Louis van Gaal grateful for Sir Alex Ferguson 'belief'

MAN WITH A MISSION

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the "confidence and belief" former boss Sir Alex Ferguson has shown in him has made his job easier.

In his first season at Old Trafford, Dutchman Van Gaal has led United to third in the Premier League despite injuries to a host of players.

Ferguson this week described Van Gaal as "a great coach" who "will do well".

"He has belief and I'm happy with that," said Van Gaal, 63. "Then you can work in an easier way."

United have suffered more than 40 injuries in the five months since Van Gaal took charge.

They are set to be without Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera for the Boxing Day match against Newcastle United at Old Trafford.

Ferguson is now a United director after stepping down in 2013, having won 38 trophies during his 26-year reign.

"You hope that he shall support you," said Van Gaal. "He showed a lot of confidence and belief in me and that I need as a coach.

"As manager of Manchester United, you need belief and support of managers such as Sir Alex.

"But it is also a pressure because he believes in you and it gives you that pressure that you have to get results."

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew says Van Gaal's treatment contrasts with that of predecessor David Moyes, who was sacked in April after 10 months in charge.

"There's just a little bit more stability," Pardew said. "There was a lot of unstable reporting and messages coming out of there last year.

"This particular manager has had more patience and more time and certainly more reassurance from above."

Van Gaal revealed he has given his players Christmas Day off.

It is normal practice for United to train the day before a game and stay overnight in a hotel.

"I have given them free time," Van Gaal told MUTV. "We shall come together the next day here at our training complex."

Sir Alex Ferguson praises Jose Mourinho

FRIENDS FOREVER

Sir Alex Ferguson has heaped praise on Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho despite overlooking him as his successor at Manchester United.

Ferguson anointed David Moyes as United's next manager last year ahead of Mourinho, despite the Portuguese's supposed desperation to manage the Reds.

Despite boasting some influential supporters within the Old Trafford hierarchy, one United board member reportedly threatened to resign if Mourinho was appointed manager.

The former Real Madrid and Inter Milan coach instead returned to Chelsea and although he experienced a trophyless season back at Stamford Bridge, the formidable Blues are top of the Premier League table.

"It is unfair really. He’s good looking, he’s got that sort of George Clooney bit in his hair now," Ferguson said in an interview with BT Sport. "But I think he is a great example, he can speak five languages or whatever he can.

"Then he goes and manages a small team in Portugal, then goes to Porto and wins the league, wins the Uefa Cup, wins the European Cup, goes to Chelsea and wins the league. Goes to Inter Milan.

"That is an example to anyone who wants to do well, you shouldn’t let the barriers get in your way if you want to get there.'

"He (Mourinho) has got a determination, he wants to be a coach," Ferguson added. "He never played the game, by the way - you tell me how many presidents would give a manager a job who has never played the game? None. But he has done it.

"He goes and becomes an interpreter for Bobby Robson, follows him to Barcelona, works under Louis Van Gaal; he is learning all the time."

Mourinho was allegedly so distraught at Ferguson's snub last year he "sobbed loudly", according to Spanish journalist Diego Torres.

ANCELOTTI ASKS THEM TO SWITCH OFF

NO PLAY ONLY FUN

"No thinking about football" was the Christmas message from Ancelotti to his players. And there were no restrictions to avoid becoming unfit and no dietary advice to avoid putting weight on.

The manager wants them to switch off, enjoy themselves and rest. To feel free to recharge their batteries any way they want, and do what they like. There'll be time enough when they come back to reconnect with the club dynamic.

Ancelotti knows well that his side have reached the Christmas break stretched to the limit, that the players have been putting in a terrific effort ever since August. On 12th August they won their first title of the season and on 20th December they finished another competition with a win.

Over the last few weeks, injuries have meant that Ancelotti has had to squeeze every ounce out of his players. There have been lots of games and not many chances to spread out the effort needed. In this holiday week, then, before training recommences on 27th December, Ancelotti wants his players to switch off as much as possible.

After they start up again, January will be non-stop and Ancelotti is not going to do what he has told his players to do. He will not switch off completely. League games will be interspersed with cup games and good planning is going to be vital.

"There are people who see holidays as a time for resting. Others never stop eating and drinking. They'll probably come back here slightly different", was Mourinho's comment after the Christmas break. That won't be happening now, but Carlo trusts them and wants them to enjoy themselves.

