Bournemouth 0-6 Real Madrid: Ronaldo at the double as Ancelotti era starts in style

Real Madrid started their pre-season campaign efficiently with a comfortable 6-0 win over Bournemouth in evening sun on Sunday, in front of a sell-out crowd. Despite facing an outfit who have only recently climbed into the second tier of English football, Carlo Ancelotti was to take no prisoners with his starting line-up, deploying his star players to devastating first-half effect.

Goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Sami Khedira, Gonzalo Higuain, Angel Di Maria and Casemiro gave los Blancos a high-scoring win, with Bournemouth doing little to threaten their clean sheet. Fielding an almost entirely different outfit in either half, Madrid were to utilise all of their options to victorious, free-flowing effect.

Bournemouth went close to having a fairytale start, as a tantalising cross from Brett Pitman was permitted to flash across the face of goal by Pepe, with striker Lewis Grabban inches away from poking the unclaimed delivery beyond Diego Lopez. The script was to revert to normality soon after, however, as Ronaldo converted a trademark long-range free-kick on 22 minutes. The Portuguese rattled a dipping effort into the bottom right corner, leaving Cherries keeper Darryl Flahavan helplessly sprawled in his goalmouth.

Karim Benzema was then given two chances in quick succession, but the Frenchman was denied well by Bournemouth Player of the Year Tommy Elphick. Courtesy of a miscue from the impressive Elphick, his missed clearance allowed for Ronaldo to ruthlessly capitalise on the Englishman's error, skipping past Flahavan in the Bournemouth penalty area before sliding the ball home.

It was 3-0, as Sami Khedira was allowed time and space to connect with an Isco corner, despite Cherries' midfielder Shaun MacDonald failing to clear the Germany international's effort off the goal-line, giving Real Madrid a deserved half-time lead.

After 15 minutes of respite for the English club, Higuain smashed home Madrid's fourth a minute after the restart. New signing Asier Illarramendi threaded the Argentine through on goal, and Higuain wasn't to make any mistake from eight yards.

Ancelotti will be encouraged by tidy performances from the younger contingent of his newly-inherited squad, none more-so than Casemiro. The Brazilian youngster strode powerfully into the box on 83 minutes, thrashing the ball home at the near post after wrong-footing Flahavan, to complete the friendly rout.

Real Madrid next face Olympique Lyonnais on Wednesday in good spirits, as Madrid look to gather some momentum in their pre-season campaign, following an efficient display at Seward Stadium.

Koeman rules out Barcelona job

Feyenoord coach Ronald Koeman has ruled himself out of the running for the Barcelona job as the search for Tito Vilanova's replacement continues. The Blaugrana's announcement the Spaniard would step down on Friday resulted in Koeman's name being mentioned, but the 50-year-old has denied he has thought about a return to his former club.

"No, I don't think about that at all. I care more about the disease Vilanova has," he told reporters after Feyenoord's friendly draw against Dordrecht. "Who is to become the coach? I don't know, as I do not interfere with that."

Another candidate appears in the form of ex-Barcelona B boss Luis Enrique, who has not been registered with the Spanish football federation by present side Celta ahead of the coming season. That circumstance would allow the Camp Nou outfit to negotiate their playing alumnus' return through his €10 million clause with the Celestes, who Enrique only took charge of in June.

The other option for the dugout is Newell's Old Boys trainer Gerardo Martino, who hails from Lionel Messi's native Rosario and possesses a growing reputation in South America, having coached Paraguay for four years.

The Argentine was already close to a switch to Spain after being considered for the Real Sociedad and Malaga roles earlier this summer.

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Forbes' List Of Hollywood's Highest Paid Actors of 2013

Forbes, a few days ago, released their annual 'Highest Paid Hollywood Actors' list and Iron Man actor Robert Downey topped the list. See what the top 10 actors earned between June 2012 & June 2013..

1. Robert Downey Jr - $75million (Iron Man)
2. Channing Tatun - $60million (Magic Mike, White House Down)
3. Hugh Jackman - $55million (Les Miserables, X-Men)
4. Mark Wahlberg - $52 million (Ted)
5.  Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson - $42million (Fast & Furious)
6. Leonardo DiCaprio - $39million (Great Gatsby)
7. Adam Sandler - $37million (Hotel Transylvania)
8. Tom Cruise - $35million (Jack Reacher)
9. Denzel Washington - $33 (Flight)
10. Liam Neeson - $32million (Taken 2, The Grey)

'Thank you Barca; thank you everyone...

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has written an open letter expressing his gratitude to the club's directors, players and fans.

The Catalan outfit called a press conference on Friday to announce the 44-year-old would be unable to fulfill his duties in a coaching capacity ahead of the season following a relapse of his cancer.

And Vilanova, who will now reprise his battle against parotid gland cancer, delivered his heartfelt appreciation after leading Barcelona to their 22nd Liga title during his sole season in charge. "Thank you Barca; thank you everyone," he wrote.

"After five wonderful years as part of a team that has made dreams come true as a coach, the time has come to face a change in my professional life and to devote forces to continue the process of the disease that I was diagnosed a year and a half ago. "In the opinion of the doctors and due to the treatment I have to follow, I can't spend the time that a team like Barcelona would require as first coach to do my tasks, but I will keep on working very close to this club I love so much.

"It is not easy to leave this very special group of players, fellow staff and friends with whom I shared many memorable experiences. I'll be eternally grateful for everything you have given to me and I have shown. "The human quality and this football team can go through any obstacle and I am convinced that with its skills it will be able to face the challenges of a sports season which should be exciting for everyone.

