Real Madrid 8-0 Malmo

Laporan Pertandingan: Real Madrid 8-0 Malmo 

Real Madrid menutup kampanye mereka dalam fase grup Liga Champions musim ini dengan kemenangan telak 8-0 atas wakil Swedia, Malmo FF di Santiago Bernabeu, Rabu (9/12) dini hari WIB. Hasil tersebut kian menegaskan status mereka yang melenggang ke babak selanjutnya sebagai pemuncak Grup A.
Babak Pertama:
Bermain di hadapan publik sendiri, Real Madrid langsung melakukan upaya dominasi permainan sejak peluit awal dibunyikan. Tekanan beruntun langsung membuahkan hasil di menit ke-12, ketika Karim Benzema sukses menyambar bola pantulan hasil eksekusi Isco sebelumnya yang meneruskan kreasi Cristiano Ronaldo.
Selepas memimpin, pasukan Los Blancos semakin leluasa dalam memainkan alur bola. Malmo bukannya tanpa peluang, sejumlah kesempatan mereka dapat namun terkesan sporadis. Madrid menggandakan keunggulan di menit ke-24, kembali melalui aksi Benzema dengan tandukan terukurnya yang memanfaatkan umpan Ronaldo.
Hingga pertengahan babak, praktis tak ada perlawanan berarti dari Malmo, sementara Madrid tetap mempertahankan irama permainan mereka yang terus melakukan tekanan dengan motor serangan digerakkan oleh Ronaldo, di mana superstar asal Portugal itu kerap memaksa John Willand untuk berjibaku mengamankan gawangnya.
Ronaldo benar-benar mencatatkan namannya di papan skor saat laga memasuki menit ke-39 melalui sebuah tendangan bebas indah yang sukar dibendung kiper manapun termasuk Willand. Setelah itu pertahanan Madrid tak banyak mendapat kendala berarti dan menutup laga dengan keunggulan 3-0.
Babak Kedua:
Unggul tiga gol tak membuat para penggawa Madrid mengendurkan tekanan. Tuan rumah kembali langsung tancap gas dan semakin memperlebar skor menjadi 4-0 setelah Ronaldo mengemas gol keduanya di menit ke-47 dengan memaksimalkan umpan silang yang dilepaskan Danilo.
Hanya tiga menit berselang, Ronaldo membukukan hat-trick di laga ini kala tembakan kerasnya tak sanggup dibendung Willand. Ronaldo belum berhenti sampai di situ, bintang Madrid itu kembali mengemas gol di menit ke-59 usai meneruskan umpan silang mendatar Isco.
Tanpa ampun Madrid terus membombardir pertahanan Malmo dan mencatatkan gol ketujuh mereka melalui aksi pemain pengganti, Mateo Kovacic dengan sepakan jarak dekat di menit ke-70. Pesta gol pasukan Rafael Benitez dilanjutkan Benzema , yang tak ingin ketinggalan menorehkan hat-trick empat menit berselang.
Keunggulan delapan gol tanpa balas yang dibukukan Madrid di laga ini menyamai rekor kemenangan terbesar Liverpool. Bahkan berpotensi melampauinya andai kans Denis Cheryshev di menit akhir sebelum wasit meniup peluit panjang tidak digagalkan tiang gawang.

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Sevilla 1-0 Juventus

Laporan Pertandingan: Sevilla 1-0 Juventus 

Kehadiran mantan memang terkadang menyakitkan. Hal itulah yang dirasakan oleh Juventus ketika Fernando Llorente, mantan pemain Bianconeri, membobol gawang mereka dan mempersembahkan kemenangan 1-0 untuk Sevilla, Kamis (9/12) dini hari WIB tadi.
Pertandingan berjalan ketat dari awal hingga akhir. Adapun Llorente berhasil memanfaatkan satu peluang terbaik Sevilla lewat sepak pojok. Tandukan sang penyerang pun membobol gawang Gianluigi Buffon dan menjadi satu-satunya gol dalam pertandingan di Ramo Sanchez Pizjuan.  Hasil ini sekaligus memastikan Juventus tergeser dari puncak klasemen Grup D.
Babak Pertama
Juventus langsung menggempur pertahanan tuan rumah Sevilla sejak peluit dibunyikan. Alvaro Morata yang kembali bermain sukses menebar ancaman lewat pergerakan tanpa bola yang mematikan. Berkali-kali ia menemukan ruang di kotak penalti Sevilla dan menerima umpan dari Claudio Marchisio. Sayang, sentuhan akhir sang penyerang masih majal.
Gagal memanfaatkan dua peluang, Morata gantian membuka ruang bagi rekannya. Eks penyerang Real Madrid itu melepaskan umpan terobosan pada Paulo Dybala. Tanpa pikir panjang, penyerang Argentina itu menembakkan bola, tetapi masih meleset dari sasaran.
Memasuki menit 30, Sevilla mulai mendapatkan irama permainan mereka. Pasukan Unai Emery berhasil mencatatkan rentetan peluang dan memaksa Gianluigi Buffon bekerja keras bagai kuda. Salah satu peluang terbaik dicatatkan oleh Coke. Tandukan bek itu sebenarnya sudah mengarah ke sudut gawang Juventus, tetapi Buffon meregangkan tubuhnya dan melakukan penyelamatan gemilang.
Transaksi serangan terus terjadi setelahnya. Juventus mencatatkan sembilan tembakan dengan akurasi 33 persen, sementara Sevilla delapan tembakan dengan akurasi 38 persen. Adapun tak ada pemain yang berhasil memaksimalkan peluang yang tercipta di paruh pertama. Hasil imbang tanpa gol bertahan hingga jeda turun minum.
Babak Kedua
Setelah jeda turun minum, Juventus langsung mengambil kendali pertandingan. Mereka mendikte permainan Sevilla dan memaksa juara Liga Europa itu mapan di areanya sendiri. Beberapa ancaman dilepaskan oleh Paul Pogba dkk, tapi Sergio Rico sukses menghentikannya.
Laskar Emery yang kehilangan arah mulai bangkit secara perlahan. Tuan rumah kini memanfaatkan kedua sayap untuk menggempur pertahanan Juventus. Namun mereka masih tak kunjung menciptakan gol karena rapatnya pertahanan sang juara Italia.
Adapun di menit 65 kebuntuan berhasil dipecahkan. Serangan balik Sevilla berujung pada sepak pojok dan Yevhen Konoplyankan memanfaatkannya dengan baik. Ia melambungkan bola ke tengah kotak penalti dan Fernando Llorento sudah siap di sana untuk menyambutnya. Penyerang Spanyol itu sukses menanduk bola ke gawang mantan klubnya, membawa Sevilla unggul satu gol.
Juventus coba meningkatkan intensitas serangan di menit-menit akhir. Hal ini tentu membuat Sevilla sukses menciptakan peluang lewat serangan balik. Namun tidak ada perubahan skor hingga peluit panjang dibunyikan.
Hasil akhir ini tidak mengubah nasib Sevilla. Bianconeri memang tergeser dari puncak Grup D, tapi Sevilla dipastikan tersingkir sebagai juru kunci.

