Mata almost completing move to Man Utd.

 Juan Mata is expected to complete his move to Manchester United on Friday after the English champions agreed a fee of 37 million pounds with Chelsea.

 Mata, 25, is set to swap Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford after becoming a peripheral figure since Jose Mourinho returned to Chelsea last summer.

The Spaniard had been expected to head to Manchester for a medical on Thursday but a few minor logistical issues meant the trip had to be delayed.

United officials are still relaxed about the situation and hope to complete the formalities on Friday, allowing him to train with his new teammates over the weekend, before being presented to the media next week.

He is expected to make his United debut against Cardiff at Old Trafford on January 28.

Sky Sports News has reported that a third party bid for Mata, and ESPN sources have said Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid were Chelsea's preferred options for a sale, but the Blues accepted the bid from United after Mata made it clear that Old Trafford was his first choice.

Mourinho already has Eden Hazard, Oscar, Andre Schuerrle and a rapidly improving Willian in his squad to cover the attacking midfield positions, and Chelsea announced on Thursday that they have agreed a fee with FC Basel for Egypt winger Mohamed Salah.

 

Getty Images Mata has seen his game time for club and country diminish this season.

Mata has started only half of Chelsea's Premier League fixtures so far this season -- and just one Champions League fixture -- despite winning the club's Player of the Season award in each of his two full seasons in West London, and that comparative lack of game time has seen him slip down the pecking order for Spain just five months before they begin the defence of their world title in Brazil.

Signing Mata would also provide an ideal tonic for United after a summer in which they failed to land several high-profile transfer targets and in the wake ofWednesday's penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Sunderland in the second leg of their Capital One Cup semifinal.

United boss David Moyes -- whose only major signing of the last transfer window was Marouane Fellaini -- would not field any transfer-related questions in his postmatch news conference but, on Thursday, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was taken aback by the move.

"I am surprised," Wenger said of Mata, who had been heavily linked with Arsenal before he eventually joined Chelsea and again during the summer. "Juan Mata is a great player and they sell a great player to a direct opponent.

"It opens again a little bit the opportunity of this transfer market because Chelsea has already played twice against Man United. They don’t play against them anymore. They could have sold him last week [before United’s 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge].

"If you want to respect fairness, that should not happen. You would want that everyone is on the same level. Chelsea do not do the rules. Maybe the rules should be adapted to more fairness."

Courtesy: ESPN

Yaya Toure is open to PSG move

Yaya Toure has opened the door to a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain, but added he feels the Premier League "suits me best".

Yaya Toure has hit form with PSG

Toure, 30, is central to Manchester City's Premier League and Champions League bids this season. However, the Ivorian, who played for Monaco before joining Barcelona, told RMC he would not rule out a return to Ligue 1 with big-spending PSG.

"Everything's possible. Why not? In life, you never know. Everything's going well at City for the moment, but you never know. When you have big teams like that, where there are big players, of course it's attractive. To be part of an adventure like that is exceptional. To work with great players is always my objective. It allows you to learn many things. In football, you never stop learning. For me, PSG are a big club."

Having signed a new four-year deal at the Etihad Stadium only last year, Toure is, however, committed to City's cause.

His displays for the team, in addition to his impressive stats of 11 goals in 21 Premier League displays this season, add credence to his claims English football is where his talents can best shine.

"Since I arrived in England, I've felt it's the league that suits me best. I feel good at this club. And there are players around me who help me a lot too," the former Olympiakos star explained.

"It's true that at Barcelona, I played with great players and won quite a few trophies. But here, I have more responsibility. And I manage to cope with that. The Premier League is the league in which I feel best. There's rhythm, intensity. There's everything I want."

Courtesy: ESPN

Seedorf makes winning start to life as Milan coach

Clarence Seedorf made a winning start to life as AC Milan coach, although he had to wait for Mario Balotelli to score an 82nd-minute penalty before finally breaking Hellas Verona's resistance and earning a 1-0 victory.



Seedorf took charge of Milan last week

Fielding a bold attacking side in the first game of his coaching career, Seedorf saw exactly why theRossoneri were in the wrong half of the table coming into this game. They struggled to find a way through against a disciplined Verona side who would have been good value for a point.

However, a late penalty provided Milan with a lifeline and Balotelli took it to lift Seedorf's men up to 11th place, seven points behind the top five.

Luca Antonelli's late winner earned Genoa a 1-0 victory and inflicted a third defeat in four games on Inter Milan.

Antonelli headed home in the 83rd minute to drop Inter further off the pace in the hunt for Champions League qualification. They have still not won since before Christmas and have scored only one goal in their four games this year.

A late Rolando Bianchi goal denied Napoli victory at the Stadio Dall'Ara as 10-man Bologna grabbed a 2-2 draw.

Bianchi gave a bright Bologna side the lead just before half-time, but it was a different story in the second 45 minutes.

Gonzalo Higuain and Jose Callejon turned the match around, but it was Bianchi who was to have the final say shortly after Panagiotis Kone saw red, grabbing a last-gasp equaliser.

Alessandro Matri made a dream Fiorentina debut and Catania coach Rolando Maran a dismal return as the Viola thrashed the Sicilians 3-0 to reduce the arrears on third-placed Napoli to three points.

