European Power Rankings

The Continent's 20 Best Football Clubs:

 

1- Barcelona

2- Chelsea

3- Real Madrid

4- Manchester United

5- Bayern Munich

6- Juventus

7- Arsenal

8- Manchester City

9- Borussia Dortmund

10- Atletico Madrid

11- Napoli

12- Porto

13- AC Milan

14- Benfica

15- Paris Saint-Germain

16- Schalke 04

17- Valencia

18- Tottenham Hotspur

19- Ajax

20- Shakhtar Donetsk

Source: BleacherReport

Chelsea News

NEW DEAL FOR DAVID LUIZ

The Brazilian international committed his future to Chelsea shortly after playing in Saturday afternoon's 1-0 win over Stoke, and will extend a career at the club that began in January 2011.

'I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea,' said David Luiz.

'It is a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here. I want to play for a long time at the top level - which is what playing for Chelsea means. I love everything about the club and especially the fans, who have made me very welcome and given me great support.'

The defender has started 55 games with four further substitute appearances. He has scored five goals.

His first full season at the club ended in glory in Munich. He overcame a hamstring injury suffered in the FA Cup semi-final (which forced him to miss the final) to play in the Champions League Final and smashed home a penalty in the decisive shoot-out.

This season the 25-year-old has started all but one game and was recently captain of Brazil in two internationals.

Cole rejects one-year Chelsea contract

Ashley Cole has rejected a new one-year contract from Chelsea, and could sign a pre-contract agreement with another club in January if no deal is reached.

Cole, 31, earns around £130,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge and his old Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, now at Real Madrid, is keeping a close eye on developments, while another old boss, Carlo Ancelotti, would willingly take him to PSG next summer, when the England left-back would be a free agent.

Blues manager Roberto Di Matteo stated on Sunday that he was "optimistic" that Cole's contract would be sorted out and that he will stay; however, the offer of a one-year deal has been firmly rejected, and it is the length of any new contract that is presently the sticking point.

"The club have a policy that anyone who is over 30 years of age is offered a short-term new contract. Ashley is 31, but he is fit and still at the peak of his form, but so far all that has been offered is a one-year deal. Whether that included a pay rise is irrelevant as Ashley was hoping for more than one extra year.

"As it stands that leaves Ashley free to talk to clubs and to actually sign for a new club from January onwards, and that clearly is an option unless something changes from Chelsea's end. There are no further negotiations planned as far as can be seen, but that now depends on Chelsea.

"Clearly this policy resulted in Didier Drogba leaving the club in the summer and it could mean Ashley leaving."

Cole has made it clear publicly that he wants to see out his entire career with the Blues, and Di Matteo clearly believes that the player's desire to stay at the Bridge will swing the decision towards Chelsea.

But the ESPN source added: "These type of issues are not dealt with by the manager but by the club, and therefore it is not about whether the manger is optimistic or not. Everyone knows Ashley wants to stay, but as yet the club have offered a one-year deal and that was immediately turned down."

Former England Captain John Terry Retires from International Football

With his Football Association hearing over his alleged racial abuse of Queens Park Rangers' Anton Ferdinand looming, John Terry has announced his retirement from the England national team. 

Mail Online's Martin Samuel reported the news, and the BBC passed along this quote from Terry on the subject: 

I feel the FA, in pursuing charges against me where I have already been cleared in a court of law, have made my position with the national team untenable.

The FA meeting was scheduled for Monday.

As the BBC also notes, Terry, who also plays for Chelsea, "was cleared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in July."

So the untenable situation leaves England without a supremely experienced player.

Terry has 78 caps in his fine international career, and while it is under regrettable circumstances that his international career will come to a close, it is not all that surprising. Terry is no stranger to controversy. 

After making his debut for England in 2003, Terry, 31, became the captain of the Three Lions only to have that stripped twice for off-the-field issues.

While Terry obviously had external factors leading into this decision, it does not change the fact that the timing of this announcement puts his former team in a bind. 

Terry thanked his England coaches and teammates, but it does not change the fact that this was a selfish decision. He is clearly waging in a petty fight with the FA. 

While this is not to belittle a man trying to stick to his principles, there is a time when those should be put aside for the better of the team. This is definitely one of those times. 

World Cup qualifiers take place next month, and now England manager Roy Hodgson is left with a position to fill. 

