I Will Work With Babangida, Will Pay Him – Oliseh

 

Super Eagles head coach, Sunday Oliseh, has offered to pay his former Ajax Amsterdam teammate, Tijjani Babangida, after he insisted on having the ex-Eagles star on his backroom staff.
“He has maintained he will decide who he works with and that is why Babangida will return to the Eagles camp when it reopens for the AFCON qualifiers against Egypt next month,” an official said yesterday.
“He has been his close and trusted confidant right from their playing days and he counts on him a great deal.
“He has made his position on this matter very clear to his employers. And also the contract he signed with the NFF allows him to appoint an assistant coach as well as a special assistant.
“This scenario also played out in the case of Stephen Keshi, when the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) let go his assistant coach Houndenou Valere. ‘Big Boss’ agreed to shoulder the responsibilities of his assistant, who he also worked with in Togo.”
Last week, the NFF disengaged Babangida without giving any reasons.

Naomi Broady: Briton set for world's top 100 after ITF win

Broady's victory at the Dow Corning Tennis Classic - which has a prize fund of $100,000 - means she has won one of the most lucrative events below the WTA Tour

British number three Naomi Broady will break into the world's top 100 for the first time after winning an ITF tournament in the United States.

The 25-year-old from Stockport beat American wildcard Robin Anderson 6-7 (6-8) 6-0 6-2 in the final of the Dow Corning Tennis Classic in Michigan.
Broady came back from a set down to win her ninth ITF singles title.

Currently 112th, she will move into the top 100 when the latest rankings are announced on Monday.
She will join fellow Britons Johanna Konta and Heather Watson, who are ranked 28th and 85th respectively.
The ITF tournaments are a developmental circuit for players who are not competing regularly with the world's elite on the WTA Tour.

A day of British success

Broady's success followed Kyle Edmund's victory over Dan Evans in the first all-British Challenger final for more than a decade.
The 21-year-old Yorkshireman won 6-3 6-2 against Birmingham's Evans at the Dallas Challenger event earlier on Sunday, meaning he will rise to a career-high ranking inside the top 85.
And there was also victory for Liam Broady - Naomi Broady's younger brother - at a Futures event in Glasgow.

England women beat South Africa in weather-hit ODI

Player of the match Anya Shrubsole took the first four South Africa wickets to fall

Thunder, lightning and rain could not stop England from beating South Africa in their first one-day international under new coach Mark Robinson.

Opener Trisha Chetty hit 90 for the Proteas after they won the toss in Benoni, but Anya Shrubsole's 4-29 helped England bowl them out for 196.
The weather twice halted the tourists' reply at 63-2 and 120-3.

But when it relented, they comfortably reached their Duckworth/Lewis target of 150 with six-and-a-half overs to spare.

Robinson's new order

The clearest indication of a new approach under Robinson came with a change in batting order, with Lauren Winfield and Amy Jones chosen as a more attacking pair to open the innings, and captain Charlotte Edwards dropping to number three.
While Winfield fell for 10, Jones (34 from 27 balls) and Edwards (33) had England well on the way to victory before the weather held them up.
When the lightning finally abated, Sarah Taylor (41 not out) and Heather Knight (26 not out) were left with the relatively simple task of scoring 30 in 10 overs.
Taylor, playing her 99th ODI, finished the match in style with a lofted drive for four as England won with 39 balls to spare.

Shrubsole shines amid the lightning

Shrubsole is one of the leading female pace bowlers in the world, as seen when she was chosen as the player of the tournament at the ICC World Twenty20 in 2014, despite England's defeat in the final.
And while her new-ball partner Katherine Brunt was wicketless, Shrubsole delivered for England once again, taking the first four wickets to fall.
That included two crucial wickets in successive deliveries as captain Mignon du Preez (38) holed out to Knight at mid-wicket after adding 93 with Chetty, and the experienced Marizanne Kapp was trapped lbw next ball.
Wicketkeeper Chetty lasted until the 46th over when she was seventh out, caught behind off Knight's off-spin, and England swiftly wrapped up the tail.

