Dost double downs Hertha, Gladbach get late point

Dost double downs Hertha, Gladbach get late point

Bas Dost scored his eighth and ninth goals of 2015 as Wolfsburg claimed a 2-1 German Bundesliga victory over Hertha Berlin on Sunday. The Dutchman, who netted only twice in the first half of the season, put the Wolves in front after ten minutes before supplying the winner after Julian Schieber equalised.

The Wolves were good value for their win, which puts them ten points clear of third-placed Borussia Monchengladbach and, more importantly, 12 ahead of Schalke in fourth, meaning they are on course for a place in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Monchengladbach snatched a last-gasp equaliser at Hamburg to maintain their two-point advantage over Schalke. Zoltan Stieber gave the hosts the lead in the 75th minute, but it was not enough to earn Josef Zinnbauer's men a much-needed victory. Branimir Hrgota made it 1-1 with a stoppage-time header to leave Hamburg just two points above the relegation zone.

Hitz: There was no going back

Hitz: There was no going back

Goalscoring hero Marwin Hitz admitted there was no going back when he went up from his goal for a corner in the dying stages of Augsburg's 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen. Hitz became only the third goalkeeper in the history of the German Bundesliga after Frank Rost and Jens Lehmann to score a goal from open play when he converted in injury time.

Yet he did not know he was even going to play until shortly before kick-off. A serious knee injury had kept him sidelined since November but coach Markus Weinzierl chose him over Alex Manninger, saying afterwards: "I didn't realise I'd put our goalscorer in goal."

It was Weinzierl who sent Hitz forward in the 94th minute at the Augsburg Arena, and Hitz explained the rest to reporters.

I used to always prefer to take shots on goal rather than be stood in goal during training. Maybe that's paid off.

Marwin Hitz, Augsburg's goalscoring goalkeeper.

"He waved me forward and I stood near the back post because I was sure nobody would spot me there," he said. "I then ran into the middle, but the corner was too short and it was cleared. We kept possession and I thought I may as well stay up because it was too far to go all the way back, and there I was in the right place.

"I've always been a goalkeeper but when I was younger, I used to always prefer to take shots on goal rather than be stood in goal during training. Maybe that's paid off."

Once the ball did hit the back of the net, he did not want to wait around and leave his own goal gaping as his natural goalkeeper instincts set in.

"I just wanted to celebrate quickly and then run back, but my team-mates swamped me so I just had to celebrate a bit more with them," he said. "But I was already concerned about the kick-off again. I'm not the sort to celebrate like crazy when we score goals, which is why I wanted to get back into my goal as quickly as possible and follow the game."

The goal and consequent draw ensured Augsburg kept their place above Leverkusen in the standings.

Real beat Elche as Sociedad win seven-goal thriller

Real beat Elche as Sociedad win seven-goal thriller

Second-half goals from Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo earned Real Madrid a 2-0 win at struggling Elche that moved them four points clear at the top of the Spanish La Liga.

Benzema, who had earlier had a goal ruled out for offside, tapped home the opener before Ronaldo powered home a header to seal the points. Victory ensured the visitors took full advantage of Barcelona's home defeat to Malaga to further strengthen their hold on top spot.

A last-minute winner from captain Xabi Prieto saw Real Sociedad win a seven-goal thriller against Sevilla 4-3. Imanol Agirretxe volleyed David Moyes' side in front shortly after a quarter of an hour, but Timothee Kolodziejczak headed in an equaliser just before half-time.

Prieto restored La Real's lead from the penalty spot at the start of the second half, but Sevilla turned the game around thanks to a header from Carlos Bacca and a penalty from substitute Kevin Gameiro. However, with nine minutes remaining, Alejandro Arribas put the ball through his own net to make it 3-3 and Prieto struck again in injury time to decide the game.

Villarreal moved within one point of Sevilla as Luciano Vietto came off the bench to secure an under-par Yellow Submarine side a 1-0 victory over Eibar. Elsewhere, Aritz Aduriz netted a late winner as Athletic Bilbao edged a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano.

El Levante ha recibido dieciocho goles del Barcelona en dos temporadas

El Levante ha recibido dieciocho goles del Barcelona en dos temporadas

EFE  

El Levante perdió el domingo por 5-0 en el Camp Nou y ha recibido dieciocho goles del Barcelona en los cuatro enfrentamientos ligueros de las dos últimas campañas.