More than half of Real Madrid fans would sanction Gareth Bale’s €150m move to Man United

TIME TO SAY GOOD-BYE

On the back of rumours that Manchester United could offer Real Madrid a ginormous €150 million to sign Gareth Bale, Spanish daily AS have commissioned a poll to find out the reactions of Los Blancos fans to the news.

In something of a surprise, of the fans polled by AS, 53.74% of supporters backed Bale’s potential sale to Man United on the current rumoured terms.

AS claimed to have asked more than 30,000 Real fans for their votes in the poll.

Gareth Bale, 25, joined Real from Tottenham in 2013, and after overcoming an initial injury, the Welshman has played a total of 66 games, scoring 33 goals (one every two games) and contributing an additional 24 assists.

In 2014 Bale scored in the Copa Del Rey, Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup finals.

A new Real Madrid cycle has begun - Carlo Ancelotti

A NEW ERA

The Italian coach believes 2014 represented a very important year for the club and says their ambitions remain as lofty as ever heading into 2015

Carlo Ancelotti believes 2014 saw the beginning of a new cycle of success for Real Madrid and says the players are desperate for more glory in the new year.

The Blancos finally clinched their 10th European crown by beating Atletico Madrid in the Champions League showpiece.

They also won the Copa del Rey and Club World Cup in a memorable 12 months that saw them set a new record for consecutive victories, which stands at 22 and counting.

"It has been a fantastic year. With a great amount of effort and hard work, we achieved something very important," Ancelotti told the club's official website.

"That brings us huge desire ahead of 2015. In 2014, a cycle began that could be important for the future of Real Madrid.

"I was happy after winning the Decima, because we did it with hard work from everyone and it was an extraordinary source of motivation for the Madridista world. We won the most important competition, which everyone had been dreaming of. 

"I would give the team a very high mark out of 10 because we achieved the ultimate in the Decima. I would say to the Madridistas that they have to get behind us with all the love and support that this team deserves."

NEYMAR'S AGENT MOOTS CONTRACT EXTENSION TILL 2020

LONG STAY

Neymar's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, has claimed that the Catalan club is keen to tie the star down until June 2020. "Of course Barcelona want to extend his contract. Until 2020, that's right," Ribeiro said at a press conference given at the opening of the Neymar Jr. Institute, a social centre in the city of Praia Grande.

Without making direct reference to a possible new deal himself, Neymar did say he is "happy" at Barcelona and hopes to keep on playing for the club for a long time. Neymar originally signed a five-year contract with Barcelona and should the player agree to extend it till June 2020 that would add another two years to the existing deal.

XAVI BELITTLES CRISTIANO'S BALLON D'OR BID

NOT INTERESTED

Xavi Hernández spoke on several subjects during an interview with Sport newspaper, including his future at Barça and Cristiano Ronaldo's Ballon d'Or credentials.

The midfielder didn't mince his words with regard to his aborted summer move to the New York Red Bulls, stating that "Leaving Barça would have been a big screw-up". He went on to insist that he wants to stay at the Camp Nou "whatever happens with the Court of Arbitration for Sport" (in reference to the club's appeal against their transfer ban).

Xavi admitted that he even went as far as texting several friends to tell them he had agreed a move Stateside. "I'd ended the season a bit disappointed by having been left on the bench against Atlético de Madrid [in the title decider]. A new coach was coming in to build a new team and I thought my time here was up", the 'Azulgranas' captain revealed.

However, after the World Cup, club president Josep Maria Bartomeu and new manager Luis Enrique reached out over the phone and a meeting was set up with Enrique and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta. "He told me I was going to be a very useful member of the squad, that if I showed I was up for it, I'd play, that I could still be competitive. He said to have a good think about it because Barça were going to have a good year. I took a day to make my decision".

Xavi also spoke about some of his fellow pros, saying that Leo Messi "never asserts his authority and always wins" and also that he looks "happier than ever". About Luis Suárez, the midfielder claimed that the Uruguayan reminds him of Samuel Eto'o because of his "bad temper, character and persistence". As for the Ballon d'Or credentials of Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi felt that "he didn't do much in the World Cup, and in a World Cup year, the season is defined by that".

