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Rooney unhappy over criticism

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Wayne Rooney believes the criticism directed at him for the lack of goals for Manchester United is unwarranted.

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Wayne Rooney believes the criticism directed at him for the lack of goals for Manchester United is unwarranted and is confident he will soon rediscover his scoring touch.

The England striker has drawn a blank in each of United's three games against Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Club Bruges, despite being deployed as a central striker by manager Louis Van Gaal.

Rooney has not found the back of the net in eight Premier League games for his club, and last scored in their 3-1 win over Aston Villa on April 12.

The striker said it is just a matter of time before he starts scoring again.

“It's early on in the season - we're just three games in. I've experienced this criticism before and the goals will come, I know that,” the 29-year-old said.

“I understand I have to be the one who's going to lead that line for us and try and find the goals for us,” the England captain added.

“My mind is clear. I know how to play the role.

“It's just a case of getting the chances and taking them, which I'm hopefully going to do soon,” Rooney, who notched 12 Premier League goals last season from a slightly deeper position, said.

The striker was also unhappy with the criticism over his recent performances.

“I've had one bad game this season and everyone's all over it. I've had that throughout my career but hopefully at the weekend I can get off the mark,” he said.

“I'm an honest guy. I know when I don't play well and against Aston Villa I was below my standards.” – Reuters

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Valencia poised for CL return

Valencia grabbed a 3-1 victory over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions league playoff round tie.

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London - Sofiane Feghouli's late goal eased the nerves at Valencia's Mestalla as the Spanish club grabbed a 3-1 victory over Monaco in the first leg of their Champions league playoff round tie on Wednesday.

The Algerian's 86th minute intervention gave two-times runners-up Valencia a reasonable cushion for next week's second leg across the Mediterranean as they attempt to return to the group stage after a two-year absence.

Scottish champions Celtic also looked set to travel to Malmo with some breathing space but former Celtic loanee Jo Inge Berget's second goal of the night in the fifth minute of stoppage time left them the sweating with a 3-2 win.

Leigh Griffiths scored twice for Celtic with Nir Biton also on target.

“It was great to score two goals. They over-ran us in the first 10 minutes and then we calmed down a bit. The last goal is very important, it's a completely different position now,” Berget, who played on loan with Celtic in 2014, told Swedish broadcaster VIasat.

Swiss club FC Basel, who reached the round of 16 last season, face a tough second leg away to Maccabi Tel Aviv after Eran Zahavi's stoppage time header earned the Israel side a 2-2 draw. Zahavi was a thorn in Basel's side all night having put Maccabi ahead before Matias Delgado drew the hosts level from the penalty spot.

Shakhtar Donetsk were 1-0 winners away to Rapid Vienna with Marlos scoring just before halftime of a frenetic game in which both sides received four bookings.

The visitors soaked up heavy pressure from the hosts either side of Marlos turning his marker and sweeping in a shot off the post.

Another late goal, scored by Josip Pivaric, gave Croatians Dinamo Zagreb a 2-1 win over Skenderbeu who now have their work cut out if they are to become the first Albanian club to play in the group stage of Europe's lucrative club competition.

Captain Blendi Shkembi had fired the home side ahead with a superb free kick but Dinamo moved up a gear after the break and equalised through Algerian striker El Arbi Hillel Soudani.

A sell-out crowd roared Valencia on against Monaco and they did not have to wait long to celebrate a goal when Feghouli headed the ball down for Rodrigo to score.

The mood changed shortly after halftime though when Mario Pasalic punished a poor clearance to equalise.

Captain Daniel Parejo restored Valencia's lead before Feghouli drove home the third.

“It's a good result, the only downside is that we conceded a goal,” midfielder Parejo said.

“We're now going to Monaco to win, not just to qualify, because we don't know how to play any other way.” – Reuters

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Follow the Celtic formula

The clash between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs made one believe that the PSL is the best league in Africa.

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Johannesburg - Why can’t all our matches be as pleasant an experience as Sunday’s clash between Bloemfontein Celtic and Kaizer Chiefs?

