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LVG hoping United can kick on

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes that his team's 3-1 home victory over arch rivals Liverpool will signal the end of their early-season difficulties.

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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal hopes that his team's 3-1 home victory over arch rivals Liverpool will signal the end of their early-season difficulties.

United endured a testing start to the campaign, struggling for goals and facing criticism over their transfer dealings, and they went into the international break on the back of a 2-1 defeat at Swansea City.

But Saturday's win over Liverpool blew off the cobwebs, with David de Gea back in goal following the collapse of his proposed move to Real Madrid and Anthony Martial netting a clinically taken debut goal following his £36 million ($55.1 million, 49 million euros) transfer from Monaco.

“I think in a difficult period like we had in the transfer period, with a lot of problems with players who are going and coming, it is always worse with Manchester United than the other clubs,” said Van Gaal, whose side climbed to second place in the table, five points below Manchester City.

“We have noticed that and I think we have managed that very well. We have qualified ourselves (in the Champions League), we have 10 points from five matches (in the league).

“That is a good record. There is only one club better and our aim is to be the best, but now we are five points behind Manchester City. We still look to that position, but I am happy.”

Martial, a 65th-minute replacement for Juan Mata, struck four minutes from time, slicing towards goal from the left and turning Martin Skrtel inside-out before planting a shot inside the right-hand post.

The goal settled nerves after Christian Benteke had brought Liverpool back into the game with a magnificent overhead bicycle kick moments earlier.

United had gone 2-0 up in the second half courtesy of a smooth Daley Blind finish from a training-ground free-kick routine and an emphatic Ander Herrera penalty.

But Van Gaal was critical of his side for almost allowing Liverpool back into the match, declaring himself more satisfied with their controlled first-half showing and lamenting their failure to “kill the game”.

Martial's strike, in front of the Stretford End, was a moment to savour for the home fans, but Van Gaal said that the 19-year-old French striker would have to brace himself for bumps in the road ahead.

“You cannot expect from players from this age that they have consistency,” said the Dutchman.

“You cannot ask that. You can ask that from (Bastian) Schweinsteiger and (Michael) Carrick, but not players of 19 and 20 and 21.”

Martial may not have long to wait for his full debut, however, with Van Gaal revealing that skipper Wayne Rooney is unlikely to play in United's Champions League opener away to PSV Eindhoven on Tuesday due to what is reported to be a hamstring injury.

Van Gaal's mood was in stark contrast to his opposite number Brendan Rodgers, who addressed journalists in a dejected whisper in his post-match media conference.

Liverpool have now conceded six goals in two games, following their 3-0 home defeat by West Ham United, and trail City by eight points.

“It's five games in,” said Rodgers, whose side launch their Europa League campaign away to Bordeaux on Thursday.

“We haven't created anywhere near as much as we would like. We have to go away with the coaches and the staff and see how we can find ways to be much more creative.

“We are still looking to find that way – and there's players coming in – to get that balance in the team.”

He added: “This is the biggest game in this country, maybe in the world in terms of derby games. It's an incredible game.

“I've been sat here when we've won 3-0 and it felt great. When you lose 3-1, you don't feel so good.

“It is difficult for the supporters. We just have to go away, work harder and do better.” – AFP

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Martial’s starts repaying transfer fee

Anthony Martial has started repaying the faith shown in him by scoring on his debut for Manchester United against Liverpool.

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The mood in the Manchester United dressing room was no longer flat - the word that Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick had used to describe it to Louis van Gaal in the run-up to the nearest thing English football has to el clasico. The dark, wood-panelled walls would have reverberated to the easy talk and laughter that comes with decisive victory and a fabulous debut.

It was said of Van Gaal at Bayern Munich that it only mattered that nobody liked him when he stopped winning. There are several things that mark him out from his predecessor, David Moyes, and not least of it is the ability to win the big games - something Moyes never did.

Nevertheless, even in the final delirious few minutes when Anthony Martial's astonishing goal ensured Liverpool would not be rising from the canvas, nobody appeared to be singing “Louis van Gaal's red-and-white army”, the tune he belted out during a bizarre, confessional pre-match press conference.

The one he gave in the afterglow of his third straight victory over Liverpool was infinitely more relaxed, although he confirmed that Rooney, who missed this game, would not be travelling to PSV Eindhoven for the start of the Champions League.

Had Martial not skipped through Liverpool's defence to settle this game with a goal that had more than a hint of Thierry Henry about it, this might have mattered. If you wanted an indictment of Manchester United's transfer policy since the departure of David Gill as chief executive, the team sheet would be exhibit A. The vast flow of money in and out of Old Trafford had produced Marouane Fellaini as centre forward.

Faced with the sight of Fellaini's vast mop of hair lumbering towards them, rather than the crewcut ofRooney, Liverpool's defence might have been expected to control the game. Instead, still carrying the scars from their capitulation to West Ham, they were, to use some Harry Redknapp terminology, bang average.

