Title hopefuls Rennes and Toulouse stayed locked together in Ligue 1 after sharing a goalless draw.
The defences were largely on top with Toulouse striker Andre-Pierre Gignac the only player who looked likely to break the deadlock.
The stalemate dropped the pair to fifth and sixth, with Rennes ahead on goal difference, four points behind leaders Lyon, who have a game in hand.
Paris St Germain climbed above Rennes and Toulouse as goals from Guillaume Hoarau and Peguy Luyindula in the space of 10 second-half minutes earned the capital club all three points against Caen.
Hoarau opened the scoring after 48 minutes and Luyindula added a second 10 minutes later as the home side made their dominance pay with a 2-0 victory that saw them move up to third.
Monaco brought an end to a five-match winless run by posting a smash-and-grab victory over Grenoble at Stade Louis II.
Alexandre Licata scored the only goal of the game after 67 minutes to lift the principality club to mid-table safety, eight points from the drop zone.
Nantes took a huge leap away from the relegation zone with a convincing 2-0 win at Le Mans.
Yoann Poulard and Frederic Da Rocha both scored in the second half to lift Nantes up to 12th place on 26 points, leapfrogging Le Mans, who slip to 13th.
A goal by Landry Nguemo in the third minute of injury time earned Nancy a 3-2 victory over Le Havre after the home side looked to have earned a draw with a late strike of their own.
Le Havre led early on through Amadou Alassane only for Julien Feret and Jonathan Brison to put the visitors ahead by half-time.
Le Havre were back on level terms a minute into stoppage time through Alassane but Nguemo snatched a dramatic winner.
Valenciennes earned a timely boost in the battle to avoid relegation thanks to Gregory Pujol's second-half goal in a 1-0 win over Nice at an icy Stade Nungessar.
Struggling Auxerre avoided a fifth league defeat in a row as they battled to a goalless draw with mid-table Lorient.
Both teams had chances to claim the victory with home keeper Olivier Sorin producing a brilliant second-half save to deny Kevin Gameiro.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
VOLENDAM MAKE THEIR POINT
NAC Breda's European aspirations took a knock as they were surprisingly held to a draw at home to basement side FC Volendam.
After Volendam spurned the chance to go ahead when Bernard Hofstede blasted a first-half penalty over the bar, NAC opened the scoring after 64 minutes through Joonas Kolkka.
Volendam refused to lie down, however, and levelled through Rowin Van Zaanen just six minutes later.
The draw meant NAC missed the chance to climb into fifth place in the Eredivisie standings while Volendam remain four points adrift at the foot of table.
The visitors will reflect on what might have been after missing a great chance to nose ahead after 25 minutes.
Tyrone Loran felled Person Sheotahul in the area after 25 minutes giving Hofstede the chance to break the deadlock from the spot only to blaze over the bar.
NAC's best chance of the half came on the stroke of half-time as Volendam goalkeeper Jeroen Verhoeven failed to intercept Czaber Feher's cross at the near post but none of the home attackers could react to poke the ball into the yawning net.
The hosts made amends just after the hour when Kolkka picked up the ball outside the Volendam box and advanced a few paces before unleashing a shot into the bottom-right corner of Verhoeven's goal.
Volendam hit back quickly, however, and made sure they left with a point when Van Zaanen found himself all alone in front of goal after latching on to a through ball and had the simplest of tasks to steer his effort beyond Jelle ten Rouwelaar.
After Volendam spurned the chance to go ahead when Bernard Hofstede blasted a first-half penalty over the bar, NAC opened the scoring after 64 minutes through Joonas Kolkka.
Volendam refused to lie down, however, and levelled through Rowin Van Zaanen just six minutes later.
The draw meant NAC missed the chance to climb into fifth place in the Eredivisie standings while Volendam remain four points adrift at the foot of table.
The visitors will reflect on what might have been after missing a great chance to nose ahead after 25 minutes.
Tyrone Loran felled Person Sheotahul in the area after 25 minutes giving Hofstede the chance to break the deadlock from the spot only to blaze over the bar.
