Valencia and Malaga fought for a scoreless draw

Valencia and Malaga did everything it can to earn another three points to improve their standings in La Liga but the game concluded with no one scoring. 

Malaga goalkeeper Willy Caballero figured prominently with his brilliant saves that deny an ever persistent Valencia from scoring.  In the 29th minute, Caballero double saved; first  a free kick by Dani Parejo and then a follow up by Jonas Goncalves which was the best opportunity for Valencia to score. 

Overall, Valencia had more scoring opportunities but its either their on target shots are cleared or no one is there to receive a generous cross.  The two teams have to settle for a point each. 

Late own goal failed to save Lille from defeat by Stade Reims 2-0

Nicolas De Preville is tackled by Pape Souare

Stade Reims remain steady to win against a dangerous Lille side in the latest round of French Ligue 1. Both sides played a highly physical game but still ended with a scoreless draw in the first half. 

The scores came in the dying minutes of the game. Odair Fortes subbed Gaetan Charbonnier and minutes later the substitute scored an unlikely manner in the 73rd minute.  Djibril Sidibe was trying to clear a threatening ball in the box when his clearance hit the jaw of Odair Fortes.  The bounce however went into the net which goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama failed to save.  Then in the 76th minute, Nicolas De Preville header off Floyd Ayite's corner landed on Grezgorz Khrychowiak who headed the ball at pointblank. 

Lille was about to concede the game when Anthony Weber's own goal in the 88th minute gave them renewed hope to just even score a draw at least. 

It turned out that it was only that far their fortune had taken them to and yield the game. 

Manchester City secures a win against Newcastle United in a controversial game

Alvaro Negredo on his lonesom in injury time to seal City's
victory.

Manchester City scored another win albeit a controversial one against a tenacious Newcastle United side 2-0. The Citizens scored in the early minutes of the game when Edin Dzeko latched on to an Alvaro Negredo cross. 

The Magpies could have equalized the game when Chieck Tiote's goal was nullified by referee Mike Jones.  This resulted a howl from Newcastle fans and manager Alan Pardew who confronted Jones at half time.  Jones stuck to his decision as a FIFA rule states that it is still offside even if the player did not touch the ball but he "interfere with an opponent" by "preventing an opponent from playing or being able to play the ball by clearly obstructing the opponent's line of vision or challenging an opponent for the ball"

The controversial offside call. Tiote kicking the ball with Gouffran
 in offside position (dark highlight) 

The game became fierce from then on until it resulted into a very hard Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa foul on Samir Nasri who was carried on a stretcher out of the pitch. 

The game finally become out of reach of Newcastle as James Milner released Alvaro Negredo in injury time who got a lucky ricochet from Newcastle goal keeper Tim Krul to score an easy goal. 

Real Madrid ride on Pepe's header to slip past Espanyol 1-0

Pepe mobbed by team mates after scoring the winning goal

Pepe's bouncing header is what Real Madrid needs to score an important three points against Barcelona City based Espanyol in the latest round of the La Liga. 

The goal came in the 55th minute when Luka Modric fired a free kick from the right hand side from a Christian Stuani foul on Daniel Carvajal.  Real Madrid got another two good chances, the first one from Karim Benzema and the second from Cristiano Ronaldo but both were saved by an outstanding performance of Espanyol goal keeper Kiko Casilla. 

Real Madrid's win move them closer to league leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid which played a nil-nil draw at Vicente Calderon. 

Juventus dominates as Roma suffered 2 red cards 3-0

The much anticipated encounter between league leaders Juventus and Roma was a big disappointment as the Capital team suffered double red cards at the close of their game. 

Juventus scored 17th minute as Carlos Teves saw an Arturo Vidal overlap to his right which he capitalized and the latter delivered after latching into that quick pass.   Then in the 49th minute, an unmarked Leonardo Bonucci poked the ball into the net after a smooth Andrea Pirlo free kick. 