Matteo Darmian, fed beautifully by Michael Carrick, muscled past Joe Gomez on the Liverpool left and his low cross found Fellaini, whose first two touches carried the weight of a lorry. Not for the first time in a stultifying first half, you wondered what Rooney might have done.

Better defences than Liverpool's will have to worry about Martial, who had come to Old Trafford via the same expensive formula that had given United Radamel Falcao - selling club: Monaco, agent: Jorge Mendes. He seems better value.

His manager pointed out that he had come on at a good time. Liverpool had to press forward to drag the game back and there would be space to exploit. “It shall give him a boost but you cannot expect consistency from him,” said Van Gaal. “You can expect it from Schweinsteiger or Michael Carrick but not from 19 or 20-year-olds.”

Van Gaal liked United's first goal best because it was something perfected on the training pitches at Carrington during sessions that have drawn criticism from his players.

The shot from the edge of the area that finished in the top corner of the net beneath the Stretford End was perfect. It came from a very cleverly taken free-kick, played across the 18-yard line to Daley Blind.

With the Netherlands, managed by his father Danny, making a dreadful hash of reaching the European Championship, this has not been a good couple of weeks for the Blind family. This would have raised their spirits. Defensively, Blind was superb, clearing off the line as Liverpool rallied and containing Christian Benteke. It was coincidence that it was Blind's half-clearance that Benteke met with a bicycle kick that produced one of the most spectacular goals Old Trafford has seen since Rooney did something similar in the Manchester derby.

However, by then Liverpool were two down after Joe Gomez had tripped Ander Herrera who drove his penalty past Simon Mignolet as emphatically as Blind had.

It was only in the final 20 minutes when Benteke struck and David De Gea, on his long-anticipated return, was stretched as much as he had been when Liverpool lost here in December.

Van Gaal had refused to select him while Real Madrid were making their clumsy attempt to bring him back to Spain because his mind was not “properly focused”. His mind could have been anywhere for an opening 45 minutes in which Liverpool contrived to give the ball away at virtually every opportunity. Until a one-handed save from Danny Ings just short of the hour mark, he could have been selecting his 10 favourite Beatles tracks or wondering why nobody makes a decent musical these days. For the first hour, the football was the least of his concerns. – The Independent on Sunday

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Jose needs to work his magic...quickly

Can Jose Mourinho fix a Chelsea team that seems to be falling apart?

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Jose Mourinho walked in and sat down. He looked grim. He stared quickly around the room and then lowered his eyes to the desk in front of him. The Chelsea official sitting next to him said there would not be much time for questions. The players were already waiting on the bus outside Goodison Park.

When the questions came, Mourinho spoke quickly in staccato sentences. Rat-a-tat-tat. He seemed agitated. He blamed bad luck. He blamed lack of confidence. ‘We need the players to smile again,’ he said.

Before he got up to walk away, he was asked whether, after losing three of the first five games of the new season, he felt under pressure. ‘No,’ he said. He stopped, as if the answer was at an end but then he decided he wanted to add something. ‘I think the refugees are under big pressure,’ he said.

Mourinho was right, of course. Pressure is comparative but, in the context of managing a club like Chelsea and working for a man like owner Roman Abramovich, this loss felt like an ominous one.

Mourinho had a meeting with Abramovich at the club’s training ground on Friday. Abramovich is not a patient man and, even though Mourinho has a special place in the hearts of Chelsea fans, his position may be growing precarious.

He does not appear to be spoiling for a fight as he did the last time he left the club in 2007. ‘It is a pleasure, it is an honour and it is a happiness every day to work for this club,’ he said last night. But if Chelsea do not beat Arsenal next Saturday, Mourinho will be in deep trouble.

He said on Friday that he was not a quitter but he must do something now that he has never done before. Mourinho has to prove he can rebuild a club. He has to prove that he can turn things around mid-term. He has to prove that he can hang in there. His challenge is to show that he is more than a very successful shock-jockey, a guy who comes in like a whirlwind, wins big and then blows himself out after a couple of years. Can he build again like Sir Alex Ferguson did so often? Can he fix a Chelsea team that seems to be falling apart?

Mourinho has always been a front runner. When he starts to tire, he starts to tire fast and does not get back into the race. It feels as if that is what is happening here. Many interpreted his falling out with club doctor Eva Carneiro as a tell-tale sign that his focus was fading and nothing has happened since to change that view.

His situation was made to look more parlous yesterday by the fact that Chelsea appeared old, tired, lost and vulnerable next to an Everton team full of the youth, verve and resilience Mourinho’s side lacked.

He walked out of a pre-match interview yesterday when asked about Chelsea’s summer transfer target John Stones and the way the defender played yesterday, it is easy to see why it remains such a painful subject. Just as much as the perfect hat-trick from substitute Steven Naismith — a header, left-foot drive and a right-foot cross-shot — Everton’s victory was built on a sumptuous defensive performance by Stones.

He gave Chelsea’s misfiring forwards a masterclass yesterday. He did a Cruyff turn in his own box in the first half. In the second half, with Everton under pressure and Radamel Falcao threatening to pounce on a loose ball, Stones fooled the Colombian by dropping his shoulder and allowing it to run through to Tim Howard.

