Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock: Match Report

Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock: Match Report

Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock: Match Report

Motherwell 2-1 Kilmarnock: Match Report - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game as it happened.


Sutton at it again for Well

John Sutton scored a second successive winner as Motherwell came from behind against Kilmarnock to move into third place in the Scottish Premiership with a 2-1 win.


Sutton followed his strike against Partick Thistle when he netted from close range with the last kick of the first half after a blunder by Killie centre-back Jackson Irvine.


A headed own goal by Stephen McManus had given the visitors a 17th-minute lead, but the unmarked Henri Anier levelled three minutes later.


Motherwell were never entirely comfortable after the break and Kris Boyd came close several times before Killie were boosted by the sending-off of Simon Ramsden in the 87th minute.


However, Lee Hollis made two excellent late saves to deny the Ayrshire side their third point of the season.


Motherwell almost scored straight from kick-off when Vigurs ran on to a ball over the top but sliced wide from 14 yards.


Kilmarnock midfielder James Fowler got a shot on target before Darren Barr rescued the visitors with a slide tackle as Anier burst through on goal.


Killie took the lead after referee Craig Charleston gave them a free-kick wide on the left as Motherwell defender Shaun Hutchinson battled with Rory McKenzie for the ball.


Barry Nicholson's free-kick did not find a Killie player but the ball skidded off the head of McManus as he and Hutchinson tried to clear and flew into the net.


Motherwell quickly responded when Keith Lasley's reverse pass put Anier through and the Estonian slid the ball between Craig Samson's legs.


Hollis saved from Nicholson after a good passing move from Killie but Motherwell got on top in the final 10 minutes of the half.


Samson parried from Vigurs and then produced an excellent diving stop after Sutton had volleyed from a tight angle following Ramsden's lofted ball.


The pair linked up again a minute later to even better effect. The ball came to right-back Ramsden after some patient build-up play and he crossed across the face of goal.


Irvine was well placed to clear but he took a fresh-air swipe that allowed the ball to reach Sutton at the back post and the striker reacted quickly to finish.


The same two players combined less than two minutes after the break and almost doubled Motherwell's lead. Sutton attacked Ramsden's cross at the back post and headed down from six yards but Samson produced a great block.


Motherwell had a scare when Hollis left a deep Sean Clohessy cross and Boyd turned the ball towards goal from a tight angle but Hutchinson diverted the ball over the bar as the home fans feared another own goal.


Motherwell had a penalty claim rejected in the 65th minute when Ramsden got in front of William Gros to attack Lasley's cross and was barged out of the way, but Charleston was unconvinced.


Boyd almost made Motherwell pay moments later when he turned on the edge of the D but his curling effort was wide. Hollis then saved from Gros after Hutchinson lost the ball in a similar area.


The former Rangers striker then fired just wide of the far post after a good burst from Michael Gardyne, who joined on loan from Dundee United 24 hours earlier.


Motherwell introduced their new loan signing, Rotherham winger Lionel Ainsworth, in the 78th minute and played him up front alongside Sutton.


Boyd came close again with a 25-yard free-kick that almost curled inside the far post before Samson tipped a Vigurs long-ranger over.


Motherwell were put further under pressure when Ramsden, who had been booked for dissent when denied a penalty, was shown a second yellow card for a late tackle on Killie sub Rabiu Ibrahim.


Killie threw men forward but Hollis blocked Boyd's close-range effort and then produced a superb one-handed stop from the resulting corner after McManus and Jeroen Tesselaar had thrown themselves at Nicholson's delivery.




Source : http://www.football.co.uk/motherwell/motherwell_2-1_kilmarnock__match_report_rss4389642.shtml

Toffees held by Bluebirds

Toffees held by Bluebirds

Toffees held by Bluebirds

Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines played 90 minutes as Everton picked up a goalless draw against a gritty Cardiff.

The Toffees pair are transfer targets for former boss David Moyes at Manchester United, but the Scot's Goodison Park successor Roberto Martinez had no hesitation in including them at Cardiff City Stadium.

There was no lack of commitment from the pair in a full-blooded contest, although Cardiff will unquestionably be the happier with the point after being penned back for long periods.

Kevin Mirallas wasted two great Everton chances and David Marshall brilliantly saved a deflected Nikica Jelavic header, while the visitors were left scratching their heads at how they were not awarded a first-half penalty for Gary Medel's rash challenge on Baines.

Cardiff created little; skipper Craig Bellamy took too strong a touch when rounding Tim Howard, with the Everton goalkeeper also beating out a Peter Whittingham corner.

There had been a spring in the step and a bite in the Cardiff challenges in the early exchanges as they looked to unsettle their visitors as they had Manchester City six days earlier.

It made for an uncompromising opening and the first moment of any true quality only arrived when Steven Pienaar's exquisite drag-back took three defenders out of the game, but Ross Barkley could not make the most of the chance.

Corners had played a key part in Cardiff's victory over City and they almost repeated the trick when Whittingham's inswinger almost caught Howard off guard, but the American recovered just in time to bat the ball away.