The pundit's view

Ex-England batter Ebony Rainford-Brent on BBC Test Match Special:
"Shrubsole normally gets the ball to move in any conditions, and she stood out by a mile. Brunt wasn't at her best, she bowled a number of wides, but the rest bowled OK. Heather Knight bowled well, Rebecca Grundy was OK and Jenny Gunn bowled nice and straight.
"Up to 2009, England were dominating and leading the world. Since then, they've stagnated and not kicked on - someone like Australia captain Meg Lanning has come in and scored as many or more hundreds than Sarah Taylor, for instance. She can take a game away from people.
"So there's a feeling that England want to be more aggressive, with Winfield and Jones up front. Robinson will challenge England to step the game up. This was a good, solid start."

What next?

The sides meet in two more one-day internationals at Centurion (12 February) and Johannesburg (14 February). All three count towards the ICC Women's Championship which determines qualification for the 2017 World Cup.

Leicester City: Can they handle Premier League title pressure?

"Now there are lots of Tinkermen. I was the first Tinkerman. I want to do a good job for the owners and be here for a long time," Ranieri said

Leicester City's win at Manchester City - the most significant result so far in what is becoming a stunning story - means there is no hiding place for manager Claudio Ranieri's side.

The Foxes' richly-deserved 3-1 victory in the battle of the top two at Etihad Stadium put them five points clear at the top of the Premier League and installed them as title favourites with every bookmaker.
And it stripped away the last shield keeping Leicester under the radar, despite Ranieri's masterpiece of expectation management this season.

Can they handle the pressure?

The manner in which Leicester came to Manchester and won so convincingly on their biggest test of the season was designed to make even the doubters believe.
It was an emphatic and mature performance that confirmed the tide of opinion is turning. Leicester are no longer viewed as plucky underdogs but as a club in position to make history.
Leicester can no longer portray themselves as being on a fantasy ride with nothing to lose at the end - there should now be disappointment if they do not win the title.
So how will Leicester handle that potent mixture of pressure and expectation?
Former Norwich City striker Chris Sutton outlined the dangers of underdogs being thrust to the front and feeling the weight of expectation.
He recalled how Norwich City let an unlikely title chance slip in the 1992-93 season when they were a point clear with only six games left.
Sutton told BBC Sport: "The longer you stay up there, and the closer you get to seeing it through, the harder it gets. We got through March and were back on the top of the table and it hit us. All of a sudden we started thinking about whether we could actually do it.
 

China's Guangzhou Evergrande signs Jackson Martinez in record $45.8M deal

Martinez, a 29-year-old Colombia international, was signed to a four-year contract and will begin training with the club next week in Dubai.

The deal, which Evergrande announced via Twitter, is the latest in a string of high-profile transfers made by CSL teams in recent weeks

Jiangsu Suning FC recently signed 28-year-old Brazil international Ramires from Chelsea for a reported $28.5 million, while Shanghai Greenland Shenhua signed Colombian star Fredy Guarin from Inter Milan for a reported $14 million.

Last June, Evergrande also signed Brazilian star and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho for $14 million.

The high-profile and high-priced transfers signal that China is dedicated to making a name for itself on the global football stage.

While Europe's transfer window shut on Monday, Chinese clubs can sign players until February 26.

Martinez had a brief stint in Spain, scoring three goals in 15 appearances following his $38 million move from Porto in July 2015.

He had been prolific in his three years in Portugal,

China's Guangzhou Evergrande signs Jackson Martinez in record $45.8M deal

Martinez, a 29-year-old Colombia international, was signed to a four-year contract and will begin training with the club next week in Dubai.

