Tottenham and Chelsea settled for a 1-1 draw

Brazilians David Luiz (Chelsea) and Paulinho (Tottenham) shared post game light moments

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea level their latest Premiere league game courtesy of goals from Gylfi Sigourdson and John Terry to share a point. 

The Spurs seized the initiative in the 19th minute as the combined effort of Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado set up Gylfi Sigourdson for a beautiful goal.  Eriksen fired a cross to Roberto Soldado who then tap in the ball to the attacking Sigourdson as he smash the ball into the net. Peter Cech outstreched leg did little to stop the Tottenham midfielder to score. 

Tottenham threatened to add their lead both by Paulinho. In the 23rd minute, Paulinho almost added a goal after a feed from Soldado gave him enough space to slide the ball to the net only to be foiled by Branislav Ivanovic. In the 45th minute, it was Andros Townsend's turn to cross to Paulinho only that his close range effort was off target. 

In the second half, Chelsea repeatedly peppered the Tottenham goal in search for an equaliser.  Just at the start of the second half, Ramires lobbed a pass to John Terry whose header went high above the crossbar.  In the 48th minute, Fernando Torres fired a cross to Oscar but his sliding attempt was off target.  Torres rifled again in the 53rd minute but his attempt was timely blocked by Hugo Lloris.  In the 57th minute, Mata's goal was also ruled offside. 

Chelsea finally break in the scoring table as John Terry scored through a glancing header from a free kick by Juan Mata in the 65th minute. 

It was a tussle from then on from both sides.  The game was marred by an ugly incident involving Jon Vertonghen and Fernando Torres in a collision in the 81st minute. The referee issued and second yellow card to Fernando Torres and in effect sent him off with just 9 minutes left in the game.  Tottenham however failed to capitalize the underhanded Chelsea side as they failed to add their score despite the efforts of Mousa Dembele, Gylfi Sigourdson and Jermain Defoe in the dying minutes of the game.  In the end, both teams settled for a draw.  

After the smoke clears, its Atletico Madrid over Real Madrid in a highly physical capital derby

Cristiano Ronaldo empty handed after the game

Santiago Bernabeu - Atletico Madrid dealt a double whammy against city rivals Real Madrid as Diego Costa scored the only goal in a highly physical match.  Not only that Atletico Madrid owned the bragging rights in their city rivalry, it also hand Real Madrid its first loss of the season and cost them 3 points to remain at third spot with 16 points. Real Madrid is helpless in the game as it saw El Clasico rival Barcelona and latest tormentor Atletico Madrid breaking away from a close three way race for the top spot.

The lone goal came in the 11th minute.  Arda Turan lobbed a pass to Koke whose header rebounded to Luis Felipe.  Felipe then passed it back to Koke who saw Diego Costa on onside position.  Koke then slides the ball to Diego Costa who managed to slip behind Alvaro Arbeloa's defense.  Diego Costa then broke away and before he can be stopped  by the onrushing Diego Lopes, Costa launch his shot that went into the net trouble free.   

Diego Lopes and Diego Costa in one of the heated moments of the game

Nerves fly in a highly charged emotional game as Real Madrid was under pressure to score and salvage a draw. Several altercations erupted and yellow cards are issued in as tempers flare. The game saw yellow cards for  Diego Costa in Atletico Madrid and for Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Alvaro Arbeloa for Real Madrid.  The El Clasico with Barcelona is now seemed to be eclipsed in terms of physicality with the Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid derby.  

The game is not wanting of dramatic moments as both teams tried to salvage points.  There is that breakaway by Diego Costa in the 60th minute from a David Villa pass but was timely saved by Diego Lopes.  The rebound went to Gabi who pass it to David Villa on the left flank. Villa tried to relaunch their attack but was timely cut by Pepe with a sliding tackle.  

In the 80th minute, Joao Miranda fired a cross to the center but Diego Lopes punch the ground ball.  Diego Costa caught up with the ball and pass it to Koke on the right side. Koke then squared and launch his strike inside the penalty box only to see it hit the woodwork.  Atletico Madrid could have scored it in both golden opportunities. 

Before the end of the game, there are ominous signs Real Madrid would fall.  It missed opportunities which in a normal day is routine.  Substitute Alvaro Morata's layback found no one except Luis Felipe in the 76th minute.  Had there been a teammate, it could have been an easy tap in.  Then in the 84th minute, Pepe's cross found Alvaro Morata in the center who back flip the ball but Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtouis, displaying superior reflex block in the ball in what could have been a sure goal.  Real Madrid was given its last chance in the 90th minute when Karim Benzema's shot was deflected and the rebound fell on Morata whose close range shot only manage to touch the outside of the goal.   

With the win, Atletico Madrid is now tied with Barcelona with 21 points but Barcelona claim top spot because of superior goal difference. Real Madrid remained at third spot with 16 points, and its first loss of the season. 

Ligue 1: Paris Saint Germain and AS Monaco play to a draw

PSG Wall (L-R: Cavani, Thiago Motta, Ibrahimovic, Blaise Matuidi)

No one got the advantage in the meeting of the French Ligue giants in the current season.  Paris Saint Germain and A.S. Monaco played to a draw in Parc de Princes. 

