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MLS Scores and Results on July 18; Gerrard Makes Debut

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DALLAS, Sporting Alert – Scores and results from the U.S. Major League Soccer (MLS) games that took place in the set of fixtures on Friday and Saturday (July 18).

Toronto FC, FC Dallas, Real Salt Lake and the Los Angeles Galaxy were all among the winner.

Former Liverpool and England captain Steven Gerrard made a winning start to his MLS debut after he helped the LA Galaxy come from two-goals down to beat the San Jose Earthquakes 5-2.

Robbie Keane, who also played alongside Gerrard during a short stint with Liverpool, scored a hat-trick, including two goals from the penalty spot, to lead the way for the home side in Carson.

Quincy Amarikwa, who was making his second start for his new team since his transfer move last month, put San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 up with goals in the 22nd and 25th minutes, but the Galaxy hit back through Keane from 12-yards in the 30th minute and Gerrard in the 37th to even things up heading into the halftime break.

LA then took over in the second half to score three more goals, with Keane grabbing two, on his way to completing his hat-trick with a penalty in the 80th minute.

Sebastian Lletget rounded out the seven-goal thriller in the 90th as Los Angeles moved to second place in the Western Conference with 37 points.

Defeat left the Earthquakes seventh on 19-points.

Both clubs will be in action next week in the International Champions Cup.

Meanwhile, at the FC Dallas Stadium in Texas, the host tagged Eastern Conference leaders DC United 2-1 to go top of the West.

All three goals came in the second half with Kellyn Acosta opening the scoring for Dallas in the 72nd minute before as Matt Hedges’ own goal brought the scores even again

After a lot of end-to-end action, FC Dallas took the lead in the 72nd minute when Acosta turned home a cross from close range.

Minutes later though the visitors were on levelled terms after Hedges, looking to clear a cross, only managed to blast the ball into his own goal.

But just when things seemed destined for a drawn, Fabian Castillo delivered for the hosts when he fired home from just outside the 6-yard box in the second minute of the four minutes of stoppage time.

The win saw FC Dallas picking up its 10th victory of the season, while taking a one-points lead over the LA Galaxy in the Western Conference standings.

Also winning on Saturday were Toronto FC, which edged Philadelphia Union 2-1 and Real Salt Lake, which topped the Houston Dynamo 2-0 with goals from Javier Morales (36′) and Joao Plata (65′).

Elsewhere in the MLS, New England Revolution beat New York City 1-0 on a Lee Nguyen first half goal, Orlando City fell 2-0 to the New York Red Bulls, Kansas City Wizards secured a 2-1 win over Montreal Impact, while the Seattle Sounders, playing without star forward Clint Dempsey, who was busy scoring a hat-trick for the USA in Gold Cup action, fell 1-0 to Colorado Rapids.

Major League Soccer – MLS Scores and Results

LA Galaxy 5 – 2 SJ Earthquakes
Toronto FC 2 – 1 Philadelphia Union
New England 1 – 0 New York City
Orlando City 0 – 2 New York Red Bulls
Sporting KC 2 – 1 Montreal Impact
Dallas 2 – 1 DC United
Seattle Sounders 0 – 1 Colorado Rapids
Real Salt Lake 2 – 0 Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers 1 – 1 Vancouver Whitecaps

Liverpool Ready To Make £25m Bid For Vidal

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TURIN (Sporting Alert) — After missing out on Champions League qualifications for next season, Liverpool are set to spend big in the summer and it is reported that Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal is hot on their list.

Reds manager Brendan Rodgers hinted that some of the club’s signings during last summer’s transfer window were not good enough and it cost them a top four spot.

Rodgers isn’t expected to bring in too many players this transfer window, but La Gazzetta dello Sport and Metro are reporting that the English Premier League outfits wants to sign more world-class players.

It is understood that Vidal has been stapled as the ideal replacement for the departing Steven Gerrard and Liverpool are prepared to make an offer of £25million for the Chile midfielder.