The deal, which Evergrande announced via Twitter, is the latest in a string of high-profile transfers made by CSL teams in recent weeks

Jiangsu Suning FC recently signed 28-year-old Brazil international Ramires from Chelsea for a reported $28.5 million, while Shanghai Greenland Shenhua signed Colombian star Fredy Guarin from Inter Milan for a reported $14 million.

Last June, Evergrande also signed Brazilian star and former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Paulinho for $14 million.

The high-profile and high-priced transfers signal that China is dedicated to making a name for itself on the global football stage.

While Europe's transfer window shut on Monday, Chinese clubs can sign players until February 26.

Martinez had a brief stint in Spain, scoring three goals in 15 appearances following his $38 million move from Porto in July 2015.

He had been prolific in his three years in Portugal,

Roger Federer has knee surgery, misses Rotterdam and Dubai tournaments

)World No. 3 Roger Federer will be out of action for up to a month after undergoing keyhole surgery on his knee in Switzerland.

The Swiss suffered a torn meniscus the day after his Australian Open semifinal defeat to Novak Djokovic last week, his agent Tony Godsick said Wednesday.

The 34-year-old has pulled out of World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam which starts on Feb 8 and the Dubai Championships at the end of the month.

"I am so disappointed to have to miss Rotterdam and Dubai as they are two of my favorite tournaments on the ATP World Tour," said Federer, who won a seventh Dubai title in 2015.

Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer to reach Australian Open fil

The 17-time Grand Slam champion has also scooped two Rotterdam trophies (2005 and 2012) among his 88 career titles.

 

Dalung courting FIFA ban - Ladipo, group warn

The current move by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung to broker peace in the football house has been described as uncalled for and an invitation for a FIFA ban.
President of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo while speaking to Daily SunSport in Lagos stated that the minister was ill advised on the Giwa protest stressing that the meeting was not necessary in the first place. He said he is shocked at the minister's action because there was no point calling the Giwa faction to a meeting when there was no issue to discuss in the first place. "I sympathise with the minister because there was no need for such a meeting that has already discussed and thrashed at FIFA, CAS, CAF and all levels before now. That matter had been dealt with and thrashed out. There is absolutely nothing to discuss and if we are serious about being a member of FIFA, then we should learn to abide by the rules." Meanwhile, The Nigerian Sports Editors Guild, the umbrella body of the managers of sports of the country's media outfits, has urged all stakeholders to steer clear of any 'action or inaction' that could bring fresh crisis in the country's football. Rising from a meeting at the weekend in Lagos, the sports editors condemned the recent meeting reportedly convened by Sports and Youth Development Minister, Solomon Dalung, where he tried 'to resolve the purported leadership crisis in Nigerian f ootball.' In a communiqué signed by the Guild's President, Tony Ubani, the editors said it was "unfortunate that those saddled with the responsibility of running Nigerian sports are the same people trying to drag the sector back to the dark days by seeking solution to a non-existent crisis." "We want to believe that the minister was ill-advised and so does not know that the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) leadership issue was decided by the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) sitting in Lausanne, Switzerland on May 18, 2015." The Guild advised any qualified Nigerian desirous of becoming the president of the NFF to wait until the end of the current tenure to actualize his dream. "We call on all the stakeholders, NSC and ministry officials, and indeed Mr. Chris Giwa, who, as a club owner, is an important part of the Nigerian football family, to join hands with the NFF leadership to develop our football to such a level that generations yet unborn would be proud of," the Guild said.

'Musa going nowhere'

Musa

TOP HEADLINES Metuh's torn statement linked former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, to N400m -EFCC [Has EFCC learned to scan/photcopy statements right-away?] Lagos: Pastor accused of diverting church funds commits suicide The truth about Oliseh's illness I am the only legal wife of Ojukwu -Bianca How we rigged Ekiti poll for Fayose - Ex-PDP secretary

CSKA Moscow will not sell striker Ahmed Musa in this transfer window. The Russian club turned down a fourth bid from Leicester City of £18.7m for the Nigeria forward last week, which was an improvement on the original offer of £15.1m. The 23-year-old was believed to be open to a move to the Premier League leaders. However, CSKA, who are top of the Russian league, want the forward to stay until at least the summer. Musa had also attracted the attention of other top Premier League teams and has a £22.8m buyout clause in his contract, which runs until 2019.