PSG and Monaco got media attention for their aggressive buying spree in the pre season.  PSG got a new look with the acquisition of Napoli forward Edinson Cavani. His transfer reunited him with his Napoli team mate Exequiel Lavezzi who joined the club a year earlier.  Monaco on the other hand, acquired Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao together with Eric Abidal from Barcelona and Ricardo Cavalho from Real Madrid. 

True to their billing, PSG strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and AS Monaco's Radamel Falcao scored the only goals in the evening.  Ibrahimovic meet the cross from former Barcelona man, Maxwell with a flying kick that slotted the ball to the net in just 5 minutes into the game to the delight of the hometown crowd. 

Radamel Falcao responded 15 minutes later in the 20th minute. Joao Moutinho's corner was blocked but he got the rebound curled a pass to the center.  Both Lydin Kurzawa and Radamel Falcao made a touch but it was Falcao's diving header that mattered as it was the last touch before the ball find the back of the net.  

That was however the last time the ball went inside the net.  Both teams have several opportunities to score but was short.  Paris Saint Germain however got the best opportunities in the game when Ibrahimovic missed a close range shot from a cross by Exequiel Lavezzi in the 52nd minute and Edinson Cavani's glancing header was off target in the 92nd minute. 

La Liga: Neymar goal set up Barcelona win versus Real Sociedad

Lionel Messi and Neymar: the one two punch of Barcelona attack

Barcelona's most prized acquisition Neymar Jr. (Neymar da Silva Santos Jr.) scored the opening and the set the tempo for a winning performance in the Champions League group stage against a dangerous Real Sociedad side. Alexi Sanchez went to the right flank and set up Neymar with his cross that passed between Alberto Dela Bella's leg. Sociedad goal keeper Claudio Bravo tried to reach the ball but Neymar caught up with it and brought it inside the goal. 

Three minutes later, it was Neymar who set up Lionel Messi for the second goal. Neymar ran across the field and into the right flank marked by Markel Bergara and Dani Estrada. Neymar lobbed a high arching cross to the center. Claudio Bravo got distracted by Alexi Sanchez who is poised to get the header only to find the ball went past and into an unmarked Lionel Messi who scored the goal with a diving header. Inspired by the two early goals, Barcelona got several excellent opportunities but was either foiled by missed shots or Sociedad's resilient defense. 

Barcelona's persistence was however rewarded in the 27th minute. Dani Alves found Lionel Messi who backheeled a potential goal but only to be deflected by Claudio Bravo. The rebound landed on Messi who fired his second close range attempt only to hit the the crossbar. Dani Estrada cleared the ball to Antonie Greizmann who committed an error in passing the ball to Sergio Busquets. Busquets then rifled the ball to the goal which was not stopped by an unprepared Claudio Bravo. Barcelona is up by three even before the end of the half. 

Real Sociedad however wont give up and finally made a breakthrough. Javi Ros pass bounced on Greizmann and landed on Imanol Agirretxe. Agirretxe then let out a straight cross to set up a smooth tap in by Alberto dela Bella. Barcelona a little bit pressured to maintain a safe distance from Real Sociedad find creative ways to score its fourth goal. 

There is always a guarded optimism everytime Barcelona meet Real Sociedad. Last season, it was the only team that dealt them with a loss apart from its El Clasico rival Real Madrid. Barcelona's fourth goal came courtesy of substitute Marc Bartra in the 76th minute. Xavi Iniesta found Messi on the left. Messi then penetrated despite being flanked by Jon Asotegi and Liassine Cadamuro fired a cross in the center and found Marc Bartra for the tap in.

Manchester City thumps Manchester United in City derby 4-1

Kun Aguero scored a double in a dominating game

Manchester City claim first blood in the first derby of the Premiere League 2013-2014. Taking advantage of homecourt advantage, the Citizens went to work to upend their fierce city rivals. 

First goal came in the 16th minute, Samir Nasri received a pass and race to the left flank.  Nasri tries to shake off Chris Smalling but Kolarov made an overlap on his back and Nasri creatively back heeled to the latter.  Kolarov then laid the ball to the center and Kun Aguero volleyed it home as David De Gea just looked as the ball zoom past him. 

Manchester United was buried further as just before the end of the first hand, Manchester City claimed another goal. A corner by Samir Nasri was headed by Sevilla recruit Alvaro Negredo.  The rebound fall into Yaya Toure who just nudge the ball with his knee into the net sending Etihad in wild celebration.  

Kun Aguero then completed his double in the 47th minute in the second half.  Jesus Navas lob a long ball from the right side to Samir Nasri on the left flank. Nasri slides the ball to Alvaro Negredo. Negredo marked by Nemanja Vidic kick a straight cross in the center finding an unmarked Kun Aguero who easily poked the ball into the net.  

Samir Nasri completed his playmaking role in the night with a goal that completed the domination.  Jesus Navas raced from their half until he fired a high arching cross from the right to the left.  Alvaro Negredo faked a header only for the ball to fell into a waiting Samir Nasri who shot from close range as the ball went by De Gea's outstretched leg. 

