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Inter 0-0 Napoli: Benitez held on San Siro return
Napoli were unable to wrap up third spot in Serie A as they were held to a goalless stalemate at fellow European football chasers Inter on Saturday on Rafa Benitez's return to San Siro.
Benitez endured a troublesome six-month spell in charge of the Nerazzurri giants in 2010, which ended when he was unceremoniously sacked despite winning the Club World Cup, but he could easily have enjoyed a victory against his former employers.
An even first half saw both sides create numerous chances, but Napoli forward Jose Callejon was wasteful at one end, while goalkeeper Jose Reina was rarely troubled and the Spaniard was alert when he was called into action.Napoli went close again at the start of the second half, as Jorginho was denied in the 50th minute.
Gonzalo Higuain had his chances and Gokhan Inler struck a post in the final 20 minutes, but Napoli were forced to accept a draw which ensured they stay eight points ahead of Fiorentina in the race for Champions League football with three Serie A games remaining.
There was concern for Napoli late on, when striker Higuain was carried off with an ankle injury following a challenge with Marco Andreolli and Benitez will be hoping it does not prove to be serious.
Fifth-placed Inter, whose coach Walter Mazzarri was also facing his former club, are now six points off Parma and AC Milan as they attempt to secure a Europa League place.
Benitez's quest for revenge almost got off to the perfect start, when Callejon latched on to a left-wing cross in the first minute but his looping effort went back across goal and dropped wide.
Mazzarri saw his men grow into the game with some crisp passing in midfield, but they could only threaten from long range, as Mateo Kovacic shot agonisingly wide before Reina palmed away Hernanes' stinging drive.
Dries Mertens presented Callejon with a glorious chance 13 minutes in, but the former Real Madrid man poked the Belgium winger's low cross wide from just six yards.
Callejon's miss was nearly compounded by a Napoli sending off when Miguel Angel Britos tripped Rodrigo Palacio in the 26th minute, but the Uruguayan escaped with just a yellow card despite being the last man.
Napoli remained solid at the back until the break and then showed renewed attacking intent at the start of the second period.
In the 50th minute the visitors went close twice in quick succession as Yuto Nagatomo blocked Higuain’s close-range volley, before Samir Handanovic tipped Jorginho’s effort around the post.Inter went straight down the other end and almost broke the deadlock themselves, but Palacio could only head across the face of goal after beating Reina to Nagatomo’s cross.
A moment of brilliance from Higuain in the 72nd minute saw the Argentina forward turn Andreolli on the edge of the area before bursting into the area, but he then inexcusably blasted over the crossbar.
Inler almost snatched a late win when his effort eight minutes from time struck the right-hand post, but the visitors were unable to secure a winner and suffered a late blow when Higuain was forced off with an ankle injury following a 50-50 challenge with Andreolli.
Napoli were unable to wrap up third spot in Serie A as they were held to a goalless stalemate at fellow European football chasers Inter on Saturday on Rafa Benitez's return to San Siro.
Benitez endured a troublesome six-month spell in charge of the Nerazzurri giants in 2010, which ended when he was unceremoniously sacked despite winning the Club World Cup, but he could easily have enjoyed a victory against his former employers.
An even first half saw both sides create numerous chances, but Napoli forward Jose Callejon was wasteful at one end, while goalkeeper Jose Reina was rarely troubled and the Spaniard was alert when he was called into action.Napoli went close again at the start of the second half, as Jorginho was denied in the 50th minute.
Gonzalo Higuain had his chances and Gokhan Inler struck a post in the final 20 minutes, but Napoli were forced to accept a draw which ensured they stay eight points ahead of Fiorentina in the race for Champions League football with three Serie A games remaining.
There was concern for Napoli late on, when striker Higuain was carried off with an ankle injury following a challenge with Marco Andreolli and Benitez will be hoping it does not prove to be serious.
Fifth-placed Inter, whose coach Walter Mazzarri was also facing his former club, are now six points off Parma and AC Milan as they attempt to secure a Europa League place.
Benitez's quest for revenge almost got off to the perfect start, when Callejon latched on to a left-wing cross in the first minute but his looping effort went back across goal and dropped wide.
Mazzarri saw his men grow into the game with some crisp passing in midfield, but they could only threaten from long range, as Mateo Kovacic shot agonisingly wide before Reina palmed away Hernanes' stinging drive.
Dries Mertens presented Callejon with a glorious chance 13 minutes in, but the former Real Madrid man poked the Belgium winger's low cross wide from just six yards.
Callejon's miss was nearly compounded by a Napoli sending off when Miguel Angel Britos tripped Rodrigo Palacio in the 26th minute, but the Uruguayan escaped with just a yellow card despite being the last man.
Napoli remained solid at the back until the break and then showed renewed attacking intent at the start of the second period.
In the 50th minute the visitors went close twice in quick succession as Yuto Nagatomo blocked Higuain’s close-range volley, before Samir Handanovic tipped Jorginho’s effort around the post.Inter went straight down the other end and almost broke the deadlock themselves, but Palacio could only head across the face of goal after beating Reina to Nagatomo’s cross.
A moment of brilliance from Higuain in the 72nd minute saw the Argentina forward turn Andreolli on the edge of the area before bursting into the area, but he then inexcusably blasted over the crossbar.
Inler almost snatched a late win when his effort eight minutes from time struck the right-hand post, but the visitors were unable to secure a winner and suffered a late blow when Higuain was forced off with an ankle injury following a 50-50 challenge with Andreolli.
Bayer Leverkusen 2-2 Borussia Dortmund: Reus salvages draw for Klopp and Co. in top four thriller
Borussia Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in a thrilling end-of-season contest on Saturday.
Leverkusen went into the game at the BayArena knowing a win would open up a three-point lead over nearest challengers Wolfsburg, who could only draw 2-2 with Freiburg earlier on Saturday.
But, in the hosts' first game since announcing the appointment of Roger Schmidt as coach for next season, interim boss Sascha Lewandowski wasted an opportunity to take another step towards sealing a place in next season's Champions League.
Midfielder Lars Bender netted after seven minutes to put Leverkusen ahead, before Oliver Kirch netted a leveller in the 29th minute.
Attacking midfielder Gonzalo Castro re-established Leverkusen's superiority 10 minutes prior to the interval, but a resilient Dortmund earned a share of the spoils four minutes later through Marco Reus' penalty.
The result keeps Leverkusen a point clear of fifth-placed Wolfsburg ahead of their final two matches against Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen.
Reus tested the reflexes of Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno inside the first five minutes with a near-post drive, but it was the hosts who took an early lead through Bender.
Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller produced a fine save to keep out Stefan Kiessling's volley, but the hosts kept the pressure on and Bender reacted quickest to a rebound after the striker hit the crossbar, finding the net despite the best efforts of Nuri Sahin on the line.
The hosts failed to build on that lead in an open first half and Dortmund duly levelled matters just before the half-hour mark, when Kirch turned Reus' left-wing free kick into the top corner with an improvised backwards header.
Parity remained for just six minutes, as Castro restored Leverkusen's advantage by heading into the bottom corner following a well-worked move involving Son Heung-Min and Kiessling.
Again Leverkusen could not stay in front, though, and Dortmund equalised for a second time in the 39th minute as Reus coolly slotted home from the spot after defender Roberto Hilbert was ruled to have handled inside the area.
Reus continued to be the danger man for Dortmund and came close to giving the visitors the lead shortly after, only for Leno to deny him with a strong one-on-one stop.
Chances proved few and far between in a comparatively quiet second half, Kiessling heading way over from close-range in the 62nd minute before Henrikh Mkhitaryan forced Leno into a comfortable save with a tame effort from distance.
The best chance for a winner came in the 72nd minute as Julian Brandt broke free down the right, only for Weidenfeller to preserve a point with another superb stop, keeping Dortmund comfortably ahead of Schalke in second.
