Crystal Palace extend Liverpool's woes in a come from behind win 3-1

Premier League: Crystal Palace come from behind to stun Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers saw his side make the perfect start, as Rickie Lambert netted inside the opening 90 seconds, but there was to be more pain for the men from Merseyside.

Liverpool saw their title dreams dashed in south London last season, as they squandered a three-goal lead, and they were once again unable to prevent Palace from pegging them back as Dwight Gayle, Joe Ledley and Mile Jedinak found the target.

Lambert’s first goal for his boyhood club offered the visitors a dream start, as he was freed by a brilliant pass from Adam Lallana and fired low under Julian Speroni.

The hosts grew into the game, though, and drew level on 17 minutes when the lively Yannick Bolasie saw a skidding drive cannon back off the base of the post and Gayle bundle home the rebound.

Things got even better for Neil Warnock’s men after the interval, as they clambered out of the Premier League drop zone, with Joe Ledley firing through the legs of Simon Mignolet on 78 minutes and Jedinak curling a spectacular free-kick into the top corner nine minutes from time.

Memorable

That fixture came on the back of a home defeat to Chelsea and, just like the back-end of last campaign, Rodgers' side could not respond with a win in the capital.Palace scored three times in the last 11 minutes at Selhurst Park last season to record a memorable 3-3 draw and all-but end Liverpool's title hopes - leaving Luis Suarez in tears.

Mario Balotelli was ruled out with a groin injury having yet to make much of an impact since moving to Anfield.

He is still searching for his first Premier League goal but it was his replacement Lambert who achieved his own landmark early on.

The boyhood Liverpool fan was on hand to gather a pinpoint pass from his fellow former Southampton favourite Lallana to net his first goal for the club since his summer move.

Being on the pitch at such an early stage is not something Lambert has been accustomed to, with this just his second league start of the season, but the England international has now staked his claim to stay in Rodgers' side.

The Reds have not won in the league since a late 3-2 victory at QPR over a month ago, but flew out of the blocks at a wet Selhurst Park as Lambert collected Lallana's pass and slotted home past Julian Speroni with aplomb to finally break his Liverpool duck with just 90 seconds on the clock.

Enthralling

Dwight Gayle came off the bench to grab two of the goals in the enthralling draw last season and it was the former Peterborough man who was on hand to equalise for the Eagles.

Bolasie picked the ball up and was allowed to canter into the Liverpool half unchallenged before his fierce drive came off the post and into the path of Gayle, whose shot was too strong for Mignolet to keep out.

Lambert could not hit the target with two headers either side of another arrowed shot from Bolasie that forced Mignolet into a smart save.

He was the man causing all of the problems for Liverpool, who were caught on the counter-attack by the blistering pace of the Congo international before he exchanged passes with Jason Puncheon and saw his shot blocked behind by Javier Manquillo.

The Spanish defender had no answer to Bolasie moments later but this time the Palace winger could only hammer his shot wide as the first half ended with the sides level.

here were no clear chances in the early stages of the second half with neither side really creating enough in the final third.

Impact

Steven Gerrard, who had little impact on much of the proceedings, could only hammer a free-kick into the stands before Manquillo side-footed a chance from inside the area out for a Palace throw-in.

Rodgers reacted to his side's lack of cutting edge by introducing Fabio Borini and Emre Can in place of Lallana and Joe Allen.

But it was the hosts who were celebrating the lead soon after and it was fitting that Bolasie was once again at the centre of the move.

The undoubted man of the match flicked the ball over Dejan Lovren's head and, having left the Croatian sprawled, crossed for Ledley to calmly finish and turn the game on its head.

The points were secured shortly afterwards as Martin Skrtel felled Gayle 30 yards from goal and Eagles skipper Jedinak, returning to the side following a one-match ban, curled in a beautiful free-kick.

Liverpool could not mount the kind of comeback that saw Palace snatch a point here in amazing circumstances six months ago and remain 18 points behind leaders Chelsea with just 12 games gone, with the Eagles two points further back.

St. Etienne, Nantes draw 0-0

Nantes draw with Saint-Etienne

Nantes extended their unbeaten run to 10 games in all competitions by drawing 0-0 with Saint-Etienne on Sunday to stay fifth in the French league.

Meanwhile, Montpellier moved into ninth place by defeating Toulouse 2-0. Later on Sunday, Marseille hosts Bordeaux.

Saint-Etienne came close to opening the scoring in the first half with winger Kevin Monnet-Paquet, who had a low attempt saved by goalkeeper Remy Riou in the third minute before hitting the post in the 25th.