It was no surprise when Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who fought so hard to keep him from Chelsea’s clutches, tipped him as a future England captain after the game. It was hard to disagree.

Chelsea now have only four points from their first five games and star players like Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas look shadows of the men they were last season.

Mourinho suddenly looks powerless. His team faces Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Champions League at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and those who fear for him will remember that the first time he was in charge of the club, he left after a disappointing opening European game at home to Rosenborg. The omens are not good.

Chelsea had begun the game well. Eden Hazard, in particular, looked back to his best, wriggling away from Ross Barkley and James McCarthy and curling a lofted ball down the wing to Branislav Ivanovic. Everton chased shadows and gave the ball away as soon as they got it.

Chelsea, with John Obi Mikel drafted in ahead of Willian to try to provide extra solidity at the base of midfield, looked comfortable and in control. Mourinho prowled the touchline, occasionally giving a thumbs up. It seemed that order was about to be restored. Then, with their first proper attack of the afternoon, Everton scored. With just over a quarter of an hour gone, they targeted Ivanovic and it paid off.

Naismith, an early substitute for the injured Muhamed Besic, took the ball deep in Chelsea territory, turned and laid it off to Brendan Galloway, who was given time and space to cross. He hit it with curl and pace and Naismith powered it into the roof of the net.

Everton fans, still exultant about Chelsea’s failure to prise away Stones, taunted Mourinho anew. ‘You’re getting sacked in the morning,’ they yelled.

The game was transformed. Everton looked irresistible. Seamus Coleman drilled in a cross from the right that Arouna Kone glanced goalwards. It took a brilliant diving save from Asmir Begovic, the replacement for the injured Thibaut Courtois, to keep it out.

Seconds later, Begovic was in action again, diving to his right to push a stinging shot from McCarthy round the post. But he could not hold back the blue tide and, when Barkley played a short, square pass to Naismith, he lashed it low past the goalkeeper’s left from 20 yards.

Chelsea were stunned. Their vulnerability this season has taken everyone by surprise, not least them. So has their impotence in front of goal. Costa was a largely anonymous presence again here. Even in his petulant arguments with defenders and a Goodison Park ballboy, his heart does not seem to be in it.

But just as it looked as if the match was spiralling out of their control, they regained a foothold. Nemanja Matic had not scored in the Premier League since he got one in a 6-3 Chelsea win at Goodison at the start of last season.

Ten minutes before half-time, he picked up the ball 30 yards out and caressed a curling left-foot shot past Howard. It was struck so cleanly and placed so perfectly that the Everton goalkeeper had no chance.

Chelsea glimpsed salvation. Their fans were encouraged enough to poke fun at themselves and their league position. ‘We are staying up,’ they sang. The goal breathed confidence into their team, too. They forced a series of corners. John Terry stole ahead of a defender but headed a Hazard cross just over.

Chelsea continued to press for an equaliser but the Everton defence stood firm. But the game remained in the balance until the 83rd minute when some brilliant interplay between Barkley and Naismith ended with the Scot driving a shot past Begovic to seal Everton’s win. – Mail On Sunday

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Wenge backs Walcott in striker role

Arsene Wenger is convinced Theo Walcott can become a prolific striker after the England international scored the opener in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Stoke.

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Arsene Wenger is convinced Theo Walcott can become a prolific striker after the England international scored the opener in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Stoke.

Olivier Giroud came off the bench to grab the Gunners' decisive second goal five minutes from time as Stoke suffered an eighth consecutive defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

But Wenger was most encouraged by the way Walcott netted his first goal of the campaign when he latched onto a long ball forward from Mesut Ozil and fired home in the 31st minute.

Despite the Gunners missing a raft of chances, Wenger was pleased with many aspects of the victory and believes Walcott, usually deployed as a winger, will benefit from the boost in confidence he will gain from playing regularly in the central striker's role.

“Theo can find little pockets of space, which he did against a very organised, compact Stoke defence,” Wenger said.

“He scored a very good goal which needed technical quality. Theo gets chances.

“I believe he can become a prolific goalscorer because every game you see how many chances he gets so the bigger belief he has that he can score then the more he will score.”

Wenger was equally delighted with his back line after a second clean sheet in a row.

“I believe we have stabilised our defence,” he said. “We did not concede against Newcastle and now Stoke, that bodes well for the future.

“The centre-halves looked very strong, (Laurent) Koscielny was outstanding, Gabriel played well and (Francis) Coquelin played very well in front of them to so we had a good triangle in the middle there.”

Arsenal now face Dynamo Zagreb in the Champions League and then struggling English champions Chelsea within a week and Wenger hinted he wouldn't use Walcott up front in both games.

“We play a game every three days and while it helps for a striker to keep playing and scoring for their confidence, you can't keep playing the same player every three days, especially up front,” he said.

The victory kept Arsenal in touch with early leaders Manchester City, but Wenger still wants his team to be sharper in front of goal.

