Monday, April 11, 2016

Atleti pile pressure on wobbly Barca in Spain while Leicester continue march towards stunning Premier League title in England

It was certainly a week to forget for Barcelona in terms of domestic league displays.
The Catalan giants followed up their El Clasico defeat by arch rivals Real Madrid a week ago with a 1-0 loss to Real Sociedad at the weekend.
Mikel Oyarzabal scored the only goal as Barca’s wait for a first away win over Sociedad since 2007 continued.
It wasn’t the best way to warm up for their Champions League quarter-final second leg against their La Liga title rivals Atletico Madrid, who in turn will be full of confidence after their 3-1 league win over Espanyol – a result that blew the title race wide open.
Diego Simeone’s men maintained the pressure on pace setters Barca when they came from behind for the win.
Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres and Koke all found the back of the net as the capital club reduced Baca’s lead to just three points – only three weeks ago Barca’s lead was nine points.
They will now look to overturn a 2-1 deficit scoreline when they host Barca in the champions League on Wednesday.
Fearless Foxes
This time last season Leicester City were bottom of the table – 12 months on and they are on the verge of winning a the club’s very first English topflight title.
On Sunday Jamie Vardy scored a double to hand the fearless Foxes a 2-0 win over relegation strugglers Sunderland.
With his brace Vardy reached 21 league goals for the season – the first player from the club to surpass 20 goals since Gary Lineker 31 years ago.
Claudio Ranieri’s men are seven points clear of second placed Tottenham – who thumped Manchester United 3-0 the same day – and need three wins from their last five games to seal a remarkable Premier League crown.
Up and down
Up next is a list of players and clubs that stole the limelight for good or bad from last weekend’s action. It’s our up and down segment.
On the up is Cristiano Ronaldo whose goal scoring abilities are second to none. And the stats are there to prove it. At the weekend he scored against Eibar to become the first player in Europe’s top five leagues to reach the 30-goal mark in six consecutive seasons.
Andy Carroll is Up after hammering home a seven-minute hat-trick against Arsenal in a gripping 3-3 draw. His exploit in front of goal has given England manager Roy Hodgson a selection headache for Euro 2016. Will it be enough to persuade him to take a punt on the player – time will tell.
On the down is French first division side Monaco who were beaten 4-1 by Lille on match day 33. With the defeat the principality club relinquished second place in the league to Olympique Lyonnais, who six games ago were trailing Monaco by 10 points.
Road to Euro
There are two months to go until Euro 2016 and we will end our trip through the competition’s past with one of the coaches who re-wrote the football history books and is now hoping to write another chapter to his remarkable story this summer in France.
By leading Spain to victory at Euro 2012, Vicente Del Bosque became the first coach in history to win titles at theUEFA European Championship, the Fifa World Cup (South Africa 2010 with Spain) and the UEFA Champions League (with Real Madrid 1999-2000, 2001-2002).
We might be wrong
We’re not far off knowing which clubs are going to play the Champions League’s semi-finals. We already know the results of the quarter final first legs; but what about the return legs? Here are our predictions for those games. Add yours via social media using #TheCornerScores.
Manchester City 2-1 Paris Saint-Germain
Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg
Atlético de Madrid 1-0 Barcelona
Benfica 2-1 Bayern Munich
Bloopers
Very often, the goalkeepers are the main content suppliers of our ‘‘Bloopers’‘ segment. Today we’re going to show you two of them. One, really lucky. The other, really clumsy. (Check out video above)
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Ukraine: Tough challenges ahead for next government