Iheanacho is why we didn't sign striker, Pellegrini confesses

MANCHESTER City Manager, Manuel Pellegrini, feelshis decision not to sign a new striker after selling Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko is being justified byKelechi Iheanacho. Iheanacho scored a hat-trick in Manchester City's 4-0 FA Cup win at Aston Villa on Saturday and now looks set to be included in their Champions League squad. City face Dynamo Kiev in the last 16 next month with Sergio Aguero their only fit striker as Wilfried Bony struggles with a calf problem. Iheanacho was omitted from City's Champions League squad for the group stages, but with Samir Nasri injured he is likely to replace the midfielder ahead of tomorrow's registration deadline. Pellegrini said: "It's a decision we are going to take this week before the last date. Of course he pushes a lot. We need him because of Bony's injury. "I see him working every day so I know what he can do. Maybe I received some criticism why we didn't replace (Stevan) Jovetic and (Edin) Dzeko and I answered we had Kelechi. "We have a young player who is very important for our club. We have good players who are ready to play and you must keep the options. I know we have a player who deserves space in the squad." Speaking after Saturday's game, Iheanacho added on City TV: "I'm so glad to score a hat-trick, it's a great day in my life but it's not the greatest day of my life because I need to keep working hard. This is the starting point of my career so I need to keep going. • Culled from www.teamtalk.com

Pep Guardiola to replace Manuel Pellegrini at Man City this summer

Pep Guardiola will manage Manchester City next season

Manchester City have confirmed Pep Guardiola will succeed Manuel Pellegrini as manager this summer.

Guardiola will take over on a three-year contract with Pellegrini set to officially depart on June 30.
The 45-year-old Spaniard announced in December that he would leave Bayern Munich in May after three years at the helm, with an intention to coach in England next season.
A statement read: "Manchester City can confirm that in recent weeks it has commenced and finalised contractual negotiations with Pep Guardiola to become MCFC Head Coach for the 2016/17 EPL season onwards.
"The contract is for three years. These negotiations were a re-commencement of discussions that were curtailed in 2012.
"Out of respect for Manuel Pellegrini and the players, the club wishes to make its decision public to remove the unnecessary burden of speculation.
"Manuel, who is fully supportive of the decision to make this communication, is entirely focused on achieving his targets for the season ahead and retains the respect and commitment of all involved with the leadership of the club."
Pellegrini revealed the news at the end of a press conference to preview Tuesday night's clash with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
"Before I finish, I want to tell you I have talked with the club and I will finish my contract on the original date," said the 62-year-old.
 "I signed for one year more [in August he extended his contract until the summer of 2017] but with the clause that the club or me can choose not to use that now. So I finish here 30 June, so there is not the speculation.
"The club are not doing anything behind me.  I knew this one month ago but I don't think it's good to have rumour or speculation about these things, so I prefer to finish today, which is why I have told the players and I have told the press. I also spoke to the club two weeks ago and said that I would do it."
The much-travelled Pellegrini signed for City in 2013, becoming the first Chilean to coach in the Premier League.
During his tenure, City have won 64 of the 99 league games played. The only coach to have won more in his opening 99 Premier League games is Jose Mourinho (73).
City sit second in the Premier League behind Leicester and remain in the running for four trophies this season.

I won’t quit –Oliseh

 

Pius Ayinor

Super Eagles coach Sunday Oliseh has declared that he won’t quit his position despite speculations that the former Nigeria was on his way out of the team.

Oliseh, who spoke online with The PUNCH on Monday, denied that he had indicated to the Nigeria Football Federation his desire to move on.

“I am not quitting,” Oliseh said.

