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FULHAM 1-2 CRYSTAL PALACE: ZAHA STARS, EAGLES MOVE TO 5TH ON THE LOG AS FULHAM MISERY START LINGERS.

Wilfried Zaha’s fifth goal in six matches helped Crystal Palace to a 2-1 win over 10-man Fulham.

Palace took the lead against the run of play at Craven Cottage with a first Premier League goal from Jairo Riedewald, who finished Zaha’s clever pass on eight minutes.

After twice going close for Fulham, Ademola Lookman struck a post on 26 minutes and Aleksandar Mitrovic couldn’t convert the rebound.

Palace doubled their lead on 64 minutes when Zaha slid in Michy Batshuayi’s cross at the far post.

Fulham’s hopes of a late recovery were hit by a red card for substitute Aboubakar Kamara for a bad foul on 88 minutes after a VAR review.

Deep into stoppage time, Tom Cairney’s long-range strike gave Fulham a first home goal of the season.

Palace rise to fifth with 10 points, while Fulham remain bottom on just one point.

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LEWANDOWSKI HIT HATRICK AS BAYERN PUTS UNREPLIED FIVE PAST FRANKFURT.

Incredible Bayern Munich forward Robert Lewandowski scored a hat-trick, taking his tally to 10 goals in five Bundesliga games, as the defending champions thumped hapless Eintracht Frankfurt 5-0 on Saturday.

The prolific Poland forward fired Bayern in front after 10 minutes when he was given too much space by the Eintracht defence and headed the second from a corner before the half hour.

He completed his hat-trick in the 61th minute from Douglas Costa’s pass before substitutes Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala added two more goals, with Sane’s in particular a sensational strike.

Bayern moved into second place with 12 points from five games, one behind RB Leipzig who beat Hertha Berlin 2-1. Eintracht, unbeaten in their first four games, have eight points.

The Bundesliga champions’ victory was marred by an injury to Alphonso Davies, who limped off the pitch with an ankle injury just three minutes into the match.

Eintracht were unbeaten in their opening four games but that record never looked likely to remain intact after they gave Lewandowski far too much room and he scored almost nonchalantly in the 10th minute.

Lewandowski outjumped his marker to head the second from a corner in the 28th minute and could have completed his hat-trick before half time but sent one effort wide from Leon Goretzka’s pass and then saw another blocked by goalkeeper Kevin Trapp

He made no mistake, however, just after the hour mark, holding off two defenders to slot his effort past Trapp after Douglas Costa threaded the ball to him.

Sane’s fourth in the 74th minute was reminiscent of former Bayern winger Arjen Robben as he raced down the touchline, cut inside and sent a dipping left-foot shot past a stranded Trapp.

Musiala capped the performance by adding the fifth in the 90th minute after a series of rebounds in the penalty area.

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BARCELONA 1-3 REAL MADRID: MODRIC, RAMOS INSPIRE LOS BLANCOS VICTORY AT CAMP NOU.

Real Madrid laid down a marker in the La Liga title race as they won 3-1 at Barcelona in the first Clasico of the season.

Fede Valverde gave Real the dream start with a fifth-minute strike, before Ansu Fati became the youngest ever scorer in this fixture just three minutes later from close range.

But Sergio Ramos converted a 63rd-minute penalty that he won after VAR intervened, before Luka Modric rounded off a deserved victory in the final seconds of normal time with the calmest of finishes.

In an entertaining game, Thibaut Courtois was alert to deny Lionel Messi before half-time but Barca remain 10th and are six.

After a nightmare week for Zinedine Zidane, Real started the clash in the best way possible. Karim Benzema’s through-ball was perfect for Valverde, who took advantage of lackadaisical Barca defending and finished beyond Neto.

But that joy was short-lived as Barca sliced through the Real defence with their first attack. Jordi Alba bent his run perfectly to beat the offside trap and carried the ball into the box, where he squared for Fati who had a simple finish.

Philippe Coutinho and Messi had already tried their luck from range when Messi saw Courtois produce a moment of magic after 24 minutes. The Argentine used deft feet to beat Ramos in the box and fired in a shot to the near post with his right foot. Courtois was alert and threw himself across the goal to push the ball away.

