Bayern Munich v Barcelona – live Champions League

Posted on April 23, 2013 by adminsports

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LIVE: Bayern Munich v Barcelona – as it happens from the Allianz Arena

25min: GOAL! BAYERN MUNICH 1-0 Barcelona

It's been coming and finally the German side's pressure pays off. A corner eventually finds Dante inside the area and his headed effort back across goal is powerfully nodded home by Thomas Muller.

22min: Bayern are slightly fortunate to win a corner as Jordi Alba was adjudged to have failed in keeping the ball in play, but Robben's set-piece is punched clear by Valdes before the visitors win a free-kick for an infringement inside the box.

19min: The home side continue to look dangerous as they go forward but whether it's by handball or other means, the Barcelona back-four isn't struggling too much to cope with the German side. Going forward though it's a different story as Lionel Messi and Co have yet to get into the game.

Clash of the titans: Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery fight for the ball

16min: A strong penalty claim from Bayern Munich, as Philipp Lahm's shot is clearly blocked from a raised Pique arm. It's very subtle from the defender but he is very fortunate to get away with that.

14min: From InfostradaLive:

Bayern have never lost a CL semifinal match at home (5W – 1D). Their only draw was in April 1995: 0-0 against Ajax.

11min: A very even opening to a game which neither side has yet to take control of. Barcelona's passing looks better at this stage but it's Valdes who has had to make the only save of the match so far.

Aiming low: Bayern Munich's Arjen Robben sees a shot saved by Barcelona's Victor Valdes

8min: In fact one or two players are slipping on other areas of the watered pitch as Barcelona win their first corner, which is headed wide by Gerard Pique.

5min: The home side have settled now but we have the bizarre case of a waterlogged pitch.

There's been no rain in Munich today but the centre-circle is holding standing water from what is most likely from the sprinklers that watered the pitch before the game.

2min: It takes nearly 80 seconds for Bayern to touch the ball but they carve out the first opportunity. Arjen Robben's through pass feeds in Javi Martinez, and after the forward returns the favour with a cut-back, the winger's low shot is well blocked by Victor Valdes.

Ready to go: The players arrive on the pitch at the Allianz Arena

Kick-off: Away we go at the Allianz Arena as Barcelona possession is immediately jeered by the home crowd.

19.41: Both sets of teams are on the field, as the home fans raise red and white cards to represent Bayern Munich's colours.

19.36: From InfostradaLive:

Bayern are the first German team to play two consecutive Champions League semifinals since 1998/1999, 1999/2000 and 2000/2001, when they themselves achieved this feat.

Preparing: Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer saves a shot warming up

19.31: Viktor Kassai is in charge of tonight's game – with the Hungarian a lucky charm of some sort for Barcelona.

He oversaw their 4-0 win over AC Milan at the Nou Camp earlier this year and was also in charge of the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley where the Spanish side defeated Manchester United 3-1.

Bayern Munich last had the official in their 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid in last year's semi-final.

19.26: They may be stars everyone wants to see but Barcelona were greeted by jeers from the home fans as they took to the pitch for their warm-up.

19.23: Whatever you think of this current Bayern Munich team there is no denying how impressive their current form is. They have won 19 of their last 20 matches in all competitions – with that one blemish being the second-leg defeat against Arsenal in the last 16.

Jupp Heynckes' team have won all 13 Bundesliga games this year and are on course for the treble having reached the final of the German cup following a 6-1 semi-final win over Wolfsburg.

Club legend: Bayern president Uli Hoeness arrives at the Allianz Arena

Flying the flag: Bayern Munich and Barcelona fans gathered outside of the Allianz Arena

19.18: From InfostradaLive:

Victor Valdes plays his 48th CL KO match, overtaking Ryan Giggs (47) as player with most CL KO appearances.

19.13: Full line-ups from the Allianz Arena:

Bayern Munich v Barcelona
Bayern Munich: Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Javi Martinez, Schweinsteiger, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Gomez. Subs: Starke, Van Buyten, Shaqiri, Rafinha, Pizarro, Gustavo, Tymoschuk.

Barcelona: Valdes, Dani Alves, Pique, Bartra, Jordi Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Sanchez, Messi, Pedro. Subs: Pinto, Fabregas, Villa, Thiago, Montoya, Abidal, Song.

Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)

19.08: From OptaPaolo:

25 – Bayern have always scored at home in the Champions League against Spanish opposition (13 games), scoring 25 goals in total. Assurance.

Way back when: Bayern Munich's Stefan Effenberg (right) tracks Barcelona's Sonny Anderson

Revenge: First leg goals from Lionel Messi, Samuel Eto'o and Thierry Henry helped Barcelona thump Bayern Munich 5-1 on aggregate in the 2009 Champions League quarter-finals

19.05: Bayern Munich won two Champions League group stage meetings in 1998, but Barcelona finally triumphed over the German side when they strolled to a 5-1 aggregate victory in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago.