Source: BleacherReport

Chelsea wants Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos recently fell out with Jose Mourinho after the Portuguese tactician dropped the Spanish international for the Champions League tie with Manchester City.

Ramos, who is a huge star with Los Merengues, did not take kindly to this decision, and if his relationship with the Special One cannot be mended quickly, then the former Sevilla defender might be sold as soon as January.

Chelsea, who recently signed right-back Cesar Azpilicueta from Marseille, are reported to be interested in Ramos, according to the Daily Mail.

The World Cup winner is equally adept at playing in the middle of the defence and would provide the Blues with a plethora of defensive options moving forward.

Champions League results from 18 September

Real Madrid 3 - 2 Manchester City

Cristiano Ronaldo's last-minute winner gave Real Madrid a thrilling victory over Manchester City in a pulsating Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

City keeper Joe Hart kept his side in the game before they took a shock lead through Edin Dzeko's breakaway goal.

Marcelo equalised with a deflected shot but City led again when Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick flew straight in.

In a frantic finale, Karim Benzema levelled before Ronaldo's shot flew past an unsighted Hart to win it.

That brought a spectacular sliding celebration from Real boss Jose Mourinho - who had questioned his side's focus and commitment in recent days - and provided an extraordinary finish to a game which had been completely one-sided for long periods.

The Spanish side dominated until Dzeko put City ahead after the hour mark, with Hart rescuing his side on several occasions.

But, having led with less than three minutes remaining, Roberto Mancini's men will still feel they should have won the game, let alone finish up empty-handed as they began their campaign in Group D.

A trip to the home of the Spanish champions always looked a tough way for City to begin their task of reaching the knockout stages for the first time, especially because there was no sign of any lethargy or discontent in the Real camp.

They took the game to City from the start and, inside the first five minutes, Ronaldo tested Hart for the first time when he cut inside Vincent Kompany and fired in a low shot that was heading for the bottom corner until the England keeper clawed it to safety.

That set the pattern for the rest of the first half, with Ronaldo giving Maicon a torrid time down the right, while Angel di Maria and Alvaro Arbeloa saw plenty of the ball on the opposite flank.

Hart had to come to City's rescue again with an instinctive block to keep out Gonzalo Higuain's header from Ronaldo's cross-shot, before racing off his line to close down Higuain after he beat the offside trap.

By now, Real were completely dominant and City were also grateful for some poor finishing from Higuain and Sami Khedira, who both missed the target from point-blank range.

Tellingly, Yaya Toure was City's only attacking outlet before the break, twice causing the Real defence problems after running at them from deep positions but failing to find a decisive final ball.

He was to put that right in style when he again charged forward and fed Dzeko, who steadied himself before firing home.

The goal came completely against the run of play, but it was almost followed by a second for the visitors when Carlos Tevez slipped Toure free. However he was off balance when he let fly inside the box and could only fire into the side netting.

Mourinho made a flurry of changes in a bid to rescue the game, with Benzema and Luka Modric both flung on, and in the end the home side's pressure told.

Marcelo, who had earlier gone close with two fizzing efforts from the edge of the box, made it third time lucky when he stepped inside Vincent Kompany and saw his shot come off Javi Garcia and fly into the net.

The visitors remained on the back foot but they also remained a threat at the other end, and Kolarov restored their lead when he bent the ball straight into the net from 25 yards out.

Again, the travelling fans scented what would have been a famous triumph but, once more, Real came forward, with Benzema turning inside Matija Nastasic before finding the bottom corner to make it 2-2.

From being on the brink of victory, City were now clinging on for a point. There was yet more drama to come, however, and it was former Manchester United star Ronaldo who would provide it.

With the 90 minutes almost up, he cut inside from the left and, after Kompany ducked under his shot, the ball cruelly fizzed past the helpless Hart.

Source: bleacherreport.com

Borussia Dortmund 1-0 Ajax

Lewandowski nets late to seal Group D victory

The Bundesliga outfit dominated proceedings in the second half after an even opening 45 minutes, and the Poland international's late strike helped them to a vital win

Borussia Dortmund recorded a 1-0 victory over Ajax at Signal Iduna Park on Tuesday in their Champions League Group D opener.

