..::Football IV::..

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First VAR goal in English football scored by Kelechi Iheanacho


Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho became the first player in English football to have a goal awarded by the video assistant referee (VAR) system on Tuesday.

The much-debated technology, which has been tested at FIFA events and used in Serie A and the Bundesliga this season, made its English debut through trials in the FA Cup and EFL Cup semi-finals this month.Former Manchester City youngster Iheanacho had already given Leicester the lead in their third-round replay against League One Fleetwood Town and had a second disallowed for offside.

The Nigeria international then latched on to a Riyad Mahrez pass and finished, only to see his celebrations curtailed by the official's flag once more. However, a review of the goal via VAR clearly showed Iheanacho was onside when Mahrez played him in – ensuring Leicester were 2-0 up and on the way into round four, while their 21-year-old forward will be the answer to a trivia question for years to come.

The Foxes take on Watford on Saturday as they return to Premier League action.

 

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Chelsea stall on Batshuayi loan as they attempt permanent Carroll deal


Chelsea are aiming to secure Andy Carroll on a permanent deal from West Ham United and are stalling on a loan deal for Michy Batshuayi until a transfer can be completed.

Batshuayi has attracted interest in the Premier League but he wants to secure a move to Sevilla, his first choice for a temporary switch ahead of the World Cup.
The La Liga side have provisionally agreed a €1.5m loan fee, and are also willing to pay a significant portion of his wages.

Sevilla are also looking at alternative options like Everton's Sandro Ramírez and are even interested in Daniel Sturridge, but they are thought to prefer getting the Belgium international in through the door. Chelsea, however, will not let the Belgium international go until they are certain of landing a forward in the current window.

The Blues are in turn trying to secure Carroll, but any deal will have to be on a permanent basis after West Ham refused to countenance a loan switch.The 29-year-old has emerged as a target to give Chelsea more depth at centre-forward, the club having missed out on the season's first choice Fernando Llorente in a summer transfer deadline day battle with Tottenham.

Carroll was left out of West Ham's FA Cup third round replay match with Shrewsbury, while Batshuayi is expected to start Chelsea's game against Norwich on Wednesday.

 

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Wright: Arsenal transfer deals all feel 'panicky'


Former Arsenal star Ian Wright believes the Gunners lack a cohesive plan in the transfer market, and are instead making panic moves. The London club are nearing a sale of Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan reportedly set to head the other way.

Theo Walcott is also on the verge of being sold to Everton, and the Gunners are being heavily linked with Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Yet Wright feels as though the club are making moves in a state of panic rather than actually planning out their future. "Everything that is happening is being forced on them through other people," he said on a Sky Sports podcast.

"Mkhitaryan is not a player Arsenal have been after - he's a player that Arsenal have been handed."It's the same with Aubameyang - a couple of years ago, he was on everyone's radar but now he's gone a bit cold. Then all of a sudden, he's on Arsenal's radar - it all feels panicky for me.

"Of course they are both quality players. But if you are losing Sanchez, you need players that will hit the ground running. I'm not sure about Mkhitaryan's state of mind right now."Goal understands that Arsenal’s pursuit of Henrikh Mkhitaryan hinges on whether the attacker is paid off by Manchester United due to his contract running for another two years.

Mkhitaryan's agent Mino Raiola also claims that the Armenian is key in any deal for Sanchez. "Manchester United are not going to sign Sanchez unless Mkhi agrees to join Arsenal," Raiola told The Times.

"Mkhi is going to do what is best for him. He has two-and-a-half years left on his contract, so it's his decision."

Arsenal take on Crystal Palace on Saturday in the Premier League, with the Gunners looking to close the gap on the top four. Arsene Wenger's side are currently sitting sixth in the league table, eight points back of fourth-placed Chelsea.

 

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'It's over' – Ronaldinho's brother confirms Brazilian legend's retirement


Legendary Brazilian playmaker Ronaldinho has officially retired from football, the player's brother and agent Roberto Assis has confirmed.The 37-year-old hasn't played professionally since leaving Brazilian side Fluminense in 2015. Last month, Ronaldinho announced his intention to retire at some point in 2018, saying, "I think I'm saying goodbye to football next year, officially."

Plans are already underway for a farewell schedule of games."He's quit football, it's over," Assis told O Globo. "Let's now do something nice [his farewell], big as it should [be], after the Russia World Cup, maybe in August.

