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La Liga: Barcelona 1-0 Real Madrid

2009-11-30T05:59:00.000-08:00

Zlatan Ibrahimović came off the bench to lead Barcelona to a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid and send the defending champions to the top of the La Liga standings.

The Swedish striker stepped off the bench in the 51st minute and five minutes later smashed home a Daniel Alves cross with a thumping left-footed volley at the far post which gave Iker Casillas no chance.

But the Catalans went down to ten men on 62 minutes when Sergi Busquets - who had already been booked - was shown the red card for a cynical handball.

Real were then also reduced to ten-men when Lassana Diarra was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Xavi in the dying seconds.

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Premier League: Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea

2009-11-30T05:54:00.000-08:00

Chelsea tightened their grip on top spot and put a huge dent in Arsenal's title challenge with a 3-0 victory at the Emirates.

With the break approaching, the Blues went ahead as Ashley Cole whipped a low centre across the six-yard box, where Didier Drogba got in between William Gallas and Thomas Vermaelen to divert the ball into the top corner.

Arsenal barely had time to recover before John Terry combined with Cole, whose cross ricocheted off Vermaelen's shin past his own goalkeeper and went in off the post again.

Drogba wrapped things up for the visitors when he curled a 25-yard free-kick exquisitely round the wall with four minutes left.

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Premier League: Everton 0-2 Liverpool

2009-11-30T05:50:00.000-08:00

Liverpool climbed to fifth place in the Premier League standings after claiming a hard-fought 2-0 victory over fierce Merseyside rivals Everton at Goodison Park.

The Reds went ahead in the 12th minute when Joseph Yobo inadvertently diverted Javier Mascherano's 20-yard strike past goalkeeper Tim Howard.

But their eighth win in their last 10 visits to Goodison Park was secured with 10 minutes to go as Dirk Kuyt scored from close range after Howard had failed to hold an effort from substitute Albert Riera.

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Serie A: Catania 0-2 AC Milan

2009-11-30T05:48:00.001-08:00

Klaas-Jan Huntelaar broke his scoring drought and helped AC Milan beat Catania 2-0 in Sicily.

The Dutchman's brace in injury time during the second half fired the Rossoneri moved one point ahead of Juventus in second place.

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Serie A: Inter Milan 1-0 Fiorentina

2009-11-30T05:42:00.000-08:00

Inter Milan stretched their lead at the top of Serie A to eight points with a 1-0 win over Fiorentina at the San Siro.

The game looked set to finish goalless until Diego Milito fired home a penalty with five minutes remaining after he was brought down by Gianluca Comotto.

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Serie A: Cagliari 2-0 Juventus

2009-11-30T05:24:00.000-08:00

Juventus' title hopes took a severe blow as they were beaten 2-0 to Cagliari at the Stadio Sant'Elia.

The home side opened the scoring in the 30th minute when Nenê blasted home past Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from just outside the area.

In the last minute, as Juventus was throwing men forward, substitute Alessandro Matri added a second from a counter attack.

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La Liga: Sevilla 2-2 Málaga

2009-11-29T03:02:00.000-08:00

Luís Fabiano struck twice as Sevilla fought back from two goals down deficit to salvage an entertaining 2-2 draw Málaga in an exciting Andalusian derby.

The visitors looked on course for only their second win of the season as goals from Fernando and Duda put them 2-0 up against the run of play.

Sevilla needed a hero and it was Brazilian hitman Fabiano that stepped up to the plate, as he rescued his side a point with two clinically taken second half goals.

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La Liga: Valencia 1-1 Mallorca

La Liga: Valencia 1-1 Mallorca

2009-11-29T02:57:00.000-08:00

Borja Valero netted a late penalty to ensure Real Mallorca a 1-1 draw with Valencia at the Mestalla.

David Villa gave Valencia the lead three minutes after the restart as he poked home with his left foot from close range after Éver Banega had flicked on a corner.

But an unnecessary foul by Bruno Saltor on Gonzalo Castro set up an 85th-minute spot kick that Borja converted to give them an unlikely point.

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La Liga: Sevilla 2-2 Málaga

Serie A: Genoa 3-0 Sampdoria

2009-11-29T00:38:00.000-08:00

Genoa proved far too strong for Sampdoria as they saw off their local rivals 3-0 in a local derby featuring two penalties and three red cards.

Omar Milanetto scored a first-half penalty and Marco Rossi doubled the lead shortly into the second half. Raffaele Palladino then scored a second penalty to wrap up the victory.

Giuseppe Biava was sent off in the 45th minute with Sampdoria's Rossi following him in the 66th minute and Fabrizio Cacciatore leaving the visitors with nine men in the 88th minute.

