..::Football IV::..

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Goal-shy Lukaku showing great mentality - Mourinho


Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has praised Romelu Lukaku for the great mentality he showed in the 1-0 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday despite his difficult run in front of goal continuing.

The Belgian began his United career with 11 goals in 10 games but has now scored just once in his last 10 matches after failing to find the net once more against Brighton. He ended the game playing on the left wing following the 62nd-minute introduction of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the centre of attack.

But Mourinho said the £75 million front man deserved recognition for his willingness to fight for the cause, including when making a valuable contribution to Ashley Young’s second-half winner.

“In the last minute he was fighting and running back like he was from the first minute so I think it is also a mentality question,” said Mourinho when asked about Lukaku’s continued involvement despite his lack of goals. “The way Romelu wins the corner for the goal, the way Romelu ends the game making tackles in the left-back position, that’s the mentality I want and unfortunately not every player is the same.

“Players are men, men are different, men are unique cases and some guys are capable of going to the limits of their effort, and some guys even with a lot of talent do not manage to do that. So Romelu for me is fantastic. He didn’t score, I don’t care.”

There was also special mention from Mourinho for Paul Pogba after he completed his first full 90-minute appearance since returning from a hamstring injury.“I honestly think Paul played very well, but even with Paul we didn’t manage to be fully in control. Brighton came with three players in midfield where normally they come with two. They had three players in a straight line, Stephens was always alone so it was difficult for Pogba and [Nemanja] Matic to press.

Marcus [Rashford] and [Anthony] Martial are without the tactical knowledge that an older player has to close the spaces in between the full-back and the number six, so with Paul we were losing control a bit. But Paul again played very, very well against Basel and he played well on Saturday again, and I wanted to take him out of the game but I felt the points were still there to be fought for.”

Next up United head to Watford on Tuesday, and while Mourinho believes United have progressed since their 3-1 loss at Vicarage Road last season he says Marco Silva’s outfit are also better than they were last term under Walter Mazzarri.

“I think Watford have also progressed, I think they have an unusual squad for a mid-table team. I think they have a squad full of very good players that are not normal to be in mid-table teams. They have a good coach, and I think they’ve improved a lot from last season too.”

 

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Maybe Arsene will say that is a penalty - Guardiola hits back at Wenger after Sterling jibe


Pep Guardiola took a swipe at Arsene Wenger after Raheem Sterling won a penalty and scored the winner for Manchester City in their 2-1 victory at Huddersfield Town.

Premier League leaders City went behind to Nicolas Otamendi's own goal on the stroke of half-time, only for Sergio Aguero to equalise from the spot early in the second period after Sterling went down under a challenge from Scott Malone.

The England winger bundled home late on to wrap up the points - securing a record-breaking 11th successive away victory in the process.Sterling won City a spot-kick in their victory over Arsenal earlier this month, which resulted in Wenger claiming the 22-year-old "dives well", but Guardiola dismissed suggestions the former Liverpool man had exaggerated the contact on either occasion.

"Two clear penalties. Maybe Arsene will say that is [a] penalty," said Guardiola. "I think the penalty is more than clear."He can still improve but he's made a big step. He's winning games. Now he's a winning player.

"But not just in terms of goals, now he's strong, keeps the ball... before he used to lose a lot of balls. He's 22 years old and still he can improve a lot."He's able to... if he wants to learn. We'll be there to help him."

City were far from at their best, but Guardiola was delighted with his side's gritty display as they claimed their 12th win from 13 league matches."The Premier League is so tough, now winter has come, we knew they were so aggressive, so strong, but we are so happy for the way we won," Guardiola told BBC Sport.

"It was a brilliant move to win the penalty. It is impossible to win every game easily, this league is so tough. The guys competed amazingly, which is why we won."

 

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Young expects tough test for Man Utd at Watford


Ashley Young expects a tough test at Watford as Manchester United prepare for a trip to Vicarage Road on Tuesday.

