The Week in "Quotes"

<div class="ieFloat x123" style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px 0px 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><div class="credits nofloat" style="background: rgb(0, 0, 0); border: 0px; color: white; height: 20px; margin: -34px auto 0px; opacity: 0.6; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; width: 642px;"><br /></div></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“I </div><a name="more"></a>have played against both Madrid and Barca, and you can’t compare Cristiano to <em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Barça’s </em>Messi. Messi alone is more dangerous than Ronaldo, Bale and Benzema put together."<br /><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Diego Simeone </em></strong><br /><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“It was a long through-ball I ran on to, after which I managed to round the last defender with a feint and dink it over the keeper. Of all the goals I scored at the World Cup, that was the one I liked best."<br /><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">James Rodriguez</em></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> telling <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">FIFA.com</strong> he actually preferred his goal for Colombia against Japan at Brazil 2014, rather than his FIFA Puskas Award-winning strike versus Uruguay - which recieved a massive 1.38 million votes from fans</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"He is without a doubt the best coach I have ever had. I have never met a trainer who knows so much about the game. The level of detail he can go into... We learned a lot in his first season here and things are going even better now we fully understand him."<strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br />Franck Ribery</em></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> on Pep Guardiola</em><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"></em></strong></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Guardiola has definitely not reinvented football. He clearly has two major qualities. For starters, he can analyse a game incredibly well. Plus he is capable of making changes during a game that can be decisive. However, coaches should also praise their players every now and then. You cannot be critical of your players all the time after a successful game. At some stage, the players will not take it seriously any more."<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Oliver Kahn</strong> is less complimentary of the Bayern coach</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I have children and this is not the sort of example that a father should set."<br /><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Philippe Mexes</em></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> on his violent reaction and subsequent red card against Lazio</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“Women’s hockey will never be men’s hockey and we will never be the NHL. Neither do I think that women’s football has to be the same as men’s. For me it’s a more entertaining game. I find female football players are tougher. They seem to battle on the field. They play with a lot of passion and there’s a lot more room out there when you are not as big as the men.”<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Four-time Olympic gold medal-winning Canadian hockey star <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hayley Wickenheiser </strong>comparing the difference between the men and women's games in both football and her own sport with <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">FIFA.com</strong></em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"To finish the first half of the season in 17th place felt like going on holiday on a bed of nails.”<br /><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jurgen Klopp </em></strong><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">reflects on a winter break mulling over Borussia Dortmund's poor performances so far in the German Bundesliga</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"I forgive Cristiano Ronaldo. I hold no grudge. He hit my legs and my mouth, nothing more. I don’t want to hurt him and I hope that he remains the best player in the world."<br />Cordoba's <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Edimar</strong>, whom Cristiano Ronaldo struck to earn a red car</div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“I started putting weight on a few years ago and I wear black clothes to cover it up. It’s as simple as that. I think I wear them pretty well, don’t I?”<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Congo coach <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Claude Le Roy</strong> reveals to <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">FIFA.com </strong>why he always wears black on the touchline</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“Three years ago, no. It just shows you how you can never tell in life, and even more so in football. We (Barcelona) had a very intense rivalry with Mourinho. It never reached the level of hatred, not even close, but there were disagreements with him and [John] Terry too. Chelsea were always the team that I most wanted to beat."<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cesc Fabregas</strong> on whether he ever saw himself signing for Chelsea and playing under Jose Mourinho</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“He’s got an odd way of playing, particularly when he’s winning. He’s always making gestures on the field, especially when he’s in front. Nobody likes to lose and these things irritate you.”<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Atletico Madrid's <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Gabi</strong> on Neymar</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"People don't know him but the truth is that Mario is an insecure boy, and it's down to his insecurity that maybe he does stupid things."<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli's agent <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mino Raiola</strong></em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">"Sunday used to be the most beautiful day of the week, I went on the pitch and did what I liked best.”<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Argentine playmaker <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Juan Roman Riquelme</strong> on deciding to hang up his boots at the age of 36</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"></em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">“[My grandfather] used to wake me up when I was due to play football saying ‘Come on little boy, it’s Sunday and you have to play the most beautiful sport in the world.’ Those things stick with you, I adapted it slightly and I’ve used it ever since.”<br /><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Chilean commentator <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Luis Omar Tapia</strong>, reveals the origin of his famous cathphrase 'It’s the beginning of 90 minutes of the world’s most beautiful sport' to <strong style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">FIFA.com</strong> - which he has used for two decades.</em></div><div style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255); border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin-bottom: 12px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><em style="background: transparent; border: 0px; font-size: 15.4980010986328px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Quotes credit to FIFA</em></div>

