Tuesday, 7 October 2014
Thursday, 24 October 2013
Robben refuses to take penalty
Arjen Robben's refusal to take a penalty for Bayern
Munich in defiance of coach Pep Guardiola's orders during
Wednesday's 5-0 Champion League win over Viktoria
Plzen was the only blot on the game for the holders.
The winger refused to take the 25th-minute spot kick
awarded for a foul on him despite Guardiola's shouts of
"Arjen, Arjen" from the sidelines.
On Saturday, Robben had been angered after being told
not to take a penalty in the 4-1 Bundesliga win over Mainz
05 with Guardiola instead choosing Thomas Mueller, who
was on the bench at the time on Wednesday.
"I do not want to talk about it," a visibly irritated Robben
told reporters when asked about the incident. "Let's not talk
about it, let's drop it.
"We had a very good game and 5-0 is a great result but we
could have done better if we really want to be very critical."
Guardiola confirmed Robben had been his choice for the
spot kick but did not comment further.
"I did want Arjen to take the penalty," he said.
It was up to Franck Ribery, who scored from the spot, to
smooth over the incident.
"Arjen was a bit irritated," said the Frenchman. "The coach
said Arjen but Arjen did not want to shoot.
"That is football. it can happen it's natural" added Ribery.
Munich in defiance of coach Pep Guardiola's orders during
Wednesday's 5-0 Champion League win over Viktoria
Plzen was the only blot on the game for the holders.
The winger refused to take the 25th-minute spot kick
awarded for a foul on him despite Guardiola's shouts of
"Arjen, Arjen" from the sidelines.
On Saturday, Robben had been angered after being told
not to take a penalty in the 4-1 Bundesliga win over Mainz
05 with Guardiola instead choosing Thomas Mueller, who
was on the bench at the time on Wednesday.
"I do not want to talk about it," a visibly irritated Robben
told reporters when asked about the incident. "Let's not talk
about it, let's drop it.
"We had a very good game and 5-0 is a great result but we
could have done better if we really want to be very critical."
Guardiola confirmed Robben had been his choice for the
spot kick but did not comment further.
"I did want Arjen to take the penalty," he said.
It was up to Franck Ribery, who scored from the spot, to
smooth over the incident.
"Arjen was a bit irritated," said the Frenchman. "The coach
said Arjen but Arjen did not want to shoot.
"That is football. it can happen it's natural" added Ribery.
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
Champions League Review: Messi earns Barca draw, Torres stars, Lewandowski sinks Arsenal
Lionel Messi marked his first start after injury with a goal
in Barcelona's 1-1 draw at AC Milan in the Champions
League on Tuesday while Fernando Torres got two as
Chelsea thumped Schalke and Atletico Madrid's charge
continued.
Robert Lewandowski got the 82nd-minute winner as
Borussia Dortmund put the brakes on Arsenal's campaign
with a 2-1 win in London that, along with Napoli's 2-1
victory at Olympique Marseille, put three teams on six
points in Group F.
There is a clear leader in Group G, where Atletico made it
three wins from three with a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna
that left them a point away from the 10 that are usually
enough to send teams into the last 16 of Europe's elite club
competition.
With Diego Costa scoring twice, including a stunning solo
effort, they went five points clear of second-placed Zenit St
Petersburg, who made the most of the sixth-minute sending
off of Porto's Hector Herrera - the competition's fastest ever
dismissal from two yellow cards - to beat their hosts 1-0.
In Group E, Chelsea moved level on six points with
Schalke 04 at the top with a 3-0 win in Germany where
Torres celebrated his 100th start for the club with the fifth-
minute opener and another after 69 minutes before Eden
Hazard added a late goal.
The top two are clear of third-placed Basle, who have four
points ahead of Steaua Bucharest on one after those two
teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Romania.
Celtic got their first points in Group H after a James Forrest
penalty on the stroke of halftime and a deflected shot by
Beram Kayal early in the second half helped them to a 2-1
win over Ajax Amsterdam, who got a consolation in added
time.
Barca are in charge of that group with seven points, while
Milan - who had gone ahead through Robinho's ninth-
minute opener before Messi levelled after 23 minutes - have
five points. Celtic are on three points with Ajax bottom on
one.
The day's biggest statement of intent came from 2012
European champions Chelsea, who have now made
amends for the home defeat by Basle in their opener with
two away victories.
Spaniard Torres, so often uninspired in domestic
competition, once again shone on the big stage with two
goals and could easily have had a hat-trick as he smashed a
header against the bar from just inside the area.