Borussia Dortmund were held to a 2-2 draw at Bayer Leverkusen in a thrilling end-of-season contest on Saturday.
Leverkusen went into the game at the BayArena knowing a win would open up a three-point lead over nearest challengers Wolfsburg, who could only draw 2-2 with Freiburg earlier on Saturday.
But, in the hosts' first game since announcing the appointment of Roger Schmidt as coach for next season, interim boss Sascha Lewandowski wasted an opportunity to take another step towards sealing a place in next season's Champions League.
Midfielder Lars Bender netted after seven minutes to put Leverkusen ahead, before Oliver Kirch netted a leveller in the 29th minute.
Attacking midfielder Gonzalo Castro re-established Leverkusen's superiority 10 minutes prior to the interval, but a resilient Dortmund earned a share of the spoils four minutes later through Marco Reus' penalty.
The result keeps Leverkusen a point clear of fifth-placed Wolfsburg ahead of their final two matches against Eintracht Frankfurt and Werder Bremen.
Reus tested the reflexes of Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno inside the first five minutes with a near-post drive, but it was the hosts who took an early lead through Bender.
Dortmund keeper Roman Weidenfeller produced a fine save to keep out Stefan Kiessling's volley, but the hosts kept the pressure on and Bender reacted quickest to a rebound after the striker hit the crossbar, finding the net despite the best efforts of Nuri Sahin on the line.
The hosts failed to build on that lead in an open first half and Dortmund duly levelled matters just before the half-hour mark, when Kirch turned Reus' left-wing free kick into the top corner with an improvised backwards header.
Parity remained for just six minutes, as Castro restored Leverkusen's advantage by heading into the bottom corner following a well-worked move involving Son Heung-Min and Kiessling.
Again Leverkusen could not stay in front, though, and Dortmund equalised for a second time in the 39th minute as Reus coolly slotted home from the spot after defender Roberto Hilbert was ruled to have handled inside the area.
Reus continued to be the danger man for Dortmund and came close to giving the visitors the lead shortly after, only for Leno to deny him with a strong one-on-one stop.
Chances proved few and far between in a comparatively quiet second half, Kiessling heading way over from close-range in the 62nd minute before Henrikh Mkhitaryan forced Leno into a comfortable save with a tame effort from distance.
The best chance for a winner came in the 72nd minute as Julian Brandt broke free down the right, only for Weidenfeller to preserve a point with another superb stop, keeping Dortmund comfortably ahead of Schalke in second.
Ajaccio 1-4 Monaco: Berbatov double keeps PSG waiting
Dimitar Berbatov netted a double as Monaco made Paris Saint-Germain wait for a second consecutive Ligue 1 title by defeating Ajaccio 4-1 on Saturday evening.
Claudio Ranieri's men knew that nothing other than victory would gift the championship to PSG but they performed poorly in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Berbatov belatedly made the breakthrough early in the second half with a clever header before doubling the visitors' advantage with 16 minutes ago.
Gadji Tallo set up a frantic finale with an emphatic finish moment later but Monaco sealed a fourth straight Ligue 1 win when Berbatov teed up Geoffrey Kondogbia for a third goal just two minutes from time before Lucas Ocampos put the finishing touches on an ultimately facile win in the dying seconds.
Monaco had gone into the game 10 points behind PSG, meaning even a draw would not be good enough to postpone PSG's inevitable title triumph for just another day.
However, Les Rouges et Blancs looked worryingly devoid of ideas during a dour first half, with Berbatov even pleading with his team-mates for some movement ahead of him at one point.
As it was, the best Monaco could muster was a Ricardo Carvalho set-piece header that never looked like threatening the Ajaccio goal.
Berbatov, though, took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half.
The Bulgarian opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a flicked header from a Jao Moutinho cross from the left flank.
The former Manchester United forward struck again just over 20 minutes later, this time rolling the ball past Ajaccio goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with typical nonchalance, after being put in on goal by James Rodriguez's perfectly-weighted pass.
Ajaccio halved their deficit less than a minute later, with Tallo firing Dennis Oliech's low cross high into the roof of the Monaco net, but there was to be no denying Monaco.
With just two minutes remaining, Berbatov laid the ball off for the onrushing Kondogbia, who beat Ochoa with a wonderfully controlled drive from some 25 yards out.
Monaco then made sure of all three points when Ocampos volleyed home left-footed at the back post moments later.
Dimitar Berbatov netted a double as Monaco made Paris Saint-Germain wait for a second consecutive Ligue 1 title by defeating Ajaccio 4-1 on Saturday evening.
Claudio Ranieri's men knew that nothing other than victory would gift the championship to PSG but they performed poorly in the opening 45 minutes.
However, Berbatov belatedly made the breakthrough early in the second half with a clever header before doubling the visitors' advantage with 16 minutes ago.
Gadji Tallo set up a frantic finale with an emphatic finish moment later but Monaco sealed a fourth straight Ligue 1 win when Berbatov teed up Geoffrey Kondogbia for a third goal just two minutes from time before Lucas Ocampos put the finishing touches on an ultimately facile win in the dying seconds.
Monaco had gone into the game 10 points behind PSG, meaning even a draw would not be good enough to postpone PSG's inevitable title triumph for just another day.
However, Les Rouges et Blancs looked worryingly devoid of ideas during a dour first half, with Berbatov even pleading with his team-mates for some movement ahead of him at one point.
As it was, the best Monaco could muster was a Ricardo Carvalho set-piece header that never looked like threatening the Ajaccio goal.
Berbatov, though, took the game by the scruff of the neck in the second half.
The Bulgarian opened the scoring in the 53rd minute with a flicked header from a Jao Moutinho cross from the left flank.
The former Manchester United forward struck again just over 20 minutes later, this time rolling the ball past Ajaccio goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa with typical nonchalance, after being put in on goal by James Rodriguez's perfectly-weighted pass.
Ajaccio halved their deficit less than a minute later, with Tallo firing Dennis Oliech's low cross high into the roof of the Monaco net, but there was to be no denying Monaco.
With just two minutes remaining, Berbatov laid the ball off for the onrushing Kondogbia, who beat Ochoa with a wonderfully controlled drive from some 25 yards out.
Monaco then made sure of all three points when Ocampos volleyed home left-footed at the back post moments later.
West Brom 1-0 West Ham: Berahino boosts survival hopes
A Saido Berahino goal gave West Brom a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Pepe Mel's men headed into the game knowing a win would ease any lingering fears of relegation, and Berahino's goal proved the winner in a tight clash with Sam Allardyce's men.
Head coach Mel opted to hand Berahino a first start in attack since February and was rewarded when the England Under-21 international struck in the 11th minute, settling Albion's early nerves.
Andy Carroll went close for West Ham either side of the early strike and almost made West Brom pay for missed chances after the interval when he rattled the crossbar from a 71st-minute corner.
However, the hosts held on to pick up a valuable three points and move five clear of the relegation zone.
West Ham are a point better off and all but safe despite a fourth consecutive loss.
Carroll kept the ball alive well from a sixth-minute corner to draw a sharp near-post save from Ben Foster and Jonas Olsson followed his goalkeeper's heroics by producing a last-ditch challenge to deny the West Ham centre-forward.
It was a start in keeping with the sloppy opening that saw West Brom 2-0 down after 10 minutes at Manchester City in midweek, but they then stunned West Ham with a goal from their first attack.
Stephane Sessegnon drove forward to release Morgan Amalfitano into the area and he drilled across goal for Berahino to apply the finish.
The impact on West Brom's overall performance was initially negligible and Foster had to be at his best once more to deny Carroll, who got across Steven Reid to head Mohamed Diame's inviting cross goalwards.
