Category Archives: SPORTS

Ολόκληρώθηκε η προετοιμασία του Ολυμπιακού για το ντέρμπι με τον Παναθηναϊκό με τον Περέιρα να ανακοινώνει την αποστολή για το ματς, από την οποία έμειναν εκτός οι Διαμαντάκος, Μπενίτες και Αυλωνίτης.

Έτσι, οι Χάρα και Μήτρογλου είναι οι δύο παίκτες που υπολογίζει ο Περέιρα για την επίθεσή του.

Αναλυτικά η αποστολή: Μέγιερι, Ρομπέρτο, Χάρα, Εντινγκά, Μιλιβόγεβιτς, Φορτούνης, Ντομίνγκες, Ελαμπντελαουί, Ντουρμάζ, Σαλίνο, Μανιάτης, Μαζουακού, Μήτρογλου, Ντοσεβί, Κασάμι, Σαντάνα, Σιόβας, Αφελάι.

Να σημειωθεί ότι αντιπροσωπεία οπαδών βρέθηκε στις προπονητικές εγκαταστάσεις του Ρέντη ώστε να «ντοπάρει» ψυχολογικά τους παίκτες της ομάδας.

Πηγή: in.gr

Με έξι γκολ, 6-0, φιλοδώρησε η Μπάγερν Μονάχου την Πάντερμπορν, στο πλαίσιο της 22ης αγωνιστικής της Bundesliga, μία εβδομάδα μετά τη νίκη της με 8-0 επί του Αμβούργου.

Οι πρωτοπόροι Βαυαροί χάρη στο τρίο Λεβαντόφσκι, Ρόμπεν, Ριμπερί έφτασαν τους 55 βαθμούς. Οι γηπεδούχοι έμειναν με 10 παίκτες στο 62΄ όταν αποβλήθηκε ο Φλοριάν Αρτχερτς.

Η Βέρντερ στέρησε βαθμούς από τη Σάλκε, 1-1, στο γήπεδο της δεύτερης, με τον Πρεντλ να ισοφαρίζει για τους φιλοξενούμενους στις καθυστερήσεις με τον Πρεντλ.

Αντίστοιχα, η Άουγκσμπουργκ ισοφάρισε σε 2-2 απέναντι στην Μπάγερ Λεβερκούζουν, στο 94΄ με σκόρερ… τον τερματοφύλακά της, Μάρβιν Χιτς.

Αυτή είναι η πρώτη φορά από το 2006 που τερματοφύλακας σκοράρει στο γερμανικό πρωτάθλημα.

Το πρόγραμμα και η βαθμολογία, έχουν ως εξής:

Στουτγκάρδη-Ντόρτμουντ 2-3
(32΄πεν. Κλάιν, 90+1΄ Νιντερμάιερ – 25΄ Ομπαμεγιάνγκ, 39΄ Γκιουντογκάν, 89΄ Ρόις)

Πάντερμπορν-Μπάγερν Μονάχου 0-6
(24΄ & 37΄ Λεβαντόφσκι, 63΄ πεν. & 86΄ Ρόμπεν, 72΄ Ριμπερί, 78΄ Βάισερ)

Σάλκε-Βέρντερ Βρέμης 1-1
(62΄ Μάιερ – 90+ Πρεντλ)

Αουγκσμπουργκ-Λεβερκούζεν 2-2
(59′ Καϊουμπί, 90+ Χιτς – 8′ Ντρμιτς, 84΄ Ράιναρτς)

Φράιμπουργκ-Χοφενχάιμ 1-1
(26΄ Χοέν – 39΄ Βολάντ)

Μάιντς-Αϊντραχτ Φρανκφούρτης 3-1
(38΄ Κλέμενς, 47΄ Γκάις, 50΄ Μαλί – 35΄ Αϊγκνερ)

