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..::Football IV::..
- Thread starter Wolverine GTR
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Deportivo Alaves 0 Atletico Madrid 1: Gameiro puts the title onus on Barca
Kevin Gameiro's second-half penalty earned a laboured 1-0 win for Atletico Madrid at Deportivo Alaves, putting the onus on Barcelona to achieve a positive result in their clash with Deportivo La Coruna and wrap up LaLiga's title race.
Runaway leaders Barca only need a point in their fixture later on Sunday to be crowned champions regardless of the outcome at the Mendizorroza.But Diego Simeone's men at least maintained their slim hopes, with Gameiro netting from the spot after Fernando Torres had already fluffed his lines from 12 yards out, Mubarak Wakaso having conceded both penalties.
The disjointed performance from Atleti was perhaps to be expected, Simeone leaving out the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Saul Niguez as he prioritised Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg with Arsenal, a tie which is locked at 1-1.
Real Madrid can also mathematically still catch Barca, but it would require a remarkable sequence of events to deny Ernesto Valverde's side the title.It could have been a different outcome on the day had Lucas Hernandez been judged to have fouled Munir El Haddadi in the area, but Diego Costa also failed to score a good first-half chance for Atleti before Torres' missed penalty after the break, the away team finishing with 10 men after Angel Correa received a second yellow card in injury time.
Atleti's performance in the early stages had all the hallmarks of a side who knew their priorities now lay elsewhere and they had a huge let off in the 16th minute.Lucas made a lung-busting recovery to atone for his failure to control a loose ball with Munir closing in on goal and seemingly bundled the on-loan Barca forward over in the area, but referee David Fernandez Borbalan ruled there was no foul.The visitors struggled to get out of first gear, although a quickly taken free-kick led to Thomas Partey firing narrowly wide from 25 yards.
It took until the 42nd minute for debutant Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera to be tested, Costa controlling Stefan Savic's punt over the top, turning inside Victor Laguardia and drawing the save with a low drive to the bottom-left corner.
The second half was a similarly forgettable affair, Vitolo briefly lighting up the match by cutting in from the left and unleashing a vicious effort that Sivera saved brilliantly – the goalkeeper seemingly hitting his shoulder on the post making the stop and having to be replaced by Fernando Pacheco.
Axel Werner made a fine fingertip save from John Guidetti's well-struck long-range effort, but it was Atleti that wasted the chance to open the scoring from the spot.
Wakaso's clumsy barge on Vitolo led to an inevitable penalty that Torres saw saved low to the keeper's right by Pacheco.
Incredibly, Wakaso conceded another spot-kick with 13 minutes remaining, this time handling Torres' half-volley, and Gameiro succeeded where his team-mate failed – striking straight down the middle to seal the points – despite Correa seeing red for a second yellow in injury time.
The title remains an unrealistic target, though, and Atleti's attention will be fully on the visit of the Gunners to the Wanda Metropolitano.
Kevin Gameiro's second-half penalty earned a laboured 1-0 win for Atletico Madrid at Deportivo Alaves, putting the onus on Barcelona to achieve a positive result in their clash with Deportivo La Coruna and wrap up LaLiga's title race.
Runaway leaders Barca only need a point in their fixture later on Sunday to be crowned champions regardless of the outcome at the Mendizorroza.But Diego Simeone's men at least maintained their slim hopes, with Gameiro netting from the spot after Fernando Torres had already fluffed his lines from 12 yards out, Mubarak Wakaso having conceded both penalties.
The disjointed performance from Atleti was perhaps to be expected, Simeone leaving out the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and Saul Niguez as he prioritised Thursday's Europa League semi-final second leg with Arsenal, a tie which is locked at 1-1.
Real Madrid can also mathematically still catch Barca, but it would require a remarkable sequence of events to deny Ernesto Valverde's side the title.It could have been a different outcome on the day had Lucas Hernandez been judged to have fouled Munir El Haddadi in the area, but Diego Costa also failed to score a good first-half chance for Atleti before Torres' missed penalty after the break, the away team finishing with 10 men after Angel Correa received a second yellow card in injury time.
Atleti's performance in the early stages had all the hallmarks of a side who knew their priorities now lay elsewhere and they had a huge let off in the 16th minute.Lucas made a lung-busting recovery to atone for his failure to control a loose ball with Munir closing in on goal and seemingly bundled the on-loan Barca forward over in the area, but referee David Fernandez Borbalan ruled there was no foul.The visitors struggled to get out of first gear, although a quickly taken free-kick led to Thomas Partey firing narrowly wide from 25 yards.
It took until the 42nd minute for debutant Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera to be tested, Costa controlling Stefan Savic's punt over the top, turning inside Victor Laguardia and drawing the save with a low drive to the bottom-left corner.
The second half was a similarly forgettable affair, Vitolo briefly lighting up the match by cutting in from the left and unleashing a vicious effort that Sivera saved brilliantly – the goalkeeper seemingly hitting his shoulder on the post making the stop and having to be replaced by Fernando Pacheco.
Axel Werner made a fine fingertip save from John Guidetti's well-struck long-range effort, but it was Atleti that wasted the chance to open the scoring from the spot.
Wakaso's clumsy barge on Vitolo led to an inevitable penalty that Torres saw saved low to the keeper's right by Pacheco.
Incredibly, Wakaso conceded another spot-kick with 13 minutes remaining, this time handling Torres' half-volley, and Gameiro succeeded where his team-mate failed – striking straight down the middle to seal the points – despite Correa seeing red for a second yellow in injury time.
The title remains an unrealistic target, though, and Atleti's attention will be fully on the visit of the Gunners to the Wanda Metropolitano.
West Ham 1 Manchester City 4: Hammers hammered by rampant champions
The Manchester City Premier League title party steamed into the London Stadium to reel off a celebratory 4-1 win against an over-matched West Ham.PFA Young Player of the Year Leroy Sane's 13th minute opener took a decisive deflection off Patrice Evra, whose belated home debut for David Moyes' side was generally a torrid experience, and an unfortunate own goal for former City favourite Pablo Zabaleta brought up 100 league goals this season for Pep Guardiola's men.
A touch of complacency crept into City's work before half-time as Aaron Cresswell's fine free-kick punished an error-strewn passage of play but they were rampant once more after the break.Gabriel Jesus set in motion the move for his 12th top-flight goal of the campaign before fellow Brazil international Fernandinho got in on the act on his return from suspension.
City are now one shy of Chelsea's Premier League best haul of 103 goals having matched their mark of 30 victories from the 2009-10 season, while tumbling records could not be further from the minds of West Ham, who sit precariously three points above the relegation zone with as many games to play.
West Ham had been pegged into their own half for considerable periods by the time Sane's speculative drive spun off Evra's head to leave goalkeeper Adrian with no chance.Raheem Sterling ended the game with a trio of assists but snatched at a chance created by Ilkay Gundogan and Sane in the 20th minute, although the second arrived when the winger rounded Adrian and confusion followed.
As West Ham defenders scampered back into the box Kevin De Bruyne arrowed in a low ball that Declan Rice diverted towards his own net, with the final touch coming off Zabaleta.
