Montpellier 0 - 1 Paris Saint Germain : Matuidi strike enough for PSG

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Blaise Matuidi scored his second goal of the season as Paris St Germain made it three league wins out of three with a 1-0 victory against bottom club Montpellier.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Matuidi had scored in the 2-0 win over Ajaccio in week two, and came up with the goods from close range in the 61st minute at Montpellier's Stade de la Mosson.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It was a very open game in which either team could have broken the deadlock in the first half, but somehow the sides went into the break goalless.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">PSG were dealt a blow early on with the loss of Javier Pastore to injury and also had two goals ruled out for offside.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, Matuidi's strike proved enough for the champions, who are still missing star man Zlatan Ibrahimovic to a knee injury and have yet to give new signing Angel Di Maria his debut.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">PSG have not conceded in Ligue 1 so this season and had to work hard to maintain that in the first half, with the likes of Paul Lasne and Djamel Bakar doing well for the hosts.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">David Luiz's free-kick for the champions had tested goalkeeper Jonathan Ligali on six minutes, before Pastore appeared to land his foot awkwardly when finishing a pass and had to be replaced by Adrien Rabiot.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Still, PSG were able to threaten just enough to keep Montpellier on guard, Rabiot himself firing a low shot which Ligali saved, while Edinson Cavani shanked a difficult chance on the bounce well over.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Serge Aurier thought he had given the visitors the lead 10 minutes before the break, heading in a free-kick, but he was one of at least two PSG players in an offside position.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Montpellier, far from being alarmed, nearly provided the perfect response at the restart as Ramy Bensebaini got his head to a free-kick and only a fine save from Kevin Trapp prevented a goal.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A moment of controversy came when Cavani rounded Ligali outside the box and scored only for the offside flag to go up, though replays showed the decision was marginal at best.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The game was opening up nicely and PSG at last showed their quality in the final third seconds after the hour mark.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ezequiel Lavezzi was fouled in the build-up but the referee allowed play to continue and Maxwell took advantage to slot a quick pass to Matuidi, who turned and fired in from a tight angle to beat Ligali at his near post.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It seemed to quieten both the crowd and the Montpellier players, even if Bakar attempted a tame shot which was caught easily by Trapp.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The visitors nearly grabbed a second goal when substitute Jean-Kevin Augustin was played through in the box by Lucas Moura and Ligali had to save well with his feet.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Montpellier had one last chance, via substitute Souleymane Camara in stoppage time. Jonas Martin recycled a half-cleared corner with his head and Camara attempted a bicycle kick from the edge of the box, but his effort flew over.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEEpiOlamYJB6gcx5-h-SuCshFhqgVaQv_DQdY1q0Gh0KrqveW2a1NwryFcPfILBknLc7FQ8pLhPkYhUgQmggyqk8GOYdYO9t9X-vyRDUpjIxl7POk9uBS8Z12VR6c8S61QoDrwh6pQ/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigEEpiOlamYJB6gcx5-h-SuCshFhqgVaQv_DQdY1q0Gh0KrqveW2a1NwryFcPfILBknLc7FQ8pLhPkYhUgQmggyqk8GOYdYO9t9X-vyRDUpjIxl7POk9uBS8Z12VR6c8S61QoDrwh6pQ/s400/8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Montpellier 0 - 1 Paris Saint Germain : Matuidi strike enough for PSG

Blaise Matuidi scored his second goal of the season as Paris St Germain made it three league wins out of three with a 1-0 victory against ...

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Hertha BSC Berlin 1 - 1 Werder Bremen : Hertha go top after draw

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen shared a 1-1 draw in the German capital on Friday evening, with the point temporarily taking the hosts to the top of the standings.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Valentin Stocker gave Hertha, who started their campaign with a 1-0 win at Augsburg last weekend, a deserved early lead, but Anthony Ujah levelled somewhat against the run of play with his first goal for the northern Germany side after 26 minutes.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bremen grew in confidence and had chances to snatch victory late on when Sebastian Langkamp headed against his own crossbar and Jannik Vestergaard hit the post with a header, but a draw was ultimately a fair result.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hertha will likely lose top spot on Saturday, but get to sit at the top of the standings at least for a night by extending their unbeaten start to the season.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7isnuyS7GfY2oqWtW9bBuUA1EiO-hGafWuKMHCQR39WgR0vOxPj7-sOKvRyq75cn6EWA2DmGoMxwZEUztVXFgSQg6Lgd6aL0ewu_pFuxnL0HqNQUcydruiM39AS6CH9x2xomT_U-FQ/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY7isnuyS7GfY2oqWtW9bBuUA1EiO-hGafWuKMHCQR39WgR0vOxPj7-sOKvRyq75cn6EWA2DmGoMxwZEUztVXFgSQg6Lgd6aL0ewu_pFuxnL0HqNQUcydruiM39AS6CH9x2xomT_U-FQ/s400/9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Hertha BSC Berlin 1 - 1 Werder Bremen : Hertha go top after draw

Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen shared a 1-1 draw in the German capital on Friday evening, with the point temporarily taking the hosts to ...

