Agencies
Scotland
Ronny Deila captured his first trophy as Celtic manager as his side beat Dundee United 2-0 in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park. The Norwegian targeted the domestic treble when he took over from Neil Lennon last summer, and Part 1 was completed with goals from Kris Commons and substitute James Forrest. Commons opened the scoring in the 28th minute as Sean Dillon sat in the dressing room receiving treatment for a leg knock before the United captain was shown a straight red card in the 56th minute for a lunge at Emilio Izaguirre.
Asia
Ahmed Al Fardan, the secretary general of Sharjah Sports Council, has called on the Asian Football Confederation to review the decision to allow Australian teams to participate in Asian competitions, following the recent success of teams from the continent. Western Sydney Wanderers beat Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal to win the 2014 Asian Champions League while Australia’s national team win the Asian Cup in January. In a news release issued by the Football Association, following a meeting on Saturday, Fardan was quoted as saying that it was “unfair and non-beneficial for the confederation” that Australia won two titles recently. “If it weren’t for Australia, our national team would have made it to the finals and the odds would’ve been stronger on our side.”
Italy
Nicola Sansone scored twice in the first half as Sassuolo beat Parma 4-1 to boost their chances of avoiding relegation from Serie A. The forward put the home side ahead in the 24th minute before Andi Lila pulled Parma level two minutes later. Sansone put Sassuolo back in front in the 36th minute and then earned a penalty in the 61st minute after being brought down by Parma goalkeeper Antonio Mirante. Mirante was sent off for that foul, with Domenico Berardi converting the spot-kick. Simone Missiroli capped off a good afternoon for the hosts by scoring their fourth four minutes later.
Spain
Almeria and Villarreal both failed to take their chances in an eventful game which had both teams reduced to 10 men but finished 0-0. Mauro dos Santos was sent off for the hosts near the end of the first half, but Villarreal lost their numerical edge in the 55th minute when Jaume Costa was shown a second yellow card.
France
Paris Saint-Germain wasted a chance to go top of Ligue 1 yesterday after losing 3-2 at Bordeaux despite two Zlatan Ibrahimovic goals. PSG stayed second on 56 points, one behind leaders Lyon. Belgium striker Divock Origi ended a six-month scoring drought with a hat-trick as Lille beat Rennes 3-0. Origi’s goals secured a third straight win for Lille, who climbed to eighth in the standings, three points clear of Rennes.
Germany
Wolfsburg saw off a spirited Freiburg to pull to within 11 points of Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga with to a 3-0 win at home. Kevin De Bruyne put the hosts ahead in the 19th minute, but the result was in doubt until Ricardo Rodriguez added a second from the penalty spot with 12 minutes to go. Maximilian Arnold added a third as Wolfsburg lifted their hopes of Uefa Champions League football next season.
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