Reid's fellow full-back Billy Jones was inches away from doubling the hosts' advantage with a flying header from Amalfitano's whipped 25th-minute delivery.
Foster then beat away a rasping 30th-minute shot from Guy Demel and West Brom broke, Sessegnon leading the charge before Graham Dorrans dragged wide left-footed.
Both teams lost a defender apiece to injury before half-time as James Tomkins and Reid departed, while the frenetic pace showed no sign of letting up.
Sessegnon continued to be influential and blasted over having twisted and turned past Mark Noble seven minutes after the restart.
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was then down sharply to keep a Jones strike out at his near post and Dorrans, searching for the composure that helped him net spectacularly at the Etihad Stadium on Monday, was off target again in the 56th minute.
Immediately after Berahino's touch had deserted him in the 62nd minute, Sessegnon teed up his fellow forward to fire straight at Adrian from close range and pass up a glorious opportunity.
Berahino's predatory instincts were then lacking as he failed to turn home Youssuf Mulumbu's speculative effort.
Carroll almost made him pay when he was inexplicably left alone to strike the bar from Matt Jarvis' delivery, while Sessegnon scuffed a 75th-minute volley and Adrian denied him the goal his efforts deserved.
Instead, it was Berahino, very much the villain when his error enabled fellow strugglers Cardiff City to leave The Hawthorns with a 3-3 draw last month, who was the hero for West Brom.
A Saido Berahino goal gave West Brom a 1-0 victory over West Ham at the Hawthorns on Saturday.
Pepe Mel's men headed into the game knowing a win would ease any lingering fears of relegation, and Berahino's goal proved the winner in a tight clash with Sam Allardyce's men.
Head coach Mel opted to hand Berahino a first start in attack since February and was rewarded when the England Under-21 international struck in the 11th minute, settling Albion's early nerves.
Andy Carroll went close for West Ham either side of the early strike and almost made West Brom pay for missed chances after the interval when he rattled the crossbar from a 71st-minute corner.
However, the hosts held on to pick up a valuable three points and move five clear of the relegation zone.
West Ham are a point better off and all but safe despite a fourth consecutive loss.
Carroll kept the ball alive well from a sixth-minute corner to draw a sharp near-post save from Ben Foster and Jonas Olsson followed his goalkeeper's heroics by producing a last-ditch challenge to deny the West Ham centre-forward.
It was a start in keeping with the sloppy opening that saw West Brom 2-0 down after 10 minutes at Manchester City in midweek, but they then stunned West Ham with a goal from their first attack.
Stephane Sessegnon drove forward to release Morgan Amalfitano into the area and he drilled across goal for Berahino to apply the finish.
The impact on West Brom's overall performance was initially negligible and Foster had to be at his best once more to deny Carroll, who got across Steven Reid to head Mohamed Diame's inviting cross goalwards.
Reid's fellow full-back Billy Jones was inches away from doubling the hosts' advantage with a flying header from Amalfitano's whipped 25th-minute delivery.
Foster then beat away a rasping 30th-minute shot from Guy Demel and West Brom broke, Sessegnon leading the charge before Graham Dorrans dragged wide left-footed.
Both teams lost a defender apiece to injury before half-time as James Tomkins and Reid departed, while the frenetic pace showed no sign of letting up.
Sessegnon continued to be influential and blasted over having twisted and turned past Mark Noble seven minutes after the restart.
West Ham goalkeeper Adrian was then down sharply to keep a Jones strike out at his near post and Dorrans, searching for the composure that helped him net spectacularly at the Etihad Stadium on Monday, was off target again in the 56th minute.
Immediately after Berahino's touch had deserted him in the 62nd minute, Sessegnon teed up his fellow forward to fire straight at Adrian from close range and pass up a glorious opportunity.
Berahino's predatory instincts were then lacking as he failed to turn home Youssuf Mulumbu's speculative effort.
Carroll almost made him pay when he was inexplicably left alone to strike the bar from Matt Jarvis' delivery, while Sessegnon scuffed a 75th-minute volley and Adrian denied him the goal his efforts deserved.
Instead, it was Berahino, very much the villain when his error enabled fellow strugglers Cardiff City to leave The Hawthorns with a 3-3 draw last month, who was the hero for West Brom.
Swansea 4-1 Aston Villa: Shelvey scores from halfway line as Swans cruise
Swansea City recorded a vital 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday to move further clear of the relegation zone as the season draws to a close.
A Wilfried Bony brace and goals from Jonjo Shelvey and Pablo Hernandez gave Garry Monk's men victory, with Shelvey netting the pick of the goals.
Paul Lambert's side came into the weekend four points above the drop zone, but saw that gap reduced following a defeat in which Shelvey provided a moment of pure quality at the Liberty Stadium.
The midfielder capitalised on a poor Ron Vlaar attempted clearance to find the back of the net from the edge of the centre circle to give Swansea a 2-1 lead, as the hosts recorded their first back-to-back Premier League wins since December 2012 and eased any lingering fears of relegation.
Leading scorer Wilfried Bony had given Swansea a 10th-minute advantage, before Gabriel Agbonlahor pulled Villa level from close range 12 minutes later.
Pablo Hernandez then fired home from 12 yards in the 73rd minute and just as at Newcastle, Bony scored from the penalty spot in time added on after Nathan Baker had fouled Marvin Emnes.
The result lifts Swansea eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Villa boss Lambert may now be a little more concerned over his future, with speculation mounting that chairman Randy Lerner is looking to sell the club.
Bony scored both goals in Swansea’s victory at Newcastle United last Saturday and wasted no time in adding to his goal tally seven days on.
The Ivorian was the grateful recipient of a precise Shelvey through-ball 10 minutes in, and beat Brad Guzan with a clinical finish to put the hosts in front.
Marc Albrighton, whose future at Villa beyond the end of this season is yet to be resolved, was first to threaten the Swansea goal with a 20-yard effort that drifted wide of the left-hand post.
But the winger was the architect for team-mate Agbonlahor's leveller, with his cross from the right allowing the striker to tap home in the 22nd minute for his first goal in 12 games - and his second against Swansea this season.
The visitors' joy was short-lived, though, as Shelvey’s sublime strike restored Swansea's lead four minutes later.
The midfielder knocked the ball down from Vlaar's bad attempt to clear, before beating Guzan with an audacious long-range right-foot strike - a sure-fire goal-of-the-season contender.
Shelvey clearly had an eye for goal and forced Guzan into a diving save after the break, before Jonathan de Guzman poked just wide of the left-hand upright after being picked out by a Wayne Routledge pass.
Swansea then gave themselves some breathing space in the 73rd minute, when Shelvey found an unmarked Hernandez with a cross from the right - the Spaniard cutting inside and smashing home from 12 yards for his first goal since September.
And things went from bad to worse Villa in stoppage time, as substitute Emnes was felled in the box by Baker and Bony coolly slotted home in a carbon copy of Swansea’s second goal at St James' Park last weekend.
Swansea City recorded a vital 4-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday to move further clear of the relegation zone as the season draws to a close.
A Wilfried Bony brace and goals from Jonjo Shelvey and Pablo Hernandez gave Garry Monk's men victory, with Shelvey netting the pick of the goals.
Paul Lambert's side came into the weekend four points above the drop zone, but saw that gap reduced following a defeat in which Shelvey provided a moment of pure quality at the Liberty Stadium.
The midfielder capitalised on a poor Ron Vlaar attempted clearance to find the back of the net from the edge of the centre circle to give Swansea a 2-1 lead, as the hosts recorded their first back-to-back Premier League wins since December 2012 and eased any lingering fears of relegation.
Leading scorer Wilfried Bony had given Swansea a 10th-minute advantage, before Gabriel Agbonlahor pulled Villa level from close range 12 minutes later.