FABREGAS WOULD LOVE MESSI TO JOIN CHELSEA

Mourinho:"Mourinho adapts to the players he has. What makes him so great as a coach is that he adapts to any situation and his teams can play in many different ways. It's a very intelligent way of managing".

Mou at Barça?:I'd say that Barça have a style that he has already experienced and understands perfectly. We play a very similar game: we want to be the protagonists, have possession and look to score. We may have a different system, but the philosophy is similar".

And if Mourinho went out to sign Messi?:"I wish! Why not? I'd love that to happen. I'd be all for it. As a Barça man, I believe that Messi deserves to retire at Barça for all that he has given the club. He is a legend that has changed Barça history. But, as his teammate and friend, without doubt I'd love to have Leo by my side. This season Barça are Messi and ten others. Messi has saved his team on many occasions".

Real, Champions League favourites:"Real have started well, but football is all about dynamics. They started by losing the Supercopa and hemorrhaging points in the league. Everyone said that after the exits of Xabi Alonso and Di María, it'd be a tough season for them, and then look what happened.

FLORENTINO HEAPS PRAISE ON CRISTIANO RONALDO

HIS BEST SIGNING

Real Madrid president Florentino Pérez has again said that Cristiano Ronaldo is the best and most complete player in the world.

"Of course he's the most complete, and not only for what he's achieved [...] without a doubt he's the best", Pérez said of Cristiano during a visit to Panama City, where he was named a Guest of Honour and given a ceremonial key to the city.

Pérez is in Panama to extend an agreement between Real Madrid and the office of the country's first lady, Lorena Castillo de Varela, which will see the continuance of a social and sporting academy which the La Liga club established in 2006.

Florentino also noted that 2014 has been "a good year" for the club, in which they not only won four titles, but were also able to win the hearts of the masses, transmitting values such as honesty, solidarity, sacrifice and respect for the opposition.

"This effort is not only to win games, add another title to our trophy cabinet and to continue to grow the legend of Real Madrid - who greatly help the world from a sporting point of view -, but it also allows us to pass on our values, especially to children", he added.

To conclude, he said that Latin American football has improved and that proof of that is the fact that Real Madrid have three of the region's players in their ranks: Colombia's James Rodríguez, Mexico's Chicharito Hernández and Costa Rica's Keylor Navas.

HIS CONTRACT EXPIRES ON 30TH JUNE BUT KHEDIRA KEEN TO STAY

NEW CONTRACT ON THE WAY

Sami Khedira made it clear in an interview with a German newspaper that if it were up to him, he would stay at Real Madrid beyond the duration of his current contract, which expires at the end of the season. "I'd be happy if we found a solution", the midfielder told Stuttgarter Nachrichten.

Having put his latest injury behind him, Khedira is up for the fight for a place in Carlo Ancelotti's side: "I'm in good shape again and so I'm very confident that I'm going to get my chances to play very soon", the former Stuttgart man noted, adding, "I'm a fan of fierce competition".

Khedira also lavished praise on Toni Kroos, his compatriot, who is shining in the middle of the park for Real Madrid: "He's doing really well. He's only been here for half a year and he's already a key cog in our system".

MORE PLAYERS ON THE SIDELINES THAN USUAL FOR REAL MADRID

TOO MANY GAMES ???

Nobody is more surprised by the number of injuries that have ravaged the Real Madrid squad so far this season than the players themselves, especially considering the club boasts a vast medical team.

'Los Blancos' have been outsourcing medical services for over five years with Sanitas overseeing the players' well-being. The man in charge of this operation is Carlos Díez, although he has spent less and less time with the first team recently.

A new medical branch has been in existence since last year, however, which involves more direct contact with the players. Jesús Olmo, who appears in photos of the team celebrating in Marrakech, is the head having joined the club through Jerónimo Farré, who is a cardiologist at the Jiménez Díaz Foundation and a Real Madrid board member.

Within the realms of causes of injury, there are several factors to analyse. Rest time, diet and training methods can have an influence. With regard to player diets, for example, a new team has been in place since Ancelotti's appointment.

Mino Fulco, the Italian coach's son-in-law, is entrusted with that role. Physical training, which is key to preventing injury, is down to Giovanni Mauri, who works alongside his son and Ancelotti's too.

Training methods are Paul Clement's forte, which is of little surprise given the Englishman was Ancelotti's assistant during his time at Chelsea and has not relinquished the role ever since. Jack Nayler is also part of the team as a player data analyst.