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Zagreb 0-2 Bayern Munich

Laporan Pertandingan: Dinamo Zagreb 0-2 Bayern Munich 

Bayern Munich menegaskan status mereka sebagai juara Grup F Liga Champions setelah menggilas Dinamo Zagreb dua gol tanpa balas, Kamis (10/12) dini hari WIB. Robert Lewandowski menjadi satu-satunya pencetak gol Munich kali ini.
Babak Pertama
Bayern berinisiatif menguasai permainan sejak peluit tanda mulai dibunyikan. Mereka melakukan umpan-umpan pendek dan memaksa Dinamo bermain di areanya sendiri. Belum ada peluang bersih di sepuluh menit awal pertandingan, tetapi performa apik Bayern mencerminkan kalau mereka hanya perlu menunggu sebelum ruang kosong tercipta.
Menit 15, Bayern sukses membelah pertahanan Dinamo. Operan matang Lewandowski berhasil diterima dengan baik oleh Ribery, yang langsung melepaskan tendangan kencang ke arah gawang. Sayang, sentuhan akhir winger Prancis itu terlalu lamban sehingga Eduardo masih mampu menjangkaunya. Bayern gagal membobol gawang tuan rumah di percobaan pertama.
Di tengah dominasi Bayern, Dinamo memberikan sedikit kejutan. Klub asal Kroasia itu menciptakan dua peluang berurutan lewat serangan balik cepat. El Arbi Hillel Soudani menjadi ujung tombaknya. Pertama, ia berhasil memperdaya Rafinha, tapi tembakannya masih melebar. Kedua, ia menemukan ruang di kotak penalti dan menyambut umpan Domagoj Antolić, namun sepakannya mampu dihentikan Sven Ulreich.
Dua serangan itu jelas tidak membuat Bayern panik. Mereka tetap menjaga tempo permainan tanpa menurunkannya sedikit pun. Satu peluang berhasil diciptakan oleh Philipp Lahm, ia memberikan bola lambung pada Lewandowski, tapi tandukan sang penyerang mampu diamankan oleh Eduardo. Dominasi Bayern terus berlanjut walau tak berbuah gol hingga jeda turun minum.
Babak Kedua
Dominasi kembali diambil alih oleh Bayern Munich di babak kedua. Tanpa ampun, raksasa Bundesliga itu menghujani gawang tuan rumah dengan ancaman. Joshua Kimmich dan Thomas Muller nyaris membuka keran gol Bavarians, tetapi sentuhan akhir kedua pemain itu masih belum mampu mewujudkannya.
Tekanan Bayern baru berbuah manis di menit 61. Sudah diduga, Lewandowski yang membuka keran gol tim tamu. Penyerang Polandia itu berhasil menempatkan diri di posisi apik, lalu dengan tenang menanduk umpan silang Muller. Eduardo sudah bereaksi cukup cepat, tetapi bola terbang melewatinya dengan sangat cepat, mengoyak gawang tuan rumah.
Tiga menit kemudian, mantan bomber Borussia Dortmund ini sukses menggandakan keunggulan. Kali ini ia menaklukkan Eduardo setelah memanfaatkan operan matang dari Sebastian Rode. Bayern pun merayakan keunggulan dua golnya di markas lawan.
Dominasi Bayern terus berlanjut. Lewandowski bahkan nyaris mencetak hat-trick andai berhasil meneruskan crossing Rode dengan sempurna di mulut gawang. Di menit akhir, Thomas Muller juga mendapat kepercayaan untuk mengeksekusi penalti, tetapi gagal dimaksimalkan.
Ancaman demi ancaman terus menghujani tuan rumah, tetapi keunggulan dua gol ini bertahan hingga peluit panjang dibunyikan. Bayern menegaskan kelolosan mereka sebagai juara grup.

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Wolfsburg 3-2 Manchester United

Laporan Pertandingan: Wolfsburg 3-2 Manchester United

 

Langkah Manchester United dalam gelaran Liga Champions musim ini dipastikan terhenti usai takluk 3-2 di markas Wolfsburg dalam laga pamungkas fase grup, Rabu (9/12) dini hari WIB. Hasil ini membuat Red Devils menempati posisi ketiga Grup B dan harus hijrah ke Liga Europa, sementara Die Wolfe menjadi pemuncak klasemen grup.
Babak Pertama:
Manchester United yang dituntut harus memenangkan laga ini justru tampil dalam tekanan sejak awal permainan. Tiga menit laga berjalan, Wolfsburg bisa saja unggul andai sepakan Andre Schurrle yang lolos dari kawalan pemain belakang United berakhir melesat di atas mistar.
Dominan dalam mengurung pertahanan United membuat Wolfsburg lengah dan kecolongan lewat sebuah serangan balik cepat di menit kesepuluh. Umpan terobosan Juan Mata menjangkau Anthony Martial yang lolos dari jebakan offside, tak terkejar pemain lawan dan berhasil memberdaya Diego Benaglio dengan sepakan terukur.
Hanya saja keunggulan Red Devils hanya bertahan empat menit usai Naldo menyamakan skor lewat tembakan yang meneruskan tendangan bebas Ricardo Rodriguez. Usai momen tersebut, permainan kedua tim lebih terbuka. Fellini nyaris membawa United kembali unggul, akan tetapi sundulannya yang meneruskan sepak pojok di menit ke-27 diselamatkan Benaglio.
Dua menit berselang, skema serangan rapi Wolfsburg membuat pertahanan United kocar-kacir lewat pergerakan trio Robbie Kruse, Julian Draxler dan Vieirinha , nama terakhir merupakan pembobol gawang David De Gea. Menit ke-39, giliran Draxler beraksi namun diamankan De Gea. Gol Lingard sesaat sebelum turun minum dianulir akibat offside, skor pun bertahan 2-1.
Babak Kedua:
Perlahan United mencoba untuk memberikan perlawanan lebih ketat selepas jeda pertandingan. Intensitas serangan berhasil mereka tingkatkan dan sejumlah peluang tercipta, akan tetapi dalam sepuluh menit pertama paruh kedua permainan tak banyak tercipta peluang-peluang yang mengarah ke gawang Benaglio.
Menit ke-60, Benaglio membuat sebuah penyelamatan cemerlang yang mencegah United menyamakan kedudukan lewat tembakan jarak dekat Memphis Depay. Empat menit setelah itu, gantian De Gea yang menyelamatkan gawang United dari gol ketiga tuan rumah yang dilesakkan lewat tendangan jarak jauh Schurrle.
Selepas momen tersebut, Wolsfburg sempat memiliki beberapa kesempatan untuk memperlebar jarak di papan skor namun gagal diwujudkan. Situasi dimanfaatkan United untuk mengembangkan permainan dan meluncurkan sejumlah ancaman lewat aksi Martial hingga Depay yang membahayakan gawang tuan rumah.
Asa untuk memetik setidaknya hasil imbang dalam lawatan ke Jerman sejenak didapat United ketika Josuha Guilavogui yang menghalau sundulan Fellaini di menit ke-82, namun itu tak bertahan lama usai dua menit setelahnya Naldo kembali menghadirkan mimpi buruk bagi United. Kedudukan 3-2 pun tetap bertahan hingga laga usai.

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Chelsea 2-0 Porto

Laporan Pertandingan: Chelsea 2-0 Porto 

Chelsea sukses membukukan kemenangan 2-0 atas Porto dalam laga pamungkas fase grup Liga Champions di Stamford Bridge, Kamis (10/12) dini hari WIB. Hasil ini membuat mereka lolos ke babak gugur dengan status pemuncak klasemen Grup G, sementara Porto harus tersingkir dan hijrah ke Liga Europa.
Babak Pertama:
Kekalahan harus dihindari apabila Porto ingin memastikan langkah mereka menuju fase gugur Liga Champions. Situasi itu membuat mereka langsung mendominasi permainan dan melancarkan sejumlah serangan ke pertahanan Chelsea terutama lewat pergerakan lincah Yacine Brahimi dalam sepuluh menit pertama permainan.
Sebuah kelengahan barisan belakang Porto harus dibayar mahal ketika sebuah serangan sederhana Chelsea membuat Diego Costa bebas, sepakannya sempat dimentahkan Iker Casillas namun bola pantulan membentur Ivan Marcano dan melesat ke gawang yang sempat dihalau Maicon namun wasit memutuskan bola sudah melewati garis di menit ke-12.
Insiden kecil terjadi di menit ke-20, di mana Costa melakukan pelanggaran para Casillas yang sudah sepenuhnya menguasai bola, kartu kuning diterima bomber The Blues. Permainan semakin terbuka selepas itu dan delapan menit berselang tuan rumah memiliki kans untuk menggandakan keunggulan andai sepakan Oscar tidak tipis menyamping di kanan.
Pertahanan solid pasukan Jose Mourinho membuat Porto cukup sulit untuk menembus dan mengembangkan serangan mereka terlebih dalam sepertiga akhir permainan. Satu menit sebelum turun minum, Casillas melakukan penyelamatan krusial dengan menggagalkan sepakan mendatar Costa.
Babak Kedua:
Chelsea langsung memberikan gebrakan pada pertahanan Porto selepas jeda pertandingan. Menit ke-52, tuan rumah mengemas gol kedua mereka berkat sepakan keras Willian yang meneruskan sodoran Eden Hazard, bola melesat kencang ke pojok kiri bawah tanpa mampu diantisipasi Casillas.
Tertinggal dua gol tak membuat semangat Porto berkurang, mereka tetap berusaha untuk memperkecil skor. Peluang untuk membobol gawang Thibaut Courtois datang di menit ke-64, hanya saja tembakan kaki kanan yang sedikit melengkung dari Brahimi membentur tubuh Branislav Ivanovic dan membuat bola keluar lapangan.
Kelihaian Casillas kembali menggagalkan upaya Chelsea untuk menambah keunggulan di menit ke-72, ketika sepakan tumit Oscar dari jarak dekat berhasil ditangkapnya. Masuknya Ruben Neves sedikit memberikan angin segar bagi lini tengah Porto, namun hal itu tidak diimbangi dengan efektivitas performa lini depan.
Memasuki sepuluh menit akhir permainan, Chelsea punya dua kesempatan hanya saja upaya yang dilancarkan Costa maupun Hazard dipatahkan Casillas. Porto yang menekan lewat Jesus Corona maupun Vincent Aboubakar tak optimal dan hingga laga berakhir keunggulan 2-0 milik Chelsea bertahan.