In fact they effectively won the tie by half-time of the first leg at the Nou Camp, following a brace from Lionel Messi and strikes from Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto'o.

19.00: Despite their regular participation in Europe's top competition – these sides have only clashed in three previous seasons.

The first was in the 1996 UEFA Cup semi-final when Bayern edged through 4-3 on aggregate – a tie where in the clash at the Nou Camp, Sergio Busquets' (who starts tonight) father Carles featured – as did Pep Guardiola.

18.55: Mario Mandzukic is suspended for Bayern, so therefore Mario Gomez plays up top. The more agile Jerome Boateng starts in front of Daniel van Buyten.

French following: A fan holds a France flag with Bayern's Franck Ribery on the front

18.50: So Messi returns for Barcleona and will lead an attack along with Pedro Rodriguez and Alexis Sanchez. Marc Bartra starts in defence in place of injured pair Javier Mascherano, Carlos Puyol and the suspended Adriano.

18.45: Barcelona starting XI:

Valdes, Alves, Bartra, Pique, Alba, Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta, Pedro, Messi, Alexis.

18.40: Bayern Munich starting XI:

Neuer, Lahm, Boateng, Dante, Alaba, Schweinsteiger, Martinez, Robben, Muller, Ribery, Gomez.

On the move: Mario Gotze (centre) will join Bayern Munich this summer

18.35: Bayern Munich have already been making headlines today, after it emerged Mario Gotze will join the club from Borussia Dortmund for 32m in what will be Pep Guardiola's first signing when he takes over at Munich this summer.

A huge statement of intent that, with the 20-year-old midfielder one of Europe's most highly sought after players.

18.30: From OptaJean:

1 – Barcelona have only won one of their 6 competitive encounters with Bayern Munich (D2, L3). Stress.

18.25: The fact that Barcelona are not huge favourites (if they are favourites at all) to win tonight shows just how far Bayern Munich have come this season.

They continue to shine in Europe of course but their domestic form has been nothing short of devastating – it should be quite a contest.

Back in business: Lionel Messi is poised to return for Barcelona

18.20: It's been a lovely sunny St. George's Day in the UK, and the weather is looking good in Munich too ahead of tonight's game. It's 16 degrees at the Allianz Arena where fans are already arriving.

18.15: No full team news yet but it seems Lionel Messi is fully fit for Barcelona, having not featured since coming off the bench in the quarter-final win against Paris Saint-Germain in the last round. That's a big boost for Barca who have stuttered at times on their travels around the continent this term.

18.10: There may be no English teams left but what a final four we have in this season's Champions League!

As it turns out it will be a double dose of Spain v Germany, and while Real Madrid are favourites to edge past Borussia Dortmund, it appears much closer between Bayern Munich and Barcelona – the latter of course, the main event this evening.

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On the ball: Bayern Munich's Bastian Schweinsteiger trains in preperation for the semi-final

Lionel Messi breaks another record by completing stunning scoring circle against every La Liga team

Posted on March 31, 2013 by adminsports

Messi breaks another record by completing stunning scoring circle against every La Liga team

By
Pete Jenson

PUBLISHED:

19:16 GMT, 30 March 2013

UPDATED:

22:10 GMT, 30 March 2013

Lionel Messi extended his five-month
scoring run to 19 games to became the first player ever to score in
consecutive matches against every other team in the division.

The Argentine scored in Barcelona's
2-2 draw with Celta Vigo to take his La Liga tally to 43 for this season
with nine games left of the campaign.

Messi has now scored 30 goals in the last 19 matches.

Scroll down for his full scoring record

Record breaker: Lionel Messi celebrates scoring against Celta Vigo

Hot shot: Messi extended his scoring run to 19 league games

In the equivalent of an entire half-season, he has delivered match after match, scoring against all opponents.

It was on November 3 last year that
he last failed to score – at home to Celta Vigo – a game played less
than 24 hours after his partner, Antonella Ruccuzzo, had given birth to
their son, Thiago.

Messi played 90 minutes in the 3-1
victory that night, but there was to be no special goal dedicated to the
new born. He has made up for it since.

On eight occasions he has scored
twice and in a 5-1 win over Osasuna at the end of January he scored
four. With this latest strike, he is now on course to shatter the
half-century of league goals he clocked up last season.

With 10 games left last season he had
scored 33 goals – with nine games left now he is already on 43 and
homing in on last season's record-breaking 91 in all competitions in a
calendar year.

Barcelona assistant coach Jordi Roura
said: 'The fact that no one has ever done this before shows just how
difficult it is. Only with the passing of time will we realise just how
incredible his achievements have been.'