PLAYER DOESN'T RESPOND AND WAITS FOR REAL MADRID

player on hold

Real Madrid's signing of Lucas Silva is still a waiting game. According to information from Brazil, there was a meeting between representatives of the Whites and Cruzeiro, though nothing new came of it.

Real Madrid are still offering 12 million euros, whilst the Belo Horizonte team are sticking at 15m euros.

The Brazilian central midfielder is waiting for an agreement between the clubs, although in the absence of clarity from the 'Los Blancos', Cruzeiro have made their move and offered a contract renewal to the player. Since over the course of negotiations, Real Madrid have still not told Cruzeiro whether they want the player now or for next summer, and have also not raised their offer to 15 million euros, the Brazilian team has offered the player the chance to renew on double his old salary and increase his release clause.

Cruzeiro's strategy is clear. They intend to try to keep the player for six months so that he can play in the Copa Libertadores and increase his release clause with a hypothetical transfer next summer in mind. At present, Lucas Silva's freedom is set at around 15 million euros, although Real Madrid are confident of getting him for 12 million euros. However, if he renews his contract, come summer his price tag will not be any lower than 24 million euros.

Lucas Silva, represented in the meeting by his agent, Luis Rocha, did not respond to the offer of a new deal from Cruzeiro.

PORTUGUESE MANAGER BACKS HIS COMPATRIOT

another Ballon D'or on its way

The Portuguese manager André Villas-Boas, who coaches Zenit, has backed his fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo to win the Ballon d'Or and praised the way that he has developed in areas such as his behaviour on the pitch.

"Even his body language on the pitch has changed, and that favours him even more, both as a player and a sports personality", he remarked in an interview with the Portuguese website Maisfutebol and the Portuguese television channel TVI.

Villas-Boas, who has managed Académica de Coimbra, Porto, Chelsea and Tottenham, stressed that his opinion is "sincere", because there have been years when he thought that the Barcelona star Leo Messi was a cut above Real Madrid's Ronaldo.

"In the past two years, I've seen a change in attitude in Cristiano Ronaldo; an incredible dedication to his job, an impressive desire to win, even though his value has been questioned because of the quality of his closest rival (Messi)", he went on to say.

The 37-year-old also revealed that there is no bad blood between him and Mourinho. The pair worked together for five years at Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan, and he assured that he would be happy to sit down for a drink with his former mentor.

"If the opportunity arose again, why not? I get asked that question a lot, as if there were some animosity. We spoke recently. There's a mutual respect between us and we haven't forgotten the important moments we experienced", he finished by saying.

SECOND CONSECUTIVE AFTER THE ONE AGAINST ALMERÍA IN LA LIGA

back to his best

The captain once again filled his goal to stop a penalty, four days after doing the same thing in Almería.

Cruz Azul could have put themselves in the game. Ramos' challenge on Pavone wasn't a penalty, but the referee blew. Gerardo Torrado took responsibility and he's likely to have felt a lot like Verza did a few days ago. He will have felt very small when faced with Iker Casillas.

This time, Iker dived to his right and got his new gloves to the ball for the second penalty in a row that he has faced. He now has 15 penalty saves as Real Madrid's shot stopper.

REUS TO JOIN REAL MADRID,DUMPS BARCELONA

 to real madrid ???

Marco Reus is in the footballing shop window. The tough time Borussia Dortmund are having right now means they will almost certainly be waving goodbye to the Germany international. Real Madrid are already manoeuvring, with a meeting with the player's agent in Germany scheduled. At the Bernabéu they fancy their chances of sealing his signing after their most recent talks, something which Barcelona and their president Josep Maria Bartomeu have had to watch from the sidelines due to their FIFA transfer ban.

Interestingly the Catalan club was among the first to approach Reus as they see in him someone whose style is closely matched to their understanding of the game. Barcelona now, in view of the fact they cannot make any signings next summer, have asked the player to wait a year until they regain the right which FIFA has withdrawn from them, for their questionable practices in the signing of young players.

Reus, however, has it in mind to move clubs next summer and Real Madrid are well placed to triumph in any auction for his services. The tacit agreement with Dortmund to have the chance to match any offer received for the attacking midfielder leaves them feeling confident of making him one of their star signings next summer.