"We'll do some events now around Brazil, Europe and Asia. Of course, we're also arranging something with the Brazil national team as well."Nike [Ronaldinho's long-time sponsors] will be with us together on this project, there are no details yet.

"For now we're arranging a programme, a schedule. The fact he's been Barcelona's ambassador for 10 years now will help a lot abroad. He's held in the highest regard there. "There are now three arranged events - Mexico will be the next one, on March 1."

Ronaldinho was capped 97 times by Brazil, scoring 33 goals – including two en route to World Cup glory in Japan and South Korea in 2002.He joined Paris Saint-Germain from Gremio to begin his European career, which flourished spectacularly at Barcelona between 2003 and 2008.

Ronaldinho inspired back-to-back La Liga triumphs in 2004-05 and 2005-06, also winning the Champions League in the latter season.He was at the peak of his powers as he claimed the Ballon d'Or in 2005; less so during a three-year stay with AC Milan, although he did feature in all-star line-ups alongside the likes of Paolo Maldini, Kaka and David Beckham.

Ronaldinho left San Siro midway through the Serie A title-winning 2010-11 season and returned to his homeland with Flamengo. He also experienced stints at Atletico Mineiro and in Mexico with Queretaro.

 

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Barkley: Conte said Chelsea's system is perfect for me


Ross Barkley says he was told by Antonio Conte that Chelsea's system is "perfect" for him as he awaits his debut at the weekend against Brighton and Hove Albion.

Chelsea didn't quite sign Barkley early enough for him to feature in the FA Cup third-round replay with Norwich City on Wednesday, as he wasn't registered in time for the original match, but he will play in a behind-closed-doors friendly to get his fitness up ahead of his debut.

The 24-year-old has been unable to play for seven months after requiring surgery for a hamstring injury, and he gave insight into what Conte has been telling him as he trains after his £15 million move from Everton.

"The manager said the formation the team plays is perfect for me, so now I've got to train well and perform well to be in the team," Barkley said in Chelsea's matchday programme. "My main focus is to be giving it 100 per cent every day in training and our games to show him what I can do.

"It is a big change, I'm coming out of my comfort zone. This is all new to me, London, but I'm ready for it. I think I'm going to adjust really well. It was a big decision to leave Everton and it took me a lot of time to think over. I felt this was the right thing for me, to help me improve."

A creative midfielder who likes to dribble, Barkley can play in a No.10 role and has been compared to former England international Paul Gascoigne and ex-Chelsea man Michael Ballack.
He admits that the comparisons are flattering but insists he's keen to carve out a name for himself and not just follow in their footsteps."I've got similarities to them, because I like to arrive in the box and score goals like Ballack did, and I use both my feet and like to take players on as Gazza did, but I'm not them," he said.

"I'm Ross Barkley and I've got to create a better version of the player I am and show what I can do, not try to be like someone else. That's part of what I hope I can achieve here, to make people aware of who I am as a player and show everyone what I can do."

 

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New York City FC striker Villa determined to earn place in Spain's World Cup squad


David Villa is determined to go to the World Cup as part of the Spain squad, having ended a three-year wait for an international cap in 2017.New York City FC striker Villa had not been selected since the 2014 World Cup when Spain coach Julen Lopetegui called him up for September's double-header of qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Italy.

Injury restricted Villa to a single minute of action across the two matches, while Lopetegui has plenty of attacking options for his squad, with Chelsea forward Alvaro Morata and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa among them.

But Villa, who went to the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups with Spain, believes he can force his way into Lopetegui's plans."I know that Lopetegui is watching me and that I'm one of the attacking candidates," Villa told Efe."In the end, he will decide which players are best and I'd be delighted to be part of the squad."What I will do is play well and train hard at the highest level to get the best out of myself."

Villa scored five goals in his last five appearances in 2017, although NYCFC did not make it to the MLS Cup final after the club fell to the Columbus Crew in the Eastern Conference semifinals. And the 36-year-old accepts an injury suffered during the September international break was a blow to his World Cup selection hopes.

"Injuries always seem to come at a bad time but it was even more so in that case," Villa said."The reaction of people was very nice though. It was a nice experience, even though it ended badly with the injury."