A belter: Barca's Cristian Tello beats Celta Vigo keeper Javi Varas

In control: Messi takes on Natxo Insa

Messi, 25, started as captain, despite being sick on the pitch in Argentina's midweek draw against Bolivia in the high-altitude conditions of La Paz.

But with both Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez rested ahead of Barcelona's trip to Paris in the Champions League on Tuesday, Messi was starved of service.

He went down under a challenge from Vadim Demidov but referee Mateu Lahoz waved away penalty appeals.

Barcelona struggled in defence, with on-loan Arsenal striker Park Chu-Young causing problems for young centre-back Marc Bartra and only a fine double save from Jose Pinto kept out the home side after a mistake by Gerard Pique.

messi scoring circle updated

On 39 minutes, Barcelona fell behind when Fabian Orellana crossed for Natxo Insa to score. Messi saw a free-kick saved by Javi Varas, but two minutes before the break he turned provider for Cristian Tello to net.

It was Messi's 10th assist of the season – only Real Madrid's Mesut Ozil has managed more – but it was a goal he needed for the record and it came on 73 minutes.

In front of the penalty area, he fizzed the ball out wide to Tello and when the youngster played it back to him first time, Messi finished past Varas.

A late equaliser from Borja Oubina two minutes from time prevented Barcelona from taking all three points but Messi at least had his incredible record.

Boss Tito Vilanova is expected to travel with the squad after his return from New York, where he was having cancer treatment. 'It's a massive boost,' said Roura.

Ronnie Wood at Barcelona v AC Milan

Posted on March 13, 2013 by adminsports

Rolling Stone axeman Wood spotted in the Nou Camp getting plenty of satisfaction

By
John Drayton

PUBLISHED:

20:45 GMT, 12 March 2013

UPDATED:

21:41 GMT, 12 March 2013

Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood knows plenty about hot tickets. But usually people are buying them for his shows.

On Tuesday it was Wood shelling out, as he treated his wife Sally to an evening of high quality football as Barcelona faced AC Milan in the Nou Camp.

Many claim the Stones are rock's greatest band and Wood found himself watching someone else at the top of his trade too, as Lionel Messi went on a rampage.

Excited: Ronnie Wood enjoying the action with his wife Sally… and with a cigarette (below)

The Barca star painted it black with two stunning first half strikes to rock Milan, who had come to Spain with a two-goal lead.

The first was some real hot stuff – the Argentina international finished exquisitely from outside the box.

Messi then shattered Milan's advantage with his second, sending Barcelona fans out of control.

Barcelona went on to win 4-0, thanks to additional strikes from David Villa and Jordi Alba, leaving Milan firmly under their thumb.

You got me rocking: Lionel Messi celebrates after turning the tie on its head

Lionel Messi signs new contract with Barcelona until 2018

Posted on February 7, 2013 by adminsports

Messi follows example of Xavi and Puyol by committing to Barcelona until 2018

PUBLISHED:

16:27 GMT, 7 February 2013

UPDATED:

18:17 GMT, 7 February 2013

Lionel Messi has signed his two-year contract extension with Barcelona.

The Argentina superstar put pen to paper on his new deal at the Nou Camp this afternoon and is now tied to the Catalan giants until June 30, 2018.

Messi follows in the footsteps of fellow club stalwarts Xavi and Carles Puyol, both of whom signed their extensions last month.

Pen to paper: The four-time Ballon d'Or winner signed a new deal with Barcelona this afternoon

Job done: Barcelona's president Sandro Rosell shakes hands with the Argentina international after he pledged his future to the Catalan club until 2018

Barca announced in December they had agreed new contracts with the trio.

It's
little wonder Barcelona are keen to tie down Messi's future for as long
as possible – the Argentina international has scored 45 goals in 34
appearances this season so far.

And that comes off the back of an incredible 91 goals during the 2012 calendar year.

Lionel Messi arrives at the Camp Nou Stadium to sign a new contract lasting until 2018

Lionel Messi arrives at the Camp Nou Stadium to sign a new contract with Barcelona

Sign on the dotted line: Messi arrives at the Camp Nou Stadium this afternoon to sign a new two-year contract extension with Barcelona, which will see him through until 2018. While Messi may again be surging ahead in the goalscoring charts, he is hardly inspiring many with his choice of jacket.

Lionel Messi arrives at the Camp Nou Stadium to sign his new two-year contract extension

The news was welcomed by Messi's teammate Jordi Alba, who said: 'I can't imagine what Messi will be like in 2018, but it's great news for Barca fans that he's staying.

'He is the best player in the world and as long as nothing happens, he'll be the best ever. We'll try to make him feel as comfortable here as we can.'

Dotty: Messi wore an eye-catching tuxedo to pick up his latest Ballon D'Or award last month

Golden balls: Lionel Messi with his FIFA Ballon D'Or collection. He's won the accolade, for the best player in world football, for the last four years

The former Valencia player added: 'I was once unlucky enough to have to face him as an opponent, but now I'm here I'm delighted to have him as a teammate.