“We are looking first to play well against Dynamo Zagreb. It is important to not lose your first game in the Champions League, then we will see what we can do against Chelsea,” he added.

“It is only five games but when you lose your first home game it was difficult to predict where will be now.

“We played the football we wanted to play and created plenty of chances. If you want to be critical you can say there was too big a difference between the amount of chances we created and the goals we scored.”

Meanwhile, Stoke manager Mark Hughes blamed the international break and transfer turmoil for his side's woeful showing.

“There has been a turnover of players, said Hughes. “It has been stop-start and that affected us.

“The international break has affected us. We had that edge taken away perhaps by the travelling, although it didn't seem to affect Arsenal too much.

“We have two home games coming up and a whole week with our players to get some good work in with the guys.”

Hughes tried to focus on the few Stoke bright spots and added: “Jack Butland once again showed what an outstanding goalkeeper he is.

“As the season progresses he may not as many opportunities to be man of the match but at the moment he has had too much to do.

“We let (Asmir) Begovic go to Chelsea because he had Jack and it was important he knew we had trust and confidence in him.

“The only other positive on the day was the reintroduction of Bojan, which I'm delighted to see him back.

“On a day of negatives they were two positives for us.” – AFP

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Adebayor released by Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been released from his contract by mutual agreement, the Premier League club said.

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London - Tottenham Hotspur striker Emmanuel Adebayor has been released from his contract by mutual agreement, the English Premier League club said on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Togo international has not played for Spurs this season and was left out of both their Premier League and Europa League squads.

“We can confirm that we have reached a mutual agreement with Emmanuel Adebayor which will see him released from his contract with the club,” Tottenham said in a statement.

“We wish Emmanuel well for the future.”

Adebayor joined Tottenham on a loan from Manchester City in 2011 then signed a permanent deal in 2012 but has since fallen out of favour with the North London club.

Two days ago, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino said he told Adebayor he has no future at the club after the forward had turned down a chance to leave in the recent transfer window.

Adebayor rejected moves to Aston Villa and West Ham United and Pochettino told reporters he was unlikely to play again.

The player has also fallen out of favour with Togo coach Tom Saintfiet, who likened him to a bad date and said recently that Adebayor had failed to respond to a call-up for an African Nations Cup qualifier. – Reuters

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Martial makes instant impact

Anthony Martial's transfer fee has been questioned by many pundits and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

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Manchester - If Anthony Martial had dared to dream about how his Manchester United debut would pan out he would probably have dismissed as idle fantasy any notion of scoring a wondergoal to down their fierce rivals Liverpool.

The footballing fates were certainly smiling on the French teenager as he danced past three flailing defenders and slotted the ball calmly into the back of the net, sending the home fans wild and prompting an ironic chorus of 'what a waste of money'.

The winger capped an excellent 3-1 victory with the moment of the match and announced his arrival to a fanbase who had been openly questioning the wisdom of spending an initial 36 million pounds ($55.54 million ) on a player who had shown little more than potential at former club Monaco.

United manager Louis van Gaal, who had come under scrutiny for sanctioning the deadline-day deal this month and had even been accused of 'panic-buying', was suitably impressed if typically understated.

“Not a bad goal I think,” he told Sky Sports. “He did alright. He scored a marvellous goal and physically he can play in the Premier League.”

Van Gaal had oddly been more impressed with United's drab first-half performance, when they dominated possession but created nothing, than their thrilling second-half display.

A goalless first half was followed by a much more determined start to the second when Daley Blind beautifully curled United into the lead from a training ground-inspired set piece and Ander Herrera doubled the advantage from the penalty spot.

Christian Benteke's spectacular late bicycle kick gave Liverpool faint hope their tame performance did not truly merit before the 19-year-old Martial, who had come on as a 65th-minute substitute, ended the contest with four minutes remaining.

While the end-to-end conclusion had fans on their feet, it clearly was not to Van Gaal's liking.

“We played better in the first half,” the Dutchman said. “We had far more control but we didn't create much.

“I am very happy with the first goal because that is what we practised in many training sessions and now it is coming out.

“The first goal decided the match because they had to come at us, giving us more space so we could score more.” – Reuters

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Pressure mounting on Mourinho

Jose Mourinho claims he is not feeling the pressure after their shock 3-1 defeat at Everton. Their third defeat in five league games.

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Jose Mourinho claims he is not feeling the pressure after yesterday’s shock 3-1 defeat at Everton and insists he is still the right man to lead Chelsea.

Steven Naismith’s hat-trick left Chelsea with just four points from five games, making it their worst start to a top-flight campaign in 29 years.

The champions now trail leaders Manchester City by 11 points and Mourinho admitted: ‘The results are the worst in my career. The players are sad and frustrated. Confidence is low, we are an unhappy team.’

Chelsea have conceded 12 goals, the worst defensive record at present in the Premier League, and they conceded just three more throughout Mourinho’s title-winning campaign of 2004-05.

‘I am coping well. I am not feeling pressure. The refugees are under big pressure,’ said Mourinho.