Former Barcelona forward Villa has made 98 appearances and has scored 59 times for his country, five of which came as Spain triumphed at the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

 

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OFFICIAL: Arsenal forward Walcott joins Everton in £20m deal

Everton have completed the £20 million signing of Theo Walcott from Arsenal.
The 28-year-old makes the switch from the Gunners, signing a three-year deal, and becomes Sam Allardyce's second signing of the January transfer window following Cenk Tosun's arrival from Besiktas.

Walcott, who was Arsenal's longest-serving player, scored 108 goals for the north London club but has found game time increasingly difficult to come by this season.




The England international failed to make a single Premier League start under Arsene Wenger this season in a campaign which will determine whether or not he will be included in Gareth Southgate's squad for the World Cup in Russia.As a result of his limited game time at the Emirates, Walcott, who has 47 England caps to his name, has not featured for the Three Lions since their friendly against Spain in November 2016.

With his football limited primarily to cup competitions in 2017-18, Walcott has scored three goals from five Europa League starts and claimed two assists.It is his lack of opportunity in the Premier League which has seen him decide to leave the club, however, with just 64 minutes of football, spread across six substitute appearances, to his name.

Walcott's former club Southampton, from whom he joined Arsenal for £5m in 2006, were also interested in a deal to re-sign the forward, while West Ham also made an approach. As revealed by Goal, however, Everton offered the most attractive financial package to Walcott before the forward underwent a medical on Tuesday.

“I’ve come to Everton because I want the Club to push to the next level," Walcott told the official Everton website. “I’m very ambitious and I’ve come here because I want the Club to push to the next level,” Walcott said. And with the players that have come in, I feel like the next level can be reached.

“I’m very excited to be starting a new chapter and I felt this was the right place for me to be. The manager is very ambitious and I feel like the Club is going in the right direction.

“Everton is a club with a great history. The fans are always passionate, they’re great and I always used to find it very tough playing here.“The Club has won trophies but I want them to win trophies now. The manager is very hungry and it’s just what I need. I’ve had a couple of chats with him and straightaway I felt that hunger and that desire that he wanted from me. I need that and I wanted that.

“I want to be part of something which he’s building and, like I said before, it’s a very ambitious club.

“The fact there’s a new stadium going to be developing in the next few years, it’s exciting times for Everton Football Club. I’m dead excited and I just want to do what I do best which is playing football and expressing myself because I’m excited again, I really am.

“I do really believe that I’m going to give it my all, which is what I always have done, and this place is going to get even more out of me. There’s something about this move which I’ve just felt good about.

“It felt like it was time for me to move on [from Arsenal]. It was sad but it’s exciting at the same time and I want to reignite my career and push Everton to win things as they have done before. I want to be part of something and I feel like this place will offer me that.”

The proceeds from the 28-year-old's sale, which could rise to £25m with add-ons, will go towards Arsenal's efforts to sign Brazilian winger Malcom from Bordeaux with further meetings scheduled with the player's representatives this week.Walcott could now be included in the Everton squad for Saturday's Premier League game at home to West Brom.

 

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West Ham standing firm with Chelsea over £20m Carroll fee


Chelsea's initial approaches for West Ham striker Andy Carroll have revealed a difference in valuation between the clubs and progress over a move could be slow, Goal understands.Carroll is thought to be keen to take the opportunity at Chelsea, but West Ham have so far been inflexible over their £20 million asking price, after initially rejecting the idea of a six-month loan move.

The England striker has 18 months left on his £70,000-a-week contract at the East London club as the Blues look to bring in help for a tiring Alvaro Morata.

Michy Batshuayi is awaiting an outcome to the talks and is keen to go on loan, with Sevilla pushing for a loan deal as soon as they can. West Ham had requested Batshuayi initially, but he prefers a move to Spain and won't be included in the deal.

West Ham also are considering offers for their other strikers, including Diafra Sakho, Javier Hernandez and Andre Ayew. Ayew has interest from Swansea City, but they are similarly falling short of West Ham's asking price.

Chelsea's interest in Carroll comes after the club failed to sign Fernando Llorente from Swansea in the summer, as he opted to join Tottenham instead.Red Star Belgrade’s Richmond Boakye is another target that the club began scouting at the start of the season, and he trained in Antonio Conte's Juventus side as a youngster. Watford's Richarlison and Borussia Monchengladbach's Thorgan Hazard are being watched by Chelsea as attacking players the club could go for in the summer.

