Champions League 2014:'We are not Underdogs'-Ryan Giggs

Ryan Giggs: Manchester United and Bayern Munich tie

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"We are not underdogs", says Ryan Giggs. 

And ahead of the quarter-final first leg, the 40-year-old insists United believe they can win the competition.
"Of course it is possible," the midfielder said. "You need to play well, to get that little bit of luck."

Giggs acknowledged facing Bundesliga champions Bayern will be "tough", but added: "We're confident."

The Welshman, who made his 961st appearance for the Red Devils in their 3-0 victory over Olympiakos on 19 March to seal their last-eight place, added: "We are Manchester United, and at Old Trafford we have had so many great nights."

Giggs also used the news conference to reject any talk of a rift between him and manager David Moyes.
"The relationship is good," he said. "Of course as a player you want to play all the time... but you are not sulking, you just have to be ready to play your best for the team.

"There is no problem with the manager, I don't know where that came from."

Bayern, who won a historic Treble last season, sealed this year's Bundesliga title last week, with seven games remaining.

United, meanwhile, are seventh in the Premier League, 10 points adrift of fourth place and Champions League qualification.

Manager David Moyes has several selection concerns ahead of Tuesday's game, most notably in defence, where midfielder Michael Carrick filled in at centre-back during the 4-1 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.

Left-back Patrice Evra is suspended while likely replacement Alexander Buttner is a doubt with a hamstring injury, as is right-back Rafael.

Central defenders Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling, the latter of whom has also played at right-back this season, have only recently recovered from injuries.

Striker Robin van Persie remains sidelined and January signing Juan Mata is cup-tied having played in the competition for Chelsea earlier this season.

"We have defensive issues undoubtedly, we will have to make one or two changes," said Moyes. "We know that on our day we're as good a side as any but we have to show it more often.

"We are really looking forward to this game, because we have done it many time".

Liverpool On Top of The Table

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Lisince losing to Chelsea on 29 December, Liverpool are unbeaten and have taken 35 out of a possible 39 points, which has elevated them to top spot with six games to go and answered their critics in stunning style.

Liverpool climbed back to the top of the Premier League table as they comfortably dispatched Tottenham 4-0 at Anfield.

Brendan Rodgers' side eighth successive Premier League win was barely in doubt as they dominated proceedings from start to finish.

They were gifted the lead just two-minutes in when Glen Johnson fired a cross into the six-yard box and Younes Kaboul could only back-heel the ball past Hugo Lloris into his own goal.

Kaboul endured something of a nightmare first-half which culminated in Luis Suarez latching onto his miscontrol just before the break and finishing with a crisp left-footed strike past Lloris.

Indeed had it not been for Lloris' brilliance on the stroke of half-time to deny Suarez with header, it could and should have been 3-0.

A blocked Christian Eriksen effort and a Roberto Soldado shot aside, Spurs showed very little in Liverpool's last third and it was the same story after the break.

Jordan Henderson should have scored early in the second period as he blasted over after good work from Raheem Sterling but the Kopites did not have long to wait for a third.

Fed by Jon Flanagan, Philippe Coutinho carried the ball to the edge of the Spurs box before clinically firing into the bottom corner.

The fourth duly arrived with 15-minutes remaining, with Henderson getting his name on the score-sheet after his in-swinging free-kick went through a crowd and straight in, completing a resounding and thoroughly deserved win which takes Liverpool two points clear of Chelsea and four of third placed Manchester City.

It is the first time since Christmas that they have been at the summit, and the last four teams who occupied that position on December 25 went on to win the title and the prospect of a first title for 24 years is now closer than a speck on the horizon it has been for a couple of decades.

If you ask me can Liverpool win the title? Yes, Liverpool can win the title, and it makes it a bit easier when there at the top of the table..

Arsenal and City Preview

Today's game which will host in the emirates, is the game to watch. Recently, Wenger have raised his white flag for the race of league title.

The Citizens meanwhile, is set to continue their winning record in the league after the lost to Barca in the Champions League.

Arsenal fans are worried, and little wonder. Injuries have hit and the team's confidence is fragile while they encounter a City side fresh from their humbling of Manchester United and who remain as most people's title favourites.

Arsène Wenger has them down as the side to beat.

Arsenal's manager might have to temper his natural instinct to get on to the front foot – City bite. 

The visitors still have to go to Liverpool but they see this as a key staging post. 

