Chelsea aim to deny rivals City any festive cheer........

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The omens are good for a Chelsea side heading into Christmas top of the Premier League tree but manager Jose Mourinho does not want to give title rivals Manchester City any reason to cheer over the festive season.
Having beaten Stoke City 2-0 at the Britannia Stadium on Monday, the London club ensured they went into a busy fixture schedule leading the table with 42 points from 17 matches.

The last three times Chelsea have been top on Christmas Day they have gone on to win the title, but with in-form City hot on their heels three points behind, Mourinho is taking nothing for granted with testing matches to come.

Sam Allardyce's fourth-placed West Ham United travel to Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground on Friday before Mourinho's men head to Southampton on Sunday and then make the short trip across London to face Tottenham Hotspur on New Year's Day.

"Now we have to focus on the three matches we still have until the end of this period," Mourinho told reporters after the victory at Stoke.

"Playing against Big Sam is a hard job for us, we have to cope with it. The three-point lead we have is a little advantage, it is a little pillow we have to protect us.

"We have been top of the league since day one and we are there because we are playing really well. Our Christmas fixtures are more difficult than any other one (club)."

Second-placed City travel to West Bromwich Albion in search of a seventh straight league win but they are still without injured strikers Stevan Jovetic, Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero.

Captain Vincent Kompany is also missing for Manuel Pellegrini's side but midfielder David Silva, having scored twice in City's 3-0 home win over Crystal Palace last weekend, is ready to strike against struggling West Brom.

"I like to play in the middle, even though I can play on both wings," Silva said. "When I play in the middle I get chances to score. That is why I scored the two goals. But I will be happy to help the team when the strikers are back."

Elsewhere on Friday, third-placed Manchester United, whose progress up the league was slowed with a 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last weekend, host Newcastle United while Arsenal welcome London rivals Queens Park Rangers to the Emirates.

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Germany ranks first in Fifa's year-end standings........

The German football team topped Fifa's year-end national team rankings released Thursday, a reward for its stupendous performance in Brazil culminating in the World Cup triumph.

Argentina were second and Colombia came third. Belgium were fourth ahead of the Netherlands while Cup hosts Brazil were sixth.

Euro 2016 hosts France ranked seventh, just ahead of Portugal. 2010 Cup champions Spain were placed in the ninth position while Uruguay climbed to the 10th spot.

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Fifa to publish Garcia report in ''appropriate form''

Fifa's executive committee has unanimously agreed to publish an "appropriate" version of a report into the bidding process for the 2018/2022 World Cups but said Russia and Qatar would still stage the tournaments.

"The decision which has been taken on Dec 2, 2010, stands and there is no re-vote to take," Fifa president Blatter told a news conference in a luxury Marrakech hotel.

"We will go on by sticking to our decisions, both tournaments are in our calendar, and we also need to determine when 2022 will take place," he added, referring to the controversy over the timing of the tournament in the Gulf state.

"There must be huge upheaval, new elements come to the fore the change this, but the executive committee sees no need to change anything."

Blatter added that the crisis Fifa has faced since the publication last month of a summary of former investigator Michael Garcia's 18-month investigation was over.

"We have been in a crisis (but) with the decision of the executive committee today, the crisis has stopped."

Football's governing body had previously said it could not publish Garcia's 430-page report for legal reasons.

However, Fifa's ethics committee will now publish the report "in an appropriate form once ongoing procedures against individuals are concluded", Blatter said in a statement issued shortly before a news conference.

Garcia has opened official investigations against a number of individuals, which Blatter confirmed on Friday, including three members of the current Fifa executive committee.

Fifa could not say how long the process would take but Blatter said the ethics committee should speed up.

"The executive committee is asking to the ethics committee to accelerate the movement, to take on more lawyers because we have needed two years to have a first report and we have to accelerate movement," he said.

He also said the disciplinary committee would investigate how the names of the three members were leaked to the media.

