BARCELONA vs ESPANYOL FULL TIME

Espanyol 0-1 Barcelona:

Martino's men looked set to drop two points in the Catalan derby but their talismanic No.10 converted a 77th-minute spot kick to send his side to the top of the standings

Lionel Messi converted a late penalty as Barcelona defeated city rivals Espanyol 1-0 to go back on top of La Liga.

The Blaugrana looked set to squander the opportunity to overhaul Atletico Madrid at the summit of the standings but Neymar earned  Martino's men a spot kick for the second time in three games with just 13 minutes remaining.

Messi stepped up to the mark and cooly slotted home to send Barca two points clear over the Rojiblancos, who will take on Athletic Bilbao at San Mames later in the day.

 WHAT A FAN THINKS AFTER THE MATCH


My Chat With a Barcelona Fan:-

SEUN MAYE -How do u feel after the game?

FAN-i feel we are let off the hook.

SEUN MAYE-What do you think about the goal neymar & messi?

FAN-normal routine for them, neymar sets up a match winning( "controversial at times) penalty for messi to of cause bury.

SEUN MAYE-why do you think you are let off the hook?
FAN-Barcelona has struggled against lesser opponent this season, so a rival like Espanyol will not be an exception.

SEUN MAYE-Are your happy with this game ending this way?

FAN-humm.....not really i would expect Barcelona to win such a match with a bigger goal difference
SEUN MAYE-how about your next match?

FAN-well Barcelona has to take every match seriously but a win against real betis is not too big to ask.

SEUN MAYE- thank yo so much for spending your time with us.

 FAN- thanks for having me.

MAN UTD vs ASTON VILLA MATCH DETAILS

Manchester United vs Aston Villa LIVE Commentary

England - Premier League

Manchester United

4 vs 1

Aston Villa

March 29, 2014 1:45 PM WAT
Old Trafford — Manchester
Referee:‬ M. Atkinson‎

 13′ Ashley Westwood
 20′ Wayne Rooney

45′ (PG) Wayne Rooney

57′ Juan Mata  

90+1′ Javier Hernández

 

FULL-TIME: Man Utd 4-1 Aston Villa. A convincing scoreline. It's been 'plane' sailing for the hosts, indeed!

Goal Javier Hernández
GOAL! Man Utd 4-1 Aston Villa - HERNANDEZ! Januzaj skips past the defender and drills in a cross towards the back post. Hernandez turns it in, and that puts the stamp on a convincing win for the hosts.

Three minutes added on at the end of the second half.

Mata makes progress into the penalty box, but cannot exactly pick out Hernandez who is lurking in among the defenders. Fellaini too gets forward, but Villa repel's United advances.

Tonev attempts another shot from distance, but fails to trouble David de Gea in the Man Utd goal. The Villans have had seven goal attempts, to United's six, but have been utterly woeful in the final third.

With Rooney and Kagawa now rested, attention turns to their UEFA Champions League quarter-final against holders Bayern Munich, who are unbeaten all season and wrapped up the Bundesliga title in midweek.

Into the final ten minutes in what has been a very good afternoon for David Moyes and Manchester United. They've risen to the challenge after falling behind early on. They've been a lot more combative in the middle.

BENTEKE! Oh, he continues to be profligate in front of goal. Jones plays Benteke onside as he latches onto a loose ball. Carrick lets him go for De Gea, who remains rooted to the spot, but Benteke makes another hash of the opportunity.

Wayne Rooney's double puts him at fourth in the all-time Premier League goalscorers list with 171 Premier League goals. Only Thierry Henry, Andy Cole and Alan Shearer are ahead of him. He is just four goals behind Henry's total of 175.

SUBSTITUTION - Man Utd: Wayne Rooney won't get his hat-trick. He is replaced by Javier Hernandez.

Very audible instructions from Paul Lambert who is screaming at his players to get forward at United. They have the chance to now, through Tonev, who strikes from distance, but can't keep it down.

SUBSTITUTION - Aston Villa: Alexandar Tonev replaces Gabriel Agbonlahor.

Substitution Gabriel Agbonlahor Alexandar Tonev

GUZAN! Fine save to deny Wayne Rooney his hat-trick. Lovely touch to bring down the ball in amongst the defenders and strike at goal, but Guzan spreads himself to thwart the attacker.

JANUZAJ! The substitute makes a good first impression. Picks up the ball on the left, skipping past Albrighton and cutting in to evade Bacuna. Curls one from distance, down low, but it is a good save by Guzan.

Substitution Shinji Kagawa Adnan Januzaj

SUBSTITUTION - Man Utd: Adnan Januzaj replaces Shinji Kagawa, who has had a good performance this afternoon.

Villa concede a free-kick after Benteke lunges at Mata, who was driving forward in search of another chance. Man Utd readying a change.

YELLOW CARD - Ryan Bertrand: The Chelsea loanee gets a booking after lunging at Ashley Young. Villa losing a bit of their cool in the last few moments.

Fellaini's lucky not to be booked. Just days after an elbow at the Manchester Derby, he jumps again unfairly and sticks out a hand on the face of his opponent. No booking.

Benteke has had a disappointing afternoon to date. Cannot get the better of Phil Jones, as he spurns another opportunity. Has proven to be wasteful in front of goal so far.

United are in full voice here, as their big money signing from the January transfer window finally comes good. Moyes looks very pleased with Mata's first goal for the club. They take a 3-1 lead at Old Trafford.

Goal Juan Mata
GOAL!! Man Utd 3-1 Villa - JUAN MATA!! Finally, Mata breaks his United deadlock, his first goal for the Red Devils. Fine movement from Fellaini, who gets it towards the number eight, and after a bit of confusion in the box, he fires into the bottom corner.