WC2014:79 days to go - Brazil denied Victory

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The 1950 FIFA World Cup was the fourth FIFA World Cup and the first for some time with the cancellations of the 1942 and 1946 World Cups. FIFA were desperate to get the competition going again against a backdrop of disinterest and certainly an unwillingness to spend money on a sporting event after World War 2.

England notably decided to rejoin FIFA and compete at this tournament after a self-imposed 17 year exile and went into the tournament as hot favourites after impressive results against other European teams. Many teams did withdraw from the tournament including Scotland despite being eligible.

The World Cup went ahead with 13 teams (despite 16 teams being in the draw). The deciding match was played between the hosts Brazil and Uruguay at the Estádio do Maracanã. 199,954 fans watched the match (Some estimate the attendance was even higher) that became known as the ‘Maracanazo’. Brazil were hot favourites and would win the World Cup even if they drew their final match after thrashing Sweden and Spain 7-1 and 6-1.

Uruguay however beat Brazil on the 79th minute with a goal from Alcide Ghiggia that beat Barbossa, it was a stunning defeat for Brazil and Uruguay lifted the trophy for their second and last time.-Source

Highest Paid Footballer-Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi will become the world's highest paid footballer according to Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

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The four-time World Player of the Year has a contract with the Catalan giants until 2018, but Bartomeu said talks were on-going with the player's father and principal agent Jorge Horacio Messi over a deal that would surpass the five-year contract Cristiano Ronaldo signed with Real Madrid in September last year.

"We are in the midst of the season, so it is not the moment to be negotiating with him, but it is the moment to talk to the agents and with his father and that is what we are doing," Bartomeu said in an exclusive interview with AFP sports.

"We will talk with them about how we see the player. He is our star and he has a contract until 2018 because we want him to participate in our future, but there is the will within the club that he becomes the best paid player in the world.

"He is the number one and, as we have said various times, he also deserves to be the best paid player in the world."

Messi had been plagued by muscular injuries early in the season, but has recently returned to top-form as he has scored a hat-trick in consecutive games, most recently, in Sunday's thrilling 4-3 win away to Real Madrid.

After scoring the winner with his third goal of the night seven minutes from time at the Bernabeu, Messi kissed the Barca badge on his shirt several times in an uncharacteristic show of exuberance.

And contrary to some rumours linking him with a move to free-spending Paris Saint-Germain or Manchester City, Bartomeu is convinced that Messi is determined to remain at Barca for many years to come.

"Here there is no doubt. Leo Messi arrived here as a 13-year-old and is now 26, soon to be 27. You see how he plays, he is a decisive player and has led all the success Barca has had over the past few years. That is why he has a contract until 2018 and there are no disagreements.

"There is only an enormous desire, both from the player and the club to reach an agreement. We will get there and we will get there calmly.

"We are sure we will reach a deal with Messi, we are convinced because it is his wish too. He said so just a few days ago. We will have Leo Messi at Barcelona for many years to come."

Bartomeu also stressed that it is the board's wish that manager Gerardo Martino sees out his contract until 2015 at the very least.

Martino has endured an up and down first season in charge of Barca, but the Spanish champions are still fighting for titles on three fronts.

"We are very happy with him, he is a person that is giving all the right signals, messages and acting in a manner that fits in perfectly with what we want FC Barcelona to be. He knows we are happy with him and the decision on whether to continue will be his.

"He has a contract until 2015, but at the moment there are so many important games that are left to play that is what he is concentrating on."

Manchester Derby Preview

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Victories over Olympiakos and West Ham, the former overturning a 2-0 deficit to secure United's progression in the Champions League, have served to dampen criticism of the Scot.

However, Moyes knows that murmurings could intensify if the seventh-placed Red Devils again come up short at home against a bitter rival following their recent 3-0 home hammering by Liverpool.

While the Old Trafford faithful will be far from satisfied by another game in which their sole aim is to hinder a rival's Premier League title aspirations, a triumph would be a feather in the United boss's cap.

"We'll go into our next game confident and ready to get a result," a bullish Moyes told the press after Saturday's 2-0 win at Upton Park.

For City, the game carries similar significance at the start of what will likely prove a season-defining run of fixtures. Currently six points behind leaders Chelsea with three games in hand, Manuel Pellegrini's men head to their neighbours brimming with confidence after a 5-0 drubbing of Fulham on Saturday.

But the visitors will be aware, too, that the derby precedes trips to Arsenal and Liverpool, which sandwich a tricky home game against Southampton.

