Burnley 1 - 0 Manchester City [Premier League]

Boyd scored with a brilliant low strike from the edge of the area after 61 minutes to settle a tight English Premier League contest that had belatedly come to life after a drab first half.  City wanted a penalty in injury time when Pablo Zabaleta went down under a Ben Mee challenge but referee Andre Marriner gave a free-kick the other way.  The result leaves champion City still trailing Chelsea by five points at the top, but now having played two games more.  It will also increase the heat on manager Manuel Pellegrini, whose side has fallen away badly since pulling level with Chelsea on New Year's Day.  City's hopes of rescuing something from its season may now come down to the sizeable task of overturning a 2-1 deficit against Barcelona in the Champions League on Thursday (AEDT).   But while there might be much soul-searching back at the Etihad Stadium, Burnley can surely look forward to the run-in with confidence.  The victory was only its second in 13 games and pulled it within a point of 17th-placed Sunderland.  City's team selection had suggested it meant business, with captain Vincent Kompany and Fernandinho both back in the starting line-up after reports of a row between the pair at Liverpool a fortnight ago.  The game took time to come to life but Kieran Trippier, an ex-City trainee, caused his old club some problems with his deliveries from the right.  One cross whipped in caught Gael Clichy high on his body, towards the top of his arm, but Marriner gave the City defender the benefit of any doubt.  Edin Dzeko had City's first serious opportunity but lashed a long-range shot well wide.  Dzeko was presented with a better chance after Fernandinho won the ball and played him in but goalkeeper Tom Heaton blocked and then gathered Sergio Aguero's follow-up.  Joe Hart was called into action at the other end to claim a deflected Scott Arfield shot before Aguero smashed another effort into the side-netting.  But overall it was a lacklustre first half, and the crowd almost got more animated when a City fan proposed to his Burnley-supporting girlfriend on the pitch at half-time. She responded positively but the home fans were not so sure, chanting, 'You don't know what you're doing'.  The second half proved a much livelier affair with both sides showing greater urgency.  Aguero stretched the Burnley defence with a nice turn and run from halfway but his ball to a wide-open David Silva was delayed fractionally too long and the Spaniard was forced wide of goal.  Aguero stabbed an effort just wide himself when he met a Zabaleta ball from the right with a quick snap-shot.  Burnley upped the tempo in response and Boyd served warning of his prowess with a superb volleyed effort from 20 metres which flew just wide.  He went one better to give the Clarets the lead just after the hour.  Trippier was also involved, lofting in a free-kick which Kompany headed out towards the Scot. Boyd met it on the half-volley with a crisp left-foot shot which flew low across Hart and into the bottom corner.  City boss Manuel Pellegrini immediately tried to shake things up by sending on headline January signing Wilfried Bony for Dzeko. Another striker in Stevan Jovetic entered the fray soon after, although it was a surprise that Silva made way.  It proved to no avail and City could not penetrate the Clarets defence, which closed in on a famous victory. Aguero headed wide and substitute Frank Lampard had a free-kick blocked.  Zabaleta appealed for a spot-kick after a challenge by Mee, who had earlier been booked, in injury time. It looked a close call but it was not to be City's day.
comment on this post

Read More

Palermo 0 - 1 Juventus [Serie A]

Substitute Alvaro Morata lit up a lacklustre performance from the Serie A leader at Stadio Renzo Barbera with a superb curling effort in the 70th minute.  That proved enough for champion Juve to stretch its lead over second-placed Roma, which does not play until Tuesday (AEDT), to 14 points and coach Allegri praised a job well done against a Palermo side which had not lost its previous 10 home games.  "It wasn't an easy game," Allegri told Sky Sport Italia. "The boys showed a sign of maturity.  "We could have done better after going up 1-0, but it's an achievement that we take another win on the way to the Scudetto."  Juve now turn its focus to Thursday's (AEDT) UEFA Champions League last-16 second-leg tie at Borussia Dortmund.  Allegri's men hold a 2-1 lead from the first encounter in Turin and he is sure his players are in the right frame of mind to progress to the quarter-finals.  "We know Borussia's qualities, but it is also a game where we need to score at least one goal, probably two," he added.   "That means a lot of balance, being in the match and having a bit of luck too.  "We have the right enthusiasm to face this challenge, seeing as we are so far ahead in Serie A."