Seis de esos dieciocho goles del Barça han sido marcados por el argentino Leo Messi, que con los tres que logró el pasado domingo reforzó su posición como el jugador que más veces ha marcado al equipo valenciano en Primera División, con un total de trece.


Los diez tantos que ha recibido esta campaña se unen a los ocho que recibió en la pasada. En la primera jornada de esa campaña 2013-14, el Levante cayó por 7-0 en el Camp Nou en la que aún es la peor derrota de su historia en la máxima categoría.


Tras ese varapalo, el equipo valenciano logró contener al equipo catalán en su visita al Ciutat de València, en la que el duelo acabó con empate a un gol y que supuso el único punto para el Levante de estos cuatro encuentros y también su único tanto.


Por lo que respecta a esta temporada, el Levante ha perdido por 5-0 los dos encuentros de Liga que le han medido con el club catalán.

Mais de 100 dias como líder

NOTÍCIA | ANTONIO M. LEAL

Os brancos estão há 13 jornadas na primeira posição. 

O Real Madrid está há mais de cem dias como líder da Liga. A equipa de Ancelotti chegou à primeira posição na jornada 10, depois de ganhar 0-4 no estádio do Granada. Esta vitória foi a 1 de Novembro e desde então os brancos ocupam o lugar mais alto da classificação.  

Os números na Liga do Real Madrid desde esse dia são: 11 vitórias, duas derrotas, 37 golos marcados e 12 sofridos. Os 33 pontos conseguidos desde a jornada 10 fazem do Real Madrid a melhor equipa do campeonato neste período de tempo. Tendo em conta toda a temporada, o conjunto branco é o melhor dos líderes das seis Ligas mais fortes da Europa. 

Marcelo, o defesa com mais assistências na Liga

NOTÍCIA |  JAVIER GARCÍA

Soma cinco passes para golo até agora no campeonato. 

Marcelo atravessa um dos melhores momentos da carreira. O brasileiro ajuda tanto nos trabalhos defensivos como no ataque. Nos dois últimos jogos, contra a Real Sociedad e o Sevilha, o primeiro tento madridista aconteceu da mesma forma: centro de Marcelo do lado esquerdo e golo de James. O lateral branco é o defesa da Liga que soma mais assistências, 

O primeiro passe para golo de Marcelo foi na goleada branca no Riazor. Então, combinou com Bale para o 1-4. Uma jornada mais tarde, o brasileiro assistiu Cristiano no terceiro tento da equipa contra o Elche. A terceira assistência foi contra o Celta, novamente com Cristiano a facturar. E as últimas foram as duas já mencionadas para James.

Delegação brasileira chega ao Rio de Janeiro nesta sexta-feira - Torneio Internacional

Delegação brasileira chega ao Rio de Janeiro nesta sexta-feira - Torneio Internacional

Assessoria CBF.com.br


A delegação da Seleção Brasileira Feminina viaja nesta quinta-feira para o Brasil. O voo sai às 23h20 de Paris para o Aeroporto Internacional Tom Jobim, no Rio de Janeiro, com chegada prevista para as 7h50 de sexta-feira.

De lá, as jogadoras e os integrantes da comissão técnica vão para a Granja Comary, onde treinarão para a disputa do Torneio Internacional de Brasília - de 10 a 21 de dezembro.

Marta e Simone Jabotá retornarão a seus clubes e se reapresentarão na terça-feira, dia 2 de dezembro. Maurine, Mônica, Thaisa, Raquel, Luciana, do Ferroviária, e Andressinha, Barbara e Camila, do Kidermann, serão liberadas para jogar a final do Campeonato Brasileiro Feminino, no domingo, em Araraquara.

A viagem para Brasília será no dia 8 de dezembro. O Brasil estreia na competição contra a Argentina dia 10; depois enfrenta os Estados Unidos, dia 14; e por último, a China, dia 17. A final e a disputa pelo terceiro lugar serão no dia 21. Todos os jogos serão realizados no Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha.

England captain Wayne Rooney desperate to win trophies

England captain Wayne Rooney desperate to win trophies

England skipper Wayne Rooney says his international career will be tainted if the team continues to fail at tournaments.



The Manchester United striker is understandably in reflective mood this week as he gets set to become just the ninth England player to reach 100 caps on Saturday when he leads the team out for their European Qualifier against Slovenia at Wembley.