According to the reports, the Reds made a bid of £14.4million for the World Cup star, but Juventus were not willing to let one of their star players go so cheaply.

Vidal, who had battled through several injury setbacks to regain his top form, played an integral role in Juventus winning the Serie A title again, as well as booking a place in the Champions League final, where they will face Barcelona.

The 27-year-old has a contract with the Italian giants until 2017, but La Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that the Old Lady have informed Liverpool they can have the midfielder for the right price.

Vidal had been linked with a move to Manchester United and Arsenal last summer, but those interest have since been cooled.

It is thought the Chile international would prefer to stay in Turin and see out the rest of his contract, but wouldn’t oppose making a move to England to play in the Premier League.

He was recently quoted as saying that he could “stay at Juventus for a lifetime.”

“Turin feels like home. The people are very warm and passionate, very Latin, similar to in Chile. They say hello when I walk down the street,” Vidal was quoted as saying on the Football Italia.

“I could stay in Turin for my whole life, for my family and for the people who love me.

“Of course, Juve are also one of the best teams in the world. It’s really difficult to change club when you’re this happy.

“This squad is spectacular and after the Scudetto we want to win the Champions League.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus, who issued hands-off alerts to the likes of PSG and Manchester United last summer, would rather focus on keeping Paul Pogba, who has been most sorted after youngster in Europe.

Premier League Fixtures Scores on May 2

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Premier League Fixtures
Christian Benteke scores twice for Aston Villa in Premier League Fixtures.

May 2, 2015 (Sporting Alert) — Results and points standings after the games that were played in the English Premier League on Saturday (May 2).

At Anfield, Steven Gerrard scored an 87th minute winner for Liverpool to beat QPR 2-1 and keep their chances of finishing the top four this season alive.

Gerrard, who received a standing ovation at Anfield when he left the field, had earlier missed a 79th minute penalty kick and the captain was delighted to have grabbed the resulting winner three-minutes from time.

“I would have put my mortgage on Steven Gerrard scoring a penalty but you know the miss will have inspired him more and he got the header and has made a career of big goals like that,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said.

“He is a truly remarkable player and he deserved the ovation.

“QPR punished the chances we missed but the spirit my players showed and the attitude they had to keep fighting typified the mentality in the group and they deserved the three points in the end.”

Christian Benteke scored a first half brace and Tom Cleverley added another goal in the second to help Aston Villa hold on for a 3-2 victory against Everton to move up to 14th in the EPL standings.

Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood, although showing delight with the goalscorers’ performances, picked out his captain Fabian Delph to put in the spotlight.

“I don’t want to go over the top but – Fabian Delph – there’s not a better midfielder in the country at the moment,” Sherwood said.

“He breaks the play up, he carries the ball well and he can pass it. He’s got everything to his game and he can score.

“He’s got an array of talent. He’s vital for us.”

It was a wonderful day as well for Leicester City, who cruised to a 3-0 victory over a confident-low Newcastle United side that suffered its eighth Premier League defeat in a row and their 18th overall on the season.

At the same time, Leicester City were picking up their fifth Premier League win in six games.

Newcastle United boss John Carver felt let down by the performance of his players, especially the two players who received their marching orders after committing two silly fouls.

“On a scale of one to 10, it’s a minus 10. I can’t accept it,” said Carver watching his side restricted to nine-players and went down without a fight.

“I wish the players had as much determination and fight as I had.

“We can talk about systems and players but if we’re not willing to compete, get your head onto the ball and risk getting an injury, you won’t get anywhere.”

Two successfully converted penalties by Jordi Gomez carried Sunderland to stunning 2-1 win over 10-man Southampton, who had James Ward-Prowse sent off in the 54th minute.

It wasn’t the result Southampton boss Ronald Koeman was looking for.

“We didn’t play at our level and it is very strange,” Koeman said. “We played much better with 10 players than with 11 and it was unbelievable that we were not able to play as well.

