Honours even at the Emirates, FC Bayern shocked in Russia and other Champions league results

Matchday 5 had some real drama and some brilliant matches. Some great comebacks and some shock defeats.

Group A

Arsenal vs PSG

Arsenal and PSG were fighting for the top spot in group. Both have not lost any match in group stage this season and gave it all out for a win at Emirates.

PSG started the game on the front foot and it took them just 17 minutes to grab the opener, a nice build up saw Thiago Motta finding Blaise Matuidi on the left, who ran into the box and squared it for Edinson Cavani at the far post, who poked the ball home.

Arsenal struggled to get hold of possession for the major part of the first half but somehow managed to earn a penalty after Olivier Giroud robbed Krychowiak off possession just outside the box and found Mesut Ozil, who played a brilliant reverse pass to Alexis Sanchez on the right, Krychowiak came sliding in after Alexis cut inside and just clipped his right foot. The referee pointed to the spot and Olivier Giroud leveled the score at the stroke of halftime.

In the 2nd half Arsenal looked completely a different team, sustaining continuous pressure on PSG and thus found their reward on the hour mark, when Carl Jenkinson, teed up by Sanchez, fired a cross in the box from the right and Marquinhos clearance ricochetoff shin's of Marco Veratti for an own goal.

PSG didn't hold back and the substitute Hatem Ben Arfa proved to be the culprit for Arsenal. His corner found Lucas Moura free on the far side, who was left unmarked and he sent his header towards goal which took a subtle touch off Alex Iwobi's head and went away from Ospina. Arsenal paid back for the own goal with an own goal thus leveling the score again.

Both managers threw everything to grab a winner but it ended all square at the Emirates and PSG lead Arsenal at top of the table with one matchday left.

In another group A match, Basel and Ludogorets played out a 0-0 draw in Bulgaria. The fight for a place in Europa league is still on.

Group B

The most trickiest group as 3 teams are in contention for the top two places.

SSC NAPOLI vs DYNAMO KYIV

The hosts were left frustrated by the Ukrainian side. After having so many chances, they had only themselves to blame as lack of sharpness in the final third cost them two points. Napoli are still top of the group but they would be really upset as they could have wrapped the group as table toppers.

They face Benfica away on last matchday.

BESIKTAS vs BENFICA

The most incredible match of the night as Besiktas came from three goal deficit to earn a point. Benfica scored three goals in the first 30 minutes of the match and had plenty of other chances but Besiktas rallied in the second half and Vincent Aboubakar leveled the score in the 89th minute to snatch a point and Benfica would really have been kicking themselves as they blew away a three goal lead and the chance to advance to knockout stages.

Group C

Celtic vs Barcelona

Two Lionel Messi goals on either side of the half helped Barcelona win in Glasgow and thus advancing to knockout stages while securing top spot in the Group.

Neymar assisted the first goal as it was a vintage Barcelona build up and Lionel Messi finished it.
In the 2nd half Suarez was brought down in the box and Lionel Messi stepped up to grab his second of the night and thus sealing all three points and top spot in the Group.
Leo Messi is the top scorer in group stages this season with 9 goals in 4 matches he has started. He is chasing Cristiano Ronaldo's record of most goals in Group stages. 

Borussia Monchengladbach vs Manchester City

Pep Guardiola's side last game in Champions league saw them defeat Barcelona at the Etihad.
City could have challenged Barcelona for the top spot but they only managed a draw against a sturdy Gladbach defense.

Gladbach took the lead in 23rd minute through Raffael after mounting early pressure on City's defence.
City equalized after a brilliant play through David Silva in the first half stoppage time.

2nd half saw both teams receiving Red Cards for poor challenges. First Lars Stindl of Gladbach barged into Otamendi and saw red, then minutes later Fernandinho pulled Raffael off the ball and was shown red. Though City protested for their red card as they thought it was harsh.
Both teams shared the spoils in the end and Manchester City with the draw went through to knockout stages behind Barcelona.

Group D

FC Rostov vs FC Bayern 

The biggest upset of the matchday 5 happened in Russia when the mighty Bayern lost 3-2 to FC Rostov.

Rostov produced a brave performance against the 5 times European champions. Althiugh Bayern went ahead through Douglas Costa when Renato Sanches ran into the box past defenders and fired a shot, the goalkeeper saved it but a horrible clearance from Rostov send the ball in the path of Costa who launched a thumping strike into the goal. FC Rostov equalized just 8 minutes later when Costa misplaced a pass and Poloz pounced on it and he send the ball to Sardar Azmoun who showed brilliant composure inside the box , taking advantage of Boateng's slip and send the ball past Bayern goalkeeper.

