Barcelona defeated Atletico Madrid in home and escalates its King Cup semifinal

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Atletico Madrid's midfielder Raul Garcia (L) vies with Barcelona's Brazilian forward
Madrid (AFP) - Barcelona boss Luis Enrique said he had to substitute two-goal star Neymar to prevent the Brazilian from being injured as his side's Copa del Rey quarter-final, second leg with Atletico Madrid turned nasty.

The Catalans went through 4-2 on aggregate after coming from behind twice to win 3-2 on the night as Atletico were reduced to nine men and were lucky not to be more harshly punished when Arda Turan was only booked for throwing his boot at an assistant referee.

"The moment arrived when the game had got ugly and we took off Neymar so it didn't get any more heated," said Enrique.

"Players ought to be intelligent and know that they are fellow professionals."

Neymar had already put Atletico's hopes of reaching the last four to the sword well before he was replaced by Pedro Rodriguez 13 minutes from time.

The Brazilian levelled with his 20th goal of the season after Fernando Torres had brought Atletico level in the tie with a first minute opener.

Raul Garcia then briefly put Atletico back in front from the spot, but Miranda's own goal made it 2-2 before Neymar pounced again on the counter-attack three minutes before the break.

Atletico captain Gabi was then sent-off at half-time and Mario Suarez was also dismissed as the Spanish champions completely lost their heads after the break.

"Neymar showed the attitude he always does. He is a player with a lot of confidence and helps us all in all phases of the game. Today he was outstanding," added Enrique.

However, Atletico boss Diego Simeone defended his players despite referee Jesus Gil Manzano showing six yellow cards and two reds to his side during a tempestuous 90 minutes.

"I feel proud of my players. In the first-half they were extraordinary and showed an incredible fight.

"It was very difficult to attack because the ball was bobbling all the time. Barcelona played on the counter-attack, which is rare for them and they did it very well."

Simeone also accepted the responsibility for his side's showing after the break as he shut up shop in hope of avoiding a more demoralising scoreline.

"In the second-half due to my decision the team played as you saw, without taking any risks so that they didn't score.

"I tried to do the best for my club and my players. We played the most convenient way for us. I am the coach and it is what I thought was the right thing to do."

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Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0

Match report: Chelsea 1 Liverpool 0 (2-1 on agg)

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It was well worth the wait! The Blues needed extra time to see off Liverpool in this semi-final but we are on the way back to Wembley.
Our away goal in the 1-1 at Anfield meant we were ahead in the tie once the normal-time 90 minutes produced no goals at Stamford Bridge, but Branislav Ivanovic’s headed goal was welcome extra insurance against defeat and one good Liverpool chance apart, we saw out the rest of the game with few alarms.
There were contrasting halves in normal time – the first one tight with few opportunities, the biggest talking point a penalty not awarded to Diego Costa. The second was full of counter-attacks with Eden Hazard and Diego Costa going close.
We take on the winners of the Sheffield United v Tottenham tie which will be completed tomorrow night (Wednesday) when we play the Capital One Cup final on 1 March.
Team News
As anticipated and as Jose Mourinho indicated in the lead-up to this game, there were many changes from the side that played Bradford. In contrast to last week’s first leg at Anfield, there were just two names different in the starting line-up.
Kurt Zouma was the defender selected to play alongside John Terry and Oscar returned, with Cesc Fabregas dropping deeper. John Mikel Obi, who went off with a head injury in the weekend game against Bradford, was not involved.
Brendon Rodgers named the same side as started the 1-1 draw on Merseyside.

First half
The opening half typified a semi-final, with a competitive edge throughout and a hint of tension in the play; neither side making as much of promising positions as you would normally expect. As a consequence, chances were limited.

