Barca & Atletico all square in La Liga tug of war

Barcelona took on second-place Atletico Madrid at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday evening and drew plenty of admirers for a highly entertaining 0-0 draw.

Contested at a ferocious pace, Diego Simeone's side showed they have kept pace with Barcelona on merit and extended their lead over city rivals Real Madrid to six points.

Post-match comments also saw Atletico winger Arda Turan describe Lionel Messi as an 'alien' after a half-time cameo from the Argentina star.

Sunday, 12 January 2014 12:37

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Ancelotti wages war to keep Casillas

He may no longer be the undisputed No.1 goalkeeper at Real Madrid, but Carlo Ancelotti is determined to keep Iker Casillas.

The Spain international lost his place in the starting XI under previous boss Jose Mourinho during the 2012-13 season to Diego Lopez.

Lopez continues to be a regular fixture in the starting XI under Ancelotti, but the Italian is adamant that he does not want Casillas to leave.

"It was not an easy decision, I have two goalkeepers of high quality, the best two in the world," the Italian trainer told RNE.

"I started with Diego as my No.1, but then did not consider that Casillas would not play. Rotating goalkeepers is not the most desirable thing, it is not easy, but they have understood.

"I'll fight the same way I did for Xabi. This team have key players representing the club and I will wage war for Casillas to finish his career here, in Madrid."

Ancelotti has also suggested Casillas could be in the starting lineup to face Espanyol on Sunday as Lopez is struggling with a stomach bug.

Saturday, 11 January 2014 12:45

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Yaya Toure crowned King of Africa

Manchester City midfielder Yaya Toure was named CAF African Footballer of the Year on Thursday.

The Ivory Coast international claimed the award for the third successive year, beating off competition from Jon Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba.

Only Samuel Eto'o has achieved the same feat, between 2003 and 2005, as Toure, who was also the only African player named on the 23-man shortlist for the Fifa World Player of the Year award.

Toure is enjoying his most prolific season to date at the Etihad Stadium, having already netted 13 goals this season.

Friday, 10 January 2014 12:15

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Samurai Honda vs Thohir

Based on the Samurai Jack series

Samurai Keisuke Honda vs Erick Thohir

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When it rains it pours on struggling Sam Allardyce

West Ham manager Sam Allardyce was afforded no respite by Manchester City in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday night.

The Hammers are struggling in the relegation zone having failed to win a Premier League game since beating Fulham on November 30.

And Allardyce was forced to face questions about his future at the club after a 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday.

To make matters worse, City were in typically ruthless form in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg and put another six past the hapless Hammers at the Etihad Stadium.

"You can't keep losing football matches as a manager, that's for sure," Allardyce acknowledged after the game. "We know the reasons why but even those reasons will not save you in the end."

Thursday, 9 January 2014 11:30

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Peep! It's Manchester United v Referees!

David Moyes and Ryan Giggs were less than impressed following Manchester United's 2-1 defeat at Sunderland in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday night.

The Scottish boss said "it looks as though we are having to play them [officials] as well as the opposition at the moment" after the Black Cats were awarded a free kick and a penalty which both lead to goals.

And Giggs thinks "it's getting laughable now, the decisions just aren't quite going for us." Not an easy time to be a Manchester United player!

Wednesday, 8 January 2014 12:00

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Heaven-sent century for Milan legend Kaka

Struggling AC Milan kicked off 2014 with a 3-0 victory over Atalanta, led by club centurion Kaka.

In his second spell at San Siro, the Brazilian notched his 100th and 101st goals for the club in a win which still sees them falling short of expectations in 11th place in Serie A.

A deeply religious person, Kaka has famously worn a vest with the message 'I belong to Jesus' underneath his shirt in the past.

And there is no doubt that, in Kaka's eyes, somebody was smiling down on him on Monday.

Tuesday, 7 January 2014 11:15

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Walcott trolls Tottenham fans

The third round of the FA Cup saw north London rivals Arsenal face Tottenham at the Emirates Stadium with the Gunners coming out on top in a 2-0 win.

Goals by Santi Cazorla and Tomas Rosicky did the damage and were enough to send Spurs tumbling out of the competition.

It wasn’t all good news for Arsenal though with Theo Walcott stretchered off, however the forward did not look too unhappy as he departed, gesturing the scoreline to Spurs fans with his hands.

Sunday, 5 January 2014 11:24

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Big Sam shot down by Forest's Merry Men

Sitting 19th in the Premier League, you'd forgive West Ham fans for thinking the FA Cup might provide a reprieve, a release from the week-to-week drudgery of an almost certain relegation battle.

You'd be wrong though. A trip to Nottingham Forest - 5th in the Championship - was never going to be a breeze and Sam Allardyce's team selection made this third round tie even tougher.

And thus, with consummate ease, Billy Davies watched the Tricky Trees demolish their top flight visitors, annihilating them 5-0 at the County Ground.

Monday, 6 January 2014 10:32

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Agent Sherwood battles Arsenal demons in Cup clash

Tim Sherwood takes his Tottenham team to the Emirates on Saturday evening but will have to quell a not-so-secret admiration for the hosts, Arsenal.

Sherwood has been seen on a talkshow discussing his affection for Tottenham's north London rivals, much to the chagrin of Lilywhite fans.

However, after a solid start as Spurs boss, he will be out to prove that his loyalty lies with his employers at White Hart Lane as the two clubs do battle for a place in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Saturday, 4 January 2014 10:55

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