..::Football IV::..

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Benevento 2 Juventus 4: Dybala hat-trick piles pressure on Napoli

A Paulo Dybala-inspired Juventus bounced back from their midweek Champions League disappointment to grind out a 4-2 win over rock-bottom Benevento and open up a seven-point lead at the Serie A summit.

The Bianconeri suffered a humbling 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid on Tuesday, but edged past the league's bottom side to crank up the pressure on second-placed Napoli ahead of their clash with Chievo on Sunday.Dybala, in particular, had a night to forget against Madrid after picking up a second-half red card that rules him out of next week's second leg.




The Argentinian – one of only two players to retain their place from that game – responded to that setback in style, though, as his third hat-trick of the season secured all three points for Massimiliano Allegri's side.He scored twice – the second a penalty – either side of Cheick Diabate's leveller to give Juve a deserved half-time lead.

Diabate grabbed a second equaliser after 51 minutes, but Dybala spared any potential blushes by grabbing a second from the spot with 16 minutes to go before Douglas Costa added gloss to the scoreline with a stunning late goal.The visitors scarcely had to get out of second gear to take a deserved lead after 16 minutes.


Juan Cuadrado cushioned a long ball into the path of Dybala on the edge of the penalty area and the Argentinian took one touch before whipping a sumptuous effort into Christian Puggioni's top right-hand corner.Sandro then saw an angled drive well smothered by Wojciech Szczesny at the near post moments before Diabate netted an unlikely leveller.

Szczesny got down well to repel Filip Djuricic's low drive, but the loose ball was picked up by Guilherme and his low cross was diverted into the net by the Malian from close range.Cuadrado should have restored Juve's advantage soon after, instead clipping wide with only the goalkeeper to beat, while Mario Mandzukic had a goal ruled out after appearing to use his hand in the build-up.

Dybala ensured the visitors did go into the interval ahead, though, with a clinical spot-kick, given after a VAR referral by referee Fabrizio Pasqua for Berat Djimsiti's clumsy foul on Miralem Pjanic.

Any thoughts that Juve were going to canter to victory in the second half were extinguished six minutes after the restart as Diabate rose highest to meet Nicolas Viola's corner with a thumping header into the far corner.

But home hopes of picking up a famous point were vanquished with 16 minutes remaining when Viola brought down substitute Gonzalo Higuain in the area, Dybala stroking in the resulting spot-kick to complete his treble. Costa then took full advantage of Benevento's visible disappointment to whip in a wonderful fourth in the 82nd minute from 20 yards to wrap up all three points and banish their Champions League defeat to memory.

 

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Watford 1 Burnley 2: Come-from-behind Clarets boost Euro hopes


Burnley incredibly scored twice in three second-half minutes to boost their hopes of European qualification with a dramatic 2-1 win over Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Sam Vokes netted with his first touch off the bench before Jack Cork completed the stunning comeback in the 73rd minute to overturn what looked likely to be the winner from Roberto Pereyra.Pereyra had put aside his first-half frustration in front of goal to guide the Hornets ahead in the 61st minute and inspire hope of bringing an end to a three-match winless Premier League run.




But it was the Clarets who were buoyant soon after, substitute Vokes and midfielder Cork both netting from close range to secure a fourth straight top-flight victory for the first time since November 1968.Former Watford boss Sean Dyche earlier had Nick Pope to thank for a fine first-half display as club captain Tom Heaton, back in the matchday squad for the first time since September, watched from the bench.

And, although Watford found a way past World Cup hopeful Pope, Burnley rallied bravely to go six points clear of eighth-placed Leicester City, who lost 2-1 to Newcastle United.Indeed, if Burnley hold onto seventh – and struggling Southampton do not win the FA Cup – they will have done enough to earn a spot in the Europa League qualifying round.

Chris Wood entered the match on a run of four goals in three games and was on target again inside two minutes, only to have his header rightly chalked off for a marginal offside call. Troy Deeney nodded past the far post at the other end before Pope kept out a pair of Pereyra drives, the winger initially dallying over a good opening on the first attempt.

Burnley could well have gone ahead midway through the half, but Ashley Barnes - a scorer in each of his last four appearances - completely missed Aaron Lennon's low cross and Ashley Westwood's follow-up was blocked.And they were almost made to pay when Argentina international Pereyra skipped inside and curled a fine left-footed effort that forced the impressive Pope to acrobatically tip over.

Orestis Karnezis almost gifted the opener within two minutes of the restart when he dropped a high ball into Westwood's path, although the Greece goalkeeper recovered to blanket the shot.

