Team News Manchester United Vs West Ham

<div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Manchester United face a tough visit to Upton Park this afternoon, with Sam Allardyce’s men looking to continue their good home record against big teams this season.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></div><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">United head into today’s encounter in fourth place, but could leapfrog Southampton and claim third place in the Premier League with all three points.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">However, eighth place West Ham are having a good season by their standards and already claimed victory against the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool at home this season.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">United have won 12 of their last 15 matches against West Ham in all competitions and West Ham have failed to get a single win from their last six matches against the Red Devils. But with West Ham undefeated in nine of their last 10 home matches this season, you can be sure that the East London team will be confident of achieving a crucial point at least.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">In team news, Sam Allardyce will have problems at the back with James Collins, James Tomkins, Carl Jenkinson and Winston Reid all doubts for the match, while Cheikhou Kouyate and Andy Carrol are also both likely to be sitting this match out. While Louis van Gaal’s lengthy injury list has now been narrowed down to only one player, Michael Carrick.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;">Here’s how the teams will line up.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">West Ham United:</strong> <o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p>Adrian; Jenkinson, Tomkins, Kouyate, Cresswell; Song, Noble, Nolan, Downing; Sakho, Valencia.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;"><strong style="box-sizing: border-box;">Manchester United:</strong> <o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p>De Gea; Valencia, Jones, Rojo, Shaw; Blind, Rooney, Di Maria, Januzaj; Van Persie, Falcao</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #323232; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 1.35; margin-bottom: 16px; word-wrap: break-word;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">What is your prediction for today’s game? Have your say in the comments section below.</b></div><!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools --> <br /><div class="addthis_native_toolbox"></div>

Team News Manchester United Vs West Ham

Manchester United face a tough visit to Upton Park this afternoon, with Sam Allardyce’s men looking to continue their good home record again...

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Ideye rescues a point for the Baggies

<h2 style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;"><img src="http://soccerblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Brown-Ideye_3261951-620x400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" />Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye was the saviour of the day as West Brom came from behind to secure a point .</h2><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The Baggies’ record signing almost left the club in the final hours of the winter transfer window on Monday but came off the bench at half-time at Turf Moor to head in the equaliser.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Burnley were two up inside 32 minutes through Ashley Barnes and Danny Ings but Chris Brunt pulled one back just before half-time for Albion.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It was a first Premier League goal of the season for Brunt, who lost the captain’s armband to deadline-day signing Darren Fletcher.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The point was enough for Burnley to climb back out of the relegation zone but they desperately needed all three with an extremely tough run of fixtures coming up.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Saido Berahino’s “naughty chair” was parked on the bench as the Baggies striker was dropped following an interview where he spoke of wanting to move on to bigger things, but he was called upon in the 18th minute after an injury to Victor Anichebe.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Burnley boss, Sean Dyche, meanwhile, named an unchanged starting line-up for a 10th successive Premier League match.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The club have come in for criticism from some supporters this week after failing to add to the squad during the transfer window, but holding on to Ings was a significant consolation.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Dyche substituted the striker at Sunderland last weekend because he felt constant speculation had affected the 22-year-old, but there was nothing sluggish about Ings as Burnley made a flying start.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">After Ings fired over, the hosts thought they had scored when Kieran Trippier’s cross was touched back to Scott Arfield by Barnes, but Ben Foster reacted superbly to push the midfielder’s shot onto the underside of the crossbar.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">However, West Brom, who had thrashed Burnley 4-0 in September, could not stem the tide and it was no more than Burnley deserved when Barnes headed in the opener in the 11th minute.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This time Dean Marney’s cross from the right was dummied by Ings, who then picked up Arfield’s header and hooked the ball across goal for his strike partner.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Berahino was unsurprisingly given a mixed reception by the travelling supporters when he made his entrance, and West Brom at last began to manage a few forays into the Burnley box. Joleon Lescott might have done better with a header from Fletcher’s free-kick.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">In the 32nd minute, however, Burnley doubled their lead as Ings finished off a fine move with his eighth of the season.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Marney’s pass out to the right was dummied by Trippier which freed George Boyd, and his cross was perfect for Ings to head in off the post.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It all looked rosy for the hosts but they had lost two of their previous three games from 2-0 up and their Achilles heel came back to bite them again.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Burnley have conceded more headed goals than any other team in the Premier League and, with the first half into injury time, Brunt was allowed to head in Callum McManaman’s corner from five yards. The ball seemed to come more off shoulder than head but Clarets goalkeeper Tom Heaton was helpless as it bounced over him and into the net.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Both managers made changes for the second half. Burnley’s was forced as Michael Kightly replaced the injured Marney, while Tony Pulis sent on Ideye for Chris Baird, with Brunt dropping to left-back.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">There was a half-hearted Burnley appeal for a penalty when Barnes tumbled under pressure from Craig Dawson trying to reach another excellent Trippier cross, but referee Mike Dean was unmoved.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With 67 minutes gone, West Brom drew level as Burnley were exposed at a corner once again.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This time Brunt’s delivery from the right found record signing Ideye all alone in the centre of the box and he headed in his third goal for the Baggies.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It was Burnley’s turn to threaten from a corner nine minutes later but Lescott was in the right place to clear Jason Shackell’s header off the line.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The final chance of the game went to Berahino but he could not quite reclaim his hero status as a combination of Heaton and Ben Mee on the line denied what appeared a certain goal.</div><!-- Go to www.addthis.com/dashboard to customize your tools --> <br /><div class="addthis_native_toolbox"></div>

Ideye rescues a point for the Baggies

Super Eagles striker, Brown Ideye was the saviour of the day as West Brom came from behind to secure a point . The Baggies’ record signing a...

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Liverpool V Everton Report

<div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img src="http://fcnaija.com/post/1423337372.JPG" style="background-color: transparent;" />The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton ended in a goalless draw at the Goodison Park.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers handed a rare start to youngster Jordan Ibe on a night that was made more significant by Steven Gerrard as it represented his last Merseyside derby before his move to MLS side LA Galaxy.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jordan Ibe was not fazed by the occasion as he put in a good shift and in the first half powered a right foot shot from the edge of the box onto the post but Everton survived.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sterling also went close but his shot was SAVED by Joel Robles and at the other end Steven Naismith capitalized on an error by Emre Can but failed to score.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The home side sent on NEW LOAN signing Aaron Lenon as they try to end Gerrard’s last Merseyside derby with a defeat but the Reds were very strong on the night and manager Brendan Rodgers threw into the Frey Daniel Sturridge for Phillip Coutinho as they chased the winner.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></span></div><span style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Steven Gerrard nearly had a perfect day in the last five minutes when he fired in a left foot shot from just outside the box but if went wide as the game ended goalless on a very exciting derby weekend across Europe.</span></span><br /><a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="none" href="https://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><a class="wa_btn wa_btn_s" data-href="" data-text="Take a look at this awesome website:" href="whatsapp://send" style="display: none;">Share</a><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=173511999379139&xfbml=1"></script><fb:like expr:share_url="data:post.url" font="" send="false" show_faces="true" width="450"></fb:like>

Liverpool V Everton Report

The Merseyside derby between Liverpool and Everton ended in a goalless draw at the Goodison Park. Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers handed a...