The coach and his players of the home-based Eagles have come under criticism after failing to qualify from the group stages of the 2016 African Nations Championship in Rwanda. The former Eagles captain has stoutly defended their performance in the East African country as he insists that a lot of off-field issues affected them.

Some European coaches have already been linked with the Eagles’ job, which Oliseh has yet to declare vacant. An associate of the Eagles coach, who later spoke with our correspondent on Monday said even though Oliseh would remain on his post, a lot of things have to be discussed and changed for the Eagles to make any meaningful impact in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

He said, “A lot of things have to change and these are what will be ironed out before another competition starts. The money crisis was a huge one. The players were doing well at the start but their attitude and form dipped when it became very evident that they would not get their cash until after the tournament.

“But if the NFF didn’t have the cash, they could have supported the team in many other ways. They were left alone in a very small two-star hotel in Rwanda. Most of the times the players could not eat what was served by the hotel and Oliseh had to supplement with cash to enable the players eat outside. The coach also assisted many who could not really get quality boot and this was a drain to his pocket.

“In the Abuja camp, there was little or no visit from the NFF team. When you owe players, you should stay close enough to make them believe that they will truly get their money later.”

Last week Oliseh told The PUNCH that the players based abroad were continuously calling him to be sure of the finances of the team. Our correspondent confirmed that the players have not been paid their allowances for the match they played against Swaziland in November. There’s fear that they may become reluctant to show for the March qualifier against Egypt.

 

CHAN 16: Key questions for Oliseh after Eagles elimination

Goal put some key questions to the Nigeria boss following the premature end of the national team’s African Nations Championship campaign

The truth is that the hopes of many Nigerian football fans, and expectations which had gone through the roof after the opening 4-1 victory over Niger, were cruelly dashed when Guinea bested the Eagles on Tuesday January 27 at the Rubavu Stadium to dump the national side out of the African Nations Championship.
But we must be careful not to overstate the facts that we have at hand.
Sunday Oliseh was proclaimed as Africa’s Pep Guardiola on assumption of the job by Amaju Pinnick, president of the Nigeria Football Federation, and since then we have—rightly or wrongly—assumed that all would fall in his wake.
While it’s important not to lose perspective following the defeat (only Oliseh’s second in 10 matches), there’s no doubt that it risks leaving Nigerians disenchanted with the coach's nascent regime.
In this feature, we look back over the disappointing tournament in Rwanda, and ask what can be learned from the Eagles showing and pose some questions at Oliseh, examining his performance over the last few weeks and the issues raised

Were these really the best 23 players from the NPFL?
There was some football fans who disputed the makeup of the CHAN squad; their argument was that the 23 chosen for the Rwanda championship were not actually an accurate representation of the best players in the league. Oliseh, on the eve of the tournament, said he was not missing anybody, but on the evidence of what we saw in Rwanda, were the players chosen really the absolute best the division has to offer?
Did the NFF do all it could to guarantee success?
With the NFF failing to pay the bonuses of the players, it will be hard to convince anyone that the board was putting everything behind the team. There is no way that Amaju Pinnick's board wouldn't have gone to source for funds if it was the main team that was being prepared for this kind of tournament, but with the home-based Eagles not enjoying the same status, was the drive truly there? It was a similar story for the U-23 team in Senegal, who played an entire tournament with just one set of jerseys. Did the NFF hang the CHAN team out to dry?

 

Was it wise for Oliseh to take over an unfamiliar team?
Oliseh was not the person that chose the 23 players that featured in Rwanda, that task was carried out by Salisu Yusuf. So, with the benefit of hindsight, would it have been better for Oliseh to have been in an observatory and advisory role instead of calling the shots from the bench? Yusuf knew these players better and had a reason for choosing them, why wasn't he given the opportunity to finish the job?
Was it all Oliseh’s fault that the team failed?
While the coach must take some of the brunt of the blame for failure at the CHAN, this shouldn't obscure the fact that the manager actually got a lot right on the fields of Rwanda. On the evidence of the tactics, formation and substitutions, did Oliseh do just enough to suggest that he is the real deal as an international manager?

