Sports46 FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 Cavani double eliminates holders St Etienne PARIS: A double by Paris Saint Germain’s Uruguayan striker Edinson Cavani eliminated French League Cup holders St Etienne 2-1 from this season’s competition after extra-time of their Last 16 clash on Wednesday. Cavani- who has scored 18 times in 23 games for PSG since he joined from Napoli in the close season-had given the hosts the lead in the first-half only for former PSG striker Turkish international Mevlut Erding to level in the second period to force extra-time. However, Cavani grabbed the winner two minutes from the end of extra-time, though, he looked to be in an offside position when he knocked home Jeremy Menez’s low cross. It was revenge for PSG as they had been knocked out by St Etienne on penalties in the competition last season. PSG’s bitter historical rivals Marseille also progressed by the same scoreline against Toulouse which resulted in their interim coach Jose Anigo announcing he would still be in the role after the winter break as he celebrated his first win in charge. Former Toulouse star Andre-Pierre Gignac grabbed Marseille’s winner from the penalty spot in a com- petition that Anigo-who stepped in after Elie Baup was sacked earlier this month-said is low on his list of targets compared to the French Cup despite PARIS: Paris Saint-Germain’s Uruguayan forward Edinson Cavani kicks the ball to score during the French League Cup round of sixteen Marseille having almost made it their football match between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Saint-Etienne (ASSE) on December 18, 2013. — AFP own in recent years having won it in 2010, 2011 and 2012. “I am very happy with this result,” said Anigo. “But I know that first thing in Arsenal, Chelsea look the morning it will be time to sit down and assess how we approach this week- end’s game with Bordeaux which will to find form at the top not be an easy one as they are the side playing with the most confidence at the moment.” Earlier seven-time French LONDON: Arsenal and Chelsea fill two of sion for making an offensive gesture Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas his job - champions Lyon reached the quarter- the Premier League’s top three spots but towards City fans at the Etihad Stadium. will look to put pressure on Arsenal and finals with a 3-2 win over fellow Ligue 1 will be hoping to shrug off indifferent Chelsea will also be hoping to pick up Chelsea with a victory over Cardiff City side Reims. form as they get the busy Christmas peri- momentum, having lost in extra-time to tomorrow (1245). French defender Lyon, who have won the League Cup od underway when they clash on Monday struggling Sunderland in the League Cup Mamadou Sakho said they were deter- just once in 2001, twice took a two goal (2000 GMT). The feelgood factor around on Tuesday, and having put in an uncon- mined to prove they deserved their place Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal was dented fol- vincing performance in battling past back among the top echelon of English lead only to see Reims come back to lowing their 6-3 battering at the hands of Crystal Palace 2-1 last weekend. They football. trail by just a goal. Goals by France inter- Manchester City tomorrow, a result that managed 17 shots on target against “I think it’s a very strong message that national forward Bafetimbi Gomis and trimmed their advantage at the top to two Sunderland, and manager Jose Mourinho we’ve sent, and while our main aim is to Alexandre Lacazette-both scorers in points. said they were paying the price for failing be in the places for the Champions Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Marseille-seem- That loss came on the back of a 2-0 to be ruthless in front of goal. “It is the League, we will see how things stand ingly put Lyon in a comfortable position Champions League defeat by Napoli, a same story of Stoke, of Everton, of every towards the end of the season to see if we at 2-0 up by the hour mark. Gomis nod- result that knocked them into second match we lost,” the Portuguese said. “We are in the running for the title itself,” he ded home at the far post from place in the group and a resulting last 16 never lost a match because the opponent told the club’s website Lacazette’s cross in the 58th minute match-up with European champions is stronger than us. “We don’t kill the (www.liverpoolfc.com). Tomorrow’s other while the latter extended their lead on Bayern Munich. Wenger pointed the fin- opponent, we give them life. It’s always matches see Crystal Palace host the hour with a super right-foooted shot ger at a congested schedule for recent the same.” Newcastle, champions Manchester United after excellent lead-up work by play- results, rather than any longer-term host West Ham, Aston Villa travel to Stoke, malaise, but was hoping for a tighter AGUERO BLOW Sunderland play Norwich and West maker Yoann Gourcuff. defensive effort after coughing up eight Having won all eight home matches Bromwich Albion, who sacked head coach Gourcuff, whose inconsistency has goals in two matches. “We didn’t defend and scored 35 goals in the process, fourth- Steve Clarke tomorrow, host Hull (all attracted criticism, restored their two well from up front and did not show placed Manchester City will head to 1500). goal advantage-after Prince O’Niangue enough solidarity defensively,” Wenger Fulham tomorrow (1500) hoping to trans- Southampton host Spurs on Sunday had made it 2-1 - eight minutes from said after the City loss. late that dominance to their travels. (1330), hoping to take advantage of the time with a cracking shot from long “That’s too easy going. We had the best Sergio Aguero, who has scored 13 league upheaval at the north London club and range having already gone close only to defense until now in the league and to goals this season, could be out for up to arrest a slide that has seen them fail to win see his shot come back off the post. give six goals like we did is just difficult to two months with a calf injury, while fellow in five league matches. However, Lyon’s habit of letting slip accept because we lost our discipline and Argentina international Pablo Zabaleta is Tim Sherwood will be in the dug-out leads throughout the season-they led in the big games and you pay for that. doubtful after hurting a hamstring in the for Spurs for his first league match in Marseille 2-0 last Sunday before being “The schedule didn’t help us, let’s be fair 3-1 League Cup win over Championship charge since replacing Villas-Boas on a held to a draw-looked as if it was going as well,” he added. “You could see that the side Leicester City. temporary basis, having led them to a 2-1 to happen again as Reims scored four legs were tired and you play Sunday, Second-placed Liverpool, level with defeat by West Ham in the League Cup Wednesday, Saturday morning, it’s too dif- Chelsea on 33 points and fresh from their quarter-final on Wednesday. Sunday’s oth- minutes from the end of normal time ficult.” Arsenal could be without Jack Luis Suarez-inspired 5-0 mauling of er match sees in-form Everton travel to through Floyd Ayite’s penalty.— AFP Wilshere, who faces a two-game suspen- Tottenham Hotspur - a result that cost Swansea City (1600).—Reuters.