..::Football IV::..

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Manchester United Vs Huddersfield

Manchester United Starting Line-up

De Gea
Valencia
Smalling
Rojo
Shaw
Matic
McTominay
Mata
Lingard
Sanchez
Lukaku

&

Huddersfield Starting Line-up

Lossl
Hadergjonaj
Schindler
Zanka
Kongolo
Smith
Van La Parra
Billing
Hogg
Quaner
Depoitre
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Good Luck Manchester United!
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Half Time

Manchester United 0 Vs 0 Huddersfield

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Manchester United godak hodata play kala 1st half but still no luck &
Clear penalty ekak dunne naha

Good Luck for the 2nd half Manchester United!
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Full Time

Manchester United 2 Vs 0 Huddersfield

Manchester United Goal(s)

R.Lukaku 55'
A.Sánchez 68'


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Congratulations Manchester United!

Team ekama ada godak hodai play karapu widiyaLukaku,Sanchez,Mata

Next New Castle away match ekaGood luck Manchester United!
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Manchester United 2 Huddersfield Town 0: Sanchez scores in successful home debut

Alexis Sanchez scored his first Manchester United goal as they bounced back from defeat to Tottenham by cruising to a straightforward 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

Jose Mourinho caused a stir by dropping Paul Pogba - who was hauled off in the 2-0 loss at Spurs - for Huddersfield's visit and, while his absence was notable in midfield, United rarely looked like dropping points at Old Trafford.The hosts were dominant throughout the first half and should have been given a penalty when Scott McTominay – Pogba's replacement – was barged into by Terence Kongolo.




Clear-cut chances were something of a rarity before the break, however, as United's play suffered because of a lack of width caused by Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Sanchez – making his home debut – all wanting to occupy central positions.

When United did alter their system in order to exploit the flanks, the breakthrough eventually arrived – Mata crossing to Lukaku for a neat, near-post finish in the 55th minute.


Sanchez then wrapped things up 22 minutes from time, tucking home after his initial penalty was saved to get off the mark for United, who cut Manchester City's emphatic lead to 13 points following the latter's 1-1 draw with Burnley.Following a minute's silence to mark the upcoming 60th anniversary of the Munich Air Disaster on Tuesday, United started brightly, creating two chances inside 10 minutes.

Lingard crafted the first, darting through the middle and tearing past two defenders before shooting left-footed at Jonas Lossl from the edge of the area.And Chris Smalling wasted the second, heading into Lossl's arms with the goal at his mercy.

United were unlucky not to win a penalty in the 20th minute as Kongolo clattered into McTominay in an aerial clash and completely missed the ball.Huddersfield had another escape soon after – Lossl pushing away Sanchez's fierce 20-yard drive after the Chilean brilliantly made space for himself.

United had to wait until the early stages of the second half for their next clear chance, as Sanchez reached Lukaku's knock-on and saw his effort blocked by Tommy Smith.However, Huddersfield's resistance was finally brought to an end just before the hour.

Mata curled a fine cross in towards the near post from the left flank and Lukaku nipped in front of his marker to divert home.Pogba was introduced from the bench for Lingard in the 65th minute and United's second goal soon followed.

Sanchez won a penalty following a clumsy challenge just inside the area by substitute Michael Hefele and, although his spot-kick was saved by Lossl, the rebound came straight back to the former Arsenal star and he swept it home with minimal fuss.

Proceedings petered out from there, as Mourinho's side comfortably held on to take all three points.

 

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Mainz 0 Bayern Munich 2: Ribery and James ensure Bundesliga champions march on

Bayern Munich increased their lead at the Bundesliga summit to 18 points with a routine 2-0 win at Mainz.Sandro Schwarz's hosts enjoyed moments of encouragement during both halves at Opel Arena but Bayern's extra class ultimately told.

Franck Ribery is seemingly back to top gear following his knee ligament injury at the end of last year and the former France star showcased his enduring class with a sweetly struck half volley to put Jupp Heynckes' men ahead.James Rodriguez made it two a minute before the break, controlling and finishing immaculately, to leave Mainz with an uphill task they approached gamely but with little prospect of success.