Of the eight names currently on the list, only Sir Bobby Charlton and Bobby Moore have got their hands on an international trophy, the World Cup on home soil 48 years ago.

Rooney has won five Premier Leagues but is yet to win anything with England in five major tournaments over 11 years and said: "To get 100 caps for England, there's not many players who have done it, would be a great achievement. I'll be proud to join that club and is something that myself and my family would be honoured by.


"But I could sit here saying I've got 200 caps and 100 goals for my country, but the ultimate is to win a trophy and that's what we all want to do.

"That's why we play football, to win. That's the target and hopefully sometime soon we can achieve that."

The 29-year-old has also got his sights set on Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps and is six goals short of the all-time scoring record of Charlton.

Rooney, who will be presented with a special golden cap before kick-off on Saturday by Charlton, added: "To be England's greatest ever goalsscorer would be massive.

Record

"The record has stood for so many years, there have been plenty of players who haven't been able to break it. I'm still relatively young and believe I can do it and hopefully that record will come.


"Obviously I'm not going to be as big a legend as Sir Bobby Charlton - he's won the World Cup with England - so to eclipse that I'd have to win the World Cup, which would be a massive achievement."

Eleven years on from his substitute appearance in the 3-1 defeat by Australia at Upton Park, Rooney insists he is still as passionate as ever about playing for his country and he is particularly fired up to improve on England's poor performance at the World Cup this summer.

"The thing that I've taken away from Brazil is the hurt at getting knocked out - it was hard to take," the former Everton forward said.

"But we have to move on. I have that hunger to do well, I always want to do well. I don't feel I have to prove myself to anyone. I'm sure everyone can see I'm passionate about playing for England and as much as anyone I want us to do well."


Rooney has played for four England managers and 10 captains and he picked out Steven Gerrard as his main source of inspiration.

"It's well known that the two of us have been close and he's been a massive help to me," Rooney said of the 114-cap midfielder who retired from international football after the World Cup.

"Even when he was captain I believed that after he was captain I'd get the nod to take over from him, so I watched how he prepared himself, how he prepared for games, how he was around the hotel and in the media. I took a lot from him."

Meanwhile, former England manager Terry Venables has praised Rooney as he prepares to win his 100th international cap, insisting he ranks among his country’s greatest strikers.

“He has done tremendously well for England,” said Venables.

“He compares with (great England strikers of the past). I saw a list the other day, with the usual suspects there, saying ‘is he as good as this group of people?’

“Well, he’s got 100 caps and that gives him the quality to say he should be in this company.

“He has got to keep it up and he might even do better.”

Nigel Winterburn believes Arsenal desperately need to sign a defender

Nigel Winterburn believes Arsenal desperately need to sign a defender

Arsenal are in desperate need of a centre-back and should adopt the defensive tactics of former manager George Graham when looking to address current lapses, according to Nigel Winterburn.


The Gunners let a lead slip for the second time in a week at Swansea on Sunday, just days after surrendering a three-goal advantage at home to Anderlecht in the Champions League on Wednesday.

And Winterburn believes the club should take inspiration from the defensive grit often shown during Graham’s spell at the club.

Gamble

“Too often when we see Arsenal struggle, particularly when the opposition break quickly on them from midfield and they can’t close them down and win the ball back, we see both full-backs chasing backwards,” Winterburn told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I would love to see us defend how we did it under George Graham, where one of the full-backs sits back in there, so you’ve got two centre-halves and a full-back facing the play as you’re being quickly counter-attacked. I think if Arsenal looked at the way we defended under Graham it would help them immensely.

"We’re talking very small numbers and minute details with Arsenal. But the minute details end up being a massive loss in points and I think that’s slightly where Arsenal are losing out at this moment. 

“They’ve been caught out because Debuchy has been out injured for a long time and, at the moment, Koscielny is out, so it’s left them short. Wenger may have taken the gamble on Calum Chambers, who can play in both positions, but what they didn’t plan for was that two of them are out for a prolonged period of time. They do need a centre-half, that’s for sure."

Torrid

Winterburn, who enjoyed 13 trophy-laden years at the club, believes the capture of a world-class defender would ease some of the pressure on Arsenal's leaking defence and, more importantly, ease the level of expectation on Chambers.


