27 Sports Tuesday, December 4, 2018 Neymar injury concern after Bordeaux end PSG’s flawless run Marseille drop points after a goalless draw at Reims

PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain are again sweating on Saturday. PSG’s arch rivals Marseille failed to make the Neymar’s fitness on Sunday after the superstar attacker most of their fellow Champions League chasers drop- left the field at Bordeaux clutching his groin before ping points after a goalless draw at Reims on Sunday. Andreas Cornelius’ late header ended the French cham- Rudi Garcia’s side stay fifth. pions perfect start to the Ligue 1 season. Meanwhile mid-table Toulouse drew 2-2 with with Brazilian Neymar was substituted 57 minutes into fellow relegation rivals Dijon and Strasbourg routed the hugely entertaining 2-2 draw the Matmut Atlantique Rennes 4-1. Neymar’s opener for PSG came after a stadium, in which he had opened the scoring and had spell of concerted Bordeaux pressure and at the end of looked in great form before having to head to the a superb exchange with countryman Dani Alves, who dressing room with what looks to be an injury to the on his first start of the season flashed in a powerful same adductor muscle that nearly stopped him from cross that was crashed home first-time by number 10. scoring the decisive goal in Wednesday’s huge 2-1 win His 11th league goal of the season took some time to over Liverpool. be awarded however, as the VAR dithered over whether “I don’t know at all (what his injury is). We have to Mbappe was offside and interfering with the play as he be careful, he said it was not a problem to play tonight flashed a leg at Neymar’s shot. but the pitch was hard and I hope he will be in good That goal looked to have broken Bordeaux, and shape after Strasbourg,” said PSG coach Thomas Angel Di Maria, who had fluffed a golden chance laid Tuchel, referring to his side’s must-win final Champions on for him by Neymar earlier in the half, then struck the League group game at Red Star in nine days’ post in first-half stoppage time as the home side rocked time. The Ligue 1 leaders, who had won all 14 of their under pressure. However the hosts fought back again league matches going into Sunday’s pulsating clash, had after the break, and they got their first reward when to wait until the last minute to see if Neymar and strike Briand slotted home a fine cross from the lively Yann partner Kylian Mbappe would be ready for the win Karamoah. over the Reds, who now face an uphill battle for qualifi- Neymar was substituted shortly afterwards and cation to the Champions League last 16 thanks to Bordeaux smelled blood, but Mbappe turned the match Neymar’s first-half winner last week. The pair twice put in PSG’s favour, latching on to Julian Draxler’s through PSG in front on Sunday, but Jimmy Briand and ball before crashing home what looked to be the winner Cornelius ensured that Bordeaux became the first and almost immediately asking to be substituted with French team to stop the runaway leaders this season. an apparent muscle problem. However the result is unlikely to slow down PSG’s Tuchel didn’t remove the 19-year-old however, and march to the title, as they still stand 14 points ahead of he was there to see Cornelius meet Maxime Poundje’s BORDEAUX: Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos (L) vies with Bordeaux’s Brazilian nearest challengers Montpellier, who took advantage of cross with such force that PSG keeper Alphonse Areola Otavio (R) during the French L1 football match Bordeaux vs Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), on Sunday in Lyon drawing 2-2 at Lille to sneak into second with a couldn’t stop his header from crossing the line and end- Bordeaux, southwestern France. — AFP 2-1 win at Thierry Henry’s struggling Monaco on ing PSG’s 100 percent start. — AFP

Roma stall Inter 2-2, AC Milan move Spurs fan arrested fourth in after banana skin

MILAN: Roma battled back for a 2-2 draw which denied second place in Serie A on Sunday thrown onto pitch in a Stadio Olimpico thriller between two sides looking to impress after losing in Europe during the week. LONDON: A football fan has been arrested after a Keita Balde Diao gave Inter the half-time lead amid banana skin was thrown onto the pitch at the Roma fury at having a penalty appeal denied, but the Emirates Stadium as Arsenal forward Pierre-Emerick side from the capital powered back with a Cendiz Aubameyang celebrated scoring a penalty in front of Under scorcher after the break. Tottenham fans. Aleksandar Kolarov slotted in a penalty to seal a The Gunners won a memorable match 4-2 on point for the Romans to cancel out Inter captain Mauro Sunday and London’s Metropolitan Police afterwards