Monthly Archives: January 2015

Africa Cup of Nations, Equatorial Guinea, Tunisia

Africa Cup of Nations: Tunisia 1-2 Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea beat Tunisia in controversial circumstances to reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Ahmed Akaichi looked to have put Tunisia into the last four when he turned in Hamza Mathlouthi’s cross.

The hosts, ranked 96 places below their opponents, sent it to extra time when Javier Balboa netted an injury-time penalty after Ali Maaloul was harshly ruled to have fouled Ivan Bolado.

And Balboa scored the winner with a fantastic free-kick from 25 yards.

Equatorial Guinea will face Ghana or Guinea in their first Cup of Nations semi-final on Thursday.

The game ended with ugly scenes as both sets of officials and players clashed in the 120th minute, with security getting involved, and at the final whistle some Equatorial Guinea fans ran onto the pitch to celebrate a famous win.

Bottles were thrown at Tunisia players, with one Carthage Eagles player throwing one back.

Read more at BBC Sport

Histon, Non-League, Weymouth

Non-League: Weymouth 3-0 Histon

Reid opens account in Histon triumph

Jamie Reid scored his first goals for the Terras to help get their title push back on track at the Bob Lucas Stadium this afternoon.

Looking to arrest a run of four defeats from five league games, Weymouth took the through a Chris Shephard header just before the end of a poor first half.

On loan striker Reid then doubled the hosts’ tally on 68 minutes, finishing off a move involving Chris McPhee and Stewart Yetton with a thunderous strike.

A third Terras’ goal arrived eight minutes from time when Reid, played in by substitute Alec Fiddes, cut inside his before producing a deft finish.

Victory takes Jason Matthews’ men to second in the table, two points behind Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division leaders Poole Town.

Read more at Dorset Echo

Chelsea, Man City, Premiership

Premiership: Chelsea 1-1 Man City

Under siege Chelsea retained a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League after repelling Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.

Loic Remy, deputising for the suspended Diego Costa, struck four minutes before the break, but David Silva deflected in Sergio Aguero’s shot to restore parity.

It was no less than City deserved, having had the better of the opening 45 minutes, but the holders could not find a breakthrough in the second period in a 1-1 draw.

The visiting supporters sang “champions of England, we know what we are” throughout, much to the bemusement of Jose Mourinho, who knew a point would consolidate his side’s advantage and be of little assistance to City’s bid to retain the title.

So fuming was Mourinho with Costa’s three-match ban for stamping on Liverpool’s Emre Can – something which likely only heightened his view of a “clear campaign” against Chelsea – that he stayed silent on the eve of the match.

But, dressed down in his club tracksuit, he stood on the edge of his technical area throughout and questioned every decision which had a hint of being contentious.

City tried to suffocate Chelsea, hoping to expose the fatigue of the additional 30 minutes against Liverpool and the hosts were hemmed into their half for much of the second period.

Frank Lampard, Chelsea’s record goalscorer, came on for City with 14 minutes remaining to applause and the odd dissenting voice.

Lampard scored the equaliser in the September clash between the sides, but was unable to do so on this occasion to leave his former side in pole position for the title with 15 games remaining.

Still City, who halted a run of two straight losses, have not won a Premier League game in the absence of Yaya Toure this season and they are playing catch up in the title fight.

Chelsea’s challenge, meanwhile, is to be boosted by the imminent arrival of Fiorentina’s Juan Cuadrado, who was in attendance at Stamford Bridge.

Read more at ESPN

Dorchester, Hungerford, Non-League

Non-League: Hungerford 0-2 Dorchester

Dorchester out of relegation zone with superb win

Dorchester Town produced one of their best performances of the season to move out of the bottom three in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier Division.

They turned the form book on its head to give Mark Jermyn his first win as the county town side’s player-manager – the hosts had not lost in 12 outings going into the clash.

