ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC'S HAT-TRICK INSPIRES PSG TO VICTORY AS LYON LOSE AGAIN

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's hat-trick inspired Paris Saint-Germain as they put their faltering start to the Ligue 1 season behind them with a commanding 5-0 thrashing of St Etienne.

Ibra slotted home three goals and Edinson Cavani scored another as PSG rolled to a 5-0 win vs. St. Etienne.

Stephane Ruffier's inexplicable own goal got the Parisians' evening off to a perfect start when the goalkeeper allowed Jeremy Clement's pass back beyond him. Ibrahimovic added a second before the break.

The Sweden captain helped himself to a second shortly after the hour mark and Edinson Cavani added a fourth before the Sweden international rounded off yet another memorable night. PSG claimed their second league win of the season from their opening four matches.

Metz scored twice in the last 10 minutes to beat Lyon 2-1, as the once dominant team in French football continued their early-season struggle.

Alexandre Lacazette gave Lyon the lead midway through the second half, but a penalty from Yeni Ngbakoto levelled up and Juan Manuel Falcon poached a late winner for the home side.

Visitors Lyon have now lost three on the trot after starting with a win over Rennes.

Bordeaux's impressive 100 percent start to the season came to an end on Sunday with a 1-1 draw against Bastia at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Junior Tallo's first-half strike, his second of the campaign, seemed like it would give Claude Makelele's men their second consecutive 1-0 Ligue 1 win. However, Diego Rolan broke Corsican hearts with a little over 10 minutes left.

soccernet.com

AC MILAN CONFIRMS THE SIGNING OF CHELSEA'S VAN GINKEL

Italian club AC Milan have now confirmed the signing of Marco van Ginkel from Chelsea.


Chelsea midfielder Marco van Ginkel joins AC Milan of Italy

The Netherlands international underwent a medical with the Serie A outfit on Monday morning ahead of his proposed transfer and he is keen to make a name for himself at the Serie A outfit this season.

"I am very happy to be here at Milan. They are a big club where many Dutch players have played in the past, some really big names. I am delighted to be here at last," Van Ginkel told Milan Channel.

"I know Nigel de Jong from the national team. I spoke to him about Milan and he told me some great things about the club. I haven't seen him yet since I got here, but we will meet again soon.  

"I want to become important for Milan. I want to play a lot of games here and get regular playing time. I feel that Milan will give me this possibility in a big league with a strong team. 

"I also spoke with Fernando Torres about Milan. He is a great guy and we will meet again soon."


Marco van Ginkel had his medical at AC Milan this morning ahead of his season-long loan move from Chelsea.

Van Ginkel joined Chelsea from Vitesse in the summer of 2013, but a serious knee injury prevented him from making an impact in his first season at Stamford Bridge.

REAL SOCIEDAD CAME BACK FROM TWO GOALS DEFICIT TO SHOCK REAL MADRID

Real Sociedad came back from two goals down to seal a famous victory over European champions Real Madrid.

Real Sociedad came back from two goals down to seal a famous victory over Real Madrid.

The visitors, who were without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, were superb in attack and led thanks to early goals from Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale.

But Sociedad exposed their defensive deficiencies to level through Inigo Martinez and David Zurutuza.

Zurutuza struck again to give the home side the lead before Carlos Vela fired in to seal the victory.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has invested heavily this summer to further improve the attacking prowess of his side, with the big-money signings of Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez.

And the results of this were clear to see, particularly in the first half, as Madrid swept into a 2-0 lead.

Kroos' corner was converted by the head of Ramos after five minutes before Bale nutmegged his marker on the edge of the box and fired in to double the advantage six minutes later.

Real were in complete control when Bale made it 2-0 after 11 minutes

They could have had more with Marcelo twice going close and Ramos again showing his aerial prowess with a headed effort that just missed the target.

But as good as Ancelotti's side were at one end, they were poor at the other and were ruthlessly exposed by a clinical Sociedad side.