NAC's best chance of the half came on the stroke of half-time as Volendam goalkeeper Jeroen Verhoeven failed to intercept Czaber Feher's cross at the near post but none of the home attackers could react to poke the ball into the yawning net.
The hosts made amends just after the hour when Kolkka picked up the ball outside the Volendam box and advanced a few paces before unleashing a shot into the bottom-right corner of Verhoeven's goal.
Volendam hit back quickly, however, and made sure they left with a point when Van Zaanen found himself all alone in front of goal after latching on to a through ball and had the simplest of tasks to steer his effort beyond Jelle ten Rouwelaar.
CAGLIARI DENT JUVE'S TITLE HOPES
Juventus's title challenge was dealt a major blow by a carefree Cagliari, who stunned the Bianconeri at the Stadio Olimpico tonight.
Davide Biondini put Massimiliano Allegri's side ahead in the 16th minute, but the home side recovered to turn the game around before half-time with goals from Mohamed Sissoko, in the 31st minute, and Pavel Nedved, seven minutes later.
Jeda brought Cagliari back on terms in the 54th minute and Alessandro Matri sealed the win with just over 10 minutes remaining to maintain the Sardinians' unlikely charge for a place in Europe next season.
It took Cagliari six games to register their first points this season, but they have not looked back since, moving up to seventh place with this latest win.
Meanwhile, Juve could find themselves nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan and behind AC Milan if results go against them tomorrow.
Juve defender Nicola Legrottaglie was the unlikely source of their first chance in the 12th minute when he volleyed straight at Federico Marchetto from 10 yards after staying up following a corner.
Moments later, Sissoko juggled the ball into the penalty area where he played a neat one-two with Amauri only to hit his shot wide.
Cagliari took the lead with their first attack, stunning Juve when Biondini beat Marco Marchionni at the far post to head past Gianluigi Buffon in the 16th minute.
Juve reacted well and levelled with just over half an hour gone.
Alessandro Del Piero's corner from the left tempted both Legrottaglie and Sissoko and the latter got the telling touch with his head to beat Marchetti from eight yards.
Cagliari then had the chance to restore their lead when Michele Fini volleyed wide after being found by Andrea Cossu.
But it was Juve who went ahead in the 38th minute - Nedved beating Marchetti low into his bottom right corner when Cristian Molinaro's cross was headed back to him 10 yards out by Daniele Conti.
Juve were made to rue missed chances as Cagliari fought back in the second half to turn the game in their favour.
Jeda brought them level nine minutes in, finishing off an excellent break with a cool finish from Cossu's cross.
Another quick break took Cagliari ahead for the second time in the game.
Andrea Lazzari squared the ball for substitute Matri, who picked his spot to the left of Buffon from just outside the penalty area.
Juve finished the game with three strikers when Vincenzo Iaquinta came on, but they rarely looked like equalising as they lost their second consecutive game to lose further ground on the Serie A summit.
Davide Biondini put Massimiliano Allegri's side ahead in the 16th minute, but the home side recovered to turn the game around before half-time with goals from Mohamed Sissoko, in the 31st minute, and Pavel Nedved, seven minutes later.
Jeda brought Cagliari back on terms in the 54th minute and Alessandro Matri sealed the win with just over 10 minutes remaining to maintain the Sardinians' unlikely charge for a place in Europe next season.
It took Cagliari six games to register their first points this season, but they have not looked back since, moving up to seventh place with this latest win.
Meanwhile, Juve could find themselves nine points behind league leaders Inter Milan and behind AC Milan if results go against them tomorrow.
Juve defender Nicola Legrottaglie was the unlikely source of their first chance in the 12th minute when he volleyed straight at Federico Marchetto from 10 yards after staying up following a corner.
Moments later, Sissoko juggled the ball into the penalty area where he played a neat one-two with Amauri only to hit his shot wide.
Cagliari took the lead with their first attack, stunning Juve when Biondini beat Marco Marchionni at the far post to head past Gianluigi Buffon in the 16th minute.
