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Manchester City 3:1 Arsenal
Manchester City powered on at the top of the Premier League with a convincing 3-1 win over Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium.

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Manchester City's Sergio Aguero (left) celebrates scoring his side's second goal. Picture:
Kevin De Bruyne scored City's 50th goal of the season during a dominant first-half display before Sergio Aguero added a penalty.
Substitute Alexandre Lacazette pulled one back for the visitors but Gabriel Jesus wrapped up City's club record-extending 15th successive win after 74 minutes.
Arsenal may have had grievances over two of City's goals but the hosts were full value for their victory, which was also their ninth in succession in the Premier League.
The Gunners were actually confident and composed but their deployment of Francis Coquelin in the centre of a back five - a rare start for the Frenchman - indicated an uneasiness with City's attack.
Their concerns were justified, with City rapid and dangerous on the counter-attack. Aguero, who entered the field to a guard of a honour in recognition of becoming the club's record goalscorer in midweek, went close after two minutes.
The chance came after Raheem Sterling broke from deep and De Bruyne found Aguero but the Argentinian blasted narrowly wide.
Aguero also played in Leroy Sane but Sterling was unable to turn in his cross.
The opener came with 19 minutes gone after Petr Cech pushed away a snap-shot from De Bruyne. Sane retrieved the loose ball and De Bruyne played a one-two with Fernandinho before driving in a low shot from distance.
David Silva was the next to get behind the Arsenal defence but his pull-back evaded everybody before Sterling was wasteful from another good opening. Cech also had to react quickly when Laurent Koscielny turned a Kyle Walker cross towards his own goal.
Arsenal, who had been limited to long-range half-chances, finally threatened in the closing minute of the first half but Ederson beat away an effort from Aaron Ramsey.
City finally earned greater reward for their superiority early in the second half, although Arsenal complained after Sterling was adjudged to have been bundled over by Nacho Monreal. Aguero clipped in the spot-kick off the post.
The contest was not over, however. Arsenal started to show some teeth and had the ball in the net after Ederson spilled the ball and was pushed over the line by Ramsey. A foul was given but it was a warning the Londoners did not intend to roll over.
Ramsey forced Ederson to save again and Arsenal sent on record signing Lacazette. It proved an inspired move as the Frenchman reduced the deficit by lashing home a low shot following good work by Alex Iwobi and Ramsey.
City upped their tempo in response. Jesus, sent on for Aguero, was denied by Cech at point-blank range and the Arsenal goalkeeper also saved from De Bruyne.
The pressure paid off as De Bruyne slipped in Silva and his pull-back was turned home by Jesus.


Chelsea 1:0 Manchester United
Alvaro Morata gave Manchester United a taste of what could have been by heading Antonio Conte's Chelsea to a much-needed victory as Jose Mourinho endured another frustrating Stamford Bridge return.
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Manchester United's Antonio Valencia and Chelsea's Marcos Alonso battle for the ball. Picture: PA
All eyes were on the touchline as the combustible managers faced off, with Manchester City's latest win leaving United eight points off the Premier League summit as pressure mounted on Conte just months after leading the Blues to the title.
The Italian twice got the better of Mourinho at Stamford Bridge last season and made it a hat-trick in a tense encounter on Sunday, with Morata's fine header giving Chelsea a deserved 1-0 win against second-placed United.
It looked like the Spain international would instead be wearing red until Mourinho completed a summer move for Romelu Lukaku, whose goalless streak stretched to a seventh match as the Chelsea striker brought his scoreless run to a timely halt.
Having seen an early Phil Jones own goal ruled out because of his foul, Morata capitalised on lacklustre United defending to superbly head home Cesar Azpilicueta's cross in the 55th minute.
It was no less than Chelsea deserved as they pressed the issue against an increasingly ramshackle United, although Marcus Rashford and Marouane Fellaini went close to snatching a fortuitous point as the clock wound down.
Chelsea rode their luck at the end of a match that looked to have got off to a dream start as Marcos Alonso's threatening cross was smashed into his own goal by Jones - only for Morata's foul to see it ruled out.
N'Golo Kante and Tiemoue Bakayoko had attempts of varying quality as the home side pushed for the lead, but it was far from one-way traffic thanks to a surprisingly open early approach from Mourinho's men.
Unmarked Rashford should have done better with a close-range header and a little more precision would have meant former Chelsea striker Lukaku beat Thibaut Courtois.
Instead the Chelsea goalkeeper was able to tip wide before opposite number David De Gea watched Cesc Fabregas direct into the side-netting after initially stopping Eden Hazard.
Like last season, Mourinho made sure the Belgium attacking midfielder had little room for manoeuvre - and a challenge on him from Antonio Valencia led to fury from Conte, who was spoken to by referee Anthony Taylor.
Jones and Herrera were booked in quick succession for fouls on Hazard as the theme continued after the restart as Chelsea began the second period as they ended the first.
Morata had seen penalty claims ignored and Andreas Christensen missed the target as the opening period came to a close, while Hazard wasted a chance to stick it his former manager in the 53rd minute.
In the end it was the man who looked set to join United over the summer that broke the deadlock.
Morata somehow managed to find plenty of space and met Azpilicueta's floated cross with a superb header that sent the Stamford Bridge faithful wild.
Rashford and Herrera attempted to draw parity before substitute Marouane Fellaini, looking rusty on his return from injury, sloppily gave away possession as Bakayoko went close.
De Gea saved from Hazard as the sides traded punches in the closing stages as United threw caution to the wind in search of a leveller.
Rashford hit a half volley just wide of Courtois' goal as the visitors pushed and the Chelsea goalkeeper had to be at his best to deny international team-mate Fellaini.
The Belgium midfielder saw penalty claims against Gary Cahill ignored as the ball came back into the box, with Rashford seeing a stoppage-time free-kick deflect just over.



