico Madrid romped to a stunning 5-0 away victory over Levante.

    Diego Simeone felt the mood at the club had been transformed since the midweek Champions league win over Roma and that pre-match assessment looked accurate as Atletico produced a marvellous attacking performance.Rober Pier's early own goal put the visitors in front, before a goal either side of half-time from Gameiro ensured the game was over as a contest.




    Griezmann, who was an impressive creative force throughout, then got in on the act with a quickfire double to put the icing on the cake, having gone six league matches without a goal coming into the fixture.The win means unbeaten Atletico move back level on points with city rivals Real Madrid, who recorded a dramatic victory over Malaga earlier on Saturday.

    The two Madrid clubs have cut the gap to leaders Barcelona and Valencia above them to seven and three points respectively ahead of their two title rivals doing battle in a crunch clash at Mestalla on Sunday.

    Levante will have to improve on their dreadful defensive performance if they are to reverse an alarming run of form that has seen them win just one of eight top-flight matches.


    Atletico were in front after only five minutes as Gameiro broke the offside trap down the right channel and attempted to square for strike partner Angel Correa, only for Rober to poorly side-foot into his own net in a failed effort to intercept.

    Jason should have done better for Levante when he fired wide after a free-kick was cleared into his path, but the hosts' defence was far too open at the other end. And they should have fallen two behind when Griezmann threaded in an excellent pass to find Gameiro, whose finish was straight at Oier Olazabal.

    Atletico did double their advantage on 29 minutes, Koke sending Correa through on goal which led to the striker rounding Oier - who charged out of his box – and sending an effort towards goal.

    Levante defender Chema Rodriguez got back to clear on the line but could not get clear contact on the ball, allowing Gameiro the simplest of finishes as he tapped into a completely empty net.

    The hosts wasted an excellent chance to get back into it when Enes Unal headed over Tono's free-kick from close range, while Gameiro could have put the match to bed for Atletico after being found by Thomas Partey, only for Oier to make a smart save to ensure the deficit remained two at the break.

    Atletico did put the result beyond doubt just before the hour mark, Griezmann again showing his creativity by finding Gameiro who was played onside by Shaquell Moore, and took one touch before slotting his shot under Oier.

    Levante captain Jose Luis Morales had an effort well saved by Jan Oblak, but it was four for Atletico in the 65th minute, Griezmann sliding in to finish from six yards after Gameiro returned the favour with an excellent run and cross.

    And Griezmann struck again just three minutes later, the two French attackers involved in another goal as Gameiro's effort was parried by Oier after a fast break, allowing his strike partner to apply an instinctive finish on the rebound as Atletico recorded their first win at Ciutat de Valencia since 2007.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Borussia Monchengladbach 2 Bayern Munich 1: Hazard & Ginter halt Heynckes' winning run

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    Bayern Munich's winning start in the Bundesliga in Jupp Heynckes' fourth stint in charge came to an end as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at in-form Borussia Monchengladbach.

    Prior to Saturday's encounter with his former club Heynckes – Gladbach's record Bundesliga goalscorer – had won all five of his top-flight fixtures since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti.

    However, Bayern never really got going in a low-key first half, with quick-fire goals from Thorgan Hazard – who converted from the spot after 39 minutes – and Matthias Ginter putting Gladbach in control at the interval.




    Robert Lewandowski had struck the post before Ginter's goal and the Poland striker would have pulled one back for Bayern after the break if not for a series of crucial interventions from the excellent Jannik Vestergaard.The upright again came to Gladbach's rescue when Kingsley Coman tried his luck from the edge of the area, before Artuto Vidal finally punctured the hosts' stubborn defence to set up a grandstand finish.

    Bayern failed to build on that goal, with Gladbach holding out to seal the victory and consolidate their place in the top four, while the visitors' lead at the summit over RB Leipzig – who beat Werder Bremen – is now just three points.


    Gladbach were handed a blow early on when Christoph Kramer collided heavily with Vestergaard, forcing Dieter Hecking into a change. Despite their bad luck, Gladbach should have been ahead when Raffael stole in behind Bayern's defence, only to fluff his lines when one-on-one with Sven Ulreich.

    Shorn of the injured Arjen Robben, Bayern lacked pace down the flanks, although strong play from James Rodriguez just prior to the half-hour mark resulted in Bayern's first meaningful effort – Sebastian Rudy forcing Yann Sommer into action.

    That was all Bayern could muster, though, and their poor performance was soon punished when Hazard drew a handball from Niklas Sule in the visitors' area – Gladbach's number 10 duly stepping up to place his strike into the bottom-left corner despite Ulreich's best efforts.

    A moment of inspiration from Lewandowski looked set to restore parity inside five minutes, but the striker's superb back-heel deflected agonisingly away off the woodwork.