Since his summer switch from Southampton, the 19-year-old has struggled at times in the right-back position and Winterburn, who occupied the full-back position at Arsenal himself, offered some advice to a defender who was put through his paces by Swansea’s Jefferson Montero in Sunday's defeat.

“There are several things Chambers can do (to deal with difficult opponents) but he’s got to work that process out as the game is going on," Winterburn added.

"You can’t have the manager shouting out, ‘You’ve got to do this’ - you’ve got to work that out as you’re playing and that will be a massive learning curve for Chambers. 

“He’s had a real torrid time there and he needs to go on the training ground to figure out what he’s going to do should he end up in that situation again, but it’s not a problem that he’s had that experience because we’ve all had it. My gut feeling is that he will eventually be a centre half for Arsenal.”

Positive

Despite his constructively critical assessment of Arsenal’s defensive performances this season, Winterburn reassured fans that it’s not all doom and gloom at the Emirates - with the former defender highlighting the impact of Alexis Sanchez following his summer move from Barcelona.


“It’s not all a disaster for Arsenal, even in defence, because they can look at what they’ve done wrong and readjust - if they want to readjust - to solve the problem," he said.

"But going forward they’ve introduced a player who’s scoring a lot of goals and leading by example in terms of his work rate. When you bring in an expensive player, every looks at his ability on the ball and whether he scores goals and that is what Sanchez in doing.

"Look at the guy’s enthusiasm defensively as well, that should rub off on the rest of the team and that’s a massive positive for Arsenal.”

Brazil midfielder Oscar signs extended long-term deal at Chelsea

Brazil midfielder Oscar signs extended long-term deal at Chelsea

Oscar has signed a new contract with runaway Premier League leaders Chelsea.


The Brazilian international will now remain at Stamford Bridge until the summer of 2019.

The 23-year-old midfielder has made 15 appearances this season in all competitions, scoring four goals for the Blues who are currently unbeaten and four points clear at the top of the Premier League table .

Oscar told the club's website: ‘I am so happy because I love playing for Chelsea and living in England. I have enjoyed playing here for two years, and now I have five more, so I am very happy.’

The Brazilian joined Chelsea from Internacional in the summer of 2012 and has been a vital member of the first-team since, scoring 11 goals last season.

The second of two goals he scored on his first start for the club, in a Champions League game against Juventus, earned him the club's Goal of the Season award, and he ended his first season as a Chelsea player with a Europa League winners' medal.

Oscar has also amassed 40 caps for Brazil since making his debut against Argentina in 2011 and has scored 11 times, including the only goal in the 7-1 humbling by Germany in last summer's World Cup semi-final.

Magnus Wolff Eikrem may have to leave Cardiff

Magnus Wolff Eikrem may have to leave Cardiff

By Kent Hedlundh



Magnus Wolff Eikrem admits he will soon have to weigh up his options if he fails to secure regular game time at Cardiff City.


The Norway international was taken to south Wales in January, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turning to a player he knew well from his time at Manchester United and Molde.

Eikrem was unable to prevent Cardiff from slipping out of the Premier League, though, and is yet to figure in the Sky Bet Championship this season.

He has also seen Solskjaer relieved of his managerial duties, forcing him to face up to an uncertain future in British football.

With it possible that he may look to move on in January, Eikrem told VG: “For as long as I am not playing for the club, neither will I get to play for the national team.

“You are never satisfied when you don’t play. I have hardly played for a whole year, which is not very good.

“The only thing I can do is to play well when I get the chance.”

Eikrem, who is now working under the guidance of Russell Slade, added: “I have not spoken to the new manager and will see how things go.

“It is a pity that it didn’t work out under Solskjaer, we have worked together for a long time and it is sad that he didn’t succeed.

“Unfortunately, football is like that.

“I now need to start playing football regularly again. It cannot continue like this.”

Arturo Vidal remains fully committed to Juventus

Arturo Vidal remains fully committed to Juventus

By Nadia Carminati 



Arturo Vidal claims to be feeling 'very good' at Juventus and has denied reports suggesting he has been fined by the club.


Juve were said to have sanctioned the Chile international following a night on the town.

He was left out of a 1-1 draw with Sassuolo, sparking rumours that tensions were mounting in Turin.


Juve coach Massimiliano Allegri has, however, said that Vidal was omitted for technical reasons, having appeared twice for his country in the days building up to the Serie A contest.

He says there is no issue with the highly-rated midfielder, who was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer.