Matri, who joined from AC Milan in midweek, scored twice in the first half after an opening goal from Matias Fernandez put Vincenzo Montella's men on their way to victory.

The on-loan Milan striker left the action early in the second half having done enough to earn Fiorentina a win which leaves Catania rooted to the foot of the table.

Two fighting comebacks from 10-man Lazio saw the Biancoceleste edge closer to the top five and extend their unbeaten record under coach Edoardo Reja with a 3-2 win at struggling Udinese.

Antonio Di Natale broke his almost three-month scoring drought to put theZebrette ahead with an early penalty, but Antonio Candreva levelled with a spot-kick of his own just after the hour-mark.

Lazio, who had been reduced to 10 men before that equaliser when Ogenyi Onazi picked up two quick yellow cards, then fell behind again when Emmanuel Badu scored midway through the second half. However, an own goal from Andrea Lazzari and a last-gasp Hernanes effort made it seven points from three games for Reja.

Antonio Cassano inspired Parma to an injury-time victory as they came from behind to make it three straight Serie A wins with a 2-1 success at Chievo.

The visitors trailed to Alberto Paloschi's 15th-minute goal, but would have levelled 10 minutes later had Amauri not seen his penalty saved by Christian Puggioni.

They had to wait just three more minutes for the equaliser, though, as Cassano finished with aplomb, and the Italy striker turned creator to set up a 93rd-minute winner for Alessandro Lucarelli, which left Chievo in trouble towards the bottom of the table.

Ciro Immobile and Matteo Brighi were on the mark as Torino inflicted a 2-0 defeat on relegation-threatened Sassuolo, who were unable to build on their shock victory over AC Milan.

Sassuolo's 4-3 triumph over the seven-time European champions last Sunday ended a run of five successive defeats in league and cup but, rather than heralding a revival, it proved a false dawn as they slumped to another loss on Sunday.

Immobile opened the scoring in the 25th minute and Brighi added a second just after the break as Torino remained in seventh place in the standings while leaving Sassuolo stuck in the bottom three.

Giacomo Bonaventura's strike midway through the second half was enough to earnAtalanta a 1-0 win over Cagliari and take them into mid-table.

The 24-year-old earned Stefano Colantuono's men all three points after they survived a first-half storm which saw Cagliari hit the woodwork twice.

Courtesy: ESPN

Arsenal are bullying their way to the top, and rightly so!

There is a new feel to Arsenal this season. It explains why Arsenal are top of the Premier League and keep on winning.

Arsene Wenger has found the ability to win ugly. It's a new character trait in this Arsenal team, which in recent seasons might have slipped up against Fulham at home.



Carzola Phhoto: Getty Images

When the going got tough against a team they were expected to beat, they might have conceded and then been chasing an equaliser rather than the three points.

Arsenal were held at home by Fulham in the past two seasons, as Rene Meulensteen's men were big outsiders against in-form Arsenal, and yet the first half on Saturday didn't pan out like that.

Arsenal were slow, didn't get going and barely created a chance until after halftime. Fulham had opportunities; Wojciech Szczesny produced two brave one-on-one saves and kept out a screamer from Steve Sidwell.

But not only did Arsenal stay patient and keep their nerve, their fans also remained supportive, whereas in the past the ripples of dissatisfaction sometimes turned into jeers.

Arsenal's squad is being tested by injuries to Theo Walcott -- the absence of his pace and threat a huge factor against Fulham -- and Aaron Ramsey and Mikel Arteta are missed in midfield. But they stayed strong and kept going. They came out in the second half and simply wore down Fulham.

There is no better example than Santi Cazorla. Rarely do you find a player so talented who also has such a great work rate, desire and determination.

Cazorla, on song, never stops working, looking for passes and angles. He's terrific, always trying to force the issue and find a way through.

His quick-fire double turned the game and won it for Arsenal. They didn't play anywhere near their best, and yet that should not been seen as a criticism. It's a quality.

Manchester United won titles on winning ugly, the ability to grind down opponents and find some magic from somewhere when it was needed.

Wenger summed it up perfectly through the performance of Cazorla. “He was like the team -- good in the first half, excellent in the second half,” the Arsenal manager said.

As the fixtures tick by and the run-in begins with the nerves becoming frayed, there will be more games like it.

Forget Crystal Palace in a couple of weeks being easy. They will come to the Emirates with their survival on the line and be desperate for a result. Palace, rather like Fulham and a few others, may sit back. When you win titles, you lose count of the number of games like it -- rather tedious home games where opponents sit deep and defend. It takes one moment, one chance to turn the game.

Sometimes the breakthrough will not come until the closing minutes. It's already happened against Cardiff on New Year's Day. Arsenal had to wait until the bitter end.

But they got there and won without being anywhere near their best. It's a great quality to have. Arsenal had it in their previous title-winning teams under Wenger.

The fact that they have done it on a few occasions recently is a positive rather than a negative. And no Arsenal fan should complain about winning ugly.

Courtesy: ESPN

Brilliant Eto'o ends United's title hopes

Chelsea inflicted a knockout blow on Manchester United's hopes of making a successful defence of the Premier League and kept their own title bid on track with a comprehensive victory at Stamford Bridge.