Shed light

Football's governing body had been under pressure to publish a redacted version of Garcia's report to help shed light on what happened during the turbulent process for the tournaments awarded to Russia and Qatar respectively.

"I am pleased they have agreed. It has been a long process to arrive at this point and I understand the views of those who have been critical," Blatter said.

"We have always been determined that the truth should be known. That is, after all, why we set up an independent Ethics Committee with an investigatory chamber that has all necessary means to undertake investigations on its own initiative.

"At the same time we also need to remember that while the report is complete, the investigations flowing from it are not. We must ensure that we do not jeopardise those investigations and the proceedings against various individuals already initiated by the independent Ethics Committee."

The decision followed a presentation by Domenico Scala, head of Fifa's audit and compliance committee and one of only six people to have seen the report.

Garcia, who said himself that the report should be published, investigated allegations of corruption in the bidding process, during which he interviewed 75 witnesses.

In November, Fifa's ethics judge Hans-Joachim Eckert issued a 42-page summary of Garcia's report which identified cases of "inappropriate conduct" in a number of the bids but said there was not enough evidence to justify re-opening the process.

Garcia immediately appealed against Eckert's statement, saying it contained misrepresentations.

His appeal was ruled inadmissible this week, prompting his resignation.

Scala said the decision not to revisit the 2018 and 2022 vote was supported by two independent, legal experts he had consulted.

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San Lorenzo dream of unlikely win over Real Madrid.

San Lorenzo, undeterred by the big gulf that separates them from Real Madrid, have vowed to play with "a knife between our teeth" when they face the European champions in Saturday's Club World Cup final.
 

The champions of South America, who count Pope Francis and Hollywood actor Viggo Mortensen among their supporters, spent three million euros (£2.35 million) in the last transfer window while Real splashed out 80 million euros this year on James Rodriguez alone.

"We'll have to fight for each ball as if it were the last," said San Lorenzo midfielder Leandro Romagnoli. "If we respect them too much it will be impossible.

"If we give them any freedom they will hurt us a lot ... we have to play with a knife between our teeth," he added, repeating a phrase often used by Atletico Madrid coach and former Argentina captain Diego Simeone.

San Lorenzo are attempting to become the first Argentine side to win the tournament since it started in its current format in 2005.

Boca Juniors and Estudiantes have previously reached the final, losing to AC Milan and Barcelona respectively.

That record is a stark contrast to the old Intercontinental Cup, played by the European and South American champions, which Argentine sides won a record nine times, sometimes in less than salubrious circumstances.

David v Goliath

The difference in wealth between South American and European football means the teams from the two continents no longer meet on equal terms and matches have become a David-versus-Goliath affair.

While Real's bench is brimming with internationals, the only member of the San Lorenzo squad who played at the 2014 World Cup is Colombian defender Mario Yepes, 38.

San Lorenzo, backed by an army of 5,000 travelling fans, hardly boosted their credentials in Wednesday's semi-final as they scraped a 2-1 extra-time win over Auckland City's team of part-timers.

"I believe 100 percent in our chances," said coach Edgardo Bauza who led Ecuador's LDU in the 2008 final against Manchester United. "You have to dream of winning."

Real, aiming for a 22nd consecutive victory in all competitions, have never previously taken part in the tournament and had a mixed record in the Intercontinental Cup with three wins and two defeats in five outings.

They lost 2-1 to Argentine opponents Boca Juniors in 2000.

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Pakistan blast 364 in big win over New Zealand.

Pakistan smashed their third highest one-day total of 364 in a crushing 147-run win over New Zealand to move 2-1 up in the five-match series on Sunday.

Ahmed Shehzad notched an intelligent 113 for his sixth one-day ton and stand-in captain Shahid Afridi bludgeoned a trademark 55 off 26 balls to propel Pakistan to the best ODI score seen in Sharjah in 218 matches, and with three wickets to spare.

Afridi was back in charge with Misbah-ul-Haq out injured and although his innings was full of his usual array of crunching shots, Pakistan also showed a rare ability to nurdle singles at almost every opportunity and cut out the silly strokes.