    Bayern were swiftly made to pay for that miss, Lars Stindl forcing his way through their defence before teeing up Ginter, who was presented with a simple finish.Lewandowski would have been in on goal again after the restart, if not for a vital interception from Vestergaard, who reacted sharply to cut out Joshua Kimmich's cross.

    Vestergaard was at his best again just before the hour, getting across to block Lewandowski's snapshot.Gladbach's Danish defender could well have scored an own goal moments later when he forced Kimmich's cross just wide of the upright, Sommer on hand to deny Mats Hummels from the resulting corner.

    Bayern continued their barrage on Gladbach's goal – Sommer getting some help from the frame of his goal as he tipped Coman's low strike onto the woodwork, managing to recover before the ball spun over the line.Sommer had no such luck in the 74th minute, however, with the goalkeeper only able to help Vidal's powerful low strike into the right-hand corner.

    Josip Drmic squandered a brilliant opportunity to make it 3-1 in stoppage time at the culmination of a rapid counter-attack, before Bayern's Kwasi Okyere Wriedt saw an effort blocked on the line as Gladbach held firm to secure the points.
     

    Wolverine GTR

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    Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1: Willian's stroke of luck denies Salah his moment

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    Willian came off the bench to net a seemingly fortuitous equaliser as Chelsea snatched a 1-1 draw against Liverpool at Anfield.Mohamed Salah appeared set to punish his former club when he broke the deadlock in an absorbing contest after 65 minutes.

    But Brazil international Willian, who scored twice in the 4-0 Champions League win over Qarabag in midweek, picked out the far corner with a chipped attempt from the right-hand side of the penalty area five minutes from time – Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet caught out as he shaped to cross.




    Roaming behind Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, Eden Hazard was the game's outstanding player during the opening 45 minutes, while Salah relished providing Liverpool's sharpest attacking threat after Jurgen Klopp surprisingly opted to bench Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino following the midweek collapse at Sevilla.

    Egypt star Salah scored twice in 13 Premier League games for Chelsea before being farmed out to Fiorentina and Roma in Serie A but now has 10 in as many top-fight appearances since swapping the Italian capital for Merseyside during the close season.

    Yet, the final word came from Willian, with boss Antonio Conte tearing jubilantly around on the touchline. His champions are three points behind Manchester United in third, with Liverpool two places and three points further back.


    Daniel Sturridge led the line for Liverpool and held up play tidily to tee up Salah after 10 minutes – the in-form winger firing a speculative attempt off target.

    Liverpool were on top without creating any clear openings during the opening 20 minutes, while Hazard was predictably to the fore when Chelsea first threatened.
    The Belgium forward brought down Danny Drinkwater's lofted pass on the left and cut infield, forcing countryman Mignolet to push a well-hit drive behind.Roles were reversed in the 24th minute as Hazard panicked the Liverpool defence with a purring run and threaded a pass through to Drinkwater.

    Mignolet stuck out a well-judged boot to deny the former Leicester City midfielder before parrying from Davide Zappacosta – Hazard was the provider once more – and observing a frantic penalty box scramble from the resulting corner.

    Chelsea wing-back Marcos Alonso saw his 32nd-minute free-kick curl wide, while not for the first time Salah got the better of Gary Cahill and landed a shot narrowly beyond the post with Thibaut Courtois beaten.

    A rare error from Courtois almost gave Liverpool the lead four minutes into the second half when Sturridge's clipped shot squirmed through his grasp and perilously close to the far corner.

    Again Chelsea were on the back foot and again Hazard roused them, orchestrating a lightning 60th-minute attack that ended with a vital sliding interception from Joe Gomez to prevent Morata from converting Zappacosta's low centre at the back post.Cesar Azpilicueta blocked bravely from Sturridge after the England international's fledgling link-up with Salah showed further promise and it was the Egypt winger who found the 65th-minute breakthrough.

    Tiemoue Bakayoko botched what should have been a routine clearance, allowing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to prod the ball into Salah's path for him to slide a cool finish past the advancing Courtois.

    With Hazard's influence on the wane, Chelsea appeared to be struggling to muster a response when Cahill blocked bravely from substitute Georginio Wijnaldum in the 78th minute.However, Willian – one of the men indirectly responsible for Salah's truncated Stamford Bridge career – hauled them level.

    Salah is set to remain the toast of Anfield regardless, on account of racing to 15 goals in all competitions, and Courtois needed sharp reactions to deny him from James Milner's knockdown in stoppage time.
     

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    Real Madrid 3 Malaga 2: Ronaldo settles Bernabeu thriller

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    Cristiano Ronaldo scored a crucial late winner as Real Madrid gave their LaLiga title defence a much-needed boost with a thrilling 3-2 victory over struggling Malaga at the Santiago Bernabeu.