Jose Mourinho's men are second in the Premier League and can close the gap, at least briefly, to rivals and leaders Manchester City to five points with a win.But Young, who came through the youth system at Watford and started his senior career at the club, is wary of Marco Silva's side.

"We know we are away, but we still want to get the three points," he said."The place has changed in the years since I left. They are doing well in the league, so we know it is going to be another tough game."

Watford have won back-to-back league games and sit eighth, just four points behind fourth-placed Arsenal. Young said he enjoyed returning to his former club, but he wants a win for United.

"Of course I love going back there. I was there from when I was 10 to 21," the England international said."It is where I plied my trade as a kid and I learned the game in my early years so it is always nice to go back there."But it will be even better if we go back there and get three points."

 

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'There was no problem' – Mane explains Klopp exchange


Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane insisted he had no issues with Jurgen Klopp despite appearing to argue with his manager after a 1-1 draw against Chelsea.

Mane came on in the closing stages of the draw at Anfield on Saturday before having a discussion with Klopp after the final whistle.However, the Senegal international played down the incident, saying it was a "friendly" conversation.

"He asked me to play on the right side and one time I tried to ask for the ball in the number nine position," Mane told Sky Sports News."Mo [Salah] was on my side and the coach was shouting, 'Sadio come onto the right side'."After the game I told the coach it was easier if you told Mo to come in because he was close to you.

"But it was friendly, it was not because I was unhappy or something else. There was no problem, I was just communicating and explaining that to him after the game."Mane was surprisingly dropped from the starting line-up for the crucial Premier League clash as his team were left in sixth in the table.

The 25-year-old, who has three goals and two assists in the league this season, said it was tough to accept being on the bench."It was not easy for me. It was a difficult moment, but it’s part of football and it can happen," Mane said."It's important for me to come back now. I'm feeling very well."

 

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'Even at 60 I would not turn them down' - Buffon leaves the door open for Italy return


Just two weeks after announcing his retirement from international duty, legendary goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had admitted he could play for the Italy national team again.

Buffon bid a tearful farewell to the Azzurri on November 13, just minutes after Italy fell to Sweden in a two-leg playoff and failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958.Though that appeared to be the end of a legendary international career, the 39-year-old has now admitted he could return for Italy at some point.

"I took a break from the national team," Buffon said at the Gran Gala del Calcio in Milan on Monday."Both for Juventus and for the national team I have always considered myself a soldier," Buffon continued.

"Even when I'm 60 I could never turn down any call because I have in me the concept of nation."Italy manager Gian Piero Ventura left his post following his team's embarrassing failure to qualify for Russia, but Buffon chose not to lay blame on the outgoing boss.

"Ventura has done the best job he could, but unfortunately we were unable to score in the two games against Sweden," Buffon said.The Juventus goalkeeper took home prizes for the best Italian player and best Italian goalkeeper at the awards ceremony on Monday. “I’m happy and proud. I never thought I’d get this kind of trophy," Buffon said, "and I’ll hold tight to it because I’ve never won best youngster!"

 

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Man Utd have to channel Ferguson's sides and 'stick with' City - Robson


Manchester United must channel the past sides managed by the legendary Alex Ferguson and "stick with" pacesetters Manchester City in the Premier League title race, says Bryan Robson.Pep Guardiola's City have dropped just two points in 13 matches this season, scoring a sensational 42 goals in the process.

United have been the best of the chasing pack, but still sit eight points adrift of their rivals.Former United and England midfielder Robson concedes that City are showing few signs of weakness, but believes the Red Devils are not out of the running yet.

Speaking at the Football Writers Association North West Football Awards, Robson said: "It's a long hard season, you know. United have had a good season so far under Jose [Mourinho].

"They've put themselves in a good position but City are flying, there's no getting away from that."But what you always have to do - Sir Alex Ferguson always used to say this to us when I was a player under him - look they're going really well, just stick with them and be as close as you can be when it comes to Christmas or New Year.

