League eXtra

Sunday, November 1, 2015

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Arouna Kone's hat-trick helped Everton survive a Sunderland fightback to triumph 6-2 in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

Goodison Park held a minute's applause for former manager Howard Kendall in the fourth minute and Gerard Deulofeu's opener kept the home fans in fine voice early on.

Kone fired in a second but Jermain Defoe's excellent strike just before the break offered Sunderland a lifeline.

Steven Fletcher's header restored parity just five minutes after the restart but an own goal from Sebastian Coates put Everton back in front, and the hosts promptly seized control of the match.

Romelu Lukaku scored his fourth goal in seven matches against the Black Cats and Kone's second made it five for the home side just two minutes later. The striker then sealed his hat-trick with a header following a brilliant Lukaku cross.

A shell-shocked Sunderland failed to recover and remain second from bottom of the league, while Roberto Martinez's side climb to eighth, just a point behind Liverpool.

Sunderland were inches from snatching an unlikely lead inside four minutes as Patrick van Aanholt combined with Fletcher before rattling the inside of the post, while Adam Johnson struck the opposite upright after Tim Howard saved from Defoe.

But Everton punished some slack Sunderland defending to take the lead four minutes later. Kone looped the ball over Billy Jones to Deulofeu, who was allowed time to cut inside on his left and slot beneath Costel Pantilimon.

Kone doubled their lead just past the half-hour mark. A neat one-two with Lukaku on the edge of the area allowed the Ivorian to work the ball onto his left foot and fire high past Pantilimon.

Everton were cruising to half-time but Defoe handed Sunderland a lifeline in stoppage time, flicking the ball over Gareth Barry's sliding challenge before rifling a half-volley across goal and into the far corner from the edge of the area.

And Sunderland were level barely five minutes into the second half. Van Aanholt was given time to aim a cross from the left towards the far post and Fletcher climbed highest to head down and past Howard.

The Toffees were back in front on 55 minutes when Deulofeu’s cross evaded Wes Brown and Coates, beating Lukaku to the ball, only succeeded in prodding into his own net from close range.

Sunderland pushed up in search of a response but they were promptly hit by a sucker-punch as Everton restored their two-goal lead. Deulofeu bent a fine pass beyond Brown and Lukaku, racing clear of Coates, rounded Pantilimon to score.

And Martinez's men crushed the visitors' hopes of another comeback two minutes later, as James McCarthy's fine reverse pass sent Kone through to place a shot high into the far corner.

Kone completed his hat-trick 14 minutes from time - and in doing so doubled his career tally for the Blues - meeting Lukaku's sublime cross with the outside of his left foot with a header from five yards out.

Everton 6-2 Sunderland: Arouna Kone fires hat-trick as Roberto Martinez's hit six

A second-half brace from Riyad Mahrez inspired Leicester City to come from behind and seal a 3-2 Barclays Premier League win at Midlands rivals West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Salomon Rondon gave the hosts the lead with a powerful header after half an hour amid an otherwise bright start from Claudio Ranieri's men, who came close early on when Jamie Vardy saw an effort tipped onto the post.

Leicester continued to threaten and drew level just after half-time when Mahrez got ahead of his man to volley home Marc Albrighton's superb cross, before the two players combined again just after the hour to edge the visitors in front at The Hawthorns.

And a thoroughly satisfying afternoon for third-placed Leicester was wrapped up 13 minutes from time as Vardy broke away from the defence to slot home his 11th league goal of the season, although West Brom did respond through a late penalty from Rickie Lambert, who was also denied by the woodwork in the dying seconds.

Vardy's goal edges him closer to Ruud van Nistelrooy's record of scoring in 10 consecutive league fixtures and will see the 28-year old earn plenty more plaudits.

Vardy, the BPL's top scorer nearly gave the visitors an ideal start inside 10 minutes, getting behind Gareth McAuley before seeing a stinging drive tipped onto the post by goalkeeper Boaz Myhill.

Albrighton drilled just wide from 25 yards 10 minutes later as West Brom, unchanged from the 1-0 win at Norwich City last weekend, continued to find themselves on the back foot.

But the Baggies weathered the early storm and made Leicester pay for their profligacy after 30 minutes. A well-worked corner saw Rondon burst ahead of Danny Simpson at the near post to head home Stephane Sessegnon's whipped cross from the left.

Leicester persevered, with Myhill producing a smart save to keep out Leonardo Ulloa's glancing header just before half-time, but an otherwise impressive defensive performance meant West Brom ended the opening 45 minutes in the ascendency.

Only a last-ditch Simpson tackle prevented Saido Berahino from doubling West Brom's lead five minutes after the break but Leicester responded and restored parity just before the hour. A wonderful deep cross from Albrighton found Mahrez at the far post and he steered an expert volley home from close range.