Κολονία-Ανόβερο 19:30

Αμβούργο-Γκλάντμπαχ 22/2
Βόλφσμπουργκ-Χέρτα Βερολίνου 22/2

ΒΑΘΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ (σε 22 αγώνες)
Μπάγερν Μονάχου 55
Βόλφσμπουργκ 44 -21αγ.
Γκλάντμπαχ 36 -21αγ.
Σάλκε 35
Άουγκσμπουρκ 35
Λεβερκούζεν 33
Βέρντερ Βρέμης 30
Χοφενχάιμ 30
Αϊντραχτ Φρανκφούρτης 28
Ανόβερο 25 -21αγ.
Ντόρτμουντ 25
Μάιντς 25
Κολονία 24 -21αγ.
Πάντερμπορν 23
Αμβούργο 23 -21αγ.
Φράιμπουργκ 22
Χέρτα Βερολίνου 21 -21αγ.
Στουτγκάρδη 18

Πηγή:in.gr

Οδυνηρή εντός έδρας ήττα, δεύτερη στο πρωτάθλημα μετά την Θέλτα (1/11) και, μάλιστα, με το ίδιο σκορ (1-0), γνώρισε η Μπαρτσελόνα από τη Μάλαγα στο πλαίσιο της 24ης αγωνιστικής της Primera Division.

Όσες φορές στη διάρκεια της περιόδου οι Καταλανοί έχουν την ευκαιρία να περάσουν τη Ρεάλ στη βαθμολογία, έστω και προσωρινά, πάντα… αυτοκτονούν και δεν αποκλείεται το σημερινό… πατατράκ στο «Καμπ Νου» να τους στοιχίσει ακόμη και τον τίτλο, καθώς εάν οι «μερένγκες» επικρατήσουν την Κυριακή της Έλτσε θα ξεφύγουν με 4 βαθμούς από τη… μισητή αντίπαλό τους.

Τα αποτελέσματα και οι σκόρερ:

Χετάφε-Εσπανιόλ 2-1
(57΄ Βάθκεθ, 89΄ Αρμπίγια – 33΄ Σαράμπια)

Μπαρτσελόνα-Μάλαγα 0-1
(7΄ Χουάνμι)

Κόρντομπα-Βαλένθια 19:00
Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης-Αλμερία 21:00
Κορούνια-Θέλτα 23:00
Σοσιεδάδ-Σεβίλη 22/2
Αθλέτικ Μπιλμπάο-Ράγιο Βαγεκάνο 22/2
Βιγιαρεάλ-Εϊμπάρ 22/2
Ελτσε-Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης 22/2
Λεβάντε-Γρανάδα 23/2

ΒΑΘΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ (σε 23 αγώνες)
Ρεάλ Μαδρίτης 57
Μπαρτσελόνα 56 -24αγ.
Ατλέτικο Μαδρίτης 50
Βαλένθια 47
Σεβίλη 45
Βιγιαρεάλ 41
Μάλαγα 38 -24αγ.
Εσπανιόλ 29 -24αγ.
Θέλτα 28
Εϊμπάρ 27
Ράγιο Βαγιεκάνο 26
Χετάφε 26 -24αγ.
Λα Κορούνια 24
Σοσιεδάδ 24
Αθλέτικ Μπιλμπάο 24
Αλμερία 23
Έλτσε 23
Λεβάντε 19
Γρανάδα 19
Κόρντομπα 18

Πηγή: in.gr

Μπορεί το κυριακάτικο ντέρμπι των «αιωνίων» να κλέβει την παράσταση στην 25η αγωνιστική της Σούπερ Λιγκ, ωστόσο το Σάββατο διεξάγονται ενδιαφέρουσες αναμετρήσεις για τα πλέι οφ και φυσικά τις τελευταίες θέσεις της βαθμολογίας.

Στον πρώτο αγώνα της ημέρας, ο Παναιτωλικός έμεινε στην «λευκή» ισοπαλία με τον Πανθρακικό (Πανθρακικός – Παναιτωλικός 0-0). Για τους γηπεδούχους «μοιραίος» παίκτης αναδείχθηκε ο Ιγκόρ, ο οποίος αστόχησε σε πέναλτι στο 82ο λεπτό.

