..::Football IV::..

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Wenger: Man Utd's still dangerous despite injuries

Manchester United's injury problems and crowded fixture list will not offer Arsenal an advantage at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, according to Arsene Wenger.

United are missing a host of key players, including star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic and a clutch of first-choice defenders, forcing manager Jose Mourinho raised the prospect of being forced to field weakened teams in the Premier League as he attempts to win European silverware and earn the club a route back into the Champions League.Wenger, though, claimed to be unconcerned with the selection issues confronting his Portuguese counterpart.

"We focus on our performance, I don't know what Manchester United will do," said the Arsenal manager, who saw his side beaten 2-0 by rivals Tottenham last weekend."We know anyway they have a massive squad with quality players. Only a top-level performance will get us the win we want.

"The only advantage we can give ourselves is to focus on ourselves and not speculate on any weakness of Manchester United."Normally a hectic schedule is what you want. If you have no big injuries we are all equipped in the Premier League to deal with that."

Arsenal, sixth in the table, could find themselves competing in UEFA's second-tier competition next term, but Wenger claimed missing out on a Champions League appearance for the first time since 1997-98 will not prompt him to alter his recruitment plans.

Asked if would have to lower his expectations in the transfer market, he said: "I don't think so, we will deal with it if we have to face it, but at the moment we are not there. We will focus on the same players."

The Frenchman indicated holding midfielder Granit Xhaka is unlikely to feature against United, although defender Shkodran Mustafi and reserve forward Lucas Perez are nearing a return to availability.

"Granit Xhaka is still out for the kick he got [against Tottenham]. It's a swollen ankle. There is a little chance [he will be back soon]," explained the 67-year-old."Mustafi is back in normal training. Lucas Perez is back in training, but he'll miss the next two days, he got a little knock in training."The defeat to Spurs ensured Arsenal will finish below their local rivals for the first time since the manager took over in 1996-97.

Quizzed on how he has responded to that painful defeat, Wenger wryly replied: "Very badly. Unfortunately in a manager's career you have to go through it. "This week we have spoken about mental problems," he added, referring to Everton midfielder Aaron Lennon's hospitalisation.

"People underestimate the stress the players are under. You need to be a bit more balanced. In life you always have ups and downs. In our job the ups are higher and the downs are lower. That's what you have to deal with."

Asked if, because of those mental stresses and strains, the job of being Arsenal manager is still worth doing, Wenger said: "Yes, because I love the positive side of it. I love to win. I love to prepare [for] something big, the excitement. To hope to do well."

Wenger, who is out of contract at the end of the season, again refused to reveal a decision on his future, acknowledging he has been proven wrong in claiming an announcement would be made in March or April, but insisting the team's Champions League qualification fate will not influence his thinking.

 

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Celta Vigo 0 Manchester United 1: Rashford free-kick gives Mourinho's men advantage

Marcus Rashford scored a second-half free-kick as Manchester United defeated Celta Vigo 1-0 at Balaidos to gain the upper hand in their Europa League semi-final tie.

It looked like Jose Mourinho's men were going to be in for a frustrating night in Spain when they had the better of the first half but failed to take advantage of their goalscoring opportunities, a familiar theme from their Premier League campaign.

But in-form Rashford, who also scored a dramatic extra-time winner against Anderlecht in the quarter-finals, fooled Celta goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez with his set-piece to ensure United take an away goal and an aggregate lead back to Old Trafford for next Thursday's second leg.

A place in the Stockholm final on May 24 against either Ajax or Lyon is at stake for the winners, the Dutch side looking the most likely opponents after winning the first leg of the other semi-final 4-1.

Celta created the first opportunity of note, Nemanja Radoja's inswinging cross headed poorly wide by an unmarked Daniel Wass from six yards.

United responded strongly with only a stunning one-handed Sergio save keeping out Rashford's fine curling strike from 20 yards after the England international had worked space for himself outside the area.

And the visitors squandered two further chances before the interval, Henrikh Mkhitaryan missing the first when his left-footed shot was saved by Sergio, the returning Paul Pogba – back as one of six changes from Mourinho - having sent him through on goal.