Nantes proved more threatening in the second half, testing goalkeeper Stephane Ruffier with a low strike from forward Itay Shechter in the 56th and a long-range effort from midfielder Georges-Kevin Nkoudou in the 77th.

Riou salvaged a point for the tightest defense in the league by tipping a curling shot from Saint-Etienne substitute Max-Alain Gradel in the 88th over the bar and denying winger Romain Hamouma in stoppage time.

Saint-Etienne stayed one point behind Nantes in the standings.

In Montpellier, Anthony Mounier pounced on a poor clearance from the Toulouse defence to fire home a half-volley in the 37th. The Montpellier winger missed a scoring chance in the 59th, volleying wide a cross from forward Souleymane Camara. But the hosts added a second goal in the 87th when Djamel Bakar fed Camara, who beat goalkeeper Ali Ahamada with a low strike.

On Saturday, it was: Bastia 0, Lyon 0; Guingamp 0, Rennes 1; Lorient 1, Lens 0; Monaco 2, Caen 2; and Nice 0, Reims 0.

PSG edged Metz 3-2 on Friday to have a provisional two-point lead over Marseille.

The match between Lille and Evian was postponed to January 7 because Stade Pierre Mauroy hosted the Davis Cup final this weekend.

Floro Flores scores late goal as Sasoulo make Torino pay their miss 1-0

Torino 0-1 Sassuolo: Floro Flores Floors Misfiring Granata

Torino were made to pay for a missed first half penalty when they fell to a late 1-0 loss at home to Sassuolo that sees the Neroverdi jump into the top half.

A terrible spot kick from Juan Sanchez Mino looked like it would only be punished with the home side dropping two points but a late header from substitute Antonio Floro Floresstunned the hosts.

The home side were bright in the early going but, being the second most goal-shy team in the division, struggled to create much in the way of significant openings with their first chance not arriving until the 15-minute mark.

It was down to the intelligence of the outstanding Matteo Darmian, a constant thorn in the side of Sassuolo down the left, cut the ball back for Omar El Kaddouri whose stinging drive was a little too close to Andrea Consigli and he punched clear.

However, for a team who struggle to hit the back of the net, they were given the perfect opportunity to do so on 28 minutes. Bruno Peres drove into the area and down to the byline before cutting the ball back for Fabio Quagliarella who was dragged to the ground by Fabio Cannavaro as he looked to make something happen and Nicola Rizzoli pointed to the penalty spot.

Sanchez Mino, yet to score since his summer arrival from Boca Juniors, looked to make himself a fan favourite when he stepped up to take it but he joined Marcelo Larrondo and El Kaddouri on the infamous list of players to have missed a penalty for the Granata this season when his tame effort was easily kept out by Consigli.

Quite why Quagliarella himself, having won the kick and scored twice from the spot in the Europa League this season, did not take the kick will be a question many fans inside the Olimpico will have been asking.

Domenico Berardi, after a quiet first half, blasted one at goal that Jean-Francois Gillet managed to keep out in a somewhat unconvincing manner as both sides probed for the goal that could potentially lift them out of the bottom half.

Simone Zaza was next to try with an ambitious long range effort moments later than the Belgian goalkeeper collected much more comfortably on this occasion.

The home side remained threatening sporadically as the half wore on and Peres was guilty of being too selfless when he raced in on goal and tried to square it for Quagliarella, allowing Sime Vrsaljko to get back and block.

With half an hour remaining, the Neroverdi missed the chance they had been waiting on as Toro once again lost possession, letting Berardi in on goal. His shot was cleared off the line by Nikola Maksimovic but only into the path of the incoming Zaza who snatched at his chance with no goalkeeper in sight and blasted wide.

Quagliarella was denied at the other end following a superb run and pass from El Kaddouri as the game began to open up while Gillet denied Nicola Sansone as you began to get the sense a goal was on the horizon.

That proved to be the case with four minutes of normal time left when Floro Flores rose highest in a crowded penalty box to thump home a header from a right flank cross as his side extended their unbeaten run to six games.

Bueno lifts Rayo Vallecano past Celta de Vigo 1-0

Vallecano hold on for Celta victory

Alberto Bueno scored the only goal to give Rayo Vallecano a 1-0 win over Celta Vigo on Sunday.

Bueno's 20th-minute strike was enough to halt a three-game losing run and end Vigo's four-match unbeaten streak.

Bueno must share the match-winning honours with keeper Cristian Alvarez, though. Time and again he denied Celta's attacks, with his display enough to leave the visitors feeling as though it was a game they should have won.

The international break had done little to halt Celta's positive attitude and they were quick out of the blocks, Augusto Fernandez having a shot blocked before two minutes were up.

They continued to go forward and Joaquin Larrivey shot wide before the home side came into the game.