Only Nathan McCullum went for less than six an over for New Zealand, although Matt Henry took three wickets, and their reply of 217 all out with the bat was equally ineffective as they lost wickets at regular intervals.

They were never in the running to match Pakistan's mammoth total although in-form captain Kane Williamson, who starred in the Black Caps' win in Friday's second ODI, again put up a fight with a brisk 46 before being caught and bowled by Haris Sohail.

The fourth and fifth matches takes place in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday and Friday as the sides continue their build up for February and March's World Cup in Australia.

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France great Henry announces retirement.....

Former World Cup winner and Arsenal's record goal-scorer Thierry Henry announced his retirement from football on Tuesday, bringing an end to his a glittering 20-year career.

The 37-year-old Frenchman scored 51 goals in 123 appearances for his country as he helped them win the 1998 World Cup and European Championships in 2000, while picking up trophies with Monaco, Arsenal, Barcelona and New York Red Bulls in a success-laden club career.

"It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with AS Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal FC, FC Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National Team that have made my time in the game so special," he said in a statement.

"It is now time for a different career path.

"I have had some amazing memories (mostly good!) and a wonderful experience. I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part."

He left the Red Bulls earlier this month at the end of his four-year contract in Major League Soccer, saying he needed time to contemplate his next move.

On Tuesday Henry said he had taken up a role as a television pundit with Sky Sports in Britain starting next year.

The speedy winger made his name in England where he became one of Europe's most feared strikers after Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger switched him to a central role following his arrival from Juventus.

He scored 228 goals for the Londoners in two spells, winning two English Premier League titles before moving to Spanish giants Barcelona where he won a pair of La Liga crowns and the Champions League in 2009.

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Familiar foes to meet again in Champions League

European champions Real Madrid will face Schalke 04, Barcelona will play Manchester City and Chelsea will play Paris St Germain in three ties repeated from last season following the draw for the Champions league last 16 made on Monday.
Real Madrid knocked Schalke out of the last 16 last season 9-2 on aggregate, Barcelona beat Manchester City 4-1 while Chelsea beat PSG on away goals in the quarter-finals.

Last week Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he would welcome being drawn against PSG "because it will be easy for our fans to travel to Paris" -- and he got his wish when Karl-Heinz Riedle drew the pair together.

Riedle, who performed the draw in his role as ambassador for Berlin, the venue for this season's final on June 6 and who scored twice when his Borussia Dortmund team beat Juventus 3-1 in the 1997 final, also drew those two clubs together.

Last season's beaten finalists Atletico Madrid face Bayer Leverkusen in another Spain-Germany match-up.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will face his old club AS Monaco in a competitive match for the first time while five-time winners Bayern Munich take on Shakhtar Donetsk.

Swiss club FC Basel play Porto.

Real Madrid crushed Schalke in last season's Round of 16 and club director Emilio Butragueno told Spanish TV broadcaster Canal Plus: "Let's say that we are rather optimistic.

"We have the experience from last season, a very, very good experience when we essentially won the tie in the first leg."

Real beat Schalke 6-1 in the first leg and 3-1 in the second leg last season en route to their 10th European Cup success.

After drawing English champions Manchester City, Barca sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta told Canal Plus: "It's a great tie against a great rival, a team we know extremely well.

"There is still a long way to go until February and let's see what shape each team is in when the tie comes around, but for sure it's going to be a great tie with two great matches."

City director of football and former Barcelona player Txiki Begiristain told Sky Sports News: "Every tie in that draw is the same, it's fantastic, so we're looking forward to it.

"We have improved our squad from last season and we have some real quality up front."

The first legs will be played on Feb.17/18 and Feb. 24/25 with the second legs being played on March 10/11 and March 17/18 next year. The final is in Berlin on June 6.

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Barcelona's Neymar to miss Getafe match.

