City Remain Clear While Reds Ease Past Potters

The packed festive period is on the horizon as the Premier League action reached gameweek 14 with a midweek programme. 

Tuesday's action opened with a 0-0 stalemate between Brighton & Hove Albion and bottom side Crystal Palace.

Leicester City returned to winning ways with a 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.  

Jamie Vardy fired the Foxes ahead after 13 minutes before a stunning strike from Riyad Mahrez doubled the lead into half-time. Harry Kane cut the deficit on 79 minutes but the Foxes held on for a win that moved them into the top half.

Manchester United remain in second spot after a 4-2 win over Watford at Vicarage Road.

An early brace from Ashley Young was followed eight minutes later by an Anthony Martial effort for 3-0 into the interval. A great fightback from the Hornets saw Troy Deeney slot in a penalty ahead of Abdoulaye Doucouré adding a second for 3-2. United wrapped up the win a minute later as Jesse Lingard claimed their fourth. 

West Bromwich Albion and Newcastle United shared the points in a tight 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns.

Hal Robson-Kanu gave the Baggies a 1-0 advantage into the interval before Sam Field opened his account for his boyhood club on 56 minutes. The Magpies replied through Ciaran Clark three minutes later before the hosts gifted their visitors a point with eight minutes left as Jonny Evans deflected into his own net. 
 

Wednesday's action saw Arsenal romp to a 5-0 rout over Huddersfield Town at the Emirates Stadium. 

The Gunners raced out of the blocks with an Alexandre Lacazette strike inside three minutes giving them a 1-0 advantage. Hudds hopes of staging a comeback were heavily dented by three goals in as many minutes for Arsenal with Olivier Giroud, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil all finding the back of the net. A miserable evening for the Terriers was completed with three minutes to go by Olivier Giroud's second goal. 

Burnley moved up to sixth after claiming a 2-1 win away at Bournemouth. Chris Wood gave the Clarets the lead on 37 minutes before Robbie Brady doubled the lead in the 66th minute. The Cherries mounted a fightback with a goal from Joshua King with 11 minutes remaining but were unable to avoid a defeat.


Chelsea remain in third spot after a narrow 1-0 win over struggling Swansea City. The winning goal came ten minutes into the second half as Antonio Rudiger struck for the Blues.

Under the watch of incoming boss Sam Allardyce, Everton strolled to a 4-0 win over West Ham United at Goodison Park.

Wayne Rooney put the Toffees ahead on 18 minutes slotting in the rebound to his saved penalty before tapping in a second on the half hour. tThe Hammers missed a penalty at 2-0 before Rooney completed his hat-trick in style with an effort from his own half on 66 minutes before Ashley Williams completed the rout in the 77th minute.  


Manchester City left it late to extend their winning run as they secured a 2-1 win over Southampton.

City opened the scoring two minutes after half-time through Kevin De Bruyne with the Saints levelling through Oriol Romeu on 76 minutes. City had the last say though as Raheem Sterling continued his scoring streak with the winner in added time.

Liverpool ended the month on a high with a 3-0 win over Stoke City. The Reds went ahead courtesy of Sadio Mané's 19th minute effort with Mohamed Salah coming off the bench to wrap up the points with a five minute brace in the 77th and 82nd minutes.

Europa League Matchday Five Review

The penultimate round of the Europa League group stage saw a number of sides advance while others saw their exit from the competition confirmed. 

A- Villarreal sealed a spot in the knockout stages with a 3-2 win over FC Astana. The hosts took the lead through Kabananga on 22 minutes but went into half-time level after an equaliser from Rabaseda. A brace from Bakambu gave the La Liga side a 3-2 advantage which was cut late on by Tuimasi's 88th minute effort. 

Slavia Plague remain in the hunt to reach the next stage after a 2-0 win over Maccabi Tel-Aviv. The Czechs claimed the points with a nine-minute brace either side of the interval from Husbauer. 

B- Partizan Belgrade wrapped up a spot in the next stage with a 2-1 win over Young Boys. An early opener from Kana gave the hosts a 1-0 lead which was cancelled out by an equaliser from Ngamaleu. The win was sealed for Partizan by a 53rd minute effort from Ozegovic.

Dynamo Kyiv also reached the next stage despite falling to a 3-2 loss to Skenderbeu. Kyiv struck an opener on 16 minutes from Tsygankov but an instant reply from Lilaj levelled at 1-1. A four-minute double from the hosts saw Adeniyi and Sowe extend the lead to 3-1 with Kyiv's Rusyn striking late on. 


