..::Football IV::..

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West Ham 0 Burnley 3: Wood double overshadowed by crowd issues


West Ham suffered a 3-0 defeat to Burnley in a game marred by crowd trouble, both on and off the pitch, at the London Stadium on Saturday.Substitute Chris Wood scored twice after Ashley Barnes' 66th-minute opener as Sean Dyche's visitors made it back-to-back wins in the Premier League.

However, the focus was less about football and more on the actions of West Ham's fans, with three separate pitch invasions forcing referee Lee Mason to hold up proceedings.




A pair of fans entered the field of play - with one clashing with West Ham captain Mark Noble - after Barnes fired a left-footed rocket beyond the recalled Joe Hart to break the deadlock.There were also further stoppages in play after both of Wood's goals, with one intruder planting the corner flag in the centre circle in a show of frustration.

Others vented their feelings about co-owners David Sullivan and David Gold in the stands as a day when the club paid tribute to former captain Bobby Moore - who died 25 years ago - became memorable for all the wrong reasons.


Sullivan and Gold were forced to evacuate their seats while a large number of the home crowd remained after the final whistle to continue their complaints.West Ham's problems are not just confined to an unhappy fanbase, though. A third successive Premier League loss slips them down to 16th in the table, just three points above the relegation zone.

Joe Hart returned between the posts as David Moyes made five changes to his starting XI after back-to-back 4-1 defeats, yet it was Burnley's Nick Pope – the 25-year-old who has capitalised on Tom Heaton's unfortunate shoulder injury to emerge as a contender to make England's World Cup squad – who was the busier of the two keepers in a scoreless first half.The visitors relied on their last line of defence to deny Marko Arnautovic and Manuel Lanzini, Pope using his feet to good effect to turn away low drives.

West Ham felt aggrieved not to be awarded a penalty before the break when Aaron Cresswell's cross struck Aaron Lennon's arm, with referee Mason dismissing the vociferous appeals.Burnley failed to have a shot on target in the opening half, but thought they had taken the lead when Barnes fired low underneath Hart in the 53rd minute.

While his left-footed finish was ruled out by a raised flag from the referee's assistant, the disallowed goal tempted Dyche to summon Wood from the bench and go with two up top.The positive change worked a treat too, as the second-half replacement provided the cut-back pass from the right to allow Barnes to emphatically fire Burnley ahead.

Wood tapped home Lennon's mis-hit shot from close range to make it 2-0 and then reacted quickly to capitalise on Hart's failure to hold Johann Berg Gudmundsson's drive, turning the atmosphere toxic.

 

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Mehema giyoth nam Moyes ta West Ham job ekath nathi wei​

 

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West Brom 1 Leicester City 4: Vardy, Mahrez, Iheanacho and Iborra pile misery on Pardew


West Brom were unable to capitalise on Salomon Rondon's earlier opener as Leicester City inflicted a damaging 4-1 defeat upon the Premier League's bottom club.Rondon marked his 100th Premier League appearance in fine style with a well-taken eighth-minute opener but Jamie Vardy's brilliant 21st-minute volley – his fourth in as many visits to The Hawthorns – hauled Claude Puel's men level.

There was plenty of attacking endeavour from Albion but Alan Pardew's grasp on his job as head coach was made ever more tenuous by Riyad Mahrez's goal after the hour.




Kelechi Iheanacho made that one and the former Manchester City striker was delighted to head home his first Premier League goal for the Foxes, while Vicente Iborra put the finishing touch on a fine away outing late on.Leicester retain Europa League ambitions as they lie three points behind seventh-placed Burnley.

West Brom's involvement in less desirable second-tier competition next term looks altogether more guaranteed as they remain seven points adrift of 19th and eight from safety.Ben Foster almost conceded in comedic fashion when he fired a clearance against centre-back Ahmed Hegazi that rebounded back towards his own net.

The West Brom goalkeeper scrambled to recover and his side made the most of that let-off by taking an eighth-minute lead – Oliver Burke catching Ben Chilwell napping and crossing to the near post, where Rondon stole in front of Wes Morgan to finish.


Vardy should have levelled when he headed wide from Mahrez's searching delivery but, after Kasper Schmeichel brilliantly tipped a deflected strike from West Brom midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak against the crossbar, Leicester's go-to attacking duo combined to stunning effect.