Roma's Emerson Palmieri has emerged as the club's first-choice left-sided defender as they seek competition for Marcos Alonso.

 

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Zidane urges Ronaldo to keep mind on goal drought amid exit talk


Cristiano Ronaldo must focus on breaking out of his goalscoring slump, says Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane, as rumours of the Portuguese's Santiago Bernabeu exit persist.

Ronaldo has scored just four goals in 14 league games this season and Los Blancos are 19 points adrift of table-topping Barcelona in La Liga after losing 1-0 at home to Villarreal on Saturday.

Madrid have been linked in recent weeks with a move for Paris Saint-German star - and former Barcelona man - Neymar, with Ronaldo mentioned as a potential makeweight, or the one to make way to secure a deal.

However, Zidane brushed off such speculation when he faced the media ahead of Madrid's Copa del Rey first-leg clash with Leganes."We know that people can talk and debate outside of the club, but we think Cristiano must just think about playing, as he has always done," Zidane said.
"And I just want to talk about this, what he can bring to the team, that's all.

"I cannot imagine Cristiano going anywhere else. He is at his club, where he should be. Everyone loves him here."I do not want to talk about his contract. What I am most interested in is matters on the pitch, that is what I talk to Cristiano about. Everything else he manages himself, it is not my business.

"When I had difficult moments as a player I just kept working hard and thinking the team would do good things soon."

 

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Otamendi signs new Man City deal to 2022


Manchester City have signed Argentine centre-back Nicolas Otamendi to a new deal that runs until 2022.

The 29-year-old has made 118 appearances since joining the club in a reported reported £32 million move from Valencia in 2015. His original contract expired in 2020, with Wednesday's announcement adding two years to his stay at the Etihad Stadium.

Goal reported the extension in December, with City locking down Otamendi ahead of the World Cup in an effort to ward off interest from Europe's top clubs.

Otamendi has started 22 of 23 Premier League matches for City this season as Pep Guardiola's men have taken a 12-point lead at the top of the table while conceding just 17 goals.He has made five further appearances in the Champions League for City, who face Basel in a last-16 clash next month.

Otamendi has rallied from an inconsistent start to life in Manchester and adapted to the possession style demanded by manager Pep Guardiola, leading the Premier League in completed passes.

The 5-foot-10 defender also has proven to be a threat at the other end this season, scoring five goals in all competitions — including the winner as City defeated rivals Manchester United 2-1 at Old Trafford last month amid a record-breaking run of 18 successive league victories.

"At the club I'm really enjoying my experience since the first day I got here," Otamendi told CityTV. "I'm very happy to be staying here a couple more years.
"I think that nowadays, for the way I have improved, I'm in a really good moment. But I can still improve.

"The players keep learning day by day, and I try to be a better player after every single game."Otamendi began his career with Argentine side Velez Sarsfield before signing with Porto in 2010. He also played for Atletico Mineiro in Brazil during a loan from Valencia in 2014.

Capped 51 times by Argentina — including appearances at the 2010 World Cup and 2015 and 2016 Copa America tournaments — Otamendi figures to be a key piece for his national team next summer in Russia.

 

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Chelsea consider Emerson move as alternative to Alex Sandro


Chelsea are weighing up a move for Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri as an alternative option to Juventus’s Alex Sandro, Goal understands.

The Blues are in the hunt for a new left-sided defender in the January transfer window and have long held an interest in Alex Sandro.However, Juventus are maintaining their stance of wanting to keep the Brazilian until the summer and that has prompted Chelsea to explore other options.

Emerson's entourage had talks with Chelsea last week while they were in London to hold discussions with Arsenal regarding the Gunners’ interest in signing Malcom from Bordeaux.
Chelsea have yet to make a bid for Emerson, who has only just recovered from an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury to make his first two appearances of the season, but he is thought to be valued at around £22 million by Roma.
The 23-year-old is also interesting Newcastle United, but the fee is thought to be outside their price range, while Juventus are considering him as a replacement for Alex Sandro, who has stalled on renewing his contract for many months.

Chelsea's switch to Emerson may also be due to Paris Saint-Germain's serious interest in a summer move for Alex Sandro, which could see the Premier League champions enter a bidding war with one of the world's richest clubs.