The game was being played at a frantic pace and Real went straight up the other end to create a chance of their own. Benzema saw his low effort pushed away by Neto after Kroos had found him 15 yards out from goal.

It was Barca who looked most likely to take the lead after half-time. Fati dragged a low shot just wide of Courtois’ right-hand post, before Coutinho failed to hit the target with a header at the back post – Fati again the creator for the hosts.

And they were made to pay for those misses on the hour-mark. Ramos theatrically threw himself to the floor in the box as Kroos’ free-kick drifted out for a goal-kick. It looked to be a dive in real time but replays showed Clement Lenglet had pulled his shirt.

After consulting VAR and the screen by the side of the pitch, referee Juan Martinez Munuera changed his decision and pointed to the spot. Ramos made no mistake from the 12 yards.

Despite Barca pressing for an equaliser, it was Real who continued to create the better chances. Toni Kroos saw a Neto double save keep him at bay, while Ramos met a deep cross with a fierce volley which was brilliantly kept out by the foot of the keeper.

Modric made sure of the three points with the calmest of finishes in the final minute of stoppage time. Neto smothered the ball at Vinicius’ feet but it fell to sub Rodrygo, who squared it for Modric. The Croat rounded Neto, before taking his time and finishing between two defenders guarding the line with the outside of his boot.

It was a deserved victory for Real, who put behind their difficulties against Cadiz and Shakhtar Donestk to produce a perfect away display. Barca were bright in spells, but question marks will be asked over Ronald Koeman’s reluctance to make substitutes earlier.

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WESTHAM 1-1 MANCITY: FABIANSKI HEROICS SECURES A POINT FOR THE HAMMERS.

Late saves from Lukasz Fabianski earned West Ham United their first point against Manchester City since 2016 in a 1-1 draw at London Stadium.

West Ham went ahead against the run of play on 18 minutes with a brilliant overhead kick by Michail Antonio from Vladimir Coufal’s cross.

Phil Foden equalised six minutes after replacing Sergio Aguero at half-time, turning smartly to convert Joao Cancelo’s cross.

Kevin De Bruyne also came off the bench as City pushed for a winner, but were denied by Fabianski and resolute West Ham defending.

Arthur Masuaku made a vital 84th-minute block on Riyad Mahrez.

Two minutes later, Fabianski denied Raheem Sterling one-on-one, before tipping Mahrez’s shot on to a post in stoppage time.

West Ham, four matches unbeaten, stay 10th on eight points. City are a place below on goal difference.

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A.VILLA 0-3 LEEDS: BAMFORD HATRICK HELP WHITES DISRUPT VILLA PERFECT START.

Patrick Bamford’s hat-trick saw him create a little piece of history for Leeds as Aston Villa were denied top spot in the Premier League.

Bamford’s second-half treble saw the striker become only the second player to score in each of Leeds’s opening three away games in a top-flight league season, after Gordon Hodgson in 1937-38.

It took the 27-year-old to six Premier League goals for the season as Marcelo Bielsa’s team continued their impressive return to the top division.

Villa were chasing their own piece of club history, having never won their opening five league games of a season before. They still have not, and Friday night’s defeat saw them miss the chance to top the Premier League table for the first time since October 2001.

Bamford had a good early chance for Leeds but his diving header from Ezgjan Alioski’s deep cross from the left went narrowly wide.

A superb block by Ezri Konsa, throwing himself in front of Rodrigo’s driven shot, saw Leeds go close again shortly afterwards. From the resulting corner, Alioski sent another effort straight at Emiliano Martinez.

At the other end, Ross Barkley stung the palms of Illan Meslier with a shot from outside the penalty area.

Leeds enjoyed the better of the opening 25 minutes but Villa rode their luck and then had the best chance of the game so far.

Ollie Watkins’ low cross from the right side of the penalty area eluded Trezeguet in the centre and found Jack Grealish at the far post. The Villa captain got a good contact with his left foot as he turned the ball goalwards but Luke Ayling’s was on the goal-line to make the clearance.

