Schedulers are against us, Arsenal manager Wenger complains

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hit out at the Premier League fixture schedulers who he claims have handed Chelsea a pre-match advantage ahead of their London derby on Wednesday. 

Wenger launched a tirade against the fixture list and the standard of Premier League refereeing after his side were held to a 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion, with even Gunners legend Thierry Henry coming under fire from the Frenchman.

Wenger broke Sir Alex Ferguson’s record of 810 Premier League games as a manager but he was in no mood to celebrate as he looked ahead to his side’s next game.

“You cannot give West Brom five days to prepare for a game like that when we have three,” said Wenger. 

“I am ready to play every day as long as our opponent has played the same time recovery over Christmas. It is not normal.

“We have the same problem against Chelsea. They played yesterday, we played today, they have one day more again.”

A late penalty from Jay Rodriguez rescued a draw for West Brom after Calum Chambers was penalised for handball in a decision that even West Brom boss Alan Pardew admitted was “tough”.

“It wasn’t a penalty,” said Wenger at the start of a wide-ranging rant. “It was not a deliberate handball.

“He (Chambers) didn’t lift his hand. It was down. Where do you put your hands? You have no pockets in your shorts.

“The referee has not seen it. That’s my opinion, he will tell you that he has seen it. Ask him.

“I don’t want to waste my time with them, we have to live with the decision, to deal with it and to swallow it and go to the next game.

“I’m angry because we have seen and seen the same things again.

– Referees ‘untouchable’ –

“I did fight very hard for the referees to become professional many years ago with (then Arsenal chairman) David Dein, and they did a good job to allow them to be professional. 

“But I see no improvement. At the end of the day there are two countries in Europe where you have professional referees, in Italy and in England, and not one English referee will go to the World Cup but everything is alright.

“We cannot say a word against it because they’re untouchable.”

Alexis Sanchez had fired Arsenal ahead on 83 minutes with a deflected free-kick and celebrated with all of his team-mates just days after the lack of a group celebration for a Sanchez goal against Crystal Palace had prompted TV pundit Henry to claim there were splits in the camp.

“I don’t listen to what he (Henry) says,” said Wenger. “I focus on our own problems. That is the important thing.

“All these people are paid to talk and it is difficult always to talk and talk and talk and only say things that are true and intelligent.”

West Brom have still not won in seven games under Pardew, who sympathised with Wenger over the crucial late penalty.

“I’d be very upset if it was given against me,” admitted Pardew. “It was a tough penalty. “Obviously the ball has hit his arm and we’re all a little in the dark about what is a handball and what isn’t.

“I can understand Arsene being very angry about that but we deserved it. 

“We’ve had three or four games here where we’ve not had a break at all. We went toe-to-toe with Arsenal at times, not all the time, but enough times to take them on with attacking intent. 

“It was good for me to see. The messages are getting through. 

“It was nice to go into the dressing room and say ‘if you keep doing the right things, you’ll get a break’. And we did get a break.”

West Brom take their fight for survival to West Ham on Tuesday.

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Manchester City manager Guardiola pleads for player protection

London (AFP) – Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has demanded more protection for players after seeing Kevin De Bruyne narrowly avoid serious injury as his side’s 18-game winning streak came to an end.

De Bruyne was stretchered off after being hacked down by Crystal Palace’s Jason Puncheon as City broke in search of a late winner at Selhurst Park on Sunday following Ederson’s penalty save from Luka Milivojevic.

The Belgium midfielder’s injury is not as bad as first feared but Guardiola said he was unlikely to be ready to face Watford at the Etihad on Tuesday.

There was worse news about City striker Gabriel Jesus, who hobbled off in the first half with a knee problem that will sideline the Brazilian for at least “one month, maybe two months”, Guardiola said.

His main concern, though, was the tackle by Puncheon, the latest in a series of challenges the manager believes could have inflicted serious injury on his players in recent games.

“I admire the physicality in the Premier League but the referees have to protect the players,” said the Catalan. “Not just the best players. All the players.

“I haven’t spoken to the FA (Football Association) about it. They focus on diving, on these kind of things. I know the contact is allowed here more than any other country but there is a limit.”

Guardiola said there was no need to change the physical style of English football but he called for a balance.

“There is a line where you go above and it is dangerous,” he said. “We are lucky with the players in the recent past they are still here. Sometimes because the football is quicker and faster it happens, they don’t want to hurt the other. But they can be out for a long time.”

“We were lucky against Tottenham and against Newcastle. Today we were not lucky,” he added.

– Sanchez signing? –

The loss of Jesus could strengthen City’s resolve to sign Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez during the January transfer window, although Guardiola played down the possibility of a move for the Chile international.

“He is a player for Arsenal and I think he is going to stay there,” said the City boss. “In two days we have another game (and) after that we have meetings. My feeling now is Alexis is an Arsenal player.”

City are 14 points clear at the top of the Premier League table after dropping points for the first time since the second game of the season.

Wilfried Zaha won Palace’s late penalty after Raheem Sterling was adjudged to have fouled him, capping another outstanding performance by the Ivory Coast international, who has been linked with a January move away from Selhurst Park.

But when asked if he will be staying at the club, Zaha said: “Yep, I am.”

Palace manager Roy Hodgson also has to contend with injuries ahead of his side’s trip to Southampton with centre-back Scott Dann suffering a knee injury, joining fellow defenders Mamadou Sakho and Joel Ward on the sidelines.

“We’ve stretched our resources to the absolute limit,” said Hodgson.

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EPL commentator assignments on NBC Sports, Gameweek 22

Live match coverage on New Year’s Day, Monday, January 1, begins at 6:30 a.m. ET with Premier League Live on NBCSN, followed by Brighton & Hove Albion v. Bournemouth. Monday at 10 a.m. ET, NBCSN hosts coverage of Burnley v. Liverpool, with Stoke City v. Newcastle on CNBC and Leicester City v. Huddersfield Town on NBC Sports Gold. New Year’s Day live match coverage concludes with Everton v. Manchester United at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and Universo.

Next week, NBCSN and Universo host coverage of three mid-week matches: Swansea City v. Tottenham Tuesday, January 2, at 2:45 p.m. ET; Arsenal v. Chelsea Wednesday, January 3, at 2:45 p.m. ET; and Tottenham v. West Ham Thursday, January 4, at 3 p.m. ET. Tottenham’s Harry Kane broke Alan Shearer’s record for the most Premier League goals scored in a calendar year in Spurs’ 5-2 win over Southampton on Tuesday. Kane’s hat trick in the win brought his total to 39 Premier League goals in 2017.

Also Tuesday, NBC Sports Gold presents three exclusive matches: Southampton v. Crystal Palace and West Ham v. West Bromwich Albion at 2:45 p.m. ET, as well as Manchester City v. Watford at 3 p.m. ET.

Rebecca Lowe hosts Premier League Live and Goal Zone, joined by former Jamaica National Team player Robbie Earle, and former Premier League footballer Robbie Mustoe.

 

Here’s the schedule of soccer commentators for this weekend’s Premier League matches (all times Eastern):

 

 

Monday, January 1

Brighton vs. Bournemouth, 7:30am, NBCSN, Sling Blue, DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — Peter Drury and Matt Holland

Burnley vs. Liverpool, 10am, NBCSN, Universo, Sling Blue, DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — David Stowell and Davie Provan

Stoke vs. Newcastle, 10am, CNBC, Sling Blue (in World News Extra), DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — Jonathan Beck and Tony Gale

Leicester vs. Huddersfield, 10am, Premier League Pass — Gary Taphouse and Andy Walker

Everton vs. Manchester United, 12:30pm, NBCSN, Universo, Sling Blue, DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — Arlo White and Lee Dixon

 

Tuesday, January 2

Swansea vs. Spurs, 2:45pm, NBCSN, Universo, Sling Blue, DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — Jon Champion and David Prutton

Southampton vs. Crystal Palace, 2:45pm, Premier League Pass — Jonathan Beck and Keith Andrews

West Ham vs. West Brom, 2:45pm, Premier League Pass — Gary Taphouse and Tony Gale

Man City vs. Watford, 3pm, Premier League Pass — Gary Weaver and Danny Higginbotham

 

Wednesday, January 3

Arsenal vs. Chelsea, 2:45pm, NBCSN, Universo, Sling Blue, DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — Arlo White and Lee Dixon

 

Thursday, January 4

Spurs vs. West Ham, 3pm, NBCSN, Universo, Sling Blue, DIRECTV NOW and fubo Premier — Jon Champion and Matt Holland

 

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Pogba urges misfiring Manchester United to ‘wake up’

London (AFP) – Paul Pogba has called on Manchester United to “wake up” after a third straight draw over the Christmas period saw them slip behind Chelsea in the Premier League table.

Draws against Leicester and Burnley either side of Christmas severely undermined United’s status as challengers to Manchester City and Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at home to Southampton means they are now third in the standings, 15 points adrift of City.

The problems are mounting for manager Jose Mourinho, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee problem keeping him out for a month and Romelu Lukaku taken off on a stretcher after a nasty clash of heads with Wesley Hoedt.

Wing-back Ashley Young will miss United’s next three matches following his acceptance of a violent conduct charge after he appeared to elbow Dusan Tadic during Saturday’s stalemate.