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Serie A: Udinese 2-0 Livorno

Serie A: Udinese 2-0 Livorno

2009-11-29T00:35:00.000-08:00

Antonio Di Natale made an instant impact on his return from suspension to inspire Udinese to a 2-0 win over Livorno at the Stadio Friuli.

Di Natale opened the scoring on 29 minutes as he curled in a sublime free-kick from the edge of the box.

Udinese doubled the lead 10 minutes later when Antonio Floro Flores headed home from Aleksandar Luković's cross.

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Serie A: Genoa 3-0 Sampdoria

Premier League: Portsmouth 1-4 Man United

2009-11-29T00:28:00.000-08:00

Avram Grant's bow as Portsmouth manager was ruined by a Wayne Rooney hat-trick as Manchester United left Fratton Park with a 4-1 success.

Pompey dominated early on but fell behind with 25 minutes on the clock when Rooney smashed home from the spot after he had been clipped in the box by Michael Brown.

Kevin-Prince Boateng, who missed a crucial spot-kick at Stoke last week, equalised with a controversial penalty in the 32nd minute after the eagle-eyed officials had spotted Nemanja Vidić pulling Frédéric Piquionne's shirt in the box.

But parity lasted just three minutes as Darren Fletcher's exquisite lofted pass found Ryan Giggs, whose pinpoint delivery was duly dispatched with ease by Rooney from close range.

And the points were effectively wrapped up when Rooney completed his treble from another penalty in the 54th minute.

A great afternoon for United was capped by Giggs' 100th Premier League goal, a lovely free-kick, which comes a day before his 36th birthday.

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Premier League: Man City 1-1 Hull

2009-11-29T00:25:00.000-08:00

Jimmy Bullard's late penalty for Hull City at Eastlands consigned Manchester City to a seventh successive draw.

The Citizens broke the deadlock on the stroke of the interval when Shaun Wright-Phillips' long-range effort was deflected past Matt Duke via the head of Anthony Gardner.

Hull rarely looked like getting an equaliser but Bullard salvaged a late point with a penalty eight minutes from time before orchestrating a celebration routine that will surely not be beaten this season.

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Premier League: Aston Villa 1-1 Tottenham

2009-11-29T00:20:00.000-08:00

Michael Dawson's second-half strike cancelled out Gabriel Agbonlahor's early goal to give Tottenham Hotspur a 1-1 draw with Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Agbonlahor had given Villa the lead on 10 minutes as he bundled home from five yards out after Dawson and Wilson Palacios collided when attempting to clear Carlos Cuéllar's flick on at a corner.

But after 77 minutes Dawson deservedly brought Spurs back on level terms when he fired an unstoppable shot past Brad Friedel from the edge of the box.

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Carlo Ancelotti: I grew up as Internisti

2009-11-28T06:33:00.000-08:00

Former AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed that he was an Inter Milan supporter when he was very young and his idol was the legendary Sandro Mazzola.

The current Chelsea boss spent most of his career with the Rossoneri colours, first as a player and then a coach.

"As a child I was an Inter fan and my idol was Sandro Mazzola," Ancelotti told Sky Italia.

"My cousin who lived there got me a complete Inter kit. From that day forth I was a Nerazzurri supporter.

"Of course it’s impossible for me to say ‘Forza Inter’ now, but I even cried for Inter and I can say that because back then the only way to see them play near me was when they came to Mantova.

"Unfortunately we couldn’t get tickets, but I rather sneakily stood outside the gate crying for 45 minutes. In the end, the steward took pity and let me in for the second half. I remember that Inter scored five goals in that half and won 6-1. It was the only time I ever saw them play live."

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Arsène Wenger: Anelka still loves Arsenal

2009-11-28T06:28:00.000-08:00

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger believes Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka "still loves" his old club.

The 30-year-old Frenchman lines up against his old team in in Sunday's Premier League clash in the Emirates.

Anelka spent two years at Highbury, joining as a 17-year-old in 1997, but left for Real Madrid in a £22 million move during the summer of 1999 amid reports he had become unsettled and demanded higher wages.

"I was disappointed when he wanted to leave us, but the rest is down to him," said Wenger.

"He has not always been at the clubs where his talent deserves him to be, but in the end the talent told, now he is more mature.

"He was out of the French national team for a long time and out of the top level clubs, but now he is where he belongs.

"Slowly, Anelka is getting the credit that he deserves at Chelsea."

Wenger added: "I always kept in touch with Nicolas because I like him and I still believe deeply that he has never lost touch with Arsenal. I believe he still loves this club.

"I always considered bringing him back at some stage, but it never worked because we always had strikers, and I was never a big fan of bringing old players back."