Schalke's surprise 2-1 home defeat to struggling Werder Bremen means they will travel to the Allianz Arena next weekend 19 points shy of Bayern, with Bayer Leverkusen now the closest of any team vaguely resembling a challenger.


Both sides enjoyed spells of inquisitive pressure during the opening stages and Alexandru Maxim might have punished Bayern with a more accurate finish after Jean-Philippe Gbamin nutmegged Sebastian Rudy to create the opening.Mats Hummels was back in the Bayern defence for the first time in 2018 and a shuddering tackle from the Germany centre-back on Gerrit Holtmann halted Mainz's latest charge midway through the first half.

A Bayern side featuring the playmaking talents of Corentin Tolisso and James were strangely lacking for inspiration until Ribery brilliantly opened the scoring.The veteran winger crashed a brilliant half-volley into the bottom corner from the edge for box after Mainz only partially cleared a 33rd-minute corner.

Thomas Muller saw a one-on-one opportunity run away from him before Tolisso picked out James with a wonderful floated pass. The Colombia star's chest control and volleyed finish was of a similar standard.

Mainz resumed very much on the ropes and Sandro Wagner – making his first Bayern start as Robert Lewandowski rested on the bench – struck the outside of the post on the end of James' deft throughball.Two brave blocks in quick succession were required to thwart Tolisso before Robin Zentner saved well from James and Mainz scrambled the rebound clear.

Zentner's opposite number Sven Ulreich had become a virtual spectator but the Bayern keeper showed razor sharp reactions to deny half-time replacement Robin Quaison from Giulio Donati's cutback.That encouraged greater ambition from the hosts and Hummels threw his body on the line to stop Abdou Diallo from turning in Stefan Bell's free-kick.



David Alaba replaced Bayern holding midfielder Rudy with 20 minutes remaining and unleashed a perfectly weighted throughball for Muller, but the Germany international's radar was off as he prodded wide.It was profligacy Heynckes' side were never likely to regret, although the same could not be said for Quaison when he dragged a shot wastefully wide.

A lively showing overall from the Swedish forward made his case well enough for a return to Schwarz's starting XI at Eintracht Frankfurt next week, where Mainz will arrive below Werder on goal difference following the fourth-bottom side's unexpected heroics.

 

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Lille 0 Paris Saint-Germain 3: Neymar and Lo Celso stunners wrap up victory for Ligue 1 leaders


Neymar and Giovani Lo Celso scored superb late goals as Paris Saint-Germain restored their 11-point lead at the top of Ligue 1 with a 3-0 victory at Lille on Saturday.

Marseille's 6-3 thumping of Metz on Friday had cut PSG's advantage, but Unai Emery's men - without Kylian Mbappe due to suspension - finished strongly to make sure of three points at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Yuri Berchiche scored the opener in first-half stoppage time, the defender firing in a low drive, although Lille felt the goal should have been disallowed for an offside in the build-up.Neymar effectively ended any hopes of a home fightback with 13 minutes to play, hammering a free-kick into the top-left corner from the edge of the penalty area for his 18th Ligue 1 goal of the season.


Yet PSG were not finished there, Lo Celso sending a glorious chip over the head of goalkeeper Mike Maignan from 20 yards to extend his team's unbeaten run against Lille to 15 games in all competitions.

PSG survived a second-half injury scare for captain Thiago Silva, ahead of their upcoming Champions League clash with Real Madrid, and the leaders have now won their last 19 league matches in which they have scored first.

Neymar drove inside off the left flank and whipped a curler just over the crossbar in the ninth minute, the Brazilian then appealing for a penalty when challenged by Kouadio Dabila, although referee Johan Hamel rightly ruled the defender won the ball.Alphonse Areola made a good save low to his right to keep out Hamza Mendyl's drive after Anwar El Ghazi's dangerous low cross flashed through the penalty area.