Everton are United’s next opponents at Goodison Park on New Year’s Day and Pogba has demanded better from his side, despite the short turnaround.

“We didn’t lose but we have to wake up, bounce back and get back to winning,” the Frenchman told MUTV.

“We drew again. Three draws, we have to win, something has to change and we have to change to win.

“It’s only one day and then we have to play against Everton — that’s football. Tomorrow’s another day and we have to go out there and win.”

On the injury to topscorer Lukaku, Pogba said: “When we have Romelu, he makes it difficult for defenders and creates so much space as well. He’s a big miss for us but we have the team to fill the gap of Romelu.”

Medical staff took every precaution in treating a potentially concerning head injury, placing the Belgian on a stretcher and fitting an oxygen mask.

By full-time Mourinho was confident the worst-case scenarios had been ruled out and was instead predicting a two-match lay-off for the forward.

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Man City’s winning run ended as Wenger overtakes Ferguson

London (AFP) – Manchester City survived late penalty drama at Crystal Palace on Sunday but saw their 18-match Premier League winning run halted as Arsene Wenger overtook Alex Ferguson’s record for games in charge.

Pep Guardiola’s men travelled to their match in London with a 13-point lead over second-placed Chelsea and strongly fancied to match Bayern Munich’s record for the big five European leagues of 19 straight victories.

But in the end they were grateful to goalkeeper Ederson for keeping out Luka Milivojevic’s spot-kick in injury time after Wilfried Zaha was adjudged to have been brought down by Raheem Sterling.

The dropped points in the 0-0 draw will be less of a concern for Guardiola than injury fears over Gabriel Jesus, who limped off early, and Kevin De Bruyne, who was stretchered off late following an ugly challenge by Palace substitute Jason Puncheon.

Guardiola, whose team easily surpassed Arsenal’s previous Premier League record of 14 straight wins, pleaded with officials to protect players.

“I admire the physicality in the Premier League but the referees have to protect the players,” he said. “Not just the best players. All the players.

“I haven’t spoken to the FA (Football Association) about it. They focus on diving, on these kind of things. I know the contact is allowed here more than any other country but there is a limit. They don’t have to change the way here. That’s why it is so nice.

“There is a line where you go above and it is dangerous.”

Guardiola said Jesus could be out for up to two months but the injury to Belgian playmaker De Bruyne looks less serious than feared even though he may not be ready to face Watford on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace frustrated their illustrious visitors in the first half at Selhurst Park and although City began to find their groove after the break, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey denied Leroy Sane and De Bruyne.

Andros Townsend missed the home side’s best chance of the half with about a quarter of an hour to go before Milivojevic fluffed his last-gasp chance to clinch all three points.

“It was an excellent point and before the game we would have been jumping through hoops with a point, but when you get a penalty late in the game and you miss like we have before there is an element of sadness,” said Hodgson.

– City cushion –

Despite the disappointment of the 0-0 stalemate, City still have an enormous 14-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and the chances of any of their rivals catching them appear remote.

Arsenal — missing Mesut Ozil — played out a frustrating 1-1 draw with West Brom at a wet Hawthorns to climb to fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

The match was Wenger’s 811th in charge — moving him ahead of United legend Ferguson, who was at the helm for 810 matches in the Premier League era.

Arsenal looked to have sealed all three points when an Alexis Sanchez free-kick from the edge of the box found the net via a deflection from James McClean in the 83rd minute. The goal was ruled to be a McClean own goal.

But a last-gasp penalty from Jay Rodriguez levelled the match at 1-1 after Calum Chambers was deemed to have handled the ball, sparking frustration on the Arsenal bench.

A furious Wenger said his team had been denied all three points by referee Mike Dean’s decision to award the controversial spot kick.

“We have a very difficult schedule and I believe we fought hard to win the game but didn’t because of a bad decision,” he said.

“He (Dean) didn’t see it. There was a player in front of him. That’s why I questioned his decision, he didn’t see it.”

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have stumbled over the Christmas period, drawing three games against sides they would have expected to beat and slipping behind defending champions Chelsea.

With games coming thick and fast over Christmas and the New Year, United and in-form Liverpool are back in action on Monday, against Everton and Burnley respectively.

City host Watford on Tuesday and Tottenham Hotspur travel to Swansea on the same evening while Arsenal and Chelsea will face off in a blockbuster clash on Wednesday.

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Manchester City’s winning run ended as Wenger overtakes Ferguson

London (AFP) – Manchester City survived late penalty drama at Crystal Palace on Sunday but saw their 18-match Premier League winning run halted as Arsene Wenger overtook Alex Ferguson’s record for games in charge.

Pep Guardiola’s men travelled to their match in London with a 13-point lead over second-placed Chelsea and strongly fancied to match Bayern Munich’s record for the big five European leagues of 19 straight victories.

But in the end they were grateful to goalkeeper Ederson for keeping out Luka Milivojevic’s spot-kick in injury time after Wilfried Zaha was adjudged to have been brought down by Raheem Sterling.

The dropped points will be less of a concern for Guardiola than injury fears over Gabriel Jesus, who limped off early, and Kevin De Bruyne, who was stretchered off late following an ugly challenge by Palace substitute Jason Puncheon.

Guardiola, whose team easily surpassed Arsenal’s previous Premier League record of 14 straight wins, pleaded with officials to protect players.

“I admire the physicality in the Premier League but the referees have to protect the players,” he said. “Not just the best players. All the players.

“I haven’t spoken to the FA (Football Association) about it. They focus on diving, on these kind of things. I know the contact is allowed here more than any other country but there is a limit. They don’t have to change the way here. That’s why it is so nice.

“There is a line where you go above and it is dangerous.”

Guardiola said Jesus could be out for up to two months but the injury to Belgian playmaker De Bruyne looks less serious than feared even though he may not be ready to face Watford on Tuesday.

Roy Hodgson’s Crystal Palace frustrated their illustrious visitors in the first half at Selhurst Park and although City began to find their groove after the break, goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey denied Leroy Sane and De Bruyne.

Andros Townsend missed the home side’s best chance of the half with about a quarter of an hour to go before Milivojevic fluffed his last-gasp chance to clinch all three points.

“It was an excellent point and before the game we would have been jumping through hoops with a point, but when you get a penalty late in the game and you miss like we have before there is an element of sadness,” said Hodgson.

– City cushion –

Despite the disappointment of the 0-0 stalemate, City still have an enormous 14-point lead at the top of the Premier League table and the chances of any of their rivals catching them appear remote.

Arsenal — missing Mesut Ozil — played out a frustrating 1-1 draw with West Brom at a wet Hawthorns to climb to fifth in the table, three points behind fourth-placed Liverpool.

The match was Wenger’s 811th in charge — moving him ahead of United legend Ferguson, who was at the helm for 810 matches in the Premier League era.

Arsenal looked to have sealed all three points when an Alexis Sanchez free-kick from the edge of the box found the net via a deflection from James McClean in the 83rd minute.

But a last-gasp penalty from Jay Rodriguez levelled the match at 1-1 after Calum Chambers was deemed to have handled the ball, sparking frustration on the Arsenal bench.

Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United have stumbled over the Christmas period, drawing three games against sides they would have expected to beat and slipping behind defending champions Chelsea.

United — seen as City’s main challengers in the early weeks of the season — now find themselves locked in a battle for the Champions League qualification spots.

With the games coming thick and fast over Christmas and the New Year, United and in-form Liverpool are back in action on Monday, against Everton and Burnley respectively.

City host Watford on Tuesday and Tottenham Hotspur travel to Swansea on the same evening while Arsenal and Chelsea will face off in a blockbuster clash on Wednesday.

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Wenger party spoiled by late West Bromwich leveller

West Bromwich (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Arsene Wenger’s record-breaking day as Arsenal manager ended in frustration as his disjointed side were held to a controversial 1-1 draw at West Bromwich Albion on Sunday.

The Frenchman took charge of his 811th Gunners league game, taking him past Alex Ferguson’s Premier League record of 810. 

But his side were denied victory by Jay Rodriguez’s 89th-minute penalty, awarded for handball against Calum Chambers to the fury of Wenger and his players.

Arsenal had taken the lead six minutes earlier after a deflected Alexis Sanchez free-kick found its way into the West Brom net via a deflection off James McClean.

The Gunners had been frustrated for much of the game by a resolute Albion. Arsenal made the brighter start but might have found themselves trailing to the first chance of the game on six minutes.

A weaving run down the right flank by Matt Phillips ended with a cross for Rodriguez, who leapt highest but headed too close to Petr Cech and the Arsenal goalkeeper made a solid save, diving to his left. 

Cech handed the Baggies another chance moments later when he spilled a high cross by Kieran Gibbs at the feet of Hal Robson-Kanu. 

The Wales striker’s effort was blocked and Arsenal then snuffed out Jake Livermore’s effort to keep the move alive. 

That sparked an Arsenal counter-attack as the Gunners worked the ball to the edge of the area, where Alexandre Lacazette hit a shot that deflected wide. 

And on 16 minutes a neat pass by Sanchez found Alex Iwobi, who wriggled away from Jonny Evans and bent a shot just past the angle of post and crossbar. 