Roy Hodgson is adamant Crystal Palace do not need convincing they can succeed against Tottenham, despite having just witnessed them outclassing European champions Real Madrid.
While bottom of the Premier League table with the division's worst defensive record - something which owed much to a lack of confidence - they have improved since Hodgson's appointment and he insists they are not overwhelmed by the challenge Spurs present.
In Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Hugo Lloris and Christian Eriksen, they possess some of Europe's finest players whose self-belief contributed to Wednesday's defeat of Real, which Hodgson was at Wembley to witness.
Real also last season became the first ever team to retain the Champions League title, and Palace are without injured record signing Christian Benteke, but Hodgson said: "I don't need to convince them.
"There is no doubt Tottenham were great. They might be at different ends of the table, but (my squad) are still proud of their abilities.
"It just happens to be a game where we are going to be put to a bigger test than maybe we were before because Spurs have some exceptional players.
"They won't go into the game thinking they are chanceless; there's no way that is going to happen. If it turns out that they are too good for us like Manchester City and Manchester United we will hold our hands up.
"But we won't go onto that field thinking they are too good for us to play against. We will go thinking we are going to beat these, and let's see what happens.
"If players allow themselves to listen to all the noise on social media and from TV pundits they will be affected. But the bottom line is that when we cross that line on Sunday there is nothing to stop our players doing all the things they're capable of."
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Today's fixture represents Hodgson's first in a competitive capacity at the national stadium since his resignation from the England job, and he has already spoken of the threat posed by Alli and Kane.
The former scored twice in the defeat of Real, and not only does the 70-year-old already believe him to be one of Europe's leading midfielders, but that there remains more to come.
"I was talking to Alex Ferguson and he said this guy can be one of the best midfielders in Europe," said Hodgson, who again has Mamadou Sakho and James McArthur in contention but considers Patrick van Aanholt a doubt.
"I don't like to put pressure on the young man but there's no doubt he's at the top. If you talk about the top midfielders in Europe he would be in the reckoning, and he's still only 21, hasn't got 200 games behind him, hasn't got 50 caps. The more he goes on is when we'll see him get really better.



Former England manager Sam Allardyce was keeping his cards close to his chest when asked about returning to club management with Everton.
The 63-year-old has been linked to the vacant Goodison Park hot seat - following Ronald Koeman's sacking last month - along with Burnley boss Sean Dyche, whose side recorded a 1-0 victory at Southampton yesterday.
Under-23s coach David Unsworth has been placed in charge temporarily, but has lost his first three matches.
Since he took over Everton have exited the Carabao Cup at Chelsea, crashed out of the Europa League with two group games left after a 3-0 defeat at Lyon and lost against Leicester in the Premier League to leave the club stuck in the bottom three.
Ahead of today's clash with Watford, Unsworth conceded the game was "huge" for him.
Allardyce, who has been out of work since leaving England after just one match in charge, has built a reputation on saving troubled teams and earlier this week admitted he would consider an approach from the Toffees to become their new boss.
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Speaking on Match of the Day, host Gary Lineker asked Allardyce: "He's (Sean Dyche) been linked with Everton. Is it time an English manager was perhaps given the chance at one of the bigger clubs?"
Allardyce replied: "It's always time an English manager was given the chance, as far as I'm concerned Gary, or a British manager - there's no doubt about that. And there's not enough of us given the chance."
When asked if he would consider going back into management and whether Everton would tempt him, Allardyce added: "I'm not doing anything at the moment, I'm enjoying myself here.