C- Istanbul Basaksehir remain in the hunt to advance after claiming a 2-1 victory over fellow challengers Ludogorets Razgrad. The Turks struck first with a 20th minute effort from Visca with Frei doubling the lead eight minutes later. The hosts cut the deficit on 65 minutes via Marcelinho but were unable to avoid defeat.

Sporting Braga confirmed a spot in the knockout stages with a 3-1 win over 1899 Hoffenheim. A rapid start from the hosts saw Teixeira strike the opening goal inside the first minute with the advantage lasting until midway through the second half as Uth levelled. Barbosa regained the lead for Braga before a miserable end for the Germans saw Barbosa wrap up the win and Szalai dismissed in added time. 

D- AEK Athens can still reach the next stage despite drawing a fourth game in a row after a 2-2 stalemate with HNK Rijeka. An early brace from Gorgon put the visitors two goals ahead before two goals either side of half-time from Araujo and Christodoulopoulos salvaged a point. 

AC Milan wrapped up top spot in the group with a comfortable 5-1 win over Austria Vienna. The Austrians struck first with a 21st minute effort from Monschein before Rodriguez levelled six minutes later. Valente Silva and Cutrone struck braces either side of the interval to complete the rout. 

E- Atalanta sit atop the group and safely in the next stage after a 5-1 humbling of Everton. Cristante's brace either side of the interval gave the Italians a two goal advantage before Sandro Ramirez cut the deficit for the Toffees. The rout was completed in style as Gosens added a third before a late brace from Cornelius. 

Olympique Lyonnais also eased to victory as they claimed a 4-0 win over Apollon Limassol. The opener for the hosts came from Diakhaby on 22 minutes before Fekir doubled the lead ten minutes later. A Mariano strike after the hour extended the lead with Maolida completing the rout late on. 

F-Lokomotiv Moskva claimed a 2-1 win over FC Kobenhavn with both sides still with a chance of reaching the next stage. The Russians struck an opener on 17 minutes through Farfan but the visitors did well to reply and levelled through Verbic on 31 minutes. The winning goal came just six minutes after half-time as Farfan completed his brace. 

Sheriff Tiraspol top the group after a 1-0 win over Zlin but are yet to seal a spot in the next stage. The crucial goal game after just 11 minutes courtesy of Jairo. 


 

G-Lugano claimed a 1-0 win over fellow eliminated side Hapoel Beer Sheva. The winning goal came five minutes after half-time from Souza Junior.

Viktoria Plzen sealed a place in the next stage after a 2-0 win over fellow qualifiers Steaua Bucharest. Petrzela got the hosts off the mark just four minutes after half-time with Kopic confirming the win in the 76th minute. 

H- FC Koln remain in the battle to qualify after claiming a 1-0 win over group winners Arsenal. The winning goal came in the 62nd minute as Guirassy slotted in a penalty.

Bate Borisov and Red Star Belgrade both remain in the hunt to reach the next stage after sharing the points in a 0-0 draw. 

I- Red Bull Salzburg wrapped up the group with a 3-0 win over Vitoria Guimaraes. The Austrians took the lead on 22 minutes with a goal from Dabbur, Ulmer doubled the lead just before half-time with Kwang rounding off the win in the 67th minute. 

Konyaspor and Marseille are both still in contention to reach the next stage after sharing the points in a 1-1 draw. A close run game burst into action late on as Amavi was dismissed for the visitors with Skubic opening the scoring with the resulting penalty on 82 minutes. The share of the points was ensured in added time after an own goal from Moke.

J- Athletic Bilbao stay in contention to advance after a 3-2 win over Hertha Berlin. The Germans opened the scoring through Leckie on 22 minutes before Aduriz levelled with a penalty which was rapidly joined by a second lead for the Germans as Selke made it 2-1. Aduriz converted a second penalty on 66 minutes to level at 2-2 before Williams sealed the points eight minutes from the end. 

Ostersunds FK sealed a place in the next stage with a 2-0 success over Zorya Luhansk. The hosts were gifted the opening goal five minutes before half-time as Grechyshkin struck an own goal. The win was confirmed with 12 minutes to go by Ghoddos's effort. 
 

K- Lazio wrapped up top spot in the group as they secured a 1-1 draw against Vitesse. The visitors opened the scoring after just 13 minutes through Linssen but an equaliser three minutes before the interval from Luis Alberto meant a share of the spoils.