Nevertheless, the heat is on although he insists that bad luck rather than poor form is conspiring against his struggling team. He said: ‘We don’t deserve this result. The biggest concern is that everything goes against us. We are making mistakes but we are punished immediately. ’

And he is confident things will change. ‘I am the man for the job,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there is better man who could do my job. The title? I don’t know. It’s out of our hands.’

* Four points from five games is Chelsea’s worst start to a season in 29 years.

* They have already lost three games — as many as they did in the Premier League last season.

* Last season their defence conceded 32 goals, the least in the league. This time no side have conceded more than their 12 in five games.

* No side have won the Premier League after picking up as few points in the first five games. – Mail On Sunday

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Lack of goals worry for Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he will have to find a solution to his team's goalscoring woes after they were outplayed in a 3-1 defeat by Manchester United.

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Manchester - Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers admitted he will have to find a solution to his team's goalscoring woes after they were outplayed in a 3-1 defeat by bitter rivals Manchester United on Saturday.

Liverpool have found the net just three times in their opening five Premier League games and were largely toothless in the defeat at Old Trafford.

Rodgers' side struggled to create chances against a resolute United defence and seemed to lack midfield creativity or forward movement.

A stunning late overhead kick from Christian Benteke, which ensured Liverpool did not fail to score for a third straight game, was the only bright spot for the visitors from an attacking perspective.

The Liverpool manager felt his side were overly keen to get the ball forward to the Belgian target man and were guilty of being too direct.

“Over the first five games creating goals is something we need to look at,” Rodgers told Sky Sports. “It is too easy sometimes for us to go direct to Christian Benteke who was excellent today.

“We need to be a lot technically better than we showed today.”

Liverpool have now lost back to back games, after a 3-0 home defeat by West Ham United before the international break, and have won only one of their last eight away games in the league.

It is a run that will concern Rodgers who came in for heavy criticism from sections of the fanbase after a woeful finish to last season.

“You are never happy when you lose a game especially to your rival,” he added. “The only positive for me is that we had a defeat here last year and we got better.

“The key for us is to initiate a game and create chances, that is something we need to be better at.”

It was always going to be a tough start to the campaign for Liverpool who must face all of last season's top five away from home before the end of November.

With seven points from their first five games, they are already eight adrift of leaders Manchester City. – Reuters

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Ajax beat Polokwane

Ajax Cape Town moved to the top of the Absa Premiership standings with a hard-fought 2-1 PSL Premiership victory over Polokwane City.

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Cape Town - Ajax Cape Town moved to the top of the Absa Premiership standings with a hard-fought 2-1 PSL Premiership victory over Polokwane City at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday night.

The Urban Warriors leapfrogged defending champions Kaizer Chiefs on the log following two quick first-half goals by striker Nathan Paulse and defender Abbubaker Mobara.

The win will also give Ajax a bit of momentum heading into their MTN8 final meeting with Chiefs next Saturday at Port Elizabeth's Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Jabu Maluleke solitary first-half goal was not enough to salvage something out of the game for the adventurous visitors from Limpopo.

Paulse opened the scoring in the sixth minute after a really impressive start by Ajax. A minute later Mobara doubled their lead with a smart header following a top cross by midfielder Bantu Mzwakali.

But, while Polokwane did offer chances on the break because of their high-risk approach, they were dangerous going forward. And it took them all of eight minutes to pull a goal back when Maluleke scored in the 15th minute.

Paulse came close to increasing Ajax's lead shortly before halftime, but he couldn't sneak the ball into the back of the net.

After the break, Mzwakali shot wide in the 52nd minute for the home team, as Ajax went in search of another goal to give them a bigger cushion, especially as Polokwane were applying lots of pressure in the second half.

Paulse, who had a cracking game, had another good chance in the 70th minute, but he headed his chance straight at Polokwane goalkeeper Pule Konopi.

Polokwane had a great chance to get a point for their efforts later on, but Ajax managed to clear a chaotic goalmouth scramble with five minutes to go. - African News Agency (ANA)

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Ronaldo scores five in Real romp

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo ended his early-season drought in emphatic style when he hit five goals in a 6-0 romp at Espanyol.

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Madrid - Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo ended his early-season drought in emphatic style when he hit five goals in a 6-0 romp at Espanyol on Saturday to become the club's record scorer in La Liga.

The Portugal captain had failed to find the net in Real's opening two games of the campaign but a blistering performance took his tally in Spain's top flight to 230, overtaking former striker Raul's total of 228.

The 30-year-old Fifa Ballon d'Or holder scored in the seventh, 17th (penalty), 20th, 61st and 81st minutes and Karim Benzema struck in the 28th minute as Real put a hapless Espanyol to the sword to move on to seven points from three matches.

Ronaldo, who hit five against Granada in La Liga last season, raced clear and finished calmly to set Real on their way before converting a penalty won by Gareth Bale.

Bale's centre from the left set up Ronaldo to volley in his third, equalling Barcelona forward Lionel Messi's Spanish record of 32 hat-tricks, before he turned provider by crossing for Benzema to make it 4-0 inside half an hour.