    With 14 minutes remaining, the Portugal international had a penalty saved by Roberto Jimenez but converted the rebound to settle an end-to-end encounter in which Madrid twice lost the lead.

    It had looked like Ronaldo was about to suffer another frustrating match in front of goal after missing multiple chances, only for him to be handed a reprieve when substitute Luka Modric won the spot-kick and gave him the chance to score only his second league goal of the season.Earlier, Karim Benzema headed in what was also his second top-flight goal of the campaign, ending a seven-game scoring drought - the longest of his LaLiga career - in the process.

    Diego Rolan capitalised on a Toni Kroos mistake to stun the hosts with an equaliser that was Malaga's first away goal of the league season, but Casemiro quickly restored order with Madrid's second headed goal in a frantic start.After the break, Kiko Casilla then failed to keep out Gonzalo Castro's 30-yard strike and it looked like Madrid would drop more points until the late drama saw Ronaldo settle the match.

    The victory moves Madrid within seven points of leaders Barcelona and three behind second-placed Valencia ahead of their title rivals' crunch clash at Mestalla on Sunday.Madrid only took nine minutes to breach Malaga's backline, as Benzema followed up his double against APOEL with the easiest of finishes.

    The chance came after Marcelo's cross from the left found Ronaldo at the far post and the Portugal forward athletically headed against the crossbar, giving his strike partner a simple task to nod into an empty net on the rebound.


    A sliding Dani Carvajal forced Roberto into a diving save and Isco also tested the away goalkeeper from 18 yards, but Malaga stunned the Bernabeu with an 18th-minute equaliser.

    Kroos carelessly lost possession deep in his own half as he attempted to pass to Raphael Varane and that allowed Keko's right-wing cross to find Rolan completely unmarked, the Uruguay international chesting down and drilling in from 12 yards.

    However, Madrid responded only three minutes after that strike, Casemiro latching on to Kroos' curling corner to power a header in from eight yards.There was a moment of concern for Zinedine Zidane's men when a Keko delivery led to Castro's header being hacked away by Varane from close to the goal-line.

    Madrid should have extended their lead when Benzema dragged wide from an excellent shooting chance and two efforts from Ronaldo – a first-time curling effort and a thumping header - were impressively kept out by Roberto as Malaga, who lost Juankar to injury, remained in the game.

    There was still time for a controversial end to the first half when substitute Paul Baysse sent a magnificent header past Casilla, only for the referee to rule he had fouled Carvajal, leaving Michel demanding answers on the touchline.

    Kroos' powerful strike was pushed away by a busy Roberto early in the second half but a back-and-forth contest took another twist after 58 minutes when Castro collected Keko's pass and somehow beat Casilla, who should have done better, with a 30-yard strike.

    Another Madrid chance passed when Ronaldo failed to turn in Varane's header from inside the six-yard box after Lucas Vazquez's threatening delivery had created the opportunity.Zidane brought on Modric for a quiet Isco and the Croatia midfielder made a vital contribution, being felled by Luis Hernandez in the box after taking a clever touch in latching onto Vazquez's cross.

    Ronaldo, who was short on confidence, went for power from the spot but saw Roberto make an excellent save, only for the rebound to fall kindly for the forward to convert with a left-footed strike, the relief on his face clear to see.

    And this time Madrid did not lose their lead, Ronaldo having a second goal ruled out by an offside flag against creator Vazquez in the final minutes as the champions secured a vital victory.
     

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    Manchester United 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0: Unfortunate Dunk own goal sinks Seagulls

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    Lewis Dunk's desperately unlucky own goal gave Manchester United a laborious 1-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday.The defeat was harsh on an assured and enterprising Brighton side, but that will be of little consequence to Jose Mourinho as United recorded an 11th straight home win across all competitions.

    After wasting numerous first-half chances in Wednesday's 1-0 Champions League loss at Basel, United could not even be accused of profligacy on this occasion as the likes of Anthony Martial, Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford largely struggled to carve out opportunities for Romelu Lukaku.




    Mat Ryan produced an excellent double save to thwart Lukaku and Pogba on the stroke of half-time but the goalkeeper could do nothing to keep out the winner midway through the second half as Ashley Young's shot from 20 yards looped up wickedly off Dunk and dipped just below the crossbar into the top-right corner.The much-needed victory means second-placed United close to within five points of leaders and rivals Manchester City, who travel to Huddersfield Town on Sunday.

    Defeat ended Brighton's five-match unbeaten run but Chris Hughton's side can at least console themselves with a performance that showed ample promise as they sit safely ensconced in mid-table after 13 matches of their debut Premier League campaign.The tone for an even encounter was set inside the first five minutes as both sides created openings.