OGC Nice sealed a place in the next stage with a 3-1 win over Zulte Waregem. Mario Balotelli opened the scoring for the hosts inside five minutes before doubling the lead with a penalty on 31 minutes. Hamalainen pulled a goal back for the Belgians with nine minutes to go but the hosts were to have the last say as Tameze made it 3-1.

L- Real Sociedad secured a spot in the knockout stages with a 1-0 win over Rosenborg. The crucial goal came late on as Oyarzabal struck in added time.

Zenit Saint Petersburg wrapped up top spot in the group with a 2-1 win over Vardar. The Russians went ahead on 16 minutes with Rugani's strike before Poloz doubled the lead two minutes before half-time. The visitors claimed a consolation late on from Blazevski. 

Premier League Gameweeks 12-13 Results

Champions League Matchday Five Review

The penultimate round of matches in the Champions League group stage saw a number of teams secure spots in the next stage while others saw their exit from the competition confirmed.

E - Spartak Moskva remain in the hunt to reach the knockout stages despite being held to a 1-1 draw with Maribor. The Russians took the lead with eight minutes to go with Jose Mendes Andrade's effort before being pegged back in added time by a Jasmin Mesanovic leveller.

Liverpool missed the chance to secure qualification and win the group as they were held 3-3 by Sevilla. The Reds raced into a 3-0 advantage inside the first half hour as Roberto Firmino struck inside two minutes before striking a second on the half hour after Sadio Mané doubled the lead on 22 minutes.Sevilla stunned the Reds with two goals in nine minutes from Wissam Ben Yedder, a 51st minute effort followed by a penalty on the hour. The comeback was completed in added time as Guideo Pizarro salvaged a point. 

F- Manchester City extended their perfect record to five wins with a 1-0 win over eliminated Feyernoord. City claimed the points late on with an 89th minute winner from Raheem Sterling.

Napoli remain in the hunt to advance after claiming a 3-0 win over fellow challengers Shakthar Donetsk. The sides played out an even first half before Lorenzo Insigne opened the scoring on 56 minutes and the points were wrapped up by two strikes in as many minutes late on from Piotr Zielinski and Dries Mertens. 


G- Besiktas sealed top spot in the group after claiming a 1-1 draw against FC Porto. The visitors went ahead on 29 minutes through Felipe Almeida Monteiro but were denied the win by an equaliser four minutes before half-time from Anderson Talisca. 

RB Leipzig remain in the hunt to advance after easing to a 4-1 win over eliminated AS Monaco.The Germans were gifted an early lead by a Nascimento own goal inside six minutes with Timo Werner doubling the lead three minutes later before slotting in a penalty for 3-0 on 31 minutes. Radamel Falcao cut the deficit to 3-1 two minutes before half-time with Naby Keita completing the rout in added time. 


H- Already qualified Real Madrid eased to a 6-0 hammering of eliminated Apoel Nicosia. Luka Modric put Real ahead on 22 minutes with Karim Benzema and Nacho extending the lead to 3-0 at the half-time break. 

Tottenham Hotspur wrapped up top spot in the group with a 2-1 win over eliminated Borussia Dortmund. The Germans opened the scoring on the half hour as Pierre Aubameyang struck, Spurs levelled through Harry Kane three minutes after half-time before Son Heung-Min sealed the win on 75 minutes. 

 
A- CSKA Moskva remain in the hunt to advance after claiming a 2-0 win that confirmed Benfica's elimination. Georgi Schennikov gave the hosts an early lead with a 13th minute opened before an own goal from Jardel on 56 minutes wrapped up the win for the Russians. 

Manchester United missed the chance to advance as they suffered a 1-0 loss to fellow challengers Basel. The crucial strike came on 89 minutes from Michael Lang and sets up a three way battle to claim the the two spots in the next stage with just one matchday left. 

B- Paris Saint Germain extended their perfect record to five wins with a 7-1 demolition of Celtic. The SPL side took a shock lead as Moussa Dembele struck inside the first minute with Nemymar levelling eight minutes later. before giving the hosts the lead on 22 minutes. Further strikes from Edinson Cavani and Kylian Mbappe gave the hosts a 4-1 lead at the interval.  Three goals in five minutes completed the rout as Marco Verratti and Dani Alves struck either side of a second goal for Cavani.