Everton 3: 2 Watford
Everton came from two goals down to secure a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Watford and move out of the Premier League relegation zone, with ex-Toffees midfielder Tom Cleverley missing a last-gasp chance to level for the visitors from the penalty spot.

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Watford's Christian Kabasele (right) scores his side's second goal of the game. Picture: PA
Everton looked set for a sixth successive defeat in all competitions, and fourth under caretaker manager David Unsworth, when Christian Kabasele's 64th-minute header put the visitors 2-0 up, adding to Richarlison's strike in the first minute of the second half.
But Oumar Niasse pulled a goal back three minutes later, substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin headed home an equaliser with 16 minutes to go and Leighton Baines subsequently converted a penalty in stoppage time to complete the turnaround. Cleverley then had the opportunity to make it 3-3 at the death but sent his spot-kick off-target.
What was Everton's first win in nine matches saw them rise from 19th to 15th in the table and brought a much-needed dose of positivity ahead of the international break, in which the club's hierarchy are expected to make a decision on the permanent successor to the sacked Ronald Koeman.
What becomes of Unsworth, who would like the job full-time, remains to be seen but what is certain is that he will have taken great satisfaction from this, the first home match he has overseen since taking temporary charge, which was watched from the stands by major shareholder Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright.
The first chance of a game that started poorly but ended up as a thriller fell to Everton in the 22nd minute.
The ball went from Tom Davies and via Niasse and Wayne Rooney to Baines, and the full-back's shot was well saved by Heurelho Gomes.
Davies then sent a hugely ambitious strike from distance off-target, before Andre Gray failed to make use of Kiko Femenia's low delivery to him in front of Everton's goal, completely miscuing his attempted shot.
There was little more in the way of attacking action until just before the interval, when Richarlison sped forward having been fed by Gray and got around Jordan Pickford only to shoot wide, and Abdoulaye Doucoure hit an effort straight at the goalkeeper moments later.
Richarlison then made amends for his miss less than a minute after the interval. Watford sprung a counter-attack and Gray sent a pass to Richarlison, who went around Pickford again and this time finished in very tidy fashion.
As Everton pushed for a swift equaliser, Gylfi Sigurdsson's shot was parried by Gomes and the goalkeeper then tipped away Rooney's cross under pressure from Niasse. Gomes was hurt in the incident and after receiving treatment on-field, came off with a bandage around his head, with Orestis Karnezis coming on to replace him.
Everton fans were then left stunned as Watford doubled their lead when Kabasele connected with Jose Holebas' corner.
But they soon had something to cheer as Niasse latched on to Ademola Lookman's lofted pass, got the ball past the outrushing Karnezis and bundled it over the line.
Lookman's fellow substitute Calvert-Lewin then brought things all-square, nodding in at the far post from Baines' corner.
And Unsworth's third substitute, Aaron Lennon, was subsequently involved in the build-up to what proved the winner, with the winger being brought down by Holebas in the box and referee Graham Scott pointing to the spot.
Baines converted the resulting penalty confidently and a wild roar erupted around Goodison Park.



Zinedine Zidane is looking to sign Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain, with the Real Madrid boss reportedly an admirer of the German international.”


It’s been a slow start to the season for Real who already trail rivals Barcelona in the league, and the club will look to add to their attacking options in the new year.

Spanish publication Don Balon reports Draxler will be available following PSG’s summer transfer splash.

Julian Draxler is also desperate to be an integral part of the Germany squad at the 2018 World Cup squad but a lack of chances at PSG this term may hinder his chances.

Draxler only arrived at PSG in January and his contract runs until 2021

Only last month Germany coach Joachim Low insisted Draxler wasn’t leaving PSG.

He said: “I know for a fact that Paris don’t want to sell him. They are convinced of his outstanding qualities.”

Since signing for PSG from Wolfsburg in January, Draxler has made 17 appearances and scored four goals.