Bale set Ronaldo up again after a swift counter attack and substitute Lucas Vazquez made the assist for the former Manchester United man's fifth and Real's sixth.

“They (Espanyol) have a good team but when Cristiano has his day it's impossible,” Real's Portugal defender Pepe told Spanish television.

Champions Barcelona play at 2013-14 title winners Atletico Madrid later on Saturday with both teams having won their opening two games without conceding a goal. – Reuters

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Chiefs ease past SuperSport

Kaizer Chiefs produced a four-goal barrage in the second half to beat SuperSport United 4-1 in their Premiership match.

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs produced a four-goal barrage in the second half to beat SuperSport United 4-1 in their Premiership match at Peter Mokaba Stadium, in Polokwane, on Saturday.

The defending champions conceded just after 20 minutes in the match, and until the interval did not look like pulling level.

But the half-time chat from AmaKhosi coach Steve Komphela did the trick as George Lebese scored a brace and Reneilwe Letsholonyane reeled off a screamer to complete a rousing second half display from the champions.

Siphiwe Tshabalala scored a penalty in injury time to confirm the annihilation of the Pretoria side.

With the win, Chiefs moved to eight points from their four matches, while SuperSport remained on five.

Just inside the 20th minute, SuperSport put together a flowing move with Jeremy Brockie offloading for Dove Wome who was brought down perilously close to the penalty area.

The free kick was awarded just outside the box, and Brockie was unable to get nearly enough height on his attempt which was struck tamely into the middle of the wall.

The miss, however, did not matter as SuperSport found the opener in the 22nd minute.

From a throw-in, from the edge of the area Wome pounced on a badly-cleared ball and his attempt rocketed into the top corner of the net despite a valiant dive from Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune.

With a 1-0 deficit, Chiefs went in search of an equaliser. From a corner on the half-hour mark, Ivan Bukenya had a sharp-chance from the near post but directed his effort narrowly wide.

Moments later SuperSport put the ball in the back of the net, when Bongani Khumalo headed past Khune but he was ruled offside as the hosts were denied a two-goal advantage.

A 39th minute Tshabalala free kick sent the ball into the SuperSport area, but keeper Ronwen Williams was alert to the danger and made a comfortable gather. Lebese levelled the scores in the 49th minute.

With Khune sending the ball upfield, Lebese outpaced SuperSport midfielder Dean Furman and with his first touch lobbed the ball over Williams into an open goal to make it 1-1. Furman, trying to redeem himself, made a run into the opposition box in the 53rd minute, but his strike was walloped into the crowd.

Less than 60 seconds later, Letsholonyane produced a thunder-strike from long range and Williams pulled off a stunning save to tip the ball over the crossbar for a corner. Chiefs would not be denied again as the took a 2-1 lead in the 58th minute.

Tshabalala sent the ball into the six yard area, and Bukenya easily rose above Khumalo and headed the ball into the back of the net. The situation was compounded for SuperSport in the 79th minute, when Furman received his marching orders.

The Bafana player was given his second yellow card for a foul on Tshabalala.

In the 88th minute, Lebese completed his brace as he nudged the ball home from close range to make the scoreline comprehensive. The misery of SuperSport was extended to the referee's optional time as they conceded a penalty, and Tshabalala stepped up to drive home yet another goal on a memorable night for the Soweto Giants. - African News Agency (ANA).

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Naismith hat-trick sinks Chelsea

Steven Naismith's hat-trick condemned champions Chelsea to a woeful 3-1 defeat against Everton, their third defeat of the season.

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Chelsea's defence of the Premier League title was plunged into turmoil on Saturday as Steven Naismith's hat-trick condemned the champions to a woeful 3-1 defeat against Everton.

Jose Mourinho's side made a miserable start at Goodison Park as Scotland forward Steven Naismith came off the bench to score twice in the space of five minutes midway through the first half.

Nemanja Matic pulled one back for Chelsea before the interval, but Naismith completed his treble in the closing stages to ensure the Blues, with three defeats and only four points from their five matches, made their worst start to a season since 1988.

Chelsea's second successive loss means they will trail Manchester City by 11 points by the end of the day if the unbeaten leaders win at Crystal Palace later on Saturday.

Mourinho's misery started in the 17th minute when Brendan Galloway whipped a cross towards Naismith, who advanced unchecked into the six-yard box to bury his header past Chelsea goalkeeper Asmir Begovic.

Naismith was only on the pitch due to an ninth minute injury suffered by Muhamed Besic, but he made the most of his opportunity by doubling Everton's lead with a fine low strike in the 22nd minute.

Matic reduced the deficit with a superb effort that flashed past Tim Howard from 30 yards in the 36th minute, but Naismith struck yet again in the 82nd minute to cap an embarrassing afternoon for the visitors.

Later, in the day's most eagerly anticipated match, Manchester United face bitter rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford.

United are likely to include goalkeeper David de Gea for the first time this season after the Spaniard signed a new contract this week following the collapse of his proposed transfer to Real Madrid.