Vardy then diverted a cheeky backheel just wide but Leicester were not to be denied a second as Albrighton again teed up Mahrez with a deflected cross.

The visitors extended their lead after 77 minutes when Vardy was on hand to finish a stunning counter-attacking breakaway by slotting home, drawing him level with Daniel Sturridge as the only Englishmen to net in eight BPL matches in a row.

But West Brom hit back seven minutes later when substitute Nathan Dyer was adjudged to have fouled Callum McManaman inside the area, allowing substitute Lambert to open his account for the club from the spot.

Tony Pulis' men pushed for an equaliser, with McManaman firing wide and Lambert hitting the post late on, but Leicester survived a frantic finish to claim the win.

West Bromwich Albion manager Tony Pulis: "Credit to Leicester. They played to their strengths, Jamie Vardy is a handful, he's on fire and he caused us problems."

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri: “We fight to the end. We have a very strong character and play good football. I told my players they were playing very well at half-time, to be careful at set-plays, and it was important to move the ball quickly and put them under pressure. We did that well. It’s important Jamie (Vardy) continues to work for the team. The record is good for everybody. We conceded a goal today, so no pizza. Nothing.”

West Brom 2-3 Leicester: Foxes come from behind to win

Odion Ighalo was on target once again as Watford made it back-to-back wins and ended West Ham's unbeaten away Barclays Premier League record with a 2-0 triumph at Vicarage Road.

West Ham entered Saturday's contest riding high in third place having beaten Chelsea 2-1 at Upton Park to add to notable away wins at Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal already this season. However, Slaven Bilic's men could not hit those same standards and a first-half own goal from Aaron Cresswell and Ighalo's sixth of the season helped Watford to an impressive win.

Andy Carroll was West Ham's hero in scoring the winner against Chelsea last weekend but the England striker's indecisiveness when making a clearance led to Watford's opener in the 39th minute.

It was a deserved lead for Watford and the home fans were celebrating again early in the second half thanks to Ighalo's emphatic finish.

James Collins was dismissed towards the end to cap a disappointing outing for the Hammers, who have taken one point from matches against the three promoted sides in the league this term.

A dominant Watford side were well worth the full three points, however, and could have led as early as the eighth minute when Nathan Ake's header from Ben Watson's corner drew a fine point-blank save from Adrian before Ighalo forced the Hammers goalkeeper into another smart stop.

But the pressure finally told. Carroll - making his first BPL start since February - dawdled in the area and Ake stole in before squaring across goal for Ighalo, who pressured Cresswell to turn into his own net.

Another West Ham mistake helped the Hornets three minutes after the interval. James Tomkins could not deal with Ikechi Anya's low cross from the left allowing Ighalo to take a touch out of his feet before hammering his shot into the left-hand corner.

Adrian was equal to Ighalo one-on-one as Watford turned the screw and Deeney miscued from the edge of the box after Etienne Capoue did well in midfield.

Carroll sliced a volley wide and Enner Valencia hit the post as Bilic's men tried to mount a late comeback. But their momentum was checked as Collins was sent off for a foul through the back of Ighalo in the 84th minute, helping Watford secure a first home win over West Ham in the league since 1985.

Watford manager Quique Sanchez Flores: "The boys did really well. Everyone knows how important Ighalo is but a lot of players have the opportunity to score. We are defending well and keeping the ball with confidence and a lot of players have ability to score. Was it our best performance? Yes, probably. I like it when we play football, and we defended well and played football with confidence. We are a tough team when we play like this."

West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic: "It was a collective bad day. I told the players it was unacceptable and to make sure it was a one-off. You are going to lose games in this league but we weren't good today, apart from in the first ten minutes. We gave them the win. Watford were full of respect for us - but when they smelt that we weren't penetrating enough, and that our movement and passes were slow and backwards, they smelt the opportunity to go at us. We learned a lesson, and I see no reason why we won't come back and play like we did before."

Watford 2-0 West Ham: Ighalo double downs Hammers

Joel Campbell made the most of Arsenal's injury problems with a goal on his first Barclays Premier League start as Arsene Wenger's men beat Swansea City 3-0 at the Liberty Stadium.

Without Theo Walcott and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain because of injuries sustained in the midweek League Cup defeat at Sheffield Wednesday, Arsene Wenger's men were sluggish in the first half but clicked after the break as Olivier Giroud, Laurent Koscielny and Campbell claimed maximum points.

A Bafetimbi Gomis one-on-one and Per Mertesacker's apparent handball gave Arsenal scares, but Giroud glanced home a corner to register the 2,000th goal of Wenger's reign shortly after the interval.