Crusaders’ defender Diak John put through his own goal as early as the fifth minute to give Dorchester the lead.

Nathan Walker then swooped to make it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time, putting the visitors in control with 45 minutes left.

They had chances to extend their advantage in the second period, most notably through Ben Watson, but two goals were more than enough to give them all three points.

Read more at Dorset Echo

Championship, Charlton, Rotherham

Championship: Charlton 1-1 Rotherham

Charlton and Rotherham both scored in the final seven minutes as their Championship encounter ended in a draw.

Addicks midfielder Jordan Cousins broke the deadlock on 83 minutes, shooting home from six yards out.

The visitors went close to an equaliser with three minutes to go, but goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic pushed away Paul Green’s close-range header.

But the Millers did grab a point when Danny Ward converted a high ball into the box in injury time.

It was enough to move Steve Evans’s side up a place into 20th in the table, while Charlton slip to 18th.

Guy Luzon, taking charge of the Addicks for the first time, almost saw his side fall behind when Ben Pringle’s shot against the post.

Charlton responded and almost took the lead with their first attempt, but Igor Vetokele diverted a Chris Solly corner over the bar.

The woodwork intervened again when a Charlton counter-attack finished with Johann Gudmundsson chipping Adam Collin, only for his shot to strike both posts.

Andre Bikey’s acrobatic effort for the home side then went narrowly over, before the deadlock was broken by Cousins.

After Dmitrovic’s excellent save from Green, Adam Hammill also went close for the away side before Ward finally equalised in injury time.

Read more at BBC Sport

F1, Toro Rosso

F1: Toro Rosso STR10 breaks cover in Jerez

Toro Rosso has unveiled its 2015 challenger, the STR10, in the Jerez pit lane a day before the first test of the season begins.

Toro Rosso released a teaser video of the STR10 from a filming day in Misano earlier this week, and on Saturday took the covers off the car which will carry the hopes of all-rookie line-up Max Verstappen and Carlos Sainz Jr, who start the year with a combined age of 37. The pair took the covers off in front of the assembled media in the Jerez pit lane.

Sainz will debut the car in Jerez on Sunday, alternating duties with Verstappen for the remaining days of the test.

Read more at ESPN

Africa Cup of Nations, Congo, DR Congo

Africa Cup of Nations: Congo 2-4 Congo DR

DR Congo fought back from two goals down to beat neighbours Congo and reach the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals.

Ferebory Dore volleyed Congo in front and Thievy Bifouma drove in from a rebound to make it 2-0 either side of DR Congo efforts that hit the bar.

In a 16-minute spell DR Congo’s Dieumerci Mbokani slotted in to give them hope, Jeremy Bokila equalised and Joel Kimuaki headed a third.

Mbokani rounded off the win, stroking home after a counter-attack.

It capped a remarkable fightback from DR Congo who looked to be heading out of the competition when they were two goals down just after the hour mark.

A tepid first half, in which Congo were unable to assert themselves at all, ended goalless and there was no sign of what was to follow.

DR Congo had a strong shout for a penalty immediately after the break and then Bokila smashed a shot against the bar from 12 yards.

Only four minutes later Congo struck the first blow when Dore ghosted in at the far post to volley in from a long, diagonal free-kick into the box.

DR Congo almost equalised shortly after when Cedric Makiadi’s free-kick crashed against the bar. But instead they conceded again after Jean Kasusula passed the ball out of defence straight to Dore whose shot was blocked by Kidiaba into the path of Bifouma and his effort beat the defenders on the line.

However, DR Congo refused to cave in and three minutes later they finally got the goal they had been threatening, Yannick Bolasie beat two men for pace and cut the ball back from the byeline for an unmarked Mbokani to slot home.

Read more at BBC Sport

League2, Southend, York

League2: Southend 1-0 York

Substitute Shaq Coulthirst fired in a late penalty to secure a narrow win for Southend United against York City at Roots Hall.