Things went worse for Roma in the closing minutes of the game as two successive red cards were given. First against Danielle De Rossi for the high challenge on Leonardo Bonucci.  It was followed by Leandro Castans handball on former Roma and now Juventus striker Mirko Vucinic.  

Reduced to 9 men, there was nothing Roma could do and Juventus never pushed for more goals as if to emphatize with the plight of its worthy rival. 

Chelsea blanked Southampton 3-0

Eden Hazard celebrates with Ramires after scoring the 3rd goal for Chelsea

Chelsea dominated a tired Southampton side to secure a convincing 3-0 win in the latest round of English Premiere League football.

Earlier in the game both teams displayed excellent defensive game that ended the first half with a nil-nil scoreline.  Things became different in the second half as Oscar and Willian replaced Juan Mata and Andre' Schurrle respectively.   At the 60th minute mark, Oscar shot wide from the left flank which was slightly deflected by Southampton's Calum Chambers. The shot went past Kelvin Davis and hit the lower back post which rebounded and allowed Fernando Torres to nudge a header for the opening goal for Chelsea. 

Then in the 71st minute, the duo of Oscar and Willian played perfectly as Willian received a cross from Oscar from the left before powering a curl that slip past Kelvin Davis to give Chelsea a 2-0 lead.  

Just as Chelsea was secured of three points of the night, Eden Hazard released Oscar to force a one on one with Davis which was completed by the diminutive left winger from Chelsea. Oscar's late goal made the final scoreline. 

Manchester City humbled Arsenal in an epic goalfest 6-3

Spanish teammates David Silva and Jesus Navas ecstatic
after Silva scored ManCity's 6th goal from Navas cross

Manchester City is tough at home.  Not even the league leading Arsenal was able to withstand the pressure of Manchester City as it suffered humility with a 6-3 drubbing at Etihad Stadium.  Manchester  City playing an inspired game was dominant in possession all throughout.  In contrast, Arsenal's seems lackluster and slow. Gone is the trademark free flowing game which Arsenal is known for.

As expected, Manchester City broke the ice in the 14^th minute when a wrong Bacary Sagna clearance resulted in a side volley by Sergio Aguero from a Samir Nasri corner.  Arsenal responded in the 31^st minute. Jack Wilshere stole the ball from Toure Yaya who square it to Mesut Ozil. Ozil released a probing cross that found Theo Walcott who fired just outside the penalty box. Dimechelis deflection helped as the stunned Pantilimon just look as the ball finds the back of the net.  However, less than 10 minutes later, Manchester City took back the lead in the 39^th minute when Yaya Toure found Pablo Zabaleta on the right hand side of the penalty box.  Zabaleta's ensuing cross set up for an Alvaro Negredo tap in and Manchester City is up 2-1.

Manchester City up the lead 3-1 into the 50^th mark of the game. Mathieu Flamini missed a Mesut Ozil pass. This error was pounced upon by Fernandinho who rushed to the box and rifled a goal.  Arsenal hopes however is revived when in the 63^rd minute,  Theo Walcott scored his second goal with a chip shot from a chip pass by Aaron Ramsey.  But it seems that for every Arsenal goal, Manchester City has ready answer.  Three minutes after the Walcott's goal, Manchester City responded and virtually dash hopes for Arsenal to salvage a draw. Samir Nasri slide the ball to the right to Jesus Navas. Jesus Navas then slide a cross which a waiting David Silva side footed for a bullet like shot that stunned Sczcesny.

Samir Nasri tried twice to score in the later part of the game. His first attempt missed but the same was picked up by James Milner who again found Nasri lingering in the box to give the perfect pass. Nasri latched on to the ball but his attempt went wide high above the net. Nasri's persistence however paid off as minutes later, he squared Fernandinho who scored an easy goal after an Arsenal defensive miscue. 

Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker scored a consolation header at injury time to reduce the gap to 5-3.  However, for an Arsenal goal, Manchester City seems to have an answer.  Manchester City is gifted a penalty after Sczcesny fouled James Milner to set up a Yaya Toure penalty. Toure's conversion made the final count at 6-3. 

Neymar's double lifted Barcelona over Villareal 2-1

A very relieved Barcelona overcome a tough Villareal side to eke out a slim 2-1 victory.  Barcelona started the game again without Lionel Messi, Danny Alves and Adriano Correa.  Without their superstar, Gerardo Martino fielded Cesc Fabregas in his stead with Alexis Sanchez and Neymar Da Silva as wingmen.

Both teams find little chances in the early goings. But Barcelona was poised to take the lead but Alex Song's shot hit the near post denying the host the opening goal.  The break came in the 28^th minute when Jordi Alba's cross hit the hands of Mario in the penalty box. That set up the first Neymar goal to give Barcelona the lead before the break.

In the 48^th minute, Villareal evened up after Mateo Mussachio beat Marc Bartra to squeeze a bullet header from a Mario Trigueros corner kick.  Barcelona tried to  shake off the shock with that score but finds Villareal defense impenetrable. 

Things went differently when Xavi replaced Alex Song in the middle of the second half.  Just as Barca seems headed to another draw and split points with its visitors, Cesc Fabregas curled a cross near the back post which was chested by Alexis Sanchez who set up for a fine Neymar tap in to the relief of the anxious crowd. Barcelona protected the lead until the final whistle for that important three points.

Had Barcelona settled for a draw it could have given up the overall lead in the league as it is already tied up with Atletico Madrid.  It could have also ring alarm bells already as Barcelona has been suffering two straight losses. In the last round, it lost to Athletic Bilbao. Previous to that, it lost its  second round outing with the Dutch side Ajax in the Champion's League.  

Manchester City hammers Tottenham Hotspur 6-0

Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas ecstatic
after scoring goals in a game their team dominated

Manchester City hammers Tottenham Hotspurs with 6-0 victory. The rout started barely 14 seconds into the game when a poor clearance from Hugo Lloris allowed Jesus Navas to collect the rebound and fired a chip shot that was out of Lloris reach. The Spurs was about to counter with an Erik Lamela shot but it was timely stopped by Martin Demichelis. 

 The Citizens scored again in the 34th minute when Sergio Aguero's latched on from a Samir Nasri cross before his volley was cleared by Hugo Lloris. The rebound, however, went to Alvaro Negredo who volleyed the ball before it bounced to Spur's Sandro and into the net. Then, just before halftime, Jesus Navas feed Sergio Aguero with a cross which Aguero calmly tapped in as the host virtually wrapped up the game at the time. 

The goalfest continued in the second half. Alvaro Negredo released Toure Yaya in the left side and surged into the Tottenham box before squaring it to the streaking Sergio Aguero on the right who scored his second goal of the night. Then in the 55th minute, Alvaro Negredo made a drag back to catch a Fernandinho through ball before rifling a shot for his goal. 

Just as the Citizens was about to wrap up the game, Jesus Navas received a lob from James Milner and beat defender Jan Vertonghen before Navas slotted the goal to the very helpless Hugo Lloris.

Ajax dealt Barcelona its first Champion’s League loss for the year

Thulani Serero scored the opening goal
for the giant killing Ajax

Dutch side Ajax humbled Barcelona before a boisterous home crowd.  Ajax opened the scoring in the 19^th minute when South African international Thulani Serero meet Ricardo Van Rihjn’s cross with a little back heel from Danny Hoesen.

Ajax extended the lead in the 41^st minute when Pinto failed to hold on to his save from a Viktor Fischer shot.  The rebound fell to Danny Hoesen who flicked the ball past Carles Puyol and into slotting the ball into Pinto’s goal.