He, like Messi, had just returned from injury and his lively
contribution came at just the right time for his club.
"If you do garbage (against Basle) then you have to clean it
up and we cleaned it up," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
told Sky Sports. "We've got two matches at home so now
we are in good condition to qualify and we'll try to finish
top. It's an important victory for us."
The glamour match at the San Siro where seven-time
European champions Milan hosted four-times winners
Barcelona fizzled out in the second half after a frantic
opening period of pressure from the Italians.
Milan took an early lead through Robinho following a
smart exchange with Kaka after nine minutes but with
Barca then dominating possession, it was a matter of time
before they made it count.
Andres Iniesta found Messi - making his first start after a
three-week layoff - in space on the right and the Argentine
kept his cool under pressure from Kevin Constant and
Riccardo Montolivo to find the bottom right corner to
equalise.
"We lost two points... because we created more goal
chances and for this reason we deserved a victory," said
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino, whose side, like Milan,
remain unbeaten in the group.
Unlike Martino, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would
have been happy with a draw in their match at home to
Dortmund because it would have kept them top of Group
F.
Instead, the section was blown wide open as the
Londoners, who lead the Premier League after some stylish
performances and had enjoyed back-to-back European
wins before this match, received a reality check.
The Germans, whose coach Juergen Klopp watched from
the stands as he served a touchline ban, took a 16th-minute
lead through Henrikh Mkhitaryan before Olivier Giroud
equalised for the hosts before the break.
Wenger had spoken of the danger of Dortmund's Polish
players before the game and his fears were proved right
when Lewandowski volleyed home eight minutes from
time to snatch the points.
"We were not as good as we can be offensively and some
of the players tonight were not as fresh as recently,"
Wenger told reporters. "If you can't win games you mustn't
lose them.
"In the second half we were on top but if you concede two
goals you can only say we have to look at ourselves at not
being mature enough in situations like that."
"It's tight now and difficult for us. But possible."
Group G, meanwhile, is anything but open as Atletico
Madrid became the only team to still have a 100 percent
record after three rounds of matches.
Costa enjoyed a dream competition debut in Vienna,
scoring the second and third goals including a superb effort
after he raced from inside the Atletico half and danced past
the last defender before slipping the ball into the corner of
the net.
It was the other extreme for another Group G player,
Herrera, whose first Champions League start lasted six
minutes.
The 23-year-old Porto midfielder was shown his first
yellow card after a foul and then picked up a second
booking for encroaching on the free kick he had just given
away to set a red card record he will want to forget.
The hosts almost managed to hang on for a draw before an
86th-minute header from Aleksandr Kerzhakov stole the
points for Zenit, with the salt in the wound coming from
the fact that ex-Porto forward Hulk had set up the goal.
in Barcelona's 1-1 draw at AC Milan in the Champions
League on Tuesday while Fernando Torres got two as
Chelsea thumped Schalke and Atletico Madrid's charge
continued.
Robert Lewandowski got the 82nd-minute winner as
Borussia Dortmund put the brakes on Arsenal's campaign
with a 2-1 win in London that, along with Napoli's 2-1
victory at Olympique Marseille, put three teams on six
points in Group F.
There is a clear leader in Group G, where Atletico made it
three wins from three with a 3-0 victory at Austria Vienna
that left them a point away from the 10 that are usually
enough to send teams into the last 16 of Europe's elite club
competition.
With Diego Costa scoring twice, including a stunning solo
effort, they went five points clear of second-placed Zenit St
Petersburg, who made the most of the sixth-minute sending
off of Porto's Hector Herrera - the competition's fastest ever
dismissal from two yellow cards - to beat their hosts 1-0.
In Group E, Chelsea moved level on six points with
Schalke 04 at the top with a 3-0 win in Germany where
Torres celebrated his 100th start for the club with the fifth-
minute opener and another after 69 minutes before Eden
Hazard added a late goal.
The top two are clear of third-placed Basle, who have four
points ahead of Steaua Bucharest on one after those two
teams shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw in Romania.
Celtic got their first points in Group H after a James Forrest
penalty on the stroke of halftime and a deflected shot by
Beram Kayal early in the second half helped them to a 2-1
win over Ajax Amsterdam, who got a consolation in added
time.
Barca are in charge of that group with seven points, while
Milan - who had gone ahead through Robinho's ninth-
minute opener before Messi levelled after 23 minutes - have
five points. Celtic are on three points with Ajax bottom on
one.
