MONDAY, APRIL 4, 2016 SPORTS

Higuain from hero to zero as Udinese dent Napoli hopes

MILAN: Gonzalo Higuain hit his 30th hour. After an angry exchange with the played great while we just never got to just to make up the numbers. It was a prompted his expulsion. Udinese goal then saw red as Napoli’s match referee, the Argentine striker had play at our usual level. “The defeat will great performance against a top side, remained a threat, Gabriel rushing out to hopes of a first title in 26 years were dealt to be restrained by teammates as he make us angry for a day or so, but it will and one that should give us the belief punch at the feet of former Napoli striker a blow in a bad-tempered 3-1 defeat to tried to remonstrate with Udinese play- also give us enough fuel for the next sev- that we can do it again.” Duvan Zapata after Badu’s overhead kick Udinese. ers. If Napoli fail in their title bid on the en games. “We’re having a great cam- Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly had sent the ball towards goal. Zapata Napoli, who last won the title when final matchday on May 15, this loss will paign. We have to pick ourselves up as was clumsy with his shoulder charge on flashed a header wide following cross played his penultimate be seen as the turning point. soon as as possible.” Juve’s win on Emmanuel Badu and after the referee from Thereau soon after while at the oth- season at the club in 1990, were left with Napoli’s first reverse since a 1-0 defeat Saturday prompted coach Massimiano pointed to the spot Fernandes stepped er end Higuain fired over and Lorenzo a six-point deficit to Juventus after the to Juventus two months ago leaves them Allegri to proclaim: “I hope Napoli drop up to squirm a tame shot under the body Insigne skewed just wide of the near champions’ 1-0 win over Empoli on second at six points behind four-time points.” of Gabriel. Napoli were back on level post. Napoli were stunned on the stroke Saturday. Trailing 2-1 at half-time thanks consecutive champions Juventus with Adding to the pressure, Napoli were terms soon after, Higuain hitting a crisp of half-time when a Gabriel’s poor con- to a Bruno Fernandes double which seven games remaining. without injured ‘keeper Pepe Reina (calf) first-timer past Orestis Karnezis on 24 trol gave possession to Zapata, who included a spot-kick and a spectacular Roma are away at Lazio in the capital for a fixture they had not won at the minutes after Jose Callejon’s drive was twisted and turned before sending a overhead kick, Napoli failed to recover derby later looking to close their seven- Friuli since September 2007. Udinese, charged down. cross over for Fernandes to fire an over- after falling behind to Cyril Thereau’s point gap to second place although despite their poor recent form, had But less than a minute later, Udinese head kick into the empty net. Gabriel strike just before the hour. Having seen defeat for Luciano Spalletti’s visitors Reina’s replacement, Gabriel, flapping in earned another penalty when Silvan was left stranded again although Napoli’s coach Maurizio Sarri sent from the touch- would brighten the Champions League the Napoli net soon after kick-off-prior to Widmer was tripped from behind by defence was primarily at fault 13 minutes lines before the interval for protesting a qualifying hopes of both Fiorentina and which a minute’s applause was held and Faouzi Ghoulam. This time, Gabriel after the restart when Thereau got second penalty award, Napoli suffered Inter , who are five points further AC Milan legend Cesare Maldini, who blocked Fernandes’s poorly-hit shot but between Raul Albiol and Elseid Hysaj a another blow when Higuain was given behind. But Sarri was defiant: “We can’t died at the age of 84. But coach Gigi De the save did not calm the nerves of Sarri, yard from goal to guide a cross from the his marching orders in the final quarter take anything away from Udinese, they Canio affirmed: “We didn’t turn up here whose protestations on the touchlines right past the ‘keeper. — AFP Juve sight record as Roma rout Lazio

MILAN: A record-equalling fifth consecu- final year’s contract, club president James tive crown moved a step closer for Serie A Pallotta is trying to steer the 39-year-old champions Juventus yesterday as Roma into a director’s role instead. maintained their Champions League push Having made only six appearances amid with a 4-1 humiliation of derby rivals Lazio. an injury-hit season, Totti started on the Juventus looked to be down and out of bench as Roma maintained their push for a the title race only months after securing a third consecutive runners-up spot-albeit in league and Cup double last year in a virtually empty stadium as fans largely ’s first season in charge. heeded boycott calls in protest at new But from a dismal start to the campaign security measures. that left the giants only a handful of Coach Luciano Spalletti told Premium points above the relegation zone, Juve Sport: “I’m sorry Totti didn’t have a chance have pulled six points clear of rivals Napoli to come on but as coach I have decisions to following their shock 3-1 defeat at Udinese. make and I have other players who are just Juve, who last won a fifth straight crown as strong as him.” in 1935, managed only a 1-0 win from a The visitors broke the deadlock on 16 dominant performance