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Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Barcelona

Laporan Pertandingan: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Barcelona

 

Hasil imbang 1-1 mewarnai laga terakhir fase grup Liga Champions antara Bayer Leverkusen dan Barcelona di BayArena, Kamis (10/12) dini hari WIB. Hasil tersebut tak menggoyahkan posisi Blaugrana sebagai pemuncak klasemen Grup E, sementara Leverkusen harus melanjutkan kiprah mereka di Liga Europa.
Babak Pertama:
Peluang bagi Bayer Leverkusen untuk loloe menuju fase gugur Liga Champions masih terbuka asalkan mereka mampu menang. Misi meraih kemenangan mereka usung dan langsung memberikan tekanan kala menjamu Barcelona dalam sepuluh menit pertama laga melalui sejumlah usaha Hakan Calhanoglou maupun Admir Mehmedi.
Sementara pusat permainan Barcelona masih bertumpu pada kreativitas Lionel Messi , yang setiap kali membawa bola terus mendapat kawalan ketat dua hingga tiga pemain Leverkusen. Kondisi itu tak membuat ruang gerak superstar asal Argentina itu terbatas dan bahkan mampu membobol gawang Bernd Leno di menit ke-20 usai memanfaatkan umpan Ivan Rakitic.
Semangat Leverkusen yang tak ingin kehilangan angka di hadapan publik sendiri terbayar ketika Javier Hernandez sukses menyamakan kedudukan tiga menit berselang lewat sepakan first-time yang meneruskan bola hasil kreasi Mehmedi dan Calhanoglou beberapa saat sebelumnya.
Momentum tersebut terus berusaha dimaksimalkan Leverkusen untuk mengancam gawang Marc-Andre ter Stegen dalam sepertiga akhir permainan. Jual beli serangan dilakukan kedua kesebelasan, akan tetapi hingga pertandingan turun minum kedudukan imbang 1-1 tak berubah.
Babak Kedua:
Leverkusen berupaya untuk mempertahankan irama permainan mereka yang mampu memberikan ancaman pada pertahanan Barcelona, pergerakan lincah Karim Bellarabi, Mehmedi hingga Calhanoglou kerap memberikan ruang bagi Hernandez untuk leluasa membahayakan gawang Ter Stegen.
Hingga memasuki pertengahan babak kedua, praktis Ter Stegen lebih sibuk dalam mengawal gawangnya ketimbang Leno. Raksasa Bundesliga rupanya terus mengeksploitasi kelemahan para penggawa Barcelona di laga ini yang memang tampil dengan mayoritas pemain muda.
Menit ke-64, tuan rumah Leverkusen menebar ancaman melalui pergerakan Kevin Kampl, akan tetapi eksekusi akhirnya masih dimentahkan Ter Stegen. Di sisi lain, duo penggawa muda Barcelona, Sandro Ramirez dan Munir El Haddadi belum memberikan performa maksimal dengan keduanya tak banyak melakukan pergerakan berbahaya.
Memasuki sepuluh menit akhir pertandingan, tak banyak momentum krusial yang diciptakan baik Leverkusen maupun Barcelona dan hingga wasit meniup peluit panjang kedudukan imbang 1-1 tetap bertahan.

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Real Madrid 4-1 Getafe

Laporan Pertandingan: Real Madrid 4-1 Getafe 

Real Madrid sukses melibas Getafe lewat skor telak 4-1, dalam duel bertajuk Derby "minor" Madrid, pada jornada 14 La Liga Spanyol, Sabtu (5/12) malam WIB.

Keunggulan Madrid diraih berkat dua gol Karim Benzema, serta masing-masing satu dari Gareth Bale dan Cristiano Ronaldo. Sementara Getafe membalas satu melalui lesakan Alexis Ruano Delgado.

Babak Pertama

Paruh pertama berjalan sesuai prediksi, dengan Real Madrid sukses menguasai jalannya pertandingan secara mutlak. Perpaduan Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, dan Karim Benzema, benar-benar membuat lini pertahanan Getafe kelimpungan sejak sepakan mula dilakukan.

Tak pelak El Real sudah menggenggam keunggulan ketika pertandingan baru berjalan empat menit saja. Perpaduan apik antara Lucas Vazquez dan Pepe yang diakhir dengan sodoran bola ke Benzema, dimaksimalkan bomber internasional Prancis itu lewat sepakan voli cantik. Gol! Madrid unggul 1-0.

Bombardir terus dilancarkan pasca unggul 1-0 hingga di menit ke-16, Madrid berhasil menggandakan keadaan menjadi 2-0. Menerima sodoran manis Bale, Benzema dengan dingin memaksimalkannya dengan sontekan manis ke pojok kiri gawang Getafe.

Publik Santiago Bernabeu kembali dibuat bersorak pada menit ke-35. Kali ini aktornya adalah Bale, yang dengan mantap melepaskan tembakan kencang ke jala Rene Guaita, menyambut tandukan Ronaldo yang memanfaatkan kemelut di depan gawang. Los Blancos unggul 3-0.

Pesta di babak pertama diakhiri tiga menit berselang, dengan sang mega bintang, Ronaldo, mencatatkan namanya di papan skor. Overlap pemain Portugal itu menyambut umpan terobosan Toni Kroos, diselesaikannya dengan sontekan manis yang menambah keunggulan Madrid menjadi 4-0.

Babak Kedua

Di babak kedua Madrid mengendurkan tempo permainan dan serangannya. Sementara itu Getafe bermain jauh lebih disiplin, dengan mulai berani melancarkan serangan ke lini pertahanan tuan rumah.

Namun hingga 15 menit babak kedua berjalan, tak ada peluang berarti yang Getafe hasilkan pun Madrid. Hingga akhirnya serangan tim tamu jauh lebih hidup, setelah mantan penggawa Los Galaticos, Pedro Leon, masuk di menit ke-62.

Berselang delapan menit sejak dirinya menginjakkan kaki di atas lapangan, Leon langsung menciptakan assist untuk gol Alex Ruano Delgado. Getafe pun memperkecil kedudukan menjadi 4-1.

Sayangnya kebangkitan sesaat Getafe itu tak berlanjut, sehingga kedudukan 4-1 pun bertahan hingga pertandingan usai. Hasil tersebut cukup melambungkan Madrid di posisi kedua klasemen sementara.

Susunan Pemain

Getafe XI (4-2-3-1): Guaita; Suarez, Cala, Alexis, Lago; Wamberto, Lacen; Sarabia, Victor Rodriguez, Lafita; Alvaro Vazquez.
Real Madrid XI (4-2-3-1): Navas; Vazquez, Pepe, Nacho, Danilo; Modric, Kroos; James Rodriguez, Bale, Ronaldo; Benzema.