England squad member Pope was then equal to Daryl Janmaat's side-footed effort as tentativeness continued to prove a hindrance at both ends.That was until Pereyra eventually found a way past Pope, Will Hughes' blocked finish breaking perfectly for the 27-year-old to tuck home the game's opening goal.

Yet, 12 minutes later, they were behind. Vokes pounced on Adrian Mariappa's misguided header to poke home the equaliser just 22 seconds after replacing Georges-Kevin Nkoudou, before Cork completed the quickfire comeback by forcing in Westwood's header back across goal.Javi Gracia threw on Andre Carrillo and Richarlison in an attempt to salvage the situation, but Burnley held firm and might have extended their advantage but for Karnezis' save from Wood.

That mattered little to the Clarets, though, as they banked a 13th victory of an excellent campaign to strengthen their grip on seventh.

 

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Augsburg 1 Bayern Munich 4: Heynckes' side cruise to Bundesliga title

Bayern Munich secured a record-breaking sixth straight Bundesliga title in style with a comfortable 4-1 victory over Augsburg.Most likely with an eye to the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sevilla, Jupp Heynckes rested a glut of Bayern's stars at the WWK Arena.

That decision looked to have backfired as Niklas Sule's 18th-minute own goal gave Augsburg the lead, but two goals in quick succession swung the game in Bayern's favour.Corentin Tolisso's header restored parity after 32 minutes, and Bayern took control when James Rodriguez slotted in following excellent build-up play from Joshua Kimmich and Juan Bernat.

Augsburg failed to match their early intensity following the second-half restart - Arjen Robben extending Bayern's lead just after the hour and Sandro Wagner adding further gloss to the victory late on.

With another Bundesliga crown now wrapped up, Bayern's attention will now switch to their European and DFB-Pokal campaigns, as Heynckes - who took charge in difficult circumstances following Carlo Ancelotti's departure - aims to match the treble he claimed in 2012-13.


Determined to delay Bayern's celebrations, Augsburg looked threatening early on - Caiuby flashing a well-struck effort across the face of goal.Philipp Max was the next to test Bayern's resolve, racing in behind the visitors' defence before hammering a powerful strike against Sven Ulreich's near post, but Augbsurg did take a deserved lead soon after.

Jerome Boateng's untimely slip enabled Sergio Cordova to pounce, and, although the winger's effort was saved by Ulreich, the ball rebounded back in off the unfortunate Sule.Augsburg's lead was short-lived, however, as - from Bayern's first meaningful attack - Tolisso drifted into the area to head home unmarked from Kimmich's precise cross.

It took Bayern just six minutes to double their tally, Bernat's clever flick teeing up James, who made no mistake with a neat first-time finish into the bottom-left corner.

Tolisso could have had his second prior to the interval as Bayern clicked through the gears, but Marwin Hitz did well to parry the Frenchman's strike wide.Bayern's domination continued after the interval, with Augsburg offering little going forward at the other end.And the pressure proved too much for Augsburg in the 62nd minute as Robben, whose future at the club remains uncertain, hammered in a third after the hosts failed to clear Kimmich's cross.

Augsburg finally rallied as the game entered its final 20 minutes - Michael Gregoritsch's cross-cum-shot whistling just off target.A fine save from Hitz denied Robben a second as Bayern looked to run riot, with Sebastian Rudy passing up a golden chance to net his first Bundesliga goal of the season.

Those misses ultimately mattered little, though, Wagner planting a powerful header into the top-right corner as Bayern celebrated their unprecedented sixth consecutive league title in style.

 

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Congratulations Bayern!​

 

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Barcelona 3 Leganes 1: More Messi magic as hosts equal LaLiga record

Lionel Messi was at his brilliant best with a hat-trick as Barcelona defeated Leganes 3-1 at Camp Nou to equal the all-time LaLiga unbeaten record.Barca have now gone 38 top-flight matches without defeat, levelling the previous best mark by Real Sociedad which has stood since 1980.

Messi made it six straight LaLiga games with a goal by netting a wonderful free-kick shortly before the half-hour mark, and then swiftly got his second of the night after being set up by Philippe Coutinho.




Nabil El Zhar got a goal back for Leganes after the break as Barca's performance dropped off significantly, but the hosts made sure of victory when the magnificent Messi grabbed his third three minutes from time.

Barca are now 12 points clear of nearest challengers Atletico Madrid at the top of the table ahead of Diego Simeone's side facing city rivals Real Madrid in Sunday's derby, as title glory moves closer for the Catalans with only seven games to go.

Ernesto Valverde's men now turn their attention to Tuesday's Champions League quarter-final tie against Roma – where they hold a 4-1 lead – as their pursuit of a treble continues, while 14th-placed Leganes are left to reflect on a 12th consecutive league away game without a victory.