“There was a period just before half-time that was the worst 10 minutes of the season.

“We didn’t show enough today and it was frustrating, but everything in the last three games of the season.”

There were also wins on the day for Swansea City, who beat Stoke City 2-0, with Marc Wilson picking up a red card for the traveling party in the defeat, and for West Ham, who picked up a  1-0 win over Burnley, who were also reduced to 10-man, following the sending off of Michael Duff in the 23rd minute.

Full-time scores

Aston Villa 3-2 Everton
Liverpool 2-1 QPR
Sunderland 2-1 Southampton
Swansea 2-0 Stoke
West Ham 1-0 Burnley

Video Highlights: Gerrard Stamp on Herrera: United Beat Reds

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been sent off for picking up a crazy red card seconds after coming on as a substitute against Manchester United at Anfield.

Watch the video of Gerrard Stamp on Herrera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOn5T49HrUM

The veteran midfielder, who replaced Adam Lallana at halftime, seemed super pumped up for this second half battle and it looks like that has contributed to his early bath.

Gerrard first smashed into Juan Mata with a pretty hard tackle, which was deemed fair by the referee inside the opening 15 seconds after the interval.

However, he didn’t like the return challenge moments later on him by Manchester United’s midfielder  Ander Herrera, and the former England captain reacts by stamping on the shin of the Spanish player, which resulted in a correct red card decision.

Gerrard, who will leave Liverpool to join MLS side Los Angeles Galaxy at the end of the season, spent a  disappointing 38 seconds on the pitch and he faced the television to apologise for letting down his team-mate, manager and indeed the Reds supporters.

“I need to accept it, the decision was right. I’ve let down my team-mates and the supporters. I take full responsibility,” Gerrard told Sky Sports during an interview after the game.

“I’ve been in the game long enough when you do something like that. I take full responsibility.

“I don’t know what caused it. I don’t know. Probably just a reaction to the initial tackle.”

“I shouldn’t say more about it really, I’ve just come out here to apologise to the dressing room and supporters.”

There are reports in England that Gerrard isn’t happy about being left on the bench so many times by manager Brendan Rodgers, but the club legend isn’t going to say much about any of that.

Mata, getting another start in midfield for Angel Di Maria, scored twice to give Manchester United a 2-0 lead in the English Premier League top four battle for Champions League football.

Daniel Sturridge pulled one back for Liverpool in the second half, but it was not enough to save the hosts from defeat.

Manchester United currently sit third in the EPL table standings on 59 points, one behind Arsenal and two behind defending champions Manchester City. Leaders Chelsea play later on Sunday.

Liverpool are fifth, but are now five points behind Manchester United after the latest defeat.

Swansea Entertain Liverpool: EPL Live Scores and Team News

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SWANSEA (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool will look to keep the race for a top four finish interesting and Swansea City hunt a European place in the Monday night Premier League fixture.

 Check out our live match centre | Follow Live Scores | Listen to live commentary

liverpool
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard looks ahead

The two sides will wrap up the latest round of games when they face-off at The Liberty Stadium.

Liverpool head into the contest five points behind fourth place Manchester United and the traveling boss Brendan Rodgers wants his side to continue its impressive form.

A win for the Reds will see them moving to 54 points, but Rodgers know that the travel to Swansea will not be easy.

Club captain Steven Gerrard is back in contention for the clash after missing the last seven games with a hamstring injury, but he must fight back for his place.

The veteran midfielder has been in and out of the lineup this season even when he is fit and Rodgers says the former England skipper is not an automatic pick for the game on Monday.

“I am respectful and this guy is one of the greatest players in the history of the Premier League and arguably the greatest player of this club,” the Reds boss said.

“But what I do know is that Stevie always puts the team first. I have huge respect for him whether he is playing or not playing and huge admiration for him as a player and person.

“But I am not one that makes emotional decisions on whether I like someone or not. For me it is about picking and finding the right balance in the team and what makes the team function to ultimately win.