Leeds survived a penalty scare late in the first half when Grealish went down under a challenge from Helder Costa just inside the area. Referee Paul Tierney waved away the appeals and his decision was supported by a VAR check.

A swift break by Jack Harrison saw him put Bamford in on goal with a lovely throughball but Konsa and Tyrone Mings did just do enough to put the striker off and he scuffed his shot wide.

Grealish was involved again at the start of the second half, almost opening the scoring with a sensational solo run. The 25-year-old collected the ball deep inside his own half before embarking on a driving forward run, riding challenges from three Leeds players on his way to the penalty area.

He took his time to work his way over to the right-hand side but with defenders sliding in all around him, but when he finally got his shot away it was straight at Meslier.

From the resulting corner Meslier then produced an acrobatic save to tip Konsa’s volley over the crossbar after he had beaten Ayling to the ball. It proved pivotal.

Despite Villa’s start to the second half, it was Leeds who went ahead after 55 minutes. Alioski and Harrison spearheaded a counter-attack, with the latter picking out the run of Rodrigo into the area. His effort was initially palmed away by Martinez, but Bamford was lurking to slot home the loose ball at the far post.

Leeds were in the ascendancy since going in front and doubled their lead shortly afterwards. It was Bamford again, curling a shot into the top corner of the net from just outside the area with unerring accuracy.

Bamford completed his hat-trick after 74 minutes, showing good feet to work a yard of space inside the penalty area before curling the ball beyond Martinez.

Leeds were creating chances at an alarming rate and Bamford had an opportunity for a fourth but looped his header into the goalkeeper’s arms, before Pablo Hernandez wildly blazed a shot over the crossbar when he had time and space to do much better.

Watkins had a sight of goal in stoppage time for a consolation goal for Villa but he dragged his effort wide.

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CAMP NOU SHOULD BE NAMED AFTER MESSI – PIQUE.

Gerard Pique has said Barcelona should name the redeveloped Camp Nou after Lionel Messi when it is finished and suggested the forward should have been allowed to leave in the summer if that is what he wanted.

Messi, 33, sent a burofax in August informing Barca of his desire to leave. President Josep Maria Bartomeu refused to let him go, though, and when Messi realised a legal battle was his only way out of the club — he argued a clause in his contract allowed him to leave for free — he decided to stay.

Pique has revealed he sent Messi a message at the time pointing out that a new president and board of directors would be elected within a year. However, despite encouraging him to stay, the Barca defender said Messi had earned the right to decide his own future.

“I didn’t have much to do with Leo during that moment because it was a very personal decision,” Pique told Spanish reporters. “I remember one message I sent: ‘Leo, it’s one year, then new people will come in…’

“Leo has more than earned the right to make a decision and if he felt he should leave… as president I would have acted differently. A player that has given so much in 16 years, you’re obliged to reach an agreement with him.

“[But] how can it be that the best player in history gets up one day and sends a burofax because he feels he’s not being listened to? What’s happening? Leo deserves the lot. The new stadium should be named after him.

“We have to preserve our figures, not discredit them. I am surprised people like Pep [Guardiola], [Carles] Puyol, Xavi [Hernandez] and [Victor] Valdes aren’t at the club. Something is not being done right.”

Pique’s interview provided the latest glimpse into the rift that exists between the players and the board at Camp Nou. He admitted his own relationship with Bartomeu is not great, said he would not have sacked Ernesto Valverde and was critical of plans to impose club-wide wage cuts to mitigate the financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Having won two leagues and being top, to sack [Valverde] halfway through the season, as a project, doesn’t seem very coherent — I didn’t think it was logical,” he said.

Following Valverde’s dismissal, Cadena Ser revealed Barca had paid a third-party company in charge of several social media account to smear people related to the club, including Pique and other current players. The saga became known as “Barcagate.”

“It’s an atrocity as a Barcelona player to see my club spending money — money they’re now asking for from us — to criticise not just external people with a previous relationship to the club, but players still here,” Pique added.

Barca are now requesting players take a pay cut to alleviate the effects of the health crisis on the club’s accounts.