Icardi’s header. confirmed there were seven arrests made. Britiain’s Inter-who lost to Tottenham Hotspur in the Press Association said it understands that one of Champions League midweek-remain third, level on 29 those arrests came after a banana skin was hurled from the away end as Aubameyang celebrated scor- points with second-placed Napoli who travel to ing in front of the Tottenham fans. Atalanta later. Champions Juventus opened up an 11- “Behaviour such as this is completely unaccept- point lead on Napoli with a 3-0 win at Fiorentina able and the supporter in question will be issued with Saturday with scoring from the spot a ban,” a Tottenham spokesman said. There were also to bag his 10th goal in 14 games. six arrests for public order offences-at least two of “It was a very entertaining match for all watching which are believed to be Arsenal supporters who lit and I think a valuable point for both teams,” said Inter smoke canisters during the match. coach Luciano Spalletti. “It shows we are on the right Former Arsenal and England forward Ian Wright, track.” Roma-who advanced to the Champions League ROME: AS Roma Turkish forward Cengiz (L) Under fights for the ball with Inter Milan defender from Slovakia speaking as a pundit on BBC television, said: “I’ve knockout rounds despite losing to Real Madrid-have Milan Skriniar during the Italian Serie A football match at the Olympic stadium in Rome on Sunday. — AFP played against Spurs and I’ve taken a lot of abuse only won one of their last six league matches and are from Spurs but never ever has it been racial. “Now down in seventh place. Eusebio Di Francesco’s side Spurs have to deal with this because some idiot has were furious they were denied a penalty call after ed Parma. Lazio dropped to fifth a point back after In Verona, Ciro Immobile grabbed a point for Lazio done that. Danilo D’Ambrosio tripped Nicol? Zaniolo before Keita being held 1-1 at bottom club Chievo. It was a hard- against a Chievo side still looking for their first win of “It’s not only embarrassed Spurs but it has embar- broke through after 37 minutes. fought victory for Milan who have a number of injured the season, but who held Napoli 0-0 last weekend. rassed the because it has gone D’Ambrosio then set up Senegalese winger Keita to players out along with suspended Argentine forward Chievo captain Sergio Pellissier, 39, opened for the around the world, and now Spurs have to deal with blast in a volley from close range. “It’s shameful,” said Gonzalo Higuain. hosts after 25 minutes, as Lazio were unable to turn that and have that tainting all over them. It’s really AS Roma legend Francesco Totti. “I want to know, and “This is a precious win because we played against a their domination into goals. unfortunate to see.” we all do, how those in the VAR booth didn’t see that team who can trouble you in every moment,” said Italy forward Immobile finally broke through after 66 Gabon forward Aubameyang opened the scoring on Sunday with his 10th-minute spot-kick and, after foul. We all saw it on a far smaller screen.” Gattuso. “This team is incredible, the boys always show minutes for his ninth goal of the season following a one- Tottenham had replied through Eric Dier and a Harry Turkish winger Under pulled Roma level six minutes grit, determination. They are giving their all, it’s easy to two with Argentine Joaquin Correa. Immobile rattled coach a group like that.” the bar ten minutes later but ’s side were Kane penalty, then equalised early in the second half. after the break rifling in from distance to stun Samir Alexandre Lacazette put the hosts 3-2 up before Roberto Inglese nodded in his fourth goal this sea- unable to to find the three points and drop to fifth. Handanovic in the Inter goal. Icardi rose to head in a Lucas Torreira added Arsenal’s fourth. Aubameyang corner on 66 minutes before Kolarov slotted in a penal- son for Parma from a corner five minutes after the “It was the worst first half I’d seen in my three years had opened the scoring before an Eric Dier header ty on 73 awarded after Marcelo Brozovic’s arm touched break but Milan pulled one back six minutes later in this job,” said Inzaghi. “I wanted to replace all 11 and a Harry Kane spot-kick sent Spurs in ahead at the ball. The match ended in drama with former Roma thanks to Cutrone volleying home. players at half-time. “For the first time this season, we half-time. boss Spalletti banished from the sidelines for dissent to Kessie slotted in Milan’s second from the spot on 71 are not in the top four.” Earlier Torino-with coach The Gabon forward went on to equalise, with cheers from the Stadio Olimpico crowd. minutes after was deemed after Walter Mazzarri back on the bench after a health