“He still has big qualities that we will need between now and the end of the season.

“What you have seen over my time here is that I rely on the team. The team, of course, has to have good players in it, but ultimately it is about the team and what is going to benefit and how we can get results as a team.

“I will repeat again the most important thing is Steven is back fit and we have Lucas Leiva coming back too. The beauty of this season is that everyone has had an opportunity in the first three or four months and then we have found a way to win.

“It is something everyone has to respect. It is about the team and the spirit of the team and I will always pick the best team I feel to win a game.”

Liverpool also revealed that defenders Martin Skrtel (head) and Mamadou Sakho (hip) are also expected to be fit, but midfielder Joe Allen remains doubtful with a hip problem.

In the meantime, Swansea City, which sit ninth on 40 points can move up a notch with a win as the race for Europe places heats up.

Striker Bafetimbi Gomis is expected to be available for the Swans after collapsing during the 3-2 defeat at Tottenham 12 days ago.

The club revealed that Gomis suffers from a vasovagal condition which causes low blood pressure, and it caused the Frenchman to faint at White Hart Lane.

He returned to training this week and has been cleared by a specialist to play, but manager Garry Monk will be keeping a close eye on the forward.

“Bafe knows better than anyone what measures to take,” Monk said. “I understand there are questions people want answered but the issue is not as big for Bafe and the people at the club.

“He has lived with it his whole life, it happens occasionally and when it does so in a public place that scrutiny comes with it.

“But he has trained as normal this week and does the same as every player, and if you look at his life there are more days when he has been fine rather than when something has happened.”

Liverpool will be keeping a close eye on former player Jonjo Shelvey, who has scored three goals (one own goal) in as many games involving these sides and is pumped up for the home contest.

Swansea (squad): Fabianski, Naughton, Fernandez, Williams, Taylor, Cork, Ki, Shelvey, Routledge, Sigurdsson, Gomis, Tremmel, Rangel, Amat, Fulton, Carroll, Britton, Montero, Dyer, Emnes, Oliveira, Grimes, King.

Liverpool (squad): Mignolet, Toure, Skrtel, Can, Markovic, Henderson, Allen, Moreno, Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, Ward, Lovren, Johnson, Sakho, Gerrard, Williams, Lambert, Balotelli, Borini, Sturridge.

Jamie Redknapp: Mario Balotelli Respects No One

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Former Liverpool midfielder Jamie Redknapp believes Mario Balotelli respects no one and can’t see him at Anfield past the end of this season.

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli in Liverpool’s training session. Photo liverpoolfc
  1. Jamie Carragher: Mario Balotelli will leave Liverpool
  2. Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

The controversial Italian forward was the main subject in Liverpool’s Europa League round of 32 first leg 1-0 victory over Besiktas on Thursday, and it wasn’t for a good reason, despite him scoring the winning goal from a spot kick.

Balotelli was involved in an argument with stand-in captain Jordan Henderson and Daniel Sturridge over who should take Liverpool’s penalty kick and it turned into a media circus, which resulted in captain Steven Gerrard blasting the former Manchester City forward.

A number of Liverpool players and even club manager Brendan Rodgers have come out to defend Balotelli over his antics, but Redknapp thinks it’s only a matter of time before he leaves.

“The problem you have with Mario is I don’t think he has got a lot of respect for anybody,” Redknapp said on talkSPORT.

“He has worked with some of the best managers in (Cesare) Prandelli, (Jose) Mourinho, (Roberto) Mancini, everybody he has worked with has tried with this man but nobody seems to get to the bottom of it.

“The objective is to put the ball into the back of the net, thankfully that is what he did, but it is not nice to see players arguing like that on the field.

“He is an incredibly confident penalty taker and very good at it, but it is that lack of respect that he has.”

Redknapp added that the 24-year-old, who has netted just once in the English Premier League with his new team, has not justified his £16 million move from AC Milan in the summer, and thinks the forward is doing more harm than good in Rodgers’ squad.