It's Villa's turn to provide a threat at the other end. Weimann races forward, but scuffs the shot from distance. He believes he was clipped on the heels, hence the lack of power on the shot, but Atkinson waves away the claims.

BENTEKE! Albrighton has been a massive threat on the wing. Another superb delivery as Benteke gets on top of Vidic to head narrowly over the crossbar. It was a fantastic chance.

United continuing their pressure on the Villa goal, as Kagawa dribbles to the by-line, attempting to deliver the ball into the danger zone. Blocked by Vlaar.

United break after dispossessing Villa from their corner. Young drives forward, with Kagawa and Rooney in front. Opts for the latter, but the move eventually fizzes out.

BENTEKE!! What a chance. That was perfect for Villa to equalise from! Westwood with a superb pass into space for Benteke, who controls expertly but makes a total hash of the finish. Carrick comes back to clear the ball behind.

Clark concedes a free-kick for a foul on Rooney. Phil Jones provides the long pass forward for Rooney to attempt to latch onto, but Guzan claims well.

SUBSTITUTION - Man Utd: Rafael has been replaed by Michael Carrick. Phil Jones reverts to the right back role.

Substitution Rafael Michael Carrick

UNDERWAY in the second half at Old Trafford, United get us going attacking from right to left in this second half.

 

HALF-TIME: Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa

Penalty Goal Wayne Rooney
GOAL! Man Utd 2-1 Aston Villa - ROONEY!! That's a fantastic penalty, fired with power to Guzan's left. 17th goal of the season, his second of the game. United with the lead.

PENALTY - YELLOW CARD for Leandro Bacuna. Mata is upended by the defender after he fails to get to the ball in time. United have a chance just before half-time to take the lead.

Villa exuding confidence when going forward, but just a lack a bit of precision going forward. Too often, Benteke is met with wayward passes, and unable to make a serious impact in the opposite box.

Long ball central for United, as Buttner wins the ball from Albrighton and promptly hoofs it over the back four at the other end. Mata cannot reach that in time.

Lovely ball forward from deep as Mata chases the loose pass on the far side. Not for the first time, Guzan rushes out before changing his mind, but Villa get the ball away hurriedly.

Weimann on the edge of the area has a good chance to work something serious after Benteke's header from the corner flies wide. From the resulting delivery, Weimann's cross is over-hit, and rushes out of play.

Vidic unhappy as the assistant referee signals for a corner after he attempts to deflect the ball off of Albrighton. The visitors have a corner.

Ten minutes to go until half-time, and it remains 1-1 here at Old Trafford. Rooney with his 12th goal against Villa, making them his favourite opponents.

United improving as the first half wears on, but Moyes will be wanting more from his side after they reversed that early setback with the equalizing goal.

Free-kick awarded to United after Kagawa is fouled, and United fail to take advantage. Mata plays a forward ball for Kagawa, but an intervention from Vlaar stops their momentum going forward.

Played short by Westwood towards Delph. The midfielder attempts to lift the ball for Benteke in the box, but is unsuccessful as the ball goes out for a goal-kick.

Free-kick awarded to Villa as Fellaini tussles unfairly with Albrighton. Another set-piece, though this one is from a greater distance. Westwood over it, nonetheless.

Rooney unable to keep the ball in play as he chases a long cross-field pass. Villa move quickly forward from the throw-in, with Albrighton driving forward. He skips past the challenge of Buttner and Jones, and delivers into the box. United repel their advances, for now.

VIDIC! Denied by Clark. Fine defending to thwart the Serbian. Rooney delivers in the free-kick with pace, but the Villa defender does well to hold his own and get the ball away.

Kagawa wins a free-kick after a foul from Albrighton. The Japan international picked up his first assist of the season just moments ago.

Fellaini combines with Buttner on the far left wing as Fletcher picks up the loose ball attempting to lift the ball for Kagawa to give chase. Thwarted by Vlaar.

United upping the ante now as they seek to take the lead. Rooney drops deep and attempts a neat through ball for Mata, who embarks on a run into the box. It is well intercepted by Ron Vlaar.

Relief sets at Old Trafford as United equalise. Worrying defensive performance from Villa there as Clark is left with two to mark. Instead, he leaves Rooney free, and the rest is history.

Goal Wayne Rooney
GOAL! Man Utd 1-1 Aston Villa - ROONEY! Lovely period of attacking dominance from United. Kagawa, at walking pace delivers in a fine cross towards Rooney, who glances it into the bottom corner. His 16th of the season.

First real chance for United as Young gallops away on the near side, and delivers in a low cross for Rooney. Guzan rushes out and claims, but he is hurt after a collision with the England striker.

Sloppy from Manchester United once again. David de Gea untroubled from a goal-kick, and he is immediately under pressure from Delph, who deflects the goal-kick towards a throw-in.

A stunned silence at Old Trafford, from the home section anyway, as Villa take a deserved lead. Sir Alex Ferguson, in the director's box, looks unamused. What can the Red Devils do to recover from the setback?

Goal Ashley Westwood
GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 ASTON VILLA - WESTWOOD!! What a free-kick, and what a goal! Fantastic strike from the midfielder, who lifts one over the wall and into the top corner. Great stuff! United up against it now.

Villa have started solidly, even more so in the possession count, leading with 59% of the ball so far. United have completed just 64% of their passes.

United have a free-kick on this near side. Curled in by Juan Mata, it is helped on by Rooney. Villa struggle to get it away, with Vidic aiming to reclaim possession, but the ball goes out for a throw-in.

Offside call from the assistant referee as Agbonlahor strays offside after a long pass from Brad Guzan. Easy decision to make.

Not the best free-kick delivery from Westwood, as it is headed away by Phil Jones at the first attempt.