Apart from the top drawer football dished out by the two sides, the overall experience at Bloemfontein’s Free State Stadium was the kind that made one buy into the hype that ours is the best league on the continent.

For one, the stadium was packed to capacity – a rarity given that most of our matches are watched by empty seats.

And as is the norm at Celtic matches the crowd made the arena bearable with their singing and dancing.

Surely it is about time that the Premier Soccer League acknowledged that Celtic have got the recipe to put bums on seats and approached them to share their ideas.

A week ago at a lunch with the PSL CEO Brand de Villiers, the league’s marketing man Peter Mancer was at pains trying to beg with us – the fourth estate – to help the league get fans back to the stadium.

Well, we can only do so much. But no amount of writing previews and selling matches as potential thrillers will do the job unless the club themselves have strategies to get their fans coming to matches.

One of the reasons Celtic are getting fans at their matches is because they are a provincial outfit that has managed to get just about everyone in the Free State to identify with them.

And the sooner clubs such as Polokwane City, Maritzburg United and Mpumalanga Black Aces get themselves sorted out like Celtic the quicker our matches will be played in front of packed houses.

And I have no doubt that Celtic will readily and willingly share ideas with the other clubs as to how they have managed to get such a loyal and passionate following.

In any case, a team such as Aces – for example – has historically had a good following. And while they are under new ownership surely they can find ways to get Mpumalanga supporting them.

Many will argue that the South African soccer fan either supports Chiefs or Orlando Pirates. And that is usually true. But surely if you are a regional side, you can get your people to make you their second side and entice them to coming to your home matches.

And please teach them to sing ala Celtic fans instead of blowing the noisy and irritating vuvuzela that the Amakhosi faithful did blow on Sunday to spoil the beautiful melodies made by their opposition.

As pleasant a match as Sunday’s was, the loud music played by the DJ was unwelcome and one hopes that the league finds better ways of entertaining the crowd pre-match than with it.

The Star

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Romero wants De Gea to stay at United

Manchester United's Sergio Romero hopes goalkeeping rival David De Gea stays at the club even if it puts his own position in the side at risk.

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Manchester United's Sergio Romero hopes goalkeeping rival David De Gea, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, stays at the club even if it puts his own position in the side at risk.

Romero has started the first two Premier League games of the campaign with manager Louis Van Gaal saying De Gea was not 100 percent focused on the job.

“The truth is that I have no idea (what will happen). But for me I hope that De Gea stays here because he's a good team-mate who always works hard and that is best for the group,” the 28-year-old told the Manchester Evening News.

“He works hard every day. He is a great professional, a great person. It happened to me last year in Sampdoria. I was not playing but I was working as if I was going to play,” he added.

The Argentina international also expressed his surprise at being the Red Devils' first-choice keeper, after being chosen ahead of De Gea and Victor Valdes who had a public fall-out with Van Gaal.

“They are two fantastic goalkeepers. One has won everything and the other has his career ahead of him to continue to win things. For me it's a privilege,” Romero said.

“But it makes me happy to work with those two,” he added. – Reuters

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I wanted to kiss Memphis - LVG

Louis van Gaal wanted to “kiss” Memphis Depay after he scored two goals in his side's 3-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal wanted to “kiss” Memphis Depay after he scored two goals and made another in his side's 3-1 Champions League play-off win over Club Brugge.

United went behind to an eighth-minute Michael Carrick own goal in Tuesday's first leg at Old Trafford, but Depay scored two superb goals before teeing up substitute Marouane Fellaini for an injury-time header that put Van Gaal's team firmly in control of the tie.

A 2-1 win would have given the Belgian side real hope of turning the tie around in Bruges next Wednesday and after seeing Depay set Fellaini up for the crucial third goal, Van Gaal declared: “I want to kiss him tonight.”

The line, however, was part of an answer in which Van Gaal explained his reluctance to single out individual players for praise and the United manager said that Depay's true value to the squad could be seen in the example he set for his younger team-mates.

The goals were Depay's first since his Â£25 million ($39.1 million, 35.2 million euros) switch from PSV Eindhoven, but Van Gaal was heartened that when interviewed after the game, the 21-year-old winger had rued spurning a chance to complete his hat-trick by lifting a shot over the bar.