Pellegrini will not be able to call on the services of key striker Sergio Aguero, who is another week away from fitness as he continues his rehabilitation from a hamstring injury, but Edin Dzeko looks set to be fit after being taken ill before the Fulham game and Stevan Jovetic should also be available, having returned from injury for the final eight minutes on Saturday.

"I think that this team doesn't depend just on one striker," Pellegrini remarked to reporters. "Maybe in the last week we had some problems with Aguero and Jovetic. Now Jovetic is coming back and I hope Aguero will be, next week, with the team. If they don't score there are other players that will do it."

Chief among the supporting cast is Yaya Toure, who boasts 16 Premier League goals this term following his hat-trick against Fulham.

Moyes will, therefore, be buoyed to have Rio Ferdinand available, having been forced to play Michael Carrick at centre-back against West Ham. Ferdinand was rested for that game but United will again be without Nemanja Vidic, who serves the second of his two-game ban.

At the other end, Moyes will surely deploy Juan Mata behind Wayne Rooney again as Robin van Persie continues to be sidelined.

City, boosted by the return from a ban of captain Vincent Kompany, head to United following four successive Premier League clean sheets and are bidding for a third straight victory at Old Trafford in a row. 

Ancelotti: You cannot make mistakes against Messi

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The Italian coach insists the Liga title race will go right to the wire this season and refused to blame the referee following Sunday's 4-3 defeat to Barcelona

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti believes his side were made to pay for their mistakes by an inspired Lionel Messi in Sunday's 4-3 Clasico defeat to Barcelona.
Messi struck for the first time just before half-time but Cristiano Ronaldo restored Real's lead with a controversial penalty on 55 minutes.

But Messi delivered from the spot twice in 20 minutes as Sergio Ramos was sent off, putting Barca to within a point of top spot in La Liga as he broke Alfredo Di Stefano's long-standing record for goals scored in the Clasico.

Ramos and Ronaldo were quick to criticise referee Alberto Undiano after the match, but Ancelotti was more concerned with the errors in his side's play.

"It's difficult for me to comment on the referee's decisions," he told reporters after the match.

"It's true that Messi scored three goals but any mistakes against a player of his quality will always hurt you.

"We have nine matches left. It will be all intense. Every game will be decisive."

Atletico Madrid are now top of La Liga following their win over Betis, while Barcelona are just a point behind the capital clubs, and Ancelotti believes this season's title race will go right to the wire.

"The league race is still open. We need an immediate reaction," he added.

"I've said it many times – the league will be decided in the last match. We have to continue fighting. We need to react.

"I haven't spoken to the players about the match yet. We committed small mistakes and that's why we lost.

"The team is ready to get up and move on. We have to be satisfied with how we played.

"We have improved a lot, the team have showed their quality and proved it in this match. It was a good game but we now have to forget about it quickly. Our next match is important."

West Ham vs Manchester United 0-2 2014 Wayne Rooney Incredible 55 Yard V...

Manchester City vs Fulham 5-0 All Goals & Full Highlights 22/3/2014 EPL HD

Watch Rooney's long range goal againts West Ham last night. Rooney knew where the keeper was but the keeper didn't know where he was.

Manchester City vs Fulham 5-0 All Goals & Full Highlights 22/3/2014 EPL HD

Yaya Toure was the man of the match with his hat-trick last night.

Watch all the goals and definitely the most amazing goal is Yaya toure.

"Blue Moon is the new Devil"

Dwight Yorke:Rooney Goals Better than Becks

Wayne Rooney's long-range goal against West Ham was better than David Beckham's iconic strike against Wimbledon says Dwight Yorke

Beckham made his name for Manchester United in August 1996 when he lobbed the ball over Neil Sullivan from inside his own half - and he was at Upton Park on Saturday evening to see Rooney score a comparable 58-yard goal in a 2-0 victory for David Moyes' side. 

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But even though Saturday's effort was from slightly closer range, former Red Devils forward Yorke says it was a better goal because it was hit on the volley over Adrian.

And he said it was also arguably better than the famous bicycle kick Rooney scored against Manchester City in 2011.

"This guy has scored some spectacular goals in the past - ie against City and he scored one against Newcastle - but I think Becks would be very proud of this one," Yorke said on Saturday Night Football.
"For me I think it's a much more difficult skill [than Beckham's]. He hits it with a bit of 'swazz' as we say in football - the outside of the boot.

"It's much easier to kick it off the deck. I think to hit it with 'swazz', with the outside of your boot that far, is a difficult skill.

