Arsenal 2-1 Burnley: Alexis Sanchez helps Gunners into FA Cup fifth round

Arsenal maintained hopes of winning the FA Cup for a third season in a row as Alexis Sanchez's goal carried them past Burnley and into round five.

The Premier League side led when Calum Chambers superbly curled in from 18 yards with the outside of his foot.

Championship side Burnley hit back as Sam Vokes headed in Tendayi Darikwa's cross and an Alex Iwobi interception denied Andre Gray after the break.

Sanchez - making his first start since November - finished coolly to win it.

The Chile international - who has made just one substitute appearance since suffering a hamstring injury - was lively throughout and turned in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's cross after Darikwa was dispossessed in midfield.

There can be no doubt the holders deserved a place in Sunday's draw as they enjoyed the lion's share of possession and chances, though Burnley created a nervy finish.

The impressive Gray caught sight of goal late on but could not get meaningful power in his shot and as the visitors threw bodies forward, substitute Theo Walcott missed a glorious chance to add a third on the break as he failed to round Tom Heaton.

History beckons for Gunners

Alexis Sanchez (17) was involved early in the move whish saw him score a smart winner

Arsenal's match programme featured the FA Cup trophy on the front cover along with the words "To have and to hold".

They move a step closer to emulating the Blackburn Rovers side of 1886 by winning a third FA Cup in a row, though this was far from vintage.

They made nine changes to the side beaten by Chelsea last weekend but still fired 23 shots at the Burnley goal as Arsene Wenger maintained his record of only losing to lower-league opposition once in 41 FA Cup ties.

Solid appearances from the likes of Chambers and Iwobi show he has a squad capable of maintaining a challenge in this competition but the anxious moments - particularly with the ball in the air in their box - will continue prompt some concern.

A solid debut

Mohamed Elneny touched the ball 100 times but only five of those were in the penalty areas

Mohamed Elneny saw more of the ball than any other player - with 100 touches - on his first outing since joining for £5m from Basel earlier this month.

His completion of 96% of his passes was impressive but as a deep midfielder, he often found himself with plenty of time on the ball, meaning there will be tougher tests to come.

"I felt he started a bit cautious, played a bit secure," said Wenger of Elneny. "He became more adventurous. It will take him some time to adjust to the power side of our game here, but the intelligence, the mobility and the technical level are good."

While Elneny was steady between the penalty areas, Sanchez was pivotal inside the box.

The Chile international didn't break stride to slam home his goal, created the opener for Chambers and looked lively throughout. His return could be crucial ahead of a key February when Arsenal play the likes of leaders Leicester, Barcelona and Manchester United.

Clarets going up?

Like Arsenal, Burnley sit third in their respective table and their offering at the Emirates shows they have the grit needed to win promotion back to the top tier at the first time of asking.

Gray missed an early one-on-one chance and looked set to put his side 2-1 up after the re-start but for Iwobi's last-ditch intervention.

His manager Sean Dyche was bold in making just two changes with a league fixture at Sheffield Wednesday to come on Tuesday.

But the Clarets looked cohesive and more finishing of the quality Vokes displayed could have asked tough questions of the Premier League side. 

They undoubtedly look capable of staying the pace in the second tier.

Man of the match - Alexis Sanchez

Alexis Sanchez showed some rusty touches but still scored a goal and made one

What they Said:

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger: "Burnley are a good side. For the first 20 minutes we looked quite in control but when they equalised suddenly you could see, energy, commitment, and we had to dig deep to win the game. Every free-kick you worry because Sam Vokes is very strong in the air and he scored their goal - they are strong on set pieces and we needed to be alert."

Burnley manager Sean Dyche: "It was a closer-run affair this year, and we had some good chances. I'm really pleased with the growth my players have shown in that year, but we didn't quite have enough and ultimately the disappointment is we haven't gone through."

Up next?

Arsenal host Southampton on Tuesday - where they could go top of the Premier League - and Burnley travel to Sheffield Wednesday on the same night as they bid to close a four-point gap to the automatic promotion places.

Source:BBC

Aston Villa 0-4 Manchester City: Kelechi Iheanacho scores hat-trick

Watch Aston Villa vs Manchester City 0-4 Highlights & Goals 2015-16 FA Cup 30-01-2016

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a hat-trick as Manchester City eased into the fifth round of the FA Cup by thrashing beleaguered Aston Villa.

City went ahead within the first four minutes as the home side failed to clear a corner and Iheanacho swept in a finish from close range.

The visitors doubled their lead from Iheanacho's cool penalty after Raheem Sterling was brought down in the box.

Iheanacho ran clear for his third goal and Sterling poked in a fourth.

Striker Iheanacho could even have had four but failed to connect with a shot after making a run into the opposition box and Fernandinho's long-range drive was pushed over by goalkeeper Guzan. 