On the first opportunity to counter-attack. Diego Costa left Mamadou Sakho in his wake with a combination of skill and speed. Lucas reached the ball crossed into middle a fraction before Willian.
On his second chance to really extend his legs down that right flank, Diego Costa looked to have been fouled by the chasing Raheem Sterling but with nothing given.
Nemanja Matic put on the burners to tidy up inside the Chelsea penalty area shortly after when Markovic briefly threatened, so the first 15 minutes passed with no genuine attempts on either goal.
Zouma did superbly to bring the next Liverpool attack to an end after Terry had got a toe to the ball as Sterling ran into our area at pace. Hazard wasn’t far away from a typical, powered Ivanovic delivery as the game continued to heat up.
Midway through the half Chelsea were denied what appeared a clear penalty. Oscar had manoeuvred beyond Jordan Henderson and played a clever ball. Diego Costa was twisting to cross as Skrtel’s leg came in and tripped him. Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea bench waited for referee Michael Oliver to point to the spot, but the signal did not come.
Chelsea had begun to get a grip on the game but it loosened on 26 minutes when Alberto Moreno was found on an overlapping run. Thibaut Courtois, a hero in the first leg, made a very good save. He then did equally well with his leg to keep the scores level after Philippe Coutinho made his own shooting space with a dart inside Zouma.
This was Liverpool’s best spell. Chelsea weren’t keeping the ball. We had a chance to go for goal on 37 minutes when Oscar was fouled. He took the free-kick but although it went over the wall it also went wide, as did his longer-range shot in open play moments later.
Liverpool had been quick to get bodies out to Hazard on the left where he had caused them problems a week ago. When the Belgian carried the ball infield shortly before the interval, Henderson could only stop him illegally and became the first player booked.
Second half
Terry won a vital challenge as Gerrard’s pass was heading Sterling’s way but in the follow-through collided with Fabregas who was soon over telling the bench he needed to come off. Jose Mourinho later reported it was a concern over how his hamstring felt.
Before Ramires could join the action, Skrtel was not a million miles away from turning a clearance at his own goal as Hazard drove the ball across.
Lucas took out Oscar who was charging down the middle and was booked, before the ref talked to a group of players as tempers raised after Diego Costa and Skrtel tangled.
Liverpool also lost a player to injury early in the half, with Glen Johnson on for Sakho.
Hazard, with the best moment of individual quality in the game, carved his way into a shooting position and flashed just wide. Diego Costa had a half-blocked-shot saved by the leg of Mignolet and Gerrard then drove a shot straight into the arms of Courtois. The game was suddenly open and end to end.
Diego Costa was on to loose ball inside the box in the blink of an eye but as he tried to nip past Mignolet the keeper got his foot the ball. Courtois was in action too – rapid and decisive in beating Sterling to a pass.
Henderson can maybe count himself fortunate not to see yellow for a second time for handball with the game two-thirds gone.
Terry was Chelsea’s first booking for a challenge on Sterling inside the Liverpool half and we suffered a second injury when Filipe Luis limped off with a calf problem, Azpilicueta the natural replacement.
The contest continued along on its knife edge, and it felt like one moment would be decisive.
Ivanovic was booked for conceding a free-kick in a worrying position with 89 minutes on the clock but Gerrard’s strike came to nothing. Liverpool survived a Chelsea corner deep into stoppage time. With away goals only counting at the end of extra time in this completion, another 30 minutes awaited.
Extra time
Three minutes in, Lucas became the second Liverpool player to count his blessings when he wasn’t booked for a second time. He took down Hazard who yet again was feeling the brunt of the foul challenges. Liverpool were punished regardless.
Willian sent the free-kick into the danger zone, and Ivanovic, the man whose first two Chelsea goals were thumping headers at Anfield, powered another into the net at the Shed End. The Blues were ahead on the night. Stamford Bridge roared.
A single Liverpool goal however could send the tie into a penalty shoot-out and Henderson headed one of their best chances wastefully wide
Diego Costa and Gerrard were both booked for a clash, as was Oscar for a foul on Moreno shortly after the start of the second period of extra time. Zouma, who once again impressed tonight, got his head to the Liverpool free-kick before Courtois was fouled.
Ramires dragged a shot wide as the search for the killer goal continued. A foul on Hazard did bring a booking for Emre Can. Skrtel followed into the book for barging down Diego Costa – the ninth caution of the game.
If either of these teams, understandably tiring, were going to score again, the Blues looked more likely, but another goal was not needed. This Chelsea team will now play for the first trophy Jose Mourinho won as our manager 10 years ago, and his jump for joy on the final whistle showed to all what that means to him.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry (c), Filipe Luis (Azpilicueta 78); Fabregas (Ramires 50), Matic; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Diego Costa.
Unused subs Cech, Cahill, Ake, Remy, Drogba.
Scorer Ivanovic 93
Booked Terry 74, Ivanovic 89, Diego Costa 102, Oscar 108.
Liverpool (3-4-1-2): Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Sakho (Johnson 57); Markovic (Balotelli 70), Henderson, Lucas, Moreno (Lambert 105); Gerrard, Coutinho; Sterling.
Unused subs Ward, Lovren, Lallana, Allen.
Booked Henderson 41, Lucas 53, Gerrard 102, Emre Can 113, Skrtel 115.               
Referee Michael Oliver
Crowd 40,659