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Chelsea move seven points ahead of City

<div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div><h2 style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;"><br /></h2><h2 style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;"><img src="http://soccerblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/hazard-620x400.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" />Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points after seeing off an Aston Villa team who finally ended their Premier League goal drought after 11 hours.</h2><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">With nearest rivals Manchester City held at home by Hull, Branislav Ivanovic’s winner secured a vital victory for the leaders.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Villa, who had not scored in the league since 20 December, responded well after falling behind to Eden Hazard’s early goal and levelled through Jores Okore’s header at the start of the second half.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But Ivanovic restored the Blues’ advantage after 66 minutes and they went on to secure Jose Mourinho’s first win at Villa Park at the sixth attempt.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The spirit Villa showed in defeat will be scant consolation for Paul Lambert’s struggling side, whose winless run now stands at nine league games, but it appeared they were heading for a far worse defeat when Hazard opened the scoring after eight minutes.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That goal was scored far too easily from Villa’s point of view, with their defence being carved apart as Oscar escaped down the right and fed Willian, who found Hazard running into the area to slot home.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Villa’s main tactic in Lambert’s 100th league game in charge seemed to be to fire a succession of crosses into the box, despite that fact their out-of-form target man Christian Benteke was dropped to the bench and Gabriel Agbonlahor did not offer much of an aerial threat in his place.<br />Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois gave them hope when he flapped at a couple of deliveries but Chelsea remained comfortable and even created further chances to extend their lead.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">That all changed after half-time, when Villa finally found a way to hurt Mourinho’s men.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Carles Gil had already shown some neat touches before slipping past Oscar on the by-line and lifting in a perfect pass for Okore to power home a downward header.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The goal brought wild celebrations from Villa’s players and fans – with Okore booked for running into a crowd, who had not seen a league goal from their side since 20 December.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Ironic chants of “we score when we want” followed from the home supporters and with Chelsea pegged back in their own half, for a few minutes it least, it appeared more might follow.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Not for the first time this season, the Blues found themselves in a battle, but they responded in perfect fashion.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Mourinho’s men held firm at the back and began to build their own spell of pressure. Willian sent two shots skidding narrowly wide but the waves of Chelsea attacks were becoming relentless.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Villa cracked after 66 minutes, when they failed to deal with Cesar Azpilicueta’s run and cross into the area.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The ball broke for Ivanovic on the edge of the box, who fizzed an unstoppable first-time shot into the top corner.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Tweet</div><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=173511999379139&xfbml=1"></script><fb:like expr:share_url="data:post.url" font="" send="false" show_faces="true" width="450"></fb:like>

Chelsea move seven points ahead of City

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table to seven points after seeing off an Aston Villa team who finally ended their Premier Lea...

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Kane helps Spurs Defeat Arsenal

<div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><img alt="Danny Welbeck" src="http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/696x392/feb_15/gun__1423320799_welbz.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" />We</div><a name="more"></a>nger's 45th derby was also his 700th Premier League game as Arsenal manager - and he sprang a minor surprise before kick-off.<br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px;">Welbeck, back after six weeks out with a thigh injury, replaced Theo Walcott in an otherwise unchanged line-up.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Arsenal lost for the first time in six games as Tottenham came from behind to win the north London derby.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mesut Ozil volleyed the visitors ahead in the 11th minute following good work from Danny Welbeck, but Harry Kane tucked home a second-half equaliser from close range.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">David Ospina made a string of important SAVES as Tottenham enjoyed long spells of pressure, but Kane beat the Colombian with a towering header four minutes from time.</span></div><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px;">Welbeck and</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px;"> </span>Laurent Koscielny<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 24px;">went closest to a second goal for Arsène Wenger's side, but Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris kept them at bay.</span></span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><br /></div><a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="none" href="https://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><a class="wa_btn wa_btn_s" data-href="" data-text="Take a look at this awesome website:" href="whatsapp://send" style="display: none;">Share</a><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=173511999379139&xfbml=1"></script><fb:like expr:share_url="data:post.url" font="" send="false" show_faces="true" width="450"></fb:like>

Kane helps Spurs Defeat Arsenal

We nger's 45th derby was also his 700th Premier League game as Arsenal manager - and he sprang a minor surprise before kick-off. Welbeck...

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Aston Villa v Chelsea Lineups

<div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div><img src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/blogs/boilerplate---guest-fan-blog/guest-fan-blog/excitement-building/_jcr_content.autoteaser.jpeg" /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span class="summary-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Juan Cuadrado is named among the substitutes for the first time with <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/gary-cahill.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Gary Cahill</a> and <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Didier Drogba</a> returning to the starting line-up.</span></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/archived/players/kurt-zouma2.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Kurt Zouma</a> and Loic Remy make way in an otherwise unchanged side.<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/willian.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Willian</a> has recovered from the injury that forced him off against Man City and takes his place in a familiar attacking midfield trio.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Ramires CONTINUES in central midfield in the absence of <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesc-fabregas.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Cesc Fabregas</a>.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">For Villa, there is one change in each of the defence, midfield and attack, with Aly Cissokho, Ashley Westwood and Gabby Agbonlahor coming in. Former Chelsea pair Joe Cole and Scott Sinclair are on the bench.  </div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Chelsea are expected to line up in the following 4-2-3-1 formation:</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Courtois;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ivanovic</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/gary-cahill.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Cahill</a>, Terry (c),<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesar-azpilicueta.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Azpilicueta</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/ramires.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ramires</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/nemanja-matic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Matic</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/willian.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Willian</a>, Oscar, <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a>.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Subs:<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/petr-cech.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Cech</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/archived/players/kurt-zouma2.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Zouma</a>, Ake,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/john-mikel-obi.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Mikel</a>, Loftus-Cheek, Cuadrado, Remy.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Villa are expected to line up in the following 4-3-3 formation:</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Guzan: Hutton, Okore, Clark, Cissokho; Westwood, Delph, Cleverley; Gil, Agbonlahor (c). Weimann.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Subs: Given, Vlaar, Bacuna, Sinclair, Cole, Sanchez, Benteke.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The referee is Neil Swarbrick. </div><br />Chelseafc.com<br /><a class="twitter-share-button" data-count="none" href="https://twitter.com/share">Tweet</a><script>!function(d,s,id){var js,fjs=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],p=/^http:/.test(d.location)?'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs');</script><a class="wa_btn wa_btn_s" data-href="" data-text="Take a look at this awesome website:" href="whatsapp://send" style="display: none;">Share</a><br /><div id="fb-root"></div><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#appId=173511999379139&xfbml=1"></script><fb:like expr:share_url="data:post.url" font="" send="false" show_faces="true" width="450"></fb:like>

Aston Villa v Chelsea Lineups

Juan Cuadrado is named among the substitutes for the first time with  Gary Cahill  and  Didier Drogba  returning to the starting line-up. Ku...

