MADRID, August 23- Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone apologised for tapping the back of the head of the fourth official during his side’s 1-0 second leg Spanish Super Cup win over neighbours Real Madrid.

Simeone was sent to the stands midway through the first half by referee David Fernandez Borbalan for angry sideline protests, with the Argentine coach twice tapping (or lightly slapping) the head of fourth official Antonio Santos Pargana with an open hand as he left the technical area.

The Argentine was enraged — as were most of the home fans inside the stadium — as Fernandez Borbalan had not allowed Juanfran Torres back onto the pitch quickly after the right-back had received treatment after being kneed in the face by Fabio Coentrao.

Atletico were 1-0 ahead at the time, and Madrid almost equalised while the Atletico defence was a man down for about three minutes.

Speaking in his post-match news conference the coach admitted there were no excuses for his actions.

“When you make a mistake you apologise, although what you should do is not make the mistake,” Simeone said.

“My apologies. I went over the top in my request for Juanfran to return quickly.”

Even without their coach on the line, a much-changed Atletico side were full value for their win.

There were impressive displays from all four new summer signings who started the game, including goalscorer Mario Mandzukic, while the commitment and intensity which fuelled last season’s successes looked to be still intact.

Simeone said the new arrivals were still settling into Atletico’s particular style of play, and there remained plenty of room for improvement.

“These players are not the same as those of last year and they will give me different performances,” he said “They have other characteristics. They are improving a bit, as that is important for the group. Miguel [Moya] is improving. Today, Guilhermo [Siqueira] played a good game, he will get better with more minutes.

“This was the best game of [Mario] Mandzukic, but he is not Diego Costa. Griezmann came into the game well in the second half when we needed him, but he is not Villa. But we have changed four players in the team. They will have to adapt to another style of play, as quickly as possible, so that the team keeps improving.”

Simeone said that Atletico’s lightning-fast start, and more attacking approach throughout than in last Tuesday’s 1-1 first leg at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, had been part of the plan.

“In a tie like this you try and play it to have your chances in the second game,” he said.

“In the first game we made a big effort, without having many chances or that much of the ball in the Bernabeu. [Today] with the presence of Griezmann and more play in the centre of the park, we had more possession.

“Which meant more chance to attack. In the second half we could have made it even better on the break.”

By ESPN FC

LONDON, August 23- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is confident his side will not be bullied in tough away trips again this season — starting at Everton on Saturday.

The Gunners head to Goodison Park for the televised early evening kick-off looking to produce a much-improved display than the 3-0 defeat suffered in April, which looked to have put a huge dent in ambitions of finishing in the top four of the Premier League once again.

Wenger admitted it was a “low point” of a roller-coaster campaign which would eventually finish in triumph, lifting the FA Cup at Wembley and having overtaken Everton after they faltered in the closing matches.

It was Arsenal’s failures away to their title rivals — suffering heavy defeats at Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea — which ultimately scuppered any championship ambitions for a team who had been top of the table until February.

Wenger accepts there can be no repeat if Arsenal are to last the distance through to May 2015.

“Last year, yes in the quality of our performance and even more than that in mental resistance, the mental steel on the day, that [Everton away] was one of our low points,” Wenger said.

“At the start I played with [Mikel] Arteta and [Mathieu] Flamini in the middle of the park; we had not [Mesut] Ozil, we had [Aaron] Ramsey on the bench, just coming back from injury.

“We played with [Lukas] Podolski and [Olivier)] Giroud, and we were a bit bullied. At the back we had [Per] Mertesacker, [Thomas] Vermaelen, [Nacho] Monreal and [Bacary] Sagna. It was an off day, as well physically.

“Yes [I was worried we would not make the top four] because it was not in our hands any more. It was in the hands of Everton.

“It was only their defeat against Crystal Palace at home that allowed us to get there.”

Arsenal may not have the biggest players, but Arsene Wenger insists they won’t be pushed around.

Wenger feels this time around, things can be very different.

“Many teams think that [Arsenal can be bullied]. We get that question many times,” he said. “But if you look at the results from the last three or four years away from home, we are the team with the best away results.”

Wenger believes the current squad are up to the challenge physically, although accepted sometimes packing a side full of technically gifted players can make it seem a “bit lightweight.”

The Arsenal manager added: “When we buy a player we do not look how heavy he is, but how good he is. It is a coincidence that we are a bit lightweight.

“Maybe because we use more technical players in the middle of the park, especially Arteta. On that front maybe.

“It depends as well who plays. If I play [Santi] Cazorla or Podolski, the weight is a bit different, but it is true we are a bit more lightweight than before, when we had [Emmanuel] Petit, [Patrick] Vieira, [Ray] Parlour. On Fridays when we checked the weight it was quite something there.”

Wenger believes you cannot always legislate to find like-for-like physical replacements when aiming to move the team forwards.

“You always want to improve technically and sometimes when you want to do that you go a bit more for skill, which can be more lightweight,” he said.

“At the time when Vieira left we had [Cesc] Fabregas there, who was 17 years old.

“However, you cannot say ‘you are not heavy enough, so you cannot play.’ Cesc had the quality to play.”

- By ESPN FC

LONDON, August 23- Diego Costa scored for the second match in succession as Chelsea made it two Premier League wins from two matches this season with a 2-0 victory at home to newly-promoted Leicester City on Saturday.

After a goalless first half, Chelsea twice almost took the lead at the start of the second period.

Oscar hit the far post with a curling shot from the right before Branislav Ivanovic’s header was well saved by Kaspar Schmeichel, son of former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter.