"To actually be precise with it is a very difficult skill. Obviously Wazza can do that. We've seen time and time again he has always produced these magical moments.

"To do that knowing how important this game was - and to try it - was just fantastic."

Brilliance
 
Fellow Saturday Night Football expert Jamie Redknapp disagreed, arguing that the range of Beckham's goal made it more spectacular.

He also criticised the defending of West Ham defender James Tomkins, who was muscled easily off the ball by Rooney, but he admitted the effort was "genius".

"I'm going for David Beckham's," Redknapp said.

"It was just inside his own half, but it was brilliance - absolute brilliance - from Rooney.

"I would want my centre-back to be a lot stronger than James Tomkins was. As the ball fell to Wayne Rooney there was the slightest nudge, but I don't think you can complain about that.

"After that it was pure genius from Rooney. You need the ability and audacity to try it - and he hits it so hard. I love the fact that as soon as the ball bounces he has a little look and sees where the keeper is. It's fantastic.

Rooney knew where the keeper was but the keeper don't know where he was!

Manchester United vs Olympiakos 3-0 All Goals & Highlights [19/03/2014]

Manchester United vs Olympiakos 3-0 All Goals & Highlights 19/03/2014

Rabin Van Persie netted a hat-trick to overturned Manchester United deficit two goals and go through to the quater finals.

David Moyes was delighted with overall United's performance.

"We looked to get behind them. The players were incredibly committed. They are hurting as well, they know we are not doing as well as we should be doing.

"We didn't play well in Olympiakos. Tonight they put it right - they deserved it. The players gave everything and never left anything behind."

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André Villas-Boas is the man in charge at FC Zenit

André Villas-Boas is the man charged with succeeding Luciano Spalletti at FC Zenit, the Portuguese coach agreeing a deal that ties him to the Russian Premier League club until the end of the 2015/16 campaign.

"Mr Villas-Boas will be presented in St Petersburg as Zenit's new head coach on 20 March," read a club statement. Spalletti last week parted company with the Sine-Belo-Golubye after a four-year spell that brought two domestic titles, a Russian Cup and two appearances in the UEFA Champions League knockout stages. His tenure ended after a run of just one win in 11 competitive outings, including a 4-2 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie. Former Russia midfielder Sergei Semak was placed in interim charge upon Spalletti's departure.

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Zenit play Dortmund in Germany on Wednesday, with Villas-Boas set to be unveiled the following day, three months after leaving Tottenham Hotspur FC, where he was at the helm for 18 months. The 36-year-old started his coaching career at A. Académica de Coimbra before guiding FC Porto to a Liga, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Europa League treble in 2010/11. He fared less well in a subsequent stint at Chelsea FC, though two-and-a-half months after he departed, the Blues won the UEFA Champions League.-Source

Champions League:Chelsea Vs Galatasary Preview

A dominant play by the Chelsea team eliminates Galatasary with a 2-0 win and 3-1 aggregat. An early goal by Samuel E'to then added by Gary Cahill in the second half confirms the team through the quater finals.

Chelsea FC made it an unhappy return to Stamford Bridge for Galatasaray AŞ's Didier Drogba by marching into the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals for the eighth time in 11 seasons.

While all the attention had been focused on the reunion with their former forward, it was one of their current ones, Samuel Eto'o, who got the ball rolling Chelsea's way with a strike after four minutes. If that was a well-worked incursion, the second goal owed everything to smart reactions, Gary Cahill following up a John Terry header to score from close range.

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Drogba – a winner of ten major prizes with Chelsea and who will always be remembered for the decisive penalty against FC Bayern München which ensured they lifted the 2011/12 UEFA Champions League – battled as hard as he could and typically won a number of headers and free-kicks, but support was in short supply simply because the home side were so dominant.

The game panned out that way from the fourth minute when Eden Hazard drifted infield and was not picked up as he gathered a throw-in, a smart turn shrugging off his nearest challenger. Oscar joined in and set Eto'o free inside the box, the low finish containing sufficient power to beat Fernando Muslera.

It was a wonderful boost for the Blues while Galatasaray had paid a heavy price for granting Hazard and Oscar the room to weave their magic. If the Turkish champions were to improve on a record of no victories in eight visits to England they would need to show far more discipline.

Drogba, who was afforded a stirring welcome from the home supporters, sent a bicycle kick over the bar but was overambitious when chancing his arm from 35 metres, his free-kick threatening only the 'Always in our hearts' banner that adorned the upper section of the stand behind Petr Čech's goal.