Former PSG goalkeeper Maignan then tipped away Angel Di Maria's deflected drive before in-demand Lille captain Ibrahim Amadou bent a 20-yard effort narrowly wide.Dani Alves volleyed off target but PSG should have struck after 39 minutes, Edinson Cavani driving wildly off-target when Neymar was unmarked and ready to tap home.

The opener finally arrived on the stroke of half-time, Yuri hammering a low drive out of Maignan's reach after Junior Alonso had headed the ball straight to the left-back.El Ghazi's 30-yard free-kick required alert goalkeeping from Areola shortly after the restart, while Maignan was called into action at the other end, blocking a Neymar effort after a dazzling solo run from the Brazilian.

Cavani's flicked header was comfortable for Maignan on the hour mark as PSG sought to make the game safe, the club's record scorer then sending a cross narrowly over Di Maria's head.Neymar was struggling to exert any influence in open play due to constant fouling from Lille, but the world's most expensive player secured the points with a stunning free-kick.

Silva appeared to be attempting to talk Neymar out of taking the set-piece, yet the Brazilian shrugged off his captain and thumped a 20-yard strike past an unsighted Maignan.

PSG added further gloss to the scoreline with three minutes to go. Lassana Diarra had come on for his Ligue 1 debut for the club and the former France international fed midfield partner Lo Celso - who scored in the Coupe de la Ligue semi-final win over Rennes last time out - to beat Maignan with a delightful chip.

 

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Brighton and Hove Albion 3 West Ham 1: Izquierdo stunner helps see off the Hammers


Brighton and Hove Albion eased their relegation fears as they completed a league double over West Ham with a 3-1 win at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.

Chris Hughton's side recorded their first league win of 2018 thanks to stunning second-half strikes from Jose Izquierdo and Pascal Gross, blowing open the 10,000th Premier League game between two sides looking over their shoulders in the battle to avoid the drop.

Glenn Murray had converted a one-on-one opportunity to put the hosts ahead in the eighth minute, only for Javier Hernandez to get West Ham an equaliser before the half-hour mark.




However, Izquierdo curled home with his right foot in similar fashion to his effort in Brighton's 3-0 win over the Hammers last October, albeit this time Adrian - not Joe Hart - was the goalkeeper beaten by the Colombian's precision finish from the left-hand side.

Gross secured all three points with a fine finish of his own in the 75th minute, James Collins' weak clearance leading to the German firing home his fifth goal of the season from the edge of the penalty area.

West Ham's first defeat in seven games came at the end of a difficult week for the club off the field, after they sacked head of recruitment Tony Henry following allegations he sent messages to an agent saying the club did not want to sign African players.


Brighton refused to play the role of welcoming hosts, Murray putting them ahead in the eighth minute with a goal that owed much to both Gross's throughball and referee Roger East's excellent decision to play the advantage rule.

The official allowed a move to continue after Aaron Cresswell's late lunge flattened Anthony Knockeart on the halfway line, allowing the ever-alert Gross to put his team-mate in the clear to finish underneath the advancing Adrian.

But, just as was the case in the midweek draw at Southampton, Brighton failed to build on an early lead. They were fortunate not to concede when Sam Byram failed to head in fellow wing-back Cresswell's cross in the 25th minute, sending a tame attempt straight at retreating defender Shane Duffy, but the equaliser arrived soon after from a more likely source of goals.

Hernandez accepted Joao Mario's flicked layoff and, after twice threatening to shoot as he made his way across the penalty area from left to right, eventually let loose a rising drive that ripped into the roof of the net.

Yet while the Mexican's effort was impressive, it wasn't a patch on the goal from Izquierdo that crucially gave Brighton the lead for a second time in proceedings.After a scrappy start to the second half, the Colombian brightened up a gloomy day on the south coast with a sumptuous curling finish that had both the height and accuracy to beat Adrian's despairing dive and find the far corner of the goal.
Any hopes of a second West Ham fightback disappeared when Gross found the target in the 75th minute.