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Valencia 1-1 Barcelona

Laporan Pertandingan: Valencia 1-1 Barcelona 

Barcelona gagal meraih poin penuh melawan Valencia di Mestalla, Minggu (6/12) dini hari WIB. Luis Suarez sebenarnya mampu membawa Blaugrana unggul duluan, tetapi Santi Mina menjadi penyelamat Los Che dan mengamankan satu poin untuk tuan rumah.
Hasil ini tidak mengubah posisi Barcelona yang ada di puncak klasemen La Liga, tetapi Valencia sukses merangkak naik ke peringkat tujuh.
Babak Pertama
Barcelona langsung mengambil alih kemudi pertandingan sejak peluit dibunyikan. Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, dan Ivan Rakitic berhasil menguasai lapangan tengah Mestalla. Lionel Messi, Neymar, dan Luis Suarez mengoyak pertahanan Valencia sedikit demi sedikit.
Adapun Valencia tampil begitu disiplin dan sabar ketika bertahan. Los Che  sukses menutup ruang tembak Barcelona dengan melakukan  pressing  ketat setiap kali Barcelona masuk ke area pertahanan mereka. Serangan balik tuan rumah juga cukup membahayakan Claudio Bravo.
Di menit 26, Barcelona mendapatkan peluang emas setelah Neymar berhasil memperdaya bek Valencia. Lewat sudut sempit, bintang Brasil itu melakukan dribel dan menusuk ke kotak penalti. Bukannya menembak, ia malah memberikan bola pada Messi. Sayang, sepakan kaki kanan Messi mengarah tepat ke pelukan Jaume Domenech.
Peluang itu seperti membuka keran ancaman Barcelona. Lewat menit 30,  Blaugrana  terus memberikan tekanan. Suarez bahkan mendapat dua peluang lewat umpan akurat Neymar dan Jordi Alba. Sayang, sepakan sang bintang Uruguay masih melebar, sementara satunya mampu diblok oleh Santos.
Barcelona terus menekan hingga menit akhir babak pertama, tetap kedisiplinan Valencia memaksa mereka untuk bungkam dan bermain imbang tanpa gol.
Babak Kedua
Valencia masih mempertahankan kedisiplinannya di paruh kedua. Mereka membiarkan Barcelona terus menyerang, tetapi tidak untuk membiarkan Messi dkk menembus area pertahanan mereka. Beberapa ancaman Suarez dan Neymar bahkan dimentahkan oleh Aymen Abdennour dan Santos sebelum sampai ke hadapan Jaume.
Sepandai-pandainya tupai melompat, sepandai-pandainya Valencia bertahan, akhirnya kebobolan juga di menit 59. Rapatnya pertahanan Valencia berhasil dihantam lewat serangan cepat Barcelona. Lionel Messi melambungkan umpan terobosan kepada Suarez. Berbau offside memang, tetapi sang penyerang sukses membawa bola masuk kotak penalti, lalu menaklukkan Jaume dengan tendangan kaki kanan.
Keunggulan satu gol tersebut sudah jelas belum membuat Barcelona puas, tetapi Valencia juga tidak menurunkan kerapatan pertahanan mereka. Los Che hanya menambahkan tekanan di lini tengah tanpa mengurangi disiplin bertahan. Blaugrana pun tak kunjung menambah gol, sementara Valencia mendapat satu peluang emas, tapi gagal dimanfaatkan oleh De Paul.
Adapun lima menit jelang bubaran, Valencia berhasil menyamakan kedudukan lewat serangan balik. Zakaria Bakkali memberikan umpan jauh pada Paco Alcacer, lalu sang penyerang mengontrol bola, memperdaya duet Javier Mascherano -  Gerard Pique, dan memberikan bola pada Santi Mina. Penyerang muda Spanyol itu dengan cerdas melepaskan tembakan keras ke tiang dekat guna menyamakan kedudukan.
Barcelona coba menggempur di menit-menit akhir pertandingan, mencoba mengunci kemenangan mereka sekali lagi. Namun pertahanan rapat Valencia gagal mereka tembus. Kedua kubu harus puas dengan membawa pulang satu poin.

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Newcastle United 2-0 Liverpool

Laporan Pertandingan: Newcastle United 2-0 Liverpool 

Newcastle United sukses mensunyikan 'Heavy Metal' Liverpool lewat skor 2-0 di St James Park, dalam lanjutan Liga Primer Inggris matchday 15, Senin (7/12) dini hari WIB.

Georginio Wijnaldum jadi bintang utama di laga tersebut, dengan menyebabkan gol bunuh diri Martin Skrtel di menit ke-69 dan mencetak gol pemasti kemenangan di masa injury time.

Babak Pertama

Meski bertindak sebagai tim tamu, Liverpool langsung menggebrak selepas sepakan mula dilakukan. Pasukan arahan Jurgen Klopp bahkan sanggup menghasilkan dua sepak pojok dalam tempo satu menit laga. Sayang tak satu pun menghasilkan gol.

Perlahan namun pasti, Newcastle United sanggup mengimbangi penguasaan bola yang dilakukan. Namun permainan super hati-hati kedua tim membuat pertandingan ini berjalan amat monoton. Tak ada satu pun peluang bersih lahir hingga 20 menit pertandingan berlangsung.

Kans emas pertama akhirnya lahir dimenit ke-21, yang jadi milik Liverpool. Bomber utama mereka, Christian Benteke, melepaskan tembakan kencang yang sayangnya masih melambung tinggi di atas mistar.

Newcastle kemudian baru membalasnya satu menit jelang paruh pertama usai. Adalah tandukan Chancel Mbemba yang kembali gagal menemui gawang, sehingga babak pertama berakhir imbang tanpa gol plus sorotan pada permainan monoton kedua tim.

Babak Kedua

Paruh kedua berjalan jauh lebih seru dengan kedua tim sama-sama mengincar gol pertama, guna meraih keunggulan. Peluang pertama di babak penentuan ini dimiliki Newcastle, melalui tembakan kencang Georginio Wijnaldum yang diblok oleh lini pertahanan Liverpool.

Memasuki satu jam jalannya pertandingan, dua pegantian langsung dilakukan Klopp dengan menarik Christian Benteke dan Roberto Firmino, untuk Adam Lallana dan Daniel Sturridge. Namun pergantian itu seakan jadi petaka, karena Newcastle malah kemudian memperoleh keunggulan.

Sebuah serangan cepat dilakukan Newcastle pada menit ke-69. Berawal dari umpan lambung Moussa Sissoko yang kurang akurat, bola sampai di kaki Wijnaldum yang bergerak di sisi kanan kotak penalti Liverpool. Bola langsung ditendangnya dengan keras dan terdefleksi oleh kaki Martin Skrtel! Gol, The Magpies unggul 1-0.

Tertinggal 1-0, The Reds keluar menyerang namun pertahanan Newcastle bermain begitu rapat sehingga tak ada peluang berarti lahir. Tuan rumah malah akhirnya memastikan kemenangan di masa injury time, setelah Wijnaldum sukses memaksimalkan umpan panjang Sissoko lewat situasi serangan balik. Kedudukan akhir 2-0 bagi kemenangan Newcastle.(Goal.com)

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Manchester United 0-0 West Ham United

Laporan Pertandingan: Manchester United 0-0 West Ham United 

Babak Pertama

Manchester United memulai pertandingan dengan agresif, Anthony Martial mencoba menembus sisi kanan pertahanan West Ham, namun aksinya berhasil dihentikan oleh Tomkins dengan tekel bersih di dalam kotak penalti.

Beberapa saat kemudian, McNair melepas tembakan pertama di laga ini, namun sepakan bek Setan Merah itu masih belum menemui sasaran.

Pada menit ke-12 kesalahan Blind nyaris dibayar mahal, Noble melepas umpan terobosan dari lini tengah setelah pemain asal Belanda itu kehilangan bola, beruntung Moses yang memanfaatkan itu melepaskan tembakan yang mengarah tepat ke David De Gea.

Tekanan West Ham untuk tuan rumah ternyata tidak berhenti sampai di situ. Dalam tempo satu menit, mistar gawang Man United harus bergetar oleh dua peluang tim tamu. Pertama, ketika sapuan Smalling membentur kepala Zarate dan mengarah ke gawang, kemudian tandukan Reid memanfaatkan tendangan penjuru.

Tidak banyak peluang dan insiden, kecuali satu pemain dari masing-masing kubu harus ditarik keluar karena cedera, yang menghiasi laga setelah itu, hingga turun minum kedudukan tanpa gol tetap bertahan.

