Van Gaal hasn't given up on title

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal insists that winning the Premier League title remains a goal for him and the players despite being 10 points adrift of leaders Chelsea heading into Friday's fixtures.

The 63-year-old Dutchman – who originally said when he took over after the World Cup this year that he foresaw a three year rebuilding process – has overseen a revival in the club's fortunes in recent months after a poor start to his reign which was Manchester United's worst since the 1986/87 season.

However, he takes United into the home game with Newcastle on Friday on the back of a run of six wins and a draw.

"Our goal is still to be the champion at the end of the season. It is always to be first," Van Gaal said.

Van Gaal, who earlier this year guided the Dutch to the World Cup semifinals where they lost on penalties to Argentina, has spent 150 million pounds on new players and says that United can do better than the target set by the board at the outset of the season.

The board's goal was for United to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League which is something they failed to achieve last term under the disastrous stewardship of David Moyes, who was sacked towards the end of the season and replaced temporarily by Ryan Giggs.

"With my players and all the staff, we are trying to achieve more than they expect," said van Gaal.

Chelsea stroll to victory over West Ham

Chelsea showed why they are the Premier League leaders with a comprehensive 2-0 dismissal of London neighbours West Ham United in Friday's early Boxing Day fixture.

John Terry and Diego Costa were the men on target as Jose Mourinho's side moved six points ahead of second-place Manchester City, who are in action later in the day.

West Ham had begun the day in fourth place, but the gulf in class between the two teams was apparent throughout, with Chelsea's Eden Hazard the game's most eye-catching performer.

Andy Carroll volleyed wide in the first minute as West Ham – criticised by Mourinho for their defensive tactics in the 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge last season – indicated they might be more ambitious this time.

There was a much better chance for Chelsea soon after when the West Ham defence failed to deal with a cross from Willian that found Oscar, but the recalled Brazilian blasted over with only goalkeeper Adrian to beat.

Gary Cahill then headed over from a delivery into the box by fellow centre-back Terry as Chelsea continued to dominate the opening exchanges.

There was a nervous moment for the visitors when Hazard pushed the ball between Winston Reid's legs and went down on the edge of the box when the defender made contact, but referee Michael Oliver allowed play to continue.

Enner Valencia fired a West Ham free-kick over, but Adrian was soon required to make a save at the other end as Cahill let fly from close range at the near post.

James Collins was the first man into the book for a tackle on Costa in full flight, despite the defender rightly claiming he had played the ball.

Oscar had previously fired one wide, so it was Cesc Fabregas who took the free-kick, which he fired at Adrian.

Willian did the same from open play as Chelsea continued to exert immense pressure on the West Ham defence, and this time Adrian could only parry.

A goal was coming and it was Terry who provided it in the 31st minute, side-footing home from a couple of yards out after Costa had headed on a Fabregas corner.

Chelsea continued to move the ball about speedily and Adrian had to dive to keep out a low drive from defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic before Costa's deflected effort spun just wide.

Tempers flared just before halftime when West Ham's players reacted angrily to what appeared to be a dive inside the area by Branislav Ivanovic, who went to ground near Carroll.

West Ham began the second half with a flurry of activity, but could not fashion a clear chance, and it was not long before Adrian had to parry a fierce drive from Hazard that almost knocked him off his feet.

The visitors made a double change just before the hour mark, with Carroll and Mark Noble replaced by Diafra Sakho and Alex Song, but Chelsea's response was a second goal.

West Ham lost possession on the half-way line, Hazard found Costa, and the striker found the bottom-right corner despite the presence of three defenders to register his 13th effort of the campaign.

Costa then volleyed a difficult chance wide after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who had hardly been involved, had to gather at the feet of Sakho at the other end.

Adrian continued to prevent a rout, tipping over an Oscar free-kick and thwarting Matic from the ensuing corner.

A chance to get West Ham back in the game came Valencia's way 12 minutes before the end, but the Ecuador forward lashed his shot wide from an inviting position in the box and it was a similar story when substitute Morgan Amalfitano headed wide.

