To Glasgow with 21 players

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Tata names the 19 available first team players and Barça B's Gómez and Patric to the team for the match against Celtic

Tata Martino has named 21 players to the team for the match away to Celtic (20.45, Canal +). The list is made up of 19 first team players, including the keeper Oier Olazábal, and Barça B’s Sergi Gómez and Patric. The squad was announced after the Barça B - Mallorca match (0-1).

It’s worth noting that Leo Messi, Jordi Alba, Javier Mascherano, Carles Puyol, Isaac Cuenca and Ibrahim Afellay are injured.

Messi’s hamstring injury was confirmed this Sunday, his estimated recovery time is between two to three weeks.

Trip to Scotland and training session on Monday

The team will travel to Scotland on Monday morning. At 19.00 (local time), Barça will train in Celtic Park. Tata Martino and Cesc will hold a press conference before the session.

Suarez double sinks Sunderland

Suarez double sinks Sunderland

Suarez double sinks Sunderland

Luis Suarez marked his return to Barclays Premier League action with a double as Liverpool edged past bottom-of-the-table Sunderland.

The Uruguay international, back in the fold after completing a 10-match suspension, needed just 37 minutes to find his way on to the scoresheet when he made the most of a flowing move to tap home from close range, and then celebrated by revealing a tee-shirt dedicated to his family.

Strike-partner Daniel Sturridge had given the visitors the lead by bundling home a 28th-minute Steven Gerrard corner with referee Howard Webb failing to spot that the ball had gone in off his arm, and it was he who set up Suarez to make it 3-1 at the death.

However, managerless Sunderland, who had earlier hit the bar through Sebastian Larsson, more than played their part in the game and got themselves back into it when Emanuele Giaccherini pulled a goal back seven minutes after the restart.

There was as much focus before kick-off on the man who occupied Liverpool's number seven shirt as there was on the search for a replacement for the man who no longer occupied a seat on the Sunderland bench.

That process is ongoing with chief executive Margaret Byrne using her programme notes to inform the club's fans that talks have taken place with several candidates, and that there will be discussions with more this week.

Interim head coach Kevin Ball, who has put himself forward as a candidate, launched his temporary reign with a Capital One Cup victory over Peterborough on Tuesday night, and kept faith with the 11 men who brought a measure of normality back to the club after a chaotic few weeks.

Once again, they produced a performance which combined character, organisation and some intent.

Unfortunately for them, however, they came face to face with a team which boasted significantly more potent weapons than those in the Posh armoury.

There was little to choose between the sides during the early exchanges and Larsson came close to giving the home side a 24th-minute lead when his free-kick beat former team-mate Simon Mignolet, but came back off the bar.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/liverpool/suarez_double_sinks_sunderland_rss4427177.shtml

Howson strike seals Norwich win

Howson strike seals Norwich win

Howson strike seals Norwich win

Jonny Howson's first-half strike steered Norwich to their second Barclays Premier League win of the season as they defeated Stoke 1-0 at the Britannia Stadium.

The Canaries took advantage of sloppy play from their opponents in the 34th minute as Howson collected the ball from Anthony Pilkington and beat Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, who might have done better, from outside the box.

Norwich had already hit the crossbar through Ryan Bennett and were good value for their lead, with a shot from Marko Arnautovic that whistled just over being the closest a subdued Potters side came in the opening 45 minutes.

Stoke improved after the interval and looked unlucky not to be awarded a penalty when Leroy Fer had a hand on Kenwyne Jones in the area, before Begovic pulled off a smart save to keep out a Robert Snodgrass shot.

With both clubs struggling for goals this season, a tight affair had been expected and Norwich boss Chris Hughton will be delighted to have emerged from the contest with all three points. They take his side - whose victory at Manchester City in May was their only other away league win in 2013 - to a total of seven points from six games this term, and up three places to 14th in the table.

They leapfrog Stoke, who are now 15th and also on seven points from six matches.

Norwich looked full of purpose from the off, with Pilkington bursting forward early on and unleashing a shot that Ryan Shawcross got in the way of.

Bennett struck the woodwork in the ninth minute with a sliding effort at the back post as he got the better of Shawcross from a corner, and the ball came back to the Canaries defender for a second attempt, but Begovic was able to gather.