 

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Chelsea 1 Norwich City 1 (aet, 5-3 pens): Hazard and Caballero seal Blues progression

Substitute Eden Hazard spared Chelsea's blushes by scoring the winning penalty in a shootout, after their FA Cup replay against Norwich City had ended 1-1 at Stamford Bridge.Belgium forward Hazard coolly slotted home Chelsea's final penalty to earn an unassailable 5-3 lead after Willy Caballero had saved from Canaries striker Nelson Oliveira to finally end the Championship side's resistance.

Chelsea were clinical from the spot after a frustrating third-round replay that saw them miss a host of chances, have three penalty appeals turned down and Pedro and Alvaro Morata sent off.




Michy Batshuayi had given Chelsea the lead after 55 minutes with the Blues' first goal since Marcos Alonso's 84th-minute strike against Arsenal on January 3.
But Jamal Lewis levelled things up in the final minute of stoppage time, before chaos ensued in the extra period.

Referee Graham Scott and his VAR denied Willian and Morata penalties in the added 30 minutes – the latter joining Pedro in being shown red.The nine men saw out the few remaining additional minutes and made no errors from 12 yards to set up a fourth-round meeting with Newcastle United.

Problems on the London Underground meant kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes but the hosts did not seem affected as Danny Drinkwater and Willian both fired wide inside the opening 10 minutes, while Cesar Azpilicueta was unable to turn in Tiemoue Bakayoko's flick from a corner.

Norwich initially struggled to make any kind of impact in the final third and the Championship side were grateful to Angus Gunn for keeping the game level, the England Under-21 international goalkeeper brilliantly tipping Drinkwater's long-range effort onto the bar after 25 minutes.

Despite Chelsea's dominance their recent problems in front of goal showed little sign of stopping, while at the other end Oliveira fired two warning signs towards Caballero's goal as Norwich finished the half strongly – the first clipping the bar on its way over after a mistake from Batshuayi.

The Belgian striker made up for that error 10 minutes after the restart with Chelsea's first goal in 331 minutes, Batshuayi beating Gunn from close-range as he met Kenedy's low cross.

Any thoughts that the goal would open the floodgates were quickly dispelled as Josh Murphy and James Maddison almost profited from Chelsea mistakes.

The post and arm of Caballero saved them, though, and the hosts should have been out of sight late on, but substitute Morata twice missed golden opportunities.

And Norwich made him pay as Lewis headed home his first senior goal, the teenager meeting Timm Klose's cross in the last seconds of normal time.Chelsea thought they had a penalty early in the first half of extra time as Willian went down under Klose's challenge, but referee Graham Scott and his VAR ruled it was not a spot-kick – the Brazilian booked for simulation.



Their frustrations grew further as Gunn made two saves in quick succession to deny Willian and Morata – the Manchester City loanee equal to both low efforts.
Morata was again wasteful in the second period, before Pedro – who was booked in the first half for diving – was sent off for a rash challenge on Wes Hoolahan.

He was not the only one to see red either with Morata shown two yellows – the first for a dive, Chelsea's third for simulation in the match – and the second in the immediate aftermath for his reaction towards the official.

 

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Espanyol 1 Barcelona 0: Melendo ends unbeaten run

Oscar Melendo's late goal saw Espanyol snatch a 1-0 win and inflict a first defeat on Barcelona since August, after Lionel Messi failed to score a penalty in the first leg of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.

A dominant Barca looked as though they would have to settle for a goalless draw after Messi saw his second-half spot kick saved by Diego Lopez on Wednesday, but worse was to come for the Liga frontrunners.

Espanyol caught them on the break late on and youngster Melendo provided a neat finish for his first senior goal, inflicting a first defeat on Barca since their Supercopa de Espana losses to Real Madrid.Barca were on top from start to finish and created more than enough chances to take a victory back to Camp Nou.

But for all their control, the first half proved particularly frustrating, as clear-cut chances were hard to come by and, when the visitors did manage to craft an opening, the opportunity was wasted or saved.

They should have taken the lead just after the hour mark when Messi stepped up from 12 yards out, but Lopez rescued Espanyol with a brilliant save and Melendo – introduced from the bench – struck two minutes from time to secure an unlikely victory for the home side.