Barcelona forward Neymar will miss the La Liga clash at Getafe on Saturday due to an ankle injury, the club said on Friday.
“Neymar is suffering from an ankle injury and will be absent from the game as a precaution,” Barca said in a statement on their website. The Brazilian is looking physically stronger and sharper in his second season at the Nou Camp.

He has scored 11 goals in La Liga and netted a spectacular strike from distance as Barca beat Paris St Germain to finish top of their Champions League group on Wednesday.

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Barcelona's Neymar to miss Getafe match......

Barcelona forward Neymar will miss the La Liga clash at Getafe on Saturday due to an ankle injury, the club said on Friday.
“Neymar is suffering from an ankle injury and will be absent from the game as a precaution,” Barca said in a statement on their website. The Brazilian is looking physically stronger and sharper in his second season at the Nou Camp.

He has scored 11 goals in La Liga and netted a spectacular strike from distance as Barca beat Paris St Germain to finish top of their Champions League group on Wednesday.
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Barcelona's Neymar to miss Getafe match.

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Ronaldo brace helps Real extend record win streak.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a late double as La Liga leaders Real Madrid thumped Almeria 4-1 to extend their Spanish record for consecvutive victories in all competitions to 20 on Friday

Ronaldo struck twice in the last 10 minutes to take his league tally to 25 after first-half goals from Isco and Gareth Bale had seen the visitors go in 2-1 ahead at halftime.

The Portugal winger had been left frustrated for most of the night but he burst into life late on when he knocked in a Karim Benzema cut back from close range before putting away an Isco pass from the centre of the penalty area to wrap up the victory.

Real lead the standings with 39 points from 15 games, five points more than Barcelona who visit Getafe on Saturday.

The European champions travel to Morocco next week for the Club World Cup with two more wins than the previous best which was Barca's 18 victories from October 2005 to January 2006.

Real last failed to win when they were beaten 2-1 by city rivals Atletico Madrid in a La Liga game in September.

“Almeria caused problems for us throughout the game but in the end our quality showed through and we deserved the win,” Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters. “We found it difficult to keep possession as we lacked the necessary composure on the ball and Almeria worked hard. “We are now in good form and there are a lot of positive signs ahead of the Club World Cup.”

Isco shines

Real have had to cope with injuries to Luka Modric, Sami Khedira and James Rodriguez which have allowed Isco to enjoy an extended run and he got his second La Liga goal of the season.

The midfielder put Real ahead with a superb curling effort from the edge of the area after 34 minutes before Almeria drew level with a sweetly struck long-range volley by Verza. Bale then nodded in a cross by Toni Kroos to restore Real's lead.

Real's Iker Casillas kept them in front with an excellent penalty save to deny Verza midway through the second half, after Marcelo had fouled Edgar Mendez, before Ronaldo's late double gave the visitors a more flattering scoreline.

Almeria, who sacked Francisco Rodriguez last Tuesday and named Juan Ignacio Martinez to replace him following the Real game, started at a high-tempo unlike the display against Eibar last Monday when a 5-2 defeat cost the coach his job.

But the home side were eventually outclassed by Real, with the defeat keeping them in the relegation zone on 10 points.

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Real win streak threatened by injuries.

Real Madrid face Almeria in La Liga on Friday aiming to extend their record winning run to 20 matches but injuries are beginning to take their toll.
Ancelotti’s side have been in blistering form and a 4-0 victory over Ludogorets in the Champions League on Tuesday set a new Spanish record of 19 wins in all competitions.
Injuries are becoming a concern, however, with James Rodriguez going off against Celta Vigo last weekend to join Luka Modric and Sami Khedira in the treatment room.
Asier Illarramendi has earned a chance to claim a regular place in the side but the team are looking stretched in midfield with Xabi Alonso having joined Bayern Munich in the last transfer window.
“We are waiting to see how well Modric and James recover and then we will take a decision after Christmas,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference on Thursday.
“Illarramendi has come in and has done well and can play in different positions in the midfield. (Toni) Kroos can also play in different roles but at the moment there is no need to move him from where he is in the centre.”
Real lead the La Liga table with 36 points from 14 games and Ancelotti believes it is important for them to beat Almeria and keep their confidence high before they travel to play in the Club World Cup in Morocco next week.
“It is an honour to train this team and the record shows that we are playing well. There are no trophies but it gives you belief,” Ancelotti said.
“We have been looking ahead to the Club World Cup and making plans. Whatever happens in the next few games though it has been a fantastic year for Madrid and we want to finish it on a high note.”
Barcelona are just two points behind Real having won their last eight games largely down to the prolific form of Lionel Messi.
They beat Paris St Germain on Wednesday to finish first in their Champions League group and travel to Getafe on Saturday.
Champions Atletico Madrid, four points behind the leaders in third, have also hit form and are unbeaten in six games as they prepare to take on Villarreal.