There was a suspect moment for Begovic in the 17th minute as a delivery came across the box, with the goalkeeper failing to get anywhere near the ball as it appeared he was shoved to the ground by Michael Turner.

Stoke were unable to make anything of a corner at the other end, and in the 28th minute, Begovic looked unconvincing again as he came to catch a Pilkington cross. He collided with Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who was judged to have committed a foul, and saw the ball go wide of the post.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/norwich_city/howson_strike_seals_norwich_win_rss4426996.shtml

Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 9-21 Leicester Tigers

Niki Goneva

Premiership: Exeter Chiefs 9-21 Leicester Tigers

Premiership champions Leicester moved level on points with second-placed Northampton after grinding out a 21-9 victory at Exeter.

Ben Youngs and Niki Goneva both touched down for the visitors in a one-sided first half at Sandy Park.

Captain Toby Flood kicked a conversion and three penalties for the Tigers.

Exeter fought back from a 15-0 deficit at half-time but three Gareth Steenson penalties were all the home team had to show for their efforts.

Leicester climb above Bath into third position in the table and trail unbeaten leaders Saracens by four points, while Exeter's inconsistent start to the campaign continues.

Richard Cockerill's men, who had lost their only previous Premiership outing away from home this season at Bath two weeks earlier, dominated the first 40 minutes with an effective display against a Chiefs side that struggled to show any form until after the interval.

Tigers have the edge

Exeter and Leicester have played each other seven times in the Premiership since the Chiefs were promoted to the top flight in 2010.

Rob Baxter's side did the double over the Tigers in the 2011-12 season, but Leicester have won the other five meetings.

The Tigers had already wasted two scoring opportunities - full-back Niall Morris failing to ground Flood's chipped kick and then Flood missing a routine penalty - before the visitors finally registered their first points of the game on 11 minutes.

England and Lions hooker Tom Youngs twisted away from the back of a maul and fed younger brother Ben, who exploited a gap on the blind side to cross.

Flood was again wayward from the conversion but found his range to add a penalty soon afterwards.

The visitors were made to wait until a minute before the interval to add their second try, which came courtesy of Fiji international Goneva.

Switched from the wing to the centre due to the absence of injured Manu Tuilagi, Goneva intercepted a misplaced pass on half-way and cruised clear of the home defence for his third try of the season.

Given their 15-point league at half-time, many would have expected Leicester to close out an easy victory but Exeter were much improved after the break and forced two early penalties, both kicked by fly-half Steenson.

The second took him beyond 500 Premiership points, and the gap between the sides was closed to six when Leicester were penalised at the scrum and Steenson slotted over the resulting penalty from close range, although Flood responded almost immediately with a three-pointer of his own.

Despite the odd moment of alarm, Leicester held firm to clinch a third win in four Premiership matches, with captain Flood's fourth successful kick adding some gloss to the final scoreline.

SUNDAY'S LINE-UPS

Exeter Chiefs: Dollman; Whitten, Shoemark, Hill, James; Steenson, Thomas; Sturgess, Yeandle, Tui; Mumm, Welch; Johnson, Scaysbrook, Ewers.

Replacements: Whitehead, Moon, Rimmer, Hayes, White, Lewis, Slade, Jess.

Leicester Tigers: Morris; Scully, Goneva, Allen, Thompstone; Flood, B. Youngs; Mulipola, T. Youngs, Cole; Deacon, Parling; Slater, Salvi, Crane.

Replacements: Briggs, Stankovich, Balmain, Kitchener, Gibson, Harrison, Williams, Bowden.

Referee: Tim Wigglesworth (RFU)

Back to Europe and on with the league

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El Barça torna dimarts (20.45 hores, Canal +) a la Barça return to Champions League action on Tuesday (8.45 pm, Canal +) looking to make it two wins out of two in the group stage

The team have a great opportunity to extend their record-breaking start to the league campaign against Valladolid in the Camp Nou (10 pm)

The Champions League is back this week as Barça travel to Glasgow to take on Celtic on Tuesday evening looking for their second win in the group stage.  The Scottish champions have become familiar opponents in recent seasons.

