MESSI LEADS BARCA 3-1 OVER ATLETICO, MANU STUNNED Lionel Messi almost single-handedly restored peace at Barcelona by scoring once and setting up two more goals in a 3-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, before speaking out about the chaotic week for the Catalan club. Messi passed for goals by Neymar and Luis Suarez before he scored his 25th goal in as many games this season. He then denied media reports by saying he never called for coach Luis Enrique to be replaced. He also shot down speculation that his father had spoken to Premier League powerhouses Chelsea and Manchester City. I never demanded anything in order that I stay because I dont have any intention of leaving, Messi said. While Messi helped Barcelona remain in the Spanish league title hunt, Southampton stunned Manchester United 1-0 in England. ---- SPAIN Messi shredded Atleticos vaunted defense and passed for Neymar to score in the 12th minute and for Suarez to double the lead at Camp Nou in the 35th. He then made up for committing a penalty that led to Mario Mandzukic scoring from the spot in the 57th by scoring himself three minutes from time. After giving Barcelona control of second place, one point behind Real Madrid, Messi put to bed an entire set of rumors following a tumultuous week for the Catalan club that included the firing of its sports director and its president calling for early elections this summer. I have never asked that they replace a coach, and I never would, said Messi. This hurts. And it comes from people who want to hurt the club. Sevilla moved into fourth, two points behind Atletico, with a 2-0 win at Almeria. ---- ENGLAND A Southampton shirt had to be scrambled from the dressing room before the forgetful Dusan Tadic could enter the Old Trafford pitch. Within minutes, it was being ripped off again as the second-half substitute celebrated scoring the goal that gave Southampton its first win at Manchester United in 27 years. When I wanted to come on, the shirt and shin pads were not there (in the dugout), but I dont know what happened, Tadic said after clinching the victory. This isnt important. Its important we won. Ronald Koemans Southampton side ended Uniteds 10-game unbeaten run in the Premier League and dislodged the hosts - managed by fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal - from third place. Arsenal is only a point behind fourth-place United after Alexis Sanchez scored two and created one in a 3-0 victory over Stoke. ---- FRANCE Lyon moved to the top of the French league after striker Alexandre Lacazette, one of eight homegrown players in its starting lineup, scored twice in a 3-0 win against Toulouse to take his seasons tally to 19 in 20 games. The win moved Lyon one point clear of second-place Marseille, and an impressive four clear of two-time defending champion Paris Saint-Germain, which continues to struggle despite having five players in its squad costing more than ?40 million ($47 million), while the nucleus of Lyons side costs nothing. Lacazette scored twice inside the first 30 minutes and 21-year-old midfielder Nabil Fekir added the other goal just after the break to make it eight league goals in 16 games. Also, fifth-place Monaco is five points behind PSG after drawing 0-0 at home to sixth-place Bordeaux, and seventh-place Nantes drew 0-0 at home to Metz. A minutes silence was held before all matches this weekend in memory of the 17 people killed in a terrorist rampage in Paris this week. ---- ITALY Serie A leader Juventus won 3-1 at Napoli to move three points clear of Roma, which fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 against Lazio in the capital derby. Miguel Britos leveled for Napoli, canceling out a stunning Paul Pogba volley, but Juventus restored its advantage five minutes later through Martin Caceres, who was making his first appearance in more than three months. Napoli had a late equalizer ruled out for a foul on Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon before Arturo Vidal sealed the match in stoppage time. Napoli remained fourth, a point behind Lazio after the latters derby disappointment. Francesco Totti scored both of Romas goals in the second period. Romas talismanic captain celebrated his second in unusual fashion by taking a selfie of himself on the pitch. Sapa-AP
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 07:30:32 +0000
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