“I don’t see long-term he will be at Anfield, I really don’t,” added Redknapp.

“He has scored a couple of goals in fairness, the goals against Tottenham and yesterday were important, but I am sure Brendan Rodgers is thinking he is more hassle than he is worth because he hasn’t produced the quality you would like and when you look at other players around him they don’t seem to enjoy his company on the field.

“It always seems to be about him, but it shouldn’t be. He is working at a great football club with lots of other good young players and I am sure they look around and wonder why he gets so much attention when he doesn’t deserve it.”

Liverpool travel to St. Mary’s to face Southampton in a rival battle for a top four spot on Sunday and Balotelli is expected to start the game on the bench once again.

Barton Says Henderson Not Capable Of Replacing Gerrard

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LONDON (Sporting Alert) — Outspoken QPR midfielder Joey Barton has come out to defend Mario Balotelli and launched an astonishing Twitter rant on Brendan Rodgers and Jordan Henderson over the recent penalty kick incident.

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli hits the headlines again

Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

Balotelli was heavily criticized by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who says he showed “disrespect” by taking the penalty ahead of stand in skipper Henderson in Thursday night’s Europa League 1-0 victory over Besiktas.

Several pundits and media outlets agreed with Gerrard and said Balotelli showed a lack of respect after the public disagreement.

However, Barton, who has had his own share of run-ins with the former Manchester City forward, has come out to defend the controversial Italian striker.

“I’ve been critical of him at times,” the QPR player said on his official Twitter Account. “But it’s not Balotelli’s fault people over hyped the reality. Get off his case. He’s doing better.”

The 32-year-old also touched on who he thought should have taken the penalty kick, while adding that Gerrard and Liverpool boss Rodgers both know that Henderson is not a future Reds skipper.

“If Balotelli’s on the pitch and its him or Henderson on a penalty to save your life? Who you gonna let take it? #nobrainer.

“Can’t believe people getting on Balotelli. He is technically better at penalties than Henderson. He pulled rank. Scored. End of.”

He added: “Surprised Gerrard allowed himself to be drawn into the anti-Balotelli brigade’s crusade. He’s better than that.

“Contrary to some people beliefs Jordan Henderson will not now or will he ever be even in the same stratosphere as Steven Gerrard.

“Anyone who thinks he will replace Gerrard, short, medium or long term is deluded. Even Brendan [Rodgers] knows he’s bulls**ting when he says it.

“Going against managers orders? Do me a favour? Players aren’t robots. There is structure in place. If it gets broken to win a match? So…

“Someone somewhere trying to make Henderson, heir to Gerrard’s throne. It will end in tears. He isn’t and will never be capable. Not many are.”

Barton continued: “Heard about Henderson getting told by Rodgers to grab England captain’s armband if Rooney goes off. He tried Rooney rightly jogged him on.

“Wearing armbands. Trying to impersonate legends is admirable but will end in tears because it’s not genuine. Henderson should be himself.

“He is great at being himself. Much better than trying to be a Steven Gerrard clone. You can’t copy what SG had. Talent.

“Anyway, off to get the train to Hull now. Focus and big effort tomo. Big R’s following going up. Hopefully we repay them with 3 points.”

Steven Gerrard: Mario Balotelli Showed Lack of Respect

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard blasted forward Mario Balotelli for showing a lack of respect after taking the penalty which earned the Reds a victory over Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli celebrates after scoring

Gerrard, who was injured and did not play in the game, was replaced by midfielder Jordan Henderson as the skipper on the night and the veteran midfielder says Balotelli should have allowed the England international to take the spot kick.

The Italian put away the penalty kick to secure the 1-0 first-leg win, but this was only after an apparent argument with both Henderson and Daniel Sturridge over who should take the spot-kick.

“Jordan should have taken the penalty,” said Gerrard, who was working as a television pundit for ITV. “Rules are rules. It should have been Henderson. Mario has been a bit mischievous.

