TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2016 SPORTS

Iborra hat-trick keeps Sevilla close to the leaders in Spain

MADRID: Vicente Iborra ended his scor- match because of an injury sustained by a corner kick in the 51st minute, then Osasuna with two goals by Lionel Messi middle of the table. Eighth-placed Eibar ing drought in style, coming off the Argentine defender Nico Pareja. Sevilla doubled the lead from inside the area in and one by Luis Suarez, while Madrid has been in the first division for the past bench to score a second-half hat-trick in coach Jorge Sampaoli took the opportu- the 84th. Iborra closed the scoring by edged Deportivo La Coruna 3-2 at three seasons, but Alaves - 13th in the 20- Sevilla’s 3-0 win over Celta Vigo in the nity to change the team’s formation by converting a penalty kick two minutes Santiago Bernabeu Stadium thanks to an team standings - hadn’t made it to the Spanish league on Sunday. adding the more offensive Iborra, and it into injury time. injury-time winner by defender Sergio top tier since 2005-06. Nearly seven months after his last worked perfectly. “It’s difficult to win here and this Ramos. Real Sociedad moved to fourth In Barcelona, ninth-placed Espanyol goal, the found the net three “With the structural change we start- comes as a relief for us after the loss to by beating Valencia 3-2 at home. defeated Sporting Gijon 2-1 to extend its times after entering the game at halftime ed controlling possession,” Sampaoli said. Granada (in the previous round),” Iborra Fifth-placed Atletico Madrid plays at unbeaten streak in the league to nine to keep Sevilla close to the leaders atop “Vicente was crucial for us.” Iborra, who said. “It allows us to stay near the top in Villarreal later. games. The result left Sporting, which has the standings. “I’m taking this (ball) had last scored in a 2-1 loss at Sporting La Liga.” Sevilla stayed in third place after lost four of its last five games, in the rele- home,” said Iborra, celebrating his first hat Gijon in April, became the first Sevilla 15 rounds with 30 points, one point OTHER GAMES gation zone. In Seville, Real Betis defeat- trick with Sevilla. “And it’s not to let my player to score a hat trick away from behind Barcelona and seven behind Eibar and promoted Alaves drew 0-0 ed Athletic Bilbao 1-0 with a goal by for- kids play with it, it’s to save it. I want to home since Julio Baptista in 2004. leader Real Madrid. Celta, which had won in their first Basque derby in the top ward Ruben Castro in the 18th minute to remember this when I retire.” He jumped high among three defend- five straight at home, stayed on 21 points. flight, a result that left both clubs from move six points away from the demotion The 28-year-old Iborra entered the ers to open the scoring with a header off On Saturday, Barcelona won 3-0 at the northern Spanish region near the zone. Athletic is seventh. — AP Boufal delivers on promise in Saints win

JOHANNESBURG: Morocco’s Sofiane The Bundesliga’s top scorer had an after- Boufal grabbed his first noon to forget in Borussia Dortmund’s 1-1 goal as Southampton rebounded from draw at Cologne on Saturday as Marco their Europa League disappointment with a Reus’s 90th-minute equaliser rescued the 1-0 win over Middlesbrough at the week- visitors. Aubameyang had the ball in the end. Riyad Mahrez and Alex Iwobi were Cologne net with just nine minutes gone, among other African stars on the winning but his effort was ruled out for offside and, side in England, while Sadio Mane shone unusually for the Gabon striker, that proved for Liverpool but couldn’t help the Reds to be his only shot on goal for the entire collect all three points in a 2-2 draw against match. It was a poor performance from West Ham. Gabon’s Pierre-Emerick Dortmund, only compensated by Reus’s Aubameyang endured a quiet afternoon as late equaliser after Artjoms Rudnevs gave Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 with Cologne Cologne a first-half lead. to lose further ground in Germany. ITALY ENGLAND KALIDOU KOULIBALY (Napoli) RIYAD MAHREZ (Leicester) Napoli on Sunday confirmed their Prior to the 4-2 humbling of Manchester recent purple patch-which has seen the City on Saturday one could have been for- southerners rout Inter Milan 3-0 and beat given for thinking the Riyad Mahrez who Benfica in the Champions League to secure starred in last season’s title-winning top spot in their group-but Sunday’s 5-0 exploits had been replaced by a less-talent- rout of Cagliari came at the cost of losing PARIS: PSG goalkeeper Alphonse Areola, right, jumps to stop a goal during a League One soccer match against Nice, at the Parc des Princes sta- ed lookalike on his return for this cam- Koulibaly to a injury. Koulibaly hobbled off dium, in Paris, France, Sunday.