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All change as United and Liverpool resume battle.........

What a difference a year makes for Manchester United and Liverpool.

As the bitter rivals prepare to resume hostilities at Old Trafford on Sunday, a reversal in fortunes has taken place that barely seemed possible at this time last season.

Just 12 months ago, United's title defence was in tatters and manager David Moyes was having to explain how he had managed to turn Alex Ferguson's ferocious tiger of a team into an over-cautious kitten.

Liverpool, meanwhile, could do no wrong. The goals were flowing freely as manager Brendan Rodgers adopted a system that allowed Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge to fill their boots and Anfield rejoiced as some long-lost swagger returned.

In early December last year, United lost 1-0 at home to Everton and Newcastle United as the same players who had been runaway league champions the season before looked utterly shorn of belief.

Their pain was heightened as their arch-rivals steamed ahead.

A 3-1 win over Cardiff City courtesy of two goals from Suarez on Dec. 21 helped Liverpool go top of the table playing a brand of entertaining football more commonly seen at Old Trafford in recent seasons.

Twelve months, however, is a long time in football and two transfer windows is sufficient to bring about a revolution in an era when the stock of managers can rise meteorically and plummet like a stone after back-to-back wins or consecutive defeats.

Now it is United who are starting to strut. With Moyes a distant memory and the imposing figure of Dutchman Louis van Gaal at the helm, United have returned to form.

Five straight Premier League wins have lifted them to third in the table, just as Liverpool suffered a stupefying 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland last weekend that left them ninth.

Another lifeless draw at home to Basel in the Champions League on Tuesday dumped them out of the competition and left pundits to pick over the bones of a team who look the palest of shadows of last season's outfit.

Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson called them "rudderless" after their European failure, while another former stalwart Steve Nicol said the manager's job was on the line.

Contrasting strategies

Contrasting transfer-market strategies in which Liverpool looked to unearth hidden gems as United paid big for established talents are being touted as a simple explanation for their differing situations.

Liverpool sold Luis Suarez to Barcelona and replaced him with nine players of potential for 130 million pounds ($204 million), whereas United recruited high-profile names such as Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao from the top drawer.

As well as buying big, Van Gaal has restored a winning mentality at United that has not been sighted at Old Trafford since Alex Ferguson left the dug-out.

Rodgers, by contrast, seems uncertain of his best team, formation, or even tactical approach.

The gung-ho outlook that propelled them to within an inch of last season's title proved largely unsuccessful at the start of the current campaign, while recently achieved defensive solidity has blunted attacking intent.

Part of the problem for Rodgers seems to be the attacking players he signed bare little resemblance in the way they play to the high-energy, high pressure game of the departed Suarez and the injured Daniel Sturridge.

Van Gaal, however, seems to have developed a system that mitigates for a lack of defensive steel and makes the most of the startling array of forwards United have at their disposal.

A series of injuries have also failed to mask the team's obvious progress from last season, while the manager's stature ensured the panic button was not pressed even when results were mixed at the start of the season.

Last March's 3-0 victory for Liverpool at Old Trafford showcased all that was good about the Merseysiders and laid bare United's shortcomings.

A repeat result on Sunday looks highly unlikely.

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