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MADRID: Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo from Portugal, top right, in action with Celta’s Yoel Rodriguez, top left, during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. — AP Ronaldo seals Real win over Celta
MADRID: Real Madrid moved back to within five points of Dani Carvajal’s cross before Bale provided his seventh blank range. And Rafinha Alcantara was unfortunate to see tive Di Maria. However, it was Celta who had the next big La Liga co-leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid with a assist of the season for Ronaldo to fire home his second in his effort deflect just wide off Pepe with Lopez completely opening as Charles failed to hit the target again with just hard-fought 3-0 win at home to Celta Vigo yeterday. stoppage time. wrong-footed. Lopez to beat from the edge of the area. Karim Benzema opened the scoring before a late dou- The visitors had enjoyed the best of the first-half and There were more problems for Ancelotti to contend And the Galicians were finally made to rue their missed ble from Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the win as Celta were should have been in front after just five minutes when with at the break as Xabi Alonso had to replaced by Asier opportunities two minutes later when Jese got to the by- made to pay for passing up a host of clear-cut chances. Charles galloped into a huge gap behind the Madrid Illarramendi. However, Madrid improved after the restart line and his low cross was stabbed home by Benzema. With the scoreline still deadlocked with an hour played, defence but could only fire into the side-netting. and wasted a great opening to score the opener when Ronaldo came close for the first time of the evening Real boss Carlo Ancelotti introduced the fit-again Gareth Real didn’t get going until midway through the half as Angel di Maria overhit his pass to Carvajal with three other when he dragged a shot just wide with 15 minutes remain- Bale and Jese Rodriguez from the bench in the search of a Benzema’s shot from close range was deflected just wide teammates waiting inside the area. ing. But he wasn’t to be denied as he slid in to meet goal. on 23 minutes, before Luka Modric fired a long-range Ancelotti then turned to in-form 20-year-old forward Carvajal’s cross eight minutes from time. The Italian was rewarded when Jese squared for effort just over. Jese in the quest for a goal and he nearly obliged with his And Ronaldo soon had his 29th goal of the season as he Benzema to break the deadlock 23 minutes from time. Borja Oubina then passed up another great chance for first touch but Yoel Rodriguez was equal to his low effort. swept home Bale’s driven cross from the right at the near Ronaldo killed the game as a contest when he rolled home Celta when he headed over Alex Lopez’s cross from point- Bale was next to be introduced for the largely ineffec- post. — AFP Kaka surpasses century as Milan rout Atalanta Clattenburg MILAN: Brazilian forward Kaka boosted his World Cup cross for Robinho. cleared by FA hopes by scoring his 100th and 101st goals for AC Milan in When the ball bobbled in front of the unmarked a welcome 3-0 win over Atalanta at the San Siro yesterday. Brazilian, Kaka promptly took possession to smash the LONDON: Referee Mark Clattenburg was yesterday cleared Kaka is one of several Europe-based stars hoping to ball past Consigli from close range. of misconduct by the Football Association (FA) following a nail a place in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s squad and did his Milan had barely finished celebrating when Cristante complaint from Southampton about his alleged comments chances a world of good with two well-taken goals that added their third, smashing a crisp daisycutter just inside to England midfielder Adam Lallana. helped move struggling Milan up three places to 10th. Consigli’s far post from the edge of the area. Kaka was Saints had complained about critical comments allegedly Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri, who on Sunday con- not alone in netting twice, Luca Toni hitting a first-half made by Clattenburg to Lallana during Southampton’s firmed his departure from the club at the end of the sea- brace in a 3-1 win for Verona away to Udinese which defeat at Everton in December. The Premier League club had son, had labelled the game a relegation dogfight and allowed the visitors to leapfrog Inter into fourth ahead of claimed in a letter to the referees’ governing body, was relieved after Atalanta rattled the woodwork twice. the Nerazzurri’s trip later Monday to Lazio. Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), that Clattenburg, frustrated by Lallana’s constant appeals for deci- “There was only one point between us and we were Afterwards, Udinese’s talismanic striker Antonio Di sions to go his side’s way, had told the player: “You are very only five points clear of the bottom three,” said the 46- Natale announced his imminent retirement. different now, since you’ve played for England - you never year-old coach. “Atalanta had a few scoring chances in “I’ve spoken to my family, and now I will speak to the used to be like this.” the second half but overall I don’t think we gave too club about it,” said the 36-year-old Naples-born player, They complained to the FA after the PGMOL ruled out many chances away. We should have defended better, who has twice finished the league’s top scorer. action against Clattenburg and said they did not want him but Atalanta are a strong side and (goalkeeper) Christian Elsewhere, basement side Catania claimed only their refereeing any of their matches until the issue was resolved. Abbiati did well.” third win in 18 games from a 2-0 home defeat of A club spokesman said last week: “An official insulting any Mario Balotelli, recovering from flu, started on the Bologna, while Genoa won by the same scoreline at player, no matter his intentions, is clearly not acceptable bench with Alessandro Matri spearheading the attack in home to struggling new boys Sassuolo, who remain third behaviour. For this reason we do not accept the verdict of the PGMOL in relation to this case and do not consider the mat- Allegri’s preferred 4-3-2-1 formation, which also featured from bottom. ter to be over. midfielder Bryan Cristante. Ciro Immobile opened the scoring for Torino in the “Under the circumstances we do not feel it appropriate Former Valencia defender Adil Rami also made his 21st minute at Parma, but from then on it was all down- for Mr Clattenburg to officiate in any of our matches until this debut while Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda, who hill for the visitors as Marco Marchionni, Alessandro matter is properly resolved.” But the FA has considered the arrived in Milan during the festive break, watched the Lucarelli and Amauri all netted to secure a precious 3-1 complaint and will take no action against Clattenburg. game from the stands alongside club CEO Adriano home win. Earlier, a brace from Belgian international An FA statement said: “The FA can confirm it received a Galliani. Dries Mertens secured a 2-0 win for Napoli over complaint from Southampton concerning referee Mark Cristante, making only his second senior appearance, Sampdoria which pushed Napoli to within two points of Clattenburg and his alleged comments made to their player marked the occasion by scoring Milan’s third in the 67th second-placed Roma. Napoli’s 12th win left them in third Adam Lallana. minute to virtually secure what was only Milan’s second with a 10-point deficit to leaders Juventus, who went “The FA has given its full consideration to this matter and it is our view that the comments, as disclosed in win in their past 10 games and fifth of the campaign. eight points clear of Roma with a 3-0 rout of the Southampton’s letter of complaint, do not constitute miscon- Before then, Kaka led the charge, scoring his 100th Giallorossi on Sunday. duct under the FA’s rules. goal for Milan after collecting a pass deep on the left of Sampodoria had been unbeaten since former Serbia “Consequently, The FA will not be taking any further the area to turn and beat Andrea Consigli with an angled coach Sinisa Mihajlovic took over the helm and he admit- action in relation to this matter and now considers this case strike at the keeper’s far post. ted: “I have no qualms, Napoli deserved the win. “We MILAN: AC Milan Brazilian forward Kaka celebrates to be closed.” Clattenburg is no stranger to controversy after Chelsea accused him of racially abusing midfielder John Obi Matri made way for Balotelli just before the hour mark knew it would be tough to win here but I was happy with after scoring his 100th goal with AC Milan, during the and the Italy striker played a role in Kaka’s second, hold- the performance and the fact we created chances against Mikel last season during a match with Manchester United at Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Atalanta at Stamford Bridge. — AFP ing off defender Giulio Migliaccio deep on the right to a strong side like Napoli in their stadium.” — AFP the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, yesterday. — AP