The Week in "Quotes"

“I have played against both Madrid and Barca, and you can’t compare Cristiano to  Barça’s  Messi. Messi alone is more dangerous than Ronaldo...

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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; font-size: 13px;"><div class="social clearfix" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><div class="gigyaSocialListContainer" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><ul class="gigyaSocialList" style="box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><li style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; list-style: none; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; padding: 0px;"></li></ul></div></div></div><div class="tagcloud" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; 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; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"></div></div>

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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STURRIDGE STRIKES on Return

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><img src="http://static.goal.com/884600/884692_herol.jpg" style="background-color: transparent;" /><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">T</span></div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"></span></div><a name="more"></a>he striker made his mark on the afternoon when he drilled home a near-post finish on 80 minutes shortly after being introduced as a substitute for his first appearance since August 31.<br /><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">A magnificent one-two between Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho had earlier opened up the Hammers' defence and allowed the former to slot home the game's opener.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Sturridge's goal, after another Coutinho assist, then put the seal on a fine day's work for the Reds, who extended their unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League to seven matches.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Brendan Rodgers elected to make just one change to his starting line-up, with Adam Lallana replacing Steven Gerrard.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Elsewhere, on the bench, Sturridge was named in the matchday squad for the first time in five months, while West Ham included two former Reds in their team in Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Liverpool made an enterprising start to the contest and with just six minutes on the clock, fashioned a good chance to open the scoring. Lallana and Sterling combined, but a powerful James Collins challenge denied a shot at goal, and Lazar Markovic struck the rebound into a crowd of bodies.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">In what was proving to be an intriguing encounter, Lallana then tried his luck twice at goal in quick succession, while at the other end, Enner Valencia slammed a free-kick into a Reds wall and Kevin Nolan had a close-range blast blocked by Martin Skrtel.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The hosts were looking particularly threatening on the break and just before the 20-minute mark, a speedy counter resulted in captain-for-the-day Jordan Henderson curling into the arms of Adrian after being teed up by Sterling on the edge of the area.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Soon after, Sterling's ingenious flick into Coutinho's path dissected the West Ham defence and released the No.10 into a shooting position, but his powerfully-struck drive was beaten away by Adrian's fists.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Simon Mignolet was called into action when Carroll's attempt to guide a header into the corner looped off Henderson and into the gloves of the goalkeeper.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Back came Liverpool and Lallana looked certain to net when a deflected Sterling effort ran into his path, but off balance, the midfielder was thwarted by Collins's challenge.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Then, in first-half stoppage time, Markovic spurned a glorious opportunity to put the Reds in front when he intercepted a wayward ball from Joey O'Brien, broke into space in the box but steered wide of the post from 12 yards.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The home team began the second period with positive intent and Alberto Moreno should have done better when a mazy run from Sterling down the right resulted in him delivering a ball to the back post, where the Spaniard's sliced volley went awry.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">But Liverpool did finally put themselves in front six minutes after the break with a moment of brilliance.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Sterling bounced Moreno's delivery from the left off his chest and into the path of Coutinho before spinning into the box. In the blink of an eye, the Brazilian had returned the ball with a single touch and the Reds' England forward made no mistake with a neat finish.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">West Ham had Adrian to thank for the hosts' lead not being further extended when he smartly stopped a drive from distance from Coutinho, though the custodian would have been able to do little about a similar effort from Henderson soon after had it been on target.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Then, on 68 minutes, it was time for the return of Sturridge after five months. The 25-year-old took the place of Markovic and was afforded an incredible reception from the home fans as he crossed the white line.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Winston Reid threatened to spoil the party when he glanced inches wide from a corner, but the moment everyone inside Anfield was waiting for finally arrived with 10 minutes remaining.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Collecting a well-weighted pass from Coutinho, Sturridge showed no signs of rustiness as he steadied himself before driving beyond Adrian at the near post from a tight angle.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">The scenes of celebration that erupted inside Anfield of course included the 25-year-old's trademark dance as Liverpool were left to enjoy a day of many positives.</div><div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #4c4c4c; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 24px; padding: 0px;">Liverpoolfc.com</div>