Sane stumbled when he tried to skip past Adrian in the 35th minute – that wasted opportunity arguably sparing Evra, who clattered through Jesus in the build-up.City's underworked goalkeeper Ederson then dallied on the ball outside his box and, although Marko Arnautovic was rightly penalised for a foul before rolling home, the incident seemed to spark West Ham.Gundogan's foul on Edimilson Fernendes should have resulted in a penalty but Cresswell averted controversy by whipping the free-kick past Ederson at his near post.
Adrian did well to beat away a Sterling strike but, as Nicolas Otamendi avoided a second booking for bringing down Manuel Lanzini, it was clear City's early control had loosened.Guardiola's side needed to relocate top gear and Jesus elevated them again in the 53rd minute.
The Brazil international slid a brilliant pass down the right channel to Sterling and stole in front of Zabaleta to dispatch the return pass.Referee Neil Swarbrick inexplicably failed to award a penalty when Cresswell swept through Sterling's ankles and the England international was West Ham's chief tormentor as the hour approached.
De Bruyne rattled his cutback just past the top corner and Adrian atoned for a dreadful clearance by denying Sterling in a one-on-one.The ex-Liverpool man was inevitably the creator for number four as he picked out Fernandinho for an unhurried, unfussy 64th-minute finish.City were once again enjoying themselves at a ground where they scored nine times in two visits last season, with West Ham engaged in damage limitation - safety still to be secured.
The Manchester City Premier League title party steamed into the London Stadium to reel off a celebratory 4-1 win against an over-matched West Ham.PFA Young Player of the Year Leroy Sane's 13th minute opener took a decisive deflection off Patrice Evra, whose belated home debut for David Moyes' side was generally a torrid experience, and an unfortunate own goal for former City favourite Pablo Zabaleta brought up 100 league goals this season for Pep Guardiola's men.
A touch of complacency crept into City's work before half-time as Aaron Cresswell's fine free-kick punished an error-strewn passage of play but they were rampant once more after the break.Gabriel Jesus set in motion the move for his 12th top-flight goal of the campaign before fellow Brazil international Fernandinho got in on the act on his return from suspension.
City are now one shy of Chelsea's Premier League best haul of 103 goals having matched their mark of 30 victories from the 2009-10 season, while tumbling records could not be further from the minds of West Ham, who sit precariously three points above the relegation zone with as many games to play.
West Ham had been pegged into their own half for considerable periods by the time Sane's speculative drive spun off Evra's head to leave goalkeeper Adrian with no chance.Raheem Sterling ended the game with a trio of assists but snatched at a chance created by Ilkay Gundogan and Sane in the 20th minute, although the second arrived when the winger rounded Adrian and confusion followed.
As West Ham defenders scampered back into the box Kevin De Bruyne arrowed in a low ball that Declan Rice diverted towards his own net, with the final touch coming off Zabaleta.
Sane stumbled when he tried to skip past Adrian in the 35th minute – that wasted opportunity arguably sparing Evra, who clattered through Jesus in the build-up.City's underworked goalkeeper Ederson then dallied on the ball outside his box and, although Marko Arnautovic was rightly penalised for a foul before rolling home, the incident seemed to spark West Ham.Gundogan's foul on Edimilson Fernendes should have resulted in a penalty but Cresswell averted controversy by whipping the free-kick past Ederson at his near post.
Adrian did well to beat away a Sterling strike but, as Nicolas Otamendi avoided a second booking for bringing down Manuel Lanzini, it was clear City's early control had loosened.Guardiola's side needed to relocate top gear and Jesus elevated them again in the 53rd minute.
The Brazil international slid a brilliant pass down the right channel to Sterling and stole in front of Zabaleta to dispatch the return pass.Referee Neil Swarbrick inexplicably failed to award a penalty when Cresswell swept through Sterling's ankles and the England international was West Ham's chief tormentor as the hour approached.
De Bruyne rattled his cutback just past the top corner and Adrian atoned for a dreadful clearance by denying Sterling in a one-on-one.The ex-Liverpool man was inevitably the creator for number four as he picked out Fernandinho for an unhurried, unfussy 64th-minute finish.City were once again enjoying themselves at a ground where they scored nine times in two visits last season, with West Ham engaged in damage limitation - safety still to be secured.
Bologna 1 AC Milan 2: Relief for Gattuso as Rossoneri hold on
AC Milan moved on from their humiliation against Benevento to snap a six-game winless run with a much-needed 2-1 victory at Bologna on Sunday.Beaten at home by Serie A's bottom side last time out, the Rossoneri bounced back to stay three points clear of eighth-placed Sampdoria in their bid for a Europa League qualifying spot.
First-half goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Giacomo Bonaventura ultimately proved just enough for Milan, but the manner of victory will not have entirely satisfied Gennaro Gattuso, who accused his players of lacking soul following the "rock bottom" defeat to Benevento.It looked as though they might suffer similar disappointment when Sebastien De Maio pulled one back for Bologna with 16 minutes remaining, the hosts having twice had goals chalked off the opening 45 minutes.
But, though they wasted opportunities to put the result beyond doubt, Gattuso's side did navigate their way to a welcome first win since mid-March that gives them some momentum ahead of the Coppa Italia final against Juventus, which follows four days after next Saturday's home clash with Verona.
Milan's recent malaise showed few signs of disappearing over a passive first half hour in which they failed to register a shot. The sluggish start looked to have cost them the opener when Rodrigo Palacio bundled in a rebound at close range in the 19th minute, but Riccardo Orsolini was ruled offside from the initial header.That proved the wake-up call Milan needed as they went ahead through their first genuine attack.
It was a beauty from Calhanoglu that did it, the Turkey international lashing a sweet strike into the bottom left corner from Patrick Cutrone's knock-down on the edge of the area.
Bologna had the ball in the net for a second time five minutes later and thought they were level through Orsolini, only for the VAR to spot a contentious handball from Palacio in the lead-up.
And the hosts' frustration grew in first-half stoppage time as Erick Pulgar's poor touch allowed Calhanoglu to work the ball to Bonaventura, who made no mistake with a convincing low finish from just inside the box.
Milan appeared energised by the strong finish to the half with Cutrone smashing a shot against the near post soon after the restart, before Suso blazed over with time and space in the box. The chances for a third were beginning to pile up by the hour, an unmarked Cutrone this time the culprit for failing to beat Mirante with the goal at his mercy.
Davide Calabria then came to the Rossoneri's rescue with a goal-line clearance amid a desperate scramble, while the crossbar denied Bonaventura a second at the other end after he unleashed from outside the area.
Gattuso's men eventually paid for the profligacy when defender De Maio stayed forward following a corner and headed in Simone Verdi's right-sided cross.
Steeped in nerves after that goal, Milan almost threw away their advantage moments later, but Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a strong hand to deny Ibrahima Mbaye and ensure a top-six finish remains a strong possibility.