Manchester United look lost and listless for most of the night. Wayne Rooney did not get enough help from teammates. Rooney's yellow card capped in what is a bad day for Manchester United. Antonio Valencia is far from his peak performance. Valencia's lapse in the first half allowed Alexsander Kolarov to launch his cross that resulted to the first Aguero goal. All is not lost however for the defending champions as consolation came in the 87th minute when Rooney scored from a free kick.  His curling shot was too fast for Joe Hart to stop. 

Come from behind Everton win courtesy of Romelu Lukaku 2-3

Leighton Baines after his second free kick goal

Romel Lukaku completed a come from behind win of Everton against West Ham United in the latest round of the English Premiere League. Lukaku's bullet header in the 85th minute came just two minutes after Leighton Baines scored his second free kick shot from the same spot to secure a 2-3 victory. Lukaku's brilliant goal seems to eclipse Leighton Baines double for the night. 

Ironically, it was Lukaku who pass the ball to Kevin Mirallas on the right flank.  Mirallas, then almost out of space lay it back with lobbing cross which was perfectly timed by Lukaku to launch his bullet header that sent Everton fans in frenzy. 

Earlier, West Ham United seized the initiative in the 32nd minute when Matt Jarvis squared the ball to Ravel Morrison at the center.  Morrison's shot got a help from a deflection by Everton defender Sylvain Distin to find the ball at the back of the net.  It is only in the second half when Everton answered as Leighton Baines scored a curling free kick courtesy of a James Collin foul on Kevin Mirallas. 

West Ham United however seems determined to finish Everton as Mark Noble gave back West Ham the lead through a completed penalty shot from a foul by James MacCarthy on West Ham captain Kevin Nolan. 

Mark Noble's heroics however was overshadowed when he committed his second yellow card in the 81st minute off a foul on Kevin Mirallas.  Adding insult to injury in his sent off is that it allowed Leighton Baines to score his second goal and an equalizer sending a double whammy on West Ham United.  

Champion's League: Arsenal inflicted Marseille a home loss 2-1

Arsenal dealt host Marseille an opening day loss at Stade Velodrome before adoring fans. Both teams are evenly match in the entire game until Arsenal found an opening in the second half. 

Theo Walcott find the net as Jeremy Morel was tentative in his heading save that enable Walcott to collect the bounce and finish the job. Later in the 84th minute Yaya Sanogo's pass to Aaron Ramsey was crucial as Ramsey ran past his defenders to smash the ball to the net, and thanks to a little deflection from Marseille defender Nicolas N'koulo, Arsenal lead 2-0 at that moment. 

Arsenal however has to survive a scare when in the 93rd minute, Marseille was awarded a penalty off a foul by Aaron Ramsey. Jordan Ayew confidently made his penalty shot but it prove to be too little too late to salvage even a point for the host. 

Marseille have their best moments too. Like Mathieu Valbuena's strike in the 73rd minute, Rodd Fanni's missed shot off a pass from Alaixys Romao and Andrew Pierre Gignac's attempted header on an empty Arsenal goal before a heroic clearance by Kieran Gibbs.

Champions League: Real Madrid blasts Galatasaray 6-1

Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera can only ponder what happened to their game

What promises to be a close match ended into a complete rout and wounded the pride of the supposed mighty Galatasaray. Galatasaray simply folded under pressure as Madrid unleashed a barrage of jarring goals that brought down Galatasaray and sending its horde of fans heading into the exit even before ten minutes before the whistle.

The game started with a promise as thousands of Galatasaray fans packed the stadium at the start of the game.  Galatasaray even poised to seize the initiative as barely couple of minutes pass, Felipe Melo's shot on target was saved only by Iker Casillas tophand save. In the 17th minute, Felipe Melo caught Wesley Sneijder's corner but missed a very close shot.  A twin opportunities was available for Galatasaray in the 30th minute. Engin Baytar run circles on Madrid defenses before he saw Wesley Sneijder in good position. Baytar issued a through ball which Sneijder responded. Sneijder was able to go past the defenders and was poised to pass it to Borak Yilmaz but Sergio Ramos timely cleared the ball for the corner.  In the ensuing play, Engin Baytar fired a cross to Emmanuel Eboue who heads the ball but Diego Lopes outstretched hand denied the host of what could have been their first goal.

It was Real Madrid from then on. Sami Khedira lob a long ball to Isco in the 33rd minute who latched on to it and beat Aurelien Chedjou.  Isco shot on the near post got a friendly bounce and into the goal as Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera went the wrong way. 

Isco scored the opening goal

In the second half, Galatasaray tried to respond to Real Madrid when in the 48th minute, Borak Yilmaz header from a cross by Wesley Sneijder just grazed the far post of Real Madrid by inches.  Then suddenly a series of miscues cost Galatasaray the night.  In the 54th minute, Alvaro Arbeloa's clearance landed on Felipe Melo who headed into the wrong person in Isco.  Isco then slides the ball to the breakaway Benzema and smashed the ball to the net.  Later, in the 63rd minute, Angel Di Maria penetrated the Galatasaray defense and beat goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.  Di Maria then cross the ball to the onrushing Isco who heads it to a teammate but instead got deflected by Aurelien Chedjou.  Chedjou's deflection landed on Ronaldo who poke the ball into the net.  Three minutes later in the 66th minute, Gareth Bale's free kick was headed by Sergio Ramos but was punched out by Muslera.  The punch however went to Ronaldo who smashed the ball into the net.  By this time around, the stadium was already silent and and the crowd is visibly upset at the turn of events.