Jose Mourinho's side moved two points behind leaders Arsenal after Samuel Eto'o scored a hat-trick -- his fourth, fifth and sixth Premier League goals of the season -- in a 3-1 win which exposed United's shortcomings and left them 14 points adrift of the summit.

Perhaps more crucial for David Moyes and United, whose reply came from substitute Javier Hernandez, is the deficit to the Champions League qualification places. Seventh-placed United sit six points behind fourth-placed Liverpool and fifth-placed Tottenham with 16 games remaining after seeing their seven-match unbeaten away run end.



Eto'o celebrates one of his goals against a hapless Man United

A miserable afternoon for Moyes and United was compounded when captain Nemanja Vidic was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Eden Hazard in stoppage time, and Rafael was fortunate not to follow his skipper when he was only booked for a two-footed lunge on Gary Cahill.

Both Chelsea and United are in transition, but it is clear who has more work to do after Mourinho's men claimed a sixth win in seven Premier League games.

Moyes was adamant that his side are not a fading force following his appointment as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor, and Mourinho insisted he would never write off United.

If the Portuguese will not, even after extending his home unbeaten Premier League run to 71 games with his 100th win in the competition, most now will.

United's attacking endeavours relied on 18-year-old Adnan Januzaj and that, coupled with the gaping defensive holes Chelsea exposed, increased the sense that Moyes needs to recruit top-class reinforcements this month to chase a top-four spot.

Should United overturn a deficit in Wednesday's semi-final second leg with Sunderland there may be some solace in the Capital One Cup -- but will that be enough to satisfy the likes of Wayne Rooney?

Mourinho has repeatedly insisted Chelsea, not United, were always his first-choice destination last summer, and was mocked by visiting fans over the Old Trafford link.

The self-proclaimed Special One insists he believes in the Chelsea project, even if he will target a "killer" striker in the summer.

Rooney was the subject of two bids last summer before Eto'o was recruited from Anzhi Makhachkala as a fall-back option, and the Cameroonian was preferred to Fernando Torres in a side showing two changes from the win at Hull.

The other was in defence, where Branislav Ivanovic returned earlier than expected from a knee injury, Cesar Azpilicueta shifted to left-back and Ashley Cole was dropped from a team watched England boss Roy Hodgson.

United, with Rooney and Robin van Persie again out injured, made three changes following the win over Swansea -- Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Ashley Young coming in -- and began on the front foot.

But the Blues went ahead when Jones backed off Eto'o, whose shot looped up off Michael Carrick's outstretched leg and into the top corner.

David Luiz, again playing in midfield, was intimidating United physically and was booked for an over-zealous aerial challenge on Antonio Valencia which enraged the United bench.

If Luiz was the enforcer, Hazard's influence as sorcerer was increasing as he found space to run at United.

Januzaj, who could yet team up with Hazard for Belgium, was United's most creative force but no one was in the box to meet his dangerous cross.

Another Januzaj cross evaded John Terry and reached Danny Welbeck, who got a shot away under pressure from Azpilicueta, but Petr Cech saved smartly.

Januzaj then found a rampaging Patrice Evra, whose cross was poor, and Chelsea broke with Willian and Hazard influential on the counter.

Chelsea doubled their advantage when the visitors failed to clear a corner. Ramires found Cahill on the right side of the area and the defender centred through a static defence for Eto'o to sweep in.

It was a major blow prior to the interval, but the decisive one followed it and featured more abject defending. Cahill was allowed a free header from Willian's corner, and David De Gea saved on the line only for Eto'o to poke in the rebound.

United, who saw Evra depart injured, threw on Hernandez alongside Welbeck, and the Mexican pulled a goal back 12 minutes from time when he converted Jones' shot after Welbeck's pull-back.

But that was as good as it got for United, who saw Vidic sent off and Rafael booked in stoppage time as Chelsea triumphed.

Courtesy: ESPN

Manchester United out of the Title race

LONDON -- As Patrice Evra made a first-half burst, Jose Mourinho found himself in front of the Manchester United bench and in David Moyes' line of sight. Chelsea's manager apologised immediately, noticeably more respectful to his opposite number than when Manuel Pellegrini visited Stamford Bridge.

That may be a reflection of Moyes not being considered a threat where the Chilean is.

Moyes' miserable record of not winning at any Premier League giants' homes continues. His team has lost to five of the six teams ahead of it in the Premier League table. United have a truly onerous task to catch them.

In an alternate reality, Mourinho could have been spending the whole match on United's bench. Instead, his new/old club is happy to have him back, and watching Moyes' team failings and fadings must have satisfied him that he chose Chelsea. He may not have the squad he wants, but the results are coming, whereas Moyes continues to flounder.

Despite enjoying possession and a commitment to attack, United presented little goal threat until it was far too late. There was no way back from the errors that presented Samuel Eto'o with his second and third goals. Nemanja Vidic twice sold himself to allow Gary Cahill to tee up Eto'o.

"The game came down to two set pieces. We were terrible at defending a corner kick," Moyes said pointedly. Vidic's ears should have been burning.

"I think we deserve to win, but we did not deserve to be winning 2-0 at halftime," said Mourinho. "I think they started the game better than us. It's hard for them to be playing so well and be losing."

The United captain, sent off for a pointless injury-time foul on Eden Hazard, may lead the list for summer exits. Evra has been out of form for a while, and this was no performance to encourage a U-turn. Both he and Vidic are out of contract this summer, and neither looked as if he would be much missed.