Luke Summerfield almost put York ahead but his curling effort was pushed wide of the right post by Daniel Bentley.

Russ Penn piled the pressure on the hosts when his close-range header was cleared off the line by Michael Timlin.

Southend clinched three points when Coulthirst fired from the spot after Joe Pigott was felled by Brad Halliday.

York City manager Russ Wilcox told BBC Radio York:

“At the moment the results are not marrying up with the performances unfortunately.

“That’s so important whether you’re at the top of the league or down at the bottom.

“It’s very frustrating. I could feel that coming a little bit because we absolutely dominated the first-half but you’ve got to score when the opportunities come.

“If a neutral was watching today I’m sure he’d be saying we were the top team but it’s important we move forward and go again.”

Read more at BBC Sport

Leicester, Premiership, Spurs

Premiership: West Brom 0-3 Spurs

Tottenham’s Harry Kane further enhanced his growing reputation with two goals in a convincing-looking 3-0 win over West Brom

The 21-year-old, whose form reportedly has Spurs ready to rip up a contract signed just five months ago to offer an improved one, took his season’s tally to 20 after Christian Eriksen opened the scoring at The Hawthorns.

Eriksen struck after just six minutes with a trademark free-kick, maintaining his fine recent form for the Capital One Cup finalists. Kane doubled the lead after 15 minutes and grabbed the third from the penalty spot after 66, condemning Tony Pulis to his first defeat at West Brom boss.

Between the second and thirds goals, however, West Brom had been the better side and Pulis will have seen plenty to encourage him, despite a low-key debut from new signing Callum McManaman.

A touch of razzmatazz was brought to the occasion by a visit from the cheerleaders of the Kansas City Chiefs, who are in the UK on Super Bowl weekend for NFL publicity reasons.

The players came out to a guard of honour from the cheerleaders but any sparkle initially seemed lost on West Brom, who started sluggishly.

The hosts put up little resistance as Spurs carved through them at will in the early stages, getting their first chance after Mousa Dembele was brought down outside the area by Claudio Yacob.

There was little doubt Eriksen would shoot after his stunning set-piece against Sheffield United in midweek and further fuelling his confidence with a late goal in that League Cup semi-final.

But Foster still seemed slow to move and could not keep out the in-form Dane’s well-struck effort.

It was the first goal the Baggies had conceded in three Premier League games since Pulis took charge and they were reeling from another soon after.

This time Kane applied the finish after picking up a defence-splitting pass from Dembele. Kane turned inside Andre Wisdom and smashed the ball home before Foster had chance to react.

It looked like being a long and sobering afternoon for Pulis but his side responded positively to the double setback.

Saido Berahino and Victor Anichebe combined well before Chris Brunt shot straight at Hugo Lloris from long range.

That gave Lloris a welcome first taste of the action before he was called upon to tip over a fine effort from James Morrison.

Spurs’ goalkeeping captain, back in the side after missing their three successive cup games in the past fortnight, then did even better to deny Yacob from close range following an elaborate free-kick routine.

Joleon Lescott headed over, Anichebe shot just wide and Craig Dawson went even closer, heading against the bar, as West Brom stepped up the pressure. Morrison also wanted a free-kick for a foul by Danny Rose just outside the area but nothing was given.

West Brom could not carry their momentum into the second half and Eriksen went close to scoring his second with a low left-footed drive across goal.

Spurs got the chance to increase their lead just after the hour as Lescott slid in to block a cross from Kyle Walker and the ball struck his arm.

It was unfortunate for Lescott but referee Kevin Friend clearly felt he had no option other than to award a penalty.

Kane was emphatic from the spot, sending Foster the wrong way with a perfect shot just inside the left post.

West Brom’s response will again at least have pleased Pulis as Anichebe headed over and Berahino drove wide.

But Spurs retained the upper hand and Foster denied Kane a hat-trick when he touched over his free-kick.