Vidal has echoed those comments, with the 27-year-old rubbishing ‘ill-intentioned’ stories regarding his present and future.

He posted on Twitter: “My relationship with Juventus is very good. The coaching staff and my team-mates have confidence in me and I have confidence in them.

“The club has never fined me. The reports about this are wrong and, in some cases, ill-intentioned.”

Vidal, who underwent knee surgery prior to the World Cup finals in Brazil, added: “My knee is fine.

“I will get back to full fitness with hard work and effort, having recovered from an operation and been unable to take part in pre-season training with my team-mates.

“I am 100 per cent committed to my club and national team. Of course those with bad intentions will keep lying, but there’s nothing I can do about it.”

Dusan Tadic reflects on dream start at Southampton

Dusan Tadic reflects on dream start at Southampton

Dusan Tadic says Southampton's start to the season has him 'dreaming', with top-four thoughts creeping into his head.



Following a summer of change at St Mary’s that led many to suggest that a campaign of struggle could be on the cards, Southampton have burst out of the blocks in spectacular style.

Ronald Koeman is proving to be a shrewd appointment as successor to Mauricio Pochettino, while those drafted in over the summer to cover key losses have offered an immediate return on the investment made in them.


Tadic is among those to fall into that category, along with scoring sensation Graziano Pelle.

The pair, both acquired from Dutch football, starred again on Saturday as Southampton destroyed Sunderland 8-0 to sit third in the Premier League standings – boasting the second best attacking unit in the division and the meanest defence.

Tadic, who made history by becoming the first player in the club’s history to provide four assists in one game, told Kurir: “Being in a club with players like (Jose Antonio) Reyes, (Cesc) Fabregas, (Dennis) Bergkamp and (Emmanuel) Adebayor (who have achieved a similar feat) is a phenomenal feeling.

“But the biggest thing is that we won, and that we are winning matches.

“It feels like I’m dreaming. Southampton is the most beautiful city in England and everything is great.

“We have fabulous fans who are with the club 24 hours a day. It is something special to be playing for Southampton.

“Can we keep up our form for a long time? I hope so.

“Secretly each one of us hopes that we can finish in a position that leads to the Champions League, but we are all aware that it is going to be extremely hard. There is still a long road to the end of the season.”

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti may return to English football.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti may return to English football.

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has not ruled out a return to English football should he leave the Bernabéu before he retires.

The former Chelsea boss, who won the Premier League and FA Cup in his first year in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2010, takes the European Champions to Liverpool on Wednesday night.

But despite delivering Chelsea’s first ever double, the Italian coach was sacked by Roman Abramovich a year later.

While his exit from the Blues was controversial, Ancelotti insists he enjoyed his time in London and still harbours the ambition of working in England again.

Ancelotti told the Sun: "I loved England; I was very happy at Chelsea. I liked the atmosphere, the supporters. I have the best memories.

"I'd like to return. It depends how long this adventure lasts. If it lasts a long time I will retire after it. But if it doesn't then I will come to England. For sure.

"The day I leave Madrid there are two solutions. Either I quit football or I come back to England."

Ancelotti, who also denied reports that he was approached to succeed both Sir Alex Ferguson and David Moyes as Manchester United manager, is open to a return to Chelsea.

But he doubts that such a move would materialise, even though Jose Mourinho has gone back to Stamford Bridge.

Ancelotti said: "No, I don't think Abramovich will change his mind. I know he did with Mourinho. As I said I have no problem with Abramovich.

"They were two beautiful years. But it's not about a particular club, it's about the atmosphere. But I don't say no. I certainly wouldn't say no."

While the 55-year-old is open to a return to England, he believes Madrid’s talisman Cristiano Ronaldo will stay with the 10 times European champions.

Ronaldo has been linked with a return to Manchester United several times in the last two years, but Ancelotti reckons the move is unlikely.

“Ronaldo is now the best player in the world and it means Madrid lose the best player which is a huge loss,” Ancelotti said.

“But this won’t happen because Ronaldo will go to the end of his career at Real Madrid. I’m 100 per cent certain he will be here next season, not at Manchester United – 100 per cent.”

Magpies loan for Petrasso

Magpies loan for Petrasso

Notts County have signed winger Michael Petrasso on a three-month loan from Premier League side QPR.


The 19-year-old, who has enjoyed loan spells at Oldham, Coventry and Leyton Orient, should be in the Magpies squad for Saturday's clash with Crawley.

