PSV Eindhoven 1 - 3 Ajax

Ajax gave themselves a glimmer of hope in the
Eredivisie title race after beating runaway leaders
PSV 3-1 at the Philips Stadion on Sunday.
PSV dropped points at home for the first time this
season on Sunday as Ajax cut the gap at the top of
the Eredivisie to 11 points.
Phillip Cocu’s side have built their impressive
league campaign on an impeccable record at the
Philips Stadion, but Ajax ended their 12-game
winning run with a 3-1 victory.
Two goals in the closing minutes gave the visitors
all three points, Lasse Schone and Anwar El-Ghazi
on target to the delight of Frank de Boer.
Ajax’s late strikes came after Luuk de Jong had
cancelled out Ricardo Kishna’s first-half opener, but
PSV remain in control of the title race with a
comfortable advantage.
Another turbulent week for Feyenoord ended in
further disappointment as a goalless draw with
Utrecht saw them fall further behind Ajax and PSV
– piling the pressure on head coach Fred Rutten.
Midweek trouble in their UEFA Europa League clash
with Roma brought the club back into the headlines
for all the wrong reasons, and the players struggled
under the spotlight as they failed to score away
from home for a second successive league match.
At the bottom, Excelsior moved eight points clear of
the danger zone after a comprehensive 3-0 victory
over Heerenveen.
Luigi Bruins gave Excelsior an early lead after five
minutes before Tom van Weert doubled their
advantage early in the second half with his third
goal in two games.
Kevin Vermeulen secured the victory in stoppage
time, cutting in from the left to fire into the top
corner.
Meanwhile, Xander Houtkoop rescued a point for
ADO Den Haag with a stoppage-time strike that saw
their match with Groningen finish 1-1.
Den Haag found themselves behind after 53 minutes
when Tjaronn Chery converted from 12 yards, three
minutes after team-mate Nick van der Velden had
spurned a penalty attempt.
Groningen were unable to hold onto the win, though,
as Houtkoop fired low past Sergio Padt five minutes
into stoppage time.

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Chelsea 2 - 0 Tottenham Hotspur [Capital One Final]

Jose Mourinho is back on the trophy trail with
Chelsea after a 2-0 win over Tottenham on Sunday
sealed League Cup success at Wembley.
Chelsea celebrated their first trophy in Jose
Mourinho’s second spell as manager as goals from
John Terry and Diego Costa defeated Tottenham
2-0 to seal the League Cup final at Wembley on
Sunday.
On a day when Premier League title rivals
Manchester City were beaten at Anfield by
Liverpool, goals either side of the break
secured Mourinho’s first silverware since returning
to Stamford Bridge in 2013 on a hugely positive
afternoon for Chelsea.
Spurs came from a goal behind to win the last
League Cup final meeting between these teams in
2008, but even in-form Harry Kane – who struck
twice in January’s 5-3 league win over Chelsea –
was unable to haul his side back into the contest
after Terry’s opener.
In a competitive first half that saw Christian Eriksen
strike the crossbar with a curled free-kick and the
feisty Costa heavily involved in a number of
flashpoints, Terry’s 45th-minute strike sent Chelsea
in ahead at the break.
Costa then got on the scoresheet 11 minutes into
the second half, courtesy of a hefty deflection off
Kyle Walker, with Chelsea able to successfully shut
out the likes of Kane despite Kurt Zouma having to
slot into a makeshift midfield due to Nemanja
Matic’s much-discussed suspension and John Obi
Mikel’s injury.
In the heavy rain at Wembley, Mauricio Pochettino’s
hopes of ending Spurs’ seven-year trophy drought
drained away as Mourinho’s side look ahead
to Premier League and UEFA Champions League
challenges.
Mourinho made five changes from Chelsea’s 1-1
draw with Burnley and saw his side make the
brighter start as Terry headed over Willian’s cross
before Branislav Ivanovic’s looping cross
threatened Spurs’ goal.
Hugo Lloris – making his first League Cup
appearance of the season – dealt with the danger
prior to Eriksen rattling the woodwork.
The Dane’s 25-yard set-piece came about after a
foul on Kane and the Spurs striker was next to go
close with a low strike that tested Petr Cech.
Willian’s raking pass set Eden Hazard away down
the left, although his strike was blocked by Eric Dier,
before Costa was involved in two flashpoints prior
to the half-hour mark, having raised his hands
towards Nabil Bentaleb.
A knock to Walker set the tone for a poor finish to
the half for Spurs that was compounded when Terry
made the most of lax defending on the stroke of
half-time.
When Chadli was caught out by a looping ball and
fouled Ivanovic, a host of Spurs defenders failed to
clear Willian’s delivery, allowing skipper Terry to
open the scoring from close range courtesy of a
deflection off Kane.
Cesc Fabregas’ overhead kick forced Lloris into a
smart save shortly after the interval and Chelsea’s
positive start to the second half was rewarded
when Costa scored his first goal since mid-
January.
A purposeful burst down the left was helped past
Lloris by a Walker deflection 56 minutes in, with
Pochettino opting to introduce Mousa Dembele and
Erik Lamela to try and gain a foothold in the contest.
However, Chelsea demonstrated their defensive
solidity to see out the victory with minimal fuss and
collect the first of three potential trophies this
season, while Spurs must focus on securing
European qualification.