Juve reacted well and levelled with just over half an hour gone.
Alessandro Del Piero's corner from the left tempted both Legrottaglie and Sissoko and the latter got the telling touch with his head to beat Marchetti from eight yards.
Cagliari then had the chance to restore their lead when Michele Fini volleyed wide after being found by Andrea Cossu.
But it was Juve who went ahead in the 38th minute - Nedved beating Marchetti low into his bottom right corner when Cristian Molinaro's cross was headed back to him 10 yards out by Daniele Conti.
Juve were made to rue missed chances as Cagliari fought back in the second half to turn the game in their favour.
Jeda brought them level nine minutes in, finishing off an excellent break with a cool finish from Cossu's cross.
Another quick break took Cagliari ahead for the second time in the game.
Andrea Lazzari squared the ball for substitute Matri, who picked his spot to the left of Buffon from just outside the penalty area.
Juve finished the game with three strikers when Vincenzo Iaquinta came on, but they rarely looked like equalising as they lost their second consecutive game to lose further ground on the Serie A summit.
SIX WINS IN A ROW FOR REAL
Raul equalled Real Madrid's all-time scoring record to send his side on their way to victory at lowly Numancia.
The 31-year-old striker netted his 307th goal for the Real, where he has spent his entire professional career, and Arjen Robben added a classy second to narrow the gap on leaders Barcelona, who play Racing Santander on Sunday.
The gap is still nine points and may be back to 12 in 24 hours' time, but tonight's win was Real's sixth in a row in the league at least maintains the pressure on their arch-rivals.
In contrast, Numancia are becoming increasingly embroiled in a relegation battle having lost three on the bounce, although it could have been a story had they taken their early chances at La Parajeto.
The hosts tasted first blood when Gonzalez Boris headed straight at goalkeeper Iker Casillas from Jose Barkero's cross and that set the tone for much of the first half as they refused to be daunted by their superior opponents.
Javier Del Pino had the best chance in the 27th minute, his header crashing back off the right post with Casillas helpless, and Gorka Brit also squandered a good opportunity when his half-volley from a tight angle squeezed the wrong side of the near post.
Madrid also had their chances. Gonzalo Higuain's long-range shot was gathered at the second attempt by keeper Colinas Juan Pablo early on and Gabriel Heinz had a header cleared off the line by Boris.
In between those chances, Robben set up Fernando Gago after a jinking run down the right, but the midfielder mistimed his shot and it scuffed harmlessly wide.
Higuain again tried his luck from distance as half-time approached, and Madrid perhaps would have considered themselves fortunate to reach the break with 11 men still on the pitch as Sergio Ramos, booked in the seventh minute for a hack on Del Pino, committed a series of untidy fouls.
The second half was just three minutes old when Madrid broke the deadlock. Robben, lively all game, surged into the heart of the Numancia defence before laying off to Higuain, whose shot was palmed away by Juan Pablo.
The rebound fell straight to Raul though, who bundled home from close range for his 307th goal, equalling Alfredo di Stefano's all-time record.
Eight minutes later Robben doubled the lead with his fifth goal of the season. The diminutive Dutchman, having just been fouled, took a quick free-kick, received the ball straight back and slalomed in between Numancia's defence before swerving to his left on the edge of the box and dispatching a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Thereafter the chances dried up, the champions seemingly happy to sit back on their lead.
Jose Barkero tried his luck from a 25-yard free-kick in the 74th minute but curled it well over, and Numancia were then given a lifeline when Gago was dismissed five minutes later for a second booking.
It proved irrelevant to the result, however, as Real shut up shop for the final 10 minutes.
The 31-year-old striker netted his 307th goal for the Real, where he has spent his entire professional career, and Arjen Robben added a classy second to narrow the gap on leaders Barcelona, who play Racing Santander on Sunday.
The gap is still nine points and may be back to 12 in 24 hours' time, but tonight's win was Real's sixth in a row in the league at least maintains the pressure on their arch-rivals.
In contrast, Numancia are becoming increasingly embroiled in a relegation battle having lost three on the bounce, although it could have been a story had they taken their early chances at La Parajeto.