Roberto Trashorras had a volley saved by Sergio Alvarez and the goal arrived with 20 on the clock as Gael Kakuta's cross was met by Bueno, who nodded in from six yards.

Vigo looked to hit straight back, Alex Lopez being denied by Alvarez while they went even closer when Michael Krohn-Delhi thumped one into the post from the edge of the box. Fernandez was quick to the follow-up but was denied by an inspired Alvarez.

That sequence of play transferred into the second half with Alvarez keeping out Jonny and then pushing a right-footer from Fernandez behind. From the resulting corner Gustavo Cabral cracked a header against the bar and it was becoming apparent that this was not the visitors' day.

They continued to go forward, though, Fabian Orellana hitting wide and Cabral off target when a corner fell to him, but in the end they were unable to find a way through.

David Moyes positive debut as Real Sociedad shared points with Deportivo La Coruña 0-0

Real Sociedad earned a 0-0 draw at Deportivo La Coruna in former Manchester United manager David Moyes’ first match in charge of the team.

The visitors had the better of the first half and ex-Arsenal man Carlos Vela had a dipping shot saved by Fabricio before putting the best chance of the first period over the crossbar.Moyes was appointed by Sociedad 12 days ago and his team looked well organized throughout a fairly scrappy game at Estadio Riazor.

The visitors had the better of the first half and ex-Arsenal man Carlos Vela had a dipping shot saved by Fabricio before putting the best chance of the first period over the crossbar.

Moyes was also a bystander in a bust up between the two benches, and a member of the Deportivo coaching staff was subsequently sent to the stands for taking his protests towards the referee too far.

Deportivo were far more aggressive after the break and would have been in front had Pablo Insua made a better contact when he met a corner at the far post.

Vela did have a final chance to put Sociedad in front but he fired into the side-netting on his weaker right foot 15 minutes from time.

And Sociedad goalkeeper Enaut Zubikarai then had to be alert seven minutes from time, doing well to keep out Juan Rodriguez's low effort and ensure Moyes’ side returned to San Sebastian with a point.

The 51-year-old Moyes has only just started learning the language and mostly had to rely on an interpreter to communicate with his players.

"The coach has asked us for more intensity and I think we showed that in the first half when we created some good chances," Sociedad midfielder Sergio Canales said in an interview with Spanish television.

Godin secures win for Atletico Madrid over Malaga 3-1

Atlético Madrid 3-1 Málaga: Godín goal secures the three points

by Heath Chesters | Posted on Saturday, November 22nd, 2014

Atlético Madrid looked comfortable with a two-goal lead at half-time, but Málaga managed to pull a goal back and add tension to the encounter. It became an uphill struggle for the visitors, after Samu was dismissed, then Simeone’s men grabbed a third and decisive goal, before Gabi also saw red in the final moments.

Neither side could get shots through on target in the opening ten minutes, although Atlético Madrid were looking more dangerous with their crossing, keeping the Málaga full-backs busy.

In the 12th minute the home side were protesting for a penalty, after a Koke strike appeared to strike the arm of a visiting defender, but the referee was content there was no intention and awarded a corner instead. In typical fashion however and dangerous as ever from set-pieces, that brought the opening goal. Koke with the ball into the area and a perfectly timed header from Tiago, giving Kameni no chance.

The opening goal and the crowd at the Vicente Calderón urged Atlético on and for a long spell, they had complete dominance of play, forcing Málaga to defend deep in their half, although with solidity until Koke caught a quick sight of goal, but couldn’t hit the target in the 28th minute.

Unable to break through the middle, Atlético looked to width and dangerous crosses, but still Málaga held firm. When the visitors did get chances to break forward beyond the half-hour mark and with a good spell of possession, Simeone’s side were just as resolute defensively and snuffing out any danger before it got anywhere near their area.

Eventually in the 42nd minute and with a lovely move starting with a combination between Mandzukic and Arda Turan, the Turk found enough space to squeeze the ball through to the far post, where Griezmann arrived to make a simple finish. For the remaining moments of the half and comfortably two goals to the good, they simply kept hold of possession.

The referee was kept busy as play resumed in for the second half, showing four yellow cards in the space of ten minutes, with two for each side, although Málaga were showing more intensity and getting forward well. After a swift counter saw Gabi fire wide, Atlético made their first change of the game with Mandzukic replaced by Raúl Jiménez in the 57th minute and the Mexican forward almost adding the third goal five minutes later, but his header denied well by Kameni.

Málaga looked for some fresh impetus just after the hour, as Horta replaced Miguel Torres and Gracia went for a more attacking shape. That seemed to pay quick dividends, with a quick interchange of passes creating an opening for Santa Cruz to narrow the deficit.