Ένα γκολ στα πρώτα λεπτά του αγώνα ήταν αρκετό για την Καλλονή να κερδίσει τον ΠΑΣ Γιάννινα (Καλλονή – ΠΑΣ Γιάννινα 1-0) και να πάρει τρεις σημαντικούς βαθμούς για τη συνέχεια.

Το πρόγραμμα του Σαββάτου κλείνει με το ματς Βέροια – ΠΑΟΚ. Ο δικέφαλος του Βορρά δεν έχει άλλα περιθώρια, μετά τις ήττες από Παναιτωλικό, ΟΦΗ και Ατρόμητο.

Η Βέροια, από την άλλη, έχει απομακρυνθεί από την πεντάδα και με τους 34 βαθμούς που έχει ίσως προσπαθήσει να εκμεταλλευτεί πιθανή απώλεια βαθμών του ΠΑΣ για να έρθει και πάλι σε τροχιά πλέι οφ.

Το πρόγραμμα της 25ης αγωνιστικής:

Σάββατο 21/2
Νίκη Βόλου – Skoda Ξάνθη 0-3 (άνευ αγώνα)
Πανθρακικός – Παναιτωλικός 0-0
Καλλονή-ΠΑΣ Γιάννινα 1-0
Βέροια – ΠΑΟΚ 1-3

Κυριακή 22/2
Αστέρας Τρίπολης – ΟΦΗ (15:00)
Πανιώνιος – Λεβαδειακός (17:15)
Πλατανιάς – Κέρκυρα (17:15)
Παναθηναϊκός – Ολυμπιακός (19:30)

Δευτέρα 23/2
Εργοτέλης – Ατρόμητος (19:30)

ΒΑΘΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ
1. Ολυμπιακός 24 58
2. Παναθηναϊκός 24 52
3. ΠΑΟΚ 25 50
4. Παναιτωλικός 25 42
5. Αστέρας Τρίπολης 24 41
6. ΠΑΣ Γιάννινα 25 37
. Ξάνθη 25 37
8. Ατρόμητος 23 34
. Βέροια 25 34
10. Καλλονή 25 31
11. Κέρκυρα 24 30
12. Πανθρακικός 25 28
13. Πλατανιάς Χανίων 24 26
14. Πανιώνιος 24 25
15. Λεβαδειακός 24 22
. Εργοτέλης 24 22
17. ΟΦΗ 23 13
18. Νίκη Βόλου 25 -6

* Στον ΟΦΗ έχει επιβληθεί ποινή αφαίρεσης 10 βαθμών
** Η Νίκη Βόλου έχει αποχωρήσει από το πρωτάθλημα

Πηγή:in.gr

Απώλεια βαθμών για την πρωτοπόρο Τσέλσι, αφού αρκέστηκε σε ισοπαλία, 1-1, στο Λονδίνο με την Μπέρνλι, για την 26η αγωνιστική.

Ο Μπράνισλαν Ιβάνοβιτς είχε ανοίξει το σκορ για τους γηπεδούχους στο 14ο λεπτό, αλλά στο 70΄ έμειναν με 10 παίκτες (αποβλήθηκε ο Νεμάνια Μάτις), με τον Μπεν Μι να σκοράρει στο 81΄ για τους φιλοξενούμενους.

Νικηφόρα πέρασε από το νότιο Λονδίνο η Αρσεναλ, 2-1, απέναντι στην Κρίσταλ Πάλας.

Η Μάτσεστερ Γιουνάιτεντ… στραβοπάτησε στην έδρα της Σούνσι, 2-1. Αν και προηγήθηκε με τον Ερέρα, η ομάδα του Φαν Χάαλ δε χάρηκε για περισσότερα από 2 λεπτά, καθώς ο Κι ισοφάρισε άμεσα, με τους Ουαλούς να εξασφαλίζουν τους τρεις βαθμούς χάρη στο γκολ του Γκομίς.