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Jose Mourinho questions Manchester City’s transfer deals, defends referees

Jose Mourinho was away from press conference duty last week after being charged by the Football Association following his comments about referees after the Blues’ 1-1 draw at Southampton in December.
[ RELATED: “Campaign” against Chelsea ]
Mourinho said that there was a “clear campaign” against Chelsea following Cesc Fabregas being booked for diving instead of a clear penalty being awarded to his side against Saints, hence the charge, and Mourinho has since been less than complimentary about other referees and did not deny a claim that he called referee Phil Dowd “too fat to referee” when Chelsea lost to Tottenham 5-3 on New Year’s Day.
But now the Portuguese coach is siding with the officials in his latest outing in front of the press before Chelsea’s game against Swansea on Saturday (Watch live, 10 a.m. ET online via Live Extra), but Mourinho also had a subtle dig at Chelsea’s main rivals for the Premier League title, Manchester City, and how they were able to sign Wilfried Bony for $42 million earlier this week despite strict Financial Fair Play rules.

“Well done, well done. He is a good striker and they [Manchester City] can spend the money if they have no problems with Financial Fair Play. Well done,” Mourinho said. “They can only play with 11 unless the rules for them are different and they can play with 12. It looks like rules are different for them in certain aspects but in this one (players on the pitch), it will be no different. If Bony plays and Edin Dzeko is on the bench, I am happy with that.”

Mourinho did not stand down about the “campaign” against Chelsea but did sympathize with the tough job officials have and admitted his own mistake when he recently questioned referee Kevin Friend following a jibe about a penalty kick which was not given in the FA Cup match against Watford.
“We’re not against the referees,” Mourinho added. “We understand the job is not an easy one. I am happy to admit my mistakes, so when I spoke with Kevin Friend and realized that it was my mistake and not his mistake, I was more than happy to apologize, so there are no problems. But the reality is that every decision is going against us and the results were affected by that but far from us – very far from us – to put any doubt about the honesty of the people.”
Hmmm… every single decision going against you, Jose. Are you sure? Chelsea’s boss never disappoints in a presser but is this “campaign” he speaks reality or just another piece of propaganda from the ‘Special One’?

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Barca star trio down Atletico to ease crisis talk

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Barcelona (AFP) - Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez were all on target as Barcelona eased talk of a club crisis with a 3-1 win over La Liga champions Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Messi shrugged off speculation surrounding his future at the Camp Nou to cross for Neymar to scramble home the opener and then tee up Suarez to register just his second La Liga goal.
The Argentine also handed Atletico a route back into the game, though, when he was adjudged to have brought down Jesus Gamez inside the area on the hour mark and Mario Mandzukic slammed home from the penalty spot.

However, Messi made amends by sealing the three points when he slotted home from close range three minutes from time to move Barca back to within a point of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Atletico are now four points adrift of Real, who also have a game in hand over both their title rivals.

Barcelona had failed to beat Atletico in six meetings last season and wouldn't have been looking forward to facing Simeone's men after an unsettling week at the Camp Nou.

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Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Atletico Madrid's goalkeeper Migu …

A 1-0 defeat to Real Sociedad last weekend was followed by sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta's sacking and the club's under fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu calling club elections for the end of the season.

Meanwhile, reports suggested defeat could have cost Barca boss Luis Enrique his job with relations between him and Messi at breaking point after the Argentine missed training on Monday.

And Enrique acknowledged that he will only silence his critics by continuing to put a winning team out on the field.
"Victories are the only thing that can calm the situation," he said.
"I need to transmit the best idea of how to play football to my players and be as competitive as possible. If we are capable of winning titles or not will be the judge of my era."

 

Barcelona's defender Gerard Pique (L) vies with Atletico Madrid's Uruguayan defender Diego G …

Atletico boss Diego Simeone, meanwhile, lamented his side's slow start.