Martinez narrowed Real's advantage by tapping in at the back post after a corner had been flicked on by Xabi Prieto before Zurutuza capitalised on some more bad marking from the away side to power a header home from Alberto De la Bella's cross.

With the momentum behind them, Sociedad forced home their advantage in the second half as Madrid crumbled.

Zurutuza completed the turnaround by showing good determination to beat Dani Carvajal to a low cross from skipper Prieto and turn the ball in.

And Carlos Vela secured the victory by slamming a shot on the turn into the roof of the net.

BBC Sport

SANDRO'S LONE STRIKE SECURE 3 POINTS FOR BARCELONA

Teenage substitute Sandro Ramirez scored his first Barcelona goal as the Spanish runners-up snatched a late win at La Liga rivals Villarreal.

Sandro Ramirez scored his first Barcelona goal to secure win for the club

The Catalans dominated throughout but could not find a breakthrough until 18-year-old forward Sandro tapped in.

They hit the woodwork before half-time when Lionel Messi's free-kick was pushed onto the post by Sergio Asenjo.

But Villarreal almost took the lead against the run of play when Tomas Pina's angled drive hit the post.

The visitors controlled possession and territory but looked set to be frustrated against a Villarreal side which finished a credible sixth on their return to the Spanish top flight last season.

That was until Sandro, another product of Barca's La Masia academy, gleefully tucked in a loose ball after Messi was denied from a tight angle.

Neymar made his return for Barcelona as a second-half substitute following injury

The Spain youth international's winner means Barca have taken maximum points from their two La Liga matches under new boss Luis Enrique.

Former Barca player Enrique appears to be asking his players to play their trademark possession-based game at a higher tempo than they did under his predecessor Tata Martino.

But for a long time, it did not look as though Villarreal would tire and allow themselves to be prised open by the visitors.

Unsurprisingly, four-time world player of the year Messi was the focal point of Barca's brightest attacking play, creating a host of chances before providing the assist for Sandro.

Barca right-back Dani Alves, who ate a banana thrown on to the pitch in this fixture last season, was jeered by Villarreal fans throughout.

BBC Sport

FULHAM'S KOSTAS MITROGLOU RETURNS TO OLYMPIAKOS ON LOAN

Fulham have loaned £11m striker Kostas Mitroglou back to former club Olympiakos just seven months after he arrived at Craven Cottage.

Kostas Mitroglou: Fulham striker returns to Olympiakos on loan

Mitroglou signed for Fulham on the last day of the January transfer window for a reported fee of £12.4m after scoring three hat-tricks at the start of the Greek campaign and firing his country to the World Cup.

However, injuries hampered his spell in London and he was rarely used by the Fulham manager, Felix Magath, appearing just three times and starting only one match as the side slumped to relegation from the Premier League to the Championship in May.

The 26-year-old made three appearances and failed to score for the Cottagers during his injury-affected time with the club.

Mitroglou signed a four-year deal when he joined Fulham on the final day of the January transfer window.

He will remain in Greece for the rest of the season.

Fulham were relegated from the Premier League in May and, since then, manager Felix Magath has bought in last season's Championship top-scorer Ross McCormack from Leeds for £11m.

But the Cottagers have made a poor start to the season, taking one point from their first five games to leave them 23rd in the table.

During his previous spell at Olympiakos, Mitroglou won five league titles and three Greek Cups.

He had scored 23 goals in 26 appearances for club and country last season prior to his move to England.

LIVERPOOL THRASH TOTTENHAM AT WHITE HART LANE

Brendan Rodgers celebrated his 100th match as Liverpool manager with another comfortable win against previously unbeaten Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

Steven Gerrard convert a penalty in Liverpool's 3-0 win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane

Mario Balotelli wasted several chances on his Reds debut but it mattered little as Spurs lost for the first time under new boss Mauricio Pochettino.

Liverpool, who won 5-0 in this fixture last season, led when Raheem Sterling converted at the far post.

