43 Celta joint top, Griezmann lifts Atletico...Celta joint top, Griezmann lifts Atletico Atletico de...

ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015

43SPORTS

Villarreal lose 2-1

MADRID, Oct 18, (RTRS):Celta Vigo joined RealMadrid and Barcelona at thetop of La Liga when Nolito’slate strike snatched a 2-1 vic-tory at 10-man Villarreal,while Atletico Madrid stayedfirmly in the hunt thanks to a2-0 success at Real Sociedadon Sunday.

Surprise package Celta, who ham-mered champions Barca 4-1 at theend of September, again impressedwith some sparkling play at theMadrigal to prevent Villarreal climb-ing back into first place aboveSpain’s big two.

Former Sociedad forward AntoineGriezmann netted a superb goal forAtletico to set them on their way at theAnoeta in San Sebastian, where the homeside had two players sent off in the finalstages.

Real, who thumped Levante 3-0 at theBernabeu on Saturday when CristianoRonaldo set a club scoring record, are topon goal difference after eight matches,with Celta second and champions Barcathird, with all three on 18 points.

Barca’s Brazil forward Neymar nettedfour goals and created one for LuisSuarez in Saturday’s 5-2 success at hometo Rayo Vallecano.

Atletico, the 2013-14 champions, have16 points in fourth, with Villarreal arealso on 16 in fifth.

Villarreal had the better of the openingstages against Celta but the Galician sideswitched up a gear towards the end of thefirst half and Fabian Orellana curled in asweet shot in the 41st minute to put themahead.

Villarreal were reduced to 10 men twominutes into the second period whendefender Eric Bailly, who had earlierbeen booked for a wild tackle, was showna second yellow card after he flung out anarm and handled the ball.

Celta struggled to capitalise on theirone-man advantage and squandered sev-eral chances before former Celta youthplayer Denis Suarez levelled with adeflected 67th-minute effort.

Chile international Orellana was againinstrumental in the winning goal asanother superb curled effort in the 90thminute crashed down off the crossbar.

Spain winger Nolito, who earlier

struck a shot against a post, controlled therebound and fired low past Villarrealgoalkeeper Alphonse Areola.

“We are really pleased and we justhave to enjoy it,” Celta defender GustavoCabral told Spanish television.

“It was really tough here,” added theArgentine, whose side’s next match is athome to Real next weekend.

“We have put in a huge effort to getwhere we are and it should be a greatmatch against Madrid.”

France forward Griezmann has beenon superb form this season and used hiselectric pace in the ninth minute to racethrough the centre and put Atletico aheadwith an exquisite chip over Sociedadkeeper Geronimo Rulli.

The 24-year-old, who joined Sociedadas a teenager, did not celebrate the goalbut was still given a hard time throughoutthe match by some of the home fans stillupset with his decision to leave forAtletico in 2014.

Sociedad pressed hard for a goal in thesecond half without troubling Atletico’sobdurate defence too much before thematch ended in controversy when thehome side had a penalty claim turneddown in the first minute of added time.

Atletico broke quickly and YannickCarrasco was sent clear by fellow substi-tute Fernando Torres to make it 2-0.

Sociedad forward Jonathas, who hadonly been on the pitch a few minutes, wasdismissed for protesting to the referee.

Team mate Diego Reyes had been showntwo cards in quick succession shortlybefore the penalty incident, one for a cyni-cal foul on Torres and one for protesting.

Sociedad, coach by former Evertonand Manchester United manager DavidMoyes, are hovering just above the rele-gation places with only six points and onewin this term.

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Celta joint top, Griezmann lifts Atletico

Atletico de Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann (right), duels for the ball with Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez, during their Spanish La Liga soccer match, at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, northern Spain, Oct 18. (AP)

Sassuolo’s Nicola Sansone (right), vies for the ball with Lazio’s Sergej MilinkovicSavic, during their Serie A soccer match at Reggio Emilia’s Mapei Stadium, Italy,

Oct 18. (AP)

Celta Vigo’s Danish defender DanielWass (left), vies with Villarreal’sBrazilian forward Leonardo CarrilhoBaptistao during the Spanish Leaguefootball match Villarreal CF vs RCCelta de Vigo at E1 Madrigal Stadium

in Villareal on Oct 18. (AFP)

Wijnaldum hits four goals

Newcastle crush Norwich 6-2for their first victory of seasontNEWCASTLE, United Kingdom, Oct18, (AFP): Georginio Wijnaldum plun-dered four goals as Newcastle Unitedthrashed Norwich City 6-2 at St James’Park on Sunday to belatedly claim theirfirst win of the Premier League season.

Wijnaldum was a member of theHolland team that failed to qualify forEuro 2016 earlier in the week, but heshrugged off the disappointment with abrilliant quadruple that eased some of thepressure on Newcastle manager SteveMcClaren.

Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovicalso found the net, while Moussa Sissokoplayed his part with four assists, asNewcastle secured a league victory at theninth attempt ahead of next weekend’strip to northeast derby rivals Sunderland,who replaced them at the foot of the table.

Norwich were 3-2 down at half-time,having scored through DieumerciMbokani — making his full league debut— and Nathan Redmond, who also hit thepost in the second half.

But despite a strong start to the second

period they ended up well beaten, leavingAlex Neil’s side just three points abovethe relegation zone in 16th place.

Newcastle showed four changes to theteam thrashed 6-1 by Manchester City ontheir previous outing — in which SergioAguero had scored five goals — withRob Elliot notably replacing Tim Krul ingoal after the Dutchman ruptured kneeligaments on international duty.

The hosts went ahead in the 14thminute when Sissoko picked up a looseball on the edge of the box and threadeda pass through to Wijnaldum, a close-sea-son signing from PSV Eindhoven, whosteered a low shot into the bottom-leftcorner.

Robbie Brady sounded the Norwichrevolt, cracking a shot against the postfrom 30 yards, and the visitors equalisedin the 20th minute when Martin Olsson’sdelicious left-wing cross was stabbedhome by Mbokani.

Wijnaldum restored Newcastle’s leadsix minutes later with a downward head-

er from Sissoko’s clipped cross and Perezmade it 3-1 when he found the bottom-left corner at the second attempt follow-ing a block by Olsson.

But Newcastle’s defensive frailtieswere exposed again just 48 seconds laterwhen Olsson’s deep cross from the leftwas adroitly side-footed home on the vol-ley by Redmond.

McClaren sent Vurnon Anita on forCheick Tiote at half-time and he had rea-son to thank Wijnaldum for a third timewhen the Holland international cleared aheader from Newcastle old boy SebastienBassong off the line.

Bassong’s chance arrived amid a spellof sustained Norwich pressure that spreadjitters throughout the home ranks and vis-iting manager Neil added further attack-ing guile to his team by sending on WesHoolahan for Alexander Tettey.

PSG blank Bastia 2-0

Stumbling Marseilleheld by Lorient 1-1PARIS, Oct 18, (AFP): StumblingMarseille dropped points again onSunday as they were held to a 1-1 drawby Lorient at the Stade Velodrome inLigue 1.

Michel’s side took the lead thanks to aMichy Batshuayi penalty midwaythrough the first half but BenjaminMoukandjo levelled for the visitorsbefore the interval.

Marseille’s failure to build on anencouraging performance in losing 2-1 atParis Saint-Germain in their last outingbefore the international break leavesthem without a win in six matches in allcompetitions.

They continue to languish in 16thplace in the table and are six points adriftof Lorient, with the Bretons provisionallyup to eighth having lost just one of theirlast six outings.

OM were looking for revenge for a 5-3defeat at home to Lorient last season andthey took the lead in the 22nd min whenBelgian striker Batshuayi converted fromthe spot after Francois Bellugou had beenpenalised for handball.

However, the away side were back onlevel terms eight minutes prior to half-time as Nicolas Nkoulou got caughtunderneath a high ball and his Camerooncolleague Moukandjo took advantage toscore.

Marseille were unable to find a winnerin the second half, leaving Michel toadmit his frustration after the game.

“The statistics are in our favour, but theresult is against us. It’s like that in everymatch. It seems incredible because wehave an average of 20 shots per game”,said the Spaniard.

“Lorient are a good team but in manyphases of the game we played better”.

“There is a lot of disappointment atonly taking one point, especially as wehad the possession and the chances, butwe still lack a finishing touch”, addedMarseille’s on-loan Newcastle Unitedwinger Remy Cabella.

“The season is advancing but it is notover yet. We need to start winning quick-ly. Once we get a result we will havemore confidence”.

On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germainwarmed up for their Champions Leagueclash with Real Madrid by beating Bastia2-0 in Corsica thanks to two second-halfgoals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

PSG are still unbeaten this season andremain five points clear of surprise near-est challengers Angers and Caen, whoboth won away from home, 2-1 atToulouse and 1-0 at Reims respectively.

Lazio stunned 2-1 away to Sassuolo

Higuain sinks Serie A leaders FiorentinaMILAN, Oct 18, (AFP): Gonzalo Higuain’s fifthleague goal of the season helped Napoli to a precious2-1 win over Fiorentina on Sunday as Mauricio Sarri’smen moved up to fourth place in Serie A.

Napoli welcomed Fiorentina to the San Paolo look-ing to maintain a recent purple patch that has seen

Sarri’s side remain unbeaten in their last six outings.Fiorentina were tough customers, but after Nikola

Kalinic had levelled Lorenzo Insigne’s superb openerfor the hosts, Higuain struck in the 75th minute tosecure Napoli’s fourth win of the campaign.