'I have never seen anybody capable of doing the things he can do.'

Messi, 25, came up through the youth ranks at Barca before making his competitive debut against Espanyol in 2004 at the age of 17.

Since then he has established himself as one of the best players in history, breaking numerous records in the process.

Delighted: Messi's teammate Jordi Alba (right) was pleased with news of the new contract

He won his fourth straight FIFA World Player of the Year award last month following a remarkable 2012 in which he scored 91 goals – smashing the world record of 85 in a calendar year set by Bayern Munich and West Germany striker Gerd Muller in 1972.

While setting that record, Messi became the first man to score five times in a Champions League game as Barca crushed Bayer Leverkusen 7-1 last March.

Three weeks after that he became Barca's all-time leading goalscorer after a brace against Granada moved him on to 233 official goals, one more than the previous record set by Cesar Rodriguez during the 1940s and 50s.

Familiar: The sight of Lionel Messi celebrating another goal for Barcelona has become a familiar one - he scored an all-time record 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year

Familiar: The sight of Lionel Messi celebrating another goal for Barcelona has become a familiar one – he scored an all-time record 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year

He has been in similarly stunning form in 2013 and his goal in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Valencia was a league-record 12th consecutive game in which he found the net.

During his time at the Nou Camp, Messi has also helped Barca win a host of silverware, including five Primera Division titles, three Champions Leagues, two Copa del Rey crowns and two FIFA Club World Cups.

Manchester United want Leighton Baines from Everton for 15m as Sir Alex Ferguson gives up on Ashley Cole

Posted on November 27, 2012 by adminsports

United boss Fergie wants 15m Baines over Cole… And here's why – stats show Leighton is Europe's best left-back

UPDATED:

12:12 GMT, 27 November 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson will revive his interest in Everton defender Leighton Baines after conceding defeat in his move for Ashley Cole.

The Manchester United manager has made the acquisition of a new left-back a top priority, despite the capture of Alexander Buttner in August.

Everton star Baines heads Ferguson's list and Sportsmail has discovered why.

The England star, 27, is the top performing left-back in European football (since August 2012) – according to evidence revealed today.

He is No 1 in all categories except tackling. But who needs to tackle when you're such a potent attacking threat

Fergie favourite: Everton and England left-back Leighton Baines (right)

Stats provider Opta have ranked Baines first in three out of four categories (see table below).

TOP LEFT-BACKS IN EUROPEAN FOOTBALL (since Aug 2010)

PLAYER Games played Mins played Assists

Baines, Leighton (Everton)………84…………………………7560…………………………15
Cole, Ashley (Chelsea)……………81…………………………7163…………………………10
Alba, Jordi (Barcelona)…………….70………………………..4868……………………………8
Lahm, Philipp (Bayern)…………….78………………………..6919……………………………8
Evra, Patrice (Man Utd)…………….84………………………..7280……………………………6
Clichy, Gal (Man City)……………..71………………………..6255……………………………6
Fbio Coentro (Real Madrid)…24………………………..1575……………………………3

PLAYER Minutes Played Chances created Mins per chance created

Baines, Leighton…………….7560……………………..191…………………………………39.6
Fbio Coentro………………1575………………………..21…………………………………75.0
Evra, Patrice……………………7280……………………….85………………………………….85.6
Cole, Ashley……………………7163……………………….76………………………………….94.3
Lahm, Philipp…………………6919……………………….71………………………………….97.5
Alba, Jordi………………………4868……………………….47………………………………..103.6
Clichy, Gal…………………….6255……………………….53………………………………..118.0

PLAYER Games Crosses Crosses per game

Baines, Leighton…………………84…………………….514………………………………….6.1
Clichy, Gal…………………………71……………………..220………………………………….3.1
Lahm, Philipp……………………..78……………………..206………………………………….2.6
Evra, Patrice………………………..84…………………….215…………………………………..2.6
Cole, Ashley………………………..81…………………….197…………………………………..2.4
Alba, Jordi…………………………..70……………………..131………………………………….1.9
Fbio Coentro…………………..24……………………….39………………………………….1.6

PLAYER Games Tackles Tackles per game

Clichy, Gal………………………..71………………………204…………………………………2.9
Cole, Ashley……………………….81………………………216…………………………………2.7
Evra, Patrice……………………….84………………………221………………………………..2.6
Fbio Coentro………………….24………………………..63…………………………………2.6
Alba, Jordi………………………….70………………………144…………………………………2.1
Lahm, Philipp…………………….78………………………155…………………………………2.0
Baines, Leighton……………….84………………………164…………………………………2.0

Baines' performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Norwich was also monitored by Opta and these heat maps (below) show how the Everton left-back touched the ball much more than his England rival Ashley Cole did against Manchester City on Sunday – and he did so in more advanced areas.