Steven Gerrard's penalty and Alberto Moreno's precise finish sealed the win.

Liverpool scored nine unanswered goals against Spurs last season - following up the 5-0 success in north London with a 4-0 victory at Anfield - and tore apart a new-look Spurs side which had made a positive start under Pochettino.

The Reds have since lost talismanic striker Luis Suarez, who tormented Spurs on both occasions last season, but demonstrated the same attacking verve which helped them finish as Premier League runners-up in May.

Rodgers is still integrating nine summer signings into his squad and saw his side edge past Southampton on the opening weekend, before being comfortably beaten by reigning champions Manchester City on Monday.

But they clicked into gear against Spurs as England forward Sterling carried his encouraging World Cup form into the new domestic season.

The 19-year-old, playing in a more central role, worried the home defence with his pace and direct running throughout.

He scored the opening goal as the Reds needed just eight minutes to find a breakthrough against a Spurs side which had not conceded in their opening two Premier League fixtures.

Daniel Sturridge picked out the intelligent run of Jordan Henderson and he unselfishly squared across the Spurs goal for Sterling to steer in.

And the home side were lucky not to fall further behind as Liverpool dominated the opening 15 minutes.

Despite Rodgers insisting his team have not turned into "the Mario Balotelli show", the Italian inevitably proved to be a central figure in the opening exchanges.

His firm header forced Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris into an acrobatic save after just three minutes, before a weak header from inside the six-yard box squirmed wide shortly after Sterling's opener.

The ex-Manchester City striker also haplessly miscued a long-range effort when Lloris rashly raced from his goal and played a poor clearance straight to his feet.

But his failure to give the visitors a more commanding lead did not prove significant.

Spurs had netted 21 goals in their previous six home games but were unable to exploit some defensive uncertainty from the visitors as they searched for an equaliser before the break.

Emmanuel Adebayor lobbed over the Liverpool goal when a long punt forward caught the away defence flat-footed, before Reds defender Dejan Lovren came to the rescue by blocking Erik Lamela's shot after Mamadou Sakho sloppily surrendered possession.

But their clearest opportunity came when Liverpool allowed another high ball to slice them open, with an unmarked Nacer Chadli pouncing to force Belgium team-mate Simon Mignolet into a smart reaction save.

Any Spurs momentum gained soon dissipated, however, when right-back Eric Dier tugged back Reds midfielder Joe Allen in the box moments after the restart and Gerrard confidently fired low into the corner from the spot.

And Spain full-back Moreno, a recent £12m signing from Sevilla, sealed the comprehensive win when he charged forward unchallenged before driving a low shot into the far corner.

Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino said: "We need to learn and improve - today was a very tough game for us.

"I think the first 45 minutes we competed very well and had some good chances. But the key moment came in the second half - it was a very soft penalty. When you are 2-0 down against Liverpool it is very difficult."

New £16m striker Mario Balotelli was all smiles ahead of his Liverpool debut

The Italy striker headed wide an opportunity to put Liverpool 2-0 ahead

Brendan Rodgers earned his 56th win in his 100th game as Liverpool boss, while new Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino suffered his first defeat

BBC Sport

ASTON VILLA MAINTAINS UNBEATEN START IN PREMIER LEAGUE

Aston Villa maintained their unbeaten start in the Premier League to move up to third with victory against Hull at Villa Park.


Gabriel Agbonlahor scores in Aston Villa 2-1 victory over Hull City

Gabby Agbonlahor's turn and shot opened the scoring on 14 minutes and Andreas Weimann slotted home from 10 yards.

Hull hit back after the break when Nikica Jelavic's header deflected in off Villa defender Aly Cissokho.

The Villans finished the match with 10 players when Ron Vlaar went off injured after 90 minutes, but held on to win.

Both sides headed in to the game looking to bounce back from midweek cup disappointment.

Hull's defeat on away goals by Belgian club Lokeren ensured that their first foray into Europe was painfully brief, while Villa lost at home to League One Leyton Orient in the League Cup.