Barcelona did not have much trouble taking control of proceedings early on, as they enjoyed a monopoly on possession.Chances were by no means a regular occurrence, however, with an eighth-minute Sergio Busquets effort that Lopez did well to parry away being the only opportunity at either end in the first quarter of the match.Messi eventually burst into life in the 23rd minute and managed to charge through a crowd of players to get a shot away, only for Lopez to make light work of the effort.

At the other end, Barca looked almost too comfortable and such a relaxed approach nearly cost them, as Sergi Roberto gifted possession to Gerard Moreno and the forward fired just wide of the bottom-right corner.The best chance of the half fell to Denis Suarez just before the break, though, as the midfielder received Messi's pass in the area and shot into the side-netting.

Barca's dominance continued into the second half and a moment of Messi magic forced Lopez into action, as the Argentinian flicked the ball over his head and drilled a volley towards the bottom-right corner from 18 yards, with the goalkeeper getting down to keep it out.

Valverde's frustration brought about the introduction of Ivan Rakitic and Luis Suarez from the bench and soon after the Uruguayan's entrance, Barca won a penalty.Roberto found his way into the Espanyol area and went down under a clumsy Esteban Granero challenge, but Lopez brilliantly denied Messi's kick, getting down to his left and tipping it wide.

In an incident that will likely result in a sanction for Espanyol, Barca goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen appeared to get caught in the face by something thrown from the stands 13 minutes from the end. Thankfully he was fine to continue and he made a strong save to push Marco Navarro's fierce free-kick effort over.

But he was helpless a few moments from the end when Melendo latched on to Navarro's well-placed cut-back and steered a cushioned left-footed finish into the bottom-left corner, ending Barca's 29-match unbeaten run.

 

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Paris Saint-Germain 8 Dijon 0: Neymar hits four as Cavani levels Ibrahimovic record

Edinson Cavani became the joint-top goalscorer in Paris Saint-Germain's history and Neymar recorded his first hat-trick for the club as the Ligue 1 leaders hammered Dijon 8-0 on Wednesday.

Cavani scored PSG's third goal with a simple header that drew him level with Zlatan Ibrahimovic on 156 goals for the Paris club, who moved 11 points clear at the top of Ligue 1, although the Uruguayan was denied the chance to break the record when Neymar scored a late penalty even though he had already completed his treble.

PSG's 11th win out of 11 home Ligue 1 games this season saw Neymar at his mesmeric best, although Unai Emery's side rarely needed to get out of third gear against desperately poor opposition, despite Kylian Mbappe having been left on the bench.




The in-form Angel Di Maria scored twice in the first 15 minutes, the first a superb strike from the edge of the box and the second from virtually on the line after Neymar's chip threatened to miss.After Cavani's historic goal, Neymar got in on the act, bending home a glorious 20-yard free-kick to make the score 4-0 before half-time, the Brazilian then knocking in a rebound for an easy fifth after the break.

Neymar saved the best for last with his hat-trick goal, a dazzling solo effort, then substitute Mbappe wrapped up an eighth straight win for PSG before Neymar scored his fourth of the game from 12 yards despite his strike partner - and the Parc des Princes fans - calling for Cavani to take it.PSG visit their nearest challengers Lyon on Sunday, when victory would virtually wrap up the league title with four months of the season still to play.


Jordan Marie sent an ambitious chip wide in the first minute as PSG made a sloppy start from kick-off, but the league leaders were soon in full flow.Di Maria hit the winner against Nantes last time out and he was on target again, picking out the top-right corner with a sensational left-footed 20-yard strike that he whipped across Baptiste Reynet.

The Argentine added his fifth Ligue 1 goal of the season after 15 minutes, prodding in from a yard out with Neymar's deft chip over Reynet seemingly drifting narrowly wide, Giovani Lo Celso having won back possession deep in Dijon territory.

And, with Dijon unable to cope with the hosts' attacking fluency, Cavani then headed in his 156th goal for the club to draw level with Ibrahimovic as PSG's top goalscorer in all competitions, Di Maria providing the perfect cross from the right.

Alphonse Areola made a straight-forward save to his left to deny Mehdi Abeid before Neymar extended PSG's advantage in style despite seemingly being troubled by a groin problem.