Pablo Hernandez then fired home from 12 yards in the 73rd minute and just as at Newcastle, Bony scored from the penalty spot in time added on after Nathan Baker had fouled Marvin Emnes.
The result lifts Swansea eight points clear of the relegation zone, while Villa boss Lambert may now be a little more concerned over his future, with speculation mounting that chairman Randy Lerner is looking to sell the club.
Bony scored both goals in Swansea’s victory at Newcastle United last Saturday and wasted no time in adding to his goal tally seven days on.
The Ivorian was the grateful recipient of a precise Shelvey through-ball 10 minutes in, and beat Brad Guzan with a clinical finish to put the hosts in front.
Marc Albrighton, whose future at Villa beyond the end of this season is yet to be resolved, was first to threaten the Swansea goal with a 20-yard effort that drifted wide of the left-hand post.
But the winger was the architect for team-mate Agbonlahor's leveller, with his cross from the right allowing the striker to tap home in the 22nd minute for his first goal in 12 games - and his second against Swansea this season.
The visitors' joy was short-lived, though, as Shelvey’s sublime strike restored Swansea's lead four minutes later.
The midfielder knocked the ball down from Vlaar's bad attempt to clear, before beating Guzan with an audacious long-range right-foot strike - a sure-fire goal-of-the-season contender.
Shelvey clearly had an eye for goal and forced Guzan into a diving save after the break, before Jonathan de Guzman poked just wide of the left-hand upright after being picked out by a Wayne Routledge pass.
Swansea then gave themselves some breathing space in the 73rd minute, when Shelvey found an unmarked Hernandez with a cross from the right - the Spaniard cutting inside and smashing home from 12 yards for his first goal since September.
And things went from bad to worse Villa in stoppage time, as substitute Emnes was felled in the box by Baker and Bony coolly slotted home in a carbon copy of Swansea’s second goal at St James' Park last weekend.
Stoke City 0-1 Tottenham: Rose header sinks 10-man Potters
Tottenham's faint Champions League hopes remain intact following an ill-tempered 1-0 win at Stoke City on Saturday.
A first-half Danny Rose goal maintained the visitors' impressive record against 10-man Stoke, giving them their sixth win from the last nine Premier League encounters between the two, and kept Tim Sherwood's men in the hunt for the European places.
Stoke, who had Ryan Shawcross sent off just after half-time for two bookable offences, had won their last four home games and were unbeaten at the Britannia Stadium since January.
But Rose's first Premier League goal of the season settled matters, as he headed the visitors in front following good work from Emmanuel Adebayor.
Stoke's task was made harder when Shawcross received his second booking for a challenge on Rose, who was barracked by the home crowd at every opportunity thereafter.
And although they piled on the pressure in the hunt for an equaliser late on, they were kept out by a combination of some desperate defending and wayward finishing.
Tottenham made the early running and Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic had to scramble in the opening minutes to touch Aaron Lennon's cross wide at his near post, after the England winger had deceived Marc Muniesa – deputising for the ill Erik Pieters in the hosts' starting XI.
Stoke responded strongly and the returning Michael Dawson blocked a dangerous Geoff Cameron cross with Peter Crouch lurking, and then threw himself at a loose ball to block as Steven N'Zonzi was about to shoot.
Crouch was causing problems for his former side, and there was a nervous moment for Tottenham after 20 minutes when Hugo Lloris could only grab a deep Peter Odemwingie cross at the second attempt, with Crouch using his physical presence to unsettle the French keeper.
Midfielder Stephen Ireland fashioned Stoke's first real chance in the 25th minute when he was allowed to run at the retreating Tottenham defence and curled a shot from the edge of the area narrowly wide of Lloris' left-hand post.
Tottenham broke away immediately on the counter-attack and Harry Kane tested Begovic with a low shot that the keeper smothered comfortably.
The decisive moment of the match came after 32 minutes when Rose got ahead of Cameron at the back post and powerfully headed home a dinked cross from Adebayor to give Tottenham the lead.
Kane nearly made it 2-0 a few seconds before the break, but his effort from just inside the box was blocked when he perhaps should have got a shot away first time.
Stoke had the first chance of the second period when Marko Arnautovic cut in from the left and fired wide from 16 yards.
But boss Mark Hughes saw his plans left in tatters when captain Shawcross was sent off in the 53rd minute.
The defender was shown a second yellow card after appearing to aim a kick at goalscorer Rose, having already been cautioned a minute before the break for a foul on Christian Eriksen.
As the home crowd's frustration grew, an unmarked Odemwingie should have levelled for Stoke after 63 minutes when he met an inviting cross from substitute Pieters, but he flashed a point-blank header over.
A few seconds later, Arnautovic was played through the centre, only for Younes Kaboul to divert his shot wide.
Lloris then made a fine save from Arnautovic on the turn before Eriksen almost doubled Tottenham's lead with 12 minutes left when he curled a free-kick just over the crossbar.
There was still time for a late Stoke chance when Arnautovic was played through again, but he could only strike a tame shot straight at Lloris as Tottenham closed the gap on fourth-placed Arsenal to four points, while defeat leaves Stoke still with work to do to secure a first Premier League top-half finish.
Tottenham's faint Champions League hopes remain intact following an ill-tempered 1-0 win at Stoke City on Saturday.
A first-half Danny Rose goal maintained the visitors' impressive record against 10-man Stoke, giving them their sixth win from the last nine Premier League encounters between the two, and kept Tim Sherwood's men in the hunt for the European places.
Stoke, who had Ryan Shawcross sent off just after half-time for two bookable offences, had won their last four home games and were unbeaten at the Britannia Stadium since January.
But Rose's first Premier League goal of the season settled matters, as he headed the visitors in front following good work from Emmanuel Adebayor.
Stoke's task was made harder when Shawcross received his second booking for a challenge on Rose, who was barracked by the home crowd at every opportunity thereafter.
And although they piled on the pressure in the hunt for an equaliser late on, they were kept out by a combination of some desperate defending and wayward finishing.
Tottenham made the early running and Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic had to scramble in the opening minutes to touch Aaron Lennon's cross wide at his near post, after the England winger had deceived Marc Muniesa – deputising for the ill Erik Pieters in the hosts' starting XI.
Stoke responded strongly and the returning Michael Dawson blocked a dangerous Geoff Cameron cross with Peter Crouch lurking, and then threw himself at a loose ball to block as Steven N'Zonzi was about to shoot.
Crouch was causing problems for his former side, and there was a nervous moment for Tottenham after 20 minutes when Hugo Lloris could only grab a deep Peter Odemwingie cross at the second attempt, with Crouch using his physical presence to unsettle the French keeper.
Midfielder Stephen Ireland fashioned Stoke's first real chance in the 25th minute when he was allowed to run at the retreating Tottenham defence and curled a shot from the edge of the area narrowly wide of Lloris' left-hand post.
Tottenham broke away immediately on the counter-attack and Harry Kane tested Begovic with a low shot that the keeper smothered comfortably.
The decisive moment of the match came after 32 minutes when Rose got ahead of Cameron at the back post and powerfully headed home a dinked cross from Adebayor to give Tottenham the lead.
Kane nearly made it 2-0 a few seconds before the break, but his effort from just inside the box was blocked when he perhaps should have got a shot away first time.
Stoke had the first chance of the second period when Marko Arnautovic cut in from the left and fired wide from 16 yards.
But boss Mark Hughes saw his plans left in tatters when captain Shawcross was sent off in the 53rd minute.
The defender was shown a second yellow card after appearing to aim a kick at goalscorer Rose, having already been cautioned a minute before the break for a foul on Christian Eriksen.
As the home crowd's frustration grew, an unmarked Odemwingie should have levelled for Stoke after 63 minutes when he met an inviting cross from substitute Pieters, but he flashed a point-blank header over.
