Tag Archives: petersburg

Liverpool 3 Zenit 1 (agg 3-3): match report

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Liverpool 3 Zenit 1 (agg 3-3): Reds bow out on away goals at Anfield despite Suarez's free-kick brace

PUBLISHED:

21:56 GMT, 21 February 2013

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UPDATED:

21:56 GMT, 21 February 2013

Liverpool's Europa League campaign ended on Thursday night despite a spirited effort in their attempt to score the four goals needed against Zenit to progress.

Jamie Carragher's error allowed Hulk to score a priceless away goal for the Russians in the 19th minute and give Liverpool a mountain to climb.

A free-kick from Luis Suarez followed by a goal from Joe Allen gave Liverpool a 2-1 lead at half-time, but they still needed two goals without response in the second half to progress.

But, despite Suarez scoring a second free-kick early in the second half, Liverpool couldn't force a fourth goal.

More to follow

Beauty: Luis Suarez curled in a free-kick in front of the Kop to put Liverpool 3-1 ahead on the night

Beauty: Luis Suarez curled in a free-kick in front of the Kop to put Liverpool 3-1 ahead on the night

Beauty: Luis Suarez curled in a free-kick in front of the Kop to put Liverpool 3-1 ahead on the night

MATCH FACTS

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Carragher, Agger, Jose Enrique, Lucas, Allen (Shelvey 59), Downing (Sterling 84), Gerrard, Henderson (Assaidi 59), Suarez.

Subs not used: Gulacsi, Coates, Suso, Wisdom.

Booked: Shelvey.

Goals: Suarez 28, 59, Allen 43.

Zenit St Petersburg: Malafeev, Aniukov, Luis Neto, Lombaerts (Criscito 46), Hubocan, Witsel, Denisov, Shirokov, Danny (Faitzulin 46), Hulk, Semak (Rodic 84).

Subs not used: Zhevnov, Bruno Alves, Bukharov, Kerzhakov.

Booked: Denisov.

Goals: Hulk 19.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland)

Latest Europa League results, fixtures and stats

Lionel Messi didn"t vote for Cristiano Ronaldo in Ballon d"Or 2013 – full voting analysis

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Messi can't bring himself to vote for Ronaldo in tactical Ballon d'Or picks while Rooney is popular only in Georgia and North Korea

-bycountry.pdf” rel=”nofollow” target=”_blank”>Click here to see how the international captains, coaches and media voted

With an astonishing and record-breaking 91 goals in the calendar year, it was perhaps a foregone conclusion that Lionel Messi would collect a fourth consecutive FIFA Ballon d'Or last night.

But that didn't stop international captains and coaches employing some political voting tactics to try and get their friends, compatriots or teammates further up the leaderboard – or at least block their rivals from winning.

With national team captains, coaches and a selected journalist from each FIFA nation eligible to vote, the annual award seems to have become football's answer to the Eurovision Song Contest in terms of tactical voting.

Scroll down for video

Top of the world: Lionel Messi scooped a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or trophy last night, receiving 41.6 per cent of the votes from international coaches, captain and journalists

Top of the world: Lionel Messi scooped a fourth consecutive Ballon d'Or trophy last night, receiving 41.6 per cent of the votes from international coaches, captain and journalists

Messi had a vote as captain of Argentina and picked Andres Iniesta as his first choice, Xavi as his second and Radamel Falcao as his third pick.

This could be interpreted as returning the favour to his two Barcelona teammates after setting up so many goals for him this year, but it's interesting that his closest rival, Cristiano Ronaldo, is left out.

Ronaldo is Portugal captain but chose to hand over responsibilities to Bruno Alves, perhaps as a way of getting round the rule that voters can't pick themselves.

Ronaldo is on record as saying that he would vote for himself if he could. 'I am what I am,' he said in the run-up to the award announcement.

But he could rely on Zenit St Petersburg defender Alves to exclude Messi from his voting and put the Real Madrid star, naturally, at the top.

Not his night: Cristiano Ronaldo looked the part, but was a distant second behind Messi, despite delegating his voting rights to Portugal teammate Bruno Alves

Not his night: Cristiano Ronaldo looked the part, but was a distant second behind Messi, despite delegating his voting rights to Portugal teammate Bruno Alves

Argentina manager Alejandro Sabella
had no room for Ronaldo though and went for Messi and his international
teammate Sergio Aguero, with Falcao, the third choice for quite a large
number of voters, completing his selection.