Petrasso is known to former Rs midfielder and Notts manager Shaun Derry, while he also impressed for Orient against County last season.

Newcastle's Tim Krul suffers elbow injury

Newcastle's Tim Krul suffers elbow injury

Newcastle are sweating over the fitness of goalkeeper Tim Krul after he was forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad with an elbow injury.


The 26-year-old injured the joint in training on Saturday ahead of the Dutch side’s European Qualifier against Iceland on Monday.

Krul, who is backup to first choice Jasper Cillessen, previously spent six weeks out of action with an elbow injury during the 2012-13 season and he has been sent home to Tyneside for further assessment.

It puts the keeper in doubt for Newcastle’s next Barclays Premier League clash at home to Leicester City on Saturday October 18.

Krul, who has six caps for his country, was on the bench on Friday as Netherlands came from behind to beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in Amsterdam.

Germany suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Poland in Group D

Germany suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Poland in Group D

Poland recorded an historic first win over Germany with a 2-0 victory in their European Qualifier in Warsaw.

The recent World Cup winners - who last lost a qualifying tie some 33 matches ago against the Czech Republic in October 2007 - had dominated for long spells, but could not find a way past Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny.

Germany piled on the pressure after falling behind against the run of play to Arkadiusz Milik's header on 51 minutes, and almost snatched an equaliser when a fierce volley from substitute Lukas Podolski rattled the crossbar.

Poland, though, were not to be denied victory over Germany at the 19th attempt when substitute Sebastian Mila slotted in a second with two minutes left as the National Stadium erupted.

It was a bright start by the world champions, but they faced a Poland side who comfortably defended in numbers, leaving the Germans trying their luck from range.

After 10 minutes, Thomas Muller sent in a low shot from 20 yards but he directed it straight at Szczesny.

Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski ran at the German defence and went down looking for a penalty under a challenge from Stuttgart defender Antonio Rudiger, but Portuguese referee Pedro Proenca was rightly not interested.

Germany should have gone ahead on 36 minutes.

Christoph Kramer clipped a ball through the Poland penalty area from the left, and Bayer Leverkusen's Karim Bellarabi was inches away from opening his international account when he dragged an angled drive just wide after ghosting in at the back post.

A blistering counter attack then saw Chelsea midfielder Andre Schurrle release Muller with a brilliant crossfield pass, but the Bayern forward was not able to find a finish.

Bellarabi called Szczesny into action again just before the break, when he cut back inside onto his right foot after another slick German passing move.

Poland, who held Germany to a goalless draw in Hamburg in May, snatched the lead on 51 minutes.

Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek floated a ball into the Germany area from the right, and as goalkeeper Manuel Neuer came flying out to punch it clear, Ajax forward Milik nipped in front to glance a header into the far corner.

Germany immediately went on the attack, with Mario Gotze squirming into the area and forcing Szczesny into a reaction save at close range.

On 70 minutes, Kamil Grosicki surged up field, but the Poland midfielder could only shoot straight at Neuer after barging past two defenders at the edge of the penalty area.

Mats Hummels headed wide from a corner, before on 78 minutes, Bellarabi's drive from just inside the Poland penalty area was palmed away by Szczesny.

Arsenal forward Podolski, who was born in Poland, rattled the crossbar with a left-foot volley before Gotze fired over.

Poland, though, delivered a knockout blow on the counter in the 88th minute.

Lewandowski held off defender Erik Durm before laying the ball through to Mila, who steered the ball past Neuer to cap an historic night in Warsaw for Adam Nawalka's industrious side.

Dawson looking to kick on

Dawson looking to kick on

Caretaker boss Andy Dawson is convinced Scunthorpe can now start climbing the League One table after a 3-0 win at Gillingham.


Former Coventry and Huddersfield boss Robins agreed to be Scunthorpe's new manager 24 hours before kick-off and watched on as Dawson took charge and his new side ran riot.

Goals from Paddy Madden, Neal Bishop and Gary McSheffrey did the damage against 10-man Gillingham.

"The players can come into work on Monday with their heads held high," said Dawson. "It's nice for him to come and see that today, because when you come into a team at the bottom of the table, you never know what you're walking into.

"He has watched a good performance, so I'm sure he'll be pleased with what he has seen.

