Swansea 2-0 Leicester :WILFRIED BONY was at the double as Swansea blitzed pastLeicester to move into the top six.

Wilfried Bony netted an impressive brace as Swansea cruised to
an easy win against Leicester to move up to sixth in the Premier
League.
The Ivorian was back to his imperious best as he polished
off a free flowing Jacks move to put the hosts in front,
and then added a second after the break to make it three
goals in as many games for the striker.
Swansea made a nervy start to proceedings but the Liberty
Stadium was soon in full voice when Gylfi Sigurdsson went
down under the challenge of Wes Morgan after the defender's
errant pass to the midfielder.
Referee Mike Jones refused to be swayed by the baying crowd
though, and video replays showed it was the correct call with
Morgan nicking the ball away just in time.
But Leicester were living on thin ice and it was no surprise when
the Welsh side went ahead on 33 minutes.
Bony's cheeky backheel freed up Sigurdsson to escape the
Foxes' defence and the Iceland star immediately returned the
ball for the striker to sweep the ball past Kasper Schmeichel.
White shirts continued to pour forward at will and the only
shock at half-time was the fact the visitors were trailing just by
the one goal.
Fresh from a Pearson rollicking, Leicester returned with a bit
more intent after the break as Danny Drinkwater called Lukasz
Fabianski, who had been happily snoozing away up until that
point, into action with a long range effort.
But just as it looked like the Championship winners were
making inroads, Bony struck again after yet more fine play from
Sigurdsson.
The summer signing from Tottenham released Jefferson
Montero with a sweet one-two, and moments later the ball was
nestling in the net as the winger put the ball on a platter for
Bony to stroke home.
Despite there being more than half-an-hour remaining it felt like
game over in Wales such was Leicester's lack of attacking threat
and so it proved.
Jonjo Shelvey went on to hit the bar for Swansea with an
absolute howitzer from 30-yards out, while at the other end
Esteban Cambiasso somehow managed to hit the post from just
a yard out, with Fabianski brilliantly denying Andy King's initial
header and then clawing the Argentine midfielder's effort off
the goal-line
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Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona: Real Madrid overcame Neymar's early opening goal to see off arch rivals Barcelona 3-1 at the Bernabeu as LuisSuarez made his long-awaited debut for Barca.

Neymar stunned a packed and hostile Bernabeu with a superb
opener to put Barca ahead after four minutes.
But Cristiano Ronaldo levelled with a penalty in the 35th minute
- the first goal the Catalan side had conceded in nine league
outings this term - to inspire the comeback.
Pepe made it 2-1 six minutes into the second half and a
misunderstanding between Andres Iniesta and Javier
Mascherano led to Real's third just after the hour when Karim
Benzema finished off a swift break with a clinical strike.
Luis Suarez's Barcelona debut ended in defeat as Real Madrid
came from behind to take all three points at the Santiago
Bernabeu.
The Uruguay star enjoyed a dream start to life in a Barca shirt as
he laid on Neymar's fourth-minute opener, but Madrid looked
to hit back immediately as Karim Benzema missed two good
chances soon after.
Lionel Messi's customary composure in front of goal then
deserted him before his great rival Cristiano Ronaldo levelled
from the penalty spot before half-time.
That was the first league goal conceded by Barcelona this season
but Pepe headed Carlo Ancelotti's team ahead and there was a
party atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu when Benzema
converted a brilliant 61st-minute counter-attack.

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Paris Saint-Germain 3-0 Bordeaux: Lucas scores two penalties to extend unbeaten streak

Lucas Moura was the hero as his two penalties helped fire Paris
Saint-Germain to a much-needed 3-0 victory over Bordeaux in
Ligue 1.
Third-placed Bordeaux produced a resolute display for much of
the first half at Parc des Princes on Saturday, but PSG ultimately
came out on top in a match which saw both sides reduced to 10
men.
The first to be dismissed was PSG defender Gregory van der Wie
in the 28th minute, with the Netherlands international earning
his first red card for the club somewhat harshly for a late
challenge on Wahbi Khazri.
Bordeaux were then reduced to 10 men nine minutes later, as
Andre Biyogo Poko was sent off for a reckless tackle on Marco
Verratti and that seemed to spark the hosts into life.
Lucas got the breakthrough with his first spot-kick just before
the break after good work by Verratti and the Brazilian doubled
his tally from 12 yards early in the second half.
Second-half substitute Ezequiel Lavezzi added a third late on,
as PSG continued their unbeaten start to the season and moved
four points behind pacesetters Marseille, who face the tough
task of heading to Lyon on Sunday.
PSG coach Laurent Blanc entrusted 21-year-old Jean-Christophe
Bahebeck with filling the void left by the injured Zlatan
Ibrahimovic and suspended Edinson Cavani in attack.
And although the forward looked lively, PSG failed to penetrate
the Bordeaux defence during the early exchanges, leaving
Bahebeck to feed off scraps.
After a low key opening, the match began to liven up
and Bordeaux defender Nicolas Pallois headed a glorious chanc
well wide following a fine free-kick delivery from Jaroslav Plasil
after 20 minutes.
PSG looked to be up against it eight minutes later, when Van der
Wiel was shown a straight red card for a late tackle on Khazri.
The former Ajax man was baffled by the decision and Blanc
responded by replacing Bahebeck with right-back Serge Aurier.
Bordeaux's numerical advantage lasted less than 10 minutes,
though, as Biyogo Poko followed Van der Wiel down the tunnel
for a wild challenge on Verratti and David Luiz's effort from the
resulting free-kick crashed against the post.
Biyogo Poko's sending off clearly reinvigorated PSG and the
champions took a lead into the break as Lucas coolly slotted in a
stoppage-time penalty after Verratti was tripped by Cedric
Yambere.
It took the home side just four minutes to double their lead in
the second half, with Lucas once again holding his nerve from
12 yards to stroke home after being hauled down by Pallois.
Bordeaux produced a response as they attempted an unlikely
comeback, but PSG stood firm with Luiz making a vital block to
deny Diego Rolan, before Salvatore Sirigu tipped an audacious
Emiliano Sala effort just over.
Any hopes of a Bordeaux fight-back were firmly extinguished
nine minutes from the end as Lavezzi, Lucas' replacement,
flicked in Blaise Matuidi's left-wing cross, wrapping up a
comfortable win and throwing down the gauntlet to Marseille.
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Sunderland 0-2 Arsenal: Sanchez stars as Gunners triumph

At the Stadium of Light, Sanchez was the difference
between Arsenal drawing and winning the game. His
two goals owed plenty to huge mistakes from Wes
Brown and Vito Mannone, but they also showed off the
attributes that have enabled Alexis to adapt quickly to the
Premier League.