In the first chance of note, Gerard Pique poorly headed over from 12 yards after being set up by Coutinho's cross from the left, the former Liverpool star in as one of four changes from Valverde.

Coutinho soon drilled an effort which was saved by Ivan Cuellar at his near post, while Luis Suarez showed great technique in sending a first-time volley just wide from Sergi Roberto's high pass.

Cuellar then sprawled to somehow keep out a Suarez shot with his legs after Messi laid it on a plate for him six yards out, as the Leganes defence waited for an offside flag that did not arrive.After his team-mate's big miss, Messi took over the show.

First, having been hacked down by Dimitrios Siovas 25 yards from goal, Messi got up and took the resulting 27th-minute free-kick himself, finding the corner from with a magnificent whipped effort that left Cuellar with no chance.

Five minutes later, he was at it again. Coutinho raced infield and delivered an inch-perfect pass which the Argentina international took in his stride while holding off two defenders before sending a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from 15 yards.

Leganes almost threw a spanner in the works early in the second half when El Zhar's cross from the right met by Claudio Beauvue's powerful header, which only just cleared Marc-Andre ter Stegen's crossbar.The visitors threatened again when an unmarked El Zhar headed off target from 12 yards after being found by Darko Brasanac, as Barca appeared to take their foot off the gas.

And El Zhar made up for that miss 22 minutes from time, picking his spot in finding the bottom corner from 18 yards, with the aid of a slight deflection off Sergi Roberto, after being set up by Gabriel Pires.Messi's attempted chip was saved by Cuellar right at the edge of his penalty area as Barca sought to re-assert their dominance late on, and he was not to be denied his hat-trick.

Just as it looked like Barca would have to settle for a one-goal win, Messi was found by Ousmane Dembele at the end of a probing passing move and flicked a looped finish over Cuellar from inside the six-yard box, ensuring a crowd that was becoming restless ultimately went home happy.

Five minutes later, he was at it again. Coutinho raced infield and delivered an inch-perfect pass which the Argentina international took in his stride while holding off two defenders before sending a left-footed strike into the bottom corner from 15 yards.Leganes almost threw a spanner in the works early in the second half when El Zhar's cross from the right met by Claudio Beauvue's powerful header, which only just cleared Marc-Andre ter Stegen's crossbar.

The visitors threatened again when an unmarked El Zhar headed off target from 12 yards after being found by Darko Brasanac, as Barca appeared to take their foot off the gas.And El Zhar made up for that miss 22 minutes from time, picking his spot in finding the bottom corner from 18 yards, with the aid of a slight deflection off Sergi Roberto, after being set up by Gabriel Pires.



Messi's attempted chip was saved by Cuellar right at the edge of his penalty area as Barca sought to re-assert their dominance late on, and he was not to be denied his hat-trick.

Just as it looked like Barca would have to settle for a one-goal win, Messi was found by Ousmane Dembele at the end of a probing passing move and flicked a looped finish over Cuellar from inside the six-yard box, ensuring a crowd that was becoming restless ultimately went home happy.

 

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'He has to be active' - Valverde defends not resting Messi against Leganes


Ernesto Valverde revelled in having hat-trick hero Lionel Messi at his dispoal from the start in Barcelona's 3-1 win over Leganes.The Argentina forward suffered a muscular problem while away on international duty at the end of March, forcing him to miss the friendlies against Italy and Spain.

Messi came off the bench to spare his side from defeat against Sevilla last weekend, helping his side rally from a two-goal deficit to grab a draw, and played the full 90 minutes in the midweek Champions League win over Roma.

Valverde decided against resting his star player for the La Liga clash with Leganes on Saturday – and watched on as the club's all-time leading scorer bagged a treble."We think he's fine and scoring goals always helps everything," Valverde said of Messi's health after the game at Camp Nou."He has to be active, but he's fine."

Valverde also singled out Ousmane Dembele for special praise, believing the Frenchman is now not only making a difference offensively but also developing an appreciation for his defensive responsibilities."I liked the way he attacked in that game," he said. "I also enjoyed the fact that he has pressed the ball so much after losing it.

"He has become involved in that facet, which is where I think he has more room for improvement."We know he has the talent, but he has to work at the other things."Barca's victory over Leganes saw them equal Real Sociedad's record of 38 top-flight Spanish matches without defeat, a run that stretches back to April 2017.

 

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Chelsea are not above the Europa League, says Antonio Conte


Antonio Conte thinks that his side must accept the "reality" of going into the Europa League, as they look likely to miss out on the Champions League after poor form throughout 2018.Chelsea have only won three league games this calendar year in matches against Brighton, West Brom and Crystal Palace, which has seen them become outsiders in the race for the top four.