Villa began with more urgency and Fabian Delph rattled the crossbar with just two minutes gone. The midfielder, who was called up to Roy Hodgson's England squad this week, collected a through-ball from Weimann on the left and beat Allan McGregor with a shot from a tight angle, but not the woodwork.

Weimann was also on target in the opening-day 1-0 victory over Stoke

However, former England man Agbonlahor was more clinical on 14 minutes when, after a lay off from the energetic Weimann, he turned in the box to fire home a right footed shot into the bottom left corner.

It was Villa's first goal since Weimann's strike in the opening day 1-0 win at Stoke and settled the nerves of Lambert's side.

There was a buzz around Villa Park as the home side enjoyed large spells of possession and on 36 minutes Weimann grabbed the goal his performance deserved. The Austria international calmly slotted home from 10 yards after Kieran Richardson had picked him out with a cut-back from the left flank.

With last season's top scorer Christian Benteke, who netted 10 times in the Premier League, out injured, Villa had been struggling for goals this term, but that was not obvious in a free-flowing and attacking first-half performance.

Hull looked to be showing the physical and mental strain of their Europa League exit and struggled to impose themselves.

Steve Bruce made tactical changes for the second half, bringing on full-back Liam Rosenior for centre-back Curtis Davies and switching from a back three to a back four. The Tigers threw on Robert Brady, who scored twice against Lokeren in midweek, 10 minutes later as Tom Ince made way.

Brady quickly made a difference and it was from the Irishman's free-kick that Hull struck back after 74 minutes, when Jelavic's header deflected off Cissokho and past Brad Guzan.

Hull stepped up the tempo and Jake Livermore stung the hands of Guzan with an effort from the edge of the box moments later.

Villa conceded 29 goals at home last season, their worst tally in the Premier League, and dropped deeper and deeper as Hull pressed for an equaliser.

It was a nervy finale for Villa, who had to play out added time with 10 men after centre-back Vlaar limped off injured with all three substitutions made, but Lambert's side held on for their second win of the season.

Aston Villa manager Paul Lambert said: "After the first half we should have been out of sight. The second half we were under pressure, but the first half set the tone of the game.

"You are never going to dominate a game for 90 minutes. But we deserved to win.

"Agbonlahor was outstanding, but in general the whole team performance was excellent.

"Vlaar has injured his calf. We will see how he is, but he has two weeks to recover [during the international break]."

Hull manager Steve Bruce said: "The performance in the first half was the worst I can remember in the time I've been at the club. For the travelling supporters who witnessed it, you have to apologise.

"There was no energy, no spirit. We never laid a glove on them.

"In the second half, we changed it round, and we were excellent. But we gave ourselves a mountain to climb after the first half."

Steve Bruce said the first 45 minutes was the worst of his reign

Aston Villa made a quick start, with Fabian Delph hitting the post early on

Tempers frayed at Villa Park as Hull fought back in the second half

BBC Sport

LEICESTER CITY SHARE POINTS WITH ARSENAL

Leonardo Ulloa's second goal in successive home games gave Leicester a deserved point against Arsenal.

Leonardo Ulloa's second goal in successive home games gave Leicester a deserved point against Arsenal

Alexis Sanchez turned in his first Arsenal league goal from close range after Yaya Sanogo had bundled the ball past keeper Kasper Schmeichel.

But Nigel Pearson's promoted side were soon level as Argentine Ulloa climbed above Laurent Koscielny to head in.

Leicester had the clearer second-half chances, with Ulloa and substitute Jamie Vardy going close.

Ulloa created a great chance for himself early in the second period after playing a one-two with Riyad Mahrez and leaving defender Calum Chambers on the floor with a brilliant turn, but he fired high into the side netting.

In the closing stages, Vardy led a swift counter-attack and burst into the penalty area after exchanging passes with David Nugent, but his shot was pushed aside by Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny.