Baines received more possession than Cole and he did so in the final two-thirds of the pitch.

HEAT MAPS: Show Baines and Cole in possession at the weekend….
(The more intense the colour – dark red the most intense – the more they touch the ball in that area of the pitch)

EVERTON GOAL NORWICH GOAL

Baines v Norwich: The more intense the colour (red), the more touches Baines took in that area of the pitch

CHELSEA GOAL MAN CITY GOAL

Cole v Man City: No red colour for Cole shows he was in possession far less than Baines and in much less advanced positions when he did get the ball

Ferguson remains keen to replace Patrice Evra – and as revealed by Sportsmail last month, joined the race to land Cole, whose contract expires at the end of the season, from Chelsea.

But it is looking increasingly likely
that Cole will team-up with former boss Carlo Ancelotti at Paris St
Germain ahead of next season.

Old king Cole: Ashley Cole, 31 (right), challenges for the ball with City's James Milner, who kept the Chelsea full-back relatively quiet on Sunday

WHY BAINES MAY BE THE PERFECT FIT FOR FERGIE…

Aside from being an outstanding defender, he is also Everton's chief creator of chances and the best set piece taker at the club. Everton, simply, cannot be without him. The same might also be true for England.

When Baines started progressing for Everton, the dearth of talent behind Ashley Cole meant it was inevitable he would one day get selected for national service but now Baines looks like he belongs.

Significantly, he knows it too.

The confidence and belief he has is reflected in the way he is performing.

His left-foot is like a magic wand, bending and fizzing in a succession of balls to Everton's forwards.

DOMINIC KING

And United are reviving their interest in England international Baines, a player they spent much of the summer courting.

Ferguson felt Everton’s 15million valuation of Baines was a price too high, but the Old Trafford club want to re-open negotiations with the Toffees.

David Moyes will be loathe to lose the 27-year-old, who has been one of Everton’s players of the season.

But a big enough offer could be enough to tempt the Goodison Park club into selling the impressive defender.

Meanwhile, Moyes is lining up a move for former Sunderland keeper Craig Gordon.

The Scot has been without a club since his Stadium of Light contract expired over the summer.

Moyes
wants competition for current first-choice Tim Howard, and has
contacted the 29-year-old’s representatives regarding a free-transfer.

England expects: Baines (far right) and Ashley Cole (second left) join Theo Walcott (left), Wayne Rooney (centre) and James Milner on international duty last month

Beram Kayal says Celtic"s defeat to Barcelona was their own fault

Posted on October 25, 2012 by adminsports

Kayal lament: Beram claims Bhoys' cruel defeat was self-inflicted

UPDATED:

23:16 GMT, 24 October 2012

Beram Kayal claimed Celtic were architects of their own downfall in Barcelona for not dealing with the cross that cost them a priceless point at the death.

The Catalans waited until the 94th minute to claim the win that keeps them top of Group G — Jordi Alba connecting with Adriano’s cross to break Celtic’s hearts.

Neil Lennon’s side left Spain with no points but no shortage of plaudits for pushing the four-times European Cup winners all the way.

It's our fault: Beram Kayal watches Lionel Messi

But midfielder Kayal, a second-half substitute for Charlie Mulgrew, felt losing the goal under such circumstances was unforgiveable.

‘We defended well until the 94th minute,’ he told Israeli radio.

‘We played well from a team point of view but, unfortunately, lost it in the last minute.

‘It’s a shame because we could have held on to the ball for that last minute.

Bitter blow: Adriano Correia celebrates after Jordi Alba scored Barcelona's winner

‘The ball came to Adriano, I was standing on the edge of the box and he put over a low, dipping cross that beat everyone and he (Alba) put it in. It left us in shock. It’s very disappointing. ‘You work hard and sweat blood, especially against a team like Barcelona, who aren’t easy to get a draw out of. It’s a really bad feeling.

‘Before the game, we knew we’d have to work hard in defence and that most of the time we wouldn’t have the ball.

‘But the goal was with the last cross and we couldn’t get the ball away. True, we were playing the best team in the world, but we’re professionals and more than anything we wanted to come away with a good result.’

Heartbreak: Celtic's players waves to their fans at the end of the game

As Lennon’s side touched down in Glasgow, Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell paid tribute to the efforts of the Parkhead players, saying: ‘It was a tremendous occasion and one that we were delighted to be involved in. The UEFA Champions League is the stage which Celtic strive to compete on and we have shown this season that we deserve our place alongside Europe’s elite clubs.

‘To play a team of Barcelona’s quality, rightly regarded as the best club side in the world, is the toughest football challenge we can face, but Neil and his players rose magnificently to that challenge and were desperately unlucky not to get what we all felt would have been a well-deserved point for our magnificent efforts.’