The day's biggest statement of intent came from 2012
European champions Chelsea, who have now made
amends for the home defeat by Basle in their opener with
two away victories.
Spaniard Torres, so often uninspired in domestic
competition, once again shone on the big stage with two
goals and could easily have had a hat-trick as he smashed a
header against the bar from just inside the area.
He, like Messi, had just returned from injury and his lively
contribution came at just the right time for his club.
"If you do garbage (against Basle) then you have to clean it
up and we cleaned it up," Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
told Sky Sports. "We've got two matches at home so now
we are in good condition to qualify and we'll try to finish
top. It's an important victory for us."
The glamour match at the San Siro where seven-time
European champions Milan hosted four-times winners
Barcelona fizzled out in the second half after a frantic
opening period of pressure from the Italians.
Milan took an early lead through Robinho following a
smart exchange with Kaka after nine minutes but with
Barca then dominating possession, it was a matter of time
before they made it count.
Andres Iniesta found Messi - making his first start after a
three-week layoff - in space on the right and the Argentine
kept his cool under pressure from Kevin Constant and
Riccardo Montolivo to find the bottom right corner to
equalise.
"We lost two points... because we created more goal
chances and for this reason we deserved a victory," said
Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino, whose side, like Milan,
remain unbeaten in the group.
Unlike Martino, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would
have been happy with a draw in their match at home to
Dortmund because it would have kept them top of Group
F.
Instead, the section was blown wide open as the
Londoners, who lead the Premier League after some stylish
performances and had enjoyed back-to-back European
wins before this match, received a reality check.
The Germans, whose coach Juergen Klopp watched from
the stands as he served a touchline ban, took a 16th-minute
lead through Henrikh Mkhitaryan before Olivier Giroud
equalised for the hosts before the break.
Wenger had spoken of the danger of Dortmund's Polish
players before the game and his fears were proved right
when Lewandowski volleyed home eight minutes from
time to snatch the points.
"We were not as good as we can be offensively and some
of the players tonight were not as fresh as recently,"
Wenger told reporters. "If you can't win games you mustn't
lose them.
"In the second half we were on top but if you concede two
goals you can only say we have to look at ourselves at not
being mature enough in situations like that."
"It's tight now and difficult for us. But possible."
Group G, meanwhile, is anything but open as Atletico
Madrid became the only team to still have a 100 percent
record after three rounds of matches.
Costa enjoyed a dream competition debut in Vienna,
scoring the second and third goals including a superb effort
after he raced from inside the Atletico half and danced past
the last defender before slipping the ball into the corner of
the net.
It was the other extreme for another Group G player,
Herrera, whose first Champions League start lasted six
minutes.
The 23-year-old Porto midfielder was shown his first
yellow card after a foul and then picked up a second
booking for encroaching on the free kick he had just given
away to set a red card record he will want to forget.
The hosts almost managed to hang on for a draw before an
86th-minute header from Aleksandr Kerzhakov stole the
points for Zenit, with the salt in the wound coming from
the fact that ex-Porto forward Hulk had set up the goal.
Monday, 21 October 2013
Mourinho charged for improper conduct
Jose Mourinho was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Monday after being sent to the stands during Chelsea's 4-1 win over Cardiff.
There were a number of controversial incidents in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Chelsea manager Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor for the final 20 minutes after losing his cool when a series of decisions went against his team.
Mourinho went to sit with the fans, making the day of those he sat next to, but his own frustration was clear.
Earlier in the match, Chelsea's Eden Hazard had scored a controversial equaliser after Samuel Eto'o dispossessed Cardiff's David Marshall as the goalkeeper bounced the ball, contrary to Fifa rules.
The former Real Madrid boss has been given until 1700GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge.
The nature of the offence means Mourinho is most likely to
face a fine, rather than a ban.
There were a number of controversial incidents in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Chelsea manager Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor for the final 20 minutes after losing his cool when a series of decisions went against his team.
Mourinho went to sit with the fans, making the day of those he sat next to, but his own frustration was clear.
Earlier in the match, Chelsea's Eden Hazard had scored a controversial equaliser after Samuel Eto'o dispossessed Cardiff's David Marshall as the goalkeeper bounced the ball, contrary to Fifa rules.
The former Real Madrid boss has been given until 1700GMT on Thursday to respond to the charge.
The nature of the offence means Mourinho is most likely to
face a fine, rather than a ban.
Clubs sanctioned over anti-Naples chants
Italian clubs AS Roma, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Torino were sanctioned on Monday after their fans all sang anti- Naples chants at the weekend, the Serie A league said in a
statement.