There was still time for Amalfitano to spurn an even better chance, the midfielder hitting the post after darting between Cahill and Terry.

Di Maria ruled out for Man United

Manchester United will be without Angel Di Maria for Friday's home Premier League game against Newcastle United after the Argentine was injured in training.

United said on their website that their record signing was injured during a Christmas Eve training session.

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao will start having scored in the 1-1 draw against Aston Villa last week.

Chelsea give Hammers Christmas blues

Premier League leaders Chelsea showed West Ham United no Christmas cheer on Friday with a one-sided 2-0 Boxing Day victory that enhanced their status as title favourites.

Goals in each half from John Terry and Diego Costa – his 13th of the campaign – earned Jose Mourinho's side a win that enabled them to open up a provisional six-point lead over second-place Manchester City.

Fourth-place West Ham were expected to provide a stern test after a run of five games without defeat, but despite hitting the woodwork late on, Sam Allardyce's team were well beaten in what was the London rivals' 100th encounter.

"We played a very good game against a very difficult opponent. When we scored, we had the game always under control," Mourinho told Sky Sports.

"I am really happy. We are doing very well."

Eden Hazard overcame a knock to start for Chelsea and he proved a bewitching presence as the hosts swarmed all over their opponents from the start at Stamford Bridge.

Oscar had gone close and visiting goalkeeper Adrian had parried from Gary Cahill and Willian by the time Terry broke the deadlock in the 31st minute, tapping in after Costa headed on Cesc Fabregas's corner.

West Ham spent long periods of the first half penned inside their own area, with Adrian producing a one-handed save to thwart Nemanja Matic and Costa shooting over from a Branislav Ivanovic cross.

After Adrian had thwarted Hazard, Costa made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute, gathering a pass from Hazard and sending Carl Jenkinson and James Collins the wrong way before drilling a left-foot shot into the bottom-right corner.

Adrian athletically tipped an Oscar free-kick over the bar and Fabregas curled wide, but although Chelsea had dominated, West Ham came close to snatching a goal when substitute Morgan Amalfitano dinked a shot against the post.

Defending champions City will bid to close back to within three points of Mourinho's men later on Friday when they visit West Bromwich Albion, while third-place Manchester United host Newcastle United.

The traditional Boxing Day schedule means that all 20 English top-flight clubs are in action on the same day for the first time this season.

Yaya Toure set to equal Eto’s record

Yaya Toure is set to equal Samuel Eto’o record by winning the CAF African Player of the Year award for a record fourth time.

In a shortlist revealed by Confederation of African Football (CAF), he will battle it out with Vincent Enyeama and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

However, according to bookmakers he is primed to win the accolade especially with stiff competition from Yacine Brahimi absent.

The event that will take place in Lagos on 8 January is set to witness Algeria dominate the event after an impeccable calendar at club and national team level.

Below is the final list.

African Player of the Year

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Gabon and Borussia Dortmund)

Vincent Enyeama (Nigeria and Lille)

Yaya Toure (Cote d’Ivoire and Manchester City)

African Player of the Year – Based in Africa

Akram Djahnit (Algeria and ES Setif)

El Hedi Belamieri (Algeria and ES Setif)

Firmin Mubele Ndombe (DR Congo and AS Vita)

Women’s Player of the Year

Annette Ngo Ndom (Cameroon and Amazon Grimstad)

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and River Angels)

Desire Oparanozie (Nigeria and Guingamp)

Youth Player of the Year

Asisat Oshoala (Nigeria and River Angels)

Fabrice Ondoa (Cameroon and Barcelona)

Uchechi Sunday (Nigeria and River Angels)

Most Promising Talent

Clinton N’jie (Cameroon and Olympique Lyon)

Vincent Aboubakar (Cameroon and Porto)

Yacine Brahimi (Algeria and Porto)

Coach of the Year

Florent Ibenge (DR Congo)

Kheireddine Madoui (ES Setif)

Vahid Halilhodžic (Former coach of Algeria)