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Arsenal 2 - 0 Everton

Olivier Giroud went some way to silencing his
critics as he scored the opening goal in Arsenal’s
2-0 Premier League win over Everton at the
Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
The France international had been widely derided in
midweek for missing a host of chances in the 3-1
defeat to Monaco in the UEFA Champions League
last 16 first leg.
But Giroud made up for his poor performance on the
European stage by breaking the deadlock in the first
half, before substitute Tomas Rosicky’s late goal
settled the hosts’ nerves.
Giroud – who scored a late leveller when Arsenal
drew 2-2 at Everton in August – netted his 12th
goal of the season with a low effort from Mesut
Ozil’s corner and Rosicky’s deflected drive in the
final minute scuppered any hopes the visitors had
of earning a share of the spoils.
Before that intervention, Arsenal had relied heavily
on the fine form of David Ospina, the
goalkeeper frustrating an Everton side who now
have just three wins from their last 18 league
games.
Roberto Martinez’s side remain only six points
above the drop zone, while Arsenal are one point
ahead of fourth-placed Manchester United and
still three clear of Liverpool following their success
over Manchester City.
Arsenal may have fallen behind in the 17th minute if
not for a piece of smart goalkeeping from Ospina,
who raced off his line to rob Romelu Lukaku of the
ball after the striker had beaten Gabriel Paulista –
in for Per Mertesacker as part of three changes
from midweek – to a long ball over the top.
Giroud then spurned Arsenal’s first chance as he
turned Alexis Sanchez’s near-post cross wide with
a diving header, but soon atoned for that miss to
break the deadlock.

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Liverpool 2 - 1 Manchester City

by segun

Liverpool moved into fifth place in the Premier
League on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over
Manchester City at Anfield.
Philippe Coutinho dealt a blow to Manchester City’s
Premier League title hopes with the decisive goal in
Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Anfield on Sunday.
With Chelsea playing in the League Cup final later in
the day, City could have moved within two points of
the leaders, but Coutinho’s stunning strike instead
ensured Liverpool claimed a crucial victory in their
bid for a top-four finish.
Jordan Henderson brought the game to life after 11
minutes with his third league goal of the season for
the hosts, the 24-year-old finding the top corner
from 20 yards.
City were level midway through the half as Edin
Dzeko calmly converted his 50th Premier League
strike from a sublime Sergio Aguero pass.
After such an action-packed 45 minutes, the
second half struggled to reach similar heights until
Coutinho took centre stage 15 minutes from time,
the Brazilian curling home from the left-edge of the
penalty area.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side pushed for a second
equaliser, but to no avail and City remain five points
behind Chelsea having played a game more, while
Liverpool are up to fifth.
A frenetic start was dominated by Liverpool – who
made four changes from their defeat to Besiktas on
Thursday – with Adam Lallana twice going close.
Lallana’s first effort was saved by Joe Hart after a
superb pass from Coutinho and, although the
second beat the City goalkeeper, it was ruled out for
offside.

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West Brom 1 - 0 Southampton [Premier League]

Saido Berahino scored an early winner and then
limped off as West Brom beat Southampton 1-0 in
the Premier League on Saturday.
Saido Berahino endured a day of mixed emotions as
his superb early goal gave West Brom a 1-0 win
over Southampton before he was forced off injured
in the second half.
Striker Berahino, who was passed fit to start the
match at The Hawthorns despite carrying a knock,
gave Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Forster no
chance with an unstoppable half-volley after just
two minutes.
However, West Brom boss Tony Pulis will be
concerned by the fact his top scorer had to be
replaced shortly after the break, with Berahino’s
strike partner Brown Ideye also apparently picking
up an injury late on.
Before the game, Pulis stated that his side were still
involved in a fight to avoid the drop despite their
improved form.