Paulo Bento, the Portugal manager, was a little more sporting, giving Messi his third pick.

The international coaches are proud and parochial, with many selecting players from their own squad despite them having little chance of scooping the main prize.

Germany's Joachim Low was pretty left-field with his picks, choosing Mesut Ozil first, Manuel Neuer second and Xavi third, while Italy's Cesare Prandelli opted for Andrea Pirlo, who was admired by a number of coaches around the world.

Keeping it in the country: Germany Head Coach Joachim Low picked Mesut Ozil as his first choice

Real Madrid midfielder Mesut Ozil

Keeping it in the country: Germany Head Coach Joachim Low (left) picked Mesut Ozil as his first choice

Spain's Vicente del Bosque can be excused for picking Iker Casillas, Xavi and Iniesta but it's a damning indictment of the state of the English team that Roy Hodgson just went for Messi, Ronaldo and Falcao.

Wayne Rooney's only two votes came from Georgia and North Korea, suggesting he has quite a following in those countries, while Mario Balotelli wouldn't have been too happy to learn his only vote came from Palestine.

Voting pact: Wayne Rooney's (right) only votes came from Georgia and North Korea, but plenty gave Robin van Persie (left) a pick

Voting pact: Wayne Rooney's (right) only votes came from Georgia and North Korea, but plenty gave Robin van Persie (left) a pick

And Zlatan Ibrahimovic may have scored one of the goals of the year, with his audacious propeller kick for Sweden against England, but just two voters – the captain of Djibouti and the Niger coach – thought him worthy of the top prize.

There are also plenty of examples of players going for teammates, former teammates or even those who play in the same position.

Hugo Lloris, of France and Tottenham, selected Casillas as his first choice and, randomly, had Didier Drogba third.

Goalkeeper's Union: Hugo Lloris (left) gave his winning vote to fellow custodian Iker Casillas

Real Madrid and Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas

Goalkeeper's Union: Hugo Lloris (left) gave his winning vote to fellow custodian Iker Casillas (right)

Dutchman Wesley Sneijder opted for free-scoring Robin van Persie for his first pick, while Gianluigi Buffon and Casillas also went for national unity with Pirlo and Sergio Ramos respectively their first choices.

Scotland skipper Darren Fletcher chose former Manchester United man Ronaldo ahead of Messi and also included Van Persie third.

VIDEO: Messi's boot supplier, adidas, team up with illustrator Richard Swarbrick to celebrate the Argentina ace's latest Ballon d'Or success

Swansea boss Michael Laudrup vows to keep Michu

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Laudrup ready to use Michu in Cup clash as Swansea boss bows to keep hot shot

By
Andrew Gwilym, Press Association

PUBLISHED:

23:33 GMT, 5 January 2013

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UPDATED:

23:33 GMT, 5 January 2013

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup has made it clear there is 'no way' Michu will be leaving the Liberty Stadium this month.

The 2million signing from Rayo
Vallecano has been the bargain of the season to date, scoring 14 goals
in 22 appearances for the Swans and taking the Premier League by storm.

Hot shot: Swansea's Michu

Hot shot: Swansea's Michu

The Spaniard's impact, which has brought him to the attentions of national coach Vicente del Bosque, has understandably attracted interest from other clubs.

And Laudrup had previously slapped a 30million price tag on the midfielder's head. In the wake of rumoured interest from Russian clubs Zenit St Petersburg and Anzhi Makhachkhala the Dane has again moved to make his position on Michu's future clear, and wants to avoid being left in the same position as Newcastle following the departure of Demba Ba to Chelsea.

“There is no way he will leave,” said Laudrup. “It is absolutely out of the question.

“One reason is because it is so difficult to get someone in right now, and the second is that he is happy here and doesn't want to leave.

“Newcastle have just lost their top scorer mid-season and that is obviously very bad. especially because it is not easy to find a guy who scores goals like him.”

Swansea face Arsenal on Sunday in the third round of the FA Cup with Laudrup facing a selection conundrum.