comment on this post

Read More

Borussia Dortmund 0 - 0 Cologne [Bundesliga]

Jurgen Klopp's side could have climbed to within a point of ninth-placed Werder Bremen, and the top half, with victory but it failed to break down Peter Stoger's well-drilled visitor.  It is Dortmund's second consecutive draw in the league, after four straight wins, and it could have been worse as the visitor fashioned the better chances.  Cologne's deep defensive line succeeded in stifling the host's creative talents, as Stoger's men followed up their first victory since January with a hard-earned point that moves them six points clear of the bottom three.   Attention now turns to the UEFA Champions League for Klopp's side, as it hosts Juventus in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Thursday (AEDT), seeking to overturn a 2-1 deficit.  The match began in breathless fashion, as Deyverson got in behind the Dortmund defence inside two minutes, only to panic and waste his moment, before Neven Subotic headed just over from Shinji Kagawa's in-swinging corner at the other end.  Anthony Ujah was next to exploit the early space behind Subotic and Mats Hummels, but once again Dortmund goalkeeper Roman Weidenfeller rushed off his line and did enough to put the forward off.  Unfortunately, that frantic five-minute spell was not a sign of things to come, as the contest soon settled into its expected pattern, with Dortmund probing as Cologne set out a deep defensive line.  Klopp's side struggled to inject any tempo into its play and spent too much time in front of its opponent, while the pace of Stoger's frontline made Cologne a real threat on the break.  The second half started much like the first, with a great opening for Deyverson. This time it was the enthusiastic running of Ujah that created the opportunity, but the result was the same.  The Brazilian lacked the composure to break the deadlock, blasting over from 12 yards after a smart cut-back, as Dortmund scrambled to get men back behind the ball.  The host's faltering quest for creativity was not helped by a painful-looking injury suffered by Henrikh Mkhitaryan. He connected with Mergim Mavraj when attempting to volley a clipped ball over the top late in the first half and battled on until the 60th minute, when he was finally replaced by Jakub Blaszczykowski.  Cologne's Timo Horn was forced into a rare save in the 66th minute, as Marco Reus volleyed at goal from a long throw, but the goalkeeper got down well to turn the ball behind.  Dortmund's frustration was demonstrated by Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's pathetic attempt to reach Kevin Kampl's 72nd-minute cross with his arm.  That earned him a booking and he was soon substituted, as Dortmund failed to find any late spark.
comment on this post

Read More

Eibar 0 - 2 Barcelona [La Liga]

The incredible Messi now has 43 goals in all competitions in another astonishing season after opening the scoring with a first-half penalty and heading home a second goal after the break in the Catalan giant's first trip to Estadio Municipal de Ipurua on Sunday (AEDT).  Barca had the opportunity to increase its lead at the summit with Real Madrid not in action until it faces struggling Levante on Monday (AEDT) and, despite not being at its fluent best, did enough to pick up all three points thanks to the irrepressible Messi.  The leader can now turn its attention to a key week in which it faces Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League on Thursday (AEDT), before locking horns with second-placed Madrid in a top-of-the table El Clasico at Camp Nou next Monday (AEDT).  While Barca appears to have hit form at the right time, Eibar has now lost its last eight games and Gaizka Garitano's side looks set for a battle to avoid relegation.  Barca star Neymar returned after serving a ban, but full-backs Dani Alves and Jordi Alba were unavailable due to suspension as Luis Enrique rung the changes with City and Madrid no doubt in mind.  Ivan Rakitic was one recalled to the visitor's starting line-up, and the midfielder came close with a header in its first attack.  Eibar was clearly not overawed by the challenge of facing in-form Barca despite being on a dreadful run, and the Catalan giant found it difficult to break the home side down until it was awarded a penalty just after the half-hour mark.  Borja Ekiza was the guilty party as he handled Messi's strike and although Jaime went the right way, he was unable to keep out the resulting spot-kick from the Argentina captain.  Ekiza made a timely intervention to clear the danger after Messi raced into the penalty area and cut the ball back from the byline, and Luis Suarez slid in and fired a shot off target just before the break as Barca finished the first half strongly.  Neymar could have doubled Barca's lead seven minutes into the second period, but Jaime did well to come off his line to deny the Brazil forward after Messi had played him in with a lovely pass.  Barca did not have long to wait for a second goal, though, and yet again it was Messi on target as he met Rakitic's corner with a stooping header that bounced up off the slick turf and found the back of the net 10 minutes into the second half.  Xavi came on to replace Rakitic to make his 750th competitive appearance for Barca midway through the second half with the points seemingly secured.  Eibar showed plenty of fight but lacked the class to break down Barca - although Federico Piovaccari hit the bar in the 89th minute - and Luis Enrique can now turn his attention to two huge home matches against City and Madrid.
comment on this post