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Bony replaces Jovetic

<div><img src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80816000/jpg/_80816384_bony-jovetic-main.jpg" /><a name="more"></a>Manchester City <span style="color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 21.2569389343262px; line-height: 24.4191665649414px;">have cut S</span></span>tevan Jovetic<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> from their  Champions League squad in order to accommodate </span>Wilfried Bony<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">.</span></div><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bony joined the Blues from Swansea City in January, and with no member of the club's European squad from the group stage leaving during the transfer window, Manuel Pellegrini faced a decision as to whether to bring the Ivory Coast international in.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Financial Fair Play Punishment have left City with a squad of just 21 compared to the usual 25-man roster named by teams in Europe's elite club competition, and that means Jovetic misses out on a chance to play in the knockout stages.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><em style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><strong>Full Manchester City Champions League squad</strong></em><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goalkeepers: </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Joe Hart, Willy Caballero</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Defenders: </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Vincent Kompany, Martin Demichelis, Eliaquim Mangala, Gael Clichy, Aleksandar Kolarov, Dedryck Boyata</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Midfielders: </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Fernandinho, Fernando, Yaya Toure, Jesus Navas, David Silva, James Milner, Samir Nasri, Frank Lampard</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><strong style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Strikers: </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Sergio Aguero, Wilfried Bony, Edin Dzeko</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div>

Bony replaces Jovetic

Manchester City have cut S tevan Jovetic  from their  Champions League squad in order to accommodate  Wilfried Bony . Bony joined the Blues ...

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Welbeck, Alexis and Wilshere

<div style="background: url(http://www.arsenal.com/assets/images/structure/lead-line.png) 0px 8px no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 70px;"><img src="http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/696x392/nov_14/gun__1416302824_welbeck_arm.jpg" /></div><div style="background: url(http://www.arsenal.com/assets/images/structure/lead-line.png) 0px 8px no-repeat rgb(255, 255, 255); color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 24px; text-indent: 70px;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"></span></div><a name="more"></a>Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur:<br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><span style="font-weight: 700;">on the team news...</span><br />Welbeck is back in the group. Apart from that we have the same squad available as last week.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">on Alexis...</span><br />The latest is that Alexis is not ready. He is not far away, the Leicester game is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet! He is training but it's light training.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">on <a href="http://www.arsenal.com/first-team/players/jack-wilshere" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgb(30, 76, 146); color: #41465c; text-decoration: none;" title="Jack Wilshere player profile">Jack Wilshere</a>...</span><br />Jack is back in full training next week, hopefully from Sunday.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain…</span><br />Alex is still out, but he is starting to practice again, not full training.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: 700;">on Serge Gnabry…</span><br />Serge will play on Monday night at Newcastle, with Bielik. Bielik is coming along very well.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Arsenalfc.com</div><div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div>

Welbeck, Alexis and Wilshere

Arsène Wenger has revealed the latest team news ahead of Saturday's north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur: on the team news... We...

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Sanchez out of London derby with hamstring injury

<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><img src="http://fcnaija.com/post/1423143589.jpg" /></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"></span></div><a name="more"></a>Chile International Alexis Sanchez will not be available for Arsenal for their London derby tie against Tottenham Hotspurs due to a hamstring injury, manager Arsene Wenger has confirmed.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The former Barcelona star missed the gunners 5-0 demolition of Aston Villa at the Emirates last weekend and was expected back against bitter rivals Spurs on Saturday but has now been effectively ruled out.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">However, the manager confirmed he is back in training but will not be match ready for the Spurs game.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">"The latest is that Alexis is not ready," says Wenger. "He is not far away, the Leicester game is a possibility. He is of course very difficult to keep quiet. He is training but it's light training."<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Sanchez has scored 18 goals for the gunners in all competition this season thus far in a remarkable first season at the Emirates but will be unable to add to that tally with the latest report.</span></div><div class="g-plusone" data-annotation="none" data-size="tall"></div>

Sanchez out of London derby with hamstring injury

Chile International Alexis Sanchez will not be available for Arsenal for their London derby tie against Tottenham Hotspurs due to a hamstrin...

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FIFA fines WEST HAM over SAKHO

<h2 style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;"><img src="http://soccerblitz.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/Diafra-Sakho_3256177-620x400.jpg" /></h2><h2 style="-webkit-backface-visibility: hidden; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Oswald, sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 32px; margin: 10px 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 560px;">West Ham have paied £71,000 for fielding Diafra Sakho in the FA Cup win over Bristol City despite telling Senegal the striker was unfit.</h2><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The club have also been reprimanded but they will be allowed to continue to play in this year’s competition.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sakho, 25, had been due to join up with his national side at the Africa Cup of Nations but the Hammers informed the Senegalese FA that injury would prevent him from travelling to the tournament.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On January 25, Sakho came off the substitutes’ bench to score the only goal of the tie at Ashton Gate – prompting protest from the Senegalese authorities.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A FIFA statement read: “FIFA can today confirm the decisions of its Disciplinary Committee in the case involving the English club West Ham United and the player Diafra Sakho.</div><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: #777777; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“Diafra Sakho was called up by the Senegalese Football Association on 18 December 2014 to play for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 taking place in Equatorial Guinea between 17 January and 8 February 2015, as well as to attend the training camp of the said representative team from 5-16 January 2015 in Morocco.</em></strong></div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The Senegalese FA was informed by West Ham United that Sakho was prevented from playing and travelling by plane due to injury and thus he did not join the Senegal team.</em></strong></div></blockquote><blockquote style="background-color: white; border-left-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-left-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 1px; color: #777777; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: italic; line-height: 22px; margin: 10px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 40px; quotes: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On 25 January 2015, the player took part in an official match for his club West Ham United. Senegal were eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations 2015 on 27 January 2015.</em></strong></div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“In view of the above and in accordance with art. 6 par. 1 of Annexe 1 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players (hereinafter the Regulations), disciplinary proceedings were opened against the player and the club for a potential violation of Annexe 1 of the Regulations.</em></strong></div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has found the club and the player to have violated art. 5 of Annexe 1 of the Regulations in relation to the match played by Sakho on 25 January 2015. The club has been fined CHF 100,000 in accordance with art. 10 c) and art. 15 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code (FDC) and issued with a reprimand, while the player has been sanctioned with a reprimand in accordance with art. 10 b) and art. 14 of the FDC.</em></strong></div><div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“The terms of the decisions were notified to the relevant parties today.”</em></strong></div></blockquote><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #444444; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Both Sakho and West Ham have been cleared to play in the next round as scheduled, where Sam Allardyce’s side face West Brom.</div>

FIFA fines WEST HAM over SAKHO

West Ham have paied £71,000 for fielding Diafra Sakho in the FA Cup win over Bristol City despite telling Senegal the striker was unfit. The...