Ukraine is in political turmoil as it seeks to form a new government.
It follows the resignation of Prime MinisterArseniy Yatsenyuk. His likely replacement is parliamentary speaker Volodymyr Groysman.
It is hoped a new stable coalition will push through reforms and reassure Ukraine’s chief backers, not least theIMF.
“Groysman’s government will first of all have to focus on the development of the economy and look for economic growth,” political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko told euronews.
“The second important issue is to concentrate on social policies. Here, Groysman will have to find a balance between the IMF’s requests and the needs of social stability.”
Political infighting and corruption scandals fractured the Yatsenyuk administration. If appointed, Groysman, a long-standing ally of Ukraine’s President Petro Poroshenko, has a tough challenge ahead.
“We have to talk about things that have not been done,” said Svitlana Zalishuk, a Member of Parliament with President Petro Poroshenko’s bloc.
“And this is why people are so disappointed with the government. Because it is also the price that society has to pay with these slow reforms, with not enough of the implementation of those policies that have been adopted in the parliament. We still didn’t manage to break away this vicious circle of corruption.”
US Vice President Joe Biden raised the need for more economic reforms in a phone call with the outgoing prime minister.
“I think the main focus should be the continuation of the reform process… IMF programme continuation and focussing now on privatisation because Ukraine has many, many assets it can privatise, which could potentially bring in billions of dollars of new investment,” said Andy Hunder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine.
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Saturday, April 9, 2016

Aston Villa are all but relegated after a defeat by Bournemouth - their eighth in a row - left them 15 points from safety with five games left.

Steve Cook's close-range finish set the visitors on their way before Joshua King scored after a defensive mix-up.
Jordan Ayew reduced the deficit with a powerful shot beyond Artur Boruc.
Villa need to win their remaining five games to have any chance of staying up, but could be down before they play at Manchester United on 16 April.
Norwich, who are 17th in the Premier League table - 15 points clear of Villa - entertain fellow strugglers Sunderland at 12:45 BST on 16 April.
If the Canaries avoid defeat in that game, Villa will be relegated for the first time in 29 years.

White handkerchiefs as Villa get it wrong again

For 23 minutes on Saturday Villa were down before Jason Puncheon's 68th-minute winner for Crystal Palace against Norwich earned the Premier League's bottom club a temporary stay of execution.

Aston Villa scored their first goal in seven hours and 36 minutes - an unsuccessful challenge by Joshua King allowing Idrissa Gueye to set up Jordan Ayew.
Fans were in an unforgiving mood as the fractured relationship between home players and supporters continued.
There were thousands of empty seats at kick-off as some supporters chose to miss the first seven minutes in protest - seven being the number of times Villa have been champions of England.
Towards the end, other home fans were spotted waving white handkerchiefs - a sign of surrender - after another poor, careless performance.
Villa, who desperately needed a positive display to appease their disgruntled fans, set up to contain the Cherries yet were picked off at ease.

Bournemouth pass 40 points

Villa gave a full Premier League debut to 20-year-old midfielder Jordan Lyden - though he lasted only 45 minutes before being replaced at the start of the second half.

Fans made their feelings known to Villa's players and owner Randy Lerner, who was not present
By then the match was already as good as over for Villa following another performance in which they lacked leadership, character, fight and had only one shot on target.
In contrast, Bournemouth, who welcomed back forward Callum Wilson after a serious knee injury, were bright and breezy.
Lewis Grabban forced a full-length save from Brad Guzan before Cook's finish from a short corner on the stroke of half-time gave them the lead.
The Cherries doubled their lead when Ciaran Clark was robbed by King, who went on to finish smartly - and although Villa went on to score a first goal in over seven and a half hours, the visitors held on comfortably.
Bournemouth were tipped for relegation at the stat of the season yet they are challenging for a top-half finish after reaching 41 points with five games left.

Man of the match - Joshua King (Bournemouth)

Joshua King has hit form at a crucial stage of the season. Having netted in wins over Newcastle and Swansea, the former Manchester United youngster made it three in five games with a sublime finish after dispossessing Ciaran Clark.

What they said

Aston Villa caretaker manager Eric Black, speaking to BBC Sport: "Not going down today is a small consolation. We've conceded poor goals, but we have to remain professional until the end.
"We didn't create as many chances as we would have liked. Ultimately, if you concede poor goals it will be hard to score.
"I'm sure it's not easy to play in that atmosphere, but there have only been two or three victories here this season so I won't be criticising the supporters.
"They turned out again today, which I find remarkable. This is certainly not down to the supporters."
Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, tells BBC Sport: "This was really important for us. It was very nervy from both teams but I thought we dominated the ball and deserved it in the end.
"It was a difficult game to play in because of the toxic atmosphere. We made it that way with the way we started."