Having earlier headed over Ezequiel Schelotto's cross wide of the target, the German looked far more assured with his right foot as he used two closing defenders as a screen to angle a drive back against the angle and beyond Adrian.

 

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West Brom 2 Southampton 3: Saints hold on to worsen Pardew's woes


A smash-and-grab raid late in the first half helped Southampton to come from behind and secure a 3-2 win over Premier League relegation rivals West Brom at The Hawthorns on Saturday.

The Baggies had led through Ahmed Hegazi's early header, but Mario Lemina equalised with a spectacular first goal in Southampton colours, and Jack Stephens continued his rich vein of scoring form by nodding home, as the visitors struck twice in the space of three minutes shortly before the break.James Ward-Prowse appeared to have afforded the visitors a degree of comfort when he steered home a clever free-kick in the 55th minute.




And although Salomon Rondon pulled one back in the 72nd minute, the hosts proved unable to force an equaliser in the time remaining, the result leaving West Brom at risk of being cut adrift in 20th place.

Mauricio Pellegrino's improving Saints side are now unbeaten from their last six matches in all competitions to climb out of the relegation zone and up to the safety of 14th ahead of the visit of Liverpool to St Mary's Stadium next weekend.

A second defeat in succession, meanwhile, leaves Alan Pardew's team rooted to the foot of the table, with another stern test awaiting at reigning champions Chelsea next Monday, before they host Southampton again in the fifth round of the FA Cup later this month.


Supporters, players and officials commemorated the life and career of Cyrille Regis before kick-off at The Hawthorns, but, thanks to the laxity of the Saints' backline, the hosts did not require a player of the late England striker's enduring quality to take the lead in the fourth minute.Liverpool loanee Daniel Sturridge, making his first start, perhaps has the potential to aspire to the level of the Baggies great.

But it was the less storied figure of centre-back Hegazi who was left unmarked to crash home Chris Brunt's corner with a firm header at the back post.After that early spark, the contest descended into a slog befitting two teams struggling at the wrong end of the table, until Southampton came to life as half-time approached.

Ben Foster saved well from Guido Carrillo at the near post and, from the subsequent corner, Lemina netted his first Saints goal with a sensational drive from outside the area in the 40th minute.And the match was turned on its head three minutes later, Stephens netting his third goal in the last three games when he flicked on Ward-Prowse's corner at the near post.

Southampton started the second half strongly and extended their advantage 10 minutes into the second half.Ward-Prowse won an argument with Sofiane Boufal over the right to take a free-kick on the edge of the area and justified his determination by steering a clever low effort around the wall and into the bottom corner, with Foster unable to react quickly enough to keep it out.

After going missing throughout Southampton's onslaught, West Brom finally managed to respond with 18 minutes to go, Rondon honouring the memory of Regis, his predecessor as the Baggies' number nine, by climbing high to head Brunt's cross beyond Alex McCarthy and into the back of the net.

Substitute Shane Long could have settled it against his former employers but headed over a cross from Cedric Soares at the back post in the 82nd minute, and Foster saved from Nathan Redmond deep in injury time, but West Brom struggled in vain to create the chance they so desperately craved during a tense, scrappy finale.

 

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Leicester City 1 Swansea City 1: Fernandez extends visitors' unbeaten streak


Swansea City extended their unbeaten run to seven games after Federico Fernandez's equaliser earned them a 1-1 draw against Leicester City.

Jamie Vardy gave Leicester a first-half lead and Claude Puel's side looked set to bounce back from their defeat to Everton last time out with a win until Swansea mounted a fightback after the break.Carlos Carvalhal has only suffered one defeat since he took the reins at Swansea and whatever he said to his players at half-time had the desired effect and they drew level through Fernandez within seven minutes of the restart.




Having struggled to contain Kelechi Iheanacho and Vardy early on, Swansea got to grips with Leicester's star players and put in a gritty defensive display that lifted them just clear of the Premier League relegation zone. They have not lost in all competitions since January 2.