Real Madrid was not yet finished though.  In the 81st minute, Ronaldo received an assist from Gareth Bale. Ronaldo then squared the ball to the streaking Karim Benzema for the elegant tap in.  Galatasaray finally made the scoring table when Nordin Amrabat curled a pass to Umut Bulut who scored a beautiful right footed shuffle kick that is difficult to stop.  

Just as everyone thought, the goal fest is over, Cristiano Ronaldo squeeze past the defense of Aurelien Chedjou and Selcuk Inan to smash the ball again into the net. 

By then, Galatasaray's night unexpectedly ended in a disaster 

Champions League: Manchester United stamps its class on Bayer 4-2

Wayne Rooney scored two goals in a dominating performance against Bayer Leverkusen

Manchester United is notches higher than Bayer Leverkusen at this time as the scoreline indicated in their latest meeting in the Champion's League. In a game dominated by Manchester United, both teams finished with goals that delighted the crowd at Old Trafford. 

The scores began in the 22nd minute when Shinji Kagawa heads the ball to Patrice Evra who then crossed the ball to Wayne Rooney. Rooney then made a bouncing volley which was too high for Bernd Leno to reach and Manchester United was up ahead. Manchester could have upped the lead in the 44th minute when Shinji Kagawa received a lob from Antonio Valencia but Kagawa's attempt missed the goal by few inches. 

Manchester United resume its dominating performance in the second half and one can sense that their second goal is forthcoming. But it was Bayer Leverkusen which broke the ice surprisingly. In the 54th minute, Son Heung Min find himself no room to penetrate as he was swarmed by Manchester United backline. He then made an outlet pass to Simon Rolfes. Simon Rolfes curling shot bounced on Michael Carrick and then went inside the goal without much challenge. David De Gea visibly stunned was not able to react as Bayer players celebrated on the pitch. It did not take long and Manchester United answered Bayer. In the 59th minute, Anderson lob the ball to Antonio Valencia on the right who then cross it to Van Persie who scored with beautiful volley past Bernd Leno. 

Bayer Leverkusen could have equalized it on the 70th minute when Lars Bender's nutmeg shot went pass Michael Carrick only to be saved by De Gea. Instead, it was Manchester United who increased the lead when in the ensuing play, De Gea's lob was headed by Emer Spahic but it went straight to Wayne Rooney who broke away and slammed the ball to the hapless Leno on the other side. Manchester United complete the domination when in the 79th minute a beautiful counter attacked was staged by Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney. Young squared to Rooney in the middle and Rooney lets out a through ball pass which was caught by Antonio Valencia who rifled it on Leverkusen goal. The lead was already insurmountable.

Bayer scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute when Emry Can's corner landed on Stefan Reinartz. Reinartz header hit the woodwork which cause a short scramble before Omer Toprak poked the ball into the Manchester United goal. But at that time, the outcome was already a foregone conclusion.

Inter and Juventus settles for a draw 1-1

Mauro Icardi celebrated after scoring the opening goal

After a scoreless first half, Inter Milan was poised to win the game after Mauro Icardi scores a goal from a pass by Ricky Alvarez that sent the crowd in San Siro erupting in the 73rd minute. That celebration however was shortlived after Kwadwo Asamoah penetrated deep into Milan's goal line and lets out a probing cross that found Arturo Vidal in the middle. Vidal then chips the ball into the net that saved the day for Juventus and found them sharing a point with Inter.

Arturo Vidal scores a quick equalizer two minutes after Inter scores

Villareal forced a draw with Real Madrid 2-2 as Gareth Bale debuts

Cristiano Ronaldo welcomes his newest teammate, Gareth Bale who just transferred from Tottenham

Villareal's earliest successes in this tournament are no fluke after all as it hurdled its first major test in the competition by facing La Liga giant Real Madrid.  Just after kick off, Villareal proved it can go to toe to toe with the multiple champions as it shared respectable possession game against their much favored opponents. 

Just 5 minutes into the game, Villareal gave Los Blancos its first scare when Cani's pass at left side goes through the legs of Pepe.  This enables Jonathan Perreira to get away but he run out of space to launch his attack and Diego Lopes just collects the ball after a weak attempt by Perreira.  Villareal again threatened to score in the 13th minute when Jaume Costa's pass was headed by Mario Gaspar and bounced to an open Giovanni dos Santos who fired from close range.  Only Diego Lopes sliding left hand save prevented Villareal from finding the goal.

Villareal finally seized the lead in the 21st minute. Bruno pass to Jonathan Perreira inside the box.  Perreira momentarily fumbled and lose the ball but Cani came from his left to collect the ball and rifled the net against the hapless Diego Lopes.  Villareal is poised to add that lead in the 28th minute.  Jonathan Pereira issued a wall pass to an onrushing Javier Aquino which took the Real Madrid defenders by surprise. Diego Lopes was there to deny Aquino but his sliding save deflected and Aquino fired a second shot only to miss the goal post by inches. 