There appeared to be minimal danger when Mahrez floated forward a sumptuous pass from just inside his own half. Vardy watched the ball over his shoulder and arrowed a superbly controlled volley low into the right corner.

The England striker thought he had another eight minutes before half-time but was correctly penalised for offside when he prodded home Chilwell's low cross, while a backpedalling Morgan deflected a shot from the marauding Rondon over at the other end.

Foster pawed to safety when Demarai Gray's cross-shot spun off Chris Brunt's knee before Krychowiak trudged off in disgruntled fashion when Pardew sent on youngster Sam Field in the 58th minute.But it was a Leicester substitute who made a swift and decisive impact, with Iheanacho's cute pass setting up Mahrez to lift a similarly deft finish past Foster.

Pardew introduced Jay Rodriguez on a salvage mission for Albion but Leicester continued to look the sharper and more incisive attacking force – Foster denying Vardy impressively with his legs in the 74th minute. He could only palm into the net when Iheanacho met Chilwell's chipped cross a couple of minutes later, with West Brom fans heading for the exits in response.

Those who remained saw Iborra rise and power home at the far post form Marc Albrighton's injury-time corner, the imposing Spanish midfielder unchallenged by an Albion defence that seemed physically and mentally shot.

 

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'I don't care what people say' - 'Tired' Mourinho believes Man Utd deserved to beat Liverpool


Jose Mourinho is too tired to listen to Manchester United’s detractors and does not care if anybody doubts his side were deserving of a 2-1 win over Liverpool.

The Red Devils entered a heavyweight encounter against arch-rivals knowing that their second-place standing in the Premier League table was under threat.
A Marcus Rashford double, however, moved them five points clear of the chasing pack and strengthened their position behind Manchester City.




An own goal from Eric Bailly provided the only blot on United’s copybook against Liverpool, with Mourinho – who has faced plenty of criticism for adopting a defensive mindset this season – of the opinion that his side were always in control of the game and worthy winners.He told Sky Sports: "We can split the halves - United first half and Liverpool second but in my opinion our first half was a half with goals and danger.

"In the second half - in my opinion, and probably the people in the studio have a different opinion - was Liverpool controlling with the ball and United controlling without the ball. "Our team was always in control. Even in set-pieces, corners, dangerous situations we were in control so I think we deserved it.

"Against Liverpool if you play bad when you have the ball you can be in trouble. In the second half it was not our intention - I cannot say this was the plan. Liverpool pushed us into a defensive situation but we kept control. It was a complete performance by us with two different halves."If people don't think we deserved it, I don't care."I am a bit tired, we have a match on Tuesday. I don't care what people say. The boys are happy, I'm happy."

United cannot revel in victory over Liverpool for long as their next outing is just as important.They will be back in Champions League action in midweek, with Sevilla due at Old Trafford for the second leg of a last-16 encounter.That contest is currently locked at 0-0, so Mourinho will need to encourage another impressive performance from his players if they are to prolong their European adventure.

 

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Mourinho matches post-Ferguson high at Man Utd with victory over Liverpool


Jose Mourinho has matched a post-Sir Alex Ferguson high at Manchester United, with victory over Liverpool the Red Devils’ 20th of the Premier League season.
The going has been tough at times for those at Old Trafford since an iconic figure headed into retirement.

Ferguson brought a legendary spell at the United helm to a close in 2013, with the Scot bowing out on the back of a 13th Premier League title triumph.

The baton was passed to David Moyes, but he lasted just eight months at the helm as the Red Devils endured a humbling plummet from the summit to seventh spot.

They won 19 games that season, and managed the same total under Louis van Gaal in 2015-16.United had raised their win total to 20 in 2014-15, but have regressed again since then.

Mourinho only managed 18 Premier League victories in his debut season at the helm, with top-flight performances sacrificed as a sixth-place finish was countered by Europa League success.He has overseen a marked improvement in the current campaign, with United now five points clear of the chasing pack in second spot.

They have collected 65 points from their 30 fixtures to date, with a 2-1 win over arch-rivals Liverpool in their latest outing providing them with a 20th success .
Mourinho will be hoping that there are more to come, with eight games remaining in 2017-18.