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Canterbury Bulldogs beat South Sydney Rabbitohs to fire NRL finals warning shot, Greg Inglis injured

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">South Sydney's dream of back-to-back NRL premierships is in major doubt with skipper Greg Inglis suffering a knee injury in on Friday night's 32-18 loss to Canterbury.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Rabbitohs' star fell awkwardly in a tackle late in the second half and, while initially trying to play on, he was eventually substituted after Bulldogs back-rower Shaun Lane sealed the win in the 68th minute.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The victory only lifts the Bulldogs into seventh spot, but the convincing nature of the win in the grand final rematch brings them back into premiership reckoning.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Led by unlikely hero Damien Cook, the visitors stunned the defending premiers and the 26,503-strong Homebush crowd with a 22-0 first-half shut-out.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The back-up rake scored the opening try and acrobatically set up another on the stroke of half-time when he flung his body over the deadball line to flick back a ball for Sam Perrett.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Aside from a brief 10-minute period just after the break that yielded one try, the Rabbitohs' pack was overpowered by their opposition and looked rudderless without suspended hooker Issac Luke.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">A comeback loomed when Bryson Goodwin leaped for John Sutton's kick in the 50th minute, however Canterbury's Curtis Rona regained the momentum for his team with another signature touchdown eight minutes later.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">It was the leading tryscorer's 20th of the season.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Departing second-rower Frank Pritchard set up first points for the match with a stellar 10th-minute offload for Cook, before Trent Hodkinson's looping long ball found Perrett in the 17th.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The visitors had the home side's measure in attack and defence, as evidenced by Brett Morris' trysaving tackle on Dylan Walker in the 27th minute, before latching onto another Pritchard offload a minute later.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Cook completed a flawless first half by reacting first to a Hodkinson field-goal attempt, charged down by the Rabbitohs, saving a ball well over the dead ball line for Perrett.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Alex Johnston and Jason Clark both nabbed consolation tries late in the game.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Bulldogs captain James Graham was severely concussed in the opening minute of the second half but questionably returned to the match.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3dDpz_Bo7HydpoIyJOVX8cS4LAuDA17GtlsP4nRQSP4xedjPGq522Ux_N_C28chsI-K-PDcccsBQLZ3uY_lQdB9qn686J9zh1Rbq74ZKSDsJL709KmJF8xn0DF3k7JZ7LAL-mz80KA/s1600/158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd3dDpz_Bo7HydpoIyJOVX8cS4LAuDA17GtlsP4nRQSP4xedjPGq522Ux_N_C28chsI-K-PDcccsBQLZ3uY_lQdB9qn686J9zh1Rbq74ZKSDsJL709KmJF8xn0DF3k7JZ7LAL-mz80KA/s400/158.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>

Canterbury Bulldogs beat South Sydney Rabbitohs to fire NRL finals warning shot, Greg Inglis injured

South Sydney's dream of back-to-back NRL premierships is in major doubt with skipper Greg Inglis suffering a knee injury in on Friday n...

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Cronulla Sharks thump Wests Tigers 40-18 to march towards NRL finals

<div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Cronulla has returned to the winner's circle with a 40-18 win over the Wests Tigers at Shark Park.</span></div> <div class="first" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">On the short back-up after being hammered at home by Melbourne last Monday, Cronulla survived a second-half fightback from the Tigers on Saturday to record a seven-tries-to-three win.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Shane Flanagan's Sharks momentarily jump above the Storm and into fifth place on the ladder equal on points with fourth-placed South Sydney, which boasts a superior points differential with two rounds to go.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Cronulla made a perfect start to the second half when winger Valentine Holmes scored just after the resumption of play to seemingly put the Sharks out of reach at 24-6.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">But the Tigers stayed in the contest, fighting back with tries to Martin Taupau and Curtis Sironen to get within a converted try.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Holmes extinguished the Tigers' comeback when he scored his second try, picking up a loose ball to go 60 metres to score next to the posts before Wade Graham and fullback Michael Gordon, who was one of the Sharks' best, both scored late tries.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Gordon finished the day with 16 points, kicking a penalty goal and five from six conversions.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Sharks went to the half-time break leading 20-6, following a dominant opening from the hosts.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Jason Taylor's side hardly had their hands on the ball in the first half and, when they did, they usually dropped it.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Luke Lewis opened the scoring after four minutes when he steamed onto a flat pass from Jack Bird before the Tigers hit back against the run of play with Tim Simona scoring.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The try came one tackle after halfback Luke Brooks produced a one-on-one steal before setting off on a 95-metre run.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">Cronulla answered with tries to Sosaia Feki and Michael Ennis.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">The defeat leaves the Tigers on 18 points and equal with the last-placed Gold Coast.</span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; text-align: justify;"></span><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6YeWSr_iJZZSfsxBfFIt-dums5-tKBet9hEZWqw_KkwPe8Ls8yb4faS_95wZntxTGsDOBfU3I22pDzgFJgSNaTtDat3gbq6QSboxJNEV6rHu2W9uw2rsZHDChvGDddOq_gRALnlcBg/s1600/159.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX6YeWSr_iJZZSfsxBfFIt-dums5-tKBet9hEZWqw_KkwPe8Ls8yb4faS_95wZntxTGsDOBfU3I22pDzgFJgSNaTtDat3gbq6QSboxJNEV6rHu2W9uw2rsZHDChvGDddOq_gRALnlcBg/s400/159.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>