The result will not have unduly worried Puel given that his side have lost just one of their last nine games across all competitions, but with a trip to Manchester City looming next weekend he will need to ensure Leicester can sustain their best football over 90 minutes next time out.


Fousseni Diabate began his full home debut for Leicester with a bad foul on Sam Clucas that earned him a yellow card after just two minutes.Leicester's uncompromising approach helped them keep Swansea in their own half early on as Wilfred Ndidi and Adrien Silva probed the visitors' defence and sought to put Vardy through on goal.

After 17 minutes, Kelechi Iheanacho's deft footwork proved Swansea's undoing when the Nigeria forward jinked his way past Fernandez and Mike van der Hoorn before sliding the ball to Vardy, who happily side-footed the ball into the bottom-right corner from six yards.

Later in the half, a one-two between Vardy and Diabate allowed the Mali youth international to fire a shot at Lukasz Fabianski, who parried the ball away before Alfie Mawson blocked Iheanacho's follow-up with his shoulder.

And a frustrating opening period for Swansea took another bad turn when Leroy Fer went down holding his lower leg after charging through a crowded Leicester midfield and had to be taken off on a stretcher.

Swansea emerged after the break with a sense of urgency about their play and they drew level when Fernandez met Ki Sung-yueng's corner with a downward header from the edge of the six-yard box that hit the net before Kasper Schmeichel could react.Having dominated the first half, Leicester found themselves pegged back as Swansea pressed for a second, although Diabate fired narrowly wide from 10 yards out after Vardy counter-attacked down the right flank.

Leicester slowly turned the tide and Harry Maguire fired narrowly wide when he met Marc Albrighton's looping free-kick with a diving header at the far-post.
Puel sent on Shinji Okazaki for Danny Simpson for the last 10 minutes but Swansea had bolted the gates and despite peppering the visitors' penalty area with deliveries, there was no end product from the Leicester strikers to force a victory.

 

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Burnley 1 Manchester City 1: Gudmundsson proves Pep right after Sterling's shocker

Pep Guardiola's prediction of a "complicated" trip to Burnley proved to be correct, as the Clarets made the most of Manchester City's wastefulness to snatch a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Despite their profligacy, City had looked on course for a battling win, until Johann Gudmundsson popped up in the 83rd minute to snatch a point.City boss Guardiola was forced to shrug off claims from Manchester United counterpart Jose Mourinho that the destination of the Premier League title is already certain, with the leaders enjoying a 15-point cushion at the top.




That advantage was 16 points by the full-time whistle at Turf Moor, and City are just eight wins away from securing a third title, although they were reminded of the league's many hazards by Sean Dyche's obdurate outfit.

The Burnley backline could do nothing to stop Danilo's long-distance rocket midway through the first half, but City's failure to add to their tally left the game on a knife-edge, with Raheem Sterling guilty of two shocking close-range misses.After Aaron Lennon's fierce shot was tipped onto the post by Ederson, Burnley kept at it and Gudmundsson kept his cool to deny them a win.


Guardiola had rightful gripes about rough treatment in recent matches against Cardiff and West Brom, but the first 15 minutes were notable for returning captain Vincent Kompany dishing out the pain, with Ashley Barnes, Sam Vokes and Nick Pope all coming a cropper in challenges with the Belgian.

The goalkeeper came to harm while he and Kompany were caught between a deflected cross as City began to gain a foothold in the contest, but the opener came in much more aesthetically pleasing circumstances.With Burnley caught deep in their box preparing for a corner, the ball was worked through Bernardo Silva to Danilo 25 yards out and the Brazilian full-back had ample room to pick out the top-right corner with a scorching shot.

Guardiola's side could not press home the advantage, however, and Mee twice went close to an equaliser, first drawing a sharp save out of Ederson as City looked for an offside flag and then heading wide from a corner.

Kevin De Bruyne had regular room to roam in the middle and stung Pope's hands after one such charge five minutes before the interval and Sergio Aguero could not make the most of similar freedom in first-half stoppage time.Sterling's shaky second half began when he spooned wide from Aguero's surprise cut-back and the same corner routine that led to the goal was attempted, but Pope was equal to Danilo's effort this time.