Serie A's disciplinary tribunal ordered partial stadium closures for all four clubs at their next home games for what was officially described as "territorial discrimination."
However, the sanctions were suspended for one year and will only be implemented in case of a new offence during that period.
The written decision said Roma fans repeatedly chanted "wash them with fire from Vesuvius" during their team's 2-0 win over Napoli on Friday.
It said that chanting by Milan fans made reference to Naples and cholera during the first half of their game at home to Udinese on Saturday, forcing a warning to be broadcast over the public address system.
Torino and Inter supporters both made similar chants during their 3-3 draw on Sunday.
At the start of the season, the Italian federation announced automatic stadium closures for discrimination by fans. The measure was intended to target racial discrimination but there was a twist when AC Milan were handed a partial stadium closure because of anti-Neapolitan chants by their fans during the home game with Napoli in September.
Ultras of both teams, who have long exchanged regional insults during games, criticised the decision and at their next home games, Napoli fans unfurled a banner which read: "Naples cholera-sufferers. Now close our curva!"
Inter Milan's Ultras, the Curva Nord, last week started a campaign inciting all supporters to break rules simultaneously with the intention of having an entire weekend where all the matches were played behind closed doors.
In response, the FIGC ruled that a sanction could be suspended for less serious offences or where fewer fans were involved.
statement.
Serie A's disciplinary tribunal ordered partial stadium closures for all four clubs at their next home games for what was officially described as "territorial discrimination."
However, the sanctions were suspended for one year and will only be implemented in case of a new offence during that period.
The written decision said Roma fans repeatedly chanted "wash them with fire from Vesuvius" during their team's 2-0 win over Napoli on Friday.
It said that chanting by Milan fans made reference to Naples and cholera during the first half of their game at home to Udinese on Saturday, forcing a warning to be broadcast over the public address system.
Torino and Inter supporters both made similar chants during their 3-3 draw on Sunday.
At the start of the season, the Italian federation announced automatic stadium closures for discrimination by fans. The measure was intended to target racial discrimination but there was a twist when AC Milan were handed a partial stadium closure because of anti-Neapolitan chants by their fans during the home game with Napoli in September.
Ultras of both teams, who have long exchanged regional insults during games, criticised the decision and at their next home games, Napoli fans unfurled a banner which read: "Naples cholera-sufferers. Now close our curva!"
Inter Milan's Ultras, the Curva Nord, last week started a campaign inciting all supporters to break rules simultaneously with the intention of having an entire weekend where all the matches were played behind closed doors.
In response, the FIGC ruled that a sanction could be suspended for less serious offences or where fewer fans were involved.
Kano pillars retains Nigerian League crown
Stand up for the Champions!!!
Kano Pillars on Sunday have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the second season on the bounce.
In spite of a two-nil loss to Lobi Stars at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, the Kano club won the title as their contenders Bayelsa United and El-Kanemi lost on the final day as well.
Nanen Imenger scored twice to down Kano Pillars but
Mohammed Baba Ganaru's men emerged champions on 63
points despite the loss.
Kano Pillars become the first team in 10 years to win the
NPFL back-to-back since Enyimba won it in 2002 and
2003.
Enyimba finished second with a point behind Kano Pillars
after defeating Sharks 1-0 through Ifeanyi Ede's spot kick.
The People's Elephant will now play in the 2014 Caf
Champions League for the first time since 2011.
Substitute Meshack Chukwubuikem scored the goal that
ended El-Kanemi's title chase in Enugu on Sunday.
Bayelsa United also got their title aspiration ended by
Gombe United after Simon Timothy scored the winner in
the second half.
El-Kanemi finished in fourth place on 60 points while
Bayelsa United end in third spot with 61 points.
Nasarawa United kept their top flight status after Victor
Namo scored from the spot in the 25th minute against
Heartland.
Second half goals from Vincent Kipu Pere and Obioma
Arinze for Nembe City put Sunshine Stars to the sword.
Warri Wolves ended ABS' spell in the NPFL with a 1-0
win over the Ilorin club. Oghenekaro Etebo scored the
winning goal for the Warri club.
Former champions, 3SC, were also confirmed for
relegation on the last day after a 0-2 loss at Kaduna United.
But Kaduna United needed two spot kicks from Linus
Adams and Iliya Jibo to down the Ibadan club.
Akwa United and Kwara United shared the points in a
relegation dogfight after a 1-1 draw.
Abasiama Michael scored for Akwa United before Sidi
Lawal equalised for the Kwara club.