The Swans meet Chelsea in the first leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final on Wednesday, and with that game in mind Laudrup could be tempted to make changes, but appears to have no plans to rest Michu ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge.

“Your top scorer, you always want him playing every game,” he said.

“Together with Ashley Williams they are the two players with the most games this season.

“They always want to play. Obviously I am the one who has to decide and see if they are a little tired – or to let them rest or to play them.

“But he is our top scorer and it is important for the team-mates to have him there and it's important with the opposition because they always know they are in danger when he is there.

“If he is fit then he will play.”

Swansea have won their last two meetings with the Gunners, including their 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last month thanks to a Michu brace.

And Laudrup expects Arsenal to be thirsting for revenge after they were booed off following that defeat.

“It's never nice to have lost at home and they will remember our game – they will want revenge,” he said.

“It looked bad after they played us – they were 10th. For a club like Arsenal, that's a disaster.

“But they won three games consecutively and they are back again.

“They are many years without a trophy and they know the league is not a trophy for them. They have two left so they will come with their best possible line-up and do everything to beat us.”

Andrey Arshavin wanted by Reading

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Arshavin heading to Reading as Royals' Russian owner looks to bolster survival bid

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UPDATED:

22:00 GMT, 26 December 2012

Frozen out: Arshavin

Frozen out: Arshavin

Arsenal outcast Andrey Arshavin is close to sealing a January move to relegation-threatened Reading.

The Gunners signed him for 15million in 2009 but he has held talks over a switch to the Madejski Stadium, where billionaire Russian owner Anton Zingarevich wants the 31-year-old – a superstar in their homeland – to bolster his struggling squad.

Arsenal are listening to offers for Arshavin, out of contract at the end of the season, as they try to shift his 85,000-a-week contract off the wage bill.

Arsenal, who are willing to take a hefty loss on the forward, could offload him for as little as 2m. Sources close to Arshavin insist he is taking the offer seriously, given his frustration at Arsenal and the chance to link up with compatriot Zingarevich.

Reading have made an informal offer for Arshavin, who has been told he can leave if he can find the right deal for him and Arsenal straight away. His old club Zenit St Petersburg are keen, as are Fulham.

Marouane Chamakh, on 60,000 a week, is the other big earner Arsenal will try to off-load in January. West Ham and Norwich are keen.

Brendan Rodgers will not discuss Zenit St Petersburg fans

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Rodgers refuses to be drawn on hellish trip to Zenit for Liverpool's black players

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UPDATED:

22:30 GMT, 20 December 2012

Liverpool have been handed the Europa League trip from hell after being paired with Zenit St Petersburg in the round of 32.

A group of Zenit supporters sparked outrage this week when they published a manifesto calling for 'all non-European' and 'sexual minorities' to be 'barred from playing for the club'; Zenit remain the only Russian club never to have signed an African player.

The manifesto, which Zenit manager Luciano Spalletti quickly distanced himself from, also has a sinister sentence that declares that 'black players are being imposed on Zenit almost by force'. it prompted former Blackburn defender Christopher Samba to label Zenit fans 'racist'.

Steering clear: Brendan Rodgers had nothing to say about the manifesto produced by Zenit's fans

Steering clear: Brendan Rodgers had nothing to say about the manifesto produced by Zenit's fans

It promises to be an uncomfortable trip for Liverpool, who could travel with as many as five high-profile black players in their squad – Glen Johnson, Raheem Sterling and Andre Wisdom could yet be joined by January targets Tom Ince and Daniel Sturridge.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers refused to discuss in detail the prospect of what might happen on the trip next February.

He said: ‘It is a good draw for us. We have had experience of playing in Russia (this season against Anzhi Makhachkala). I think it was important that we go there as group winners as it means we play the second leg at home. They are a good side and they have invested a lot of money in their team.’

When pressed about the publication of the manifesto, Rodgers replied: ‘I haven’ t given it any thought at this stage. I’ve got my own personal view but that’s for nearer the time. I’ve seen that come out but I’ve got nothing to say on it.’

Liverpool have only had two incidents of their players being racially abused in recent years. Emile Heskey was targeted in Kiev in 2002, while Djibril Cisse was abused three years later in Sofia during a Champions League qualifier.