Moyes' mantra this season has been to suggest that his team has played well but not got the breaks. That held credence during the first half, but questions of psychology have to be raised. Is a lack of belief at the heart of United's continuing inability to convert pressure into points? Playing well and conceding readily at Chelsea is the mark of a lesser light. United's fade down the table suggests such a status.

AP Photo/Andrew Matthews: Eto'o took advantage of porous defending from the Red Devils to score a hat trick.

Chelsea have greater prizes in mind than this expected scalp. Manchester United, 14 points their masters last season, are now 12 behind them. Like Arsenal and City, Mourinho's team has disappeared over United's lowering horizons. Top four is becoming an increasingly distant dream too. Tottenham are now six points clear, joining Liverpool and Everton in looking beyond United's capabilities.

Moyes is shouldering blame, but even if a post-Ferguson dip was expected, United's glamour has faded into an ugly reality. It is difficult to recall this team as outgoing champions. Talk of January transfers could be a case of putting lipstick on a pig. Perhaps this season will be written off without panic buys being paid out for. Wholesale clear-out is a summer certainty.

Adnan Januzaj started in the No. 10 role he is expected to inherit, but way ahead of schedule. In the absence of Wayne Rooney and in the light of Shinji Kagawa's inability to impose himself, giving the teenager such a role was either a mark of fast-growing importance or desperation. Beyond promising early flourishes, it looked the latter.

Should Rooney depart, then a succession plan is in place, but Januzaj did not look ready yet. His waif physique was buffeted and bounced by Chelsea's strongman defenders.

Eventually, Januzaj shifted left, a symbol of a bright start gone bad. Early on, an old-style United move had set Ashley Young into a shooting position, forcing Petr Cech to make an early save. United began in the dominant fashion they once found habitual. Phil Jones clattered though midfield, complementing Michael Carrick, but aside from Young's chance, cutting edge was absent. United's sharp weapons, Rooney and Robin Van Persie, were rumoured to be in London, but neither made the bench. They were particularly missed in those opening stages.

In Chelsea's first attack of note, Eto'o, a player who in his previous Barcelona life punished United in a Champions League final, cut in from the right and saw his shot loop off Carrick and over luckless David De Gea. Moyes must regret all those ladders he has walked under. Chelsea had made the most of an ascendancy where United had failed. United's territorial advantage was squandered by poor final balls and poorly executed dead-ball situations.

"You wanted his job," mocked travelling Reds at Mourinho, who acknowledged the ditty with a wave. A growing number are beginning to wish his application had been successful. "We want you to stay," begged Blues of Moyes as his plight deepened. Beating United was hugely enjoyable for them, even in their rival's reduced circumstances.

Mourinho did not even have to adopt his full big-game face for his 100th Premier League victory. Against Liverpool last month, he was a prowling presence on the bench. For the games that matter, he makes sure that officials and opponents are always aware of him. After Eto'o's third, the figure in black who patrols the touchline while performing a frantic semaphore was no longer in evidence. Instead, he stood with hands in pockets, calm and satisfaction personified, even after Javier Hernandez had converted United's consolation and when Rafael should have been sent off for a two-footed lunge on Cahill.

By contrast, Moyes, shuffling from foot to foot and often muttering to himself, was suffering another afternoon of misery. Though the result was little surprise, defeat piled on further pain.

"It's a massive challenge," admitted Moyes. "I hoped I'd be in a far better position than this, but I am not."