Cronulla Sharks thump Wests Tigers 40-18 to march towards NRL finals

Cronulla has returned to the winner's circle with a 40-18 win over the Wests Tigers at Shark Park. On the short back-up after bein...

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First legs: Dortmund delirium, Athletic gloom

<span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Borussia Dortmund pulled off an extraordinary comeback, Athletic Bilbao wilted in Slovakia, and Robin van Persie scored his first Fenerbahçe goal; UEFA.com selects the highlights.</span></span><br /> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Odd 3-4 Borussia Dortmund</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />A goal down inside a minute – Jone Samuelsen crashing in a header – and 3-0 down midway through the first half, Dortmund produced an extraordinary comeback in Skien, as Odd were denied the result of the night. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored twice either side of a Shinji Kagawa effort for Thomas Tuchel's side to make it 3-3, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan getting the winner on 85 minutes.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Žilina 3-2 Athletic Bilbao</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Athletic's evening unraveled in spectacular fashion in Slovakia. Goals from Sabin Merino and Kike Sola had sent the Spanish side in at the break 2-0 up, but they conceded three in the final 25 minutes as Žilina claimed a memorable win. Jakub Paur got the first and William the second, with the final goal coming deep into added time as Athletic failed to clear a corner. William got a touch and the despairing Carlos Gurpegi could not stop the ball crossing the line.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Atromitos 0-1 Fenerbahçe</span></span> </strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Having failed to make an impact in his first Turkish league appearance, Robin van Persie came off the bench to score his first Fenerbahçe goal in Peristeri. Having come on in the 80th minute, it took the summer signing from Manchester United 10 minutes to make his mark, getting his head to a 90th-minute chance.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Steaua Bucureşti 0-3 Rosenborg</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The Romanian champions are yet to win in seven competitive home games this season (D5 L2), with the latest result the worst of the lot. Steaua kept their visitors at bay for an hour but tired badly in the closing stages allowing Tobias Mikkelsen (61), Pål André Helland (67) and finally captain Mike Jensen (90+3) to score, leaving the Trondheim side with one foot in the group stage.<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Bordeaux 1-0 Kairat Almaty</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">longest journey in UEFA club competition history</span></span> ended in defeat for Kairat, but the Kazakh contenders can take plenty of positives, knowing that Les Girondins have the reverse voyage to make next week. Tunisian striker Wahbi <span lang="en" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Khazri got the only game, sending in a fine strike off the underside of the crossbar on 27 minutes.</span></span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Milsami Orhei 1-1 Saint-Étienne</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Romain Hamouma had an eventful night in Moldova as ten-man St-Étienne came away with a draw. Radu Mîţu saved the 28-year-old winger's penalty on 16 minutes, but Hamouma made amends, finishing on 40 minutes after Nolan Roux's effort was saved. However, he was then sent off after the break, Cristian Bud replying as Milsami took full advantage of the resulting free-kick.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span lang="en" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Astra Giurgiu 3-2 AZ Alkmaar</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Substitute Alexandru Dandea scored the last of five first-half goals to earn Astra a narrow victory, the Romanian side rallying after Markus Henriksen and Vincent Janssen struck for the visitors inside 13 minutes. Fernando Boldrin got his head to a corner to give Astra hope, before Denis Alibec equalised from close range following a free-kick. Dandea – on for the injured Boldrin – finished in added time after AZ failed to deal with another set piece.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ajax 1-0 Jablonec</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The Czech side leave the Netherlands with plenty left to play for after Ajax were unable to build on a penalty scored nine minutes into the second half. Arkadiusz Milik converted low into the right hand corner for Frank de Boer's side after Vít Beneš's foul on Davy Klaassen in the box but Jaroslav Šilhavý's men threatened in the later stages and have cause for optimism in the return fixture.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> </div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Molde 2-0 Standard Liège</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />The Norwegian side struck twice in the space of five first-half minutes to leave group-stage regulars Standard with much to do next week. Tommy Høiland intercepted a slack defensive pass to make it 1-0 on 24 minutes and Martin Linnes then laid on a great ball for Mohamed Elyounoussi – cousin of Hoffenheim's Tarik Elyounoussi – to make it 2-0. Standard had more possession after the break but threatened infrequently.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Dinamo Minsk 2-0 Salzburg</span></span></strong><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Salzburg are in danger of elimination after a late goal altered the complexion of their game against Dinamo Minsk in Belarus. Serbian winger Nenad Adamović set up 20-year-old Gleb Rassadkin for the home side's opener and then finished at the death after substitute Igor Voronkov had struck the woodwork. Vuk Rašović's side are on target to reach the group stage for a second season in succession.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7mtpaTXbHQ6JyRKSSGHXV45PKKbMGf0iMyBXhXCnCxPWZAAdJWPuUfmqAeWunxrJ-IS2XPygh5ZsxyhCUlnWC7S9o07jVyOmbULHdSJ0tFBr_VTZVj5ufdBYjcVUX4NyQ1t-EDWEBw/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ7mtpaTXbHQ6JyRKSSGHXV45PKKbMGf0iMyBXhXCnCxPWZAAdJWPuUfmqAeWunxrJ-IS2XPygh5ZsxyhCUlnWC7S9o07jVyOmbULHdSJ0tFBr_VTZVj5ufdBYjcVUX4NyQ1t-EDWEBw/s400/27.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div> </div>