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West Brom 2-2 Crystal Palace

West Brom claimed a share of the spoils, though, as substitute
Victor Anichebe halved the deficit shortly after the break before
Berahino's seventh Premier League goal of the season ensured a
2-2 draw at the death.
Hangeland, who continued to deputise for the injured Scott
Dann, opened the scoring with a close-range effort from a
Palace set-piece, before captain Jedinak added a second from 1
yards in first-half injury time.
Anichebe's six-yard header brought West Brom back into the
game, although Palace felt hard done by after goalkeeper Julian
Speroni was caught by the elbow of the Craig Dawson.
And West Brom's concerted second-half pressure finally bore
fruit as Jedinak was punished for a clumsy foul on Anichebe and
Berahino - who also scored in West Brom's 2-2 draw with
Manchester United on Monday - stayed cool to level the match.
West Brom looked lively in the opening stages but Palace
wingers Wilfried Zaha, one of three men to come in from the
Chelsea defeat, and Yannick Bolasie soon started causing
problems.
One particularly mazy run from Zaha led to a free-kick in a
dangerous area on the right, and from Joe Ledley's cross Fraizer
Campbell's looping header forced Ben Foster - restored to West
Brom's line-up after a calf injury - to tip over the crossbar.
The resulting corner saw Palace move ahead in the 16th minute.
Hangeland met Bolasie's delivery in a packed six-yard box and,
though Foster saved his first effort, the centre-back poked hom
the rebound.
West Brom responded well and Speroni made a smart stop fro
Gardner's stinging 25-yard drive.
Palace weathered the storm and Zaha had claims for a penalty
seven minutes before the break when he was felled by Dawson
on the left of the area.
The visitors were awarded a spot-kick on the stroke of half-time,
though. Sebastien Pocognoli slid through Bolasie prompting
referee Mark Clattenburg to point to the spot.
And Jedinak kept his cool and sent Foster the wrong way with a
penalty to the bottom left-hand corner.
Anichebe was introduced at half-time and made an almost-
immediate impact.
Speroni pulled off a fine save to keep out Berahino's curling
effort, but from Chris Brunt's resulting corner, Anichebe
nodded home.
Palace were left fuming with the decision, though, as Speroni
appeared to take an elbow to the head from Dawson and he was
replaced between the posts by Wayne Hennessey.
Anichebe's strength was causing the Palace defence problems
and he saw another shot blocked in the penalty area, before
Gardner's looping long range effort beat Hennessey but not the
crossbar.
But the pressure finally told in stoppage time, as Jedinak
needlessly chopped down Anichebe and Berahino placed his
penalty into the bottom left-hand corner.
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Liverpool 0-0 Hull City:Mario Balotelli again fails to get on the scoresheet.

The Reds almost took the lead in the 13th minute after Mario
Balotelli was set up by Raheem Sterling but the Italian
international had his curling effort saved by Jakupovic.
Brendan Rodgers' side continued to dominate the first half but
failed to create any clear cut chances.
The Reds continued to assert their dominance on the vistors in
the second period yet again they failed to test Jakupovic.
They continued to pile the pressure on the visitors and almost
took the lead in the 72nd minute though Dejan Lovren.
Mario Balotelli has reached
that point earlier than most.
As the Italian trudged off having missed the injury-time chance
to end this stalemate, the judgement on his performance was
more compassionate than critical.
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Southampton 1 Stoke City 0: Sadio Mane hitswinner as Ronald Koeman's side move up tosecond

New signing Saido Mane had a great opportunity to put the
hosts early on but he dragged his effort wide of Asmir Begovic's
post.
Steven Davis had a great chance to bag the first goal of the game
a few moments later, but the Northern Irishman failed to keep
his effort on target.
The hosts continued to dominate proceedings and Morgan
Schneiderlin almost gave them the lead in the 30th minute.
The Frenchman unleashed an unstoppable shot past Begovic
following a corner from Dusan Tadic.
But his rasping effort crashed off the crossbar.
Saints continued to pile the pressure on Mark Hughes' side and
were rewarded for their efforts in three minutes later when
Mane pounced on a rebound to thunder the ball into the top
corner of the net.
The visitors improved in the second period and gave the
homeside more trouble than they did in the first period.
But Saints managed to hold onto their lead and secure their
sixth victory of the season.
Is it an illusion, or do Southampton look so much better after
shifting all that dead wood from their squad in the summer?
Here, the outstanding team of this Premier League season took
another giant leap away from the relegation battle many had
predicted for them, moving above Manchester City and into
second place. "We're going to win the league," their fans
chanted, and they were only half-joking.
It may not have been the 8-0 demolition of Sunderland last
weekend, but what will have made this win all the more
satisfying for Ronald Koeman was the way it showcased both
sides of Southampton: not just the team that have scored more
goals than Manchester City, but the team that have conceded
fewest goals in the Premier League. Time and again, Stoke
pounded against the door in the second half, only to be met
with a wall of tactical discipline and an immaculately-laid offside
trap.
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Leeds SACK boss Darko Milanic andappoint Neil Redfearn as hisreplacement

Owner Massimo Cellino wielded the axe after a 2-1 defeat to
Wolves today.
The 46-year-old has been in charge just 32 days.
Starsport understands that Neil Redfearn will take over as head
coach and will take training on Monday morning.
Cellino said: "I want to apologise to the supporters, they deserve
better results."
Milanic took just three points from a possible 18 in charge of
Leeds.
The Slovenian was recruited in the wake of David Hockaday's
disastrous reign.
The three points Milanic has picked up have come from three
draws. After the loss to Wolves, he is without a win in English
football.
Sacking coaches is second nature to Cellino, who was sat with
Redfearn during the game.
"I understand football, and I can understand this situation, when
a new head coach has only a few points from six games, I can
understand that," Milanic said when asked of the clamour for
Redfearn in his post-match press conference.
Leeds had actually been good value for a first-half lead given to
them by Mirco Antenucci but retreated in the second period and
allowed James Henry and Leon Clarke to win it for Wolves.
"I am disappointed because we deserve some more points," he
added.
"This is not a good position for me and the team, but I still see
good things that we make. I believe it (he can get it right).
"My job is to do this better, to improve. I am sure this one
second half is not the work of one month. I work with my team
a lot and it's a young team without a lot of experience.
"We played a good first half, had chances, we had one goal. Then
we began to play backwards."
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West Ham United 2-1 Manchester City, Premier League - Champions suffer setback as hosts continue great start to season to stay fourth in table