The hosts should have opened the scoring in the second half via Mats Hummels, but the centre-back missed his spot kick. However, Robert Lewandowski's late goal helped Dortmund to the full three points and spared his team-mate's blushes.

BVB started the match with attacking intentions and threatened early on via Kuba and Lewandowski. However, the first big chance of the game was for Ajax following some sloppy play from Ilkay Gundogan. Ryan Babel stole the ball off the Dortmund midfielder's feet before setting up Christian Eriksen inside the area, but the Denmark international's shot was kept out by Roman Weidenfeller.

The home side then got a good chance themselves shortly after as Mario Gotze seemed to escape the attention of the Ajax defence, but Niklas Moisander bullied the creative midfielder off the ball with a last-ditch tackle.

Robert Lewandowski did come close to breaking the deadlock at the half-hour mark, but he failed to find the net as Kenneth Vermeer forced him out wide. Marcel Schmelzer tested Vermeer with a powerful shot only minutes later, but the Ajax goalkeeper punched the ball wide.

Derk Boerrigter could have opened the scoring in the 35th minute, but the winger hesitated just too long, allowing Weidenfeller to rush off his line to intercept the through pass. The loose ball then ended up at Babel's feet, but his shot was deflected wide by Neven Subotic.

Ajax made a superb start to the second half and both Siem de Jong and Babel could have added their name to the score-sheet. However, the former's shot, after a corner kick, was kept out by Weidenfeller, while the latter's header went over the crossbar.

Lewandowski then should have opened the scoring after evading the Ajax defence following a cross from the right, but the Poland star wildly blasted his shot over the bar. A brilliant through pass from Mario Gotze then found Marco Reus one-on-one with Vermeer, but the Germany international failed to beat the Ajax goalkeeper.

Shortly after this, Gotze went to ground rather easily after walking into Ricardo van Rhijn inside the Ajax area, but the referee deemed it enough for a spot kick. Mats Hummels stepped up to take it, but Vermeer once again proved to be too much of an obstacle.

Schmelzer then found himself in a dangerous position after 76 minutes of play, but the full-back hesitated just too long, allowing Van Rhijn to make a superb last-ditch tackle to clear the ball.

Nevertheless, BVB eventually got their winner after all as Lewandowski collected a high ball from the right, evaded Toby Alderweireld's tackle, and fired home from close range to make it 1-0.

Dortmund's next Champions League match is the away game against Manchester City on October 3, while Ajax host Real Madrid on the same date.

Montpellier 1-2 Arsenal

Podolski and Gervinho get Gunners off to flying start in France

The Premier League outfit showed resolve after going behind to Younes Belhanda's audacious eighth-minute penalty, with Olivier Giroud struggling to impress against his old side

Two goals in as many first-half minutes saw Arsenal triumph 2-1 over Montpellier in their Champions League opener.

The Ligue 1 champions went ahead through an audacious penalty from Younes Belhanda after just eight minutes, before two goals in as many minutes saw the game switch in the Gunners' favour as first Lukas Podolski and then Gervinho showed good composure to give their side the lead at the break.

Abou Diaby, Vito Mannone and former La Paillade striker Olivier Giroud returned to the Arsenal starting line-up in three changes from the team who comfortably beat Southampton 6-1 at the weekend, as Montpellier made six alterations from the side who lost 3-1 to newly promoted Stade de Reims.

In an intimidating start in the Stade de la Mosson - where the remnants of a multitude of pre-match flares floated menacingly over the pitch - the Champions League debutants were handed a foothold in the game when Thomas Vermaelen's clumsy challenge upended Belhanda inside the area. The Moroccan international picked himself up and dinked a cheeky penalty past the helpless Mannone for his club's first goal in the competition.

The lead did not last long - just seven minutes, in fact - as slack defending allowed Santi Cazorla and Giroud to combine and play in Podolski for a neat finish from 16 yards.

And Arsenal took the lead just two minutes later when another fantastically well-worked goal, started and finished by Gervinho as the Ivorian set Carl Jenkinson free down the left before ghosting past more half-hearted defending from the hosts to collect the left-back’s low cross and tuck the ball past Geoffrey Jourdren.

Responding impressively after going behind, Arsenal looked dangerous on every building attack whereas, at the other end of the pitch, their French opponents where having to make do with pot-shots from distance, their best effort of the half falling to Marco Estrada's low drilled effort from 25 yards out that Mannone did well to see around his near post.