A few seconds later, Arnautovic was played through the centre, only for Younes Kaboul to divert his shot wide.
Lloris then made a fine save from Arnautovic on the turn before Eriksen almost doubled Tottenham's lead with 12 minutes left when he curled a free-kick just over the crossbar.
There was still time for a late Stoke chance when Arnautovic was played through again, but he could only strike a tame shot straight at Lloris as Tottenham closed the gap on fourth-placed Arsenal to four points, while defeat leaves Stoke still with work to do to secure a first Premier League top-half finish.
Fulham 2-2 Hull: Long rescues point for Tigers
A late strike from Shane Long capped a remarkable Hull comeback against Fulham as they drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Long stooped low to nod home with just three minutes of normal time remaining, after Nikica Jelavic had given the visitors hope of a point at Craven Cottage.
Ashkan Dejagah showed his quality to put Fulham ahead when he produced a wonderful shimmy and strike 10 minutes into the second half.
Just three minutes later, Fulham looked home and dry when Amorebieta headed home his first goal for the club.
But Felix Magath could only look on in horror as Sascha Riether crashed a clearance against his own crossbar, allowing Jelavic to head home with 14 minutes to play.
And Hull showed commendable spirit to claw level as Long scored to all-but secure their top-flight status and provide a confidence boost ahead of next month's FA Cup final.
After John Arne Riise and Hugo Rodallega went close for Fulham early on, Jelavic had Hull's first sight of goal - David Stockdale comfortably saving the Croat's close-range header - though the opening half-hour boasted few clear-cut chances.
Indeed, the main talking point of the half came five minutes before the break when Long went down in the area under pressure from the tracking Amorebieta.
However, Lee Mason waved away Hull appeals, before the second-half began with an explosive Rodallega volley he was unable to direct on target.
Riise and Lewis Holtby had been replaced by Dejagah and Kieran Richardson at the break, with Magath forced to make his third change just eight minutes into the second half.
Darren Bent replaced the injured Steve Sidwell in an attempt to offer Fulham some attacking impetus but it was Dejagah who opened the scoring with a curled effort that left Steve Harper with no chance.
The Iranian cut inside David Meyler before whipping in his fifth league goal of the season and the hosts doubled their lead soon after through Amorebieta.
While the Venezuelan may have been fortunate to be on the pitch, Hull could have no complaints with the quality of the goal - the former Athletic Bilbao man expertly guiding a precise Richardson cross past Harper.
However, it all went wrong for the home side from then on in as Riether's unfortunate attempted clearance was tipped onto his own crossbar by Stockdale before Jelavic gobbled up the rebound.
With Hull piling on the pressure - Sone Aluko and Ahmed Elmohamady both hitting the woodwork - the visitors' late surge eventually proved too much for Fulham to hold back when Long headed home the equaliser.
A point makes life a little easier for Hull, who are edging closer to mathematical safety, though Magath's men remain mired in the relegation zone after a stunning collapse.
A late strike from Shane Long capped a remarkable Hull comeback against Fulham as they drew 2-2 at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Long stooped low to nod home with just three minutes of normal time remaining, after Nikica Jelavic had given the visitors hope of a point at Craven Cottage.
Ashkan Dejagah showed his quality to put Fulham ahead when he produced a wonderful shimmy and strike 10 minutes into the second half.
Just three minutes later, Fulham looked home and dry when Amorebieta headed home his first goal for the club.
But Felix Magath could only look on in horror as Sascha Riether crashed a clearance against his own crossbar, allowing Jelavic to head home with 14 minutes to play.
And Hull showed commendable spirit to claw level as Long scored to all-but secure their top-flight status and provide a confidence boost ahead of next month's FA Cup final.
After John Arne Riise and Hugo Rodallega went close for Fulham early on, Jelavic had Hull's first sight of goal - David Stockdale comfortably saving the Croat's close-range header - though the opening half-hour boasted few clear-cut chances.
Indeed, the main talking point of the half came five minutes before the break when Long went down in the area under pressure from the tracking Amorebieta.
However, Lee Mason waved away Hull appeals, before the second-half began with an explosive Rodallega volley he was unable to direct on target.
Riise and Lewis Holtby had been replaced by Dejagah and Kieran Richardson at the break, with Magath forced to make his third change just eight minutes into the second half.
Darren Bent replaced the injured Steve Sidwell in an attempt to offer Fulham some attacking impetus but it was Dejagah who opened the scoring with a curled effort that left Steve Harper with no chance.
The Iranian cut inside David Meyler before whipping in his fifth league goal of the season and the hosts doubled their lead soon after through Amorebieta.
While the Venezuelan may have been fortunate to be on the pitch, Hull could have no complaints with the quality of the goal - the former Athletic Bilbao man expertly guiding a precise Richardson cross past Harper.
However, it all went wrong for the home side from then on in as Riether's unfortunate attempted clearance was tipped onto his own crossbar by Stockdale before Jelavic gobbled up the rebound.
With Hull piling on the pressure - Sone Aluko and Ahmed Elmohamady both hitting the woodwork - the visitors' late surge eventually proved too much for Fulham to hold back when Long headed home the equaliser.
A point makes life a little easier for Hull, who are edging closer to mathematical safety, though Magath's men remain mired in the relegation zone after a stunning collapse.
Bayern Munich 5-2 Werder Bremen: Pizarro inspires barnstorming Bavarian comeback
Claudio Pizarro struck twice as Bayern Munich produced a sensational second-half display to defeat Werder Bremen 5-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Seeking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit when they meet Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, the hosts warmed up in style with a fine display of attacking verve in the Bundesliga.
But the final score did not tell the full story of a game that, for 45 minutes at least, Werder competed well in, with a second-half masterclass and the contribution of former Werder striker Claudio Pizarro ultimately proving decisive.
The visitors took an unexpected early lead when Theodor Gebre Selassie was on hand to round off a well-worked counterattack, before Franck Ribery levelled 10 minutes later.
Despite the hosts creating a number of chances, Aaron Hunt restored Werder's advantage just before the break by finishing another breakaway.
It was a different story after the restart, though, as Bayern responded with three goals in eight minutes - Pizarro marking his return to the side with a brace, before Bastian Schweinsteiger's towering header made it four.
Arjen Robben then came off the bench to add a fifth with a trademark finish to give Bayern a much-needed boost.
Coach Pep Guardiola clearly had one eye on Tuesday’s clash with Madrid, making five changes to the side that had lost in Spain.
There was an emotional start to proceedings at the Allianz Arena as players and fans observed a minute's silence to pay their respects to former Barcelona boss, and Guardiola's assistant at Camp Nou, Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday after a long battle with throat cancer.
Despite the hosts seeing plenty of possession in the opening exchanges, it was Werder who took the lead after 10 minutes when a sweeping counter-attack saw Cedric Makiadi release Gebre Selassie, who burst into the area to score.
Much had been made about the form of Ribery before the game, with Guardiola insisting that the Frenchman was on the verge of recapturing the kind of displays that saw him in the running for Ballon d’Or.
The Spaniard's faith was rewarded with the equaliser after 20 minutes, when a perfectly weighted ball from Pizarro found the onrushing Ribery in the box, who applied a calm finish.
Pizarro almost troubled his former employers again 10 minutes before half-time, but his chip was wayward.
And Bayern's failure to find a second goal was punished three minutes later, when Franco Di Santo played in Hunt, who passed the ball home.
However, a disappointing first half for Bayern was quickly forgotten after the break as Pizarro made amends for his earlier wastefulness by latching onto Thomas Muller's flick and poking the ball in at the far post.
The Peruvian decided not to celebrate out of respect to his former club, but he increased their woes four minutes later when Ribery released David Alaba, who squared for the veteran striker to finish.