West Ham United vs Manchester City, Premier League -
Champions suffer setback as hosts continue great start to season
to stay fourth in table
West Ham United reinforced their claims for a push
for the European places with a battling 2-1 win over
champions Manchester City on Saturday.
The Hammers were extremely lively against a City side
who looked off the pace for much of the contest.
Goals from Morgan Amalfitano and Diafra Sakho set
them on their way to victory, and not even a brilliant
goal from David Silva could spark City into claiming a share of
the spoils.
City piled on the pressure, which saw Sergio Aguero hit the
crossbar and Yaya Toure strike the outside of the post.
However, on 73 minutes, Sakho, signed from Metz in the
summer, made it 2-0 when his downward header dropped over
the line, given by the Goal Decision System after Joe Hart had
clawed the ball out inside the far post.
David Silva hit back immediately to set up a grandstand finale,
but West Ham held on as City missed the chance to close up on
leaders Chelsea, who visit Manchester United on Sunday.
It was almost a flying start for City when Aguero sent in a
dipping half-volley from 25 yards, which Adrian scrambled
behind for a corner.
At the other end, England goalkeeper Hart had to be alert to tip
over a looping backwards clearance from defender Eliaquim
Mangala, which was threatening to drop under the crossbar.
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Barcelona's Gerard Pique backs LuisSuarez to sink his teeth into ElClasico

Rather than tread carefully around their summer star signing,
the shocking habit that has landed Suarez in trouble three times
has become a laughing matter for Barca's stars.
All eyes will be on the Bernabeu tomorrow night, with the
former Liverpool striker set to make his eagerly-awaited debut
against arch-rivals Real Madrid.
The Uruguayan returns from his four- month suspension, for his
World Cup attack on Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini, in an El
Clasico between top and third that hardly needs any extra spice.
The Chiellini bust-up completed an unwanted hat-trick for
Suarez.
He was banned for chomping on PSV Eindhoven's Otman Bakkal
during his Ajax days and Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic while at
Liverpool. But his new team-mates haven't been afraid to get
stuck into him even though everyone knows what can happen
when Suarez gets angry and bites back.
"Yeah, we have given him stick," said a laughing Gerard Pique.
"Today in training we had some crosses and I had to defend and
he had to attack.
"It was an exercise for the defenders to control our striker while
they are crossing and two or three times, we are like fighting for
a ball and I would say 'Hey, don't bite me!'
"Just comments like this, funny ones. He just smiles. He knows
that it is not right to do it in the game, obviously, but it is
something that happens and he has to accept his ban and I think
he did.
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Diego Costa may be risked by Chelsea for Manchester United clash

Jose Mourinho reveals striker has a 'little chance' to play at Old
Trafford despite just overcoming a hamstring problem followed
by a virus
Given Manchester United's defensive problems this season, a
trip to Old Trafford might not be a bad time to let a striker fully
recover from hamstring and groin injuries – not to mention an
overnight stay in hospital.
But Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho disagrees. He remains
steadfast in his view that a game against United requires all the
best players at his disposal, even if it means taking a risk.
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Theo walcott include in arsenal squad against sunderland

Arsene Wenger had told the press that returning
winger Theo Walcott was not quite ready, but the 25-year-old
will travel to the Stadium of Light
Theo Walcott has been included in Arsenal's travelling first-
team squad to Sunderland, despite Arsene Wenger's concerns
about whether he is ready to make his comeback.
Wenger had suggested that Walcott would not be involved until
the match against Burnley next week but, after watching him
train this morning, did then include the 25-year-old in the group
that is travelling to the North East.
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Real Madrid vs Barcelona: El Clasico set to be the world's first ever €1 billion match

Despite the absence of the world's most expensive footballer
Gareth Bale, the Santiago Bernabéu will still play host to the
most expensive match in history
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Neymar, James
Rodriguez ... this Saturday's El Clásico will contain such a
sparkling array of talent that it is set to be the first ever €1 billion
(£816m) football match.
Despite the absence of the world's most expensive footballer in
Gareth Bale - who will miss the match through injury - market
valuations for the likely Real Madrid and Barcelona starting
XIs suggest the Santiago Bernabéu will play host to a never
before seen wealth of footballing superstars.
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Balotelli facing police investigation overalleged threatening behaviour towards awoman

Mario Balotelli is being investigated for allegedly making verbal
threats towards a woman, Greater Manchester Police have
confirmed.
The Liverpool striker reportedly took offence to a woman taking
photos of his Ferrari in Wythenshawe around 15.00GMT on
Thursday.
Police confirmed that the matter is being looked into,
but the attending officer is yet to submit a full statement.
Balotelli has a history of involvement with police and only last
month was the subject of an investigation after suffering racial
abuse on Twitter.
The former Manchester City striker recently returned to England
after 18 months in Italy with AC Milan, moving to Anfield in
a €20 million deal.
The Italy international has struggled for form upon his return to
the Premier League, however, with his only goal for Liverpool so
far coming in the Champions League against Ludogorets.
Balotelli was withdrawn at half-time of Liverpool's 3-0 defeat to
Real Madrid on Wednesday and caused a stir by swapping shirts
with Pepe while heading off down the tunnel, with manager
Brendan Rodgers later stating the striker must continue to battle
for his place in the side if he is to be a success at Anfield.
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Inter 0-0 Saint-Etienne