First legs: Dortmund delirium, Athletic gloom

Borussia Dortmund pulled off an extraordinary comeback, Athletic Bilbao wilted in Slovakia, and Robin van Persie scored his first Fenerbahçe...

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Group stage draw: which teams are in which pots?

<span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Holders Barcelona are among the eight top seeds in the new-look group draw streamed live next Thursday, while Real Madrid are in pot 2, Galatasaray in pot 3 and newcomers Gent in pot 4.</span></span><br /> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Qualifiers:</span></strong></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">As for every season since 1999/2000, 32 teams will enter the draw and be split into eight groups of four, to play each other home and away.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Twenty-two teams are assured of their place</span></span>, to be joined by the ten <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">play-off</span></span> winners.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The teams include Sevilla, the first club to qualify as UEFA Europa League winners.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">If Valencia beat Monaco in the play-offs, Spain will be the first nation to have five teams in the group stage.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Unlike in previous years, following <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">a change in the regulations</span></span>, Pot 1 for the draw will now be formed by the holders and the champions of the <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">top seven associations</span></span>: Spain, England, Germany, Italy, Portugal, France and Russia.</span></li> </ul> <span style="border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">As Barcelona are also Spanish champions, the eighth-ranked Netherlands receive the vacant seeding place. </span></span><br /> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pot 1</strong>: Barcelona, Chelsea, Bayern München, Juventus, Benfica, Saint-Germain, Zenit and PSV Eindhoven. There will be one side from Pot 1 in each group.</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The remaing three pots, as usual, will be decided by each team's <span style="border: 0px; color: #2a549e; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">UEFA club coefficient</span></span>.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The exactly make-up of those pots will be decided by the play-off winners, but the following is certain.</span></li> </ul> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pot 2</strong>: Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, FC Porto, Arsenal, Manchester City<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pot 2 or 3</strong>: Sevilla, Olympique Lyonnais, Dynamo Kyiv<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pot 3</strong>: Olympiacos, Galatasaray<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pot 3 or 4</strong>: Roma, Borussia Mönchengladbach, Wolfsburg<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pot 4</strong>: Gent</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">All details subject to final confirmation of UEFA after the play-offs</span></strong></span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <ul style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; list-style-image: none; list-style-position: inside; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">No team can play a club from their own association, with the exact draw procedure to be confirmed before the ceremony.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The draw also establishes the groups for the UEFA Champions League path of the expanded UEFA Youth League.</span></li> <li style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The draw ceremony includes the vote for and presentation of the 2014/15 UEFA Best Player in Europe Awards for men and women.</span></li> </ul> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 19px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> </div> <div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="innerText clearfix" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #404040; line-height: 10px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 1px 6px;"> <div class="fl newsBody" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; float: left; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 646.008483886719px;"> <div class="newsText" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; line-height: 19px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <strong style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">When will matches be played?</strong></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Group stage draw: 17.45CET, 27 August, Monaco<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Matchday one: 15/16 September<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Matchday two: 29/30 September<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Matchday three: 20/21 October<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Matchday four: 3/4 November<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Matchday five: 24/25 November<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Matchday six: 8/9 December</span></div> <div style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 10px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Round of 16 draw: 12.00CET, 14 December, Nyon<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Round of 16, first leg: 16/17/23/24 February<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Round of 16, second leg: 8/9/15/16 March<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Quarter-final draw: 12.00CET, 18 March, Nyon<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Quarter-final, first leg: 5/6 April<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Quarter-final second leg: 12/13 April<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Semi-final draw: 12.00CET, 15 April. Nyon<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Semi-final, first leg: 26/27 April<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Semi-final, second leg: 3/4 May<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Final: 20.45CET, 28 May, San Siro</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbVAMpuIyjipJQQ3sQEK1yg6U-7UBjHIgHOKW344FOROSKL6Ss1TzMfyKntnBK4ohjBLcAQpbGu5VlqkUtd2lACJUu-TyctLErt4oq8lyc6KGve4SQL3_KXMYBa0s7bCZ8kk52sWhiA/s1600/35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJbVAMpuIyjipJQQ3sQEK1yg6U-7UBjHIgHOKW344FOROSKL6Ss1TzMfyKntnBK4ohjBLcAQpbGu5VlqkUtd2lACJUu-TyctLErt4oq8lyc6KGve4SQL3_KXMYBa0s7bCZ8kk52sWhiA/s400/35.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></div> </div> </div> </div> </div>