Lampard came close following a delightful combination between Oscar and Hazard. Then, from Lampard's free-kick, Terry's volley flew just too high. With three minutes remaining in the first half Lampard's corner was again met by Terry and when Muslera beat out the header, Cahill reacted first to ram the ball in.

The visiting fans tried to lift their team with a constant wall of noise, but most of the action after the break was in the opposite half of the field as Chelsea sought a third goal, Willian stinging Muslera's palms from the edge of the area.

Drogba did had a chance to score in his former pitch but it was too late.

Champions League:Real Madrid Vs Shalke 04 Preview

Real Madrid had a stunning game last night during their second-leg in Bernabeu as they eliminates Shalke 04 by 3-1 and 9-2 in aggregate.

A record 6-1 home defeat in the first leg meant Jens Keller's Schalke faced an all-but impossible task to reach this term's quarter-finals and their challenge got no easier in the return, Cristiano Ronaldo's 12th goal of this season's competition bringing the second leg to life in the 21st minute. Visiting full-back Tim Hoogland's deflected strike ten minutes later brought parity before second-half efforts from Ronaldo again – taking him within one goal of the record for a European Cup season – and Álvaro Morata wrapped up another Madrid victory.

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Feeling the effects of their weekend toils against Málaga CF, Madrid rang the changes and there was immediate concern for one of those replacements, forward Jesé being carried off following a challenge with Sead Kolasinac. Gareth Bale was summoned from the bench and the substitute had a significant hand in the Merengues' opener, accepting Morata's pass and crossing for Ronaldo to sweep in his 40th club goal of 2013/14.

Bale was involved again soon afterwards as Carlo Ancelotti's men sought to maintain their 100% home record in the current campaign. With Joel Matip giving up possession, the Welsh international pounced to sprint past Matip and find Morata, but the finish was scuffed wide. 

A huge travelling contingent cheered the visitors on throughout the game and were rewarded when Schalke equalised in the 31st minute. Hoogland advanced and his speculative drive from distance clipped defender Sergio Ramos to wrongfoot Iker Casillas in Madrid's goal.

Entering the contest on a run of 30 matches without defeat – 25 of which had ended in wins – Madrid pressed again and were only denied early in the second half thanks to excellent work from Ralf Fährmann. The Schalke custodian was eventually beaten with 17 minutes left, Ronaldo's shot at the end of a probing forward run flashing inside the near post.

Barely 120 seconds later Schalke substitute Kyriakos Papadopoulos ceded possession and, although Morata's initial attempt was blocked by Fährmann, the Spanish Under-21 international eventually stroked in after Ronaldo's ensuing effort crashed against the crossbar and back for Bale, who squared to the youngster.

Ronaldo had a chance for a hat-trick but it was denied by the post in last minute of action.

C.Ronaldo's Generous Gesture for Sick Baby

I am The Citizens fan, but I hold great respect for C. Ronaldo. I know he has worked so hard to be where he is today. What he did for that child just shows that he still have both his legs on the ground. He might seem arrogant, but he is just so concentrated on always doing his best. He deserves respect both as a footballer and as a person.

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His latest act of generosity, however, is probably the most touching and inspiring story we've yet to hear.
The Real Madrid star was asked to donate a pair of old boots and a used shirt for 10-month-old Erik Ortiz Cruz, who suffers from a terrible brain disorder called cortical dysplasia.

Little Erik suffers seizures up to 30 times a day due to the illness, and is in desperate need of an operation costing £50,000. His entire village of Villaluenga de la Sagra has been saving and raising money for months to try and cover the costs.

On hearing of little Erik's plight, Ronaldo immediately agreed to help - but rather than just donate his boots and shirt, he paid the entire cost of the operation in full.

Spanish newspaper AS reports the heartwarming tale. It might just be a couple of days wages for the superstar, but how often have you heard of a celebrity helping raise money for charity and wondered why they don't just put their hands directly in their own pockets?

With all the goals and fame in football, he is still a generous person.

Laudrup Believes Real will win in the El Classico

The ex Swansea Manager believes that Real Madrid will win the El Classico and have a seven-point gap.

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Former Real Madrid and Barcelona midfielder Michael Laudrup believes Gerardo Martino's side must win Sunday's Clasico to keep their Liga defence alive.

The capital club sit four points clear of their bitter rivals heading into the Santiago Bernabeu clash, but the Blaugrana won the meeting at Camp Nou earlier this season.