Babak Kedua

Pertandingan jauh lebih atraktif di babak kedua, dengan Man United dan West Ham tampil lebih agresif untuk memburu gol.

West Ham mengancam terlebih dahulu ketika Zarate melepaskan tembakan mendatar dari luar kotak yang masih bisa diredam De Gea, dan ketika berhadapan satu lawan satu dengan kiper, namun sayang tembakannya melebar.

Man United langsung membalas dengan peluang yang tidak kalah bagus, Martial bergerak bebas di kotak penalti sebelum melepas umpan silang mendatar yang disambar oleh Fellaini, namun penyelamatan gemilang Adrian membuat skor masih tanpa gol.

United kemudian terus memegang kendali permainan dan terus memberi tekanan, terutama setelah Memphis Depay dimasukkan.

Martial dan Lingard memperoleh ruang untuk melepas tembakan di dalam kotak penalti tim tamu pada sepuluh menit akhir laga, tetapi kedua kans berakhir sia-sia karena melenceng tipis dari sasaran.

Hingga akhir laga, kedua tim akhirnya gagal memecah kebuntuan. Hasil ini memaksa skuat asuhan Louis van Gaal digusur Arsenal ke posisi empat klasemen sementara EPL.

Susunan Pemain

Manchester United:  De Gea; Darmian, McNair, Smalling, Blind; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Fellaini, Lingard; Martial

West Ham United:  Adrian; Tomkins, Reid, Ogbonna, Cresswell; Song, Noble, Kouyate; Moses, Zarate, Carroll.

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Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth

Laporan Pertandingan: Chelsea 0-1 Bournemouth 

Chelsea masih belum lepas dari kutukan performa buruk. Sempat diprediksi bangkit, mereka malah kembali menelan kekalahan. Kali ini Bournemouth, klub peringkat 18 Liga Primer Inggris, yang berhasil menaklukkan mereka dengan skor 1-0 di Stamford Bridge, Minggu (6/12) dini hari WIB.
Babak Pertama
Baru 13 menit bergulir, Bournemouth sudah menyajikan kejutan pertamanya di Stamford Bridge. Serangan balik mereka berjalan efektif seiring Joshua King menggiring bola dan memberikan umpan terobosan pada Junior Stanislas. Nama terakhir berhasil melepaskan tembakan, tetapi Thibaut Courtois sukses menggagalkannya.
Tim tamu kembali melakukan serangan balik beberapa menit kemudian. Cesc Fabregas kehilangan bola dan King kembali memimpin serangan balik. Kali ini, sang gelandang langsun berspekulasi dengan tendangan jarak jauh. Akurat memang, tetapi Courtois kembali melakukan penyelamatan gemilang.
Kondisi Chelsea mulai membaik begitu laga memasuki menit ke-30. Eden Hazard dan Pedro mulai menjalin kerja sama apik seiring nama pertama melepaskan tembakan keras ke gawang  the Cherries . Beruntung, Artur Boruc tak kalah sigap dengan Courtois dan melakukan penyelamatan.
Pedro ikut meramaikan peluang Chelsea. Ia coba melepaskan tembakan jarak jauh ke gawang Boruc, tetapi sang penjaga gawang berhasil menggagalkannya. Dua menit jelang bubaran, winger Spanyol itu mengarsiteki peluang untuk Hazard, tetapi sentuhan sang gelandang Belgia berhasil digagalkan Boruc.
Paruh pertama berakhir imbang tanpa gol. Transaksi serangan begitu intens terjadi, tetapi penampilan Courtois dan Boruc di bawah mistar begitu memukau.
Babak Kedua
Buntu di lini depan, Jose Mourinho akhirnya menurunkan Diego Costa untuk menggantikan Oscar. Eden Hazard dikembalikan ke belakang penyerang sementara Pedro mengisi sayap kiri. Perubahan ini sedikit membawa dampak positif bagi Chelsea.
Willian dan Costa bergantian menciptakan peluang bagi the Blues . Nama pertama coba melepaskan tembakan spekulasi dari luar kotak penalti, tetapi masih meleset. Beberapa menit setelahnya, Costa menanduk umpan silang Willian, tapi Boruc masih sukses menghadangnya.
Bournemouth tidak punya ruang menyerang lagi sejak Costa masuk lapangan. Chelsea semakin mendominasi pertandingan dan melepaskan ancaman demi ancaman. Sebagai ujung tombak, Costa juga menghasilkan satu peluang emas. Ia menguasai umpan terobosan Fabregas dan berhadapan dengan Boruc. Sayang, sepakannya terlalu lemah dan Boruc dengan mudah mengantisipasinya.
Delapan menit jelang bubaran, Bournemouth sukses memanfaatkan kelengahan Chelsea. Lewat sepak pojok, tadinya bek Chelsea berhasil menjangkau bola, tepi bola malah mengarah ke kepala Glenn Murray yang baru masuk lapangan. Bola pun berhasil ditanduk melewati Courtois, Chelsea kebobolan di saat yang tidak menguntungkan.
Wasit memberikan waktu tambahan sebanyak empat menit. Namun Chelsea tidak mampu memanfaatkannya dan harus relah kalah 1-0 dari Bournemouth.  The Blues  tertahan di peringkat 14, sementara Bournemouth di peringkat 18.
Susunan Pemain :
Chelsea : Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Cahill, Baba; Fabregas, Matic; Willian, Oscar, Pedro; Hazard.
Cadangan : Begovic, Azpilicueta, Mikel, Loftus-Cheek, Traore, Remy, Diego Costa
Bournemouth : Boruc, Daniels, Cook, Francis, Smith, Arter, Gosling, Surman, Ritchie, Stanislas, King.
Cadangan:  Allsop, Cargill, Butcher, O'Kane, Kermorgant, Murray, Rantie

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Eibar 0-2 Real Madrid

Eibar 0-2 Real Madrid: Bale & Ronaldo net for Blancos

  

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo scored at the end of each half to give Real Madrid a 2-0 victory over Eibar, which moves the Blancos within six points of leaders Barcelona. 
After taking a Clasico beating last weekend and conceding three to Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek, Madrid were in need of a response, but laboured to victory against the Basque side with Ronaldo struggling badly in front of goal before he netted a late penalty.

The Portugal star was indecisive when one-on-one with Asier Riesgo in the first half, but Bale gave Madrid the advantage before the break when he headed home a corner from Luka Modric.

Ronaldo wasted another chance when clear on goal after the break, somehow blasting wide, but finally got his name on the scoresheet with eight minutes to play, securing a win that will do little to silence coach Rafael Benitez's detractors.







Eibar threatened a number of times via Sergi Enrich, but the hosts failed to fully test Keylor Navas and were consigned to a first home defeat in five.

Indeed, Enrich had the game's first opportunity, but his deflected 25-yarder was comfortable for Navas.

Ronaldo ought to have broken the deadlock as the visitors went straight up the other end, but Riesgo smothered his effort one-on-one, with Mateo Kovacic wildly blasting the rebound over the crossbar.

Danilo curled a weak shot from the left-hand side of the area that did little to worry Riesgo and Eibar were giving as good as they got, Takashi Inui cutting inside from the left and drawing a save from Navas, who did well to quickly get back to his feet and beat Enrich to the rebound.

Madrid eventually went a goal up shortly before the half-time whistle. Modric worked a short corner with James Rodriguez to work space for a whipped cross and Bale beat his marker in the air before heading home his third La Liga goal of the season.

Bale nearly doubled the lead barely a minute later when he superbly controlled a long pass before unleashing a low shot toward the far corner, only for Riesgo to deny him with a smart save.

Enrich remained fiercely committed up top for Eibar and had a chance as he got ahead of Pepe shortly after the restart, but he could not keep his effort down under pressure, with centre-back Aleksandar Pantic also turning the home team's next chance off target.

Ronaldo felt he should have been awarded a penalty after a challenge from David Junca, but referee Jesus Gil waved play on and the Portugal star's frustrating game went on as Lucas sent him running through on goal, but he could only fire into the side netting from a narrow angle.

But Ronaldo was finally able to celebrate after he rolled home from the spot after Lucas was felled, his 234th La Liga goal drawing him into joint-third with Madrid legend Hugo Sanchez.