Aside from the clever through-ball for Podolski's equaliser, Giroud was not having the most successful of returns to his old club – much industry but little end product, which was summed up by a twisting run into the area before flashing the shot from 12 yards past the near post in the final action of the first half.

Montpellier came out stronger after the break and were almost gifted another goal when Diaby tried to trick his way out of trouble in his own penalty area and allow Remy Cabella to pinch the ball off him but fire high and wide.

The hosts upped the ante further and again went close when Cabella spotted Mannone off his line and attempted a glorious chip from over 25 yards that thwacked off the deputising goalkeeper's bar and into touch.

In an attempt to make up for his earlier mishap, Diaby embarked on a surging run just after the hour mark that took him past three Montpellier players before feeding Cazorla for a stinging drive that Jourdren could only push away.

As the game entered the final stages, the French outfit showed the much-needed urgency they lacked throughout the majority of the game and it was that man Belhanda who was the fulcrum.

And that was no more evident than when the attacking midfielder switched the play out to the right before receiving the ball inside the area and skipping past the feet of Per Mertesacker, but he soon had his head in his hands after hitting his shot straight at Mannone from eight yards in his side’s best chance of the half as his side's chances of victory evaporated along with the smoke from those simmering flares.

Source: goal.com

And the results fro the others games:

Paris SG 4 - 1 Dynamo Kiev

AC Milan 0 - 0 Anderlecht

Malaga 3- 0 Zenit St. Petersburg

Dynamo Zagreb 0 - 2 FC Porto

Olympiacos 1 - 2 FC Schalke 04

Brazil 2014 Qualification Results

Yesterday's results

Friendlies Report

Spain 5-0 Saudi Arabia

Villa nets comeback goal in thumping friendly win

The forward tucked away a penalty in his first game for his country since returning from a broken leg, but it was his Barcelona team-mate Pedro who stole the show with two goals

Spain warmed up for their opening 2014 World Cup qualifier with a predictably facile 5-0 friendly win over Saudi Arabia on Friday night.

Santi Cazorla opened the scoring and Pedro doubled the home side's advantage soon after. Substitute Xavi netted a third two minutes into the second half before Barcelona team-mate David Villa announced his return to the international arena by converting a penalty shortly after entering the fray.

Pedro then put the seal on an impressive individual display when he tucked away a terrific through-ball from David Silva with 17 minutes remaining.

The reigning world and two-time European champions, who take their first step on the road to Rio against Georgia next week, fielded an experimental starting lineup, with Xavi and Andres Iniesta among those named on the bench. However, La Roja still had far too much class for a game but limited Saudi Arabia side.

Indeed, the only surprise was that it took so long for them to break the deadlock, although that was primarily down to Fernando Torres' wayward finishing, the Chelsea man, who was making his 100th appearances for his country, wasting two fine through-balls inside the opening 10 minutes.

As it was, it was left to another member of Spain's Premier League contingent, Cazorla, to open the scoring, the Arsenal schemer tapping home from close range after Waleed Abdullah could only parry a shot from Pedro.

The latter made no mistake five minutes later, finding the back of the net with a delightful chip just moments after Nasser Al-Shamrani had gone close with a header for the visitors.

Cazorla, who had teed up Pedro for the second, then very nearly conjured a third goal for the home side but his sublime curling effort cruelly came back off the woodwork.

Still, Spain did put the outcome beyond all doubt when Xavi, who had replaced Cesc Fabregas during the interval, found the top corner with a free-kick that saw the ball not only find its way past Abdullah - but also through a hole in the net.

The game now won, La Roja boss decided to make more changes and substitute Villa, who has only just recovered from the horrific leg break he suffered last December, made it 4-0 from the penalty spot, after Sayyaf Al-Beeshi had felled Monreal in the area.

Pedro then heaped further misery on the beleaguered Saudis when he latched onto a defence-splitting pass from David Silva before coolly dinking the ball over Abdullah, putting himself in real contention for a starting berth in Tuesday's Group I clash with Georgia in Tbilisi.

Brazil 1-0 South Africa

Hulk strikes but Selecao fail to convince

The recently-acquired Zenit St Petersburg forward decided the game with a thumping 74th minute strike but it did little to paper over the cracks of a lacklustre Selecao display

Brazil left it late to break down a resilient South Africa side and secure a 1-0 win in their first game on home soil in over a year at the Morumbi.