Carlo Ancelotti suffered a miserable night on his return to the Parc des Princes as Bayern Munich were beaten 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain.


Edinson Cavani and Neymar renewed their strike partnership in emphatic style with a goal apiece as Paris Saint-Germain brushed Bayern Munich aside in a 3-0 Champions League victory at the Parc des Princes.

The pair had sparked suggestions of disharmony after their on-pitch spat over who took a penalty in their 2-0 win over Lyon in Ligue 1, but they combined intuitively as Unai Emery’s side demolished the German champions’ defence in a one-sided Group B encounter.

Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti, returning to his old club for the first time since guiding PSG to the title in 2012-13, saw his side punished for a slow start when Dani Alves opened the scoring in the second minute.

Cavani made it 2-0 after half an hour with his 10th goal in as many games and the result was put beyond doubt with just over an hour played when Neymar scored from close range.

Emery will have been delighted to see his side bounce back from a disappointing draw at Montpellier four days earlier and put on a display of sumptuous attacking football against one of Europe’s best sides, having won their opening Champions League clash 5-0 against Celtic.

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Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid a win over Borussia Dortmund as the Portugal star reached another milestone.


Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 400th Real Madrid appearance with two goals as the holders beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in their second Champions League group game.

The 32-year-old netted his 410th and 411th efforts for the club in his 150th UEFA club match after Gareth Bale’s sensational opener had put Madrid in front in what proved to be a thrilling encounter at Signal Iduna Park.

Madrid came into the match having never won away from home against BVB, but Bale’s spectacular volley put them on course for the victory after only 18 minutes.


It was an end-to-end clash that featured chances for either side before Ronaldo celebrated his latest milestone with a composed finish from Bale’s cross.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Dortmund hope of a recovery but Zinedine Zidane’s men made certain of two wins from two in the defence of their trophy as Ronaldo blasted home in the closing stages.

Despite Peter Bosz’s call for caution in Monday’s pre-game news conference, Dortmund pressed Madrid high up the pitch from the kick-off and twice could have fallen behind from early counter-attacks.

First, Dani Carvajal raced into the box down the right only to shoot straight at Roman Burki, before Lukasz Piszczek just denied Bale a tap-in after Ronaldo had surged clear down the same flank.

Madrid were perhaps fortunate to escape a penalty in the 14th minute, though, with Keylor Navas deflecting the ball onto the raised hand of Sergio Ramos after Maximilian Philipp had turned the ball goalwards.

But with 18 minutes played, Dortmund’s wayward defence was punished in sumptuous style by Bale. Carvajal found space 30 yards from goal and clipped a fine pass into the path of the Wales star, who sent a sublime volley into the top-right corner, leaving Burki stranded.

Madrid should have doubled their lead before the break, Ronaldo twice firing wide and captain Ramos missing a free header from six yards out, but it needed a vital interception from Raphael Varane to deny Aubameyang an open goal moments after half-time.

But Dortmund’s slack defending was punished in ruthless fashion four minutes after the restart. Toni Kroos split the back four with a fine throughball to Bale, and his low cross from the left was steered home left-footed by Ronaldo from 12 yards out.

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CSKA Moscow had little answer to Manchester United’s front three as the Premier League side eased to a 4-1 UEFA Champions League win.


Romelu Lukaku continued his scintillating start to life at Manchester United with a double in their comfortable 4-1 UEFA Champions League win at overmatched CSKA Moscow.

The Russian side had little answer to Lukaku, Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, with United having now netted seven times and conceded just once in their opening two Group A fixtures.

United’s opener in a dominant display at the VEB Arena came in just four minutes as Lukaku powered home a bullet header for his ninth goal in as many games for the club.

Martial sent in the cross for that effort and was quickly in on the act himself from the penalty spot, before also assisting Lukaku’s second of the night.

There was no let-up after the interval from the visitors, with Mkhitaryan finding the target following more excellent work from Martial.

United finally eased off the accelerator thereafter, and a late consolation from substitute Konstantin Kuchaev was the only blot on an otherwise excellent night’s work.

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Barcelona were a long way from their best, but a Sebastian Coates own goal handed them all three points against Sporting CP.


Barcelona extended their winning run to eight games in all competitions on Wednesday as they edged past Sporting CP 1-0 in their Champions League clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Ernesto Valverde’s side rarely had to get out of second gear to secure a win that puts them in a commanding position at the summit of Group D.