AC Milan moved on from their humiliation against Benevento to snap a six-game winless run with a much-needed 2-1 victory at Bologna on Sunday.Beaten at home by Serie A's bottom side last time out, the Rossoneri bounced back to stay three points clear of eighth-placed Sampdoria in their bid for a Europa League qualifying spot.
First-half goals from Hakan Calhanoglu and Giacomo Bonaventura ultimately proved just enough for Milan, but the manner of victory will not have entirely satisfied Gennaro Gattuso, who accused his players of lacking soul following the "rock bottom" defeat to Benevento.It looked as though they might suffer similar disappointment when Sebastien De Maio pulled one back for Bologna with 16 minutes remaining, the hosts having twice had goals chalked off the opening 45 minutes.
But, though they wasted opportunities to put the result beyond doubt, Gattuso's side did navigate their way to a welcome first win since mid-March that gives them some momentum ahead of the Coppa Italia final against Juventus, which follows four days after next Saturday's home clash with Verona.
Milan's recent malaise showed few signs of disappearing over a passive first half hour in which they failed to register a shot. The sluggish start looked to have cost them the opener when Rodrigo Palacio bundled in a rebound at close range in the 19th minute, but Riccardo Orsolini was ruled offside from the initial header.That proved the wake-up call Milan needed as they went ahead through their first genuine attack.
It was a beauty from Calhanoglu that did it, the Turkey international lashing a sweet strike into the bottom left corner from Patrick Cutrone's knock-down on the edge of the area.
Bologna had the ball in the net for a second time five minutes later and thought they were level through Orsolini, only for the VAR to spot a contentious handball from Palacio in the lead-up.
And the hosts' frustration grew in first-half stoppage time as Erick Pulgar's poor touch allowed Calhanoglu to work the ball to Bonaventura, who made no mistake with a convincing low finish from just inside the box.
Milan appeared energised by the strong finish to the half with Cutrone smashing a shot against the near post soon after the restart, before Suso blazed over with time and space in the box. The chances for a third were beginning to pile up by the hour, an unmarked Cutrone this time the culprit for failing to beat Mirante with the goal at his mercy.
Davide Calabria then came to the Rossoneri's rescue with a goal-line clearance amid a desperate scramble, while the crossbar denied Bonaventura a second at the other end after he unleashed from outside the area.
Gattuso's men eventually paid for the profligacy when defender De Maio stayed forward following a corner and headed in Simone Verdi's right-sided cross.
Steeped in nerves after that goal, Milan almost threw away their advantage moments later, but Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a strong hand to deny Ibrahima Mbaye and ensure a top-six finish remains a strong possibility.
Werder Bremen 1 Borussia Dortmund 1: Reus on target but Stoger's men settle for draw
Borussia Dortmund missed the chance to move up to second place in the Bundesliga table as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen.
Marco Reus' sixth goal in nine Bundesliga games gave Dortmund a 19th-minute lead at the Weser-Stadion, as he reacted quickly inside the penalty area to lash a loose ball into the net.Yet crucially the in-form attacker - who had also scored twice in his side's 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend - failed to take a one-on-one opportunity in the closing minutes of the first half.
Bremen made Reus pay for his profligacy, grabbing an equaliser when Thomas Delaney looped a header over goalkeeper Roman Burki, who was out of position after making a close-range save to deny Maximilian Eggestein.Dortmund dominated after the break but hit the woodwork three times, while defender Omer Toprak also correctly had a goal disallowed for offside.The away team's misfortune meant they had to settle for a point on the road, leaving them two behind second-placed Ruhr rivals Schalke in the standings.
Visiting coach Peter Stoger, who took charge after Dortmund lost the reverse fixture 2-1 last December, unsurprisingly named the same XI that started against Leverkusen, though captain Marcel Schmelzer, as well as fit-again playmaker Shinji Kagawa, both returned to the bench.
Reus was one of the star performers in that home win, despite missing a penalty, and the Germany international continued to impress with his side's opener in Bremen.Able to adjust his body after Maximilian Philipp's initial effort was blocked, the forward capitalised on the rebound dropping into his path with a first-time drive that flashed beyond Jiri Pavlenka.
Bremen's goalkeeper did stop the same player doubling Dortmund's lead just before the interval, however, turning aside Reus' left-footed effort after Mario Gotze had put his team-mate in the clear.
The missed opportunity turned out to be costly, too. Having narrowly avoided going 2-0 down, the hosts equalised when Burki's stop to deny Eggestein's header only allowed Delaney to nod the rebound over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net.
Dortmund did have the ball in the net for a second time when Reus seized on substitute Andre Schurrle's scuffed shot to tee up a tap-in for Toprak, only for the defender's finish to be ruled out by a raised flag.
After being spared from conceding by the referee's assistant, Bremen were grateful to the woodwork - along with the outstanding Pavlenka - for keeping the visitors at bay.Reus saw a drive from Jadon Sancho's pass crash out off a post, while Manuel Akanji was denied his first goal for the club by a combination of the keeper's fingertips and the crossbar.
Sancho completed an unwanted treble by nodding against the opposite post to Reus, while Schurrle saw Pavlenka acrobatically keep out his late close-range header as the 100th league meeting between the teams finished even.
Borussia Dortmund missed the chance to move up to second place in the Bundesliga table as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Werder Bremen.
Marco Reus' sixth goal in nine Bundesliga games gave Dortmund a 19th-minute lead at the Weser-Stadion, as he reacted quickly inside the penalty area to lash a loose ball into the net.Yet crucially the in-form attacker - who had also scored twice in his side's 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen last weekend - failed to take a one-on-one opportunity in the closing minutes of the first half.
Bremen made Reus pay for his profligacy, grabbing an equaliser when Thomas Delaney looped a header over goalkeeper Roman Burki, who was out of position after making a close-range save to deny Maximilian Eggestein.Dortmund dominated after the break but hit the woodwork three times, while defender Omer Toprak also correctly had a goal disallowed for offside.The away team's misfortune meant they had to settle for a point on the road, leaving them two behind second-placed Ruhr rivals Schalke in the standings.
Visiting coach Peter Stoger, who took charge after Dortmund lost the reverse fixture 2-1 last December, unsurprisingly named the same XI that started against Leverkusen, though captain Marcel Schmelzer, as well as fit-again playmaker Shinji Kagawa, both returned to the bench.
Reus was one of the star performers in that home win, despite missing a penalty, and the Germany international continued to impress with his side's opener in Bremen.Able to adjust his body after Maximilian Philipp's initial effort was blocked, the forward capitalised on the rebound dropping into his path with a first-time drive that flashed beyond Jiri Pavlenka.
Bremen's goalkeeper did stop the same player doubling Dortmund's lead just before the interval, however, turning aside Reus' left-footed effort after Mario Gotze had put his team-mate in the clear.
The missed opportunity turned out to be costly, too. Having narrowly avoided going 2-0 down, the hosts equalised when Burki's stop to deny Eggestein's header only allowed Delaney to nod the rebound over the stranded goalkeeper and into the net.
Dortmund did have the ball in the net for a second time when Reus seized on substitute Andre Schurrle's scuffed shot to tee up a tap-in for Toprak, only for the defender's finish to be ruled out by a raised flag.
