Tottenham should be ashamed, says Villas-Boas

ottenham Hotspur's players should be "ashamed" according to manager Andre Villas-Boas after his faltering side were pummelled 6-0 at Manchester City on Sunday.

The north Londoners had only conceded six goals in their previous 11 Premier League matches this season but capitulated after going behind after 15 seconds.

Two goals from Sergio Aguero and two for Jesus Navas, as well as one for Alvaro Negredo and Sandro's own goal, made it a miserable afternoon for Portuguese Villas-Boas in his 50th Premier League game in charge of Spurs.

It was Tottenham's heaviest league defeat since a 7-1 loss at Newcastle United in 1996 and Villas-Boas, who led the club to their best ever Premier League points total last season, has the job of trying to arrest a slump that has seen Tottenham fall to ninth in the table.

"We have to be ashamed of ourselves, and react to a defeat like this," Villas-Boas told the BBC.

"It was a difficult start for us. After that, everything you had in mind goes down the drain.

"There are not a lot of positives. We had a good spell of reaction after we suffered the early goals, but everything happened so quickly.

"Our only chance came in the first half. If it goes to 1-1 it is a different game."

Tottenham were undermined by a mistake from keeper Hugo Lloris which allowed Navas to score virtually from the kickoff.

"There is an immediate shock after 15 seconds," the Portuguese former Chelsea coach said.

"The concentration was not there, but the reaction of the players was positive. Everything went wrong for us, every opportunity was a goal and we paid a heavy price, too much for what we deserved.

"City were excellent, and we were extremely poor."

Tottenham now have a trip to the Arctic Circle to clear their heads when they take on Tromso in the Europa League.

"My responsibility is to lift the players, there is always another game coming. We have to give a response in the Europa League."

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Ghana book World Cup spot despite Cairo defeat

Ghana secured a third successive World Cup finals appearance despite a 2-1 defeat by Egypt in the second leg of their playoff in Cairo on Tuesday.

The Ghanaians triumphed 7-3 on aggregate, having done the hard work in the first leg in Kumasi last month, and will now get the opportunity to improve on their quarter-final finish at the 2010 edition in South Africa.

Egypt, playing in strife-torn Cairo for the first time in two years, restored some pride with victory on the night thanks to goals by former Wigan Athletic forward Amr Zaki and Hull City striker Gedo.

Kevin-Prince Boateng grabbed a late goal for Ghana.

For Egypt it is another heart-breaking qualification near-miss, having not appeared at the World Cup since Italia 90 despite winning an unmatched four African Nations Cup titles in the same period.

The home team went in front after 25 minutes when a free kick from Mohamed Aboutrika out on the right was not collected by goalkeeper Fatau Dauda and Zaki appeared to use his elbow to bundle the ball home.

Ghana showed little ambition to go forward in search of an equaliser while Egypt found it tough to break down their stubborn defence.

The hosts went close when a shot from Gedo was cleared off the line by Jerry Akaminko, with Dauda again failing to deal with an aerial ball.

The game opened up in the final 10 minutes and Gedo was on target in the 86th minute when he collected a pass from Mohamed Salah and blasted low past Dauda.

Ghana then exploited some gaps at the back with Asamoah Gyan finding space on the right and his low cross being turned in by Boateng.

The World Cup in Brazil starts in June.

Mexico face NZ with one foot in World Cup finals

Pride dented and World Cup hopes in the balance, Mexico have coped with the ignominy of an intercontinental playoff and are all but assured of a spot at next year's global soccer showpiece before they face New Zealand in the second leg on Wednesday.

'El Tri', who only qualified for the playoff when the United States scored two late goals to beat Panama, ran rampant against a defensive All Whites' side at the Azteca last week to record a 5-1 victory in the first leg.

While New Zealand must score at least four goals to give themselves any hope of advancing to their second successive finals, the visitors are not prepared to accept they have booked their place in Brazil just yet.

"We're here to win the match, to convince that we've done things right," coach Miguel Herrera told reporters in Wellington. "We can't make the mistake of overconfidence or triumphalism, at this moment our principal enemy could be Mexico (itself).

"We'll go out with the same attitude, as determined or more so than in the first leg."

Mexico exploited New Zealand's defensive tactics in the first leg when the All Whites had nine players behind the ball at times, which allowed the hosts the space to dictate play.

They also exploited a makeshift All Whites defence with three goals coming from set-pieces.

New Zealand felt the result flaterred Mexico.

"I don't think the Mexican team were worthy of five goals," All Whites midfielder Chris James told reporters.