Read More

Arsenal 3 - 0 West Ham [Premier League]

The Frenchman took his tally against Arsenal's London rival to five goals in his last five English Premier League games before playing a part in late strikes for Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini.  West Ham battled valiantly despite being under the cosh for much of the first half, before Giroud justified his inclusion ahead of Tuesday’s (AEDT) FA Cup hero Danny Welbeck when he finished off a well-worked move shortly before the interval.  The visitor gave Arsenal some awkward moments in the second half too, but Giroud combined with Ramsey for the Welshman to double the advantage nine minutes from time and then played in Santi Cazorla, who in turn laid on the third for Mathieu Flamini  In the end, Arsenal eased to a 10th consecutive victory over West Ham in all competitions while it also built further confidence as it seeks to overturn its 3-1 first-leg deficit in the UEFA Champions League against Monaco on Wednesday (AEDT).  West Ham boss Sam Allardyce was forced into naming a makeshift centre-back pairing of Cheikhou Kouyate and James Collins due to injuries.  Theo Walcott, meanwhile, was one five Arsenal changes from that cup win over Manchester United, and he should have opened the scoring after Giroud's neat backheel early on.  Walcott hesitated, allowing Collins to snuff out the danger, before ex-Arsenal man Alex Song denied Alexis Sanchez a shot on goal with a well-timed challenge.  The host's early onslaught continued, as Sanchez's header was saved by Adrian before Kevin Nolan had West Ham's first effort on target - volleying at David Ospina after positive play down the left from Matt Jarvis.  That sparked a good spell for Allardyce's side, although Ramsey - another to come into Wenger’s XI - almost beat Adrian with an improvised effort off his knee as Arsenal started to regain the upper hand.  After several wasted Arsenal chances, Giroud finally rewarded his side’s persistence in first-half stoppage time when he capped off wonderful interplay with a fierce left-footed strike.  Despite that blow, West Ham started the second half strongly, as Diafra Sakho almost connected with a teasing delivery from the left before Jarvis fired a loose ball over the crossbar.  At the other end, the resistance of Collins and Kouyate gradually began to fade, and late on that man Giroud provided the inspiration again to make the result more comfortable.  First, he was on hand to play in Ramsey, who produced a smart finish inside the area for the second goal.  The Frenchman then clipped the ball in for Cazorla this time to find substitute Flamini for a close-range finish six minutes from time, ensuring Arsenal's 10th consecutive home win in domestic competition.
comment on this post

Read More

West Brom 1 - 0 Stoke City [Premier League]