“He's never satisfied. I like that,” said Van Gaal, a Champions League-winner with Ajax in 1995, who is bidding to lead United into the group phase after their first season out of the competition in 19 years.

“You have to know what you are doing and also what you can do and then your desire to improve is higher. And that's Memphis.”

Van Gaal gave Depay his stripes at international level during his tenure as coach of the Dutch national team and he said that the forward was now a very different player.

“The Memphis of Holland was green,” Van Gaal said.

“He was like (Andreas) Pereira and Adnan (Januzaj). Pereira's 18 years old (actually 19), but can also play in Manchester United. But you have to look for consistency in that age.

“It's not only Adnan who has to look for that, but also Pereira and (Paddy) McNair and (Jesse) Lingard and all the players we have in this selection, and that you cannot know as a manager. You have to show it.

“And then they shall be compared with the other players in my selection. It's not so simple to be in the line-up.”

Carrick shinned a free-kick from Victor Vazquez into his own net, but five minutes later he provided the pass that led to Depay's first, the Dutchman flicking the ball over an opponent's head and drilling home.

Depay put United ahead two minutes before the interval, sweeping a glorious shot inside the right-hand post from the left-hand corner of the penalty box, before teeing up Fellaini's close-range header in stoppage time.

Carrick made way for Bastian Schweinsteiger at half-time and Van Gaal explained that the move was partly tactical and partly driven by his desire to help the Germany international build up playing time following his transfer from Bayern Munich.

Beaten coach Michel Preud'homme conceded that Fellaini's late goal was “very bad for the confidence” and struck a fatalistic tone when asked about Club Brugge's chances in the return leg.

“The message is we learnt a lot last season with all our European games,” said the former Belgium goalkeeper, who took Club Brugge to the Europa League quarter-finals in 2014-15.

“Today we went a step higher. Let us learn. Maybe next season it'll happen much more that we face such teams.

“We're always learning - we have a lot of young players - and we'll try to be better in the second leg.”

Club Brugge centre-back Brandon Mechele will miss the return leg after being shown a second yellow card for a late foul on Javier Hernandez, while captain Timmy Simons is a doubt after limping off injured. – AFP

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Players give Mashaba the Shakes

Shakes Mashaba faces a bit of a headache as he prepares to name a Bafana Bafana squad tomorrow, to do duty in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Mauritania.

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Shakes Mashaba faces a bit of a headache as he prepares to name a Bafana Bafana squad tomorrow, to do duty in a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier against Mauritania.

The tie is scheduled for September 5 in Nouakchott, the west African nation’s capital – but, with Bafana having drawn their opening qualifier at home to Gambia, this fixture takes on even greater significance. The other team in the group is the powerful Cameroon, which means that nothing less than a victory in Mauritania will suffice.

The Afcon tournament takes place in Gabon in two years’ time.

Mashaba’s main problem lies in the fact that quite a few key Bafana players have had little, or no, competitive action in the last few weeks. But the one player the national coach doesn’t have to worry about is Ajax Cape Town’s sensational teenage central defender, Rivaldo Coetzee.

The 18-year-old from Kakamas in the Northern Cape has simply continued his magnificent form of last season. Be it against a top European side like Sporting Lisbon (who Ajax played in the Cape Town Cup last month) or a Cup semi-final against Orlando Pirates, Coetzee just takes things in his stride.

His unflappable nature for a kid his age is exemplary, and is probably the main factor behind the mature performances he has delivered for club and country.

In October last year, when he made his Bafana debut, he became the youngest player to wear the national jersey, surpassing the record that had previously been held by Aaron Mokoena. Coetzee’s record was, of course, later broken by recent SuperSport United signing, Fagrie Lakay. There has always been talk that Coetzee is destined for an overseas move, soon rather later. Ajax have also had to deflect numerous offers for the player from the local Gauteng clubs brandishing big cheque books…

But, for now, Coetzee is just focused on Ajax and the continued improvement of his own game. He is always philosophical when asked about any possible transfer: What happens, happens…

“Look, we don’t really know, as yet, who will be picked for the Bafana squad,” said Coetzee.