"I think we handed it to them, they're a good team and everyone can see that but I think ... we gave them the chance to score five goals and they took them."

France in danger, Ronaldo edges Portugal towards finals

 France's hopes of reaching the World Cup finals are hanging by a thread after a 2-0 first-leg loss to Ukraine in their playoff on Friday while Cristiano Ronaldo's late winner gave Portugal the edge against Sweden.

Second-half goals by Ukraine's Roman Zozulia and Andriy Yarmolenko plus a red card for France defender Laurent Koscielny made it a woeful night for the visitors who have it all to do in Tuesday's second leg in Paris.

Ronaldo overshadowed Sweden's Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a match billed as a clash between two of Europe's hottest strikers, pouncing late on a tense night in Lisbon.

The Real Madrid forward put his head where it hurts after 82 minutes to meet a low cross and give Portugal a 1-0 lead and a slender advantage in the race for a ticket to Brazil next year.

Ten-man Iceland's dream of reaching their first major tournament finals lives on after a 0-0 home draw with Croatia in Reykjavic while Greece are well-placed to qualify for the 2014 football carnival after a 3-1 win over visiting Romania.

In Friday's early kickoff, Iceland finished with 10 men after Olafur Skulason was shown a straight red card five minutes into the second half but they hung on stubbornly.

Kostas Mitroglou struck twice for Greece in Athens with Dimitris Salpingidis also on target against the Romanians who had levelled through Bogdan Stancu in the 19th minute.

Many of the countries spared the ordeal of a playoff were also in action as the build-up to next year's tournament begins in earnest.

Former world champions Italy and Germany drew 1-1 in the San Siro where Ignazio Abate grabbed his first international goal for the hosts after Mats Hummels had put the visitors ahead.

An experimental England side were given a jolt at Wembley where Alexis Sanchez scored twice to give Chile a 2-0 victory while Russia were held at home by Serbia.

Greece trust in old guard for victory over Romania

Greece will rely on the experience of seasoned campaigners such as Fanis Gekas, Giorgos Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis in their playoff against Romania as they aim for a place in the World Cup finals for only the third time.

Coach Fernando Santos has emphasised the importance of his older players ahead of Friday's first leg in Athens, and a sign of his faith in his experienced players is epitomised by his decision to recall striker Gekas, 33.

Gekas, who plays for Konyaspor in Turkey, has scored 24 goals in his 68 appearances for Greece while Karagounis, 36, has played 129 times and Katsouranis, 34, has 107 caps.

"I won't comment about any individual player, but we do have a lot of players who are under the threat of suspension, so we need give ourselves some options," Santos told reporters.

He added: "We have a lot of experienced players who will know how to win the first match without conceding a goal.

"The Romanians are an excellent team, but I believe we will be the ones to make it through."

Santos' team are in the playoffs after finishing behind Group G winners Bosnia on goal difference, while Romania were a distant second in their group behind the Netherlands and have not qualified for the World Cup since 1998.

With a playing style which makes them hard to beat but unspectacular up front, Greece chalked up an impressive record of eight wins in their 10 group matches, five of them by 1-0 scorelines.

That lack of goals cost them top spot but the omens seem to be on Santos' side ahead of the tie as the stern-faced Portuguese has a full-strength squad to choose from.

Celtic's George Samaras trained separately on Monday and Tuesday as a precaution to rest a troublesome knee but he is expected to be fit.

Gekas believes Greece's experience in seeing off Ukraine in the 2010 playoffs will stand them in good stead against Victor Piturca's Romania.

"It's a tough match for both teams but the good thing is that we have the experience of such games and I think if we are serious and disciplined we can get the result we want on Friday so we can go into the second leg full of confidence," he said.

BIGGEST CHALLENGE

Romania head into what forward Razvan Cocis characterised as the "biggest challenge of our careers", without injured captain Vlad Chiriches and with doubts hanging over goalkeeper Ciprian Tatarusanu, who is struggling with a back problem, but could be fit for the second leg in Bucharest.

Chiriches broke his nose during Tottenham Hotspur's defeat to Newcastle United in the Premier League on Sunday, with Dinamo Bucharest defender Dragos Grigore replacing him.

Manchester City goalkeeper Costel Pantilimon has also been drafted back into the squad after displacing England's Joe Hart from the Manchester City team, and Piturca will decide late who plays depending on Tatarusanu's progress.

Romania are aiming to end a 16-year absence from the finals.

"This is without doubt the most important and challenging tie of our careers," said Cocis.