Inter drew 0-0 with Saint-Etienne in a lacklustre
game at San Siro in the Europa League on Thursday night.
The Serie A club - who were hit by the surprise resignation of
long-serving honorary president Massimo Moratti earlier in the
day - had won both qualifiers and their Group F fixtures with
Qarabag and Dnipro going into the clash at San Siro.
But while Inter have still not conceded a Europa League goal this
term, Walter Mazzarri's side could not break down a stoic Saint-
Etienne team, who have now drawn all three of their
group games.
A Zdravko Kuzmanovic strike well saved by Stephane Ruffier was
as close as Inter came in a game of few chances as Mazzarri's
men saw their lead at the top of the pool cut by a point to three
after Qarabag's 1-0 win in Kiev.
Saint-Etienne, meanwhile, slip to third ahead of the return
fixture at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on November 6.
Featuring against one of his former clubs, Inter skipper Fredy
Guarin had the first effort at goal but blazed his strike over the
crossbar from outside the area two minutes in.
Mauro Icardi was next to go close but he too failed to find the
target when played in by Yann M'Vila.
Winger Ibrahima Mbaye came close to engineering an opening
when he surged down the right but still the visitors stood firm
amid Inter's domination of possession.
Florentin Pogba's free-kick found the Inter wall as Saint-Etienne
made a rare foray forward and Kevin Theophile-Catherine
almost gave Christophe Galtier's side a shock lead when he
headed wide from the ensuing corner.
The visitors grew into the game before the break and almost ha
a half-time lead when Franck Tabanou let fly from a free-kick -
Juan Pablo Carrizo required to tip the effort over.
Romain Hamouma saw appeals for a penalty waved away after
going down under pressure from Mbaye early in the second half
before Inter were dealt a blow as M'Vila limped off to be
replaced by Hernanes.
While forced upon Mazzarri, the change seemed to inject some
energy into Inter's second-half showing as the home side
continued to dominate possession without really threatening
Ruffier.
Ruffier was called on to tip Kuzmanovic's shot wide shortly after
the hour while Theophile-Catherine blazed over when played in
down the right 16 minutes from time.
However, neither side were able to break the deadlock as Inter
extended their unbeaten run at home in Europe to nine matche
but missed the chance to fully bolster their hopes of
progression.
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Borussia Monchengladbach 5-0 Apollon:

Borussia Monchengladbach eased to their first Europa League
group stage win of the campaign, thumping Apollon 5-0 on
Thursday at Borussia Park.
After starting the game strongly, the hosts were gifted the
perfect opportunity to open the scoring only 11 minutes into
the first half after a terrible defensive mistake from Hugo Lopez,
and Ibrahima Traore fired the ball into the back of the net from
close range to give his side a well deserved lead.
Borussia Monchengladbach continued to boss possession for
the rest of the first half but were denied the opportunity to go
further ahead by goalkeeper Bruno Vale, who pulled off a
plethora of fine saves to keep the scoreline at 1-0.
However, the German side came out even stronger in the
second period, with Branimir Hrgota turning in Traore's saved
effort after 56 minutes before the Guinean midfielder turned
scorer again with a thumping shot from the edge of the box 10
minutes later.
They weren't done just yet, however, and substitute Patrick
Herrmann scored a fourth with a great first-time shot with just
seven minutes left to play before Thorgan Hazard's cross-cum-
shot ended up deflecting off Apollon defender Angelis
Charalambous, beating Vale to wrap up an emphatic win.
Despite being a point behind heading into tonight's clash, the
hosts began the game as the favourites to come away with the
victory, and they started as they meant to go on, with an
impressive forward line causing the Apollon defence plenty of
problems in the opening stages.
They were rewarded for their efforts on the 11-minute mark
after a terrible pass by Lopez went straight to Hrgota, who
squared the ball to Traore to easily slot into the back of the net.
Apollon continued to struggle from then on and it was only due
to fantastic goalkeeper from Vale that they didn't go into the
half-time break three or four goals down, as the Portuguese
shot-stopper pulled off great saves to deny both Max Kruse and
Hazard in the closing stages of the first period.
However, Gladbach picked up where they left off after the break
and Traore was on hand to cause the Cypriot side further miser
11 minutes in when his rocket of a shot was parried into the
path of Hrgota, who easily slotted the ball into the back of an
empty net.
Traore, who was on fire from start to finish, then scored his
second of the game 10 minutes later with a fantastic low shot
from the edge of the penalty area that left Vale with no chance,
before the hosts seemed to sit back in an attempt to hold on to
their three-goal lead.
However, even when they were defending they were causing the
visitors plenty of problems all over the pitch, and it wasn't long
before it was 4-0, with Herrmann turning in a great Hazard
cross with a wonderful first-time shot from the edge of the six-
yard box with seven minutes left to play.
Things were only going to get worse for Apollon, who looked
completely dejected and bereft of belief by now, and a
Charalambous own-goal in the 91st minute wrapped up a
terrible night for the Cypriot side, who have now conceded nine
goals in their last two Europa League games.
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Celtic 2-1 Astra

Celtic remain in pole position to qualify from Europa League
Group D after a 2-1 triumph over pointless Astra on Thursday.
The Romanian side travelled to Scotland without a point to their
name and, although they troubled their hosts on several
occasions, they were ultimately unable to keep Celtic at bay as
Ronny Deila's men snatched a deserved win in the second half.
Celtic looked more accomplished during the early stages as they
pressed their visitors high up, but it did not take long for Astra t
start threatening.
With the hosts not making the most of their possession, Astra
saw three chances go begging in quick succession just after the
20th minute.
Seidu Yahaya was the first to go close as he fired straight at Craig
Gordon from distance, before the goalkeeper also denied
Constantin Budescu and then saw Takayuki Seto miss the target.
An improved Celtic seemingly started the second half as they
ended the first and Stefan Scepovic twice went close to opening
the scoring.
First, the Serbian headed just wide after reacting quickest to an
Emilio Izaguirre cross, and then he produced a similar miss
from a Mikael Lustig delivery just a few moments later.
Scepovic made amends in the 73rd minute, though, heading in
from Stokes' free kick and their second followed soon after, as
Stefan Johansen blasted in after Silviu Lung spilled a cross.
Gabriel Enache pulled one back from close range in the 81st
minute, but Celtic ultimately held on to remain unbeaten in
Group D and move on to seven points.
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Villarreal 4-1 Zurich

Bruno scored a stunning free-kick as Villarreal coasted to a 4-1
win over Zurich in the Europa League at El Madrigal on Thursday
night.
This is the Yellow Submarine's ninth consecutive home victory i
the Europa League – group stage to final – bringing them one
shy of tying the current record of 10 held by Atletico Madrid
and Benfica.
It took Villarreal just six minutes to open the scoring, as Javier
Espinosa sent Gerard Moreno through on goal, with the striker
rounding the keeper and unselfishly passing across for Cani,
who guided the ball into the empty net.
The goal gave the hosts an early boost, as they continued to
apply pressure in attack, but could not find a way through to
double their advantage, which provided the Swiss outfit with
some much needed confidence.
Zurich finally began to grow into the match, and their efforts
were rewarded in the 43rd minute when Yassine Chikhaoui's
deflected shot fell kindly to Marco Schonbachler at the far post,
with the midfielder putting the ball past a diving Juan Carlos to
level the score.
Villarreal had a glorious chance to equalise just before the
break, but Luciano Vietto's header was saved on the line by
David Da Costa.
Marcelino's side wasted little time trying to get back in front
after the restart, bombing forward straight away to put the
visitors under pressure.
Their persistence was finally rewarded just before the hour
mark when Espinosa, who spurned a glorious chance just
moments earlier, picked out Vietto in the area, with the striker
passing the ball into the back of the net past a diving Da Costa to
restore their lead.
Villarreal were back at it just moments later, as captain Bruno
Soriano doubled their lead with a remarkable free kick, curling
an unstoppable left footed drive into the top corner.
The hosts sealed the three points with the introduction of
Giovani dos Santos, who finished off the game in style, capping
off a dazzling run with a clever finish past the keeper at the near
post.
The victory ensures Villarreal remain in first place in Group A at
the half-way point, while Zurich fail to climb out of last.
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Tottenham 5-1 Asteras Tripolis