“The players know it’s up to them to perform and then the coach has to make up his mind. Those of who have been selected before are aware that we always have to keep working hard to retain our positions in the squad. Hopefully, I’ll get a call-up again, but it’s not up to me.

“In previous Afcon games last year, Bafana did very well, especially away from home. But teams study their opposition and I don’t think it will be that easy for us this time around. We can expect a tough time of it.”

While Coetzee has one eye trained on tomorrow’s Bafana squad announcement, he’s also heavily focused on Saturday, when Ajax are involved in their first Premier Soccer League (PSL) home fixture of the new season.

The Cape side is up against Maritzburg United at the Cape Town Stadium (kick-off 8.15pm) – and the teenager is confident they can pull it off.

“It’s a home game and obviously we want to do well,” said Coetzee. “We always play well at home and this should be no different. The key thing is that we have to play our normal game and not allow ourselves to feel pressure. We just have to do the best we can, and hopefully we’ll get the three points.

“For me, though, this is a season I’m just looking to play as many games as possible. It’s up to me to keep working hard to make sure that I stay in the team, and importantly that I stay injury-free.”

For Mashaba, though, ahead of tomorrow’s announcement, players like Thulani Serero, May Mahlangu, Tokelo Rantie, Mandla Masango and Dean Furman are a concern. Good as they are, it’s always difficult to throw an under-prepared footballer into action, especially in the away cauldron expected in Mauritania next month.

Serero is injured and hasn’t seen any action for Ajax Amsterdam, Mahlangu is clubless, and Rantie, despite his Bournemouth team winning promotion to the English Premiership, is still to play a game.

Masango left Kaizer Chiefs two months ago and hasn’t played since. He recently signed for Danish club Randers, but will definitely be a bit rusty. Furman signed for SuperSport last night – but is also probably not game-ready.

Mashaba, in all likelihood, will include the bulk of these players (depending on injury), which is why his main priority during the Bafana camp will be to get them fit and ready. - Cape Times

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City set to sign Otamendi

Manchester City are close to signing the Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi for around £30m.

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Manchester City are close to signing the Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi for around £30m, with the Argentine potentially joining the club by the end of the week.

The 27-year-old was left out of the Valencia squad to face Monaco in the Champions League qualifier tonight. If he were to play, and Valencia qualified for the group stage, he would be ineligible to play for City in the competition.

Otamendi would be City's fourth major signing of the summer after Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph and Patrick Roberts for around £65m. The expectation is still that Kevin De Bruyne will also arrive for more than £40m.

The Valencia coach, Nuno Espirito Santo, said: “Once everything is resolved, we will make decisions and the club will announce everything. For a few days now we have prepared for this game without the option of using Otamendi.”

The deal is expected to be a straight fee payment even though the Premier League club are still owed money on the agreement that took Alvaro Negredo to Valencia last summer. The Spanish club are obliged to pay £24m to make the deal permanent, which they have not yet done, but that is being treated as a separate case. Neither is there any prospect of defender Eliaquim Mangala going on loan as part of the deal.

Chelsea's attempt to sign John Stones from Everton has not moved any further with the rejection of a third bid, this time of £30m, for a player the champions have chased for most of the summer. Everton have been clear so far that there is no prospect of them selling Stones in this transfer window.

It would now take a fee of closer to £40m to sign the 21-year-old and, given the small increases that Chelsea have made from £20m to £26m previously, it seems that the club are not entirely convinced that they should be paying that level of fee.

The new Chelsea left-back Baba Rahman, 21, signed from Augsburg, had his first training session at the club's Cobham base yesterday. He is ready to go into the squad for Sunday's game at West Bromwich Albion. – The Independent

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Sherwood looking to trim Villa squad

Manager Tim Sherwood said he wants to offload some members of his Aston Villa squad before the transfer window closes.

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Manager Tim Sherwood said he wants to offload some members of his Aston Villa squad before the transfer window closes on September 1, the Birmingham Mail reported.

Villa currently have 29 players in their 25-man senior squad, but that number includes several under-21 players who do not count towards their total under Premier League rules.