"We really want to go to the World Cup and will fight with all our strength for it. We know Greece's style of play, they are a team that plays defensively and tries to wait for their opponents to make a mistake and capitalise.

"Our goal is to score in the first game, but even if we draw 0-0 it is a good result for us to take back home."

In a surprise move, Piturca has left out Ajaccio's Adrian Mutu, Romania's all-time joint leading scorer with 35 goals in 77 internationals.

"We don't have players of high quality, but they are very driven, skilful and, most of all, they have come together to form a strong group," Piturca said.

"It is a group I hope will grow exponentially to make its mark on both European and world football.

"It's extremely important that we qualify - for me as well as for the team, because I have managed to take the team through to three Euro finals but never to the World Cup.

"But it is even more important for the players, for whom playing in a World Cup would be an incredible experience and achievement."

Costa withdraws from Spain squad, Llorente called up

Atletico Madrid's Brazil-born forward Diego Costa has withdrawn from the Spain squad for their friendlies against Equatorial Guinea and South Africa after tearing a muscle in his right leg in La Liga action on Sunday.

Costa, who was substituted in the 83rd minute of Atletico's 1-1 draw at Villarreal, has been replaced by Juventus striker Fernando Llorente, the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) said on the world and European champions' website (www.sefutbol.com).

Costa was the subject of a tug-of-war between Brazil and Spain before he signed a formal letter last month stating his wish to play for his adopted country and was called up for the first time by coach Vicente del Bosque.

He has dual Spanish and Brazilian nationality and is second on the La Liga scoring chart this season with 13 goals, three behind Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo.

Costa represented Brazil in friendlies against Russia and Italy in March but was left out of the squad for June's Confederations Cup and is not tied to one country until he has played in an official competitive game.

He was the fifth Brazilian-born player to be selected for Spain following Heraldo Becerra, Catanha, Donato and most recently Marcos Senna.

Spain play Equatorial Guinea in the West African nation's capital Malabo on Nov. 16 and take on South Africa three days later at Soccer City in Johannesburg, scene of their maiden World Cup triumph in 2010.

Ronaldo nets hat-trick in Real rout of Sociedad

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid rattled in four goals before halftime in a 5-1 La Liga rout of Real Sociedad at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

The prolific Portugal forward took his season's tally to 16 goals from 13 games in La Liga, adding to his top scorer status in the Champions League where he has eight from four matches.

One of the favorites for the FIFA World Player of the Year award, to be announced in January, Ronaldo has now scored 28 goals in 20 games for club and country this term.

"Ronaldo has a level from another world," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told a news conference. "He makes scoring look so incredibly easy. It's difficult to find words to describe him."

Karim Benzema and Sami Khedira also scored as Real climbed to 31 points in third place, two behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, who visit promoted Villarreal on Sunday (1800 GMT).

Unbeaten La Liga leaders Barcelona have 34 points and visit struggling Real Betis in Sunday's late game (2000 GMT).

Ancelotti appears to have settled on a striking trio of Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo, a frontline dubbed 'The BBC' in the local media, and their devastating pace tore apart the Basque visitors in the first half.

"We played a great game, especially in the first half," Ronaldo told broadcaster Canal Plus.

"I am very pleased because everything is going well. The team is starting to find a style of play and we are achieving our objectives."

Asked about his chances of winning a second Ballon d'Or to add to the one he lifted in 2008, Ronaldo said: "I do my talking on the pitch."

Nigeria U17 vs Mexico U17 priview final FIFA U17 World Cup

Nigeria were made to work for their 3-0 semi-final win over Sweden in Dubai, a result that sends them to the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Taiwo Awoniyi scored his third goal in two games to help send the Golden Eaglets through to the ultimate match, where they will meet Mexico in another Group F rematch.

The game started at a tremendous pace, both sides carving out half-chances inside the first 60 seconds. After the initial frenzy of attacks cooled, the pattern of play became clear. The Nigerians pressed forward in waves, trying to pin Sweden back and cut off the supply lines to foraging striker Valmir Berisha.

In the end, the Nigerians were in no mood to be charitable. They got their insurance goals inside the last ten minutes. Samuel Okon cut in from the left and hammered his shot low and inside the post to end Sweden’s dream. It was all over even before Chidera Ezeh added a third seconds later to make it 3-0 and send Nigeria to the final, where they will be pressing hard for their fourth title.

can you watch match live here link 1 -link 2

FC Barcelona vs. AC Milan 06.11.2013 uefa champions league

FC Barcelona and the Rossoneri will both be gunning for a victory when they meet at Camp Nou on Wednesday.