Matching Ferguson’s haul of 28 from his final season is still possible, but would be a big ask for the Red Devils.Wrapping up a runner-up spot will be the top priority, with their improved record against those around them having aided their cause.

United still have heavyweight fixtures with Manchester City and Arsenal to come in the league, but for now their attention is about to shift elsewhere.A return date with Sevilla in the Champions League last 16 is next on the agenda, with an FA Cup quarter-final clash with Brighton set to follow that continental outing.

 

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Real Madrid saviour Ronaldo is from another galaxy, says Zidane


Zinedine Zidane lauded Cristiano Ronaldo as a being "from another galaxy" following his starring role in Real Madrid's 2-1 triumph over Eibar on Saturday.Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 34th minute with a fine finish after an inspirational Luka Modric pass, as the Croatian used the outside of his right foot to pick out the forward's run.

Ivan Ramis' equaliser just after the break seemed to have denied Madrid all three points, but Ronaldo emphatically sent Dani Carvajal's cross past Marko Dmitrovic six minutes from time, leaving Zidane relieved.

"For me, he's from another galaxy," Zidane said. "What he does is very positive; he knows he's going to score."When he has two goals, he wants three. He's a different, special player. Data speaks for itself.

"He's very good. You have to value the opposing team, too. We have not found our game very well, but Cristiano knows what he's doing. In just a few occasions he can score many goals."Aside from Ronaldo, however, Zidane was impressed with few of his players.

Gareth Bale and Isco were particularly ineffective at Ipurua and, while he acknowledged that, he was quick to insist they were not the only two, adding that Eibar were simply the better team.

"Well, like everyone," Zidane replied when it was suggested Bale and Isco were disappointing."We were a little worse than usual as a whole, not just Isco and Bale. We did not find our game, we had many difficulties.

"Everyone – including Isco and Bale – fought, they have run a lot and it matters to me that, when things do not come off, you still have character and we had that."[Eibar] have been better, clearly. They have played a great game, especially in the first half.

"We knew it was a complicated game. They are two points behind the European places. We knew that we were going to suffer. We had difficulties."

 

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La Liga race is still on - Valverde won't rule out Madrid's title chances


Barcelona may be 11 points clear atop the La Liga table, but head coach Ernesto Valverde insisted defending champions and bitter rivals Real Madrid are still in the title race.

Barca defeated bottom side Malaga 2-0 Saturday to move 11 points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who are scheduled to play Celta Vigo Sunday.Titleholders Madrid stayed within 15 points of Barca following their hard-fought 2-1 win at Eibar thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo's brace.




And despite Madrid only having eight games to overturn Barca's mammoth lead Valverde refused to count Zinedine Zidane's men out."Of course there's a title race," Valverde told reporters after Barca preserved their unbeaten record. "While it's still mathematically possible, you can't rule anyone out.

"I won't rule [Madrid] out and they will do well not to rule themselves out, too."
Lionel Messi missed the trip to Malaga following the birth of his third child but Barca had no issues, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho seeing off the 10-man hosts.

It was a comfortable outing for Barca, though Valverde accepted his team's minds were elsewhere ahead of next week's Champions League return leg against Chelsea.The last-16 tie is evenly posted at 1-1 following the Stamford Bridge fixture.

"In the second half we began to subconsciously think about the match on Wednesday," said Valverde, who allayed injury concerns over full-backs Sergi Roberto and Jordi Alba after the pair picked up knocks in the victory."Scoring early here was crucial, the red card made the match easier for us. We will have to suffer to progress past Chelsea."

Valverde also praised Ousmane Dembele following his performance, which also drew plaudits from team-mate Coutinho.

Dembele, whose first season in Spain has been ruined by injury, was the provider for Coutinho's goal approaching the half-hour mark after Suarez opened the scoring 13 minutes earlier.

"Dembele's a player that needs time, he's young," Valverde added. "We're Barca and there's a lot of pressure here, so for that reason there's been a lot of focus on him.

"He's had more success [against Malaga] than on other occasions but the good thing is that he always tries to get at opponents and to dribble. And he can also create, as we saw with the second goal. He took a step forward tonight and he helped us a lot. But there's still a way to go."