Stats you need to know

  • Villa have made more errors leading to goals than any other side in the Premier League this season (14).
  • Steve Cook has scored four Premier League goals this season - the only defender with more is Scott Dann (5).
  • Joshua King has scored five times for Bournemouth this season - he managed just five league goals in three seasons in the Championship with Blackburn.
  • Jordan Ayew scored his first Premier League goal since December, ending a run of 10 games without scoring.

Up next

Villa's relegation will be confirmed if they fail to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford next Saturday - something they have not done since 2009.
Bournemouth host Liverpool on 17 April.

Home TeamAston VillaAway TeamBournemouth
Possession
Home41%
Away59%
Shots
Home6
Away12
Shots on Target
Home1
Away3
Corners
Home3
Away8
Fouls
Home13
Away11

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Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Barcelona and Bayern Munich edge their Champions League ties

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Home wins in the Champions League as Barcelona beat Atletico and Bayern beat Benfica.
Louis Suarez scored a brace for Barcelona to give the Catalan team the edge against Atletico-Madrid in the all Spanish quarter final of the Champions League.
The Uruguayan was the man of the moment as he bundled the first home in the 63rd minute before doubling up in the 74th with a bullet header.
Fernando Torres slid home to give Atletico a precious away goal before he was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.
Bayern Munich played host to Benfica Arturo Vidal was a man in a hurry after he headed home after two minutes in for the Germans match at the Allianz Arena.
The visitors could have snatched a draw when Jonas’ second-half strike was blocked by Javi Martinez.
The goal will give the Bavarian outfit a slender lead and plenty to play for the rematch to be held in Lisbon in eight days.
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Migrant arrivals to Greece slow amid tighter security on Turkish coast

Tighter security along Turkey’s coast is a key factor behind a sharp fall in the number of migrants arriving in Greece under the EU’s deal with Ankara.
Three days after the agreement came into force, new arrivals on the Greek islands from Turkey dropped to 68 in the 24 hours to Wednesday morning from 225 the previous day, data from the Greek migration ministry showed.
One of those intercepted by the Turkish coastguard and brought back to Dikili in Turkey was Khodor Hosary, a Palestinian man living in Lebanon.
“I applied for a passport in Lebanon. I am Palestinian and I am not allowed to live or work (there). You know, the Palestinian crisis in Lebanon. We don’t have a country or a land,” he said.
“Why are they doing this to us? We have been humiliated. We almost died. We had children travelling with us.”
Anger is also simmering on the Greek islands where asylum applications are piling up as migrants and refugeesseek to avoid deportation to Turkey under the agreement.
After a break out from a holding centre on Chios, hundreds of migrants and refugees are sleeping rough at the port.
Some 202 people, the majority from Pakistan, have been returned from Greece since the deal was implemented on Monday. Up to 13 of those sent back are said to have intended to apply for asylum.
Also intent on applying for asylum is Abdul Wahid Dar from Pakistan, one of those now gathered at the Chios port.
Showing papers to reporters, he voiced his fears at the threat of deportation.
“I think all the dreams will be broken if this happens because we came here, we spent a lot of money for this.”
Deportations from Greece have been suspended since Monday, with authorities overwhelmed by the
spike in asylum claims.
On the Greek island of Lesbos, Ali, 22, from Pakistan, said:
“They sent back two guys and they committed suicide. They put a rope around their necks and hanged themselves. If we go back we won’t be able to handle life. Some people have sold their homes. If they are taken back, they will die. What will they do?”
Aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières highlighted the plight of those awaiting deportation from the
Greek island of Samos.
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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

US election: Trump steps back from Republican support pledge

US Republican front-runner Donald Trump has dropped his pledge to support the party candidate if he does not win the nomination for the November election.
Mr Trump's rivals, Ted Cruz and John Kasich, refused to say outright whether they would unite behind a nominee.
All the Republican candidates signed a loyalty pledge last November.
It is the latest sign of friction between Mr Trump and Mr Cruz, who have been embroiled in a dispute involving each other's wives.
A committee supporting Mr Cruz published a nude photo of Mr Trump's wife Melania from 2000. In retaliation, Mr Trump tweeted an unflattering picture of Mr Cruz's wife Heidi.
Mr Trump claims he has been "treated very unfairly" by Republican party leaders - some have expressed disquiet or downright opposition to him winning the nomination.
To a question about whether he maintained his loyalty pledge from last November, Mr Trump said: "No, I do not any more."
Earlier, when asked the same question, Mr Cruz did not give a direct answer but said: "I am not in the habit of supporting someone who attacks my wife and attacks my family."
Mr Trump later replied, saying he did not need Mr Cruz's support. "I have tremendous support right now from the people."