West Brom continued to pass the ball neatly but the Gunners threatened on the break and a long-range effort by Granit Xhaka was saved comfortably by Ben Foster, who then turned another shot from distance from Iwobi behind for a corner. 

– West Brom pressure –

The hosts began the second half on the front foot, with Rodriguez forcing Chambers into a desperate challenge. 

The visitors had failed to fire early in the second half but West Brom needed Foster to keep them at bay on the hour mark. 

The Albion goalkeeper made a smart, low save to keep out a shot from Lacazette, who had played a neat one-two with Iwobi before riding two challenges on the edge of the area. 

And moments later Lacazette poked a shot just wide after Sanchez had picked him out with a neat pass. 

Arsenal had increasingly run out of ideas and an ambitious, long-range shot from Iwobi that Foster held easily was a sure sign of the visitors’ frustration.

The hosts threatened when Livermore arrived at the near post to meet a cross by substitute McClean but his effort was blocked by Cech. And Cech was then forced to beat away a shot from distance by Rodriguez.

But with seven minutes remaining the Gunners claimed the lead when Sanchez won the decisive free-kick. He was tripped on the edge of the 18-yard box by a combination of Gareth Barry and Craig Dawson.

The Chilean let fly with an effort that struck McClean’s leg and defeated Foster.

But just minutes later Albion were level as Chambers was punished harshly for blocking a Kieran Gibbs cross with his arm and Rodriguez drilled the resulting penalty low past Cech. 

Wenger lost his cool on the touchline and was subjected to a lengthy lecture from the referee.

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Nike advertise Coutinho Barcelona shirt

Paris (AFP) – An apparent gaffe by Nike has fired speculation that Philippe Coutinho could leave Liverpool for Barcelona in the January transfer window.

The sportswear giant, who manufacture Barcelona’s kit, advertised a Barca shirt on their website with the Brazilian midfielder’s name on it.

Headlined “Where the magic happens”, the page, which has since been taken down, continued with the message: “Philippe Coutinho is ready to light up Camp Nou.”

Coutinho is sponsored by Nike and wears their boots.

He handed in a transfer request in August after Barcelona had a bid for the Brazilian rejected, but the Reds then turned down a further two offers.

The current La Liga leaders had offered over £100 million ($135 million), but Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group publicly stated Coutinho was not for sale.

The 25-year-old missed the start of the season with a back problem but has been in outstanding form recently, scoring seven goals in his last eight games.

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Atletico Madrid finally unveil Diego Costa, Vitolo

Madrid (AFP) – Atletico Madrid unveiled new signings Diego Costa and Vitolo on Sunday as the Spanish club’s transfer ban finally comes to an end.

Atletico had been unable to register new signings in last summer’s transfer window after being handed a ban by FIFA for irregularities in relation to the transfers of minors.

But they had already agreed deals to bring Spain striker Costa back to the club from Chelsea and sign winger Vitolo from Sevilla. Both will be able to make their debuts with the winter window opening on Monday.

“I know there is a lot of competition, that they have a lot of goals in them,” said Costa, 29, of the prospect of competing with the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres for a starting berth in Diego Simeone’s side.

It was in September that Atletico announced the signing of Costa, with Spanish media saying they had agreed to pay Chelsea around 60 million euros ($71.3 million) to bring back a player who starred for them when they won La Liga and reached the Champions League final in 2013/14.

Costa, who has signed a deal through to 2021, scored 20 goals for Chelsea as they won last season’s Premier League title but fell out with Antonio Conte, his manager in west London.

Atletico also agreed in the summer to pay the 37.5 million-euro buyout clause to sign Vitolo from Sevilla.

He has spent the first half of this season on loan at Las Palmas although he has recently been sidelined with a thigh injury.

“The injury is behind me. I have spent the last month working with the physios. It’s forgotten about now,” said the 28-year-old Spain winger.

Atletico, who moved into a new 68,000-seat stadium, the Wanda Metropolitano, at the start of this season, failed to make it out of the Champions League group stage.

However, Simeone’s side are the nearest challengers to leaders Barcelona in La Liga, sitting nine points behind in second place with more than half the season still remaining.

They face lower-league Lleida in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday before returning to league action at home to Getafe at the weekend.

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Man City winning run ends in draw at Crystal Palace

London (AFP) – Ederson’s last-gasp penalty heroics saved Manchester City from defeat but a 0-0 stalemate at Crystal Palace on Sunday brought the Premier League leaders’ record-breaking 18-match winning run to an end.

Luka Milivojevic was presented with the chance to seal a memorable victory for Roy Hodgson’s relegation-threatened side when Wilfried Zaha was brought down by Raheem Sterling in injury time.

But the Palace midfielder struck his spot-kick too close to Ederson, allowing the City goalkeeper to preserve his side’s 21-game unbeaten start to the league campaign.

City’s failure to score in a league game for the first time since last April meant they fell short in their bid to equal Bayern Munich 19-game winning run of four years ago, the longest in Europe’s five major leagues, set under their current boss Pep Guardiola.

And City’s afternoon was further soured when Kevin De Bruyne was stretchered off immediately after the spot-kick following an ugly challenge by Palace substitute Jason Puncheon.

Guardiola, who also said forward Gabriel Jesus was likely to be out for up to two months after an injury early in the game, called for referees to take firm action.

– No ‘magic formula’ –

“Please, referees, they have to protect players,” he said. “We were lucky against Tottenham and against Newcastle. Today we were not lucky.

“Referees have to protect. We know how strong physically it is England but teams miss big players, not just Manchester City. The replay speaks for itself. We have to protect players.”

Hodgson claimed before the game there was “no magic formula” to competing with City, insisting his Palace side’s hopes of getting something from the game hinged on working hard and defending well while maintaining an attacking threat.

The manager could be satisfied that during the opening 45 minutes his players stuck to the prescribed plan to the extent that by the half-time break, the frustration among Guardiola’s players was obvious.

There was an early sign the visitors might not be at their best when a breakdown in communication between Eliaquim Mangala and Ederson led to the goalkeeper directing an attempted clearance against his centre-back, presenting Christian Benteke with an opportunity that he could not take.

Both sides were forced into early changes, with Palace captain Scott Dann being stretchered off in the 19th minute and City striker Jesus following shortly afterwards.

The subsequent reshuffle appeared to affect the visitors more, with Palace growing more into the game the longer the half went on.

Sergio Aguero, Jesus’s replacement, struck the post in the 28th minute with a deflected shot from the edge of the penalty area but that proved to be a rare moment of concern for home goalkeeper Wayne Hennessey.

And while Palace were unable to carve out many clear chances at the other end, Wilfried Zaha was a constant threat down the Palace left, frequently getting the better of City right-back Kyle Walker.

An animated conversation between De Bruyne and Leroy Sane confirmed the sense that City were growing increasingly uncomfortable.

Palace found it far harder to be as expansive after the restart, when City finally began to move through the gears.

But Hennessey proved equal to the task, blocking Leroy Sane’s close-range volley at the far post and denying De Bruyne as City struggled to find openings in a well-drilled Palace backline.

And they should have entered the final 14 minutes of the game needing a goal to get back on level terms after Andros Townsend missed the home side’s best chance of the half before Milivojevic was handed his late opportunity to clinch the points.

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FIFA claims attempt to contact doping whistleblower Rodchenkov

Paris (AFP) – FIFA tried to contact Russian whistleblower Grigory Rodchenkov over accusations of doping in Russian football and will do so again after samples have been re-tested by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), world football’s governing body told AFP.

In an interview to the Associated Press, Rodchenkov’s lawyer said his client had information that could be of interest but claimed FIFA had not made any attempt to contact the man who was the source of revelations about state-sponsored doping in the host nation of the 2018 World Cup.

Contacted by AFP, FIFA said they had tried to get hold of Rodchenkov via WADA before November 22 this year, only to be told he was not available.

Now FIFA are waiting for WADA’s reanalysis of doping tests, which they expect to begin in mid-January.

“The process is ongoing and FIFA will contact Dr Rodchenkov via the agreed channel when the time is right,” world football’s governing body said.

Rodchenkov is the former director of the Moscow anti-doping laboratory. He fled to the United States in 2016 saying he feared for his life after the sudden death of two senior officials in the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA).

He then provided information which led to an investigation of doping at the Sochi Winter Games in 2014.

Since then, Russian athletes have been banned from the Rio Olympics in 2016 and Russia has been barred from participating at February’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, though athletes who are deemed “clean” can compete under the Olympic flag.

The spotlight has turned to possible cases of doping in football with Russia set to host the World Cup in June and July.

However, FIFA president Gianni Infantino insisted earlier this month that all tests carried out thus far had come back negative.

“If you would have a serious doping issue in football this would be known by now, whether in Russia or any other country of the world,” Infantino said in Moscow prior to the draw for the World Cup on December 1.

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Pogba urges misfiring Man Utd to ‘wake up’

London (AFP) – Paul Pogba has called on Manchester United to “wake up” after a third straight draw over the Christmas period saw them slip behind Chelsea in the Premier League table.