Burnley were almost rewarded for clinging on when Lennon found space on the right, only for Ederson to tip his lashed effort onto the woodwork but City ought to have put the game to bed in the 71st minute when De Bruyne dissected the right channel for Kyle Walker, whose whipped ball begged to be scored, only for Sterling to scuff off-target from barely a yard.Sterling furiously thumped the turf, but Guardiola's anger was more decisive and the England attacker was soon hauled off.

If City thought they had rode out the storm, Burnley's next attack rocked them, Matt Lowton's deep cross catching out a high line, which Gudmundsson ghosted behind to prod home and deny City a Premier League win for just the fourth time this season.

 

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Dembele back in training but Barca being careful, says Valverde


Ousmane Dembele returned to training with Barcelona on Saturday as he continues his recovery from injury.The 20-year-old was ruled out for up to a month when he suffered a hamstring injury in mid-January, similar to the one that saw him sidelined for four months shortly after his €105 million summer move from Borussia Dortmund.

Dembele participated in training with his team-mates ahead of Sunday's derby against Espanyol, but he will not be available for the Liga clash as he soon returned to individual work.

Barca coach Ernesto Valverde expects the winger to return to full training in the next week, but stressed the club will be patient with him."He's not ready to play right now," he said at a press conference ahead of Sunday's game.

"We will try to take good care of him as we did when he recovered from the previous injury. We tried to bring him back slowly then, but he felt his injury again.

"Today he took part in part of the session with the team, next week he will be entering the group again and we'll see when he is ready to help us."Dembele has been limited to just seven appearances in all competitions for the Catalan side this season, starting only two games in La Liga.Much of the build-up to the derby clash has centred around comments made by Gerard Pique after their Copa del Rey tie in January.

The defender referred to Barca's neighbours as "Espanyol de Cornella", implying they should not be considered a Barcelona club following their move to nearby Cornella de Llobregat, but that will not come into Valverde's reckoning when picking the team."I'm not thinking of anything other than putting out the best team to win tomorrow [Sunday]," Valverde said.

"Complaints are part of the rivalry. We are rivals; the coaches and the players, and also the team-mates. On the field each one is going to give his own. There is tension in the matches, the rivalry, but there is not much more to it than that – it is a football match."I do not care [about a hostile atmosphere]. It's a lot of noise, but it's normal."

Valverde also addressed suggestions that Yerry Mina has not impressed in training, dismissing those reports by insisting the Colombian is available to play."Mina could play, he's called into the squad," Valverde added."I have to decide between one player and another. So far I've decided to leave [Samuel] Umtiti and Pique [in the team]. He [Mina] has already passed his adaptation. I've just preferred other players until now."

 

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Fellaini undergoes knee surgery but Man Utd midfielder could return in March


Jose Mourinho has confirmed Marouane Fellaini has had surgery after sustaining a knee injury but does not believe the midfielder will miss the rest of the season.The Belgian midfielder picked up the injury in the 2-0 midweek loss to Tottenham.Mourinho had not detailed the exact nature of the injury, but had previously suggested it was not a season-ending one.

And the manager confirmed that Saturday, while also acknowledging Fellaini had to undergo surgery to correct the problem in his post-match news conference following United’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town.

"He had surgery this morning,” Mourinho told reporters. “I don't want to be very specific, I would prefer the doctor to give some information officially that we can put on our website. But it's not the end of the season, not at all.

“It's a small intervention in his external meniscus and I would believe that by the end of March he can be back, and if he's back by the end of March I hope we have a big April and big May still to play in more than one competition."

The victory over Huddersfield left United in second place on 56 points, 13 behind league leaders Manchester City. The club remain in the FA Cup and the Champions League.Fellaini, who has played in 15 games for the Red Devils this season across the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League and scored four goals, is out of contract at the end of the season.