And Jesse Lingard was the next to miss an excellent scoring opportunity, his strike lacking the placement and power required to beat Sergio after Rashford had set him up with a neat pass, meaning the match was level at the break.

Celta came out strongly in the second half, Iago Aspas flicking a header wide from Wass' cross, before Pione Sisto's deflected strike was tipped over by United goalkeeper Sergio Romero.

But it was United who made the breakthrough with 23 minutes remaining after Hugo Mallo had brought down Rashford 20 yards from goal.Rashford took the free-kick himself and sent his effort into the far corner, deceiving goalkeeper Sergio who had wrongly anticipated the 19-year-old shooting for the other corner.

Celta tried to respond when Aspas volleyed wide after a one-two with Jonny and Lingard blasted wide from 15 yards at the other end after a loose ball fell into his path as United threatened to strengthen their position further.Rashford appeared to limp off in the closing stages as he and Mkhitaryan were replaced by Anthony Martial and Ashley Young.

And Mourinho's injury headache got worse as Young – only on the pitch for 11 minutes - had to be replaced by Chris Smalling, who himself was making his return from a spell out of action, but United were still able to hold on for a valuable victory.

 

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Man Utd's new lion! King Rashford conquering Europe in Zlatan’s absence

They might have lost the master, but the apprentice has picked up more than a thing or two this season. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee ligament injury means his dream Europa League final of Manchester United v Ajax in Stockholm might not include the man himself, but the fixture seems a great possibility thanks to the player taking his place as United’s striker and talisman.

Marcus Rashford’s winning goal in the 1-0 victory away to Celta Vigo on Thursday gives United a massive advantage going back to Old Trafford in a week’s time for the semi-final second leg. But even more than that he delivered a performance of real maturity, wiliness and willing that Ibrahimovic would have been proud of.

And he decided the contest at just the right time too, as Celta began to grow in confidence after Jose Mourinho’s side had again showed how profligate they can be.

The first half was a United season review in microcosm form. They created a handful of really good chances but somehow left the field with nothing to show for it. Jesse Lingard got into good positions twice but couldn’t beat Sergio Alvarez, while Rashford’s excellent effort from distance brought the best out of the keeper.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was the biggest culprit though, taking Paul Pogba’s perfect pass in his stride only to then fire weakly at goal and make the save too easy for Sergio. It was not the first time a good piece of work from the Frenchman had knitted a United move together well, and anything near a decent level of finishing would have seen the visitors take a healthy lead into the second half.

But after coming back out with a much more cagey approach, United got the goal they needed midway through the second period thanks to Rashford. Realising he had little support, he headed on an intelligent run which drew a foul between two defenders and then got up to bend home a wonderful free-kick from the right of the area.

United would have come to Spain wanting a win if possible but an away goal as a minimum, and Rashford delivered just when they were starting to reflect on the possibility of attaining neither. It was as Ibrahimovic a performance as they could have wished for, even in the absence of the big man himself.

Mourinho has admitted recently that his summer transfer plans changed the moment the extent of Zlatan’s injury was confirmed, but in truth Rashford gives him the perfect replacement already.

Ibrahimovic claims not to be human, rather a lion who is forever stalking his prey in the final third. And recent evidence suggests Rashford is Zlatan’s cub, growing in stature by the day thanks to the nurturing he has received in the shadow of the 35-year-old.

He has shown the cunning, the guile and when it came down to it he also had the killer instinct. Ibrahimovic’s dream final is still on the cards, and with his apprenticeship under the Swede having been served, Rashford looks more than ready to become United’s long-term number nine.

 

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Manchester United break nine years of Spanish hoodoo with win at Celta Vigo

Manchester United's 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Thursday evening snapped a nine-year drought for the Red Devils.

Thanks to Marcus Rashford's second-half strike, United won a knockout round European match against a Spanish side for the first time since 2008.

That match in 2008 happened to be the second leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona. Following that win, Sir Alex Ferguson's side went on to lift the European crown with a penalty-kick win over Chelsea in Moscow.

In United's previous six matches against Spanish opposition past the group stage, the club had posted five losses and one draw.

United will look to advance to another European final when it hosts Celta in the return leg at Old Trafford next Thursday.