Agbonlahor makes a run down the left wing, with an option on his left as Bertrand moves on the overlap. He is upended by Rafael, as the visitors win a free-kick. Unnecessary challenge.

Delph attempts to carve open the United defence through the middle, but he is thwarted by Vidic who makes a neat tackle. Villa have the pace, and will be hoping to make an impact on the counter attack.

1′

Underway at OLD TRAFFORD! Aston Villa get us going, attacking from right to left in what is a lovely afternoon in Manchester. Will United rise to the challenge? We soon shall see.

UPCOMING MATCHES

Saturday, March 29, 2014 Manchester United     1:45 PM    WAT                   Aston Villa           Crystal Palace        4:OO PM       WAT              Chelsea Fc       Southampton              4:OOPM            WAT             Newcastle United            Stoke City         4:00 PM            WAT        Hull City                Swansea City             4:OOPM             WAT              Norwich City West Bromwich Albion   4:OOPM    WAT         Cardiff City                   Arsenal Fc                             6:30 PM      WAT                                       Manchester City Sunday, March 30, 2014 Fulham             1:30 PM           WAT                  Everton Liverpool      4:00 PM        WAT                 Tottenham         Monday, March 31, 2014   Sunderland      8:00 PM      WAT              West Ham United

REAL IN TROUBLE AS TITLE RACE BECOMES FASTER

Carlo Ancelotti's side went unbeaten for 31 games, but have now lost twice in the space of four days to leave their hopes of winning La Liga hanging in the balance

In the space of four days, Real Madrid's title challenge has careered off the rails after defeat at home to Barcelona and now a loss at Sevilla on Wednesday. On Sunday morning, Los Blancos were three points clear at the top. Now they're three off the pace - and they have nobody to blame but themselves.

While Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo ranted at the referee after the 4-3 loss to Barca, coach Carlo Ancelotti called for an immediate reaction - and for a while he looked like he'd get it. But Karim Benzema was wasteful in front of goal early on and when Madrid did go in front, through a fortuitous free-kick deflected in off the Sevilla wall, their lead lasted only four minutes. Stuff of champions it was not.

Dreadful defending allowed the home side back in it as Xabi Alonso lost the ball and Dani Carvajal went absent without leave as Sevilla struck on the counterattack through Carlos Bacca.

Still, Madrid seemed stronger. The visitors huffed and puffed in the remainder of the first half but lacked subtelty and showed desperation at times when cool heads and more guile were needed. Gareth Bale blasted over the bar and was berated by Ronaldo, yet the Portuguese later sent a speculative 40-yard effort sailing high, wide and not very handsome. Such selfishness hardly helped.


Ronaldo came close to making it 2-0 but again went for power when a dinked effort would have worked. Likewise Bale when he had just Beto and a Sevilla defender to beat from a tight angle and hit the ball straight at them. Had he kept his cool, however, the Welshman - in what was arguably his poorest outing since the summer move from Tottenham - could have looked up and seen Marcelo all alone at the back post, screaming for what would have been a simple tap-in.

It's those things that Barca do so well, while Madrid still seem to want to flatten teams with their pace and power. However, when another side matches their intensity and also plays on the break, that can prove difficult. That was the case with Sevilla.

As seen last season at the Sanchez Pizjuan and also at Dortmund in the Champions League last season, Madrid struggle against high-tempo teams and it is in these situations that their weaknesses come to the fore. Xabi Alonso looks lost among the maelstrom and lacks the pace to influence games as he would wish; Luka Modric is less comfortable in highly physical encounters; Ronaldo gets too frustrated too quickly; Benzema still misses more chances than he scores.

And then there's the defence. Marcelo is a great player but more of a wing-back than a natural defender, while Madrid missed the suspended Sergio Ramos on Wednesday and Carvajal's indiscipline and poor positioning will have led fans to the surprising conclusion that Alvaro Arbeloa is actually rather important to this team after all - especially in tough away games when defending is the order of the day.

MADRID LOSE GROUND: LA LIGA AFTER 30 GAMES

		P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
	Atletico Madrid	30	23	4	3	67	21	73
	Barcelona	30	23	3	4	88	25	72
	Real Madrid	30	22	4	4	81	32	70

To make matters worse, even Diego Lopez looked suspect as Bacca netted what proved to be the winner with 18 minutes left. The Galician goalkeeper made contact with his legs but the ball still ended up in the net. Those saves are bread and butter for Iker Casillas and it would be no surprise to see the skipper back in the team before too long.

That measure may be too late to affect La Liga, however, as it's now Atletico in pole position and Barca (with a significantly easier set of fixtures ahead) just behind them with eight games left.

"We can still win the league," Ancelotti said on Wednesday. "We are three points behind Atletico and two behind Barca - anything is possible."

Poor results against the top two and back-to-back defeats in the last four days have left Madrid licking their wounds, however, and seen their advantage go up in smoke. So while it's not over yet, Real now need not one but two teams to slip up over the final fixtures. It's a lot to ask.

MOYES MIGHT BE SACKED

Speculation grows that the club have been looking at potential candidates for several weeks as part of wide-ranging discussions aimed at turning around their recent struggles

Manchester United's senior hierarchy is “evaluating all possibilities” as it attempts to arrest the club's steep descent under David Moyes.

Contrary to public statements that Sir Alex Ferguson's successor will definitely be granted at least a second season as manager, Moyes' dismissal is prominent among those possibilities. 

Though Tuesday's humiliating 3-0 home loss to Manchester City ensured that United's first post-Ferguson season is statistically the club's worst in the Premier League era, the review of potential candidates to replace Moyes should not be regarded as a knee-jerk reaction.  