Emeka Atuloma's solitary strike for Dolphins at the
Liberation Stadium ensured Wikki Tourists finish the
season on 49 points.
Kano Pillars on Sunday have been crowned champions of the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) for the second season on the bounce.
In spite of a two-nil loss to Lobi Stars at the Emmanuel Atongo Stadium in Katsina-Ala, the Kano club won the title as their contenders Bayelsa United and El-Kanemi lost on the final day as well.
Nanen Imenger scored twice to down Kano Pillars but
Mohammed Baba Ganaru's men emerged champions on 63
points despite the loss.
Kano Pillars become the first team in 10 years to win the
NPFL back-to-back since Enyimba won it in 2002 and
2003.
Enyimba finished second with a point behind Kano Pillars
after defeating Sharks 1-0 through Ifeanyi Ede's spot kick.
The People's Elephant will now play in the 2014 Caf
Champions League for the first time since 2011.
Substitute Meshack Chukwubuikem scored the goal that
ended El-Kanemi's title chase in Enugu on Sunday.
Bayelsa United also got their title aspiration ended by
Gombe United after Simon Timothy scored the winner in
the second half.
El-Kanemi finished in fourth place on 60 points while
Bayelsa United end in third spot with 61 points.
Nasarawa United kept their top flight status after Victor
Namo scored from the spot in the 25th minute against
Heartland.
Second half goals from Vincent Kipu Pere and Obioma
Arinze for Nembe City put Sunshine Stars to the sword.
Warri Wolves ended ABS' spell in the NPFL with a 1-0
win over the Ilorin club. Oghenekaro Etebo scored the
winning goal for the Warri club.
Former champions, 3SC, were also confirmed for
relegation on the last day after a 0-2 loss at Kaduna United.
But Kaduna United needed two spot kicks from Linus
Adams and Iliya Jibo to down the Ibadan club.
Akwa United and Kwara United shared the points in a
relegation dogfight after a 1-1 draw.
Abasiama Michael scored for Akwa United before Sidi
Lawal equalised for the Kwara club.
Emeka Atuloma's solitary strike for Dolphins at the
Liberation Stadium ensured Wikki Tourists finish the
season on 49 points.
Obafemi Martins and Balotelli's Sister Welcome Son
Obafemi Martins has welcomed his third child from his
third baby mama. Abigail Barwuah, the older sister of
Italian footballer Mario Balotelli gave birth to a baby boy
on Wednesday October 16th in Italy.
25 year old Abigail, who has been dating Obafemi since
2012, lost the first pregnancy we all reported last year. She
was about four months pregnant when she was in Nigeria
with Obafemi in December 2012 but lost the baby and got
pregnant again almost immediately.
The never-before-married Obafemi has a son with an
African chick he dated in Italy many years ago, he also has
a 3 and a half year old son with a white chick he dated
while playing in the UK and now a son with Abigai... Am
really happy for our dear Naija footballer, Oga Femi.
God go watch over una son oo. We hope say na football
him too wan dey play?
third baby mama. Abigail Barwuah, the older sister of
Italian footballer Mario Balotelli gave birth to a baby boy
on Wednesday October 16th in Italy.
25 year old Abigail, who has been dating Obafemi since
2012, lost the first pregnancy we all reported last year. She
was about four months pregnant when she was in Nigeria
with Obafemi in December 2012 but lost the baby and got
pregnant again almost immediately.
The never-before-married Obafemi has a son with an
African chick he dated in Italy many years ago, he also has
a 3 and a half year old son with a white chick he dated
while playing in the UK and now a son with Abigai... Am
really happy for our dear Naija footballer, Oga Femi.
God go watch over una son oo. We hope say na football
him too wan dey play?
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Eto'o, Mourinho at centre of controversy
Coach Jose Mourinho was ordered from the dugout and
striker Samuel Eto'o was involved in a highly debatable
equaliser as Chelsea beat Cardiff City 4-1 to move up to
second in the Premier League on Saturday.
Mourinho, no stranger to disputes, was sent to the stands
20 minutes from time for protesting to referee Anthony
Taylor after becoming increasingly frustrated at what he
perceived to be Cardiff's time-wasting tactics.
The Portuguese, though, was not at the heart of the main
controversy in the match.
That surrounded Chelsea's first goal, scored after 33
minutes by Eden Hazard after Eto'o had nipped in to steal
the ball from Cardiff keeper David Marshall as he was
bouncing it.