Former Denmark international  Laudrup feels that home advantage could be key when the two sides meet this weekend and has tipped Carlo Ancelotti's men for success.

"Real Madrid are favourites because they are playing at home, but both teams have players who can change the balance game," he told Cadena COPE.

"Real Madrid were behind but now have the chance to knock a rival like Barcelona out of the title race because it a seven-point deficit with nine games would be very complicated."

Both clubs made big money signings in the summer, with Barca bringing Neymar to the club and Madrid breaking the world transfer record to lure Gareth Bale to the Bernabeu, and Laudrup feels both could do well in La Liga.

"You have to give Bale and Neymar time, but when you pay so much money for them, patience isn't the word because you pay immediately," said the former Swansea boss.

"They are both good but they have to adapt to Real Madrid and Barcelona's games because. Bale has been injured, but hasn't had a bad year." 

Champions League 2014:Manchester United Vs Olympiakos Pre report

David Moyes have called for the supporters to get behind the team as they look to overturn a two-goal first-leg deficit and go through to the quater finals Champions League.

Beleaguered Manchester United manager David Moyes has called on the club's supporters to roar his team past Olympiakos and into the Champions League quarter-finals.

Moyes, who Goal exclusively revealed held a crisis meeting with his backroom staff on Monday, knows that defeat to the Greek champions would cast further doubt over his future at Old Trafford with United's disastrous season having taken a further turn for the worse in Sunday's defeat to Liverpool.

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And, although the former Everton boss appreciates that his side have a mountain to climb after suffering defeat in the first leg of their crucial last-16 tie, he believes that the fans can play a significant role in forging an unlikely comeback.

Moyes told the club's official website: "The players are capable of turning it around. We're all desperate to put things right and make sure we play better to give the supporters here something to shout about.

"They shouted [against Liverpool] and we didn't give them anything on the field. When we went to Greece, the Olympiakos fans played their part so hopefully our fans will roar us on.

"We have to go for the throat to get the win. We won't be gung-ho but we will certainly go with a mindset to overhaul the deficit as quickly as we can.

He also mentioned that the team will strive hard to stay in the competition and win the title. 

Maourinho will avoid Chris Foy

Jose Mourinho wants the Premier League to stop sending Chris Foy to Chelsea games after the referee's performance in the defeat to Aston Villa.

Foy sent off Willian for two bookable offences at Villa Park before dismissing Ramires in the closing stages for a sliding tackle on Karim El Ahmadi.

Chelsea manager Mourinho came on to the pitch after the second red card and was also sent to the stands by Foy who did not want to speak to the Portuguese after the game.

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Mourinho tried his best to bite his lip in his post-match press conference, but he eventually relented in another media briefing minutes later.

"Maybe it's helpful that the (Premier League referees') committee doesn't send him (Foy) to our matches," said Mourinho.

"I don't have the right to request (that). It's just I think they have to analyse the situation and see if every time he has Chelsea - or not every time - but many times he has Chelsea and problems are there, I think maybe it would be a good decision."

Although he was not manager then, Mourinho recalled Chelsea's defeat to QPR in 2011 when Foy dismissed Jose Bosingwa and Didier Drogba.

"The last time I remember something similar was in a match at QPR's stadium," Mourinho said.

When informed that it was Foy who took charge of that match, Mourinho said: "I didn't know (that). It's a coincidence."

Mourinho revealed the fact that Foy was to officiate the game had been regularly discussed at Chelsea's training ground at Cobham after the officials were announced.

"The players were speaking about it during the week," Mourinho added. "They have a reason.

"I never care who the ref is. I don't want to know. But during the week the players were speaking about the situation and I think from now on the next time we have Mr Foy I have to work my people in a different way."

Mourinho did not want to say whether he thought the decision to send off Ramires or Willian was correct in case he was charged by the Football Association.

The FA could take a dim view of Mourinho's claim that "problems" regularly occur when Foy officiates Chelsea games though.

The Chelsea manager is also facing an FA charge for entering the field of play.

Rule E3 states managers must not leave their technical area as Mourinho did during the match.

Mourinho claimed he was only attempting to cool tempers, and to ask Foy why he had not sent off Gabriel Agbonlahor, who had already been substituted, for accosting Ramires.

Villa manager Paul Lambert also entered the pitch, as did a number of coaches.

If the FA decides Mourinho or anyone else who entered the pitch has broken the law, it can fine him £8,000-£12,000.

If anyone involved is found to have used abusive or insulting language he can be hit with a two-match touchline ban.