The visitors then doubled their lead through Koscielny midway through the second half when former Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski spilled a cross, before Campbell marked his maiden top-flight start with his first goal for the club.

Swansea - let down by their lack of cutting edge - will feel hard done by at not having extended their recent hold on Arsenal, who keep pace with Manchester City at the top of the table.

Wenger - also without the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere - will take heart from the clinical display from his patched-up side ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash at Bayern Munich on Wednesday.

Swansea had the better of the frenetic opening stages but Campbell curled an effort wide 15 minutes in before Gomis spurned Swansea's first chance shortly after, dawdling when through on goal following a wonderful Jonjo Shelvey pass, allowing Hector Bellerin to sprint back and clear the danger.

The lively Gomis threatened again with a header shortly before Giroud turned an effort over the crossbar in similar fashion to Campbell's earlier attempt.

Despite both sides contributing to an entertaining first half, neither found an advantage before the break although the visitors were perhaps fortunate not to concede a penalty when Mertesacker appeared to handle Gylfi Sigurdsson's free-kick.

Giroud gave Wenger a scare late in the half when he suffered a knock during a tangle with Jefferson Montero, but the Frenchman recovered to open the scoring early in the second period.

Evading Ashley Williams, Giroud headed home Mesut Ozil's corner to mark his 150th Arsenal appearance with a well-taken effort.

Sigurdsson forced Petr Cech into a smart save to his left shortly after, while the dangerous Andre Ayew continued to pose problems for the visitors' backline.

Arsenal struggled to muster much attacking threat in the immediate aftermath of their opener, but doubled their lead eight minutes after the hour mark when Koscielny prodded home after Fabianski was unable to take a catch.

Monk and his players complained that Kevin Friend failed to award a foul following Bellerin's cross, but it mattered little when Ozil jinked into the area and crossed for Campbell, who made the most of a rare opportunity up front with the final goal.

Swansea remain winless at home in the league since late August while Arsenal warmed up for their crucial trip to Munich with victory.

Swansea City manager Garry Monk: "There were a lot of positives in our play and we were exceptional in the first half. We should have taken the lead when we were on top. We gifted them two goals and you can't do that against any team, let alone Arsenal. I'm disappointed to lose, but I think the scoreline flatters Arsenal. We had chances to score and were the better team in the first half. They were two poor goals on our behalf that gifted the game to Arsenal. It's a shame because there were so many positives and it looked like we would go on and get a positive result"

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "They took six points off us last year and that shows we've moved forward. The second half we were a different team. After we scored the first goal it was all us and there was only one winner on the pitch. I feel they offered a lot in the first half, then technically we were on top and we upped our pace in the second half and from then on it was more difficult for them. That's what you want (from Giroud). The less we talk and more we play the better we play - that's our job and that's what he does. The second goal didn't look a foul to me, honestly, but I have to watch it again as it's difficult to see from outside. Joel Campbell took his goal really well and he is still a young player who had to wait for his chance. He's adapted to Europe, been in a few leagues and come back and I like his team spirit and workrate. To show he can be on the end of things as well gives him a chance."

Swansea 0-3 Arsenal: Gunners remain in thick of title battle

Stoke City were indebted to goalkeeper Jack Butland for their battling 0-0 Barclays Premier League draw with Newcastle United at St James' Park.

The England international pulled off a string of superb saves to keep the scores level while at the other end Jonathan Walters missed the best chance of the contest when he could not turn in a fine Charlie Adam cross. Newcastle are now unbeaten in five at home against Stoke but are without a win in their last four BPL matches with the Potters.

Mark Hughes welcomed back his captain Ryan Shawcross, who made his first league appearance of the season after a persistent back problem.

Aleksandar Mitrovic came closest for the home side when he hit the post with a glancing header but Steve McClaren's men remain in the bottom three.

Newcastle were looking for a reaction to last weekend's 3-0 derby defeat to Sunderland and they started well with Ayoze Perez and Mitrovic linking up but the Serb's shot was saved.

The visitors were seeking a third straight away league win and should have taken the lead after 15 minutes. Adam's superb cross evaded Chancel Mbemba but Walters was unable to get a telling touch.

Mitrovic was at the heart of Newcastle's best play and Butland was lucky to see the striker's header from Moussa Sissoko's cross bounce back off the post.

Perez went close two minutes into the second half but his shot from 20 yards curled just wide.

Georginio Wijnaldum - scorer of four goals for Newcastle in their last home game against Norwich City - then brought a smart save out of Butland with a free-kick.

Stoke were threatening on the break and Rob Elliot was soon called into action for the first time, saving superbly from a Walters header after a fine Marko Arnautovic cross. Walters hit the rebound over.

