TUESDAY, JANUARY 26, 2016 SPORTS Arsenal doesn’t have a Chelsea block: Wenger

LONDON: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger Mertesacker’s lunge had merited “a red dismissed suggestions that his side have a card without any discussion”. mental block regarding London rivals Chelsea following a 1-0 home defeat that ‘Follow the captain’ carried an air of deja vu. Arsenal were bid- Wenger reacted to Mertesacker’s dis- ding to return to the top of the Premier missal by sending Gabriel on for striker League table in Sunday’s game, but they Olivier Giroud, which drew a chorus of boos were left in third place after Per from the home supporters. But he was Mertesacker was sent off and Diego Costa unrepentant, saying: “Do you want to make scored to give Chelsea a clinical 1-0 victory. a poll for every decision to see who does Arsenal have not beaten Chelsea in what? I make the decision and for me it was nine league games and have not scored a normal decision.” against them in the league in nine hours While Arsenal were left three points and 32 minutes, but Wenger said that below leaders Leicester City, Chelsea put Mertesacker’s 18th-minute dismissal, for a seven points between themselves and the last-man foul on Costa, meant it impossi- bottom three to ease any worst-case-sce- ble to compare the game with previous nario relegation fears that their fans may be fixtures. harboring. The champions, unbeaten in sev- “I think today (Sunday) was a special en league games since Jose Mourinho’s dis- game. We played with 10 men, we were 1-0 missal, remain 14 points below the top four, down straight away. Normally you lose a but Captain John Terry said that Champions game like that 3-0 or 4-0,” he told reporters League qualification was still “doable”. at the Emirates Stadium. “When you have “If the captain says yes, then we’ll follow to chase the game, (there’s) nothing more the captain! You always follow the captain,” dangerous than being down to 10 men. Hiddink said in response. “It’s a gap. If you Overall we come out with a lot of regret see the results in the Premier League, you because we feel we couldn’t play with our see how competitive all the teams are, team. “And looking at Chelsea today, I think whether you’re down at the bottom or high there was a lot of room to beat them if we in the ranking. “All teams can beat all had played with 11 players.” teams. With this gap, it’s difficult to go into Mertesacker was shown a straight red fourth position, but when the captain is TURIN: Juventus’ Paulo Dybala (left) is challenged by Roma’s during a soccer match, at the Juventus stadium. — AFP card for felling Costa after he had latched saying that, I will follow my captain.” onto a through-ball from Willian. The Hiddink also revealed that Costa, with- Chelsea striker immediately made his side’s drawn in the 68th minute, would undergo numerical advantage count by converting tests on a knee injury. “I don’t know if it’s Dybala stuns Roma in Branislav Ivanovic’s cross with a near-post slight or more severe, but we’ll check on it,” volley in the 23rd minute. Costa had goad- said the Dutchman. “It was a little bit on the ed Gabriel into kicking out at him in knee.” Arsenal host second-tier Burnley in September’s reverse fixture, earning the the FA Cup at the weekend before resum- another heated clash Arsenal centre-back a red card, and Wenger ing their title challenge at home to told a TV interviewer: “He has got two Southampton on February 2 and Wenger (Arsenal) players sent off this season.” said that time was on his team’s side. “There TURIN: Argentina striker Paulo Dybala hit his Juve’s game-winning strategy, but admitted: “Our will do his international career, and Roma’s Addressing the print media shortly after, is a long way to go,” said the Frenchman, 12th goal of the Serie A campaign as Juventus priority is to get down to working a certain way. league campaign, little good. It made for a nerv- the Arsenal manager backtracked, saying who welcomed Alexis Sanchez back after maintained their impressive home record over When we start playing and doing well, then we ous opening period and it took Roma 18 min- that he had only been stating “facts”, but two months out with a hamstring injury. Roma with a nervous 1-0 win in Turin on Sunday. can start to talk about our objectives and (our utes to fashion a