"I think there were two games. In the first-half Barca were better, dynamic and intense. We played badly in the first-half," said the Argentine.

"In the second-half we were competitive. It was much closer to what we normally are in the second. We scored and could have got an equaliser, but in the end the third goal finishes the game."

- Star-studded -

In the end Messi did his talking on the pitch as Barca's star-studded South American frontline guided them to victory.

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Barcelona's Brazilian forward Neymar da Silva Santos Junior celebrates his goal during the Spani …

Barca went in front on 12 minutes when the four-time World Player of the Year danced past Gamez and pulled the ball across goal. Suarez failed to make a proper contact, but Neymar was on hand to sweep home his 17th goal of the season.

Atletico 'keeper Miguel Angel Moya then kept his side in the game with a fine double save to firstly parry Jordi Alba's fierce drive and then block Suarez's effort on the rebound.

The visitors were on the ropes in the first 45 minutes and teenage centre-back Jose Maria Gimenez was lucky to escape unpunished when he flew in dangerously on Neymar to leave the Brazilian with a bloodied ankle.
Neymar missed a guilt-edged chance to double Barca's advantage midway through the half when he headed wide with the goal at his mercy after brilliant play by Messi and Suarez.

However, when the second goal did come, Atletico had a right to feel hard done by as Messi appeared to use his hand to speed past Gamez before sliding the ball through for Suarez to slot home.

Referee Alberto Undiano Mallenco balanced up that perceived injustice on the hour mark, though, as he pointed to the spot when Gamez went down under a challenge from Messi.

It was the first time that Messi had ever conceded a spot-kick in La Liga and Mandzukic didn't pardon him as he slammed high into the roof of the net.

Fernando Torres was introduced by Simeone as Atletico searched for an equaliser and he was only denied a ninth goal in 12 games against Barca by Claudio Bravo's quick-thinking as the Chilean 'keeper rushed from his line to intercept Mandzukic's dangerous low cross.

But in a week where he has dominated the headlines, Messi rounded off his fine performance with a first goal against Atletico in eight games when he pounced on a loose ball inside the area to side-foot home.

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With Ballon d'Or repeat win, Ronaldo remains world's best player and soccer's most popular brand

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The scene felt familiar. FIFA's laughably overproduced Ballon d'Or ceremony, which was nevertheless rife with screw-ups. The grand-standing, the hubris and the tin-eared narcissism by the world's ever-embattled governing body. And, of course, the nomination of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi for the big prize as the world's best player of the past year – the former in a classical tuxedo and the latter in whatever suit made him the likeliest to be the most outlandishly-dressed kid at the prom.

It was a shiny, burgundy suit this year, for the record. (Last year Messi wore a shiny, red suit. The year before that, it was a polka-dotted number.)

The endless pageantry was predictable, making for a night on which the world's depraved game was polished and buffed up to a high shine, until it was free of its many blights – the corruption, the shoddy governance, the human rights abuses perpetrated in its name.

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Arsenal defender Debuchy dislocates shoulder

 Arsenal defender Mathieu Debuchy suffered a dislocated shoulder during their 3-0 win over Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger said.

Debuchy was carried off on a stretcher in the 13th minute, clutching his right shoulder after falling heavily following a collision with Stoke's Marko Arnautovic.

"He has to see a specialist then we see where we go from there. A dislocated shoulder can take a while," Wenger told Sky Sports.

Frenchman Debuchy, who signed from Newcastle United in July, has already missed three months of the season following a serious ankle injury suffered against Manchester City in September.

Arsenal's Mathieu Debuchy is carried from the pitch on a stretcher after hurting his shoulde

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Loew would be disappointed if Neuer doesn't win Ballon d'Or

Head coach of German national soccer team Joachim Loew Germany coach Joachim Loew has voted for his
goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and would be disappointed if he doesn't win
the Ballon d'Or award on Monday.
Loew told Friday's edition of the Bild paper that Neuer "has shaped
the role of a goalkeeper in the past years like no one before him"
and showed his "extraordinary quality" on the global stage at the
2014 World Cup which Germany won.
"Anything but his election would disappoint me," Loew said.
Munich sports director Matthias Sammer agreed, saying he would be
lost for words if Neuer wasn't elected, with the winner to be
announced at a gala of the ruling body FIFA on Monday in Zurich.
Neuer is on the final shortlist with Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal,
Real Madrid) and Lionel Messi (Argentina, Barcelona) who have won the
award in the past six years.
Sammer named Neuer "unique" and added "Is a goalkeeper part of a team
or not? If he is part of it then there is only who win, and that's
him."
No goalkeeper has ever been elected World Player while Soviet Lev
Yashin won the Ballon d'Or more than 50 years ago in its past form as
European Player of the Year award.