After being spared from conceding by the referee's assistant, Bremen were grateful to the woodwork - along with the outstanding Pavlenka - for keeping the visitors at bay.Reus saw a drive from Jadon Sancho's pass crash out off a post, while Manuel Akanji was denied his first goal for the club by a combination of the keeper's fingertips and the crossbar.
Sancho completed an unwanted treble by nodding against the opposite post to Reus, while Schurrle saw Pavlenka acrobatically keep out his late close-range header as the 100th league meeting between the teams finished even.
Fiorentina 3 Napoli 0: Partenopei title dream fading as Simeone punishes 10 men
Napoli's Serie A title challenge faltered in Florence as Maurizio Sarri's 10 men were beaten 3-0 by a Giovanni Simeone-inspired Fiorentina, leaving them four points behind leaders Juventus.
The gap at the summit that was partially closed by Kalidou Koulibaly's late winner in Turin last week has now been restored after the same man saw red early on to set the tone for a miserable outing for his side.A dramatic victory at Inter for champions Juve piled the pressure on Napoli to deliver three points from a tricky trip on Sunday, but their defence never recovered from Koulibaly's setback.
Simeone, who drew the costly foul, deservedly netted the opener after 34 minutes and then completed his hat-trick as Fiorentina's dominance continued after the break.
The Partenopei have regularly relied on late goals and fightbacks in the run-in, but neither were forthcoming and Sarri's side now require something of a miracle in the final three weeks of the campaign to end their 28-year wait for a title.
Koulibaly was dismissed after just six minutes when he mistimed a challenge on Simeone as the forward charged into the area.Referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni initially awarded a yellow card and a penalty, but replays showed the foul to have taken place marginally outside the box, prompting Koulibaly's dismissal and a Cristiano Biraghi free-kick that Pepe Reina blocked.
Sarri sacrificed Jorginho for centre-back Lorenzo Tonelli, yet the visitors were beaten again by the same Simeone run in behind and this time he found the net, sliding a finish beyond Reina.Reina clung onto Riccardo Saponara's low drive and then smothered efforts from both Marco Benassi and Federico Chiesa at close quarters, with Napoli's defence still scrambling.
A sublime Jose Callejon pass picked out Dries Mertens for a volley straight at Marco Sportiello following the restart, but Fiorentina continued to create chances and Reina parried Chiesa's bobbling shot.
Simeone's second arrived with just under half an hour remaining. Although Reina was blocked smartly as a corner struck Elseid Hysaj, the home forward on hand to stab the rebound past the helpless goalkeeper.Napoli's response was negligible as Fiorentina instead ended the game chasing a third.
And with just seconds of stoppage time remaining it arrived, Simeone bursting clear to finish left-footed and clinch the match ball as the visitors' valiant Scudetto fight wilted in the Tuscan sun.
Napoli's Serie A title challenge faltered in Florence as Maurizio Sarri's 10 men were beaten 3-0 by a Giovanni Simeone-inspired Fiorentina, leaving them four points behind leaders Juventus.
The gap at the summit that was partially closed by Kalidou Koulibaly's late winner in Turin last week has now been restored after the same man saw red early on to set the tone for a miserable outing for his side.A dramatic victory at Inter for champions Juve piled the pressure on Napoli to deliver three points from a tricky trip on Sunday, but their defence never recovered from Koulibaly's setback.
Simeone, who drew the costly foul, deservedly netted the opener after 34 minutes and then completed his hat-trick as Fiorentina's dominance continued after the break.
The Partenopei have regularly relied on late goals and fightbacks in the run-in, but neither were forthcoming and Sarri's side now require something of a miracle in the final three weeks of the campaign to end their 28-year wait for a title.
Koulibaly was dismissed after just six minutes when he mistimed a challenge on Simeone as the forward charged into the area.Referee Paolo Silvio Mazzoleni initially awarded a yellow card and a penalty, but replays showed the foul to have taken place marginally outside the box, prompting Koulibaly's dismissal and a Cristiano Biraghi free-kick that Pepe Reina blocked.
Sarri sacrificed Jorginho for centre-back Lorenzo Tonelli, yet the visitors were beaten again by the same Simeone run in behind and this time he found the net, sliding a finish beyond Reina.Reina clung onto Riccardo Saponara's low drive and then smothered efforts from both Marco Benassi and Federico Chiesa at close quarters, with Napoli's defence still scrambling.
A sublime Jose Callejon pass picked out Dries Mertens for a volley straight at Marco Sportiello following the restart, but Fiorentina continued to create chances and Reina parried Chiesa's bobbling shot.
Simeone's second arrived with just under half an hour remaining. Although Reina was blocked smartly as a corner struck Elseid Hysaj, the home forward on hand to stab the rebound past the helpless goalkeeper.Napoli's response was negligible as Fiorentina instead ended the game chasing a third.
And with just seconds of stoppage time remaining it arrived, Simeone bursting clear to finish left-footed and clinch the match ball as the visitors' valiant Scudetto fight wilted in the Tuscan sun.
Deportivo La Coruna 2 Barcelona 4: Magic Messi hat-trick secures LaLiga title
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona regained the title in LaLiga with a pulsating 4-2 win against Deportivo La Coruna, who were relegated.The runaway leaders headed into Sunday's fixture at the Riazor knowing a point would be enough to win a seventh title in the past 10 seasons and the 25th in their history.
A routine victory looked on the cards from the moment Philippe Coutinho finished Ousmane Dembele's pass, and Messi scored a 30th league goal of the campaign from Luis Suarez's sensational assist to double the lead.But Depor, who had to win to avoid going down, made a real contest of it.
Lucas Perez deservedly cut the deficit before the break and Emre Colak finished a fine team move to level in the 64th minute.Ultimately, though, Depor failed to complete the comeback and the brilliant Messi stuck the nail in their Liga coffin with two further late strikes to leave Barca celebrating another title triumph.
It caps a significant turnaround for a Barca side that saw Real Madrid conquer LaLiga and the Champions League last season, while a 5-1 aggregate Supercopa de Espana defeat to their Clasico rivals in August coupled with the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain led to suggestions the Catalan giants were in crisis.But Barca have quashed those concerns in some style, with Ernesto Valverde able to celebrate a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double in his first season as head coach.
Some frailties remain, as exposed by the quarter-final Champions League collapse to Roma, but the possibility of an unprecedented unbeaten LaLiga season is realistic with four matches to go, albeit they must negotiate next weekend's Clasico to keep that dream alive.Andres Iniesta, who made a late cameo, will also depart Camp Nou with a ninth LaLiga crown, the Spain great announcing this week he will leave the club after a 22-year association.
It took just seven minutes for Barca to make the breakthrough. The ball was worked to the right of the area where Dembele kept his composure, having seemingly been foiled, to pick out Coutinho, who curled a sumptuous first-time effort into the left-side of the goal.Depor responded well and thought they had an equaliser when Perez tapped in after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had brilliantly saved Raul Albentosa's header, but the celebrations were curtailed by the offside flag.