Sunderland 1 Wigan 0 match report: Steven Fletcher strike win it for Black Cats

Posted on September 29, 2012 by adminsports

Sunderland 1 Wigan 0: Fletcher strike ends Black Cats woeful winless run

UPDATED:

16:50 GMT, 29 September 2012

Steven Fletcher fired Sunderland to their first Barclays Premier League victory of the season with his fifth goal in four games.

The 25-year-old turned James McClean's 51st-minute cross-shot past keeper Ali Al Habsi to win a match of little quality as 10-man Wigan were made to pay almost instantly for Jordi Gomez's rush of blood.

Gomez was sent off just two minutes into the second half for a dangerous lunge at defender Danny Rose and a game in which his side had enjoyed the better of the opening 45 minutes turned on its head.

Listen up: Fletcher celebrates scoring the winning goal early in the first half

Match facts

Sunderland: Mignolet, Gardner, O'Shea, Bramble, Rose, Johnson, Larsson, Colback, McClean, Sessegnon, Fletcher.

Subs: Westwood, Campbell, Wickham, Kilgallon, Vaughan, Meyler, Saha.

Goal: Fletcher

Wigan: Al Habsi, Ramis, Caldwell, Figueroa, Boyce, McCarthy, McArthur, Beausejour, Kone, Gomez, Maloney.

Subs: Pollitt, Jones, Watson, Di Santo, McManaman, Boselli, Miyaichi.

Booked: McCarthy

Sent off: Gomez

Referee: Howard Webb (S Yorkshire)

Premier League results, fixtures and table

Black Cats boss Martin O'Neill will
have been delighted to see his team end a 12-game wait for a league
victory dating back to last season, but it might have been very
different had it not been for Gomez's lack of discipline and keeper
Simon Mignolet.

The Belgium international pulled off
vital first-half saves from James McCarthy and Arouna Kone to keep the
visitors at bay as the home side struggled to find any real rhythm.

However, the sending-off gave them fresh impetus and they never looked like surrendering their lead.

The game represented a contest
between a club with no Premier League win in a dozen attempts and
another with just one this season, and the 37,742 spectators who
attended perhaps should not have expected a thriller.

Sunderland were boosted by the return
of England winger Adam Johnson, who had passed a late fitness test on
his thigh injury, but deprived of the services of skipper Lee Cattermole
following his midweek dismissal.

Cattermole's absence proved key
before the break as Sebastian Larsson and Jack Colback struggled to get
to grips with McCarthy and Shaun Maloney, who combined well with Kone
and Gomez to stretch the home defence repeatedly.

Indeed, the visitors could have been
ahead with just four minutes gone when Republic of Ireland international
McCarthy was allowed to waltz through a statuesque Black Cats defence,
only to see his left-foot shot blocked by Mignolet.

From the resulting corner, the ball was cleared only as far as Gomez on the edge of the box, and he blasted a volley over.

Mignolet came to the rescue once
again with 15 minutes on the clock when Jean Beausejour crossed from the
left to pick out Ivorian at the far post.

Red alert: Gones was shown a straight red for this challenge on Rose

He seemed certain to score, but Mignolet somehow managed to bundle his effort from point-blank range around the post.

For their part, Sunderland created
little of note with in-form striker Fletcher feeding off scraps for long
periods with wide-men Johnson and McClean unable to provide him with
any meaningful supply.

However, they came close to taking
the lead with 28 minutes played when Sebastian Larsson's free-kick from
the left evaded attackers and defenders alike as it sped across the
penalty area before being hacked off the line by Ivan Ramis.

But the half finished as it had
started with Wigan threatening once again two minutes before the whistle
when McCarthy once again made the most of the time and space he was
afforded to send a long-range effort inches wide with Mignolet diving
desperately to his left.

Roberto Martinez will no doubt have
been happy as his side returned to the dressing room, but his mood will
have changed markedly within two minutes of the restart.

Firing blanks: Wigan couldn't make the breakthrough in the controversial clash at the Stadium of Light

There seemed to be little danger as
left-back Danny Rose picked up possession on halfway, but Gomez leapt
into an ugly challenge to leave the Sunderland man in a heap and referee
Howard Webb with little option to produce a red card.

The home side made their numerical
advantage count with four minutes when McClean broke into the box and
appeared to drag his shot across the face of goal.

Whatever his intention, the ball fell perfectly for Fletcher, who swept it home without a second thought to break the deadlock.

O'Neill's men were suddenly
re-energised and immediately set about the task of killing the game off
with Stephane Sessegnon forcing Ali Al Habsi into a 54th-minute save
before Craig Gardner blasted over from long range.

Martinez sent on striker Franco di Santo for Maloney on the hour, but the game was rapidly slipping from his side's grasp.

Neither side was able to exert any
measure of control as time ran down, but Sunderland held out in what was
an untidy conclusion to claim three valuable points.