Barcelona countered early in the second half when Neymar was fouled by Joel Veltman who was red carded for the violation. Xavi Hernandez then coolly scored the penalty after Ajax goalkeeper Jasper Cilessen went the other way.

However, that was all Barcelona could do despite an already undermanned Ajax. Andres Iniesta and Xavi tried to weave play after play but Ajax defence was just too good to allow Barcelona to pull a fast one on Ajax.  Ajax preserved the lead to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the next round of the Champion’s League knockout stage next year.    

Mario Gotze returns, lead Bayern Munich versus Borussia Dortmund 3-0

Last year, Mario Gotze was one of those instrumental in Dortmund's successes.  Last Saturday, Mario Gotze leads the charge to defeat his former team in front of a silenced hometown crowd in the game between Bundesliga's top tier teams.

Mario Gotze tried to muffle his celebration
after scoring a goal against his former team

Things were even for both teams in the early goings as neither of them was able to penetrate the tenacious defending of both teams backlines imposed against the other.  Manuel Neuer's confident block against a one on one situation with Marco Reus highlighted the excellent defenses displayed by both Dortmund and Bayern.

Then the most anticipated moment came in the 55^th minute when former Dortmund player Mario Gotze entered the game substituting striker Mario Manzukic.  He is welcomed like a long lost son by the crowd. Ironically, however, it was this son who stunned them later.  In the 66^th minute, Gotze received a pass from Thomas Muller who squared and poked a right foot shot that was too far for Wiedenfeller to even touch.  Gotze raised his two arms, as if to mute his celebration, in front of a silenced and stunned crowd of his former team.

Less than 5 minutes before stoppage time, Dutch international Arjen Robben broke away from a lob by Thiago Alcantara and chipped the ball into the net as Munich scored its second goal of the evening.  Adding insult to injury, two minutes later in the 87^th minute, when Thomas Muller added another goal from a Philip Lahm cross to complete a victorious night for the visitors and great disappointment to the home town crowd.

Rivals Everton and Liverpool scores a 3-3 draw after a pulsating match

Teammates celebrate as Philippe Coutinho
scored the opening goal 

The Merseyside Derby ends in a draw after a pulsating match at the Goodison Park. 

The scoring began as early as the 5th minute after Philippe Coutinho caught Steven Gerrard's corner, and flicked it before side footing it past Tim Howard and James McCarthy who was inside the goal and give Liverpool the early lead.  Four minutes later, Everton equalised after Kevin Mirallas collected the rebound from Ross Barkley in side foot shot in front of Simon Mignolet. 

Ten minutes later, Luis Suarez brought Liverpool back in the lead after curling his free kick which slip past between Steven Pienaar and Gareth Barry and escape the outstretched hands of Tim Howard. 

Everton suffered a blow when striker Leighton Baines was substituted by Gerrard Deulofeu after limping through an injury.  The substitute never disappoints as he was sent clear by Mirallas before his attempt was quickly blocked by Mignolet. 

Everton clawed back  when Romel Lukaku side footed in the 72nd minute after a flurry of touches that found the ball to him.  Ten minutes later in the 82nd minute, Romel Lukaku again soared past Jon Flanagan to score a header and give Everton a close chance at victory.  However, that was not meant to be Liverpool striker, Daniel Sturridge, who entered as substitute headed the goal from a free kick by Steven Gerrard. 

Then, Gerrard Deulofeu's missed chances and that of Romel Lukaku's anemic pass to his team mate haunts Everton as it could have rendered a different result.  

Robert Lewandowski scores a hat trick as Borussia Dortmund pummels VFB Stuttgart 6-1

Marco Reus scored the second goal
 of the six scored by Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund blasted VFB Stuttgart with a 6 goal performance at home ground against a miserable VFB Stuttgart. 

Stuttgart drew first blood as Karim Haggui scored a header from a corner by Alexander Maxim in the 13th minute.  But five minutes later, Dortmund the first goal which would set up a 6 goal fest for the host. 