Σε αγώνες της 26ης αγωνιστικής της Πρέμιερ Λιγκ σημειώθηκαν τα εξής αποτελέσματα:

Αστον Βίλα-Στόουκ Σίτι 1-2
(20′ Σινκέρ – 45΄ Ντιούφ, 90΄ πεν. Μόουζες)

Τσέλσι-Μπέρνλι 1-1
(14΄ Ιβάνοβιτς – 81΄ Μπεν Μι)

Κρίσταλ Πάλας-Αρσεναλ 1-2
(90΄ Μάρεϊ – 8΄ Καθόρλα, 45΄ Ζιρού)

Χαλ-ΚΠΡ 2-1
(16΄ Γέλαβιτς, 89΄ Εν΄Ντογέ – 39΄ Όστιν)

Σάντερλαντ-Γουέστ Μπρομ 0-0

Σουόνσι-Μάντσεστερ Γ. 2-1
(30΄ Σουνγκ Γιουένγκ Κι, 73΄ Γκομίς – 28΄ Ερέρα)

Μάντσεστερ Σίτι-Νιούκαστλ 19:30

Τότεναμ-Γουέστ Χαμ 22/2
Εβερτον-Λέστερ 22/2
Σαουθάμπτον-Λίβερπουλ 22/2

ΒΑΘΜΟΛΟΓΙΑ (σε 26 αγώνες)
Τσέλσι 60
Μάντσεστερ Σίτι 52 -25αγ.
Άρσεναλ 48
Μάντσεστερ Γιουν. 47
Σαουθάμπτον 46 -25αγ.
Τότεναμ 43 -25αγ.
Λίβερπουλ 42 -25αγ.
Γουέστ Χαμ 38 -25αγ.
Σουόνσι 37
Στόουκ Σίτι 36
Νιούκαστλ 32 -25αγ.
Έβερτον 27 -25αγ.
Κρίσταλ Πάλας 27
Γουέστ Μπρομ 27
Χαλ 26
Σάντερλαντ 25
ΚΠΡ 22
Μπέρνλι 22
Άστον Βίλα 22
Λέστερ 17 -25αγ.

Πηγή: in.gr

Swansea City scored a deflected winner to record yet another 2-1 victory over Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday.

The Welsh club beat United by the same scoreline in last season’s FA Cup third-round tie at Old Trafford, before pulling off a repeat away performance on the opening day of the current league campaign.

Jonjo Shelvey’s thunderous 73rd-minute strike, which deflected off the head of Bafetimbi Gomis, who was ultimately credited with the goal, means three of the last four meetings between these sides have finished 2-1 in Swansea’s favour.

After Swansea had looked the more dangerous in the opening stages, it was the visitors who went in front thanks to Ander Herrera’s deflected shot shortly before the half-hour mark.

Yet Swansea were level two minutes later, when Ki Sung-yueng got his boot to a Shelvey cross from the left.

United put Swansea under sustained pressure for long spells of the second half, but the hosts struck late on to subject Louis van Gaal’s men to a first defeat in five league matches.

Robin van Persie’s return from injury saw Radamel Falcao drop to the bench following a disappointing display at Preston North End in the FA Cup on Monday, while Swansea adopted an unfamiliar narrow formation as Gylfi Sigurdsson made his comeback from a three-match ban.

Garry Monk’s new set-up almost paid off in the opening stages as Wayne Routledge found a gap in the United defence, but Sigurdsson’s eventual effort deflected wide.

Gomis’ powerful header from the resulting corner looked destined for the bottom corner before being cleared off the line by Herrera. The French striker also headed over soon after.

United offered little in attack early on and Van Persie was unable to find the target from a tight angle when goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski flapped at a Wayne Rooney cross.

Swansea continued to pose the greater threat, with Routledge – given time to turn in the United box – sending a soft effort into the arms of David de Gea after 17 minutes.

Having saved his side at one end, it was Herrera who put United in front against the run of play at the other in the 28th minute.

Angel Di Maria found Herrera in space just inside the box and the Spanish midfielder guided a low strike into the bottom-left corner via the slightest of deflections from Swansea captain Ashley Williams.