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.03.11

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.03.11

Arsenal Vs Watford

Bournemouth Vs Tottenham

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.03.11

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.03.11


Espanyol Vs Real Sociedad

Atletico Madrid Vs Celta Vigo

Las Palmas Vs Villareal

Athletic Bilbao Vs Leganes​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2018.03.11

Serie A Fixtures 2018.03.11

Fiorentina Vs Benevento

Bologna Vs Atalanta

Cagliari Vs Lazio

Crotone Vs Sampdoria

Juventus Vs Udinese

Sassuolo Vs Spal

Genoa Vs AC Milan

Inter Vs Napoli​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.03.11

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.03.11

Stuttgart Vs Leipzig

Dortmund Vs Frankfurt​

 

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Atletico Madrid 3 Celta Vigo 0: Griezmann the star as Simeone's side cruise



Antoine Griezmann was the star of the show as he led Atletico Madrid to a comfortable 3-0 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday, scoring and setting up Vitolo as Diego Simeone's men bounced back from defeat to Barcelona.

The 1-0 loss at Camp Nou last weekend effectively ended their LaLiga title hopes, but they never looked like dropping further points to encourage third-placed Real Madrid, as Griezmann led from the front with a fine display.

Although their Europa League exertions in Thursday's 3-0 win over Lokomotiv Moscow may have contributed to Atletico's initial struggles to find the perfect final pass, they generally looked in control.And Griezmann, who was presented with LaLiga's Player of the Month Award pre-match, made the most of their control just before the break with a well-taken goal.

The France attacker was then instrumental in Atletico's second in the 56th minute, setting up Vitolo's first league goal for the club just a few moments after Nemanja Radoja had hit the post for Celta.

Angel Correa, brought on for Vitolo, then rounded things off soon after, as Atletico reopened a seven-point gap ahead of Zinedine Zidane's side following their 2-1 win over Eibar on Saturday.

Atletico had little difficulty exerting control over Celta, quickly becoming the dominant force and putting the visitors' backline under pressure.Simeone's men looked particularly threatening on the right flank, with Sime Vrsaljko getting forward to good effect from his full-back position, but his low cross in the third minute just evaded Griezmann.

Koke followed the Croatian's example in the 21st minute, clipping the ball into the box from the right wing and nearly picking out Diego Godin.

Atletico eventually found their range with the final pass just before the half-hour mark, but Godin headed Koke's corner agonisingly wide of the left-hand post.There was no such sloppiness from Griezmann just before the break, however.

Jose Maria Gimenez headed a corner down to the Frenchman and, after cleverly dragging the ball back to evade Jonny Castro's desperate lunge, Griezmann coolly placed an effort into the top-right corner with his right foot.Celta started the second half promisingly and nearly levelled in the 55th minute – Radoja hitting the upright from close range after an excellent Emre Mor cross.



But they were punished by Atletico's next attack, as Griezmann produced a defence-splitting pass to release Vitolo in the area and he delicately chipped over the approaching Ruben Blanco.Vitolo was withdrawn soon after for Correa, who quickly made an impact, putting Atletico 3-0 up just past the hour mark as he made the most of a ricochet on the edge of the box and found the bottom-left corner.

Maxi Gomez threatened to pull one back eight minutes from time with a low 25-yard drive, but Jan Oblak got down to his right to make the save and preserve his clean sheet.

 

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Arsenal 3 Watford 0: Wenger's 700th win arrests Premier League losing run

Arsenal arrested a run of three consecutive Premier League defeats as Arsene Wenger racked up his 700th win as manager in a 3-0 victory over Watford.

Losses against Tottenham, Manchester City and Brighton and Hove Albion had formed part of a run of five defeats in six matches in all competitions, before a 2-0 Europa League win at AC Milan on Thursday lifted spirits.Aaron Ramsey and Laurent Koscielny were rested ahead of this week's return leg against the Rossoneri but Shkodran Mustafi's eighth-minute opener had Arsenal swiftly on the front foot.




Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang doubled the Gunners’ advantage in the second half, before Troy Deeney – who accused Arsenal lacking "cojones" after scoring a penalty in a 2-1 win for Watford in the reverse fixture in October – saw a spot-kick saved by Petr Cech.

And the victory was sealed for Arsenal in the 77th minute, when Henrikh Mkhitaryan fired in a third from the edge of the box for his first Premier League goal for the Gunners.Arsenal move to within 10 points of the top four, although the Europa League now appears their most likely route to next season's Champions League.