Erik Lamela scored a wonderful rabona goal and Harry Kane hit
a superb hat-trick as Tottenham ran out convincing 5-1 winners
over Asteras Tripolis in the Europa League at White Hart Lane on
Thursday.
Spurs had begun Group C with frustrating draws against Partiza
and Besiktas, but Thursday's game at White Hart Lane saw a
much more positive performance that was lit up by an
outrageous goal from Lamela.
Kane opened the scoring with an excellent strike of his own afte
13 minutes, but Lamela stole the show just before the half hour
when he elected for a 'rabona' effort from the edge of the area
that flew past the helpless Tomas Kosicky in the Asteras goal.
The Argentine got his second of the match with a brilliant volley
in the 66th minute before Kane added two more to complete hi
well-deserved hat-trick.
Tottenham's victory was marred somewhat by keeper Hugo
Lloris being sent off late on, and Kane rounded off his eventful
evening by spilling Jeronimo Barrales' shot from the resulting
free-kick into his own net after taking the Frenchman's place in
goal.
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Lille 0-0 Everton

Merseyside club
quell the threat of impressive on-loan Liverpool forward Divock
Origi to leave France with a decent draw
Everton remain top of their Europa League pool after battling
to a 0-0 draw with Lille in a game that overshadowed by trouble
involving visiting fans in the build-up.
Lille went closest to finding a goal in the Group H clash when
Idrissa Gueye struck wide in the first half.
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Standard Liege 0-0 Sevilla

Sevilla continued their Europa League title defence with an
underwhelming 0-0 draw at troubled Standard Liege on
Thursday.
The Belgian Pro League side went into the encounter in
wretched form after six defeats in their last 12 matches in all
competitions, while Sevilla sit second in La Liga.
But they held Sevilla to a draw to leave Group G in the balance,
despite almost stealing a late victory themselves.
Standard went into the match on the back of a tumultuous
weekend as crowd trouble brought about the suspension of
their clash with Zulte Waregem and the subsequent resignation
of coach Guy Luzon.
It then came as little surprise when in-form Sevilla looked to
dominate the early proceedings, with Jose Antonio Reyes forcin
Yohann Thuram into a good stop from 25 yards in the 11th
minute.
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StYoung Boys 2-0 Napoli:

Napoli's perfect start to their Europa League campaign came to
an end on Thursday courtesy of a 2-0 defeat at Young Boys.
A closely contested game came to life early in the second half,
when Guillaume Hoarau netted with a half volley.
Leonardo Bertone then made it 2-0 on the break in stoppage
time to give the hosts all three points, leapfrogging them above
the Partenopei at the top of Group I.
The first real opening came with a quarter of an hour on the
clock, when Hoarau glanced a header narrowly wide of the post.
Jonathan de Guzman attempted to hit back for the visitors
moments later, but his effort from a tight angle was parried by
Yvon Mvogo.
The Young Boys keeper was a fairly busy man in the first half an
a superb dive to divert a Dries Mertens curler around the post
kept the scores level.
Hoarau's aerial presence kept the Napoli defence honest though
and the striker really should have done better when presented
with a free header at the far post, as he nodded straight at
Rafael.
But after a frustrating first half, Hoarau wouldn't have to wait
long for his moment after the restart, slotting home a neat half-
volley with 52 minutes on the clock.
The expected response from Napoli wasn't forthcoming though,
and Rafa Benitez was forced to make a change as Marek Hamsik
came on in place of the disappointing Michu.
However, the best the Slovakian could manage was a half-
hearted appeal for handball, as Young Boys proved themselves
adept at repelling what little the Serie A side could muster.
Substitute Jose Callejon saw a goal correctly disallowed, before
Napoli were undone for the final time.
Their haste to find a leveler left all sorts of space at the back, an
Steffen exploited the gaps with a through pass to Bertone, who
beat Rafael with aplomb to clinch a famous win for the Swiss
side.
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Liverpool cannot carry Balotelli any more

Liverpool's £16m gamble on the Italian, which seemed
reasonable at the time, has now rebounded and Brendan
Rodgers is left with a problem
The irresistible brilliance of Real Madrid's front six was more
than Liverpool''s great European tradition could withstand.
More than Mario Balotelli could be bothered to fight against.
More than Brendan Rodgers's team can cope with at this point in
their redevelopment.
Ripped apart by three Real Madrid goals in 29 minutes after a
boisterous start, Liverpool were in a lower solar system: one
measured by individual match-winning talent and sheer weight
of money. England's most successful European Cup club are
building, building, towards a future without Luis Suárez.
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Schalke to move for Torres

New Schalke coach Roberto Di Matteo is keen on reuniting with
Fernando Torres, his former charge at Chelsea, and will launch a
bid for the Spaniard in January.
Source:Goal
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Chelsea target Rudiger reveals he's an Arsenal fan

Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger has killed Chelsea's hopes of
signing him, admitting his 'heart beats for Arsenal'.
Source:goal
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Former Derby Countyfootballer Medi Abalimbasent to prison forpretending to be Chelseaflop Gael Kakuta

A former Derby County footballer has been sent
to prison for four years after fraudulently
pretending to be Chelsea winger Gael Kakuta.
Medi Abalimba, who played for Derby's youth
team, spent £163,000 on stolen credit cards
while telling people he was the France
Under-21 man.
Abalimba would allegedly swan into nightclubs
with an entourage of people, including
bodyguards and women, and spend thousands
on champagne in exclusive VIP areas.
He was eventually caught by police and found
guilty of fraud and 19 other offences, with Judge
Robert Atherton telling the 25-year-old he
committed 'sophisticated dishonesty'.
'There is here a catalogue of offences of
sophisticated dishonesty, fraudulently
representing that you were a person who you
were not.'
Kakuta meanwhile remains contracted to
Chelsea but is currently on-loan at Spanish club
Rayo Vallecano.
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Mario Balotelli swaps shirtswith Real Madrid’s Pepe athalf-time, is immediatelysubbed off by Liverpool