That seemed to bring a little more tension to the game as the two sides tussled for possession, although neither were able to show any dominance for a spell, until Málaga managed to force a corner in the 73rd minute. That seemed to cause the Atlético defence initial problems, though to the relief of their outfield players, goalkeeper Moyà was alert and eventually able to snuff out the danger, ahead of any rival players arriving to take advantage. As play broke forward with the home side though and within the same minute, Raúl Jiménez was brought down from behind by Samu. With no doubts from the referee, a second yellow card was shown and Málaga were down to ten men.

Now with the game even more of an uphill struggle, Gracia made his next change in the 75th minute, sending on Recio for Darder. Atlético were looking to make the most of their numerical advantage on the pitch and in the 80th minute, a double chance almost brought the third goal. Koke with an initial free-kick that Kameni could only parry into the path of Griezmann, who snatched at his finish and fired into the side netting.

Griezmann would be the next to leave the pitch as Atlético made their second change, Saúl Ñíguez on in his place. Another set piece and just as lethally executed in the 84th minute as the home side found the decisive goal. A short corner, Koke with a cross that Kameni couldn’t clear far enough away, then Tiago with a first time ball for Godín to head in at the far post.

Final changes in the 87th minute as Málaga sent on Luis Alberto for Juanmi, whilst Raúl García replaced Arda Turan for Atlético, who left the pitch to generous applause from the Calderón crowd. Just a minute later though and the home side were also down to ten men. Gabi collecting his second yellow for a foul on Castillejo. There wasn’t enough time left for that to make any difference though. Simeone’s side claimed all three points and stopped the good run Málaga had been enjoying of late, firmly in its tracks. 

Chelsea beat West Bromwich Albion 2-0

Bleacher Report

Diego Costa scored again as Premier League leaders Chelsea marched on with a comfortable 2-0 victory at home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Costa put Chelsea on their way with the opener in the 11th minute before Eden Hazard doubled the Blues' advantage midway through the half. 

West Brom played more than an hour with 10 men after Claudio Yacob was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Costa. Chelsea dominated both before and after the red card and could have scored several more goals if not for a strong performance from West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster.

The final score will hardly matter, though, either for Chelsea or Costa. With this latest win—their 10th in 12 league games this season—Chelsea remained unbeaten and maintained their eight-point advantage over defending champions Manchester City. Second-placed Southampton are now seven points behind but will have a chance to close the gap when they play at Aston Villa on Monday.

Costa, meanwhile, continues to display irresistible form, having scored his 11th league goal since joining Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in the summer. The Spain-international striker is the league's second-leading scorer, only one strike behind Manchester City's Sergio Aguero.

Up next for Chelsea is a match at Sunderland next Saturday. 

With nearly one-third of the season played, Jose Mourinho's side look increasingly likely to go through the entire campaign without a defeat. This week, in fact, former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry suggested, per BBC Sport, via MLSSoccer.com, that Chelsea could match the Gunners' Invincibles side that went unbeaten in 2003-04.

West Brom face another tough test next Saturday when they host top-four contenders Arsenal. The Baggies remain firmly in the bottom of the table and will be hoping for a result to keep them above the relegation zone.

Chelsea needed little time to start the onslaught, carving out a first chance in the fifth minute. Hazard and Cesc Fabregas combined on a short corner before Hazard rolled a cross into the middle for John Terry. The captain redirected the ball on target, but Foster scrambled clear to keep the match scoreless.Six minutes later, Chelsea broke the deadlock. Oscar set up the goal, curling in a cross from the left to pick out Costa in the middle of the box. Costa chested the ball into the air and volleyed in past Foster as West Brom's defenders appealed for offside. 

Replays suggested it was a tight decision, with West Brom full-back Andre Wisdom perhaps playing Costa onside.

Chelsea nearly doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Hazard created space with a dribble on the left before cutting back for Oscar; the Brazilian hit his shot across the ball, but Foster made a good save to keep it out. 

Costa then flicked a first-time effort inches wide of the post in the 19th minute, but Chelsea wouldn't have to wait much longer for another goal.

It was only a matter of time before Chelsea found the net again, and Hazard obliged in the 25th minute. Taking advantage of poor defending, Hazard received a corner on the left side of the box and went around Craig Gardner with a deft first touch. The Belgian then finished at the near post for a 2-0 lead.

The situation worsened for West Brom in the 29th minute, as Yacob saw red for a tackle on Costa. Yacob did win the ball with his two-footed challenge, but by leaving his feet to do so, he gave referee Lee Mason little choice.