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Andrés Iniesta extends Barcelona contract to 2015

2009-11-28T06:08:00.000-08:00

Andrés Iniesta has put pen-to-paper on a one-year contract extension with Barcelona that will keep him at the Spanish and European champions until 2015.

The 25-year-old was contracted until 2014 but the Catalan giants were eager to him down to an extra year with Iniesta's buy-out clause also rising to €200 million.

"It's a very special day," Iniesta told Barça TV.

"I want to thank the president (Joan Laporta), the board and (director of sport) Txiki Begiristain for continuing to have faith in me. It's one more step towards realising my dream, which is to retire here.

"I would like to end my career here, and look back and see all the titles that we have won - that's what makes us happy. I will fight for this."

After being removed from Real Madrid's youth ranks by his mother for being housed too close to a red light district, Iniesta has thrived at Barcelona.

He has made over 300 appearances for the club in all competitions, winning the Champions League twice and the La Liga on three occasions.

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Andrés Iniesta hails departed Samuel Eto'o

Arsenal target Brede Hangeland pens new Fulham deal

2009-11-28T06:04:00.000-08:00

Brede Hangeland has ended speculation over his future by signing a new contract that will see the Norwegian captain remain with Fulham until the summer of 2013.

The towering centre-back has earned a reputation as one of the best centrebacks in the Premier League since moving to London from FC Copenhagen last year and has repeatedly been linked with a move to Arsenal.

However, the 28-year-old has now decided to commit the remaining peak years of his career to Fulham.

Hangeland told www.fulhamfc.com: "I am delighted to have just signed a new deal and hope that this will now end months of speculation about my future.

"I have always maintained that I am happy at Fulham and committed to doing everything I can to ensure ongoing success of the team.

"It's great to see that the club has made great progress since I first joined in January 2008 which has seen the highest-ever finish for the team in the club's 130-year history at the end of last season.

"This is a testament to everyone involved at the club including the manager and chairman who is dedicated to the club."

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson added: "I am delighted that Brede has been justly rewarded with a new deal and that he has committed his future to Fulham until 2013.

"He is an extremely important player for us and a model professional, so we are all very happy that he will be at Fulham for the long term.

"I would also like to thank the chairman for again showing his dedication to the club he has invested so much in, by offering this new deal.

"We have some very important games coming up and this news will give a boost to everyone here, so we'll focus on Bolton this weekend, and I know the fans will show their appreciation."

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David Beckham & fellow celebrities caught in Dubai debt crisis

2009-11-27T05:21:00.000-08:00

David Beckham, together with Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, are thought to be among those caught up in Dubai’s credit crisis.

Stock markets across the globe tumbled Wednesday night after Nakheel, a subsidiary of Dubai's main development company Dubai World, pleaded with the government for it to freeze repayments of its $64.38 billion debt.

Thousands of multi-millionaires have grabbed homes in Dubai, enticed by the tax-free lifestyle.

When the 2,000 luxury villas and apartments in Palm Jumeirah went on sale in 2002, they sold out in a month.

Several English footballers, passing en route to the World Cup in Japan and Korea, also bought properties worth over £1 million.

Movie star couple Pitt and Jolie are also said to have bought homes on the islands as Dubai became poised to be the world’s number one playground for the rich and famous.

But the dream came down to earth Wednesday as the developer, Nakheel, has run out of cash saying it can no longer pay its debts.

With Nakheel unable to pay its debts, construction is likely to stall on the island, leaving the luxury villas surrounded by an ugly building site – which could see property values plunge.

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David Villa open to Premier League switch

2009-11-27T05:17:00.000-08:00

Chelsea and Manchester United have been put on red alert after David Villa admitted he would not rule out moving to a Premier League club should he decide to leave Valencia.

The Spanish outfit are drowning in debt believed to be in the range of £500 million and desperate to sell their prized asset to relieve the financial burden.

Villa, who is under contract with Los Che until 2014, had always made it clear that he wanted to stay in Spain with Real Madrid his preferred destination, but now accepts that it would not be prudent to rule out any possible destinations.

"I have not closed the door on any club because I only have a short career and I want to enjoy my football," Villa is quoted as saying in the Daily Star.

"I have had a lot of offers, but I would have to pick the best option, and that could be in the Premier League, which I have never ruled out."

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Angry Gennaro Gattuso drops exit hint

2009-11-27T05:11:00.000-08:00

Gennaro Gattuso has reacted furiously to losing his place as a regular starter with AC Milan by demanding a meeting with vice-president Adriano Galliani.

The Italy international, who is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2011, has seen his minutes on the pitch decrease this term after coach Leonardo changed the side's formation.