chance, Alessandro Florenzi maintained that referee Mark Clattenburg’s “What we take from today is that we are Juve had won their last four league meetings at position in) the league table.” With Spalletti testing with a dipping shot that decision had been “harsh”. Chelsea’s interim disappointed, but have a lot of positives home with Roma, scoring at least three goals on deploying a new 3-4-1-2 formation that saw the veteran ‘keeper scooped up with ease. manager Guus Hiddink said that from our attitude and spirit.” — AFP each occasion. Belgian Radja Nainggolan move up Mandzukic was in the spotlight moments At the end of a frustrating encounter that behind strikers Edin Dzeko and Mohamed Salah, after the restart, the Croatian cautioned for could spell trouble for Roma defender Daniele Juve failed to score in the opening half of a league throwing his arm into the face of Antonio De Rossi-suspected of racially abusing Juve’s game for the first time since November when they Rudiger, who crumbled to the ground. Roma Croatian striker Mario Mandzukic-Dybala sent put three, second-half goals past Palermo. breathed a sigh of relief when De Rossi blocked the stadium wild when he ran on to Paul Pogba’s Sami Khedira’s drive into the box after Salah had short through ball to beat Wojciech Szczesny ‘Shut up, shitty gypsy’ given possession away cheaply to Dybala in with a crisp angled strike. But it took only minutes for the game’s first midfield. Roma eventually found their stride Juve’s 14th win and 11th consecutively flashpoint, Juventus winning a free kick after De and for a while Buffon was the busier of the two means they remain second but the champions Rossi was cautioned for an off-the-ball stamp on ‘keepers. Dzeko got his head to Miralem Pjanic’s have closed the gap on Napoli, 4-2 winners over the foot of Mandzukic, who crumbled to the long drive into the area but it went nowhere and Sampdoria earlier Sunday when striker Gonzalo ground in apparent pain. It was then that televi- a half-volley from Nainggolan was deflected Higuain hit his 21st goal in as many games, to sion cameras allegedly caught the Italy defender over the crossbar for a corner. Allegri replaced two points. “To win these type of games, you mouthing an insult, with reports on several Stephan Lichsteiner midway through the second have to strike at the right moment,” said a smil- Italian websites claiming De Rossi said: “Shut up, period and minutes later the Colombian’s high ing Juve coach, . shitty gypsy.” ball found Pogba on the edge of the area. “Paradoxially, in the opening half hour Dybala Both coaches played down the incident, Pogba set up Evra for a snap shot on the left was nowhere to be seen. Then he was brilliant to although Spalletti did not deny the accusation, flank but Roma ‘keeper Wojciech Szczesny pulled score the winning goal for us in the closing adding: “He (De Rossi) didn’t put his hand up to off a great save to block from the Frenchman. stages.” Roma remain fifth but are 12 points off his mouth, but I will tell him to do that next time. Minutes later Juve finally got the breakthrough, the pace after what was Luciano Spalletti’s sec- “In difficult moments like that, certain manners Pogba holding the ball up well amid a panicked ond game in charge following the sacking of can go amiss. But Mandzukic was taking the piss Roma defense to set up Dybala for a first-time strike Rudi Garcia two weeks ago. out of all the (Roma) players during the game.” that zipped past Szczesny and into the far bottom The Italian denied his team had come to stifle If confirmed, De Rossi could expect a ban that corner. — AFP Zidane ‘proud’ despite dent in Real title hopes

MADRID: Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted he was proud of his side’s display despite slipping further behind Barcelona in the title race with a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Sunday. Zidane had cruised to victory in his first two games in charge since replacing MONCHENGLADBACH: Dortmund’s Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Rafael Benitez earlier this month, scoring five (left) and Moenchengladbach’s Swedish defender Oscar Wendt vie during the goals against Deportivo La Coruna and German first division football match Borussia Moenchengladbach vs Sporting Gijon. Borussia Dortmund. — AFP However, Los Blancos were stunned by