Courtesy: ESPN

Op: Three observations; Arsenal vs Fulham

LONDON -- Three observations from Arsenal's 2-0 win over struggling Fulham at the Emirates.
1. Cazorla steps right back up
At their best this season, Arsenal's midfield has been kaleidoscopically good. Just when defences think they have one of their attackers under control, another surges through with a rousing run. At their worst, however, that variety has proven hugely beneficial in a broader sense.
In general, it's safe to say that Santi Cazorla’s second season has not quite been as eye-catching as his first.
That is emphasised by the fact he only scored one goal in his first 29 games, but there has also been a slight fluency missing from his play.
Cazorla stood out so much in 2012-13 because he was the single player added, a bit of new spark that Arsenal had been painfully lacking. However, this campaign has seen the Spaniard overshadowed by both new faces and new form.
First, it was Mesut Ozil, then the resurgent Aaron Ramsey, and most recently Jack Wilshere.
Against Fulham, Ozil was enduring one of his less lively afternoons; Ramsey was not in the squad and Wilshere was just a touch off his top game. So, what better time for Cazorla to rediscover his most rousing type of displays. Except, he didn't just make Arsenal tick, he was also their match-winner.
At 58 minutes, the playmaker brought his wonderful fluency to fine end product by finishing off a superb Arsenal attack in the box. In the 62nd minute, he displayed his excellent technical precision with a low shot that evaded Fulham goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg's grasp.
That, in contrast with the earlier stat, made it three strikes in three games. However, it was genuinely about more than the goals. Cazorla was one of the few Arsenal attackers successfully grasping the game in a largely tepid opening half.
After his goals, then, he seemed to grow in confidence even more. One single-touch takedown from a high cross-field ball was particularly exquisite, and he was at the centre of so many surges forward.
The most significant aspect of all this for Arsenal is that, just when it seems they need another striker to complement a jaded Olivier Giroud more than ever, they have no shortage of options behind. There is generally always someone ready to rise up.
That could end up proving the most valuable quality in their title challenge.
2. Still striding
Arsenal are still in first place and they are providing encouraging evidence of a second gear. Yes, Arsenal were expected to beat Fulham at home, but it also confirmed to a developing trend of the past few weeks. The fixture was very similar to the win over Cardiff City on New Year's Day. After a poor first half in which the visiting side began to grow and fancy their chances, Arsenal responded in the most assertive fashion.
It was perhaps slightly more impressive, though, because of the more extreme manner in which Fulham kept them bay. Hectic goalmouth scrambles either side of halftime, not to mention some fine saves from Stekelenburg, seemed to suggest this would be one of those days.
Instead, Arsenal showed that they are true contenders by taking care of business.
Whereas once you might have said such harder-fought performances were evidence of a previously surging team starting to slide, it now seems no more than a temporary dip -- in terms of fluency -- that they are increasingly able to weather.
While there were some questions in this game -- not least the fact Giroud now badly needs help -- there were also a number of positives: Nacho Monreal's solid stand-in performance, Cazorla's display and, most of all, this resilience.
3. Fulham remain a hugely difficult team to decipher this season
On the face of it, first of all, the feeling persists that Fulham should be a comfortable mid-table team and have been somewhat hostage to circumstances. As Rene Meulensteen argued afterward, "the performances have been good but haven't necessarily yielded results".
Reinforcing that view, this was actually quite a decent display in itself, and would have yielded at least a point against any of the numerous sides with less quality than Arsenal.
There was also, however, the curious nature of it. Whereas Fulham have the worst defensive record in the division and looked particularly porous at the back last week against Sunderland, there could be no disputing a radical improvement at the back with the return of Brede Hangeland and Stekelenburg.
But it was not just the names. It was also the numbers. At various times, they had nine men in their box, which was something we haven't quite seen in many of their recent games where they lost but could've possibly forced a result.
It may not be a purist's favorite approach -- particularly for a manager as well known for his attacking play as Meulensteen -- but a more conservative approach could be essential to this team eventually avoiding relegation.

Courtesy: ESPN

Arsenal, City up title Chase

 

Arsenal and Manchester City put the pressure on Chelsea as they secured victories to open up the gap on third place.

Ahead of Manchester United’s trip to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Arsenal are sitting five points clear of Chelsea after they saw off Fulham 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium thanks to a Santi Cazorla brace.



Carzola celebrates one of his goals against Fulham

After a goalless first half, Cazorla put the hosts ahead when he fired past Maarten Stekelenburg from 12 yards after a neat interchange between Olivier Giroud and Jack Wilshere.

The points were made safe on 62 minutes when Brede Hangeland's clearance found Cazorla, whose left-foot strike crept into the bottom corner.

Manchester City remain a point behind Arsenal in second after they beatCardiff City 4-2 at the Etihad Stadium.

Edin Dzeko scored City’s 100th goal of the season to set Manuel Pellegrini’s men on their way in the 14th minute with a scuffed effort that just crept over the line as Cardiff defender Kevin McNaughton tried in vain to keep it out.

Cardiff were briefly level on the half-hour mark when Craig Noone capitalised on some sloppy City defending, but the Welsh side were behind again just four minutes later when an inch-perfect pass from Yaya Toure found Dzeko. The Bosnian’s effort was blocked but the ball fell kindly for Navas, who found the bottom corner with a side-footed finish.

Toure made it three with 15 minutes to go when the Ivorian played a neat one-two with Sergio Aguero before finishing, and Aguero made it four minutes later. Fraizer Campbell reduced the arrears at the death, but the result leaves the Bluebirds at the foot of the table.

Liverpool needed a second-half Steven Gerrard penalty to rescue a point in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa at Anfield in Saturday's late match.

Villa were by far the better side in the first half, and thoroughly deserved their two-goal lead when Gabby Agbonlahor set up both Andreas Weimann and Christian Benteke.

However, Daniel Sturridge halved the deficit in first-half injury time when he smashed home after being put through by a neat Jordan Henderson flick, and the comeback was complete when Brad Guzan brought down Luis Suarez in the box and Gerrard calmly dispatched from the spot.

The result was Liverpool's first draw at Anfield in the Premier League this season.

Sunderland battled back from the loss of two early goals to claim a 2-2 draw with Southampton at the Stadium of Light.

The visitors were ahead after just four minutes courtesy of Jay Rodriguez, and a fine Dejan Lovren volley doubled their advantage just after the half hour.

However, Sunderland hit back instantly through Fabio Borini and, though the Italian saw a strike ruled out for offside on 64 minutes, Adam Johnson curled home soon afterwards to claim a share of the spoils.

Newcastle United arrested a run of four straight defeats in all competitions as they heaped the pressure on West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce with a 3-1 win at Upton Park.

Newcastle took the lead after 16 minutes when Yoan Gouffran found Yohan Cabaye, whose first touch took him away from Razvan Rat before beating Adrian. Loic Remy made it two on 33 minutes when he expertly controlled Moussa Sissoko’s deep cross before prodding in to an empty net.