The controversial Liverpool frontman just has a
habit of messing up, and after turning in a
stinker of a first-half performance against Real
Madrid, went on to do it again.
That's right, things got even worse for Balotelli
as he trudged off 3-0 down at half-time – as he
thought it would be a good idea to ask for
Pepe's shirt. At half-time. Yes.
Brendan Rodgers had obviously seen enough
and immediately hooked Balo, replacing him
with Adam Lallana.
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Uefa champions league results

Champions league results
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Chelsea striker Loic Remy is refusing to rule himself out of this weekend's clash against Manchester United.

Chelsea striker Loic Remy is refusing to rule himself out of
contention for this weekend's trip to Manchester United.
The Frenchman limped out of Tuesday night's 6-0
Champions League Group G win over Maribor with a groin
injury shortly after opening the scoring.
Jose Mourinho, who is already without top goalscorer Diego
Costa for Sunday's clash at Old Trafford, said after the match
that he did not expect Remy to be fit to face United.
But Remy is hoping the injury is not too bad and is determined
to be available against Louis van Gaal's side.
"We will see with the scan," he said. "I really hope it is not too
bad. Fortunately I stopped playing because I felt something.
"I don't think it is too bad but I felt something. My groin.
"Yes, it's frustrating of course because I had a chance to play
because Costa is injured but I am not afraid.
"I don't think it is really bad. We will check and I really hope to
play again this weekend.
"It is a huge game but every game is tough. Especially this one
because it is a big game against a good opponent but I will try to
recover as quickly as possible."
Remy grimaced after scoring 13 minutes into the rout of
Maribor, but says he had already felt something was wrong.
He added: "It was a bit stiff, even my run and I didn't feel very
comfortable.
"That's why I prefer to come off but for me I have to care about
myself and if I'm not feeling very good it's better to leave for
another player who is 100 per cent."
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Olympiakos 1-0 Juventus:

An outstanding second-half performance from Olympiakos
goalkeeper Roberto helped earn his side a 1-0 win over Juventus
on Wednesday.
With the Greek side leading thanks to Pajtim Kasami's first-half
goal at the Karaiskakis Stadium in this Champions League Group
A encounter, Spaniard Roberto produced a string of superb
saves after the interval to ensure they claimed all three points.
In the space of 15 minutes midway through the second period,
he made remarkable stops to deny Alvaro Morata, Paul Pogba
and Carlos Tevez on what was a frustrating night for
Massimiliano Allegri's men.
Former Fulham man Kasami had earlier struck a low finish into
the bottom left-hand corner as Olympiakos continued their
strong recent run of results at home on Europe's biggest club
stage.
Over the past 12 months, Olympiakos have beaten Benfica,
Anderlecht, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid on their ow
soil, and this result against the Italian champions represented
their fifth consecutive home victory in the Champions League.
Juve, who dropped points in Serie A for the first time this season
on Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Sassuolo, had Chile international
Arturo Vidal back in the side after he was rested at the weekend,
but the midfielder failed to have a telling impact as Olympiakos
held on to move onto six points at the halfway stage in the
group - three more than Juventus.The hosts made a bright start,
Kostas Mitroglou flicking a half-chance wide before Alejandro
Dominguez brought a flying save out of Gianluigi Buffon with a
free-kick in the opening seven minutes.
Juve went close themselves five minutes later as Tevez's stabbed
effort was headed off the line by Omar Elabdellaoui as
Olympiakos failed to deal with Andrea Pirlo's corner.
Tevez did have the ball in the net in the 20th minute, but his
header was rightly disallowed for offside as the hosts showed
further hesitancy from a Pirlo set-piece.
The game continued to ebb and flow, and a superb touch and
volley from Dominguez flashed across the face of goal in the
27th minute.
Ten minutes before the break, Olympiakos opened the scoring
with a well-worked goal.
Dominguez led the break and played the ball to Mitroglou, who
laid a pass back into Kasami for the midfielder to fire left-
footed beyond Buffon from the edge of the penalty area.
Morata went close with a left-footed volley six minutes after the
interval.
Kasami should have doubled his and Olympiakos' tally on the
hour mark, but he rolled the ball wide from six yards after being
teed up by the influential Dominguez.
Juve almost took advantage of that miss five minutes later, but
Roberto brilliantly parried Morata's thumping effort from eight
yards.
Roberto performed heroics once more as the game entered the
final quarter of an hour, clawing away Pogba's cross before
keeping out Tevez's close-range effort with his legs.
With nine minutes remaining, he pulled off another outstanding
save, reacting sharply to tip Morata's fierce drive onto the
crossbar as Juve continued to press hard for an equaliser.
But a leveller did not arrive as the Greek side held on for a
battling victory that puts them in pole position to qualify for the
knockout stages.
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Galatasaray 0-4 Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund cemented their place at the top of
Champions League Group D with a dominant 4-0 victory at
Galatasaray on Wednesday.
Jurgen Klopp's men produced a trademark display of powerful
counter-attacking football and the game was essentially out of
sight by half-time as Dortmund raced into a three-goal lead at
the Turk Telekom Arena.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opened the scoring when he
applied the finishing touch to Marco Reus' excellent low delivery
and the Gabon international doubled his tally shortly before the
20-minute mark.
Reus then put Dortmund in firm control in the 41st minute with
a stunning long-range effort.
There was a sour note for Dortmund when Sven Bender was
forced off with an apparent elbow injury in the second half, but
Adrian Ramos' goal a minute after coming as a substitute
completed the rout.
The victory was a welcome relief for Dortmund who suffered
their fifth defeat in eight Bundesliga matches this season at
Cologne on Saturday.
However, Dortmund continue to excel in Europe and their third
pool victory means another win in the return match with
Galatasaray on November 4 will confirm their spot in the
knockout stages.
It is a completely different story for the hosts, though, who have
just one point and face an uphill task to progress.
Dortmund were ahead after just six minutes when Henrikh
Mkhitaryan set Reus free down the left and his excellent centre
across the penalty area was side-footed home at the back post
by Aubameyang.
Galatasaray pushed forward in search of an equaliser, with Alex
Telles a threat on the left, but the visitors were a constant threat
on the counter-attack and the tactic yielded a second goal in the
18th minute.
Mkhitaryan released Lukasz Piszczek beyond left-back Telles on
the right and the Poland defender picked out the unmarked
Aubameyang, who adjusted his feet well to sweep beyond
Fernando Muslera from just outside the six-yard box.
Dortmund were finding gaps in the home defence with ease and
Shinji Kagawa should have done better when he shot tamely at
Muslera when one-on-one, while Aubameyang wasted a chance
for his hat-trick when he inexplicably hit the post with the goal
gaping from Mkhitaryan's delivery.
However, the third arrived four minutes before half-time when
Reus let fly with an unstoppable 25-yard shot that crashed over
Muslera's despairing dive and in.
Dortmund had to replace Bender with Matthias Ginter in the
55th minute, but it failed to disrupt the away side's flow and
Reus should have hit the target when his half-volley deep inside
the penalty area flew high into the stands.
The Germany international wasted another chance when he sho
straight at Muslera from the edge of the box, before Kagawa
dragged wide from 20 yards after showing neat foot work.
But Ramos capped the result in the 83rd minute as he collected
fellow substitute Ilkay Gundogan's throughball and kept his cool
to give Dortmund a huge shot in the arm ahead of a home game
against Hannover when they return to domestic action this
weekend.
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Liverpool 0-3 Real Madrid