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Louis van Gaal: Man Utd manager charged by FA over comments

<div id="headline" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; outline-style: none;"><h1 class="story-header" itemprop="headline" style="font-size: 2.308em; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: -0.2px; line-height: 1.2; margin: -2px 0px 18px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 6px;"><a href="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80791000/jpg/_80791315_louisvangaal_getty_624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal" border="0" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80791000/jpg/_80791315_louisvangaal_getty_624.jpg" /></a></h1></div><div class="introduction" id="story_continues_1" itemprop="description" style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.462em; line-height: 1.11; margin-top: 20px; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Louis van Gaal has been charged by the Football Association over comments he made to the media after Manchester United's FA Cup fourth-round match against Cambridge United.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The FA charge states the manager's words "allege and/or imply bias on the part of the match referee and/or bring the game into disrepute".</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The Dutchman has until 18:00 GMT on 9 February to respond to the charge.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The match at Abbey Stadium on 23 January ended in a goalless draw.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">The Premier League side beat Cambridge 3-0 in the fourth-round replay at Old Trafford on Tuesday.</div><div style="color: #1c1c1c; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 1.077em; line-height: 1.35; outline-style: none; padding: 0px 0px 12px;">Van Gaal had questioned the integrity of referee Chris Foy after the first tie against the League Two side, saying "every aspect of a match is against us - the pitch, the referee".</div>

Louis van Gaal: Man Utd manager charged by FA over comments

Louis van Gaal has been charged by the Football Association over comments he made to the media after Manchester United's FA Cup fourth-r...

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Harry Redknapp resigns from managerial position at QPR ...

<div class="info_heading" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 16px;"><div id="articleContentWrapper" style="font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6; position: relative; width: 613px;"><div><h2><img alt="Harry Redknapp, QPR manager" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80757000/jpg/_80757593_harry.jpg" style="font-size: 1.4em; line-height: 1.6;" />HARRY Redknapp has tendered his resignation at QPR, which has been accepted by the Board.</h2></div><div><br /></div><div>Redknapp – who joined the club in November 2012, overseeing 105 matches in charge – informed Chairman Tony Fernandes of his decision to resign this morning.</div><div><br /></div><div>He will undergo knee replacement surgery in the coming weeks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Redknapp told <strong><a href="http://www.qpr.co.uk/news/article/www.qpr.co.uk" style="color: #0074e1; font-size: 1em; outline: none; text-decoration: none;">www.qpr.co.uk</a></strong>: “I have had such a fantastic time at QPR. I would like to thank the Board, the players and all my staff, and especially the supporters who have been absolutely fantastic to me since I arrived at the club for their tremendous support.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Sadly I need immediate surgery on my knee which is going to stop me from doing my job in the coming weeks. It means I won’t be able to be out on the training pitch every day, and if I can’t give 100 per-cent I feel it’s better for someone else to take over the reins.</div><div><br /></div><div>“My relationship with Tony Fernandes has been one of the highlights of my footballing career and I wish the club every success. I am confident they will survive in the Premier League this year.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Speaking on behalf of the Board, QPR Chairman Tony Fernandes added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank Harry for everything he has done for QPR during his time in charge.</div><div><br /></div><div>“We part on good terms and I would personally like to wish him all the best for the future.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Les Ferdinand and Chris Ramsey have been placed in temporary charge of the team until further notice.</div><div></div></div></div><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; line-height: 16px;"><br /></span>

Harry Redknapp resigns from managerial position at QPR ...

HARRY Redknapp has tendered his resignation at QPR, which has been accepted by the Board. Redknapp – who joined the club in November 2012, o...

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Official: Wolfsburg signs Schurrle from Chelsea

<div class="leading" style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: RobotoMedium, Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 1.4em; font-stretch: normal; margin-bottom: 0.6em; margin-top: 0.6em;"></div><div style="float: left; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 22px; max-width: 100%; width: 628px;"><a href="http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/media/motion/ESPNi/2015/0202/int_150202_INET_Janusz_on_Schurrle/int_150202_INET_Janusz_on_Schurrle.jpg&w=738&site=espnfc" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i/?img=/media/motion/ESPNi/2015/0202/int_150202_INET_Janusz_on_Schurrle/int_150202_INET_Janusz_on_Schurrle.jpg&w=738&site=espnfc" style="font-size: 16px;" /></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7841646797722552770" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7841646797722552770" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b></b><br /><h2><b>Wolfsburg - VfL Wolfsburg have completed the signing of 2014 World Cup winner Andre Schürrle from English Premier League giants Chelsea FC.<a name="more"></a></b></h2></div><div style="float: left; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 22px; max-width: 100%; width: 628px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7841646797722552770" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7841646797722552770" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>The 24-year-old former Bayer 04 Leverkusen forward, who was part of Joachim Löw's squad at last summer's tournament in Brazil, put pen to paper on a four-and-a-half year contract on Monday afternoon, tying him to the club until June 2019.</div><h2 class="afterP" style="clear: both; font-family: arial, verdana; font-size: 18px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 1em; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7841646797722552770" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=7841646797722552770" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></h2><div style="float: left; font-family: Arial, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 22px; max-width: 100%; width: 628px;"><br />Schürrle started his career at 1. FSV Mainz 05 and made his Bundesliga debut for the Carnival Club against future employers Leverkusen on the opening day of the 2009/10 campaign. He joined <i>die Werkself</i> in 2011, going on to score 18 goals in 65 league appearances for the BayArena club before signing for Jose Mourinho's Chelsea in June 2013. Despite netting 14 times in 65 outings for the west London side, Schürrle has struggled to nail down a first-team berth at Stamford Bridge.<br /><br />After making his Germany debut in a friendly against Sweden in 2010, Schürrle has gone on to score 17 goals in 45 international appearances, including the seventh in <i>die Nationalmannschaft</i>'s 7-1 humbling of Brazil in the 2014 World Cup semi-final. He also set up Mario Götze's 113th-minute winner in the final against Argentina at Rio de Janeiro's Estadio de Maracana.<br /><br />Schürrle becomes Dieter Hecking's <a class="normalred" href="http://www.bundesliga.com/en/liga/news/2014/0000309986.php" style="color: #c80000; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none;" target="new"><b>third signing</b></a> this winter, following the acquisitions of China international Xizhe Zhang and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim keeper Koen Casteels.</div>

Official: Wolfsburg signs Schurrle from Chelsea

Wolfsburg - VfL Wolfsburg have completed the signing of 2014 World Cup winner Andre Schürrle from English Premier League giants Chelsea FC. ...