Draws against Leicester and Burnley either side of Christmas severely undermined United’s status as challengers to Manchester City and Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at home to Southampton means they are now third in the standings, 14 points adrift of City.

The problems are mounting for manager Jose Mourinho, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee problem keeping him out for a month and Romelu Lukaku taken off on a stretcher after a nasty clash of heads with Wesley Hoedt.

United may also be expecting contact from the Football Association after footage emerged of Ashley Young apparently elbowing Dusan Tadic in the stomach.

Everton await on New Year’s Day and Pogba has demanded better from his side, despite the short turnaround.

“We didn’t lose but we have to wake up, bounce back and get back to winning,” the Frenchman told MUTV, United’s in-house TV channel.

“We drew again. Three draws we have to win, something has to change and we have to change to win.

“It’s only one day and then we have to play against Everton — that’s football. Tomorrow’s another day and we have to go out there and win.”

On the mid-match injury to top-scorer Lukaku, Pogba said: “When we have Romelu, he makes it difficult for defenders and creates so much space as well. He’s a big miss for us but we have the team to fill the gap of Romelu.”

Medical staff took every precaution in treating a potentially concerning head injury, placing the Belgian on a stretcher and fitting an oxygen mask.

By full-time Mourinho was confident the worst-case scenarios had been ruled out and was instead predicting a two-match lay-off for the forward.

As for Young, who has been one of United’s most consistent performers this season, the possibility of a three-match ban lingers.

That is the tariff handed to Burnley defender James Tarkowski earlier this month after he admitted a charge of violent conduct for elbowing Brighton striker Glenn Murray.

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Premier League clubs ready for January sales

London (AFP) – With the January transfer window opening on New Year’s Day, the Premier League’s superpowers are ready to flex their financial muscles in a frenzy of spending.

Liverpool set the tone before the market had even officially begun when they splashed out a world record fee for a defender, paying £75 million ($100 million) for Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk.

Manchester City might be running away with the Premier League title race, but the leaders can afford to add a piece or two from a position of strength, while Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham prepare to spend, spend, spend in a bid to catch their rivals:

Manchester City

On a record 18-match winning streak in the league, City have no obvious flaws, but that won’t stop boss Pep Guardiola considering making additions.

West Bromwich Albion centre-back Jonny Evans, who City made two bids for in the summer window, is still on Guardiola’s wish-list as defensive cover for injury-prone Vincent Kompany.

Guardiola could also go back in for long-term target Alexis Sanchez if he thinks he can land the Chile forward on the cheap in the final six months of his Arsenal contract.

Manchester United

Frustrated by United’s failure to keep pace with City at the top, Jose Mourinho has already made it clear his side must big spend to have any chance of bridging the gap.

Top of Mourinho’s shopping list are a left-back and a winger.

Juventus’s Alex Sandro and Tottenham’s Danny Rose would fit the bill for the defensive berth, while fast-rising Fulham youngster Ryan Sessegnon could be signed with one eye on next season.

Long linked with a move to United, Rose is the most likely signing as he may have worn out his welcome at Tottenham after expressing unhappiness with his reduced role on several occasions.

Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil, Borussia Dortmund’s Julian Weigl and Bordeaux’s Malcolm are possible candidates to bolster United’s midfield.

United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Daley Blind could be sold after falling out of favour.

Chelsea

Blues boss Antonio Conte has spent much of the season grumbling about his squad’s lack of depth after Chelsea failed to land his top targets in the summer.

Lagging well behind City in the title race, Chelsea can ill-afford to waste this chance to upgrade Conte’s options. 

Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Ferreira Carrasco and Napoli’s Dries Mertens have been linked as Conte searches for a forward who can offer better back-up to Alvaro Morata than the underwhelming Michy Batshuayi

Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal, who worked with Conte at Juventus, is another player who interests the champions.

Liverpool

Having broken the bank to bring Netherlands centre-back Van Dijk to Anfield, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp might find himself most preoccupied with trying to hold onto Philippe Coutinho.

Brazil forward Coutinho has been in superb form of late and Barcelona are likely to return with another offer after having bids of over £100 million rejected in August.

Daniel Sturridge is a much stronger bet to leave, with Southampton interested in the out-of-favour England striker.

Tottenham

After a frustrating first half of the season in the league, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino will look to spark his side with a major move in midfield.

Everton’s Ross Barkley is admired by Pochettino and although he rejected a last-minute move to Chelsea in August, the England international might be persuaded to accept an offer from Tottenham, who could land him for a bargain price as he has just six months left on his contract.

Arsenal

Amid mounting speculation that Arsenal players and coaches are sick of a reported lack of commitment from Sanchez, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger must decide what to do with the unsettled former Barcelona forward.

Sanchez has refused to extend a contract due to expire at the end of the season, leaving Wenger to either cash in now or lose him for nothing in June.

City came close to signing Sanchez in August and remain interested, while Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid are also potential suitors.

Wenger, who could move for Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha, will also receive offers for Ozil, with United and Barcelona interested in the German midfielder, who is approaching the final months of his contract.

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Dybala must ignore Messi, Ronaldo comparisons – Allegri

Verona (Italy) (AFP) – Paulo Dybala should avoid worrying about comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo if he wants to become the best player in the world, said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri Saturday.

The 24-year-old Argentine — linked with a possible move to Manchester United — has not hit the heights of last season despite scoring 14 goals in 19 Serie A games including a double in Saturday’s 3-1 win at Verona.

Dybala had been on the bench in the previous three games but started on Saturday and ensured the six-time defending Serie A champions won for the first time in Verona since 2001.

“It’s important that Paulo found the net again,” said Allegri. “After the goal, he started to play better, as he was in a delicate moment where things weren’t quite going his way. 

“Psychology is everything in football and confidence is key.

“You have to be focused and determined. I think the only advice for Paulo is to think just about his football and his journey, not worrying about comparisons with players like Leo Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo. 

“In the next three years he will be, together with Neymar, the most important player in the world. Today there are Messi and Ronaldo and it is difficult, but his path is that he has to improve physically, technically and mentally.”

Blaise Matuidi scored Juventus’s earliest goal this season after six minutes, finishing off a Gonzalo Higuain rebound.

The hosts pulled level just before the hour mark when former Juventus player Martin Caceres scored from 20 yards.

Dybala then hit his five-minute double, the first on 72 minutes when Sami Khedira slid a through-ball to Stephan Lichtsteiner with the right back sending a cross into the box to a waiting Dybala.

The Argentine did the second on his own, dribbling through the Verona defence to seal the win which moved Allegri’s side to within a point of Napoli at the end of the first half of the season.

“What I hope for the second half of the season is that Juventus stay in the running on all three fronts,” said Allegri, who also refused to rule out the chasing pack of Inter Milan, AC Milan and Lazio who all failed to win on Saturday.

“It was important to increase the gap on those behind us and remain close to Napoli,” he said.

“The others are not out, there are still lots of games to play. The championship will be resolved in the last games.”

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Mourinho faces injury crisis in Man Utd attack

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho takes Manchester United to Everton on New Year’s Day in the midst of a major striker crisis as he faces former Old Trafford favourite and club record goalscorer Wayne Rooney.

Romelu Lukaku suffered a worrying head injury early in Saturday’s disappointing 0-0 draw with Southampton, United’s third successive stalemate and a result which saw them drop below Chelsea and into third place in the Premier League.

But, of arguably greater concern, Mourinho also revealed that veteran forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suffered a knee injury which will sideline him for at least a month — the problem compounded by reports that he has suffered damage to the same knee in which he tore ligaments at the end of last season.

Lukaku, meanwhile, has been ruled out for at least two games — the visit to Goodison Park and Friday’s FA Cup third-round meeting with Championship side Derby County at Old Trafford.

“It is the same, a massive problem. He is a 37-year-old with a bad knee. Zlatan is one month out,” said Mourinho of the veteran Swede.

The United manager claimed to be happy with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as potential replacements for the pair but refused to be drawn on whether he will now seek to strengthen his attack in next month’s transfer window.

“I don’t know,” he said. “I really don’t know. But I’m happy with the players’ attitude, with the players’ desire and I have no complaints about my players.”

– Sickening –

Lukaku was substituted after only eight minutes against Southampton after a sickening clash of heads with Saints defender Wesley Hoedt.

Mourinho was still awaiting detailed medical reports when he spoke with the media and did not confirm whether Lukaku had, indeed, suffered concussion.

However, while the United manager was relieved to reveal that there was no serious injury suffered by the Belgian international, he has already ruled him out of this week’s fixtures.

“I don’t know,” said Mourinho when asked about the extent of Lukaku’s injury. 

“I know that normally bad, bad news arrives immediately and bad news didn’t arrive.

“But to leave the pitch the way he did — we don’t think twice to make that decision immediately — is because there is a problem not just for today but the next two matches I would say for sure.”

Premier League rules, brought in at the start of the 2014/15 season under their “return to play” guidelines, mean that a player who has been diagnosed with concussion is not allowed to play for a minimum of six days although medical staff must still clear him to play after that deadline.

Long-term injury victims Marouane Fellaini, Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly are not expected to be back in time for this week’s matches. Chris Smalling is rated doubtful for the Goodison Park game.