 

APPOLOGIES FROM OPPERATOR

My Appologies to everyone and fans could not bring news updates about Nigeria politics due to Health related issues but have made full recovery and back
Thanks for your Understanding

Balarabe Muhammad Mansur
 

Turning 40, the golfer talks about his highs and lows on and off the course

Tiger Woods was raised to be a champion. Groomed by a father who put a golf club in his hands before he could walk, Woods has been one of the most dominant athletes of all time since turning pro at 20 in the summer of 1996. His 14 major tournament championships are second only to Jack Nicklaus’ total of 18, a record he once seemed destined to surpass. But Woods hasn’t won another major since 2008, before his infidelities led to a high profile divorce from Elin Nordegren in 2010. His recent comeback attempts have been derailed by injuries.
Now, Woods is facing the very real possibility that his record-setting career will be over by the time he turns 40 on Dec. 30. Ahead of that milestone, Woods sat down for a rare one-on-one interview with TIME at his restaurant in Jupiter, Fla. With a bag of ice on his back, Woods talked about his desire to keep playing, his relationship with his ex-wife, why he and Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn broke up, the highs and lows of his career on the course and his feelings about watching golf on TV (“I can’t stand it”).

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Australian Open: Serena Williams & Roger Federer through

Serena Williams and Roger Federer made swift progress as the leading names were untroubled in the third day session of the Australian Open.

Women's top seed Williams beat Taiwan's Hsieh Su-Wei 6-1 6-2 on Rod Laver Arena before men's second seed Federer saw off Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-3 7-5 6-1.
"Conditions are extremely quick, so you're not going to find much rhythm," he said. "I thought I served great."

Maria Sharapova beat Belarusian Aliaksandra Sasnovich 6-2 6-1.
Novak Djokovic plays Quentin Halys in Wednesday's late session, while British number ones Andy Murray and Jo Konta resume their campaigns in the second round on Thursday.
Japanese seventh seed Kei Nishikori was another early winner on day three as he beat American Austin Krajicek 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-3, and Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych beat Bosnia and Herzegovina's Mirza Basic 6-4 6-0 6-3.
Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko caused an upset with a 6-1 7-5 win over Russian 23rd seed Svetlana Kuznetsova, winner of the Sydney title last week.

 

Venus fined for media snub

World number 10 and seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams was given a $5,000 (£3,532) fine for failing to appear at a news conference on Tuesday.
The American, 35, did not fulfil her post-match media commitments after losing in straight sets to Britain's Jo Konta.
Williams was fined $3,000 by the International Tennis Federation at last year's French Open for skipping her media duties following a first-round defeat by Sloane Stephens.
Asked whether her elder sister would return to Melbourne in 2017, defending champion Serena Williams said: "I would assume. She's never mentioned anything about not being here, not competing."

Kyrgios in trouble again

Australian Nick Kyrgios has been fined $3,000 (£2,100) after he was heard to utter an obscenity in his first-round win over Spain's Pablo Carreno Busta on Monday. Kyrgios plays Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas later on Wednesday.
Had the incident happened at a regular ATP World Tour event, rather than a major, Kyrgios would be close to triggering a 28-day ban.
The 20-year-old has a suspended ban after being sanctioned for making lewd remarks about Stan Wawrinka's girlfriend in August at the Montreal Masters.
The 28-day suspended ban would be triggered if he received further fines totalling $5,000 (£3,500) before 24 February.
He was fined $1,500 (£1,000) for an audible obscenity late last year in Shanghai.
But Wednesday's fine does not count towards the total as it happened at a major.