Leicester, who held Everton to a 2-2 draw last week, then had a chance of their own when David Nugent burst clear only for the Foxes striker to be denied by Thibault Courtois, again preferred by Jose Mourinho to Petr Cech, when one-on-one with the keeper.

But £32 million ($55 million, 40 million euros) Spain striker Costa, who scored in last week’s 3-1 win at Burnley, marked his home debut by turning in Ivanovic’s cross from eight yards out in the 63rd minute.

Chelsea then doubled their lead at Stamford Bridge when Eden Hazard’s 77th-minute shot beat Schmeichel after deflecting off Leicester defender Wes Morgan.

Swansea, fresh from their shock opening day victory away to Manchester United, also made it two wins from two with a 1-0 success at home to Burnley secured by winger Nathan Dyer’s 23rd-minute goal.

West Ham bounced back from a 1-0 defeat by Tottenham Hotspur with a 3-1 win away to managerless Crystal Palace.

The Eagles, without a manager after Tony Pulis quit before the season started in a row over transfer funds, had seen sporting director Iain Moody resign in midweek following the fall-out from the publication of offensive text messages he had shared with Malky Mackay while the pair were at Cardiff.

- Hammers’ quickfire double -

Any hope of better news on the pitch was shattered when Palace conceded two goals in three first-half minutes.

Argentinian striker Mauro Zarate marked his Hammers debut with an impressive 34th-minute volley before England winger Stewart Downing added an equally stylish second, cutting in from the right flank before curling in a 20-yard left-foot shot.

Palace pulled a goal back in the 48th minute through Marouane Chamakh.

However, the Hammers made it 3-1 in the 62nd minute when striker Carlton Cole scored his first goal since February when he volleyed home from inside the penalty area.

Southampton and West Bromwich Albion shared the points in a goalless draw and Saturday’s early kick-off between Aston Vill and Newcastle ended the same way.

Newcastle, beaten 2-0 by reigning champions Manchester City last weekend, have still to score in the Premier League this season.

The Magpies finished the match a man down after centre-back Mike Williamson was sent off in stoppage-time for a second bookable offence.

Villa remained unbeaten after last week’s 1-0 win away to Stoke.

Louis van Gaal will go in search of his first competitive win as Manchester United manager at north-east side Sunderland on Sunday.

Meanwhile former Spurs boss Harry Redknapp will return to White Hart Lane as manager of London rivals Queens Park Rangers.

Sunday’s other Premier League fixture sees Hull, 1-0 winners over QPR last weekend, at home to Stoke.

The second round of Premier League matches is completed by Monday’s clash between Manchester City and Liverpool, last season’s runners-up, at Eastlands.

By then former City striker Mario Balotelli could be a Liverpool player if his proposed £16 million ($27 million, 20 million euros) transfer from AC Milan has been completed, although any deal will come too late for him to be registered to play on Monday.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 23- Kenya’s search for a first medal at the second Youth Olympic Games will spill to Sunday after Ian Mutuku finished fourth in Saturday’s men’s 400m final in Nanjing, China.

Mutuku who stormed the finals after booking the second automatic spot in the semis, clocked 47.08 while Jamaican Martin Manley won gold in 46.31 ahead of Botswana’s Sibanda Karabo who bagged silver in his personal best of 46.76.

Henri Delauze from Bahrain settled for bronze after running his personal best of 46.91.

Agnes Mulee failed to show up at the call room in the women’s 800m final B in a race that was won Bermuda’s Faheemah Scraders in 2:10.66.

However, Kenya will chase four golds on Sunday with Jackline Chepkoech seeking to retain the country’s women 3000m title that was won by Gladys Chesir in 2010.

Chepkoech who set her personal best of 9:08.54 to qualify automatically after finishing fourth in the semis, face stiff challenge from Baharanian Fatuma Chebsi, Ethiopian Asgedom Berhan, Burundian Nahimana Cavaline and Japanese Takamatsu Musembi who all beat her in the semis.

Moses Koech will fly the nation’s flag in the men’s final after crossing the line second in 8:06.50, behind Ethiopian Atomsa Yomif and Spaniard Torrents Jordi in the semis.

Gilbert Kwemoi who dominated the men’s 1500m semis, will also be in action while Maureen Nyatichi will be seeking to become the first Kenyan to win a medal in the women’s 200.

At the 2010 edition in Singapore, Kenya collected six medals, three gold and equivalent number of bronze.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 23- Belgian Adel Amrouche breathed a sigh of relief, after the Confederation of African Football (CAF) reduced his one-year ban to six matches, following his appeal against the initial heavy sanction.

Amrouche was slapped with the lengthy ban after being accused of allegedly spitting on a fourth official during Harambee Stars 2015 Africa Cup of Nations pre-qualifiers second leg against Comoros in Maseru, May 30.

The man whose future as Harambee Stars coach is in doubt will nonetheless fork a USD 10,000 (Sh883,000) fine.

“Having reviewed new evidence on the record, including the DVD of the game, the images provided by the plaintiff and the testimony of Comoros head coach who was a direct eye witness of alteration, we concluded there was no certainty as to the facts alleged against the plaintiff,” the statement from CAF read.

“However, based on the DVD, the Appeal Board found the behavior of the Kenyan coach through the match was not blameless, he repeatedly engaged in disrespectful attitude against central referee of the match and the fourth referee, especially following his ejection.

“For these and other reasons, the Board of Appeal acknowledged Amrouche was responsible for having violated section 82, 83 of the CAF Disciplinary Code, relating respectively to the principal of conduct 82 and responsibility 83,” the Appeals Board continued.

