MONDAY, MARCH 13, 2017 SPORTS

PREVIEW United confident of avenging Chelsea misery says Fellaini

LONDON: Marouane Fellaini insists Chelsea have been equally powerful, “Of course they are confident so let’s be no surprise if they showed signs of It will be fascinating to see what sort Manchester United are confident of opening up a 10-point lead at the top of go there and see what we can do.” fatigue at Stamford Bridge. of reception Mourinho gets from avenging the worst moment of Jose the Premier League and advancing to Even so, Conte doesn’t anticipate an Chelsea’s supporters this time. But Mourinho’s reign when they return to the last eight of the FA Cup as boss FATIGUE easy ride from a team with United’s despite Mourinho’s protests, Conte has Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-finals Antonio Conte chases a double in his Chelsea’s hopes of securing a club strength in depth. “Manchester United, no intention of toning down the touch- today. Mourinho’s first visit to Stamford first season as Mourinho’s permanent record 13th successive home win may together with (Manchester) City, has the line theatrics that have become his Bridge since his sacking as Chelsea boss replacement in west London. have been boosted by the contrasting best squad in the league,” Conte said. trademark this season. last season ended in humiliation as his Although United are 17 points preparations the two teams have had “They have a lot, a number of great “I’ve shown at Chelsea, not only former club romped to a 4-0 victory behind Chelsea, United midfielder this week. players, with great talent and great Chelsea, every team that I managed that over United in October. United have Fellaini is adamant they can turn the While Conte and his players have experience to win. “We have a good I live the game with great passion,” used the memory of that painful loss to tables with a place in the semi-finals up been able to plot Mourinho’s downfall at identity, our team. But for sure it will be Conte said. “Sometimes I want to share fuel a dominant period which has seen for grabs. “Obviously we lost there a few their training base since Monday’s win at a really tough game for us and for them.” my enthusiasm, my passion with my them lose just twice in all competitions months ago, but now it is the FA Cup West Ham, United were forced to Conte’s wild touchline celebrations of players, with my staff, also with the fans. since then. They lifted the first major and we will see what happens,” Fellaini embark on a draining trip to Russian his team’s goals irked Mourinho in I think it’s normal. trophy of the Mourinho era with a said. “It will be tight, I think. It is the FA club Rostov on Thursday in the Europa October and the United boss accused “I’m very focused on the pitch. The League Cup final victory against Cup, it is one game. “They are top of the League. Mourinho bemoaned the poor his rival of deliberately stirring up the mind games (with Mourinho) don’t Southampton last month and remain in league, they have confidence, they have quality of the pitch in Russia and, with Chelsea fans, who taunted their former bring you the win. “For me the most contention for further silverware in the great players, but we will show our qual- his players not arriving home until the idol with chants of “you’re not special important thing is to try to win, then to FA Cup and Europa League. ity there and see what happens. early hours of Friday morning, it would anymore”. think for another celebration.” — AFP

English Premier League table

P W D L F A Pts West Ham United28 9 6 13 38 49 33 Chelsea 27 21 3 3 57 20 66 Burnley 28 9 4 15 31 42 31 Tottenham 27 16 8 3 53 20 56 Watford 27 8 7 12 33 47 31 Man City 27 17 5 5 53 29 56 Bournemouth 28 8 6 14 40 54 30 Liverpool 28 16 7 5 60 35 55 Leicester City 27 7 6 14 30 45 27 Arsenal 26 15 5 6 55 31 50 Swansea City 28 8 3 17 36 61 27 Man United 26 13 10 3 39 22 49 Crystal Palace 27 7 4 16 35 46 25 Everton 28 13 8 7 47 30 47 West Bromwich28 11 7 10 36 37 40 Hull City 28 6 6 16 26 54 24 Stoke City 28 9 9 10 32 40 36 Middlesbrough27 4 10 13 19 30 22 Southampton 26 9 6 11 32 34 33 Sunderland 27 5 4 18 24 50 19 Icardi, Banega hit hat-tricks as Inter Milan pummel Atalanta

