ARAB TIMES, MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015 43 SPORTS Villarreal lose 2-1 MADRID, Oct 18, (RTRS): Celta Vigo joined Real Madrid and Barcelona at the top of La Liga when Nolito’s late strike snatched a 2-1 vic- tory at 10-man Villarreal, while Atletico Madrid stayed firmly in the hunt thanks to a 2-0 success at Real Sociedad on Sunday. Surprise package Celta, who ham- mered champions Barca 4-1 at the end of September, again impressed with some sparkling play at the Madrigal to prevent Villarreal climb- ing back into first place above Spain’s big two. Former Sociedad forward Antoine Griezmann netted a superb goal for Atletico to set them on their way at the Anoeta in San Sebastian, where the home side had two players sent off in the final stages. Real, who thumped Levante 3-0 at the Bernabeu on Saturday when Cristiano Ronaldo set a club scoring record, are top on goal difference after eight matches, with Celta second and champions Barca third, with all three on 18 points. Barca’s Brazil forward Neymar netted four goals and created one for Luis Suarez in Saturday’s 5-2 success at home to Rayo Vallecano. Atletico, the 2013-14 champions, have 16 points in fourth, with Villarreal are also on 16 in fifth. Villarreal had the better of the opening stages against Celta but the Galician side switched up a gear towards the end of the first half and Fabian Orellana curled in a sweet shot in the 41st minute to put them ahead. Villarreal were reduced to 10 men two minutes into the second period when defender Eric Bailly, who had earlier been booked for a wild tackle, was shown a second yellow card after he flung out an arm and handled the ball. Celta struggled to capitalise on their one-man advantage and squandered sev- eral chances before former Celta youth player Denis Suarez levelled with a deflected 67th-minute effort. Chile international Orellana was again instrumental in the winning goal as another superb curled effort in the 90th minute crashed down off the crossbar. Spain winger Nolito, who earlier struck a shot against a post, controlled the rebound and fired low past Villarreal goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. “We are really pleased and we just have to enjoy it,” Celta defender Gustavo Cabral told Spanish television. “It was really tough here,” added the Argentine, whose side’s next match is at home to Real next weekend. “We have put in a huge effort to get where we are and it should be a great match against Madrid.” France forward Griezmann has been on superb form this season and used his electric pace in the ninth minute to race through the centre and put Atletico ahead with an exquisite chip over Sociedad keeper Geronimo Rulli. The 24-year-old, who joined Sociedad as a teenager, did not celebrate the goal but was still given a hard time throughout the match by some of the home fans still upset with his decision to leave for Atletico in 2014. Sociedad pressed hard for a goal in the second half without troubling Atletico’s obdurate defence too much before the match ended in controversy when the home side had a penalty claim turned down in the first minute of added time. Atletico broke quickly and Yannick Carrasco was sent clear by fellow substi- tute Fernando Torres to make it 2-0. Sociedad forward Jonathas, who had only been on the pitch a few minutes, was dismissed for protesting to the referee. Team mate Diego Reyes had been shown two cards in quick succession shortly before the penalty incident, one for a cyni- cal foul on Torres and one for protesting. Sociedad, coach by former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes, are hovering just above the rele- gation places with only six points and one win this term. SOCCER Celta joint top, Griezmann lifts Atletico Atletico de Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann (right), duels for the ball with Real Sociedad’s Inigo Martinez, during their Spanish La Liga soccer match, at Anoeta Stadium in San Sebastian, northern Spain, Oct 18. (AP) Sassuolo’s Nicola Sansone (right), vies for the ball with Lazio’s Sergej Milinkovic Savic, during their Serie A soccer match at Reggio Emilia’s Mapei Stadium, Italy, Oct 18. (AP) Celta Vigo’s Danish defender Daniel Wass (left), vies with Villarreal’s Brazilian forward Leonardo Carrilho Baptistao during the Spanish League football match Villarreal CF vs RC Celta de Vigo at E1 Madrigal Stadium in Villareal on Oct 18. (AFP) Wijnaldum hits four goals Newcastle crush Norwich 6-2 for their first victory of season tNEWCASTLE, United Kingdom, Oct 18, (AFP): Georginio Wijnaldum plun- dered four goals as Newcastle United thrashed Norwich City 6-2 at St James’ Park on Sunday to belatedly claim their first win of the Premier League season. Wijnaldum was a member of the Holland team that failed to qualify for Euro 2016 earlier in the week, but he shrugged off the disappointment with a brilliant quadruple that eased some of the pressure on Newcastle manager Steve McClaren. Ayoze Perez and Aleksandar Mitrovic also