Six minutes later, Chelsea broke the deadlock. Oscar set up the goal, curling in a cross from the left to pick out Costa in the middle of the box. Costa chested the ball into the air and volleyed in past Foster as West Brom's defenders appealed for offside. Replays suggested it was a tight decision, with West Brom full-back Andre Wisdom perhaps playing Costa onside.

Chelsea nearly doubled their lead in the 15th minute. Hazard created space with a dribble on the left before cutting back for Oscar; the Brazilian hit his shot across the ball, but Foster made a good save to keep it out. 

Costa then flicked a first-time effort inches wide of the post in the 19th minute, but Chelsea wouldn't have to wait much longer for another goal.

It was only a matter of time before Chelsea found the net again, and Hazard obliged in the 25th minute. Taking advantage of poor defending, Hazard received a corner on the left side of the box and went around Craig Gardner with a deft first touch. The Belgian then finished at the near post for a 2-0 lead.

The situation worsened for West Brom in the 29th minute, as Yacob saw red for a tackle on Costa. Yacob did win the ball with his two-footed challenge, but by leaving his feet to do so, he gave referee Lee Mason little choice.

Leading, 2-0, at half-time, Chelsea strolled through the second half.

In the 47th minute, an unmarked Nemanja Matic volleyed over at the back post from an Oscar cross. Foster palmed away a Terry header three minutes later, but the whistle had already blown for a foul.

The pattern remained the same throughout the second 45 minutes as Chelsea continued to dominate without finding the back of the net again. All that was left for Mourinho was to use his full complement of three substitutions, including a late cameo for Didier Drogba, who replaced Costa with six minutes left.

Barcelona trashes Sevilla 5-1 as Messi broke La Liga scoring record

Barcelona 5-1 Sevilla: Lionel Messi breaks Telmo Zarra's all-time La Liga goalscoring record with hat-trick in emphatic win 

The scary thing is that Lionel Messi still has years to go. At just 27 years old, he became the all-time top scorer in Spanish football history, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to cement his place in the record books above Telmo Zarra.

Messi began the game on 250 goals, one behind the former Athletic Bilbao striker. He ended it on 253, putting paid to the last few weeks of wondering just how and when he would eventually become, inarguably, the greatest goalscorer La Liga has ever known.

Of course, Messi is so much more than a goalscorer. Sevilla found that out the hard way on Saturday night, with the Argentine the heartbeat of a Barcelona side which didn’t trip up in a potentially tricky clash against Unai Emery’s high-flying Andalusians, moving back to second place, two points behind Real Madrid.

The Nou Camp chanted his name, his team-mates threw him up into the air, giving him the bumps. Messi walked towards the tunnel, clutching the match ball. Before he was allowed to leave, the Barcelona team stood by his side, watching a video of his goals and clips of his former team-mates and coaches hailing him.

Messi looked taken aback, almost sheepish as some of his greatest moments were played out to the 78,000 spectators. But he also looked happy. Despite his comments earlier this week, suggesting his future may lie elsewhere, it’s almost impossible to see him leaving his home here. The other Barcelona players gave him a guard of honour as he left the field.

By contrast, Luis Suarez is still searching for his first Barcelona goal and was denied by Sevilla goalkeeper Beto when he raced on to a clipped through ball. The striker switched positions with Messi after 15 minutes, taking the centre-forward role while the Argentine moved to the right.

Messi's position is never easy to describe, as he drifts inside when he fancies, and on one such excursion he was knocked to the ground by Ever Banega on the edge of the box. It was a cheap free-kick to give away and Messi made Sevilla pay a hefty price. He arrowed the ball into the top left corner, leaving Beto clutching at thin air.

The scoreboard lit up with a message to congratulate Messi on reaching Zarra's all-time record and the relief on the Barcelona legend's face was clear for the world to see. Relief for having matched the record, relief even for having scored for the first time in La Liga for over a month. Neither obstacle was likely to last long in the face of this footballing giant.

The last few weeks have not been a happy time for Barcelona. A couple of defeats, combined with a poor performance away at Almeria have led to a lot of questions being asked about the coach’s tactics and methods.

There were questions being asked just a minute into the second half. Vitolo got down the left and fired the ball across. Barcelona’s on loan midfielder Denis Suarez battled with Claudio Bravo for the loose ball, which cannoned off the unfortunate Jordi Alba and into the net

But before the stadium had a chance to whistle its displeasure in the usual fashion, Barcelona were back in front. Xavi curled in a free-kick from the left and Neymar rose highest to nod home his 11th league goal of the season.

While Messi is the superstar and Suarez is the star signing, Neymar’s own star has been rising higher this season. The Brazilian has become far more effective in front of goal this term, spurred on by his impressive World Cup campaign.