Mourinho insists he has done nothing wrong and he would prefer the money to go to an interesting destination if he is fined.

He said: "I don't think it would be a problem to make a donation to help young referees to have better conditions to improve a referees academy, this kind of situation or to improve kids with social problems or economical problems."-source

Champions League:Zabaleta Slams Refferee

It was a shock decision when Pablo Zabaleta get a red card when Edin Dzeko was clearly tackle inside the penalty box. Manchester City defeat 2-1 to Barcelona.

Argentine defender Zabaleta was sent off at the Nou Camp for two bookable offences, picking up his second booking for his protests to Lannoy over his failure to award City a penalty when Edin Dzeko appeared to be felled by Gerard Pique inside the box.

Barcelona also had a strong penalty appeal of their own waved away in the first half, while the home side had a goal controversially ruled out for offside even though replays showed Jordi Alba was onside before he crossed for Neymar to score.

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Zabaleta was insistent that City should have had a penalty for the Dzeko incident and he claims he is in the dark as to why he was sent off.

"It was very clear," Zabaleta said. "I think Pique was behind me and made the tackle on Dzeko and the referee was only two metres away from that.

"I don't know why I was sent off. I went to him to talk to him in a good way.

"I was a little bit angry to him because he didn't give a penalty but I have always been very respectful to him.
"I am frustrated. I think it was a shocking decision.

"Sometimes in the game you are nervous because you are trying to get the result, and sometimes shocking decisions by the ref make you a bit angry."

Zabaleta also felt City should have received a free-kick before Barcelona opened the scoring through Lionel Messi, feeling Dzeko was fouled in the build-up to the goal.

"It was also a foul against Dzeko just before Barcelona's first goal," added Zabaleta. "He held the ball and turned, and Pique had hold of his shirt, and the ref gave a free-kick to Barcelona."

"I am disappointed but also very proud of the team because I think we played a fantastic game.

Manchester City played a good game since beginning but when the French referee Stephane Lanno acts like this, it just killed the game.

Barcelona Vs Osasuna (7-0) : Post Report

Lionel Messi has become the all time top scorer for the Barcelona Club as he scores the hat trick and demolished Osasuna by 7-0.

The 26-year-old opened the scoring after 19 minutes to equal Paulino Alcantara's record of 369 goals in all competitions - including friendlies - for Barcelona. Alexis Sanchez and Andres Iniesta increased the hosts' advantage before the break.

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Messi struck again in the second half to move onto 370 goals and become the club's undisputed top marksman, and then completed his treble with a simple finish in the 87th minute, after substitute Cristian Tello had rammed in the fifth goal.

There was still time for a seventh goal, however, Messi adding an assist to his goal haul by teeing up Pedro.
Barca remain third in the Primera Division and four points behind leaders Real Madrid despite the win, but will have the chance to cut the gap with their arch rivals at the Bernabeu in a week's time.

Tottenham Hotspur Vs Arsenal (0-1):Post Report

16th March2014 : Arsenal had the single goal when Tomas Rosicky's fires a rocket after just 72 seconds and lifted Arsenal back into  the Premier League title race.

Some of the White Hart Lane faithful were still taking their seats when Arsenal took the lead, with Rosicky leaving Hugo Lloris grasping at thin air with a venomous right-foot strike from the corner of the area which flew across the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.

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Rosicky had picked up possession in his own half before advancing into the space vacated by Danny Rose's forward foray before playing a slightly fortuitous one-two with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and then finding the top corner.

The Gunners were forced onto the back foot for long periods of the north London derby, but the closest Spurs came to levelling was in the second period when Wojciech Szczesny inexplicably failed to gather a routine cross from the right and had Laurent Koscielny to thank for denying Nacer Chadli a certain leveller.
Arsenal are now third, only behind Liverpool on goal difference and just four points adrift of Chelsea and with a game in hand on the leaders, while they now boast a nine-point cushion over their derby rivals in fifth.
Arsenal were ahead inside two minutes of Arsene Wenger's 999th match in charge with a goal of the highest order.

Sherwood's side - whose collective character had been questioned by the manager - soon regrouped and caused Arsenal a few problems with probing balls into the penalty area.

Arsenal, though, retained possession well and it should have been 2-0 on 15 minutes when Oxlade-Chamberlain robbed Nabil Bentaleb on the halfway line and sprinted clear.

The England man darted to the edge of the penalty area, but as Lloris came off his line the Arsenal man screwed his attempted chip horribly wide - with Lukas Podolski screaming for a square pass for what would have been a tap-in.

