The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Real storm back to take charge in Cup Posted: 03 Jan 2012 03:33 PM PST MADRID, Jan 4 — Holders Real Madrid scored three times in 10 minutes at the Bernabeu yesterday in a dramatic comeback to beat Malaga 3-2 in their King's Cup last 16 first leg. Real coach Jose Mourinho threw caution to the wind with a triple substitution at halftime when his side were trailing 2-0. Sami Khedira, Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema responded by netting between the 68th and 78th minutes. Up to that point, the underdogs had held sway in the Cup with three surprise results earlier in the evening. Third tier Mirandes, who knocked out Villarreal in the previous round, took a 2-0 lead over Racing Santander and another Segunda B side, Albacete, vanquishers of Atletico Madrid, drew 0-0 with Athletic Bilbao. Second division Alcorcon, who eliminated Real Zaragoza, grabbed a 2-1 win at home to high-flying Levante, who lie fourth in La Liga. Qatari-owned Malaga had been thrashed 4-0 and 7-0 in their last two meetings with Real, but took the lead through Sergio Sanchez and Martin Demichelis, both scoring with headers from Santi Cazorla corners. Mourinho threw on Khedira, Benzema and Mesut Ozil for the second half to try and shake his side out of their lethargy and the former barged his way through to start the fightback. Higuain pounced on a wayward backpass to level two minutes later and Benzema slotted the third after a wonderful backheel from Higuain as Malaga desperately tried to keep the floodgates closed. Pablo Infante was the hero for Mirandes, scoring after 32 minutes and laying on the second for Mikel Martins just after the restart, leaving La Liga's lowest scoring team Racing with a tough task in the second leg. Alcorcon, who famously dumped city neighbours Real out of the Cup while in the Segunda B two years ago, surprised Levante with Borja Perez and Nagore twice giving them the lead. Last season's losing finalists Barcelona are at home to Osasuna today. The second legs will be played next week. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| City move three points clear with Liverpool victory Posted: 03 Jan 2012 03:13 PM PST  Manchester City's Yaya Toure celebrates his goal as Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt (left) looks on during their English Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, northern England January 3, 2012. — Reuters pic Despite having Gareth Barry sent off in the 73rd minute, first-half goals from Sergio Aguero, Yaya Toure and a second-half penalty from James Milner helped City, who had lost to Sunderland only two days ago, to a comprehensive victory. They move to 48 points from 20 games, three clear of rivals Manchester United who have played one match fewer and six clear of Tottenham who had Jermain Defoe's clinical finish to thank for their victory at White Hart Lane. City, who had gone two games without a win, were gifted the lead after only 11 minutes when Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina let a snap shot from Aguero dip under his body and Toure added a second with a header before the break. Liverpool, who have struggled for goals this season, were without striker Luis Suarez as he was beginning his eight-game suspension for racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra during a Premier League match in October. The visitors were once again guilty of squandering opportunities with Stewart Downing failing to convert a one-on-one with City keeper Joe Hart and Dirk Kuyt unable to volley past City defender Vincent Kompany who made a good block to deny the Dutchman. Chances were hard to come by in the second half, but Liverpool looked to have been given a route back into the match when City midfielder Barry picked up a second booking for a foul on the visitors' defender Daniel Agger. FANTASTIC TEAM Within two minutes, however, City had put the game beyond doubt when Toure powered into the Liverpool area and was brought down by Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel. Milner stepped up to hit the resultant penalty into the top corner. "It was a difficult game and Liverpool are a fantastic team," City manager Roberto Mancini told Sky Sports. "Liverpool played four days ago and we played two days ago. This is terrible for us. I think the first half we played well but maybe in the second half for 20 minutes we are tired." Tottenham scored the only goal of the game with a typical finish from Defoe who was marked by three players when he received a cross from Gareth Bale, but managed to turn and place the ball past West Brom keeper Ben Foster. Spurs came into the game without the injured Scott Parker and Aaron Lennon and were soon struggling with injuries again. Midfielder Sandro went off in first half, stand-in skipper William Gallas limped off in 68th minute and substitute Jake Livermore was then forced off with a cut mouth and replaced by Niko Kranjcar. Sunderland maintained their good form since the arrival of new manager Martin O'Neill with a 4-1 win over struggling Wigan Athletic. O'Neill's side moved into the top half of the Premier League with goals from Craig Gardner, James McClean, Stephane Sessegnon and David Vaughan. Hugo Rodallega scored for Wigan. — Reuters Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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