It is thought that key decision-makers within Old Trafford have been assessing potential replacements as manager for several weeks and further talks are planned. 

Having already sanctioned a spend of over £60 million on two headline transfers, handed Wayne Rooney a club-record contract renewal, and approved an unprecedented recruitment spend for this summer, the Glazer family must be concerned that the Scot could be damaging to the value of their asset.  

Recruited on the recommendation of Ferguson, Moyes was not the majority shareholders' preferred choice for their first managerial appointment as owners of the club. 

The award of a six-year contract was essentially a PR play, with Moyes' contractual terms including a break clause that enables the Americans to sack him at far less than the full salary costs of that term. 

Promoted to chief executive officer in the same summer that Moyes was appointed, Ed Woodward will also be conscious that his effectiveness in the new post has been assessed in the context of results delivered by another man's choice as manager. 

In addition to overseeing a series of performances that saw the Premier League champions' title defence effectively end in January, Moyes' managerial decisions have resulted in grave internal dissent within United. A strategy of attributing under-performance to the allegedly severely sub-standard squad he inherited from Ferguson has proved particularly divisive. 

Key players are said to "have had enough of the way Moyes is destroying their reputation" with his repeated assertions that a squad that won the Premier League by 11 points last season required a radical rebuild to have any chance of retaining the title. On the contrary, they believe the Scot's errant tactics and man management have caused the team's decline. 

Others talk of Moyes' failure to understand the essence of Manchester United and the confusions produced by his management following years of crystal-clear leadership under Ferguson.  

Characteristic of such problems was Moyes instructing the team to employ a 4-3-3 formation against City at Old Trafford after preparing to play a 4-4-2 in pre-derby training sessions. 

Moyes' decision to get Rooney on side after he had repeatedly placed his own interests above those of the club as the team's most important figure has also angered and perplexed.  

The level of discontent with the manager among United's squad is such that there is now discussion about making a direct request to the board that he be replaced.

ARSENE TO STAY

The Gunners boss has endured a testing week but remains committed to the cause, and remains optimistic the right-back will sign a new contract in the near future

Arsene Wenger has reaffirmed his commitment to Arsenal in the wake of one of the most testing weeks of his tenure and is hopeful that long-serving right-back Bacary Sagna will follow suit.

The Gunners manager appeared to concede defeat in the title race following the midweek draw against Swansea which represented a further setback following on from the painful 6-0 drubbing at Chelsea last weekend.

But Wenger insists he is has no desire to break his word, hinting he will remain in the job having agreed a new deal in principle.

"My commitment is not questionable," he told reporters. "I have given my word and I always respect my word."

Wenger is also optimistic that Sagna, who is out of contract in the summer but has been offered a new deal, will also extend his stay at the club.

"He has an offer, he has not come back to us yet," he said. "I'm confident he will stay, yes, but we'll accept his decision, no matter what his decision will be we will accept it and go on with it."

When pressed on the full-back's future, Wenger also moved to quash speculation suggesting that Manchester City have offered him a deal, claiming that any such approach would be against the rules.

"That cannot be right because it is illegal,” he said.

And such is his desire to keep Sagna, Wenger hinted that he could overlook the fact that the player is 31. In the past, he has been reticent to offer long-term deals to senior players but, when asked if age could be a sticking point, he replied: "Not for the defenders necessarily, no.

“It's a general law in our club, yes, but it's not a stupid law. We look at individual cases and we adapt it to individuals."

CAVANI DENIES UNITED LINK SAYS "I'M A PSG PLAYER"

It has been claimed that the Red Devils are weighing up a summer bid for the Uruguay striker, who has been regularly deployed on the winger by Laurent Blanc this season

Cavani has refused to be drawn on speculation linking him with Manchester United, stating only that he is committed to Paris Saint-Germain.

It has been reported that the Premier League titleholders are considering a summer bid for the Uruguayan, who has not often been utilised in his preferred position in the centre of the attack since joining the French champions from Napoli last summer.

However, when asked about United's alleged interest in his services by beIN Sport on Friday evening, Cavani responded flatly: "I'm a Paris Saint-Germain player."

Cavani was speaking after playing a key role in PSG's 1-0 win over Nice, which came courtesy of a Timothee Kolodziejczak own goal.

The forward freely admitted that Laurent Blanc's men had not played well at the Allianz Riviere but he was nonetheless thrilled that they had warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final first-leg tie with Chelsea with a victory.

"The important thing is that the ball finished in the net and that it was the best possible result for us," he enthused.

"It was important to win in terms of the championship but also in order to prepare well for the game against Chelsea."

PSG's win over Nice means that they are now 13 points clear of second-placed Monaco in the Ligue 1 standings.

CHELSEA OPTS FOR COSTA

Third parties representing the Premier League leaders have held meetings with representatives of the Atletico Madrid striker and further contact is expected in the next weeks

Chelsea have taken the first steps to making Diego Costa their headline summer signing, Goal understands.

The Premier League leaders are ready to pay upwards of €36 million for the Atletico Madrid striker.

Intermediaries representing Chelsea have already held meetings with the Costa camp and further discussions are expected in the next week.

VIEW FROM SPAIN

If Atletico Madrid President Enrique Cerezo is to be believed, the Spanish high-flyers have little intention of entertaining the sale of Diego Costa this summer. "I do not think Diego Costa is going to leave Atletico next year. We do not want any player to be bargaining chip," he said earlier this month. However, in admitting that "teams are coming for our players", Cerezo admitted at least the growing interest in Atletico's top stars, with rumours increasing by the day about one sale or another. Equally, the recent stories of a potential Atletico deal for Fernando Torres could have an impact on their sales strategy, while the future of Atletico's keeper Thibault Courtois - on loan from Chelsea of course - could also prove a factor. Either way, what is sure is that Atletico would not be paying as much money out for a new striker.