at home to Empoli minutes when Stephan El Shaarawy got his on Saturday but it was enough for Allegri to head to a cross to claim his maiden goal in proclaim “I hope Napoli drop points” at the ‘Derby della Capitale’. Udinese. The 48-year-old’s wish came true. Lazio’s few positive notes came from Although Argentine striker Gonzalo highly-rated Brazilian forward Felipe Higuain hit his 30th league goal of the Anderson in an otherwise disappointing campaign, Napoli imploded in a bad-tem- first half. “We suffered in the opening half pered display at the Stadio Friuli that saw because it was just too difficult to take pos- coach Maurizio Sarri sent off for dissent and session from them,” said coach Stefano Higuain see red after an angry altercation Pioli. “On their goals, we made big mistakes in the closing quarter hour. but I don’t think the score is a true reflec- Napoli’s dream of securing a first scudet- tion of the game. “In such a difficult season to since Diego Maradona played his penul- we wanted to give some joy to the fans. All timate season with the club in 1990 looks we can do now is give everything we have to be slipping away, especially as Juve have till the end of the season.” an arguably easier run-in. Roma resumed in similar fashion and LEICESTER: Southampton’s Jose Fonte, right, jumps over Southampton’s goalkeeper Fraser Forster chased by Leicester’s Daniel Drinkwater dur- But Sarri says it’s not over yet: “The minutes after replacing El Shaarawy on the ing the English Premier League soccer match between Leicester City and Southampton at the King Power Stadium in Leicester, England, yester- defeat will make us angry for a day or so, hour, Edin Dzeko fired home the rebound day. — AP but it will also give us enough fuel for the from Diego Perotti’s drive when it came off next seven games. the post. German veteran , “No one can point the finger at us who had replaced Alessandro Matri on 56 because we’re six points behind Juventus. minutes, changed Lazio’s prospects by ris- Morgan sends Leicester We’re having a great campaign and I have a ing to head the ball into the path of Marco squad of 25 players who will pick them- Parolo for his easy poke into the net on 75 selves back up and show great determina- minutes. But Roma finished in style, tion to finish the season on a high.” Alessandro Florenzi pouncing on Gil Patric’s seven points clear Although still in the title race, Napoli will poor headed clearance to fire a first-timer now feel the heat from third-placed Roma, past Marchetti, who was left clutching at away, remain seventh and face an uphill battle party, Leicester struck, Christian Fuchs guiding a who humiliated Lazio 4-1 in what may have thin air minutes later when Perotti curled to force their way into the Europa League berths. cross into the box from the left flank and been ’s final derby appear- inside his far post. Leicester 1 With chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha lay- Morgan outjumping Clasie to plant a captain’s ance. A win for over Torino will see ing on free doughnuts and bottles of beer for header inside the left-hand post. Dusan Tadic ’s men move past home fans to mark his birthday and ‘Leicester replaced Matt Targett at half-time for DEADLOCK Fiorentina into fourth place to sit five City Champions 2016’ scarves for sale on the Southampton, who changed to a 4-2-3-1 system, Although Totti is hoping for a 24th and points behind Roma. — AFP Southampton 0 walk to the ground, the atmosphere could bare- but they were almost undone within seconds of ly have been more festive at a sun-soaked King the restart, with Victor Wanyama booked for put- Power Stadium. In a bid to counter Leicester’s ting an arm in Vardy’s face as the England striker two-pronged strike-force of Jamie Vardy and looked to burst clear. LEICESTER: Leicester City captain Wes Morgan Shinji Okazaki, Southampton deployed a back Just past the hour, it took a superb one-hand- scored his first goal in almost a year as the three and while the home side made the early ed stop from Southampton goalkeeper Fraser Premier League fairytale-title chasers edged running, the clearest opportunities of the first Forster to prevent Fonte steering Danny Southampton 1-0 yesterday to establish a half fell to the visitors. Drinkwater’s cross into his own net. potentially decisive seven-point lead. Their best chance saw Graziano Pelle free Ten minutes later Forster was at it again, par- Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-1 draw at Liverpool Sadio Mane, who rounded Kasper Schmeichel rying from right on the goal-line after Simpson on Saturday had given ’s men an and shot, only for the ball to strike Danny took aim at a gaping goal from Vardy’s low cross. opportunity to strengthen their grip on first Simpson’s right forearm as he came across to Koeman had seen his side come from 2-0 down place and they duly took it courtesy of Morgan’s cover the vacant goal. to beat Liverpool 3-2 in their previous game and 38th-minute header. It was Leicester’s fifth 1-0 Southampton appealed for a penalty, but the he threw caution to the wind by sending on victory in six matches and with just six games of right-back’s arm had remained close to his body Charlie Austin and James Ward-Prowse for Clasie the season remaining, the 132-year-old club’s so referee Michael Oliver