LiveScore Daily: Xavi insists Barca 'played well' in Girona defeat![Copy icon](/ls-web-assets/svgs/common/link-471b4.svg)
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![Xavi was pleased with Barcelona's performance against Girona](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/11122023/439efd70-fb20-404b-b6e4-725d2232dfda.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
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Costly mistakes
Barcelona manager Xavi insists his side "played well" despite losing 4-2 at home to Girona in a crunch game at the top of LaLiga.
Victory means the visitors' stunning title charge remains on track, with a seven-point lead over the Catalans in fourth and a two-point advantage over Real Madrid in second.
But Xavi was not alarmed, claiming the game was won on small margins.
He said: "I think the match was even, it was decided by details.
"We lacked effectiveness but we played well in the game.
"We shot 30 times, we could have equalised at 3-3. Girona's plan was very courageous and they were more efficient.
"The match was equal. If Barcelona won, we would say it was fair. We had little effectiveness and mistakes in defence affected us."
Travel troubles
![Eddie Howe admits his side are struggling away from home](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/11122023/96345ea7-8fe7-4e04-8034-170ba1f8b1a3.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Eddie Howe admitted Newcastle have been poor on the road as they followed up Thursday's 3-0 defeat by Everton with a 4-1 hammering at Tottenham on Sunday.
The results mean only Luton and Sheffield United have picked up fewer away points in the Premier League this term.
But with a must-win Champions League tie to come against AC Milan at St James' Park on Wednesday, Howe insists his team have no time to feel sorry for themselves.
He said: "We have to lift ourselves.
"Football is a game decided on big moments and we haven't been right in those big moments in the last two matches.
"Previous to that we have been and I think our away form will turn because we're a very good team but we need to continue with our good home form because it's the bedrock of what we've been doing."
Neville calls nonsense
![Gary Neville has dismissed the idea of Manchester United sacking Erik ten Hag](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/11122023/c1a89e92-4677-4b6c-ab94-613153476fb3.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Gary Neville believes it would be "absolute nonsense" should Manchester United decide to sack manager Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman is under pressure after overseeing a run of four wins and five defeats from United's last 10 matches in all competitions.
But their former right-back claims removing the Dutchman would help nothing.
He told Sky Sports: "I hope that somehow Erik ten Hag can turn it around this season and that ultimately he can improve what's happening at the moment or else he will be in trouble, it's just inevitable.
"There's no way they should change him this season, this idea of sacking him is absolute nonsense. I wouldn't be in favour of that.
"I know people say you can't blame the Glazers — you can.
"You can because 10 years of failure, of miserable recruitment, comes down to the fact they have not got a sporting director, a proper head of recruitment in place. That is why this happens."
Ibra back at Milan
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has returned to AC Milan — but not as a player.
Instead, the legendary ex-striker has signed up as an advisor for RedBird Capital Partners, who own the Italian giants.
The group also have stakes in Fenway Sports Group, who own Liverpool, and the Alpine Formula 1 team.
But Ibrahimovic will be working closest with his former club in Serie A.
He told the Financial Times: "RedBird has partnered with some of the greatest athletes, teams and business figures in the world to create businesses with meaning and impact.
"I look forward to contributing to their investing activities across their sports, media and entertainment properties."
Chelsea Blues
![Conor Gallagher featured in Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Everton](https://uk1.sportal365images.com/process/smp-image-api/livescore.com/11122023/db152030-dae3-457c-a5af-0476b433ae98.jpg?operations=fit(707:)&w=707&quality=100)
Conor Gallagher says he is "gutted" by Chelsea's 2-0 defeat to Everton and believes there is lots of work to be done to make the Blues competitive again.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Lewis Dobbin were on the scoresheet as the Toffees condemned Mauricio Pochettino's side to their seventh league defeat in 16 matches this season.
Gallagher insists elements of their performance were good but concedes they struggled to deal with the hosts' physicality
He told the Chelsea website: "It's a tough one.
"We worked hard and I thought we were playing well, battling well but credit to them. It's a tough game when you come here. The way they play is difficult.
"We were desperate to come here and play well and get three points. We haven't managed to do that and everyone is gutted. We need to improve and know how to win [these types of] games. There is a lot of work to be done."