It was a tumultuous return to his native country for Mano Menezes as his side's performance left the home fans disgruntled and frustrated for large parts. However, when Hulk drilled in an effort after 74 minutes there was a collective sigh of relief to ease the pressure on the coach somewhat.

In a match that Brazil were largely expected to dominate, it came as a surprise when South Africa forged the first opportunity of the game in the 12th minute. Siboniso Gaxa pushed forward down the right and got in behind Marcelo after a one-two with Dino Ndlovu. He attacked the goal unopposed but his shot lacked conviction and Diego Alves saved.

The Selecao responded well and five minutes later they tested the opposing keeper from a set piece. Neymar's delivery from deep was met by a powerful header from Dede but he put it straight down the middle and Itumeleng Khune turned the ball behind.

The Bafana Bafana were giving a good account of themselves with a physical display dampening the atmosphere on Brazil's Independence day. After wayward efforts from Oscar and Neymar, it was not until the 34th minute that Khune was forced to work again as he kept out Lucas Moura's powerful strike, albeit unorthodoxly.

But there was nothing unconventional about the keeper's next stop. Neymar sprung the offside trap and  latched onto Dani Alves' through ball but he failed to put his shot either side of Khune who stayed big to deny the Santos youngster.

Greeted by boos and calls for Menezes' head at half time and things did not get much better after the restart. Lerato Chabangu lashed an effort narrowly over the bar and was only denied a tap-in by a goal-line clearance from Dede moments later after some terrific work by substitute Bernard Parker.

There were signs of life from Brazil as Leandro Damiao and Neymar fired efforts at goal but they were warned against over-comitting as Parker's drilled effort scraped the bar on the hour mark.

Menezes made a number of changes in an attempt to alter the momentum of the game which was increasingly swaying towards the confident South Africans. 

One of those substitutions saw the introduction of Hulk and from a free kick he won, Neymar saw a spectacular free kick clawed away from the top corner by the impressive Khune.

However, the keeper was finally beaten five minutes later, much to the relief of the home crowd. Despite making a brilliant stop from David Luiz's initial effort from an acute angle, the rebound fell to Hulk and the Zenit St Petersburg forward rifled a volley into the back of the net.

Neymar came close to adding another moments later but with his header from Hulk's cross shaping up to go wide, the keeper gave it an extra touch just to make sure.

Nevertheless the Selecao saw out the game but their fans will be upset with such a poor showing on their retun home which they voiced with more boos at the final whistle. Gordon Igesund, however, can take pride in the performance of his South Africa side in his first game in charge.

Source: goal.com

Results of the Qualification World Cup 2014

Here are the results from all the countries that played yesterday - 7 September for the Qualifcation for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil

2 Highlight games

Argentina 3-1 Paraguay

Messi stunner seals victory for Albiceleste

The Barcelona star netted a glorious free kick as Sabella's men took first place in World Cup qualifying, piling further misery on their underachieving neighbours

Argentina maintained their perfect record in 2012 with a victory over Paraguay on Friday night that took them top of the Conmebol race to the 2014 World Cup ahead of closest challengers Chile and Ecuador. 

Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain and Lionel Messi were all on target for the Albiceleste in a comfortable if not entirely convincing triumph, while Paraguay's sole strike came from the penalty spot via Jonathan Fabbro. 

he Argentina team came out in the Estadio Mario Kempes knowing that, thanks to Uruguay's 4-0 defeat to Colombia, a win would put them top of the World Cup qualifying standings. 

Inspired by Ezequiel Lavezzi, they wasted no time in taking the initiative. The Paris Saint-Germain man did well to hold up the ball on the right-hand side and his cross, after several unfortunate deflections for the Guarani, landed at the feet of Di Maria who curled the ball past Justo Villar. After just two minutes, Alejandro Sabella's side were on top. 

Despite the early lead, the Albiceleste were struggling against a Paraguay outfit determined to disrupt play by fair means or foul. And the visitors would find their way back into the game in bizarre circumstances. Rodrigo Brana inexplicably handled in the area from a cross under absolutely no pressure, and naturalised Argentine Fabbro gleefully converted with class to level the game for his adopted nation. 