 

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Man Utd should be through already, says frustrated Mourinho

Jose Mourinho says he is very pleased with Manchester United's performance against Celta Vigo, but does not feel the same way about the result and believes the Europa League tie should already be over.

United won 1-0 at Balaidos in the semi-final, first leg on Thursday courtesy of Marcus Rashford's impressive second-half free-kick, which deceived Celta goalkeeper Sergio Alvarez.

That came after the visitors had seen Sergio produce a stunning save from Rashford, while also denying Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard in huge scoring opportunities for the visitors prior to the break.Although United hold the advantage going into next Thursday's second leg at Old Trafford, Mourinho feels the tie could have been over had his side taken their chances.

"I am very pleased with the performance but not with the result," the United manager told reporters after the match. "We played well enough to have [the] result closed but we have to go and play at Old Trafford.

"At half-time [it] should have been three or at least two, but the result is open." Mourinho continued: "We tried to win the match. We missed chances but the team played well, they were compact against a team who are difficult to play against."Let's hope Old Trafford want us to win because when Old Trafford wants it, we win."

 

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Diego Costa to China? Tianjin Quanjian deny rumours of a move for the Chelsea star

Diego Costa may well be headed to China this summer, but the club he's been linked with, Tianjin Quanjian, has put out a statement to try and calm the speculation.

The club's billionaire owner, Shu Yuhui, fueled speculation Thursday with his comments saying the Chinese Super League side have secured pre-contract agreements over the transfers of "two or three" big names.

The Chelsea striker was widely tabbed as one of those big names, with reports claiming that the Brazil-born Spain international was set for a record-breaking move to China. However, Tianjin came out to quell the rumours overnight, releasing a statement saying that the club have not made contact with the Chelsea star, and thus, do not have a contract in place.

“With regard to the widespread rumours that Chelsea's Diego Costa is expected to join Tianjin Quanjian, our club want to clarify that so far, we have not been communicating with Diego Costa regarding the transfer," the statement read.

Costa's future has been a cause of constant speculation over the last few months, with the striker doing little to help quite the rumours.Just last month the striker told SFR Sport: "I'm happy at Chelsea. But I'm not saying I'm happy with my life in London, because that is something totally different -- the one thing has nothing to do with the other."

Tianjin has also done little, prior to Friday, to downplay the transfer, with the club's owner confirming contact with him during the winter window in a Feburary press conference and saying: "It remains to be seen who will join us in June but I can assure you that the new players will be on the same level as Costa.”

While Costa's performances have dipped since the winter window, the striker is still enjoying a fine season with the Blues, having netted 19 Premier League goals including a brace against Southampton as part of a 4-2 win at the end of April.

The goal return has helped Chelsea into a strong position in the Premier League, with the club holding a four-point advantage over Tottenham at the top of the table with just four matches remaining.

 

[Alucard_SxE]

I'd like for Celta to advance actually so they can focus more on the europa league and less on la liga. there's an away match coming up for us

 

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Mourinho confirms he will rest Manchester United stars at Arsenal


Jose Mourinho has confirmed that he intends to rest key players when Manchester United travel to Arsenal in the Premier League.United sit five points above Arsenal in the table ahead of Sunday's visit to Emirates Stadium, while the Gunners have a game in hand in the fight for a top-four finish.

However, a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo on Thursday put one United foot in the Europa League final and winning Europe's secondary competition will guarantee a place in the Champions League next term.

Having taken charge of nine matches in April, and with one eye on United's semi-final second leg at Old Trafford next Thursday, Mourinho will make changes to his tired squad.

He said: "The players that will play in accumulation and the players that are with a lot of minutes – because we played nine matches in April and this one, so 10 matches in four and half weeks – the players that are in accumulation will not play next weekend."

Marcus Rashford limped off after scoring the only goal of the game at Balaidos with a curling free-kick, while Ashley Young also departed with an apparent hamstring injury 11 minutes after coming on.

With Luke Shaw, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo out for the season, Mourinho's options have thinned considerably for the run-in.Rashford's form has been a recent positive for Mourinho, with vital goals in Europe against Anderlecht and Celta helping fill the void left by Ibrahimovic.