STURRIDGE STRIKES on Return

T he striker made his mark on the afternoon when he drilled home a near-post finish on 80 minutes shortly after being introduced as a substi...

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Team news: Chelsea v Manchester City

<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;"><br /></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;"><img src="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/homepage/news/boilerplate-config/latest-news/2015/01/team-news--chelsea-v-manchester-city.img.png" style="background-color: transparent;" /><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px;">Loic</span></div><a name="more"></a> Remy is the striker chosen to replace the suspended <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/diego-costa.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px; text-decoration: none;">Diego Costa</a><span style="color: #595959; font-size: 19px; font-weight: 600; line-height: 24px;">.</span><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;"><a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesc-fabregas.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Cesc Fabregas</a> has not recovered from the problem that forced him off against Liverpool so<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/ramires.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Ramires</a> comes into an otherwise unchanged midfield.</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; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Kurt Zouma</a> continues as <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/john-terry.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">John Terry</a>’s partner in central defence. <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/branislav-ivanovic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Branislav Ivanovic</a> is fit and at right-back so makes his 300<span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 9.75px; line-height: 0; position: relative; top: -0.5em; vertical-align: baseline;">th</span> Chelsea appearance, 200 of those Premier League games. He is the fifth overseas player to reach the triple century mark for Chelsea.</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;">There is a young look to the Chelsea bench with Academy products <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/andreas-christensen.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Andreas Christensen</a> and Ruben Loftus-Cheek joined by 18-year-old striker Izzy Brown. He was previously among the subs for the Capital One Cup tie at Shrewsbury.</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 Man City, there is one change from their defeat against Arsenal. Bacary Sagna replaces Pablo Zabaleta at right-back.</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; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Ivanovic</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/content/cfc/en/archived/players/kurt-zouma2.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Zouma</a>, Terry (c),<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/cesar-azpilicueta.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Azpilicueta</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/ramires.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Ramires</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/nemanja-matic.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Matic</a>;<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/willian.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Willian</a>, Oscar, <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/eden-hazard.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Hazard</a>; 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;">Subs:<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/petr-cech.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Cech</a>,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/gary-cahill.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;"> Cahill</a>, <a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/andreas-christensen.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; text-decoration: none;">Christensen</a>, Ake, Loftus-Cheek, Brown,<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/teams/first-team/didier-drogba.html" style="box-sizing: border-box; color: #3886de; 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;">Man City 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;">Hart; Sagna, Kompany (c), Demichelis, Clichy; Fernandinho, Fernando; Navas, Silva, Milner; Aguero.</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: Caballero, Kolarov, Zabaleta, Boyata, Lampard, Jovetic, Dzeko. </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 Mark Clattenburg.  </div><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Syntax, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;">Chelseafc.com</div>

Team news: Chelsea v Manchester City

Loic Remy is the striker chosen to replace the suspended  Diego Costa . Cesc Fabregas  has not recovered from the problem that forced him o...