The game continued in a disjointed fashion, as the hosts struggled to find their rhythm in the face of fierce tackling that brought 12 fouls and two bookings in the first half alone. It took another stroke of good fortune for Argentina to retake the lead. 

A horribly-sliced clearance from Jonathan Ortiz fell straight into the path of Higuain, who was in exactly the right place to pick up the ball. The Real Madrid man still had a lot to do, but finished with aplomb across the body of Villar to restore the advantage in Cordoba. Lionel Messi almost extended the advantage with a free kick that struck the post, but despite their lead the South American giants were far from their best in the opening 45 minutes. 

Messi immediately brought the Kempes crowd to full voice two minutes into the second half with an individual piece of magic that deserved a goal. The Barcelona maestro effortlessly skipped past three defenders to go one-on-one with Villar, but his chipped finish hit the post, to the groans of the local support. 

It was the second time the woodwork had denied 'La Pulga' as he sought to add to his eight international goals harvested so far in 2012. At the other end, Romero also had to be alert, saving low from Victor Ayala after the Lanus man tried his luck from a long-range set-piece. 

After that early flurry of activity, the game settled down into a low-key rhythm. Argentina rarely looked like surrendering their lead, but despite the efforts of Lavezzi and Di Maria, who worked tirelessly, there appeared little prospect of adding to the tally. Where Messi is, however, goals are usually not too far away. 

The little wizard once more found the post with a wickedly swerving free kick, but this time the ball struck the inside of the woodwork and nestled safely inside the net, taking his tally to an incredible nine in five games this year. Coming 20 minutes into the second half, the strike gave Argentina a decisive cushion as they looked to overtake Chile at the top of the table. 

Victor Caceres would see a late header ruled out correctly for offside, but there was no way back for Paraguay, who slumped to their fourth qualifying defeat and remain second to bottom. Argentina recorded their third consecutive Conmebol win, and their fifth triumph in as many games this year, to go one point clear of Chile and Ecuador with a total of 13.

Netherlands 2-0 Turkey

Van Persie and Narsingh seal Oranje victory

The Manchester United hitman struck early in the first-half, while the PSV winger added a second late on against the stubborn visitors

Louis van Gaal's Netherlands squeezed past Turkey at the Amsterdam ArenA, securing a 2-0 win in their opening World Cup 2014 qualifier.

The game represented the new Dutch boss' first victory in an official match and while the scoreline looks good, the performance may suggest otherwise.

Turkey began at pace, attacking Netherlands and pressing them when not in possession. Their intent was clear right from the first corner, won in the first minute off the body of Kevin Strootman, as the visitors went close with a header.

Oranje took time to settle, but after 10 minutes started to impose themselves on the game. Crosses were fizzed in and corners were won, but the Turkish defence didn't seem too troubled and mopped them up with ease.

The first scare of the night came for Tim Krul and and Martins Indi, as some miscommunication nearly led to an own goal, and just as the Turks seemed to be reasserting their control, Netherlands struck to take the lead.

Robin van Persie continued his new-found trend of scoring with his head by nodding in from Inter star Wesley Sneijder's corner.

The 19th minute goal gave van Gaal's men temporary hope, but it was Abdullah Avci's side who came away from the restart stronger.

Sercan Yildrim and Arda Turan both went desperately close for The Crescent-Stars, while Luciano Narsingh should have done better when he found himself in a great position.

As the first half wore on, it became clear the Netherlands midfield weren't coping with the physicality of the game. Umut hit the bar with a header just before half-time, leaving Oranje counting their blessings at the interval.

Van Gaal introduced Richardo van Rhijn at half-time and replaced Jordy Clasie with Leroy Fer shortly after.

The changes allowed the Dutch to grab a hold of the game more efficiently and they proceeded to dominate the opening 10 minutes of the second-half.

Turkey, now resorting to the counter-attack in the face of a much-improved Oranje, went close to an equaliser when Hamit Altintop forced Tim Krul into a first-class save with a long-range effort.

On 60 minutes, there were chances at both ends. Van Persie got in the way of Arjen Robben's chipped effort for the hosts, while Sercan should have scored after beating van Rhijn to a header at the far post.

Sneijder and Robben began to combine well down the left side and produced a number of chances for their side to extend their lead, but the Turkish defence stood up to the challenge.