Having finally found their rhythm, Bayern were relentless and would have had a third through Javi Martinez just before the hour were it not for a smart save from Wolf.
But just two minutes later the visiting goalkeeper was picking the ball out of the net for a fourth time, as Schweinsteiger headed home from substitute Philipp Lahm's cross.
There was still time for Bayern to add a fifth 16 minutes from time when Robben came off the bench to fire in a low drive.
That compounded a difficult afternoon for Robin Dutt's men, who missed a golden opportunity to confirm their Bundesliga status, while Bayern readied themselves for a bigger test against Madrid.
Claudio Pizarro struck twice as Bayern Munich produced a sensational second-half display to defeat Werder Bremen 5-2 on Saturday afternoon.
Seeking to overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit when they meet Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals on Tuesday, the hosts warmed up in style with a fine display of attacking verve in the Bundesliga.
But the final score did not tell the full story of a game that, for 45 minutes at least, Werder competed well in, with a second-half masterclass and the contribution of former Werder striker Claudio Pizarro ultimately proving decisive.
The visitors took an unexpected early lead when Theodor Gebre Selassie was on hand to round off a well-worked counterattack, before Franck Ribery levelled 10 minutes later.
Despite the hosts creating a number of chances, Aaron Hunt restored Werder's advantage just before the break by finishing another breakaway.
It was a different story after the restart, though, as Bayern responded with three goals in eight minutes - Pizarro marking his return to the side with a brace, before Bastian Schweinsteiger's towering header made it four.
Arjen Robben then came off the bench to add a fifth with a trademark finish to give Bayern a much-needed boost.
Coach Pep Guardiola clearly had one eye on Tuesday’s clash with Madrid, making five changes to the side that had lost in Spain.
There was an emotional start to proceedings at the Allianz Arena as players and fans observed a minute's silence to pay their respects to former Barcelona boss, and Guardiola's assistant at Camp Nou, Tito Vilanova, who died on Friday after a long battle with throat cancer.
Despite the hosts seeing plenty of possession in the opening exchanges, it was Werder who took the lead after 10 minutes when a sweeping counter-attack saw Cedric Makiadi release Gebre Selassie, who burst into the area to score.
Much had been made about the form of Ribery before the game, with Guardiola insisting that the Frenchman was on the verge of recapturing the kind of displays that saw him in the running for Ballon d’Or.
The Spaniard's faith was rewarded with the equaliser after 20 minutes, when a perfectly weighted ball from Pizarro found the onrushing Ribery in the box, who applied a calm finish.
Pizarro almost troubled his former employers again 10 minutes before half-time, but his chip was wayward.
And Bayern's failure to find a second goal was punished three minutes later, when Franco Di Santo played in Hunt, who passed the ball home.
However, a disappointing first half for Bayern was quickly forgotten after the break as Pizarro made amends for his earlier wastefulness by latching onto Thomas Muller's flick and poking the ball in at the far post.
The Peruvian decided not to celebrate out of respect to his former club, but he increased their woes four minutes later when Ribery released David Alaba, who squared for the veteran striker to finish.
Having finally found their rhythm, Bayern were relentless and would have had a third through Javi Martinez just before the hour were it not for a smart save from Wolf.
But just two minutes later the visiting goalkeeper was picking the ball out of the net for a fourth time, as Schweinsteiger headed home from substitute Philipp Lahm's cross.
There was still time for Bayern to add a fifth 16 minutes from time when Robben came off the bench to fire in a low drive.
That compounded a difficult afternoon for Robin Dutt's men, who missed a golden opportunity to confirm their Bundesliga status, while Bayern readied themselves for a bigger test against Madrid.
Southampton 2-0 Everton: Toffees' top-four hopes suffer blow
Two own goals dealt Everton's chances of a top-four Premier League finish a severe blow as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
The Merseysiders came into Saturday's game at St Mary's Stadium looking for a win to take them above Arsenal and into fourth, with Arsene Wenger's side not playing until Monday.
However, a nightmare start saw them fall behind inside a minute as Antolin Alcaraz's spectacular error put the hosts ahead.
Having benefited from three own goals themselves in recent weeks, the visitors were their own worst enemies and fell further behind after the half-hour as Seamus Coleman turned into his net.
Southampton are now six points clear of Newcastle United - Arsenal's next opponents - and remain on course to equal their highest Premier League finish of eighth.
Everton remain a point behind Arsenal and Roberto Martinez looks as though he may have to wait another year at least to achieve his aim of taking the club into the UEFA Champions League.
Martinez's side could hardly have made a worse start to the game. They coughed up possession from kick-off and the ball eventually found Rickie Lambert, whose inswinging cross from the left was headed past Tim Howard by a flying Alcaraz.
A lack of cutting edge in attack hampered Everton and they almost conceded again 20 minutes in as Steven Davis turned wide from 12 yards after another swift break down their right flank.
Coleman's attacking instincts were giving Southampton space, but a rare foray down the opposite side of the pitch led to the hosts' second.
Nathaniel Clyne zipped up the wing and clipped in a deep cross that John Stones failed to clear, giving Coleman no time to readjust, the ball bouncing off his forehead and into the net.
Romelu Lukaku headed over from four yards as Everton sought a way back into the contest, but they were fortunate not to concede a penalty as Stones appeared to handle Adam Lallana's cross.
Martinez introduced Leon Osman and Aiden McGeady in an attempt to spark life into his attack, but Lambert came close to a Southampton third as his 59th-minute free-kick nicked the outside of Howard's left-hand post.
McGeady's trickery on the left presented Lukaku with another glorious chance to score, but he planted a header straight at Artur Boruc.
Everton's challenge largely fizzled out as Southampton dominated the ball, consigning the Merseyside club to their fifth successive winless trip to St Mary's.
Having cost former boss David Moyes his job at Manchester United by extinguishing their hopes of reaching the Champions League last week, Everton's own bid now looks in serious jeopardy.
Two own goals dealt Everton's chances of a top-four Premier League finish a severe blow as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
The Merseysiders came into Saturday's game at St Mary's Stadium looking for a win to take them above Arsenal and into fourth, with Arsene Wenger's side not playing until Monday.
However, a nightmare start saw them fall behind inside a minute as Antolin Alcaraz's spectacular error put the hosts ahead.
Having benefited from three own goals themselves in recent weeks, the visitors were their own worst enemies and fell further behind after the half-hour as Seamus Coleman turned into his net.
Southampton are now six points clear of Newcastle United - Arsenal's next opponents - and remain on course to equal their highest Premier League finish of eighth.
Everton remain a point behind Arsenal and Roberto Martinez looks as though he may have to wait another year at least to achieve his aim of taking the club into the UEFA Champions League.
Martinez's side could hardly have made a worse start to the game. They coughed up possession from kick-off and the ball eventually found Rickie Lambert, whose inswinging cross from the left was headed past Tim Howard by a flying Alcaraz.
A lack of cutting edge in attack hampered Everton and they almost conceded again 20 minutes in as Steven Davis turned wide from 12 yards after another swift break down their right flank.
Coleman's attacking instincts were giving Southampton space, but a rare foray down the opposite side of the pitch led to the hosts' second.
Nathaniel Clyne zipped up the wing and clipped in a deep cross that John Stones failed to clear, giving Coleman no time to readjust, the ball bouncing off his forehead and into the net.
Romelu Lukaku headed over from four yards as Everton sought a way back into the contest, but they were fortunate not to concede a penalty as Stones appeared to handle Adam Lallana's cross.
Martinez introduced Leon Osman and Aiden McGeady in an attempt to spark life into his attack, but Lambert came close to a Southampton third as his 59th-minute free-kick nicked the outside of Howard's left-hand post.
McGeady's trickery on the left presented Lukaku with another glorious chance to score, but he planted a header straight at Artur Boruc.