“There are still some players here who know they can find other clubs,” the British daily quoted the manager as saying.

“But I think the balance of the squad is getting a lot better.

“There are some encouraging signs but it's very early days,” Sherwood added.

Villa could allow the likes of Philippe Senderos, Charles N'Zogbia and Kieran Richardson to leave before deadline day, the Mail said.

The club were boosted by the return of midfielder Jack Grealish, who returned from a hamstring injury to play the full 90 minutes and score for the U21s in a 1-0 win at Derby County on Monday.

The 19-year-old could be available for Villa's league trip to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Midfielder Carles Gil also featured in the game but went off in the second half with a tight groin.

“The Derby match was a good workout for the boys. I thought Jack was very good. He played to the last minute,” Sherwood said.

“He looked fit enough to maybe be up for selection this weekend,” the manager added.

Sherwood is also confident that midfielder Ashley Westwood, who recently signed a new five-year contract with the club, will play for England this season.

“I will be very surprised if Ashley doesn't play for England this season. He's as good as that,” Sherwood told the club's website (http://www.avfc.co.uk/)

“He's very much in the Michael Carrick-mould. Michael is not getting any younger. I am not sure they have found a replacement for him yet,” the manager added.

“I think Ashley has got every chance. If he keeps on with his consistency - and the level of his performances - I am sure it won't be too far around the corner.” – Reuters

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Memphis reflects on missed chances

Manchester United's Memphis Depay was disappointed at failing to score a hat-trick after opening his account for the club.

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London - Manchester United's Memphis Depay was disappointed at failing to score a hat-trick after opening his account for the club with two spectacular strikes at home to Club Bruges on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old Dutch winger, who wants to be known only as Memphis, also made the third for substitute Marouane Fellaini in a stirring 3-1 win in their Champions League playoff first leg.

“It is really important we win the game,” the goalscorer, who joined United for a reported transfer fee of 25 million ($39.14 million) from PSV Eindhoven in May, told BT Sport.

“We created a lot of chances. I feel disappointed I could not finish the last two chances. We have to travel to Bruges and finish the job.”

After netting 50 goals in 124 games in all competitions during his time with PSV, Memphis said he was keen to maintain his scoring record in England with United.

“I ended last season with a lot of goals, come to a big club and you have to do a good job again. It is a nice feeling to score two goals at Old Trafford. But I am little disappointed because I will think about that last chance.”

Memphis, who does not want to use his surname because of his estrangement from his Ghanaian father, has certainly made a name for himself with the Old Trafford faithful and brought praise from his compatriot, United manager Louis van Gaal.

“Yes I am very happy for him because a player needs that. I had said it is a matter of time and it was a matter of time (before he scored),” said the Dutchman, who managed Memphis at last year's World Cup when he was Netherlands coach.

“Hopefully he shall continue but it is also difficult for him. He is 21 and has only played two seasons for PSV.

“But I have confidence in him and tonight he scored two goals and the assist for the third goal was a fantastic cross from him, so I am very happy,” Van Gaal told BT Sport. – Reuters

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Spurs bid for Berahino rejected

West Brom have firmly rejected Tottenham’s latest offer to buy striker Saido Berahino.

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West Brom have firmly rejected Tottenham’s latest offer to buy striker Saido Berahino.

After turning down an £18million bid West Brom chairman Jeremy Peace took the unusual step of issuing a strongly worded statement on the club’s website, warning Spurs chairman Daniel Levy that they have no interest in selling him.

The club value Berahino at £25m and Tottenham are expected to go back with a higher bid given Peace’s admission that every player has their price.

‘We have no interest in selling Saido which is what I have told Daniel Levy,’ Peace said. ‘I know we are living in an age where no club can say “never” about the possibility of selling a player.

‘However, the prospect of selling Saido is simply not on our agenda. We are going forward with Saido very much in our plans and still striving to add players to improve the balance of our squad.’

One of those targets is Tottenham centre half Federico Fazio, with a £5m deal seemingly in place, though that could be complicated by the deadlock over Berahino.

West Brom manager Tony Pulis admitted at the weekend that only a ‘special’ offer would prise Berahino away from the club.The 22-year-old has two years left on his current contract and is on £12,000 per week.