West Brom took a huge stride towards achieving Premier League safety with a 1-0 win against Stoke City at The Hawthorns.  Brown Ideye headed the only goal of the game in the first half to secure a success that puts 11 points between Tony Pulis’ side and the relegation zone.  The result also ended a three-match winning run in the league for Mark Hughes’ men, who were second best before the break, but improved after half-time.  A flurry of injuries – to Ben Foster, Victor Moses and Jonathan Walters – disrupted the second half and Pulis’ old club failed to sufficiently trouble replacement West Brom goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.  The hosts could have extended the margin of victory, but wasted countless chances before hanging on to recover from two defeats in the space of four days to Midlands rivals Aston Villa.  Pulis made one change to the West Brom side beaten at Villa in their previous league match, as Stephane Sessegnon replaced Claudio Yacob.  Hughes also made a solitary switch, restoring captain Ryan Shawcross to his defence in place of Philipp Wollscheid.  That backline was soon threatened by Saido Berahino, who fired in two early shots from the edge of the box, which both forced good saves from Asmir Begovic.  The visitors responded with better possession, but no real penetration, and West Brom took a deserved lead in the 20th minute.  Craig Gardner was given space to cross from the right and took full advantage, before Ideye evaded the marking of Phil Bardsley to steer a stooping header into the far corner.  Berahino should have doubled the hosts’ tally 10 minutes later.  The striker latched onto a wonderful throughball from Craig Dawson to get in behind Marc Wilson, but snatched at the opportunity, and lashed across goal from a tight angle.  Hughes recognised his side’s defensive struggles in the first half and introduced Geoff Cameron at half-time in place of Erik Pieters, moving Wilson to left-back.  That sparked a positive start to the second half, but Stoke’s momentum was punctured temporarily as first Foster, and then Moses, required lengthy treatment before having to be withdrawn.  Foster’s replacement, Myhill, was thrust straight into the action as he had to backpedal and turn Walters’ flicked header over the bar in the 62nd minute – the visitors’ first shot on target.  And Begovic was called upon moments later to parry Ideye’s low shot at the end of a flowing counter-attack.  Walters was soon added to the injury list, replaced by Mame Biram Diouf in the 68th minute, having taken a heavy blow to the face in an aerial challenge with Dawson.
comment on this post

Read More

Sunderland 0 - 4 Aston Villa [Premier League]

Villa had lost six consecutive away games and scored just four times on its travels in the top flight ahead of its trip to Wearside, but it ran riot against sorry Sunderland on Sunday (AEDT).  Strike duo Benteke and Agbonlahor helped themselves to two goals apiece in the first half as Tim Sherwood masterminded a third straight victory.  Three points for Villa moved it two points above Sunderland in the table - and, on the evidence of this display, the FA Cup semi-finalist should stay out of trouble.  Sunderland, on the other hand, will be looking anxiously over its shoulders after an alarming display that prompted many fans to flock out of the ground before half-time.  Poyet's side has scored only one goal in its last five games and some supporters approached the dugout to vent their fury at the under-pressure manager after it was swept aside in the first half.  After being devoid of an attacking threat for much of the season under Paul Lambert, Villa looked lively going forward from the off and it was two goals up after only 18 minutes.  First the lively Charles N'Zogbia set Leandro Bacuna away down the right with a clever first-time flick and he kept his composure to pick out the returning Benteke, who drifted away from his marker and side-footed calmly past Costel Pantilimon from just inside the penalty area.  Villa sensed Sunderland was there for the taking and took advantage of some poor defending from John O'Shea to double its lead less than two minutes later.  Ciaran Clark's ball down the line should have been dealt with by O'Shea, but he hesitated and Agbonlahor pounced to slide the ball under a stranded Pantilimon and inside the near post.  Scott Sinclair ought to have made furious Sunderland fans even more disgruntled when he somehow fired over the crossbar from five metres out after Bacuna had again got away down the right.  It came as no surprise when the third goal came eight minutes before half-time, though, and again it was all too easy for Agbonlahor.  The forward was allowed to cut in from the right and dribble inside the penalty area unchallenged before guiding a left-foot finish inside the far post to spark a mass exodus from the home supporters.  Angry fans were led away as they left Poyet in no uncertain terms about their feelings, and worse was to come when Benteke rose to head home Bacuna's cross and give Villa a four-goal just before the break.  Sunderland played for over three minutes with 10 men at the start of the second half before Sebastian Larsson eventually emerged from the tunnel and returned to the fray limping, during which time Pantilimon palmed over N'Zogbia's measured strike.  Steven Fletcher, making his first Premier League start since January, hit the post with just under 10 minutes left in a rare Sunderland attack, but picked up an injury in the process.  Sherwood then gave a debut to 16 year-old striker Rushian Hepburn-Murphy eight minutes from time as Villa coasted to victory and Sunderland was left shell-shocked.