"He worked really hard and he was creating problems," Mourinho said of the England international. "He had a fantastic shot in the first half with that beautiful save and then the free-kick is work. He works every day, he loves to work.

"Sometimes the training session will finish for the group and he keeps doing individual work with my assistant so the free-kick is really well taken. I think the goalkeeper has no chance because it was a really fast goal."

 

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Arsenal match 1ke B side 1kak play karawai wage next week Celta match 1ka nisa​

 

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Higuain not measuring himself against exploits of Madrid talisman Ronaldo

Gonzalo Higuain insists his brace against Monaco was not a response to the hat-trick netted by former team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as a likely Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus looms large.

A treble from Ronaldo against Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday means Zinedine Zidane's holders are widely expected to secure a place in the decider in Cardiff next month.

Higuain, who played alongside the Portugal forward in the Spanish capital from 2009 to 2013, struck twice as Juve registered a commanding 2-0 victory at Monaco in the other semi-final a day later.

Asked by Corriere dello Sport if his exploits at Stade Louis II were inspired by Ronaldo's efforts, Higuain replied: "No, I try to do my best without thinking of others."We are close to an extraordinary goal and we only have to take care of ourselves."

Barring remarkable recoveries from Atletico and Monaco, a clash between Madrid and Juve in the final would represent a reunion for Bianconeri pair Higuain and Sami Khedira with their old team-mates."It definitely would be a special situation because I played in Madrid for seven years," said Higuain."But first, I insist, the final must be reached."

Juve, who lost the 2015 Champions League final to Barcelona in Berlin, are closing in on an unprecedented sixth successive Serie A title and have also reached the decider of the Coppa Italia against Lazio, raising the prospect of Massimiliano Allegri's side securing a hugely impressive treble. "We realise how strong we are, we know we can fight against anyone,"said Higuain."We are close to three important goals and we hope to reach them.

"It's time to give it [our] all. We hope it will become a dream season. However, in [the] Champions [League], the return [leg] hasn't happened yet. Monaco is strong and the tie isn't over yet. We have to be calm, we have not won anything yet.

"In fact, we are very focused on the championship. We hope to beat Torino and close out the Scudetto as soon as possible," he added, referring to the impending Turin derby on Saturday.

 

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Mourinho rules out 'peace' with bitter rival Wenger ahead of Arsenal vs Man Utd

Jose Mourinho insists there is no need to make peace with long-time foe Arsene Wenger when Arsenal meet Manchester United on Sunday.

The two managers have endured a tempestuous relationship since Mourinho first arrived in England as Chelsea manager in 2004, and Wenger admitted on Thursday he is ready to let bygones be bygones with the United boss.

“I am open always in life to everything, for peace,” said the Arsenal manager. “I do not make of it a manager's fight. I want that my team shows up and gives a performance on Sunday and plays well.”

But Mourinho, who has never lost to Wenger in the Premier League, says there are already no hard feelings as far as he is concerned ahead of the Emirates Stadium clash.

“He doesn’t need to [make peace]. He doesn’t need to because there are no problems,” he told a pre-match press conference. “In the last match at Old Trafford we shook hands before, after. I remember that I still met him in the corridor for the press conferences, we shook hands again. He doesn’t need to make peace.

“When there is peace, I don’t have a problem. I am a big boy, I am in football all my life, and I know that a problem on the pitch is not a problem anymore the next day. So for me, no problem at all, and I think he will be very pleased that I am going to change my team to play against Arsenal, so I think he will be very happy with me.”

While Mourinho did say that he is prepared to make plentiful changes in order to rest players, he added that he does not think of Sergio Romero exclusively as his Europa League goalkeeper any more than he only considers David de Gea for Premier League duty.

“I don’t like to say this competition is for one goalkeeper, that competition is for another one. Sergio played one match in the Premier League, David played two matches in the Europa League against Fenerbahce and against Feyenoord. Sergio played also one match in the League Cup, David played the other matches and played the final. I don’t like that complete separation.

“But on Sunday, David plays. We have two fantastic goalkeepers, we have a third goalkeeper [Joel Pereira] that I think will be the best Portuguese goalkeeper of the next generation. We have great goalkeepers, and anyone in goal I trust completely.”