Real Madrid however fought back in the 38th minute. Luka Modric issued a pass to Daniel Carvajal who then raced to the right hand side and lets out a cross despite a very good Jose Dorado challenge.  Carvajal's cross finds Gareth Bale who slides home the ball after beating Mario Gaspar. 

Villareal missed a go ahead goal in the 54th minute.  Cani finds Giovani dos Santos on the right side but who backtracks after a strong challenge by Sergio Ramos and Nacho Fernandez.  Dos Santos however outsmarted the two defenders as he squeezed a pass to an onside Jonathan Pereira. Pereira then pass it to an open Jaume Costa on the left who missed from point blank range. 

Real Madrid answered in the 65th minute with a counter attack.  Cristiano Ronaldo received a pass from Isco on the left side.  Ronaldo then skirted his defenders and passed it to Karim Benzema on the right.  Benzema fired a shot which was deflected by Asenjo.  The bounce however landed on Ronaldo who is now inside the penalty box.  Ronaldo then smashed the ball past Mario Gaspar and Mateo Mussachio who slightly touched it.  The slow ball bounced gently before the supine Sergio Asenjo kicked it as he tried to deny Madrid its second goal only for the ball to bounce into the net. 

It looks like Madrid would wrap up the game for the night but Villareal, the resilient team that it is would not just simply give up.  In the 70th minute,  Cani receives a pass from captain Bruno Soriano.  Cani then penetrated the phalanx of Madrid defenders and rifled a shot. Diego Lopes only managed to deflect the fast ball to safety but a rushing Jonathan Pereira was there to finish it with a smashing strike which Lopes barely touched as Villareal equalized for the night.  

The draw saw Real Madrid and Villareal trailing two points from the pace setting Barcelona who scored a dramatic come from behind win over Sevilla in the other game.

Barcelona escapes from jaws of defeat with late Alexi Sanchez goal against Sevilla

Barcelona goal keeper Victor Valdes reacts after the miracle play save their day.

Dani Alves                                             36’	Ivan Rakitic                                          80’
Lionel Messi                                         75’	Coke                                                     90’
Alexi Sanchez                                       94’

For the second time, Barcelona was on the verge of losing their edge, but somehow it always manage to find a savior. 

Second goal of Barcelona courtesy of Messi

Battling a 2-2 scoreline, Barcelona tries its luck to extricate itself from an undesirable situation where it had to lose 2 points in a tightly contested season.  Barely a minute before the whistle time, Barcelona regrouped and try to produce a miracle. Xavi received  throw in and found Messi on the right hand side.  Messi raced towards the right of the penalty box and then penetrates deep into the goal line.  He then lets out a pass to the middle which Sevilla goal keeper Beto deflected.  Unluckily for Sevilla, the deflection landed on Alexi Sanchez who immediately pounced the ball and sending the ball to the back of the net.  Camp Nou erupted both in jubilation and relief as their team made a miraculous resurrection from the dead. 

Earlier, it was a game dominated by Barcelona as clearly it had numerous opportunities.  Neymar made several intrusions into the Sevilla backline. Each time however, Neymar is thwarted by the swarming defense. Displaying their trademark patient offense, Barcelona finally reaped the dividends in the 36th minute when Dani Alves broke the ice after chip pass from Adriano.  Alves rifled the shot which was blocked by Beto but the ball bounce towards the inside of the goal.  Barcelona could have added the goal before halftime, courtesy of Pique's header,  but it hit the woodwork.  

In the second half, Sevilla showed signs of coming back with their counter attacks.  The break came in the 64th minute when Juan Cala's header found its way into the net, only to be nullified as Kevein Gameiro was found offside.  Just as Sevilla was set to equalise, Messi finally scored a goal in the 75th minute from Neymar's layback.  However, in the 80th minute, Sevilla struck back when Ivan Rakitic received a square pass from Vitolo and poked it towards the Barcelona goal out of reach of Victor Valdes. 

An unmarked Coke slammed ball into the Barcelona goal

Barcelona failed to defend the lead later as a Rakitic corner found an unmarked Coke who slammed the ball into the net in the 90th minute just as the injury time started.  Frustration and shock seems to descend on Barcelona as they are on the verge on losing two points and possibly the lead in La Liga.  To make matters worse, Sevilla almost wiped out any point for Barcelona when in the 93rd minute Juan Cala pass a through ball to a streaking Marko Marin and set up a one on one with Victor Valdes.  Fortunately for Barcelona, Valdes picked the ball before Marin could do the damage. 

Messi and Alexi: saviors of the day

In the ensuing play, Barcelona made a miracle this time courtesy to the indafatigable and never say die Lionel Messi. 

Another scoreless draw for Everton

Steven Pienaar attended by medical staff after being hit by an elbow of Cardiff's Kim Bo Kyung

 Everton again failed to find the back of the net after 90 minutes of action with Cardiff City. The game is dominated by missed opportunities as both teams found some brilliant moments but always failed to finish it off. 

