Bayern Munich 2-1 TSG Hoffenheim

Luca Toni scored for the sixth time in a row as Bayern Munich beat TSG Hoffenheim 2-1 on Friday evening in a top of the table Bundesliga clash. Toni’s goal came right at the end to break Hoffenheim hearts, but Ralf Rangnick’s side still lead the Bundesliga on goal difference. Bayern and Hoffenheim now have the same number of points- 34 each.

Vedad Ibisevic scored his 18th goal of the season to give Hoffenheim the lead in the 49th minute, shooting one right footed from the centre of the box into the bottom left corner. The Allianz Arena was stunned, but Bayern recovered eleven minutes later to equalise through left back Philipp Lahm. Toni himself missed a great chance to put Bayern ahead in the 68th minute, with his header going wide, and Bayern keeper Michael Rensing pulled off a great save to deny Sejad Salihovic three minutes from time.

I'm the man- Luca Toni ( Photo courtesy postproduktie.nl)
I'm the man- Luca Toni ( Photo courtesy postproduktie.nl)

Hoffenheim coach Ralf Rangnick said his side was ” gutted ” to lose in the manner they did, while a visibly relieved Jurgen Klinsmann said that he was ”boiling over with emotion” after the win.

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Darren Anderton calls it a day

Former Tottenham and England midfielder Darren Anderton has decided to retire after Bournemouth’s League Two game against Chester City on Saturday. Sicknote, as he was nicknamed for the numerous injuries that he sustained in his career, is best remembered for the twelve year spell he had at Tottenham Hotspur between 1992 and 2004. He has also played for Portsmouth, Birmingham City, and Wolverhampton Wanderers, clocking well over 400 appearances in a career spanning the best part of two decades.

Anderton is the last surviving member of the England team that lost on penalties to Germany in the semi finals of Euro 1996. He did not take a penalty in the shootout though.

Anderton is the last playing member of England's Euro'96 losing team
Anderton is the last playing member of England's Euro'96 losing team

In an interview to the Sun, Anderton also states that he rejected a move to Manchester United in 1995 despite having a clause in his contract at White Hart Lane that allowed him to do so.

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Klaas Jan Huntelaar to join Real Madrid in January

Some big transfer news ! And it is really big !!!

Real Madrid have announced that highly rated Ajax striker Klaas Jan Huntelaar will join them in January. Los Blancos will pay Ajax an initial €20m fee which could rise to €27m depending on his appearances and other clauses. When the deal does officially go through, Huntelaar will become the sixth Dutch player in the current Madrid team, with Arjen Robben, Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Wesley Sneijder, Rafael Van der Vaart and Royston Drenthe being the other four.

Huntelaar has already passed a medical, and should he agree to personal terms, will be at the Bernabeu till June 2013. The 25 year old will also be eligible to compete in the latter stages of Madrid’s Champions League campaign this season.

Heading to the Bernabeu- Klaas Jan Huntelaar ( Photo originally taken by postproduktie.nl)
Heading to the Bernabeu- Klaas Jan Huntelaar ( Photo originally taken by postproduktie.nl)

Huntelaar’s former club, SC Heerenveen, will also get some €2.5 million from the deal. Huntelaar had joined Ajax from Heerenveen for €9 million + incentives in 2005.

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