“The Board of Appeal under the provisions of Articles 31,32,33,82,88,117 and 129 of the CDC and Article 36 of the regulations of the African Cup of Nations, sanctioned Amrouche with a suspension of six matches without a presence on the reserve bench for anti-sporting behavior effective May 30.”

Amrouche alongside his two assistants James Nandwa and Ken Odhiambo as well as goal keeper trainer Iddi Salim were initially fired by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) immediately Harambee Stars were bundled out of the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations pre-qualifiers by minnows Lesotho August 3 in Nairobi.

The federation went on to appoint Gor Mahia coach Bobby Williamson to replace the Belgian assisted by retired captain Musa Otieno and former international Simeone Mulama as the Team Manager.

FKF are yet to terminate Amrouche’s five-year contract and on Wednesday federation boss Sam Nyamweya said, “Amrouche wrote a letter to us as we requested and as NEC we are going to look at it and reply accordingly.”

PARIS, August 23- Libya surrendered its right to host the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday, blaming the decision on the worsening security situation in the country.

The African Football Confederation (CAF) said it will now sound out potential replacement host nations after meeting the Libyans at their Cairo headquarters.

“Libya will no longer host the Africa Cup of Nations in 2017,” said a CAF statement.

“A Libyan delegation led by the country’s Minister of Youth and Sports and included the president of the Libyan Football Federation revealed in a meeting with CAF President Issa Hayatou that owing to the unstable security situation in the country, Libya would not be able to host the Afcon in 2017.

“Consequently, the Secretary General of CAF, Hicham El Amrani, dispatched a circular on 23rd August, 2014 to all 54 member associations informing them of the decision and opening bids for the hosting of the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.”

CAF set a deadline of September 30 for applicants with the designation of the new host country to be made at a meeting of the Executive Committee in 2015.

LONDON, August 23- Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has taken a swipe at those who have been quick to judge him after one defeat.

After a productive pre-season, the Red Devils began their 2014/15 league campaign with a loss to Swansea, far from the result that many of the Old Trafford faithful had been expecting.

In the wake of the loss many have expressed reservations about the direction that United are heading in, much to van Gaal’s displeasure.

“Two weeks ago, I was the king of Manchester and now I am the devil of Manchester. It is the football world and it is especially the media in this football world so I think that the fans of Manchester are intelligent,” said the Dutchman.

“I have already said that it shall be difficult the first three months for the players, especially, but also for the fans and I said that also to [executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward and [owners] the Glazer family that it is always like that. They have hired me because of my philosophy, not because I am a very nice person – I am but it is my philosophy I have.

“I am not hired to be fired. I am hired to build up a team and that is a process and that process takes time. I bring another philosophy to the club and that is difficult because I have to give a lot of information. Now we are in a process of a lot of information.

“For example, I have to drive on the left side and I have to pay a lot of attention to drive properly. It costs me a lot of energy. This player [new signing Marcos Rojo] also, he comes from abroad and doesn’t speak any words of English. What does that mean? He has to adapt to a new culture, new philosophy. It takes time. It is not so easy. It takes time, also for Marcos and the other players.

“You have to believe in it. Maybe my curriculum [vitae] can convince them. Otherwise, OK , I am hired to be fired. You have to believe in the philosophy and we make again a big club. But it takes time. It is not an overnight job.”

United will look to get their season back on track when they travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Sunday.

LIVERPOOL, August 23 – Olivier Giroud scored a dramatic late equaliser as Arsenal battled back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger’s side looked set for another chastening defeat against one of their rivals for a top four finish after finding themselves deep in trouble before half-time.

Strikes from Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith ripped apart an Arsenal defence which had been demolished on their visits to Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool and Everton last season.

But the Gunners staged a brilliant late revival to suggest they are made of sterner stuff this term.

Aaron Ramsey finished from close range with seven minutes remaining before France striker Giroud capped the gutsy fightback by heading home in the final minute of normal time.

It was an agonising finale for Everton, who had made two changes from the side which drew with Leicester on the opening day as Coleman and Kevin Mirallas came in for John Stones and Aiden McGeady.

Wenger included World Cup winners Per Mertesacker and Mesut Ozil for the first time this season, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Nacho Monreal made their first starts.

The hosts were dealt a blow in the ninth minute when South African midfielder Steven Pienaar limped out after a strong challenge from Calum Chambers.

After a sedate start the game exploded into life in the 20th minute when Coleman capitalised on some poor defending by Arsenal and opened the scoring for Everton.

Everton worked a free-kick in the Arsenal half and Gareth Barry delivered a dangerous ball to the back post which went over Romelu Lukaku for Coleman, who was left unattended by Ozil, and he powerfully headed past Wojciech Szczesny.

The goal saw Roberto Martinez’s side grow in confidence and they should have added a second shortly afterwards.

A long ball from Leighton Baines was flicked on by Naismith for Kevin Mirallas, but with only Szczesny to beat the Belgium forward directed his shot wide.

Mirallas almost made amends on the half-hour mark with a curling free-kick which flew over just over the top corner.

Arsenal looked tired from the first leg of their Champions League play-off with Turkish side Besiktas, which ended goalless in midweek, and were punished on the counter attack on the stroke of half-time.

Lukaku showed his strength to win the ball ahead of Mertesacker on the right flank and turned the German centre-back before he cut inside and threaded a pass for Naismith, who slipped the ball under Szczesny and into the net.

Wenger withdrew Chile forward Alexis Sanchez for Giroud at half-time and the France striker went close with his first touch when he volleyed Ramsey’s clever chip over the bar from close range.

Arsenal controlled the bulk of possession while Everton were happy to contain and look to catch them on the break.

Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere was shown a yellow card for late tackle on Barry and Chambers also went into the book for a foul on Naismith as the second half became scrappier.

Giroud twice went close in the space of two minutes just after the hour as he first rifled a shot from distance which flew past the post, then saw Tim Howard narrow the angle to save from 10 yards out.

It was a signal of things to come, and Arsenal introduced Joel Campbell and Santi Cazorla as they chased the game.

The latter in particular was a menace as he helped the visitors pull one back to ensure a tense finish.

In the 83rd minute Cazorla crossed a low ball into the penalty area and Ramsey slammed home from close range.

And Giroud provided the perfect finish for Wenger’s side in the 90th minute when he out-muscled Sylvain Distin to powerfully head Monreal’s cross past Howard.

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 24 -Winger Noah Wafula scored a brace to send defending champions AFC Leopards to the Round of 16 of the GOtv Shield in their 3-2 win over Mathare United at a soggy Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

A heavy downpour nearly saw referee Badir Yasin call off the game at half-time after declaring the pitch waterlogged but 40 minutes later, action resumed after consultations between both teams and match officials.

Wafula scored his two goals inside the opening ten minutes, opening the scoring after four before striking again five later.

An own goal from Harambee defender James Situma halved the deficit on the hour mark before substitute Edwin Ombasa equalised for Stanley Okumbi’s charges in the 73rd but veteran Charles Okwemba had the last word four minutes to full time.

The first half belonged to Ingwe who were determined to end their three game winless run this season against Mathare as Bernard Mang’oli, Okwemba and Humphrey Mieno dominated the midfield.

Mathare resumed a more rejuvenated side but keeper Patrick Matasi did well to stop Harrison Mwendwa and Daniel Mwaura long range shots to see Ingwe start their title defence on a winning note.

Leopards will now meet Ligi Ndogo in the pre-quarter finals.

In the Kenyan Premier League, hosts Chemelil Sugar and Western Stima played to a goalless draw while relegation threatened Nairobi City Stars failed to collect maximum points away to Bandari after the match ended to a barren stalemate.

LONDON, August 24- Manchester United are on the brink of signing Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid, sources in Spain and England have told ESPN, although the final details of the transfer must still be agreed.

The purchase of the Argentine World Cup star would represent a significant coup for United, and likely break their transfer record by a considerable distance.

Real Madrid have agreed to the sale of Di Maria, sources say, but they are still holding out for a fee of close to 70 million euros — around 56 million pounds.

That would be almost 20 million pounds more than the 37.1 million paid to Chelsea for Juan Mata in January.

Sources also said that United have offered Di Maria by far the best wage package of all his suitors, including Paris Saint-Germain.

The French club pulled out of the pursuit two weeks ago, as they couldn’t make any prospective deal meet Financial Fair Play requirements. Although Di Maria did want to remain in the Champions League, he has been persuaded of the benefits of a move to Old Trafford.

The winger asked to leave Real in midweek, as it became clear president Florentino Perez wants to sell after bringing in James Rodriguez from Monaco.

There is also confidence that United can sign Daley Blind from Ajax, while manager Louis van Gaal remains in the hunt for another midfielder.

-ESPN FC

MANCHESTER, August 24- Manchester City and Liverpool will renew their rivalry beneath the Etihad Stadium floodlights on Monday in the first major head-to-head encounter of the fledgling Premier League season.

When the teams last met, at Anfield in April, a late Philippe Coutinho goal gave Liverpool a 3-2 victory that left them on course for a first league title since 1990.

But with the finishing line in sight, Brendan Rodgers’s side collapsed, allowing City to creep up on the rails and pip them to the title by two points.

Liverpool’s late-season slump was particularly traumatic for captain Steven Gerrard, whose slip against Chelsea allowed Demba Ba to score a goal that allowed City back into the title race.

After then crashing out of the World Cup in the group phase with England, the 34-year-old said he had been through “probably the worst three months of my life”.

The meeting with City will bring memories of what happened last season into sharp focus for Gerrard and his team-mates, but the champions’ manager, Manuel Pellegrini, does not think it will have any bearing on Monday’s game.

“I cannot know what happened inside Liverpool or if they will be affected by last season or not,” said the Chilean, whose side won 2-0 at Newcastle United in the first game of their title defence.

“My way of thinking is that last season is finished, for our team it is finished. I suppose that also for Liverpool it is finished.”

Whereas City have enjoyed a largely settled off season, Liverpool have witnessed significant upheaval.

Luis Suarez’s departure for Barcelona in a £75 million ($124 million, 94 million euros) transfer helped fund a splurge of investment that has seen eight new players move to the club, with former City striker Mario Balotelli also poised to join them.

Balotelli will not feature against his old side as his transfer was not finalised before the weekend, but Liverpool’s fans could get their first glimpses of new signings Lazar Markovic and Alberto Moreno.

- ‘Invention and creativity’ -

Adam Lallana, another new recruit, is not yet ready to return as he pursues his rehabilitation following a knee problem, while left-back Jose Enrique is a doubt due to injury.

Daniel Agger, Jon Flanagan and Oussama Assaidi are all definitely out.

City’s latest signing, centre-back Eliaquim Mangala, is unlikely to play as he is short of fitness following his £32 million switch from Porto.

Striker Alvaro Negredo remains sidelined by a foot injury, but Sergio Aguero could start after coming off the bench to score in injury time at Newcastle last weekend.

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard may also make his debut for the club, having been left out for the trip to St James’ Park.

Monday’s game is an early opportunity for last season’s two outstanding teams to feel each other out, but Rodgers does not believe it will be a cautious encounter.