Slick City stay on course for quadruple

This was potentially a tricky tie for City, against a Villa side who were unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions. But the away side took control by scoring twice within the first 24 minutes.

City's progress into the fifth round keeps alive their hopes of an unprecedented quadruple as they lie second in the Premier League, in the knockout stages of the Champions League and face Liverpool in the final of the League Cup.

Ahead of the match, boss Manuel Pellegrini played down talk of winning all four trophies this season, but on this form City will take some stopping, even with the likes of Yaya Toure, David Silva and Kevin de Bruyne missing.

And having left Sergio Aguero on the bench, 19-year-old Nigerian Iheanacho stepped up to show his potential with a calmly taken treble and has now scored eight times this debut campaign.

Have Villa shown they can stay up?

No. Bottom of the league and the lowest scorers in the division, Villa were outclassed and rarely threatened to make a breakthrough in the match.

Idrissa Gana forced Willy Caballero into a sprawling save from long range and Carles Gil's free-kick was well saved by the City goalkeeper, but that was the closest they came. Striker Jordan Ayew was anonymous in the match.

Villa striker Jordan Ayew touched the ball just once inside the opposition area and didn't manage any shots at goal. In fact, five of his touches came on the centre spot, four to take the kick off after conceding, and one to start the match in the second half

Man of the match - Kelechi Iheanacho

Three goals from three shots on target, clinical Iheanacho took the match ball home

What they said:

Hat-trick hero Kelechi Iheanacho: "I am so happy to score today. It is my first hat-trick and I am hopeful of more to come. I took my time to score the third goal. I waited for the goalkeeper to see where he went. It is a great feeling when the fans chant my name and I am grateful they came to support us."

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini: "I'm very happy. Kelechi is a very good young player. We let Stevan Jovetic and Edin Dzeko go because I see Kelechi every day and know what he can do. 

Bakary Sagna played well at centre-back, he didn't make any mistakes, and Willy Caballero was solid in goal."

Aston Villa boss Remi Garde: "When you start the game so poorly, it is difficult. After the first two goals, they played quietly and we did not have much danger to cope with.

"The penalty was a bit harsh but it is done. I don't want to blame the team too much and we have important games coming up."

What next?

Villa travel to West Ham in the Premier League on Tuesday, while City go to Sunderland on the same day. Both matches kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

Barcelona 2-1 Atletico Madrid - As it happened (Suarez and Messi on target in Barca win )

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez have now scored 52 goals between them this season

Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored as Barcelona came from behind to beat nine-man Atletico Madrid and go three points clear at the top of La Liga.

Atletico, who started the day level with the defending champions, took an early lead when Koke fired home.

But Messi slotted in the equaliser after 31 minutes and Suarez raced clear to score his 19th league goal of the season eight minutes later.

Atletico had Filipe Luis and Diego Godin sent off for bad challenges.

Possession

Barcelona Home 71%

Atl Madrid Away 29%

Title in the bag for Barca?

With a game in hand and a three-point lead at the top of the table it looks like Barcelona's title to lose now.

Luis Enrique's side have won five of their six league games since the winter break and are beginning to look unstoppable with 17 games to go.

Their remaining fixtures do not look too demanding, bar a visit from Real Madrid, who are now seven points back, at the start of April.

This may have been Atletico's last chance to stay in the hunt but they have now not won in 10 league attempts at the Nou Camp and with Barca doing the double for a second successive season, there may be no way back for Diego Simeone's men.

Red for danger

Filipe Luis is sent off for Atletico Madrid at Barcelona

Atletico's lack of discipline may have cost them their last tilt at the title after Luis and Godin were both sent off for needless challenges.

Luis' dangerous lunge at Messi just before half-time was as crude as it was reckless.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique was furious but Messi managed to avoid injury and his side was handed a one-man advantage.

Atletico were not out of it and still managed to create chances as they looked to fight back from 2-1 down.

But another wild challenge from Godin on Suarez, which could have earned him a straight red rather than a second yellow, left them too much to do as they played the final half-hour with only nine men.

Man of the match

Luis Suarez was not at his best and even against nine men he, Lionel Messi and Neymar were unable to run riot. But when Barca need a goal Suarez is invariably the man and his calm finish to give him 31 goals for the season was ultimately the difference between the teams.

What they said:

Barcelona goalkeeper Claudio Bravo: "It was a tough game because they were very strong, but we came out on top in the duel and that is thanks to our work in the week."

What next?

Barcelona continue their quest for a treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey when they meet Gary Neville's Valencia in the first leg of their Spanish Cup semi-final next Wednesday night.

They return to league action at bottom club Levante next Sunday, while Atletico's next match is at home to Europa League hopefuls Eibar in La Liga next Saturday.