"See how many injuries people get, loss of form, so as long as you're close enough to them to give them a fight, and put pressure on them that's what it's all about."

 

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'Of course I'd like to emulate him' – Silva wants to follow in Mourinho's footsteps


Watford manager Marco Silva says he wants to emulate his compatriot Jose Mourinho and go on to do big things in his managerial career.Silva is regarded as one of the brightest young managers in the Premier League, and has Watford up to eighth in the league table.

Speaking ahead of his team's visit to take on Mourinho and Manchester United at Old Trafford on Tuesday, Silva said he would like to follow in Mourinho's footsteps.“Of course I’d like to emulate him," the 40-year-old said of Mourinho.

“It is important and a good sign when somebody compares you with a good coach. It is better to be compared with a very good coach than the other way.“For Portugal he is a very important coach with what he did in the last 15 years.

“It is really important for him and he has also shown the way for other Portuguese coaches. To reach his level I need to do my job. I need to improve every day.“I’m sure if I continue to do my work maybe good things will come in the future but for me the most important thing is always the next day, the next training and the next match.”

Silva said that he considers Mourinho a friend, and has consulted with the Man Utd boss during a managerial career that has so far taken him to Portugal, Greece and England.

“Our relationship is very good. We are friends," Silva said.“When I wanted to know something about the Premier League when I was in Portugal or when I was in Greece the best person to talk to was Jose.“He told me what you would expect, good things about the competition, the Premier League, the matches as well."

 

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Silva: Watford will play to win against Man Utd


Marco Silva is in a confident mood ahead of Manchester United's visit on Tuesday, insisting Watford will compete to win against the high-flying Red Devils.Silva's Hornets welcome Jose Mourinho's side to Vicarage Road with some momentum of their own, having recorded an impressive 3-0 win over Newcastle at the weekend.

Mourinho's charges, on the other hand - although still second in the Premier League - were less convincing in their most recent match, a 1-0 victory over Brighton at Old Trafford.

And Silva will look to use lessons learned from United's closely fought clash as he targets nothing less than victory against Tuesday's opponents.“We will do our best tomorrow and I'm sure we will compete,” the Portuguese boss told the Watford Observer. “With the result we will see, but we will compete.

“We did our work and analysed the Man Utd team and they are strong this season. We looked at some moments in the game and it's important that we can compete tomorrow and play with confidence.

“I'm happy with how we've worked since the first day, to compete really hard during matches. Every game we compete to win and that is our way.”Watford's away form has been good this season, with the Hornets having picked up four wins on the road, while managing only two at Vicarage Road.

Silva insists that he will make no changes to how his team prepares for matches, however, with the boss stating that he sets up his team to win regardless of the locale.

“The work and attitude as a team ... we don't change anything whether we play at home or away,” he said.“We always play with the same confidence and try to score and win matches.That's our philosophy and the away numbers are very good for the team.“Even in some games where we didn't achieve the best result we still did really well – but we can do better.”

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.11.28

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.11.28

Brighton Vs Crystal Palace

Leicester City Vs Tottenham

Watford Vs Manchester United

WBA Vs Newcastle

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[Wolverine GTR]

Ada Watford match eka amaruma match ekak wei.Watford lage performance hodaiLoku fight ekak denna wenawa win karanna

Good Luck Manchester United!​

 

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Watford Vs Manchester United

Watford Starting Line-up

Gomes
Kiko Femenia
Prodl
Mariappa
Kabasele
Zeegelaar
Cleverley
Doucoure
Hughes
Gray
Richarlison

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

De Gea
Valencia
Lindelof
Rojo
Smalling
Young
Pogba
Matic
Lingard
Lukaku
Martial
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Good Luck Manchester United!
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Half Time

Watford 0 Vs 3 Manchester United

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1st half godak hodata play kala Manchester United!Good luck for the 2nd Half Manchester United!
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Full Time

Watford 2 Vs 4 Manchester United

Watford Goal(s)

A.Doucoure 84'
T.Deeney 77'(PEN)

&

Manchester United Goal(s)

A.Young 19,25'
A.Martial 32'
J.Lingard 86'


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Congratulations Manchester United!