The hosts could also give a debut to young French striker Anthony Martial, who arrived from Monaco for an initial Â£36 million ($55 million, 49 million euros) on transfer deadline day.– AFP

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Bafana’s lost the plot - Barker

Former Bafana coach Clive Barker says he has lost hope after their recent Afcon 2017 qualifiers results.

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Bafana Bafana have lost their spark, former coach Clive Barker said this week.

He has lost hope after their recent Afcon 2017 qualifiers results.

Shakes Mashaba’s team went down to a shock 3-1 scoreline to Mauritania last weekend, making their chances of qualifying for the competition pretty difficult.

Barker, who led the team to continental glory at the FNB Stadium in 1996 featuring the likes of the late John “Shoes” Moshoeu, Helman Mkhalele, Mark Williams, Phil Masinga to mention a few, said the national team have lost it.

”The last four competitions, I think Gordon (Igesund) lost two in a row. Shakes has lost one or two in a row. It is crazy; I’m not quite sure what is going on anymore.

“We have to look at ourselves and find answers very quickly,” said Barker.

“The players in 1996 went overseas; Africa was the oyster for Europe.

“South Africa was the Europe of Africa and all of a sudden it’s all gone. Because they (European teams) have now found there is a bigger oyster, there is Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Senegal.

“As Southern African countries, we have to really take a look at ourselves. There must be something wrong.

“I mean you can’t do it right two years after democracy, and do it wrong now.

“I think the biggest problem is that back then, we had the direction of playing European style, which was a big feature because of all the English coaches who had graced our country.

“And of-course, the flair of our players was the biggest element of our game,” he added.

Barker was speaking at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria, were he is an ambassador for the Copa Coca-Cola SABU camp for youngsters.

He lamented the development of players in the country, saying it is critical for kids to be nurtured by the right coaches, so that they grow up to be exceptional players.

“If you got these kids here not being coached by a very good coach, they will never develop.

“That is why it is vital to identify the right coaches.”

Barker went on to reflect on the game, and said it seemed like it mattered more to other African countries than Bafana Bafana.

“The kid who scored the last goal was magnificent.

“He went inside, outside, cut through the middle, composure and lobbed the ball.

“From the start of the game they looked like they wanted a goal, wanted to win and wanted to play better than us.”

Looking at the way forward, Barker said strict measures have to be taken when appointing coaches and one should not consider appointing friends in the technical team.

“You got to be pretty ruthless. No jobs for pals.

“You can’t bring somebody who has never won anything to the team and expect him to help us. What is he going to do?

“If I have somebody coaching, but who has never won anything, how is he going to turn around to the players and say this is the way to win?” - Saturday Star

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Is Mashaba losing the plot?

Matshelane Mambolo is confused as to why Bafana coach Shakes Mashaba would expose his family to media.

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I’ve always thought that a man will do anything and everything in his power to protect his family from any kind of harm.

And when yours is as high-profile a job as that of leading the senior national team of a football-mad country, logic would dictate you keep your loved ones far away from the madding crowd as possible.

Not so Shakes Mashaba, the Bafana Bafana coach who is fast beginning to appear like he no longer wants the job – such were his outbursts this week following the defeat in Mauritania last Saturday.

As in his previous tenure at the helm of the squad, the former Orlando Pirates and Moroka Swallows skipper is once again picking up fights somewhat unnecessarily thanks to his inability to control his emotions.

Granted there are times when some in the media appear to be pushing agendas that are far removed from football. But a campaigner as seasoned as Mashaba should know better than to stoop to their level and get into verbal altercations.

Better still, he would desist from painting the entire media corps with the same brush as he spectacularly did this week.

Yet the lowest was what transpired at Orlando Stadium.

Why Bra Shakes felt it necessary to bring his children to the post-match press conference at Tuesday’s Nelson Mandela Challenge was arguably the saddest episode in the drama that has always been Mashaba’s reign as national coach.

Having led the team to a 1-0 victory over Senegal, Mashaba felt he had silenced his critics – most of whom, he believed, were tackling him, the man, and not the coach.

Be that as it may, bringing your children into your fights is a big “No” and the fact that Bafana’s media officer, Mathlomola Morake, allowed Mashaba’s son, Jabu, to ask a “loaded” and seemingly rehearsed question that allowed “Daddy” to take a swipe at the media confirmed the fact that Safa’s communication department are pretty useless in their job.

Yet all what that did is expose the young man to a world that is very unkind to those who seek the limelight, for they will have all they do exposed to the world.

When Jabu next finds himself the subject of tabloid stories, he shouldn’t be surprised and “Daddy” will have to take the responsibility.

Exposing his family to media scrutiny was not the only negative thing Bra Shakes’ outbursts achieved.

In a country as racially polarised as ours, the coach’s ranting and raving has also put other black coaches in a bad light.

Already some of my white colleagues were saying this week “look at what your Mashaba is doing, we should have just stuck with Gordon Igesund”. And you can bet that’s what most other white South Africans are thinking.