Everton's challenge largely fizzled out as Southampton dominated the ball, consigning the Merseyside club to their fifth successive winless trip to St Mary's.
Having cost former boss David Moyes his job at Manchester United by extinguishing their hopes of reaching the Champions League last week, Everton's own bid now looks in serious jeopardy.
Manchester United 4-0 Norwich City: Rooney & Mata hand Giggs emphatic debut win
A brace apiece from Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney gave Ryan Giggs a winning start to his interim reign as Manchester United boss.
Giggs – appointed as short-term manager following David Moyes' sacking in midweek – initially opted to leave Mata on the bench, but introduced him in the second-half, with the score already at 2-0.
And the Spaniard repaid the Welshman's faith in him by scoring twice to add some sheen to the scoreline and to help restore the feelgood factor around Old Trafford.
Taking to the touchline in a club suit, United's longest-serving player looked the part in a role that may only be temporary if pre-match speculation linking Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal with the Old Trafford hot-seat is to be believed.
Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Giggs to take on the job full-time, and the hosts displayed an early intensity of the kind associated with the Scot's reign.
Much of United's first-half work lacked penetration, but Rooney scored a penalty four minutes before half-time and then doubled his tally three minutes after the break.
Substitute Mata then struck twice to complete the scoring, leaving Old Trafford delighted and Norwich perilously placed just a point and a place above the relegation zone with two matches remaining.
The two marquee signings of the Moyes era fared badly as Giggs made six changes. Mata dropped to the bench and Marouane Fellaini did not make the matchday 18.
Giggs was afforded a predictably rapturous reception before recalled right winger Antonio Valencia was heavily involved as United sought a fast opening - although, unfortunately, the Ecuador international's early deliveries lacked quality.
Jonny Howson had the ball in the net for Norwich after David De Gea had fumbled Ricky van Wolfswinkel's ninth-minute header, but the Dutch striker was rightly penalised for a push on Phil Jones.
City's first testing moment came via the United left in the 14th minute when Martin Olsson failed to clear Patrice Evra's searching cross before Danny Welbeck reacted quickest to the loose ball, forcing John Ruddy to save smartly at his near post.
United then found themselves in the all-too-familiar position of struggling for fluency but, after Ruddy had beaten a ball from Valencia out of the goalmouth, the Old Trafford crowd was on its feet in the 41st minute as Rooney converted from the spot.
Jones' speculative pass found its way through a crowd of Norwich defenders to Welbeck, who was clumsily fouled by Steven Whittaker, and Rooney sent Ruddy the wrong way from the resulting penalty to record a 16th league goal of the season.
Norwich were then left with a mountain to climb after the restart when Rooney was allowed to advance unchallenged towards the edge of the area. Despite losing his footing, the England forward's shot curled beyond Ruddy and into the bottom corner.
Robert Snodgrass was Norwich's standout attacking threat and he tested De Gea with a 58th-minute free-kick, having drawn a foul from Nemanja Vidic, but the game was over as a contest five minutes later.
Having saved impressively from Welbeck, Ruddy pushed the ball clear as Rooney sought a hat-trick, but Jones drilled the ball back into the box and Mata converted.
The Spain international then nodded his second goal after Valencia had smashed a 73rd-minute volley across the area, and Old Trafford was able to bask in an optimism rarely felt over recent months.
Substitute Johan Elmander and Bradley Johnson went close and Olsson saw a deflected drive strike the crossbar in a belated Norwich rally, but caretaker manager Neil Adams now faces the daunting prospect of games against Chelsea and Arsenal in which to salvage their top-flight status.
Real Madrid 4-0 Osasuna: Ronaldo wondergoals keep Liga hopes alive
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two wondergoals to help Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday and keep their Liga title hopes alive.
After declaring he was in "perfect condition" in the build-up to Saturday's match, Ronaldo proved it on the pitch with a dazzling display and two goals, before being taken off in preparation for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at Bayern Munich.
His sixth-minute strike gave Andres Fernandez no chance as it flew into the back of the net from long range and he created a handful of chances for his team-mates that were wasted.
Osasuna rarely threatened Diego Lopez and they were unable to bring the goalkeeper into action when they did have a sight of goal.Ronaldo secured the points early in the second half with his 30th league goal of the season and Sergio Ramos added a third on the hour.
Daniel Carvajal scored a late header to underline the Blancos' dominance and keep the heat on Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the title race, the pair facing respective trips to Valencia and Villarreal on Sunday.
Osasuna remain firmly in the relegation fight, just three points above the drop zone.
With one eye on Tuesday's trip to the Allianz Arena, which Madrid will enter 1-0 up, Carlo Ancelotti made six changes to his starting line-up but it was a man who featured in their semi-final first leg that opened the scoring.
A subdued Ronaldo did not look fully fit last week but he proved he was back to his best early on as he cut in from the left and sent a 25-yard strike arrowing into the top corner.The Portugal captain was involved in every dangerous attack from Madrid and twice laid chances on for Ramos, though he could not capitalise.
Three minutes into the second half, Osasuna went close to a surprise leveller as Emiliano Armenteros acrobatically met a left-wing cross, however his effort was just wide.Ronaldo showed him how it was done in the 53rd minute as he doubled his tally a sublime strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Again the 29-year-old cut in from the left with his sights set on the top corner, and he showed unerring accuracy to send the ball screaming past Andres.Having wasted chances in the first half, Ramos finally got his name on the scoresheet as he charged into the penalty area to meet Angel di Maria's cross.
With the game won Ancelotti took the chance to give Ronaldo, Di Maria and Luka Modric a rest to ensure they are ready for their midweek test in Germany.One of the substitutes made an immediate impact as Carvajal, who had replaced Di Maria, escaped the attentions of Osasuna's defenders and lobbed a header over Fernandez from Isco's chipped pass.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored two wondergoals to help Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday and keep their Liga title hopes alive.
After declaring he was in "perfect condition" in the build-up to Saturday's match, Ronaldo proved it on the pitch with a dazzling display and two goals, before being taken off in preparation for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at Bayern Munich.
His sixth-minute strike gave Andres Fernandez no chance as it flew into the back of the net from long range and he created a handful of chances for his team-mates that were wasted.
Osasuna rarely threatened Diego Lopez and they were unable to bring the goalkeeper into action when they did have a sight of goal.Ronaldo secured the points early in the second half with his 30th league goal of the season and Sergio Ramos added a third on the hour.
Daniel Carvajal scored a late header to underline the Blancos' dominance and keep the heat on Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the title race, the pair facing respective trips to Valencia and Villarreal on Sunday.
Osasuna remain firmly in the relegation fight, just three points above the drop zone.
With one eye on Tuesday's trip to the Allianz Arena, which Madrid will enter 1-0 up, Carlo Ancelotti made six changes to his starting line-up but it was a man who featured in their semi-final first leg that opened the scoring.
A subdued Ronaldo did not look fully fit last week but he proved he was back to his best early on as he cut in from the left and sent a 25-yard strike arrowing into the top corner.The Portugal captain was involved in every dangerous attack from Madrid and twice laid chances on for Ramos, though he could not capitalise.
Three minutes into the second half, Osasuna went close to a surprise leveller as Emiliano Armenteros acrobatically met a left-wing cross, however his effort was just wide.Ronaldo showed him how it was done in the 53rd minute as he doubled his tally a sublime strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Again the 29-year-old cut in from the left with his sights set on the top corner, and he showed unerring accuracy to send the ball screaming past Andres.Having wasted chances in the first half, Ramos finally got his name on the scoresheet as he charged into the penalty area to meet Angel di Maria's cross.
With the game won Ancelotti took the chance to give Ronaldo, Di Maria and Luka Modric a rest to ensure they are ready for their midweek test in Germany.One of the substitutes made an immediate impact as Carvajal, who had replaced Di Maria, escaped the attentions of Osasuna's defenders and lobbed a header over Fernandez from Isco's chipped pass.