On Friday, Mourinho joked with reporters that he told Fellaini he should sign the deal Manchester United had placed in front of him prior to learning the extent of the injury.

 

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Get well soon Fellaini!​

 

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We had to break down Wagner's Berlin Wall, says Mourinho


Jose Mourinho likened David Wagner's Huddersfield Town side to the Berlin Wall as they defended gallantly before succumbing to a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United on Saturday.United dominated throughout and did craft a few first-half chances, but they were largely frustrated by a dogged Huddersfield defence.

The visitors' resistance was eventually brought to an end when Romelu Lukaku turned in from close range following a fine Juan Mata cross, and Alexis Sanchez wrapped things up by burying a rebound after his initial penalty had been saved by Jonas Lossl.

Even though United ultimately won comfortably, Mourinho paid tribute to Huddersfield's organisation.

"We always had control of the game, but at half-time it was 0-0," Mourinho told BBC Sport."I guess we had around 85 per cent possession in the first half, but it was not enough. "We kept doing the same in the second and even at 1-0 we were totally in control. Our defensive line was far from the danger areas.

"We had to be patient, but had to keep the intensity high and the pressure. We had to break down the Berlin Wall organised so well by David Wagner."The victory took Mourinho's side up to 56 points, second in the table and 13 points behind Manchester City.

Meanwhile, the loss dropped Huddersfield Town into the relegation zone for the first time this season.

 

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Levante 2 Real Madrid 2: Pazzini strikes late to pile misery on Zidane

Giampaolo Pazzini came off the bench to score a dramatic late equaliser on his debut, earning Levante a shock 2-2 draw at home to LaLiga champions Real Madrid.

Fellow substitute Isco thought his own late goal would prove decisive for Madrid but Pazzini struck in the 89th minute to earn the relegation-threatened hosts a crucial point against the LaLiga champions.The visitors headed to Ciutat de Valencia with back-to-back league victories under their belt, prompting hopes Zinedine Zidane's men were turning the corner despite the shock Copa del Rey quarter-final loss to Leganes.




But although the Frenchman was able to name what many consider his strongest starting line-up for the first time this season, his side were twice pegged back by Levante and denied the chance to move above Valencia into third position.Sergio Ramos headed in an early opener from Toni Kroos' corner, setting a new record as the Spain international became the first defender to score in 14 successive LaLiga seasons.

But Levante levelled before the break as a simple ball down the middle sent Jose Luis Morales racing away from Ramos and, although Keylor Navas made the save, Emmanuel Boateng was in the right place to tuck in the rebound.Isco's goal from Karim Benzema's pass with nine minutes left appeared to have rescued Madrid, but Zidane's men fatally switched off at the back, Pazzini beating Navas with an effort that was too powerful for the goalkeeper to keep out.


Marcelo wasted two early sights of goal for the visitors, who had recorded big victories over Deportivo La Coruna and Valencia in their last two league matches, but the opener came in the 11th minute as Ramos reached 50 LaLiga goals for Madrid.

Kroos hung up a right-wing corner and Ramos - back from a calf injury - beat Oier Olazabal with a header, the goalkeeper perhaps distracted by Benzema's attempt to deflect the ball in and claim the goal for himself.Oier recovered to block Cristiano Ronaldo's effort after badly spilling Kroos' 25-yard curler, Ivi then clearing the crossbar with a hopeful strike at the other end.

Levante had struggled to create any clear openings of their own but the hosts equalised out of nowhere three minutes before the break.Morales burst away from Ramos but could only toe his effort straight at Navas, Boateng mopping up the loose ball to slot into the unguarded net.

Ronaldo had scored on his last four visits to Levante but Cheick Doukoure made a terrific block to deny the Portugal international, Jefferson Lerma then forcing a good save from Navas as Levante broke at pace.

Luka Modric fed Ronaldo after 63 minutes but his 20-yard shot was easy for Oier after it lost pace following a deflection, prompting Zidane to turn to Isco as a replacement for the ineffective Gareth Bale.Oier made a brilliant one-handed save down to his left to deny Ramos, but just as a 1-1 draw looked likely, Isco came up with what seemed destined to be the winning goal.