Both teams broke through the 100-goal barrier in 2013-14 — City scoring 102 goals to Liverpool’s 101 — and the Northern Irishman thinks they will each be eager to assert themselves.

Asked if he expected the game against City to be cagey, the Liverpool manager replied: “I don’t think so.

“If you look at both sets of players, there’s lots of invention and creativity in the team. I think both will be creative and want to score goals.

“We know we need to be compact and solid when we haven’t got the ball, and we need to be aggressive and press well.

“We know we have the freedom, movement and pace that can hurt teams. We understand it’s early on, but it’ll be a good game for sure.”

Liverpool edged Southampton 2-1 last weekend, with Daniel Sturridge scoring a 79th-minute winner.

ALGIERS, August 24 – Cameroonian football player Albert Ebosse died Saturday after he was hit by a projectile thrown from the stands following his team’s loss in the Algerian football championship, APS news agency reported.

Ebosse, who was 24, was declared dead after he was rushed to a hospital at Tizi Ouzou, east of the capital Algiers, where the match took place.

He scored the lone goal for his club JS Kabylie in the home match in what turned out to be a 2-1 defeat against USM Alger, on the second day of the tournament.

Fans had started throwing objects from the stands inside the Tizi Ouzou stadium after the match as the players were returning to their changing room.

Ebosse joined JS Kabylie in 2013, and was best scorer in the 2013-2014 championship.

The Algerian interior ministry ordered an investigation to search for the culprit.

LIVERPOOL, August 24- Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger claimed the resilience shown by his players in their 2-2 draw with Everton underlines their Premier League title credentials.

The Gunners showed plenty of grit as they battled back from two goals down to rescue a point in the closing minutes at Goodison Park on Saturday following a determined second-half showing.

Wenger compared the response of his players to the one they showed when the two sides last met on Merseyside in April.

Last season the north London club were also faced with a 2-0 half-time deficit at Goodison, but offered a tame showing after the interval as they went on to lose 3-0.

“When we got beaten here 3-0 it could have been many more,” Wenger said.

“Three was quite flattering on the day,” the veteran French boss added.

“For us to come back from 2-0 down against a team as good on the counter attack it shows the belief and resilience was there.

“It is our ambition (to challenge for the title). If we can maintain that, of course we can (be challengers).

“We had a big test and at half-time it was even a bigger test. We responded well. We were a bit nervous at the start. Before that we were a bit tentative and Everton are a good side as well.

“We gave a great response with a complete desire to come back and the spirit was fantastic.”

Wenger also played down concerns about the early season form of Alexis Sanchez after the Chile forward made little impact at Goodison and was replaced at half-time.

“At the moment he is not completely ready,” Wenger said.

“He knows he is not at his best physically but when he is his confidence will come back. It is always difficult to know why the confidence is not at its best.”

Everton had deserved their lead at the break, earned thanks to Seamus Coleman’s header from a Gareth Barry free-kick and Steven Naismith’s smart finish after great work by Romelu Lukaku.

But Arsenal pulled a goal back seven minutes from time when the impressive Aaron Ramsey slid in to guide the ball home from Santi Cazorla’s cross.

- Giroud worry -

France striker Olivier Giroud completed the comeback in the final minute of normal time with a powerful header from Nacho Monreal’s cross.

However, he limped off in injury time with an ankle problem, leaving Wenger hoping it was not a serious blow ahead of Wednesday’s second leg Champions League qualifier against Besiktas, where the tie is all square after a goalless draw in Turkey.

“It is a big game against Besiktas and I hope we have not lost him,” said Wenger of Giroud, who left the stadium with a protective boot on his left foot.

“In the final minute, he stretched his ankle.”

Everton manager Roberto Martinez said a lack of fitness had cost his side victory.

“The performance was phenomenal and it gave a clear direction of where we need to work,” he said.

“Scoring two goals should have been enough to control the game in a normal manner. But we dropped our energy levels and couldn’t contain the game like we normally do,” the Spaniard explained.

He added: “Every individual is at a different level. We have three players who arrived later from the World Cup. It was a very demanding game for certain positions.

“If it had finished 2-1 I think it would have been an incredible performance. The first-half display was as dominant as I have seen at Goodison against a top team.”

Naismith’s goal also met he has scored in consecutive matches for Everton having netted in their 2-2 draw with Leicester City on the opening day.

“It’s not just the goalscoring for Steven, his contribution is important,” Martinez said. “He is such an intelligent footballer, the way he wants to start games.

“He understands the game down to a tee, what is needed. I am delighted to see him score goals but even more by the way he is playing.”

LONDON, August 24- Jose Mourinho was adamant Fernando Torres had a future at Chelsea despite the Spain striker playing no part in the Blues’ 2-0 Premier League win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Torres, linked with a move to AC Milan, was not even on the bench as Diego Costa confirmed he is the club’s number one forward with his second goal in two games before being replaced by Didier Drogba.

But afterwards Chelsea manager Mourinho insisted he needed three strikers at the west London club to cope with the demands of competing on several fronts and that Torres will get his chance.

“I decided to keep the same team (that beat Burnley 3-1 on the opening weekend) and I decided to have a bench with a complete balance,” Mourinho explained.

“Sometimes I can have two strikers on the bench, sometimes I can’t, and today that was my decision,” the Portuguese added.

“I want three strikers in the squad. Sometimes I will play with two and have one on the bench, sometimes one will be suspended and one injured.

“But I can’t do a season without three strikers. Our squad was made carefully over the summer. I want him (Torres) to stay.”

