FreeGoalZ: 9/18 Goal.com News - English

Goal.com News - English - America

Sporting Gijon 0-1 Valencia: Roberto Soldado strike seals third straight win for Unai Emery's side

September 17, 2011 at 1:53 PM

Roberto Soldado's fifth goal in three games maintained Valencia's perfect start to the Primera Division season as Unai Emery's side claimed a narrow victory at Sporting Gijon on Saturday evening.

The in-form striker, who scored a hat-trick in his side's thrilling 4-3 win at home to Racing Santander on the opening weekend, and netted the only goal of the game as Valencia defeated Atletico Madrid in its next match, was on target again as he bundled home a rebound after half an hour.

Pablo Hernandez advanced down the left, riding several challenges before setting up Jonas. The Brazilian's shot was saved and the rebound fell to Soldado, in the right place at the right time as usual to convert what was the first real chance of the game.

Soldado latched onto a neat ball from Ever Banega midway through the second half, but saw his shot saved by Juan Pablo Colinas.

The striker then departed with a twisted ankle and was replaced by Aritz Aduriz, who missed a great chance to make it 2-0 soon after coming on.

Sporting piled on the pressure in the closing stages as it sought a late leveller.

Valencia keeper Vicente Guaita made a great save to deny David Barral and the home side was virtually camped in the visitors' area in the final few minutes.

However, the visitors held on to move provisionally top of the table, where they could be joined by Real Madrid and Betis on Sunday.

Bundesliga Round 6 Results: Koln stuns Leverkusen; Bremen goes top with draw against Nurnberg

September 17, 2011 at 1:46 PM

An enterprising second-half performance gave Koln a 4-1 derby victory against Leverkusen, its first win at the BayArena since 1996.

The hosts dominated possession in the opening half, but were stunned just before the interval by the guile of Lukas Podolski, who set up Milivoje Novakovic for the simplest of finishes. The roles were reversed three minutes after the break, Novakovic turning provider for Podolski, who scored with ease. The Germany international grabbed his second seven minutes later, hammering a low shot in from outside the area after a miscue by Stefan Reinartz.

Mato Jajaro hit the post, before Leverkusen pulled one back from Simon Rolfes' tap in. However, the hosts could not find a way back, and their misery was compounded in injury time. Schurrle was shown a harsh red card for a tackle from behind, before Koln carved Leverkusen apart one last time for Jajaro to grab its fourth at the death.

Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea clash is Manchester United's biggest test so far

September 17, 2011 at 12:42 PM

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes his side will face its toughest test of the season when it goes head-to-head with title rivals Chelsea at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils have begun the campaign with some dazzling performances against the likes of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, but the England international remains wary of the threat posed by Andre Villas-Boas' side.

"The Chelsea game's going to be difficult and we need to be at our best," Rooney told the club's official website.

"Obviously Arsenal are always difficult but with the injuries they had when they came to Old Trafford we were the favorites to win that one."

The summer signing of Juan Mata from Valencia and the return of Daniel Sturridge to Stamford Bridge after a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers has added a new dimension to Villas-Boas' team but Rooney remains confident that United is well-equipped to deal with those threats.

"They've got a few new players – I saw Daniel Sturridge started the last game and Juan Mata played as well," he said.

"I'm sure they'll have a few new ideas to go along with the new signings they have, but I'm sure we'll be able to cope with that."

Like many of the United squad Rooney has cited the influx of young players such as Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck as a big factor behind the club's impressive early season form.

"I worked extremely hard during preseason and the manager's lobbed a few of the younger players in and it's worked well for us," he said.

"Obviously I'm benefiting from that, with goals. There's a lot of energy around the team – it's going great for us at the minute."

Bolton 1-2 Norwich: Martin Petrov penalty not enough for 10-man Wanderers as Cannaries hold on for vital win

September 17, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Bolton Wanderers struggled defensively as Norwich City sealed a vital 2-1 away victory with goals from Bradley Johnson and Andy Pilkington.

The game started with several heavy challenges, as referee Howard Webb struggled to keep control of a match that was becoming increasingly testy.

Keeping within the character of the match, Norwich took the lead through a scrappy goal in the 37th minute. A Daniel Fox corner found Steve Morison at the back post who directed the ball back towards goal and despite plenty of Bolton defenders in attendance, Pilkington finished from close range for his first ever Premier League goal.

Bolton had little or no composure and was unable to keep possession after that goal. Kevin Davies was getting no change from the referee, with seemingly every decision going against him and Norwich didn't have to wait long until it doubled the lead.