The visiting players protested but the goal stood and
promoted City, who had taken an early lead through
Jordan Mutch, were sunk by three second-half strikes.
"At the time I did not see it but I have been in to see the
referee," Cardiff manager Malky Mackay told reporters.
"Our goalkeeper bounced the ball, he saw the player
standing there.
"The referee is saying he heard from his linesman that he
dropped the ball. He said if the goalkeeper bounces the ball
it is a foul on him.
"It's a huge mistake, a horrendous error. The officials have
got it wrong between them and it has cost us. We went in
1-1 at halftime instead of being 1-0 up."
Former referee George Courtney, now an assessor, told the
BBC: "It seems to me the goalkeeper is still in possession
of the ball while he's bouncing it, according to the law, so
he should not be challenged.
"If an identical incident happened tomorrow I would
disallow it and award an indirect free kick. But of course
do bear in mind the laws of the game are open to
interpretation."
Mourinho, who stunned a fan when he sat down next to
him after being ordered from the dugout, was unhappy
with Cardiff's delaying tactics throughout.
Steve Holland, his assistant, said: "Jose is very frustrated
and it stems from the time-wasting by the opposition from
the first two or three minutes. We mentioned it politely to
the fourth official and the referee.
"It was a deliberate ploy to break up the game and needed
some action. Jose was furious on the touchline.
"The result changed from 1-0 to them to 2-1 to us and we
had a throw-in right in front of the dugout. I think Cardiff
had just kicked the ball out and they had to give us it back.
"Branislav Ivanovic had it in his hands for two seconds, no
more, and the referee was on to him about getting the ball
back into play and pointing at his watch," added Holland,
referring to the moment Mourinho's rant at Taylor led to
his dismissal.
Mutch put Cardiff ahead after poor defending by David
Luiz in the 10th minute.
Hazard levelled in controversial fashion from three metres
before Eto scored his first Chelsea goal in the 66th minute,
cutting in from the left and rifling the ball home with his
right foot.
Oscar added a stunning third in the 78th minute with a
dipping long-range effort that went in off the underside of
the bar before Hazard made it 4-1 when Marshall allowed a
tame shot to slip under his body.
Chelsea were not at their best until the latter stages and it
needed a goal from Eto'o to calm the nerves of the
Stamford Bridge fans.
"It's always difficult when you change clubs but to change
countries and leagues as well increases that," said Holland
of the Cameroonian's first goal since joining from Russian
side Anzhi Makhachkala in August.
"He's scored goals at the top level throughout Europe all
his career but I'm sure he'll be feeling happier to have that
first one under his belt and be off the mark."
striker Samuel Eto'o was involved in a highly debatable
equaliser as Chelsea beat Cardiff City 4-1 to move up to
second in the Premier League on Saturday.
Mourinho, no stranger to disputes, was sent to the stands
20 minutes from time for protesting to referee Anthony
Taylor after becoming increasingly frustrated at what he
perceived to be Cardiff's time-wasting tactics.
The Portuguese, though, was not at the heart of the main
controversy in the match.
That surrounded Chelsea's first goal, scored after 33
minutes by Eden Hazard after Eto'o had nipped in to steal
the ball from Cardiff keeper David Marshall as he was
bouncing it.
The visiting players protested but the goal stood and
promoted City, who had taken an early lead through
Jordan Mutch, were sunk by three second-half strikes.
"At the time I did not see it but I have been in to see the
referee," Cardiff manager Malky Mackay told reporters.
"Our goalkeeper bounced the ball, he saw the player
standing there.
"The referee is saying he heard from his linesman that he
dropped the ball. He said if the goalkeeper bounces the ball
it is a foul on him.
"It's a huge mistake, a horrendous error. The officials have
got it wrong between them and it has cost us. We went in
1-1 at halftime instead of being 1-0 up."
Former referee George Courtney, now an assessor, told the
BBC: "It seems to me the goalkeeper is still in possession
of the ball while he's bouncing it, according to the law, so
he should not be challenged.
"If an identical incident happened tomorrow I would
disallow it and award an indirect free kick. But of course
do bear in mind the laws of the game are open to
interpretation."
Mourinho, who stunned a fan when he sat down next to
him after being ordered from the dugout, was unhappy
with Cardiff's delaying tactics throughout.
Steve Holland, his assistant, said: "Jose is very frustrated
and it stems from the time-wasting by the opposition from
the first two or three minutes. We mentioned it politely to
the fourth official and the referee.
"It was a deliberate ploy to break up the game and needed
some action. Jose was furious on the touchline.