Benzema's persistence created the chance and, when the striker worked the ball to Isco, he slammed home via a deflection off Coke.Madrid should have shut the game down but a lack of concentration was costly as Levante scored their second equaliser with only a minute remaining.



Pazzini had only been on the pitch for 12 minutes but he got away from a poor offside trap to mark his debut in style, beating Navas from close range to earn Levante their second draw of the season against Madrid following a 1-1 at Santiago Bernabeu earlier in the campaign.

 

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Arsenal 5 Everton 1: Aubameyang, Mkhitaryan sparkle as Ramsey hits treble

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrikh Mkhitaryan dazzled on their Emirates Stadium debuts as Aaron Ramsey's hat-trick led Arsenal's unceremonious 5-1 thumping of Everton.

By the time £56million recruit Aubameyang displayed his midas touch in front of goal, Arsene Wenger's side were already three goals to the good and cruising on account of Aaron Ramsey's first two strikes, which came either side of a Laurent Koscielny header.

Mkhitaryan set up the Wales international's opener and also laid on Aubameyang, his old partner in crime at Borussia Dortmund, for a goal on his maiden Premier League appearance, although the offside flag should have ruled that one out.Arguably, a defensive showing as abject as the ramshackle interpretation offered by Everton in the first half deserved such ill fortune.

On-loan Manchester City centre-back Eliaquim Mangala suffered a debut ordeal and deflected Ramsey's second past Jordan Pickford, while Sam Allardyce's pre-match assertion that Arsenal were defensively weak came back to bite him brutally and repeatedly.Everton improved after the break – it would have surely been impossible to do otherwise – and substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin reduced the arrears before Ramsey claimed the match ball from Mkhitaryan's third assist.


Arsenal's new-look forward line slotted effortlessly into gear as the two one-time Dortmund allies combined to create a sixth-minute opener.Aubameyang found Mkhitaryan with a clever reverse pass down the right channel and the Armenia playmaker cut an excellent ball across the Everton six-yard box to leave Ramsey with a simple finish.

The record signing had a shot deflected behind by Ashley Williams that led to another corner, at which point Arsenal made it 2-0 – Shkodran Mustafi flicking on a delivery from the newly contracted Mesut Ozil for fellow centre-back Koscielny to stoop and convert.

It was proving to be a somewhat contrasting debut for Mangala as he turned his back to deflect Ramsey's 19th-minute drive beyond Pickford's best efforts.Mustafi celebrated as if he was the latest man to get on the scoresheet when his flying challenge denied Theo Walcott a breakaway goal on his return to Emirates Stadium.

In the 32nd minute it was time for Aubameyang's counter-attacking pace to come to the fore, with Ozil's ball over the top releasing him, but England goalkeeper Pickford stood firm.

Having gone for power on that occasion, the Gabon striker delighted with sumptuous finesse to chip home his maiden Premier League goal – his link-up with Mkhitaryan proving fruitful once more.

Arsenal left-back Nacho Monreal almost prolonged his recent goalscoring form by heading against the post before a disorientated Everton made hastily for the dressing room.Walcott had a shot blocked before curling in a delightful cross for Oumar Niasse to hit the upright, meaning the visitors' rally early in the second half was as impressive as it was futile.

Allardyce decided Walcott had given enough on his old stomping ground after the hour and replacement Calvert-Lewin outjumped fellow substitute Sead Kolasinac to plant a header past Petr Cech.The veteran goalkeeper soon made way for David Ospina, having failed to shake off a knock from when Niasse tested his post.

And the new shot stopper was given even more insurance 16 minutes from time when the on-rushing Ramsey slammed home Mkhitaryan's cutback.Sixth-placed Arsenal are now within three points of Tottenham in fifth, while Everton being 14 back from the Gunners in 10th seems an inadequate demonstration of the gulf between the sides.