West Ham were given a lifeline in first-half injury time when an own goal from Michael Williamson halved the deficit, but Alan Pardew’s side had the last word as Cabaye scored a free-kick deep into injury time - his seventh Premier League goal of the campaign.

Jason Puncheon bounced back from his penalty woe from last week to notch the winner and give Crystal Palace manager Tony Pulis a 1-0 win over his former club Stoke City, lifting the Eagles up to 16th.

Elsewhere, a late Ryan Bennett goal was enough for Norwich City to see off Hull City 1-0 at Carrow Road. The Tigers had Tom Huddlestone sent off for two yellow cards.

Courtesy: ESPN

 

Arsenal Beat Aston Villa to reclaim top spot

Five months ago, Aston Villa were the opening-day opponents who had Arsenal fans calling for the ax to fall on Arsene Wenger.

A penny for their thoughts now. So much for the end of empire, that August afternoon might one day be seen as the moment that a new Arsenal began.
This most recent 2-1 victory at Villa Park in the return fixture was a marriage of class and character. Arsenal dominated, only to be pegged back, but then recovered their footing with notable determination. Previous Wenger teams might have folded under the late onslaught that followed Christian Benteke’s goal.

As Arsenal’s season turns for home, they lead the title race, holding their own against the far greater riches of Chelsea and Manchester City. Wenger’s team responded to their rivals’ weekend victories with one of their own.

“There’s a bit more pressure when you play the last,” said a relieved Wenger afterwards. “You can only give one answer and that is to win the game.”
Wenger’s continued faith in his players, who play as if they have the confidence of their manager, is paying off, and patience is one of their virtues, too.

Having dominated the first half hour yet actually created little in the way of chances, they scored a quickfire pair of goals through Jack Wilshere and Olivier Giroud that ultimately took the game beyond the hosts.

Perhaps injuries may yet prove a hand brake to Arsenal’s eventual success. Here, Nacho Monreal suffered a suspected broken metatarsal after a fine last-ditch tackle from Ron Vlaar caught the Spaniard on the top of his foot, while Tomas Rosicky may have suffered a broken nose in a clash with Gabby Agbonlahor.

Meanwhile, Theo Walcott’s season was ended last week just as he had reasserted his importance, while Giroud has long been operating in the “red zone” that Wenger always fears -- the theory being that overworked players become more susceptible to injury.

Wilshere began his match in his customary floored position after going down under a heavy challenge from Karim El Ahmadi and yet, in scoring their goals, both he and Giroud showed the gossamer, confident touch of players at their peak.

Wilshere did a more than passable impression of another absentee, Aaron Ramsey, in the 60 seconds between the 34th and 35th minutes, putting Villa to the sword first by converting a Monreal pass from an overlap that had been set up by Mesut Ozil, and then by playing in Giroud for a composed finish.

“He has found his change of pace back,” said Wenger of the English midfielder. “His game is about that. He is not only a passer, he is a guy who is incisive with the ball. You see that he's coming back to his best.”

There are also ready replacements for Walcott. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was made to wait to return from his own knee injury until the 86th minute, with Serge Gnabry instead given a chance.

The German teenager, not dissimilar in build to “the Ox,” is one of those jewels that Wenger turns to. Once a young Arsenal player is ready, there is no time like the present, no matter how callow he may be. Gnabry is raw, but already troublesome for opponents.

Paul Lambert’s tactics invited Arsenal on. Three centre-backs were initially fielded, flanked by full-backs for whom overlapping would form no part of their night’s work.

It was not until the 12th minute that the ball was in the Gunners’ half, and that was from a throw-in conceded after a long Brad Guzan punt. That Fabian Delph found space to shoot was a warning sign, but hardly much of one.

Arsenal’s pounding continued. Nathan Baker was smashed full in the face at point-blank range by a Gnabry shot; the poleaxed central defender would leave the field in an oxygen mask after nearly 10 minutes of treatment.

So sparse are Lambert’s resources that he had rejig to a 4-4-2 formation. Perhaps the evening’s best news for the Villa camp was that Baker was declared “okay but groggy” by his manager. It had looked far more serious than that when he was down.

Until Villa’s late surge, inspired by Benteke’s goal in 76th minute, Arsenal played like the home team; they have a superb away record in the past year and this was to be their eighth win in 11 on the road this campaign.

Villa, meanwhile, looked accepting of the role of hopeful visitors. Their problems derive from a squad that is little stronger than last season’s, and that was a group who only saved themselves from relegation in the final weeks.

Home fans are as glum as Lambert’s usual demeanour, and with cut-price signings the only possible additions in January -- Lambert did not deny afterwards that Grant Holt might be brought in on loan from Wigan -- the outlook hardly looks much brighter.

Benteke, whose 19 goals guided Villa to safety last term, is suffering a chronic case of “second-season-itis.” In this game, he idled without menace, while also seeming to have lost the spatial awareness to judge a crossed ball.

It probably does not hearten Lambert and his owner, Randy Lerner, that he could have been cashed in for north of 20 million pounds last summer.

Yet a Matt Lowton cross that he could not miss suddenly revived the Belgian. After 14 hours and 45 minutes of playing and four months of real time -- dating back to September 14 -- without a goal, Benteke looked like the marauder of a year ago; confidence flushed through him.