United travel to the Emirates Stadium still trailing fourth-placed Manchester City by a point, with Arsenal a further five points back with a game in hand.

 

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Simeone: I didn't tell Morata to join Atletico

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has rejected claims he is trying to sign Alvaro Morata from local rivals Real Madrid.

Cameras caught Simeone speaking to Morata during the 3-0 Champions League semi-final loss to Madrid on Tuesday while holding his hand over his mouth, the 24-year-old striker having been linked with a move despite only returning to the Santiago Bernabeu from Juventus in June.

The Spain international has also been linked with Chelsea and, asked about the gossip at a news conference ahead of his team's Liga match against Eibar on Saturday, Simeone offered an unequivocal response."I did not tell Morata to come to Atletico," he said. "I made a joke to Morata when he happened to walk past me."

Across the city at Valdebebas, Simeone's counterpart Zinedine Zidane suggested Morata intends to remain with Los Blancos.

"Alvaro Morata is a Real Madrid player," the French coach said. "He loves this club - it's the club of his life - that is all I can say about that."Unless there is a dramatic turnaround at Vicente Calderon next weekend, Atleti look set to bow out of the Champions League in the last four.

But after a slow start to a campaign that has been interrupted by injuries, Simeone is proud to have steered his side to third place with three league matches remaining, as they seek to again qualify for UEFA's elite club competition. "I've said it on several occasions, it's the hardest year since I've been at the club," he said.

"Competing with all the difficulties we've had, it's huge for me. We still have to close it, but when the season is over, the numbers will make us see very good things."The last six years are the best in the history of the club."As for the team's likely response to a heavy loss in an important match away to their arch rivals, the coach said: "We'll see, the team has always had important responses to hard knocks.

"It's what I imagine for tomorrow, I also imagine a Calderon closer than ever to the players, because I repeat once again to our fans that this team is doing an extraordinary season."It is clear that we are neither Real Madrid, nor Barcelona, nor Bayern Munich, who are the best teams in the world.

"We have been growing for eight years, because two years before my arrival it was already beginning to grow, and evidently these six years, have been extraordinary, possibly the best in the history of the club. "It is clear that [it is not easy] to approach [the level of] these monsters, but the only way to get to be in that place is to continue maintaining this work that we have been doing for eight years."

Simone confirmed Juanfran is unlikely to play against Eibar but should have recovered from a hamstring injury to be available for the second leg against Madrid on Wednesday.

 

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Impossible for Belotti and Higuain to play together at Juventus, says Allegri

Massimiliano Allegri has dismissed the possibility of Andrea Belotti moving to Juventus, insisting he and Gonzalo Higuain would not fit together "even with glue".

The Torino star has scored 27 goals in 34 appearances for Torino in all competitions, prompting the club to insist they will not sell him unless his €100 million release clause is met.

Many of Europe's top sides are showing an interest in the 23-year-old, with Arsenal the club most heavily linked to him. As Italy's most powerful side and likely Champions League finalists this season, Allegri was asked if Juventus could make a move for the striker to partner €90m forward Higuain, but he claims the move would make little sense.

"No, it is impossible," he told reporters. "They cannot play together, even with glue. "Belotti is a young boy who has grown a lot. I don't know if he is worth €100 million but I can say he has great prospects. He will be the No.9 for the national team for so many years."

Juve host Belotti and Co. on Saturday and will wrap up the league title with a win over their city rivals. Torino have won two and drawn four of their last six league games, but Allegri will not underestimate them and believes it will prepare them well for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final against Monaco.

"I expect a difficult game against a team in good condition. They will be aggressive and we will have to fight to get a positive result. "[Last week's opponents] Atalanta, Monaco and Torino all play similarly, have players of more or less the same type, have speed and good technique. Saturday will be important because it is a derby and it's for the league.

"We have to beat Monaco to reach the final of the Champions League. If we succeed then we should win the Italian Cup [against Lazio], so we are in good mental and physical condition.

"Against Monaco we got a good result but we can do better from the perspective of our performance. Approaching the end of these competitions is never easy. In the last 20 days, we have to live every moment as if it were the last."