Despite their impressive win at San Siro on Thursday, thousands of fans opted to stay away, making pockets of red seats visible all around Emirates Stadium.Those who did turn up were treated to an early goal, with Mustafi heading home from a Mesut Ozil free-kick – Arsenal's 1000th home goal in the Premier League.


Petr Cech did well to block Abdoulaye Doucoure's shot from a Richarlison cutback soon after, before the Brazilian himself forced the goalkeeper into a diving save with a well-taken free-kick, Roberto Pereyra firing over from the rebound.

Ozil, who became the fastest player to reach 50 Premier League assists by setting up Mustafi for the opener, saw a shot blocked by the legs of Orestis Karnezis after 27 minutes, while Richarlison drew another save from Cech with a header before the interval.

The hosts had to wait until just shy of the hour mark to double their advantage, with Mkhitaryan playing a defence-splitting throughball for Aubameyang to round Karnezis and slot home.Watford's chance to reduce the deficit from the spot came two minutes later, when Ainsley Maitland-Niles clumsily left his body in the path of Pereyra to go tumbling over.

Cech kept out Deeney's effort with a strong hand – a save that will have felt all the sweeter given the striker's disparaging comments earlier in the season.And the striker was the target of yet more gleeful goading from the Arsenal faithful when Mkhitaryan made sure of the three points with 13 minutes left to play, Karnezis failing to adjust in time to deal with the Armenian's strike.

 

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Juventus 2 Udinese 0: Dybala double sends Allegri's men top

Paulo Dybala scored a brace as Juventus went top of Serie A with a routine 2-0 home win against Udinese on Sunday.With leaders Napoli in action later in the day against Inter, Massimiliano Allegri's men only needed a draw to claim top spot, even if only temporarily.

Dybala's double secured an 11th straight Serie A win as Juve seek a seventh consecutive title, with the champions now in ominous form, having kept eight successive clean sheets in the league.




Juve's latest victory was rarely in doubt at the Allianz Stadium after Dybala gave the Bianconeri the lead with his eighth free-kick goal for the club, a superb curling effort that gave Albano Bizzarri no chance.

Bizzarri denied Gonzalo Higuain from the penalty spot after Dybala was fouled, but the strikers combined to great effect in the 49th minute for Juve's second to wrap up the points.

The pressure is now on Napoli in a lively two-horse title race, Maurizio Sarri's side having stumbled to a 4-2 home loss against Roma last time out to open the door for Juve.


Wojciech Szczesny tipped away Ali Adnan's free-kick in the third minute as Udinese started on top despite the visitors having lost their three previous Serie A matches.

At the other end Mattia De Sciglio's low cross was just too pacy for Stefano Sturaro to turn home at the back post, but Juventus took the lead in the 20th minute.Dybala hit a double at home against Udinese last season and, after Gabriele Angella was booked for bringing down Higuain on the edge of the box, he opened the scoring.

The Argentina international converted Juve's 19th set-piece goal of the season, bending a delightful free-kick out of the reach of Bizzarri.Angella was at fault again as Dybala proved too sharp in the penalty area, referee Piero Giacomelli pointing to the spot yet sparing the centre-back a second yellow.

Higuain stepped up but Bizzarri dived low to his right to keep out the striker's effort, Giorgio Chiellini then narrowly heading over Dybala's corner shortly before the break.

Dybala added Juve's second three minutes after the restart, Higuain somewhat making amends with superb hold-up play to lay the ball off to his compatriot for a simple finish.Sami Khedira scored his first league hat-trick in the reverse fixture's 6-2 Juve win but the midfielder blazed over before substitute Blaise Matuidi arrived too late to turn in Higuain's low centre.

Dybala could have had a hat-trick with 12 minutes to go, but the forward was denied by Bizzarri's fine save at his near post after Douglas Costa opened Udinese up, he then hit the side-netting after a one-two with Mario Mandzukic.

Udinese coach Massimo Oddo - who played under Allegri in AC Milan's 2010-11 Serie A title triumph - had no response against his old boss, Juve maintaining their perfect 2018 league record with ease.

 

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Aguero out of Stoke game after training ground injury


Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero is out of Monday's game at Stoke City after picking up a knee injury in training, he has confirmed.