Ashley Young may also be a doubt after he appeared to catch Southampton’s Dusan Tadic with an elbow in the second half at Old Trafford, opening him up to the potential of retrospective Football Association action and suspension if they deem it deliberate.

However, Mourinho refused to criticise his players after another disappointing result, choosing again to blame officiating for his team’s troubles.

United failed with a strong first-half penalty claim for handball by Hoedt and Mourinho believed that was another case of an injustice against his side.

“I know my players, so when I see (Juan) Mata hysterical I could understand immediately, no doubt, and then at half-time I watch it and it’s a penalty — like Rashford’s at Leicester was a pen, like (Ander) Herrera against (Manchester) City,” he said.

“It is unlucky, and I say that without any problem, the referees’ performances in these three matches were good performances, so they were unlucky decisions for us that obviously punished us.”

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Conte hails a year to remember for Chelsea

London (AFP) – Chelsea manager Antonio Conte reflected on a memorable 2017 as the Premier League champions rounded off the year with a 5-0 demolition of Stoke City.

While Conte’s side are lagging well behind leaders Manchester City in this season’s title race, the Italian is still delighted with the way the last 12 months played out in west London.

The Blues won the title in May and also reached the FA Cup final in a glorious first season at Chelsea for the former Italy coach.

Even if a successful title defence is unlikely, there is still silverware up for grabs in three other competitions in the second half of the season.

“To finish this year in this way is great for me, great for the players, great for the club and our fans,” Conte said. 

“This year was a fantastic year because to win the title in England is not easy. 

“To be able to do this at your first try, I will remember this year in my mind forever.

“And for next year, we are still in four competitions. We have a lot of great games to face.”

Chelsea’s squad is stocked so heavily with talent that the absences of Eden Hazard, Cesc Fabregas and Andreas Christensen in the interests of squad rotation went almost unnoticed against hapless Stoke on Saturday.

In addition, Conte was able to take off Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata, all by the 71st minute, to rest their legs ahead of the visit to Arsenal on Wednesday.

“I am very happy because I made some rotation changes today and when you have this type of response from your players you must be pleased,” Conte said.

“Manchester City have created a big gap between them and the other teams, but we have to put all of ourselves into every game and to put a bit of pressure on teams above us.

“I don’t think you can play relaxed in this type of game in England, but I was very pleased to finish the game with another clean sheet.

“We are showing good solidity. If you compare this season with last season, we have conceded less goals. We’ve scored less, but we’ve conceded less, too.”

– Hughes gamble –

Meanwhile, Stoke manager Mark Hughes admitted that the wisdom of his decision to play what amounted to a reserve side will only emerge in Monday’s New Year’s Day fixture against Newcastle United.

Hughes watched on as his makeshift back four were pulled this way and that as Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater and Pedro put Chelsea 3-0 ahead after just 23 minutes.

The scoring was completed by a second-half penalty from Willian and an individual effort by Davide Zappacosta, but by then Hughes’ thoughts had already turned to the crucial game against fellow strugglers Newcastle.

“I made decisions that I feel will help us, certainly with the game on Monday. I rested a number of players who have been carrying slight knocks so that they will be fresh and ready to go on Monday,” Hughes said.

“We’ve got Joe Allen available, (Xherdan) Shaqiri available, (Eric Maxim) Choupo-Moting, Kurt Zouma as well. 

“We might have Erik Pieters as well so the landscape of Monday’s game changes completely for us hopefully.

“The decisions weren’t easy, but they were decisions I was prepared to make. If we can get the win we hope we will get against Newcastle, then this Christmas period will have been a good return.

“We will have had two wins, a draw and a defeat to Chelsea. On that basis it would be a good return, so Monday becomes a big game for us.”

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No stopping goal machine Salah, says Klopp

Liverpool (AFP) – Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes winger Mohamed Salah can maintain his incredible goalscoring form for the rest of the season.

The Egypt international has netted 23 times for Liverpool in all competitions, equalling a club record set by Roger Hunt in 1961/62 for most goals in a campaign before the turn of the year.

Salah will hope to continue his hot streak against Burnley at Turf Moor on New Year’s Day, although Klopp revealed he will first be checked by Liverpool’s medical staff to assess a minor injury.

The 25-year-old was substituted seven minutes from time in Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday having scored twice to help the Reds fight back from a goal down and secure the points.

“He was limping, and that is not a good sign,” Klopp said.

“I don’t know what is wrong. We will have to see what the problem was for the next game.

“But Mo can keep that standard for sure. It’s not just about scoring only, it’s about other situations. He is so important for us.

“He knows and I know he could not score without support of the other boys. But yes I think he can keep the standard.”

Liverpool’s win over Leicester was watched by new record signing Virgil van Dijk, whose £75 million ($100 million) move from Southampton will be formally completed when the transfer window opens on January 1.

The Dutch defender will not be eligible to feature against Burnley which means Klopp will again select from Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Dejan Lovren.

– ‘Aggressive in a legal way’ –

Klopp does not think the arrival of Van Dijk will create nervousness among his existing centre-back contingent, even though their places will be under threat.

“That’s part of professional football with a new player,” Klopp said.

“The really good players will always say the challenge of a player in your position will help you. That’s how it is.

“I don’t think the boys were nervous against Leicester. I couldn’t see anything of that and they don’t have any reason to be because I am happy about the development of these players.

“The most important thing against Leicester was the defensive performances. I am happy with the concentration in all defending moments.

“They were aggressive in a legal way. The yellow cards showed the desire of the boys in this moment, that we wanted to turn this game.”

The Premier League title will almost certainly be beyond Klopp’s side this season given Manchester City’s form but they have the potential of runs in both the FA Cup and Champions League.

“We cannot go the season with two centre-halves and hope nothing happens. The third one is logical and if you have a fourth one it’s even better,” he said.

“We have to fight and battle with the biggest teams in world football. You cannot do that with just 11 and being best friends every day.”

Leicester manager Claude Puel admits his players must quickly pick themselves up from the defeat at Anfield for their clash against Huddersfield Town at the King Power Stadium.

“I am frustrated for my squad,” Puel said.

“I think we deserved something for our effort and unity against Liverpool.”

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Dybala scores brace as Juve, Napoli pull clear in Serie A

Milan (AFP) – Paulo Dybala scored a brace as champions Juventus won 3-1 at Verona to keep pace with Napoli as Serie A’s leading duo pulled clear of pursuing Inter Milan, Roma and Lazio on Saturday.

Napoli won 1-0 at Crotone on Friday to secure the symbolic title of winter champions as they top the table halfway through the season with 48 points from 19 games, one more than six-time defending champions Juventus.

But behind them Inter, Roma and Lazio all failed to win.

Blaise Matuidi had put Juventus ahead after just six minutes but it took Dybala to unlock the victory after the hosts hit back through former Juventus player Martin Caceres on 59 minutes.

Dybala pulled the Turin giants level on 72 minutes and five minutes later sealed the win — both goals with his weaker right foot — to give him 14 league goals for the campaign.

“We all know it was not a good performance,” said Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. 

“We put the victory at risk after a strong start, because we slowed down, made far too many mistakes, lost the ball repeatedly, and we need to improve on that.

“It’s important that Paulo found the net again. He was in a delicate moment where things weren’t quite going his way.

“There are still 19 games to go and many points up for grabs, so we have to look at what is ahead of us and that’s Napoli. They’ve had an extraordinary 2017, play impressive football..”

Third-placed Inter are seven points off the top after they were held to a goalless draw by Lazio at San Siro, as Roma, in fourth, drew 1-1 against Sassuolo in the capital.

Inter’s draw saw them end a run of three straight defeats in all competitions, but after a storming start to the season Luciano Spalletti’s side have taken just two points in four games.

Despite being dangerous in the first half, with Ivan Perisic denied by a stunning Thomas Strakosha save and a Borja Valero header hitting the post, Inter could not find a way past fifth-placed Lazio.

“When you lose two or three games and go out of the Coppa Italia, it’s natural that those who wish you ill or hope that you’ll go back to old ways of previous years will come out of the woodwork,” said Spalletti.

“I’m not an optimist as such, but I know that if you’re pessimistic, then you won’t get the result. I try to give my players confidence in themselves.

“We have 41 points and I’d be more than happy to notch up 41 in the second half of the season too.”

Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini scored against his old club Sassuolo just after the half-hour only for Simone Missiroli to level after 78 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.

– Benevento finally win –

AC Milan remain in 11th — 23 points behind Napoli — despite a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina secured thanks to a Hakan Calhanoglu equaliser.

Benevento, meanwhile, made history as they claimed their first victory in the Italian top flight thanks to a Massimo Coda strike on 64 minutes which earned a 1-0 win at home against Chievo.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side sit bottom with four points from 19 games — their only previous point coming in a dramatic 2-2 draw against AC Milan earlier this month.

“It’s an important win because it would not have been easy for me to get back to work on Tuesday trying to motivate 25 people,” said De Zerbi, whose side are still 11 points from safety.

“It gives us the strength to continue.”

Elsewhere Fabio Quagliarella got two stoppage-time goals as Sampdoria beat SPAL 2-0 with Cagliari winning 2-1 away to Atalanta and Udinese beating Bologna by the same score. Torino were held to a goalless draw at home by Genoa.