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Wolfsburg end Bayern's league run

<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Two</span><br /><a name="more"></a> goals each for Bas Dost and Kevin de Bruyne saw Wolfsburg<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> stun </span>Bayern Munich<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> with an emphatic 4-1 win on Friday.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The first game back after Germany's mid-season break gave Wolfsburg's players and fans the opportunity to honour the life of 20-year-old midfielder Junior Mandala, who died in a car crash earlier this month, before kick-off.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Dieter Hecking's team, who were 11 points behind leaders Bayern in second before Friday's match, proceeded to give a stirring performance from the first whistle - Dost handing them a fourth-minute lead.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Making only his fourth start of an injury-hit campaign, Dutch striker Dost doubled his tally in first-half stoppage time before the excellent De Bruyne took centre-stage.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The Belgium international displayed visible emotion in memory of his countryman Mandala when he made it 3-0 in the 53rd minute.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Although Juan Bernat hit back for Bayern two minutes later, De Bruyne would mesmerizingly turn Dante inside-out to rifle in an unstoppable fourth and seal Bayern's worst league defeat since a 5-1 thrashing on the same ground in April 2009.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Following a poignant pre-match tribute to Mandala - commemorated with a lengthy period of applause before a moment's silence - Wolfsburg stylishly took the lead from their first attack.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Luiz Gustavo intercepted Thomas Muller's pass to launch a clinical counterattack. Daniel Caligiuri's exquisite throughball from the right picked out De Bruyne, who selflessly touched the ball into </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Dost</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">'s path to stroke home.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Aside from the goal, Bayern largely bossed the early exchanges and Wolfsburg defender Robin Knoche made a timely block to deny Robert Lewandowski in the 14th minute.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">The champions' usual poise deserted them as the half wore on and they might have been further behind when Xabi Alonso carelessly gave away possession to De Bruyne, but he was unable to pick out Dost on this occasion – the Dutchman scuffing another effort wide soon after.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">However, he would not rue his misses for long.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bayern half-cleared a stoppage-time set-piece and, although </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Dost</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">'s contact did not appear to be completely clean, the Dutchman lashed into the top corner via the upright.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Though Caligiuri could not convert Ivan Perisic's superb left wing cross soon after the interval, Wolfsburg once again would not pay for their profligacy as Bayern's defensive efforts completely unravelled.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Centre-halves Jerome Boateng and Dante's eagerness to press up the field was exposed as a simple pass from Maximilian Arnold sent </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">De Bruyne</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> racing clear to finish coolly.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bayern reduced the deficit instantly - </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Bernat</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> left with a tap in as Naldo failed to clear his initial prod goalwards.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Wolfsburg were unbowed and Dost headed back across goal for Arnold to lift over from close range after Perisic had further joy down the Bayern right in the 57th minute.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Home goalkeeper Diego Benaglio pushed a firmly struck free kick from Arjen Robben over but, with 17 minutes to play, </span><strong style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">De Bruyne</strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> had the sensational final word.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Arnold was the provider once more as the number of league goals Bayern have conceded this season was doubled in one unforgettable outing.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goal.com</span>

Wolfsburg end Bayern's league run

Two goals each for Bas Dost and Kevin de Bruyne saw Wolfsburg  stun  Bayern Munich  with an emphatic 4-1 win on Friday. The first game back...

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Diego Costa Hammered with 3 match Ban