 

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Man City banned from signing young players for two years

Manchester City have been fined £300,000 and banned from signing academy players for two years after being found guilty of tapping up two young footballers.

City now cannot sign youngsters aged between 10 and 18 who have been registered with Premier League or EFL clubs in the past 18 months. The second year of the ban is suspended for three years.

City have been hit with the sanction around a month after Liverpool were fined £200,000 and banned from signing youngsters for two years. It was ruled the Reds had broken Premier League rules by offering inducements to the family of an 11-year-old Stoke City player.

There is no suggestion City acted likewise, though it has been found the club "contravened League rules" in the process of signing an 11-year-old midfielder signed from Everton and a 15-year-old midfielder from Wolves.

“The Premier League has sanctioned Manchester City FC for breaches of its Youth Development Rules," the Premier League said in a statement. "The breaches concern approaches to two separate Academy players whilst they were each registered with another club.

“Following an investigation, the Premier League found evidence that the club’s conduct prior to applying to register the players contravened League rules. This included evidence of contact between the club and members of each academy player’s family while those academy players were still registered with their previous clubs.

“Manchester City will pay a fine of £300,000 and will be prohibited from registering any academy players in the under-10 to under-18 age range who have been registered with a Premier League or EFL club in the preceding 18 months.
This ban will last for two years. The period of this ban from 30 June 2018 onwards will be suspended for three years to be activated in the event of any similar breach by the club.

“In each case, the academy player was conditionally registered with Manchester City while the Premier League’s investigation was ongoing. As a result of the club’s breaches, the players’ registrations will be terminated on a specified date, with no compensation rights retained by the club, and the club will not be permitted to re-register them as academy players. In addition, Manchester City has offered to pay compensation to each player’s previous club, and maintain educational provision for each player until the completion of his GCSEs.”

 

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Monaco wonderkid Mbappe has what it takes to become a great, says Conte

Antonio Conte has showered praise on teenage Monaco phenonomenon Kylian Mbappe, stating his belief that he will go on to become one of football's greats.
The 18-year-old has enjoyed an incredible second season for the Ligue 1 side, guiding them to the top of the league as well as a Champions League semi-final.

That form has not gone unnoticed, with some of Europe's biggest clubs already linked with an interest in his signature. And Conte admitted that he is a big admirer of the wonderkid.

"I don't like to talk about players from other teams, but in this case it's normal to tell he is a very good prospect," the Chelsea manager said in an interview with SFR Sport. "For sure, he is still very young and he has a lot of room to improve.

"But he has all the characteristics to become a top player."Mbappe has played 39 games in his first full season for Monaco, scoring an impressive 24 goals in all competitions.

 

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West Ham 1 Tottenham 0: Lanzini leaves Chelsea on the brink of Premier League glory

Chelsea's grip on the Premier League title strengthened after West Ham battled to a shock 1-0 win over second-placed Tottenham.

Mauricio Pochettino's side headed into the match on a superb run of nine consecutive victories that had prevented Chelsea from turning their bid for glory into a procession.

But they were short of their best at London Stadium and Manuel Lanzini's goal 20 minutes into the second period ensured Spurs would remain four points behind Chelsea, having played a game more.

Victory over lowly Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Monday would put Antonio Conte's men seven points clear with three games remaining and Chelsea's seemingly favourable run-in comprises matches with West Brom, Watford and Sunderland.

Lanzini further enhanced his reputation as a London derby specialist, the Argentinian's strike standing as his ninth in 14 all-capital encounters, and Slaven Bilic's team are up to ninth in the table on 42 points – extinguishing their faintly lingering relegation fears.

Kyle Walker was called back into the Tottenham line-up in place of Kieran Trippier and he was caught napping in the sixth minute, with Lanzini racing onto Andre Ayew's raking ball into the space behind the England right-back to drag a shot wide.

West Ham were in down Walker's flank again five minutes later and Victor Wanyama raced back to make an excellent clearing header as Sam Byram waited to convert.

Walker was then booked for a robust follow through on Lanzini as Spurs looked to launch a counter-attack, with Mark Noble clattering into Eric Dier shortly afterwards to even up that aspect of a feisty start.

