Chelsea secure Luiz's long-term future

"It's a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here," said Chelsea FC defender David Luiz after signing a new five-year contract with the European champions.

David Luiz celebrates after winning last season's UEFA Champions League with Chelsea ©Getty Images

David Luiz has committed his future to Chelsea FC by signing a new five-year deal with the UEFA Champions League holders.

The Blues announced news of the Brazilian international defender's renewed terms shortly after Saturday's 1-0 win against Stoke City FC. "I am very happy to sign a new contract with Chelsea," said Luiz, who joined from SL Benfica in January 2011. "It is a great club and I look forward to winning more trophies here. I love everything about the club and especially the fans, who have made me very welcome and given me great support."

 

Luiz, 25, won the UEFA Champions League with Chelsea last season, playing every minute of their final triumph over FC Bayern München. Roberto Di Matteo's side continue their defence at FC Nordsjælland on 2 October, having opened with a 2-2 draw against Juventus on Wednesday.

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Reading midfielder Jem Karacan has signed a new three-year contract

Reading midfielder Jem Karacan has ended any uncertainty over his future by signing a new three-year contract at the Madejski Stadium.

Jem Karacan: Reading midfielder has signed a new three-year contract at the Madejski Stadium

The 23-year-old, who has come through the academy and already made 125 appearances, was due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

The Royals confirmed last week that talks over an extension were progressing well and Karacan has expressed delight at penning fresh terms.

"I'm delighted to finally get it done, we've been in negotiations for a little while so it's nice to put pen to paper," Karacan told Reading's official website.

"Ever since I arrived, I've always wanted to become a first-team regular and in the last couple of years I've managed to do that - to come through the ranks has been brilliant."

Manager Brian McDermott added: "We are delighted that Jem has committed to us, he's been an integral part of what we've been trying to do.

"He's a great lad who is very much one of our own and we're really pleased that he has signed a new deal."

article source:  http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11661/8091921/Reading-midfielder-Jem-Karacan-has-signed-a-new-three-year-contract

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Bate Borisov beats Lille 3-1 in Champions League

LILLE, France (AP) — BATE Borisov opened its Champions League campaign with an impressive 3-1 win away to Lille, overpowering the French side with a slick first-half display of attacking football.

Lille failed to make it out of the group stage in last season's Champions League and Rudi Garcia's team was eager to make a strong impression this time around. But midfielder Aleksandr Volodko put the visitors ahead after just six minutes, striker Vitali Rodionov made it 2-0 in the 20th, and Edgar Olekhnovich added another just before the break to pile the pressure on Lille.

Photo: AP Lille's goalkeeper Mickael Landreau reacts during a group F Champions League round of 16, first leg soccer match against BATE Borisov at Lille's stadium in Villeneuve d'Ascq, France, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012.

Center half Aurelien Chedjou pulled a goal back on the hour mark, but Lille failed to create enough chances to salvage even a draw against the Belarus side. "It is a day to forget. We were up against a team who were really keen on playing and they managed to keep the ball at their feet," Chedjou said. "Tonight we learned a lesson in attractive football. "

With Champions League runner-up Bayern Munich also in Group F, Lille faces a tough task to qualify. "It's a setback. There is no real explanation because we know how important the first game is," Lille goalkeeper Mickael Landreau said. "(BATE) can be considered as the weakest team in the group, but they have quality. We didn't start well. This loss hurts. "

Lille had a lot of possession but the visitors clinical attacking, led by former Arsenal midfielder Aleksandr Hleb, proved too much for Garcia's team to cope with. Salomon Kalou returned from suspension to take his place on the right of Lille's attack, with Brazilian Tulio De Melo the lone center forward.

But Lille fell asleep in defense, allowing Volodko to turn in space and hit a shot from 20 yards (meters) that flew past Landreau and into the top right corner. Mathieu Debuchy almost equalized for Lille moments later, but his low shot was pushed away for a corner by goalkeeper Andrei Gorbunov.

Rather than showing a patient approach, Lille poured forward in numbers and was soon caught out again. Hleb started the move, threading the ball through to the midfielder Olekhnovich, who then gave Rodionov a simple tap-in from close range.

Lille midfielder Marvin Martin missed a good chance after Gorbunov came for a cross and missed the ball, leaving Martin with a chance that he wasted, firing the ball high over the crossbar. Things got much worse for Lille when Olekhnovich rifled a shot in at the second attempt in the 43rd to leave Lille with an almost impossible task in the second half.