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New United goalkeeper Valdes says he is here «to win trophies»

goalkeeper Victor Valdes

 Goalkeeper Victor Valdes said Friday he has joined
Manchester United "to win trophies."
The Spain international, whose contract with Barcelona expired last
summer, signed an 18-month deal with United, with the option of an
extra year.
Valdes has not played since undergoing knee surgery in March and will
be number two to compatriot David De Gea.
"When you have won the most important trophies in football, it is
like a drug," said Valdes, who described De Gea as "the best
goalkeeper in the world."
"You want to win again and you feel these amazing moments with your
fans, with your family and with your team-mates," he told United's
website. "It is very nice and my ambition is to win every game and
every trophy."
United manager Louis van Gaal, who worked with Valdes when he was at
Barcelona several years ago, said the 32-year-old would provide
competition to De Gea.
"Victor is a very experienced goalkeeper and his record speaks for
itself," the Dutchman said.
"Victor has remained very professional throughout his rehabilitation
from injury and has been very impressive during his training sessions
with the first team over the past weeks.
"He joins the club as the number two goalkeeper and is a great
addition to the first team."
Valdes said he would be patient and wait for his opportunity at
United who are currently placed third in the league, nine points
behind joint leaders Chelsea and Manchester United.
"I am here to help everybody," he said. "I am a part of the team and
I am not a problem, I am just a part of the team.
"If I play a game, I am always thinking about playing well and to
help the other team-mates, to help them to win the match."

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Federer makes quick work of Aussie to reach semi-finals

Roger Federer of Switzerland acknowledges the crowd after defeating James Duckworth Roger Federer cut his time on court to
the bare minimum as he crushed James Dockworth 6-1, 6-1 in 39 minutes
to reach the semi-finals of the Brisbane International on Friday.
Federer won the 998th match of his career as he edges closer to the
magic number of 1,000.

The Swiss is set to become the third player in the Open Era (since
1968) to reach the milestone, joining Jimmy Connors (1,253) and Ivan
Lendl (1,071).

The speed of Federer's hammering of Australian Duckworth was a sharp
contrast to the two hours he took on Thursday to beat another Aussie,
John Millman in his opening match.
Federer dominated with a dozen aces, 24 winners and breaks on six of
eight chances.
The top seed and world number two next plays Grigor Dimitrov, who
defeated Martin Klizan 6-3, 6-4.
The second semi-final will pit US Open finalist Kei Nishikori against
fellow young gun Milos Raonic of Canada. Japan's Nishikori defeated
Aussie Bernard Tomic 6-0, 6-4 while Raonic put out Sam Groth of
Australia 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (7-2) on the back of 15 aces

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Wenger: Podolski loaned to Inter because too many Arsenal forwards

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger

 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says he agreed to loan
Lukas Podolski to Inter Milan because he has too many players in the
same position.
The Germany striker joined Inter until the end of the season after
failing to secure a regular first-team spot this term.
"He didn't get enough opportunities to play - because I knew that, I
gave him a chance to go," Wenger told a press conference on Friday.
"Why? Because we have many players who can play in these positions
and at the end of the day only 11 can start.
"When a player of his quality doesn't get enough games, at some stage
too much competition is detrimental to the confidence of the players
and their positivity.
"You need the right number and we had too many players in this area.
"It's nothing to do with his quality; it's just down to the fact that
we had too many players in the same area."