ANCELOTTI HAPPY THAT REAL MADRID KEEP PLAYING AND WINNING

man with a mission 

Carlo Ancelotti is a small step closer to clinching another title with Real Madrid.

"The team is doing well. We keep playing and winning and that's what's important", said the Italian at the end of the semi-final of the Club World Cup.

He picked Casillas for praise: "At a key point in the game Iker was right on the money and saved the penalty. At 2-0 the game seemed to be over and they could've got back into it".

Cristiano Ronaldo turns provider: "He played very well. He's given assists for his teammates and had a very effective game although he hasn't scored. He's saved a goal for the final, no doubt".

The match: "It's never easy, but the team played well and won. Now we'll see how we do in the final. We were strong, organised, focused and gave our best".

Sergio Ramos' injury: "I don't think it's anything to worry about as it's just fatigue. He should be ok in couple of days and be available for the final".

22 STRAIGHT WINS WOULD LEAVE REAL MADRID TWO SHY OF GUINNESS RECORD

well oiled machine

A vastly superior performance saw Real Madrid thrash Cruz Azul 4-0 and take their outstanding winning streak to 21 straight victories.

Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised past the Mexicans 4-0 in the Club World Cup's first semi-final.

Goals from Sergio Ramos, Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Isco saw 'Los Blancos' through to the final, where they will face the winner of the game between San Lorenzo and Auckland City FC.

If Real Madrid lift the title they will take their winning streak to 22 competitive games, just two shy of Coritiba's run of 24 straight wins, the current Guinness world record for consecutive victories.

In order to equal the record, Real Madrid will have to beat Valencia in the league and Atlético in the Spanish Cup.

Mourinho hits back in Costa & Fabregas feud,slam Sergio Ramos

angry man

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at Sergio Ramos and Vicente del Bosque over the injuries which kept Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas out of the Spain squad.

Both Costa and Fabregas were ultimately declared unable to play during the international break but were decisive for the Blues in the 2-0 win over West Brom on Saturday.

Real Madrid defender Ramos was quoted as saying certain players should show greater commitment to the international cause last week, though he later insisted he was not talking about the Chelsea duo.

And Mourinho has defended their decisions to withdraw, stating that the Spain team doctor was always part of the consultation process and suggesting Ramos has little place to comment.

"Since I've known Sergio Ramos he has been a fantastic football player, but he is not a doctor. He is not a doctor and I am the same. I do my job the best I can but I am not a doctor," he is quoted as saying by theMirror.

"My doctor and the doctor of the Spanish national team, they had the scans and they decided that the player was not in the condition to play.

"I am nobody to go against it and I don't think Sergio did a medicine Masters in the last couple of years to understand about it.

"[Vincent] Kompany didn't play for Belgium against Wales and he played today [Saturday]. Has he a compromise with his national team? I think he has. He is the captain of Belgium.

"Did he, how do you say, 'cheat' by not playing against Wales to play today? I don't think he did. So we all accept that he was injured."

Mourinho took another swipe at Del Bosque in what is becoming a persistent feud over the fitness of Costa and his role in the Spain side.

"I trust my doctor 100 per cent. If Del Bosque doesn't trust his doctor that is his problem, not my problem. I speak with my doctor and I believe in what my doctor tells me. Nothing else. No problem," he said.

"Fabregas was in a doubtful situation, Diego no. Diego recovered totally from his problem with these two weeks that he had to rest and to improve his injury.

"Fabregas is different. Fabregas survived. Diego no, Diego now is in great condition."

Dortmund rejected an offer from Real for me - Gündogan

injured boy

"Real Madrid made an offer for me but my club rejected it. At that time I still had two more seasons left on my contract. But also, my injury wrecked it all. I wasn't able to play for 14 months", the German international midfielder said.

"Now I want to look towards the future and make up for lost time with sporting success. Playing abroad has always been one of my main objectives. If I do leave here one day, I'd like to play in Spain or England", the Borussia Dortmund player added.

CAN IT GET WORSE FOR LIVERPOOL

down and dusted

The scene of one of the most dramatic draws in Premier League history in May is arguably the most atmospheric of all the Premier League stadiums.

For Brendan Rodgers' team, this intimate, tight-knit venue is merely the most vivid reminder of their all-too obvious frailties.

Squandering a three-goal lead in the final 11 minutes on that dramatic evening at the end of last season virtually ended their title hopes.