The striker sustained the problem during City's final session ahead of the game at bet365 Stadium.City medical staff have carried out further tests and informed Aguero that he will return in around two weeks.

The Blues have a sparse fixture list in the coming weeks despite the fact they are gunning to clinch the league title in record time and are preparing for the Champions League quarter-finals.City do not have a game next weekend as their scheduled opponents, Brighton, are in FA Cup action, while international fixtures are slated for the following weekend.

Given the gap between City's next two matches the squad will fly to Abu Dhabi following the game against Stoke on Monday for a warm weather training break.Aguero will, however, be hoping to be fit for Argentina's friendlies against Italy - to be held at City’s Etihad Stadium - and Spain on March 23 and 27.

City will be back in action at Goodison Park on March 31, before facing Manchester United at the Etihad on April 7.

As well as a forgiving fixture schedule in the coming weeks, any potential Aguero injury blow would be further softened by the return to fitness of Gabriel Jesus, who started his first game in over two months against Basel in midweek and marked his comeback with a goal.

 

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Madrid on another level to PSG, says Mbappe


Kylian Mbappe believes Real Madrid showed Paris Saint-Germain the difference between having great players and being true champions during their recent Champions League clash.

Madrid progressed to the quarter-finals with a 5-2 aggregate win over Unai Emery's side, prevailing 3-1 on home soil before finishing the job with a 2-1 victory in the French capital.

Despite heavy investment over recent years - including the world-record €222milllion capture of Neymar - PSG have failed to make a significant impact in Europe, eliminated at the last-16 stage in the past two editions after four consecutive quarter-final appearances.

Reports since the second-leg defeat have suggested Emery's days as PSG boss could be numbered, with Antonio Conte and Diego Simeone among the coaches linked with the job at the end of the season.
And Mbappe concedes defending champions Madrid were on another level to his side."Mentally we wanted to face the game against Madrid as best as possible," he said after Saturday's 5-0 Ligue 1 win against Metz. "No one can say that we did not try. "But this is football and, although we have great players, Madrid showed the difference between having great players and being champions."

 

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Inter 0 Napoli 0: Advantage Juventus as Sarri's men drop points again


Napoli dropped points for the second successive Serie A match as they were held to a 0-0 draw at Inter, failing to reclaim top spot and handing Juventus the advantage in the title race.

Juve put the pressure on Napoli by beating Udinese 2-0 earlier on Sunday and Maurizio Sarri's men were unable to break Inter down to return to the summit, having suffered a 4-2 home defeat to Roma last time out.

Napoli dominated the majority of the first half and played some fine football at times, but they had no luck when trying to cut through Inter's stubborn defence, the hosts managing to prevent Sarri's side from creating any clear-cut chances before the break.The contest opened up a little more upon the restart and Milan Skriniar nearly put Inter ahead, hitting the post with a header.

Although opportunities remained rare for Napoli, Lorenzo Insigne wasted a glorious one just after the hour mark as the visitors tried to mount a late onslaught.
Inter held firm, however, meaning Napoli finish the weekend a point behind Juve, who play their game in hand against Atalanta on Wednesday.


True to their style, Napoli quickly looked to become the dominant force and dictate the tempo of the contest.

But that did not result in a flurry of chances, as Inter sat deep, absorbed pressure and successfully kept their visitors at arm's length.Napoli resorted to shooting from distance, though accuracy was lacking, as Insigne shot wide from 30 yards, before Marek Hamsik sliced well over from a similar distance in the 25th minute.

The best chance of the first period actually fell to Inter seven minutes from the break, as they took the rare opportunity to venture into Napoli's half and Antonio Candreva shot just wide of the bottom-left corner from 20 yards after cutting in from the right flank.

Proceedings became less cagey after the break and Napoli almost found themselves trailing, but luckily for them the post came to their rescue, denying Skriniar's header from Joao Cancelo's cross.Insigne shot just wide from long range for a second time soon after, but still Inter looked the more likely to break the deadlock – Kalidou Koulibaly nearly putting into his own goal when meeting Candreva's cross.The chance Napoli had seemingly been waiting for eventually arrived 23 minutes from time, but Insigne spurned it, opting to try to chip Samir Handanovic after being played through by Dries Mertens, seeing his effort land on the roof of the net.

