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Andy Murray celebrates No1 status with Paris win and earns everyone’s respect

Andy Murray’s gift to tennis goes beyond the excellence he brings to the court and the occasional bon mot, intentional or otherwise, with which he embroiders his many triumphs. In celebrating his capture of the one crown that many doubters thought was beyond his reach, the No1 world ranking Novak Djokovic held for 122 weeks until this weekend, he reminded us again of his ability to inspire admiration and respect from both his rivals and those close to him.

Even the man he beat in the Paris Masters final here on Sunday, John Isner, acknowledged the Scot is a cut above in every way. “He’s the guy that everyone is looking up to right now,” the American said after Murray had ground out a tenacious 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-4 win over two hours and 17 minutes on Court Central.

Manchester City masterclass exposes brittle Barca

Barcelona's Argentinian striker Lionel Messi (L) and Barcelona's Brazilian striker Neymar (2L) react as Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Jesus Navas (2R) and Manchester City's German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan leav the pitch following the UEFA Champions League group C football match between Manchester City and Barcelona at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on November 1, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / PAUL ELLIS

Defeat to Manchester City shouldn’t dent Barcelona’s chances of Champions League progression but the manner in which the English side stormed to victory exposed the brittleness of a Barca side badly missing the injured Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta.

Barca had won all five previous meetings between the sides over the past two years and a landmark European victory looked set to be beyond City once more when Lionel Messi finished off a lethal counterattack for his 15h goal in his last 13 games against English opposition.

Arsenal, Atletico, Bayern make Champions League last 16

Arsenal’s midfielder Mesut Özil celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group A football match between PFC Ludogorets and Arsenal, on November 1, 2016 at the Vassil Levski stadium in Sofia. / AFP PHOTO / NIKOLAY DOYCHINOV

Last season’s runners-up Atletico Madrid were one of four teams to clinch a place in the last 16 of the Champions League with two group matches to spare on Tuesday.

Atletico beat Russian side Rostov 2-1 in Spain with Antoine Griezmann scoring both goals as they sealed their progress from Group D along with five-time European champions Bayern Munich, who were 2-1 winners at PSV Eindhoven.

Meanwhile, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain both clinched qualification from the knockout stage from Group A.

Arsenal came from two goals down to win 3-2 away to Ludogorets in Bulgaria to go through along with PSG, who were 2-1 winners over Basel in Switzerland.

AFP

Inter sack Frank De Boer

Frank de Boer

Frank de Boer has been sacked as coach of Inter Milan after the Serie A giants slipped to 13 points off the pace in Italy’s top flight.

“Inter Milan announces that Frank de Boer has been relieved of his duties as first-team coach,” said a club statement.

“The first-team squad will be taken over provisionally by our youth team coach, Stefano Vecchi, who will be on the bench for the Europa League game against Southampton.

EFL: Manchester United beat City rivals 1-0

Manchester United's Spanish midfielder Juan Mata (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the EFL (English Football League) Cup fourth round match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England on October 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF

Juan Mata’s second-half strike earned Manchester United a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Wednesday as Jose Mourinho’s side bounced back to reach the English Football League Cup quarter-finals.

Humiliated 4-0 by Mourinho’s former club Chelsea at the weekend, United got back to winning ways and claimed a measure of revenge for their 2-1 defeat by Pep Guardiola’s City in last month’s league derby.

The result at Old Trafford gave Mourinho only his third victory in 13 encounters with Guardiola, who has gone six games without victory for the first time in his glittering managerial career.

EFL Cup: West Ham oust Chelsea to reach quarters

West Ham United's Swiss midfielder Edimilson Fernandes (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the EFL (English Football League) Cup fourth round match between West Ham United and Chelsea at The London Stadium in east London on October 26, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Ian KINGTON /

West Ham invigorated their stuttering season with a 2-1 home victory over fierce London rivals Chelsea to surge into the English League Cup quarter-finals on Wednesday.

In the build-up to the clash there were fears of violence between West Ham and Chelsea fans, and a heavy police presence was in place outside the Hammers’ new London Stadium home.

There was no large-scale disorder prior to the game at the former Olympic stadium, where West Ham — players and fans — have struggled to settle since leaving Upton Park in the summer, but there were reports of seats torn out and thrown between opposing supporters afterwards.

La Liga 2016/17, Week 9: Standings, Fixtures, Results and Talking Points

Usual business resumed in La Liga for its ninth gameweek, as Real Madrid went top of the table with a late win against Athletic Bilbao. Barcelona, too, managed to nick a stoppage time goal to win at Valencia as Cesare Prandelli’s first game at the Mestalla almost handed los Che a famous win.

Here are the talking points from the weekend’s La Liga action.

Sevilla end Atletico’s unbeaten streak

Atletico Madrid lost their first game of the season as Sevilla maintained their perfect home record to move up to second in the table. Steven N’Zonzi’s 73rd minute goal was set up by Atletico loanee Luciano Vietto, and it was a deserved win for Jorge Sampaoli’s men in the rain.

Serie A 2016/17, Week 9: Standings, Fixtures, Results and Talking Points

 

The Serie A title race seems to be hotting up as Juventus were pegged back by an inspired AC Milan side. In what was a weekend full of goals in the Italian top flight, both AS Roma and Milan kept up the pressure on leaders Juve, while Frank de Boer looks to be on the brink as his Inter side slumped to another defeat.

Here are the talking points from the week nine of Serie A.

Locatelli inspires Milan to win over Juve

18-year-old Manuel Locatelli has made the right noises ever since his Milan debut against Sampdoria last month. And in his first San Siro start for the Rossoneri, the young Italian scored a screamer to settle matters between his side and the champions Juventus.

Manuel Locatelli scored the winner for Milan against Juventus.

Premier League Table 2016/17: Week 9 EPL Results, Standings, Top Scorers & Assists

Week 9 of the Premier League came to its conclusion with a blockbuster match between Chelsea and Manchester United last night.

It was not quite the homecoming present Mourinho would have expected. Antonio Conte’s side thrashed the Red Devils 4-0 and got themselves back into the title race.

Pedro scored inside 30 seconds and from there Manchester United were always chasing the game. The away side were punished for their recklessness and goals from Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante wrapped up a comfortable victory for the Blues.

Chelsea players celebtrating Kante's goal