Mourinho added: “To be the first-choice striker he has to score more goals than the first striker.

“He will get the chance to do that. He will play soon. He is a great professional.

“After this week we have three matches a week and then it is easier because all the squad will be playing.”

Costa, signed from Atletico Madrid for £32 million ($55 million, 40 million euros) during the close season, scored on his Premier League debut at Burnley.

He followed that up with the 63rd-minute opening goal against Leicester before Eden Hazard wrapped up the win 13 minutes from time.

Mourinho said the way Costa had settled in so quickly was no surprise to him.

“I got the feeling in pre-season he will adapt easily. He is a happy guy, not speaking good English but always communicating. He integrated well and I got the feeling adaptation wouldn’t be a problem.”

- Emotional -

Mourinho revealed he had some home truths for his star-studded side during the interval, but forecast Chelsea would improve when key players shrugged off the effects of the World Cup.

“At half-time I had to be a bit emotional with them and make them realise it was not good enough,” he said.

“I wasn’t annoyed with them but I told them ‘if you have the same feeling and vision that I have, then we are not in trouble’ because we change.

“If we don’t agree and we don’t have the same vision then we are in trouble, because we don’t change the game’.”

Looking to the sterner challenges that lie ahead, Mourinho added: “I know we need to improve, especially the intensity of our game. I want it to be higher.

“Willian played for 20 minutes and was excellent but it would be different if I played him from the start.

“Some players like Branislav Ivanovic are at the top of their game, some aren’t. So it is step by step.”

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson was left frustrated his side left Stamford Bridge empty-handed, particularly as David Nugent had a clear chance to put them ahead in the 55th minute.

Pearson said he wanted to bring new players in before the end of the transfer window, but was unsure whether he would be able to strike a deal for Argentina midfielder Esteban Cambiasso.

“We have tried to bring players in, it’s been a problematical window to get deals done,” Pearson said.

“We do need one or two more players and we will endeavour to add to the squad.

“But I can’t give you an update on that (Cambiasso) deal. There are so many representatives, it’s hard to find out who is capable of doing the deal.”

MADRID, August 25- Luis Enrique got off to a winning start as Barcelona manager as they shrugged off Javier Mascherano’s first-half red card to beat Elche 3-0 thanks to two goals from Lionel Messi on Sunday.

Messi put the disappointment of losing the World Cup final in his last competitive outing behind him to open the scoring, but Barca were momentarily rocked by Mascherano’s dismissal for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity moments later.

However, 18-year-old Munir El Haddadi made the game safe with a classy lofted finish on his debut a minute into the second-half before Messi rounded off the scoring.

“I have to be delighted with that start,” said Enrique.

“As we expected we had a little bit of difficulty creating chances at the start because Elche are very well-organised defensively, but bit-by-bit we began to find space and opportunities.”

Messi looked back to his best throughout the 90 minutes after his tired showings towards the end of the World Cup and Enrique was in no doubt that he has inherited the best player in the world.

“With Leo playing in his element we have taken the first step and now we move onto the second.

“It is clear that Messi is the best player in the world. He has a unique quality that it is easy to see. Giving assists, scoring goals, pressing, defending he does everything.”

Two goals in Barca’s final pre-season friendly romp over Mexican side Club Leon on Monday had been enough to earn Munir his senior debut in the absence of the injured Neymar and suspended Luis Suarez.

And it was the 18-year-old who had the first meaningful effort of the game as he smashed a shot off the angle of post and bar on 22 minutes.

Barca’s captain for the evening Andres Iniesta then also hit the bar from range as the hosts dominated possession without clearing too many clear-cut chances.

However, Elche were punished for giving away possession cheaply near their own area three minutes before half-time as Sergio Busquets played in Messi and he sidestepped two defenders before slotting home on his trusted left foot.

Minutes later, though, the complexion of the game appeared to have changed as Mascherano was shown a straight red card for clipping Garry Rodrigues as he galloped clear on goal.

Instead, Barca were barely bothered by Elche’s numerical advantage as Munir flicked home Ivan Rakitic’s pass into the far corner a minute after the restart.

Messi then put a seal on a comfortable three points for Barca as he again left three Elche defenders trailing before side-footing past the helpless Vicente Guaita.

Earlier, Eibar made a dream start to their first ever La Liga campaign with a 1-0 win over Basque rivals Real Sociedad in front of a 5,200 capacity crowd.

Javi Lara scored the only goal of the game with a wonderful curling free-kick just before half-time.

And Enrique’s old side Celta Vigo also made a winning start as they beat Getafe 3-1 at Balaidos.

LONDON, August 25- Louis van Gaal has demanded an immediate improvement from Manchester United after admitting their start to the season has not been good enough.

They avoided matching their worst opening sequence to a Premier League campaign since 1992 by earning a point with an unconvincing display in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland.

But after the first-day defeat at home to Swansea, the new Old Trafford manager was left with much to ponder, his assertion that his side need a miracle to win the title this season looking increasingly accurate.

He revealed confidence was low after seeing Juan Mata’s goal at the Stadium of Light on Sunday cancelled out by Sunderland’s Jack Rodwell to leave the former champions already five points behind the early pace-setters in their attempts to improve on a disappointing seventh-place finish in May.

“So much is down to confidence,” van Gaal said. “In pre-season, our confidence was much better than it is now. “We’re working hard to improve and if we win the next match then that confidence will start to come back.”

The Dutchman added: “The players are disappointed because we thought we would win today (Sunday), and yet we have one point and it’s not good enough for Manchester United.