"The result changed from 1-0 to them to 2-1 to us and we
had a throw-in right in front of the dugout. I think Cardiff
had just kicked the ball out and they had to give us it back.
"Branislav Ivanovic had it in his hands for two seconds, no
more, and the referee was on to him about getting the ball
back into play and pointing at his watch," added Holland,
referring to the moment Mourinho's rant at Taylor led to
his dismissal.
Mutch put Cardiff ahead after poor defending by David
Luiz in the 10th minute.
Hazard levelled in controversial fashion from three metres
before Eto scored his first Chelsea goal in the 66th minute,
cutting in from the left and rifling the ball home with his
right foot.
Oscar added a stunning third in the 78th minute with a
dipping long-range effort that went in off the underside of
the bar before Hazard made it 4-1 when Marshall allowed a
tame shot to slip under his body.
Chelsea were not at their best until the latter stages and it
needed a goal from Eto'o to calm the nerves of the
Stamford Bridge fans.
"It's always difficult when you change clubs but to change
countries and leagues as well increases that," said Holland
of the Cameroonian's first goal since joining from Russian
side Anzhi Makhachkala in August.
"He's scored goals at the top level throughout Europe all
his career but I'm sure he'll be feeling happier to have that
first one under his belt and be off the mark."
La Liga review: Barca, Atletico stumble; Real win
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid dropped their first points of
the season on Saturday, missing the chance to equal the
record for the best-ever La Liga start.
Champions Barca, who visit AC Milan in the Champions
League on Tuesday, were held 0-0 at Osasuna. It was the
first time they failed to score in a domestic league game in
65 matches since a 0-0 draw at Villarreal in January 2012.
Atletico also lost 1-0 at Espanyol as Real Madrid's record
nine straight wins to kick off the 1968-69 campaign
remained intact
Third-placed Real won 2-0 at home to Malaga, Carlo
Ancelotti's side closing within three points of leaders Barca
ahead of next week's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp and two
points shy of Atletico.
Real won thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria and a
stoppage-time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, won by world
record signing Gareth Bale who was a late substitute.
Barca were unable to breach a well-drilled Osasuna defence
in Pamplona and Atletico were thwarted by an Espanyol
side who have made a strong start to the season under
Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.
The only goal of the game at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat
stadium in Barcelona came in the 54th minute when the
ball deflected into the net off the outstretched leg of
Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Argentine Lionel Messi, who had not played since the end
of last month due to a thigh strain, came off the bench for
the final 25 minutes of Barca's game but not even the
World Player of the Year could conjure a goal for the
champions.
"We knew it was going to be tough," said captain Carles
Puyol after making his first appearance in almost eight
months following knee surgery.
"It's always difficult playing at this stadium," the 35-year-
old told Canal Plus.
"We were missing some effectiveness in the final pass but
it's one more point. Now we have to recover from this and
prepare well for Tuesday."
Barca dominated Osasuna, who sat back looking to catch
the visitors on the break, and came closest to scoring
midway through the second half when Neymar just failed
to get on the end of a low Martin Montoya centre.
Cesc Fabregas had two golden chances but fluffed an
attempted chip before sending a wild shot sailing over the
crossbar.
Real warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League game
against Juventus with a victory.
It was hardly the sparkling display coach Ancelotti wanted
to dispel doubts after some unconvincing performances this
term but the Italian was happy about a general
improvement from his expensive squad.
"Today I am pleased," Ancelotti told a news conference.
"Everyone was focused on defending, we pressed well and
recovered possession quickly.
"That was the difference compared to other matches - we
did not give them chances and were well positioned.
"We have to keep it going and do things better but today
the team performed well. We started the week on a positive
note."
Ronaldo was comfortably Real's most dangerous player at
the Bernabeu and the Portuguese forward curled a shot
against the crossbar in the eighth minute against defensive
Malaga.
The visitors did well to keep Real at bay until halftime but
fell behind in the first minute after the break when Di
Maria's whipped cross from the right evaded goalkeeper
Willy Caballero's despairing dive before nestling in the
back of the net.
Caballero was in inspired form and pulled off a brilliant
stop to deny Ronaldo eight minutes from time and made
another stunning save to palm away a low shot from
substitute Jese two minutes later.
Real winger Bale, who has been out for several weeks with
a thigh strain, came on for Alvaro Morata with 15 minutes
left, suggesting he could play a part against Juve.
Bale won a penalty when the referee ruled he was fouled
by Weligton in the area and Ronaldo dispatched the spot
kick low to Caballero's right for his eighth league goal of
the season.