The club had opened talks over a bumper new deal which would have more than tripled his wages. Those talks were put on hold in February when Berahino said he wanted to ‘move on to bigger things’.

That infuriated West Brom officials, but he has since changed his attitude and they are now desperate to keep him.

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has had Berahino watched extensively and is keen to add the striker to his options up front.

Harry Kane, a revelation last season with 32 goals in all competitions, is yet to score in the club’s opening two matches.

Pochettino fears that the 22-year-old will be fatigued this season after playing 53 matches for Spurs and England last season, then three more in the Czech Republic with England Under 21s for the European Championship in the summer break.

Pochettino has also sanctioned the sale of Roberto Soldado to Villarreal for £7m plus add-ons and Emmanuel Adebayor is understood to have no future in north London. – Daily Mail

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Depay strikes twice for United

New signing Memphis Depay opened his Manchester United account with a memorable performance.

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London - Manchester United's new signing Memphis Depay struck two fine goals and made a third as they took a step towards a return to the Champions League group stage with a 3-1 victory over Club Bruges on Tuesday.

On a night of close finishes in all five first-leg playoff games, the 21-year-old Dutch winger opened his United account with a memorable performance in the famous number seven shirt previously worn by George Best, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

Signed from PSV Eindhoven for a reported 25 million pounds in May, Memphis scored two thrilling goals in the first half after Bruges had taken an unexpected early lead and he set up a late third for substitute Marouane Fellaini.

By then Bruges were down to 10 men, central defender Brandon Mechele having been sent off following two yellow cards as United, three-time European Cup winners but out of Europe last season, pushed for the goals to secure a bigger advantage.

“That goal makes a big difference because at 2-1 it is a difficult result for us,” said United manager Louis Van Gaal. “We deserved much more because we created a lot of chances. It is what I am always saying, you have to be effective.

“I am happy because of the last goal. We have practised that before when we need Fellaini.”

Lazio also found it tough as they squeezed a 1-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen with a 77th minute solo strike by substitute Keita, Sporting Lisbon beat CSKA Moscow 2-1, after the Russians missed a penalty, and BATE Borisov of Belarus beat Partizan Belgrade 1-0 after the Serbians were reduced to 10 men.

Earlier, a 14th minute header from striker Baurzhan Dzholchiyev enabled Astana to become the first Kazakh club to win a UEFA playoff match as they beat Apoel Nicosia 1-0.

Biggest impact

But it was Memphis who made the biggest impact on the night after United midfielder Michael Carrick had deflected a Victor Vazquez free-kick into his own net after eight minutes.

United responded within five minutes when Memphis collected a pass from Carrick on his chest, juggled the ball into space and evaded two challengers before netting a low right-foot shot.

Half an hour later, the Dutchman made it 2-1 when he ran on to a through pass from Daley Blind, turned on to his right foot and curled a perfectly-judged shot inside the far post.

United replaced Carrick with Germany's World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger at halftime and pushed for a third goal which finally arrived in the fourth minute of added time.

Memphis was the creator as he picked out Belgium midfielder Fellaini with his cross for a classic and decisive header.

Sporting also enjoyed a late goal to give them victory over CSKA when Islam Slimani exchanged passes with Andre Carrillo before scoring from the edge of the penalty area.

BATE secured their win after a second half of intense pressure when Mikhail Gordeichuk headed in a corner from Igor Stasevich to break Partizan's stubborn resistance.

There are five more first-leg playoff ties scheduled for Wednesday with return matches to be played next week. The winners go into the groups stage of the competition.

REUTERS

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Pirates stun Chippa

Orlando Pirates dispatched Chippa United 4-1 in their Premiership match at Orlando Stadium.

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Johannesburg – A four-goal second-half assault from Orlando Pirates dispatched Chippa United 4-1 in their Premiership match at Orlando Stadium, on Tuesday evening.

After the sides went into the break goalless, the half-time talk delivered by Pirates coach Eric Tinkler did the trick as his charges went on the rampage. The hosts also had two goals disallowed on the night, as their goalscoring woes seem to be ancient history.