Adrian shovelled a Harry Kane drive back into his area, with Son Heung-min's follow-up blocked before the West Ham goalkeeper atoned for his mistake by brilliantly denying Kane with his boot.

Spurs keeper Hugo Lloris charged out of his area to challenge Lanzini in the 27th minute and was relieved to see Cheikhou Kouyate's lobbed follow-up squirt behind.

Christian Eriksen drilled narrowly wide from outside the area but Tottenham were still searching for the breakthrough when the interval arrived.

Ayew lashed over from 18 yards seven minutes into the second half and Spurs appeared increasingly edgy as the hour approached – Eriksen's tame sidefoot at Adrian lacking conviction when promisingly placed.

Son took advantage of Walker's run down the outside to open up room by lashing towards the bottom-left corner from the edge of the box, giving Adrian a more taxing workout.But Tottenham's title hopes were in tatters after 65 minutes as West Ham opened the scoring.

Aaron Cresswell shovelled a cross in from the left at the second attempt and, after Jonathan Calleri and Ayew had attempts blocked, Lanzini was on hand to lash in from six yards.

Pochettino sent on Mousa Dembele and Vincent Janssen in an attempt to rouse his side but they remained scrambled.Toby Alderweireld played himself into trouble inside his own area and it needed an excellent save from Lloris to thwart Calleri.

Eriksen lashed over but Tottenham were running on empty, with West Ham substitute Ashley Fletcher going agonisingly close to number two just before a final whistle that will have prompted significant celebrations in west London.

 

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'He can handle the pressure' - Lingard looking for big things from Rashford

Manchester United teenager Marcus Rashford can cope with pressure and will only get better, according to team-mate Jesse Lingard.Rashford, 19, delivered again for United in the Europa League, his free-kick securing a 1-0 win at Celta Vigo in the semi-final first leg on Thursday.He has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season, including the extra-time winner to get his side past Anderlecht and into the semis.

Lingard has no doubt Rashford will improve, regardless of the attention he gets following his recent exploits."He can handle the pressure," Lingard told UK newspapers. "He's been about long enough now to handle the pressure.

"He's scored major goals for United and again he's got the important goal."He's still growing. He's going to fill out even more. His knowledge of the game and his game intelligence will continue to grow and he'll keep learning and go from there."

Rashford was criticised in the lead-up to the Celta clash after being accused of diving to win a penalty in a 1-1 draw against Swansea City.Lingard backed his team-mate and praised Rashford for the way he responded in Spain.

"It's part and parcel of football," he said. "He's going to learn."People are always going to have an opinion. You've just got to focus on the next game and he's bounced back with that goal.

"Of late, he's been put on set-pieces and his corner delivery and free-kicks have been excellent. Close to goal he's got a real chance of scoring."United sit fifth in the Premier League ahead of a trip to Arsenal on Sunday.

 

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Guardiola: Mourinho won't write off Arsenal game

Pep Guardiola says Jose Mourinho will pick a Manchester United team strong enough to beat Arsenal on Sunday.

Mourinho has a long injury list to contend with and has already suggested that he will play the Under-23 side at the Emirates Stadium, as the game against Arsene Wenger's side falls between United's two-legged Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo.

United will be without Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who are all out for the season, while Ashley Young and Marcus Rashford picked up injuries in Vigo on Thursday night.Mourinho says United have blown their last chance of finishing in the top four and the fact that Celta will rest players this weekend means his hands are tied.

But Guardiola says he doubts his old rival would ever throw the towel in."I am pretty sure that United is going to London to win the game," the Catalan told reporters.

"What I know a little bit about the times I faced my colleague Jose Mourinho, he is never going to drop even one game."It doesn't matter about the team he's going to play, his decision is he is going to travel to London to win the game."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.05.06

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2017.05.06

Manchester City Vs Crystal Palace

Bournemouth Vs Stoke City

Burnley Vs WBA

Hull City Vs Sunderland

Leicester City Vs Watford

Swansea Vs Everton

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[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.05.06

LA Liga Fixtures 2017.05.06

Sporting Gijon Vs Las Palmas

Atletico Madrid Vs Eibar

Barcelona Vs Villareal

Granada Vs Real Madrid​