    Lukaku blazed over having exchanged passes with Martial before Anthony Knockaert got in behind the United defence only to fizz a cross-cum-shot across the face of goal.

    David de Gea comfortably held Pascal Gross' effort from the edge of the box as the Seagulls continued to play with plenty of poise while United were restricted to half chances, Lukaku stretching to nod Antonio Valencia's cross wide 10 minutes before the break.

    Brighton had Ryan to thank for going into half-time level, however, the goalkeeper saving superbly from Lukaku's back-post header before denying Pogba's rebound from point-blank range.

    United dominated possession after the interval without threatening Ryan's goal, Mourinho introducing Zlatan Ibrahimovic just after the hour and in the 66th minute the deadlock was broken thanks to Young's sizeable slice of fortune.

    Knockaert continued to pose a threat, whipping a low ball across the face for a second time in the match and Gross was close to getting a telling touch on Bruno's devilish delivery from the right.

    Shane Duffy headed wide with four minutes remaining and the centre half was perhaps fortunate to only see yellow for a scything challenge on Ibrahimovic as United - who are unbeaten in 39 home matches in all competitions - held on to remain in touch with City at the top.
     

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    Borussia Dortmund 4 Schalke 4: Pressure mounts on Bosz after dramatic Ruhr derby

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    Naldo's stoppage-time header salvaged a remarkable point for Schalke as they came from four goals down to draw 4-4 in a dramatic Ruhr derby against rivals Borussia Dortmund, piling the pressure on Peter Bosz.

    Four goals in the space of 13 first-half minutes had seemingly put Dortmund in command at Signal Iduna Park, but Schalke rallied after the interval - taking advantage of dreadful Dortmund defending, and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's red card, to complete an unbelievable comeback.

    Having already had a goal ruled out by the VAR system, Naldo powered home a header in the 94th minute to condemn Dortmund to a sixth successive league game without a win, and perhaps signal the end of Bosz's tenure.



    It all looked good for Dortmund after 12 minutes, Aubameyang marked his return to the fold with a scrappy goal, joining Anthony Yeboah as the highest-scoring African in Bundesliga history in the process.

    Schalke's nightmare start was swiftly made worse - Mario Gotze nodding home his first competitive goal of 2017 moments after Benjamin Stambouli's own goal had doubled Dortmund's tally, with Raphael Guerreiro then adding further humiliation.

    But it was not to be for Bosz's men, as Guido Burgstaller and Amine Harit ate into their lead before Aubameyang picked up a second booking, Daniel Caligiuri's strike setting up a grandstand finish before Naldo capped off an incredible derby.


    Yevhen Konoplyanka's early chance proved rare attacking moment for Schalke, as the hosts stamped their authority on proceedings. Christian Pulisic's first-time cross was flicked on by Nuri Sahin, with Aubameyang reacting first to bundle the ball home, and though the ball did strike the forward's hand as it went over the line, the referee allowed the goal to stand.

    Aubameyang could have made it two moments later, but Dortmund did have their second 18 minutes in when Stambouli flung a leg at Sahin's free-kick, giving Ralf Fahrmann no chance.It was 3-0 two minutes later, Aubameyang turning provider with a sublime, inch-perfect cross to the back post, where Gotze was on hand to head in.

    Dortmund were not finished there - Guerreiro's stunning volley into the right-hand corner capping off a whirlwind period of play.Matters could have been made worse for Schalke prior to the interval, Thilo Kehrer fortunate to escape a second booking after diving in on Andriy Yarmolenko.

    Naldo thought he had pulled one back for Schalke on 53 minutes, only for the VAR system to rule that the veteran defender had strayed just offside before turning in Oczipka's free-kick.Fahrmann gifted Aubameyang the chance to break Yeboah's record, only for Schalke's goalkeeper to recover and force the striker wide.

    Roman Weidenfeller had to be at his best to deny Caligiuri, but he would be caught out just after the hour, as Burgstaller's superb header gave Schalke some hope.Bosz's weak defence was to be penetrated again with 25 minutes remaining - Harit pouncing on Weidenfeller's error to thump in from close range.

    Aubameyang's ridiculous decision to dive in on Caligiuri gave referee Deniz Aytekin no choice but to hand the 28-year-old his marching orders, Weidenfeller making an outstanding save to tip Burgstaller's header onto the post from the resulting free-kick.

    Substitute Gonzalo Castro was lucky to only receive a booking for a hefty challenge on Harit, with Caligiuri then hammering home on 86 minutes to set nerves jangling.And Schalke made their numerical advantage pay in the fourth minute of seven added on - Naldo shaking off his marker to head in Konoplyanka's cross and cast further doubt over Bosz's future.

    With tensions high, both sides clashed after the final whistle, with Dortmund left wondering how they had only claimed a point.