“We certainly gave them a fright. It was this time last year that he started to kick in,” said Lambert of his key man.

On the touchline, Wenger began to show the exasperation so familiar in Arsenal’s years of falter.

“Maybe we were a bit too cautious to keep the 2-0,” he suggested. “Our defenders kept us in the game.”

Benteke headed straight at Wojciech Szczesny and Per Mertesacker desperately cleared another inviting Lowton cross while the Villa striker lurked with intent.

Beyond those moments of tension, Villa’s 15-minute revival was not nearly enough to stop Arsenal cresting back to the top.

Courtesy: ESPN

Cristiano Ronaldo Wins Ballon D'OR

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND -- In the end, Cristiano Ronaldo showed it did matter to him. If, hours before the Ballon d’Or ceremony in Zurich, the Real Madrid and Portugal striker looked uninterested and promised life would go on if he failed to break Lionel Messi’s grip on the coveted trophy, the 28-year-old was clearly overwhelmed when his name was finally announced by Pele at the Kongresshaus in Zurich on Monday night.



Ronaldo with Real President Florentino Perez
Five years after his last win, Ronaldo has been officially recognised as the best footballer on the planet, at least until January 2015.

Tears flooded his eyes and cheeks as he received a prize that, specifically in 2013, seemed to have acquired a particular importance. Eclipsed by Lionel Messi’s spectacular exploits in the last four years, even though his own numbers were hardly dismissible, Ronaldo last year maintained a stunning regularity that injury finally denied to his great rival. The problem is that not everybody agreed.

Among the unconvinced was FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who went further than his clumsy usual ways to personally criticize Ronaldo during an event in England in October. While comparing Messi to the son everybody would like to have, the Swiss’ reference to Ronaldo having "more expenses for the hairdresser," among other things, stung the Portuguese.

Ronaldo, in the last few years, has felt his exploits have been overlooked by peers, the media and company. Whether or not one could question if he was right, it also was naïve to assume he had no point at all when thinking footballing matters were not the only reason why he kept coming short of another Ballon d’Or.

Before you think this is prima donna behaviour, just think of how Pele, after everything he has seen and done in football, still wept when receiving his honorary trophy on Monday. It means a lot.

It was a tough year for Ronaldo, during which Real Madrid once again fell short of that ever elusive 10th European Cup, outplayed by Borussia Dortmund in the last four.

Once again, he would not win the honours that, alongside a humongous pay package, had lured him away from Manchester United in the summer of 2009 (ironically, after he won one Champions League and made it to a second final with the English outfit).

To make matters worse, Portugal faltered during the European qualifiers and missed out on automatic qualification to the World Cup, and then, in the playoffs, were paired with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Sweden.

Ronaldo’s wondrous display over two legs -- scoring all four of Portugal’s goals -- was the difference. Regarding the Ballon d’Or, it could have come too late, had FIFA not changed the voting deadline, officially because of the fact that less than 50 percent of the 500-plus voters had cast their ballots by the original Nov. 15 cutoff date.

Cue accusations that FIFA was trying to make amendments for Blatter’s less-than-appropriate comments by giving Ronaldo a helping hand. Bayern Munich saw a conspiracy against fellow nominee Franck Ribery, for instance. It all made for an uneasy buildup to the Zurich gala, and Ronaldo could be excused for feeling a bit edgy.


Messi & Ribery
We tend to forget that these players are also human and have feelings. In his pursuit of excellence, Ronaldo wants kudos, even if a golden trophy is how it is represented.

His is a life of sacrifices, regardless of how much money comes into his bank account, and to see Ronaldo weeping and looking less than cool while trying to thank people for winning that trophy will perhaps shed new light on a player that a good number of people love to loathe.

Ronaldo scored 69 goals in 59 matches in 2013. This should not be forgotten when trying to analyze the Ballon results. It was an interesting year, and some people rightly pointed to the recognition of a team player, in the form of Ribery.

But when even FIFA’s description of the Ballon d’Or praises individual efforts, it is safe to say Ronaldo is hardly a bad fit for the part.

Now let’s see what happens when Messi recovers his best form and whether his spiky-haired Brazilian teammate, Neymar, can also step up to the challenge laid down by Ronaldo.

Courtesy: ESPN

Allegri sacked as AC Milan coach

Allegri has been fired by AC Millan

AC Milan have announced that coach Massimiliano Allegri has been dismissed following Sunday’s 4-3 defeat to Sassuolo.

The club’s general manager, Barbara Berlusconi, had suggested Allegri would lose his job in the wake of the result, and a statement on the club’s official website on Monday confirmed his departure.

The statement read: “AC Milan announce that first-team coach Mr. Massimiliano Allegri and his staff have been dismissed with immediate effect. AC Milan would like to thank Mr. Allegri and his staff for the work they did and wish them the best for the future.”

The club also confirmed that Mauro Tassotti -- who played for the club for 17 years and has been on the coaching staff for over a decade -- would take temporary charge of the first team. His first match in charge is set to come against Spezia in the Coppa Italia on Wednesday

Allegri took charge of Milan in 2010 after two years with Cagliari and enjoyed a successful debut campaign, winning the league as well as being named Serie A’s coach of the year. Milan finished as runners-up in his second season and last year recovered from a poor start to finish third and secure a place in the Champions League.