Butland, the hero in Stoke's League Cup penalty shoot-out win against Chelsea in midweek, was keeping his team in the match and he made an outstanding save to deny Sissoko after the France midfielder had been played in by Wijnaldum. From the resulting corner, Mbemba thudded a header narrowly wide.

In the 58th minute Butland was called upon once again, parrying a 20-yard drive from Perez around the post as Newcastle started to dominate.

Butland was the fixture's outstanding player and he showed razor sharp reflexes to tip over a drive by Sissoko with seven minutes to go, before palming over substitute Jamaal Lascelles' header as both sides settled for a point.

Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren: "Four great saves from Jack Butland denied us a win and got Stoke a point. He was unbelievable and the difference between us and three points.

"We are building, growing and progressing - the last five games - we are getting there. There were lost of positives and the only disappointment is not getting the three points."

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes: "We were a bit frustrated in the first half. We had plenty of possession around their area but didn't look like we wanted to shoot. Their keeper has made a great save from Jon Walters.

"As the away team you are going to give away a couple of chances and when we did Jack Butland saved. He is doing exceptionally well. Jack is a very mature individual and I think that helps him."

Newcastle 0-0 Stoke: Jack Butland denies Toon

Yaya Toure spared Joe Hart's blushes with an 89th-minute penalty to give Barclays Premier League leaders Manchester City a hard-fought victory over Norwich City.

The Ciuty midfielder converted a late penalty after an error by Hart had allowed Cameron Jerome to equalise Nicolas Otamendi's opener.

Manchester City, who also missed a late second penalty taken by Aleksandar Kolarov, remain top on goal difference from Arsenal, who won 3-0 at Swansea City, while Norwich are two points above the relegation zone in 16th after a fourth consecutive league loss.

Kelechi Iheanacho was rewarded for a sparkling display in Wednesday's 5-1 Capital One Cup victory over Crystal Palace with a first Barclays Premier League start, while Fernandinho returned to the home midfield after serving a one-match suspension.

Youssouf Mulumbu made his BPL bow for Norwich, who began brightly at a ground where they endured a 7-0 defeat on their previous visit.

After John Ruddy had made a sharp 10th-minute save from Wilfried Bony, Alex Neil's side enjoyed a spell of pressure at the other end as Alex Tettey had a rasping shot blocked and Sebastien Bassong failed to connect with Matt Jarvis' searching cross.

Having scored 16 times in their previous three domestic home matches, Manuel Pellegrini's team struggled for their usual fluency and Bony crashed an effort wide from inside the area following promising link-up play with Iheanacho.

The Ivory Coast striker was again off target from 20 yards when teed up by Kevin De Bruyne in the 27th minute.

Hart kept out a rising Matt Jarvis drive before Ruddy excelled himself to claw Toure's free-kick out of the top corner.

Jarvis made way for Nathan Redmond because of injury at half-time and Bony was also in discomfort after a crunching Bassong tackle ended his latest sight of goal in the 53rd minute, with De Bruyne slicing wildly off target after the ball broke loose.

Pellegrini's side had little to show from patient build-up in open play but broke the deadlock midway through the second half when Otamendi powered home his first goal for the club from De Bruyne's outswinging corner.

Bony's fruitless quest to get on the scoresheet continued as he headed wide under pressure from Bassong, with De Bruyne again supplying the ammunition.

The former Swansea forward then saw an 80th-minute attempt deflected wide with Ruddy rooted to the spot as he sought to make the points safe.

Threeminutes later, Norwich were back on level terms. Hart spilt a cross from Jonathan Howson's to present Jerome with a tap-in.

City retook the lead after Ruddy sparked confusion in the Norwich box and Russell Martin was sent off for blocking Raheem Sterling's goalbound shot with his arm.

Toure held his nerve from 12 yards to beat the dive of Ruddy, who guessed correctly but was unable to stop the low, hard kick.

Hart then pushed Martin Olsson's deflected strike to safety, before Kolarov failed where Toure had succeeded.

Manchester City 2-1 Norwich City: Late Yaya Toure penalty secures narrow win

Manchester United drew 0-0 for the second consecutive Barclays Premier League match as Louis van Gaal's men failed to find a route through a stern Crystal Palace defence at Selhurst Park.

Palace welcomed former United winger Wilfried Zaha back into their starting line-up, but he was outshone by Yannick Bolasie on the opposite flank. The Democratic Republic of Congo winger rattled the crossbar inside 10 minutes as Palace applied the early pressure.

United found their feet, but despite their dominance of possession created few chances, a Wayne Rooney free-kick that forced a routine save from Wayne Hennessey was their best effort of the first half.

Most of the chances after the break went Palace’s way but Yohan Cabaye, Scott Dann and Dwight Gayle were all unable to take them, leaving Palace winless in 13 Barclays Premier League clashes with United.