The Brazilian won the free-kick himself and gave Reynet no chance with a 20-yard shot that curled over the wall and into the unguarded portion of the Dijon goal.Dijon initially showed more fight after the interval, Kwon Chang-Hoon bending a shot wide of the post, before Reynet made his first save, sticking out his right boot to block Neymar's shot.



Neymar passed in his second of the night after 57 minutes, though, with defender Cedric Yambere only able to block a cross directly to the world's most expensive player.With Dijon helpless Neymar was not finished yet, wrapping up the hat-trick with a tremendous solo effort before teeing up substitute Mbappe on the overlap on the left for PSG's seventh.

And the scoring was finally over when Neymar - who earlier this season rowed with Cavani on the pitch about set-piece duties - insisted upon taking a penalty won by the Uruguayan, despite the crowd chanting for El Matador to take it to surpass Ibrahimovic's record, to cap a superb individual display.

 

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Atletico Madrid 1 Sevilla 2: Montella's men stage dramatic first-leg comeback

Atletico Madrid have been left with it all to do in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals as a late Miguel Angel Moya own goal was followed by a Joaquin Correa winner in Sevilla's shock 2-1 triumph at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Diego Costa's third goal in four games since re-joining Atletico arrived 17 minutes from time and appeared to have secured the hosts a slender first-leg victory, but a fortuitous Moya own goal after a Jesus Navas cross made things interesting.Then, with only two minutes left, Joaquin Correa punished Atletico on the break to secure a fine result.




There was little indication of the two teams' contrasting recent fortunes during the first half, as Sevilla – who had won just two of their previous eight in all competitions – gave as good as they got in an entertaining encounter.

Joaquin Correa, Pablo Sarabia and Sergio Escudero all went desperately close for the visitors, while Costa twice troubled Sergio Rico in the Sevilla goal.Former Chelsea star Costa had seemingly ended Sevilla's resistance when he scored fairly late in the day with an emphatic left-footed strike.


But Sevilla rallied brilliantly to somehow leave the Wanda with a result that means they will take a surprise lead to the typically raucous Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan for next Tuesday's second leg.Despite seeing much less of the ball than Atletico, Sevilla arguably looked the more threatening going forward at times in the first half.

Franco Vazquez fired just wide from 18 yards early on, before Sarabia hit a half-volley on the spin from a similar distance which agonisingly missed the top-right corner.Atletico and Costa soon woke up, however.The Spain international saw a headed goal disallowed 13 minutes in after tussling with Gabriel Mercado at a corner and forced Sevilla goalkeeper Rico to brilliantly turn another header around the post soon after.

Sevilla remained a potent threat on the break and should have scored just before the half-hour mark, but Joaquin Correa shot straight at Moya when through on goal.The end-to-end nature of proceedings continued right until the break – Costa again testing Rico from a tight angle after a swift counter, before Moya tipped Escudero's spectacular long-range effort over.

Vitolo – who departed Sevilla in a contentious transfer in July – was so ineffective against his former employers that Diego Simeone opted to hook him for Angel Correa at the break, and the substitute caused trouble almost straight away with his crossing.

His first delivery across the face of goal was nearly turned in by Costa, before Clement Lenglet headed the forward's second cross onto his own post.There was to be no denying Costa in the 73rd minute, however, as the lively striker lashed a left-footed drive into the bottom-right corner after Sevilla failed to clear a free-kick.

But the visitors were by no means out of it.Substitute Navas played a pivotal – albeit lucky – role in the equaliser, as his right-wing cross took a deflection off Lucas Hernandez and found its way in via the glove of Moya.



And Joaquin Correa then secured Sevilla's first win at Atletico in any competition since September 2008, racing onto Wissam Ben Yedder's pass and prodding cleverly past the helpless Moya to set up a tantalising second leg.

 

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Walcott: Rooney convinced me to join Everton


Everton signing Theo Walcott revealed Wayne Rooney played a big role in his decision to make the move to Goodison Park.

Walcott, 28, completed a move from Arsenal to Everton Wednesday in a deal reportedly worth £20 million.The attacker joins Rooney at the Premier League club and Walcott said his former England team-mate helped convince him to make the switch.

"I had numerous chats with Wayne and that was one massive factor which really tempted me to come to Everton," Walcott told evertontv."He told me it was a great place to play football and a club that is on the up. Those are the reasons I came here. "This is a club with great history. The fans are brilliant, they are always passionate … and I used to find it very tough playing here."You want to be part of something and Wayne feels Everton are really going to improve."