“Credit to Mario, he’s scored, but it’s not nice to see when footballers are arguing. I think Jordan has handled the situation very well.

“He can see that Mario really wanted to score. Jordan walked away at the right moment and handled his post-match interview very well.

“Jordan is the captain and Mario showed Jordan a bit of disrespect there, but he’s scored a very important goal.

“I think six or seven players would have wanted to take that penalty so if they all say they are taking it, what happens then? Rules are in place for a reason.”

Although he felt disappointed at not being able to take the penalty kick, Henderson praised Balotelli for keeping his nerves and scoring what he described as “a big goal.”

“It was a big goal, I thought we kept the ball well at times and we deservedly got the goal at the end. It was a big goal for us and especially keeping the clean sheet,” he told ITV in his interview.

“I wanted the penalty, Mario felt confident and he has taken big penalties before.

“Everyone wants to take them. I felt confident in Mario, he has taken big penalties before and he got the nod.”

Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers reflected more on the final result over what happened on the pitch and he was delighted to keep Besiktas off the scoresheet.

“Besiktas came here with big confidence and I believe they have scored in every away game they have played this season,” he said on Liverpool’s official website at www.liverpoolfc.com.

“So it shows you the level of our defensive organisation that we kept a clean sheet. Simon (Mignolet) had a really good save in the first half, an outstanding save it was.

“On top of that, we created chances. We worked the ball much quicker in the second half. It sets us up perfectly, a great result for the second leg – a win and a clean sheet.”

Rodgers also offered big-time praises to Jordon Ibe, who won the penalty kick that Balotelli tucked away, following some skillful work in the area.

“You’ve seen the kid’s performances since he’s come back from his loan period and he is growing all the time,” Rodgers added.

“He’s played in big games and is getting good experience at 19. He is a real threat every time he has the ball.

“Not only that, but he works very, very hard for the team. He created the opportunity tonight for the penalty and it was an outstanding performance.”

Liverpool will continue its preparations for Sunday’s English Premier League trip to St Mary’s to face Southampton as the battle for a top four and Champions League places heats up.

FINAL SCORE: Liverpool 1-1 Basel; Reds Dumped

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LIVERPOOL (Sporting Alert) — Captain Steven Gerrard returns to the starting lineup for Liverpool in tonight’s must win Champions League game against Basel in Group B at Anfield.

Follow Live Scores and Updates From Anfield

Live Blog Liverpool v Basel Champions League
 

Gerrard, who started on the bench in the weekend’s 0-0 tie with Sunderland, is back in the Liverpool midfield and he’s joined by Joe Allen, who also returns to the starting XI.

Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson also starting as well.

Rickie Lambert will lead the attack for the Reds, with speedy attacker Raheem Sterling acting as the main support to his fellow Englishman.

Defenders Jose Enrique and Dejan Lovren are also in the backline for Liverpool, who must beat Basel to jump ahead of them in the race for the final knock-out round slot from the group.

The players making way are Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Alberto Moreno all dropped to the bench, while central defender Kolo Toure has been ruled out because of a groin problem.

Liverpool continue to be without strikers Mario Balotelli and Daniel Sturridge, who are still injured which is frustrating for manager Brendan Rodgers, but the boss didn’t even name Fabio Borini to his bench.

Dangerous forward Marco Streller is amongst the starters tonight for a very confident Basel, while starting on the bench for the Swiss champions is former Liverpool defender Philipp Degen.

The English Premier League side needs all three points on the night, but Rodgers says they won’t be going all out looking for it from the opening whistle.

“We don’t need to win the game in the first minute, I think that is the key,” the English coach said. “European football is technical and tactical and it is understanding that we just need to win the game – we have 90 minutes plus to do that.

“We have to maintain our patience, play a good technical game – which is what this team has been used to in the past couple of seasons – and, for the tactical element, we always have to have our concentration and focus.

“If we can do that, I believe we have a great chance, aligned with the supporters and the passion they put in.”