The only goal of the game came just four minutes into the second half, and despite Luis Suarez wheeling away to celebrate, replays showed that the decisive final touch came from Sporting defender Sebastian Coates.

Bruno Fernandes had a wonderful opportunity to claim a share of the spoils for Sporting in the second half but was thwarted by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, as Barcelona held on for a deserved three points.

The Spanish giants will be confident of extending their lead at the top of the group when they host Olympiacos in three weeks. Sporting, meanwhile, face a daunting test against Juventus in Turin.

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A last-gasp Michy Batshuayi goal earned Chelsea all three points at Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.


Michy Batshuayi snatched a stunning 2-1 win for Chelsea with the last kick of the game at Atletico Madrid as Diego Costa looked on from the Wanda Metropolitano stands.

Antonio Conte’s Premier League champions were unfortunate to be behind when Antoine Griezmann scored Atleti’s first European goal at their new home from the penalty spot.

The opener from the man Costa will join in a dream forward line from January onwards, having finalised his Atletico return from Chelsea on Tuesday, arrived five minutes before half-time but Alvaro Morata gave another indication that Conte’s side will cope perfectly well without their old talisman.

Morata nodded in a 59th-minute cross from the exceptional Eden Hazard to move on to seven goals in all competitions this season and worse was to follow for Diego Simeone’s men.

Instead of launching a free-kick into the area as the allotted period of injury time expired, Chelsea calmly worked possession around, with Marcos Alonso picking out substitute Batshuayi for a simple finish that left the watching Costa ashen faced.

Chelsea are top of the standings after back-to-back wins, two points clear of Roma, while Atleti have ground to make up in their pending double-header against Qarabag.

Conte handed a start to the fit-again Hazard and Chelsea’s influential playmaker began brightly.

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Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid a win over Borussia Dortmund as the Portugal star reached another milestone.


Cristiano Ronaldo marked his 400th Real Madrid appearance with two goals as the holders beat Borussia Dortmund 3-1 in their second Champions League group game.

The 32-year-old netted his 410th and 411th efforts for the club in his 150th UEFA club match after Gareth Bale’s sensational opener had put Madrid in front in what proved to be a thrilling encounter at Signal Iduna Park.

Madrid came into the match having never won away from home against BVB, but Bale’s spectacular volley put them on course for the victory after only 18 minutes.


It was an end-to-end clash that featured chances for either side before Ronaldo celebrated his latest milestone with a composed finish from Bale’s cross.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang gave Dortmund hope of a recovery but Zinedine Zidane’s men made certain of two wins from two in the defence of their trophy as Ronaldo blasted home in the closing stages.

Despite Peter Bosz’s call for caution in Monday’s pre-game news conference, Dortmund pressed Madrid high up the pitch from the kick-off and twice could have fallen behind from early counter-attacks.

First, Dani Carvajal raced into the box down the right only to shoot straight at Roman Burki, before Lukasz Piszczek just denied Bale a tap-in after Ronaldo had surged clear down the same flank.

Madrid were perhaps fortunate to escape a penalty in the 14th minute, though, with Keylor Navas deflecting the ball onto the raised hand of Sergio Ramos after Maximilian Philipp had turned the ball goalwards.

But with 18 minutes played, Dortmund’s wayward defence was punished in sumptuous style by Bale. Carvajal found space 30 yards from goal and clipped a fine pass into the path of the Wales star, who sent a sublime volley into the top-right corner, leaving Burki stranded.

Madrid should have doubled their lead before the break, Ronaldo twice firing wide and captain Ramos missing a free header from six yards out, but it needed a vital interception from Raphael Varane to deny Aubameyang an open goal moments after half-time.

But Dortmund’s slack defending was punished in ruthless fashion four minutes after the restart. Toni Kroos split the back four with a fine throughball to Bale, and his low cross from the left was steered home left-footed by Ronaldo from 12 yards out.

England striker Harry Kane scored with his right foot, left foot and his head to record his sixth treble in the calendar year.


Harry Kane continued his red-hot form in front of goal with a hat-trick as an understrength Tottenham recorded a 3-0 win away at APOEL on Tuesday.

The in-form England international’s treble – his ninth for the club overall and sixth in 2017 – took his tally to 11 for club and country in September, an astonishing run after struggling through a dry August.

Kane predictably provided the finish after being set through by Toby Alderweireld in the 39th minute to break the deadlock in the Group H fixture in Cyprus.