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Official: Chelsea signs Cuadrado from Fiorentina

<img alt="Juan Cuadrado" src="http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/80739000/jpg/_80739845_cuadrado.jpg" /><br /><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span class="summary-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;"></span><br /><h2><span class="summary-text" style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #595959; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 15px; text-rendering: optimizelegibility;">Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina.</span></h2></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">The 26-year-old has joined on a four-and-a-half-year contract.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Upon signing, he said: ‘I am very happy and thankful for this opportunity I’ve been given.  This is a great club and honestly it is like a dream to join the Chelsea family and to know that the manager believes in me. I’m happy.’</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">The attacking midfielder arrives at Stamford Bridge after five-and-a-half years in Italy, first with Udinese before switching to Fiorentina in 2012 after a loan spell at Lecce.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Cuadrado plays predominantly behind a striker, but he is also comfortable on either flank. Pacy and agile, he is a purposeful attacking threat with an eye for the spectacular.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The Colombian, who has 37 international caps and five goals, was a key figure in his country’s impressive 2014 World Cup campaign. He scored in a group-stage victory against Japan before ending the tournament at the quarter-final stage with four assists, a record equalled only by World Cup winner Toni Kroos.</div>

Official: Chelsea signs Cuadrado from Fiorentina

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce the signing of Juan Cuadrado from Fiorentina. The 26-year-old has joined on a four-and-a-half...

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Souare Signs For The Eagles

<img src="http://mobile.cpfc.co.uk/cms_images/news/souare-senegal-43380-2236051_478x359.jpg" /><span class="st_sharethis_large" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span class="st_facebook_large" displaytext="Facebook"></span><span class="st_twitter_large" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span class="st_linkedin_large" displaytext="LinkedIn"></span><span class="st_pinterest_large" displaytext="Pinterest"></span><span class="st_email_large" displaytext="Email"></span><br /><div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;">Crystal <a name="more"></a>Palace have completed the signing of Senegalese international left-back Pape Souare from Lille on a three and a half year contract for an undisclosed fee, subject to a work permit being received.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;">The 24 year old defender is a product of Lille's academy and made 55 league appearances for them, helping them win a league and cup double in 2010/11 and featuring for the club in the UEFA Champions League and Europa League in recent seasons. He also had a season-long loan spell with Stade Reims in 2012/13.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;">Pape has won five caps for Senegal, including two in this month's Africa Cup of Nations competition in Equatorial Guinea. He also featured for his country's under-23 side in the 2012 Olympics.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;">The player came over direct from the Africa Cup of Nations tournament to complete the move and sign the paperwork, before returning home, but will be back to start training with his new club early this week.</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;">Source:cpfc.co.uk</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;"><br /></div></div><span class='st_sharethis_large' displayText='ShareThis'></span><span class='st_facebook_large' displayText='Facebook'></span><span class='st_twitter_large' displayText='Tweet'></span><span class='st_linkedin_large' displayText='LinkedIn'></span><span class='st_pinterest_large' displayText='Pinterest'></span><span class='st_email_large' displayText='Email'></span>

Souare Signs For The Eagles

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Senegalese international left-back Pape Souare from Lille on a three and a half year contract f...

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Final bid | Man United to launch £37m Hummels bid

<div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://fcnaija.com/post/1422783271.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Picture is edited by Soccerglee.(Not real)</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Ma</span></div><a name="more"></a>nchester United are ready to launch one final offer for long time target Mats Hummels before the close of the January transfer window on Monday.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p><br /><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">The 25-year-old German International has been a defensive rock for Borussia Dortmund and enjoyed a massive 2014 World Cup as he </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">marshalled</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> the national team’s backline to World Cup glory which has firmly established him as a prime target for the 20-time premier league champions.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">United manager Louis van Gaal is a big fan of the player and he is ready to sanction a £37m bid on transfer deadline day which may just be enough to land the ball-playing defender.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Hummels had said in the past that he will like to stay at the Signal Iduna Park but after yesterday’s goalless against Bayern Leverkusen which left Dortmund rock bottom of the 18-team Bundesliga log – the German star may feel it is time to leave.<o:p style="box-sizing: border-box;"></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.6000003814697px; line-height: 18.0000019073486px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">Now the clock starts ticking as Manchester United fans awaits </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16.3636360168457px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">good news</span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;"> of the arrival of Mats Hummels like they did with Radamel Falcao deadline day of last summer’s transfer window.</span></div><span class="st_sharethis_large" displaytext="ShareThis"></span><span class="st_facebook_large" displaytext="Facebook"></span><span class="st_twitter_large" displaytext="Tweet"></span><span class="st_linkedin_large" displaytext="LinkedIn"></span><span class="st_pinterest_large" displaytext="Pinterest"></span><span class="st_email_large" displaytext="Email"></span>

Final bid | Man United to launch £37m Hummels bid

This Picture is edited by Soccerglee.(Not real) Ma nchester United are ready to launch one final offer for long time target Mats Hummels bef...

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Southampton vs Swansea Report