The first real chance of the contest fell to Pirates in the 10th minute. Kermit Erasmus on the edge of the box decided to unleash a rasping effort which was punched away by Chippa keeper Daylan Hawes.

Issa Sarr put the ball in the back of the net on the quarter hour mark, but the goal was disallowed as the player was adjudged to have scored from an offside position.

In the 27th minute, Chippa produced a speculative effort when Philani Shange reeled off a shot from range but his attempt was sprayed well wide of the target.

Five minutes after the interval, Pirates had a second goal disallowed. A free kick was sent into the box and Siyabonga Sangweni nudged the ball over the line, but his run was also ruled offside.

In the 54th minute, Pirates finally had their opener from a setpiece. Sifiso Myeni sent the ball into the area from a corner and Ayanda Gcaba’s free header was directed expertly past the Chippa keeper to make it 1-0 to the hosts.

In the 66th minute, Chippa were reduced to 10 men. Ugonna Uzochukwu received his second yellow card for a challenge on Pirates striker Thamsanqa Gabuza and the referee had no option but to give the player his marching orders.

Pirates did not take long to convert their player advantage into a goal with the second score of the half in the 69th minute. Erasmus put pressure on the Chippa defence with a powerful header which was saved, but a goalmouth scramble ensued before the ball was deflected over the line by Hawes for an own-goal to make it 2-0 to Pirates.

Chippa pulled a goal back in the 75th minute, with a well-timed run by Buyani Sali into the box before he unleashed a powerful strike to make it 2-1.

Pirates added a third in the 85th with a stunner from Mpho Makola, when he unleashed a rocket from 30 metres out to put Pirates 3-1 ahead.

Makola completed his brace in injury time to complete the 4-1 scoreline with another superb strike from way out, this time picking his spot just wide of the despairing dive put in by Hawes.

ANA

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Furman signs for SuperSport United

Bafana Bafana captain Dean Furman has signed a two-year contract with SuperSport United.

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Cape Town – SuperSport United have unveiled Bafana Bafana captain, Dean Furman, as their high-profile signing on Tuesday evening.

The club’s CEO, Stan Matthews, made the announcement on a live television broadcast. Furman has signed a two-year contract with SuperSport.

Furman, a former Doncaster Rovers player, had trials during the off-season at English Championship side Blackburn Rovers but failed to win a contract.

As a free agent, he decided to continue his career in Mzansi with Matsatsantsa.

The Cape Town-born midfielder came through the youth ranks at Chelsea but later failed to break into the senior side.

Subsequently he played for Rangers in Scotland as well as Bradford City and Oldham Athletic.

ANA

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Coutinho is Liverpool's vital spark

Every team needs a driving force. For Liverpool, the responsibility seems to be falling to Philippe Coutinho.

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London - Every team needs a driving force, a source of impetus. For Liverpool, with Steven Gerrard now in California and Raheem Sterling in Manchester, the responsibility now seems to be falling to the marvellous little Brazilian, Philippe Coutinho.

Liverpool’s new captain is, of course, Jordan Henderson. It was his name above the matchday programme column last night and he who called the coin toss at kick-off - wrongly as it turned out. Early indications this season, however, are that it is Coutinho who is at the heart of Liverpool’s chances in the Barclays Premier League.Brendan Rodgers, Liverpool’s manager, relies on speed of thought and movement for his systems to work - whether his team have the ball or not.

If a cog in the machine does not mesh as quickly as the rest then the whole process falters.That may yet prove to be a problem with Liverpool’s new centre forward Christian Benteke. Despite his first goal for the club here, his wavelength still needs fine tuning.

Coutinho, though, is a player who sets the rhythm rather than one who tries to adjust to it. His winning goal at Stoke City on the opening weekend was timely and provided Liverpool with some welcome momentum to take into this game.

Here, though, was a greater indication of the midfielder’s true worth. Liverpool are blessed with pace. Rodgers’ new full backs Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez have it in abundance, for example. It is Coutinho, though, who gives his team vision, elusiveness and sureness of touch.