Group stage draw: which teams are in which pots?

Holders Barcelona are among the eight top seeds in the new-look group draw streamed live next Thursday, while Real Madrid are in pot 2, Gala...

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Juventus reject Chelsea’s €100m offer for Paul Pogba

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div align="left" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Juventus have rejected an offer from Chelsea for Paul Pogba, Mundo Deportivo report tonight.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Barcelona based paper claim to be privy to the information, as they say Juve contacted Barcelona directly to inform them of the update.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mundo Deportivo claim that the bid did not reach €120m as was reported earlier this week, but that it was in the region of €100m.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Juventus have insisted that their star man is not for sale at any price, but the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, has been more ambiguous about the idea of a move, regularly saying that his player is worth 100m euros.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MD claim that Raiola was interested in Chelsea’s offer, but that he could not begin negotiations without getting Juve’s vouchsafe.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">In any case, it looks highly unlikely that Pogba will leave the Old Lady this summer; having just inherited the iconic number 10 shirt from the outgoing Carlos Tevez, the probability is that he’ll remain in Turin for at least one more season.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiIDwARlyUVt0XcNvbuPBdZAN9ddPBv5LrdmgE-UkaLJrVccKnJ-XFnem2FmBdmKsZ4XPBYEjJs7ofzu9Cephlg87iPVXy6vTjEVb8pHS2Tj1r3nDRVfA4RcXoUG4q9DihZWP02XeEw/s1600/juvetus20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqiIDwARlyUVt0XcNvbuPBdZAN9ddPBv5LrdmgE-UkaLJrVccKnJ-XFnem2FmBdmKsZ4XPBYEjJs7ofzu9Cephlg87iPVXy6vTjEVb8pHS2Tj1r3nDRVfA4RcXoUG4q9DihZWP02XeEw/s400/juvetus20.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Juventus reject Chelsea’s €100m offer for Paul Pogba

Juventus have rejected an offer from Chelsea for Paul Pogba, Mundo Deportivo report tonight. The Barcelona based paper claim to be privy...

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Pepe pens Real Madrid extension

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real Madrid have announced that defender Pepe has put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension at the Santiago Bernabeu.</span></div> <div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Portugal international had entered the final year of his deal and his new contract will see him stay until at least June 2017. The news follows hot on the heels of fellow centre-back Sergio Ramos' extension last week.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pepe has been a long-standing servant of the club, having joined from Porto in 2007, and has won two league and Copa del Rey titles along with the Champions League,</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The 32-year-old has been a regular fixture for the club since joining and has made 195 league appearances, scoring 10 goals.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pepe missed the club's final two pre-season matches with a thigh muscle strain, but returned to full training this week.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He is expected to take his place in the starting line-up for Real Madrid's La Liga opener against Sporting Gijon on Sunday.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oikVU39NVQ-UHQYQrRMcnDOWAFLjIfUIljhViC1VERjAIifbjjYm1fdqm3I98g7sFA003tAa09tY18gItg91CyJ9oAoZyhDCrCoFt__3e76OPUi9dvOeuRwPi5Y4Gr2T6NlVM5-lUw/s1600/real29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2oikVU39NVQ-UHQYQrRMcnDOWAFLjIfUIljhViC1VERjAIifbjjYm1fdqm3I98g7sFA003tAa09tY18gItg91CyJ9oAoZyhDCrCoFt__3e76OPUi9dvOeuRwPi5Y4Gr2T6NlVM5-lUw/s400/real29.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Pepe pens Real Madrid extension

Real Madrid have announced that defender Pepe has put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension at the Santiago Bernabeu. The Portug...

