Enyeama keeps 11th consecutive clean sheet as Lille snatch win over Marseille

Rene Girard's Lille maintained their remarkable defensive record in defeating fellow high-fliers Olympique de Marseille 1-0 at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

An 11th consecutive clean sheet for Vincent Enyeama in Ligue 1 gained added value as Nolan Roux grabbed an injury-time winner to give the hosts all three points.

The Nigerian was in sensational form on Tuesday night, denying Andre-Pierre Gignac with four instinctive saves as well as parrying a stinging drive from former Lille attacker Florian Thauvin.

Marseille began to struggle once both Mathieu Valbuena and Dimitri Payet were forced off with injuries in the second half, and Lille made them pay with a last-gasp winner from Roux, who headed home Florent Balmont's cross in the first minute of stoppage time.

Lille's win moves them to just one point behind league leaders Paris Saint-Germain, whose game in hand comes at Evian on Wednesday, while Monaco are a further point back after a 3-0 triumph at Nice.

Enyeama has now gone 1035 minutes since conceding a goal, with the Marseille shut out moving him ahead of PSGs Salvatore Sirigu (950 minutes, 2012-13) in his search for the Ligue 1 record.

Only Bordeauxs Gaetan Huard, who went 1176 minutes without coneding a goal in the 1992-93 season, now stands in the goalkeeper's way of achieving the longest streak.

Via: Enyeama keeps 11th consecutive clean sheet as Lille snatch win over Marseille

Real Madrid 4-0 Valladolid: Bale hat-trick inspires Ancelotti's men to victory

Gareth Bale starred with a hat-trick in Cristiano Ronaldo's absence as Real Madrid eased to a 4-0 win over Real Valladolid at Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.

The hosts may have been without their talisman and top scorer, as he sat out with a thigh problem, but creating goalscoring opportunities was not an issue as they dominated from the start.

After they had squandered numerous chances, Bale was on hand soon after the half-hour mark to head into an empty net following good work by Angel Di Maria and the Wales international was involved again a couple of minutes later as the hosts doubled their lead.

This time, he turned provider for Karim Benzema - the Frenchman scoring for the fifth successive league game, the first time he has managed that feat in Spain.

The world's most expensive player got his second just after the hour mark with a close-range finish before completing his hat-trick in the 89th minute with a similar strike to complete a resounding win.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti made three alterations to the side that comfortably beat Almeria 5-0 in their last league match, with Alvaro Arbeloa and Asier Illarramendi joining Ronaldo in missing out.

Valladolid's team, meanwhile, included only one change from their loss to Osasuna, as Fausto Rossi replaced German midfielder Patrick Ebert.

The game's first chance arrived after only three minutes when Sergio Ramos - linked with a move away from the club in the build-up - rose highest to meet Xabi Alonso's corner, but the Spain defender's header flew over.

Just a few minutes later, Di Maria went even closer as his audacious half-volley looped over goalkeeper Diego Marino, only to come back off the crossbar and hit the shot-stopper before going out of play.

After pressing, Madrid eventually got the breakthrough after 33 minutes when Di Maria's powerful cross-cum-shot was palmed straight to Bale, who headed into an empty net for his fifth La Liga goal.

And they doubled their lead within three minutes, with Bale integral again. This time, the winger crossed from deep and Benzema calmly nodded the ball past Marino.

The visitors were far livelier in the second half and although Madrid controlled possession, Zakarya Bergdich troubled them on the counter as he beat Ramos before shooting at Diego Lopez.

Benzema thought he had doubled his tally in the 61st minute when he tapped in Bale's squared pass, but the Frenchman's effort was ruled offside.

Ancelotti's men did have a third less than two minutes later, however.

Bale played Marcelo in down the left and when the Brazilian's low cross was partially intercepted, the Welshman was in the right place to sweep home.

And the former Tottenham man completed the scoring a minute from time as he slotted past Marino from inside the six-yard box, thanks to more good work by Marcelo, as he grabbed his first Real Madrid hat-trick in perfect style, with left-footed, right-footed and headed finishes.
Via: Real Madrid 4-0 Valladolid: Bale hat-trick inspires Ancelotti's men to victory

CSKA Moscow 1-3 Bayern Munich: Gotze wondergoal helps Bavarians break Barca record

Bayern Munich broke Barcelona's record of Champions League wins by beating CSKA Moscow 3-1 for their 10th victory in a row on Wednesday.

Arjen Robben's 10th goal of the season set the European champions on their way as the snow came down in the Russian capital and Mario Gotze doubled their lead early in the second half.

Keisuke Honda pulled a goal back from the penalty spot after spurning two golden opportunities after the break, but Thomas Muller responded with a spot kick at the other end to ensure Bayern surpassed the record of nine Champions League victories in a row set by Barca in 2002-03.

Pep Guardiola's side will be confirmed as Group D winners if Manchester City fail to beat Viktoria Plzen later on Tuesday but, even if the Premier League side claim all three points, the German champions will only need a point against Manuel Pellegrini's side next month to ensure they claim top spot.

Victory also marks a club record sixth consecutive away win in Europe for Bayern, while CSKA are still in the hunt for a place in the Europa League ahead of their final game against Plzen.

Bayern striker Mario Mandzukic was ruled out with a calf problem, so Gotze started in attack. CSKA were without in-form striker Seydou Doumbia due to injury and Ahmed Musa came in to replace him.

Guardiola warned his players to adapt quickly to the weather conditions and Bayern did just that to edge in front after 16 minutes.

Muller was the architect, racing away down the left and cutting the ball back into the path of the onrushing Robben, who made beat Igor Akinfeev with a clinical left-foot finish inside the near post.