Dortmund answered in the 19th minute when Sokratis heads a corner by Nuri Sahin.  In the 22nd minute, Marco Reus scored in a fierce counter attack with Robert Lewandowski to smash the goal.  

In the second half, striker Robert Lewandowski took over and scored a hat trick including two goals which came only a minute apart.  In the 55th minute, Marco Reus back heeled a pass Lewandowski in a congested box with the latter made a flick before smashing the ball into the net.  A minute later, Henrick Mkhitaryan lob went to Lewandowski who slip past defenders Gotoku Sakai and Karim Haggui to score a rare back to back with a minute apart.  

Lewandowski scored his third in the 72nd minute when he collected a Jacob Blaszczykowski shot that hit the near post with a tap in.  Lewandowski could have scored a fourth goal by Pierre Emerick Aubamayeng's ball has crossed the goal line already when Lewandowski follow it up with a header. 

Villareal trounce Valencia 4-1

Giovanni dos Santos scores
 double for Villareal 

Villareal dominated Valencia with a 4-1 win at El Madrigal.  Villareal continues to send notice to the rest of La Liga that they are returning with a vengeance after being relegated two years ago. 

Villareal jumpstart early as Ikechukwu Uche nodded Giovanni Dos Santos cross past Vicente Guaita in the 17th minute. Five minutes later, Villareal added another goal when Hernan Perez heads Cani's lob from the left. 

Valencia tried to score in the 37th and the 39th minute when both Dorado Pabon and Joao Perreira failed to complete their attempts respectively.  

Villareal added another goal in second half but in some kind of a twist of fate.  Valencia defender Jeremy Mathieu fouled Ikechukwu Uche to set up a Giovanni dos Santos penalty.  However, Vicente Guaita tipped Giovanni's penalty to set up a corner.  Cani's corner was headed by Uche in the ensuing play and the rebound went to Giovanni who back heeled the shot and score his first goal.  Giovanni Dos Santos later completed his productive night with 25 yard curl against Ricardo Costa from a pass by Bruno in the 84th minute.  

Valencia however had a consolation goal in the 62nd minute when Ricardo Costa headed  an inswinging corner from Dani Parejo. 

Nastatic mistake hands Chelsea the win against Manchester City 2-1

Contrasting emotion: Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho whoop it up after Torres goal
as a stunned Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini looked on. 

Matija Nastatic committed a monumental blunder in the closing of minutes of the game enabling Chelsea to steal the win from Manchester City 2-1 in the latest round of English Premiere League. 

Chelsea substitute Willian just lobbed the ball ahead to Fernando Torres. It looks like Nastatic has beaten Torres for the ball, but in a twist of fate Manchester City goal keeper Joe Hart rushed in to get the ball.  Nastatic, unaware of what Joe Hart was doing heads the ball supposedly for safety only for it to slip pass Hart who is already so close to Nastatic.  

That blunder enabled Torres to pursue the ball and poked it into the net as Martin Demichelis could not do anything to stop Torres. 

Earlier, both teams are fighting tooth and nail to either score for the game or maintain the draw.  In the early goings, Torres was poised to give Chelsea the goal on two occasions.  In the 28th minute, Ramires feed a cross to Torres who missed the ball by few inches. A minute later, Ramires again gave another cross to Torres, who this time, had an open shot but still miserably missed as his shot went high up the goal.  

Torres however redeemed himself in the 37th minute when his cross to Andre Schurrle was completed as Martin Demichelis sliding save missed and allowed Schurrle to tap into the net.  

Manchester City however answered in the early part of the second half.  In the 49th minute, Samir Nasri made a perfect pass to Kun Aguero who slipped past between Chelsea defenders Gary Cahill and John Terry and scooped the ball which was too high for Peter Czech to block. 

It was even from then on and was headed for a draw until the Nastatic blunder in the 90th minute.