GB women set up doubles clash

  Watson and Konta will travel to Eilat for the Fed Cup straight after the Australian Open


Konta might have had a day off from singles duties, but she found the time to make progress in the doubles as Britain's women provided a Fed Cup boost.
The world number 47 teamed up with Heather Watson to beat 16th seeds Gabriela Dabrowski and Alicja Rosolska 6-1 7-6 (9-7) in the first round.
Britain's number one and two move on to face compatriots Jocelyn Rae and Anna Smith, who defeated China's Chen Liang and Shuai Peng 3-6 6-2 7-6 (7-2).
Fed Cup captain Judy Murray will be keeping a close eye on that one, with all four players in her squad to travel to Israel for the gruelling Euro-Africa Zone tournament straight after Melbourne.

Sharapova said she is over the forearm injury that disrupted her preparation for Melbourne.

 

Fernando Verdasco hits insane forehand smash to knock Rafael Nadal out of Australian Open

Verdasco Celebrating.

If you’re going beat 14-time grand-slam winner Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open then it’s best to do it in style – and that’s exactly what Fernando Verdasco did today.
There are no nerves from Verdasco in this Vine as he hammers an unreturnable forehand past his fellow countryman on match point.
The world No.45 was on fire in the first-round match, hitting 90 winners on course to a 6-7 (6-8) 6-4 6-3 6-7 (4-7) 2-6 victory.
‘I played unbelievably in the fifth set,’ he said after inflicting Nadal’s first-ever first-round exit.
‘I don’t know how I did it. I closed my eyes and everything went in.’

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Cristiano Ronaldo: Real Madrid players have more empathy with Zidane

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in the win over Sporting Gijon .

Cristiano Ronaldo says Real Madrid's players get on better with Zinedine Zidane than his predecessor Rafa Benitez.

Zidane's dream start in charge continued with a 5-1 thrashing of Sporting Gijon on Sunday, with Ronaldo and Karim Benzema both scoring twice.
Benitez's reign ended after just 25 games amid rumours of dressing room discontent, and Ronaldo confirmed the former Liverpool manager didn't have the same regard among Madrid's star-studded squad as Zidane, who was a Ballon d'Or winner himself as a player.

Stoke 0-0 Arsenal: Goalkeepers star but Gunners go top

Arsenal failed to beat Stoke away from home for the sixth straight game but a 0-0 draw took them top of the Premier League.

It was a game where both goalkeepers shone as Jack Butland denied Olivier Giroud with two smart saves either side of the break before Petr Cech stood strong in the second period, including thwarting Bojan with a double save.
Stoke rallied in the closing stages and Aaron Ramsey cleared off the line from Jonathan Walters.

Manchester United Can Still Win The League

Louis van Gaal MANu Coach

Louis van Gaal believes Manchester United can win the Premier League after their late victory over Liverpool reignited an unlikely title push.
Wayne Rooney’s 78th-minute strike – his first at Anfield since 2005 – sealed a United victory and moved the club seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Speaking at his post-match press conference, Van Gaal set his sights on finishing the season top of the pile, dismissing the current gap between his side and those at the top.
“To beat Liverpool is always important,” the Dutchman said. “Today it was important because our competitors lost points and when the gap [at the top] is like this we can overturn that. That is what I’m thinking.”

Pressed on whether he thought his side remained in the title race, Van Gaal said: “We have a lot of matches to go. We started 2015 very good, with a lot of wins and draws – we didn’t lose.

 “This game will give a huge boost to the players, the fans and to everyone connected with Manchester United – and we have to continue, of course.

“That will not be easy, as we saw today, but we can do it because we showed every week that we can do it.”
Sunday’s result saw Van Gaal extend his flawless record against Liverpool to four wins from his four meetings with the Merseysiders.
However, if anyone was going to win the game it looked as it would have been Liverpool, with the hosts outplaying an insipid United attack throughout large parts.
And Van Gaal was forced to admit his side rode their luck at times, although he was pleased to win where others this season have failed.
“I have to admit we survived the first half because Liverpool were more aggressive,” Van Gaal added.