waved play on. and Steven Davis. Seconds after coming on first ever top-flight title is now tantalisingly with- Austin had a strong penalty appeal when his in sight. AUSTIN APPEAL shot struck Robert Huth’s outstretched left hand, The east Midlands side were bottom of the Pelle also headed over from a Cedric Soares but to the frustration of Southampton-and table a year ago, but require just 12 points from cross, while Jose Fonte fully extended Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester City-Oliver a possible 18 to complete one of the most sen- Schmeichel with a rising drive from 25 yards and was again unmoved. sational underdog triumphs in world football Jordie Clasie shot narrowly over after out- Vardy might have settled the home nerves history. Ronald Koeman’s Southampton, who muscling Riyad Mahrez. late on, only for Forster to repel his prodded had two penalty appeals for handball turned But with Southampton poised to poop the effort, but it mattered not. —AFP Gladbach rout Hertha to climb TURIN: Juventus’ Alvaro Morata goes for the ball during a Serie A soccer match between Juventus and Empoli, at the Juventus Stadium, Turin, , Saturday.— AP into Champions League berths

BERLIN: Borussia Moenchengladbach climbed torn knee ligament last October. places with a dramatic 1-1 draw at home to Dutch Ajax fans pay into the Bundesliga’s Champions League places The floodgates opened in the last 15 minutes Cologne as Kevin Volland’s equaliser came in the yesterday with a 5-0 hammering of Hertha as Herrmannn finished a move he started with 91st minute. The single point lifts Hoffenheim Berlin as Andre Hahn scored his first goal since Hazard on 76 minutes before the Belgian from 16th to 14th and pushes Augsburg into the tribute to Cruyff his horror injury. Gladbach routed third-placed claimed his second on 80 minutes. bottom three. Hertha 4-1 in Berlin last October and again ran With the Hertha defence in disarray, Ibrahima On Saturday, Franck Ribery’s spectacular bicy- THE HAGUE: Hundreds of Dutch football former Ajax forward who played a record 600 riot at Borussia Park as Thorgan Hazard scored Traore replaced Hazard and scored two minutes cle kick sealed Bayern Munich’s 1-0 win over sec- fans yesterday paid further tribute to leg- games with the club. twice with Germany winger Patrick Hermann after coming off the bench to claim Gladbach’s ond-from-bottom Eintracht Frankfurt to keep endary late player Johan Cruyff, marching Cruyff “deserves it more than anyone else. and Ibrahima Traore joining Hahn on the score- fifth. Later Hoffenheim escaped the relegation Pep Guardiola’s side five points clear.— AFP between two Amsterdam stadiums ahead of It is awful that he has died from this terrible sheet. The result sees Gladbach climb from sev- a match by his old team Ajax. “Johan rest in disease. We should make it a day to remem- enth to fourth and are now just three points peace,” proclaimed a large black banner bear- ber,” Swart added. The march came before a behind Hertha with Andre Schubert’s team ing a picture of the Amsterdam boy, who rose game between Ajax and FC Zwolle later hunting a return to the Champions League next to become one of football’s greatest players, Sunday, when there was also to be a minute’s season. carried at the front of the procession. silence before kick-off. About 150 former It was Gladbach’s highest scoring league win The large crowd estimated at around players from the Amsterdam club were also for five years. Gladbach took the lead when 1,500 people sang songs in praise of their to attend the game, the Dutch news agency Hertha’s goalkeeper Rune Jarstein made a hash hero as they walked from De Meer Stadion, ANP said. of his clearance kick on 14 minutes. Borussia’s the former home of Ajax, to the bigger 53,00- Outside Cruyff’s former home in the Mahmoud Dahoud intercepted the ball and his capacity stadium ArenA in the Dutch city. Amsterdam district of Betondorp, fans also pass found Hazard, who fired home. Many of them were wearing the number 14 set off red fireworks. Having led Ajax to the Gladbach doubled their tally with an hour shirt which was Cruyff’s tag during his years European Cup three times in 1971, 1972 and gone when Hahn marked his first start in five with the team. 1973, Cruyff also led the Netherlands to the months with a superb individual effort. Having Cruyff, 68, died on March 24 after a brief 1974 World Cup final where despite losing 2-1 received the ball with his back to goal, Hahn struggle with cancer, triggering a global out- the Dutch won admirers the world over. made enough space to turn and hit the top left- pouring of mourning for a man recognised as About 90,000 Barcelona fans on Saturday also hand corner. having left a huge footballing legacy. took part in a spectacular pre-match display It marked his sweet return to Gladbach’s MOENCHENGLADBACH: Moenchengladbach’s Andre Hahn scores his side’s second goal during “It is wonderful that so many people have to honour Cruyff-a former player and coach starting line-up after a horror tackle by Schalke’s the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Moenchengladbach and Hertha BSC joined in, it’s very special,” said Sjaak Swart, a with the Spanish team.—AFP Johannes Geis left him with a fractured leg and Berlin in Moenchengladbach, Germany, yesterday. — AP