Next weekend, it’s back to the bread and butter of the league with a home match against Valladolid on Saturday evening (10 pm).  A chance to extend that record-breaking start to the season.

Monday 30th September

7 pm. Training in Celtic Park

Tuesday 1st October

8.45 pm. Champions League match, Celtic FC v Barça

Wednesday 2nd October

2.15 pm. Training in the Ciutat Esportiva

Thursday 3rd October

6 pm. Training in the Ciutat Esportiva

Friday 4th October

11 am. Training in the Ciutat Esportiva

Saturday 5th October

12 pm. Training in the Camp Nou

10 pm. League match, Barça v Valladolid

Sunday 6th October

Free day

Jol accepts the pressure is on

Jol accepts the pressure is on

Jol accepts the pressure is on

Martin Jol defended his record as Fulham manager after recurring errors heaped further pressure on his position.

Six months will have elapsed between Barclays Premier League home wins at Craven Cottage, even if Jol steers Fulham to victory over Stoke and predecessor Mark Hughes next Saturday.

Fulham, whose last home win in the top flight was against QPR on April 1, failed to follow up the Capital One Cup defeat of Everton by defeating Cardiff, as the Welshmen claimed their maiden Premier League away win with a 2-1 success.

Jol, whose contract expires at the end of this season, guided Fulham to ninth and 12th-place finishes in his first two campaigns, but his side are now in the relegation zone.

The Dutchman said: "We have to do better, but I can't go on the pitch and do it myself.

"We beat (Everton), but it's the Capital One Cup, it's not the Premier League. And in the Barclays Premier League you have to win your games.

"Everyone who is in the bottom three or bottom five is concerned. There's always pressure.

"I take responsibility, because I took all these players on board.

"It was not easy, because we don't have all the millions but I still feel that we did well to get the (Darren) Bents, even (Dimitar) Berbatov.

"(But) it's not good enough to win games sometimes.



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/fulham/jol_accepts_the_pressure_is_on_rss4426888.shtml

Messi out for two to three weeks

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Tests carried out on Sunday morning have confirmed a slight injury to his right thigh

He’ll be sidelined by the injury for about two or three weeks and so will definitely miss this week’s matches against Celtic and Valladolid

Tests carried out by the Club’s medical services this morning have confirmed the initial diagnosis that Leo Messi has suffered a slight thigh injury in his right leg.  The Argentine will be out for between two and three weeks, which means that he definitely won’t be available for the two matches coming up for FC Barcelona this week: Tuesday in Glasgow against Celtic, and Saturday in the Camp Nou against Valladolid.  That will be followed by another international break meaning that Barça will have to wait until 19th October to resume the league programme against Osasuna in Pamplona.

Messi came off injured and was replaced by Xavi after scoring the first goal against Almeria.

Jol: Fulham are in safe hands

Jol: Fulham are in safe hands

Jol: Fulham are in safe hands

Martin Jol is confident Fulham will not be relegated from the Barclays Premier League with him in charge.

The Dutchman's position is under scrutiny after another late lapse saw Cardiff claim a 2-1 win on Saturday, meaning the Cottagers are still without a home victory in the top flight since April 1 in a run which has seen supporters' frustration grow.

"The devil was playing with us. If you concede goals that late, it's awful," former Tottenham, Hamburg and Ajax boss Jol said.

"We are very close. It's not easy to win games.

"I can appreciate fans are getting a bit nervous, or other people. If they invest money in the club, they would like to be in the top 10.

"The only risk I can see is that we will still be near the bottom at the end of the season. I never did that (took part in a relegation battle). I feel I can keep them up, but it's not about me."

Jol, who guided Fulham to ninth and 12th in the last two seasons, is not happy with the jeers.

"That is a problem," said Jol of the boos.

"It's not helpful. That is what always worries me.

"It's bad, it's not good for your health. I've got a thick skin. I could easily say 'b***** off', but I won't do that. It's the reality of the Premier League."



Source : http://www.football.co.uk/fulham/jol__fulham_are_in_safe_hands_rss4426768.shtml

Steve Hansen says bonus point crucial ahead of decider

New Zealand remain on course to win the Rugby Championship after a convincing 33-15 win over Argentina.