comment on this post

Read More

Espanyol 0 - 0 Atletico Madrid [La Liga]

 Miranda’s first-half red card proved costly as Atletico Madrid’s faltering title defence suffered yet another blow with a 0-0 draw at Espanyol.  The champions, looking to bounce back from consecutive league draws with Sevilla and Valencia, produced a toothless performance at Cornella-El Prat as they slipped to fourth in La Liga.  Although Diego Simeone’s men created the better chances before the break, their struggles were evident throughout.  The physical Felipe Caicedo proved a nuisance and the hosts’ resolute backline kept Fernando Torres quiet until his withdrawal following Miranda’s sending off.  Torres and Antoine Griezmann did both spurn good chances, while Raul Garcia saw a couple of late efforts denied.  But Sergio’s side were more prominent after the break and only a fine defensive performance kept them at bay.  Despite Tuesday’s crucial UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Bayer Leverkusen on the horizon, Simeone refused to rest key men for Saturday’s trip.  The hosts looked capable of causing problems for Atletico during the early exchanges, with Caicedo and Sergio Garcia particularly lively.  But Atletico’s set-piece prowess soon caused panic in the Espanyol defence, as Torres headed on Koke’s 11th-minute free-kick delivery to force Kiko Casilla into an acrobatic save.  Koke then went close himself from the resulting corner, lashing a half-volley agonisingly wide of the bottom-left corner.
comment on this post

Read More

Werder Bremen 0 - 4 Bayern Munich

The league leader had its team bus run out of fuel on the way to the Weserstadion, but had no issues hitting top gear itself in a comfortable victory.  Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery joined the suspended Xabi Alonso on the sidelines after picking up knocks in the 7-0 UEFA Champions League thrashing of Shakhtar in midweek, while Pepe Reina made his full Bayern debut in goal in place of the rested Manuel Neuer.  Despite those absentees Reina had very little to do in his bow for the Bavarians, who took the lead in the 24th minute through Thomas Muller's curling strike.  David Alaba netted Bayern's 100th goal in all competitions this season in the final minute of the first half with a superb set-piece.  That allowed Bayern to hit cruise control in the second half, with Robert Lewandowski rounding off the routine success with a late double.  After its transport issues, Bayern was then forced to wait for kick-off as ground staff attended to a hole in one of the nets.  Once action did begin Guardiola's side struggled to get going in the early stages.  But the visitor would have taken the lead in the 15th minute had Raphael Wolf not sprung brilliantly to his left to turn Lewandowksi's close-range header over the crossbar.  The deadlock was broken nine minutes later, though, Muller giving Bayern the lead with a piece of precise finishing.  Muller had been denied by a fine one-on-one save from Wolf after Werder had lost the ball in midfield, but the host failed to clear its lines, allowing him to curl the ball beyond the helpless goalkeeper from the edge of the area.  Bayern laboured in their its for a second, but it finally arrived on the stroke of half-time as Alaba bent his expertly placed free-kick into the top corner after Mario Gotze had been fouled by Sebastian Prodl.  Werder found it difficult to break down the Bayern defence, yet it almost pulled one back in spectacular fashion, with Reina forced to tip over from Fin Bartels' long-range effort with the outside of his boot.  Bartels then had the ball in the net moments later, only to see his effort chalked off for an alleged handball by Prodl.  Werder's sense of misfortune will have doubled when Lewandowski nodded home from Muller's cross after the Germany forward had beaten Wolf to a wonderful ball over the top from Jerome Boateng in the 76th minute.  Germany's FIFA World Cup-winning captain Philipp Lahm came on for his first appearance since November in the 82nd minute.  Bayern was given further cause for celebration when Lewandowski tapped into an empty net after a neat some neat inter-play with Muller.

comment on this post

Read More