Liverpool v Basel

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Johnson, Enrique, Lovren, Skrtel, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Gerrard, Sterling, Lambert. Subs: Jones, Sakho, Moreno, Can, Lallana, Coutinho, Markovic

Basel XI: Vaclik, Xhaka, Schar, Suchy, Safari, Elneny, Frei, Zuffi, Gonzalez, Streller, Gashi. Subs: Vailati, Degen, Samuel, Delgado, Diaz, Hamoudi, Embolo.

Man United, Liverpool, West Ham win; EPL Scores on Dec. 2

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MANCHESTER (Sporting Alert) — Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea and Ashley Young made two great stops in the final moments of their English Premier League game against Stoke City.

The two big plays in the closing minute earned the home side all three points to stay in the top four and cut the gap on those ahead of them in the points standings.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS – DEC. 2

Crystal Palace 0-1 Aston Villa
Manchester United 2-1 Stoke
West Brom 1-2 West Ham
Leicester 1-3 Liverpool
Burnley 1-1 Newcastle
Swansea 2-0 QPR

Manchester United finished the contest 2-1 winners on the night with Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata scoring the goals, as the side moved within a point of third place Southampton, who will face Arsenal on Wednesday.

But things could have been different for the Red Devils, had De Gea not made two superb saves in the last minutes and Young not cleared off the goal-line after Mame Biram Diouf looked certain to score.

“Like always, big goalkeepers appear when they have to, when the team needs them. That’s what David is doing every game,” Mata said about his Spanish teammate.

Manager Louis van Gaal was pleased with the way his team was able to hold out for the win at Old Trafford.

The victory was the fourth in a row for Manchester United.

“Victories are always valuable because you have to win at a top club,” van Gaal said on www.manutd.com. “If you want to climb the table, you have to win.

“In England, there are no easy matches. Last weekend, every match in this league was close, so I’m very happy with the win tonight.

“Of course it was a relief – we have to kill games off much earlier. We had some big chances, [Ander] Herrera in the first half and Fellaini and [James] Wilson in the second.

“If we had scored one of those, the game would have been over. But, when the scores are close and you have the likes of Crouch coming on to face long balls, the ball can fall anywhere so we were lucky towards the end. I think we deserved to win.”

Steven N’Zonzi netted the lone goal for Stoke in the first half.

He said afterwards: “Of course it’s disappointing not to get a point after we had those two chances at the end.

“It was a tough game but we could have got a draw at least.”

Winning on Tuesday night as well was Liverpool, who beat 10-man Leicester City 3-1 on the road, with captain Steven Gerrard, returning to the starting lineup, amongst the scorers in the victory.

“I am happy with the goal, even more pleased with the win,” Gerrard said. “We are on the way up.

“We are a lot harder to beat. Come the end of the season we will be fighting for fourth.”

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers added: “It was a great victory, players were magnificent. We had to work very hard but our quality came through in the end.

“Steven Gerrard was rested last weekend with tonight in mind. When you rest a player people ask why.

“When you play them you are asked why aren’t you resting them. The energy from being rested at the weekend gave him the energy to play tonight.”

Wes Morgan was given a straight red card in the 63rd minute for Leicester.

Elsewhere, Swansea knocked off QPR 2-0, Crystal Palace fell 1-0 at home against Aston Villa, while West Ham United beat West Brom 2-1 on the road.

Papiss Demba Cisse netted an equaliser for Newcastle to tie 1-1 with Burnley, who went ahead on a 34th minute strike from George Boyd.

English Premier League Halftime Scores and Live – Dec. 2

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Follow the live coverage from Tuesday’s English Premier League midweek games on our page. There are six games on the schedule for Tuesday, the bottom three teams all playing tonight.

CLICK FOR LIVE UPDATES

Burnley lead Newcastle United, while Stoke are holding Manchester United and Leicester City are locked with Liverpool at halftime in the EPL.

George Boyd has fired Burnley into a first half lead in their game against Newcastle – with the goal coming in the 34th minute.