While Leicester showed they were worthy of a point, it was a difficult afternoon for Arsenal, for whom centre-back Laurent Koscielny had to come off in the first half with a head injury.

Midfielder Mesut Ozil sustained an ankle problem and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a calf injury late on, but manager Arsene Wenger suggested that neither were serious.

In the case of winger Oxlade-Chamberlain, that will come as a relief to England manager Roy Hodgson ahead of a friendly against Norway on Wednesday and a Euro 2016 qualifier in Switzerland the following Monday.

On the evidence of events at the King Power Stadium, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is no closer to solving the problem of who to play at centre-forward after Olivier Giroud was ruled out until the new year with a broken leg.

Sanogo was given only his second Premier League start as Sanchez was moved to a wide role, but the French forward turned in an untidy performance despite his role in Arsenal's goal.

His best chance to score came just before the hour mark as full-back Nacho Monreal burst forward to set him up, but Schmeichel timed well an advance from his line to block.

Leicester were full of energy, and although they had to spend a lot of the game defending against Arsenal's swift passing, they were quick to break when they got the chance.

The visitors were troubled by Leicester's physical presence, and Koscielny needed more than three minutes of treatment after an early accidental collision with Jeff Schlupp.

But Arsenal took the lead in the 20th minute when Sanogo raced on to Santi Cazorla's well-judged chip, and bundled the ball past Schmeichel for Sanchez to turn in.

Koscielny, having returned to the action sporting a blue bandage to cover his head wound, had to take a large share of the blame for Leicester's quick equaliser.

The French defender failed to track Ulloa, who was left free to climb and power in a header from the dangerous Schlupp's left-wing cross - following up the goal he scored in the 2-2 draw with Everton on 16 August.

Wenger responded by replacing Koscielny with Chambers, and the 19-year-old - who won his first senior England call-up during the week - was stretched to his limits by Leicester's lively attack.

The Gunners continued to create chances as the match opened up, and Aaron Ramsey should have done better than loop a tame header at Schmeichel from Cazorla's chip.

But it was the home side who looked stronger in the closing stages as injuries began to catch up with Arsenal, with Ozil going down holding his ankle after the visitors had made all three of their substitutions.

Vardy was denied by Szczesny, before the striker's fellow Foxes substitute Danny Drinkwater hit a 20-yard shot just wide of the goalkeeper's left-hand post.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson said: "It was another illustration of how difficult the Premier League can be. We played well, but we have played better and been more assured in possession. But we still showed the ability to create things.

"To be successful you can't go into the Premier League and just be tight and not create things. We looked dangerous on the counter-attack and with some decent moves. We have got more to come. We are disappointed not to win."

Alexis Sanchez scored Arsenal's goal, but their lead was quickly taken from them

Wojciech Szczesny made a late save from Leicester substitute Jamie Vardy

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain suffered a calf injury, although Arsene Wenger suggested it was not serious

BBC Sport

AC MILAN COMPLETES THE SIGNING OF FERNANDO TORRES FROM CHELSEA

Chelsea and Spain striker Fernando Torres has finalised the loan that will see him spend the next two years at AC Milan. 



The 30-year-old will now play for the Serie A side following three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge, in which time he helped Chelsea lift the Champions League, the Europa League and the FA Cup. 

A World Cup-winner, Torres joined Chelsea from Liverpool in January 2011. Memorable highlights include his Champions League semi-final breakaway against Barcelona at the Nou Camp and the goal that helped beat Benfica to lift the Europa League trophy a year later. A hat-trick against neighbours QPR in April 2012 is his biggest Chelsea haul in one game. 

Torres continued to share in Spain’s international success while at Chelsea. He helped his country to a second successive European Championship in 2012, securing the Golden Boot in the process thanks to his three goals, one of which came in the final where he also teed up club-mate Juan Mata to put the icing on a 4-0 win over Italy. 

In the busy 2012/13 season his 22 goals were spread over seven different competitions, a club record. In the Europa League he scored key goals against Steaua Bucharest and Rubin Kazan before his opener in the final in Amsterdam. 