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Durant returns with 44 points, Thunder shades Suns in OT thriller

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant

 Reigning league MVP Kevin Durant collected 44
points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in his return after missing six
games with an ankle sprain Wednesday, and the Oklahoma City Thunder
shaded the visiting Phoenix Suns 137-134 in an overtime thriller.
The Thunder beat the feisty Suns in the NBA's highest scoring game of
the season despite losing star guard Russell Westbrook (20 points) to
an ejection late in the first half, after getting tangling up with
Phoenix centre Alex Len fighting for a rebound.
Serge Ibaka had 15 points and Anthony Morrow added 11 for Oklahoma
City (16-17) which made 44-49 free throws in the dramatic win.
With the contest knotted in the extra session, Durant spotted Morrow
in the right corner for a three-pointer and the ensuing free throw
after getting fouled for a 134-130 lead. Durant added two free throws
for a six-point cushion.
The Suns got two quick baskets to pull within 136-134. With a shot at
the win, Markieff Morris missed a wide-open three-point attempt with
2.9 seconds left and the Thunder escaped.
Eric Bledsoe scored 29 points, Morris had 25 and Slovenian Goran
Dragic finished with 21 for the Suns (18-16) losers of two in a row
following a six-game run.
Elsewhere:
- Houston Rockets 102, Charlotte Hornets 83: League top scorer James
Harden dropped in 36 points with eight triples, and the Rockets
(22-9) snapped a modest two-game slide after beating the short-handed
Hornets for the eighth straight time.
Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Gerald Henderson tallied 16 points apiece
for the Hornets (10-23), playing without their leading scorer Al
Jefferson because of a left groin strain.
- San Antonio Spurs 95, New Orleans Pelicans 93 (OT): Argentine Manu
Ginobili scored seven of his 26 points in overtime while Tim Duncan
added 16 with 10 rebounds, and the Spurs (20-14) stormed past the
visiting Pelicans.
Anthony Davis had 21 points and 12 rebounds, while reserve Ryan
Anderson netted 18 with 11 boards for New Orleans (16-16) which
failed to hold a five-point advantage in the extra session.
- LA Clippers 99, New York Knicks 78 J.J. Redick hit four triples en
route to 20 points, DeAndre Jordan had 14 with 12 rebounds, and the
Clippers (22-11) sent the downward-spiraling Knicks to their ninth
straight loss and 19th in 20 games.
Carmelo Anthony netted 19 points for visiting New York (5-29) off to
its worst start in franchise history.
- Milwaukee Bucks 96, Cleveland Cavaliers 80: Brandon Knight netted
26 points and the Bucks held the Cavs - minus stars LeBron James
(left knee soreness) and Kevin Love (back spasms) - to seven
third-quarter points en route to the easy road victory.
Kyrie Irving had 25 points for Cleveland (18-14) losers of three in a
row.
In other games: the Boston Celtics bounced the visiting Sacramento
Kings 106-84; and the Indiana Pacers stormed past the visiting Miami
Heat 106-95.

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Poland stun US to win first Hopman Cup title

Agnieszka Radwanska and Jerzy Janowicz for Poland celebrate winning the Hopman Cup

 Jerzy Janowicz served out the mixed doubles
winner as Poland claimed the Hopman Cup for the first time on
Saturday with a 2-1 defeat of the US.
The six-time champion Americans, with previous holder Serena Williams
and John Inner onside, were unable to stop Polish momentum from the
East European nation which lost the final a year ago to France.
Janowicz and WTA number five Agnieszka Radwanska secured the
concluding mixed doubles rubber, 7-5, 6-3.
Williams, world number one, had been bidding to become the first
woman to win the Hopman title three times while the US was in the
chase for a record seventh title at the mixed team event.
But the towering Janowicz and all-court strategist Radwanska, a
former Wimbledon finalist, managed to keep the final well in hand,
with Radwanska beating Williams 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 in the singles
rubber.
It was the first win for Radwanska after losing eight times to
Williams and kicked-started the Polish dream.
The winner of three of four singles matches was thrilled to finally
get past her powerful opponent.
"These first matches at the beginning of the year are really tough,
I'm just really happy I played my best tennis today against Serena,"
Radwanska said.
"It doesn't matter what the score is, she's a great fighter. I'm just
very happy that I could come back in that second set and play a good
game in the third set.
"Everything was working today. When I had a break point I was really
going for it and took some risks. A few good shots in important
moments also helped.
"I feel very well this year, I'm healthy and ready to go. Here it's
always great to get a couple of good matches against top players.
"It's great preparation for the Australian Open."
Isner came back to level the tie by defeating fellow big server
Janowicz 7-6 (12-10), 6-4 before his side lost the final in the
deciding mixed rubber. The American saved five break points against
Janowicz in the opening singles set before finally putting the set
away in the tiebreaker.
"The match wasn't that pretty: he was serving very well, I was
serving very well. He just made a few mistakes at the end, he double
faulted at one of the set points and a drop shot on another one he
missed fortunate for me," said Isner.
"I was able to claw my way back into it and he gifted me the first
set at the end. I got up early in the second set and served.
"I just tried to stay calm and I would tell myself even if I lose
that first set I still like my chances out there. So I knew that
first set, whether I won I lost, It wasn't going to be the end of the
match."
In the mixed, a frustrated Williams smashed a racquet after missing a
shot late in the contest. Isner returned out to set up three match
points for Janowicz, who rained down a big serve which Williams
returned wide to lose.
The winners each earned the traditional Hopman miniature gold tennis
racquet encrusted with West Australian diamonds.
Poland are the 13th nation to win the title at the eight-nation
event