Elsewhere, Sampdoria’s promising start came to ashuddering halt with a 2-0 defeat atFrosinone, while Lazio werestunned 2-1 away to Sassuolo.

Atalanta, meanwhile, romped to3-0 win in Bergamo that came com-plete with a stunning corner kickgoal from Alejandro Gomez.

Mauricio Pinilla gave the hosts awelcome eighth-minute openerafter meeting Maxi Moralez’s curl-ing delivery from the right to headpast Carpi ‘keeper Vid Belec at hisnear post.

Belec was beaten again on thestroke of half-time in more spectac-ular fashion, Gomez hitting asuperb corner that sneaked over theentire Carpi defence and into thefar top corner.

Atalanta wrapped up the pointswhen Luca Cigarini fired pastBelec from the penalty spot on 63minutes after Pinilla was fouled byIgor Bubnjic.

Paulo Sousa’s Fiorentina havebeen rightly described as one of themost stylish teams in the league andwere unlucky not to snatch a shareof the points at the San Paolo.

On the quarter hour JakubBlaszczykowski brought a greatone-handed save from Napoli‘keeper Peper Reina after turningon the edge of the area to unleash aleft-footed drive.

When Higuain was impeded byMilan Badelj when just about to pullthe trigger minutes later, he earned afree kick that Insigne curled into thewaiting arms of Ciprian Tatarusanu.

Napoli’s players surrounded thereferee on the stroke of half-time todemand the expulsion of DavideAstori after the Italian defendertugged at Allan’s shirt to stop himlaunching an offensive down theright flank.

From the free kick, Napolialmost found the opening, Higuainheading wide of the target fromInsigne’s chipped cross from theleft of the area.

The deadlock was finally brokentwo minutes after the restart whenInsigne beat Tatarusanu at his farpost after running on to MarekHamsik’s superb defence-splittingpass down the left.

Minutes later Higuain spurnedthe chance to double Napoli’s leadwhen he bundled just over fromclose range.

Napoli appeared to be on theirway to a share of the spoils afterCroatia international Kalinic, whohit a hat-trick in the 4-1 ormp overInter, ran on to Josip Ilicic’s deliveryto slot the ball past Reina down low.

But minutes later the stadiumerupted when Higuain dispos-sessed Ilicic deep in Fiorentinaterritory, played a one-two withDries Mertens and held off hismarker to beat Tatarusanu downlow.

Hanover shock Cologne‘thanks’ to keeper ZielerBERLIN, Oct 18, (AFP): Hanover’s revivalcontinued on Sunday as midfielder LeonAndreasen’s controversial winner sealed a1-0 victory at Cologne which pulled his sideout of the bottom three in the Bundesliga.

After Japan midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotakefired in a cross, Andreasen steered the ballhome at the far post on 38 minutes with thehelp of his upper arm, despite furiousprotests from the Cologne defence.

Hanover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zielerpulled off a great save to deny Cologne’sFrench striker Anthony Modeste in thedying stages to rescue the win which left

his team 14th in the table.Hanover are now unbeaten in their last

three games, which followed five straightdefeats, while Cologne drop to sixth inthe table.

On Saturday, Bayern Munich became thefirst team to win their opening nine games ofa Bundesliga season as Thomas Mueller’sfirst-half strike gave Pep Guardiola’s side a1-0 win at Werder Bremen.

Mueller stole in front of AlejandroGalvez to control a Thiago Alcantaracross at the near post for his ninth of theseason at the Weserstadion as Bayernmade more Bundesliga history.

Mueller’s solitary strike condemnedBremen to a club record-equalling fifthconsecutive league defeat.

Bayern’s 999th Bundesliga win setsthem up for their trip to face Arsenal inthe Champions League on Tuesday.

It left the Bavarians seven points clearat the top of the table from nearest chal-lengers Borussia Dortmund, who won 2-0 at Mainz on Friday.

Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchelreturned to face his former club in Mainzand saw Marco Reus put the visitors infront in the first half before HenrikhMkhitaryan added a second.

Germany striker Max Kruse scored hisfirst career hat-trick as Wolfsburgclimbed up to fourth with a dramatic 4-2win at home to Hoffenheim at theVolkswagen Arena.

Wolfsburg opened the scoring after just41 seconds when Julian Draxler squaredfor Kruse to score his first goal sincesigning from BorussiaMoenchengladbach in the summer.

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Cologne’s striker Simon Zoller (right), and Hanover’s Brazilian defender Felipevie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC

Cologne vs Hanover 96 in Cologne, western Germany, on Oct 18. (AFP)

Newcastle United’s Dutch midfielderGeorginio Wijnaldum celebrates afterscoring his fourth goal, Newcastle’ssixth, during the English PremierLeague football match betweenNewcastle United and Norwich City at StJames’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne,north east England, on Oct 18. (AFP)