That let-off gave a huge lift to the home side, who immediately went on the offensive with a low cross from Andros Townsend on the right flying through the six-yard box.

On 21 minutes, Arsenal full-back Bacary Sagna slid into a challenge with Danny Rose which - although he probably touched the ball first - totally upended the Spurs defender. Sherwood was off the bench demanding a red card but, after a stern talking-to, referee Mike Dean produced only a yellow.

Spurs continued to play a very high defensive line, which was breached again when Podolski raced clear down the left. His cut-back was just behind Rosicky but Oxlade-Chamberlain connected with a strike that was deflected out for a corner.

The home side should have been level at the start of the second half following two terrible handling errors from Szczesny.

First the Pole flapped at a cross on the edge of the Arsenal penalty area, which Sagna hacked away as Chadli chased the loose ball. Then, inexplicably, Szczesny failed to collect a high cross into the box, which this time did fall for Chadli, but somehow Koscielny blocked his goalbound shot at point-blank range.
With 20 minutes left, there was a double change for the home side when Paulinho and Gylfi Sigurdsson replaced Chadli and Sandro.

For Arsenal, Rosicky was taken off as defensive midfielder Mathieu Flamini came on.

Wenger was off his seat protesting for what he felt was a penalty after Koscielny was sent tumbling by Jan Vertonghen, but the referee was not interested.

Lloris then made a smart reaction save after Per Mertesacker lashed the ball goalwards from a deep free-kick.

Tempers boiled over in the closing minutes as Sherwood twice hurled the ball at Sagna when Arsenal had been awarded a throw-in.

Mikel Arteta played a good game as he eventually act as peacemaker in a crowded technical area as his side played out the four minutes of stoppage time.

Manchester United VS Liverpool (0-3):Post Report

16th March 2014 : Liverpool really played a better game than Manchester United when they had their impressive 3-0 win at Old Trafford.

Two Steven Gerrard penalties and a late finish from Luis Suarez secured the three points for the visitors, but it could have been worse for United, who had Nemanja Vidic sent off, if Liverpool's captain had not missed his third spot-kick of the afternoon.

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Liverpool are now up to second in the Premier League with a game in hand over leaders Chelsea who they trail by four points and are still to play at Anfield.

Rodgers has previously claimed that the Reds were not in the title race this season and, although he was more positive after the Old Trafford victory, he opted to stay cautious when talking about silverware.

"It's exactly the same," he told Sky Sports. "I think we're a developing side. We're probably a year ahead of where we've been but that's testament to the players and how quickly they're adapting to the methods.

"The biggest difference is that we're believing all the time. You come here, you win 3-0 playing like we did today and it's another statement in terms of where the team is going.

"I repeat (what I said) before, we could win the next nine games and still not win it but certainly our focus now will be to get ready.

"We've got a tough game against Cardiff next week away and it's five games on the spin now. Terrific results against tough opponents and we've just got to keep it going.

"I think that we're coming into a real strong stage of the season. We did the same last year and we're doing the same this year.

"I think as the players work together, the personalities connect, they understand how we want to work. They're improving all the time.

"The beauty of this team is we have a lot of young players that are improving. We remain humble as a team and as a group and we'll manage the expectations.

"The only expectation is to win the next game and that's what we'll look to do. Everyone's got tough games.
"We've had a tough game today, we've done our job and that's all we can concentrate on. If we continue to do that, let's see where it takes us."

The result ensured that Liverpool secured a league double over their bitter rivals and Rodgers was full of praise for his side's display.

"I thought we were outstanding, the dominance in the game was very apparent from the beginning right the way through," he said.

"We obviously created lots of chances, we scored three goals, missed a penalty unfortunately, but we could have had three or four more, so I think we were clearly the dominant team.

"I think as a team, first and foremost, we controlled the ball. I thought in particular in the second half we were better with the ball, combined greater and obviously we're a very aggressive team going forward.

"We set up to defend well and obviously we attack in numbers as well and I think that aggression and confidence in our game is clear to see.

"To come here and to get a result like that and a performance like that is very good. I thought our focus and composure today was very good.

"We've had a terrific season and for 14 or 15 months we've been excellent so to come here, I remember coming here last season and playing okay but Man United were the better team.

"But I think the development in our side was clear today and you could see the players' confidence."

When asked if Daniel Sturridge had dived for the third penalty, Rodgers replied: "I think he certainly hasn't dived."