Garcia made changes, bringing on strikers Nolan Roux and Ryan Mendes, but it was Chedjou who gave the home side hope when he headed in Dimitri Payet's corner on the hour mark. Roux went close with an audacious backheel that rolled just wide in the 79th, but Lille's attacks petered out as the visitors held firm.

article source:http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/1573704-bate-borisov-beats-lille-3-1-champions-league.html#.1258-stage-set1-5

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Shakhtar Donetsk beats Nordsjaelland 2-0

DONETSK, Ukraine (AP) — Henrik Mkhitaryan's expert finish in each half Wednesday gave Shakhtar Donetsk a 2-0 victory over Nordsjealland in the group stage of the Champions League.

In the 44th minute, the Armenian forward lashed a low, hard shot into the bottom corner of the net after receiving an overhead pass from Luiz Adriano. Mkhitaryan pounced on a rebound from his own shot in the 76th minute to make no mistake and side-foot the ball into the goal from just inside the area.

Photo: AP Henrik Mkhitaryan, right, of Shakhtar Donetsk celebrates after scoring against Danish FC Nordsjaelland during a group E Champions League round, first leg, soccer match at Donbas Arena stadium in Donetsk, Ukraine, Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012.

This was the first competitive meeting between the two sides, and Shakhtar's first home Champion's League victory in five games. The sides appeared evenly matched early on but Shakhtar began to control the game and force Nordsjaeland to retreat further and further back, allowing Mkhitaryan to constantly threaten.

Shakhtar had less possession and worse passing statistics but had more shots on target. "They (Nordsjaelland) were good on counterattacks in the first half," Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu said. "But they got tired after the break. I'm pleased with our defense — the visitors failed to create a single scoring chance."

Defender Ivan Runje was Nordsjealland's most dominant player. He had the Danish side's first shot on target in the first half but couldn't get enough power on a header before goalkeeper Andriy claimed the ball.

"The first hour was OK. But then we had transitions against us," Nordsjaelland coach Kasper Hjulmand said. "The deciding moments were in the first half. We had good opportunities but the goal before halftime was the deciding moment. We didn't create enough chances but I'm proud of my team — they played well. But Shakhtar played better."

Shakhtar is unbeaten in 10 consecutive competitive matches this season in the domestic league and in Europe. "This was my first professional double," Mkhitaryan said. "We needed this victory for confidence in the tournament. It was a difficult match, we did everything possible to ease this match and create as many chances as possible."

Shakhtar midfielder Darijo Srna said the team has learned from last season's last-place finish in the group stage. "If we don't repeat last year's mistakes then we should advance," he said. "Furthermore, we have identical chances to advance with Juventus and Chelsea."

Shakhtar leads Group E with Chelsea and Juventus drawing 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in the other match.

 article source: http://www.mail.com/int/sports/soccer/1573680-shakhtar-donetsk-beats-nordsjaelland-2-0.html#.1258-stage-set1-4

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Begovic: England should recall Crouch

Stoke City goalkeeper Asmir Begovic says Peter Crouch should be recalled to the England squad and believes more good times are in store at the Britannia Stadium.

PA PhotosAsmir Begovic believes Stoke are growing as a club

• Crouch wants England recall

Stoke continue their daunting start to the 2012-13 season when they visit Chelsea on Saturday but have the confidence of knowing they have emerged unbeaten from games so far against Arsenal and Manchester City.

Begovic helped preserve a point against the champions with two outstanding saves while Crouch, who is not in Roy Hodgson's England plans after he rejected a call-up to the standby list for Euro 2012, scored his third goal in three appearances.

Competition for places is hotting up in the Potteries with Michael Owen's high-profile arrival and the keeper said: "We are trying to grow as a team and this is a good place to be. Steven N'Zonzi was fantastic on his debut and, with Owen coming in, we can look forward to a good season."

He added: "I'm surprised Crouch isn't in the England team. Obviously, I'm biased because I see him in training all week but I think he should be there.

"I see the games they (England) are playing. He's sitting at home and I wonder just why isn't he playing. It's not up to me but he doesn't seem to get the credit he deserves. He's a world-class striker.

"His goal ratio, and everything he has done for teams, just speaks for itself. We know what we have with Crouchie and that's the main thing."

Begovic was delighted with the work of the men in front of him on Saturday and knows more of the same resilience is likely to be required both at Stamford Bridge and beyond.

Stoke have four draws from four Premier League games and visit Liverpool and Manchester United for their first two matches in October.

"We kept the door closed at the back (against City)," he added. "We were really solid. Performances speak for themselves but we want to get to winning ways as soon as possible."

article source:  http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story/_/id/1163727/stoke-goalkeeper-asmir-begovic-backs-peter-crouch-for-england?cc=4716

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Observing the Real Madrid Drama from a Barca Fan's Perspective

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Well, how this Liga has turned.