— AP paign. The 25-year-old’s level plunged so after just 20 minutes at the San Paolo after much that a week ago Claudio Ranieri hint- going in for a tackle that earned him a ed he might drop him. Whether that booking and a sore knee to boot. Coach sparked a reaction or not, Mahrez was in far Maurizio Sarri said afterwards the injury better form against City and his delightful “did not look serious” but pending scans on Wenger looks to Gunners pass to set up Jamie Vardy sealed a strong Monday Sarri will certainly be hoping that performance by the Algerian. is the case. Koulibaly has been a rock at the back for the Italians in what is another ALEX IWOBI (Arsenal) promising season, all in spite of injury to to keep pressure on Chelsea The 20-year-old Nigerian international Polish striker Arkadiusz Milik. showed a cool head when he took posses- sion after Arsenal team-mate Alexis KEITA BALDE (Lazio) LONDON: Arsene Wenger believes Arsenal are in Sanchez was fouled on the edge of the Keita started on the bench at Sampdoria the ‘fight’ for their first Premier League title since Stoke penalty area and scored with a right- amid reports he could be the subject of a 2004 and insists the Gunners will maintain the Cavani scores two to rescue footed shot to establish a crucial match- winter transfer to La Liga side Valencia, who pressure on leaders Chelsea in today’s trip to out winning two-goal cushion a quarter of an are coached by ex-Fiorentina and Italy boss of sorts Everton. PSG in draw with leader Nice hour from time. Cesare Prandelli, and did not make an Arsenal have not lost in the Premier League appearance until the 65th minute when he since the opening day of the season, and had a VICTOR WANYAMA (Tottenham) replaced Lucas Biglia. Lazio had built a short stay at the top at the weekend before PARIS: ’s goals at one end are free kick from 25 meters put Nice ahead in the Spurs could well have deservedly gone comfortable 2-0 lead by the time the Chelsea eked out a 1-0 win over West Brom to carrying a Paris Saint-Germain side that is con- 32nd, totally against the run of play after PSG home with honours even against Senegal striker arrived, thanks to first-half maintain their three point lead. ceding them with alarming regularity at the oth- had missed several chances. Manchester United but the Kenyan mid- goals from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and With a visit to bottom side Sunderland tomor- er. Cavani scored twice in the second half as the Then, following a mix-up between Brazilian field enforcer got the execution horribly Marco Parolo. Sampdoria grabbed a lifeline row they should retain top spot ahead of next defending champion rallied from 2-0 down to defenders and Marquinhos on a wrong having ghosted in for a free header. when late substitute Patrik Schick hit a last- weekend’s games. draw 2-2 at home to league leader Nice on cross from the left, striker Alassane Plea moved For some reason the 25-year-old didn’t gasp rocket, but Lazio held on for a ninth Wenger, though, is pleased with the way his Sunday. PSG has lost three times already in the in between them to make it 2-0 in first-half injury head goalwards but across goal when an win that moved them up to fifth, level with side have progressed from last season when they league this season and narrowly avoided a time with his 10th league goal of the season. equaliser looked on the cards. Napoli and eight points behind leaders finished a distant second to Leicester having nev- fourth defeat - having lost only twice all last sea- Marquinhos made careless mistakes in a 3-0 Juventus. er posed a significant challenge. “At the minute son. After 17 games, PSG sits in third place, three defeat away to Montpellier last weekend and SOFIANE BOUFAL (Southampton) there is no difference anyway with the other points behind Monaco and four behind Nice. The was at fault for Ludogorets’ second goal in a 2-2 Nerves were beginning to fray over FRANCE teams,” said Wenger. situation would be a lot worse without Cavani’s home draw in the Champions League today. whether Moroccan international Sofiane BENJAMIN MOUKANDJO (Lorient) “But we are in there. So that’s good-we are in league-leading 16 goals - especially if he