Messi saw a 30-yard free-kick expertly saved by Ruben Martinez before desperate Depor twice went close, first Borja Valle failed to make clean contact with Michael Krohn-Dehli's teasing cross before Fabian Schar inexplicably headed over from six yards.
Barca doubled their lead in style in the 38th minute when Suarez lofted an exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass in the path of the onrushing Messi to side-foot home on the volley.The visitors were caught cold almost immediately, though, as Perez swept home Valle's tee up.
And Depor were level in the 64th minute. Valle made a great run in behind the Barca defence, held the ball up and fired across goal to Celso Borges, who cleverly laid into the path of Emre to complete a fine team move.Barca were momentarily rattled, but Messi and Suarez both missed great chances before Depor's brave resistance was broken for good.
Messi and Suarez combined brilliantly in a crowded penalty area before the former rolled the ball into the wide-open goal.And the Argentina legend put the icing on the cake, combining with Suarez and namesake Denis once more before applying the cool finish.
Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick as Barcelona regained the title in LaLiga with a pulsating 4-2 win against Deportivo La Coruna, who were relegated.The runaway leaders headed into Sunday's fixture at the Riazor knowing a point would be enough to win a seventh title in the past 10 seasons and the 25th in their history.
A routine victory looked on the cards from the moment Philippe Coutinho finished Ousmane Dembele's pass, and Messi scored a 30th league goal of the campaign from Luis Suarez's sensational assist to double the lead.But Depor, who had to win to avoid going down, made a real contest of it.
Lucas Perez deservedly cut the deficit before the break and Emre Colak finished a fine team move to level in the 64th minute.Ultimately, though, Depor failed to complete the comeback and the brilliant Messi stuck the nail in their Liga coffin with two further late strikes to leave Barca celebrating another title triumph.
It caps a significant turnaround for a Barca side that saw Real Madrid conquer LaLiga and the Champions League last season, while a 5-1 aggregate Supercopa de Espana defeat to their Clasico rivals in August coupled with the sale of Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain led to suggestions the Catalan giants were in crisis.But Barca have quashed those concerns in some style, with Ernesto Valverde able to celebrate a LaLiga and Copa del Rey double in his first season as head coach.
Some frailties remain, as exposed by the quarter-final Champions League collapse to Roma, but the possibility of an unprecedented unbeaten LaLiga season is realistic with four matches to go, albeit they must negotiate next weekend's Clasico to keep that dream alive.Andres Iniesta, who made a late cameo, will also depart Camp Nou with a ninth LaLiga crown, the Spain great announcing this week he will leave the club after a 22-year association.
It took just seven minutes for Barca to make the breakthrough. The ball was worked to the right of the area where Dembele kept his composure, having seemingly been foiled, to pick out Coutinho, who curled a sumptuous first-time effort into the left-side of the goal.Depor responded well and thought they had an equaliser when Perez tapped in after Marc-Andre ter Stegen had brilliantly saved Raul Albentosa's header, but the celebrations were curtailed by the offside flag.
Messi saw a 30-yard free-kick expertly saved by Ruben Martinez before desperate Depor twice went close, first Borja Valle failed to make clean contact with Michael Krohn-Dehli's teasing cross before Fabian Schar inexplicably headed over from six yards.
Barca doubled their lead in style in the 38th minute when Suarez lofted an exquisite outside-of-the-boot pass in the path of the onrushing Messi to side-foot home on the volley.The visitors were caught cold almost immediately, though, as Perez swept home Valle's tee up.
And Depor were level in the 64th minute. Valle made a great run in behind the Barca defence, held the ball up and fired across goal to Celso Borges, who cleverly laid into the path of Emre to complete a fine team move.Barca were momentarily rattled, but Messi and Suarez both missed great chances before Depor's brave resistance was broken for good.
Messi and Suarez combined brilliantly in a crowded penalty area before the former rolled the ball into the wide-open goal.And the Argentina legend put the icing on the cake, combining with Suarez and namesake Denis once more before applying the cool finish.
Paris Saint-Germain 2 Guingamp 2: Cavani double sees champions salvage a draw
Edinson Cavani scored two late goals to spare Paris Saint-Germain's blushes as the Ligue 1 champions fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw against Guingamp.
The Uruguayan forward became his club's all-time leading scorer in the French top-flight when he converted a 75th-minute penalty, going clear of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the record books.Having halved the deficit, Cavani made sure the title winners avoided suffering a first home defeat in the league this season by heading home Thomas Meunier's cross.
The result was tough on Guingamp, who are mathematically safe from the drop and still in with an outside chance of finishing in the top five and played like a side with nothing to lose and everything to gain.They took the lead in spectacular fashion, Ludovic Blas letting fly with a left-footed rocket to beat Alphonse Areola in the 45th minute, the ball curling away from the goalkeeper as it flashed into the net.
Jimmy Briand completed a swift counter started by Clement Grenier to double their advantage, only to carelessly give away a penalty at the other end that triggered PSG's comeback bid.
Still, the result saw the runaway champions drop points at home for the first time in the league this season at the end of a week in which coach Unai Emery announced he will leave the club at the end of the campaign.
The outgoing boss witnessed his star-studded side turn in a below-par performance that drew whistles from a disgruntled home crowd.Briand was guilty of twice missing the target in the opening 15 minutes, curling wide with his left foot before fluffing a header from Felix Eboa Eboa's delightful cross, to let a sluggish PSG side off the hook.
The hosts also needed assistance from the woodwork, Marcus Thuram's clever deflection of Etienne Didot's low drive sending the ball onto the post, to avoid conceding. However, Guingamp finally broke the deadlock – and in some style, too – in the 45th minute with a wonder strike.PSG may have thought they were out of trouble when they headed a corner away, only for Blas to unleash a first-time drive that flew beyond a stationary Areola.
The home side, in contrast, barely threatened. Giovani Lo Celso dragged their one notable first-half chance wide with his left foot, as the home team's powerful forward line – including the fit-again Angel Di Maria – failed to catch fire in the pouring rain.Kylian Mbappe did have the ball in the net in the 54th minute, only for his toe-poke beyond goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson to be ruled out for offside.
There was no flag to chalk off Briand's finish to a counter-attack though, the veteran forward reaching double figures in Ligue 1 for the season when he stretched out to push the ball between the advancing Areola's legs.However, Guingamp's captain gifted PSG a lifeline with an ill-judged sliding tackle on Lo Celso, the official failing to spot that the initial contact occurred outside the area.
Cavani converted to create history before going on to find the equaliser six minutes later, his diving header too strong for goalkeeper Johnsson to deny Guingamp a famous victory in the French capital.
Edinson Cavani scored two late goals to spare Paris Saint-Germain's blushes as the Ligue 1 champions fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw against Guingamp.
The Uruguayan forward became his club's all-time leading scorer in the French top-flight when he converted a 75th-minute penalty, going clear of Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the record books.Having halved the deficit, Cavani made sure the title winners avoided suffering a first home defeat in the league this season by heading home Thomas Meunier's cross.