The west Londoners are keen to tie up the deal before the end of the season and ahead of Costa departing for the World Cup, where he is expected to be an integral member of the Spain squad trying to defending their 2010 crown.

Costa has emerged as Chelsea's top centre-forward target following a stellar campaign for Champions League quarter-finalists and La Liga title challengers Atletico.

The 25-year-old has scored 31 times in 41 matches this season and his 23-goal league haul is second only to Cristiano Ronaldo (26).

Chelsea were keen to trigger the Brazil-born forward's release clause in January, when he was also being closely monitored by rivals Arsenal, but the player did not want to leave in mid-season.

The buy-out figure was understood to be €36m in January, although there are well-sourced rumours that a slightly higher sum will need to be paid to capture the player in the summer window.

Arsenal have subsequently dropped their interest in Costa following lukewarm scouting reports, leaving Chelsea in pole position to capture the prolific striker.

Jose Mourinho has made no attempt to hide his desire to recruit a blue chip centre forward amid doubts over the futures of all three of the Blues' senior front men - Fernando Torres, Samuel Eto'o and Demba Ba. At least two of the trio are expected to leave in the summer, while Romelu Lukaku will hold talks with Chelsea chiefs when he returns from his season-long loan at Everton.

As reported by Goal, Atletico Madrid lead the chase for Torres and there is also interest in the Spaniard from Inter, Tottenham and Galatasaray. A growing possibility is that Torres could leave on a season-long loan to free up space in Chelsea's attack and on their wage bill.

Ba's representatives have already begun speaking to interested parties, while current first choice Eto'o, 33, is out of contract in the summer.

BARCA SIGNS LITTLE MESSI

The Dinamo Zagreb wonderkid has signed for the Catalans on a five-year contract. But just how good can the teenager become?

It was a winter of discontent for Barcelona in the transfer market. Not only did they not sign anyone, but the chaos surrounding Neymar's transfer last summer saw their president resign and the club accused of tax fraud allegations that they continue to deny.

However, two months on from the madness of the January window, the Catalans have got back into the swing of poaching the best talent on the planet by swooping for Croatian wonderkid Alen Halilovic from Dinamo Zagreb in a deal worth €2.2 million, which will rise with incentives.

Although the Blaugrana didn't confirm the story until Thursday morning, the 17-year-old had already suggested a move was imminent on social media, sharing his joy with the world that he had signed for Gerardo Martino's men.

"Thanks Dinamo Zagreb for everything!!" the three-times capped Croatia international wrote on his Instagram account. "My first club and biggest love!! Now is time to move on to Barcelona."

Halilovic has undeniable talent and, considering Dinamo's modest financial status, it was no surprise that the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United had been scouting him since he emerged as a star-in-making 17 months ago.

His debut off the bench in September 2012 in a 3-1 win over bitter rivals Hajduk Split made him the youngest ever debutant in the Croatian top flight at 16 years and 102 days. Ten days later the attacking midfielder broke another record - this time becoming the league's youngest ever goalscorer after netting with a superb Lionel Messi-esque chip.

Despite the clamour of interest, it was Barca who convinced him to part with Dinamo in June - when his first professional contract ends - to give him the chance to link up with the likes of Lionel Messi in the distant future.


Miniature Messi | Halilovic has been likened to the four-time Ballon d'Or winner and future team-mate
Far from concidentally, the left-footed youngster's pace, dribbling ability, deadly finishing and deceptive strength considering his small frame have earned him comparisons to Barca's Argentine superstar - perhaps prematurely.

Barca are certainly getting a player with huge potential, a player who could develop into a world class attacker, but the fee of €10m is in danger of immediately piling the pressure on the teenager's shoulders.

Since he first shone at Dinamo early last season, there have been further flashes of brilliance but Halilovic has struggled to maintain consistency in a team where, in recent years, the likes of Mateo Kovacic and Milan Badelj dazzled at a similar age.

Still, Halilovic has an ability that only the top attacking players in world football possess: to ghost past players with ease in the final third. It’s this talent which undoubtedly persuaded Barca to fork out such a sum for a teenager despite already having what appears to be a conveyor belt of talented attackers emerging from their B team.

If Halilovic is to be a success at Camp Nou, Barca must keep the pressure off the young Croatian. This points to immediately putting the player to the B team to continue his development, alongside players of a similar age and talent.

Dinamo could never offer Halilovic a similar alternative - he embarrassed opponents at times representing Dinamo’s youth teams but the pressure, at times, has proven a little too much in front of the roar of the Maksimir Stadium. With that in mind, B team football could prove to be the perfect tonic for Croatia’s biggest talent.

Upon his emergence from the Dinamo youth ranks, there was genuine belief within the club that Halilovic was the best player in a generation to emerge from a club which has produced the likes of Luka Modric and Niko Kranjcar. Now he begins his road to leaving those names in the dust and living up his miniature Messi moniker.

PELLEGRINI BACKS YAYA TO WIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Chilean says the Ivory Coast international is now one of the best players in the world and is hoping he can maintain his fine form until the end of the season

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is backing Yaya Toure to beat Luis Suarez to the Player of the Year Award.

The Ivory Coast international has been a driving force behind City's title challenge this season and is also the club’s leading Premier League scorer with 17 goals.
Liverpool striker Luis Suarez currently leads the scoring charts, with 28 goals, despite missing the first five games of the season due to suspension.

However, Pellegrini thinks Toure deserves the award and is hoping he can maintain his fine form until the end of the season.

“I think Yaya has had a very good season so far and we hope he can continue,” he told reporters.