Arsenal wrapping up the points through Alexandre Inter are now four points ahead of city rivals AC consultation with VAR to have handled the ball. Parma scare-rallied past 10-man Genoa 2-1 to move sixth. Lacazette and Lucas Torreira strikes. The unrest was Milan who moved fourth after Patrick Cutrone and drop to ninth and are now five points behind AC Milan Sassuolo dropped out of the European places following not restricted to the stands as the two sets of players Franck Kessie sealed a 2-1 comeback win over promot- who occupy the final Champions League berth. a goalless draw at Udinese. — AFP had to be separated following Dier’s equaliser on a feisty afternoon in north London. The England midfielder celebrated by putting his a briefing,” he added. “They say ‘ready’ or finger to his lips, with Arsenal substitute reacting angrily to the gesture and refer- ‘not ready’ and we decide.” Aguero gives ee Mike Dean showing Dier a yellow card. —AFP England to face Netherlands Gabriel Jesus started against Bournemouth in Aguero’s absence but was Man City unable to add to his single league goal so in Nations League semi-finals far this season for the Premier League injury scare pacesetters. Aguero’s form has limited the Matches on TV Brazilian’s playing time recently but the 21- : England will meet the group also including Spain to the top. year-old said he was ready to contribute if (Local Timings) Netherlands for a place in the inaugu- The Netherlands also needed a late LONDON: said he was needed following his own injury concerns, ral Nations League final with hosts show to edge out world champions warned by club doctors that top scorer which saw him miss last week’s Champions ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE Portugal facing Switzerland in the France by scoring twice in the final League win over Lyon. West Ham United v City 22:45 other semi-final after yesterday’s five minutes in a 2-2 draw away to Sergio Aguero could be ruled out until beIN SPORTS draw in Dublin. Portugal and Germany. January if he aggravated a muscle injury. “I’ve been training really hard, maybe Switzerland will meet in Porto on June However, Switzerland arguably The Argentina international missed that’s why I felt something in my groin last Brighton & Hove Albion v Crystal Palace FC 22:45 5 with England and the Netherlands produced the most stunning come- Saturday’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth and week,” Jesus said. “Unfortunately I was out beIN SPORTS clashing in Guimaraes on June 6. back in overturning a 2-0 deficit is doubtful to face Watford and Chelsea of the Champions League match that I Bournemouth FC v Huddersfield Town :22 45 The third-place playoff and final against Belgium to win 5-2 in their this week. “The doctors told me (on Friday) really wanted to play. “I always make it beIN SPORTS Sergio cannot play,” Guardiola said. “If he clear for Pep that I’m here to help the team will take place on June 9, with the lat- final group game. European champi- Watford v Manchester City 23:00 plays, maybe it’s four or five weeks off. In regardless of how. Obviously that I want to ter game being staged in Porto. All ons Portugal were unbeaten in four beIN SPORTS HD 2 four sides qualified for UEFA’s new games against Poland and Italy to that situation, this month, with a lot of play more minutes, but I respect who is games, he was not safe.” City’s all-time top playing at the moment.” Guardiola praised competition-designed to replace secure their place and the honour of FRENCH LEAGUE meaningless friendly matches with hosting the tournament. scorer appears unlikely to make the trip to Jesus’s all-round contribution against OGC Nice v SCO Angers 21:00 competitive internationals-by winning There could be disappointment for Vicarage Road today or Stamford Bridge Bournemouth and said he had no concerns their three-team groups in the top tier some travelling fans, though, as the on Saturday. over the lack of league goals. “We just beIN SPORTS of the Nations League. Dom Afonso Henriques stadium in “Right now, I’m not quite sure,” relax,” Guardiola said. “It’s work, this work Amiens SC v AS Monaco FC 21:00 England came from behind to late Guimaraes holds just 30,000 with Guardiola said when asked about the avail- ethic he has. Always I said to him-when beIN SPORTS on to beat Croatia 2-1 at Wembley England and the Dutch both expected ability of Aguero, who has eight Premier you work like he works on the pitch, Montpellier HSC v LOSC Lille 23:00 last month and leap from bottom of a to bring a strong support. — AFP League goals this season. “I speak with the always we will sustain him. We will always beIN SPORTS doctors every day, they make a report and be there.” — AFP