This latest Selhurst setback in monsoon conditions may not have prompted floods of tears but that they so deservedly surrendered their lead and slipped behind the hosts demonstrated how far into mediocrity Liverpool have slipped.

The team second bottom in the league before kick-off came from a goal down to win 3-1 and provide the kind of attacking thrust, resilience and game management of which the Merseysiders appear totally incapable at the moment.

In Yannick Bolasie, Palace had the most dangerous attacker on the pitch, Mile Jedinak was the game's most authoritative midfielder and Scott Dann the sturdiest defender.

By contrast, Liverpool looked like a team of misfits.

Jamie Carragher knows what is required from those who wear the iconic red shirt, and he was scathing in his criticism of those with whom he once shared a dressing room. 

"Something's not right, they're getting bullied out of games," observed the former defender. "The end of last season, when they came here, we said mentally, physically weak - same again. Nothing's changed."

At least, back then, only a few years ago, Liverpool had a destructive strike force and pace to burn across the front five. Not any more.

The Merseysiders' abject start to the season cannot now be termed a blip. That would be an insult to rational analysis. Their run of horror results, and average performances, has lasted for three-and-a-half months and not only ended their title hopes before all the leaves have fallen off the trees, but leaves them needing a radical turnaround to even clinch the top-four spot that was their minimum objective back in August.

Hindsight tells us that Luis Suarez's brilliance last season was, if anything, underrated. Stripped of the Uruguayan's explosive cocktail of excellence and enthusiasm, as well as his former partner-in-chaos Daniel Sturridge, and Rodgers' team looks deficient in virtually all areas.

The back five are an accident waiting to happen, the midfield struggle when they are not controlling possession and the attack provides only rare flashes of inspiration. In short, Liverpool have sold a unique player and transformed a virtually unstoppabe team into a rank average one.

The grand sum of over €150 million spent on refurbishing a side that finished second last season now looks as badly spent as the disastrous Tottenham overhaul 12 months earlier.

Adam Lallana provided the pass of the match to put Rickie Lambert through on goal for a slickly taken opener, his first goal in the shirt of his boyhood club, but it is symptomatic of how far Liverpool have fallen that it was their only shot on target in the entire match.

Suarez appears to have taken Liverpool's entire attacking threat to Barcelona with him. Raheem Sterling looks exhausted, Phillipe Coutinho flits in and out of matches and Sturridge appears to be a victim of hereditary physical weaknesses and inappropriate training methods.

And they are the best players. The others are either off the pace (Steven Gerrard, Jordan Henderson, Dejan Lovren) or patently not good enough (Simon Mignolet, Mario Balotelli, Martin Skrtel).

Lallana oozes class and Alberto Moreno, dropped for this match, should develop into an accomplished left-back, but Fenway Sports Group might want to investigate more thoroughly the value of the recruitment system they established in the wake of the Damien Comolli sacking.

The American owners have not got much bang for their buck. And there is no glimmer of hope on the horizon.

LIONEL MESSI - ALL 401 GOALS IN HIS CAREER

CRISTIANO RONALDO TESTED TO THE LIMITED

Chennaiyin FC extend lead at the top with a 3-0 win over Mumbai City FC

top of the table

Mumbai City FC’s run of five straight clean sheets was brought to an end by Chennaiyin FC as emerged 3-0 winners in a key game at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Bruno Pelissari, who starred for Chennai after coming on as a substitute for Elano in the last game, was once again a bright spark as he helped his team to a crucial road win.

Leading goal scorers Elano and John Stiven Mendoza were absent for Chennai along with defender Gouramangi Singh while star striker Nicolas Anelka missed out for Mumbai. Syed Rahim Nabi and Tiago Ribeiro came in for Anelka and Subhash Singh for Mumbai while Pelissari earned himself a starting spot replacing Elano and Balwant Singh coming in for Mendoza.

In the end, some good finishing from Chennai and calamitous defending from Mumbai led to an easy win for the league leaders.  

A game of high stakes and one with so much potential fallout saw a very cagey first half with the game being very scrappy. Neither team could find much penetration with their passing and were guilty of giving away possession too many times, quite easily at that.

Chances were few and far between with defensive errors looking more likely to be the source of a breakthrough as compared to any incisive play. Mumbai had the first one as early as the 5th minute when midfielder Jan Stohanzl made a good run into the box, but he was a touch early to receive Johan Letzelter’s cross and ended up getting bad contact on the ball.