“Hopefully we win the title and then he can be the best player.”

While Pellegrini refused to compare the two players, he did insist that Toure is now of the best in the world.

“I don’t want to compare him with anyone – both Yaya and Suárez have had amazing seasons so far.

"They must try to finish the season in the same way and after that, it [Footballer of Year award] will be the same as the fight for the title.

“But Yaya is one of the best midfielders in the world and it doesn’t matter if he’s European, African or South American.

“He has a chance to be there with the best players in the world.” 

MOYES DENIES MAN UNITED RIFT RUMORS

Recent reports had suggested the squad were questioning the manager's tactical approach and team selections, but the Scot insists they are working well together

Under-pressure Manchester United manager David Moyes has dismissed rumours of a rift between himself and the squad.

Heavy home defeats against rivals Liverpool and Manchester City in recent weeks have seen the Scot's position come into question, with United sitting seventh and 18 points adrift of leaders Chelsea.
Rio Ferdinand revealed that he was embarrassed by the champions slump
but Moyes has stressed that the players are responding to his techniques and the group are working well together.

When whether he had the full support of his squad, Moyes told reporters: "Definitely. No reason to suggest anything else.

"They’re great, they train great, we work well together and we have a great relationship as far as I’m concerned. But what I want is for us to have a winning team, me and them together.

"The players know exactly what it is to play for Manchester United and the standards they have to set.

"But they're hurting as well as me and are desperate to put it right. And hopefully when we get to the game against Villa, they can show that.

"It's a long journey here and this is only the start of it. You work hard to get here in the first place but I've got to say I'm more driven to succeed than ever.

"I want the team to turn around and I want to change the position we're in just now. I really do believe we can do that.

"We’ve got a great club, which gives you the chance to do that because of the people we can attract and the players we can attract to the club. But it’s just going to take a little bit of time to get it sorted."

LUCAS MOURA WANTS OSCAR AT PSG

The midfielder becomes the second Chelsea player to be urged to move to the Parc des Princes after Yohan Cabaye revealed his admiration for winger Eden Hazard

Chelsea attacker Oscar has been urged to join Paris Saint-Germain by compatriot Lucas Moura, just days after Yohan Cabaye revealed his desire to play alongside Eden Hazard.

The Stamford Bridge outfit take on PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the first leg in Paris on Wednesday, and former Sao Paulo man Lucas has singled out Oscar as a player he would love to line up alongside next season.
"Oscar is a very good player. A rare talent in today's football, given his qualities. He is very complete and is very smart. We need someone like him at PSG," the Brazilian is quoted as saying by The Daily Telegraph.

"I think he would help us a lot. The more quality players there are, the better it is for the squad. Also, he's a very good friend of mine. I would be very happy if he came to PSG, the club too."

Lucas' declaration comes hot on the heels of former Newcastle midfielder Cabaye's revelation that the number one player he would like PSG to sign is Hazard, who he deems to be Chelsea's greatest threat.

"Eden Hazard is the Chelsea player. He can make the difference at any time, can be dangerous every time he touches the ball," the France international told PMU.

"Who would I recruit if I was the sporting director? Hazard is a player I would like to see at PSG. It would do so much good in Paris and for the championship. He is one of the best players I’ve played against."

MOYES UNDER FANS PRESSURE

The Scot played down the significant of the 'Wrong One' campaign, while the organiser of the protest says the purpose is to show support for the manager is not universal

Manchester United boss David Moyes says a group of disgruntled fans who have paid for a plane carrying the banner 'Moyes Out' to fly over Old Trafford are “entitled” to protest.

The message, 'Wrong One - Moyes Out', is in reaction to a controversial 'Chosen One' banner that hangs inside the stadium, with sections of supporters keen to vent their frustration at the Scot Under Moyes' watch United have slipped to seventh in the Premier League and will almost certainly fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.
The former Everton boss, though, was quick to downplay the significance of the protest, which will take place during Saturday's game against Aston Villa, and hinted that setbacks were to be expected as he begins rebuilding the club.
"I have heard of it and what they are saying about it, but this is a long journey," said Moyes when asked about the banner at his press conference on Friday.

"This is only the start of the journey. People are entitled to do that."

Protest organiser Wes Jones, meanwhile, says the purpose of the 'Wrong One' campaign is to highlight that United fans are not totally united behind Moyes.

"The rumblings of discontent have started in the stands," Jones told the BBC. "We wanted to show that support isn't as 100 per cent as Moyes would like to think."

SHERWOOD QUESTION LIVERPOOL TITLE NERVE

The 45-year-old, himself a Premier League winner, believes the growing expectancy around Anfield could cause the Reds to stutter and isn't convinced they can deal with the pressure

Tottenham coach Tim Sherwood has questioned Liverpool's ability to hold their nerve in this season's Premier League title race.

Ahead of Sunday's clash with Spurs at Anfield, Brendan Rodgers' side sit second in the standings, just a point behind leaders Chelsea and two ahead of Manchester City, who have two games in hand on the two sides above them.

The Reds thrashed Tottenham 5-0 earlier in the season - a game that resulted in Sherwood replacing Andre Villas-Boas at the helm of the north Londoners - but while the former England international has the utmost respect for the Merseysiders, he says that he saw signs of edginess in their 2-1 victory over Sunderland in midweek.

“The pressure’s on Liverpool," the 45-year-old, who won a title with Blackburn in 1995, told reporters on Friday.

"You sensed it a little bit the other night [Wednesday], when Sunderland got back into the game.

“After winning so many titles in their time they’re very close, one point off the top. They’re absolutely flying, they’ve got a strike partnership [Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge] who are the best the Premier League has seen for a very long time, and they’ve given themselves a real chance.