United made two changes in defence with Matteo Darmian replacing the injured Antonio Valencia and Daley Blind coming in for Phil Jones at centre-back.

Van Gaal's side looked shaky at the back in the opening stages and could have fallen behind in the 10th minute had David de Gea not got the slightest of touches on Bolasie's effort to turn it on to the bar.

De Gea came to United's rescue once more two minutes later, leaping up to palm over a header from Dann following Cabaye's corner.

The visitors eventually took control of possession, but struggled to build anything positive against a robust Palace team.

Hennessey was not tested until the 25th minute, when Rooney fired a 25-yard free-kick over the wall that the Palace goalkeeper was able to get across to and save.

The Welshman thwarted Rooney again six minutes later, rushing out to stop him from latching on to an incisive pass from Anthony Martial.

There were chances for Gayle and Ander Herrera before the interval, but neither player made strong enough contact with the ball to trouble the opposing keeper.

Goalscoring opportunities remained at a premium for the two sides during a scrappy start to the second half, with De Gea and Hennessey acting as spectators.

Although Palace grew into the match and controlled the ball, it took them until the 71st minute to carve out a decent opening.

Joel Ward's delivery from the right found Cabaye unmarked 10 yards out, but he was unable to steer his volley on target.

Dann looped a header wide before Gayle had a shot saved by De Gea in the 76th minute.

There were chances for both sides to steal three points late on, but Damien Delaney got a crucial block on a Martial shot before Bolasie headed over from a corner in stoppage time.

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "We should have won. It was an excellent performance from us - as good as we have been all year. United- and it doesn't happen very often - were probably fortunate to get a point. It was a shame we didn't win it but with the run we've been on we needed to take something, so the point was important for us. It was really disappointing after the League Cup defeat [at Manchester City]. It was a goal of ours to win that. The draw was awful and unfortunately we didn't put in our best performance. We got back to the real Crystal Palace today."

Manchester Untied manager Louis van Gaal: "We did not keep the ball. That's a very important factor and because of that we didn't create too many chances. I have to say I can't complain about the result. There's a big concern [not scoring] but I already said that after the second match, especially against Middlesbrough [in the Capital One Cup] because we created many chances but did not finish.

"[Today] we didn't create so many chances so it's more difficult. When you don't keep the ball you can't create chances. We still had a big chance in the last minute of the first half for Herrera and you have to finish that."

Crystal Palace 0-0 Manchester United: Eagles fail to take chances

Two goals from Philippe Coutinho and a Christian Benteke strike allowed Liverpool to come from behind to beat Chelsea 3-1 at Stamford Bridge. It marked Jurgen Klopp’s first league win since taking over as manager of Liverpool and made it six defeats in the Barclays Premier League for Jose Mourinho this season.

A Ramires header had given Chelsea the lead after four minutes, but Coutinho fired Liverpool level in style just before half-time.

Oscar came close with a long-range chip, but chances were few in the second half until another Coutinho effort clipped John Terry and flew past Asmir Begovic.

Benteke made sure of the points with a composed finish in the closing minutes as Ramires, who signed a new four-year deal this week, gave Chelsea the perfect start. Diego Costa's back-heel gave Cesar Azpilicueta time and space to cross from the left and the Brazilian arrived to power a header across Simon Mignolet and into the bottom corner.

Liverpool responded well. Nathaniel Clyne dragged a snapshot wide from 18 yards before Adam Lallana tested Begovic from close range, as Chelsea showed an improved rearguard resilience against the visitors' possessional dominance.

But they were undone by a moment of brilliance from Coutinho in the dying seconds of the half. The Brazilian twisted away from Ramires on the edge of the box before curling a brilliant left-foot finish beyond Begovic and into the far corner.

Chances were scarce in the early part of the second half, but Kenedy almost made an immediate impact after replacing Eden Hazard, driving into the area past Clyne before scuffing a shot wide of the near post.

Oscar almost lit up Stamford Bridge with a brilliant effort from close to halfway, but a retreating Mignolet reacted well to tip the ball wide, a save that proved pivotal as Liverpool snatched the lead moments later.

Following Benteke's knockdown, Coutinho picked up the loose ball on the edge of the Chelsea box and his right-footed shot took a deflection off Terry and nestled high in Begovic's net.

Alberto Moreno almost made it three two minutes later as he surged into the area on the break, but Begovic stuck out a leg to deny him at the near post. Then Jordon Ibe's deflected effort after cutting in from the right had the Chelsea goalkeeper scrambling across goal.

Liverpool did seal the points soon after, as Benteke, a substitute, turned into space in the penalty area before slotting a composed finish across Begovic into the bottom corner with seven minutes to play.