Moussa Sissoko assisted the second after the break, although the striker still had plenty to do when receiving a cut-back pass on the edge of the area, before a Kieran Trippier cross allowed Kane to head home another in the 67th minute.

Despite being without suspended duo Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen, as well as Christian Eriksen – left at home due to illness – and the injured Mousa Dembele, the Premier League club found a way to record just a third away win in their last 12 European outings.

Mauricio Pochettino’s patched-up XI dominated possession but found their hosts a tough nut to crack until the ever-reliable Kane scored in the 39th minute.

APOEL came close on three occasions to breaking the deadlock in the first half, starting with Igor de Camargo rattling the bar with a firm, left-footed drive that left Hugo Lloris rooted to the spot.

Centre-back Carlao was then guilty of sending a free header from a corner wide of the right post, while Lloris narrowly escaped the embarrassment of seeing his attempted clearance hit team-mate Davinson Sanchez and roll into an unguarded net after he’d ventured out of his area to deal with the danger.

The reprieve at one end was quickly followed by Tottenham’s opening goal at the other.

After the visitors had endlessly knocked the ball around without penetrating, Alderweireld produced a flat pass into the right channel to release Kane. Having breached a broken offside trap and, with just goalkeeper Boy Waterman to beat, he coolly slotted the chance home with his left foot.

His second arrived after an extended spell of APOEL pressure; Sissoko cleverly picked out his team-mate with a pass from the right and, despite being pressurised by defenders, Kane controlled the ball instantly before striking a right-footed shot into the bottom corner.

The frontman completed the perfect hat-trick when timing his run into the penalty area to meet Trippier’s teasing centre, the resulting header giving Waterman no chance.

Sergio Aguero missed a penalty and the chance to equal the club’s all-time goalscoring record in a 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.


Kevin De Bruyne scored a spectacular goal to open his account for the season and help Manchester City earn a hard-fought 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, while Sergio Aguero missed a penalty.

The star midfielder has been a creative force during City’s terrific start to the campaign and he showed his eye for goal has not left him when he rattled the ball into the top-right corner of the net early in the second half following a tricky first 45 minutes for his side.

Liverpool settled for a second successive Champions League draw to kick off their campaign as their clash with Spartak Moscow finished 1-1.


Philippe Coutinho’s brilliance was not enough to secure Liverpool’s first Champions League win since 2014 as Spartak Moscow earned a 1-1 draw.

Jurgen Klopp’s side dominated for much of Tuesday’s Group E contest at the Otkrytiye Arena, but had to settle for the point earned by Coutinho cancelling out Fernando’s effort.

Liverpool entered the fixture with added urgency following a disappointing home draw against Sevilla to open their campaign.

But they got off to a nightmare start as Fernando put the limited hosts ahead with a curling free-kick.

The visitors showed great resolve over the remainder of the first half and entered the break level thanks to Coutinho’s second goal in as many games.

Yet Spartak tightened up in the second period and Liverpool, back in the competition for the first time since the 2014-15 campaign, failed to find a winner.

Klopp’s team selection suggested he felt three points were a necessity, with an attacking line-up featuring a front four of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Coutinho.

For all those were expected to post the biggest threat, young full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold was first to go close when volleying just wide following a one-two with Salah.

The visitors stepped on the gas thereafter as Mane sent in a cross for Firmino, whose fine header was parried away by Artyom Rebrov.

Despite their dominance, Klopp’s men fell behind midway through the half through a superb free-kick from Fernando.

The midfielder was afforded his chance when slack play from Emre Can preceded a rash challenge from Coutinho.

And he made Liverpool pay, curling home a delicious 20-yard effort – although Loris Karius, selected ahead of Simon Mignolet, will feel he should have done better.

They were behind for just seven minutes, though, as Coutinho atoned for his error by curling home following a fine one-two with Mane.

Picking up where they left off, Klopp’s team threatened quickly after the break when the lively Coutinho’s free-kick forced Rebrov into action.

But that proved the only real chance during the opening exchanges of the half as Spartak largely nullified their opponents’ threat.

They were dealt a blow in the 68th minute, however, as Rebrov was forced off after colliding with Salah.

Yet his departure did not noticeably alter the pattern of the game, with Klopp sending on Daniel Sturridge and Georginio Wijnaldum in search of inspiration.

Alexander-Arnold continued to look as likely as anybody, capping another fine run by hammering narrowly over.

Even better openings fell Sturridge’s way before the end, but the England man failed to control when six yards out and volleyed over from similar range soon after.