Another opportunity fell to the wasteful Insigne 10 minutes from the end and again he failed to take it, shooting over from the edge of the box in what proved to be the final chance, with Napoli left to reflect on a potentially damaging result.

 

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Genoa 0 AC Milan 1: Silva lining for Rossoneri after Europa woe



Andre Silva scored his first Serie A goal in the final seconds of the game as AC Milan earned a dramatic last-gasp 1-0 win at Genoa.

The Portugal striker arrived at San Siro from Porto among much fanfare in the close-season, but he had failed to score in 16 previous top-flight matches for the Rossoneri in a difficult domestic campaign.However, Silva was the hero for Gennaro Gattuso's men at the Luigi Ferraris when he leapt to head in Suso's 94th-minute cross and settle what had been an attritional contest.




Genoa will feel aggrieved not to have secured a share of the spoils having defended resolutely for most of the game, and had Luca Rigoni not been denied by a tight VAR call or Ervin Zukanovic not spectacularly fluffed his lines with a close-range header in the second half the hosts might have won ot.

For Milan, the late drama marks a spirited response to the 2-0 Europa League defeat to Arsenal – their first loss in any competition since December – and they will now look ahead to Thursday's rescue mission in the second leg.

A three-point return also sees Gattuso's men close to within six points of the Champions League qualification places, having made it nine league matches without defeat.


An impeccably observed tribute to former Fiorentina defender Davide Astori – who died last week aged 31 – preceded kick-off, with former Italy team-mate Leonardo Bonucci, who had Astori's number 13 on his captain's armband, close to tears.

Milan started on the front foot and Giacomo Bonaventura drove an effort over the top from the edge of the box before Ricardo Rodriguez's dangerous drilled centre from the left was directed goalwards from eight yards by Nikola Kalinic, who was denied by the quick reflexes of Mattia Perin.Genoa had shown little in attack until the 25th minute when Diego Laxalt flashed the ball across the face of goal, but Andrey Galabinov was flat-footed in the area and failed to meet the delivery.

Milan were denied the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time when Suso's corner was headed against the right-hand post by Hakan Calhanoglu and Bonaventura – who tapped in the follow-up – was rightly judged to be offside.Calhanoglu then hit a dipping half-volley over the crossbar as Milan finished the half strongly.
The visitors survived two huge scares early in the second half, though.First Rigoni headed in Oscar Hiljemark's whipped free-kick only to be denied by a VAR review, before Zukanovic inexplicably headed Rigoni's knock-back wide from point-blank range in the six-yard box.

Milan regained their composure and Bonaventura shimmied before flashing an effort wide of the left-post, and Suso showed quick feet before laying a ball agonisingly across the face of goal that no team-mate gambled on.It looked as though Milan would be frustrated when Suso bent a 25-yard free-kick narrowly wide of the right upright and Franck Kessie was denied with a low strike.

But with the final play of the match Suso weaved the ball onto his potent left foot on the right flank and delivered a teasing cross into the area that Silva – whose only goals this season have come in Europe – emphatically headed into the top-right corner.

 

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Borussia Dortmund 3 Eintracht Frankfurt 2: Substitute Batshuayi to the rescue in dramatic finale

Substitute Michy Batshuayi scored an injury-time winner as Borussia Dortmund edged fellow Champions League hopefuls Eintracht Frankfurt in a 3-2 thriller on Sunday.

Eintracht twice came from behind to seemingly claim a point at Signal Iduna Park, but Batshuayi struck the second of a personal double in stoppage-time to break the visitors' hearts.With Eintracht hoping for an offside flag that would not come, Batshuayi lashed home to end a four-game winless run in all competitions for Dortmund.



The visitors had deserved a draw, Niko Kovac's men - who started the day level on points with Dortmund - levelling twice thanks to goals from Luka Jovic and Danny Blum.But it was not to be as substitute Batshuayi sent Dortmund back up to third in the Bundesliga, boosting their Champions League qualification hopes.

Dortmund suffered a shock home loss to RB Salzburg in the Europa League on Thursday but bounced back in stunning fashion to extend Peter Stoger's unbeaten league run to 11 league matches.


Andre Schurrle somehow headed Christian Pulisic's cross wide in the 10th minute as Dortmund dominated the opening exchanges.