MILAN: Argentinians Mauro Icardi and Ever work hard. Today we had the perfect Banega struck a hat-trick apiece as approach, let’s keep it that way.” Champions League-chasing Inter Milan Champions Juventus took another step demolished high-flying Atalanta with a towards a record sixth consecutive Serie A defiant 7-1 romp yesterday. title with a controversial 2-1 win over AC Atalanta travelled to the San Siro confi- Milan on Friday, when Argentinian starlet dent of causing an upset having beaten Paulo Dybala hit a controversial, last-gasp Inter, Napoli and Roma at home in a season penalty for the hosts. that is turning out to be their best to date. Massimiliano Allegri’s men are now 10 But Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, who points ahead of Napoli, who saw Lorenzo have got used to being welcomed back to Insigne hit a brace, one from the spot, and Bergamo by hundreds of ecstatic fans Belgian forward Dries Mertens add another whenever they play away, are set for a from the penalty spot in a 3-0 home win scolding after a dismal display that saw over struggling Crotone. Days after crash- Atalanta drop two places to sixth. ing out of the Champions League following Gasperini said: “We got a lot of things a 6-2 aggregate loss to Real Madrid, Napoli wrong today, but in the kind of season that captain Marek Hamsik said the pressure is we’re having, we can allow ourselves the now on Roma. “This win has put them odd slip-up. under a little bit of pressure, we’ll see what LONDON: Tottenham Hotspur’s English midfielder Dele Alli (L) vies with Millwall’s English-born Jamaican defender Shaun Cummings (R) and “We’re still targeting the Europa League.” happens,” said the Slovak. Millwall’s Irish midfielder Shaun Williams during the English FA Cupquarter-final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Millwall at Icardi completed his hat-trick in nine “Now, we have to turn our attention to White Hart Lane in London, yesterday. — AFP first-half minutes-including one from the our trip to Empoli, who are never easy to spot when he was tripped in the area-to play at home.” Elsewhere, Croatia striker SOCCER fire the Nerazzurri to a 3-0 lead by the 26th Nikola Kalinic saved Fiorentina’s blushes minute, with Banega netting twice and when he struck in the dying seconds to Remo Freuler hitting a 42nd-minute conso- secure a 1-0 home win over Cagliari. lation as Inter took a 5-1 half-time lead. The Chievo got back to winning ways follow- hosts twisted the knife seven minutes after ing a 3-1 reverse at AC Milan two weeks Son treble steers Spurs the restart when ex-Atalanta midfielder ago with a 4-0 romp over Empoli in Verona Roberto Gagliardini slammed the ball past where Roberto Inglese, Sergio Pellissier, stricken goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and into Valter Birsa and Bostjan Cesar were all on the top corner, before Argentina midfielder target. Chievo remain in midtable, with into FA Cup semifinals Banega completed his hat-trick with a Empoli edging dangerously towards the deflected free-kick on 68 minutes. relegation zone. They are only seven points Inter moved up to fourth to sit five ahead of third-from-bottom Palermo, LONDON: Son Heung-Min’s hat-trick fired inside the area. Victor Wanyama powered a timed run onto Kieran Trippier’s pass, Son got in points behind Roma, who occupy the third although the Sicilians will start as under- Tottenham into the FA Cup semi-finals, but his header against the crossbar as Tottenham behind the Millwall defence in the 54th minute and final Champions League qualifying dogs against Roma later. —AFP side’s 6-0 victory against Millwall was over- pressed for the second goal, which arrived in and volleyed a fine finish past King. Alli tapped place, although the capital club will pull shadowed by Harry Kane’s potentially serious spectacular fashion from Son in the 41st minute. in Eriksen’s cross for the fourth in the 72nd eight points clear of Inter with a win away ankle injury. Kane limped off in the 10th Picked out by Eriksen on the edge of the area, minute and Janssen made it five seven minutes to struggling Palermo later. minute at White Hart Lane after his ankle twist- Son cut inside and curled a sublime shot past later with his first goal from open play for Spurs Matches on TV ed awkwardly. King. Son’s first goal since January was the per- since signing last year. DEDICATED SONG (Local Timings) The England striker was sidelined with anoth- fect way to silence some unsavoury taunts There was still time for Son to be gifted his Roma’s city rivals Lazio, one point er ankle problem earlier this season and the aimed at him by Millwall fans, and the South treble in stoppage-time when King let his shot behind Inter in fifth, will leapfrog Inter if ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE injury is a major worry for Tottenham boss Korean wasn’t finished yet. Making a perfectly- slip through his legs into the net. — AFP they account for Torino at home today. Chelsea v Watford 23:00 Mauricio Pochettino. England manager Gareth Inter’s fans showed their appreciation of beIN SPORTS Southgate will also be concerned as he is due to coach Stefano Pioli by belting out a dedi- name his squad for forthcoming fixtures against cated song just after the half hour. SPANISH LEAGUE Germany and Lithuania. Tottenham are looking Although it gave him goosebumps, Pioli Rangers deny Celtic Osasuna v SD Eibar 22:45 to win the FA Cup for the first time since 1991 said nothing has been achieved yet. beIN SPORTS and close the gap on Premier League leaders “I got quite emotional, it made me really Chelsea, but those ambitions would be much in Old Firm draw happy,” said Pioli. “I’m happy for everyone ITALIAN CALCIO LEAGUE harder to achieve without their leading scorer. at