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Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad

Barcelona 4-0 Real Sociedad: Neymar nets twice in easy win

  

Neymar scored twice to lead Barcelona to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Real Sociedad at Camp Nou on Saturday.

David Moyes recorded a memorable 1-0 win over the champions last season but his successor as head coach, Eusebio Sacristan, a former Barca midfielder, endured an unhappy return to Camp Nou against the league leaders.

Neymar finished a fine team move to open the scoring on 22 minutes before another superb Luis Suarez volley made it 2-0 just before half-time, just as Sociedad had begun to threaten.

Barca made it three with Neymar's second early in the second half as the Catalans moved into cruise control and Lionel Messi grabbed a late fourth, with Claudio Bravo largely a spectator throughout the 90 minutes.

The victory puts more pressure on Real Madrid, with Rafael Benitez's side now nine points behind Barca ahead of their trip to Eibar on Sunday, while Sociedad remain just two points outside the bottom three.

Geronimo Rulli raced out sharply to block Suarez's run after Neymar's fine through ball as Barca began firmly on the front foot.

Rulli then snatched the ball superbly from the feet of Neymar as he raced onto Messi's pass before Andres Iniesta headed against the base of the post from 12 yards just two minutes later following a fine Suarez cross.

Sergio Canales blazed a half-volley high and wide from 25 yards out at the end of a rare Sociedad attack but Barca broke the deadlock with 22 minutes played - and in some style.







Messi controlled and flicked the ball into Dani Alves' path brilliantly, and the full-back's low cross was met by Neymar, who fired first time into the top corner as he raced into the penalty area.

Sociedad grew into the half but were unable to create any chances for a leveller and Suarez made it 2-0 just before the break when he met another Alves cross with a stunning volley which flew into the bottom corner from 12 yards out.

The game was ended as a contest just seven minutes after the break. Jeremy Mathieu raced in behind down the left following Iniesta's pass and squared the ball for Neymar, who was left with a simple finish from close range.

Messi, making his 600th career appearance, volleyed just wide of the near post after being teed up by Neymar, and Rulli clutched the ball gratefully to his chest when the Argentina star shot straight down the middle following a combination with the same team-mate a minute later.

Sociedad pushed for a way back into the match as Barca took their foot off the gas but full-back Yuri lashed into the side-netting when presented with their best opening to the left of the penalty area.

Bruma caused some problems as a late substitute, firing just wide from 18 yards before cutting inside Gerard Pique and forcing Bravo into a brilliant point-blank stop, but Messi came close a minute later when he curled a shot onto the crossbar from just inside the box.

Messi finally got in on the act in stoppage time. Neymar skipped inside from the right and played a one-two with Suarez before squaring the ball to an unmarked Messi at the far post, and he tapped home.

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Leicester City 1-1 Manchester United

Leicester City 1-1 Manchester United: Schweinsteiger cancels out Vardy's record breaker

  

Bastian Schweinsteiger cancelled out Jamie Vardy's record-breaking goal to ensure Leicester City and Manchester United shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening.

Vardy drew level with the 10-game mark established by United great Ruud van Nistelrooy when he netted at Newcastle United last week but the division's most miserly defence stood in the way of his landmark achievement.

It was breached after 24 minutes as, sporting gold boots, the England striker demonstrated the coolness and precision in front of goal that are quickly becoming his trademarks to put the hosts ahead.

On the stroke of half-time, Schweinsteiger's first goal for United cancelled out Vardy's 40th in Leicester colours to temper the party atmosphere and a cagey second half threw up few clear-cut chances.

The draw means Manchester City sit ahead of Leicester at the top of the Premier League table on goal difference, with United a point further back in third.

Shinji Okazaki replaced Leonardo Ulloa to join Vardy in the Leicester attack, while Paddy McNair and Michael Carrick returned from injuries as two of four changes made by United boss Louis van Gaal.

The home faithful roared in response to Vardy's every touch and his first opening came in the 13th minute when Carrick carelessly presented possession to his England team-mate, who found N'Golo Kante for a shot that was deflected behind.






United, operating with a 3-5-2 system, were controlled and methodical in their play and Wes Morgan blocked a strike from Schweinsteiger as the half reached its midway point.

Shortly afterwards, Leicester's contrasting approach heralded an historic moment.

Kasper Schmeichel claimed a United corner and threw the ball to Christian Fuchs. The Austria full-back charged over the halfway line on a rapid break to release Vardy with a measured pass from the right.

The man of the moment scampered clear and clipped a low finish beyond De Gea before embarking on an adrenaline-fuelled celebration as the King Power Stadium went wild.

Spurred on by their raucous fans, Leicester sought to press home their advantage and Riyad Mahrez completed a delicate one-two with Okazaki to force a sharp stop from De Gea.

United threatened sparingly but, after Leicester midfielder Danny Drinkwater headed nervously behind, they had an equaliser in first-half stoppage time.

Daley Blind delivered the resulting corner into a dangerous area and Schweinsteiger won his wrestling match with Okazaki to head home.

Four minutes into the second half, the Germany captain was afforded more space on the end of Juan Mata's free-kick but his headed attempt was too close to Schmeichel.

The first-half's earlier pattern re-emerged - United controlling possession before they were almost punished by another lightning Leicester break in the 66th minute.

Mahrez was the architect on this occasion and, with Ulloa and Vardy on his inside, he picked out the recently introduced substitute who could not match the top scorer's incisiveness as De Gea saved.

A striker experiencing contrasting fortunes to Vardy, Wayne Rooney, made way for Memphis Depay two minutes later following a lacklustre display.

Depay blazed over from close range in the 84th minute but former non-league man Vardy did not get the chance to add another twist to his fairytale before taking the acclaim of the stadium at the final whistle.

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Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea

Tottenham 0-0 Chelsea: Kane & Spurs thwarted as Blues hold on for draw 

Tottenham extended their unbeaten run in the Premier League to a club record 13 games with a 0-0 draw against Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

Mauricio Pochettino's side controlled possession for much of Sunday's match but were unable to turn it into goals in a contest which starkly contrasted Tottenham's 5-3 win in last season's corresponding fixture.

Jose Mourinho's decision to drop Diego Costa left his side lacking in attack, with an interchangeable front four - spearheaded by Eden Hazard - only threatening on the break.

John Terry was absent due to injury for Chelsea, and his presence was quickly felt as Harry Kane forced Asmir Begovic into a pair of early saves.

Chelsea grew into the game but did not test Hugo Lloris until the 68th minute, when the Frenchman denied Hazard with an excellent stop.

Neither goalkeeper was to beaten before the final whistle, leaving Mourinho's side 14th in the table with one win in their last five Premier League matches.






Tottenham - who made one change with Ryan Mason replacing the suspended Dele Alli - applied the early pressure and Begovic showed bravery and skill to twice deny Kane, first at the striker's feet before taking two attempts to hold a powerful, deflected drive.

Mourinho's men began to create better opportunities and, after Hazard sent a header off target, Pedro fired a swerving strike from 20 yards over the crossbar.

Tottenham continued to enjoy the majority of possession, although Son Heung-min was unable to make it count when he directed a free header straight at Begovic with 27 minutes played and the Bosnian was forced into further action soon after, diving low to his left to turn Mousa Dembele's skidding 25-yard hit around the post.

The absence of a recognised striker meant Chelsea lacked a target inside the box, with Oscar's shank into the side netting ensuring they ended the half without a shot on target.

Kurt Zouma narrowly missed out on a simple finish from a Willian free-kick early in a second period that saw few chances.

Shortly after the hour, Son provided an attacking injection via a one-two with Erik Lamela - on in place of the injured Mason - but his shot was sent straight at Begovic.

It was a rare chance for Tottenham in the second half, and with 68 minutes gone they required a fine save from Lloris stop Hazard finding the net with an impressively executed volley.

Chelsea retreated further in the latter stages and looked to break at pace, but Pedro again failed to test the opposition keeper with a wayward strike from the edge of the area.

Costa remained on the bench despite Chelsea's need for a goal, and threw his substitutes' bib away in disgust in stoppage time when Ruben Loftus-Cheek emerged as Mourinho's final change to cap yet another frustrating outing for the champions.