A 3-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge against Tottenham last Sunday was the latest setback and the Blues look to improve their fortunes against West Ham seven days later in another London derby. A victory would bring the gap to Spurs and Liverpool down to eight points, with the Blues also having an additional game in hand on the Reds.




Ahead of the West Ham match, Conte spoke of the likely Europa League future for the club, and hopes the club will be predicted to do better next season."I think that for a club like Chelsea, it is important to play in the Champions League and to play in the Europa League," Conte told reporters. "We must be realistic to understand the reality.

"It was my prediction [that we would struggle] and I now stop. Maybe next season, I will have another prediction that is better than this [season’s prediction]. I think that you become stronger after a defeat. When you win, you don’t see the real problems.

"I think that when you don’t win, you have a lot of strength to try to change your situation, to try to have a good answer. During a defeat it makes you stronger than weaker. I think now is not the right moment to speak about this topic [plans for next season]. The most important thing for us is to finish the season in the best possible way.

"To focus on the present and to go game-by-game. Then, if we arrive at the right moment, we will speak about the future."Meanwhile, Chelsea can still call themselves champions a little while longer after Manchester City failed to officially win the league after losing 2-3 to Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday.

City will hoist the trophy eventually, and Conte does admit there is currently a great gap between his club and the league leaders that will need to be addressed this summer."I think Manchester City have created a fantastic path to the league," he added. "They won the Carabao Cup. In the FA Cup, they were eliminated.

Now they are in another competition, in the Champions League. I think every team has to understand what is your target before the season starts, which is your target that makes you happy about your season.

"Then to understand at the end of the season whether you reach your target or not.The table is showing that now there’s a great gap with Manchester City. To speak about the gap between us and Manchester City now is not right. The most important thing for us is to focus on ourselves and finish the season in the best possible way.

"That must be our focus. Then we arrive in the right moment to think about the way we can work to reduce this gap. We have to try to do our best in every game. We have to look forward but at the same time, we have to look behind [at Arsenal].

"The only thing we can do is to try to do everything in every game - to show great desire, to show great pride to finish the season in the best position in the table."

 

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It would be 'like death' for the fans – Pogba felt responsibility to bring Man United back


Paul Pogba stepped up in Saturday's derby because he felt he had a responsibility to stop Manchester City winning the title against United, something he said would have been "like death".

City were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to goals from Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan, and Pep Guardiola's men appeared to be in complete control.But United fought back in the second half, with Pogba playing a starring role as he scored twice in quick succession early on.

Chris Smalling then got the winner to stun City, whose hopes of sealing the Premier League title against their bitter rivals were dashed.And for Pogba, who Guardiola claimed on Friday was offered to City by agent Mino Raiola in January , losing the derby last season was still playing on his mind heading into the clash."I didn't want to lose against City," he told Sky Sports. "The loss from last season is still in my mind.

"If they won they are champions, for all the fans it would be like death. To lose against City and to see them celebrate, I couldn't let that happen."At half-time in the dressing room we said we have nothing to lose."

Pogba's two goals both came from late runs into the penalty area from deep and he credited a United stalwart's influence in that."Michael Carrick has helped me a lot with these late runs," added the France international. "He always shows me videos of what I should be doing.

"With City, they love to attack, they don't like to defend, so I had to get more in the box. I knew I had Nemanja Matic behind me and Ander Herrera with me."For the goal I didn't think about anything. With Alexis Sanchez, he likes to play direct. I saw the space and just went. I was lucky Kompany wasn't tight enough."

 

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Pogba inspires Man Utd comeback for the ages to restore derby pride


How on earth did that happen?

At half-time it was all set to be the most pitiful surrender an English title race had ever seen. Manchester City were toying with Manchester United, and United were just taking it. The seemingly inevitable coronation was just 45 minutes away.

As soon as Vincent Kompany shrugged off Chris Smalling and buried a header beyond David de Gea there was simply no question how this evening was going to turn out. United’s response was pitiful, and Ilkay Gundogan’s magical second was the very least they deserved.




Raheem Sterling had two glorious chances to put the game beyond doubt but still there seemed no chance that United would deliver the kind of stirring comeback which could allay their supporters’ fears of being reminded on a daily basis for decades to come of the afternoon City crushed United to clinch the title with six games to spare.

Yet somehow, it happened!

United incredibly went from the ridiculous to the sublime to claim a 3-2 win.Having spent the majority of the first half ambling around like a bunch of clueless schoolkids, they took to the second like an attacking force with a point to prove.