Already qualified Bayern Munich secured a 2-1 win that left Anderlecht still awaiting their first point. Robert Lewandowski put the Germans ahead six minutes after half-time but they were pegged back by Sofiane Hanni's 63rd minute leveller. The win was sealed for the visitors with 13 minutes remaining after Corentin Tolliso's effort. 
 

C-Chelsea confirmed their place in the next stage with a 4-0 win over Qarabag. The hosts suffered an early blow with the dismissal of Sadiqov on 19 minutes with Eden Hazard converting the resulting penalty. Willian doubled the lead nine minutes before half-time with a Cesc Fabregas penalty and second strike from Willian in the second half completing the rout.

Atletico Madrid remain in the hunt to advance after a 2-0 win over fellow challengers AS Roma. A superb strike from Antoine Griezmann opened the scoring on 69 minutes before the Italians suffered a double blow late on with Silva Peres dismissed on 83 minutes with Kevin Gameiro confirming the win two minutes later. 

D- Juventus remain in the hunt to reach the next stage as they drew 0-0 with group winners Barcelona.  

Sporting Lisbon also remain in the hunt after a 3-1 win over Olympiakos. Bas Dost opened the scoring on 40 minutes with Cesar Zanaki doubling the lead three minutes later. A second strike from Dost made it 3-0 before Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe claimed a consolation for the Greeks four minutes from the end.

Premier League Gameweek 11 Results

Europa League Matchday Four Results

Champions League Matchday Four Review

A - Basel remain in the hunt to qualify for the Last 16 despite a 2-1 defeat to fellow hopefuls CSKA Moscow. The Swiss opened the scoring through Luca Zuffi on 32 minutes but their joy was soured by two second half strikes as Alan Dzagoev levelled on 65 minutes before Pontus Wernbloom struck the winner with 11 minutes left.

Manchester United are in pole position to reach the next stage after a comfortable 3-0 win over Benfica. United opened the scoring just before half-time as having earlier saved a penalty, Mile Svilar saw Nemanja Matic's shot cannon off the post and him for 1-0. The points were sealed in the 78th minute by Daley Blind's penalty.

B -Bayern Munich wrapped up a spot in the next stage with a 2-1 win over Celtic. The Germans went ahead with a 22nd minute opener from Kingsley Coman before being pegged back by Callum McGregor's leveller on 74 minutes. The equality on the scoreboard was short lived as Javi Martinez sealed the win for Munich.

Paris Saint Germain extended their 100% record with a 5-0 win over Anderlecht which saw them seal a spot in the next stage. Marco Verratti ended a long wait for a UCL goal with the opener for the French on the half hour before Neymar doubled the lead just before half-time. The points were wrapped up by a superb 25 minute hat-trick by Layvin Kurzawa with goals in the 52nd, 72nd and 77th minutes.


C- Qarabag were denied their maiden win in the group stages as they were held 1-1 by Atletico Madrid. The Azeris took a surprise lead with Miguel Madera slotting in five minutes before the interval but Madrid were level before the hour mark with Thomas Partey's equaliser. The sides both ended the game with ten men after Pedro Henrique was dismissed for the Azeris on the hour with Stefan Savic sent off for the hosts late on. 

Roma sit in top spot after a comfortable 3-0 win over Chelsea. A perfect start for the Italians saw Stephan El Shaarawy  fired them ahead after just 44 seconds before he doubled the lead on 36 minutes. The points were wrapped up on 62 minutes as Diego Perotti slotted in the third goal.

D- Barcelona missed the chance to seal qualification for the Last 16 early as they were held to a 0-0 draw against Olympiakos.

Juventus moved closer to qualification with a 1-1 draw against fellow hopefuls Sporting Lisbon. The hosts opened the scoring with Bruno Zanaki striking in the 20th minute but Juve responded in the second half with a 78th minute leveller from Gonzalo Higuain. 



E- Liverpool moved closer to securing a spot in the next stage as they claimed a 3-0 win over Maribor. The Reds opened the scoring four minutes after half-time through Mohamed Salah with Emre Can doubling the lead in the 65th minute. The points were wrapped up in added time as Daniel Sturridge slotted in his first UCL goal in over five years.

Sevilla sit second after a 2-1 win over fellow hopefuls Spartak Moscow. The hosts opened the scoring on the half hour mark with a strike from Clement Lenglet and were 2-0 up on the hour with an effort from Ever Banega. The Russians cut the deficit with a 77th minute goal from Mendes Andrade but were unable to avoid defeat. 