The hosts tasted first blood when Gonzalez Boris headed straight at goalkeeper Iker Casillas from Jose Barkero's cross and that set the tone for much of the first half as they refused to be daunted by their superior opponents.
Javier Del Pino had the best chance in the 27th minute, his header crashing back off the right post with Casillas helpless, and Gorka Brit also squandered a good opportunity when his half-volley from a tight angle squeezed the wrong side of the near post.
Madrid also had their chances. Gonzalo Higuain's long-range shot was gathered at the second attempt by keeper Colinas Juan Pablo early on and Gabriel Heinz had a header cleared off the line by Boris.
In between those chances, Robben set up Fernando Gago after a jinking run down the right, but the midfielder mistimed his shot and it scuffed harmlessly wide.
Higuain again tried his luck from distance as half-time approached, and Madrid perhaps would have considered themselves fortunate to reach the break with 11 men still on the pitch as Sergio Ramos, booked in the seventh minute for a hack on Del Pino, committed a series of untidy fouls.
The second half was just three minutes old when Madrid broke the deadlock. Robben, lively all game, surged into the heart of the Numancia defence before laying off to Higuain, whose shot was palmed away by Juan Pablo.
The rebound fell straight to Raul though, who bundled home from close range for his 307th goal, equalling Alfredo di Stefano's all-time record.
Eight minutes later Robben doubled the lead with his fifth goal of the season. The diminutive Dutchman, having just been fouled, took a quick free-kick, received the ball straight back and slalomed in between Numancia's defence before swerving to his left on the edge of the box and dispatching a low shot into the bottom left corner.
Thereafter the chances dried up, the champions seemingly happy to sit back on their lead.
Jose Barkero tried his luck from a 25-yard free-kick in the 74th minute but curled it well over, and Numancia were then given a lifeline when Gago was dismissed five minutes later for a second booking.
It proved irrelevant to the result, however, as Real shut up shop for the final 10 minutes.
Liverpool vs. Chelsea
Rafa Benitez and Luiz Felipe Scolari are feeling the pressure of Sunday's showdown
An upbeat Rafael Benitez on Friday laughed off suggestions he was "cracking up" under the pressure generated by Liverpool's faltering form.
A run of seven draws in their last 11 league matches has seen Benitez's men hand the initiative in the title battle to champions Manchester United and made Sunday's Anfield meeting with Chelsea a critical encounter.
The Reds' loss of momentum has increased the critical focus on Benitez's team selection and tactics at a time when his outburst against United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and a string of cryptic comments in press conferences have contributed to a sense that the pressure was beginning to tell on the Spaniard.
That is an impression he was at pains to dispel on Friday as he went through his reasons for substituting both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in the midweek draw at Wigan (tiredness and fear of injury), while insisting there was much for Liverpool fans to be cheerful about.
"We are eight points better off than we were at this stage last season," Benitez pointed out. "We are very positive and if we can beat Chelsea everybody will be talking in a different way about us.
"We are in our best position for the last 10-15 years. So we have to enjoy it and try to keep doing our best.
"There is no extra pressure on me. I can guarantee that I have not read a newspaper, listened to radio or watched TV since the Wigan game.
"I spent Thursday enjoying some time off with my family because I knew there would be a lot of people trying to talk about things they do not know about."
Benitez did not deny that the Chelsea match had become a must-win clash.
"We showed character and quality to beat them earlier in the season, and we showed the same things in beating Manchester United here.
"Now if we can continue to show those qualities and beat Chelsea again, maybe we will be in the headlines for something positive.
"It has always been important to beat sides who are at the top, but maybe this year even more because we are very close to them."
Benitez also insisted he did not regret any of the decisions he has made this month, which have included the controversial dropping of Robbie Keane for an FA Cup match against Everton as well as going public with his feelings about Ferguson.
"It has a bad month but the only thing that I would have done differently would have been to drink more water to maybe avoid the kidney stones trouble I have had," Benitez insisted.