"I also want to especially thank the Chairman, the Board and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta for the confidence they gave to me and, above all, unconditional support, both sporting and personal. "Equally important to me is the support I received both medically and humanely from Dr. Ramon Canal and his team of doctors who are at my side. I do not play this game alone, I'm a part of a supportive club that will help me succeed in this long process, as it has done until now.

"To all of you, members and fans of the club, I also want to thank your samples of support and affection that you had, not just now but over the last few months. I'm quiet, strong and I will face this new stage in the process of my illness with full confidence that everything is gonna be ok. "Thank you to all football fans, colleagues in the profession, clubs, athletes and acquaintances for your messages of encouragement that comforted me and my family.

"These are difficult times for me and so I requested the media respect and comprehension. Once I stopped being the coach of the club, I hope to have the tranquility and privacy that me and my family need right now.

"I cannot conclude this letter without wishing luck and every success to the new coach of the best team in the world.

Manchester City complete Jovetic signing

The Premier League runners-up have confirmed that they have recruited the sought-after Montenegro striker, who had been linked with Arsenal and Juventus earlier in the summer. Manchester City have completed the signing of Fiorentina attacker Stevan Jovetic.

Fiorentina officials travelled to Manchester to finalise the deal on Thursday, before the Montenegro striker arrived a day later to undergo medical tests. Jovetic becomes Manuel Pellegrini's fourth signing of the summer after Jesus Navas, Fernandinho and Alvaro Negredo to take the club's transfer window spending up to over €100 million.

The 23-year-old will now help Sergio Aguero and Edin Dzeko fill the attacking void left by Mario Balotelli and, most recently, Carlos Tevez. Arsenal and Juventus had been interested in Jovetic earlier this summer, but had been unable to agree a fee with the Viola.

Jovetic has represented Montenergo 27 times, scoring 10 goals..

Vilanova leaves Barcelona

Rumours emerged on Friday that the 44-year-old, who took over from Pep Guardiola prior to the 2012-13 season, was set to step down from his role after suffering another setback in his battle against ill-health.

Club president Sandro Rosell and director of football Andoni Zubizarreta called a press conference at Camp Nou on Friday evening, where they confirmed Vilanova must undergo further cancer treatment which would make it "impossible" for him to continue in his role.

"After looking at routine tests, there is [now] an option to continue treating his disease which means it will be impossible for him to continue as first-team coach of FC Barcelona," Rosell told reporters. "I want to ask for the maximum respect for him and his family. "We have got together with all of the players and the coaching staff and we have decided not to play tomorrow in Poland [in a friendly against Lechia Gdansk].

"It is a very big blow, a huge blow. But Barcelona has overcome many obstacles in its history and this will be no exception." The Barcelona squad, including Lionel Messi, were present in the front two rows of seats of the press conference as Rosell delivered the news.

Barca won 32 out of 38 league games under Vilanova in 2012-13, lifting the Primera Division title with a record-equalling points tally of 100, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Champions League for a record sixth consecutive season. Rosell also confirmed the club expect to announce his successor in the coming days.

Arsenal to make new £40m Suarez bid

Arsene Wenger is preparing to submit a formal offer of £35m up front, topped up by £5m of add-ons.
Sources have said the Arsenal manager will 'pull out all the stops' in an attempt to land the Liverpool forward this summer. It is understood the Gunners' initial bid that was rejected out of hand by the Merseysiders a fortnight ago was worth £30m plus £5m add-ons.
Arsenal are now prepared to go into completely unchartered territory to capture Suarez, who has become the main focus of Wenger's attention as he attempts to make a marquee striker signing. Liverpool are fighting to hold on to a player who has spoken frequently this summer of his interest in a move, most specifically to Real Madrid.

Brendan Rodgers has compared Suarez' value to that of Edinson Cavani, who joined Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday for £55m, but the Anfield manager has stopped short of completely ruling out the Uruguayan's departure, merely saying he will only leave "if something drastic happens". A bid worth £40m for a 26-year-old who is banned for the first six games of the new season might be regarded as tempting by Liverpool's America-based owners Fenway Sports Group.

Suarez has a £40m clause in his contract which his advisers believe entitles him to ask for permission to speak to any club that matches the price. But Liverpool claim they only have to inform Suarez and the clause does not oblige them to sell. Arsenal believe they have been given enough encouragement by the Uruguayan's representatives that he is keen to move to the Emirates Stadium in search of Champions League football.

The offer will be timed to coincide with Suarez returning to pre-season training following his extended summer break. The striker will link up with Liverpool on Sunday ahead of the Australia leg of their pre-season tour. Suarez has emerged as Wenger's first choice ahead of Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney, deals for who are now both on the backburner.

The Liverpool forward is regarded by Arsenal as an upgrade on Higuain, who came close to joining Arsenal earlier this month after they made an improved offer of £23.1m. However, Madrid are holding out for £25.5m for the Argentine, and, although Arsenal's interest in Higuain is still alive and a deal remains highly possible, Wenger is now concentrating on signing Suarez.

However, Arsenal will continue to monitor Rooney's situation as they step up plans to use a warchest of up to £100m to make at least two marquee signings this summer, most likely in the striker and central midfield positions.

Video: The Jumia Story

Jumia.com.ng, Nigeria's No1 online shopping destination recently celebrated her 1st year anniversary. They put a short video together to tell the story of how they've brought about significant change to Nigeria. Enjoy..