Ramos: Real Madrid have four more finals in La Liga
Sergio Ramos is setting his sights on winning the final four matches of Real Madrid’s league campaign as they look to put maximum pressure on city rivals Atletico Madrid in the title race.
The Blancos recorded a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday to reduce the gap to Diego Simeone’s side back to three points at the top of the table.
Ramos netted just his second Liga goal of the campaign - his previous effort coming in the 3-2 win over Levante in October - by converting Angel Di Maria’s cross in the second half, joining Cristiano Ronaldo (two) and Dani Carvajal on the scoresheet.
"We are very happy," the defender told reporters after the match.
"Now we have to continue in the same way until the end of the season. We have four finals in the league and we are going to try and win them all.
"I believe the scoreline was a fair one because we put in a serious performance.
"I have finally been able to score and I dedicate the strike to my future son before he is born. It wasn't an obsession, but it came when I least expected it - I came in at the back post and surprised everyone by scoring."
The 28-year-old Spain defender quickly turned his attention to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, with the Santiago Bernabeu side travelling to Germany with a 1-0 advantage.
"Now we will enjoy the win and start to think about the Champions League," Ramos concluded. "We have to give everything due to what is at stake - we are playing for a place in the final."
Madrid - who have already secured this season's Copa del Rey - face Valencia, Valladolid, Celta and Espanyol in their last four Liga fixtures.
Sergio Ramos is setting his sights on winning the final four matches of Real Madrid’s league campaign as they look to put maximum pressure on city rivals Atletico Madrid in the title race.
The Blancos recorded a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday to reduce the gap to Diego Simeone’s side back to three points at the top of the table.
Ramos netted just his second Liga goal of the campaign - his previous effort coming in the 3-2 win over Levante in October - by converting Angel Di Maria’s cross in the second half, joining Cristiano Ronaldo (two) and Dani Carvajal on the scoresheet.
"We are very happy," the defender told reporters after the match.
"Now we have to continue in the same way until the end of the season. We have four finals in the league and we are going to try and win them all.
"I believe the scoreline was a fair one because we put in a serious performance.
"I have finally been able to score and I dedicate the strike to my future son before he is born. It wasn't an obsession, but it came when I least expected it - I came in at the back post and surprised everyone by scoring."
The 28-year-old Spain defender quickly turned his attention to Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, with the Santiago Bernabeu side travelling to Germany with a 1-0 advantage.
"Now we will enjoy the win and start to think about the Champions League," Ramos concluded. "We have to give everything due to what is at stake - we are playing for a place in the final."
Madrid - who have already secured this season's Copa del Rey - face Valencia, Valladolid, Celta and Espanyol in their last four Liga fixtures.
Martinez: Everton still fighting
Roberto Martinez has challenged his Everton side to keep fighting for a top-four Premier League spot after their 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
Own goals from Antolin Alcaraz and Seamus Coleman consigned Martinez's men to defeat at St Mary's Stadium, with Everton failing to overtake Arsenal and move into fourth as a result.
The Merseysiders are a point behind Arsenal with just two games left to play, while Arsenal host Newcastle United on Monday and can extend that gap.
But Martinez remains bullish over their hopes of securing a spot at Europe's top table.
He told BT Sport: "From our point of view, it doesn't change at all.
"We have had eight wins in 10 games - it's a phenomenal return.
"We go into the next two games and hope to get maximum points, all we're looking for is to get the maximum points and we'll see where that leaves us.
"Today was a real setback but we'll learn from this, we're a very young group."
Alcaraz was paired at the back with John Stones - just the second time that the duo had played in central defence together.
And Martinez conceded that unfamiliarity may have hampered his side.
He added: "I think we got a bit frustrated. We were not our normal selves.
"In the back five, you need that consistency and with the changes it took us 20-25 minutes to get into the game.
"After that, we came a bit stronger in the second half, but not having that confident look we usually do.
"Today, everything that could have gone wrong defensively did and that made things difficult."
Roberto Martinez has challenged his Everton side to keep fighting for a top-four Premier League spot after their 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
Own goals from Antolin Alcaraz and Seamus Coleman consigned Martinez's men to defeat at St Mary's Stadium, with Everton failing to overtake Arsenal and move into fourth as a result.
The Merseysiders are a point behind Arsenal with just two games left to play, while Arsenal host Newcastle United on Monday and can extend that gap.
But Martinez remains bullish over their hopes of securing a spot at Europe's top table.
He told BT Sport: "From our point of view, it doesn't change at all.
"We have had eight wins in 10 games - it's a phenomenal return.
"We go into the next two games and hope to get maximum points, all we're looking for is to get the maximum points and we'll see where that leaves us.
"Today was a real setback but we'll learn from this, we're a very young group."
Alcaraz was paired at the back with John Stones - just the second time that the duo had played in central defence together.
And Martinez conceded that unfamiliarity may have hampered his side.
He added: "I think we got a bit frustrated. We were not our normal selves.
"In the back five, you need that consistency and with the changes it took us 20-25 minutes to get into the game.
"After that, we came a bit stronger in the second half, but not having that confident look we usually do.
"Today, everything that could have gone wrong defensively did and that made things difficult."
Napoli hit by Higuain injury
Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is a doubt for the remainder of the season after picking up a potentially troubling ankle injury in their 0-0 draw at Inter on Saturday.
Marco Andreolli leapt to block one of the 26-year-old's efforts late in the stalemate at San Siro and Higuain's shooting foot collided with the Nerazzurri player's lower leg, causing obvious pain for Higuain.
The Argentina international needed to be stretchered off the pitch, casting doubt on whether he will feature again for Napoli again this season.
There were initial fears that he might not be able to recover in time for the World Cup this summer, however, reports coming out of Italy suggest nothing is broken and the former Real Madrid frontman just picked up a minor sprain.
"Gonzalo Higuain has a trauma to the right ankle, which will be evaluated over the next few days," the club said in a statement.
Rafa Benitez was pessimistic about his star striker's chances of being fit in time to face Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final in a week's time, while insisting his players went all-out for victory as they edge towards a guaranteed third-place finish in Serie A.
"Higuain had trauma to the ankle, a bruise, and we’ll have to see over the next few days. We still don’t know what the situation is," the Spaniard told Sky Sport.
"I think my team played to win, we had a lot of possession against a very strong side that has played only one game per week since the start of the season.
"We pushed hard and I think against them it was a good result, though we could also have won tonight."
Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain is a doubt for the remainder of the season after picking up a potentially troubling ankle injury in their 0-0 draw at Inter on Saturday.
Marco Andreolli leapt to block one of the 26-year-old's efforts late in the stalemate at San Siro and Higuain's shooting foot collided with the Nerazzurri player's lower leg, causing obvious pain for Higuain.
The Argentina international needed to be stretchered off the pitch, casting doubt on whether he will feature again for Napoli again this season.
There were initial fears that he might not be able to recover in time for the World Cup this summer, however, reports coming out of Italy suggest nothing is broken and the former Real Madrid frontman just picked up a minor sprain.
"Gonzalo Higuain has a trauma to the right ankle, which will be evaluated over the next few days," the club said in a statement.
Rafa Benitez was pessimistic about his star striker's chances of being fit in time to face Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia final in a week's time, while insisting his players went all-out for victory as they edge towards a guaranteed third-place finish in Serie A.
"Higuain had trauma to the ankle, a bruise, and we’ll have to see over the next few days. We still don’t know what the situation is," the Spaniard told Sky Sport.
"I think my team played to win, we had a lot of possession against a very strong side that has played only one game per week since the start of the season.
"We pushed hard and I think against them it was a good result, though we could also have won tonight."
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