Many could have predicted that FC Barcelona would win their first four games. Tito Vilanova’s men have played well on offense and a bit shaky at-times on defense, but, overall, the team has done its job and have 12 points and the lead in La Liga.

While a successful Barcelona start to the La Liga season is not surprising, no one—and I mean NO ONE—saw Barça’s eternal rivals, Real Madrid, only having four points after four games.

No one—not even the biggest FC Barcelona fan—thought Real Madrid would lose two out of their first four games.

Incredible.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to disrespect Getafe or Sevilla, as they are tough teams and are capable of upsetting any team, including Barcelona. But with all due respect to those teams, Real Madrid is far superior in talent and has a superior manager in Jose Mourinho.

That being said, Getafe and Sevilla showed all of us that talent doesn’t always win, that the number of trophies a manager has in his resume doesn’t matter and that anything can happen in football.

And that anything has happened for Real Madrid.

Real’s 1-0 loss to Sevilla on Saturday is the team’s second-consecutive loss and leaves them eight points behind FC Barcelona in La Liga standings.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

To put this into perspective, think of this: Real Madrid has lost eight points in La Liga already. Last season, the historic 100-point Real Madrid team didn’t lose eight points in La Liga until December 10^th.

Did I mention that this 2012-13 Real team is essentially the same team as last season’s historic team?

Will the “real” Real Madrid team please stand up?

No Barcelona fan is crying a river about Real’s struggles, as it’s all part of the rivalry. Last season when Barça began to fall apart, Madridistas celebrated and mocked Culés as el blaugrana lost La Liga, culminating with the 2-1 Real Madrid victory in the Camp Nou.

It’s OK.

Well, as usual in this rivalry, the tables have turned.

After the loss to Sevilla, Jose Mourinho talked to the media about his team. But apparently, the team must have been stolen or they ran away from Mou, because he said he has no team.

“At the moment, I have no team,” said Jose. He added on, “For me it's about the state of our collective spirit.”

“No team”? “Collective spirit”? What is going on? So when did their collective spirit leave? It looks like they had it when they defeated Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup a few weeks ago.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

I’m sorry, but for me, Mou is making more excuses then he’s famously known for. He has a team—a terrific team for that matter. But does his team have “chemistry”?

Maybe that’s what Mou is trying to say. But even if that’s what Mou meant to say, it’s still an excuse because other than Luka Modric and Michael Essien, the core of this Real Madrid team has been together a few years now.

Perhaps it’s Jose Mourinho whose state of spirit is not well.

Something to think about.

This is the last thing this club needed coming out of the Cristiano Ronaldo “sad” saga, which may or may not be over. Florentino Perez must be scratching his head, as it just seems like this team shoots themselves in the foot, both on the pitch and off.

While Real Madrid were collapsing on the pitch at Sevilla, Barcelona players were watching the game and celebrating Sevilla’s win. According to Carles Escolan of Radio Marca (Spain) via his twitter account, the Barça players were clapping and cheering, saying “Vamos, mi Sevilla” (Let’s go, my Sevilla), which is one of the Sevilla chants.

I agree with Escolan when he mentioned later on twitter that it has been a while since these Barcelona players have shown such happiness and emotion to the media.

Under Pep Guardiola, the Barça players were always taught to stay calm and not show too much emotion in seeing a rival lose. But now with Tito Vilanova at the helm, the players are relaxed and are able to express themselves and their emotions freely.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

As much as I loved (and still love) Pep Guardiola, he tried too hard to be neutral, both in what he said in the media and even in the treatment of his players.

He couldn’t help it, that’s just how he is.

In my opinion, Pep worried too much about the media as well. He worried about what the media thought, said and would report about his team. He said he never cared, but I never bought it.

During those four years, players like Xavi and Victor Valdes—players who have been very vocal in the past—were not as vocal. Now with Tito in charge, all the players are loose, and the media and their “image” of FC Barcelona is not a concern as it was when Pep was in charge.

Let’s get back to Madrid.

I don’t think Real Madrid is going to struggle all season-long. This team is too talented, and they obviously know how to win. But one thing that I would be wondering if I was a Real fan is why does this team constantly shoot themselves in the foot?

And it’s not necessarily a Jose Mourinho thing.

Even under Manuel Pellegrini in the 2009-10 season, Real would have these kinds of games like they had last Saturday.

One thing I must emphasize is the comment made by Mourinho when he said he doesn’t have a team. Is it just me, or isn’t this the second time in his Real Madrid managing career that Mou thew his team under the bus like a Copa Del Rey trophy dropped by Sergio Ramos?