<div class="info_heading" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><h2><img alt="Southampton 0-1 Swansea City: Shelvey scorcher downs 10-man Saints" src="http://static.goal.com/432800/432897_heroa.jpg" /><a name="more"></a>Jonjo Shelvey’s 83rd minute wonder strike gave </h2><h2>Swansea all three points in a game Southampton </h2><h2>dominated at St Mary’s.</h2></div><div style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 16px;"><div id="articleContentWrapper" style="line-height: 1.6; position: relative;"><div>Saints – who ended the match with ten men after the late dismissal of Ryan Bertrand – will come away from the CONTEST <span style="line-height: 1.6;">probably unsure of how they came away without at least a point to show for their efforts in an encounter that they were in control of for large periods.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>A lack of cutting edge COSTS<span style="line-height: 1.6;">Ronald Koeman’s team dear, though it wasn’t for the lack of trying as the visitors carried out a smash and grab exercise thanks to Shelvey’s late strike which came as a bolt from the blue.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>Saints substitute Sadio Mané went closest thereafter to finding a leveller, but was twice denied by clearances off the line from Ashley Williams, leaving the hosts to taste defeat in the league for the first time in the new year. </div><div><br /></div><div>Swansea meanwhile celebrated their first win since Boxing Day and their first success in Southampton for 62 years.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maya Yoshida returned from Asia Cup duty and came back into the starting eleven in place of fellow defender Florin Gardos, who dropped to the bench. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sadio Mané was also back from representing Senegal at the African Cup of Nations, and was named among the substitutes.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saints were dominant from the initial exchanges, with much of the half’s action played out in front of the Northam stand which the hosts were attacking in the opening 45 minutes. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps the best of those opportunities arrived in the seventh minute when Dušan Tadić and Nathaniel Clyne combined well down the right flank where the latter crossed low for James Ward-Prowse, whose controlled shot was flicked away by the legs of Lukasz Fabianski from close range.</div><div><br /></div><div>Swansea were in coming forward by their normal high standards and suffered a further blow when forward Marvin Emnes went off injured after quarter of an hour, and he was replaced by Modou Barrow.</div><div><br /></div><div>That had come shortly after the visitors’ best chance when Jonjo Shelvey played the ball into Bafetimbi Gomis on the edge of the area, and the striker hit a rising shot just wide of the left post.</div><div><br /></div><div>From then on in the half though, Saints were in control of possession, without creating too many clear chances, though Harrison Reed fired wide as the hosts began to dominate down the flanks.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and Ryan Bertrand each got further forward with the latter hooking over from Eljero Elia’s knockdown inside the area, with Elia also on hand to assist for Tadić inside the middle of the box, where the ball was knocked wide under pressure from Swansea defender Neil Taylor.</div><div><br /></div><div>Taylor went into the book before the end of the half for a foul on Elia, who was CONTINUING<br /> to make a good impression on the game, but despite Saints’ best efforts the game remained scoreless heading into half-time.</div><div><br /></div><div>Both teams kept it tight at the start of the new half, though Saints remained the more likely looking team to threaten.</div><div><br /></div><div>But, as the game opened out just before the hour mark, Swansea almost snatched the lead when Jonjo Shelvey struck the base of the post with a low strike which came on the back of a counter-attack forward.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saints quickly retaliated when Ward-Prowse headed an effort down at the far post which was held by Fabianski, and then the Swansea goalkeeper was called upon again to deny the same man from the edge of the area.</div><div><br /></div><div>That led to the introduction of Sadio Mané for Reed on 63 minutes as the hosts pressed on in search of a breakthrough goal.</div><div><br /></div><div>Mané certainly added an extra spring into the home team’s step moving forward, with the Swansea rearguard being tested by the pace of the Senegalese, who alongside Elia were each pushing the visiting defence to defend deeper.</div><div><br /></div><div>On 78 Mané tested Fabianski again, and after another missed opportunity, Swansea punished the hosts five minutes later when Shelvey collected the ball on the edge of the area and smashed a stunning drive into the top corner past Fraser Forster for 0-1.</div><div><br /></div><div>Saints tried to hit back immediately, with Steven Davis seeing a strike blocked inside the area, and then they were denied twice in quick succession when Mané twice beat Fabianski, only for skipper Ashley Williams to be on hand to clear from the line on each occasion.</div><div><br /></div><div>The hosts were dealt a hammer blow when Ryan Bertrand was sent off late on for a challenge on Barrow prior to four minutes of additional time for stoppages incurred by Barrow’s need of treatment.</div><div><br /></div><div>As Saints gave one last push, they still couldn’t find a way through with Pellè blazing over and a queue of red and white shirts tried to force their way through late on, but frustratingly to no avail.</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Southampton team:</strong> Fraser Forster, Nathaniel Clyne, Jose Fonte (c), Maya Yoshida, Ryan Bertrand, Harrison Reed (Sadio Mané 63), Steven Davis, James Ward-Prowse, Dušan Tadić, Eljero Elia (Ryan Seager 89), Graziano Pellè</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Unused substitutes:</strong> Kelvin Davis, Florin Gardos, Matt Targett, Dominic Gape</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Booked:</strong> Yoshida (64)</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Sent off:</strong> Bertrand (89)</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Swansea City team:</strong> Lukasz Fabianski, Neil Taylor, Ashley Williams (c), Federico Fernandez, Kyle Naughton (Angel Rangel 81), Jonjo Shelvey, Tom Carroll, Jay Fulton, Nathan Dyer, Marvin Emnes (Modou Barrow 15) (Jordi Amat 90), Bafetimbi Gomis</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Unused substitutes:</strong> Gerhard Tremmel, Nelson Oliveira, Dwight Tiendalli, Matt Grimes</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Booked:</strong> Taylor (44)</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Goal:</strong> Shelvey (83)</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Referee:</strong> Michael Oliver</div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Attendance:</strong> 30,943 (including 1,458 away)</div></div></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;"><i><u>www.saintsfc.co.uk</u></i></span></span><br /><div class="fb-share-button" data-layout="button"></div>

Southampton vs Swansea Report

Jonjo Shelvey’s 83rd minute wonder strike gave  Swansea all three points in a game Southampton  dominated at St Mary’s. Saints – who ended t...

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Arsenal outclass Villa

<div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;"><img src="http://www.arsenal.com/assets/_files/scaled/696x392/feb_15/gun__1422804705_ozil-2.jpg" /></div><a name="more"></a><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Arsenal outclassed Aston Villa to extend their winning run to five matches at Emirates Stadium on Sunday</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Olivier Giroud ran onto Mesut Ozil's sumptuous flick to open the scoring in the eighth minute - his fifth goal in six Premier League games.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Santi Cazorla hit the post and, although Villa rallied, two goals in seven second-half minutes ended their resistance.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Giroud returned the favour to Ozil for the first of those, picking out the German for a precise finish. And Theo Walcott put the result beyond doubt at the end of another slick counter-attack.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Cazorla added a fourth from the penalty spot, Hector Bellerin fired a fantastic first goal for the club, and the vast majority of the Emirates crowd went home very happy.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Quite right too. Arsenal look in fine fettle - even without their talisman Alexis - and the consistency Arsène Wenger has craved all season has finally come.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">This result sees Arsenal climb back above Tottenham into fifth place - perfect preparation for next week's north London derby.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: ff-meta-web-pro-n4, ff-meta-web-pro, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px; margin-top: 21px;">Arsenal Fc.com</div>

Arsenal outclass Villa

Arsenal outclassed Aston Villa to extend their winning run to five matches at Emirates Stadium on Sunday Olivier Giroud ran onto Mesut Ozil...