Gerard Pique's exile from the Barcelona side was ended by Enrique for this match. His last appearance was in the Clasico defeat at the Bernabeu, where he gave away a penalty. Whether he was missing because of some weak performances or a string of disciplinary offences has never been clarified by the Asturian coach, but regardless, the punishment now appears to be over.

Pique won't get away scot free with his role in the Sevilla goal, with both the Spaniard and Dani Alves culpable of switching off, far more to blame than the actual player who put through his own net.

Barcelona had dominated the first half, with only poor finishing and a couple of agricultural Sevilla challenges preventing them from further increasing their lead. A brilliant Beto save from Neymar on the stroke of half-time was the closest they came to doing so, while Suarez was denied after Messi had played a sublime ball to Alba, who sought out the Uruguayan.

While Suarez has had trouble finding the net, the first few weeks of his Barcelona career - after his lengthy suspension for biting ended - have been fruitful. He has created several opportunities for his team-mates, setting up both Barca goals in a man-of-the-match second half substitute appearance against Almeria. And he made another one here, eking out the perfect cross for Ivan Rakitic to head home from close range.

The Croatian diligently finished off the chance but looked mortified at having scored against his former side. He was the star performer in Sevilla’s run to the Europe League final and eventual triumph last season, although his start to life at Barcelona has been mixed.

But whatever problems there are at Barcelona will have to be analysed another day. Messi made sure of that. He surged in to meet Neymar’s cross at full-length and poke home from a yard, to become the all-time top goalscorer in La Liga history. If he hadn’t reached it, Suarez would have had an easy tap in. But Messi does reach things that he shouldn’t. No player will overtake him for many, many years. And at only 27, he’s got plenty more goals to add to his tally.

He began the task immediately. Messi’s third goal was the best of the night, a sprawling dribble, cutting from right to left, a quick-fire one two with Neymar, a light touch to take it out of his feet, and then one of those low, placed drives from distance that he makes look so fantastically easy. That's what Messi does. He makes things look fantastically easy - even the impossible.

Rooney leads Manchester United in beating Arsenal 2-1

Arsenal 1-2 Manchester United: Kieran Gibbs own goal and Wayne Rooney strike seals victory for Louis van Gaal's side

Even when they raised some late hope, with Oliver Giroud, back from injury, striking an exquisite half volley in added time, it was illusory. 

The fact that they could contrive to lose to such a weakened United side in a game which they might have had wrapped up within 20 minutes was stupefying. And their sheer absence of ruthlessness indicates just how fragile they have become: a mentally-flawed team that has turned losing games from dominant positions into an art form.

‘It was a game that we dominated for 80 per cent of the time and it’s a long time since we have dominated games against Manchester United like we did today,’ said Wenger.

‘But we were not efficient enough in the final third and we made a mistake at the back. We had plenty of chances: their keeper is man of the match and that tells you the story of the game.’

Louis van Gaal’s brazenness is generally characterised as genius; it looked closer to madness in those opening 20 minutes as United flailed in defence. A back three of Paddy McNair, Chris Smalling and Tyler Blackett was encouragement enough to Arsenal and within 15 minutes United had also lost Luke Shaw to injury.

Wenger’s side attacked like a team that knew they were in the ascendancy, Alexis Sanchez leading the way, playing with an intensity which was exhilarating. 

The chances came in a flurry: a free header for Per Mertesacker; a header over from Danny Welbeck after superb play from Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain; a shot from Jack Wilshere, after he drove through a vacant United midfield.

But principally there was Wilshere’s chance on 15 minutes, created by Sanchez chasing down David De Gea, whose consequent weak clearance reached only Welbeck, who fed Wilshere. 

Charging through United’s defence again and this time less than six yards out with only De Gea to beat, Wilshere hesitated before shooting into the United goalkeeper’s body: it was a terrible miss.

‘I was not pleased with the way we had played in the first half,’ Van Gaal said. ‘I have to say the first 25 minutes we gave the ball so easily away, it’s not possible for a top team. Arsenal created a lot of chances, but fortunately we have a very good goalkeeper in David De Gea

‘If Arsenal had score in the first 20 minutes, it would have been another game and then maybe I would have had to respond to all the questions because I had chosen three defenders - but now I can laugh.

Wilshere’s miss proved significant, as United slowly began to settle and Wilshere it was who was un-nerved enough on 30 minutes to butt his head into Marouane Fellaini’s chin. He was lucky to stay on the pitch, let alone not even earn a yellow card.

Arsenal started the second half well, with Oxlade-Chamberlain delivering a delightful ball for Welbeck, who found his way blocked again by De Gea. Try as he might, Welbeck could not punish Van Gaal for his lack of faith in his talent. And shortly after Wilshere had to depart with an ankle injury after a terrible challenge from McNair.

