Russell – We want City win

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Norwich City defender Russell Martin insists the newly-promoted side will be going for the win against Manchester City this weekend.
The Canaries returned to winning ways on Saturday following a crucial 2-1 success over fellow new-boys QPR at Carrow Road.
Next up for Paul Lambert’s men is a trip to the Etihad Stadium on Saturday to face the unbeaten Premier League leaders.
Few expect Norwich to return to Norfolk with any points, but Russell, who scored against QPR, insists they will be positive in Manchester.

Positive

“(City) is probably going to be one of the toughest games of the season going up there and trying to stop them because they’re in really good form,” said Martin.
“But the way we play as a team, we will go up there expecting to get a result because that is how we do it.
“We will go up there and give it a good go, but it is a tough run of games and we needed the three points (against QPR) because it doesn’t get any easier.
“It comes in between really tough games - Arsenal and Manchester City. It doesn’t get much tougher than that, but every week is tough in this league.”

TRIPLET SCORING FOR BARCA

El bigoleador Alexis Sánchez fue el gran protagonista del partido
It was a therapeutic game, as if he had designed the calendar to shake off the bitter taste of defeat against Getafe played a game that left Barca but left untouched the forwards especially the team. Among them, a name, Alexis Sanchez, who was beginning to collect some criticism for his lack of scoring.
Not scored since the first game of the season, against Villarreal, and the Chilean goal needed as the air we breathe. Just half an hour to recover needed. It was a goal of ‘crack’ when his team needed him most, especially against Lightning dared uneasily. With a subtle touch, crossed the bottom left of Cobeño after a dry cut, Alexis opened the way to victory. Important for the club, but more important for the ‘Boy Wonder’, which drew too many days without celebrating a goal with a long injury involved. 
In his best days as Barca, Alexis closed his personal account with the goal that Barca definitely reassured. The merit of Alexis was not only hit the shot, but accompany a move that was born in Messi‘s boots in the midfielder position.
 The Chilean Xavi pounced on a rebound to control with his chest and beat the goalkeeper Ray. The doublet of Alexis returns the best version of Chile last year, even as Udinese player, signed four goals in one match against Palermo in Udine set victory by 0-7. 
It was undoubtedly his best performance since he landed in Europe. However, despite their initial impressions as a player means Barça have left many fans Catalans, Alexis had never come to the Christmas break with more than two goals in his private account and now adds three, who scored against Villarreal and the doublet with the Lightning. Mark out of the house now becomes one of his unfinished business. 
It is the fifth career double in the Chilean, a player reached the boat to open the field and create spaces that define the face-to-door. However, his goals against the Lightning rescued the team at a particularly delicate and Tocopilla make the player a candidate to remain in the ownership during the next team commitments. Alexis and he started the match against Real Madrid in Spain Super Cup at the Santiago Bernabeu. 
Villa: Farewell to the bad taste of San Siro and Getafe with his ninth goal of the course 
There was a certain ‘buzz’ with the figure of David Villa, multiplied by the lack of luck in Getafe, but the Camp Nou finished chanting the name of ‘Guaje’ in a match that served to reconcile the goal after two games especially uncomfortable for Villa, San Siro and Getafe, which was not entirely successful. It had scored against Zaragoza his eighth goal of the season (interestingly, the same as last year added at this stage of the championship, almost the same number of minutes) and against the Lightning, took a pass from Alves to beat Cobeño and set it 3-0 before the break.
Villa goal needed to calm some debates about its performance in recent games and incidentally, to remain a second best scorer of Barca this season with nine goals, behind only Leo Messi. 
Interestingly, Villa found the net in the drawing Guardiola team reworded: Pep ahead of Alves, who became almost at the end of the relay, placed Alexis in the left and put Villa as theoretical ‘nine’, escorted by Leo Messi. Here, closer to the penalty spot, David Villa was more comfortable and quickly find the net in a move that was released in which Pique and Alves, touching the outside of the game, assisted him. 
Asturian striker signed a good game, beyond the success of face-to-door, combined with their peers and creating spaces both outside and inside. And the second part was about to make his second goal after taking advantage of a ball pumped coming from Victor Valdes in an improper play Barça.Villa tried to control possible at the edge of the area and beat Rayo Vallecano Cobeño output with a chopped ball but the ball went over the crossbar. The former Valencia completed their night playing 90 minutes, unusual for the ‘Guaje’, not just this season but since signing for the club. 
Messi: Leo sum ​​and 26 goals in 22 games 
The best player on the planet remains committed to breaking records every season and returned last night to offer a new touch of his usual magic to close the scoring at the Ray Vallecano. 
It was the 49 minutes of the game when Leo Messi took a pass from Dani Alves and into the area to star in a spectacular ride that ended by sitting and surpassing Cobeño measured with a shot that slipped touching the long pole. 
With last night, the Argentine won his sixteenth league both, and thus equalized Cristiano Ronaldo top scorer in this tournament. Last season, Messi had managed 15 goals in the first 14 games of the season. 
Leo already marked 26 goals in 22 matches he has played taking into account all competitions (only lost the Cup in L’Hospitalet), resulting in a spectacular figure of 1.18 goals per game. In this regard, Rosario is ‘key’ numbers of last year, when he signed also 26 ‘targets’ in their first 22 entries with the team, either as principal or alternate.