had giv- Given such vulnerable defending, Nice had Boufal was worth the record fee of £16 mil- The 28-year-old Cameroon striker hit the fight. “We were not too bad last year but I en in to the critics who wanted him gone this cause for regret. “We wasted our lead,” Cyprien lion ($20 million, 18 million euros) paid out his seventh goal of the season believe we have improved. I believe that we have summer. said. “But let’s not be too dramatic. It’s still a good by Saints in August. He had found the net but was unable to prevent a 3-2 defeat to created confidence.” The sometimes clumsy Uruguay forward was point that will serve us well.” just once prior to Sunday-and that was in Toulouse for whom Swedish international Wenger will be without the impressive often criticized by his own fans when playing a an EFL Cup game-but it was worth the wait Ola Toivonen scored a hat-trick. German international Skohdran Mustafi, who supporting role to Zlatan Ibrahimovic over the 1, RENNES 0 for the 23-year-old’s first Premier League Moukandjo, who has 36 caps, has scored went off in the 3-1 win over Stoke with a ham- previous three campaigns. But he has stepped Mathieu Valbuena is finally finding his best goal as he rifled home from the edge of the more than a third of his team’s 18 league string injury, which will be music to the ears of firmly out of Ibrahimovic’s imposing shadow form for Lyon as the winger’s well-taken goal area after a sublime five-man move. goals but Lorient are still at the foot of Belgian international Romelu Lukaku. since the Swede joined Manchester United. sealed a 1-0 home win. Midfielder Rachid the table. — AFP He returned to form with a brace in the 3-2 Altogether, Cavani has 22 goals in 21 games Ghezzal did well down the right and picked out SADIO MANE (Liverpool) defeat to Watford but Ronald Koeman’s honey- this season and 103 in his PSG career, making Valbuena as he advanced from the left into the The Senegalese has been one of moon with the Everton fans is well and truly over him the club’s third all-time leading scorer. He is penalty area. Valbuena drilled a low shot past Liverpool’s standout performers this season after a run of just one win in 10 games. closing on former Portugal forward (109) goalkeeper Benoit Costil in the 28th minute to since his move from Southampton, equally Matches on TV Chelsea’s trip to Sunderland shouldn’t pose but remains some distance behind Ibrahimovic score for the third league game in a row. Lyon’s too many problems-even with rumours swirling (156). Although defensive blunders hit PSG for win moved it above Rennes into fourth place. as good at finding the net as creating goals (Local Timings) for for his team-mates. The 24-year-old was they may be punished with a points deduction the third straight game, it was an awful mistake Valbuena only managed one goal in 26 games over the players role in the angry climax to the in creative mode against West Ham United, from Nice goalkeeper Yoan Cardinale that gifted last season, when he had trouble settling in fol- Manchester City match earlier this month-despite teeing up Adam Lallana for their opening English Premier League Cavani the equalizier. After volleying in right lowing a move from Dinamo Moscow. the Black Cats having won three of their previous goal. His dazzling footwork in the box then back ’s cross one minute after the Rennes defender Ramy Bensebaini was sent five matches. Chelsea manager Antonio Conte bamboozled the Hammers defence and led Bournemouth v Leicester 22:45 restart, Cavani then got the easiest of tap-ins on off in the 74th minute for pulling back striker has proved the doubters wrong in sending out a the hour mark. Alexandre Lacazette as he was through on goal. to Divock Origi’s equaliser early in the sec- beIN SPORTS 3 HD far more fluent and happier side than the one ond half. Cardinale flapped weakly at left back Layvin that led to Jose Mourinho being sacked last sea- Kurzawa’s cross, patting the ball onto the back of SAINT-ETIENNE 1, GUINGAMP 0 Everton v Arsenal 22:45 son. Diego Costa, who scored his 12th goal of the GERMANY Dante. It fell to Cavani, one meter out. “What I Although winger Romain Hamouma scored beIN SPORTS 2 HD season on Sunday, is one of those who have been regret is the two goals we conceded, they were the winner for Saint-Etienne, the best perform- PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG transformed and Conte is expecting the 28-year- (Borussia Dortmund) too easy,” Nice coach Lucien Favre said on