Valencia 1-0 Celtic: Substitute Kevin Gameiro breaks the resistance of 10-man Bhoys as Brendan Rodgers’ men crash out of Europa League

Valencia 1-0 Celtic: Substitute Kevin Gameiro breaks the resistance of 10-man Bhoys as Brendan Rodgers’ men crash out of Europa League
Celtic put in battling display in Valencia but that was not enough to stop them exiting the Europa League at the last-32 stage after a 1-0 defeat at the Mestella.The Spanish side impressed in their 2-0 first-leg win in Glasgow last week but they were outplayed by a bullish Hoops side until the 37th minute when right-back Jeremy Toljan was sent off by referee Deniz Aytekin for picking up a second yellow card.4

Celtic put in a battling display in Valencia, but ultimately fell short

The 10 men kept going valiantly in the second half but were undone in the 70th minute by a goal from substitute Kevin Gameiro which gave the home side a 3-0 aggregate win.The Scottish champions were knocked out at the same stage of the tournament last season by Zenit St Petersburg.Brendan Rodgers’ team will lick their European wounds again and concentrate on the domestic scene where they are eight points clear at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership and continuing their quest for an unprecedented domestic treble-treble.It was always going to be a tough night for Celtic.4

Brendan Rodgers consoles captain Scott Brown after the Bhoys’ Europa League exit

They had never won in Spain but with defender Jozo Simunovic reinstated into a back three at the expense of winger Scott Sinclair, with on-loan striker Oliver Burke in for Odsonne Edouard, they made more than a good fist of the first half.Jonny Hayes’ run down the left flank in the fourth minute – his drive was well held by Valencia goalkeeper Neto – offered some early hope.So too, did a ninth minute Ryan Christie corner which ended with Kristoffer Ajer’s drive blocked by midfielder Daniel Wass, his second effort flying over.The hosts, ninth in LaLiga, looked slovenly if not complacent.Former Arsenal player Francis Coquelin replaced injured Ezequiel Garay before referee Aytekin booked Hoops skipper Scott Brown and Toljan for fouls on Goncalo Guedes.4

Jeremy Toljan was given his marching orders in the first half after two bookable offences

Burke’s pace and power were causing Valencia problems.Another run down the left ended with a Celtic corner, this time Simunovic’s header going straight to Neto, who watched a Hayes drive in the 35th minute miss his post by a yard.Two minutes later, however, the dynamic changed when Toljan, on loan from Borussia Dortmund, was sent packing for impeding Guedes 35 yards from goal, the free-kick coming to nothing.Ajer moved to right-back in a reshuffle and in the 42nd minute Celtic keeper Scott Bain had his first real save to make from skipper Daniel Parejo’s deflected drive from the edge of the box and again moments later from a Santi Mina shot as the Spanish side finished the half on top.4

Valencia substitute Kevin Gameiro scored the only goal of the game

Valencia attacked in waves at the start of the second period.Simunovic hooked an angled drive from Mina away from the line, before Bain plucked a Wass volley out the air.Then Ajer got his head to Christie’s whipped-in free-kick only to miss the target from close range.Edouard replaced James Forrest in the 63rd minute but it was Valencia’s replacement Gameiro who made an impact three minutes after he came on for Ruben Sobrino, bundling in Wass’ header from six yards following a deep Parejo cross.That was it effectively over for rapidly tiring Celtic who were on the ropes in the final minutes, Bain making a fine save from substitute Kangin Lee.

---

Chief executive Ken Choo praised Sala as a "humble man", adding: "He's willing to fight and join us [Cardiff City] and help us, so I view him as a hero." He said the club would provide information to the family, but added: "With a missing plane, there is a lot of information to acquire - it could take up to six months to a year." 'Alarm bells'
Paxex Forum - paxexlive.com

---

UEFA have banned Croatia defender Dejan Lovren from one international match over his comments on social media. Lovren made the comments after Spain defeated Croatia 3-2 in the Nations League in November. Lovren posted a video on Instagram, in which he appeared to brag about elbowing Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, and made insulting comments
Dejan Lovren banned for one international match for comments

---

May 15, 2019 · José Mourinho has appeared to suggest Ole Gunnar Solskjær has become "a puppet" at Manchester United, with the former manager admitting certain players at the club have too much power
Manchester United transfer news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

---

Pep Guardiola hailed one of the finest performances of his Manchester City reign after his side returned to the top of the Premier League table following a 1-0 success at Bournemouth. Substitute Riyad Mahrez scored the second-half winner at the Vitality Stadium to move Guardiola's champions two
Boss Guardiola hails 'incredible year' after Manchester City

---

Huddersfield Town have equalled the earliest ever relegation in Premier League history following Crystal Palace's 2-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon. The Terriers' defeat couple with wins for Southampton and Burnley confirmed their two-season stay in the Premier League would last no longer, and Jan Siewert's side have
Crystal Palace 2-0 Huddersfield: Terriers' relegation

---

Tottenham fans react on Twitter to Phil Jones interest reports. Jones is out of contract at Manchester United at the end of the season. The report adds that Spurs and Arsenal are both
PSG join Arsenal and Tottenham in race forMan United's Eric

---

Real Madrid are world champions for the seventh time in history.The Whites beat Al Ain at Zayed Sports City Stadium in Abu Dhabi and rounded off the year with another title.Goals from Modric

---

Real Madrid make call on Tottenham ace Christian Eriksen and Man Utd star Paul Pogba. REAL MADRID are ready to cool their interest in Christian Eriksen after his disappointing showing in the Champions League final.

---

Mark Burridge will be bringing you commentary on Matchday Live from 2.30pm at Griffin Park. He'll be joined on the gantry by former Bee Marcus Gayle and Brentford aficionado Nathan Caton. Download the Official Brentford FC App to get notifications direct to your phone, plus all the latest news, views and reaction from the game.
~ West Brom vs Brighton live on talkSPORT: FA - fp-news.com

---

bottled it The Gunners boss admitted a Football Association improper conduct charge Unai Emery has been fined £8,000 by the Football Association after admitting an improper conduct charge for kicking a water bottle into the crowd during a Boxing Day draw at Brighton.
Football news - Arsenal's Unai Emery fined for kicking bottle

---

Arsenal are on the verge of bringing Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez to the Emirates, according to reports. The 24-year-old has struggled for game time at the Nou Camp this season, making only six appearances, and a switch to north London has been rumoured for some time.
Denis Suarez: Arsenal close to signing Barcelona midfielder

---