“I can’t say it was a better performance than last week because we didn’t create as many chances as against Swansea. Our passing needs to be better because we gave the ball away a lot when I didn’t expect us to.”

Van Gaal couldn’t lift spirits with a positive update on United’s pursuit of Real Madrid’s Angel di Maria, as he remained cautious over the prospects of signing the £60 million ($99 million, 75 million euro)-rated Argentinian midfielder.

“I can’t say about transfers at the moment,” he explained. “When a transfer has been finished then we can say something but now you have to wait and see.

“The club has to announce it. When we are thinking it’s the right time to announce it then we’ll come to you and say we’ve bought this player or that player, but at the moment we can’t say anything.”

- Smalling blow -

Showing his sense of humour hasn’t been diminished by his testing introduction to life at Old Trafford, van Gaal added: “People have asked me if I like di Maria. Well, I like Lionel Messi also. There are a lot of players in the world I like, but they can’t always come here.”

United defender Chris Smalling limped off before half-time with a groin injury to add to the lengthy Old Trafford injury list before the club return to action against MK Dons in the League Cup on Tuesday.

Van Gaal — who refused to condemn Ashley Young for a second-half dive that earned the England midfielder a caution — said: “We had seven players out injured before this game, so now with Chris, that’s eight.

“It’s too early to say if he might be out for some time. I’m not a doctor. It’s an unusual situation to have four midfield players out injured. That would impact on any club.

“That’s why I played Adnan Januzaj in central midfield when I brought him on.”

Sunderland performed well enough to have claimed a first home league win over United for 17 years.

But coach Gus Poyet was far from disappointed after his side claimed a second point of the campaign with a battling display.

“We were the best team for long spells, but the fact that we’ve not won isn’t a wasted opportunity, it’s still a point against Manchester United,” he said.

“I think they will finish in the top four,” the Uruguayan added.

“It’s a different set-up for them without doubt and it’s strange to see them playing three at the back, but give Louis van Gaal time and he will get things right.”

PARIS, August 25- Arsenal and Celtic headline a list of sides seeking to clinch a place in the lucrative Champions League group stage this week in the return legs of the play-offs.

Ten-man Arsenal escaped Turkey with a goalless draw against Besiktas but the Gunners remain on course for a 17th consecutive group phase appearance although they will be without suspended midfielder Aaron Ramsey for Wednesday’s second leg.

Arsene Wenger’s men displayed their resilience by coming from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Everton in the Premier League on Saturday and Jack Wilshere believes the result puts them in a perfect frame of mind to wrap up the tie with Besiktas.

“This is a fantastic point and now we have a big game on Wednesday and this will give us great confidence going into that,” the England midfielder told Arsenal.com after the match at Goodison Park.

“We never give up and at this level that is massive. We have always shown over the years that Arsenal are going to battle like mad right until the end.”

The north London club boasts a proud record of having never lost a Champions League qualifying tie and although last week’s draw was the first time in 13 matches they’d failed to win a play-off encounter, the goal is quite simple for Wenger.

“We know the second leg will be tight again, but we are at home, so the task is clear for us – we want to win,” said the Arsenal boss, who led the club to the 2006 Champions League final.

Celtic were held to a 1-1 draw at Slovenian champions Maribor in the first leg but the Scots remain favourites to progress under new coach Ronny Deila.

The Glasgow giants were handed a reprieve after Legia Warsaw fielded an ineligible player in the previous round but suffered a setback as a weakened Celtic side slumped to a 1-0 loss Saturday at Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Premiership.

- Bounce back -

Deila, though, expects his players to respond and capitalise on their second chance in Tuesday’s return fixture at Parkhead.

“The players will have no problem picking themselves up. We have a new game now and we are going to bounce back on Tuesday,” Deila told the club’s in-house television channel, Celtic TV.

Striker Anthony Stokes was confident the 1967 European champions would return to the group stage for a third straight season.

“We are in pole position now going back. We are ahead in the tie and we are going back to Celtic Park where we fancy our chances,” the Irishman told UEFA.com.

“It’s not for me to say (if Celtic are favourites to go through). We are ahead in the tie, like I said. But it is going to be a difficult game. They’re a very good technical team.

“But we won’t take our eye off the ball. We’ll fully focus and give it 100 percent.”

Two-time former champions Porto, who hold a 1-0 lead from the first leg, will look to wrap up their tie with French side Lille in Portugal on Tuesday, while Athletic Bilbao versus Napoli is the pick of the fixtures on Wednesday.

Athletic are bidding to qualify for the group stage for the first time since 1998/99 and gained the upper hand with a 1-1 draw againt Napoli, knocked out of a group containing Arsenal last season, in Italy.

Bayer Leverkusen reached the last 16 last time out and are on course to return to Europe’s premier club competition after a 3-2 win over FC Copenhagen in Denmark last week.

Leverkusen, led by new coach Roger Schmidt, were further boosted by an impressive 2-0 success at Borussia Dortmund in their Bundesliga opener on Saturday.

Champions League fixtures this week (kick-off 1845GMT unless stated otherwise):

Play-offs second leg:

Tuesday:

Zenit St Petersburg (RUS) v Standard Liege (BEL) (1600GMT)

BATE Borisov (BLR) v Slovan Bratislava (SVK)

Porto (POR) v Lille (FRA)

Celtic (SCO) v Maribor (SLO)

APOEL (CYP) v Aalborg (DEN)

Wednesday:

Ludogorets (BUL) v Steaua Bucharest (ROM)

Malmo (SWE) v Salzburg (AUT)

Athletic Bilbao (ESP) v Napoli (ITA)

Arsenal (ENG) v Besiktas (TUR)

Bayer Leverkusen (GER) v FC Copenhagen (DEN)

LONDON, August 25- Out-of-favour Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski is reportedly set for a move to Italy, with Juventus thought to be keen on his services.