Source:BBC

Derby 1-3 Man Utd Highlights FA Cup

Manchester United relieved the pressure on manager Louis van Gaal by beating Derby in the FA Cup fourth round.

Van Gaal dismissed claims he offered to resign after losing to Southampton on Saturday, and his team were more positive against the Championship side.

Wayne Rooney curled in from 20 yards to put United ahead before George Thorne cut through their defence to equalise.

Daley Blind then finished low into the net from Jesse Lingard's cross before Juan Mata sealed victory late on.

Derby, who have not won a league game in 2016 and are fifth in the Championship, caused problems towards the end of the first half when Thorne latched on to Chris Martin's delightful through ball.

But that aside, it was a confidence-boosting win for Van Gaal's team who, after a winless December, have lost once in January and registered a two-goal victory for the first time in 15 matches.

WATCH All Goals & Highlights  Derby 1-3 Manchester United ~29/1/2016 [FA Cup]

• 'Man Utd are still painful to watch'

This graphic shows that more than half of United's attacks came down the left-hand side where Anthony Martial was positioned

Martial helps United rediscover their swagger

It has been a troubling week for Van Gaal, who has trained his fire on the media and sarcastically said losing to Derby could cost him his job for a fourth time this season.

But in the first half-hour and after the break, United showed the kind of swagger that has been missing in recent months.

Buoyed by more than 5,000 visiting fans, much of United's improvement centred around Anthony Martial, who captured some of his early season form with a superb performance.

Stationed on the left wing, the 20-year-old caused problems for Derby right-back Cyrus Christie and capped an effervescent display when he set up Mata for the final goal after skipping through the home side's defence.

With better control, the French forward could have scored either side of Rooney's clinical finish. Although the United striker appeared offside when he collected the ball, he turned inside before finding the top corner to move within six of Sir Bobby Charlton's club record 249 goals.

• 'Where are Man Utd's idols?'

Wayne Rooney (the bottom-placed player on the yellow line) came back from an offside position before scoring the opener

Derby challenge fades in second half

Derby have had their own problems in the Championship under manager Paul Clement, who was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain and Chelsea before he took his first step into management at the start of the season.

The former school teacher has overseen £25m of spending on players since taking over and, until Boxing Day, it seemed to be paying dividends with Derby on course for the Premier League.

But like last season, when the Rams faltered in the promotion push under Steve McClaren, their form has nosedived.

The hosts looked bereft of confidence as United began the game strongly, missing out on an opportunity to pressurise Van Gaal's side.

Yet once they pressed United higher up the pitch they began to give their expectant supporters something to cheer about.

Thorne's goal was well worked, and had Nick Blackman kept two efforts on target either side of the break, they might have caused real worry for the visitors.

However, Blackman and fellow winger Thomas Ince were well shackled by United's young full-backs Guillermo Varela and Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, and once Blind put the 11-time FA Cup winners ahead, Derby's challenge faded.

Manager reaction

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "It was maybe better than we had trained. We played at the right time against the resistance of Derby. We gave their goal away but at half-time I said that it was a good performance, keep it up and we will win. And we did.

"Daley Blind's goal? You have to sniff it and he sniffed it. It was a great goal. The Premier League is very important but the FA Cup is the greatest cup in England with a long and important history. We haven't won it for a long time so we dream of it. After two wins you can't say that we will win it."

Derby boss Paul Clement: "You're always worried about those quality players, like Juan Mata and Anthony Martial, off the back of our midfield. They were clinical, their movement and finishing was the difference.

"I thought we gave them a good game, it wasn't an easy game for them. We had some good passing spells and our goal was an excellent goal, a good finish from our holding midfielder - although I don't know what he was doing up there!

"I'm disappointed we didn't keep it tighter for a bit longer so we could go into the last 15-20 minutes with a chance. For a team who is lacking confidence they played well tonight."

What next?

Derby host Preston on Tuesday as they hope to get their Championship title challenge back on track, while Manchester United welcome Stoke to Old Trafford on the same evening.


Source:BBC 

Alexandre Pato: Chelsea sign Brazil striker on loan

Pato has struggled with injuries since 2010

Chelsea have signed Brazil striker Alexandre Pato on loan from Corinthians until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old has made 27 appearances for his national team, scoring 10 goals, and represented his country at both the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

"I am so happy to sign for Chelsea," said Pato. "It is a dream for me, I'm looking forward to getting to know my new team-mates and cannot wait to play.

"I thank Chelsea for their support and hope I can repay this faith."

The Blues, who won the Premier League last season, have had a disappointing campaign and are 13th in the table, although they are still in the Champions League.

Interim manager Guus Hiddink does not think the signing of Pato is a risk.

"It's not a gamble. Coming on loan makes it possible to view if he can adapt to the league," said Hiddink.