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Granada 1 - 3 Barcelona [La Liga]

by segun

Barcelona bounced back from their Liga defeat to
Malaga in routine fashion, with Luis Suarez
impressing in a 3-1 win at Granada.
Luis Suarez’s hot streak continued on Saturday as
the Uruguayan inspired Barcelona’s 3-1 win over
Granada in La Liga.
The former Liverpool star, who netted twice in
Wednesday’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League triumph
at Manchester City, scored his fourth goal in as
many matches and had a hand in two more,
ensuring Barca bounced back from their shock 1-0
defeat to Malaga last weekend.
Suarez played a crucial role in Barca’s first, setting
up Ivan Rakitic for an easy finish with just under
half-an-hour played at Estadio Nuevo Los
Carmenes.
And the pair switched roles at the start of the
second half, as the Croatia playmaker teed up
Suarez to open a two-goal lead.
Granada swiftly responded, as Fran Rico buried a
53rd-minute penalty, but the Catalans killed off any
revival in the 70th minute, Lionel Messi tapping in
for his 27th league goal of the season following
more impressive play by Suarez.
The visitors had no problems holding on to their
lead and they could have made the victory even
more comfortable, but regardless of missing late
chances, the triumph sees Barca move back to
within a point of Real Madrid, who face Villarreal on
Sunday.

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Manchester United 2 - 0 Sunderland [Premier League]

Wayne Rooney was Manchester United’s match-
winner as Sunderland had Wes Brown erroneously
sent off in a 2-0 Premier League defeat.
Wayne Rooney inspired Manchester United to a 2-0
Premier League win over 10-man Sunderland amid
a case of mistaken identity.
Sunderland came away from Old Trafford with a
1-0 victory in the wake of David Moyes’ departure
as United manager last season, and early  openings
on Saturday for visiting forwards Connor Wickham
and Jermain Defoe suggested the hosts were in for
a similarly uncomfortable afternoon.
Ashley Young had a first-half effort diverted against
the crossbar by John O’Shea, before the
visiting captain and his fellow former United
defender Wes Brown found themselves at the
centre of the game’s decisive moment in the 64th
minute.
Last man O’Shea hauled back Radamel Falcao to
concede a clear penalty, with Brown in close
attendance – although referee Roger East
showed the latter player a red card to prompt
protests and bemusement from the Sunderland
contingent.
Rooney – starting up-front as Louis van Gaal made
five changes to his starting XI – converted from the
spot and added an 84th-minute second to ensure
United bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to Swansea
City last time out, keeping their bid for UEFA
Champions League qualification on track.
Rooney headed a corner wide at the near post in
the fourth minute as United made an encouraging
United start, although Sunderland soon fired two
early warnings of their own.
Wickham, one of three players recalled by Gus
Poyet following last week’s goalless draw with
West Brom, raced towards a backpeddling home
defence and drew an excellent low save from David
de Gea.

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Newcastle United 1 - 0 Aston Villa [Premier League]

Papiss Cisse’s first-half strike handed Newcastle
United a 1-0 Premier League victory over Aston
Villa at St James’ Park on Saturday.
Newcastle United condemned Tim Sherwood to a
second consecutive loss as Aston Villa manager as
they ran out 1-0 winners in the Premier League at
St James’ Park.
John Carver’s side, boosted by the return of Jonas
Gutierrez to the bench for the first time since the
Argentine overcame testicular cancer, took the lead
against the run of play through Papiss Cisse’s 11th
league goal of the campaign midway through the
first half.
And they were able to celebrate three points after
soaking up some second-half pressure,
with Christian Benteke having a goal ruled out for
offside, while the hosts also went close through
Ryan Taylor and Ayoze Perez.
The result lifts Newcastle on to 35 points, while
lowly Villa have now lost seven consecutive league
matches.
Villa have not won a Premier League game without
Ashley Westwood in 17 months and, after dropping
to the bench last week, the midfielder returned in
fine form as the visitors made a confident start to
proceedings, with Newcastle unable to cope with
their direct attacking style.
And they could well have been ahead four minutes
in as Benteke whipped in a sublime cross to the
back post, but Daryl Janmaat recovered well to
clear.
Gabriel Agbonlahor then saw a goal correctly
disallowed for offside as Villa continued to press,
though the hosts would have been ahead had Alan
Hutton not blocked Cisse’s goal-bound effort.
But Villa were not to be deterred, with Benteke –
looking at his imposing best – forcing Tim Krul into
a fine save with an ambitious overhead kick from
the edge of the area before Scott Sinclair went
close having latched onto Westwood’s pass.
However, for all Villa’s pressure, it was the hosts
who took the lead when Janmaat’s terrific cross
from the right found Cisse in the area and he
provided a composed finish before running straight
to the touchline to celebrate with Gutierrez.