And yet Arsenal are always only a moment away from calamity. An Ashley Young cross on 56 minutes was directed at a marginally offside Fellaini but Kieran Gibbs and Wojciech Szczesny got themselves in a terrible mess, colliding and knocking each other over. Antonio Valencia fired in a relatively harmless cross, but Gibbs inexplicably lifted his leg while still grounded.

With his goalkeeper still struggling, winded and injured, Gibbs diverted the ball into his own net. Worse for Arsenal, Szczesny had to come off immediately after the goal with Emiliano Martinez replacing him. 

Suddenly Smalling looked a leader, making crucial interceptions and pulling McNair and Blackett into shape. There was a Sanchez header on 63 minutes and a fine Santi Cazorla strike on 69 minutes, but then Arsenal lost the ball on the edge of the United box on 86 minutes - they are never more of a danger to themselves than when on the attack - and Fellaini swept the ball to Angel Di Maria. He advanced it on to Wayne Rooney, who finished with a cool confidence. Wenger was unimpressed.

‘It was just after a corner and we were not cautious enough,’ he said. ‘I don’t know why we had nobody at the back at all.’

It might have been 3-0, Di Maria chipping wide when he seemed sure to score from another breakaway. Giroud then provided his late riposte, but such finery could not disguise Arsenal’s failings.

‘There’s discordance between possession and the chances we create and our results,’ said Wenger. ‘It’s very difficult but we have to keep faith in what we do.’ 

Manchester City wins derby anew 1-0, deal Manchester United another loss

Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United

It was a derby that left Manchester United a long way back in Manchester City’s wing-mirrors and, in the worst moments, straying dangerously close to being their own worst enemy. They had contributed heavily to their own downfall, most glaringly with the senselessness of Chris Smalling’s red card, and they should know by now that Manuel Pellegrini’s team are not the kind of opponents to pass up these kind of handouts.

Smalling’s quick one-two of yellow cards towards the end of the first half had left an air of inevitability about what would follow and, if anything, it was probably a surprise that City restricted themselves to Sergio Agüero’s goal bearing in mind another of United’s defenders, Marcos Rojo, was taken off on a stretcher early in the second half with a dislocated shoulder. It left Louis van Gaal’s team with a back four of Antonio Valencia, Michael Carrick, Paddy McNair and Luke Shaw. Carrick was playing his first football of the season. Valencia is known more as a low-confidence winger and McNair is a 19-year-old who has been fast-tracked from the youth academy after being spotted at Ballyclare Colts. This might not be City at their fully functioning best but it would have been almost implausible if they had not found their way through.

For that Smalling will have to do his time grazing in the scapegoat’s paddock because his contribution here supplied hard evidence of a player lacking the football intelligence that is needed at the highest level. He has previous on that front and it is difficult to find any mitigation for the way he scythed down James Milner when the first rule for a defender on a yellow card is not to dive in unless it is absolutely necessary. Smalling’s first booking had come eight minutes earlier for standing in front of Joe Hart to block the goalkeeper’s kick and it is hard to think of too many occasions in the history of this fixture when one of the players has been so hare-brained – or “stupid”, to use Van Gaal’s description.

Remarkably United’s 10 men almost salvaged an improbable draw during a late, spirited challenge. They showed great competitive courage in that period and there were chances for Robin van Persie, Ángel Di María and Marouane Fellaini to punish City for defending too deeply and not being more clinical with their opportunities at the other end. Yet the truth is that City would probably have been coasting by that point if the referee, Michael Oliver, had not turned down three separate penalties, at least two of which could be accurately described as certainties.

Wayne Rooney spent much of the game remonstrating with Oliver about his own grievances and, in the interest of balance, there were certainly occasions when United had legitimate complaints. Oliver had an erratic and often bewildering afternoon and, just to pick out one incident, the images of Joe Hart putting his forehead uncomfortably close to the official are certainly far from the norm.

Yet the reality is that City had the stronger grievances. United would have been down to nine men if Oliver had made the correct decision when Yaya Touré surged into the penalty area and Rojo, the wrong side of his man, took him down in the last piece of action of the first half. Fellaini had already got away with a risky challenge in the penalty area on Agüero and he was guilty in the second half of the same again. City will feel nonplussed when they review the tape and Pellegrini had to summon all his restraint in the post-match interviews. He did, however, describe it as “unbelievable” and we can only imagine the volume of criticism for Oliver had Agüero’s goal not made it seem more like an irritating sub-plot than the main story.