PEP GUARDIOLA: “IT WAS A STRANGE GAME”

Villa confía en las posibilidades del equipo
Barca striker Asturian spoke today at a press conference after the victory over Rayo Vallecano last night at the Camp Nou. The crack has become FC Barcelona has expressed confidence about the possibilities that all have to get a good result in their match against Real Madrid “We will go to the Bernabeu in different circumstances than other years, but with the same idea: try to win. In this Similarly, the iron tip wanted to play down the next “Classic” and also noted that “There is still a lot and hope to make a great season.”
As for the controversial yellow spotted yesterday to Gerard Pique, which allows the defense to get the classic clean the Bernabeu: “The referee gave his verdict on the record, the rest is the interpretation of each, there you have the record.”
About the feelings that have the equipment at this stage of the League has proven safe and emphatic “I have the same trust or more than last season,” he said. He also was pleased with the results garnered by the team yesterday and his personal rendimientio with their peers, which stood out from his partner Alexis Sanchez “was a great game yesterday,” he acknowledged.
Moreover, the number 7 of Barca said the party has to play his former club Sporting de Gijon to Real Madrid, which has admitted that “I’m always happy when they win” and also took time to ask for assistance the price “to see if we can do a favor.” So far as he has not forgotten to remember either the front, Pep Guardiola’s only have the head on the next and important league match against Levante.

Inter plot £40m raid on Arsenal & Liverpool

Inter Milan are thought to be willing to pay £40 million forArsenal and Liverpool target Eden Hazard

Inter chasing Hazard (©GettyImages)
Interest in Arsenal and Liverpool target Eden Hazard is set to be stepped up – by Italian giant Inter Milan.
Talksport is reporting that the Nerazzuri are ready to gazump the Gunners and the Reds by testing Lille’s resolve with a bid of around £40million.
Arsenal were thought to have made a move for the Belgian international in the summer, but manager Arsene Wenger was put off by the asking price quoted.
Lille president Michel Seydoux recently said Hazard could leave if an offer upwards of £43million came in – a fee likely to put off famously thrifty Wenger.
Even Liverpool, who have been willing to pay inflated transfer fees in the past, seem to have been put off by the large numbers being asked.
Hazard had expressed a desire to leave the French champions in the summer, news that was expected to spark a bidding war among Europe’s top clubs.
The 20-year-old is considered one of Europe’s brightest young prospects and, should Lille fail to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages, a move could come sooner than next summer.
Inter look to have taken the initiative by indicating their willingness to come close to Lille’s valuation, though Real Madrid are likely to have some say in the matter.