When Gerard Houllier took Liverpool to face Spartak Moscow in October 2002, he said he would take his players off the pitch during the game if they were subjected to racist chanting but it passed without incident.

Rodgers, meanwhile, has challenged Raheem Sterling to show he will be worthy of another contract in five years’ time, as the England winger prepares to rubberstamp his protracted first major deal.

It is expected Liverpool will formally
announce Sterling has committed his future to the club in the next 24
hours. His representatives shook hands on a deal on Wednesday that will
see him earn around 30,000 per week for the next five years.

In action: Luis Suarez trains ahead of Liverpool's clash with Fulham

In action: Luis Suarez trains ahead of Liverpool's clash with Fulham

The most racist club in football

Zenit St Petersburg’s fans have one of the worst reputations for racism in world football. Here are some of the reasons why…

MARCH 2008
Olympique Marseille players complain of being racially abused after facing Zenit in a UEFA Cup tie. Before the final in Manchester, manager Dick Advocaat says: ‘I would be happy to sign anyone, but the fans don’t like black players.’

APRIL 2011
Zenit are fined $10,000 after one of their supporters offers Brazilian full back Roberto Carlos a banana before a Russian Premier League match against Anzhi Makhachkala.

DECEMBER 2012
Zenit fan club Landscrona writes in an open letter: ‘We’re not racists but we see the absence of black players at Zenit as an important tradition.’

Though Rodgers is thrilled that the business has reached a successful conclusion, he has made it clear that he will not tolerate Sterling sitting back and thinking he has done enough; Rodgers has pointed out that Sterling is not yet at senior level.

‘He hasn't joined those ranks, don't worry about that,’ said Rodgers. ‘He has been rewarded as a young player who, at 17 years of age, has come in and performed very well. He will never be elevated above his position here at the club.

‘There is a lot of development and a lot of nurturing to go yet, but he has been rightly rewarded and it is fantastic for the football club. If you play for a big club there is always going to be expectation. For young Raheem we need to help manage those expectations.

If you go into a lot of clubs as a young
player it is a nice little journey. If you go in at one of the biggest
clubs in the world it is magnified one million per cent. It is our job
to nurture him and educate him and there is still so much for him to
learn. He hasn't long left school.’

New deal: Youngster Raheem Sterling has agreed terms with the club

New deal: Youngster Raheem Sterling has agreed terms with the club

Rodgers added: ‘It is not only football education he needs but life education as well. We will support him in that and make sure the expectancy is at the correct level. I always congratulate players when they sign a new contract and then I warn them.

‘I tell them they need to decide after this contract whether there is going to be another contract at one of the biggest clubs in the world or whether it will be at a different level.’

Liverpool remain confident of completing a deal for Ince despite Blackpool saying they have rejected an offer from Anfield for the England Under-21 international.

Europa League draw: Chelsea face Sparta Prague, Liverpool land Zenit, Spurs take on Lyon and Newcastle face Metalist

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EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW: Chelsea face Sparta Prague, Liverpool land Zenit, Spurs take on Lyon and Newcastle face Metalist

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UPDATED:

15:35 GMT, 20 December 2012

Europa League draw – selected ties

Sparta Prague v Chelsea

Tottenham v Lyon

Newcastle v Metalist Kharkiv

Zenit St Petersburg v Liverpool

Scroll down for the full last-32 draw and the round of 16

Chelsea have been drawn against Sparta Prague in the last 32 of the Europa League.

The Champions League holders, who finished third in their group behind Juventus and Shakhtar Donetsk as they tried to defend their European crown, play the first leg away against the Czech side.

It will be a return to his former club for Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Ajax or Steaua Bucharest will be waiting for the winners in the last 16 following both draws in Nyon on Thursday afternoon.

Liverpool travel to Russia for the second time this season after being drawn against Zenit St Petersburg.

The
Reds, winners of Europe's secondary competition in 1973, 1976 and 2001,
topped Group A ahead of Anzhi Makhachkala on goal difference.

If Brendan Rodgers steers the Merseysiders through, it will be Dnipro or Basel next.