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Liverpool 1-0 Swansea

Liverpool 1-0 Swansea: Milner penalty settles scrappy encounter 

James Milner scored from the penalty spot for the second game running to earn Liverpool a hard-fought 1-0 win over Swansea City at Anfield on Sunday.

Milner was on target with a penalty in Thursday's Europa League victory over Bordeaux, and he proved Liverpool's matchwinner against Garry Monk's side after the hosts had looked set for a frustrating stalemate.

Liverpool were on top for large spells prior to Milner's goal shortly after the hour but lacked a cutting edge without playmaker Philippe Coutinho, who was not risked following a hamstring problem picked up in the 4-1 win over Manchester City.

Jurgen Klopp's team were a long way off reproducing their stunning display at the Etihad Stadium but Milner's penalty, following a questionable decision for a Neil Taylor handball, ensured the German enjoyed a first Premier League win at Anfield.

Captain Jordan Henderson and striker Daniel Sturridge both made their long-awaited returns from injury to feature under Klopp for the first time - adding gloss to a third victory in a row in all competitions that lifts Liverpool to sixth in the table.

Swansea will consider themselves unfortunate, but a run of just one win in 10 league outings means the pressure continues to build on Monk.







Following back-to-back wins over City and Bordeaux, Liverpool began confidently and almost went ahead five minutes in via Kyle Bartley.

Jordon Ibe burst forward and Bartley's challenge diverted the ball onto Lukasz Fabianski's right-hand post as Swansea were given an early let-off.

Ibe - one of two Liverpool changes due to Coutinho's injury and Lucas Leiva's suspension - was heavily involved in the opening stages as Liverpool dominated possession.

Missing suspended former Liverpool man Jonjo Shelvey, Swansea gradually grew into the game around the half-hour mark but, like their hosts, failed to muster a shot on target before the interval.

Having survived early Liverpool pressure, Swansea were on top after the break but Ibe had the first effort of the second period when he forced Fabianski into a save down to his right.

Klopp's men continued to lack a decisive pass in the final third but, when Taylor was harshly adjudged to have handled Ibe's delivery, Milner produced an impressive penalty to beat Fabianski and break the deadlock.

Henderson was introduced soon after for his first appearance since mid-August and assumed the captain's armband from Milner before Sturridge featured for the first time in almost two months.

The striker missed the midweek Europa League success after sustaining a knock in training but almost got himself on the end of Milner's wayward shot at the far post shortly after his introduction.

Swansea substitutes Jefferson Montero and Befetimbi Gomis saw late shots blocked, as Liverpool's momentum continues to grow ahead of Wednesday's League Cup quarter-final at Southampton.

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Bayern Munich 4-0 Olympiacos

Bayern Munich 4-0 Olympiacos: Guardiola's men clinch first place with easy win 

Bayern Munich secured top spot in Group F of the Champions League in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, recording a 4-0 victory over nearest rivals Olympiacos, despite the dismissal of Holger Badstuber.

First-half goals from Douglas Costa, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller meant Pep Guardiola's side had the three points wrapped up inside the first 20 minutes at the Allianz Arena.

The hosts were forced to play the majority of the second half with only 10 men, as Badstuber was sent off after bringing down Olympiacos forward Brown Ideye when he was through on goal.

Team Stats

Data is not available yet!

Yet despite the numerical disadvantage, Bayern added a fourth goal through Kingsley Coman, taking their tally in this season's competition to 17 goals in five matches.

Despite the heavy defeat, Olympiacos still control their own destiny in the battle to reach the knockout stages.

They host Arsenal in the final round of fixtures knowing a draw will be enough to see them advance to the last 16.

Bayern simply thrashed their opponents in the opening quarter, with Costa breaking the deadlock when he slotted home a rebound with his left foot, after visiting goalkeeper Roberto initially parried Jerome Boateng's long-range effort.

Lewandowski doubled the home side's lead eight minutes later, albeit in rather fortuitous circumstances.





Coman's weak shot unwittingly struck the Polish forward, who then reacted quickly to fire the loose ball into the bottom left corner.

A third goal arrived when Arjen Robben's clever header back into the centre of the area allowed an unmarked Muller to tap home.

The only disappointment for Bayern in an opening half they dominated was the loss of Robben to injury. The Dutchman headed straight down the tunnel after being replaced by Joshua Kimmich but Bayern later tweeted his withdrawal was merely precautionary.

Badstuber didn't last the full 90 minutes either, though his departure was due to him being shown a straight red card.

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Barcelona 6-1 Roma

Barcelona 6-1 Roma: Messi nets two on return to starting XI

  

Lionel Messi scored twice on his return to the Barcelona starting XI as the European champions cruised to a crushing 6-1 victory over Roma and secured top spot in Group E.

Luis Suarez opened the scoring after 15 minutes of the match at Camp Nou on Tuesday and Messi struck three minutes later to put the hosts in complete control.

The game was over as a contest just before half-time when Suarez scored a stunning volley, before Messi, Gerard Pique and Adriano added gloss to the scoreline in the second half.

BATE Borisov's draw with Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the day meant Barca were already sure of a place in the last 16, but their victory means they have wrapped up top spot ahead of their final game against the Bundesliga side.

Despite only having five points from as many games after a harrowing 90 minutes which also saw Edin Dzeko miss a late penalty before then netting a consolation, Roma are still in pole position to qualify in second place.

The Italians now have to better Leverkusen's result against Barca when they play BATE to reach the knockout stage.

After making his return from two months out injured as a substitute in El Clasico, Messi started as captain, with Andres Iniesta on the bench, and could have had a hat-trick within the first 10 minutes.

The Argentina star saw one shot saved by Wojciech Szczesny, had another effort ruled out for offside and then shot just wide after latching on to a brilliant through ball from Sergio Busquets.







Roma had a great chance of their own to take the lead when Dzeko looped a header over a stranded Marc-Andre ter Stegen, but the striker saw his attempt drift just over the crossbar.

Barca went in front when Dani Alves surged down the right to latch on to Neymar's excellent pass and squared for Suarez, who tucked the ball into an empty net at the far post.

It was two for Barca just three minutes later. Messi exchanged two passes with Neymar, Suarez's chip sent the skipper through and he dinked the ball over Szczesny to cap a wonderful move involving the front three.

Barca dominated possession for the rest of the first half and when Neymar's cross was headed out by Seydou Keita, Suarez unleashed a lethal volley into the far corner which had Thomas Vermaelen applauding.

The home side made a fast start after the break, with Szczesny getting up to push Neymar's effort away from the top corner.

Ter Stegen impressively saved a low effort from Iago Falque in a rare Roma foray forward and soon enough Barca had scored two more in quick succession.

On 56 minutes, Neymar and Suarez combined to feed Messi and he squared for Pique – who was still up from a corner – to tap home before the defender was substituted.

The fifth came three minutes later. Neymar found Suarez from the left and the Uruguayan's shot was helped towards goal by Messi. Szczesny did well to save, but the returning star converted the rebound.

A twisting run from Neymar resulted in him curling a shot just off-target as he was denied what would have been a deserved goal, while Maicon was fortunate not to concede a penalty after clipping Suarez as he drove towards goal.

Neymar only had himself to blame for not scoring on 77 minutes after winning a penalty himself but seeing his poorly struck spot-kick saved by Szczesny. Luckily, Adriano was on hand to slam the rebound into the roof of the net.

Ter Stegen then matched Szczesny by denying Dzeko from 12 yards after he had been fouled in the box by Vermaelen, but the striker finally broke his resistance by heading in Lucas Digne's cross late on.

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Porto 0-2 Dynamo

Porto 0-2 Dynamo: Yarmolenko & Gonzalez on target in comfortable win 

Andriy Yarmolenko starred as Dynamo Kiev kept alive their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League round of 16 with an impressive 2-0 win at Porto.

Yarmolenko and Derlis Gonzalez grabbed the goals to secure the spoils at Estadio do Dragao, meaning Kiev sit two points behind joint leaders Porto and Chelsea in Group G going into the final matchday next month.

Porto entered their second match of seven in a marathon 23-day span knowing a point would secure their spot in the knockout phases with a game to spare.

Things did not go to plan during a frustrating opening half as Dynamo entered the break ahead thanks to Yarmolenko's penalty.