The result was tough on Guingamp, who are mathematically safe from the drop and still in with an outside chance of finishing in the top five and played like a side with nothing to lose and everything to gain.They took the lead in spectacular fashion, Ludovic Blas letting fly with a left-footed rocket to beat Alphonse Areola in the 45th minute, the ball curling away from the goalkeeper as it flashed into the net.
Jimmy Briand completed a swift counter started by Clement Grenier to double their advantage, only to carelessly give away a penalty at the other end that triggered PSG's comeback bid.
Still, the result saw the runaway champions drop points at home for the first time in the league this season at the end of a week in which coach Unai Emery announced he will leave the club at the end of the campaign.
The outgoing boss witnessed his star-studded side turn in a below-par performance that drew whistles from a disgruntled home crowd.Briand was guilty of twice missing the target in the opening 15 minutes, curling wide with his left foot before fluffing a header from Felix Eboa Eboa's delightful cross, to let a sluggish PSG side off the hook.
The hosts also needed assistance from the woodwork, Marcus Thuram's clever deflection of Etienne Didot's low drive sending the ball onto the post, to avoid conceding. However, Guingamp finally broke the deadlock – and in some style, too – in the 45th minute with a wonder strike.PSG may have thought they were out of trouble when they headed a corner away, only for Blas to unleash a first-time drive that flew beyond a stationary Areola.
The home side, in contrast, barely threatened. Giovani Lo Celso dragged their one notable first-half chance wide with his left foot, as the home team's powerful forward line – including the fit-again Angel Di Maria – failed to catch fire in the pouring rain.Kylian Mbappe did have the ball in the net in the 54th minute, only for his toe-poke beyond goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johnsson to be ruled out for offside.
There was no flag to chalk off Briand's finish to a counter-attack though, the veteran forward reaching double figures in Ligue 1 for the season when he stretched out to push the ball between the advancing Areola's legs.However, Guingamp's captain gifted PSG a lifeline with an ill-judged sliding tackle on Lo Celso, the official failing to spot that the initial contact occurred outside the area.
Cavani converted to create history before going on to find the equaliser six minutes later, his diving header too strong for goalkeeper Johnsson to deny Guingamp a famous victory in the French capital.
'The hardest part is winning many times' - Valverde hails Barca desire
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde praised his team's motivation levels after they secured the Liga title on Sunday.
A Lionel Messi hat-trick led Barca to an entertaining 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna to seal the club's seventh league title in 10 seasons.Valverde said his players' desire to win was key to their success, which was sealed with four games remaining in the campaign.
"It is the most complicated. Win once, we all have moments when we win once," he told Movistar ."The hard part is winning many times. You have to reactivate yourself again."Barca remain unbeaten in the league this season, but needed two late goals from Messi at the Riazor to secure the win having seen Deportivo fight back from 2-0 down.
Valverde was relieved to finally clinch the title and said his team deserved their success."When you're chasing throughout the season you say, 'finally'. In the end, La Liga is very long," he said.
"We must pass the harsh winter. We have gone through everything and we really chased it from the beginning and we have arrived well with a certain margin and I think we have been the best."
Valverde also believes the Liga title is the toughest to win, saying: "It seems the most difficult because in the cup or in the competitions with elimination, a bad day takes you out."Here you have to have a record."
Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde praised his team's motivation levels after they secured the Liga title on Sunday.
A Lionel Messi hat-trick led Barca to an entertaining 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna to seal the club's seventh league title in 10 seasons.Valverde said his players' desire to win was key to their success, which was sealed with four games remaining in the campaign.
"It is the most complicated. Win once, we all have moments when we win once," he told Movistar ."The hard part is winning many times. You have to reactivate yourself again."Barca remain unbeaten in the league this season, but needed two late goals from Messi at the Riazor to secure the win having seen Deportivo fight back from 2-0 down.
Valverde was relieved to finally clinch the title and said his team deserved their success."When you're chasing throughout the season you say, 'finally'. In the end, La Liga is very long," he said.
"We must pass the harsh winter. We have gone through everything and we really chased it from the beginning and we have arrived well with a certain margin and I think we have been the best."
Valverde also believes the Liga title is the toughest to win, saying: "It seems the most difficult because in the cup or in the competitions with elimination, a bad day takes you out."Here you have to have a record."
'I wish this feeling was eternal' - Iniesta revels in Barca's Liga triumph
Andres Iniesta wishes his Barcelona dream was "eternal" but says he made the most "honest" decision for the club by deciding to leave after celebrating a ninth La Liga title.
Barca captain Iniesta took his combined career tally of major honours for the Catalan giants and Spain to 35 as Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday to ensure they cannot be caught in the top flight.It capped an emotional nine days for Iniesta, who scored in the 5-0 Copa del Rey final demolition of Sevilla last weekend before announcing on Friday that this season would be his last with Barca, ending a 22-year association.
And Iniesta was in a reflective mood when speaking to Movistar after the Depor match, saying: "I'm making the most honest decision for me and for my club."I want to finish with good feelings, then go to the World Cup and now to another adventure.
"I wish this was eternal. I'm the first one who would like this not to end but all this has its beginning and its end." Iniesta's announcement led to tributes throughout the world of football for a remarkable Barca career, including from Real Madrid legends Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Zinedine Zidane.
He was also afforded a warm reception from the Riazor crowd when making a late cameo against Depor, who were relegated following the defeat. "They are really indescribable sensations on a personal level and as an athlete," he added.
"There are no words when you get so much love from people. And more in difficult situations like these. The gratitude to the people is eternal."
Andres Iniesta wishes his Barcelona dream was "eternal" but says he made the most "honest" decision for the club by deciding to leave after celebrating a ninth La Liga title.
Barca captain Iniesta took his combined career tally of major honours for the Catalan giants and Spain to 35 as Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick in a thrilling 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna on Sunday to ensure they cannot be caught in the top flight.It capped an emotional nine days for Iniesta, who scored in the 5-0 Copa del Rey final demolition of Sevilla last weekend before announcing on Friday that this season would be his last with Barca, ending a 22-year association.
And Iniesta was in a reflective mood when speaking to Movistar after the Depor match, saying: "I'm making the most honest decision for me and for my club."I want to finish with good feelings, then go to the World Cup and now to another adventure.
"I wish this was eternal. I'm the first one who would like this not to end but all this has its beginning and its end." Iniesta's announcement led to tributes throughout the world of football for a remarkable Barca career, including from Real Madrid legends Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Zinedine Zidane.
He was also afforded a warm reception from the Riazor crowd when making a late cameo against Depor, who were relegated following the defeat. "They are really indescribable sensations on a personal level and as an athlete," he added.
"There are no words when you get so much love from people. And more in difficult situations like these. The gratitude to the people is eternal."
Messi: We were far superior to all our rivals
Barcelona star Lionel Messi believes his team were "very superior" to all of their rivals on their way to the La Liga title.
Messi again delivered at a crucial time for Barca on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick in an entertaining 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna to see the club clinch a seventh league crown in 10 seasons.The Argentina international feels his side, who remain unbeaten in La Liga this season, were deserved champions.