The best moment of the match came at the 45th minute mark as it almost broke the ice for scoring.  Everton defender Seamus Coleman fired a cross from the left flank which found Nikita Jelavic in the middle of the penalty box and heads from a point blank range.  His header however slightly touch the sidebar as Cardiff goalkeeper David Marshall promptly tipped the ball to safety. It is one of the highlights in what turned out to be an agonizing night to Everton which finished scoreless again like its first game with West Bromwich Albion in the opening game. 

Leighton Baines (left) and Seamus Coleman rues some missed opportunities

 Other Everton players did not fare any better.  Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas both squandered opportunities late in the game.  Baines intercepts a pass for Matthew Conolly in the 75th minute and was a nice buildup.  His promising attack fizzled out as his shot went off target after Fraizer Campbell distracted the shot.  Baines again tried at the 82nd minute, this time with a wide open shot a few meters from the center of the penalty box which beat David Marshall but missed by few inches. Kevin Mirallas woeful afternoon was highlighted with his failed attempt to issue a cross late in the game.  He also later squandered a great opportunity in the 85th minute.  Mirallas received a pass from Ross Barkley and already beat his defenders but instead of taking the shot Mirallas shift the ball from his left foot to his right and allowed Matthew Conolly to steal the ball from him.  Mirallas was replaced immediately after that play. 

Fraizer Campbell 

Cardiff City could have earned three points in this game had Craig Bellamy finished it in the 62nd minute.  Gary Medel, the former Sevilla man, intercepts a pass.  Medel pass it to Kim Bo Kyung who found a streaking Craig Bellamy from the right.  Kyung then pass a through ball to Bellamy. Bellamy kick the ball to make find some space but his kick was a little stronger and rolled beyond his reach and past the goal, enabling the Everton defense to recover.  

In the ensuing play, Peter Whittingham fires a cross but it missed Gary Medel for a tap in and Cardiff City's best scoring chance is gone. 

Everton tried to awaken its offense with the introduction of Gerald Deulofeu who showed some promise but it was a little too late as time runs out for both teams. 

Atletico Madrid hands Real Sociedad its first loss 2-1

Villa celebrates with teammates after his goal

David Villa                                                   27’	Xabi Prieto                                                   69’
Koke                                                             56’

David Villa gave his new team the lead in the battle of undefeated teams after he capitalized on the mistake of Jon Ansotegi to lift Atletico Madrid over Real Sociedad in the 27th minute of the game in the third round of the La Liga 2013-2014 season. David Villa figured in an exchange with Diego Costa when he was  was able to squeeze himself past David Zurutuza and Jon Ansotegi. Ansotegi's tackle however caught David Villa's foot and paid the price as it afford Villa space to tap in the ball past the rushing goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. 

Jon Ansotegi

Both teams displayed excellent plays dominated by counter attacks. In the 34th minute, Diego Costa latched on to the long ball from the back fell short as Ansotegi atoned for his earlier blunder and cleared the ball for Sociedad.  

Real Sociedad made its own version in the 53rd minute as Antoine Greizmanns breakaway was cleared by Thibaut Courtouis. 

Atletico Madrid upped their lead in the 56th minute.  The play began with Diego Costa running down the middle and who passed it to Arda Turan on the left.  Turan backheeled the ball to David Villa, who run deep into the left and fired a cross which finds its way to unmarked Koke who send it home.

Despite having advantage in pace, Real Sociedad's forward failed to make headway in most parts of the games as their attacks were constantly foiled by Atletico's alert defense.  

Real Sociedad's break came in unexpected turn of events as it outsmarted the Atletico defense in the 69th minute.  The play was momentarily stopped as Diego Godin's push dropped Carlos Vela. As the referee whistled for the resumption of the game,  substitute Esteban Granero made a quick pass to Xabi Prieto which caught the Atletico defense by surprise.  There is nothing much that Thibaut Courtouis could do as Xabi Prieto slammed the strike into the goal. 

Atletico Madrid almost took away that Real Sociedad goal when Arda Turan, Diego Costa and David Villa conspired a promising buildup.  As Turan nears the penalty box, he squared the ball to the right to the out of place Diego Costa enabling the Sociedad defense to steal possession.  Had Turan look to his left, an open David Villa could have scored Atletico's third goal. Atletico Madrid continued its unrelenting forays into the Sociedad goal with attempts Arda Turan and Raul Garcia were both stopped by Claudio Bravo.  

The aggressive offense is not a monopoly of Atletico either.  Real Sociedad tried its best to score the equalizer.  In the 89th minute, Liassine Cadamuro lets loose a long pass to the middle of the penalty box which barely grazed the head of Antoine Greizmann.  However Esteban Granero was there to collect the miss and fired a close range shot but the alert Thibaut Courtouis made an excellent block to deny Sociedad its game tying score.  Sociedad had the opportunity again when in the 90th minute, Cadamuro's pass bounced from Carlos Vera which landed on Ruben Prado.  Prado unleashed a powerful volley but Courtouis saved the shot with a top hand save. 

The scoring ended is capped by a spot kick by Gabi which was cleared with a high diving save by Claudio Bravo. 