Contrast him with the frustrating Adam Lallana and his value becomes clear. The Englishman is not without talent but he does not see pictures developing three frames ahead as Coutinho does. Too often, he can be pushed off the ball or forced into positions where his pass has to be played square or backwards rather than penetrating.

Lallana, in his second season at Anfield, may improve under Rodgers, who is a good coach. Coutinho, in season No 3 on Merseyside, has already made admirable progress.

Oddly, one of his early contributions last night should have seen Liverpool’s opening goal ruled out. His movement towards the ball shortly before Benteke scored at the far post should have been enough to see him flagged for offside under the new interpretation of the rule.

Equally, it was surprising to see Coutinho sidefoot a good chance wide when the ball fell to him in front of the Kop in the 44th minute. That move, though, had been started by a typical Coutinho give-and-go in to the penalty area. On that occasion, the ball came back to him off the legs of a defender but it is the Brazilian’s threat that can push opponents into such moments of panic.

Moments before that, a superb one-two with Benteke led to him thumping a shot just over the bar. Coutinho then produced another deft first touch to ease past Charlie Daniels and the Bournemouth left back was then booked for his last-resort decision to impede him. At his best like this - slipping balls inside defenders for the likes of Gomez and Jordan Ibe to run on to - it is briefly possible to recognise some of the Liverpool of two seasons ago, a team that moved the ball so quickly that it could be dizzying.

This version is still a work in progress and, like the new Main Stand that has inched towards the sky over the summer, it will be so for a rather long time. Liverpool still have issues at centre half. Dejan Lovren was fortunate to win a foul when Tommy Elphick headed in early on while the young hopeful Ibe has not yet settled.

The inclusion of Benteke, who had a much better second half, in no way lessens the need for a fit and firing Daniel Sturridge to return soon. Coutinho, however, remains a constant, a connection to the then and now. Players like him can be looked upon as a luxury or an adornment. Not here, though. At Anfield he represents something fundamental.

@Ian_Ladyman_DM

Daily Mail

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How Chelsea can recover

Chelsea have failed to record a win in their opening two league games for the first time since 1998.

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Chelsea were involved in their very own medical drama last week, with doctor Eva Carneiro and physio Jon Fearn excluded from match-day duties against Manchester City.

The trip to the Etihad resulted in a comfortable 3-0 win for City and revealed some worrying symptoms for Jose Mourinho's men, which could turn nasty if not treated. Here, we look at Chelsea's problems and how to cure them.

Problem A: Creaking defence on the pitch - shipping five goals in their opening two league games.

Cure: Cough up the cash to secure John Stones' signature from Everton. Mourinho bemoaned a lack of pace in the back four, leading to him substituting captain John Terry at half-time - surely a not-so subtle message to owner Roman Abramovich.

Problem B: A creaking defence off the pitch - Mourinho frequently uses post-match press conferences to try to deflect the attention away from a defeat.

Cure: The Blues manager has made a name for himself down the years as a man who will stick by his team, but claiming the result against City was “fake” was a strange call. He needs to admit when his side are second best, well beaten or downright poor.

Problem C: Slow-starting, trusted players not hitting the ground running in title defence.

Cure: Not an obvious treatment for this one. Stick the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Eden Hazard and Diego Costa in a dark room in Cobham and put on last season's review DVD? That should reawaken a few good memories. Looking forward, Chelsea need to bring forward their pre-season touring commitments to make sure they are fresh for the big kick-off.

Problem D: Faltering forwards - no goals from the front men is a striking issue.

Cure: Change of system. Costa seemed more interested in picking a fight than rescuing Chelsea on Sunday. He has not scored this season, with Loïc Rémy and Radamel Falcao also goalless after the Community Shield and opening two league fixtures. Switching to two up front may help, especially given Costa's fruitful pairing with Falcao at Atletico Madrid.

Problem E: One point from two games is Chelsea's worst start since 1998-99.

Cure: Keep calm and carry on. Although everyone at the club would have expected more, facing Swansea and Manchester City in the opening two fixtures is a difficult start.

West Bromwich away is next and could prove another test on Sunday, but Tony Pulis's side have also been slow out of the traps and a convincing win would address several issues right away. – The Independent

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