Frank Lampard praises Eden Hazard

Posted on August 19, 2012 by adminsports

Lampard lauds debutant Hazard after Belgian inspires Chelsea to win over Wigan

UPDATED:

15:41 GMT, 19 August 2012

Frank Lampard hailed the brilliance of Chelsea debutant Eden Hazard after he played a key role in the Blues' 2-0 win over Wigan at the DW Stadium.

The Belgian was a big-money summer signing from Lille and made an instant impression for the European champions in their Barclays Premier League opener, creating the first goal for full-back Branislav Ivanovic with a clever turn and weighted through-ball before winning the penalty which Lampard converted.

Lampard told Sky Sports: 'He (Hazard) was brilliant. It's a young age to come into the Premier League, no matter how good of a player you are.

Dream start: Eden Hazard (second left) celebrates with Frank Lampard (right) as Chelsea beat Wigan

'He showed the quality he has with the spin and the ball to put Ivanovic through and he showed great speed to get away from his man for the penalty. He was great to play with.'

Lampard was happy to start the season with a win, adding: 'It was a great start to the game. You always want to get a win on the opening day of the season. Coming here, with the way they finished last season, was always going to be tough.'

Wigan created chances of their own with Victor Moses forcing two saves from Petr Cech and Jordi Gomez twice going close for the Lancashire outfit.

Roberto Di Matteo was happy to get the season under way with a win and was delighted by the impact of new signing Hazard.

'Hazard was outstanding, he produced a lot of quality. He was a big threat and was difficult to mark. He managed to get away from his man and it was very pleasant to watch him today.' Di Matteo said.

Felled: Wigan's Ivan Ramis gives away a penalty by fouling Hazard (centre) inside the area

'It was perfect today that we managed to score the two goals early on, it settled a lot of nerves. We prepared the team well for the fixture and they were looking to get a quick start today.'

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez refused to comment on speculation that Victor Moses could be set to join Chelsea.

'I dont think that's an issue, there are no offers on the table matching his valuation so it's an easy answer.' Martinez said.

'Nothing is going to be decided today. He started a bit slow but I felt he grew into the game after that and started to look his normal penetrating self and he's an important player for this team.'

Contrasting fortunes: Roberto Martinez (right) has work do to but Roberto Di Matteo will be content

The Spaniard was pleased with the reaction of his side to going behind early but felt the damage was already done.

'I don't think it takes too much to realise we didn't start well enough. We didn't have the intensity you need to compete well in this league We had a pre-season tempo and when you do that you put yourself in a difficult position.

'But the reaction was incredible, I was so so pleased with the character we showed. We had real intensity and you could see Chelsea using their experience at the end, wasting a lot of time.'

Jose Enrique urges new Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers to follow Spanish formula for success

Posted on July 12, 2012 by adminsports

Enrique urges new Liverpool boss Rodgers to follow the Spanish formula for success

UPDATED:

17:42 GMT, 12 July 2012

Defender Jose Enrique believes Liverpool can play the Spain way under new manager Brendan Rodgers.

The Reds boss has consistently
stressed his style is not to copy other teams but develop a way to win
which suits the players he has while also leaning heavily on possession
football.

New regime: Jose Enrique has enjoyed the ball work

But Spaniard Enrique, who still harbours ambitions to play for his national side, feels they can emulate the tactics of Vincente del Bosque's two-time European champions and World Cup winners.

'For me it is the best way to play football, like Spain did, that's why they are the best at the moment,' he said.

'With the manager we play with the ball a lot and we are really happy with him.

'I'm really impressed. I know how he likes to play because we played against Swansea last year and I've seen them many times.

'He has only had a week with us but the training has been great, it is all with the ball, what more do you want

'It's really hard, but it's very good. We have good players here to play in this way, and I think this season we can impress.'

On his ambitions of making his international debut for his country Enrique told liverpoolfc.com: 'I know it's really hard now because Jordi Alba played in the Euros and did very well and he has just signed for Barcelona.

'I'm still working to be there in the future. If I can be there, of course it would be a dream, but my job is here to play for Liverpool and there are still many things to do here.'

Euro kings: Jose Enrique believes Liverpool can play the Spain way

Rodgers has insisted that with a clear strategy in place there need not be radical changes made at Anfield other than a couple of tweaks to the squad.

'It is very important, from the very first day, people know where they are going – they need to have a clear vision,' he said.

'We will put in place a model and system which will hopefully allow us to go forward for many years.

'I live in the real world and it is important you have that sense of the present.

'But as someone who knows what direction we are looking to head that gives me a positive slant because I know where we want to end up.

'The problem is if you don't know where you are going. Of course there will be ups and downs along the way but the unity in the group will be important.'

Rodgers believes his experience at Swansea told him all he needed to know about his methods.