Napoli outlasts Chievo as Marec Hamsik scores a double 4-2

Gonzalo Higuain scores for his new team. '

Hamsik                                                         13’	Paloschi                                                         24’
Callejon                                                        28’	Paloschi                                                         40'
Higuain                                                         52’
Hamsik                                                         64’

Hamsik                                                         13’

Paloschi                                                         24’

Callejon                                                        28’

Paloschi                                                         40'

Higuain                                                         52’

Hamsik                                                         64’

Napoli came out victorious after an explosive game with Chievo Verona.  Marec Hamsik scored a double which put the game away the 64th minute.  The scoring opened in the 13th minute as Lorenzo Insigne found Hamsik open to his right.  Hamsik fired a long shot that hit the back of the net after Christian Puggoni diving save failed to reach the ball.  Chievo however answered the scoring in the 24th minute as Alberto Paloschi scored past goalkeeper Pepe Reina from a cross by Perparim Hatemaj. 

Four minutes later, former Real Madrid forward Jose Callejon scores after receiving a cross from Real Madrid teammate Gonzalo Higuain to momentarily restore Napoli's lead.  In the 40th minute however, Alberto Paloschi scored his second goal with a brilliant display of persistence. Ivan Radovanovich received the ball after a corner kick and passed the ball to the middle.  Gennaro Sardo's header bounced high up in the air but he beat the Napoli defenders with his backflip which found Alberto Paloschi.  Paloschi went around Valon Bahrami's defense and scored a close range shot past Pepe Reina to end the half with a 2-2 score. 

The same explosive game ushered the second half but Napoli showed a better play.  Gokhan Inler almost padded Napoli's lead with his on target attempt only to be deflected by Paul Papp at 52nd mark.  Napoli however cannot be denied later. The play began with Higuain passing the ball to Callejon on the left. Callejon finds Gokhan Inler inside the box who then fired a cross to Hamsik.  Perparim Hatemaj temporarily derailed Napoli's goal with a sliding defensive tackle that almost become an own goal which was deflected by Christian Puggioni. Hamsik however was gifted with the lucky bounce as he trashed the net and put Napoli ahead once again.  

 Napoli is poised to add another goal with a Juan Zuñiga's strike which missed the goal by inches in the 68th minute. Two minutes later Napoli's persistence and superior creativity paid off as former Real Madrid star Gonzalo Higuain scored the fourth goal for Napoli after an exchange with Lorenzo Insigne.  Chievo made its last ditch effort to finish better with Boado Acousty's close range attempt at 88th minute but which was saved by Reina.    

Real Madrid traded Kaka and Mesut Ozil

Real Madrid shipped out two of its stars during the trade deadlines. Midfielders Kaka and Mesut Ozil transferred to AC Milan and Arsenal respectively.  Kaka transferred to AC Milan for free and is back to his former team before his transfer to Real in 2009.  Mesut Ozil on the other hand is traded to Arsenal for 42m Euros. 

According to some football experts, Kaka's chance of playing is seen to be reduced with the signing of Tottenham star Gareth Bale to Real Madrid. Kaka wants to play and he does not see that it will be happening in Madrid.  Mesut Ozil on the other hand, looks like being displaced with the arrival of Malaga midfielder Isco and the resurgent Angel Di Maria who both competed for his place in the first team.  Ozil's departure accordingly will enable Madrid to recoup its finances following Gareth Bale's transfer fee which amounts to a whooping 90m Euros. 

Kaka and Ozil's departure followed high profile summer transfer for Real Madrid which saw Gonzalo Higuain,  leaving for Napoli alongside defender Raul Albiol and midfielder Jose Callejon. 

Isco scores double to lift Real Madrid over Athletic Bilbao 3-1

"Isco" Alarcon celebrates as he scored the opening goal

Isco                                                             26’	Ibai Gomez                                                  9’
Ronaldo                                                     45’
Isco                                                            72’

Isco                                                             26’

Ibai Gomez                                                  9’

Ronaldo                                                     45’

Isco                                                            72’

Francisco "Isco"Alarcon continued to make waves for Real Madrid as he scores a double in their last outing against Athletic Bilbao.

Isco, the former Malaga midfielder, received a long ball from Karim Benzema and beat Bilbao goal keeper Iago Herrerin and put the Los Blancos ahead in the 26th minute mark. Isco again scored another from a pass from Karim Benzema initially intended for Angel Di Maria but which found Isco to put the Los Blancos beyond reach in 72nd minute. Isco also scored the game winner in Real Madrid's opening game against Real Betis. Madrid's other goal is courtesy of Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a header before the end of the first half from a free kick by Angel Di Maria. 

Just after Real Madrid went ahead, Bilbao's opportunity immediately came through two free kicks from Beñat.  Luka Modric pushed Mikel Rico for the first kick and Bilbao got another one after Sami Khedira was ruled for a handball in the Madrid wall.  Beñat's second attempt however went wide. 