Chelsea 1-3 Liverpool: Jose Mourinho hits new low as champions humbled

Atletico Madrid missed the chance to climb to the top of La Liga after drawing 1-1 with Deportivo on Friday night.

With fellow pacesetters Real Madrid and Barcelona not playing until Saturday, Atletico were on course to move one point clear at the summit following Tiago's first-half strike.

The former Chelsea and Portugal midfielder broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute when Deportivo failed to clear their lines and his half-volley from the edge of the box flew into the bottom right-hand corner.

But Lucas Perez took advantage of some poor defending with 14 minutes remaining. He robbed Jose Gimenez as he tried to shield the ball out for a goal-kick and then rounded Oblak to sidefoot in an equaliser and deny the visitors, who remain third, a fourth consecutive win.

Atletico should have extended their lead before half-time but Antoine Griezmann was guilty of missing two clear-cut opportunities.

He failed to convert from close range after Diego Godin headed a corner against the post and then nodded wide on the stroke of the interval.

Deportivo showed signs of clawing their way back into the match in the second half, Fede Cartabia providing two comfortable saves for Jan Oblak from long-range efforts, and then eventually drew level 14 minutes from time.

Deportivo almost secured a first win in four outings when Faycal Fajr's stunning 25-yard curling effort cannoned back off the crossbar after 88 minutes.

A. Madrid Misses to Top La Liga

Friday, October 30, 2015

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho says he cannot promise the club will qualify for the Champions League this season.

The Blues are struggling in 15th after 10 games, having won just three times and picked up 11 points.

No team has ever finished in the top-four of the Premier League after earning so few points by this stage of the season, and Mourinho's side are already nine points short of fourth-placed Manchester United.

Asked whether he thinks his team can defy such a daunting fact and qualify for next year's tournament, Mourinho said: "I can't promise.

"I think Chelsea is a big club - the club I chose to come to. But with all the respect, Liverpool is a big club and last season Liverpool won nothing and didn't qualify for the Champoins League, and it is still a big club.

"Manchester United is a super-big club, and the season before last they didn't qualify for the Champions League, not even the Europa League, and they won nothing, and they are still a super-big club.

"How do I deal with this? I work. I have no doubts we will get out of this."

The Blues host Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Saturday lunchtime, with new Reds boss Jurgen Klopp looking for a first Premier League win at the third attempt.

Mourinho, who confirmed that Pedro and Diego Costa face late fitness tests while Branislav Ivanovic is out, spoke of his respect for Klopp and he expects a tough game in their search for a crucial win.

"They had a very good manager and now they have a new very good manager, I think everything is the same, the Portuguese said.

"They've changed some details in tactical approach but this is two top managers. The level is high. They know what to do.

"Klopp and I have good relations. His work speaks for itself. Despite his last season, he is one of the top managers. I am also a good friend of the top people in Dortmund. I know how stable they are."

Mourinho... Cannot Promise Champions League this Season

Louis van Gaal has hit back at Paul Scholes after the Old Trafford great criticised Manchester United's current style of play.

Scholes made the criticism after United were dumped out of the Capital One Cup on penalties by Middlesbrough in midweek.

But Van Gaal has insisted he is not affected by anything the club's former players have to say and questioned Scholes' motives for making the comment.

Van Gaal said: "You have an expression in England and it is, 'Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me'. It is a fantastic expression.

"I do not agree with his opinion but I don't want to defend myself. I can't defend because he is a legend and has a lot of resonance, I hear. If you are a legend, you have to speak with the manager, or with his friend Ryan Giggs, or with Ed Woodward, but not because he is paid and then you have to say something.

"It has no effect on me whatsoever. He doesn't have the responsibility, so he can say anything. But why is he saying something? Because of the benefit of the club, or the benefit of himself?

"[What he says] is not important. I know when we shall lose, and lose, and lose that I shall be finished. But I shall do everything for this club because I think that these fans are unbelievable."

United are currently fourth in the Premier League, two points off top spot after 10 games, while this time last season they were 10th in the table with 13 points.

Van Gaal insists the fans appreciate that the team is improving and are more than entertained with his style of football.

"I think Manchester United are always entertaining. I read also in the papers that it is 'boring' but I don't think there are more supporters in another stadium than this ground," he said.

"It was a fantastic atmosphere because of the Middlesbrough fans but also Manchester United, who supported the players in spite of the defeat. They were applauding when we went to the dressing room.

"To entertain is also an aspect. You play for the fans. Therefore I say to you the stadium is full in the Capital One Cup. I have seen that is not normal, so they like the way we've played.

"They are seeing that we have more points than this time last year and that we are in the Champions League. We are improving a lot. When you think it can be done within one year, I have said it's a process. It takes three years, that's why I signed three years."