The Brazilian coach has made captain Massimo Ambrosini and Andrea Pirlo his first choice midfield pairing, with Mathieu Flamini providing cover.

And with former England captain David Beckham due to arrive in the new year, midfield competition is set to get even tougher for the 31-year-old.

"I am Rino Gattuso and I cannot wait for someone to get injured in order to play," Gattuso told Corriere dello Sport.

"I would be lying if I said that everything is okay. At this time I am not happy because of the injury and the fact that I am not being used much.

"I still feel strong and I am disappointed not to be able to prove it. I don'accept the thought that I am no longer indispensable.

"I will have to talk to the club and with Galliani because its not nice that after 11 years at the club you play once in a while."

The news will alert Manchester City who registered an interest in the combative midfielder in the summer.

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Van Gaal allows Toni to 'start looking for another club'

2009-11-27T05:07:00.000-08:00

Luca Toni can leave Bayern Munich in the January transfer window, as coach Louis van Gaal noted "he needs to start looking for another club".

The Italian striker earned himself a €25,000 fine on Wednesday for telling the Italian media that his relationship with van Gaal is "as good as over" after having "problems" with him for over four months.

Toni is understood to be hankering after a return to his homeland during the January transfer window in a bid to win back his place in the national team.

"He’s the one who said he wanted to leave, so he needs to start looking for another club," van Gaal told German channel Sat 1.

"The final decision without doubt will be made by the club, but I will have some influence on it too.

"All the players have their chances, but they must also respond to the demands of Bayern so that they can be considered real professionals."

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Forlán opens door to Premier League return

2009-11-27T04:35:00.000-08:00

Despite recently signing a new contract to keep him at Atlético Madrid until 2013, Diego Forlán has admitted that he would relish a return to the Premier League.

The Uruguayan striker spent two years at Manchester United but failed to settle at Old Trafford, managing just 17 goals in 95 appearances for the Red Devils.

However, after moving to Spain with Villarreal, the 30-year-old became one of the most prolific strikers in Europe, averaging a goal every other game for the Yellow Submarine before joining Los Colchoneros for €21 million in 2007.

"England, and the Premier League, gave me many things and I thank them for that," Forlán told www.uefa.com.

"If I have a chance to return, I would like to go, but I feel I have nothing to prove there."

Should Forlán decide to come back to England there would be a long queue of clubs waiting to talk to him, including Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.

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Alex Ferguson quashes Igor Akinfeev rumours

2009-11-27T04:30:00.000-08:00

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson was full of praise for CSKA Moscow goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, but has denied he will make a January bid for the Russian.

Ferguson's subsequent praise of Akinfeev and doubts over the ability of Ben Foster and Tomasz Kuszczak to replace Edwin van der Sar when the veteran Dutchman eventually calls time on his career only fuelled rumours a big-money move for the keeper was imminent.

However, in his programme notes ahead of United's encounter with Besiktas, Ferguson insisted linking him with a move for Akinfeev are wide of the mark.

Ferguson told United Review: "I told you to watch out for him (Akinfeev) and he was fantastic as I expected. He is athletic, powerful and distributed well.

"Having said that, don't go rushing to conclusions. I know there have been rumours that we are interested in trying to sign him but that is not true.

"He is a great goalkeeper but I am very happy with our goalkeeping strength - from the senior ranks down to some bright lads coming through the ranks."

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Avram Grant confirmed as Portsmouth manager

2009-11-27T04:26:00.000-08:00

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant has been appointed as Portsmouth new manager, replacing the sacked Paul Hart at Fratton Park.

Hart was relieved of his duties earlier this week after collecting just seven points from 13 matches, leaving Pompey bottom of the Premier League.

Portsmouth held talks with Grant regarding the position on Wednesday and have now confirmed the Israeli as the club's new manager.

"Avram is a very experienced and respected manager who has managed at the highest level," Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie told the club's official website.

"The board believes he is the man to help steer the club out of the relegation zone.

"He knows the club, the players and the set-up at Fratton Park, so it was the logical move to make him the next manager, once the board had decided to relieve Paul Hart of the role.

"He will take charge of training on Friday alongside first-team coaches Paul Groves and Ian Woan."

Grant had been appointed as director of football by Pompey last month and had been awaiting a work permit to get stuck into his role.

He has now received the necessary clearance to start work and will be in the dugout for Pompey's home date with champions Manchester United on Saturday.

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Champions League Group D: Porto 0-1 Chelsea

2009-11-26T05:59:00.000-08:00

Chelsea clinched top spot in Group D of the Champions League with a 1-0 success away to FC Porto.

Nicolas Anelka scored the only goal of the game on 69 minutes when he stooped to head home Florent Malouda's cross into the six-yard box.

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