Alvaro Cejudo’s early opener and, despite dom- Battle between Germany’s inating the majority of the match, could only reply through ’s 21st goal of the top goal scorers heats up season 19 minutes from time. “I am very proud of what they did tonight, we’re just missing BERLIN: While the Bundesliga title-race may net at Gladbach’s Borussia Park on a rare below- two more points,” said the Frenchman. “We are be lacking drama, the battle between hot-shot par evening of frustration for the 26-year-old. on the right track and we need to take the pos- strikers Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and “We put in a good performance, even if I itives. “It is clear losing two points is the nega- Robert Lewandowski to finish as top-scorer am not happy with my own performance,” he tive thing, but there were some very good looks set to enthrall fans until the season’s end. said. “In training, the day before, almost every things tonight and we need to take those posi- Bayern Munich remain on course to shot went in, but it didn’t work out today.” tives forward and fight until the end.” become the first club to win the Bundesliga Aubameyang was signed by Dortmund from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid now lead for a fourth year running after Lewandowski French club St Etienne in 2013 as a future Real by four points at the top of the table, scored twice in Friday’s 2-1 win at Hamburg replacement for Lewandowski, 27, who left whilst Barca also have a game in hand on both to leave his side eight points clear. The Poland for Bayern for the 2014/15 season. sides from the capital. SEVILLA: Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward (right) gestures towards Betis’ international has 17 goals in his 17 league “The truth is I didn’t expect (to drop two goalkeeper Antonio Adan (left) after a clash during the Spanish league football match Real games, but is still one short of Aubameyang, Personal crown points) but football is like that, if you don’t take Betis Balompie vs Real Madrid CF at the Benito Villamarin stadium. — AFP who has scored 18 times in 18 matches for Having set four new Bundesliga records your chances anything can happen,” Zidane second-placed Borussia Dortmund. last September by scoring five goals in nine added. “But given how we played, I can’t A huge 16-point gulf separates Bayern crazy minutes of Bayern’s 5-1 rout of reproach the players for anything.” Liverpool eye cup final spot from third-placed Hertha Berlin with Wolfsburg, the ambitious Lewandowski wants Betis hadn’t scored in their previous seven Dortmund directly in the middle. silverware. The Bavarians have targeted the games as part of a 10-game winless streak, but LONDON: Zigzagging across the road like a clown January 5. With Everton leading Manchester City 2- Aubameyang failed to find the net in treble of Champions League, Bundesliga and needed just seven minutes to make the break- car they may be, but Liverpool are also just 90 min- 1 in the other semi-final, there is the prospect of a Saturday’s 3-1 win at Borussia Moechenglad German Cup before Pep Guardiola leaves at through in spectacular fashion. utes from Wembley ahead of today’s League Cup first Merseyside derby in a major final since the bach-only the fifth league game this season the end of the season. Keylor Navas made a fine save to block semi-final second leg against Stoke City. A team deciding match of the 1988-89 FA Cup, which that recorded seven 1-1 draws in nine games in Liverpool won 3-2. he has failed to score in-but he has still scored In addition, Lewandowski wants the per- Ruben Castro’s first effort, but the ball eventu- 27 goals in all competitions. His tally so far sonal crown as the league’s top scorer for the September and October is beginning to gain a rep- But Liverpool’s fans cannot know which version ally fell to Cejudo on the edge of the area, who utation for slapdash spectaculars, following the of their team will show up the slick, counter-punch- means that, at the same stage of the season, second time, having won it with Dortmund in unleashed a volley into the top corner which he has scored exactly the same amount as the 2013/14. He was superb in Hamburg, convert- recent 3-3 draw at home to Arsenal and Saturday’s ing side that won 3-1 at Chelsea, 4-1 at City and 6-1 Zidane himself would have been proud of in at Southampton, or