found the net, while Moussa Sissoko played his part with four assists, as Newcastle secured a league victory at the ninth attempt ahead of next weekend’s trip to northeast derby rivals Sunderland, who replaced them at the foot of the table. Norwich were 3-2 down at half-time, having scored through Dieumerci Mbokani — making his full league debut — and Nathan Redmond, who also hit the post in the second half. But despite a strong start to the second period they ended up well beaten, leaving Alex Neil’s side just three points above the relegation zone in 16th place. Newcastle showed four changes to the team thrashed 6-1 by Manchester City on their previous outing — in which Sergio Aguero had scored five goals — with Rob Elliot notably replacing Tim Krul in goal after the Dutchman ruptured knee ligaments on international duty. The hosts went ahead in the 14th minute when Sissoko picked up a loose ball on the edge of the box and threaded a pass through to Wijnaldum, a close-sea- son signing from PSV Eindhoven, who steered a low shot into the bottom-left corner. Robbie Brady sounded the Norwich revolt, cracking a shot against the post from 30 yards, and the visitors equalised in the 20th minute when Martin Olsson’s delicious left-wing cross was stabbed home by Mbokani. Wijnaldum restored Newcastle’s lead six minutes later with a downward head- er from Sissoko’s clipped cross and Perez made it 3-1 when he found the bottom- left corner at the second attempt follow- ing a block by Olsson. But Newcastle’s defensive frailties were exposed again just 48 seconds later when Olsson’s deep cross from the left was adroitly side-footed home on the vol- ley by Redmond. McClaren sent Vurnon Anita on for Cheick Tiote at half-time and he had rea- son to thank Wijnaldum for a third time when the Holland international cleared a header from Newcastle old boy Sebastien Bassong off the line. Bassong’s chance arrived amid a spell of sustained Norwich pressure that spread jitters throughout the home ranks and vis- iting manager Neil added further attack- ing guile to his team by sending on Wes Hoolahan for Alexander Tettey. PSG blank Bastia 2-0 Stumbling Marseille held by Lorient 1-1 PARIS, Oct 18, (AFP): Stumbling Marseille dropped points again on Sunday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Lorient at the Stade Velodrome in Ligue 1. Michel’s side took the lead thanks to a Michy Batshuayi penalty midway through the first half but Benjamin Moukandjo levelled for the visitors before the interval. Marseille’s failure to build on an encouraging performance in losing 2-1 at Paris Saint-Germain in their last outing before the international break leaves them without a win in six matches in all competitions. They continue to languish in 16th place in the table and are six points adrift of Lorient, with the Bretons provisionally up to eighth having lost just one of their last six outings. OM were looking for revenge for a 5-3 defeat at home to Lorient last season and they took the lead in the 22nd min when Belgian striker Batshuayi converted from the spot after Francois Bellugou had been penalised for handball. However, the away side were back on level terms eight minutes prior to half- time as Nicolas Nkoulou got caught underneath a high ball and his Cameroon colleague Moukandjo took advantage to score. Marseille were unable to find a winner in the second half, leaving Michel to admit his frustration after the game. “The statistics are in our favour, but the result is against us. It’s like that in every match. It seems incredible because we have an average of 20 shots per game”, said the Spaniard. “Lorient are a good team but in many phases of the game we played better”. “There is a lot of disappointment at only taking one point, especially as we had the possession and the chances, but we still lack a finishing touch”, added Marseille’s on-loan Newcastle United winger Remy Cabella. “The season is advancing but it is not over yet. We need to start winning quick- ly. Once we get a result we will have more confidence”. On Saturday, Paris Saint-Germain warmed up for their Champions League clash with Real Madrid by beating Bastia 2-0 in Corsica thanks to two second-half goals by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. PSG are still unbeaten this season and remain five points clear of surprise near- est challengers Angers and Caen, who both won away from home, 2-1 at Toulouse and 1-0 at Reims respectively. Lazio stunned 2-1 away to Sassuolo Higuain sinks Serie A leaders Fiorentina MILAN, Oct 18, (AFP): Gonzalo Higuain’s fifth league goal of the season helped Napoli to a precious 2-1 win over Fiorentina on Sunday as Mauricio Sarri’s men moved up to fourth place in Serie A. Napoli welcomed Fiorentina to the San Paolo look- ing to maintain a recent purple patch that has seen Sarri’s side remain unbeaten in their last six outings. Fiorentina were tough customers, but after Nikola Kalinic had levelled Lorenzo Insigne’s superb opener for the hosts, Higuain struck in the 