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Please don’t give me the excuse of “He’s not the one that’s on the pitch playing. Stop blaming him.”

I’m not saying it’s his fault entirely, but it’s not about “blaming," it’s about “responsibility.” There’s a difference. I'm not blaming Mou for the drama, I'm just saying he shouldn't have thrown the team under the bus by saying he has no team.

Regardless of Jose's comment, this Real debacle is truly not all his fault.

Mou took responsibility if any of his players were not motivated. Mou did very well there. Unfortunately for Jose, some of his players are not responding to whatever his motivational tactics are.

Karim Benzema is still struggling terribly; Gonzalo Higuain missed plenty of chances against Sevilla; And Cristiano Ronaldo continues to act like the prima donna that he's always displayed of being—whining, complaining and showing his frustration towards his teammates for the whole world to see.

Mesut Ozil is also having a down season so far.

Real seems to not have the motivation need to win many Liga games. It just seems like their opponents have an intensity that Real lacks. It can't all be Mou's fault, can it?

Honestly, I think some Real Madrid players don't give a damn about Jose Mourinho and what he coaches. Some players have completely checked out and will not listen to him; Some players just flat-out don't like him at all, and some just don't like the football he preaches.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

El Pais (Spain) football reporter Diego Torres went even further when asked about the state of Real Madrid. Torres believes the players have already thrown in the towel.

The players are very pessimistic. They believe that the league is practically lost and that (Jose) Mourinho will not finish the season.

The players are far more discouraged than last year. They have lost the stimulus they had before which was to win a title that had eluded them, and believe it is impossible to win the league playing under Mourinho because he is determined to play in a way that is no longer a surprise to Spanish teams.

Torres later suggested that Mou’s press conference comments could be hinting at his eventual departure.

Personally, I hope Mou goes nowhere.

Yes, he's an arrogant man with a Napoleon complex, but he makes the rivalry so much fun. His ego may be too big for all of this drama, but the players have plenty of responsibility in the drama as well. If Iker Casillas or Sergio Ramos has an issue with their manager or his strategies, they need to talk to him.

Mou may not want to listen, but an effort needs to be made by the players.

Has Mou finally lost the locker room? Or is it the players who are responsible for the mess in Madrid?

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Who knows what will happen with this team this season and in the future.

Let me just say one last thing, if Real Madrid is down eight points or more heading into the October 7^th Clasico at the Camp Nou, Real Madrid are essentially playing for their Liga defense. If Barcelona pulls out a victory that night, an 11-point lead will be too much, even for a team as strong as Real Madrid, to overcome.

Yes, there’s plenty of Liga left after that game, but let’s be realistic: 11 points is too much for any team to make up.  Not to mention, they would have to try and catch up to a team with the world’s best player in Lionel Messi, and, arguably, the best midfield in the world in FC Barcelona.

Barça were down 12 points last season, and even with a historic season by Lionel Messi and all the talent the team had, 12 points was too much for Barcelona.

Real Madrid will face the same fate as well.

If all stays the same points-wise heading into El Clásico and Barcelona takes an 11-point lead with a win, La Liga is over for Real Madrid.

If history tells us anything, it tells us that La Liga is already over for Real Madrid. Los Blancos have never overcome a seven-or-more point deficit to win La Liga.

There’s always a first time for everything, though.

Real can definitely come back in points, and Barcelona is capable of slipping up prior to El Clásico. But if Barcelona defeats Real Madrid and Mourinho’s team goes down 11 points, there will not be a repeat championship for Madrid.

Photo courtesy of http://vk.com/id97015751

The question after that would become does Jose Mourinho stay or go after next season? Some people would say that the same could be asked of Cristiano Ronaldo.

For Real Madrid, this Liga season will be a continuous battle of trying to find stability. For FC Barcelona, this is a Liga season that is now, more than ever, theirs for the taking.

Real Madrid is a constant soap opera.

And all FC Barcelona and football fans are thankful for that.

Thanks for reading.

Remember, I will begin “FIFA Thursdays” every Thursday beginning September 27. I will be online from 10 p.m. to midnight ET playing against my readers.

So if you want to play against me and beat me at FIFA 13, I'm on Xbox 360 and my username is Xoel7. Find me there, as I look forward to beating many of you on FIFA 13.

And you can guess which team I’ll always pick.

It’s a small way of saying thanks for checking out my articles, and thanks for reading Bleacher Report.

article source:  http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1337968-observing-the-real-madrid-drama-from-a-barca-fans-perspective

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Everton 2 Newcastle 2: Ba earns late point but Toffees fume over TWO disallowed goals

T should have been a night when the talk was about enthralling sport, emotional support and a game that epitomised all that is good about English football.