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Malaga 0 - 0 Sevilla : Sevilla hold on for draw

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: gold; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sevilla</span> were forced to hold on for a point against Andalusian rivals Malaga in the first game of the new Primera Division season after seeing new signing Steven N'Zonzi sent off midway through the second half.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">N'Zonzi, a B£5million summer arrival from Stoke, picked up his second yellow of the match in the 69th minute to leave<span style="background-color: gold; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sevilla</span> having to cling on in the closing stages at La Rosaleda.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, despite creating a number of openings, Malaga could not find a way past the 10 men of Los Nervionenses as the regional rivals played out a goalless draw.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-color: gold; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sevilla</span> fans could have been forgiven for expecting a goal-fest from Friday's La Liga opener after seeing their side's previous two matches produce a total of 19 goals - a 5-4 defeat to Barcelona in the UEFA Super Cup and a 6-4 friendly loss to Roma.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">That was not to be the case, though, with both sides having goals disallowed and a mixture of indifferent finishing and good goalkeeping ensuring all other opportunities ended up drawing blanks as well.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Things started brightly enough for two-time Europa League champions <span style="background-color: gold; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sevilla</span> with Kevin Gameiro and Jose Antonio Reyes having chances before centre-back Adil Rami saw his 65th-minute strike chalked out for offside.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Malaga also had their opportunities, though, especially after N'Zonzi was booked for a second time to earn an early bath on his La Liga debut.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Javi Gracia's side pushed hard for the win after that, with Nordin Amrabat denied by <span style="background-color: gold; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sevilla</span> goalkeeper Beto and Roberto Rosales firing over.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Charles then had a goal ruled out for a marginal offside in the 87th minute before the same player had a great chance to snatch all three points in stoppage time.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">He could not take advantage, though, to leave both sides with a point apiece from their opening match.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Both teams now face daunting fixtures next weekend, with Malaga going to reigning Spanish and European champions Barcelona while <span style="background-color: gold; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sevilla</span> host Atletico Madrid.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8erY218Ikz68rM7b1El_tIRRaPvUzS-T3Hl7ev2E61EA07Kjn0za_B_GZN-pOZlB90Fa6u8VPEhej7xmq2loT2bS0x_odVa_x9HBv0p9h6SyCTpNfgUeHJlPN2L2p6r5y20P8g-H0lQ/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8erY218Ikz68rM7b1El_tIRRaPvUzS-T3Hl7ev2E61EA07Kjn0za_B_GZN-pOZlB90Fa6u8VPEhej7xmq2loT2bS0x_odVa_x9HBv0p9h6SyCTpNfgUeHJlPN2L2p6r5y20P8g-H0lQ/s400/7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Malaga 0 - 0 Sevilla : Sevilla hold on for draw

Sevilla  were forced to hold on for a point against Andalusian rivals Malaga in the first game of the new Primera Division season after se...

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Leicester v Tottenham

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Leicester City will look to continue their strong start to the season when they host a stuttering Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium on Saturday.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"> <div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Foxes made a 100 per cent start to the season, winning both their opening games to the season, 4-2 against Sunderland and 2-0 against West Ham.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">New Leicester arrival Gokhan Inler is in line to make his debut this weekend, while Christian Fuchs is available after illness.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Claudio Ranieri, though, remains without long-term injury concern Matty James as he continues rehab on a knee injury sustained last season.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spurs, meanwhile, have struggled to get going this season and have just one point to show from their opening two Premier League games.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mauricio Pochettino's men suffered an unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Manchester United on the opening day, before giving up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Stoke last weekend.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Harry Kane, who scored a hat-trick against Leicester in their last meeting, is expected to feature after recovering from a tight calf.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Spurs could hand new forward Clinton Njie a debut, but Andros Townsend remains out with an ankle injury.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Tottenham do have a favourable record against the Foxes, winning three and drawing one of their last four meetings.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuAzfiZoyUJ7trzXcbggtwP1rHJ_yBwv0o_Qr4aOpcXSJmv6W1cGAt1M9W3ujDC18-5rZAuMexLPq2EJ2WJ4SCuKO2NH0UwXCNFe1rX-gtBMOAkm3F-rSFpVXTB-gJ79M6Ye7l8wSEQ/s1600/leichester4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHuAzfiZoyUJ7trzXcbggtwP1rHJ_yBwv0o_Qr4aOpcXSJmv6W1cGAt1M9W3ujDC18-5rZAuMexLPq2EJ2WJ4SCuKO2NH0UwXCNFe1rX-gtBMOAkm3F-rSFpVXTB-gJ79M6Ye7l8wSEQ/s400/leichester4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div> </div>

Leicester v Tottenham

Leicester City will look to continue their strong start to the season when they host a stuttering Tottenham Hotspur at King Power Stadium o...