Canal ance came from its goalkeeper, Stephane Ruffier. old to get even better. “I’m happy for him because Plus television. “That joke goal was not possible.” Hamouma finished neatly midway through he is showing great passion. In every game he is In a measure of how well Nice is playing, its the first half following some fine work from right showing great commitment and work rate to help players were bitterly disappointed not to win. back Kevin Malcuit. Ruffier, who has played more SOCCER TABLE the team,” said Conte. “We should have played much better in the sec- than 200 league games for Les Verts, then made The two London clubs gained some breathing ond half,” Nice’s Brazilian defender Dante said. excellent saves. English Premier League table ahead of midweek matches (played, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals space at the weekend as the chasing pack all against, points): “We should have been cleverer.” Saint-Etienne’s win moved it up to eighth dropped points-Manchester City and Spurs both Midfielder Wylan Cyprien’s brilliant curling place, just behind sixth-placed Guingamp. — AP losing and Liverpool held 2-2 at home by strug- Chelsea 15 12 1 2 33 11 37 Malaga 15 5 6 4 24 22 21 gling West Ham. Spurs-who host struggling Hull Arsenal 15 10 4 1 36 15 34 Celta Vigo 15 6 3 6 24 29 21 on Wednesday-could at least point to a narrow 1- Liverpool 15 9 4 2 37 20 31 Alaves 15 4 6 5 15 18 18 0 defeat by Manchester United whereas Pep Man City 15 9 3 3 32 19 30 Real Betis 15 5 3 7 18 28 18 Guardiola’s problems appear to be mounting with Tottenham 15 7 6 2 24 11 27 Leganes 15 4 3 8 12 26 15 City’s 4-2 humbling by Leicester. Man Utd 15 6 6 3 20 16 24 Deportivo 15 3 4 8 20 27 13 Guardiola, whose side have won just four Watford 15 6 3 6 21 26 21 Valencia 15 3 3 9 21 29 12 times in 15 matches, didn’t offer much in the way West Brom 15 5 5 5 20 18 20 Sporting Gijon 15 3 3 9 16 30 12 of a solution to his players inability to tackle. Everton 15 5 5 5 19 19 20 Granada 15 1 6 8 14 31 9 They failed to win one in the opening 35 min- Southampton 15 5 5 5 14 15 20 Osasuna 15 1 4 10 13 32 7 utes against Leicester something which the Stoke 15 5 4 6 17 22 19 Watford forwards will be licking their lips at ahead Bournemouth 15 5 3 7 21 25 18 ITALIAN SERIE A TABLE of tomorrow’s clash. Burnley 15 5 2 8 15 25 17 Juventus 16 13 0 3 35 14 39 “I am not a coach for the tackles. I don’t train Leicester 15 4 4 7 21 26 16 Roma 15 10 2 3 35 16 32 for tackles. What I want is to try to play well and Crystal Palace 15 4 3 8 27 29 15 AC Milan 15 10 2 3 27 19 32 score goals. What are tackles?,” said Guardiola. Middlesbrough15 3 6 6 13 16 15 Napoli 16 9 4 3 32 15 31 “I have to improve, but I want to play the foot- West Ham 15 3 4 8 17 31 13 Lazio 16 9 4 3 29 17 31 ball I feel because of course it is simple to say ‘con- Swansea 15 3 3 9 19 31 12 Atalanta 16 9 1 6 25 20 28 cede fewer goals and score more’.” Hull 15 3 3 9 14 32 12 Torino 16 7 4 5 32 22 25 Jose Mourinho will be hoping United’s win Sunderland 15 3 2 10 14 27 11 Inter Milan 16 7 3 6 24 21 24 over Spurs will spark a sequence of wins especial- Fiorentina 14 6 5 3 22 16 23 ly as three of their next four are against teams in SPANISH LA LIGA TABLE Chievo 16 6 4 6 16 16 22 trouble starting away at Crystal Palace tomorrow. Real Madrid 15 11 4 0 40 14 37 Sampdoria 16 6 4 6 20 22 22 As ever, though the ‘Special One’ preferred to Barcelona 15 9 4 2 37 15 31 Udinese 16 6 3 7 22 24 21 look at a half empty glass. “We can (win them all), Sevilla 15 9 3 3 28 20 30 Genoa 15 5 5 5 17 17 20 but to play at Palace, it is not an easy match,” said Real Sociedad 15 8 2 5 26 21 26 Cagliari 16 6 2 8 23 37 20 Mourinho. “To play at West Brom is not an easy Atletico Madrid14 7 4 3 28 11 25 Sassuolo 15 5 2 8 20 26 17 match and to play at home against two teams Villarreal 14 6 5 3 19 10 23 Bologna 16 4 5 7 14 22 17 that will fight desperately for a point, Athletic Bilbao 15 7 2 6 20 18 23 Empoli 16 2 5 9 7 24 11 Middlesbrough and Sunderland, teams that want Eibar 15 6 4 5 21 19 22 Crotone 16 2 3 11 14 30 9 to avoid relegation, will be difficult too. “So four Espanyol 15 5 7 3 19 18 22 Pescara 16 1 5 10 13 29 8 MILAN: Genoa’s Giovanni Simeone and Inter Milan’s Jeison Murillo, left, vie for the ball during a serie Las Palmas 15 5 6 4 26 23 21 Palermo 16 1 3 12 11 31 6 winnable matches, yes, but also matches where we can lose points.” —AFP A soccer match between Inter Milan and Genoa, at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Sunday. —AP