But Everton also proved dangerous at free-kicks, and Mirallas and Phil Jagielka ought to have done better from headed opportunities.

Mirallas also glanced wastefully wide when picked out by Jelavic's pint-point cross as Everton took a hold on proceedings.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/everton/toffees_held_by_bluebirds_rss4389430.shtml

Stokes strikes late to seal Celtic win

Stokes strikes late to seal Celtic win

Stokes strikes late to seal Celtic win

Anthony Stokes' 87th-minute free-kick gave Celtic a 1-0 victory over Dundee United in their Scottish Premiership clash at Tannadice.

The game looked to be drifting towards a draw when the Irishman was brought down by United defenders Stuart Armstrong and Keith Watson at the edge of the box.

Stokes, who had set up James Forrest for the Champions League clincher in the 3-0 win against Shakhter Karagandy at Parkhead on Wednesday night, picked himself up and curled the free-kick over the wall and past Radoslaw Cierzniak, with the ball going in off the post.

The only downside was the injury to defender Mikael Lustig, who was carried off on a stretcher early in the second half after appearing to fall awkwardly following a hefty challenge by United defender Gavin Gunning.

As a reaction to their Champions League efforts in midweek, it was a good day's work by the visitors.

Celtic were rewarded for getting into the group stages by being pitched into a group with Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax.

To that end, Lennon strengthened his squad further.

Israel international midfielder Nir Biton's move to Celtic from FC Ashdod was confirmed on Friday while Finnish striker Teemu Pukki checked in on Saturday morning at Celtic Park from Schalke 04.

Neither was involved against United but following their energy-sapping win over the Kazakhstan champions, Lennon made three changes to his starting eleven,

Defenders Virgil van Dijk and Emilio Izaguirre and striker Derk Boerrigter came in for Charlie Mulgrew, James Forrest and Georgios Samaras.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/celtic/stokes_strikes_late_to_seal_celtic_win_rss4389290.shtml

City eventually overcome dogged Hull

City eventually overcome dogged Hull

City eventually overcome dogged Hull

Alvaro Negredo and Yaya Toure struck in the second half as Manchester City finally saw off a dogged Hull side 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

A week after suffering an unexpected loss to promoted Cardiff, the hosts were again troubled by one of the Barclays Premier League's newcomers in what was an unconvincing display by Manuel Pellegrini's men.

Substitute Negredo, who Hull tried to sign before their doomed last campaign in the top flight four years ago, broke the deadlock after the hour and Toure curled in a last-minute free-kick.

Hull can take many positives from their resilient display, as well as another fine performance by goalkeeper Allan McGregor, but they will rue an early missed chance by Sone Aluko.

Danny Graham, replacing the suspended Yannick Sagbo, also struck only to see a flag raised for offside.

Pellegrini's defence had a more solid look about it with Matija Nastasic fit again to play alongside Joleon Lescott in place of makeshift centre-back Javi Garcia.

But the hosts were slow out of the blocks and Hull took advantage of their lethargy, frustrating the hosts with their determination to defend strongly and chase everything.

Joe Hart, under scrutiny for club and country after an indifferent start to the season, seemed uncertain as Hull made an early move into the box but Pablo Zabaleta cleared the danger.

Hull should have claimed the lead in the seventh minute when Graham's ball took a fortunate ricochet off Nastasic and sent Aluko clear.

But the former Rangers striker squandered a glorious opportunity as he scuffed a low shot wide of the post after reaching the edge of the area unchallenged.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/manchester_city/city_eventually_overcome_dogged_hull_rss4389239.shtml

King: Spurs can rule north London

King: Spurs can rule north London

King: Spurs can rule north London

Ledley King has called on Tottenham to prove they are now the masters of north London by beating Arsenal away for just the second time in two decades.

Gareth Bale has been crucial to Tottenham's recent success against Arsenal, scoring three times in the four derby wins he has enjoyed since moving to White Hart Lane six years ago.

But, for the first time in the derby for four years, Bale will not be in Tottenham's starting XI on Sunday because of his impending move to Real Madrid.

Yet with the vast spending spree that has taken place at White Hart Lane this summer, there is optimism within the Tottenham squad, especially as their north London rivals are yet to spend a penny in the market despite vast cash reserves being available to manager Arsene Wenger.

Andre Villas-Boas' team have coped fine without Bale so far, registering four straight wins without conceding, but former captain King knows talk of a shift in the balance of power will be premature unless his old team manage to pull off a win at the Emirates Stadium.

"The players have been brilliant so far this season and the club have brought in top-class signings so this weekend it's a big game, one to show who is the dominant force," King said at the launch of Vodafone 4G.

"We are looking to go there and prove that we are a stronger side."

Throughout his 13-year spell at Tottenham, King did not once feature in a north London derby win away from White Hart Lane as he missed the 2010 victory at Arsenal through injury.

More importantly, the former captain did not see his team finish above the Gunners in the table throughout his time at the club.