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        Busquets: “We're happy and we hope to add to our record”

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        The Catalan midfielder is proud of the new Club record set this Saturday and he warns his team-mates ahead of the mid-week match away to Celtic

        It’s not just about victories anymore, it’s about setting new records. FC Barcelona not only secured three additional points in Almería this evening but they also broke the Club record for the best start to a league campaign: seven victories from the seven opening matches of the season. Sergio Busquets declared: “We knew that we were level with last year’s record. We’re pleased [with the victory] and we want to continue to add to our record.”

        The midfielder went on to say that “we played well at the start, and they did a good job pressing us. In the second half we had more possession.” The key to the match, however, was Adriano’s goals: “Our second goal gave us a bit of tranquility. We didn’t suffer and we controlled the game.”

        The negative news from the game is undoubtedly Leo Messi’s injury. Barça’s No16 hopes that his team-mate will “be out of action as little as possible, he’s a very important player for the team. I hope he recovers quickly and well.”

        Barça’s next match is away to Celtic Glasgow in the second round of the Champions League group stage. Busquets warned that “it’s a difficult ground and the atmosphere is fantastic.”

        Adriano the goalscorer

        “I always try to do a good job when I play,” said Adriano when asked about his goal against Almería. The Brazilian went on to say that “our attack is always better when the right and left backs contribute.” He added: “The second goal gave us peace of mind and it worked out for us.”

        Here are the statements made by some of the Barça players after the match:

        Xavi:

        “Nothing has changed. We have the same philosophy. There’s no debate within the dressing room.”

        “We will try to win titles by doing the same things we’ve done in the past: Having the ball.”

        “In the second half we saw the Barça everyone wanted to see.”

        “We’re doing well, we’re improving. We got our win and that’s how you win league titles.”

        Bartra:

        “I’m happy with the victory. This is a ground where league titles are won.”

        “I’m very confident in my chances. I want to bring security to our defence.”

        “Piqué is a fantastic player, I’ve just started and I have a long way to go to be like him.”

        Alves:

        “We won’t win if we don’t improve on what we did last year.”

        “The first half got away from us, in the second we had more possession and we created the chances to win the game.”

        “We hope Messi’s injury isn’t serious.”

        “We've shown our competitiveness and we try to do things in the best way possible.”

        Lennon praises world-class Samaras

        Lennon praises world-class Samaras

        Lennon praises world-class Samaras

        Neil Lennon claimed Georgios Samaras put in a world-class performance with a hat-trick in Celtic's 5-2 Scottish Premiership win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park.

        After Kris Commons capitalised on a mistake by Killie keeper Craig Samson to give the Hoops the lead in the 19th minute, the Greece forward scored twice within two minutes, the first with a guided volley and the second after a good one-two with Commons.

        Kilmarnock midfielder Sammy Clingan, playing his first game of the season after recovering from a knee injury, reduced the deficit with a great free-kick before defender Sean Clohessy made it 3-2 just before the break.

        However, Samaras sealed the win in the 87th minute with a header before substitute Amido Balde, on for Teemu Pukki, scored a fifth two minutes later.

        Afterwards, the Celtic boss said: "I thought he was world-class today.

        "You can talk about the standard of SPFL football or this and that but when you see a player play as well as that, no matter the standard, you can tell that he is a top-class player.

        "I thought he was brilliant. Everything about his game was of the highest quality.

        "I am delighted he got the goals but even if he hadn't got the goals, I thought his all-round play was magnificent."

        Samaras, however, was almost unwilling to accept the praise of Lennon.

        And for a player who had just scored his first hat-trick in three years, he cut a very subdued figure in the Rugby Park media room.



        Source : http://www.football.co.uk/celtic/lennon_praises_world-class_samaras_rss4426421.shtml

        Saints earning respect - Pochettino

        Saints earning respect - Pochettino

        Saints earning respect - Pochettino

        Southampton manager Mauricio Pochettino believes there is no limit to what his side can achieve this season after they eased to a 2-0 victory against Crystal Palace.