'I arrived and they had scored 40 goals the season before – the third lowest in all four leagues,' he said.

'With a slight structural change, a move offensive game and the introduction of three or four players it totally changed the face of how we played.

'We started on a journey over the next couple of years where we were deemed to be one of the best footballing sides in Europe.

'It is the players you have and hopefully the players you bring in that make the difference.

'It is not this big radical change, it is sometimes an adaptation of what they have done, working on their mind to give them confidence and belief that whatever arena they go to anywhere in the world they can win the game.'

Euro 2012: Spain fans celebrate victory

Posted on July 2, 2012 by adminsports

Spain fans in fiesta mood after sealing Euro 2012 with emphatic 4-0 win over Italy

UPDATED:

21:58 GMT, 1 July 2012

Fans across Spain gathered to celebrate in their thousands as they watched their side thrash Italy 4-0 to retain their European Championship crown in Kiev.

The Spanish fans, dressed head to toe in the red and yellow – colours synonymous with their team – are in fiesta mood as they out-passed and outclassed their opponents.

Two goals in the first half set the tone early on and late goals from Chelsea stars Fernando Torres and Juan Mata with just minutes to spare confirmed the victory.

Winners: Spanish fans celebrate during the Euro 2012 final as their side win in style

Stylish: Spain's soccer fans cheer during their emphatic 4-0 win

Fiesta time: Spain fans enjoy the atmosphere in Kiev after getting in their teams colours

Champions: Spain's players celebrate with the trophy after winning the final of Euro 2012

Celebrations: The Spain squad celebrate after the final whistle confirms them as European Champions again

Celebrating wildly in the stands Spain's
contingent of support had to wait just 14 minutes for their side to
take the lead as David Silva, who ply's his trade with English side
Manchester City, put his team ahead.

And just before the close of the first half they had doubled their lead thanks to a Jordi Alba strike.

After
the break the game appeared to go from bad to worse for the Italians as
substitute Thiago Motta limped off after just minutes after coming on.

Champions! Spain fans party hard in Madrid (above ) and Barcelona (below)

As the last of Italy's allocated substitutes it meant that they had to finish the game a player short, with just 10.

With
Spain comfortable in possession and by now cutting through their
opponents with ease there were late goals for Torres and Mata to secure
the stylish win.

All smiles: The fans in Madrid savoured the atmosphere as the goals went in

There appeared to be extra incentive
for the Spanish side in tonight's all or nothing tie as the victory saw them make football history.

The win helped them to become the first team ever to win three consecutive major titles on
the international stage.Having
won the World Cup in South Africa two years ago and the previous
European Championships the win created history.

Back in Rome: Italian supporters cheer for their team before watching the final of the UEFA EURO 2012 between Spain and Italy in the ancient Roman chariot racing stadium 'Circo Massimo'

Gladiator:A fan of Italy hopes for a gladiatorial effort from his team as they take on defending champions Spain

United: A Spanish and Italian go to great lengths to show support for their respective side but are happy to sit together at the showpiece final

Pockets of Spanish fans turned the
60,000 seater stadium in to sea of red and yellow while many Italian
fans came dressed as Gladiators and even Super Mario as they hoped their side could stage an upset.

The pair met earlier on in the
tournament, playing out a 1-1 draw in the group stage, but many tipped
the Spanish to conquer on the big stage, prior to the big game.

Headmaster: David Silva heads Spain into the lead in the 14th minute

Two-nil: Spain's Jordi Alba, a recent buy for football giants Barcelona celebrates after scoring the second goal against Italy

Creating history: Chelsea star Fernando Torres confirms the win with a third goal for Spain

It's all over: Another Chelsea star, Juan Mata, puts the icing on the cake as he slots home to win the game 4-0

Spain
made it through to the final following wins against France in the
quarter finals and a tense penalty win against Portugal in the semi's.

Italy,
who sent England packing in the quarter finals, made it through to the
showpiece finale after a surprise win against Germany.

Ready to go: Fans from both sides prepare for the game inside the ground

Banter: Fans from both sides share a joke as they prepare for a tense final

Felling lucky: An Italian fan seems in a positive mood ahead of his sides game against Spain

Familiar faces: Fans dressed as Super Mario pose with a Balotelli lookalike, The Italian striker who plays club football for Manchester City

Back in Spain fans were out in
Barcelona and Madrid to watch the game on big screens in the city
centres, cheering wildly as the first two goals went in, giving them a
commanding lead.

Back in
Rome spirits were high before the game but a difficult first half meant
it was always going to be hard for them to get back into the game.

That's entertainment: Dancers perform for the Euro 2012 closing ceremony

Coming to an end: As the tournament nears its end a spectacular show is put on to mark the final

Orchestrating support: Spain fans bang the drum and take to the megaphone to get behind their team

Not to be left out: Italian fans show their support before the start of the game

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