From standing by and watching City turn it on, they started to move the ball and press with belief. They played with purpose and force, and just as the Blues had crumbled under such pressure at Liverpool on Wednesday they were equally as incapable of responding here.

Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera combined to send in Paul Pogba for the goal which started the comeback, with the Frenchman escaping the forlorn effort of Kompany as he bore down on goal. Within 97 seconds, Pogba had levelled the scores, heading home from Sanchez’s cross, and the Etihad’s party atmosphere had disappeared in an instant.

It was a particularly timely double from Pogba given all the talk in the previous 24 hours about his agent’s apparent attempt to persuade Pep Guardiola to take him to City in January. What’s more, following a distinctly anonymous first-half performance, Pogba was the catalyst to everything that was excellent about United after the break.

As if everybody present hadn’t been dumbfounded enough by the Frenchman’s brace, United went on and won it thanks to Smalling – of all people – volleying home Sanchez’s left-wing free-kick. The away end which had carried a forlorn air for much of the game was suddenly sent into delirium.

After that it was spiky and it was nervy, and there was still time for the inevitable David de Gea super-save, but the storybook City season has a slightly sourer ending and nobody will remind them more of the narrative that could have been than the fans across the city.

This was what United can do when they play with belief and take the initiative. In a season of few highlights, the Red Devils have their most memorable moment. And the fact that it comes at the expense of the one team they have been constantly compared unfavourably to will be lost on nobody.

City will still win the league by a country mile, but today was a day for the ages in Manchester United’s derby history rather than that of their noisy neighbours.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.04.08

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.04.08

Arsenal Vs Southampton

Chelsea Vs West Ham

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LA Liga Fixtures 2018.04.08

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.04.08

Levante Vs Las Palmas

Real Madrid Vs Atletico Madrid

Real Sociedad Vs Girona

Valencia Vs Espanyol​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2018.04.08

Serie A Fixtures 2018.04.08

Torino Vs Inter

Crotone Vs Bologna

Napoli Vs Chievo

Verona Vs Cagliari

Udinese Vs Lazio

AC Milan Vs Sassuolo​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2018.04.08

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.04.08

Dortmund Vs Stuttgart

Frankfurt Vs Hoffenheim​

 

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Chelsea 1 West Ham 1: Wasteful Blues punished by Hernandez

Javier Hernandez punished Chelsea's wastefulness to secure a 1-1 draw for West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Mexican whipped home a fine strike just four minutes after stepping off the bench to secure a precious point in the Hammers' fight for survival.How David Moyes' side were even in a position to salvage something from the game will give Antonio Conte sleepless nights, given his side's total dominance until that point.



Eden Hazard and Willian were in mesmeric form from the outset and led the Hammers' defence a merry dance throughout, but Chelsea's dominance was not reflected in the scoreline, with Joe Hart enjoying a fine game in West Ham's goal.

Alvaro Morata saw goals ruled out in either half for offside, while Willian missed a host of glorious openings as the Blues failed to add to Cesar Azpilicueta's first-half opener and put the game beyond their opponents' reach.

The result means Chelsea are now a whopping 10 points behind Tottenham in fourth, while West Ham move six points clear of the relegation zone.After a rousing and emotional minute's applause for former player and assistant manager Ray Wilkins, who passed away this week, the hosts started in dominant mood.


Hazard was at his mesmerising best after just four minutes, weaving past a host of Hammers players before flashing a shot agonisingly wide of Hart's right-hand post.Moyes' side weathered the early storm, however, and could have taken the lead themselves in the 14th minute when Marko Arnautovic pulled down a long ball in the penalty area. His goal-bound effort was well blocked by Gary Cahill, making his first start since 10 March.

Willian had a fierce drive diverted behind before Morata saw a goal ruled out after straying into an offside position to receive Hazard's incisive pass.The same pair combined moments later, but Morata was unable to direct his back-flick from the Belgian's cross into Hart's far corner from close range.

Willian then twice came close to giving his side the lead. Firstly, he whipped a 25-yard effort past Hart's post and was then denied by the England goalkeeper's outstretched leg after latching onto Hazard's superb pass.Chelsea's utter dominance was eventually rewarded nine minutes before the interval, when Morata's knock down found Azpilicueta inside the six-yard box and the Spaniard took a touch before prodding past a static Hart.

Chelsea's swagger initially continued after the interval, with Willian dragging a shot just wide and Morata heading over from a corner.The Spanish striker saw his second effort of the game ruled out for offside on the hour after tapping in Willian's cross, while Victor Moses drilled a fierce strike past Hart's charmed goal.