Read more at ESPN

Leicester, Man Utd, Premiership

Premiership: Man Utd 3-1 Leicester

Robin van Persie on target as Manchester United beat Leicester City

Robin van Persie ended his dry spell with a spectacular finish that propelled Manchester United to a comfortable 3-1 win over Leicester.

Van Persie scored his first goal for over a month to put United ahead and Radamel Falcao got on the scoresheet before Wes Morgan’s own goal sealed the win, which moves Louis van Gaal’s men up to third in the Barclays Premier League.

Marcin Wasilewski scored in the second half, but the Foxes were unable to pull off another great comeback like they did in the reverse fixture last September, which ended 5-3 to Leicester.

Van Persie spoke candidly this week about how disappointed he was with his form this season.

The Dutchman said his performances had not been up to scratch and conceded he did not know if he had done enough to earn a contract extension.

But on Saturday he looked something like the Van Persie who scored 30 goals in his debut season at the club.

The Dutchman watched Daley Blind’s chip pass over his left shoulder before expertly stabbing the ball past Mark Schwarzer with his right boot.

Replays showed the 31-year-old may have been slightly offside, but he did not care.

Falcao rounded off a move which Van Persie started five minutes later and the three points were in the bag at half-time after Morgan turned Wayne Rooney’s corner into his own net

The win — and the fact that they scored three goals — will give confidence to Van Gaal’s team, who had scored just five goals in their previous six matches.

For the first 20 minutes, United looked just as flat as they did in their last home match — the 1-0 defeat to Southampton.

The tempo was slightly quicker, but Leicester goalkeeper Schwarzer remained untested in the opening exchanges.

The home fans became annoyed at their team for not going on the attack against the bottom team in the division.

Too often they passed the ball sideways or backwards.

Nothing seemed to be going for the hosts. Rooney’s attempted cross-field pass ended up in the East Stand.

Angel di Maria showed his class by chesting down a Leicester clearance, but he followed it up by putting his volley into the crowd too.

Van Persie spurned an opportunity moments later, scooping a shot high and wide from the edge of the area.

The home supporters needed a goal to lift their spirits and Van Persie delivered it in spectacular fashion just before the half hour.

Blind pinched the ball off Andrej Kramaric and chipped a clever ball over the Leicester back four towards Van Persie. The striker showed true class by watching the ball over his shoulder before stabbing past Schwarzer first time for his ninth of the campaign.

Five minutes later, United doubled their lead. Van Persie started the move, brushing his man off the ball to find Di Maria. Schwarzer spilled the Argentinian’s shot and Falcao scrambled home his fourth goal of the season just before Ritchie De Laet and Wasilewski could intercept.

United were now playing at their free-flowing best. Falcao and Di Maria exchanged passes in a quick counter, but they could not test Schwarzer.

With Leonardo Ulloa isolated up front, Leicester could offer little on the attack and two minutes before the break they found themselves 3-0 down.

Rooney’s corner skidded off the head of Blind and Morgan, who was caught out by the flick-on, accidentally diverted the ball into his own net.

Leicester’s supporters, rather optimistically, insisted they were going to win 5-3 again.

Just after introducing Esteban Cambiasso at the break, the Foxes hit United on the counter, but Kramaric’s attempted bicycle kick failed spectacularly.

United remained by far the superior team though. Adnan Januzaj, making his first league start in almost three months, wanted in on the act, but his swirling 25-yard shot dipped just over Schwarzer’s bar.

Ulloa had a pretty desperate penalty appeal turned down when he slipped in the box on the hour.

A brief moment of panic followed when substitute David Nugent nudged last man Phil Jones off the ball, but David de Gea came out to stop the former England striker.

Van Persie earned a standing ovation when he came off with 22 minutes to go.

Leicester grabbed one back when Wasilewski headed in at the far post, but there was not enough time to mount another comeback and United coasted to victory.

Read more at ESPN