Mumbai had another really good chance when Bernard Mendy was dispossessed and Andre Moritz shifted the ball onto his right foot before taking a shot. It was blocked by Gennaro Bracigliano in the Chennai goal and the rebound fell to Ribeiro who smashed it into a defender.

Chennai produced a few good openings, but were mostly restricted to taking shots from outside the box with Pelissari, Jeje Lalpekhlua and Balwant all having attempts from long range. The visitors though managed to finish the first half stronger, retaining more possession and applying pressure through a few corners.

There was another setback for Mumbai in the period as playmaker Moritz pulled up with a hamstring strain, in what looked like a recurrence of the injury from the Goa game, and was taken off to be replaced by Freddie Ljungberg who was making his own return from a hamstring strain.

Chennai seized the momentum in the second half looking sharper than the hosts and almost took the lead immediately after the restart as Balwant stole the ball off Manuel Friedrich on the edge of the box to set up Pelissari. The Brazilian’s shot though was high and wide, but the warning had been served.

Off the resulting goal kick, Mumbai gave the ball away again and Pelissari once more found himself on the ball and this time his long shot brought out a punch save from Paul. As the half wore on, it looked ever more likely like Chennai were the team going to get the goal. After saving a Tiago Ribeiro free-kick, Bracigliano quickly released the ball to Harmanjot Khabra who had acres of space to run into and deliver a cross to Balwant whose header lacked power and was gathered by Paul.

The breakthrough eventually came on 72 minutes as Mumbai produced a comedy of errors to shoot themselves in the foot. Chennai captain Bojan Djordjic played a good long ball forward to Balwant who tried hard, but failed to get to it in time. Pavel Cmovs somehow managed to make a mess of the clearance and allowed Balwant an opportunity to sneak in. The Indian forward’s dive was again a near miss and Mumbai defender Peter Costa ended up going over him leaving Pelissari completely free to slot the ball past Paul.

Chennai were beginning to take control of the match with Mumbai hardly registering a threat going forward and six minutes later Chennai had the insurance goal as Mumbai once again went to sleep on a corner as the defence pretty much stopped playing after Paul came out to punch the initial delivery. While Mumbai seemingly were waiting for a whistle, Chennai were alert to the situation and left-back Dhanachandra Singh got on the ball and coolly slotted the ball past the stationary Mumbai defenders.

It was to get better for the away team as the home side imploded going in search of the equalizer. Substitute Cristian Hidalgo put away a sweet, curling free-kick past Paul after being fouled by Letzelter just outside the box.

It was another heavy defeat for Mumbai against Chennai after the defeat from earlier in the tournament and it sees them dropping to sixth place in the table on goal difference. Chennai meanwhile extended their advantage at the top of the table over Atletico de Kolkata to three points. Mumbai’s clean sheet record did go, but their worrying goal drought continued as they failed to score for the third game in a row. Coach Peter Reid and his team now have a fight on their hands to make the semi-finals.

A player from another age - LIONEL MESSI

WONDER BOY

In the end, it was against Sevilla. By cruising past Telmo Zarra's 251-goal record, Lionel Messi has declared himself the highest goalscorer in la Liga in all its history.

In a little more than 10 years after making his debut at Barcelona, Messi has managed to better Zarra's record that took the mythical player 17 years to achieve. That said, Zarra hung up his boots with an average strike-rate that 'La Pulga' still has to better.

Another achievement that Messi has to equal is that of putting the ball in the back of the net six times in just the one match - something that Zarra acheived in 1950 against Lleida. The Barça forward's record while playing at Barça is four, which he has managed to do on three occasions.

Something that Messi beat Zarra at from an early age, was just that – scoring his first league goal at an early age. 17, to be precise, while Zarra broke his own personal duck at the age of 19.

What is quite clear is that the Messi goal-machine is showing no signs of stalling just yet. At 27, the pint-sized Argentine still has a lot of football in his boots and there doesn't seem anyone around that might give him a run for his money as far as this record is concerned. The player currently plying his trade in la Liga that comes near the Argentine is Cristiano Ronaldo, but he hasn't even reached the 200-goal mark yet. Messi would have to take his foot of the gas considerably to allow the Portuguese to catch up.