Pattama match ekakTence finish ekak

A.Young is back

Young ge goaks 2kama pattaSpecially Free-kick ekaA.Young ge Manchester United debut season eka mathak una ada score karapu Free-kick eka dakkama & Martial

Lingard ge goal ekath supreb

Pattama

solo goal ekak & Lindelof ge performance godak hodai ada

Lukaku ada match eketh flop2nd half eke score karanna thibba clear chance ekak kagattha nikammaImprove wenna wenawa ikmanatama

Next Arsenal match ekaGood Luck for the next match Manchester United!
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Watford 2 Manchester United 4: Lingard stings Hornets after stirring comeback

Jesse Lingard ended a stirring second-half comeback from Watford as Manchester United escaped from Vicarage Road with a tense 4-2 victory.England international Lingard scored a tremendous solo goal in the 86th minute to sting the Hornets, who set up a tense finale by rallying from three goals behind with just 13 minutes remaining.

Ashley Young returned to haunt his former club and ended a 560-day wait for a United goal with a first-half double, while Anthony Martial took advantage of a more central role afforded by Jose Mourinho's switch to a three-man defence with his eighth strike in all competitions this season – matching his tally from last term.


Romelu Lukaku wasted a glorious chance to mark his 200th Premier League appearance with a goal as his struggles in the box continued, but Watford captain Troy Deeney made no mistake from the spot on his return from a three-match ban for violent conduct.

Abdoulaye Doucoure boosted what had seemed an unlikely comeback when he struck six minutes from time, but Lingard capped an impressive display in the number 10 role with a stunning effort moments later.That secured United's first win in four Premier League away games closed the gap to leaders Manchester City, who face Southampton on Wednesday, to five points.


Richarlison looked eager to continue his impressive form in the opening 10 minutes but it was a former Watford star that got the opening goal. After some excellent hold-up play from Lingard, Young's first touch beat Kiko Femenia and his second was a rifled finish into the bottom-left corner.

Young doubled his tally in similarly sumptuous fashion just six minutes later by curling a magnificent free-kick beyond Heurelho Gomes after Doucoure's foul on Paul Pogba.There was no let-up from United as Watford crumbled. Lukaku fed Christian Kabasele's poor attempt at a headed clearance straight to Martial, who made no mistake from the edge of the box to give the visitors a commanding lead just after the half-hour mark.

Gomes denied Lukaku and Lingard with a brilliant double-save before half-time, while Richarlison's header bounced behind off the crossbar in stoppage time.

Nemanja Matic appeared to be struggling with an injury as he made way for Ander Herrera in the 54th minute, while Will Hughes was replaced by Roberto Pereyra after appearing to sustain a hamstring issue. Marco Silva also sent Andre Carrillo on for Sebastian Prodl in an attacking switch, but there was no immediate galvanizing effect on Watford for the time being. A loss of concentration saw substitute Marcus Rashford pick Adrian Mariappa's pocket and set up Lukaku for what looked like a simple finish, but the striker looked a man short of confidence as he hesitated before seeing his eventual shot blocked by Mariappa.

Watford reduced the arrears when Deeney, who replaced Andre Gray in the 72nd minute, slid a penalty into the bottom-left corner after Marcus Rojo had felled Pereyra, and United were soon under greater pressure.Doucoure stabbed home his fifth goal of the season with six minutes remaining after a touch from substitute Andre Carrillo, but there was to be no remarkable comeback.

Lingard picked up the ball inside his own half and dribbled into the Watford box before sliding a cool finish beyond Gomes in a breathless finish.

