Abel RKay

BARCELONA, Spain Barcelona's first defeat of the season has led some players to question the squad's hunger. The Spanish champions fell behind and never recovered in a 2-1 Champions League loss at Ajax on Tuesday, with defender Gerard Pique calling it "the worst first half of football" the club has played this season. Midfielder Cesc Fabregas was more critical of the Spanish leaders, saying "It didn't look like we were there in the first half. There was a lack of intensity, a lack of hunger." Pique says "the horrible" image Barcelona gave off was "unacceptable," while Fabregas says the Spanish league leaders were not prepared when their Dutch opponents started the game with such intensity. Barcelona, which is without Lionel Messi, has already qualified for the last 16 of Europe's elite competition. Source: The New Zealand Gerald.

Chelsea qualified for the final 16 of the Champions League despite losing again to Basel. AC Milan and Arsenal won, but did not yet advance. Mohamed Salah's late goal Tuesday earned Basel a 1-0 win and a second straight Group E victory over the 2012 champions. But Chelsea is guaranteed a top-two finish after Schalke drew with Steaua Bucharest. Milan cruised past Celtic 3-0, but needs a point against Ajax in its last match after the Dutch side upset already qualified Barcelona 2-1 to keep alive its hopes. It was the first loss for Barca after a 25-game unbeaten streak dating back to last May's loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League semifinals. Arsenal also requires another point after beating Marseille 2-0 in Group F. Napoli lost 3-1 to Borussia Dortmund to leave both teams three points behind the English side. Chelsea sailed through its group with three straight victories since opening with a 2-1 home loss to Basel. It knew a point would be

Manchester City produced a ruthless performance to hammer Tottenham Hotspur 6-0 and maintain their 100 per cent record at the Etihad Stadium in the Premier League this season. Spurs headed into the game with the best defensive record in the top flight, but conceded almost from the kick-off before seeing Sergio Aguero score a goal in each half, while Jesus Navas also notched a brace. City were in front after just 15 seconds when Navas curled a loose ball over the fit-again Hugo Lloris after the Tottenham keeper's woeful clearance was seized upon by Aguero. Another poor kick from Lloris led to the second goal on 34 minutes and the Tottenham keeper could again only parry an initial shot from Aguero. This time the ball bounced to Alvaro Negredo, whose acrobatic volley was blocked by Younes Kaboul, but deflected into the net off Sandro. Spurs were being opened by City nearly every time the hosts ventured forward and the third goal arrived before half-time as Navas ran

he Manchester United striker has featured in all but one of the Red Devils' Premier League fixtures this season and their manager is considering giving him a break from the action Manchester United  boss  David Moyes   has hinted that he will need to give   Wayne Rooney   a rest in the coming months. The 28-year-old striker has featured in all but one of United's Premier League fixtures in the 2013-14 campaign, and started both of England's most recent friendlies against Chile and Germany respectively. Moyes, however, has revealed that he did expect Rooney to play a part in both of the matches over the international break, suggesting that he will have to consider resting the former Everton star "in the next two months". "I expected him to play in both games, but maybe for not quite as long," the United manager said. "I was hoping we could have got Wayne some time off with England but obviously Roy has to pick his teams and the games were

Cardiff City 2-2 Manchester United: Kim late show stuns champions A late equaliser salvaged a point for the hosts after goals from Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra had given the away side the advantage, with Fraizer Campbell also scoring   Bo-Kyung Kim   headed a stoppage-time equaliser as   Cardiff City   claimed a deserved 2-2   Premier League   draw against   Manchester United   on Sunday. After Wayne Rooney had petulantly kicked out at Cardiff midfielder Jordon Mutch oneight minutes - an offence referee Neil Swarbrick deemed worthy only of a yellow card - the England striker duly gave United a 15th-minute lead. However, Fraizer Campbell, who struck the crossbar after half-time, levelled matters before David Moyes' men led again as Patrice Evra glanced home Rooney's 45th-minute corner. But substitute Kim darted in front of the France full-back to produce a similar finish from Peter Whittingham's free kick in injury time - the midfielder's deliveries having ca

Wayne Rooney has hit back at criticism over his tackle on Jordon Mutch during Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Cardiff on Sunday. Rooney was fortunate to stay on the pitch after appearing to kick out at Mutch, but referee Neil Swarbrick opted to caution the striker. It would prove to be a controversial decision as moments later Rooney put United in front. However, in his post-match interviews, manager David Moyes backed Swarbrick's decision to show his player a yellow card rather than red. Following the game, Rooney took to social networking site Twitter to display his anger at both commentators and pundits talking about the tackle. Wayne Rooney          ✔   @ WayneRooney Follow Just watched game back. I agree mine was bad tackle and ref dealt with it. And Martin Tyler didn't shut up about it all game. 1:27 AM - 25 Nov 2013 8,885   RETWEETS   4,676   FAVORITES Reply Retweet Wayne Rooney          ✔   @ WayneRooney Follow Then s

Now there is no doubt - Portugal hero Ronaldo has had a better 2013 than Messi  

A story has emerged in Uganda of an Arsenal fan losing his house on Sunday's result at Old Trafford. Manchester United and Arsenal's clash at the weekend was one of the most keenly anticipated matches of the Premier League season so far. A decisive header from Robin van Persie meant there were no shared spoils, with the home side securing a major victory over a recently resurgent Arsenal. It also meant the countless wagers around the world between fans were settled, with Gary Neville taking £5,000 off Piers Morgan, which went to charity. High stakes to you and me, but pocket change compared to the gamble made by one man in Uganda. African news website Supersport runs the story that an Arsenal fan has lost his house in a failed bet on the result: "A staunch Arsenal fan in Iganga District in Eastern Uganda is searching for a new home for his family after losing his house in a bet over a game between English clubs Arsenal and Manchester

 Sunderland boys celebrating  What do you want the referee to do? Assist you?  Injuries are very normal   Trying harder to equalize  Come on!!! Get up and fight? You wanna out?  What happened here?!  One against two  Holding each other? Was it allowed? Don't think so. It just happened!  Toughness was part of the game It is a goal. keeper not believing