"We were very superior to the other rivals," Messi told Movistar."We did not lose games practically, only one in the Copa [del Rey] and, unfortunately, the Champions League, which was unexpected because of how we arrived."The truth is it [Barcelona's title] has a lot of merit. It's very difficult." The La Liga crown means Barca send out Andres Iniesta, who is ending his 22-year association with the club at the end of the season, with a double.
Messi said he would have loved to see Iniesta leave with a treble, but Barca were stunned in the Champions League quarter-finals by Roma.
"We regret it in the Champions League that he cannot go with a treble," he said."But I think he goes in an impressive way, a double more than deserved for what he is and for all that he gave the club."We wish him the best."
Barcelona star Lionel Messi believes his team were "very superior" to all of their rivals on their way to the La Liga title.
Messi again delivered at a crucial time for Barca on Sunday, scoring a hat-trick in an entertaining 4-2 win at Deportivo La Coruna to see the club clinch a seventh league crown in 10 seasons.The Argentina international feels his side, who remain unbeaten in La Liga this season, were deserved champions.
"We were very superior to the other rivals," Messi told Movistar."We did not lose games practically, only one in the Copa [del Rey] and, unfortunately, the Champions League, which was unexpected because of how we arrived."The truth is it [Barcelona's title] has a lot of merit. It's very difficult." The La Liga crown means Barca send out Andres Iniesta, who is ending his 22-year association with the club at the end of the season, with a double.
Messi said he would have loved to see Iniesta leave with a treble, but Barca were stunned in the Champions League quarter-finals by Roma.
"We regret it in the Champions League that he cannot go with a treble," he said."But I think he goes in an impressive way, a double more than deserved for what he is and for all that he gave the club."We wish him the best."
FA Cup final fear for Lukaku as Man Utd striker limps off against ArsenalManchester United face an anxious wait over the fitness of Romelu Lukaku after the striker limped off during his side's Premier League victory over Arsenal on Sunday.
The Belgium ace, 24, had to be substituted at the start of the second half at Old Trafford following a challenge from Gunners defender Konstantinos Mavropanos.Lukaku - United's top scorer with 26 goals so far this season - looked in clear pain as he headed towards the touchline to be replaced by Marcus Rashford.
And, with the Red Devils set to lock horns with Chelsea in the FA Cup on 19 May, Jose Mourinho's men will now be hoping Lukaku has not sustained any serious damage.Speaking after United's win over Arsenal, Mourinho said: "I don't know if he is going to be out."Or if he's not okay. He wants to play all the time. He is never tired and, when he has small things, he doesn't care. He still wants to go.
"So, for him to say immediately, to change him, it is because he couldn't play. But there are three more weeks until the final, so let's see. I know it was on his foot but I don't know more yet."I don't think it's something, or I hope it's not, that in this moment keeps him immediately out of a game that is in three weeks' time.
“But I don't know. I never, when I finish a game and a player is injured, immediately go for good or bad news. I wait a bit more."Mourinho's side opened the scoring against Arsenal thanks to Paul Pogba's first-half strike but former United man Henrikh Mkhitaryan levelled the match after the interval.
However, Marouane Fellaini scored a last-gasp winner to earn United all three points and seal their place in next season's Champions League.
Arsenal boss Wenger 'surprised' by Ferguson gift on Old Trafford farewellArsene Wenger was taken by surprise by a pre-match presentation of a special gift from former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson.
Wenger's near 22-year stay at Arsenal will conclude at the end of the season and he watched a young XI lose 2-1 thanks to a late Marouane Fellaini header on Sunday in the Premier League.Legendary United boss Ferguson was on hand to greet his old rival by the dugouts before the game, with Jose Mourinho also embracing Wenger warmly ahead of kick-off.
And Wenger said he had not expected such a positive response from the United fans ahead of the match, although some home supporters later mocked him by singing "Arsene Wenger, we want you to stay" during the game.
"Very nice, it's classy and I enjoyed it," Wenger said to Sky Sports of the pre-match presentation."I have come here for a long, long time and next time someone else will come here and get a hostile reception. "It's a bit surprising because it was not always what you would imagine, but it shows life goes on and sometimes it gets better."
Wenger rested Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette ahead of Thursday's trip to Atletico Madrid for the second leg of the Europa League semi-final, the 68-year-old naming his youngest Gunners side since an 8-2 thumping by Ferguson's United in 2011.
Despite seeing Arsenal lose a sixth consecutive away game in the Premier League - the club's worst top-flight run on the road since 1966 - Wenger felt his young team played well.
"It was a positive performance and overall reflects our season, we had chances and especially on counter-attacks," Wenger said."Overall the team performance was positive for such a young team, but of course they were very disappointed in the dressing room. In the last 20 minutes you could see some players are not used to that intensity, but in the first 70 minutes we didn't really look under threat.
"It's good to see them in such a strong atmosphere and who has the courage to play, who can win challenges. We know their level but here you discover what they do in the competition."
Mourinho: We killed the Champions League story
Jose Mourinho accepted his Manchester United side perhaps did not deserve a late Premier League win over Arsenal, although he is happy to have secured Champions League qualification.
United guaranteed a top-four finish with a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal thanks to Marouane Fellaini's stoppage-time header, Arsene Wenger's side collapsing to a sixth straight away loss on his last visit to Old Trafford in charge of the Gunners.
Wenger named an inexperienced side, protecting star names for Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid, but debutant Konstantinos Mavropanos impressed at the back and Ainsley Maitland-Niles shone in midfield.
Mourinho noted the lack of pressure on Arsenal's players contributed to a positive performance from Wenger's men, but the Portuguese was satisfied with the way his team responded to Romelu Lukaku's injury early in the second half."I think if it was a draw it wouldn't be unfair," Mourinho told Sky Sports . "I think they had a good game, no pressure for them, but they defended well - the two young centre-backs did very, very well.
"Of course, we were the team that tried to win, had more chances and tried to win in the last 20 to 25 minutes but that's normal, they had a positive game but we were stronger in the last 20 minutes. "We changed our approach and had more width with [Anthony] Martial and brought on Marouane to compensate for losing Lukaku."We killed the Champions League story, we are there in the top four, but we still need four points to finish second.
"I knew they would drop into the block, normally 1-1 is a good result for them, without Lukaku they were more comfortable to drop the block as the Greek boy [Mavropanos] and [Calum] Chambers knew they would dominate Marcus [Rashford] in the air in the air, so we needed a second presence.
"Marouane scored a beautiful goal, in the end it mathematically qualifies us for the Champions League."Before kick-off former United manager Alex Ferguson presented Wenger with a commemorative gift to mark his last visit to Old Trafford in charge of Arsenal.
Mourinho also warmly embraced the man he once called a "voyeur" and a "specialist in failure", although the Portuguese avoided joining Ferguson and Wenger in a touchline photo opportunity.
"I think we did it fantastically well as a club - because it was the club that did it - but I felt it would mean more Sir Alex coming down than myself," Mourinho said.
"I played against Mr Wenger three or four times here, the big rivalry between the two clubs was between them, so it was for Sir Alex to come."