 

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Leicester City 2 Tottenham 1: Vardy and Mahrez stunners inflict more away-day woe on Spurs

Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez scored stunning goals as Leicester City held firm against a late onslaught to inflict more away-day woes on Tottenham in a 2-1 victory.In a performance largely reminiscent of their remarkable title-winning triumph of 2015-16, the Foxes clinched a first home league win over Spurs at the King Power Stadium.

The stars of the show were two men who were so influential in Leicester's title win, with Vardy setting the tone with a stunning, audacious lob on the stretch that would have made Lionel Messi proud.Not to be outdone, Mahrez lashed home from outside in the area after a superb solo run as the first half drew to a close to leave Spurs shell-shocked.

Spurs were much improved after the break, though, and Christian Eriksen missed a gilt-edged chance before the returning Erik Lamela – making his first Spurs substitute appearance since October 2016 due to surgeries on both hips – slid in Harry Kane to score his 11th goal against Leicester – including four in a 6-1 win last May.Substitute Fernando Llorente should have levelled but wastefully shot wide soon after, as Claude Puel's Leicester clung on for a three points that moves them into the top 10.

Spurs, meanwhile, have now lost three Premier League away matches on the spin for the first time since March 2014 and will be 16 points of leaders Manchester City if Pep Guardiola's men beat Southampton on Wednesday.


Leicester started brightly and Wes Morgan - making his 250th Foxes appearance - saw Danny Rose clear his header from Marc Albrighton's corner off the line.But the opening goal arrived in sensational style after 13 minutes.Albrighton launched a ball over the top of the Spurs defence from the left flank and Vardy ran in behind to deftly lob over Hugo Lloris into the right-hand side of goal while in mid-leap.

It was almost a short-lived lead as Kane slipped Moussa Sissoko in one-on-one but Kasper Schmeichel got enough on his shot and Vicente Iborra hacked the goal-bound ball to safety.Kane then shifted one onto his right foot before firing wide, before Dele Alli's tame effort with only Schmeichel to beat was saved by the home goalkeeper.

But in truth the visitors were wasteful in the final third and they were made to pay on the stroke of half-time.Mahrez ghosted in from the right, cut inside Jan Vertonghen and smashed a brilliant 25-yard effort into the top-left corner to double Leicester's lead.

Spurs upped the ante after the break and Kane fired wide of the far post from the right of the area.But a well-worked move involving Ben Chilwell and the lively Vardy led to Albrighton crossing for Shinji Okazaki, who wastefully powered his free header over the top.

Leicester should have been punished 15 minutes from time when Son Heung-min's corner bounced fortuitously off Danny Simpson's knee into the path of Eriksen, who skewed comically wide from eight yards.

With 11 minutes to go, Spurs did find a goal with a slick move. Son moved the ball to Lamela, whose throughball into the area picked out Kane to smash an unstoppable effort past Schmeichel.Agonisingly for Spurs, Llorente should have drawn the visitors level when he flicked wide from Serge Aurier's teasing cross.

Danny Rose then thought he was brought down by Wilfred Ndidi in the last minute of injury time, but referee Anthony Taylor was uninterested – with the England full-back possibly kicking the floor first –as Leicester held on amid relentless late pressure.

 

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Real Madrid 2 Fuenlabrada 2 (4-2 agg): Returning Bale key as Zidane's men progress

Gareth Bale provided a superb assist on his return from injury as Real Madrid battled to a 2-2 draw against Fuenlabrada on Tuesday, Zinedine Zidane's men progressing to the last 16 of the Copa Del Rey 4-2 on aggregate.Controversial penalties from Marco Asensio and Lucas Vazquez had given Madrid enough of an advantage from the first leg that Zidane named a team with an average age of 22 years and 156 days, the youngest XI he had picked at the club.

Fuenlabrada were given hope by the inexperienced team named by the Frenchman and the Segunda B side - who held Madrid's reserves Castilla 0-0 on Saturday - took a deserved lead against their under-strength neighbours.