"But on the pitch, no. There have been very fine details that have cost us points. At Stoke in the final minutes Steven Gerrard hit a post. Against Everton we conceded a very late free-kick that should have bee avoided when they equalised.
"And at Wigan we gave away a late penalty. You cannot control everything, but we should have six more points."
Benitez added: "This has always been a must-win-game. As they all are. After my comments about Mr Ferguson we knew we still had to win at Stoke, those words didn't change anything on the pitch. It doesn't matter what is being said off the pitch."
An upbeat Rafael Benitez on Friday laughed off suggestions he was "cracking up" under the pressure generated by Liverpool's faltering form.
A run of seven draws in their last 11 league matches has seen Benitez's men hand the initiative in the title battle to champions Manchester United and made Sunday's Anfield meeting with Chelsea a critical encounter.
The Reds' loss of momentum has increased the critical focus on Benitez's team selection and tactics at a time when his outburst against United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and a string of cryptic comments in press conferences have contributed to a sense that the pressure was beginning to tell on the Spaniard.
That is an impression he was at pains to dispel on Friday as he went through his reasons for substituting both Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard in the midweek draw at Wigan (tiredness and fear of injury), while insisting there was much for Liverpool fans to be cheerful about.
"We are eight points better off than we were at this stage last season," Benitez pointed out. "We are very positive and if we can beat Chelsea everybody will be talking in a different way about us.
"We are in our best position for the last 10-15 years. So we have to enjoy it and try to keep doing our best.
"There is no extra pressure on me. I can guarantee that I have not read a newspaper, listened to radio or watched TV since the Wigan game.
"I spent Thursday enjoying some time off with my family because I knew there would be a lot of people trying to talk about things they do not know about."
Benitez did not deny that the Chelsea match had become a must-win clash.
"We showed character and quality to beat them earlier in the season, and we showed the same things in beating Manchester United here.
"Now if we can continue to show those qualities and beat Chelsea again, maybe we will be in the headlines for something positive.
"It has always been important to beat sides who are at the top, but maybe this year even more because we are very close to them."
Benitez also insisted he did not regret any of the decisions he has made this month, which have included the controversial dropping of Robbie Keane for an FA Cup match against Everton as well as going public with his feelings about Ferguson.
"It has a bad month but the only thing that I would have done differently would have been to drink more water to maybe avoid the kidney stones trouble I have had," Benitez insisted.
"But on the pitch, no. There have been very fine details that have cost us points. At Stoke in the final minutes Steven Gerrard hit a post. Against Everton we conceded a very late free-kick that should have bee avoided when they equalised.
"And at Wigan we gave away a late penalty. You cannot control everything, but we should have six more points."
Benitez added: "This has always been a must-win-game. As they all are. After my comments about Mr Ferguson we knew we still had to win at Stoke, those words didn't change anything on the pitch. It doesn't matter what is being said off the pitch."
Manchester United manager ready for title twists
Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson said he expected there to be tricky moments between now and the end of the season after seeing his side extend their Premier League lead.
United's 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford here Saturday left then five points clear at the top of the table with 15 league games remaining and ideally placed to claim a third successive Premier League title.
But Ferguson refused to get carried away after Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half penalty earned his side a seventh straight league win.
"The important thing is we keep the form going," said Ferguson. "We have a difficult game away to West Ham next week. All teams drop points in the run-in. We just hope we don't drop as many as the rest," the Scot added
"It's an advantage (being top). It's not a great advantage because there are still 15 games left. But it's always better to be top of the league than anywhere else."
Having started January third in the table, United ended the month with a significant advantage over closest challengers Liverpool and Chelsea and a game in hand.
Michael Carrick, sent tumbling by Mikel Arteta in the 44th minute for the spot-kick which allowed Ronaldo to notch his 13th goal of the season, said: "Who know how decisive our five-point advantage can be?
"We've done our bit this weekend," added Carrick. We're happy with 1-0, we've got another clean sheet and we had chances to score a few more."
And the England midfielder was adamant that United had yet to hit top form.