posted from Bloggeroid

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Stoke City 1 - 0 Hull City [Premier League]

Peter Crouch needed just two minutes after coming
off the bench to strike the decisive blow as Stoke
City defeated Hull City 1-0 on Saturday.
Crouch headed home with his second touch after
coming on as a second-half substitute at the
Britannia Stadium, ending Hull’s recent resurgence.
A lacklustre, scrappy first half ended without a
single effort on target from either team.
Charlie Adam’s introduction at the break gave
Stoke a lift, but his two early efforts on Allan
McGregor’s goal both went wide.
Adam then turned provider for Crouch in the 72nd
minute, as he lifted an inch-perfect cross into the
penalty area for the veteran striker to nod home in
trademark fashion.
Stoke – unchanged from last weekend’s victory
over Aston Villa – made a promising start, but were
unable to turn possession in the final third into
efforts on goal.
Victor Moses and Steven N’Zonzi both made good
runs from midfield in the opening 15 minutes, only to
be wasteful in the penalty area when under
pressure.
Steve Bruce was forced into changes with Nikica
Jelavic injured and Dame N’Doye dropped to the
bench after returning home to Senegal, and Hull’s
play was affected early on.
It was not until the 20th minute that the visitors
were able to pose a threat, as Sone Aluko skipped
past Philipp Wolscheid but was unable to hit the
target from a tight angle.
A scrappy end to the half saw Stephen Ireland lucky
to stay out of the book for a tackle on David Meyler,
but opportunities on goal were at a premium, with
the hosts seeing a penalty appeal waved away
when Aluko challenged Phil Bardsley.
Adam replaced Ireland at half time and he gave
Stoke a spark in the early moments after the
restart, the Scot driving narrowly wide with a long-
range effort after 54 minutes.
The former Liverpool and Blackpool midfielder went
agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock soon
after, as he sent a 20-yard free kick just wide.
But with the game seemingly drifting towards a drab
draw, a lovely move between Stoke’s two
substitutes finally opened the scoring.
Adam collected the ball 25 yards from goal and
played an inviting cross towards the back post,
where Crouch rose above Paul McShane to head
past McGregor.

posted from Bloggeroid

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Burnley 0 - 1 Swansea [Premier League]

Swansea City earned a 1-0 Premier League win
against Burnley on Saturday as Kieran Trippier’s
own goal gave Garry Monk’s side all three points
at Turf Moor.
A low-key affair was settled by a scrappy goal
midway through the second half, as Swansea were
able to build on last week’s 2-1 win over
Manchester United.
Home goalkeeper Tom Heaton produced a superb
save to keep out former Burnley loanee Jack Cork
at the back post, but Cork’s rebound struck Trippier
and was then fumbled over the line by the shot-
stopper.
Victory lifts Swansea up to eighth in the table, while
Burnley remain mired in the bottom three, with QPR
just above them on goal difference with a game in
hand.
It was a disappointing return to action for a Burnley
side who had shocked leaders Chelsea to earn a
1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge last weekend.
The hosts, unchanged from that clash, made the
brighter start, with George Boyd thumping a volley
straight at Lukasz Fabianski in the fourth minute.
The Swansea goalkeeper was called into action
again midway through the half, spreading himself
well to smother Ashley Barnes’ close-range effort
after Danny Ings’ smart turn had caused confusion
between Ashley Williams and Cork.
Swansea had their first sight of goal in the 25th
minute when Wayne Routledge lofted an effort over
the advancing Heaton, but the ball dropped wide.
Bafetimbi Gomis then wasted a golden
opportunity to open the scoring five minutes prior to
the interval when, after running onto Jonjo
Shelvey’s ball in behind, the striker blazed his effort
over the crossbar.

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