Humbled: Chelsea won the Champions League but slipped down to the Europa League six months later

Humbled: Chelsea won the Champions League but slipped down to the Europa League six months later

Dutch of class: Patrick Kluivert pulls out Chelsea during the Europa League draw

Dutch of class: Patrick Kluivert pulls out Chelsea during the Europa League draw

Main man: Luis Suarez (left) helped Liverpool top their group ahead of Udinese, Young Boys and Anzhi

Main man: Luis Suarez (left) helped Liverpool top their group ahead of Udinese, Young Boys and Anzhi

What are the chances…

Chelsea 8/1
Tottenham 14/1
Liverpool 16/1
Newcastle 33/1

Best odds available on the English teams (supplied by oddschecker.co.uk)

Tottenham have been paired with French big guns Lyon with the first leg in north London while Newcastle are at home first after being pulled out with Metalist Kharkiv. The Magpies then face a long flight for the return in one of the stadium's used at Euro 2012.

Spurs winger Gareth Bale tweeted: 'Not an easy draw but a trip to Lyon should be good fun for our fans.'

A victory for Spurs and they will play Inter Milan in the last 16 if the Italian giants see off Cluj. Bale scored a hat-trick against Inter in a 4-3 defeat in the Champions League two years ago and ripped them apart in a 3-1 triumph at home.

Tottenham general secretary Darren Eales expects a tough clash with Lyon.

'It's a tough draw and this is the first time in nine years they've not been in the Champions League,' Eales told Sky Sports News.

Action packed: The full Europa League draw shown on television

Action packed: The full Europa League draw shown on television

Watching brief: Figo, Inter Milan's ambassador, could see his club face Tottenham in the last 16

Watching brief: Figo, Inter Milan's ambassador, could see his club face Tottenham in the last 16

Holders: Atletico Madrid lifted the trophy last year after beating fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao

Holders: Atletico Madrid lifted the trophy last year after beating fellow Spaniards Athletic Bilbao

'There are a lot of tough teams in the draw. We can ask Hugo (Lloris, Tottenham's former Lyon goalkeeper) the way to go and I think he will be excited about the chance to go back to his old team and play there.

'If we do get Inter if we do get through, two years ago in the Champions League when Gareth Bale got that wonderful hat-trick – that's an exciting game but we have to think about Lyon first.'

And Eales believes Villas-Boas has what it takes to lead Spurs to the European title after he engineered a win for former club Porto during a treble-winning first season in charge which saw his side also lift the Portuguese Cup and win the Primeira Liga.

Hard going: Andre Villas-Boas sometimes found it hard to watch as Spurs finished second in Group J

Hard going: Andre Villas-Boas sometimes found it hard to watch as Spurs finished second in Group J

Eyes on the prize: Amsterdam will host the Europa League final next year

Eyes on the prize: Amsterdam will host the Europa League final next year

He's got the pedigree so hopefully he can do what he did with Porto two years ago and we can go al the way to (the final in) Amsterdam,' he said.

'We want to be playing in European competition. We don't see why we can't have a successful Europa League campaign and do well in the league.'

Alan Pardew admitted Newcastle's adventure in Ukraine will be a trip into the dark.

Asked what he knew about their next opponents, Pardew said: 'Not much, really. I do know it's a long journey, I've had a look at that, and they won their group, so it's a tough agenda for us.

'It's a tough draw in terms of travel; the opposition, I know very little about. I can't even comment on that until such time as we do some studying.'

Anzhi or Hannover will be waiting for the winners of Newcastle's tie.

Holders Atletico Madrid take on Rubin Kazan while former Ajax striker Patrick Kluivert pulled his old club out against Steaua Bucharest.

EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW – ROUND OF 32

BATE vs Fenerbahce

Inter Milan vs CFR Cluj-Napoca

Levante vs Olympiacos

Zenit St Petersburg vs Liverpool

Dynamo Kiev vs Bordeaux

Bayer Leverkusen vs Benfica

Newcastle vs FC Metalist Kharkiv

VfB Stuttgart vs Genk

Atletico Madrid vs Rubin Kazan

Ajax vs Steaua Bucuresti

Basle vs Dnipro

Anzhi Makhachkala vs Hannover 96

Sparta Prague vs Chelsea

Borussia M'gladbach vs Lazio

Tottenham vs Lyon

Napoli v Plzen

First legs to be played on February 14, second legs on February 21

EUROPA LEAGUE DRAW – ROUND OF 16

Napoli/Plzen vs BATE/Fenerbahce

Bayer Leverkusen/Benfica vs Dynamo Kiev/Bordeaux

Anzhi Mackhachkala/Hannover 96 vs Newcastle/FC Metalist Kharkiv

VfB Stuttgart/Genk vs Borussia M'gladbach/Lazio

Tottenham/Lyon vs Inter Milan/CFR Cluj-Napoca

Levante/Olympiacos vs Atletico Madrid/Rubin Kazan

Basle/Dnipro vs Zenit St Petersburg/Liverpool

Ajax/Steaua Bucuresti vs Sparta Prague/Chelsea

First legs to be played on March 7, second legs on March 14

Christopher Samba attacks Zenit St Petersburg fans who called for non-white and gay players to be ditched

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No good racists! Samba attacks Zenit fans who called for non-white and gay players to be ditched

|

UPDATED:

14:21 GMT, 19 December 2012

Former Blackburn defender Christopher Samba has described supporters of Russian club Zenit St Petersburg as racists who live in another century.

A group of Zenit fans want non-white and gay players excluded from playing in Russia's national team, but Samba says he is not surprised by the latest issue of racism to blight Russian football.

The Anzhi Makhachkala defender told BBC Radio 5 live: ‘I’m not surprised. Everybody knows Zenit supporters are no good and racist.

‘They are living in another century. It’s a sad day for Russian football.'

Racist: Samba described the Zenit fans who called for black and gay players to be excluded as 'living in another century'

Racist: Samba described the Zenit fans who called for black and gay players to be excluded as 'living in another century'

He added: ‘Black players should fight for the good ones – not the idiots.

‘In this time we have different communities and countries that constitute teams. If they can’t accept that then they are never going to progress.’

Earlier this week Landscrona, the Russian champions’ largest fans’ group, said black players are ‘forced down Zenit’s throat’.

Zenit were the only top-flight team in the country without a black player until they signed Brazil striker Hulk and Belgian midfielder Axel Witsel over the summer.

Consequences: The argument could impact on Russia's staging of the 2018 World Cup

Consequences: The argument could impact on Russia's staging of the 2018 World Cup

The club have previously been fined by the Russian Football Union after one of their fans offered a banana to Anzhi Makhachkala left-back Roberto Carlos before a match between the two sides in March 2011.

Black players in the Russian league have been the target of monkey chants and Samba also had a banana thrown at him by a Lokomotiv Moscow fan shortly after his move from Blackburn Rovers.

It is feared that racist fans could cause significant problems and embarrassment for the country as Russia prepare to host the 2018 World Cup.

Champions League round-up: PSG edge out Porto to top Group A

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Champions League round-up: PSG edge out Porto as Zagreb gain first point in the snow

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UPDATED:

00:05 GMT, 5 December 2012

Ezequiel Lavezzi struck a 61st minute winner as Paris St Germain edged past Porto to emerge as winners of UEFA Champions League Group A with a 2-1 victory in the French capital.

Knowing only a win would be good enough to claim top spot at the expense of their rivals, Carlo Ancelotti's men started well with Thiago Silva firing them in front just before the half-hour mark.

Jackson Martinez equalised three minutes later for the visitors but Lavezzi's effort guaranteed Paris would top the group on 15 points, with the Portuguese side joining them in the knockout stages two points behind.

Topping the group: Ezequiel Lavezzi of PSG celebrates scoring his teams second goal against Porto

Topping the group: Ezequiel Lavezzi of PSG celebrates scoring his teams second goal against Porto

In a match temporarily suspended due to snow, Dinamo Zagreb claimed their first and only point in the group when Ivan Krstanovic hit an injury time penalty to draw 1-1 at home to Dynamo Kiev, who had taken the lead through Andriy Yarmolenko.

Arsenal failed to capitalise on Schalke's surprise draw at already-eliminated Montpellier, Benedikt Howedes put the visitors in front after 56 minutes but Emanuel Herrera equalised for Montpellier just three minutes later.