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Guardiola fears New Year hangover

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Pep Guardiola has expressed concern that Manchester City could stumble significantly in the New Year as they chase success in four competitions.

The City manager is worried that he does not have the experence to cope with the kind of schedule his side are likely to face over the next couple of months.

Guardiola’s side have been in extraordinary form over the first half of the season, dropping just two points in 20 Premier League matches.

They also finished top of their Champions League group, securing a last-16 tie against Swiss champions Basel in February.

But City have faced nine matches during a busy December, and are set to play a minimum of seven during January, with four fixtures in the Premier League, a two-legged League Cup semi-final against Championship side Bristol City and an FA Cup third round home tie against Burnley.

Victory over Burnley would ensure another cup game at the end of January, and Guardiola is concerned that the schedule will eventually catch up with his players.

“Handling four competitions, I don’t know if we will be able to do that,” he said. 

“When I look at the schedule, we have to be careful. So I am worried. I am worried because we cannot play every three days.

“After Crystal Palace and Watford in the Premier League, we have the FA Cup against Burnley, and then the League Cup against Bristol City, who have taken out four Premier League teams. So be careful.

“Kevin de Bruyne cannot play every minute every three days. The players need refreshing to be right for the last part of the season.

“Also, I never lived in that situation before. Three competitions, I’ve handled many times. But four, never. And the fourth competition is not one game. 

“It’s double games and (potential) extra-time. So that’s why I am worried. We are going to see how we handle that situation.”

Guardiola’s predecessor, Manuel Pellegrini, faced similar problems two seasons ago, when City were still in four competitions in February, and ended up effectively sacrificing the FA Cup by fielding a side of fringe players and youth-team graduates for a 5-1 fifth-round defeat at Chelsea.

– ‘Real leader’ –

City arguably have more depth in their squad now, with Guardiola allowed to invest heavily since replacing Pellegrini in July 2016.

That investment is now paying off, with City looking set to run away with the domestic title, and in contention to complete the quadruple of Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup, something which has never been achieved by any English club.

Guardiola, though, takes little satisfaction from City’s outstanding recent form, instead suggesting that it has made him question why they did not do better last season.

Their success to date has been achieving with the bulk of last season’s squad; of the players he brought in last summer, only goalkeeper Ederson and right-back Kyle Walker have been regular starters.

“When I speak with my staff, I say that we are playing with nine players from last season,” Guardiola said. 

“So something we did last season was not good. There was something we missed.

“Of course they know us, the staff, better and we know them better. Last season, for example, I never thought we would play Fabian Delph at full-back. 

“Now it’s: ‘Ah, the brilliant Pep. How talented he is.’ Why didn’t I do that last season? I ask myself as well.

“Sometimes you need more time to see things. He’s a real leader in the locker room is Fabian Delph. 

“That’s why I always give credit to the players for what they do.”

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Inter, Roma held as Benevento finally win

Milan (AFP) – Inter Milan and Roma lost ground on leaders Napoli on Saturday after both title-chasing sides were held at home, while at the other end of the table Benevento got their first ever Serie A win.

Inter, in third, are now seven points behind Napoli after a goalless draw against Lazio at San Siro as Roma, in fourth, drew 1-1 against Sassuolo in the capital.

Champions Juventus, in second, travel to Verona later Saturday looking to close their four-point gap on Napoli, who finish the year on top after a 1-0 win against Crotone on Friday.

Inter’s draw saw them end a run of three straight defeats in all competitions.

However, despite being dangerous in the first half, with Ivan Perisic denied by a stunning Thomas Strakosha save and a Borja Valero header hitting the post, Luciano Spalletti’s side could not find a way past fifth-placed Lazio.

Felipe Anderson went close for the visitors, who were frustrated when a penalty awarded for a Milan Skriniar handball was revoked after the video assistant referee (VAR) showed it had been involutary, with the ball bouncing up off his leg.

“I don’t like this technology. I have more fun in the Europa League, where there is no VAR,” complained Lazio coach Simone Inzaghi. “It takes the emotion out of it.”

Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini scored against his old club Sassuolo just after the half-hour only for Simone Missiroli to level after 78 minutes at the Stadio Olimpico.

“We were subdued, in the second half we made too many mistakes,” said Roma coach Eusebio di Francesco. 

“We could have closed down the game but we didn’t have the strength to do it and Sassuolo didn’t give up. It was an important game to win.”

Benevento, meanwhile, made history as they finally claimed their first victory in the Italian top flight thanks to a Massimo Coda strike on 64 minutes which earned a 1-0 win at home against Chievo.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side sit bottom with four points from 19 games — their only previous point coming in a dramatic 2-2 draw against AC Milan earlier this month.

“It’s an important win because it would have not been easy for me to get back to work on Tuesday trying to motivate 25 people,” said De Zerbi, whose side are still 11 points from safety.

“It gives us the strength to continue.”

– Never-say-die Milan –

Earlier, Hakan Calhanoglu snatched a point for under-pressure Milan in a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina which nevertheless leaves Gennaro Gattuso’s side trailing in 11th position.

The Turkish midfielder equalised in the 74th minute, just three minutes after Giovanni Simeone had headed in for the hosts, as Milan came from behind to earn a result for the first time this season.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off several key saves on his 100th game for Milan. 

“Towards the end we even felt like we could win it. I’m really starting to like the never-say-die attitude of this team,” said Gattuso, whose side had beaten city rivals Inter in the Italian Cup in midweek.

Milan are 23 points behind Napoli.

Elsewhere Fabio Quagliarella got two stoppage-time goals as Sampdoria beat SPAL 2-0 with Cagliari winning 2-1 away to Atalanta and Udinese beating Bologna by the same score. Torino were held to a goalless draw at home by Genoa.

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Lukaku adds to Mourinho’s woes as United lose ground

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Jose Mourinho’s recent frustrations continued at Old Trafford as he lost Romelu Lukaku to a worrying head injury in Manchester United’s goalless Premier League draw with Southampton on Saturday.

Paul Pogba had a late effort ruled out for offside and a third successive league draw over the holiday period has effectively ended United’s hopes of competing with league leaders Manchester City for the title in the new year.

City could extend their advantage over United — who are third — to 17 points if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Adding to his concerns, Mourinho now faces an anxious wait to discover the extent of his star striker’s injury.

Lukaku, whom Mourinho had admitted in the build-up to the game is desperately in need of a rest, lasted just eight minutes before being stretchered off.

His injury came from an innocuous challenge with Wesley Hoedt, but one in which the Southampton defender clashed heads with the United man, striking the back of his skull.

The Belgian striker needed a full five minutes of on-field treatment before being carried off the field and replaced by Marcus Rashford, although his afternoon had already started in disappointing fashion.

Lukaku was on the end of a perfect Juan Mata cross after three minutes but could only head his effort over from six yards.

As United struggled to adjust to Lukaku’s departure, Southampton looked far more threatening.

Sofiane Boufal pulled the ball back from the by-line and James Ward-Prowse’s firm shot was well saved, at full stretch, by David de Gea. Hoedt then mis-timed his header from a Ward-Prowse corner, glancing across goal from six yards out when it looked easier to head on target.

Southampton had dropped out-of-form goalkeeper Fraser Forster, handing Alex McCarthy his debut for the club, and he proved solid cover as United ended the half in slightly stronger form.

A Mata strike was well saved by McCarthy’s leg before Rashford almost made contact with an excellent Ashley Young cross and Southampton skipper Maya Yoshida escaped a strong penalty appeal after he appeared to handle in blocking Jesse Lingard.

The situation might have become even more dire for United early in the second half when the excellent Ward-Prowse crossed from the right and Shane Long darted into the area ahead of Nemanja Matic, only to be denied by a magnificent De Gea save via his right boot.

There were audible groans from the Old Trafford crowd after a mis-hit cross by Henrikh Mkhitaryan sailed over the Southampton goal just after the hour.

However, those groans turned to cheers a few moments later with the sight of Anthony Martial warming up, and he replaced the Armenian just after the hour mark.

Martial injected some much-needed pace, and confidence, into the United attack but De Gea’s goal was the one still under the greater threat, a point underlined when Dusan Tadic headed over a Boufal cross from a promising position after 71 minutes.

However, United could have won it in the 81st minute. The ball seemed to be going in after a scramble in the box following Ashley Young’s free-kick, but an offside Paul Pogba touched it in anyway and the offside flag came up, summing up the hosts’ frustration.

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Lukaku injured in United draw, Salah fires Liverpool

London (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku was stretchered off after a clash of heads as Manchester United drew 0-0 with Southampton, while Mohamed Salah fired Liverpool to a 2-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday.

Lukaku crashed into Southampton’s Wesley Hoedt as the pair contested an aerial challenge early in the first half at Old Trafford.

The Belgium striker lay prone on the pitch barely moving while he was treated by medical staff for five minutes.

Lukaku remained conscious and was eventually carried off wearing an oxygen mask.

The injury continued a difficult period for Lukaku, who has scored just four times in his last 19 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side.

In the absence of Lukaku, Mourinho’s men were unable to break down Southampton and had to settle for their third successive league draw.