"We can be satisfied with the three points, but there's still more to come from us."
United's latest victory saw their Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar set an all-time English record for the most number of minutes without conceding a league goal.
His latest top-flight, shut-out meant van der Sar had not conceded a goal in 18 hours and 42 minutes of action in the top tier.
Frenchman Samir Nasri was the last player to beat the 38-year-old in the Premier League during Arsenal's 2-1 home win over United on November 8.
Since then van der Sar has gone 12 league games without letting in a goal, an achievement not lost on his manager.
"The composure he brings, the experience he brings…Edwin has been outstanding for us," said Ferguson.
"I couldn't believe it when I read that the last goal we conceded in the league was at Arsenal back in November. It's incredible. Edwin brings a calm and an assurance to the players in front of him.
"I don't know how many times w"But the record says a lot for the players that have come in. You really have to pay credit to Edwin," the boss of the English, European and world champions added.
Ferguson insisted United should have been awarded another penalty after Joleon Lescott fouled Carrick in the second-half.
"I think (Lescott on Carrick) was a clear penalty. No question about that. It was more of a penalty than the first one."
Everton manager David Moyes had few complaints about the match-winning penalty and praised his side for frustrating United for long spells.
"I'm always proud of my players because they always do a good job," said Moyes, after his side's first defeat in 10 matches. "They have come here and done another one for me."
Moyes will now turn his attention to Wednesday's FA Cup fourth round replay with Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.e have had to change the back four over the last 12 games.
United's 1-0 win over Everton at Old Trafford here Saturday left then five points clear at the top of the table with 15 league games remaining and ideally placed to claim a third successive Premier League title.
But Ferguson refused to get carried away after Cristiano Ronaldo's first-half penalty earned his side a seventh straight league win.
"The important thing is we keep the form going," said Ferguson. "We have a difficult game away to West Ham next week. All teams drop points in the run-in. We just hope we don't drop as many as the rest," the Scot added
"It's an advantage (being top). It's not a great advantage because there are still 15 games left. But it's always better to be top of the league than anywhere else."
Having started January third in the table, United ended the month with a significant advantage over closest challengers Liverpool and Chelsea and a game in hand.
Michael Carrick, sent tumbling by Mikel Arteta in the 44th minute for the spot-kick which allowed Ronaldo to notch his 13th goal of the season, said: "Who know how decisive our five-point advantage can be?
"We've done our bit this weekend," added Carrick. We're happy with 1-0, we've got another clean sheet and we had chances to score a few more."
And the England midfielder was adamant that United had yet to hit top form.
"We can be satisfied with the three points, but there's still more to come from us."
United's latest victory saw their Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar set an all-time English record for the most number of minutes without conceding a league goal.
His latest top-flight, shut-out meant van der Sar had not conceded a goal in 18 hours and 42 minutes of action in the top tier.
Frenchman Samir Nasri was the last player to beat the 38-year-old in the Premier League during Arsenal's 2-1 home win over United on November 8.
Since then van der Sar has gone 12 league games without letting in a goal, an achievement not lost on his manager.
"The composure he brings, the experience he brings…Edwin has been outstanding for us," said Ferguson.
"I couldn't believe it when I read that the last goal we conceded in the league was at Arsenal back in November. It's incredible. Edwin brings a calm and an assurance to the players in front of him.
"I don't know how many times w"But the record says a lot for the players that have come in. You really have to pay credit to Edwin," the boss of the English, European and world champions added.
Ferguson insisted United should have been awarded another penalty after Joleon Lescott fouled Carrick in the second-half.
"I think (Lescott on Carrick) was a clear penalty. No question about that. It was more of a penalty than the first one."
Everton manager David Moyes had few complaints about the match-winning penalty and praised his side for frustrating United for long spells.
"I'm always proud of my players because they always do a good job," said Moyes, after his side's first defeat in 10 matches. "They have come here and done another one for me."
Moyes will now turn his attention to Wednesday's FA Cup fourth round replay with Merseyside neighbours Liverpool.e have had to change the back four over the last 12 games.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