That lead lasted just two minutes, though, as Ki – scorer of Swansea’s opener in the victory at Old Trafford in August – turned in a Shelvey cross.

The South Korea international came close to applying the finish to another Shelvey centre early in the second half, but De Gea did well to rush off his line and thwart the attack.

Van Persie fired into the side-netting as United probed with a series of attacks, but the Swansea backline was holding firm.

And Swansea’s patience paid off when Shelvey rifled home a winner from 20 yards, although the ball did take a significant nick off the head of Gomis.

United pressed forward, as they had done in search of a winner prior to Swansea’s second strike, but the home side clung on for just their second win in eight league matches.

Swansea manager Garry Monk: “I don’t know if today is better than the win at Old Trafford – it’s quite even. It was a great result – what a fantastic day. The team have done tremendously well against a side like Manchester United. To take six points off Manchester United for the first time in the club’s history is a great achievement. To make history for this club is fantastic for this team to be remembered and it is no mean feat.”

“Whenever you go a goal down it is against the plan but I thought we showed a good reaction. That’s what we did, we got a goal back straight away and finished the half OK.

“We came out in the second half and had to withstand some pressure – understandable because Manchester United are a very good side. I thought we defended very well and I can only remember them having one shot on target in the second half.”

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: “Of course you can say we dominated the game but the only thing we could have done more was score more out of the chances we created. Today we were the unlucky team. I think we created enough chances. We were the dominant side in both halves.

“Conceding so quickly after opening the scoring was important. It was a throw in for Swansea and we should have been more organised. But it was a good goal by Swansea. Today we played well – only we forgot to score. We have to be more effective.”

source:premierleague.com

Ben Mee celebrates after scoring the equaliser for Burnley at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea had taken the lead inside the opening quarter of an hour thanks to Branislav Ivanovic’s fourth goal in six matches in all competitions. The defender finished from close range after good work from Eden Hazard on the by-line.

The home side looked comfortable for large periods but Nemanja Matic was sent off with 20 minutes remaining for reacting to an Ashley Barnes challenge.

The visitors, battling to avoid relegation from the top flight, snatched an equaliser with nine minutes to go as Mee rose highest to head in Kieran Trippier’s left-wing corner.

Arsenal kept up the pressure on their top-four rivals as goals from Santi Cazorla and Olivier Giroud ensured a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

The pair were on target before the interval as Arsene Wenger’s side moved up to third in the BPL table after Manchester United were beaten by Swansea City, with Southampton in action against Liverpool on Sunday.

A clumsy tackle from Pape Souare on Danny Welbeck allowed Cazorla to open the scoring from the spot after eight minutes, before Arsenal landed another blow on the stroke of half-time.

Quick thinking from Giroud inside the area allowed him to prod home the second after Welbeck’s shot was saved. Despite their resolute second-half display eventually being ended when substitute Glenn Murray scored late on for Palace and then struck the woodwork, the visitors held on.

Swansea City recorded a League double over Manchester United thanks to a deflected strike with 17 minutes to go.

Jonjo Shelvey’s thunderous 73rd-minute effort, which deflected off the head of Bafetimbi Gomis, who was ultimately credited with the goal, means three of the last four meetings between these sides have finished 2-1 in Swansea’s favour.

After Swansea had looked the more dangerous in the opening stages, it was the visitors who went in front thanks to Ander Herrera’s deflected shot shortly before the half-hour mark. Yet Swansea were level two minutes later, when Ki Sung-yueng got his boot to a Shelvey cross from the left.

United put Swansea under sustained pressure for long spells of the second half but the hosts struck late on to subject Louis van Gaal’s men to a first defeat in five league matches.

A stoppage-time penalty from Victor Moses spoiled Tim Sherwood’s first match in charge of Aston Villa as Stoke City earned a 2-1 victory at Villa Park.

Sherwood saw his side remain in the bottom three after Ron Vlaar fouled Moses, with the forward coolly converting from 12 yards after the defender was sent off.