He also netted Chelsea’s final goal of last season, a late winner at Cardiff, having earlier in the season raised the roof at Stamford Bridge with an even later goal that defeated Manchester City in the 90th minute. 

Fernando Torres cost Liverpool a reported £20m when he joined in 2007 from Atletico Madrid

The Spain international scored 24 Premier League goals in his debut season, and 65 in total for the Reds

In January 2011 Torres became a record breaker with his £50m move to Chelsea. Liverpool signed Luis Suarez and Andy Caroll on the same day

Torres scored just one goal for Chelsea that season, and missed an open goal against Manchester United the next season

He scored 20 Premier League goals for Chelsea, the final one coming at Cardiff on the last day of last season

MANCHESTER UNITED'S KAGAWA RE-JOINS BORUSSIA DORTMUND

Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has rejoined Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal.

The 25-year-old Japan international midfielder leaves Manchester United having failed to impress new manager Louis van Gaal.

Kagawa moved to Old Trafford in the summer of 2012 having spent two years in Germany where he collected back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Dortmund.

Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa has rejoined Borussia Dortmund

He also picked up a Premier League winners' medal at Old Trafford during Sir Alex Ferguson’s final season.

However, his only appearance for United this campaign was a 20-minute spell during their shambolic 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat to Milton Keynes Dons earlier this week.

Kagawa made 57 appearances for United, scoring six goals that included a hat-trick against Norwich.

He told Dortmund's official website: "I wanted to realise my Premier League dream but now I'm happy to be back in Dortmund.

"This great team, a unique environment and Dortmund is like a family. I am proud they have never forgotten me and I can belong again."

Dortmund’s sporting director Michael Zorc added: "The possibility of signing Shinji from Manchester United only arose for the first time in the last few days.

"Naturally we decided to add his enormous quality to our squad once again."

HERTHA BERLIN SIGN SALOMON KALOU FROM LILLE

Former Chelsea forward Salomon Kalou has joined Hertha Berlin from Lille for an undisclosed fee.

Salomon Kalou: Ex-Chelsea striker joins Hertha Berlin

The 29-year-old Ivorian, who scored 60 goals during a six-year stint at Stamford Bridge, has signed a three-year deal with the German club.

"Kalou is a top striker," said Hertha general manager Michael Preetz.

"He has proved his class in the Premier League, Champions League and with his national team. We're very happy to have him with us."

Kalou, who has 23 goals in 67 appearances for Ivory Coast, will be expected to replace Colombian striker Adrian Ramos, who recently moved to Hertha's Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Kalou began his career with Rotterdam clubs Feyenoord and Excelsior before switching to Chelsea in 2006.

He scored 60 goals in 251 games and won the Champions League with the Premier League side before joining French club Lille, where he scored 30 goals in 67 league appearances.

Also on Sunday, Tunisia striker Sami Allagui left Hertha to join Bundesliga rivals Mainz on a year-long loan with an option to buy.

BBC Sport

CHELSEA SIGN LOIC REMY FROM QPR

Chelsea has announced the signing of France international striker Loic Remy from Queens Park Rangers.

Remy joins Chelsea

The former Marseille striker signed a four-year contract.

The 27-year-old played in the Premier League for Newcastle last season while on loan from QPR. He returned to Loftus Road in the summer.

On signing for the Blues, he said: 'I feel very happy and very proud. When I heard Chelsea wanted to sign me I said "let's go" straight away because they are one of the best clubs in the world. I remember the amazing atmosphere at Stamford Bridge when I played there for Marseille and I can't wait to play for the first time in front of my new fans.'

Remy, who is 6ft tall, is renowned for his pace, eye for goal and a versatility which has also allowed him to succeed in wide positions.

He is one of an illustrious list of players to have come through Lyon’s youth academy. He made his first-team debut for his home-town club in 2006 and played for them during two Ligue 1 title-winning seasons, as well as experiencing the Champions League.