the club, but now we have to face Torino Despite Kane’s absence, Tottenham were too SS Lazio v Torino FC 22:45 (away). “We’ve got 10 games left, which is a strong for third tier Millwall and they marked the GLASGOW: Clint Hill’s late goal rescued a worse was to come for the Rangers striker as beIN SPORTS lot. We have to keep our heads down and last FA Cup tie at the Lane before the stadium is point for Rangers in the Old Firm derby and he blew a golden chance to fire his side in demolished, with a commanding quarter-final ended a 22-match winning run for Celtic in front. Kenny Miller’s headed knock-on sent display. Christian Eriksen opened the scoring the Scottish Premiership. the Englishman clean through on goal but and Dele Alli and Vincent Janssen were also on Rangers, with under-20s coach Graeme Craig Gordon showed why Celtic handed him target, but it was Son who took centre-stage Murty in charge as new manager Pedro a new three-year contract during the week as with his treble. Tottenham will discover their Caixinha watched on from the stands, started he blocked the effort with his out-stretched opponent for next month’s Wembley semi-finals brightly but it was Celtic who took a 35th foot. Celtic came closer moments later when today, but news of Kane will be anticipated even minute lead through Stuart Armstrong. With Armstrong’s 20-yard free-kick was turned on more eagerly. Given the notorious reputation of time running out, veteran defender Hill to the post by Wes Foderingham with the Millwall’s support, much of the pre-match focus popped up in the 88th minute to grab an keeper also tipping a fierce strike from Kieran had been on the possibility of crowd trouble. equaliser as Celtic dropped points for the first Tierney round the post. There was a tense atmosphere outside the stadi- time since 18 September last year when they Armstrong then won possession from um before kick off, but a huge police presence were held to a 2-2 draw with Inverness Jason Holt and fed Mikel Lustig down the managed to contain the threat of serious vio- Caledonian Thistle. right before collecting the return pass and lence despite bottle throwing and minor scuf- Celtic, however, remain unbeaten in 35 lashing a shot beyond the keeper from the fles. Inside, a large segregated area was used to domestic matches and still hold a 25 point edge of the box. keep Millwall and Tottenham fans apart, with a advantage over Aberdeen, who are eight The Rangers keeper had to be alert at the line of stewards wearing orange hard hats in clear of Rangers in the race for second place. start of the second half to tip away a fierce case missiles were thrown. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers felt his angled strike from Armstrong after the mid- Millwall arrived with a 17-match unbeaten side were denied a chance to win it late on. fielder had been played in by a clever reverse run that included FA Cup upsets of “We obviously should have had a penalty pass from Scott Sinclair. Bournemouth, Watford and Leicester, but facing right at the death, it was a clear cut penalty,” Celtic were well on top but a quick break- a team of Tottenham’s class was a different Rodgers said of a late challenge by Hill on away presented Rangers with a chance to proposition altogether. Dominating possession Leigh Griffiths. “But I am proud of the team equalise as Miller delivered the ball into the with ease, Pochettino’s side battered Millwall today. It was a tough game.” Rangers interim box from the left with Waghorn’s effort on the from start to finish as they cruised to a 16th win manager Murty was pleased with the spirit turn stopped by the feet of the advancing from 18 home games this season. shown by his players. Gordon. Dembele, who had scored in the “I thought the players showed a degree of previous three meetings of the sides, came INCESSANT PRESSURE tenacity and grit that they have been ques- close to adding to his tally of five Old Firm Kane’s injury came early, the England star’s tioned about and challenged about for a long goals when he hit the post with a shot across ankle twisting badly after Jake Cooper slid into time,” Murty said. “They stood up in a difficult goal. Rangers threw men forward and it saw him. After several minutes of treatment, Kane environment and managed to get something them claim an 88th minute equaliser. limped off to be replaced by Danish winger from the game and I thought without two Emerson Hyndman’s shot was kept out by Eriksen. It was a big blow for Tottenham given outstanding saves from Craig Gordon they Gordon but the loose ball fell to 38-year-old Kane’s red hot form had brought him eight goals could have had more.” Hill who made no mistake from close range. in his last four appearances and 24 for the sea- Celtic were furious when Hill then son. As Tottenham regrouped, Millwall striker CELTIC FURIOUS appeared to bring Griffiths down in the box Steve Morison curled wide from 20 yards in a The Rangers players looked eager to but the referee waved play on before the rare moment of alarm for the hosts. impress their new on-watching manager and defender then headed a shot from the But Tottenham’s incessant pressure was pegged Celtic back in the opening 25 min- Scotland striker off the line as they denied MILAN: Inter Milan’s forward from Argentina Mauro Icardi (L) fights for the ball with rewarded in the 31st minute when Alli chested utes. Martyn Waghorn picked up a yellow the Hoops a fourth straight Old Firm win this Atalanta’s defender from Brazil Rafael Toloi during the Italian Serie A football match down a high clearance and Eriksen pounced to card for a nasty challenge on Nir Bitton but season. — AFP Inter Milan vs Atalanta at “San Siro” Stadium in Milan yesterday. —AFP drill a low shot into the far corner from just