Real Madrid ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over Liverpool at
Anfield on Wednesday evening, as Cristiano Ronaldo continued
his superb run of form.
The Portugal international netted for the 20th time in 13
appearances this season to open the scoring, and subsequently
moved within one of former Real stalwart Raul's Champions
League competition record of 71 goals.
While the European champions' first featured slick passing and
world-class finish, Liverpool were the architects of their own
downfall from there as Karim Benzema twice capitalised on
slack defending to net a double before half-time.
It was a matter of damage limitation for Liverpool after that,
with the Premier League side playing out a spirited second half
without a recognised striker.
Real retained their menace throughout but were able to leave
plenty in reserve for Saturday's mouthwatering El Clasico
showdown with arch-rivals Barcelona.
Under-fire forward Mario Balotelli retained the faith of home
manager Brendan Rodgers and the enigmatic Italian passed up
the chance to play through Raheem Sterling when Isco lost
possession in the second minute.
Ronaldo then thundered an early drive into the chest of Simon
Mignolet, while there were awkward moments for the Liverpool
goalkeeper's opposite number.
Iker Casillas parried the ball clear when a long-range Steven
Gerrard strike dipped awkwardly and the experienced shot-
stopper then showed poor handling from a 13th-minute corner
Casillas and Madrid's travelling fans had their nerves settled,
though, when Ronaldo opened the scoring in superb fashion
after 23 minutes.
Having exchanged passes with Benzema, the Ballon d'Or holder
charged onto a chipped return ball from James Rodriguez to
sweep home on the half-volley.
And Liverpool had a mountain to climb with half an hour
played, as Benzema looped a header beyond Mignolet on the
end of Toni Kroos' floated cross.
A rare moment of indecision allowed Glen Johnson to deny
Ronaldo five minutes before half-time but woeful defending
from the resulting corner sealed Liverpool's fate.
Pepe knocked down Kroos' delivery and the ball squirmed
beyond Mignolet and flailing Liverpool legs to leave Benzema
with a simple tap-in.
The recalled Joe Allen side-footed wide and fellow midfielder
Philippe Coutinho clattered a shot against the post from
distance, but Liverpool could not grasp a lifeline before half-
time.
Balotelli exchanged shirts with Pepe at the interval and it was his
last act, as Adam Lallana replaced the former Manchester City
man for the start of the second period.
Liverpool attacked in spirited fashion upon the resumption,
although a vital challenge from Martin Skrtel to stop a storming
run from Isco demonstrated the perils they still faced against a
counter-attacking Real.
Skrtel was caught napping by a rampaging Ronaldo in the 62nd
minute and Mignolet got behind a firmly struck shot, before
denying the same player from close range as Real sliced through
the home defence once more.
Sterling kept Casillas involved at the other end and Allen
scrambled a shot wide in the 72nd minute before Benzema and
Rodriguez combined incisively for the latter to steer wide in
front of the Kop.
Three wins from three means Real's passage from Group B is
already virtually assured, while Liverpool must bounce back
from consecutive defeats to overhaul second-placed Basel.
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Anderlecht 1-2 Arsenal

A late Lukas Podolski goal gave Arsenal a dramatic 2-1 win over
Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
The striker struck in the 90th minute to give the Gunners all
three points, with Kieran Gibbs having cancelled out Andy
Najar's opener two minutes earlier with a superb volley.
The result leaves Arsenal on six points, and gives them their
second win in the group stage, following their 4-1 success over
Galatasaray
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CSKA Moscow 2-2 Manchester City

A late Bibras Natkho penalty earned CSKA Moscow a 2-2 draw
with Manchester City on Tuesday and left the Premier League
champions' European hopes in tatters in the process.
City manager Manuel Pellegrini had described the Group E clash
as a must-win game, but Natkho's late strike denied the visitors
at an Arena Khimki without supporters due to UefA sanctions
following issues of racism and crowd trouble.
Goals from Sergio Aguero and James Milner had looked set to
prove the difference for City in the first match of their double-
header against the Russian side.
The English champions moved ahead after 29 minutes when the
in-form Aguero continued his goalscoring streak with a simple
finish, before Milner added a second seven minutes prior to the
break.
With City on course for a first European win since last
December, Seydou Doumbia pulled one back for Leonid
Slutsky's side and, as the home side increased the pressure, they
were rewarded when a sloppy challenge from Aleksandar
Kolarov on Ahmed Musa resulted in a spot-kick being awarded
with four minutes remaining.
Natkho converted to rescue his side's first point of the campaig
and ensure City missed the chance to apply pressure to Bayern
Munich and Roma.
Musa scored twice in CSKA's 6-0 win over Kuban Krasnodar at
the weekend and almost opened the scoring on Tuesday with a
fizzed effort that veered wide of Joe Hart's left-hand post.
Former Manchester United man Zoran Tosic was next to
threaten 10 minutes in as City, having made five changes from
Saturday's 4-1 win over Spurs, looked somewhat disjointed
early on.
Pablo Zabaleta - among the players who returned to the starting
XI - shot wide after expertly controlling Yaya Toure's lofted ball
but, in an opening half-hour of few clear-cut chances, it was
Aguero who again provided the breakthrough for City.
Silva slipped in Dzeko, whose square ball laid on Aguero's eight
goal in his last five outings.
The Argentina international then played a key role as City
doubled their advantage, his wayward strike - following
Zabaleta's knockdown - finding Milner at the far post, who
turned home to double the visitors' lead.
Milner subsequently struck the post with the goal at his mercy,
having seen Dzeko's appeals for a penalty turned down followin
a tangle with Sergei Ignashevich.
CSKA's day looked set to worsen when Doumbia appeared to
pick up an injury, but the Ivorian then gave the hosts hope by
turning home Musa's cross from the right five minutes after the
hour.
City's failure to put the game to bed was then punished when
Musa went down under a challenge from Kolarov, giving
Natkho the opportunity to equalise with a nerveless penalty
that beat Hart as the goalkeeper dived to his left.
CSKA were therefore able to get off the mark at the third
attempt and inflict a heavy blow to their opponents' hopes of
reaching the last 16.
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Porto 2-1 Athletic Bilbao