The Rossoneri look to build in this match upon Tuesday's 1-1 draw against FC Barcelona. That last game played UNDER the total of 2.5.

The Barça look to build in this match upon Tuesday's 1-1 draw against AC Milan. That last game played UNDER the total of 2.5.

Team records:
FC Barcelona: 2-1-0
AC Milan: 1-2-0

FC Barcelona most recently:
After a win are 9-1-0
After playing RCD Espanyol are 5-4-1
AC Milan most recently:
After a loss are 7-3-0
After playing ACF Fiorentina are 6-2-2

can you watch match live here link 1 -link 2

Llorente earns Juve 2-2 draw with Real in thriller

Juventus striker Fernando Llorente grabbed a potentially crucial point for the Italian champions in a pulsating 2-2 draw at home to Real Madrid in Champions League Group B on Tuesday.

Arturo Vidal's penalty gave Juve a deserved halftime lead but the visitors turned the game around with two quickfire goals after the break.

Cristiano Ronaldo levelled with his eighth goal in this season's competition following a blunder by Martin Caceres and then set up Gareth Bale shortly afterwards for Real's second.

Caceres atoned by providing the cross for Llorente to equalise in the 66th minute, leaving Juventus still winless with three points from four games, Group leaders Real have 10 and are almost certain to progress to the last 16.

Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas twice prevented Juventus taking the lead as the hosts continually threatened during the first half.

He brilliantly stopped Pepe from scoring an own goal when the defender diverted Paul Pogba's flicked cross towards goal, and blocked a Claudio Marchisio header.

Juventus went ahead when Pogba was clumsily knocked over by Raphael Varane and Vidal fired into the roof of the net three minutes before the break.

Real levelled after a Caceres back pass went straight to Karim Benzema who fed the ball for Ronaldo to side-foot past Gianluigi Buffon.

Bale then fired Real ahead, clinically finishing with a left-foot effort from Ronaldo's pass, but Caceres atoned for his blunder by providing a cross for Llorente to head home

Juventus F.C. vs. Real Madrid 05.11.2013 uefa champions league

Bragging rights will be on the line Tuesday when Juventus F.C. and Real Madrid meet at Stadio Grande Torino.

Real Madrid comes off a 2-1 win in their last outing against Juventus F.C.. The three goals sent OVER bettors home happy.

Antonio Conte's squad played most recently against Real Madrid, emerging with a 2-1 loss. A combined three goals made OVER bettors happy.

Team records:
Juventus F.C.: 0-2-1
Real Madrid: 3-0-0

Juventus F.C. most recently:
After a win are 6-3-1
After playing Calcio Catania are 6-3-1
Real Madrid most recently:
After a win are 7-1-2
After playing Sevilla FC are 7-2-1

can you watch match live here

Draw means Everton, Spurs miss out on second spot

Everton and Tottenham Hotspur both missed a chance to move up to second place in the Premier League as they shared a battling 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.

Spurs climbed to fourth, level on 20 points with second-placed Chelsea and Liverpool who are third. Everton stayed seventh on 19 points, level with Manchester City and Southampton.

The visitors dominated the first half and although they created a host of scoring chances before the break they were unable to make the breakthrough.

"It was very tight, a good game. We had good moments and a great first half with pressing and good attacking combinations and we should have gone ahead," Spurs manager Andre Villas-Boas told the BBC.

"The second half evened itself out and in the last 30 minutes they had a go at us. We could have gone second but, considering Everton's aspirations, it was important to get a point."

Everton manager Roberto Martinez told Sky Sports: "Spurs are a very good side and work very hard when they lose the ball and that upset our rhythm.

"But we found that rhythm in the second half and it became an open game with two teams who wanted to win and not settle for a point."

Although Everton rallied after halftime, apart from a cross shot from former Spurs man Steven Pienaar that went narrowly wide of the far post they rarely threatened Hugo Lloris's goal.

The France goalkeeper stayed on the pitch until the end despite taking an accidental knee in the head from Everton striker Romelu Lukaku in the latter stages.

Lloris's injury prompted a lengthy delay and the addition of nine minutes of stoppage time.

Villas-Boas said: "Hugo still doesn't remember the incident with Lukaku. He lost consciousness there but he seemed assertive and determined to continue and showed great character and personality.

"We decided to keep him on based on that."

In the day's other match Cardiff City were playing Swansea City, the first ever Welsh derby in English football's top flight.