Luis Milla's rocket from 25 yards was tipped on to the crossbar by fit-again goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the ball ricocheting off the Costa Rica international and into his own goal.

With Madrid unable to break down Fuenlabrada, Zidane brought on Bale after half-time and seconds after his introduction, with his first touch, the winger crossed for Borja Mayoral to head in his second goal of the season – immediately relieving any tension inside the Santiago Bernabeu.

And Bale and Mayoral teamed up again to settle the tie, the Welshman's initial effort saved by Pol Freixanet only for the young striker to keep his composure and slot in from close range.Despite guaranteeing their progression Madrid were unable to hold on to victory on the night, though, as Alvaro Portilla secured a memorable draw for the visitors late on.


Fuenlabrada had a huge chance to reduce the first-leg deficit in just the fourth minute, Matheus Aias spinning away from a throw-in to pull back a low cross for Hugo Fraile, who should have scored but drilled his shot wide of the post.

And the visitors' bright start continued as Aias beat the offside trap to burst into the box only to fire straight at Navas, the Madrid goalkeeper making his first appearance since October.A callow Madrid were struggling to exert any pressure on the third-tier side and, incredibly, Fuenlabrada took the lead after 25 minutes.

A corner was cleared to Milla and with no Madrid players closing him down the midfielder let fly with a thumping 25-yard drive that hit the crossbar and deflected in off an unfortunate Navas.Marcos Llorente slammed a rebound over the crossbar and Freixanet was then tested for the first time, diving to his left to palm away a curling strike from Mayoral.

After the interval, Fraile free-kicks created headed chances for Aias and Cata Diaz, the latter seeing his effort crash against the crossbar, prompting a worried Zidane to send for Bale just after the hour.

And the Wales international had an immediate impact, providing the cross that levelled the scores on the night and guaranteed Madrid's progression into the next round.



Bale, returning from two months out, only had a pocket of space on the right wing but sent a sensational centre to the back post with the outside of his left boot, Mayoral stooping to head in via the woodwork.Mayoral struck his second of the night eight minutes later with Bale again instrumental, the young striker on hand to turn in the rebound after his team-mate's shot was blocked.

Although that strike extinguished any hopes Fuenlabrada had of progressing, substitute Portilla gave the club a moment to remember with a minute to go, scoring at the second attempt to claim a second-leg draw.

 

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Bayern unwilling to meet Wagner asking price, admits Rummenigge


Bayern Munich are not willing to meet the current asking price for Hoffenheim striker Sandro Wagner, but executive board chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge remains confident a compromise can be reached.

This month, Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes confirmed that talks had begun to bring Wagner to the Allianz Arena during the January transfer window as the Bundesliga champions attempt to provide support for Robert Lewandowski.But as things stand, Rummenigge says he cannot guarantee that a deal to sign Wagner – who started his career at Bayern – will be agreed.

"It was clear Hoffenheim won't shoot low, but higher than we imagined regarding the transfer fee. I don't know if we reach an agreement. We are not ready to pay every prize," he said at a press event at the Bavarian environment department."We have to speak about that issue intensively with the coach. If he sees the necessity and we can reach a reasonable transfer fee, I won't exclude that."

Lewandowski has voiced his frustration this season at a lack of back-up in Bayern's striking ranks, and Rummenigge says others may be considered if a deal cannot be sorted for Wagner."For sure we discuss that, we don't speak exclusively about one case," he said.

"But he is a player who has interest. He has huge interests privately. His wife is living here, she expects her third child. "I would say there are common interests between us and the player. So it's not too easy for Hoffenheim."

Rummenigge also addressed any potential concerns Germany international Wagner may have about switching clubs in January with a World Cup on the horizon next year.He said: "If he does it, he'll have spoken to [Germany boss] Joachim Low and he'll have found an uncomplicated solution."