They were made to pay for those misses when Hernandez expertly stroked home from Arnautovic's pull back to draw the Hammers level with 17 minutes remaining.
Conte's side threw everything forward in search of a winner, but found Hart in inspired form.

The on-loan keeper palmed Marcos Alonso's powerful drive over and then tipped substitute Olivier Giroud's header onto the post during a dramatic finale, in which the Hammers ultimately held firm.

 

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Real Madrid 1 Atletico Madrid 1: Griezmann pegs back Ronaldo opener

Antoine Griezmann netted for a third consecutive away Derbi in LaLiga as Atletico Madrid stretched their unbeaten top-flight run at the Santiago Bernabeu to five matches with a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid.The result in the capital edged Barcelona even closer to the title, with Ernesto Valverde's men 11 points clear of Atleti at the summit with seven games remaining.

Madrid remain four points further back in third, unable to close the gap on their neighbours despite Cristiano Ronaldo volleying in his 22nd goal in the fixture in the 53rd minute.



Diego Simeone's side had attacked fleetingly up until that point but Griezmann, equalising as he did in the corresponding fixture last season, ensured Madrid's lead only lasted four minutes.

Atleti were then on the charge and Koke should have put them ahead before the withdrawals of Ronaldo and Diego Costa for either side saw the offensive threat subside – much to the delight of those watching on in Catalonia.


Jan Oblak saved from Ronaldo when Gareth Bale flicked on Toni Kroos' ninth-minute corner as Atletico struggled uncharacteristically with their rivals' set-piece variety.

Juanfran was fortunate to see a challenge go unpunished when Kroos darted into the box on the end of a short corner and frustration seemingly lingered for the Germany midfielder as he was booked for a crude hack at Griezmann on halfway.

Oblak remained the busier of the two goalkeepers – tipping over a rising Ronaldo drive from 25 yards before getting down to thwart Raphael Varane following another set-piece lapse – but Keylor Navas saved excellently at his near post in the 29th minute, Koke having teed up Costa for a punt at giving Atleti the lead against the run of play.Marcelo came closer to the opener four minutes from half-time, dancing inside Vitolo to thud a 20-yard strike against the crossbar.

The opening goal arrived after nine uneventful second-half minutes from a familiar source.Bale had operated on the margins of the contest up until that point but the Wales winger stormed down the left flank and Ronaldo pulled into space behind Lucas Hernandez, drilling a volley into the turf and beyond Oblak.

Atletico's response was stunning and, after Navas pawed a speculative Saul Niguez shot to safety, they ensured Madrid's lead was short-lived.Thomas Partey played in Griezmann, who cleverly slid possession to Vitolo and was on hand to steer the loose ball into a vacant goal after Navas saved at the former Sevilla winger's feet.The Costa Rica keeper showed sharp reactions when he pushed away a rasping Koke shot, with the home defence in front of him tottering.



It made the timing of Zinedine Zidane's seemingly pre-planned decision to send on Karim Benzema in place of Ronaldo a curious one.Griezmann released Saul to curl beyond the far post in the 70th minute but the Spain midfielder might have crossed to the well-placed Costa, who was substituted in favour of defensive midfielder Gabi soon afterwards.

Simeone's what-we-have-we-hold move almost backfired when Bale skewed wide, while Sergio Ramos made his regular pitch to be Madrid's last-ditch hero – forcing Oblak to push a wonderful free-kick behind in stoppage time and powering over from the resulting corner.

 

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Borussia Dortmund 3 Stuttgart 0: Stoger's men strengthen Champions League chances



Borussia Dortmund bounced back from Der Klassiker humiliation to strengthen their grip on a Champions League spot with a 3-0 home win over Stuttgart on Sunday.

Crushed 6-0 by Bayern Munich last time out, Peter Stoger's side needed a morale-boosting three points and got exactly that courtesy of goals from Christian Pulisic, Michy Batshuayi and Maximilian Philipp.BVB gained an early measure of momentum as they welcomed back Marco Reus, who missed the implosion at Bayern with an adductor problem, for just his sixth Bundesliga start of the season.



And while the effects of last weekend were evident in a nervy opening, their concerns over becoming Stuttgart's fourth straight away victim were eased by a fortuitous Pulisic opener, the United States international seeing an intended cross drop over a red-faced Ron-Robert Zieler and in.

Batshuayi turned the lead into a comfortable cushion with his fourth goal in as many Bundesliga outings before Philipp poked in at the second attempt to complete the scoring in the 59th minute.

Those goals ensured Stuttgart boss Tayfun Korkut tasted defeat for the first time since his January appointment as BVB, now just one point shy of second-placed Schalke, look to leapfrog their fierce rivals when the two meet at Veltins Arena next Sunday.