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COSTA: I’VE DONE NOTHING WRONG

<span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; line-height: 25.602560043335px;"><br /></span><img src="http://chelseaseason.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/diego-costa.jpg" /><br /><a name="more"></a><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; line-height: 25.602560043335px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; line-height: 25.602560043335px;">Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists there was no malicious intent behind the stamp on Emre Can which earned him a three-match ban from the Football Association.</span><br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The 26-year-old was suspended for three games for violent conduct by the FA after an independent regulatory commission on Friday ruled he deliberately stamped on the ankle of the Liverpool midfielder in Tuesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Costa says he accepts and respects the punishment, but stresses he did not set out to hurt his opponent.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“As far as what happened on Tuesday, the main thing is when I get home I can go home and I can go to sleep knowing that I’ve not done anything wrong, because I never meant to do that and it was not on purpose,” he told the Daily Telegraph.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“And you can clearly see that on the video. But it is a suspension. I have to accept that, I have to take it. Obviously I feel sad because I’m not going to be able to help the team, to play. But I have accept it and respect it.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m not saying I’m an angel. I’m no angel. You can see that. But every time I play I will play the same way because that’s the way I am. That’s what I need to do in order to support my family. That’s my bread and butter. Also, that’s what I need to do for this club and for the fans of this club, for the supporters and for all the people involved in this club.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“On the pitch I will always be like that. That’s my character and I will always compete and compete – always. I’m a different guy off the pitch, as you can see, but on the pitch I will not change. And I want to say this again: you can look at the video and interpret it however you want, but I know when I get home I can sleep in peace because I know I didn’t mean to do it.”</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Costa and Chelsea have no right to appeal, with the immediate ban meaning the forward missed Saturday evening’s 1-1 draw against Manchester City and will also sit out matches against Aston Villa and Everton.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">The former Atletico Madrid hitman believes the game has changed – not for the better – meaning less contact is allowed these days, but vowed not to change his style of play.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I’m always loyal, I always go 100 per cent, I always go on the limit but I think the people that think that I am a violent player, it’s because they interpret football a different way; they see it in a different way,” he said. “Back in the old days there used to be way more contact and a lot of things that were permitted. These days everyone is looking at it and I don’t think that is good for the game.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #111111; font-family: 'Droid Sans', Tahoma, Verdana, Arial; font-size: 16.0016002655029px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 25.602560043335px; margin-bottom: 0.75em; margin-top: 0.75em; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">“I have a go at defenders and they have a go at me. We argue. Whatever happens on the pitch stays on the pitch. After the game I shake hands with the defender. Job done, I go home, he goes home. We’re all mates. It’s all good. That’s how I see football. That’s how I play football. I’m not going to change it – football is a contact sport.”</div>

COSTA: I’VE DONE NOTHING WRONG

Chelsea striker Diego Costa insists there was no malicious intent behind the stamp on Emre Can which earned him a three-match ban from the F...