Snow joke: Ideye Brown of Dynamo Kyiv challenges Domagoj Vida in the heavy snow

Snow joke: Ideye Brown of Dynamo Kyiv challenges Domagoj Vida in the heavy snow

In Group C, a 35th minute goal by Danny gave Zenit St Petersburg a surprise 1-0 win over runners-up Milan in the San Siro and guaranteed the Russians the consolation prize of a Europa League berth.

Group winners Malaga eased to a 2-2 home draw with Anderlecht with two goals from Duda, with the Belgians – whose hopes of third place were extinguished by Zenit's win – twice equalising through Milan Jovanovic and Dieumerci Mbokani.

On the score sheet: Real Madrid's Kaka celebrates his goal against Ajax

On the score sheet: Real Madrid's Kaka celebrates his goal against Ajax

Real Madrid had to settle for second place despite a 4-1 win over Ajax after Borussia Dortmund beat Manchester City. Jose Callejon scored twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka, while Derk Boerrigter replied for Ajax, who head for the Europa League.

Nani left out of Manchester United team calendar

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Nani out of the picture at Man United as out-of-favour winger is left off calendar for 2013

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UPDATED:

08:01 GMT, 4 December 2012

Manchester United winger Nani is the latest star name to be hit by the curse of the Christmas calendar.

For the 26-year-old winger, who's
future at Old Trafford has been cast in doubt by his reluctance to sign a
new contract, has been left out of the club's official 2013
calendar.

Out in the cold: Nani heading for the exit door

Out in the cold: Nani heading for the exit door

It follows Theo Walcott and Bacary Sagna being
omitted from Arsenal's official 2013 calendar, fueling speculation they
will become the next big-name players to leave the club.

Nani has featured for the past three seasons but his absence this time around will fuel talk of him being sold in the New Year.

Nani reportedly had a bust-up with promising United midfielder Davide Petrucci earlier this season and has not played since he was hauled off during their Champions League match at Braga at the start of the month.

The 26-year-old has two years left on his existing deal and is reported to be holding out for around 130,000-a-week.

United seem reluctant to go that far and Zenit St. Petersburg and Paris St. Germain are ready to make a bid in the January transfer window.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could move for Porto star James Rodriguez or Crystal Palace's Wilfried Zaha to replace him.

Roberto Mancini ready to spend big on Isco

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Mancini ready to splash 17m to land Malaga playmaker Isco in January transfer window

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UPDATED:

14:00 GMT, 1 December 2012

Manchester City are poised to splurge 17.5million on playmaker Isco in January, before loaning the Spaniard back to Malaga for the rest of the season.

City’s new director of football Txiki Begiristain has discovered that Malaga are seeking to extend the 20-year-old’s current deal at Estadio La Rosaleda, which would likely raise his release fee to in excess of 30million.

Malaga sit in fourth in La Liga, and the youngster has been instrumental to their early season success, contributing five goals from midfield in all competitions.

Target: Manchester City are monitoring Isco (right)

Target: Manchester City are monitoring Isco (right)

City manager Roberto Mancini is hoping to wrap up the deal in next month’s transfer window, adding another creative midfielder to his star-studded squad.

Mancini wanted to bring Isco to Manchester for good in January, but could be willing to allow the talismanic midfielder to stay with Manuel Pellegrini’s side on loan until the end of the season, according to Goal.com.

Isco is a product of the same youth system at Valencia where City maestro David Silva graduated from. It was Silva who flagged up his compatriot’s ability to the champions' backroom staff.

He has also shown dazzling form in the Champions League, including netting a brace during an emphatic 3-0 victory over Zenit St Petersburg in September.

Should Malaga’s release fee be met, the Andalusia club would be making a marked profit on the 6.5million they spent on Isco when they lured him from Valencia in 2011.

Mancini missed out on the now Chelsea midfielder Eden Hazard in summer, but the Italian sees Isco as the ideal replacement for the Belgian playmaker.

Diminutive: The Spaniard is a product of Valencia's academy, but plays for Malaga

Diminutive: The Spaniard is a product of Valencia's academy, but plays for Malaga

Alternative: City missed out on Eden Hazard, who opted to move to Chelsea

Alternative: City missed out on Eden Hazard, who opted to move to Chelsea