United end a frustrating December trailing 14 points behind leaders Manchester City, who face Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Virgil van Dijk, signed from Southampton for a world record fee for a defender of £75 million ($100 million), isn’t able to play for Liverpool until January.

But the flaws the Dutch centre-back will be asked to fix were on display as Leicester took a third-minute lead at Anfield.

With Van Dijk watching on, Joel Matip carelessly conceded possession and Riyad Mahrez set up Jamie Vardy to slot past goalkeeper Loris Karius, selected in place of the dropped Simon Mignolet, for his 10th of the season.

However, Liverpool levelled seven minutes after the interval. 

Egypt winger Salah took Sadio Mane’s brilliant pass and showed good footwork before drilling past Kasper Schmeichel for his 22nd club goal of an incredible debut season following his move from Roma.

Salah then won it for Liverpool in the 76th minute, turning away from Leicester defender Harry Maguire and firing in at the Kop end.

Liverpool, unbeaten in 12 league games, remain fourth and now hold a four-point advantage over fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

“It is a maximum satisfaction to win like this. Today was pretty much perfect,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.

“Mo was fantastic with his dribbling and his vision. I couldn’t ask more from him.”

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea climbed above United into second place.

Antonio Conte’s side made the perfect start when German defender Antonio Rudiger headed home from Willian’s free-kick in the third minute.

Eden Hazard was rested, but his replacement Danny Drinkwater did a passable impression of the brilliant Belgian, the midfielder bagging his first goal for the Blues with a blistering strike in the ninth minute.

Stoke were three down by the 23rd minute when Pedro finished off Willian’s pass to put Chelsea on course for a fourth win in five league games.

Willian got on the scoresheet himself in the 73rd minute, stroking home a penalty, before wing-back Davide Zappacosta grabbed his first Premier League goal with two minutes remaining.

“Every win is important for us, today it was important to get three points to continue our positive run,” Conte said.

– Carvalhal makes his mark –

Carlos Carvalhal made an immediate impact at Swansea City as his new club climbed off the bottom of the table with a dramatic 2-1 win at Watford.

Carvalhal was the surprise choice to replaced the sacked Paul Clement just days after being dismissed by second-tier Sheffield Wednesday.

The Portuguese coach’s first game got off to a bad start when Andre Carrillo nodded home in the 11th minute.

But Carvalhal was heard lambasting his players at half-time and they responded to his words with four minutes left when Ghana striker Jordan Ayew equalised. Luciano Narsingh then won it for Swansea in the 90th minute.

Swansea are two points from safety after their first win in five games.

“We deserved the win. I must say to my players I’m very happy with what they did in a difficult situation,” Carvalhal said.

Ryan Fraser’s last-gasp goal clinched Bournemouth’s first win in nine matches as they beat Everton 2-1 at Dean Court to move out of the relegation zone.

Newcastle drew 0-0 with Brighton and Huddersfield Town shared a goalless draw with Burnley.

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Lukaku carried off after clash of heads

Manchester (United Kingdom) (AFP) – Romelu Lukaku was stretchered off after the Manchester United striker clashed heads with Southampton’s Wesley Hoedt in the teams’ Premier League clash on Saturday.

Lukaku crashed into Hoedt as the pair contested an aerial challenge in the first half of the encounter at Old Trafford.

The Belgium international lay prone on the pitch barely moving while he was treated by medical staff for five minutes.

Lukaku remained conscious and was eventually carried off to applause from the United fans with the score 0-0.

His injury continued a difficult period for Lukaku, who has scored just four times in his last 19 appearances for Jose Mourinho’s side.

Lukaku, who joined United from Everton for £75 million ($101 million) in the close season, had started the campaign with 11 goals in 10 games.

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Roma held as Benevento get first Serie A win

Milan (AFP) – Roma suffered a 1-1 stalemate on Saturday which could see them lose ground on leading trio Napoli, Juventus and Inter Milan as newcomers Benevento made history with their first ever Serie A win.

Roma took the lead  when Lorenzo Pellegrini scored against his old club Sassuolo just after the half-hour in Rome only for Simone Missiroli to level after 78 minutes at the Stadio Olympico.

Eusebio di Francesco’s side have a game in hand but trail leaders Napoli — who finish the year on top after their 1-0 win against Crotone on Friday — by nine points.

Champions Juventus could also pull further clear of the Romans when they travel to Verona later Saturday with Inter Milan, in third, hosting Lazio, in fifth.

“We were subdued, in the second half we made too many mistakes,” said di Francesco. 

“We could have closed down the game but we didn’t have the strength to do it and Sassuolo didn’t give up. It was an important game to win.”

Benevento made history with their first victory in the Italian top flight thanks to a Massimo Coda strike on 64 minutes which earned a 1-0 win at home against Chievo.

Roberto De Zerbi’s side sit bottom of the league with four points from 19 games — their first point coming in a dramatic 2-2 draw against Milan earlier this month.

De Zerbi’s team still have a long way to go as they are 11 points off safety, but the coach insisted the victory could be a key one.

“It’s an important win because it would have not been easy for me to get back to work on Tuesday trying to motivate 25 people,” said De Zerbi.

“It gives us the strength to continue. We’ve deserved this victory for the past few weeks and now we’re already thinking about the next game.”

Earlier, Hakan Calhanoglu snatched a point for under-pressure AC Milan in a 1-1 draw at Fiorentina which nevertheless leaves Gennaro Gattuso’s side trailing in 11th position.

The Turkish midfielder equalised three minutes after Giovanni Simeone had headed in for the hosts in the 71st minute as Milan came from behind for the first time this season.

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off several key saves on his 100th game for Milan. 

“Towards the end we even felt like we could win it. I’m really starting to like the never-say-die attitude of this team,” said Gattuso after Milan’s Italian Cup victory midweek over city rivals Inter Milan.

Milan are 23 points behind Napoli who ensured they end the year with the symbolic title of Winter Champions with a 1-0 win at Crotone.

Captain Marek Hamsik, who last week overtook Diego Maradona as the club’s all-time leading scorer, settled the game with his 1l7th goal in a Napoli shirt.

Elsewhere Fabio Quagliarella got two stoppage time goals as Sampdoria beat SPAL 2-0 with Cagliari winning 2-1 away to Atalanta with Udinese beating Bologna by the same score, and Torino held to a goalless draw at home by Genoa.

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Salah shines as Liverpool down Leicester

Liverpool (AFP) – Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool came from behind to maintain their push for a Champions League place with 2-1 victory over Leicester on Saturday.

Jamie Vardy put Leicester ahead but Liverpool, who had new £75 million ($100 million) signing Vigil van Dijk watching from the Anfield stands, fought back after the interval to secure the points.

Salah was again instrumental for Jurgen Klopp’s side as he took his tally to 17 Premier League goals this season with two fine finishes.

Liverpool, who remain fourth, are four points clear of fifth placed Tottenham.

Klopp’s goalkeeper rotation policy saw Loris Karius start ahead of Simon Mignolet, who dropped to the bench, and after just three minutes the German was forced to pick the ball out of the net.

Joel Matip’s timid pass from the back sold Emre Can short and Vicente Iborra’s sharpness saw him steal possession and quickly release Riyad Mahrez down the right flank.

The Algeria winger glided past left-back Andrew Robertson and his teasing low cross was met by Vardy, who showed his penalty box predatory instincts to nip in front of Matip and finish.

It was Vardy’s 10th goal of the season in all competitions as he again scored against a top-six club having netted previously in matches against Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham and both Manchester clubs.

Liverpool shook off their sluggishness and should have equalised moments after Vardy’s opener when Salah was found by Sadio Mane only to get his angles wrong and drag a shot wide from eight yards.

Philippe Coutinho stung the palms of Kasper Schmeichel with a long-range effort while Mane had the ball in the net from Robertson’s cross only to be correctly flagged offside.

Liverpool continued to threaten the visitors’ goal from distance with Joe Gomez and Roberto Firmino both going close before the break.

Where Salah had snatched at some of his chances in the first half, his composure early in the second period saw him equalise for the home side.

– Pinpoint finish –

Seven minutes after the interval the Egypt international chased Mane’s clever backheel into the penalty area before his close control took him past Daniel Amartey on to his favoured left foot.

With the Kop screaming for the net to bulge, Salah took a moment then arrowed a pinpoint finish through the legs of Schmeichel.

An unsavoury incident followed as Firmino, eager to get the ball for Leicester to kick-off, and Harry Maguire grappled inside the goalmouth before referee Neil Swarbrick stepped in.

Mane had the ball in the net again just after the hour, but again he was in an offside position.

Leicester’s chances were more fleeting although Karius breathed a sigh of relief when Wilfred Ndidi’s sweetly struck shot following a corner whistled past the post.

Salah was to prove the difference between the two sides, though, when he added his and Liverpool’s second to put the Reds in front with 14 minutes remaining.

Firmino rolled the ball in to James Milner and his clever flick slipped in Salah. Milner looked for the return pass, but Salah had other ideas.

The 25-year-old showed his strength to roll the otherwise faultless Maguire before he clinically dispatched the ball past Schmeichel.

Leicester piled on the pressure in the remainder of the game but this time Liverpool’s defence stood up to the job and held on to clinch the three points.