But they were soon in front regardless, Mahmoud Dahoud sending Pulisic clear down the right to get Dortmund round the back of Eintracht again.The teenage winger's cross was low this time and defender Marco Russ was only able to turn the ball in for his fifth Bundesliga own goal, Marco Reus having been lurking for a back-post finish.

Reus, who had scored Dortmund's three previous Bundesliga goals and signed a long-term contract this week, was proving lively while Dahoud created an opening for himself with some clever play, only to fire at Lukas Hradecky.

Kevin-Prince Boateng almost equalised with a superb piece of invention two minutes after the interval, flicking a backheel at goal after a corner from half-time substitute Jonathan de Guzman caused chaos, but Roman Burki got down sharply to save.

Pulisic sent a curler wide in the 56th minute and Timothy Chandler and Boateng blazed over at the other end as both sides traded blows.Eintracht had lost on their last six visits to Dortmund but they continued to set the second-half pace, De Guzman sending an acrobatic strike sailing over the crossbar.

And the visitors got the leveller their hard work deserved in the 75th minute, substitute Jovic heading home another dangerous De Guzman cross, with Dortmund captain Marcel Schmelzer culpable for losing his man.But Eintracht switched off, Pulisic and Batshuayi linking up to stunning effect and the on-loan striker smashing in to apparently settle the match.

Dortmund had not counted on Eintracht's resilience, though, and they levelled again in the first minute of added time, Blum tapping in at the back post from a Danny da Costa cross.

The scoring was not over though, Batshuayi leaving his mark on a breathless contest by hammering in an unstoppable 94th-minute finish to claim all three points for his side.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bournemouth 1 Tottenham 4: Kane injured as Spurs come from behind

Tottenham came from behind to thump Bournemouth 4-1 at the Vitality Stadium but now face an anxious wait to learn the severity of Harry Kane's first-half injury.

The England striker was substituted in the 34th minute after suffering a heavy blow on his ankle from Asmir Begovic as he turned home Christian Eriksen's cross from an offside position.

Dele Alli, who also limped off late on, swiftly helped turn attention away from Kane's departure, though, meeting Serge Aurier's cross to cancel out Junior Stanislas' early opener for the hosts.



And Son Heung-min's fine season continued as he scored twice in the final half-hour - his 11th and 12th league goals of the campaign - to secure the win for Spurs.Aurier then added gloss to the scoreline in injury-time, taking advantage of some poor goalkeeping from Begovic to head in at the back post.

The result marks a return to winning ways for Tottenham after their Champions League exit to Juventus in midweek and moves them ahead of Liverpool into third, four points behind Manchester United.


Bournemouth started at a breakneck pace and only a lack of composure by Stanislas prevented them from taking the lead inside four minutes.After latching onto Dan Gosling's incisive pass, Lys Mousset slid the ball across for the 28-year-old, who could only clip his effort over Hugo Lloris and against the crossbar.

The former Burnley striker made amends for that miss just three minutes later, however, controlling Adam Smith's deep cross at the back post and drilling an unerring half-volley past Tottenham's French goalkeeper for his third goal in his last six Premier League appearances.

Mauricio Pochettino's disjointed side then suffered a further blow when Kane limped off after a heavy collision with Begovic.The enforced departure of their talisman sparked Spurs into life, though, and they pulled level a minute later when Alli diverted Aurier's teasing cross past Begovic with his thigh for his first Premier League goal since January 2.

The hosts opened the second period with the same intensity that characterised their blistering start to the game and they twice came close to restoring their lead within three minutes of the restart.

First, Simon Francis' fierce long-range drive was tipped behind by Lloris and then Davinson Sanchez's clearance ricocheted off Nathan Ake's head and flashed over the crossbar from point-blank range.

The two sides then exchanged quick-fire chances with Begovic repelling Eriksen's effort from distance and Gosling dragging his shot wide from a good position on the edge of the penalty area.Alli's influence was starting to grow and he turned provider for Son's first strike just after the hour.

His clipped cross to the back post was met by the South Korean, who shinned a volley into the ground and over Begovic.The in-form forward grabbed his second three minutes before the end, breaking from inside his own half before rounding Begovic to slot home.

The Bosnian goalkeeper's miserable afternoon was compounded in injury time when he could only swat Kieran Trippier's cross onto the head of Aurier as Tottenham banished memories of their Champions League defeat in style.