"Playing against 10 men makes things easier, but we said we had to be patient. Sometimes teams with 10 men flood the defence and they sit back. In the end we got three very good goals.

"We've had to prepare the team for today; we told the players to express themselves and to a man, the whole squad showed what good footballers they are. They deserved what they got."

Madden's fifth league goal of the season came shortly before half-time, as he latched on to McSheffrey's through ball and rounded Gills goalkeeper Stephen Bywater.

Iron captain Bishop doubled their lead with a point-blank header from Luke O'Neill's cross on 72 minutes, before McSheffrey scored a solo effort after an incisive Scunthorpe break in stoppage time.

It was the Iron's first away win since April 5th, and came three days after the club sacked manager Russ Wilcox.

However, the early-season strugglers dominated even before Gills captain Doug Loft was sent off for a two-footed challenge on O'Neill after 34 minutes.

Gillingham manager Peter Taylor, who was sent off by referee Peter Banks for dissent shortly after Loft's dismissal, said: "We should have scored in the first minute - had we have done, maybe we would have had a different day.

"After that, it was a very poor performance. It was an even game before Doug got sent off, and after that we didn't do enough. I've seen 10 players beat 11 before, but there wasn't the belief they could do that.

"The sending-off was the correct decision. It's a tackle that used to happen years ago but has been cut out. The referee was correct.

"I threw a plastic bottle, which was empty, on the ground. It bounced onto the pitch, and because of that I was told I had to be sent off.

"We've let a lot of people down. We had 7,500 people here, which is fantastic for us. We've shown them a negative side of ourselves."

AC Milan say 'everyone happy' with Mario Balotelli sale

AC Milan say 'everyone happy' with Mario Balotelli sale

AC Milan sporting director Umberto Gandini claims the summer sale of Mario Balotelli to Liverpool made 'everyone happy'.


The Italian striker completed a £16million move to Anfield late in the transfer window.

Brendan Rodgers was prepared to take a calculated risk on the ex-Manchester City man and bring him back to the Premier League despite his reputation for being difficult to handle.

Balotelli has made a slow start to his career on Merseyside, with Liverpool still working on his form and fitness, and he was dropped to the bench for a home date with West Bromwich Albion heading into the international break.


He has also been overlooked by his country for European qualifying duty, with his former employers at the San Siro suggesting that they are glad to be rid of a player who has lost his spark.

Gandini said in the Daily Star Sunday: “We all felt coming to Italy, to a place where he was loved, would have been the ideal environment for him to blossom into a star player.

“But it didn’t work out for both sides.

“Mario was not the kind of player we were looking for in order to have a better team on the pitch.

“On the other hand, he probably felt the Premier League was the best stage for him to perform on and he wanted to go back there.

“So Liverpool came at just the right time. It just made everyone happy.”

Balotelli netted 26 times in 43 Serie A appearances for Milan, but Gandini says the 24-year-old is not a natural goal-getter.

He added: “The way Mario plays is not like a pure number nine, a centre forward.

“Our problem at Milan was not having a forward who played in the box. But Mario was not used to doing that.”

Romelu Lukaku convinced Everton were right choice for him

Romelu Lukaku convinced Everton were right choice for him

Romelu Lukaku admits to having considered other options over the summer, but believes Everton are 'perfect' for him.


nce it became clear that the Belgium international was looking to make a permanent move, and that Chelsea were willing to listen to offers, clubs from across Europe made their interest known.

Serie A title holders Juventus, a club that could offer UEFA Champions League football, were among those to make a formal approach.


Lukaku, though, snubbed their advances in favour of returning to Goodison Park – having enjoyed a productive season-long loan spell on Merseyside in 2013/14.

A man signed by Roberto Martinez for a club record £28million told the Daily Mirror of his decision: “I thought about Serie A and Juventus because they are a big club. But, for me, Everton was perfect.

“I’m here and I’m happy. I don’t regret any choices I’ve made. Everton was the best choice I could make as a young player who wants to progress and develop.

“This club is a good fit for me. They made so many efforts to get me. I feel at home here.”

Lukaku also says that will not allow the burden of a hefty price tag to weigh heavy on his shoulders, with the 21-year-old fully focused on events he can control.

He added: “Pressure? For me it’s just about not losing my drive. My mind is always focused on football.

“When I go into the training ground I want to be the best and when the weekend comes it’s always going to be the same. I want to be the best and I want to help my team-mates out.”