Instead, an old debate has been re-opened and this time, the bodies that govern the game will be under pressure to act fast.

After another calamitous mistake, one which deprived Everton of a richly deserved victory, the clamour for the introduction of goal-line  technology has reached new levels.

Frantic finale: Victor Anichebe thought he had won the game for Everton with an 88th-minute strike...

... two minutes later, though, Demba Ba nudged a bouncing ball past Tim Howard and into the net

...but an earlier effort was the big talking point after the linesman failed to see the ball across the line

The Premier League have said they want to bring it in to play ‘as soon as is practically possible’ and, after this draw, Everton manager David Moyes was asking for it to happen even quicker.

The Scot understandably, was shattered that his team failed  to collect three points from an  absorbing tussle. With better  fortune and arguably better  officiating, Victor Anichebe and Marouane Fellaini would have put Everton out of reach.

‘I thought we had a couple of goals in the game that should have counted,’ said Moyes, referring to a header from Anichebe late in the second half that TV replays clearly showed to have crossed the line, and a strike from Fellaini that was wrongly adjudged offside.
‘The linesman is standing on the line, so you hope he sees it. I don’t know how he has missed them.

‘I told him after the game he had cost us a couple of goals. But there is nothing I can do about it. Technology will eventually come in.’

Significantly, his opposite number was in total agreement.

Tribute: Everton showed true class as they honoured the victims of Hillsborough before kick-off

‘My technical team told me it was over the line,’ said Newcastle boss Alan Pardew, referring to  Anichebe’s 79th-minute header. ‘I have been saying for as long as anyone that technology must come in. It has cost Everton a crucial goal.’
It was such a shame that this topic ended up as the talking point. Everton for much of the contest were outstanding, playing with verve and swagger, but Newcastle made just as big a contribution in the second period.

Here were two fine sides, playing football in the spirit it is intended.

A draw may have been the final outcome, Demba Ba’s double  cancelling out efforts from Leighton Baines and Anichebe, but it was an evening when football emerged  victorious.

Baines in the backside: Everton defender Leighton handed the home side the lead early on

This was the first game played on Merseyside since the  revelations about the Hillsborough disaster were published and, as was the case when they provided the opposition for Liverpool in their first game after the tragedy in 1989, Everton covered themselves in glory.
It has been a hugely emotional week on Merseyside. For all the joy and relief that came from Liverpool fans being exonerated by the Hillsborough Independent Panel, there remains pain and disbelief about the horrors that unfolded on the Leppings Lane terrace.

How best to mark the occasion was clearly something Everton had thought long and hard about. The display was wonderfully poignant and dignified without being sentimental and was a fitting tribute to their Red brothers and sisters.

Hit the post, literally: Nikica Jelavic's evening didn't last long after he collided with the upright

Here, in raw, touching terms, was Merseyside standing united.
It had been mooted that You’ll Never Walk Alone would be played before kick-off but, instead, it was perhaps more fitting that The  Hollies’ He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother rang out when the 96 names were shown on screens at either end of the stadium.

Their tribute was widely  commended and, soon after, so was the football Everton produced.

Newcastle were also very poor.
‘We were shocking,’ fumed Pardew,  who watched the game from the directors’ box, as he was serving the first of a two-game touchline ban. ‘The first half was as bad as we have been in my time here.’

Off the line: Newcastle themselves forced the hosts on the back foot, and Baines had to clear

Only a linesman’s flag prevented Everton from taking a third-minute lead but on this occasion the decision was correct. Nikica Jelavic had strayed offside just before Fellaini’s shot had been parried by Harper.

The reprieve was only temporary as Baines gave Everton a 15th-minute lead. He exchanged passes with Fellaini before doing likewise with Steven Pienaar before smashing a drive beyond Harper.

Everton wasted good chances before the break and they were made to pay shortly after it when Ba, who came on as a substitute for Sylvain Marveaux, swept in after some poor defending.

Back in it: Second-half substitute Demba Ba took just four minutes to pull his side level

But Everton came back and, as Moyes said, should have been rewarded only for Fellaini to be wrongly ruled offside when running on to a Pienaar pass and then the same assistant, Ceri Richards,  failing to spot Anichebe’s header crossing the line.

When Anichebe pounced in the 88th minute, it looked as if Everton had got their rewards but Ba had the final word, applying the  dramatic end to a whirlwind night.

Article source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2204693/Everton-2-Newcastle-2--match-report.html#ixzz26mqNyyNA

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