Chelsea are also set to sign New York Red Bulls defender Matt Miazga, 20.

"We're not rushing, but he will be one of the squad members for the future," added Hiddink.

Analysis

Tim Sturtridge, South American football journalist

• Pato has struggled with injuries since 2010 (hamstrings, thigh strains, muscle pulls), which curtailed his time in Milan. His return to Brazil with Corinthians was not successful with the £11.5m price tag (a massive fee for a Brazilian club to pay) weighing heavily on him.
• The pace, movement and trickery that marked Pato out as a special talent in his early years have declined as injuries have taken their toll. There are parallels with Chelsea striker Radamel Falcao in this respect.
• A positive for Chelsea is that Pato has turned down bigger money in China and at 26 he knows this is his last chance to make an impact in Europe. He will be aiming to reach Brazil's Copa America squad this summer.

Source: BBC

Serena Williams aims at Steffi Graf Grand Slam singles record

Williams has won six previous Australian Open titles, but has never done so without dropping a set

Serena Williams says she is playing near her best as she attempts to win a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title when she faces Angelique Kerber in Saturday's Australian Open final.

The American, 34, won three out of four Grand Slam titles last season.

"This is probably the best slam I've played in a year," said Williams, who can match Steffi Graf's Open-era feat.

Britain's Jamie Murray is in the men's doubles final, while compatriot Gordon Reid competes in two wheelchair finals.

Murray, whose brother Andy plays Novak Djokovic in Sunday's men's singles final, takes on Daniel Nestor and Radek Stepanek alongside new Brazilian partner Bruno Soares.

Murray parted ways with Australian John Peers at the end of 2015 after the pair finished as runners-up at both Wimbledon and the US Open.

Fellow Scot Reid is attempting to lift the men's singles and doubles title, competing alongside Japanese partner Shingo Kunieda after he plays Belgium's Joachim Gerard earlier in the day.

Steffi Graf won the second of her 22 Grand Slam titles with victory over Chris Evert in Melbourne in 1988

Williams will be the centre of attention, however, as she bids to match Graf's Open-era haul of 22 Grand Slam titles, closing in on Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24.

After a tricky first-round encounter against Camila Giorgi, she has been progressed through the draw with a series of emphatic victories, dropping just 17 games and no sets in the next five matches.

She beat five-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-1 in the quarter-finals before seeing off fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-0 6-4 to make the final.

"Even if I don't win, I really can take away that I've been really consistent and I want to continue that," Williams added.

German seventh seed Kerber is playing in her first Grand Slam final, compared to Williams' 26th.

The 28-year-old has won just once in six previous meetings - a 6-4 6-4 upset in Cincinnati in 2012 - but believes her status as the underdog and the belief built by a steady climb up the rankings gives her hope.

Kerber, who beat Britain's Johanna Konta in the semi-finals, was in relaxed mood in her pre-final news conference

She will be ranked at least fourth in the world after the tournament and will move as high as number two if she wins.

"I don't have so much pressure like she has. I know I can lose the match. That's why I'm going out there to try to win it," she said.

"I think I grow in the last few years to be a top-10 player.

"Now I'm back in the top five. I think I showed everybody that I deserve it. That's a good feeling."

Source:BBC

Hillary Clinton emails declared 'top secret'

Hillary Clinton's unsecured home server contained more than a dozen emails deemed "top secret"- one of the highest levels of classification in the US government, the White House has said.

State Department spokesman John Kirby said the emails were not marked classified at the time they were sent.

Mrs Clinton's use of a personal email as secretary of state has become an issue in her presidential campaign.

This is the first time her emails have been labelled classified at any level.

Messages were marked "top secret" because they would cause "exceptionally grave" damage to national security if disclosed, the State Department said.

Intelligence officials told the Associated Press that the 37 pages being withheld concerned so-called "special access programmes" - clandestine projects like drone strikes or government eavesdropping.

Hillary Clinton's campaign said the emails were not marked classified when they were sent and should not be withheld.

"This appears to be over-classification run amok," the campaign said in statement.

It was unclear whether Mrs Clinton sent "top secret" messages or only received the information.

Sensitive information

On Mrs Clintons' request, thousands of emails from her time as US secretary of state have been released.

Previously, sensitive information has been redacted from the published messages, but Mr Kirby said the "top secret" emails would not be released, even in part.

Mrs Clinton's opponents have accused her of putting US security at risk by using an unsecured computer system.

The presidential hopeful has admitted that her decision to use a private email server at her New York home was a mistake.

The State Department released another batch of Mrs Clinton's emails on Friday evening.

The department has yet to release about 7,000 pages of emails from Mrs Clinton's private server.

Officials in the State Department have asked for additional time to vet the messages because of the recent snowstorm that hit Washington.

They have asked to release the final batch messages on 29 February, which is after the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary.

Source:BBC