the meekly surrendering one legendary Gerd Mueller did in 1971/72 on his ing a first-half penalty after goalkeeper Rene remarkable 5-4 victory at Norwich City. his playing days. It has made Jurgen Klopp’s side a breathless beaten in recent weeks by West Ham United, way to hitting a league-record 40 goals. Adler fouled Thomas Mueller, before helping Madrid responded well to going behind and watch, but with a 1-0 lead to protect at Anfield Watford and Newcastle United. Both Aubameyang, Africa’s player of the home Mueller’s strike for the winner. That sec- Cristiano Ronaldo and Pepe both missed glori- today, Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva knows that it year for 2015, and Lewandowski have doubt- ond goal was Lewandowski’s 50th goal for ous chances to equalize before half-time, is imperative his team tighten up at the back. “If we Shawcross doubt ed Mueller’s record will ever fall. And despite Bayern in a mere 76 competitive fixtures and whilst Benzema also had a huge penalty claim can score five goals and defend set-pieces especial- Injuries to Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel mean intense interest from English clubs in the his 17 goals already equals his tally for the waived away. Benzema did finally level from ly a little bit better, we would be winning games that Klopp must continue to depend on the uncon- January transfer window, the Gabon star is whole of last season. more comfortably,” he told the Liverpool website vincing centre-back partnership of Mamadou James Rodriguez’s cutback, but Antonio Adan not leaving Dortmund any time soon. “We While Aubameyang has first-class service after the victory at Carrow Road. Sakho and Kolo Toure, which was badly exposed at don’t worry ourselves for a second about the from his wingers and Heinrikh made brilliant saves from Rodriguez and “But it will give us a lot of belief. On Tuesday we Norwich. But Adam Lallana could return to the departure of Aubameyang. It’s not up for Mkhitaryan at Dortmund, Lewandowski ben- Benzema to salvage a point for Betis. have a very big game, a semi-final and a chance to starting XI after rising from the bench to lash home debate,” said Dortmund coach Thomas efits from the superb support of Mueller. The Barca also face both Atletico and Real at go to Wembley. We will do everything we can to get the 95th-minute winner at Carrow Road. Tuchel, with four years still to run on his strik- Germany forward has 14 goals in 18 games home in the tile run with Atletico visiting the there. “It’s one of the biggest games of the season Stoke went into the first leg on the back of er’s contract. this season, with six assists. Camp Nou next weekend. And Pepe was more until now and a good chance for us to go to impressive victories over Manchester City, “He is a bench-mark for us and we have a lot “We’ve played many games together and realistic about his side’s chances to preventing Wembley. We don’t need any more motivation. “We Manchester United and Everton, but their form has will recover and for sure everyone will be 100 per- tapered off somewhat since the turn of the year planned for him.” As ex-Germany captain get along very well,” Lewandowski said about the European champions claiming a sixth title in eight years. “It isn’t impossible, but it has cent, mentally and physically, for Tuesday.” and they were beaten 3-0 at Leicester City on Lothar Matthaeus suggested to Sky on his partnership with Mueller, which has yield- A draw will suffice for Liverpool to reach a first Saturday. Injuries have also started to bite, with Saturday, England’s top clubs would have to ed 31 goals this season, 65 percent of all of become more difficult and it is a bit further out of our reach,” he said. “We need to keep work- major final since 2012, when they won the League captain Ryan Shawcross a doubt for the trip to fork out at least 100 million Euros to lure Bayern’s goals. “We don’t need to talk a lot, we Cup and lost to Chelsea in the FA Cup final, after Anfield after suffering a recurrence of a back prob- Aubameyang to the Premier League. None of both know how the other plays and where ing as a team and try to get the idea of what Jordon Ibe’s first-half goal settled the first leg on lem at Leicester. —AFP Aubameyang’s four shots on goal found the he’s running.” — AFP Zizou wants as quickly as possible.” — AFP