The visitors then wrapped up an impressive night's work after half-time as Gonzalez grabbed a decisive second goal thanks to an Iker Casillas error.

That leaves the group dramatically poised, with Dynamo needing to beat Maccabi Tel-Aviv and hope there is a victor in Porto's trip to Chelsea.

The hosts began impressively and created the first opening in just the second minute as Danilo Pereira drove forward and narrowly missed the target with a powerful effort from range.







That set the tone for the early part of the game, with Yacine Brahimi next to threaten when firing over following a one-two with Giannelli Imbula.

Kiev improved significantly thereafter and would have opened the scoring were it not for Casillas.

The former Real Madrid goalkeeper produced a stunning save to keep out Gonzalez's superb 20-yard curler.

The visitors came even closer in the 28th minute as Denys Garmash met Yarmolenko's pin-point cross with a bullet header that cracked the inside of the post. His misfortune should have been Junior Moraes' gain, but the striker stabbed the rebound wide after reaching the ball on the stretch.

Yet Kiev did not have to wait much longer to break the deadlock as Yarmolenko sent Casillas the wrong way from the spot after Serhiy Rybalka went down under a challenge from Imbula.

The winger continued to look the biggest threat, unleashing a powerful effort from a tight angle that Casillas tipped over.

Porto emerged from the break vastly improved and should have equalised in the 59th minute when Cristian Tello hit straight at the goalkeeper.

Similar profligacy then denied Kiev at the other end as Garmash found himself clean through following a defensive mix-up, only to see his effort easily saved by Casillas.

A crucial second would come in the 64th minute, though, when Gonzalez surged forward and unleashed an effort, Casillas inexplicably tipping the ball up into the air and over the line, leaving the hosts 2-0 down and with time running out.

Having been frustrated for much of the closing stages, Porto were almost gifted a route back into the game when Aleksandar Dragovic deflected Andre Andre's cross-cum-shot onto the post.

And the Portuguese side's frustration was summed up when the woodwork denied Andre again in the dying seconds, his effort deflecting on to the underside of the bar, the hosts suffering a defeat that could yet cost them a place in the round of 16.

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Maccabi Tel-Aviv 0-4 Chelsea

Maccabi Tel-Aviv 0-4 Chelsea: Blues stroll to success in Israel

  

Goals from Gary Cahill, Willian, Oscar and Kurt Zouma gave Chelsea a comfortable victory over Maccabi Tel-Aviv in Israel on Tuesday.

It was a tale of two centre-backs during the first-half at the Sammy Ofer Stadium where, after Gary Cahill showed fine anticipation to open the scoring, former Chelsea man Tal Ben Haim made the hosts' task even bigger by kicking out at Diego Costa and being sent off on the stroke of the interval.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Maccabi caused Chelsea some moments of discomfort as a tense Jose Mourinho saw his team's early fluency desert them.

It was left to Willian, one of Chelsea's star performers in their difficult campaign, to lift a customary free-kick over the defensive wall in the 73rd minute and beyond Predrag Rajkovic – the impressive Maccabi goalkeeper who was aggrieved to see Oscar net a powerful header from Baba Rahman's cross four minutes later.

Oscar turned provider for Kurt Zouma, on for injured captain John Terry, to convert a stoppage-time corner to leave Chelsea with consecutive wins to their name for only the second time this season heading into Sunday's Premier League London derby against Tottenham.

Dynamo Kiev's 2-0 win at Porto means a three-way battle for qualification will be played out in the final round of group matches, with pointless Maccabi playing for pride.

Mourinho complained about the playing surface before the match and his team looked uncomfortable during the opening exchanges.







Tal Ben Haim II, the namesake of the home side's soon-to-be villain, delivered a wonderful cross from the right in the second minute that Dor Peretz headed wastefully over from close range.

Oscar and Cesar Azpilicueta were two of four players recalled to Mourinho's starting XI following the weekend win over Norwich City and they combined in the seventh minute – Oscar's backheel side-footed over by the Spain full-back.

That set in motion a period of Chelsea dominance that was rewarded in the 20th minute.

Cahill rose highest to meet Willian's corner and the centre-back reacted sharply after Rajkovic tipped his header onto the post to poke home.

Diego Costa fired an ambitious overhead-kick off target from Azpilicueta's cross before being involved in the flashpoint that saw Maccabi's most experienced campaigner lose his composure entirely.

Ben Haim missed with his initial kick at Costa but a second crude hack earned the defender a deserved red card.

The 10-men had a chance to level amid a scrappy start to the second-half – Eli Dasa racing in behind Chelsea left-back Rahman and forcing Asmir Begovic to save with his chest.

Mourinho displayed clear frustration on the touchline in response to that lapse and the hosts continued to cause unforeseen problems, with Peretz failing to get a decisive touch to Eran Zahavi's 59th-minute free-kick.

Rajkovic produced two stunning reaction saves in quick succession to thwart Hazard and Azpilicueta before Maccabi sprung forward on the break and Begovic produced a similarly superb fingertip stop that denied Zahavi.

A wasteful pass from Hazard drew further ire from Mourinho, who sent on Pedro in place of the playmaker in the 69th minute and there was concern for the manager soon afterward when Terry left the field on a stretcher with an apparent foot problem.

Willian's latest sumptuous dead-ball effort was enough to lift spirits in the visiting dugout and Rahman put an unsure display behind him to deliver a wonderful cross for Oscar to convert.

Zouma then headed home with comparable authority and the victory means Chelsea are level on 10 points with Porto ahead of welcoming the Portuguese giants to Stamford Bridge, with Kiev poised two points further back.

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Juventus 1-0 Manchester City

Juventus 1-0 Manchester City: Mandzukic sends Italians top

  

Mario Mandzukic's first-half goal secured a 1-0 victory for Juventus over Manchester City and sent the Italians through to the knockout stage and back into first place in Group D.

Mandzukic got Juve's first goal when they came from behind to secure a 2-1 win in Manchester on matchday one and the Croatia striker's 18th-minute strike was enough to seal the points this time around.

Having made sure of their own last-16 berth with a superb 3-1 win at Sevilla in their previous game, City manager Manuel Pellegrini urged his team to grab top spot with victory in Turin.

On the back of their humiliating 4-1 loss to Liverpool on Saturday, the Premier League side turned in a much-improved showing but lacked a cutting edge to lend Juve the advantage in the battle for a seeded place in the knockout draw.

Juve only need a point from their final match at Sevilla to finish first ahead of City, who have been dumped out by Barcelona in the past two seasons as second-place qualifiers and will now fear a similar fate against a European heavyweight.

Substitute Raheem Sterling passed up a glorious chance to equalise in the closing stages before a miserable night for Pellegrini was compounded by an apparent groin injury to Joe Hart.







City had little to show for patient build-up play during the opening stages until Kevin De Bruyne's cross from the left broke for Fernandinho, a goalscorer against Sevilla, who blazed wastefully over on this occasion.

It was a miss the visitors would regret almost instantly as Paul Pogba orchestrated a Juventus break, skipping past De Bruyne to feed Alex Sandro before the wing-back's measured delivery was slotted home on the volley by Mandzukic.

A stunning reaction save by Hart prevented Mandzukic from adding a second on the end of Stephan Lichtsteiner's 28th-minute knockdown.

A woeful backpass from Claudio Marchisio almost let City striker Sergio Aguero in for an equaliser ahead of the interval but veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon stood firm.

Another wonderful Sandro cross was impressively cleared by Nicolas Otamendi with Mandzukic lurking early in the second half before City came agonisingly close to an equaliser.

Fernando guided De Bruyne's left-wing corner towards the bottom corner, where Buffon touched his header onto the base of the post and gathered with Yaya Toure lurking.

Once again, City were at their most vulnerable having almost scored - Alvaro Morata, on for a limping Mandzukic, broke free of the away defence and his lofted attempt over Hart was turned on to the post by Stefano Sturaro.

Aguero, largely starved of service, had a 67th-minute volley deflected wide before making way for Sterling and Pellegrini's new attacking spearhead endured a moment to forget 10 minutes from time.

The England forward looked set to keep City in control of the race for top spot but he scuffed a left-footed shot wide from De Bruyne's low cross with the goal gaping.

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