Walcott scored 19 goals in all competitions for Arsenal last season, but he struggled for game time this campaign.

The 47-time England international believes he can recapture his best form at Everton."I was very proud of what I did last season – scoring 19 goals," Walcott said."I want to bring that [scoring form] to Everton Football Club. I want to be part of the attacking force that is here.

"It always comes down to hard work and I think the manager here will get the best out of all the players."I just want to play football and enjoy it again. I feel this move will make that happen."Walcott could be back at Arsenal in just a couple of weeks, with the Gunners set to host his new club in early February.

 

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VAR decision cost Chelsea despite FA Cup win, says frustrated Antonio Conte


Antonio Conte was left fuming with the referees as Willian was not only turned down for a penalty appeal in the first half of injury time but he was booked for diving after Norwich's Timm Klose made contact with his leg in the box.

Chelsea struggled past Norwich City on the night as Michy Batshuayi's opener was cancelled out by Jamal Lewis's stunning header in the 94th minute of normal time.The game went into extra time and no goals were scored, though Pedro and Alvaro Morata were both sent off. The Blues then won 5-3 on penalties, with Eden Hazard netting the winning spot kick.

However, VAR became a huge talking point as the referee arguably made a mistake over a penalty decision despite having the tools at his disposal. Conte went on an extended rant as journalists quizzed him over the new system which has its first controversy in English football.

“I think that we need to improve if we want to use this new system," Conte said at Stamford Bridge. "Today, in this game, there is a situation very clear with Willian at the start of the first period of extra-time. I think the situation was very clear. I watched it and this is a penalty. Very clear."But this is not because I'm not happy with a referee's decision. The referee took quickly a decision to book Willian. That means you don't have doubt. If you do this quickly, it means you don't have doubt.

"Instead, I repeat, if we want to improve – it's only to try and improve the system – we have to wait to check with the person who is watching the game and then, if this person is sure 100 per cent that it is simulation, go and book Willian. Instead, I think the person watching the game, at least you must have a doubt.

"There is a kick to Willian and he should call the referee and tell him. Maybe it's a penalty, for me. In Italy, before to arrive to use this new system, they tried, tried, tried... But if you want to try quickly this new system, then you have to find the best solution.

"For me, this is not the right solution if the referee doesn't refer a doubtful decision.The final decision stays with the referee on the pitch, not the one watching the game. But it's only because we want to try and use this new system, and this is my opinion to help the referee use this new system.

"We have been using it in Italy for six months, and you can reduce a lot the referee's mistakes. But you must be sure, 100%. And, despite this, there is another person checking the situation."If the person checking the situation calls you and says it's a penalty, you say you made a mistake, take back the yellow card and give the penalty. I think we have to find the right solution to try to help the referee.”

Chelsea had three players booked for diving during the match and five yellow cards with Pedro and Morata's red cards meaning that they will miss the upcoming Premier League game against Brighton on Saturday.Conte conceded that he was unhappy with Pedro for diving, while he thought Morata's first yellow card was a little harsh. He did add that Morata shouldn't have reacted to get his second yellow card for dissent.

“I don't know, but I don't want an advantage [by cheating]," Conte added. "About Pedro, if there is a dive, it's right to take a yellow card. It's the same for Morata. I don't want an advantage, especially if you know this system is being used.

"You can watch every situation with this situation. If someone gives a punch or an elbow, you must pay great attention. In this case, if it wasn't a penalty, it was right to give a yellow card.“For sure, I'm not happy for the second yellow card for Morata. The first yellow card was for a doubtful situation – I didn't watch Morata's situation yet – but the second was for dissent. You must pay great attention. In this moment of the game, you have to pay great attention to stay calm and make the best decision.”

Chelsea's win in over 210 minutes of football in the FA Cup third round against Norwich City has set up a fourth round tie against Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge. The match will take place on 28 January.

 

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Chelsea vs Norwich City 1-1 - All Goals & Highlights HD - 17 Jan 2018 - FA Cup

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Espanyol vs Barcelona 1-0 - All Goals & Highlights - 17/1/2018

 

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Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla 1-2 All Goals & Extended Highlights - 17/01/2018