“Now they have to believe that they’ve got something there that might fall through their grasp and might slip away.

"And, believe me, that’s a really bad feeling to have, because perhaps you don’t play with the freedom that you normally played with earlier on in the season.

“It all depends on how they can hold their nerve, how many players they’ve got within their squad who have done it previously.

“Obviously Manchester City and Chelsea would have to be favourites because of the players they’ve got who have actually crossed that line and done it previously.

“But Liverpool have got from seventh last year and now they must be believing, with eight or nine games left, that they can actually win this Premier League title.

“I’d still tip Man City. They have got that firepower, as well as Liverpool have. It just boils down to whether Liverpool can cope in the run-in, because it is nothing like anything else.

“Whatever has gone before, now that you guys [in the media] have been talking about them in terms of winning the title, it makes a hell of a lot of difference when you’re warming up and you’re going out there and the expectancy is on you.

“I know that myself from doing it. At one stage we were well clear with a game in hand when we won the title [at Blackburn]. We managed to scrape through at the last. We were shot and we managed to get over the line.

“People started talking about us as title winners and that is coming from a side who finished fourth and then second and then first - not from seventh to first. It will be very interesting to see how they cope with it.”

Sherwood confirmed that Emmanuel Adebayor is a doubt for the match due to a cut on his heel, while Vlad Chiriches will continue his recovery from injury by turning out for the Under-21s on Friday afternoon.

Related

MOYES TALKS ABOUT ABSENCE OF ADNAN

The Scot says the teenager, who did not even make the matchday squad for the midweek clash with Manchester City, has played an "incredible" amount of games this season

David Moyes has revealed Adnan Januzaj's recent omissions from Manchester United's team have been to protect the youngster from burnout.
The 19-year-old attacker made an electric introduction to his Old Trafford career, scoring twice on his first Premier League start at Sunderland in October and impressing many with his tricky wing play.
But Januzaj has featured just twice in March, missing out on the matchday squad altogether for last Tuesday's loss to Manchester City.
United host Aston Villa on Saturday before a crucial Champions League quarter-final first leg against Bayern Munich at Old Trafford, and Moyes insists the winger is still a big part of his plans.
"I think Adnan has played an incredible amount of games for a 19-year-old," the Scot told reporters.
"We have to be mindful of that. We have seen signs in training that we have to be careful what we do with him.
"He is a great talent and he is someone we know will go a long way at Manchester United. But we are just being careful with him.
"We have to do the right things and he has played a lot of football."

MOYES SAYS FERGIE STRUGGLE WITH AGEING UNITED SQUAD

The Scot says this season would have been tough no matter who was in charge of the club but is keen for the reigning champions to start to play better and improve their results

David Moyes says Sir Alex Ferguson would have struggled at Manchester United this season due to the club’s ageing squad.

The reigning champions are enduring a dismal campaign, currently 18 points off top spot in the Premier League having suffered 10 top flight defeats already this season.

The club’s supporters have become increasingly disillusioned in recent weeks after heavy defeats to rivals Liverpool and Manchester City and have organised a plane banner protest to be flown above Old Trafford on Saturday

However, Moyes says his predecessor would also have struggled with the current squad and feels this was always going to be a difficult season.

“If Sir Alex was here this year it would be difficult for him as well, and he would be aware of that,” he told reporters.

“People are aware that there was a squad that was ageing, so it would be a tough season for whoever was in charge this season.

“There’s been a change from a great manager, not just a great one but one who was here for 26 years. To make that change was always going to be difficult.”

While Moyes is well aware of the planned protest on Saturday, and says supporters have the right to voice their feelings, he is remaining calm in the face of supporter unrest.

“The majority of Manchester United fans are aware of the situation and obviously we want to play better, we want to get better results,” he added.

“The best people to judge are the people who appointed me.

“They are incredibly knowledgeable. In fact, the most knowledgeable is the one who gave me that job [Ferguson].”

PIQUE TELLS RONALDO TO STOP NAGGING

The defender has hit back at the Real Madrid attacker following his claims that officials consistently favour Barcelona in Clasico clashes

Gerard Pique has hit back at Cristiano Ronaldo in the wake of the Real Madrid attacker's claims that the referee favoured Barcelona in the Catalans' 4-3 La Liga win on Sunday.

Referee Undiano Mallenco played a leading role in the enthralling encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu as he awarded three penalties over the course of the game - two to Barcelona and one to Madrid - and sent off Sergio Ramos, prompting Ronaldo to accuse the official of bias toward the Catalans.

However, Pique has stressed that Ronaldo should not be looking for excuses given that the Portugal star was awarded a controversial penalty after being tripped by Dani Alves outside the box.

"It's a real shame that Ronaldo is complaining about the referee again after such a great game,"  the defender told reporters.

 Ronaldo's penalty was outside the area.....pique tells reporters

"It is unfair to talk about the referee. He did not have any influence on the final result."

Sunday's win saw Barcelona move to within one point of their arch-rivals and joint leaders Atletico Madrid at the top of La Liga.

MOYES MUST UNVEIL MATA AGAINST MANCHESTER DERBY

Correspondent Column: The Spain international is desperate to play in the No.10 role and his manager now has the chance to utilise his talents as Wayne Rooney is moved upfront

By the start of this month, Mata was already seeking meetings with David Moyes and asking the United manager for the opportunity to play in his preferred No.10 position, frustrated at being used in a wide role from the right.

MATA SHINES FOR MAN UTD

PLAYER RATING VS WEST HAM So much more effective in a central role. While Rooney will grab the headlines, Mata was  the outstanding performer, combining with Kagawa in particular time FROM OUR LIVE! COMMENTARY MATA! Another big chance for the Spanish midfielder, but he can only turn the ball towards Adrian once again. He's picked out well by Rooney, before luckily sidestepping Diame, but once again the former Valencia man's finishing lets him down.