The billionaire has been repeatedly criticised by his rivals and observers for a campaign that has included personal attacks at rivals and criticism and violence against protesters.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Trump's campaign manager Corey Lewandowski was charged with assaulting a journalist at a campaign event.
Police said Mr Lewandowski grabbed former Breitbart reporter Michelle Fields' arm when she tried to ask Mr Trump a question, leaving a bruise.
Despite the numerous recent controversies surrounding him, Mr Trump is currently well ahead in the Republican race with 739 delegates to Mr Cruz's 465.
Mr Kasich is some way behind with 143, with the 1,237 needed to win the nomination probably out of his reach.
The three candidates have campaigned in Wisconsin ahead of next Tuesday's primary there.
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Friday, March 4, 2016

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A Turkish court has put Zaman newspaper - a vocal critic of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan - under state control.
Administrators have been appointed to run the newspaper. There is no explanation for the court's decision.
Zaman is closely linked to the Hizmet movement of influential US-based cleric Fethullah Gulen, a former Erdogan ally.
Turkey describes Hizmet as a "terrorist organisation" aiming to overthrow the government. Many of its supporters have been arrested.
Mr Erdogan's government has come under increasing international criticism over its treatment of journalists.

Freedom of the press in Turkey


  • Turkey ranks 149th amongst the 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index 2015
  • Media organisations in Turkey say that more than 30 journalists are currently behind bars
  • Most are of Kurdish origin
  • The government argues journalism in Turkey is among the most free in the world
In a statement, Zaman said the country was going through its "darkest and gloomiest days in terms of freedom of the press".
It expressed "deep concern" at the latest court order - the culmination of pressure for more than two years on Turkey's "highest circulating newspaper, Zaman, and its sister publication Today's Zaman". It said the pressure had been through "accreditation bans, tax inspections, meddling with its advertisers and threats to its readers".
Editor-in-chief Sevgi Akarcesme told Reuters news agency this was "the practical end of media freedom in Turkey".
"The media has always been under pressure, but it has never been so blatant," she said.

Steamrolling over rights

Dozens of supporters gathered outside the paper's Istanbul headquarters after the announcement of the court decision.
One held a placard saying, "We will fight for a free press."
Amnesty International's Andrew Gardner said: "By lashing out and seeking to rein in critical voices, President Erdogan's government is steamrolling over human rights.
"A free and independent media, together with the rule of law and independent judiciary, are the cornerstones of internationally guaranteed freedoms which are the right of everyone in Turkey," he said.
The move against Zaman comes days after Turkey's Constitutional Court ordered the release from detention of two Turkish journalists charged with revealing state secrets.
Can Dundar and Erdem Gul, from the newspaper Cumhuriyet, were detained in November over a report alleging that the Turkish government tried to ship arms to Islamists in Syria.
The pair still face possible life sentences at their trial on 25 March.
Two newspapers and two television channels were put under state administration last year over their alleged links with the Hizmet movement.
The Turkish government has accused Mr Gulen, Hizmet's spiritual leader, of trying to run a parallel state.
On Friday, state-run Anadolu news agency said police had detained four senior officials of a company linked to Mr Gulen in the central city of Kayseri.
Turkey has asked the US to extradite Mr Gulen. The exiled cleric has allies in the Turkish police and judiciary, media and financial interests as well as a network of schools.

Hizmet movement

  • Inspired by the teachings of Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who lives in the US
  • Gulen is a mainstream Sunni Hanafi Muslim scholar, influenced by Anatolian Sufism
  • There is no formal structure but Hizmet followers are numbered in the millions across more than 150 countries
  • First expanded into Central Asia after the USSR's demise in 1991
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