Pique, 33, is one of four players to voluntarily sign a new deal which sees him take a hit on his salary this season before being remunerated in the latter years of the deal. However, he also signed a burofax sent to the club which criticised plans to push through salary cuts of up to 30% across the club.

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BARNSLEY NAMES ISMAEL AS NEW MANAGER.

Championship club Barnsley have named former Crystal Palace defender Valerien Ismael as their new head coach.

The France-born 45-year-old, who now has German citizenship, has replaced Gerhard Struber on a three-year deal.

Struber left Oakwell earlier this month to take charge of Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls.

Ismael made 13 appearances for Palace in 1998 during his playing career and has previously been head coach of Wolfsburg, Apollon Smyrnis and LASK.

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OGS GIVES TRIPLE FITNESS NEWS AHEAD CHELSEA TIE.

Man United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has delivered a promising injury update ahead of his side’s clash against Chelsea.

Harry Maguire, Edinson Cavani, and Mason Greenwood are expected to be available for Manchester United against Chelsea.

None of the trio were included in the matchday squad for Tuesday night’s Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain for differing reasons.

Maguire missed the game through injury, as did Greenwood who also sat out last weekend’s 4-1 win over Newcastle United which had been described as a ‘niggle’.

Meanwhile, Cavani – an arrival at Old Trafford on transfer deadline day – only started training with his new teammates on Sunday and stayed behind as the rest of the squad travelled to France.

But in a huge boost to United, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping to have all three available for the big game against Chelsea.

“I hope and expect all three of them to be available for selection,” he said in his pre-match press conference.

“Of course we’ve got a training session this morning which is the last chance of preparation, but they’ve all got a chance, all of them.

“Edinson needs to tick all the boxes that he’s gone through in his programme to be ready and make an impact.

“I’ll have a discussion with him today, as well as with Mason and Harry.”

With Anthony Martial suspended after being sent-off in United’s 6-1 defeat at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur before the October international break, Cavani could be in line to make his debut.

If so, he could come up against Thiago Silva – his former teammate at PSG – and he’s already sent a message to the Blues defender.

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EMRE CAN TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS.

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can has tested positive for coronavirus ahead of Saturday’s derby agains Schalke.

The ex-Liverpool star is not suffering from any symptoms and has already entered a 14-day period of self-isolation in order to prevent the spread of the disease.

Can will miss the Bundesliga clash against Dortmund’s bitter rivals, but the club have confirmed that the game will go ahead as planned.

The 26-year-old was the only member of Dortmund’s playing and backroom staff to return a positive test on Friday.

The club delayed their training session by 90 minutes following talks with the Dortmund health department, but they will host Schalke at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday as scheduled.

Can missed the midweek Champions League defeat by Lazio due to suspension and has now been ruled out of games against Zenit St Petersburg and Arminia.

He is likely to return against Club Bruges on November 4, providing he tests negative for Covid-19 in the run up to the game.

Can becomes the latest big name to contract the disease, with Juventus superstar Cristiano Ronaldo currently in self-isolation after being infected on international duty with Portugal earlier this month.

Other players to have tested positive for coronavirus in recent months include Manchester City’s Riyad Mahrez and Crystal Palace new boy Jack Butland, who was also diagnosed on Friday.

Meanwhile, Dortmund go into Saturday’s game with second-bottom Schalke third in the Bundesliga table after three wins and a draw so far this season.

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LEEDS UTD 0-1 WOLVES: JIMENEZ SECOND HALF STRIKE HELP WOLVES BEAT THE WHITES AT HOME.

Raul Jimenez scored his third goal of 2020/21 as Wolverhampton Wanderers edged to a 1-0 win against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Leeds started on the front foot and Rodrigo Moreno twice sent headers narrowly off target.

It took a smart save from Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier to deny Daniel Podence following a swift Wolves counter-attack just before half-time.

Romain Saiss thought he had fired Wolves ahead on 54 minutes with a fine finish from Podence’s cross, but his effort was ruled out for offside in the build-up.

But Wolves went ahead 16 minutes later when Jimenez’s goalbound effort deflected in off Kalvin Phillips and left Meslier stranded.

Wolves move up to sixth position on nine points, two points ahead of Leeds, who slip to 10th place.