Moyes told Mata that the Spaniard would be used on the right as he beds into the side, while the Scot plans to build the team around Wayne Rooney, who prefers to play as a second striker rather than the focal point of the attack.

It makes you wonder why Moyes even bothered to sign him.

The fact is that Moyes only opted to sign Mata as disastrous results meant the pressure to strengthen the squad reached breaking point from both inside the club and among supporters.

The Scot would have preferred to wait until the summer to make a move for a more mobile attacking midfielder who can start from wide positions, with Borussia Dortmund star Marco Reus his top target for that role.

Yet Moyes accepted the acquisition of Mata, driven by under-pressure executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, and we may now see the 25-year-old show his worth to the side following the knee injury that will keep Robin van Persie out of action for at least four weeks.

The Manchester derby on Tuesday could yet be a pivotal game in terms of Moyes's future beyond the summer.

He earned some credit with the 3-0 comeback win over Olympiakos last week to book a Champions League quarter-final tie against holders Bayern Munich.

But that success will soon be forgotten if Moyes oversees another humiliating result against City after the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool at Old Trafford last weekend and the thumping 4-1 surrender in his first Manchester derby in September.

Van Persie’s absence means Rooney is likely to operate as the central striker, with Mata in behind and more suitable wide men in the likes of Adnan Januzaj, Danny Welbeck and Ashley Young.

Mata produced his best performance for United in Saturday’s 2-0 win at West Ham - his eighth appearance for the club - in which he completed 53 passes with 94 per cent accuracy and found space to use his intelligence and creativity between the lines.

Mata is not a winger, not someone you want tracking back to follow a full-back, nor a player who has the physical attributes to stretch his legs and storm past defenders with the ball.

In his preferred central position, he can make things happen. It also forces Rooney higher up the pitch where he can use his eye for goal - although the forward managed to score from virtually the halfway line on Saturday.

It has resulted in a miserable first season for Moyes, with the Premier League champions 12 points behind Manchester City having played two matches more than their city rivals ahead of the Old Trafford clash on Tuesday.

But the response to the Liverpool defeats - victories against Olympiakos and West Ham - have offered some hope for United supporters while the noises from within the club all suggest that a huge spending splurge is being prepared for the summer.

United have already experienced a few false dawns this season and City are capable of destroying their suspect defence and weak central midfield.

But at the other end Moyes may finally have stumbled across a formula that gets the best out of his talented attacking players. And it includes playing Mata in his best position.

MESSI'S TREBLE GIVES MARTINO A LIFELINE

The majestic attacker was the savior as his compatriot stared down the barrel of an early exit from the Spanish title race

When it comes to Clasico football, there has never been anyone like Lionel Messi. And as the world wakes up to the morning after the blockbusting night before, Tata Martino will be celebrating that fact more than anyone.
The Argentine coach admitted that his Barcelona side faced a make-or-break moment in their title assault away to Real Madrid on Sunday night, and for long spells it seemed his worst fears would be realised. But Messi’s mesmerising show kept his compatriot dreaming of a Liga title and an invite to continue in his job beyond this summer.
"This is the last chance we have," admitted Martino in his pre-match press conference. "After this round there are nine games left and cutting the gap to one point is not the same as it remaining four or even stretching to seven. In these final rounds teams don't falter so often."
And he was right. Moreover, a failure to win La Liga would more than likely see him shown the door. As such, Sunday’s game was monumental for Martino. But for as long as he remains in his current form, he will always have the ace up his sleeve that is Lionel Messi.
There can be no denying that things have been a little different at Barcelona this season. They are no longer considered the most fearful outfit in Europe, sit in third place in the Spanish league, and there have even been huge question marks about the club’s ethics in the midst of the Neymar affair. Tactical and technical shortcomings also appear more obvious, more prevalent, than in recent years.
But one thing that remains the same is the genius of Lionel Messi. Sure, two of his goals in the 4-3 win at the Bernabeu came from the penalty spot, but he deserved every bit of the magnificent hat-trick which sent him into the record books as the highest goalscorer in the world’s greatest footballing rivalry.
Martino had seemingly made a number of poor decisions, most notably the one which gave Neymar a starting shirt despite not being in form. Alexis Sanchez has been in infinitely better form of late, while Pedro’s guile and skill was also sadly lacking. The Argentine had gone for the big-name option and looked set to pay the price.
With Barca trailing 2-1, Messi made his first great intervention by pouncing on a loose ball in the area and lashing home beyond Diego. After the break, he would hit two unstoppable penalties to reverse a second one-goal deficit. But it wasn’t just in his goals that he made the difference.

MAGICAL MESSI IN NUMBERS

	374	TOTAL BARCA GOALS
	347	COMPETITIVE BARCA GOALS
	400	TOTAL COMPETITIVE GOALS
	21	GOALS IN CLASICOS
	34	GOALS IN 2013-14

In general play, Messi was simply magic at times. It was his vision and pass which opened the space up for Andres Iniesta to give the Blaugrana an early lead. His sensational through-ball to Neymar took out three Madrid players as the Brazilian won a penalty.
Messi was the man making all the right moves in between the lines as the home defence was pulled out of shape. Had Neymar been on his game, the Argentine’s movement alone might have contributed to at least two more goals.
Barcelona’s current place in La Liga is proof enough that this hasn’t been their best campaign in recent season, and Martino’s position will rightly continue to be questioned right down to the final day of the season. But Sunday night was just the latest reminder that it is Messi – not Martino – who will dictate whether the boss is back for a second term.
The coach's future couldn't be in better hands.