Honda tried to be too clever when he attempted to round Manuel Neuer two minutes into the second half, but the German goalkeeper read his drag-back and smothered the ball.

Things went from bad to worse for the Japan international when a cross from the right fell nicely for him six yards out, but he fluffed his lines with the goal gaping.

And he was made to pay for those misses 11 minutes into the second half, when Gotze set off on a mazy run into the penalty and beat Akinfeev with a delightful left-foot finish.

CSKA were given a lifeline five minutes later, when Dante was harshly adjudged to have handled in the area and Honda this time kept his nerve to send Neuer the wrong way from the spot.

However, Bayern were awarded a spot kick of their own after 65 minutes when Georgi Schennikov upended Robben and Muller restored their two-goal advantage. Zoran Tosic hit the crossbar nine minutes from time, but Bayern never looked in danger of surrendering their lead.
Via: CSKA Moscow 1-3 Bayern Munich: Gotze wondergoal helps Bavarians break Barca record

No Keane and Donovan loans

The pair have both had loan spells in England in recent years with Keane spending two months at Aston Villa at the start of 2012, while Donovan joined Everton on loan in 2010 and 2012.

The Toffees have again been linked with the United States international but Arena is adamant Donovan and Keane - along with defender Omar Gonzalez - are going nowhere during the MLS off-season.

Arena told Galaxy's All-Access podcast on LAGalaxy.com: "Our players aren't going anywhere.

"Even though we argue that the [offseason] layoff is going to be too long, he (Gonzalez) can go in camp with the US national team in January, along with Landon Donovan.

"Our players have had a really tough run this year, in particular Robbie [Keane] and Omar with all their requirements with national teams.

"They've had a full 11 months of play and they need some time off and then they need to get back here in LA and be ready for a challenging campaign that includes in the beginning not only the league but the [CONCACAF] Champions League."

Via: No Keane and Donovan loans

Premier League: Fulham's Scott Parker hails the impact of head coach Rene Meulensteen

The former Manchester United first team coach joined forces with compatriot Martin Jol in November and is already bringing an air of confidence to the changing room, according to Parker.

Meulensteen, who in five years as Sir Alex Ferguson's understudy helped guide the club to 10 trophies, is vastly experienced having worked in the Netherlands, Qatar, Denmark and Russia, as well as the Premier League.

Parker insists the Dutchman's credential do not lie and believes the Fulham squad have plenty to learn from the 49-year-old.

"It's much like when an electrician comes through your front door," he told the Daily Mail. "You quickly work out if the guy's going to burn down your house.

"I can only say good things about Rene. You only have to look at his track record, who he's worked with, he's very positive with lots of good ideas.

"After a couple of sessions you know if a coach knows what he is doing. Rene has that confidence I like."

Such confidence and experience will be called upon, as Fulham strive to make their way out of the drop-zone after winning just three of their opening 12 top-flight matches, but Parker remains comfortable under the leadership of Jol and Meulensteen.

Confidence

"It's something I've seen in the Dutch before," he added. "There's a fine line between arrogance and confidence by these guys have it right.

"The manager is the same and having them here makes you feel safe."

Fulham are less than safe in their Premier League standing however, languishing in 18th with only 10 points to their name.

Parker has experience of relegation battles having survived the dreaded drop with West Ham and the playmaker acknowledges he must draw on that experience to lead Fulham to safety.

"My experience at West Ham gives me an understanding of what it takes to get out of this kind of situation," he said.

"It's still early in the season and there are a lot of teams around us, so we need to stay as positive as we can.

"It's the games coming up that are crucial. The Christmas period, too.

"But I believe that, if you put in the hard work, things will turn and with a new coach coming in and the manager working hard, I see no reason why it can't turn for us."

Via: Premier League: Fulham's Scott Parker hails the impact of head coach Rene Meulensteen

Marseille 2-0 Montpellier: Hosts extend Ligue 1 unbeaten streak with simple win

Olympique de Marseille extended their unbeaten streak to four Ligue 1 games with a comfortable 2-0 win over Montpellier at the Stade Velodrome on Friday.

Florian Thauvin deservedly put the hosts in front after 36 minutes, before substitute Saber Khelifa sealed their win with the last kick of the game.

Khelifa was only introduced in the 88th minute, but slotted past Geoffrey Jourden in injury time to ensure Marseille moved four points clear of Nantes in fourth place.

Andre-Pierre Gignac almost put Elie Baup's men ahead early on, but Marseille had to wait until nine minutes before the interval to see their pressure pay dividends as Thauvin poked home his fourth goal of the season.

Victor Montano almost drew Montpellier level just before the hour as he almost got on the end of a whipped cross, and Siaka Tiene had a free kick saved by Steve Mandanda soon after.

However, Tunisia international Khelifa had the final say when he scored late on to condemn Montpellier to their sixth Ligue 1 game without a win.

Via: Marseille 2-0 Montpellier: Hosts extend Ligue 1 unbeaten streak with simple win

Premier League preview: Everton host Stoke at Goodison Park

Roberto Martinez has a number possible options to come in for the England full-back including Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo, untested John Stones, midfielder Gareth Barry or even centre-back Sylvain Distin.

Midfielder Darron Gibson and striker Arouna Kone (both knee) are out long term while central defender Antolin Alcaraz is edging closer to his debut having been sidelined by injury since arriving in the summer.

Stoke will be forced into at least two changes from the side which beat Sunderland.

Austrian forward Marko Arnautovic and defender Robert Huth have both been ruled out, with the German possibly requiring surgery on his knee.

Matthew Etherington and Oussama Assaidi are both in contention to replace Arnautovic, while Marc Wilson, Geoff Cameron and Marc Muniesa could all replace Huth.

Via: Premier League preview: Everton host Stoke at Goodison Park