With the Dutch in control, van Gaal's men actively began to protect their lead rather than go all out for a second, while Turkey struggled to grab hold of the game despite the introduction of new Liverpool signing Nuri Sahin.

Ron Vlaar came on late for Jonny Heitinga to add solidity to the back line, and Narsingh scored late on with a chipped finish as Turkey piled forward in search of an equaliser.

The Dutch have opened their campaign with a much-needed confidence-boosting win after a dour Euro 2012 campaign, while Turkey will feel hard done by after an impressive showing.

First place in this group is far from assured on this showing for Oranje, who failed to control the game as they may have hoped before the encounter.

Source: goal.com

Champions League - qualifying groups

These are the Champions League qualifyong groups for 2012/2013

First games:

18 September 2012

19 September 2012

Premier League Report

Manchester City 3-1 QPR
Mancini's men survive scare with Tevez in top form
Once again, the defending champions were pegged back at the Etihad Stadium but Edin Dzeko replied immediately to secure three points, with the Argentine later making the game safe


Edin Dzeko and Carlos Tevez scored second-half goals as Manchester City secured a 3-1 victory over QPR, but once again the defending champions were temporarily pegged back at the Etihad Stadium.

Yaya Toure gave City a first-half lead in what was, for the most part, a one-sided fixture, finishing from the centre of the penalty area after an unfortunate deflection had diverted the ball directly into his path.

Not for the first time this season, however, the home crowd was stunned by the less illustrious visitors when Bobby Zamora converted from point blank range after good work from Andy Johnson.

It took City less than two minutes, though, to restore their advantage as Dzeko headed home Tevez's cross before the Argentine deflected his strike partner's shot into the back of the net in added time.

Roberto Mancini reverted to a 4-2-3-1 after the mixed success of his recent 3-5-2 experiment, with Dzeko starting in attack in the absence of Sergio Aguero. Mario Balotelli, despite his eye problem, was on the bench.

Esteban Granero made his debut for QPR, with Alejandro Faurlin making his first league appearance after a long-term knee injury alongside him. Andy Johnson partnered Bobby Zamora in attack.

It was one-way traffic from the start. Corners looked City's most likely route to goal in the early stages, with Dzeko missing the target with one attempt and seeing another cleared off the line.

QPR sat extremely deep in their own half and, in bizarre fashion, their best chance of the opening 15 minutes did not come courtesy of one of their own players. Jack Rodwell had Joe Hart scrambling after an attempted tackle in the middle of the pitch flew towards the City goal and narrowly over the crossbar.

Eventually, the set-plays paid off. When Tevez attempted to return Silva's deep corner to the centre of the box, a deflection took the ball into the path of Yaya Toure, who swept a shot home with his left boot from 10 yards.

Robert Green may find himself quickly ousted as QPR's first-choice goalkeeper when Julio Cesar becomes available to Mark Hughes but if not for an excellent save from the England international, Silva would have doubled the lead after wriggling through a number of defenders and stabbing the ball towards goal from close range.

Silva had another chance when he raced on to Aleksandr Kolarov's fine through pass but Fabio chased back quickly to block the Spaniard's shot.

Matters did not immediately improve for QPR after the break. Superb play between Silva and Pablo Zabaleta saw the right-back overlap his winger to run on to a delicate through ball that he curled on to the crossbar with his weaker left-foot from a tight angle.

Once again, though, the defensive shortcomings and carelessness that City have suffered from this season surfaced. QPR equalised with near enough their first chance of the entire encounter when Johnson robbed Silva of possession and forced an excellent save from Hart, leaving Zamora to tap in the rebound.

This time, unlike against Southampton two weeks earlier, they recovered by scoring the next goal. Tevez latched on to a pass down the left-hand side of the penalty area and fired a head-high cross that Dzeko nodded in from a yard or two out to score the 200th league goal of Mancini's 100 match-long reign.

QPR might have made it a less than impressive six goals conceded in three games when substitute Nedum Onuoha headed a corner back across the penalty area but Ryan Nelsen skewed a volley well wide.

Indeed, Hughes' team enjoyed by far their best spell of the match in the closing stages as City backed off into their own half, but could not carve out the last chance they needed to steal a point.

And Tevez added a gloss to the result after the visitors' attacks had petered out by diverting a wild Dzeko shot past the unfortunate Green.

Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal

Podolski & Cazorla strikes hand Gunners impressive Anfield victory

The visitors dominated in midfield and the result duly went their way as the two new signings combined brilliantly with one-twos either side of half-time to seal the points

First goals for Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla ensured that an impressive Arsenal saw off Liverpool 2-0 in their Premier League clash at Anfield.

Both strikes were the products of a brilliant combination between the two new signings, each taking a turn to finish off a one-two with each other, though Steven Gerrard's lazy pass set up the counter for the German's opener.

After being caught in a tug-of-war between the two clubs over the summer, Real Madrid loanee Nuri Sahin made his debut for the hosts in the absence of injured-again midfielder Lucas Leiva, though there were no strikers available on the bench for Brendan Rodgers.

Theo Walcott, subject of speculation but still at the club after deadline day, dropped to the bench while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain started in midfield for the Gunners and Vito Mannone continued in goal.

Arsenal saw plenty of the ball in the early stages but Liverpool threatened first, Fabio Borini finding space from 30 yards out to swipe wide. It was a sign of the visitors' high defensive line which was nearly exploited moments later when Luis Suarez shot past Per Mertesacker, who could only clumsily tug him back for a booking.

The Reds came close after 12 minutes when, thanks to Carl Jenkinson awkwardly clearing behind, Daniel Agger failed to get his head on Gerrard’s corner. The Dane had been totally unmarked and should have put his side ahead.

Arsenal had the better of possession in an otherwise even period, Suarez being cut off in the box by Mertesacker when he did get forward, as the midfield base of Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby impressed.

The Spaniard was deservedly booked, though, when Raheem Sterling burst past him on a dangerous dribble, tripping him up when it was clear that the forward could not be caught. Gerrard's free kick, though, was wasted.

The captain was at fault, too, on the half hour when he lazily misplaced a pass in the Arsenal half. The Gunners brought the ball out on a swift counter, Cazorla racing through the middle before threading it through to Podolski, whose finish under pressure from the tracking-back Glen Johnson was as cool as it was accurate.

Liverpool, shocked, came close a few minutes later when the gambling Sterling stepped around a marker in the box and cut a high-difficulty shot against the outside of the post. The Anfield crowd appealed for a penalty when the 17-year-old went down in the box moments later but Mertesacker had got enough of the ball with a fine tackle.

Arsenal could have gone into the break two up if Olivier Giroud had not snatched at his effort lamely wide when played in by a neat pass down the inside-left channel, with the waiting Kieran Gibbs' unmarked status going unexploited. The visitors went into half-time deservedly leading, though.

Suarez tested Mertesacker five minutes after the break when he appealed for a push by the German in the box. There appeared to be some contact but the forward went down a little quickly; his reputation may have swayed the benefit of the doubt against him.

The pressure on the Uruguayan went up when Borini's withdrawal for Stewart Downing left him as the only remaining recognised striker for the Reds and he came close to rewarding that faith when Vito Mannone tipped over Liverpool’s first shot on target shortly before the hour mark.

Sterling continued to pose the most consistent threat for the hosts as they dominated proceedings in search of an equaliser, his jinking run and cross unrewarded with a missed header.

Cazorla came forward with a reminder of Arsenal's potency moments later, though, slicing a shot a whisker past the post as well as Reina’s outstretched hand, with the Gunners content to wait for opportunities on the counter.

The Spaniard got that opportunity in the 67th minute. It came from another fine combination with Podolski, the German this time taking his turn to play Cazorla in with a one-two. The import from Malaga picked it up and thrashed it off a helpless Reina into the net.

With Liverpool looking downcast and unlikely to overturn the visitors’ superiority, Gerrard was very lucky not to get at least a yellow card for a rasping challenge on Vermaelen, catching the Belgian’s leg when he had no hope of beating him to the ball. It should have made worse an already humbling showing from the veteran midfielder.

It seemed only a question of whether Arsenal would score any more and Giroud got in the hunt, being fended off well by Jose Enrique after nodding a set-piece over the bar from a decent position.

The Reds nearly got back in it with a late scramble, substitute Jonjo Shelvey forcing Mannone into a save, with Vermaelen on hand to smartly clear the rebound before the hosts could pounce. What further possession that Liverpool had was unpenetrative and Arsenal held on for their first league win of the season.

Source: goal.com