Lucas Leiva: Liverpool's players are behind manager Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool's much-needed win over Aston Villa underlined the players' support for under-pressure manager Brendan Rodgers, according to midfielder Lucas Leiva.

 

The Reds boss has been under increased scrutiny recently, to the extent the club had to this week dismiss reports Carlo Ancelotti had been approached about the possibility of taking over.

Pellegrini sure Man City will win Champions League

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegriniswitched his focus to conquering Europe on Sunday after his side's Premier League ambitions took another dent at the weekend.

 

City's barnstorming start to the English soccer season, producing five straight wins, is in danger of becoming a fading memory after consecutive defeats by West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur allowed Manchester Unitedto knock them off the top of the table.

WEST BROM V EVERTON PREVIEW: MARTINEZ KEEPING FAITH WITH LUKAKU

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The Toffees head to the Hawthorns with the Belgian striker struggling for goals and they could also be without John Stones through injury

Roberto Martinez insists Romelu Lukaku's lack of goals is not a concern as he prepares to take Everton to West Brom in the Premier League on Monday.

The Belgium international, who spent the 2012-13 season on loan at the Hawthorns, has not scored in the top flight since netting a brace at Southampton on August 15 - his only league goals of the season so far.

Paper Round: Real Madrid set their sights on Chelsea's Eden Hazard

Real Madrid have identified Chelsea's Eden Hazard as their next Galactico signing. That and more from Sunday's papers.

Real Madrid target new Galactico signing Hazard

Last year's Footballer of the Year Eden Hazard is a Galactico in waiting, according to the Sunday Times. Real Madrid president Florentino Perez sees the Belgian as an ideal fit and having broken the world-record transfer fee twice to bring in Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale he will not baulk at whatever asking price Chelsea set. Real have the option of selling Ronaldo to Paris Saint Germain, or Bale toManchester United, to help fund the deal.

HAMSIK CRITICISES BENITEZ'S NAPOLI TACTICS

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Following the club's 2-1 win over Juventus, the midfielder feels Maurizio Sarri's approach is far more exciting than that deployed by the Real Madrid manager during his tenure

Marek Hamsik claims Napoli play a far better brand of football this season than they did under former coach Rafael Benitez.

Maurizio Sarri replaced Benitez at the San Paolo after the latter moved to Real Madrid and has come in for criticism from some this season, with club icon Diego Maradona claiming Sarri was "not worthy" of the position.

GENOA 1-0 AC MILAN: DZEMAILI STRIKE DEFEATS 10-MAN ROSSONERI

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Sinisa Mihajlovic's men suffered their third defeat in six Serie A matches, while the hosts can boast only their second victory of the fledgling league campaign

 AC Milan suffered their third defeat of the Serie A season as Genoa secured a 1-0 win at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris on Sunday.

Blerim Dzemaili's deflected free kick put Genoa in front and Alessio Romagnoli's red card late in the first half gave Milan a mountain to climb.

Milan improved markedly in the second half, with Mario Balotelli looking especially dangerous in attack as he cleverly set up Luiz Adriano before going close with a shot of his own.

IS RONALDO OBSESSED WITH RECORDS?

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The Portugal star had 14 attempts without scoring as he looked to become the Blancos' record goalscorer, but the Marcelo insists his colleague only thinks of the team

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has defended Cristiano Ronaldoin the wake of Saturday's 0-0 draw against Malaga and has stressed that the Portugal international is not thinking about becoming the club's all-time top goalscorer.