Ricardo Quaresma's late strike helped strengthen Porto's grip o
Group H of the Champions League as they beat Athletic Bilbao
2-1.
The experienced winger struck 15 minutes from time at
the Estadio Do Dragao on Tuesday to keep the hosts two points
clear of Shakhtar Donetsk, who moved into second with a 7-0
trouncing of BATE.
Julen Lopetegui's side created the better chances early on and
were rewarded when Hector Herrera opened the scoring shortly
before the interval.
The Mexico international coolly fired home after a sublime ball
from Juan Quintero, butGuillermo Fernandez's first goal since
February brought Ernesto Valverde's men level.
Quaresma eventually grabbed the decisive strike, cutting in fro
the left-hand side and firing in an effort that goalkeeper Gorka
Iraizoz failed to keep out.
Winless Athletic remain rooted to the bottom of the
group ahead of the return fixture at the San Mames Stadium
next month.
Porto showed the most attacking intent early on without initially
managing to get behind the Spanish side's defence.
It took 16 minutes for a first effort on target to arrive as
Quintero's curled strike from distance was collected by Iraizoz.
Bilbao were denied a penalty when Bruno Martins Indi clattered
into Aritz Aduriz with referee Damir Skomina instead awarding a
free-kick for a foul on the Netherlands international.
Cristian Tello dragged a shot wide for Porto seven minutes
before the half-hour mark but Athletic's Mikel San Jose came
closest in a first half of few chances when he rattled Fabiano's
right-hand post with a deflected strike from outside the area.
The Porto goalkeeper then gave coach Lopetegui a minor scare
when he flapped at Markel Susaeta's delivery, but the hosts
claimed the lead shortly before the break courtesy of Herrera's
swept finish.
After taking care to remain onside, he had time and space to
dispatch Quintero's clever pass.
Athletic pulled level 13 minutes into the second half when
Fernandez got onto the end of Benat's incisive pass before
cutting inside Maicon and beating Fabiano to restore parity.
With a draw looking likely, Quaresma was Porto's hero late on a
he registered his first Champions League goal since scoring
against Besiktas in December 2007 during his first spell with the
club.
Fabiano was required to keep out Aymeric Laporte's header late
on as Porto held out to extend their advantage at the summit.
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Barcelona 3-1 Ajax

Neymar and Lionel Messi helped Barcelona get their Champions
League campaign back on track with a 3-1 win over Ajax at
Camp Nou.
The star forward duo have now both scored in each of Barca's
past five matches and Neymar gladly accepted a pass from his
partner in crime to net an early opener on Tuesday.
Messi doubled the advantage in the 24th minute - his ninth goal
of the season - and the prospect of Luis Enrique's team
bouncing back from their surprise 3-2 loss at Paris Saint-
Germain last time out in the Champions League was rarely in
doubt until substitute Anwar El Ghazi struck in the 88th minute
to set up a tense finale.
Ajax pressed for an equaliser, allowing Neymar's replacement
Sandro to seal the points on the break.
Barcelona can now look ahead to Saturday's eagerly anticipated
La Liga showdown with Real Madrid - where Luis Enrique will
finally have the enviable option of combining Luis Suarez with
Neymar and Messi in a formidable attacking trio.
Ajax - now without a win in nine away matches in Europe's
premier club competition - handed a first Champions League
start to left winger Ricardo Kishna, while Barcelona again
selected Marc-Andre ter Stegen for European action despite the
goalkeeper's shaky showing in Paris.
Messi started the night three goals shy of Raul's all-time record
of 71 Champions League goals, but the mercurial Argentine
played the role of provider in the seventh minute.
Some slick one-touch play from Barca allowed Messi to drive at
the Ajax defence and thread a perfectly-weighted pass into the
path of Neymar, who passed the ball home first-time.
Messi snatched at an opening of his own four minutes later but
he made no mistake midway through the half, just as Ajax
appeared to be growing into the contest.
Niki Zimling struck an aimless pass into midfield and Andres
Iniesta needed little invitation to thread a trademark through-
ball to Messi, whose shot squeezed home despite goalkeeper
Jasper Cillessen's best efforts.
That goal forced Ajax into the unenviable position of having to
chase Barca, and the visitors were almost picked off on the
break after 29 minutes when Messi found Pedro, the Spain
international shooting against the base of the right-hand post.
Iniesta sauntered through the Ajax defence six minutes before
half-time, only for Cillessen to deny him, and Ajax almost had a
lifeline before the break when Kolbeinn Sigthorsson's shot spun
wide having taken a deflection off Gerard Pique.
Barcelona resumed on the front foot and Messi prodded the bal
into the net from an offside position when Cillessen parried
Pedro's well-stuck 49th-minute drive, before the Barca talisman
weaved through several challenges to shoot into the side netting
Ricardo van Rhijn then sent a low effort narrowly wide from
Lasse Schone's pass and Ajax were offered another moment of
encouragement in the 63rd minute when Pique nervously sliced
a left-wing cross from Arkadiusz Milik onto the roof of his own
net.
Either side of that scare, Neymar and Messi departed to standin
ovations but Barcelona appeared to shift focus to their weekend
engagement as they closed the match in disjointed fashion.
El Ghazi bundled the ball home from close range and then Jord
Alba was forced into a desperate challenge to stop the teenage
winger from levelling matters, before Sandro scored his vital
third goal of the season in stoppage time.
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