Louis van Gaal hits back at Paul Scholes over Man Utd style of play

Former Chelsea team doctor Eva Carneiro is to sue the club for constructive dismissal, according to the Press Association.

PA reports that legal papers were served on the club this week which will trigger an employment tribunal - unless an out-of-court settlement can be agreed before a hearing takes place.

The doctor was dropped from first-team duties on August 8 after she and physio John Fearn were criticised by manager Jose Mourinho for going on to the pitch to treat Eden Hazard, which left the Blues temporarily down to nine men as he left the field for treatment.

Mourinho has since been cleared by the FA of using discriminatory language towards Carneiro but the doctor has criticised the governing body over its investigation.

She said earlier this month: "I was surprised to learn that the FA was allegedly investigating the incident of August 8 via the press. I was at no stage requested by the FA to make a statement.

"I wonder whether this might be the only formal investigation in this country where the evidence of the individuals involved in the incident was not considered relevant. Choosing to ignore some of the evidence will surely influence the outcome of the findings."

Carneiro's lawyers served the papers after failing to agree a settlement with Chelsea. The three-month period in which a claim must be notified ends on November 8, but any employment tribunal would be heard in public and such cases are usually settled beforehand to avoid potential embarrassment.

Chelsea have previously said they cannot comment on internal staffing matters.

Eva Carneiro 'to sue Chelsea for constructive dismissal'

Yohan Cabaye scored from the penalty spot 19 minutes from time to earn Crystal Palace a 1-0 win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

Substitute Wilfried Zaha was crucial in earning the decisive foul from Allan Nyom, allowing Cabaye to convert and get Palace back to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League following narrow defeats by Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

Having made a solid start to life in the BPL, Watford were targeting a third straight top-flight win for the first time since April 1987 against their Championship play-off final foes of two years ago.

After a cagey start, Jose Manuel Jurado and Dwight Gayle each saw efforts strike the crossbar in a more entertaining second period.

But the match turned on Nyom's clumsy challenge 71 minutes in, the Watford full-back unable to deal with Zaha's pace and trickery before Cabaye duly kept his cool to earn victory and send Alan Pardew's team up to sixth in the table.

Buoyed by recent victories over Swansea City and Newcastle United, an unchanged Watford started strongly against a Palace side showing a host of changes from their narrow defeat at Spurs last weekend.

Wayne Hennessey, Joe Ledley and the fit-again Scott Dann all returned, while Gayle was handed a first league start of the season as Brede Hangeland had the first effort on target with a header kept out by Heurelho Gomes.

That proved to be a rare foray forward for Palace however, as Watford enjoyed the better of the play before the half-hour mark, Troy Deeney going close with a glancing header.

Palace almost capitalised on a series of Watford fouls around the edge of the area but Cabaye's delivery just evaded Gayle, before the Frenchman lost possession and allowed Watford to break, with Hangeland required to clear and deny Odion Ighalo a sight of goal.

Both Flores and Pardew kept faith with their XIs at the interval but it was Watford who remained the more threatening, Almen Abdi testing Hennessey down to his right after smart play between Deeney and Ighalo and Jurado hitting the Palace crossbar inside three minutes of the restart with an impressive free-kick.

Bakary Sako's deflected free-kick also caused problems for Gomes on the hour before the winger found Gayle inside the area, only for Palace this time to be thwarted by the crossbar.

While Yannick Bolasie's new contract will have had the visiting fans in high spirits ahead of Sunday's encounter, it was the introduction of fellow winger Zaha that proved crucial for Pardew as the substitute bamboozled Nyom down the left side of the area.

Cabaye tucked away the resultant penalty to claim the points with the visitors' first league goal since their shock win at Chelsea last month.

Watford head coach Quique Sanchez Flores: "We didn't feel comfortable in the match and we had the feeling that Palace were closing the space.

"We tried to switch the ball but we had difficulty in attempts as they stopped us well in the middle.

"They also ran the counter-attack so it was very difficult for us in the first half, we had problems trying to stop their skilful players.

"In general during the match we felt more uncomfortable than at other times [this season]."

Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew: "It was a great day. Our concentration levels were very high today and our two centre-halves did a super job. There was also some really good wide play and that ended up settling the game.

"We've got good players for an away team, because we've got pace. But I said to the guys 'don't retreat today, take the game to them'.

"We didn't concede any ground to Watford and in the end we found pockets to exploit. We have [Marouane] Chamakh and [Connor] Wickham injuries. They're two major players, they're like [Daniel] Sturridge and [Christian] Benteke at Liverpool for us."

Cabaye Penalty Earns Palace 3pts

A late comeback from Chelsea denied Steve McClaren his first Barclays Premier League win in charge of Newcastle United as the champions came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at St James’ Park.