Scott Sinclair had put Villa in front when he headed in his first top-flight goal since August 2012 after 20 minutes but Stoke restored parity before the break.

Mame Biram Diouf met Stephen Ireland’s cross seven yards from goal and placed his header past Brad Guzan on the goalkeeper’s 100th successive league start.

Dame N’Doye marked his 30th birthday with a last-minute goal as Hull City claimed a vital 2-1 win over fellow strugglers Queens Park Rangers.

A nervy affair was brought to life after 16 minutes when a defensive error allowed Nikica Jelavic to fire home for the hosts, before QPR captain Joey Barton was shown a red card after a confrontation with Tom Huddlestone.

Charlie Austin was on hand to restore parity just before half-time, flicking home a teasing cross from Matt Phillips, but N’Doye fired home at the death to earn his side a second consecutive league win. It is the first time Hull, who are now up to 15th, have sealed back-to-back league victories since September 2013.

Sunderland were unable to break down Tony Pulis’ stubborn West Bromwich Albion side, as the visitors held on to earn a 0-0 draw.

Although failing to create clear-cut chances, Sunderland should have been ahead on the stroke of half time when Adam Johnson stole in to tuck home from close-range, but the goal was ruled out.

Santiago Vergini could not open his Sunderland account 15 minutes into the second half while Connor Wickham went close with a header with just over 10 minutes remaining, but for all their pressure, Sunderland were unable to snatch a winner.

source:premierleague.com

ADELAIDE United’s Premier’s Plate hopes were revived when Sergio Cirio found a winner at the death in a 2-1 win over bottom club Western Sydney Wanderers at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

Wanderers – reduced to 10 men for the final seven minutes – were on their way to stealing another two valuable points before Cirio finally found his range from a Craig Goodwin cross.

Adelaide is now a point behind leader Perth Glory after Wanderers sent shockwaves through the Reds camp in the first half.

Labinot Haliti surprised a lethargic Reds outfit, nailing his first ever goal against Adelaide in the 20th minute.

The contest then swung Adelaide’s way in the second half.

Bruce Djite equalised in the 51st minute when Marcelo Carrusca put a simple ball out wide which saw Ante Covic committed too soon before the Reds striker smacked the ball into an empty net.

The goal lifted the home side after Wanderers frustrated the life out of the Reds in the first half.

Djite was brought down by Socceroos Matthew Spiranovic in the 55th minute and was booked for his efforts as Adelaide was trying to find a second goal.

Spiranovic was eventually given his marching orders in the 83rd minute when he appeared to strike Isaias when the pair clashed during a Reds corner.

Sergio Cirio celebrates with his teammates after scoring the winner. Source: Getty Images

Adelaide deserved the points after it had Wanderers under pressure for most of the second half.

Covic made two brilliant stops in the space of a minute but Wanderers managed to hang on from the resultant corners before the hour mark.

Cirio spurned a golden chance shooting over the bar in the 65th minute after Awer Mabil created the opening as Adelaide risked getting caught at the back due to its eagerness in going forward.

Goodwin smacked the ball right at Covic when he was in the clear in the 67th minute from a Mabil switch of play before Wanderers tried to slow the tempo of the game down.

Djite was dragged for Pablo Sanchez in the 69th minute and Carrusca should have made it 2-1 but he was too cute with a soft chip when Covic caught the slow motion ball in the 76th minute.

But it was a vastly different first half performance from the Reds.

Labinot Haliti of the Wanderers opened the scoring. Source: Getty Images

Haliti was awarded a simple tap in from five metres when Adelaide failed to clear a Nikita Rukavytsya free kick on the edge of the box to open the score.

Eugene Galekovic’s fisted clearance fell to Brendon Santalab who nailed a volley across the face of the box and former Wanderer Tarek Elrich appeared to keep Haliti onside before he stunned to home side.

A minute later Galekovic rescued the Reds when he parried a Rukavytsya 15m shot out to safety.