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Chelsea outclass Stoke in five-goal drubbing

London (AFP) – Chelsea demonstrated the yawning chasm in squad depth that exists in the Premier League with a 5-0 canter past Stoke City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

While both sides rotated their squads after a hectic series of fixtures, Chelsea maintained their quality on the pitch in a scintillating opening half-hour, racing into a 3-0 lead and effectively winning the match through goals from Antonio Rudiger, Danny Drinkwater and Pedro.

A late Willian penalty and a fine individual effort from Davide Zappacosta completed the scoring in a game that had long since ceased to be a contest.

By contrast, Stoke’s team selection suggested manager Mark Hughes was prioritising Monday’s New Year’s Day game at home to fellow strugglers Newcastle United.

Teenage full-backs Tom Edwards and Josh Tymon both started while influential midfielders Joe Allen and Xherdan Shaqiri were named as substitutes.

It took just two minutes and 35 seconds for Stoke’s makeshift side to be exposed. Willian sent over a long, looping free-kick to the far post where Rudiger rose to head powerfully home.

It was 2-0 after eight minutes.

This time Stoke did manage to clear a set piece, a corner on this occasion, only to see the ball drop to Drinkwater just outside the area.

A touch to control and a swish of his right boot later and the ball was flying into the top corner, leaving Stoke goalkeeper Jack Butland helpless.

A third goal seemed inevitable and it arrived after 23 minutes.

Willian slipped the ball to Pedro who allowed it to drift across his body, wrongfooting Tymon in the process, before striking it low into the corner of Butland’s net.

At this point, it appeared that the record Premier League victory -– Manchester United’s 9-0 win over Ipswich in 1995 -– could possibly be eclipsed.

Instead Chelsea’s intensity dropped.

This gave Charlie Adam more time in midfield. The Scot used it wisely, floating a delightful ball into the path of Mame Biram Diouf, who used his upper arm to control it before he slotted his shot under the body of Thibaut Courtois. The goal was rightly disallowed.

Stoke then fashioned another opportunity in the opening minutes of the second half.

However, Saido Berahino’s understandable lack of confidence having not scored since February 2016 saw him shoot tamely at Courtois.

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte’s thoughts were already turning towards Wednesday’s London derby trip to Arsenal. The Italian removed Victor Moses, N’Golo Kante and Alvaro Morata by the 71st minute.

Two minutes later, Chelsea had their fourth goal. Willian, who was clearly bundled over by Geoff Cameron in the area, sent Butland the wrong way with his penalty.

With the game nearing its conclusion, Zappacosta chose the moment to score his first Premier League goal, collecting the ball on the right, cutting inside and driving a low shot past Butland.

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Salah inspires Liverpool, Chelsea crush Stoke

London (AFP) – Liverpool celebrated Virgil van Dijk’s arrival at Anfield by coming from behind to beat Leicester City 2-1 thanks to Mohamed Salah’s brace, while Danny Drinkwater scored his first Chelsea goal in a 5-0 rout of Stoke City.

Van Dijk, signed from Southampton for a world record fee for a defender of £75 million ($100 million), isn’t able to play for Liverpool until January, but the flaws the Dutch centre-back will be asked to fix were on display as Leicester took a third minute lead at Anfield on Saturday.

With Van Dijk watching from the stands, Liverpool defender Joel Matip carelessly conceded possession and Riyad Mahrez set up Jamie Vardy to slot past goalkeeper Loris Karius, selected in place of the dropped Simon Mignolet, for his 10th goal of the season.

Liverpool couldn’t find a first-half equaliser despite having 12 shots, but they were level seven minutes after the interval.

Egypt winger Salah took Sadio Mane’s brilliant pass and showed good footwork before drilling past Kasper Schmeichel for his 22nd club goal of an incredible debut season following his move from Roma.

Salah wasn’t finished yet and he won it for Liverpool in the 76th minute, turning away from Leicester defender Harry Maguire and firing in at the Kop end.

Liverpool, unbeaten in 12 league games, remain fourth and now hold a four-point advantage over fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur in the race to qualify for the Champions League.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea climbed into second place above Manchester United, who host Southampton later on Saturday.

Antonio Conte’s side made the perfect start when German defender Antonio Rudiger rose above three Stoke defenders to head home from Willian’s free-kick in the third minute.

Eden Hazard was rested on the Chelsea bench, but his replacement Drinkwater did a passable impression of the brilliant Belgian, the midfielder bagging his first goal for the Blues with a blistering strike from the edge of the area in the ninth minute.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes’s decision to field a severely weakened team in the midst of the hectic festive fixture list was backfiring badly.

The visitors were three down by the 23rd minute when Pedro finished off Willian’s pass to put Chelsea on course for a fourth win in their last five league games.

Willian got on the scoresheet himself in the 73rd minute, stroking home a penalty awarded for a foul on the Brazilian, before wing-back Davide Zappacosta grabbed his first Premier League goal with two minutes remaining.

– Carvalhal makes his mark –

Carlos Carvalhal made an immediate impact at Swansea City as his new club climbed off the bottom of the table with a dramatic 2-1 win at Watford.

Carvalhal was the surprise choice to replaced the sacked Paul Clement just days after he’d been dismissed by second-tier Sheffield Wednesday.

The Portuguese coach’s first game got off to a bad start when Andre Carrillo nodded home in the 11th minute.

But Carvalhal was heard lambasting his players at half-time and they responded to his words with four minutes when left Ghana striker Jordan Ayew equalised.

In a remarkable finale, Luciano Narsingh won it for Swansea in the 90th minute with a close-range finish.

Swansea are two points from safety after their first win in five games.

Ryan Fraser’s last-gasp goal clinched Bournemouth’s first win in nine matches as the struggling hosts beat Everton 2-1 at Dean Court to move out of the relegation zone.

Fraser side-footed Bournemouth ahead in the 33rd minute, only for Idrissa Gueye to equalise for Everton in the 57th minute.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce was unbeaten in seven games in all competitions since replacing Ronald Koeman, but Fraser ended that run with his 89th-minute strike.

Newcastle United are only one point above the bottom three after a dour 0-0 draw at home to Brighton and Hove Albion left them with just one win in 12 games.

Huddersfield Town and Burnley shared a goalless draw at the John Smith’s Stadium.

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Honours even in vibrant Old Firm clash

Glasgow (AFP) – Rangers earned a rare point against Celtic as a pulsating Old Firm derby ended goalless at Parkhead on Saturday.

The hosts dominated the first half with Scott Sinclair and French striker Moussa Dembele coming closest for Celtic.

But it was Rangers who ran the show in the second half with Colombian striker Alfredo Morelos missing two gilt-edged opportunities for the visitors as they claimed only their second point against the champions since returning to the top flight in 2016.

The point, however, stretches Celtic’s lead at the top of the Scottish Premiership to nine points ahead of Aberdeen’s match against Hearts and keeps them 11 clear of Rangers, who are still searching for their first Old Firm league win since 2012.

“It was probably a fair result in the end. I think we created chances in the first half but we didn’t take them,” said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.

“In the second half Rangers had a couple of chances but I thought the game lacked quality.”

Rangers manager Graeme Murty — who was also in charge as caretaker when they took their last point off their bitter rivals — was delighted with the effort from his players.

“The guys are in the dressing room a bit frustrated as we created some good chances,” Murty said.

“But I’m really proud of the way the players approached the game and withstood a really harsh challenge.”

Following a frantic start, it was a mistake from Mikael Lustig that handed Rangers the first real chance.

The visitors high pressing game worked as the Swedish defender cheaply gave possession to Josh Windass who played in Morelos whose drilled shot from a tight angle was saved by Craig Gordon.

Spurred on by their vocal home support, Celtic began to impose themselves, but missed a catalogue of chances.

Dembele, subject of speculation linking him with a move to Premier League outfit Brighton, fluffed an early chance as he got on the end of Dedryck Boyata’s headed knock-down but weakly sent his effort straight into the hands of Wes Foderingham.

James Forrest was then inches away with a low angled strike from Kieran Tierney’s cut-back.

— Smothered on the line —

Celtic smelled blood and almost had the opener in the 16th minute.

A goal-bound Dembele header was scrambled away by Foderingham straight to Sinclair, who’s initial effort was blocked by James Tavernier before his follow-up was smothered on the line by the ‘keeper.

With the game heading to the break Celtic blew the best chance of the half.

Forrest drove down the right and cut the ball back to the unmarked Sinclair, but with the goal at his mercy he scuffed his shot wide.

It was Rangers who re-emerged more fired up and only a superb save from Gordon stopped Tavernier’s acrobatic effort from Daniel Candeias’ cross sneaking in.

Celtic looked rattled as Rangers continued to push forward with Windass — subject of a rejected a bid from English Championship side Preston North End on Friday — inches away from connecting with Candeias’ cross into the six-yard box.

Morelos should have delivered the opener in the 68th minute.

Tavernier bounded past a couple of challenges on the right before sending a low cross into the six-yard box that the Colombian stooped to head towards the bottom corner but Gordon stuck out a leg to divert the ball round the post.

The striker’s bad day in front of goal continued as Tavernier’s cross  found him lurking unmarked a couple of yards out but he directed his header off target.

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