Goals from Ramires and Willian meant Chelsea avoided a fourth league defeat after it appeared that Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum had secured the points for Newcastle.

Newcastle enjoyed the better of the first half, heading to the break ahead thanks to Perez's fine strike.

Chelsea responded impressively after half-time, only to be hit by a sucker punch when Wijnaldum nodded home a second.

But the champions showed their resolve, with Ramires' wonder strike and Willian's free-kick from distance going in to ensure they left the North East with a point.

McClaren opted to recall striker Aleksandar Mitrovic after a three-match ban, with Chelsea starting Loic Remy in place of the suspended Diego Costa.

Remy offered the first threat against his former club, poking wide after being found by Branislav Ivanovic.

Newcastle came into the match and Mitrovic headed just wide from Wijnaldum's cross.

That set the tone for a good spell for the home side as Moussa Sissoko hammered narrowly wide from 20 yards.

Newcastle continued to look dangerous, with Chelsea thankful for two good saves from Asmir Begovic in quick succession. He first denied Perez from close range, before repeating the trick after Daryl Janmaat had stretched to fire at goal.

Chelsea threatened an opener soon after. Cesc Fabregas unleashed a powerful 25-yard strike that forced a fine stop from Tim Krul.

The Dutchman’s save looked all the more important when Newcastle took a 42nd-minute lead through Perez. The forward controlled a Vurnon Anita cross after Kurt Zouma had let the ball drop to unleash a fizzing volley that flew in off a post.

Chelsea produced the expected riposte after the interval and almost levelled when Remy headed Oscar's cross just wide.

But they failed to make the most of their dominance and Newcastle capitalised. Perez sent in a threatening corner and Wijnaldum, profiting from being unmarked, glanced a header into the bottom far corner.

Chelsea were given a route back into the match thanks to a stunning Ramires goal. Shortly after coming on, the Brazilian's rasping 25-yard drive flew into the top corner.

The Blues should have equalised in the 83rd minute when Fabregas's long ball found Pedro, but the Spain winger blazed over when one-on-one with Krul.

An equaliser came soon after, though, as Willian's free-kick from the left evaded everybody and flew into the net.

Chelsea Got Lucky with Newcastle

Alexis Sanchez' hat-trick helped Arsenal end Leicester City's unbeaten start to the season as they claimed a comprehensive 5-2 Barclays Premier League victory at the King Power Stadium.

The Chile international had not scored in the current campaign prior to Saturday's clash, but he was on top form as Arsene Wenger's men ultimately cruised to victory.

Leicester, who had to come from behind in their last four league fixtures prior to Saturday's clash, took the lead this time round through Jamie Vardy's fourth goal in as many league games 13 minutes in.

But Arsenal had the lead when Sanchez nudged in from close-range, after Walcott's 12th goal in his last 13 Barclays Premier League starts had cancelled out Vardy's opener.

Sanchez then capped a stunning Arsenal move to head in his second after the interval, before claiming his hat-trick with a sumptuous strike from distance.

Vardy's sixth goal of the season rounded off a fine individual performance, only for Olivier Giroud to add another for Arsenal in stoppage time.

Leicester would have been behind early on if not for a goal-line clearance from Ritchie De Laet, but responded well and could have gone ahead themselves as Jeffrey Schlupp drew a fine save from Petr Cech.

Moments after hitting the post with a scuffed effort, Vardy lit up the game as he latched onto Danny Drinkwater's raking pass and drifted in from the left to curl a superb finish beyond Cech.

The England man was just inches away from a second five minutes later, his header clipping the top of the crossbar.

And Arsenal hurled themselves level from the resulting counter-attack, Santi Cazorla sliding through to Walcott, who raced in behind Robert Huth to squeeze home a finish off the left-hand upright.

Wenger's men completed the turn-around shortly after the half-hour as Hector Bellerin's drilled cross was helped on by Walcott, with Sanchez on hand to tuck home from close-range.

Leicester captain Wes Morgan should have restored parity on the stroke of half-time, but he failed to apply the finish after connecting with Marc Albrighton's pinpoint free-kick.

Arsenal's goalscorers combined well after the interval, Sanchez latching onto Walcott's flick, but his strike was deflected wide.

Sanchez did double his tally just prior to the hour-mark, ghosting in from the right flank to beat Leicester's offside trap and head in past the despairing reach of Kasper Schmeichel.

And the Chile star had his hat-trick with nine minutes remaining, floating inside from the left before firing into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards.

Although Vardy curled in a second for the hosts, Arsenal substitute Giroud swept in from Nacho Monreal's cross to add a fifth, as the visitors doubled their tally of league goals for the season in one outing.

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Everton 6-2 Sunderland: Arouna Kone fires hat-trick as Roberto Martinez's hit six

Saturday, October 31, 2015