Wanderers who are clearly preparing to defend their AFC Champions League crown with an opening round group stage clash against Kashima Antlers in Japan on Wednesday pulled out its international game plan.

James Jeggo competes for the ball wit Yojiro Takahagi of the Wanderers. Source: Getty Images

They were compact, limited Adelaide space in between the lines and were intent varying their game with pressing and sit and wait tactics making United impatient.

But Adelaide did have its first half chances.

Carrusca tried to create an opening in the 11th minute but the Argentine’s back heel when Wanderers’ defence was caught out of position backfired.

The away side was then dealt a blow in the 33rd minute when Santalab was forced to end his shift.

Santalab succumbed to a shoulder injury after hitting the deck with Osama Malik in the seventh minute.

Party time for the Reds. Source: Getty Images

Socceroos Asian Cup winning star and former Reds striker Tomi Juric entered the fray two minutes before Cirio skied a brilliant chance wide when he was put through from an Erlich through ball.

But with the home fans clearly frustrated by Adelaide’s drained start after referee Peter O’Leary ordered a drinks break on the half-hour due to the 36C temperature at kick off, every call in favour of Wanderers was scorned by the partisan crowd.

Malik then threw a massive scare in the Reds camp in the 42nd minute when his knee appeared to buckle when he was attempting a slide tackle on Juric.

Although he made it back on the park briefly after treatment while Cirio kept prodding for a goal before Ante Covic’s big chest blocked the Spaniard’s chip in the 43rd minute, Malik was clearly distressed.

He was forced off the park in the 45th minute when he collapsed in a heap in the box with Craig Goodwin slotting into the left back role while Elrich covered as stopper.

But Wanderers continued to frustrate Adelaide in the first half as Mateo Poljak incensed Reds fans when his untimely lunge floored Isaias before the midfielder found his way into O’Leary’s book.

Mabil started the second half for Miguel Palanca as Adelaide was on the hunt for goals and points.

Coach Josep Gombau opted for a three man defence in the second half as Goodwin pushed up on the left wing while Cirio was shifted centrally.

Originally published as Reds’ late winner breaks Wanderers’ hearts.

source:theaustralian.com.au

                         Sydney FC 4 Central Coast Mariners 2

Sydney FC continued their impressive form after the January break with a thrilling 4-2 comeback over Central Coast Mariners, who head home reeling over a loss they should never have suffered.

In one of the most entertaining games of the season, the hosts were made to work much harder for a win than many had predicted, with the additional labour caused by their problematic defence. Looking like two different sides depending which side of possession they were on, Sydney FC were seemingly unstoppable with the ball at their feet but a porous backline caused constant fears for coach Graham Arnold.

“I have to say Mariners were good today, Mariners deserved more today and let’s be honest, it’s very healthy when I can look down the bench and bring on someone like Shane Smeltz who can change the game,” Arnold said. “I’m not happy with the game, I’m happy with the result.”

Too easy: Fabio Ferreira scores after beating a porous Sydney FC defence. Photo: Getty Images

Few defeats will hurt as much for the Mariners, left with nothing despite having plenty of chances to steal an unlikely win. On the balance of play, they were second best but so impressive were they on the counter that coach Phil Moss could be justified in feeling they should have at least claimed a point.

The victory signalled the entrance of a system for Sydney as Mickael Tavares, Terry Antonis and Milos Dimitrijevic all started together in the midfield of a 4-3-3 formation. The result was more than eye-catching but not without its problems. They were beautiful in attack, clever in possession, however disorganised at the back.

It all started so brightly as Marc Janko began proceedings with an early headed goal from a corner with his two metre-tall frame too difficult to contain for three Mariners defenders.

However, their fragility in defence undermined their composed play. Time and time again the Mariners got behind Sydney’s back four with ease. Vedran Janjetovic pulled off two superb saves to deny Isaka Cernak, first by timing his run perfectly to shut down a one-on-one chance and then with another well-timed dive to block a first-time finish at the back post.