Jose Mourinho accepted his Manchester United side perhaps did not deserve a late Premier League win over Arsenal, although he is happy to have secured Champions League qualification.
United guaranteed a top-four finish with a 2-1 defeat of Arsenal thanks to Marouane Fellaini's stoppage-time header, Arsene Wenger's side collapsing to a sixth straight away loss on his last visit to Old Trafford in charge of the Gunners.
Wenger named an inexperienced side, protecting star names for Thursday's Europa League semi-final with Atletico Madrid, but debutant Konstantinos Mavropanos impressed at the back and Ainsley Maitland-Niles shone in midfield.
Mourinho noted the lack of pressure on Arsenal's players contributed to a positive performance from Wenger's men, but the Portuguese was satisfied with the way his team responded to Romelu Lukaku's injury early in the second half."I think if it was a draw it wouldn't be unfair," Mourinho told Sky Sports . "I think they had a good game, no pressure for them, but they defended well - the two young centre-backs did very, very well.
"Of course, we were the team that tried to win, had more chances and tried to win in the last 20 to 25 minutes but that's normal, they had a positive game but we were stronger in the last 20 minutes. "We changed our approach and had more width with [Anthony] Martial and brought on Marouane to compensate for losing Lukaku."We killed the Champions League story, we are there in the top four, but we still need four points to finish second.
"I knew they would drop into the block, normally 1-1 is a good result for them, without Lukaku they were more comfortable to drop the block as the Greek boy [Mavropanos] and [Calum] Chambers knew they would dominate Marcus [Rashford] in the air in the air, so we needed a second presence.
"Marouane scored a beautiful goal, in the end it mathematically qualifies us for the Champions League."Before kick-off former United manager Alex Ferguson presented Wenger with a commemorative gift to mark his last visit to Old Trafford in charge of Arsenal.
Mourinho also warmly embraced the man he once called a "voyeur" and a "specialist in failure", although the Portuguese avoided joining Ferguson and Wenger in a touchline photo opportunity.
"I think we did it fantastically well as a club - because it was the club that did it - but I felt it would mean more Sir Alex coming down than myself," Mourinho said.
"I played against Mr Wenger three or four times here, the big rivalry between the two clubs was between them, so it was for Sir Alex to come."
Mourinho on Fellaini: 'I think he will stay, it is nearly there'
Jose Mourinho indicated that Marouane Fellaini is nearing a new contract at Manchester United after the Belgian scored a dramatic winner against Arsenal.
Fellaini headed home a stoppage-time winner at Old Trafford, giving Mourinho's men a 2-1 win over the Gunners on Sunday.
The victory put United on the verge of a second-place finish in the Premier League, with the Red Devils now five points ahead of third-place Liverpool with a game in hand.
Fellaini's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and the 30-year-old has yet to sign fresh terms, leading to speculation he could depart on a free transfer.But, after the Belgian's dramatic late goal, the Man Utd boss said he expects a new deal for Fellaini imminently. "I think a player that grabs the crest after scoring is telling clearly that he wants to stay," Mourinho told the BBC . "I want him to stay, the club wants him to stay. I think he will stay, it is nearly there."
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Mourinho added: “I believe he will stay. He’s a good player and he can be used in many different circumstances, according to the nature of the game."That’s why we want him to stay and that’s why I believe that he is going to stay.
"The position is we are almost there. But, in football, almost is not enough. I think we are almost there but I can't celebrate because almost is not enough.
"I want to see the white paper with the United crest and Mr Ed Woodward's signature and Maraoune's signature on it."Fellaini has made 22 appearances in all completions for United in 2017-18, scoring five goals.
Jose Mourinho indicated that Marouane Fellaini is nearing a new contract at Manchester United after the Belgian scored a dramatic winner against Arsenal.
Fellaini headed home a stoppage-time winner at Old Trafford, giving Mourinho's men a 2-1 win over the Gunners on Sunday.
The victory put United on the verge of a second-place finish in the Premier League, with the Red Devils now five points ahead of third-place Liverpool with a game in hand.
Fellaini's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and the 30-year-old has yet to sign fresh terms, leading to speculation he could depart on a free transfer.But, after the Belgian's dramatic late goal, the Man Utd boss said he expects a new deal for Fellaini imminently. "I think a player that grabs the crest after scoring is telling clearly that he wants to stay," Mourinho told the BBC . "I want him to stay, the club wants him to stay. I think he will stay, it is nearly there."
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Mourinho added: “I believe he will stay. He’s a good player and he can be used in many different circumstances, according to the nature of the game."That’s why we want him to stay and that’s why I believe that he is going to stay.
"The position is we are almost there. But, in football, almost is not enough. I think we are almost there but I can't celebrate because almost is not enough.
"I want to see the white paper with the United crest and Mr Ed Woodward's signature and Maraoune's signature on it."Fellaini has made 22 appearances in all completions for United in 2017-18, scoring five goals.
Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.04.30
Barclays Premier League Fixture 2018.04.30
Tottenham Vs Watford
Isco missing from Real Madrid's squad for Bayern semi-final clash
Isco will miss Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday after failing to recover from a sprained shoulder in time.
The Spain midfielder suffered the injury during the first leg of the semi-final on German soil, leading to him being substituted at the halfway stage of his side's 2-1 win.Despite training with the squad on Monday, Isco's name does not feature in Zinedine Zidane's squad for the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Nacho Fernandez - who has missed the past month of action due a thigh problem - is included.The defender's return would be timely too, considering the reigning European champions are without regular right-back Dani Carvajal due to a hamstring strain.
Having dropped in to defence to cover for Carvajal at the Allianz Arena, winger Lucas Vazquez could once again be asked to fill the role in the Spanish capital.
Elsewhere, Gareth Bale will be hoping to see minutes in European competition after slipping down the pecking order of late.
He was on target against Leganes on Saturday, but Zidane shuffled his pack in La Liga for that fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo was rested, but Real's 42-goal talisman will be back to lead the hunt for a Champions League final berth in midweek.
Isco will miss Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich on Tuesday after failing to recover from a sprained shoulder in time.
The Spain midfielder suffered the injury during the first leg of the semi-final on German soil, leading to him being substituted at the halfway stage of his side's 2-1 win.Despite training with the squad on Monday, Isco's name does not feature in Zinedine Zidane's squad for the return fixture at the Santiago Bernabeu.
However, Nacho Fernandez - who has missed the past month of action due a thigh problem - is included.The defender's return would be timely too, considering the reigning European champions are without regular right-back Dani Carvajal due to a hamstring strain.
Having dropped in to defence to cover for Carvajal at the Allianz Arena, winger Lucas Vazquez could once again be asked to fill the role in the Spanish capital.
Elsewhere, Gareth Bale will be hoping to see minutes in European competition after slipping down the pecking order of late.
He was on target against Leganes on Saturday, but Zidane shuffled his pack in La Liga for that fixture.
Cristiano Ronaldo was rested, but Real's 42-goal talisman will be back to lead the hunt for a Champions League final berth in midweek.