National Team of the Year

Algeria

Libya

Nigeria

Women’s National Team of the Year

Cameroon

Nigeria

Nigeria U-20

Club of the Year

Al Ahly (Egypt)

AS Vita (DR Congo)

ES Setif (Algeria)

Football Leader of the Year

Moise Katumbi Chapwe - President of TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

African Legend award

Oryx Club (Cameroon) – winners of the maiden edition of CAF Champions League 1964

Stade Malien (Mali) - runner up of the maiden edition of CAF Champion’s League 1964

© supersport.com

Khedira keen to extend Real contract

Germany midfielder Sami Khedira has indicated he would be happy to extend his contract with Real Madrid beyond June 2015 if an agreement can be reached.

Khedira, whose season has been disrupted by injuries, is not a first-choice starter under coach Carlo Ancelotti, with Germany teammate Toni Kroos, Croatia international Luka Modric and Spain playmaker Isco all ahead in the pecking order.

Media reports have speculated Khedira could move to Bayern Munich and that several English clubs including Arsenal, where his close friend Mesut Ozil plays, are also interested in securing his services.

Khedira, who joined Real from VfB Stuttgart in 2010, told Germany's Stuttgarter Nachrichten he was back to a good level of fitness and hopeful he would see more playing time.

"If we can find a solution I am happy," he said about his contract situation.

"I am a friend of strong competition. He (Kroos) is doing things outstandingly well and after six months is already a focal point of our play.

Rodgers targets Burnley bounce

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is confident his side can still go on to enjoy a successful season as they go in search of some Christmas cheer at Burnley on Friday.

Liverpool are 10th in the Premier League and have no realistic chance of repeating last season's title challenge, having not failed to win in their last three league games and recording just one away league win since mid-October.

But just one defeat in eight games in all competitions at least hints at some resilience and Rodgers has been encouraged by his team's recent performances.

Liverpool booked a place in the semifinals of the League Cup by winning 3-1 at second-tier Bournemouth last week and scored late to draw 2-2 with Arsenal at Anfield last Sunday.

After their trip to third-bottom Burnley, Liverpool sign off for 2014 with a home game against Rodgers's former side Swansea City before facing bottom club Leicester at Anfield on New Year's Day.

And the manager believes they can make amends for a poor start to the season.

"The opening part of this season has been less impressive. That's the reality of it. We haven't hit anywhere near the heights that we would expect," Rodgers said.

"There have been reasons for that, which we don't want to go on about all the time.

"But what I have seen in these last numbers of weeks is that belief and confidence starting to grow again.

"Our performance level, which is key to me as that will bring us results, is starting to return, so hopefully we can finish the remainder of the year in a confident spirit and then go into the New Year and really look to attack the second part of the season.

"If we do that, we are still in cup competitions, and we could have a very good year despite all the doom and gloom maybe that was around in the first part of the season."

Despite his forecast, Rodgers says he will not be under-estimating Sean Dyche's Burnley, who are mounting a determined effort to stay in the top flight.

"I know Sean very well," said the Northern Irishman, who welcomes Mario Balotelli back from suspension but is without the suspended Fabio Borini.

"We worked together at Watford, and he has done a great job at Burnley with very limited resources.

"When you get promoted, the first games can be daunting. It's a new level, new opponents, a quicker tempo. And it was just going to be the case of them getting that first result.

"And once they got that, you saw the confidence in the team. We understand it is going to be a difficult game for us."

Burnley manager Dyche believes Rodgers has become a victim of his own success after Liverpool's efforts in finishing second last season.

"He's got his question marks now, but in the grand scheme of things he's a good coach," said the Burnley manager.

"I think overall Brendan's done very, very well. It's just that the demands from last season, going so high, are seemingly making what's happening now look nowhere near as good as before.

"The perception of what they are changes on the fact that last year they went so close to taking it (the title). I think it was a fantastic achievement to get so close last year."

Burnley, who are unbeaten in their last four home matches, could include Sam Vokes in their squad for the first time since March.

The Wales striker, who scored 21 goals last season, has recovered after suffering knee ligament damage.