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Norwich v Stoke City

<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; line-height: 18px; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Newly-promoted Norwich City will look to build on a win over Sunderland when they welcome Stoke City to Carrow Road on Saturday.</span></div> <div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px;"> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Canaries beat a struggling Black Cats side 3-1 at the weekend, bouncing back from a defeat to Crystal Palace by the same scoreline on the opening day.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Norwich boss Alex Neill is expected to stick with an unchanged starting line-up and remains without Martin Olsson (shoulder) and Kyle Lafferty (knee).</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Stoke, meanwhile, recovered from a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in their opening fixture as they rallied from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Tottenham.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Mark Hughes is expected to hand Xherdan Shaqiri his debut at the weekend, but Bojan is not expected to return just yet.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Jonathan Walters has recovered from illness and is expected to be involved, while Marc Wilson is also available after a knee injury.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Canaries have an exemplary record against the Potters, having lost just one of their last 10 league meetings at Carrow Road.</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiJrDFWbBfIdEH1lBVvXasSAiqLG_X_dIWwoc7OyskeDwBsBGIEC1lxEUBYI72XQmvigXtL_GYvolAJAzAb3VS7_hsid0DvzEl2aTrHjoC4mdApO5nJ9EaY4psT2hwjrlDNw2lS7tgA/s1600/stoke5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLiJrDFWbBfIdEH1lBVvXasSAiqLG_X_dIWwoc7OyskeDwBsBGIEC1lxEUBYI72XQmvigXtL_GYvolAJAzAb3VS7_hsid0DvzEl2aTrHjoC4mdApO5nJ9EaY4psT2hwjrlDNw2lS7tgA/s400/stoke5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Norwich v Stoke City

Newly-promoted Norwich City will look to build on a win over Sunderland when they welcome Stoke City to Carrow Road on Saturday. The Can...

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Wenger: Arsenal 'not close' to new signings

<div class="mc_content" id="NewsContent" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 0px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <div align="left" style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Arsene Wenger says Arsenal is "not close" to any new signings, as speculation regarding Karim Benzema continues.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has again cooled speculation regarding a move for Karim Benzema, insisting the club is not close to making any new signings.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Real Madrid striker has been repeatedly linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium in recent months, though Wenger has frequently denied a move will materialize.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Real boss Rafael Benitez has also been moved to dismiss the prospect and, when asked on Friday, Wenger clarified the club's stance on incoming transfers ahead of the deadline at the end of the month.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"When the season starts the window should be finished," he said. "It is too big an advantage for clubs that didn't work well during the transfer window.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"The funds are there, people know that you have the resources, but the players are not available. We expect [transfers], like you, but at the moment, we are not close to anybody."</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Specifically, Wenger lamented the lack of forwards available on the market and the advantage large market clubs, which don't need the trasnfer revenue from player sales, have.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"There is a shortage [of number nines] in the world. There is a difference between financial power and the availability of top-class players," he said.  "In Europe today you maybe have 15 clubs with huge financial resources who don't need the money.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"I'm not against buying if it is really a plus for the team. If it is just buying players at the level of the players you have I am not for that."</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wenger was also quizzed on a potential departure for club-record signing Mesut Ozil, the Germany international having been linked with Galatasaray and Juventus this week.</span></div> <div style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.5em; margin: 1em 0px; padding: 0px;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Ozil impressed during Sunday's 2-1 win over Crystal Palace and Wenger added: "I feel Mesut is now completely committed to the club. He is focused on getting results."</span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLmej0XdtZndU06zOMJkshXuKOrzoVn7v7qiFVIMeWDtVK3nRS2s3LUIpwGggYoqozNRNH2Z1gtePXWpXLIs3FOB2KztTL2kPNowzL_7ok6Fj1PL9n87iRedDo83BFSlJWGI1N1iOsw/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLmej0XdtZndU06zOMJkshXuKOrzoVn7v7qiFVIMeWDtVK3nRS2s3LUIpwGggYoqozNRNH2Z1gtePXWpXLIs3FOB2KztTL2kPNowzL_7ok6Fj1PL9n87iRedDo83BFSlJWGI1N1iOsw/s400/17.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></span></div> </div>

Wenger: Arsenal 'not close' to new signings

Arsene Wenger says Arsenal is "not close" to any new signings, as speculation regarding Karim Benzema continues. Arsenal manag...