        Two goals early in the second half from Dani Osvaldo and Rickie Lambert secured the three points for Saints, who moved in to the top four of the Barclays Premier League with the win.

        After a first half of very few opportunities it was Osvaldo who grabbed his first goal for the club moments after the restart with a Lambert free-kick two minutes later proving enough to kill off Palace.

        Pochettino spoke before the season about challenging for Champions League qualification in the next couple of years and he believes that the start to the season can be maintained.

        "We are not setting ourselves any limits," he said.

        "We just have to keep on believing and the players believe fully in how we want them to play. We are now going to have to work harder because teams know more about us and will respect us a little more now."

        With Osvaldo and Lambert netting their first goals since being partnered in attack and his defence again proving impenetrable Pochettino hailed the perfect day for his side.

        "I think it is complete happiness for every manager is what happened today, a clean sheet and your two strikers getting on the scoresheet," he said.

        "In the second half we were much better than the first half and over the 90 minutes we were the better team.

        "We struggled a bit in the first half to understand the set-up of the game but after the break we corrected certain things and that allowed us to play much better in the second half."



        Source : http://www.football.co.uk/southampton/saints_earning_respect_-_pochettino_rss4426419.shtml

        Arsenal reclaim top spot with Swans win

        Arsenal reclaim top spot with Swans win

        Arsenal reclaim top spot with Swans win

        Arsene Wenger enjoyed a dream 17th anniversary as Arsenal boss as his side went top of the Barclays Premier League table thanks to an Aaron Ramsey-inspired 2-1 victory at Swansea.

        In-form Ramsey teed up Serge Gnabry for the 58th minute opener, before scoring his eighth goal of the season just four minutes later to seal the win and Arsenal's 12th consecutive victory on the road in all competitions.

        Swansea gave as good as they got during a tight first half, and Ben Davies pulled a goal back, but it proved a mere consolation in a competitive encounter at the Liberty Stadium.

        Arsenal have now won nine on the trot and owner Stan Kroenke's public backing of Wenger proved particularly timely given how they have responded from defeat to Aston Villa on the opening day, and the clinical edge with which they dispatched a Swansea side finding some form.

        Ramsey was as key on this occasion as he has been throughout Arsenal's excellent run, and his mix of poise and composure in possession was too much for Swansea to handle.

        But even the Wales international struggled to enlighten a first half which produced a total of zero shots on target.

        There were pleasing passages of play, but little in the way of goalmouth action as the two sides cancelled each other out.

        Jonjo Shelvey, back at the Liberty for the first time since his startlingly mixed performance against Liverpool, initially played a prominent part in a bright Swansea start, his range of passing helping get the hosts in motion.

        The midfielder also had the first meaningful effort on goal - one of very few during the opening 45 minutes - bringing down a high ball and fizzing a fierce drive narrowly over Wojciech Szczesny's bar.

        Arsenal began to find their rhythm with Ramsey delivering a pinpoint cross for Per Mertesacker to head wide, before the Welshman arrowed a low shot around a yard wide from the edge of the area.



        Source : http://www.football.co.uk/arsenal/arsenal_reclaim_top_spot_with_swans_win_rss4425792.shtml

        QPR beat Boro to stay clear at top

        QPR beat Boro to stay clear at top

        QPR beat Boro to stay clear at top

        Queens Park Rangers stayed three points clear at the top of the Sky Bet Championship after a 2-0 home win over Middlesbrough.

        Joey Barton's fourth-minute goal set Harry Redknapp's men on their way towards a seventh league win, which never looked threatened once Charlie Austin converted from the penalty spot following handball by Ben Gibson 11 minutes before the break.

        Burnley are second ahead of Leicester on goal difference after they beat an out-of-form Charlton side 3-0 at Turf Moor.

        Danny Ings put the home side ahead before half-time, with Sam Vokes wrapping up a comfortable victory with two goals in the second half.

        Leicester recorded a 2-1 home win over bottom club Barnsley with a second-half brace from David Nugent, who scored in the 50th and 62nd minutes, the latter a penalty.

        Jason Scotland gave the Tykes hope with a 73rd minute reply, but Leicester closed out the closing stages.

