Die Macht » Brunty back is almost like two new signings and N

Bruno Fornaroli and his football smarts have nicked Melbourne City another win, returning the emerging A-League power to second place on the table.City defeated Wellington Phoenix 2-1 on Sunday at AAMI Park in a helter-skelter match that might have finished any which way.Nick Fitzgeralds deflected shot on 44 minutes began the scoring and Roy Krishna replied 13 minutes after half-time by poking home his penalty at the second time of asking.With the game in the balance, the Uruguayans piece of invention settled the contest.As a dangerous ball from Anthony Caceres approached, Fornaroli attempted an overhead kick that lured Marco Rossi into manhandling him.The penalty awarded, Citys captain did the business from the spot, scoring his seventh goal in eight games to settle the contest.Despite resting Tim Cahill and Bruce Kamau with one eye to Wednesdays FFA Cup final, City were worth their win, playing their trademark intensity.City have a reputation as the A-League side with the most flair, but they do struggle to create clear-cut chances.What they do fashion is plenty of half-chances, with an attacking line-up so talented they finish more than other sides might.Teasing first-half balls from Luke Brattan and Fernando Brandan required attention from Glen Moss, while Fornaroli threatened throughout.Just as cross-town rivals Melbourne Victory did 24 hours earlier, the breakthrough came courtesy of a heavy deflection.Fitzgerald shimmied his way into the box, finding space to unleash a left foot curler that if left alone, might have found its way inside the back post.Instead, a Marco Rossi intervention diverted the ball past the flailing Moss.The half-time score of 1-0 might have been inflated if referee Kurt Ames had given any of a trio of penalty shouts involving Krishna at one end and Brandan at the other.But the penalties did come, firstly for the Nix.Ivan Franjic tugged ever so lightly at the shirt of Kosta Barbarouses on the edge of the box, sending Krishna to the spot.Dean Bouzanis saved the penalty but dropped the ball at the Fijians feet, allowing him to tap home.The Phoenix chased the game after going behind in the 71st minute, with Andrew Durante missing a gilt-edged chance to tap in with just minutes remaining.It was not to be for Ernie Merricks side, allowing City to close within four points of league leaders Sydney FC after eight rounds. Willians Astudillo Jersey . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. C. J. Cron Jersey . -- Lou Brocks shoulder-to-shoulder collision with Bill Freehan during the 1968 World Series and Pete Roses bruising hit on Ray Fosse in the 1970 All-Star game could become relics of baseball history, like the dead-ball era. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-paul-molitor-jersey/ .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Kirby Puckett Jersey . The Clippers were angry about blowing a big lead; the Kings didnt like being in that kind of hole and nearly digging themselves out only to lose. Willians Astudillo Twins Jersey . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Though Chelsea have emerged as the Premier League favourite at the moment, first-year manager Antonio Conte refuses to buy into the hype as his team seeks a ninth consecutive victory Sunday against West Bromwich Albion at Stamford Bridge.Chelsea (11-1-2) are three points clear of the field heading into this weekend after running riot in the final half-hour to rally past Manchester City 3-1 at the Etihad last weekend. The match swung just before the 60-minute mark when Citys Kevin De Bruyne had an effort hit off the crossbar and Diego Costa pulled the Blues level shortly thereafter.Costa then turned playmaker for Willians go-ahead goal on 70 minutes, and Eden Hazard secured the victory with a goal at full time. The teams then brawled following a vicious tackle by City striker Sergio Aguero on Chelsea defender David Luiz, who should have been booked in the first half for a challenge on the Argentine forward. Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas was sent tumbling over the advertising boards by Fernandinho after slapping him in the face, but his yellow card given during the match was his only punishment.Despite enjoying their longest winning streak since reeling off nine straight in 2006-07 and victories in this run over fellow top-six sides Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, Conte did not get drawn into any talk about being the team to beat as a busy December looms.Its difficult to accept this because I think we have played only 14 games, we must finish the first part of the season and then we still have the second part, the Italian said at his Friday pre-match press conference. Its always difficult to say. These next five games are a great opportunity because this league has taught me every game is very tough.Sunday is the type of game we will find difficult if we dont have the same focus as in previous matches. Weve worked very well this week and I am waiting on a good performance from my players.Chelsea have outscored opponents 22-2 during their winning streak, and it has been the return to form of both Costa and Hazard, but especially Costa, that has rapidly accelerated the timetable for success at Stamford Bridge. He has six goals and four assists during the winning and streak and has combined with Hazard to account for 12 of the 22 goals.Hes one of the best going, teammate Gary Cahill said of Costa. There was two of the best on the pitch (last weekend). Hes been fantastic for us this season, hes showing a lot of maturity and banging in the goals. Hes on fire and we hope that continues.Costa has two goals in four lifetime matches against West Brom, includingg the match-winner in a 2-0 victory at home Nov.dddddddddddd 22, 2014. Hazard scored the other goal in that contest, one of three hes netted against the Baggies in seven league contests.West Brom (5-5-4) have surged to seventh in the table on the strength of a four-match unbeaten streak in which theyve won three. They could overtake Manchester United for sixth with a win here and a loss by the Red Devils to Tottenham Hotspur.First-half goals by Jonny Evans and Chris Brunt sparked West Brom to a 3-1 victory over Watford at The Hawthorns last Saturday, with Matt Phillips sealing the victory with a goal in stoppage time. The Baggies have scored 10 goals during their unbeaten run -- equaling their haul from the first 10 matches of the season.I think that getting Mozza (James Morrison) and Brunty back is almost like two new signings and Nacer Chadli has come in, captain Darren Fletcher told the teams official website about the key to West Broms recent success. Were getting the ball into the box and attacking a lot more and a lot better. I think its just a combination of things.Before the Leicester game we looked at the table and we were fourth from bottom and had been sucked right back in because we played last but we have responded to that and made that the benchmark. We speak every week about the standards that need to be set and we have achieved that in most games since then.Morrison, though, and veteran defender Gareth McAuley are trying to shake off injuries to be available for this contest. The 37-year-old McAuley has not missed a minute at centre back, and his absence would be a huge blow in trying to contain Costa.Though the Baggies are 3-3-14 all-time versus Chelsea in the Premier League era, all three wins have come since 2012. They gave the Blues fits last season, falling 3-2 at The Hawthorns before nicking a point at Stamford Bridge in a 2-2 draw on James McCleans goal in the 86th minute.That was their second draw in three trips to the London side, and while manager Tony Pulis concedes his team is the underdog, theres no reason to lack confidence in getting another point or even three this time around.Chelsea have all the advantages. They have the squad, the stadium, the crowd, they are in great form -- all will be against us (Sunday). Everyone will expect them to win, he said. But its a chance for my boys to puff out their chests, get out there and not be frightened by it. No game is settled before the kickoff and we can win. ' ' '