However, it was at Nice, following a loan spell at Lens, where the young Remy truly began to build his reputation.

The goals flowed fast, earning a move along the south coast to Marseille, signed by former Chelsea player and current France manager Didier Deschamps in August 2010. He scored his first Champions League goals during his opening season for Marseille and played in two group games against Chelsea. He was their top league scorer with 15 goals in 2010/11 as well as finding the net for the first time for France that season, having made his international debut in June 2009.

With Remy having averaged almost a goal every two games during two and a half years at Marseille, the Premier League came calling in January 2013 and he scored on his QPR debut at West Ham. Of his six goals in 14 games before the end of that campaign, it was a first-time smash from outside the area against Wigan that most caught the eye. However with Rangers relegated from the top flight, he was loaned for 2013/14 to Newcastle.

A goal against Chelsea at St James’ Park in November was one of 14 he scored in the Premier League last season, helping to earn a place in France’s squad for Brazil in the summer, where he made two substitute appearances.

He played in QPR’s first two league games this season but not in their Capital One Cup defeat by Burton Albion, so remains eligible to play for Chelsea in all competitions.

MONACO DRAW 1-1 WITH LILLE AS RADAMEL FALCAO MISSES OUT

Lille missed the chance to leapfrog Bordeaux at the top of the Ligue 1 table as they let the lead slip in a 1-1 draw at Monaco.

Dimitar Berbatov was on target for Monaco against Lille.

With Radamel Falcao omitted from the Monaco squad ahead of a possible move away from the Stade Louis II, his fellow striker Dimitar Berbatov's second-half equaliser earned Leonardo Jardim's side a point.

The Bulgarian cancelled out Nolan Roux's opener -- much to the annoyance of Lille coach Rene Girard, whose protestations got him sent from the dugout -- to prevent Monaco slipping to a third league defeat of the season.

Bordeaux have the chance to move two points clear at the top of the table on Sunday when they meet Bastia.

Rennes picked up their second win of the season, beating 10-manCaen 1-0 thanks to Ola Toivonen's late goal. It was a sucker punch for the home side, who had held out for over an hour with a man less following N'Golo Kante's red card.

Newly-promoted Lens took full advantage of an ill-disciplined performance from Reims to post a 4-2 win at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

The visitors took an early lead through Aissa Mandi but then imploded, with the 25th-minute dismissal of Prince Oniangue allowing Lens to turn things around with goals either side of the interval from Wylan Cyprien and Pablo Chavarria.

The home side then stretched their advantage with a penalty from Yoann Touzghar, and although Gaetan Courtet pulled one back for Reims, they gave away another spot-kick late on allowing Adamo Coulibaly to wrap up the points.

Lorient condemned Guingamp to their third defeat and secured local bragging rights with a second-half blitz as they won 4-0 at the Stade du Moustoir.

Sylvain Ripoll's side turned the screw after a goalless first half, with Benjamin Jeannot tapping them in front after 58 minutes.

Substitute Valentin Lavigne (twice) and Jordan Ayew then added gloss to the scoreline with a flurry of three goals in the last 10 minutes.

Substitute Serge Gapke earned Nantes a 1-0 win at home toMontpellier, while Toulouse beat Evian by the same scoreline thanks to Adrien Regattin's 79th-minute strike.

soccernet.com

MOURINHO CONFIRMS CHELSEA'S INTEREST IN LOIC REMY

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Chelsea's interest in QPR striker Loic Remy and has no fears over the Frenchman's fitness.


Mourinho confirms Remy interest


QPR manager Harry Redknapp revealed on Saturday that Remy, left out of the squad for the 1-0 win over Sunderland, was heading for the Loftus Road exit door, suggesting that Chelsea was his likely destination.

And, following the Blues' stunning 6-3 Premier League triumph at Everton later the same day, Mourinho explained that the club's pursuit of Remy had been stepped up after Fernando Torres' departure for AC Milan.