Real Sociedad, who will chase a first victory in their third
Champions League Group A outing at Manchester United
on Wednesday, won in La Liga for the first time since the
opening day of the season as they beat Valencia 2-1.
Antoine Griezmann volleyed the visitors ahead in the 41st
minute and Ruben Pardo added a long-range effort before
Dorlan Pabon pulled a late goal back for Valencia as
Sociedad climbed to ninth on 10 points.
Valencia, who host St Gallen in the Europa League on
Thursday, are eighth with 13 points, one fewer than
Espanyol who climbed to fifth.
the season on Saturday, missing the chance to equal the
record for the best-ever La Liga start.
Champions Barca, who visit AC Milan in the Champions
League on Tuesday, were held 0-0 at Osasuna. It was the
first time they failed to score in a domestic league game in
65 matches since a 0-0 draw at Villarreal in January 2012.
Atletico also lost 1-0 at Espanyol as Real Madrid's record
nine straight wins to kick off the 1968-69 campaign
remained intact
Third-placed Real won 2-0 at home to Malaga, Carlo
Ancelotti's side closing within three points of leaders Barca
ahead of next week's 'Clasico' at the Nou Camp and two
points shy of Atletico.
Real won thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria and a
stoppage-time Cristiano Ronaldo penalty, won by world
record signing Gareth Bale who was a late substitute.
Barca were unable to breach a well-drilled Osasuna defence
in Pamplona and Atletico were thwarted by an Espanyol
side who have made a strong start to the season under
Mexican coach Javier Aguirre.
The only goal of the game at Espanyol's Cornella-El Prat
stadium in Barcelona came in the 54th minute when the
ball deflected into the net off the outstretched leg of
Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Argentine Lionel Messi, who had not played since the end
of last month due to a thigh strain, came off the bench for
the final 25 minutes of Barca's game but not even the
World Player of the Year could conjure a goal for the
champions.
"We knew it was going to be tough," said captain Carles
Puyol after making his first appearance in almost eight
months following knee surgery.
"It's always difficult playing at this stadium," the 35-year-
old told Canal Plus.
"We were missing some effectiveness in the final pass but
it's one more point. Now we have to recover from this and
prepare well for Tuesday."
Barca dominated Osasuna, who sat back looking to catch
the visitors on the break, and came closest to scoring
midway through the second half when Neymar just failed
to get on the end of a low Martin Montoya centre.
Cesc Fabregas had two golden chances but fluffed an
attempted chip before sending a wild shot sailing over the
crossbar.
Real warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League game
against Juventus with a victory.
It was hardly the sparkling display coach Ancelotti wanted
to dispel doubts after some unconvincing performances this
term but the Italian was happy about a general
improvement from his expensive squad.
"Today I am pleased," Ancelotti told a news conference.
"Everyone was focused on defending, we pressed well and
recovered possession quickly.
"That was the difference compared to other matches - we
did not give them chances and were well positioned.
"We have to keep it going and do things better but today
the team performed well. We started the week on a positive
note."
Ronaldo was comfortably Real's most dangerous player at
the Bernabeu and the Portuguese forward curled a shot
against the crossbar in the eighth minute against defensive
Malaga.
The visitors did well to keep Real at bay until halftime but
fell behind in the first minute after the break when Di
Maria's whipped cross from the right evaded goalkeeper
Willy Caballero's despairing dive before nestling in the
back of the net.
Caballero was in inspired form and pulled off a brilliant
stop to deny Ronaldo eight minutes from time and made
another stunning save to palm away a low shot from
substitute Jese two minutes later.
Real winger Bale, who has been out for several weeks with
a thigh strain, came on for Alvaro Morata with 15 minutes
left, suggesting he could play a part against Juve.
Bale won a penalty when the referee ruled he was fouled
by Weligton in the area and Ronaldo dispatched the spot
kick low to Caballero's right for his eighth league goal of
the season.
Real Sociedad, who will chase a first victory in their third
Champions League Group A outing at Manchester United
on Wednesday, won in La Liga for the first time since the
opening day of the season as they beat Valencia 2-1.
Antoine Griezmann volleyed the visitors ahead in the 41st
minute and Ruben Pardo added a long-range effort before
Dorlan Pabon pulled a late goal back for Valencia as
Sociedad climbed to ninth on 10 points.
Valencia, who host St Gallen in the Europa League on
Thursday, are eighth with 13 points, one fewer than
Espanyol who climbed to fifth.
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