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Man Utd v Newcastle: Hosts to maintain 100% record

<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Man Utd v Newcastle</span><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Saturday 22 August, 12:45<br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" />Live on BT Sport 1</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Man Utd</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">It's a strange time to be a Manchester United supporter. They bought well throughout the pre-season summer months bringing in the likes of Memphis Depay, Batian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin but have since been out-manoeuvred and out-thought in their pursuits of<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Nicolas Otamendi</span> and <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pedro</span>. United aren't used to losing out to any club when trying to sign players.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">They've also begun the new Premier League season with a maximum <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">six points from two games</span>. Yet there remain more unanswered questions than is healthy, with performances in those opening two matches flattering to deceive.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">On the plus side, the Red Devils have yet to concede a goal scored by the opposition in three competitive games - Michael Carrick's own-goal against Club Brugges being the only time<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Sergio Romero</span> has been beaten.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Team News:</em></span> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">David de Gea</span> will continue to languish in the Old Trafford wilderness, as his immediate future remains unresolved, with the banished <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Victor Valdes</span>, the suspended Marouane Fellaini and the injured <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Phil Jones</span> joining him on the sidelines.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Newcastle</span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The Magpies have also had a seemingly positive transfer window so far with Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Florian Thauvin all arriving for fees in excess of £10 million. However, they are yet to get a win on the board and after an encouraging performance on the opening day against Southampton were <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">outplayed and outclassed</span> against Swansea last weekend.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Papiss Cisse's</span> opening-day goal and Georgino Wijnaldum's debut goal do offer some crumbs of hope, but so far - albeit at an extremely early stage of proceedings - there appears to be very few signs of improvement on last season's dismal campaign.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Team News:</em></span> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Daryl Janmaat</span> serves a one-game suspension following his dismissal against Swansea last week. Paul Dummett, Emmanuel Rivière and Sylvain Marveaux are all out injured but <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Siem de Jong</span> and Moussa Sissoko could feature.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Manchester United's record of having won <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">five of their last six</span> Premier League games against Newcastle, and losing just two of the last 25, speaks for itself. Furthermore, United have won 15 of their last 19 top-flight games at Old Trafford and Newcastle arrive here this weekend having<span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">lost their last seven</span> games on the road.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">The performances in the opening couple of games are a cause for concern for a side expecting to challenge for the title, but I don't expect <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Louis van Gaal's</span> side to have too many problems in fixtures such as this one. Odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="1" oldtitle="2/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">1.40</span></span> on a home win aren't anything to get excited about, but they're absolutely fair enough and there's no reason to oppose.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Over/Under 2.5 Goals</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">A couple of 1-0 wins have sufficed for Manchester United to this point and it would be no surprise to me to see them make it three in a row.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Newcastle's new attacking prowess could pose a threat, but I'm not convinced that they have gelled as a unit yet, while United's defence has been far <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">more reliable and cohesive</span> so far this season than I, for one, had expected.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I'm not anticipating a game to remember this Saturday lunchtime and I'm happy to take the odds-against prices (<span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="2" oldtitle="6/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">2.20</span></span>) on there being fewer than 2.5 goals.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Combining the above two</span> selections gives us a nice bet on Man Utd/Under 2.5 Goals at odds of <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="3" oldtitle="13/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">3.60</span></span> in the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">Match Odds & Over/Under 2.5 Goals market</span>.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">To Score</span></span></span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Wayne Rooney's</span> start to the season has been poor, by his own high standards. And on form alone - he touched the ball just once in the opposition's penalty area last weekend - there can be no argument made for backing him to find the net this week.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">However, throughout his career Rooney has made a habit of answering his critics with goals and I feel that there has been enough made about his poor start to the season over the past week in the media that we might just see a reaction this Saturday.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">With an impressive strike rate of <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">12 goals in 20</span> Premier League appearances against Newcastle I'm happy to take some of the <span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="4" oldtitle="6/5" style="background: rgb(255, 184, 12); border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 3px 2px 1px;" title=""><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">2.20</span></span> about him scoring in this game.</span></div> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /><span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Recommended Bet</span></span></div> <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"></span></span><br style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;" /> <div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-stroke-width: 1px; background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #1e1e1e; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0.5em; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;">2pts Back Man Utd/Under 2.5 Goals @</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: color 0.2s;"> </span></span><span class="inline-odds has-qtip" data-hasqtip="5" oldtitle="13/5" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: #ffb80c; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 3px 2px 1px; transition: color 0.2s;" title="">3.60</span></span></span></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_8rDC-8UqABuNkmvuyIDRtszjXZCbHRGhnC0DnYU9gbRKeIOR3cVVurC99ifh4gUTPZsz4EzDnFB-KMvFGnSuxDXGlrRm5RpqrlFFcH_o0DEEpy7Iix6nUAmM85Mb6XdRLsYNKE_Tw/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3_8rDC-8UqABuNkmvuyIDRtszjXZCbHRGhnC0DnYU9gbRKeIOR3cVVurC99ifh4gUTPZsz4EzDnFB-KMvFGnSuxDXGlrRm5RpqrlFFcH_o0DEEpy7Iix6nUAmM85Mb6XdRLsYNKE_Tw/s400/23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #3b3b3b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;"> <span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;" /></span></div>

Man Utd v Newcastle: Hosts to maintain 100% record

Man Utd v Newcastle Saturday 22 August, 12:45 Live on BT Sport 1 Man Utd It's a strange time to be a Manchester United supporter. T...

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