The Germany international has been strongly linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium during the current transfer window, and those claims were further fuelled after he was left out of the Gunners squad that drew 2-2 against Everton on Saturday evening.

Podolski instead travelled to his homeland where he watched former club Cologne’s goalless draw with Hamburg, and reports suggest he will not be returning to north London.

A loan move to the Serie A had initially been proposed by the media, although it is now believed Juve are preparing a £10 million bid for the 29-year-old.

Podolski added to suggestions he could be set for a new adventure, posting on Twitter: “The only time you should ever look back is to see how far you’ve come.”

NAIROBI, Kenya, August 25- Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced Monday its interest in putting in a solo or joint bid to host the 2017 Orange CAF Africa Cup of Nations after the withdrawal of Libya over security concerns.

In a statement dispatched to newsroom, federation chief, Sam Nyamweya, said further communication will be availed in due course
Once all the details of the fresh bid are concluded.

“FKF views this as another opportunity to bring Africa’s greatest soccer showpiece to our great nation and coming so soon after CAF handed us the right to host the 2018 Orange CAF Africa Nations Championships.

“FKF is in the process of consultations with the relevant stakeholders and government before submitting our bid before the September 30, 2014 deadline,” the announcement read.

“We are also alive to exploring the possibilities of putting a joint bid with our neighbours Tanzania who have already showed interest and Uganda as well as Rwanda.

“We believe it may enhance the region’s chances on the understanding that CAF did make that recommendation when they announced the opening of bids,” Nyamweya added.

Kenya were given the hosting rights for the 1996 edition and a secretariat set up at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium but political influences informed the Government of the day led by retired President, Daniel Arap Moi, to withdraw support.

As punishment, Kenya were banned from the next two editions and the event given to newly independent South Africa who went on to win the trophy for the first time with a 2-0 victory over Tunisia in the final.

SPA, August 25- Nico Rosberg will face serious consequences, but his comments were misinterpreted and he did not deliberately crash into Lewis Hamilton in the Belgian Grand Prix, according to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

Speaking after a heated meeting to review Sunday’s stormy race won by Australian Daniel Ricciardo, Wolff explained that Rosberg, who was booed on the podium, had wanted to make a point by not giving way when the pair collided on lap two.

But that, he said, did not mean he had intended to crash with Hamilton puncturing the Briton’s left rear tyre and wrecking his race.

Hamilton retired pointless with four laps remaining after battling at the back of the field and later said Rosberg had told him he had hit him deliberately.

“It looked quite clear to me, but we just had a meeting about it and he basically said he did it on purpose,” said Hamilton. “He said he did it on purpose… He said he could have avoided it.

“He said ‘I did it to prove a point’. He, basically, said ‘I did it to prove a point’ and you don’t have to just rely on me — go and ask Toto [Wolff], Paddy [Lowe] and all those guys who are not happy with him as well.”

Rosberg, with a broken front wing, survived and finished second to open up a 29-points lead over Hamilton in the title race with seven races remaining.

“Today we’ve seen the limits of the slap on the wrist,” said Wolff. “The slap on the wrist is not enough.

“If Lewis has said that it’s going to be a slap on the wrist, and that there’s going to be no consequence, then he’s not aware of what consequences we can implement.”

Wolff declined to elaborate, but said that Mercedes could do “a lot” and added that the team would re-introduce strict team orders to avoid any repeat incidents that gift victories to their rivals.

“What we have to do is see it as a matter of principle and make sure it doesn’t happen again. We had the conversation at the beginning of the season. It was an absolute no-go to crash into each other.

“We’ve had mega-exciting races where they were fighting fair and square with great excitement for all of us. And at that stage, they were on top of the situation and we were on top of the situation.

“Now it’s come to a point where it’s getting very tight, and probably we need to tackle that with more intensity to make sure we stay within the boundaries we’ve set at the beginning of the season.

“It would be too early to go into detail because the devil lies in the detail. We’re all fans and we owe it to ourselves and everybody out there to let them race.

“But that philosophy has resulted in Mercedes losing valuable points — and we don’t want to end up in Abu Dhabi, with a season where we lost the championship, be it constructors’ or drivers’, because we’re too much race fans.

“There is a lot at stake, and if you don’t manage this properly now it could end up at that point.

“It’s one thing enjoying great races and letting them fight with each other, but if you look like a fool at the end of the season then you haven’t won anything.”

Rosberg later insisted that he was not to blame.

“We had the pace to win, but the incident cost us a top result,” he said. “So I’m really disappointed because for the team it was a bad day.

“As drivers we are here to entertain and show the fans a good time, so our duels are always on the limit. I regret that Lewis and myself touched, but I see it as a racing incident – just as the stewards did…”

Wolff added further clarification, saying: “Nico felt he needed to hold his line. He needed to make a point, and for Lewis, it was clearly not him who needed to be aware of Nico.

“Rosberg didn’t give in. He thought it was for Lewis to leave him space, and that Lewis didn’t leave him space. So they agreed to disagree in a very heated discussion, but it wasn’t deliberately crashing.”

Making clear that the team saw Rosberg as culpable, he added: “It doesn’t change the scenario at all because the incident, as I see it, is not acceptable for us.

“What we saw was that Nico was not prepared to take the exit and that caused the collision. That is not something we want to happen. We had a collision that could have been avoided, a second-lap collision. It was Nico who attacked — and he shouldn’t have done it.”