F- Manchester City sealed a spot in the next stage and extended their 100% record with a 4-2 win over Napoli. The Italians struck first on 21 minutes through Lorenzo Insigne with Nicolas Otamendi levelling on 34 minutes. City completed the comeback three minutes after half-time as John Stones made it 2-1 but the sides were level again just after the hour with Jorge Filho making it 2-2. City went on to claim the points with a 69th minute strike from Sergio Aguero followed late on by an effort from Raheem Sterling.

Shakthar Donetsk sit in pole position to join Man City in the next stage after a 3-1 win over Feyernoord. The Dutch side took a 12th minute lead with a strike from Nicolai Jorgensen but were instantly pegged back by Facundo Ferreyra's equaliser before falling behind three minutes later by a goal from Marlos. The Brazilian wrapped up the points with his second strike on 68 minutes. 
 

G- Besiktas top the group but will have to wait to secure a spot in the next stage as they drew 1-1 with Monaco. The French side opened the scoring just before half-time with a Rony Lopes effort. However, they were to share the points as Cenk Tosun slotted in a penalty on 54 minutes.

FC Porto moved to second spot with a 3-1 win over RB Leipzig. The hosts went ahead inside 14 minutes with Hector Herrera scoring, they were pegged back three minutes after half-time though as Timo Werner made it 1-1. Porto regained the lead through Danilo just after the hour with Maxi Pereira striking late on. 

H- Borussia Dortmund missed the chance to boost their qualification hopes as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Apoel Nicosia.  Raphael Guerreiro gave the Germans the lead on the half hour mark but they were to share the points after a 52nd minute leveller from Mickael Poté.

Tottenham Hotspur sealed a spot in the next stage as they stunned holders Real Madrid in a 3-1 success. Spurs took the lead on 27 minutes through Dele Alli who doubled his tally on 56 minutes for a 2-0 advantage. Madrid were in trouble five minutes after the hour as Christian Eriksen made it 3-0 and the only real positive for the visitors came with 79 minutes on the clock as Cristiano Ronaldo struck to cut the gap. 

Man City Clear While Reds Defeat Hudds

Ahead of the European campaign resuming, Premier League action reached game-week 10.

Saturday's early game saw Manchester United edge a 1-0 win against fellow title challengers Tottenham Hotspur. United secured the three points with a strike from Anthony Martial eight minutes from the end.

Arsenal closed on the top three with a 2-1 win at home to Swansea City. The Swans opened the scoring with Sam Clucas striking in the 23rd minute but a seven minute double from the Gunners saw Sead Kolasinac level the game before Aaron Ramsey slotted in the winner.

Crystal Palace remain bottom of the table despite salvaging a 2-2 draw against West Ham United.

Javier Hernandez put the Hammers in front on 31 minutes with André Ayew doubling the lead two minutes before half-time. Palace cut the deficit with a Luka Milivojevic penalty five minutes after the restart with Wilfred Zaha securing a point in added time.

Liverpool cut the gap to the top four with a 3-0 win over Huddersfield Town. After a blank first half which saw a 42nd minute penalty miss from Mo Salah, goals from Daniel Sturridge and Roberto Firmino gave the hosts a 2-0 lead before the hour. The points were sealed on 76 minutes as Georginio Wijnaldum struck.

 

Stoke City moved away from the fringes of the bottom three with a narrow 1-0 win at Watford. The crucial strike came after just 17 minutes from Darren Fletcher.

Manchester City extended their stay at the top with a 3-2 win at West Bromwich Albion. Leroy Sané put City ahead on 10 minutes with Jay Rodriguez leveling three minutes later but City were back in front on 15 minutes with Raheem Sterling's effort for 2-1. Fernandinho made it 3-1 to the visitors on 64 minutes but the last say went to the hots as Matt Phillips scored in added time. 


 

Chelsea sit fourth after claiming a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth.The crucial strike came five minutes after half-time as Eden Hazard secured the points. 

Brighton and Hove Albion remain clear of the danger zone after claiming a 1-1 draw at home to Southampton.  

Steven Davis gave Saints the lead after just seven minutes but the points were to be shared as Glenn Murray equalised seven minutes after half-time.  

 

Everton remain in the bottom three after suffering a 2-0 defeat to Leicester City.

The Foxes secured the points with two goals inside the first half-hour as Jamie Vardy struck an 18th minute opener before Demarai Gray scored the second in the 29th minute.

Monday night saw Burnley move into seventh with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United. Jeff Hendrick's 73rd minute strike proved to be enough to secure all three points for the Clarets.