Spurs have thrown away significant leads over Arsenal in the last two seasons and they have finished below their rivals every year since 1995.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/tottenham_hotspur/king__spurs_can_rule_north_london_rss4389173.shtml

Premier League: Man City beat Hull 2-0 thanks to Alvaro Negredo and Yaya Toure goals

Manchester City overcame a spirited Hull City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium thanks to second-half goals from substitute Alvaro Negredo and Yaya Toure.

Fresh from losing to Cardiff City last weekend, the 2012 Premier League champions were again given a fright against a promoted club before eventually claiming a second win of the season.

In a lively start, Hulls should have taken the lead after seven minutes when Sone Aluko burst clean through, but he scuffed his shot wide when he could have rounded Joe Hart.

The Tigers then had the ball in the net four minutes later, but Danny Graham's clinical first-time finish from Robbie Brady's delicious cross was rightly ruled out for offside.

The hosts responded with Joleon Lescott's header forcing a reaction stop from Allan McGregor before Robert Koren's volley whistled just wide at the opposite end.

Manuel Pellegrini brought on Negredo at half-time for Edin Dzeko and he decision was rewarded on 65 minutes when the summer signing headed home Pablo Zabaleta's deep cross.

Hull refused to give up, but the game was put beyond their reach in the final minute when Toure curled a sumptuous free-kick over the wall and off the underside of the bar.

The home side were slow out of the blocks and Hull took advantage of their lethargy, frustrating their opponents with their determination to defend strongly and chase everything.

Hart, under scrutiny for club and country after an indifferent start to the season, seemed uncertain as Hull made an early move into the box but Zabaleta cleared the danger.

Graham's pass on seven minutes took a fortunate ricochet off Matija Nastasic and sent Aluko clear, but he squandered the glorious opportunity after reaching the edge of the area unchallenged.

It sparked a lively passage of play and the in-form McGregor saved superbly at his near post from a Dzeko header at a corner.

On-loan Sunderland striker Graham was then marginally offside when connecting with Brady's ball into the box, while McGregor was in action again moments later, tipping over a powerful Lescott header from a delicate David Silva cross.

Manchester City were unable to impose themselves and frustration among the fans was evident, even as early as the 30-minute mark.

Sergio Aguero weaved his way through the Hull defence with a typical jinking run but then lifted the ball into McGregor's arms.

Pellegrini attempted to inject his side with fresh life at the start of the second half, sending on summer signing Negredo in place of Dzeko.

Yet it took Negredo some time to find his radar, with his first contribution being to head a long way wide from a Silva cross three minutes after coming on.

They finally produced some quality to break the deadlock with a good attack down the right in the 65th minute.

Zabaleta got behind the defence and whipped an inviting cross for Negredo, who moved into space and leapt high to plant a firm header past McGregor.

The goal appeared to do the job for the home side and they then played out until the final whistle. They sat back and looked to strike on the break but they were again unable to muster much to worry Hull.

The visitors pressed until the end and they tried to have one last crack, but Hart punched a Tom Huddlestone free-kick away convincingly and then cleared an Ahmed Elmohamady cross.

And the points were safe in the final minute when substitute Samir Nasri was fouled on the edge of the box and Toure stepped up to curl in a superb free-kick, despite Elmohamady tracking back to the goal-line.


Source : http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287311/report

Mourinho: Chelsea will learn

Mourinho: Chelsea will learn

Mourinho: Chelsea will learn

Jose Mourinho believes his Chelsea side will benefit from the experience of their European Super Cup heartache against Bayern Munich.

An enthralling encounter was overshadowed somewhat as Mourinho berated officials, hinted his belief that there is a conspiracy against him and said the best team lost.

Pep Guardiola appears to have that effect on Mourinho, who has three wins from 16 games against his Spanish nemesis following the 5-4 penalty shootout defeat to European champions Bayern on Friday night.

It was the self-proclaimed Special One's first loss of his second spell as Blues boss and it was by the narrowest of margins.

The contest finished 2-2 at the end of extra-time, which Chelsea played with 10 men following Ramires' dismissal, as Javi Martinez netted with the last kick of the match.

Then, after nine successful penalties, Romelu Lukaku saw his effort saved by Manuel Neuer, handing Bayern victory.

A more measured Mourinho opinion was that his team, which beat Bayern to lift the 2012 European Cup, showed their outstanding potential.

"All of us we will go (home) disappointed, but at the same time we go with the notion that we will have a better team," Mourinho told Chelsea TV.

"To play against the champions of Europe the way we did, with 11 (men), with 10, and we deserved to win. The boys deserved to win. They did everything.

"We got the feeling of the team we are building, the character we are building, the personality we are building.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/chelsea/mourinho__chelsea_will_learn_rss4389156.shtml

Gerardo Martino: “We need to improve our teamwork”

FOOTBALL
Previous Article

The Barça manager explained that he is resting Xavi and Alexis because of the number of games they have played so far

Martino revealed one of the keys to Sunday’s game: “We have to stop Ever Banega from influencing the game”