Reus' first act was to make an important intervention in defence as Stuttgart, seeking to prey on the wounds opened by Dortmund's mauling at Bayern, began the contest with three consecutive corners.

Mario Gomez netted the only goal in the visitors' last away win in this fixture in February 2007 and the striker might have put his team ahead here, heading a free-kick wide under little pressure.

Christian Gentner next guided a threatening pass across the face of goal as Stoger's men struggled to find any sort of fluency over the opening 30 minutes.Needing a moment of inspiration to spark them into life, Dortmund instead got an equally welcome slice of fortune as Pulisic's attempted cross from the right looped over a backpedalling Zieler and went in off the post.

Reus could have doubled the largely undeserved lead two minutes later, but volleyed wide from Nuri Sahin's inventive lob into the area.That miss mattered little when, within three minutes of the restart, Batshuayi skilfully flicked Mahmoud Dahoud's pass into the path of the overlapping Sahin, who cut the ball back for the Chelsea loanee to side-foot into the bottom far corner.

And the suddenly assured home side were charging towards a possible rout just 11 minutes later, Philipp forcing in his first goal since November after Zieler kept out the initial attempt.Pulisic was then denied a double when Zieler narrowed the angle in a one-on-one, before Philipp's selflessness cost BVB what should have been a fourth.

But Stoger remained confident enough to introduce 17-year-old Barcelona product Sergio Gomez off the bench for his Bundesliga debut, before namesake Mario crashed one final attempt for a Stuttgart consolation against the crossbar as Dortmund wrapped up a result that at least temporarily opens a six-point gap to fifth.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Arsenal 3 Southampton 2: Gunners enjoy home comforts as Welbeck sinks Saints

Danny Welbeck scored twice as Arsenal stretched their winning run in all competitions to six games with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over relegation-threatened Southampton.Playing at home for a fifth successive outing, Arsene Wenger's side eventually prevailed in a see-saw contest to record their 150th league victory at the Emirates Stadium.

Welbeck was the hero for the hosts, the forward on hand at the back post to nod home Alex Iwobi’s deep cross for the winner just moments after he had failed to convert a glaring opportunity inside the six-yard box.The England international had found the net in the first half too, his deflected drive making it 2-1 after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s poked finish had cancelled out Shane Long’s early opener for the visitors.

Substitute Charlie Austin appeared to have grabbed a point when he scored within two minutes of his introduction, the striker on hand to turn home Cedric’s cross, but the Saints could not hold on and they remain in the drop zone, three points adrift of safety.

Jack Stephens saw red for shoving Jack Wilshere in the face in an eventful conclusion, while Arsenal also finished the game down to 10 after Mohamed Elneny’s dismissal for violent conduct in the aftermath.


Defeat was tough on Southampton, who had seen Hector Bellerin clear James Ward-Prowse’s goal-bound effort off the line before they caught their hosts sleeping at the back to take the lead.

Cedric’s cross appeared easy for Arsenal to deal with, yet a mix-up between Shkodran Mustafi and Petr Cech allowed the alert Long to squeeze ahead of the former and stab the ball in from close range.Yet the opening goal only served to kick-start Wenger’s side out of their slumbering state.

Welbeck’s clever touch presented Aubameyang with the chance to prod the ball beyond the advancing Alex McCarthy for his sixth league goal of the campaign and, after setting up the equaliser, the former fired his side ahead with a right-footed drive that clipped defender Maya Yoshida's leg.McCarthy had little chance with the goal but did at least keep the gap at one in the early stages of the second half, turning away shots from Aubameyang and Granit Xhaka in quick succession, though it was far from one-way traffic.

Cech repelled firm drives from Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Wesley Hoedt but required assistance from Elneny to keep out a header from Stephens, the Egyptian midfielder - stationed on the back post for a corner - nodding the ball clear with his keeper beaten.

Long saw a potential equaliser chalked off for offside before Austin’s immediate impact off the bench, the striker’s close-range finish raising Southampton’s hopes of picking up at least a point in their fight for survival.Yet they will return to the south coast with nothing to show for their efforts, Welbeck heading in the game’s decisive fifth goal before tensions boiled over during added time.

Stephens was shown a straight red by referee Andre Marriner for reacting to Wilshere’s jersey pull, with Elneny quickly following the Southampton defender down the tunnel after raising his hands to Cedric.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Napoli 2 Chievo 1: Milik and Diawara rescue Serie A title bid at the death

Amadou Diawara's superb last-ditch strike earned Napoli a dramatic 2-1 win over Chievo to keep their Serie A title bid alive at Stadio San Paolo.The home side were facing a shock defeat when Stefano Sorrentino saved Dries Mertens' penalty and Mariusz Stepinski fired Chievo in front, before substitute Arkadiusz Milik nodded Napoli back level a minute from the end of normal time.