Eventually, the Mariners made them suffer. Anthony Caceres supplied a perfectly weighted pass to cut through Sydney’s defence and play Ferreira through on goal, drawing the sides level with a delicate lob over Janjetovic on the stroke of half-time.

Concerns over their defensive positioning remained as the Sky Blues failed to match their fluid possession with a stern back line. Janjetovic again denied Ferreira a second goal by producing a magnificent save in a one-on-one situation. However, that only delayed the inevitable.

Just before the hour mark the Mariners took a lead nobody expected before the match. Cernak wove his way through a static Sydney defence, jinking past opponents with ease before sliding a clever ball to Ferreira inside the box. He made no mistake this time.

Just as a boilover loomed, Sydney hit back in emphatic style. Substitute Rhyan Grant clawed his side back into the contest with a sensational long-range shot from the outside of his right boot. The power and outward swerve meant the only contact Liam Reddy could make was picking the ball out of the net.

At 2-2, it was game on. That morale-boosting strike changed Sydney’s approach. Their defence strengthened, their attack was more purposeful and reinforced by the deadly Smeltz. And it was that man who stole the show. Latching on to a clever knock-down from Janko inside the box, Smeltz turned past three defenders with two clever dummies before slotting the ball into the corner of the net. To make sure of the three points, Janko nabbed his second with a tap-in that left the Mariners pained with the injustice of the scoreboard.

source:smh.com.au

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman expects an open match when Liverpool visit St Mary’s Stadium on Sunday.

The two clubs met on the opening weekend of the season, when Liverpool triumphed 2-1 at Anfield thanks to Daniel Sturridge’s winner 11 minutes from time.

That came despite a spirited performance from Southampton, who many people tipped to struggle after seeing a host of their star names depart – three of them to Liverpool.

For Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Dejan Lovren, the match represents their first return to their former club. Lallana, who spent 14 years at Southampton and captained them to an eighth-place finish last term, is likely to be the only one of that trio given a starting role.

After being frustrated by Swansea City and West Ham United in their last two home matches, Koeman is expecting Liverpool to show more attacking intent.

“I think it’s about teams. I don’t expect Liverpool to come in that way on Sunday,” he said. “We have to know that Swansea and West Ham didn’t come to Southampton to play open and offensively. That brings difficulties and we didn’t have the quality to break them down.

“This Sunday is totally different, but it’s all about sharpness in the box, possibilities. I think it’s a good time to score goals and create more opportunities than we did in the last two games.”

Southampton go into the match fourth in the table, four points and three places clear of their opponents in the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.

They have lost one of their last nine league matches, while Liverpool have tasted defeat only once in their past 17 outings in all competitions.

Rodgers confident in Reds’ quality

With that run of form boosting their hopes of a top-four finish, manager Brendan Rodgers says this weekend’s encounter is an important one as they look to move to within a point of Southampton.

“They’ve kept their momentum going over the last five seasons,” he said. “They’ve found themselves in the top four and deservedly so. With 13 games to go, it would be a big step for us to get a result. We know we’ve got the quality and confidence to go there and get a result. We need to keep edging towards it [the top four].”

Rodgers confirmed that captain Steven Gerrard (hamstring) would be unavailable for the match on Sunday.

For Southampton, Koeman said Shane Long and Morgan Schneiderlin were looking “positive” after respective rib and groin problems and expects them to be in contention this weekend. Centre-back Toby Alderweireld is still out with a hamstring injury and Ryan Bertrand serves the last fixture of his three-match suspension.

Southampton (from): K Davis, Forster, Gazzaniga, Clyne, Fonte, Gape, Gardos, Targett, Yoshida, S Davis, Djuricic, Elia, Mane, McQueen, Reed, Schneiderlin, Tadic, Wanyama, Ward-Prowse, Gallagher, Long, Pelle, Seager.

Liverpool (from): Mignolet, Ward, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Lovren, Manquillo, Moreno, Sakho, Skrtel, Toure, Allen, Can, Coutinho, Henderson, Lallana, Markovic, Balotelli, Borini, Ibe, Lambert, Sterling, Sturridge.

source:premierleague.com