<img src="http://static.goal.com/876700/876712_heroa.jpg" /><br />Chelsea<br /><a name="more"></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> striker </span>Diego Costa<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> has been banned for three matches by the Football Association after failing with his appeal against a violent conduct charge for a stamp on </span><span style="background-color: white;">Liverpool's</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> </span>Emre Can<span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"> on Tuesday.</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;">Spain international Costa was challenging for the ball by the touchline in the first half of the second-leg League Cup semi-final tie at Stamford Bridge when he forcefully stood on Can's shin.</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;">The incident went unpunished during the match, which Chelsea won 1-0 to progress 2-1 on aggregate, as referee Michael Oliver did not see the challenge. </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;">The FA subsequently charged Costa with violent conduct, a decision the player contested.</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;">However, an FA Independent Regulatory Commission has now chosen to uphold the original ruling and handed out a three-match ban.</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;">"Diego Costa will serve a three-match suspension with immediate effect after a charge of violent conduct against him was found proven by an Independent Regulatory Commission on Friday 30 January 2015," an FA statement read.</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;">"The Chelsea forward had denied the charge in relation to an on-field incident involving Liverpool's Emre Can which occurred in the 12th minute of the League Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday 27 January 2015.</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;">"The incident was not seen by the match officials but caught on video."</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;">The news is a huge blow to Chelsea ahead of Saturday's top-of-the-table clash with Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.</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;">Costa is also set to miss out on the trip to Aston Villa on February 7 and the home match with Everton four days later.</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;">Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho defended Costa after the game and the ban is sure to irk the Portuguese, who stated the coming together with Can was "accidental".</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;">Mourinho said: "Maybe you [the media] are already influenced by the campaign on the television with certain pundits saying that Costa has crimes - they must be nuts, the guy who says that.</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;">"I have to say that he goes for the ball, he chases it, the opponent [Can] goes to the floor and he puts his foot there when he is looking at the ball... What you call stamps, and Sky calls crimes, I have to say accidental."</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;">Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers took a different view of the incident, and called for the FA to take action.</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;">"These things happen in the game but I think anyone watching it would not like to see what we've seen Diego Costa do," Rodgers told Sky Sports.</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;">"Not just on Martin Skrtel but on Emre Can, a young player who was clearly stamped on. You don't want to see that. There's no need for it."</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;">Costa has proven an instant hit at Stamford Bridge, scoring 17 Premier League goals since joining in a big-money move from Atletico Madrid in the close-season.</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;">However, his on-field behaviour has come under the spotlight due to Costa picking up eight bookings in all competitions, including a caution in a 6-3 win at Everton in August where he squared up to goalkeeper Tim Howard.</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 /><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #081f2c; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12.960000038147px; line-height: 20.7360000610352px;">Goal.com</span>

Diego Costa Hammered with 3 match Ban

Chelsea  striker  Diego Costa  has been banned for three matches by the Football Association after failing with his appeal against a violent...

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Official: Ameobi Arrives At Crystal Palace

<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;"><img src="http://mobile.cpfc.co.uk/cms_images/news/shola-43380-2234521_478x359.jpg" /><a name="more"></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22.1000003814697px;">Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Shola Ameobi on a free transfer.</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 Nigerian international has signed a short-term with the Eagles until the end of the season and was a free agent after leaving Turkish side Gaziantep last month.</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;">“I'm very excited to be here, I wanted to get back in the Premier League and having worked with the manager before it's been great to come back and hopefully help us avoid the relegation battle,” he said.</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;">“I had a couple of other clubs interested but I think my relationship with Alan [Pardew] and how much I enjoyed working with him was one of the big factor in my decision.</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;">“He instils confidence in players and he always seems to get the best out of them, certainly he did that at Newcastle and hopefully he can do that for me and the rest of the lads here.”</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 33-year-old is best known for his time with Newcastle United, where he spent 14 years after breaking into the first-team from their academy. In nearly a decade and a half on Tyneside he appeared 397 times for the Magpies, finding the back of the net 79 times, winning the Championship in 2009/10 and representing the club in the UEFA Champions League.</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;">Ameobi has also won 10 caps for Nigeria where he was born before moving to Newcastle as a youngster. He represented the Super Eagles in the 2014 World Cup, having previously won 20 caps for the England under-21 side.</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;">He is no stranger to Palace boss Alan Pardew, having played under him for Newcastle for four years before moving to Turkey in the summer on a free after his contract expired. He scored four times in 11 outings for Gaziantep before returning to England just before the new year.</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 striker will wear the number 23 shirt during his time with Palace, and is the club's third signing of the transfer window after Yaya Sanogo and Jordon Mutch.</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>

Official: Ameobi Arrives At Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace have completed the signing of striker Shola Ameobi on a free transfer. The Nigerian international has signed a short-term wit...

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