75th minute to secure Napoli’s fourth win of the campaign. Elsewhere, Sampdoria’s promising start came to a shuddering halt with a 2-0 defeat at Frosinone, while Lazio were stunned 2-1 away to Sassuolo. Atalanta, meanwhile, romped to 3-0 win in Bergamo that came com- plete with a stunning corner kick goal from Alejandro Gomez. Mauricio Pinilla gave the hosts a welcome eighth-minute opener after meeting Maxi Moralez’s curl- ing delivery from the right to head past Carpi ‘keeper Vid Belec at his near post. Belec was beaten again on the stroke of half-time in more spectac- ular fashion, Gomez hitting a superb corner that sneaked over the entire Carpi defence and into the far top corner. Atalanta wrapped up the points when Luca Cigarini fired past Belec from the penalty spot on 63 minutes after Pinilla was fouled by Igor Bubnjic. Paulo Sousa’s Fiorentina have been rightly described as one of the most stylish teams in the league and were unlucky not to snatch a share of the points at the San Paolo. On the quarter hour Jakub Blaszczykowski brought a great one-handed save from Napoli ‘keeper Peper Reina after turning on the edge of the area to unleash a left-footed drive. When Higuain was impeded by Milan Badelj when just about to pull the trigger minutes later, he earned a free kick that Insigne curled into the waiting arms of Ciprian Tatarusanu. Napoli’s players surrounded the referee on the stroke of half-time to demand the expulsion of Davide Astori after the Italian defender tugged at Allan’s shirt to stop him launching an offensive down the right flank. From the free kick, Napoli almost found the opening, Higuain heading wide of the target from Insigne’s chipped cross from the left of the area. The deadlock was finally broken two minutes after the restart when Insigne beat Tatarusanu at his far post after running on to Marek Hamsik’s superb defence-splitting pass down the left. Minutes later Higuain spurned the chance to double Napoli’s lead when he bundled just over from close range. Napoli appeared to be on their way to a share of the spoils after Croatia international Kalinic, who hit a hat-trick in the 4-1 ormp over Inter, ran on to Josip Ilicic’s delivery to slot the ball past Reina down low. But minutes later the stadium erupted when Higuain dispos- sessed Ilicic deep in Fiorentina territory, played a one-two with Dries Mertens and held off his marker to beat Tatarusanu down low. Hanover shock Cologne ‘thanks’ to keeper Zieler BERLIN, Oct 18, (AFP): Hanover’s revival continued on Sunday as midfielder Leon Andreasen’s controversial winner sealed a 1-0 victory at Cologne which pulled his side out of the bottom three in the Bundesliga. After Japan midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake fired in a cross, Andreasen steered the ball home at the far post on 38 minutes with the help of his upper arm, despite furious protests from the Cologne defence. Hanover goalkeeper Ron-Robert Zieler pulled off a great save to deny Cologne’s French striker Anthony Modeste in the dying stages to rescue the win which left his team 14th in the table. Hanover are now unbeaten in their last three games, which followed five straight defeats, while Cologne drop to sixth in the table. On Saturday, Bayern Munich became the first team to win their opening nine games of a Bundesliga season as Thomas Mueller’s first-half strike gave Pep Guardiola’s side a 1-0 win at Werder Bremen. Mueller stole in front of Alejandro Galvez to control a Thiago Alcantara cross at the near post for his ninth of the season at the Weserstadion as Bayern made more Bundesliga history. Mueller’s solitary strike condemned Bremen to a club record-equalling fifth consecutive league defeat. Bayern’s 999th Bundesliga win sets them up for their trip to face Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday. It left the Bavarians seven points clear at the top of the table from nearest chal- lengers Borussia Dortmund, who won 2- 0 at Mainz on Friday. Dortmund coach Thomas Tuchel returned to face his former club in Mainz and saw Marco Reus put the visitors in front in the first half before Henrikh Mkhitaryan added a second. Germany striker Max Kruse scored his first career hat-trick as Wolfsburg climbed up to fourth with a dramatic 4-2 win at home to Hoffenheim at the Volkswagen Arena. Wolfsburg opened the scoring after just 41 seconds when Julian Draxler squared for Kruse to score his first goal since signing from Borussia Moenchengladbach in the summer. SOCCER SOCCER SOCCER SOCCER Cologne’s striker Simon Zoller (right), and Hanover’s Brazilian defender Felipe vie for the ball during the German first division Bundesliga football match 1 FC Cologne vs Hanover 96 in Cologne, western Germany, on Oct 18. (AFP) Newcastle United’s Dutch midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates after scoring his fourth goal, Newcastle’s sixth, during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Norwich City at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England, on Oct 18. (AFP)