It was from another set-piece and yet more suspect Bolton defending as Fox's free-kick was headed in by Johnson at the back-post as his run went completely unchecked three minutes before the break.

Bolton's afternoon didn't get any better before halftime when a moment of madness came over Klasnic. The Croatian international appeared to head-butt Morison with the linesman watching and he then informed Webb, who sent him off.

Bolton was handed a lifeline by the Canaries when Barnett took down Ngog in the area on the 64th minute with a late challenge. This penalty is the fourth one the newly promoted side has conceded this season and Petrov slotted it home to get the home side back in the game.

Norwich was able to contain the home side until the final whistle with the only downer being an injury to Wes Hoolahan. Bolton struggled to commit to attack with the ten men and made it a comfortable afternoon for the Canaries who will enjoy their trip home to Norfolk.

Wolves 0-3 QPR: Captain Joey Barton scores first goal for club as Neil Warnock's side claims second away win

September 17, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Early goals from Joey Barton and Alejandro Faurlin and a second half effort from DJ Campbell set Queens Park Rangers on the way to an impressive 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux.

Mick McCarthy's team, which had enjoyed such a positive start to its campaign with wins over Blackburn Rovers and Fulham, is unlikely to turn in a poorer performance this season and has now lost two on the bounce It has also failed to score a Premier League goal since those successive victories, and on the evidence of this display it was easy to see why.

A lackluster performance from the home side should not undermine an excellent QPR display, however. The Hoops picked up their second Premier League win and bested Wolves all over the field, with the quality of Faurlin in particular shining through as Rangers' creative hub in the center of midfield.

Wolves made two changes to its side, with Stephen Ward moving to attack to replace the injured Steven Fletcher and George Elokobi filling in at left-back. Matt Jarvis returned to the wing with Stephen Hunt dropping to the bench. Neil Warnock stuck with the QPR side that drew 0-0 against Newcastle and his players rewarded him with two goals inside the opening ten minutes.

Two of Warnock's new signings chipped in, as Shaun Wright-Phillips volleyed Faurlin's ball into the box back across the area for a waiting Barton. Rangers' new captain was subsequently able to guide the ball into the bottom corner to open up scoring.

Minutes later, QPR doubled its lead after both of Wolves' George Elokobi and Richard Stearman failed to properly clear their lines. Stearman's weak header dropped to Faurlin, who volleyed sweetly past Wayne Hennessey from 20 yards out to leave the Molineux crowd stunned.

Wolves seemed to respond well, with Matt Jarvis becoming more of a factor on the left-hand side, though nothing would come of his hard work down the wing. That revival was short-lived, though, as QPR began to reassert its dominance with some stylish passing football. Barton, Wright-Phillips and Adel Taraabt continued to trouble the Wolves defense, which managed to make it into the break without conceding any more.

Despite two substitutions to spark the offense, Wolves continued to stutter and failed to test Paddy Kenny in the QPR goal. After hitting the post, Wright-Phillips turned creator, releasing Armand Traore, who in turn crossed for Campbell to finish the chance and make it 3-0.

While Kenny was eventually tested through a curling Jaimie O'Hara free kick, the QPR defense held strong to limit Wolves chances and collect its second clean sheet of the season.

Wayne Rooney believes Chelsea clash is Manchester United's biggest test so far

September 17, 2011 at 11:28 AM

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney believes his side will face its toughest test of the season so far when it goes head-to-head with title rival Chelsea at Old Trafford.

"The Chelsea game's going to be difficult and we need to be at our best," Rooney told the club's official website. "Obviously Arsenal are always difficult but with the injuries they had when they came to Old Trafford we were the favorites to win that one."

The summer signing of Juan Mata from Valencia and the return of Daniel Sturridge to Stamford Bridge after a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers has added a new dimension to Chelsea but Rooney remains confident that United is well-equipped to deal with those threats.

"They've got a few new players – I saw Daniel Sturridge started the last game and Juan Mata played as well," he said. "I'm sure they'll have a few new ideas to go along with the new signings they have, but I'm sure we'll be able to cope with that.

"This is going to be another big game and if we can win we'll go five points clear of Chelsea and keep our winning run going at the start of the season."

Like many of the United squad Rooney has cited the influx of young players such as Phil Jones and Danny Welbeck as a big factor behind the club's impressive early season form.

"I worked extremely hard during preseason and the manager's lobbed a few of the younger players in and it's worked well for us," he said. "Obviously I'm benefiting from that, with goals. There's a lot of energy around the team – it's going great for us at the minute."