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Chelsea vs Man City Report

<div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><h2><img alt="PA-22102671_remy" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/01/match-report--chelsea-v-manchester-city/_jcr_content/main/image_0.img.jpg/1422734264064.jpg" style="font-size: 13px;" />Today’s goals came in a short burst before half-time – Loic Remy on his second Premier League start for Chelsea netting his fifth goal of the season to put the Blues ahead following a well-worked attack, but David Silva equalised a minute before the interval.<h></h></h2></div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">In the second half <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/management-team/jose-mourinho.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Jose Mourinho</a>’s men were called upon to show steel, good defending and resilience as Manchester City, who had a free midweek while Chelsea  were playing energy-sapping extra time in a keenly <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/01/match-report--chelsea-v-manchester-city.html#" id="_GPLITA_1" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzk4Nzg6MzI4NTpjb250ZXN0czplMjlmNjRjMThiNDgxMDYzOGExMTJmMzQ5ZTZiODBhZjp6LTIyNDctMTYzODk3NTQ6d3d3LmNoZWxzZWFmYy5jb206MjM1ODQzOjU2NzUxYmMyNjg4NGJjYWM1M2MzZGJlYjk3MTc1ZDJkOjZiZTg2MDBiZTBhYzQxYmZiNjdkOGJhMjgwNzc2NTNjOjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo0NDA0MzI3&subid=g-16389754-54920e175bbe4d78b859a297411a5bb2-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">CONTEST<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> cup semi-final, had the territorial advantage, but it was a sign of how well Chelsea stuck to the task that the visitors had better chances before half-time.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/thibaut-courtois.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Thibaut Courtois</a> was called upon to make a couple of saves in the second half but the points were shared.     </div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br /></div><h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e1e7d; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-transform: uppercase;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">TEAM NEWS</b></h3><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></b>It was Remy who was given the nod to take over centre-forward duties from suspended <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/diego-costa.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Diego Costa</a> in front of a familiar attacking midfield trio. With <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesc-fabregas.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Cesc Fabregas</a> and <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/john-mikel-obi.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">John Mikel Obi</a> unavailable,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/ramires.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ramires</a>played with <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/nemanja-matic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Nemanja Matic</a> in the centre ground with <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/archived/players/kurt-zouma2.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Kurt Zouma</a> <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/01/match-report--chelsea-v-manchester-city.html#" id="_GPLITA_2" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzg0NTc6NDpjb250aW51ZTphOWE2ZmFkNzdlZmZlMDNhNGNjZjNjYWNkOTE1MzA1Yzp6LTIyNDctMTYzODk3NTQ6d3d3LmNoZWxzZWFmYy5jb206MjMyMzI2OjFiZmM0MjM4YTA5Mjk4Y2Y3ODRhNmUzN2Y1NTFlY2JlOjAxMDk1OTY5MmRlMDRjODNiY2NhOWVmZjE4OWI5ZGFmOjE6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo0NDIwNzgw&subid=g-16389754-54920e175bbe4d78b859a297411a5bb2-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">CONTINUING<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> in central defence alongside the skipper. <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Branislav Ivanovic</a> and <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesar-azpilicueta.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Cesar Azpilicueta</a> were the full-backs.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Having suffered defeat at home to Arsenal in their last league outing, the Man City line-up showed only one change from that game – former Gunner Bacary Sagna the preferred right-back with Pablo Zabaleta making way. Frank Lampard was on the bench.</div><h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e1e7d; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-transform: uppercase;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" />FIRST HALF</b></h3><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></b>Worldwide viewing for this encounter between the top two is believed to have hit new heights for a league match and there was certainly a big buzz around the Bridge as the floodlights dimmed and the teams walked out, with the Matthew Harding End proudly displaying our four European trophies banners.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Courtois was instantly called upon to save a straight shot from Jesus Navas and his counterpart Joe Hart was pressured into punt upfield inside the first minute.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">The crowd, as they had before kick-off, burst into a chorus of ‘Diego, Diego,’ to show what they thought of the FA’s actions this week that meant this game was without the top-flight’s topscorer.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">The match settled down into some good Chelsea pressing and winning of possession. There was a brief scare when<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ivanovic</a>, making his 300<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 10px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> Blues appearance, lost the ball bringing it out of defence but City made little of the opportunity.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a> skipped around Gael Clichy with 13 minutes gone and won a corner but both sides were looking solid without the ball. When City did get away with Chelsea a little stretched for numbers at the back,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/archived/players/kurt-zouma2.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Zouma</a> made an excellent tackle on Aguero inside our penalty area.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Remy was halted in his tracks by the offside flag when a well-flighted<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/willian.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Willian</a> pass over the defence looked to have played in the France international.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Courtois made his second save of the game, this time from Aguero after Milner won the ball off<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ivanovic</a>in the Chelsea half.  </div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Our best chance so far came with 29 minutes on the clock. Vincent Kompany dawdled and Remy was away. He crossed in low towards <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a> who dummied but Oscar couldn’t get enough bend on his shot and Hart saved.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 10px;">Two minutes later City missed with their best opening to date. Chelsea had just had a handball appeal on the edge of the City area turned down and the ball was quickly up the other end. When Terry couldn’t clear it, Aguero was onto it but with plenty of goal to aim at, the Argentinean drove wide, much to his manager’s frustration.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">The game had the hallmarks of one heading into the interval scoreless, but suddenly in the five minutes before the break the story took two twists. Chelsea grabbed the lead through a simple but very well-executed move.<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ivanovic</a> clipped a lofted pass over to <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a> who was in space on the left of the City area and vitally, the Belgian volleyed his cross over first-time. Remy had read it and was there for his own volley into the net from only five yards out.</div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></div><div class="parbase image section" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div><br /><div class="text parbase section" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 5px; orphans: auto; padding: 0px; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"><h3 style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; color: #0e1e7d; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; text-transform: uppercase;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;">SECOND HALF</b></h3><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box; font-weight: bold;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /></b>There were no changes to the 22 players on the pitch for the restart, which soon had the game’s first caution, Silva booked for a trip inside the centre-circle on<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/nemanja-matic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: initial; text-decoration: none;"> Matic</a> who was starting to charge.</div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Courtois made the first save of the second half, tipping over a bouncing header from Fernandinho after Navas escaped behind the right-hand side of the Chelsea defence to cross.</div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">City had enjoyed a good 10 minutes when Navas again found space to cross but Milner looped a header on to the top of the Shed End net. The question now was would the Chelsea players who went through extra time four days ago feel the effects.</div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">Ramires certainly wasn’t as he skipped over the turf to bring the ball away from our area to safety before he was fouled, although not according to the ref. Fortunately<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/thibaut-courtois.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: initial; text-decoration: none;"> Courtois</a> was equal to Fernando’s shot as play was waved on.</div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 10px;">The card came out for Fernando for a crude foul on <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: initial; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a> with the game now inside the final 20 minutes. Chelsea were improving and giving Man City some defending to do again. Pellegrini introduced Lampard with 76 minutes on the clock. Our all-time topscorer would get a warm reception walking around the pitch after the final whistle. </div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Ramires slightly overhit a long ball into the area for Remy to chase before Chelsea were forced into a substitution due to an injury to<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/willian.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: initial; text-decoration: none;"> Willian</a>. The Brazilian, who must have run as much as anyone this week, walked off down the tunnel.<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: initial; text-decoration: none;"> Drogba</a> came on, as did <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/gary-cahill.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: initial; text-decoration: none;">Gary Cahill</a> and Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the closing stages during which Chelsea stayed firm at the back.  </div><div class="parsys main" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 13px;"><div class="text parbase section" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 5px; padding: 0px;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">Milner, striking a shot across the six-yard box but wide, was as close as the visitors came to grabbing the win they needed, and when a stoppage-time corner, taken short, was repelled by the boys in royal blue, the final whistle instantly followed and it is as Chelsea were at the summit of the <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/01/match-report--chelsea-v-manchester-city.html#" id="_GPLITA_5" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6NzcwOTg6MTQ0NDpsZWFndWUgdGFibGU6ZjE0OTNjY2YxMzdmMjY4NzJhY2IxN2I2NzViYmFmY2M6ei0yMjQ3LTE2Mzg5NzU0Ond3dy5jaGVsc2VhZmMuY29tOjIyODk2MDoxMzBmODE3Y2M2NGM2ZTRkNDYwMTgxODJkNDI1ZWE5Njo4NDdmYmJlOWNjMzA0NDUwOWU0ZWJkYzQwMmNjZTNjYjowOmRhdGFfc3MsNzI4eDEzNjY7ZGF0YV9mYixubzs6MTg5ODE0MDg&subid=g-16389754-54920e175bbe4d78b859a297411a5bb2-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">LEAGUE TABLE<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a>.  </div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;">A midweek without a game now follows before our title quest <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/01/match-report--chelsea-v-manchester-city.html#" id="_GPLITA_6" in_rurl="http://s.srv-itx.com/click?v=VVM6Nzg0NTc6NDpjb250aW51ZTphYmU5ZDRhMGY1YjZhMjVjNWM5NGNkNzYwN2I3ODE4MDp6LTIyNDctMTYzODk3NTQ6d3d3LmNoZWxzZWFmYy5jb206MjMyMzI2OjFiZmM0MjM4YTA5Mjk4Y2Y3ODRhNmUzN2Y1NTFlY2JlOmNmZWU3ZWFiZDhjYTQyOGM5MjA1YTU4YWE3YjY0Mjk2OjA6ZGF0YV9zcyw3Mjh4MTM2NjtkYXRhX2ZiLG5vOzo0NDIwNzgw&subid=g-16389754-54920e175bbe4d78b859a297411a5bb2-&data_ss=728x1366&data_fb=no&data_tagname=P" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;" title="Click to Continue > by InText">CONTINUES<img src="http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png" style="background: transparent !important; border: none !important; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; height: 10px !important; margin: 0px 0px 0px 3px !important; max-width: 100%; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: super !important; width: 10px !important;" /></a> at Villa Park next Saturday. </div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box;" /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Chelsea</b> (4-2-3-1):<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/thibaut-courtois.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Courtois</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ivanovic</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/archived/players/kurt-zouma2.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Zouma</a>, Terry (c),<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesar-azpilicueta.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Azpilicueta</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/ramires.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Ramires</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/nemanja-matic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Matic</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/willian.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;"> Willian</a> (Drogba 80), Oscar (Loftus-Cheek 92), <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a>; Remy (Cahill 86).<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Unused subs</b> Cech, <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/andreas-christensen.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; text-decoration: none;">Christensen</a>, Ake, Brown.<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Scorer</b> Remy 42</div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 10px;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Man City </b>(4-2-3-1): Hart; Sagna, Kompany (c), Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Fernando (Lampard 77); Navas, Silva (Jovetic 89), Milner; Aguero (Dzeko 83).<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Unused subs</b> Caballero, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Boyata.<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Scorer </b>Silva 45<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Booked </b>Silva 50, Fernando 72.</div><div style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif;"><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Referee </b>Mark Clattenburg<br /><b style="box-sizing: border-box;">Crowd </b>41,620.<br />Chelseafc.com</div></div></div><div class="sharebar parbase" style="box-sizing: border-box; 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Chelsea vs Man City Report

Today’s goals came in a short burst before half-time – Loic Remy on his second Premier League start for Chelsea netting his fifth goal of th...

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