        A late goal from Cristian Battocchio gave Watford a 1-0 win over Wigan at Vicarage Road to keep the Hornets in the play-off shake-up.

        In the lunchtime kick-off, Nottingham Forest won bragging rights in the East Midlands with a 1-0 home win against Derby with a first-half goal from Jack Hobbs - his first for the Reds since signing on loan from Hull.

        Darius Henderson saw his penalty on 79 minutes saved by Lee Grant.

        Reading are also in the top six after they beat Birmingham 2-0 at the Madjeski Stadium, with a goal in each half from midfielder Danny Guthrie.



        Source : http://www.football.co.uk/queens_park_rangers/qpr_beat_boro_to_stay_clear_at_top_rss4425672.shtml

        Premiership: Harlequins 12-22 Saracens

        Harlequins v Saracens

        Premiership: Harlequins 12-22 Saracens

        Saracens maintained the only 100% record in the Premiership this season by winning at the home of fellow title contenders Harlequins.

        Chris Ashton crossed for the only try to keep Sarries top of the table.

        Earlier, Nick Evans had kicked four first-half penalties to put the hosts 12-6 ahead at the interval.

        But Owen Farrell produced a near-faultless display from the tee, contributing 17 points to earn a fourth victory in four games for the visitors.

        In a meeting between two of the sides expected to be challenging for the Premiership crown in May, Saracens were rewarded for their second-half dominance, with their failure to collect a bonus point for the first time this season only a minor disappointment.

        As for Conor O'Shea's men, who lie fifth in the standings, they have now lost both of their home fixtures at the Stoop so far this term.

        Harlequins were six points up at the end of an attritional first period, all of the points coming from the respective boots of fly-halves Evans and Farrell.

        Milestone for Sarries skipper
        Steve Borthwick

        Saracens captain Steve Borthwick played his 250th Premiership match on Saturday.

        The former England skipper is only the second player to reach that milestone and is now just 11 games short of George Chuter's appearance record (261).

        Kelly Brown, making his return from an ankle injury, came closest to a first-half try for Saracens.

        The visitors worked a short line-out to send the Scotland captain clear, and only a sensational defensive effort from Tom Williams prevented back-row forward Brown from grounding the ball.

        A mass brawl followed in the immediate aftermath, following which Quins flanker Maurie Fa'asavalu was sent to the sin bin for pulling the hair of Jacques Burger.

        Earlier, visiting full-back Alex Goode saw yellow for a professional foul on his opposite number Ugo Monye.

        Farrell began the second period by missing a routine penalty but he played a vital role in Saracens' try.

        The England and Lions man burst through Tom Casson's limp tackle and passed inside to centre Chris Wyles, who fed winger Ashton to cruise in under the posts, before Farrell slotted over the conversion to put Mark McCall's men in front for the first time.

        Soon afterwards, Joe Marler received a yellow card for pulling down a maul and Farrell added two more penalties while the Harlequins prop was off the field to extend the advantage to 19-12.

        Buoyed by their improvement after the break, the visitors stretched the lead to 10 points with Farrell's fifth successful penalty, while Evans was unable to clinch a losing bonus point as he failed with a late three-point attempt of his own.

        SATURDAY'S LINE-UPS

        Harlequins: Brown; Williams, Lowe, Casson, Monye; Evans, Care; Marler, Buchanan, Collier; Easter, Robson; Fa'asavalu, Robshaw, Guest.

        Replacements: Ward, Lambert, Sinckler, Merrick, Wallace, Dickson, Botica, Hopper.

        Sin Bin: Fa'asavalu (36), Marler (55).

        Saracens: Goode; Ashton, Wyles, Taylor, Strettle; Farrell, Wigglesworth; M. Vunipola, Brits, Stevens; Borthwick, Kruis; Brown, Burger, B. Vunipola.

        Replacements: George, Auterac, Johnston, Hargreaves, Wray, de Kock, Tagicakibau, Wilson.

        Sin Bin: Goode (12).

        Referee: Martin Fox (RFU)

        Attendance: 12,220

        The Rugby Championship: South Africa beat Australia in Cape Town

        Adriaan Strauss: early try for South Africa

        Adriaan Strauss: early try for South Africa

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