At Old Trafford, Marouane Fellaini gave Manchester United a 21st minute lead, but Stoke City pulled a goal back in the 39th minute through Steven N’Zonzi.

Also tying 1-1 are Leicester City and Liverpool. The hosts took the lead from an own goal in the 21st minute, but Adam Lallana leveled things up five minutes later.

Swansea are QPR are tied at 0-0 at halftime.

EARLIER…..

Looking ahead of tonight’s game against Burnley Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew said: “It’s a tough game in a tough atmosphere in a great stadium.”

He added about the team news: “This is a different XI for us – no Moussa Sissoko and no Jack Colback, but hopefully we’re better in offensive areas.

“Mehdi Abeid has come in and with Cheick Tiote you can’t ask for a better replacement. Burnley is one of those clubs you can’t help but embrace.”

Manchester United: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Rojo, Young, Herrera, Fellaini, Carrick, Mata, van Persie, Wilson. Subs: Lindegaard, Falcao, Januzaj, Fletcher, McNair, Blackett, W Keane.

Stoke City: Begovic; Bardsley, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters; Cameron, Nzonzi; Ireland, Bojan, Assaidi; Diouf. Subs: Butland; Muniesa, Palacios, Arnautovic, Adam, Crouch, Shenton.

James Wilson starts for Manchester United with Robin van Persie, as Rooney is out injured. Angel Di Maria is also out injured and Ander Herrera replaces him the midfield.

In early team news, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard does start for the Reds at Leicester City, after starting a substitute in the last game against Stoke City at home over the weekend.

At Old Trafford, captain Wayne Rooney is not included in the Manchester United match day squad after suffering a knee injury in the closing minutes of Saturday’s home win against Hull City.

Steven Gerrard Dropped By Liverpool For Stoke Visit

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ANFIELD (Sporting Alert) — Liverpool have stunningly dropped captain Steven Gerrard for today’s English Premier League clash at home with Stoke City.

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Gerrard has been criticized heavily in recent weeks, following a series of ineffective outings, but he still will be disappointed to be dropped to the bench by his manager Brendan Rodgers.

Former England striker Gary Lineker said on BBC Sport: “Steven Gerrard is on the bench.

“It’s sort of what happens when you get towards the end of your career. You need the odd rest. No big deal!”

It was supposed to be a special moment for the club’s idol, who on this day, made his senior Reds debut 16 years-ago.

So he was expected to start.

However, Rodgers explained that he needed to give his skipper a rest as the team prepares for a number of games to come in a short period of time.

“We have lots of game in a short period of days so we’ve just made a few changes to freshen up the team,” Rodgers said.

“Steven Gerrard has been a fantastic player and still is, but at this stage of his career he can’t play every game.”

There were reports that Jordan Henderson would have been dropped as well, but the England midfielder starts and will play alongside Lucas and Joe Allen in the Liverpool three-man midfield.

Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling will both play support to Rickie Lambert, who continues to lead the attack.

Adam Lallana, Emre Can, Lazar Markovic and Dejan Lovren are all on the bench with Gerrard as well.

Marko Arnautovic comes into the starting team for Stoke City, who are without winger Victor Moses, who suffered an injury in the defeat to Burnley last week.

Defenders Marc Wilson and Erik Pieters both start as well for Mark Hughes’ side.

Liverpool v Stoke City

Liverpool: Mignolet, Johnson, Skrtel, Toure, Jose Enrique, Lucas, Allen, Henderson, Sterling, Coutinho, Lambert. Subs: Brad Jones, Lovren, Gerrard, Moreno, Lallana, Can, Markovic

Stoke: Begovic, Cameron, Shawcross, Wilson, Pieters, Sidwell, Nzonzi, Walters, Bojan, Arnautovic, Diouf. Subs: Muniesa, Whelan, Ireland, Adam, Butland, Crouch, Shenton

Referee: Craig Pawson (South Yorkshire)