And the final confirmation it would not be Liverpool’s night came six minutes into injury time when Rebrov’s replacement, Alexander Selikhov, made a sublime one-handed save to keep out Salah’s bullet header.

Liverpool could have gone ahead just before the break, only for a thrilling four-on-two counter-attack to be thwarted by Mane drifting offside.

Zinedine Zidane is looking to sign Julian Draxler from Paris Saint-Germain, with the Real Madrid boss reportedly an admirer of the German international.”


It’s been a slow start to the season for Real who already trail rivals Barcelona in the league, and the club will look to add to their attacking options in the new year.

Spanish publication Don Balon reports Draxler will be available following PSG’s summer transfer splash.

Julian Draxler is also desperate to be an integral part of the Germany squad at the 2018 World Cup squad but a lack of chances at PSG this term may hinder his chances.

Draxler only arrived at PSG in January and his contract runs until 2021

Only last month Germany coach Joachim Low insisted Draxler wasn’t leaving PSG.

He said: “I know for a fact that Paris don’t want to sell him. They are convinced of his outstanding qualities.”

Since signing for PSG from Wolfsburg in January, Draxler has made 17 appearances and scored four goals.

Napoli made light work of Feyenoord in the Champions League on Tuesday, taking time out to pay tribute to injured star Arkadiusz Milik.


Arkadiusz Milik’s Napoli team-mates dedicated goals to the injured star as they got off the mark in the Champions League with a comfortable 3-1 win over Feyenoord on Tuesday.

While Milik was not involved after suffering a cruel blow against SPAL in Serie A – his second ruptured cruciate ligament in a year – the Poland international was not far from hearts and minds in Naples.

Lorenzo Insigne’s opener saw the goalscorer hunt down his team-mate’s shirt and Dries Mertens, after scoring again at the start of the second half, looked to the camera to display an “M” in recognition of the forward.

Both sides had lost their opening matches in Group F, but Napoli’s reverse at Shakhtar Donetsk had been rather tighter than Feyenoord’s home humbling at the hands of Manchester City.

And there was again a gulf between the Dutch side and their opponents, even if the score-line still showed only Insigne’s seventh-minute strike at half-time.

Mertens’ 50th Napoli goal at the San Paolo soon came, though, and Jose Callejon added a third after Pepe Reina kept out a Jens Toornstra penalty at the other end, before a consolation for Feyenoord and Sofyan Amrabat arrived in stoppage time.

Mertens was back in the Napoli side after Sarri’s brave – and costly – decision to rest his main man against Shakhtar, but it was Insigne who made the early impact, taking possession in the middle of the pitch and bursting forward to drive a fine effort into the bottom-left corner.

And Insigne, intending to show his support for the injured Milik, ran to the bench to initially celebrate with a shirt bearing Piotr Zielinski’s name – courtesy of the midfielder – before correcting the error with a grin.

Feyenoord’s response was laboured and, after a lull in play, they were fortunate not to fall two behind as Brad Jones took a heavy touch and scrambled to knock the ball away from the waiting Insigne.

Jones shakily intervened again with an untidy parry from Insigne’s strike, but the goalkeeper was quickly back in action to make a far more convincing double-save from Mertens and Jorginho.

Marek Hamsik and Insigne each shot wide as Napoli ended the first half firmly on top.

The visitors held out for just four minutes of the second half before Mertens’ goal arrived, though, with the forward given time and space to coolly slide a finish under Jones before again giving a nod to Milik.

Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has suggested rumours of Marco Verratti leaving Paris Saint-Germain were more to do with him securing a new deal.


“He only wanted a better deal with PSG,” Ancelotti is quoted as saying by Le Figaro. “I know him well. Many players want to leave their clubs when the transfer window is open. But I do not know if many want it just to simply improve their contracts. I do not like these things, this kind of behavior.”

Carlo Ancelotti does know Marco Verratti well, as he was the manager in charge at the Parc des Princes when PSG signed him. The legendary coach will return to his former club on Wednesday, when these two giants of European football meet in the UEFA Champions League.

Speculation was rife about the 24-year-old’s future during the summer. In July, the player released an apology in the aftermath of comments made by his former agent Donato Di Campli suggesting he wanted to leave the French giants.

“I am very happy here, we got back to training now, I am thrilled to be back here and start working again,” he told the club’s Twitter account. “I know the club trusts me and I really want to apologise once again.”

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