There did not look to be time for Maurizio Sarri's men to find the winner they so desperately needed but, with just seconds left, they snatched all three points.

The ball dropped for Diawara to finish coolly, sparking mass celebrations among the supporters as Napoli kept to within four points of champions and league leaders Juventus at the summit.
This was a nervy afternoon from the outset for Sarri's side.Jose Callejon squandered a rare early chance, swiping over the crossbar from close range, and Sorrentino saved well from Mertens late in the first half. A tame Lorenzo Insigne effort after the restart prompted a simple stop.Napoli ought to have made life easier for themselves when Fabio Depaoli escaped without a second yellow card after tugging Mertens down in the area, but the Belgium international saw his penalty parried clear by the inspired Sorrentino.

The Chievo goalkeeper brilliantly scooped a Mertens header away from the goal-line as their battle continued and he subsequently denied Milik as the striker ran clear.And then, with Napoli still hurriedly chasing a winner, Chievo pounced in the 73rd minute. Some sloppy, tired defending presented Emanuele Giaccherini with the ball and he wisely squared for Stepinski to hammer high past Pepe Reina.

Lorenzo Tonelli's thumping header was kept out by a combination of Sorrentino and the crossbar at the other end, before Milik nodded Insigne's angled ball into the net to retain slim hopes of a home victory.

And with almost 93 minutes played, Diawara found himself free in the box and placed a shot inside the right-hand post to clinch a stunning triumph.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Griezmann denies Barcelona talks but sets deadline for future decision


Antoine Griezmann insists Barcelona are not in talks to sign him from Atletico Madrid, but he does want a decision on his future to be made before the World Cup.

The France international, who spent much of 2017 being heavily linked with Manchester United, continues to spark speculation regarding a summer switch to Camp Nou.

Atletico have attempted to quash the gossip at regular intervals, with club president Enrique Cerezo announcing in March that he expects Griezmann to honour a contract through to 2022.

The rumours refuse to go away, though, and the 27-year-old has now been forced to deny that he and his representatives have opened discussions with Barca.When told by Telefoot that it is their understanding that negotiations are at an advanced stage, Griezmann said: “I don't know where you get this information, but it is false.”For now, the highly-rated frontman is focused solely on the present.

It is Griezmann’s intention to end the season as positively as possible, before then addressing the issue of his future before heading to Russia with the French national side.“I want to be free and think only about the French team,” he said.

“I would like my future to be settled before the World Cup, otherwise, afterwards, we will have questions to the right and the left. I will continue as I am now, giving everything to the club.”Griezmann has been in fine form over recent weeks, taking his goal tally for the season to 25.

He has recorded 17 efforts of that haul in 2018, with a slow start to the season which saw him suffer a transfer hangover amid intense talk of a move to England put to one side.

“Physically, I'm back,” he added.

“Mentally, I'm better, and since January we can say that I have broken down the barriers.“I had a difficult start to the season for several reasons. I expressed things wrongly and made mistakes.”

Griezmann will be offered another grand stage on which to maintain his fine form on Sunday when Atletico take in a derby clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Tottenham offered Eriksen contract warning amid Barcelona & Real Madrid transfer talk


Tottenham need to be considering a new contract for Christian Eriksen amid links to the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid, says Danny Murphy.

The Danish playmaker has been a model of consistency throughout his time in English football, with a steady stream of goals and assists offered to the Spurs cause.Eriksen bagged a brace in his latest outing, to secure a 2-1 win over Stoke, with those efforts taking him to a career-best return of 14.

Murphy believes the 26-year-old can now be considered to sit among the European elite and feels Tottenham may need to extend a deal already set to run until 2020 in order to fend off interest from afar.The former Spurs midfielder told the Evening Standard: “Tottenham's Christian Eriksen is starting to move into the top bracket of playmakers.

“His numbers are very consistent and he is capable of the spectacular, as we saw with his brilliant long-range, dipping goal at Chelsea last weekend as Spurs recorded a first win at Stamford Bridge for 28 years. “Eriksen is calm on the ball and seems to make the right decisions.“It is vital that Spurs are able to hang on to him in the long term, which I am confident they will be able to do.

“As good as Eriksen is, who would pay the sort of fee that chairman Daniel Levy is likely to ask for?“It is worth noting, though, that he has only two years left on his contract so the sooner Spurs agree a new one, the better with the summer transfer window and World Cup on the horizon.”

Eriksen has complemented his 14 goals this season with nine assists across Premier League and Champions League competition.