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Real Madrid return to winning ways, increase lead at top

Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo reacts (L) next to his teammate Gareth Bale

 Real Madrid increased their lead atop the Spanish Liga
to four points on Sunday with a 3-0 home defeat of midtable Espanyol,
on goals from James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale and Nacho.
It was just what Los Merengues needed after losing against Atletico
Madrid in the cup and Valencia in the league.
They had left-back Fabio Coentrao sent off eight minutes into the
second half, but nonetheless continued to dominate against an
Espanyol side without ambition or penetration.
The win left Real four points ahead of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid,
who will clash at the Camp Nou on Sunday.
Atletico are in better form than Barca, who are caught up in an
alleged rift between coach Luis Enrique and Argentine idol Lionel
Messi.

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Ronaldo, Messi, Neuer in Team of the Year in fan poll

 Cristiano Ronaldo got the most votes overall as
Europe's ruling body UEFA on Friday unveiled its 2014 Team of the
Year selected by users of their website.
The Real Madrid and Portugal star Ronaldo garnered 598,287 votes,
with Madrid team-mate and Spain defender Sergio Ramos a close second
with 574,889.
German world champion midfielder Toni Kroos is another Madrid player
among the 11 but played the first half of the year at Bayern Munich
who also have four current players in the team, goalkeeper Manuel
Neuer, captain Philipp Lahm, left back David Alaba and winger Arjen
Robben.
Diego Godin from Spanish champions, Manchester United's (formerly
Real) Angel di Maria, Barcelona and Argentina icon Lionel Messi and
striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic complete the team. The Sweden and Paris St
German forward Ibrahimovic got the least number of votes with
214,674.
Ronaldo, Messi and Neuer are the three men on the shortlist for the
Ballon d'Or award conducted by the world governing body FIFA. The
winner is announced on Monday.

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Barcelona chief Bartomeu calls end-of-season elections

Barcelona's President Josep Maria Bartomeu

 Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has called presidential elections for the end of the season as a result of dissatisfaction with his running of the La Liga club, he told a news conference on Wednesday.

The Catalan club were due to hold elections in 2016 but Bartomeu has decided to bring them forward a year following the dismissal of sports director Andoni Zubizarreta last Monday.

"I have taken the decision so as to ease the tension which I believe to be disproportionate and doesn't reflect the reality of the club," Bartomeu told a news conference at the Nou Camp.

"It is a club which is functioning well, we are going to construct a new stadium and on the sporting front we are still in all the competitions.

"I ask that there is 'fair play' among all the candidates (for the election) and we all concentrate on what is best for the club.

"It is best that mandates are completed but there has been too much tension over the last few weeks. We will continue our programme now and there will be no changes there. I have talked with the other board members but it is me that takes the decisions.

"We will seek re-election. We started in 2010 and we want to keep going."

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Liverpool say Gerrard will move to the United States in summer

captain Steven Gerrard

Liverpool's Steven Gerrard

 Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard will play for a club
in the United States next season, the club confirmed on Saturday.
The 34-year-old midfielder announced on Friday that he would be
leaving Liverpool in the summer.
In a message from the club's official Twitter account, Liverpool
said: "Steven Gerrard confirms he will move to the USA this summer."
Gerrard has played 695 times for Liverpool, scored 180 goals and won
10 major titles with the club, including the Champions League.

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