The breakthrough came after 63 minutes as United’s unorthodox defence desperately tried to hold off a spell of sustained pressure. Gaël Clichy was galloping down the left and, when Touré played the ball between Valencia and Di María, the visitors’ back line was caught out of shape. Clichy picked out Agüero with a low cross and the Argentinian thumped a rising shot past David de Gea.

De Gea had been a difficult goalkeeper to beat, keeping out Agüero and Jesús Navas, during an opening half an hour when there was not a great deal between the teams. At that stage City had found it hard to get any real momentum, with Stevan Jovetic not making any real impression and Touré taking his time to get into the match. It was Smalling’s dismissal that changed everything.

Van Gaal responded by replacing Adnan Januzaj with Carrick and, in fairness, the emergency centre-half did exceedingly well given that he has not played since May. McNair also acquitted himself well after Rojo was injured sliding into a challenge with Martín Demichelis – moments after Fellaini had been guilty of pulling out of one – and Van Gaal was entitled, for the most part, to recognise his team’s personality. “Our problem is we give the ball away too often.”

Hart had to make two splendid saves as Van Persie and Di María took aim and Fellaini should really have done better with a headed chance. City, however, had accumulated many more scoring opportunities, with Milner excelling before his substitution, Touré and Fernando becoming increasingly influential and Navas striking the post when he had the chance to double the lead.

It leaves United contemplating their worst start to a season, with 13 points from 10 games, since Ron Atkinson was sacked at the corresponding stage in 1986. It was City’s sixth win in their last seven league meetings against United, including four in a row for the first time since 1970, and Van Gaal’s expression suggested that he had not accepted Smalling’s apology. Smalling had been “very humble”, according to Van Gaal, but there was no sympathy here. “Not so smart,” as the Dutchman put it.

Man of the match Sergio Agüero (Manchester City)

Atletico Madrid wins again 4-2 versus Cordoba

Atletico Madrid stay in La Liga top three with win over Cordoba 

Antoine Griezmann scored twice and Koke had a hand in three goals asAtletico Madrid cruised to a 4-2 win against Cordoba. Griezmann put Atletico ahead just before the break but Nabil Ghilas grabbed the first of his two goals to level things up shortly after the interval. Griezmann's second restored the home side's lead and further goals from Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia put the result beyond doubt before Ghilas scored his second. 

Atletico started on the front foot and Arda Turan dragged a shot wide before Koke hit the bar from outside the area. Guilherme Siqueira, Gabi and Turan then all brought saves from Juan Carlos before Atletico took the lead a minute before the break as Griezmann netted his first La Liga goal. 

 Koke delivered a free-kick from the left touchline and Aleksandar Pantic's headed clearance only went as far as the Frenchman, who brought the ball under control brilliantly with his right foot and fired home with his left courtesy of a huge deflection. The equalizer also came from a set-piece as the visitors leveled things up in the 54th minute. Fidel whipped in a corner and Ghilas was left completely unmarked at the back post to head home. 

Cordoba were level for just four minutes, though, as Griezmann scored his second. Some good work down the right resulted in Juanfran supplying a cross and Griezmann was on hand to head past Juan Carlos, who got a hand to the ball but could not keep it out. 

And just four minutes later it was 3-1 with a Koke free-kick again doing the damage. The Spain international delivered from the left and when Juan Carlos came to punch and missed, Mandzukic hardly had to jump to head into the empty net. 

The champions dominated proceedings for the remainder of the half and it was no surprise when the fourth goal arrived nine minutes from time. Koke was again the provider as he crossed from the left and Raul Garcia met the ball with a glancing near-post header which flashed across the face of goal and in. 

 Ghilas grabbed his second in the 87th minute when he capitalized on a poor clearance by Juanfran to hammer home but it proved no more than a consolation.

Real Madrid merciless against Granada 4-0

BBC Sport

Cristiano Ronaldo's 17th league goal of the season helped Real Madrid defeat Granada to move top of La Liga.

Ronaldo put the visitors ahead after only two minutes with a low finish after Karim Benzema's square pass.

The French forward then set up James Rodriguez, who made it 2-0 with a spectacular volley from 12 yards out.

Benzema collected Ronaldo's backheel and shot past goalkeeper Roberto for 3-0 before Rodriguez added a fourth from close range after another Ronaldo pass.

Real, who were without the injured Gareth Bale, have now won their last seven domestic league matches to move above Barcelona, who they beat 3-1 in El Clasico last Saturday.

Ronaldo, who this week was announced as one of the nominations for the 2014 Ballon d'Or award to decide the world footballer of the year, has now scored in 12 successive games and netted 22 times in all competitions.

This was a perfect preparation for Carlo Ancelotti's Real side before they entertain Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Granada have now collected only one point from their last six La Liga matches and are 14th in the table.