The second opportunity came as Bilbao launched a three pronged counter attack with Beñat, Markel Susaeta and Andoni Iraola only to be stymied by the timely interception by Luka Modric.  Bilbao's persistence however was not unrewarded as substitute Ibai Gomez finally scored a goal in the 79th minute.  Andoni Iraola passed the ball to Oscar de Marcos on the right side. Marcos found Markel Susaeta inside the penalty box who passed to an open and waiting Ibai Gomez to give Bilbao its consolation goal. 

Real Madrid's win is its third in as many starts to put them within striking distance with its arch rival and league leading Barcelona which beat Valencia in a thrilling 3-2 win at Mestalla. 

Barcelona escapes with a 3-2 win over Valencia

Lionel Messi hugs goalkeeper Victor Valdes as a relief for surviving a gritty Valencia side

What promises to be a walk in the park for Barcelona almost turned into a nightmare.

The Spanish champion was poised to cruise to an easy victory against Valencia after Lionel Messi scored a hat trick early in the first half but found themselves fighting to protect the three points just before the end of the half. 

Messi opened the scoring in the 11th minute. The play began with Javi Fuego's pass intercepted by Sergio Busquets who tapped it to Fabregas.  Fabregas flicks the ball to a streaking Messi who elude the tackle of goalkeeper Diego Alves into the empty Valencia goal.  Adil Rami and Ricardo Costa tried to pursue Messi but they don't have much to do to stop Barcelona's top scorer from chalking his third league goal of the season. 

Messi added another goal in the 38th minute with a similar play.  Sergio Busquets grabbed possession from Ever Banega and then passed the ball to Fabregas who found Messi just at the edge of the penalty box, Messi then launched his attack to the goal and beat Adil Rami's challenge to send the ball at the back of the net.  Three minutes later, Messi scored his hat trick. Cesc Fabregas passed the ball to Neymar on the left and found and unmark Messi in the middle who streaked towards the goal for an smooth finish.  At that point, Barcelona seems to wrap up the night in a dominating fashion. 

At injury time, Joao Perreira's cross finds Helder Postiga who volleyed the ball into the net sending fans at La Mestalla in wild celebration.  A minute later, still in injury time, Helder Postiga scored his second goal with a header past Victor Valdes from a Ever Banega's corner.  Barcelona's game starts to crumble under pressure. 

The second half turned into a tug of war to score on both sides. Barcelona's greatest opportunity came in the 88th minute as Jordi Alba's close range shot and Lionel Messi's follow up were both brilliantly saved by Diego Alves to the delight of the Valencia crowd. Valencia best chance on the other hand, came in the 86th minute when Jonas shot hit the sidebar in what could have been the night's equalizer.  

With the win, Barcelona, maintains its immaculate record while handing Valencia its first defeat of the season. 

Berigaud scores a double as Evian TG surprises Lyon

Kevin Berigaud do the "Chicken Dance"after scoring his first goal. 

Very good.

Kevin Berigaud scored a double and that is enough to upset league leading Olympique Lyonnais in the latest round of French Ligue 1.  Evian TG is far behind Olympique Lyonnais in the standings but it was the former who showed aggressiveness after kick off.  That aggressiveness paid off as by the 7th minute,  Cedric Barbosa got a nice pass from Brice Dedje but just couldnt finished it off.  In the succeeding minute however, a series of passes brought the ball to Cedric Barbosa who made a nice through ball to the rushing Kevin Berigaud who beat his marker Steed Malbraque of Lyon to score the opening goal and send the crowd at Parc de Sports into a frenzy; unfurling the pink flags. 

Two minutes later, Evian almost scored another after Daniel Wass broke away in the right wing to deliver a cross which found its way to Cedric Barbosa who still shot wide despite enough space and opening. That scenario is repeated in the 18'minute with Djeje giving a cross which Fabrice Ehret could not finish.  Evian TG made its second goal in the 33rd minute after a give and go between  Berigaud and Wass resulted in a nice break away by Berigaud for a wide open shot that found the back of the net. 

Olympique Lyonnais also scored some opportunities as in the 45th minute, striker Alexandre Lacazette delivered a nice pass to Nabil Fekir whose close range shot was blocked by Johann Duran, Evian's goalkeeper. 

Olympic Lyonnais however threatened in the second half as barely four minutes into the second half, Jordan Ferri scored a cracker 49th minute. Ferri's goal emboldened Lyonnais to attack as in the 52nd minute Alexandre Lacazette delivered a potential goal producing cross to Yassin Benzia but which was timely blocked by Johann Mensah.  

As the second half draw to a close, Evian had the most opportunity.  Fabrice Ehret got a nice header but just went wide in the 63rd minute; Modou Sonogou's breakaway but was saved by Remy Vercoutre in the 81'st minute, and an interception and a breakaway by substitute Facundo Bertoglio whose shot just went wide. 

The game is tension filled. In the 19th minute,  as Alexandre Lacazette confronted Cedric Moungolou after a strong tackle which earned the latter a booking.

Evian improved with 4 points and is now on the 16th spot while Olympique Lyonnais dropped to 8th place. AS Monaco is still on the early lead with  10 pts followed by Olympique de Marseille.  AS St. Etienne and Paris St. Germain complete the league's top four. 

Olympic Lyonnais lineup

Evian TG lineup