"Today I told my people in the club that I have no news until the end of the game," the Portuguese told Sky Sports. "They know I don't like to communicate before the game.

"Obviously I know that we are trying since yesterday, since we knew that [Torres] was leaving, that we were trying to get Remy.

"But now, when I arrive in the bus is the time to make some calls and to have news."

Remy looked set to move to Liverpool last month before the deal collapsed after he reportedly failed a medical. However, Mourinho is not concerned with the former Marseille forward's fitness.

He said: "I have one fantastic doctor, we trust him completely, he has lots of people working with him in different areas.

"For sure they will try to identify what the situation is. But the information we have already from specialists in different areas is that he doesn't have a problem to play football."

Remy's signing would add further firepower to a Chelsea squad that already boasts the English top-flight's top scorer, with Diego Costa having netted twice on Merseyside to make it four in three games for the Spain international.




Goal.com

GERVINHO SCORES AS ROMA BEAT FIORENTINA IN ITALIAN SERIE A OPENER

AS Roma came through an early test of their Scudetto credentials on the opening day of the 2014-15 Serie A season to beat Fiorentina 2-0 at the Stadio Olimpico.


Radja Nainggolan and Gervinho were on target as Roma defeated Fiorentina.

Radja Nainggolan and ex-Arsenal man Gervinho scored either side of half time to get Rudi Garcia's side off the mark with three points at the first time of asking.

Last year's runners-up handed competitive debuts to new recruits Ashley Cole, Juan Manuel Iturbe and Davide Astori as they try to overhaul the 17-point gap Juventus had at the top of the table last year.

Meanwhile, Vincenzo Montella's Fiorentina handed a first start to Joshua Brillante but were without Giuseppe Rossi, who is out with a knee injury, as they set about trying to improve last year's fourth-placed finish.

It took the Giallorossi 28 minutes to finally break Fiorentina's resolve, with Nainggolan threading a fine through ball to send Gervinho racing into the box.

The former Gunner unleashed a powerful shot towards goal that Viola keeper Neto did well to palm away, but Nainggolan was first to react and smashed the rebound past Neto from just inside the box.

Nainggolan and Gervinho continued to cause problems and they combined again in the dying moments to make the scoreline a bit more impressive.

The Belgian midfielder once again sent Gervinho scampering in behind Fiorentina's stretched backline, but this time the Ivory Coast forward did it all himself, showing good strength to hold off a defender before rounding Neto and stroking home into an empty net.



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ROBERTO MARTINEZ SAYS DIEGO COSTA MUST LEARN TO RESPECT HIS OPPONENTS

Everton manager Roberto Martinez says Chelsea striker Diego Costa must learn to show respect for his opponents if he is to adapt to life in the Premier League.

Chelsea striker Diego Costa booked for an altercation with Seamus Coleman

Costa scored twice as Jose Mourinho's men ran out 6-3 winners over Everton after a frantic encounter at Goodison Park, and has now netted four times in his first three games in a Blue shirt.
But the Brazil-born Spaniard was also at the centre of controversy, being booked for an altercation with Seamus Coleman before riling Tim Howard by appearing to goad the Irishman in the seconds after his own goal put Chelsea 3-1 ahead.

After the match Mourinho suggested the Everton players had tried to get Costa sent off, but Martinez believes the 25-year-old has a lot to learn about the culture of the English game.

"I think there are certain foreign players who, when they come to the Premier League, need to understand the ethics and it's a completely different culture," Martinez told reporters.

"The last thing you want to be is disrespectful to another player even if it's in the opposing team. I'm sure he'll learn that very quickly. 

"The behaviour on the pitch is quite unique in the British game. There is a real professionalism in the league and a real respect.

"You can understand why the players weren't happy with [Costa's apparent goading of Coleman], in the same way he was trying to buy free kicks with the way he was playing.

"I think it's going to take a bit a time for him to understand that this league is quite different, quite unique and it needs players to adapt to it rather than the league to adapt to the players."