I was in a conversation with a “youngish” black coach this week and he lamented Mashaba’s reaction to criticism saying all that will now happen going forward is that clubs and even the national teams will not have faith in black coaches.

“Eish, this old man is really messing things up for us now,” he cried.

It is a pity because Bra Shakes has generally served the country very well. From his taking the Under-20s to runners-up position at the Africa Youth Championships and thus becoming the first coach to take a South African side to the World Cup through getting us to our maiden Olympic qualification to twice getting us to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations – the man has a good track record.

He has since become the coach with the most number of wins in charge of Bafana with Tuesday’s win over Senegal.

All those are no small feats and if anything, Mashaba’s response to what he felt was personal attacks should have been to bring out the records.

Yes, the defeat to Mauritania was very bad and having acknowledged this much he should have stopped right there instead of going into excuses that essentially served to undermine the intelligence of the South African soccer follower, least of all us, the football media.

For me, though, the lowest thought was bringing his family into the whole fracas.

Sadly, it might just come back to haunt him. - Saturday Star

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I’m not a dictator - Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has insisted he is not a dictator and is open to change after a warning from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick.

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Louis van Gaal has insisted he is not a dictator and is open to change after a warning from Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick that the Manchester United dressing room has gone ‘flat’.

The manager admitted to being alarmed by the concerns of two senior players over his regimented approach, but claimed he still has a good relationship with the squad.

The issue overshadows the build-up to today’s home clash with arch-rivals Liverpool, and goalkeeper David de Gea signing a new long-term contract at United following the collapse of his move to Real Madrid.

Van Gaal said: ‘I am not a dictator, I am a communicator. Rooney and Carrick, the captains, came to me and said, “The dressing room is flat. We want to say that to you to help you”.

‘So I communicated not only with my captains, who tried to warn me, I went to the dressing room and tried to

communicate with my players. We discussed a lot of aspects.

‘I have a superb relationship with my players. As a manager, I’ve never had so many players come to say something about the atmosphere in the dressing room, about the way we train.

‘But now it was Carrick and Rooney and that was alarming for me because they are the captains. That’s why I went to the dressing room.’

The players’ worries centred on the Dutchman’s rigid tactics and analytical approach to games, with his numerous meetings said to be affecting morale.

It has been mirrored on the pitch, with United lacking a spark and scoring just three goals in four Premier League games so far.

But Van Gaal claims that he has listened to his players and changed aspects of United’s pre-match preparations. He added: ‘I have changed the way that I say the game plan to them, for example. Now I ask in advance and they can say what they want.

‘They have to explain why and how, and then I’ll listen. Not only will I listen, but my assistants are listening, and then we discuss it. And then I have to change it.

‘I could not (see it before) because normally the coach doesn’t come into the dressing room. It’s protected for the players and they do what they want.’

Van Gaal believes the uncertainty surrounding De Gea, combined with the high turnover of players during his first 14 months in charge, is to blame for unsettling the dressing room.

He added: ‘Last year we sold and released 11 players. This year 14 players. We bought five or six last year and now six. The whole dressing room has been changed. Can you imagine when your friend leaves, what are your feelings?

‘Then we had problems with Victor Valdes and the transfer of De Gea, who has a great influence in the dressing room, which is why it was flat. There are only nine players left of the (original) group. I bought the other players and they won’t say I’m a lousy manager. The fans shout every week, “Louis van Gaal’s army”, so the fans and players are very satisfied with me.’

De Gea completed a remarkable turnaround yesterday by signing a new four-year contract at United worth £200,000 a week with the option of a 12-month extension.

It is the same deal that he rejected in anticipation of joining Real Madrid, but the £29million move collapsed with the two clubs accusing each other of errors over the paperwork.

Asked if De Gea could play for the first time this season against Liverpool today, Van Gaal said: ‘Now his head is empty and he can focus on the match. It’s a big change to the three or four weeks before that. I hope I can see that in the training sessions, so I can give him his first line-up position.’

The goalkeeper urged Van Gaal to recall him yesterday, saying: ‘It is a perfect moment to come back and at Old Trafford, with the fans and against Liverpool, one of the biggest games in the world.

‘I’ve trained really hard and I played with my national team, so I feel ready and 100 per cent fit.’

There is unlikely to be a starting place for £58m signing Anthony Martial, though, with Van Gaal indicating the 19-year-old will be integrated slowly. ‘I can imagine the fans think, “£50m so he has to score!” But don’t give him too much pressure. He has to adapt to our philosophy. Maybe he can show signs of his quality this season.’

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is expected to give a first start to Danny Ings as he contends with injuries to Adam Lallana and Jordan Henderson, plus Philippe Coutinho’s suspension.

And Rodgers pleaded for patience with his stuttering side. ‘We need to give this group a bit of time,’ he said. ‘That’s something ill-afforded to you in modern football but I get great excitement seeing the players.

‘This team will show its worth over the course of the season, not just in these early games. What we are seeing at the moment are players coming in and adapting. Performance levels will improve.’ – Daily Mail

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