However, while Allegri guided the Rossoneri through the group stage in this season’s Champions League, their domestic form has been miserable, and they currently sit 11th in the table, some 30 points behind leaders Juventus.

He had already announced that he would not be staying at the San Siro beyond the end of the season, with former Milan star Clarence Seedorf having been tipped to replace him.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Seedorf, who is still playing for Botafogo, could free himself from his contract at the Brazilian club immediately if he were to be given the chance to take charge of Milan.

“I took care of Clarence's contract myself and there is a clause which would enable him to leave the club at any time without penalty,” the Dutchman's agent, Deborah Martin, said. “That is unless he goes to play for a different club.

“I would also like to emphasise that he already possesses everything he needs to be able to coach. He has already taken all the necessary steps in Brazil and Holland.”

Courtesy: ESPN

Manchester United prepare £27m bid for unsettled Juan Mata

Manchester United are keen on tempting unsettled Chelsea star Juan Mata away from Stamford Bridge during the January transfer window.



Juan Mata has fallen the pecking order at the Bridge

The Daily Star claim Manchester United are preparing a £27million bid for Spanish playmaker Mata.

Reports suggest Manchester United have spoken to Mata's agent regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.

<p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p>

The Red Devils were said to be keen on signing Mata in the summer, however the Premier League champions were not prepared to include Wayne Rooney in the deal.

Mata is said to have grown disillusioned with life under Jose Mourinho as the Chelsea attacking midfielder has found games hard to come by under the Portuguese tactician.

The 25-year-old, who has been named Chelsea's Player of the Year for the last two seasons, has made just 11 starts for Mourinho's side so far this season.

La Liga trio Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are all said to be keen on signing Mata and are likely to stand a better chance of landing the former Valencia man as Chelsea will not want to sell a player of his calibre to one of their rivals.

Courtesy: GMS

Patrice Evra to leaveManchester United this summer

Manchester United left-back Patrice Evra is set to leave Old Trafford when his contract expires in the summer, according to the Guardian.



Evra is most likely to leave Old Trafford this Summer

The France international, who turns 33 in May, has yet to receive a contract extension offer from the Red Devils – and is subsequently expected to leave the club at the end of the season.

Evra could return to former club AS Monaco, who are currently fighting for the Ligue 1 title and should be competing in the Champions League next season.

The full-back played for the club between 2002 and 2006 before joining Premier League giants Manchester United for a reported £5.5m fee.

In his eight years at Old Trafford, Evra has won five Premier League titles and a European Cup.

He remains a hugely popular figure amongst his teammates and supporters, but United boss David Moyes is keen to recruit a long-term replacement, and could even sign Real Madrid full-back Fabio Coentrao this month.

The Portuguese defender is reportedly close to joining the Red Devils on an initial loan deal until the end of the current campaign.

Courtesy: GMS

Manchester United star could replace Barcelona-bound goalkeeper

Manchester United goalkeeper Anders Lindegaard is an alleged transfer target for Borussia Monchengladbach, as they continue their search for a replacement for Barcelona-bound Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, reports Danish newspaper BT.



Anders Lindegaard may leave United this January

 

The Bundesliga club are believed to have enquired about the Denmark international's availability, and are planning a bid to bring him to Germany at the end of the 2013/14 campaign.

 

Lindegaard has made just two appearances for Manchester United this season, and manager David Moyes is understood to be open to the possibility of the 29-year-old leaving Old Trafford.

 

<p>Your browser does not support iframes.</p>

 

However, before the Red Devils boss will sanction the sale, he will need to find a replacement stopper, to provide competition for current number one David De Gea.

 

De Gea himself has been linked with a move away from Manchester United, with Barcelona reportedly keen on the Spaniard before Christmas, as Tata Martino sought a successor for Camp Nou contract rebel, Victor Valdes.

 

But, the Catalan club have now decided to bring 21-year-old Germany international Ter Stegen to La Liga, bringing to an end their reported interest in Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper.

 

Monchengladbach, meanwhile, are considering a number of different options, and should they fail in their pursuit of Lindegaard, could turn to FC Basel’s Yann Sommer, Hanover’s Ron-Robert Zieler, or Freiburg’s Oliver Baumann.

Courtesy: GMS

Everton ready to pay £7m for Arsenal striker target

Everton are planning a £7million bid for Arsenal target Michy Batshuayi, according to the Sunday People.

The Standard Liege striker has been heavily linked with a Premier League move this month, after his agent sounded him out for a transfer.

“The situation is simple," explained Christophe Henrothay. "If a club triggers his release clause, he can sit down and start negotiating with them.”

 

Batshuayi

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is credited with an interest in bringing the 20-year-old to the Emirates Stadium, as his search for a back-up to Olivier Giroud continues during the January window.

However, Arsenal are at risk of missing out on Batshuayi, as Roberto Martinez weighs up an attempt to lure the talented Belgian to Goodison Park.

With Romelu Lukaku currently on loan with the Toffees for the remainder of the campaign, you'd assume that Batshuayi would link up well with his compatriot, as the Merseyside club continue their push towards Champions League qualification.

Borussia Dortmund have also been mooted as admirers of the in-demand striker, but - like Arsenal - will have to move to quickly, if they are to beat Everton to Batshuayi's signature.

Courtesy: GMS