In the 48th minute a controversial penalty decision was given when Rostov's Noboa goes down under a challenge from Boateng, replay showed he got the part of the ball but referee didn't hesitate in pointing to the spot and Poloz buried the chance to give FC Rostov the lead.
Bayern stored parity just 2 minutes later, after a good link-up play between Renato Sanches and Ribery, who then teed up Bernat to finish home. It was blistering strike into the ceiling of the goal from the left-back.

Rostov continued their confident play and earned a free kick in the 64th minute. The free kick specialist of the team, Christian Noboa, took the charge and sent the ball around the wall and into the goal. It was a stunning strike from the specialist.

Home crowd got behind their team as it was deafening atmosphere in the stadium.
Rostov were leading the match and hold their nerves in the dying moments to beat Bayern.
It was their first ever champions league win and it would go down as the most memorable night in the club's history.

Bayern will now finish second in the group behind Atletico Madrid.

Atletico Madrid vs PSV Eindhoven

Atletico Madrid were the only team to have a 100% record in this season's champion league and they capped it with another comfortable win against the Dutch club.

Atletico won 2-0 on the night with goals from Kevin Gameiro assisted by Griezmann and Antoine Griezmann. Both goals were scored in the 2nd half.
Griezmann was the man of the match for his one assist and a goal.

The win saw Atletico Madrid topped the group with one game to spare.

This is how the matchday 5 unfolded and 12 teams have already qualified for the knockouts while remaining 4 positions will be fulfilled on the last matchday.
Some groups are still waiting for their table toppers as the last matchday will surely be an exciting one.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Transfer Round Up

Get the latest news and rumours about the transfer market

Harry Kane puts Tottenham contract talks on hold, Manchester United on alert 

England and Tottenham striker Harry Kane has yet to sign a new contract with the North London side. He is reportedly asking £120 a week salary, which Spurs are not prepared to pay at this time. 

Manchester United have kept tab on Harry Kane for last 18 months and according to reports from Daily Star, Red Devils could make a bid in region around £50m to bring the striker to Old Trafford ahead of next season. 

Tottenham still in hunt to sign Bruma

According to reports from Turkish journal, Taksam, Spurs have not given up on dynamic Galatasaray winger Bruma. 

They earlier had an offer rejected by Galatasaray in summer. 

Daily Mirror claims that Spurs are not happy with Mamadou Sissoko's start to life at White Hart Lane and want to bring the winger to boost their chances of winning a Premier League title. 

Joe Allen to stay at Stoke 

According to reports from Daily Express, Stole City chairman Peter Coates said that Stoke need not to sell their best players in January transfer window. 

Joe Allen has been in an exceptional form and he hopes that he will stay with The Potteries for a long time to come. 

Elseid Hysaj to replace Matteo Darmian in January? 

The 22 year old Napoli defender has been one of the best defenders in Serie A last season starting 37 of 38 games. José Mourinho is eyeing the Albanian as a replacement of Matteo Darmian with an offer of £26m. 

Darmian has failed to gain a spot for himself in the starting line-up under Mourinho. 

Manchester United to bring Andrea Belotti to solve goal crisis? 

The Torino striker has been in an impeccable form, gaining attention from worldwide. While he has a contract until 2020 with the club and reports are there Torino want him to sign an extension and also will insert a buy-out clause in his contract. 

According to reports from an Italian journal, Manchester United will try signing him to solve their goal crisis.

Although United have Ibrahimovic in the side, they have the least goals scored in the Premier League this season among the top 6 sides. 

A fee around €50m will be ideal to lure him away from Torino. 

Manchester clubs in a battle to sign Serge Aurier? 

Reports from Daily Star claim that, City will try to hijack Manchester United's bid for PSG right back Serge Aurier. 

There were reports that United scouts were present in France's friendly against Ivory Coast last Tuesday to watch Serge Aurier. 

But according to latest rumours, Pep Guardiola wants to sign him as a first right back choice for the team. 

It will be interesting to see who wins this battle between both Manchester clubs. 

Chelsea to loan out Loftus-Cheek in January

Chelsea manager has prepared to send out youngster Loftus-Cheek on loan in January in order to give him more playing time. Loftus-Cheek has struggled to find a place in Conte's starting line-up. He needs regular football to develop as a player and Chelsea are reportedly ready to accept offers from rival clubs too. 

So these were some latest rumours in the transfer market. 

©sportskafun.blogspot.com