..::Football IV::..

[Wolverine GTR]

Steven Gerrard appointed Rangers manager

Steven Gerrard has been officially announced as Rangers manager.The 37-year-old will take his first step into senior management after signing a four-year contract with the Scottish Premiership side.“I am honoured to become the next manager of Rangers," Gerrard told Rangers' official website. "I have enormous respect for this football club, and its history and tradition.

“I can’t wait to start this new journey at Rangers as we look to build on the many successes that this club has achieved.”

The former England star has spent the last year managing Liverpool's Under-18 team, having retired in 2016 after a trophy-laden career. The renowned midfielder enjoyed 17 years at Anfield, winning the FA Cup twice, the League Cup three times, and the Champions League once, along with one UEFA Cup and one UEFA Super Cup.Gerrard has previously rejected an offer to manage MK Dons, and will instead move to Scotland after taking on the job at Ibrox - with Goal having revealed that he was heading to Glasgow last week.

Gers chairman Dave King spoke of his confidence that the club picked the right man to improve their chances of challenging for trophies.“From the very beginning, talks have been extremely positive and we believe that Steven is the right man to drive Rangers forward," he said.

“He was extremely impressive throughout our negotiations and we are convinced that he has the necessary knowledge and temperament to lead the club to the success we all desire."Director of football Mark Allen added: “From the moment we met with Steven to discuss this opportunity, we felt that his ambitions and desire to succeed equalled our own for the club.

“Make no mistake, Steven fully understands the demands that come with managing a club of this stature and we look forward to exciting times ahead.”Gerrard steps into the job after Graeme Murty left the club earlier this week, having been given the job in December following the sacking of Pedro Caixinha.

The club confirmed that Murty could continue to work within the club, but assistants Jimmy Nicholl and Jonatan Johansson will be on the touchline for the final three games of the season, against Kilmarnock, Aberdeen and Hibernian.
Rangers are currently third in the Scottish top flight, but sit 13 points behind champions Celtic, and were thumped 5-0 by Brendan Rodgers' side just last week.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Wenger one of the best managers in history - Pochettino


Mauricio Pochettino has described Arsene Wenger as one of the best managers in the history of football ahead of his final home match in charge of Arsenal.The 68-year-old will step down at the end of the season after nearly 22 years as Gunners boss and is expected to be given a guard of honour by the players when Burnley visit Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Wenger, whose side lost their Europa League semi-final tie with Atletico Madrid 2-1 after a 1-0 second-leg defeat on Thursday, will then conclude his Arsenal career with trips to Leicester City and Huddersfield Town.Tottenham counterpart Pochettino says it is hard to find enough words of gratitude for the impact the Frenchman has had on the game.

"It will be difficult to say thank you enough," he told a news conference. "For the fans, for everyone that loves Arsenal, in the same way they love Wenger, I think it's impossible to say thank you enough. A person that managed for nearly 22 years, for me it was a very successful 22 years."All that happened at Arsenal under Wenger, he deserves everything. For me, he is one of the best managers in football history."

Arsenal's Europa League exit means the Premier League's top four will definitely qualify for the Champions League next season.Pochettino does not wish to revel in another team's disappointment but is thrilled at the prospect of a third campaign in a row in Europe's top competition, especially as they try to put their own FA Cup semi-final loss to Manchester United behind them.

"I am not happy about it or enjoy it when another team loses, but of course it is for our interests," he said. "I think to finish in the top four is a massive success for the club."After the defeat in the FA Cup, it was too difficult to manage the week. It was a long week until we played again [against Watford]. It wasn't an easy week.

"This week was much better, the atmosphere is better. The players feel they have more energy and it's changed the dynamic."
Pochettino, who confirmed Mousa Dembele will face a fitness test ahead of the trip to West Brom on Saturday, also backed Steven Gerrard to be a success at Rangers.The former Liverpool captain is expected to be appointed at Ibrox on Friday after reportedly agreeing a three-year deal.

"Steven was an amazing, great player and it's sure he has the experience to manage," said Pochettino. "I wish him all the best because it will be fantastic for football to have him as a manager and one day to challenge him."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

He'll be welcomed – Suarez hints Griezmann will join Barcelona


Barcelona star Luis Suarez strongly hinted that Antoine Griezmann would join the La Liga giants, saying the Atletico Madrid forward would be welcomed.Griezmann, 27, has been linked with a move to Barcelona after enjoying another fine season with Atletico, scoring 27 goals in all competitions and helping his club reach the Europa League final.

Suarez strongly suggested the France international, who is contracted until mid-2022, would be making the move to Camp Nou.

"It makes the club proud to bring players of this quality like Antoine, like[Ousmane] Dembele and [Philippe] Coutinho came," he told Radio Rincon .
"He's a player who brings a huge amount, he has a lot of years playing at the highest level, always fighting. He rules up front for Atletico and that is fundamental.
"He is not coming to take the place of anyone, but with the ambition of winning important things.

"He will be welcomed."
Barcelona have enjoyed a fine 2017-18 campaign, winning La Liga and the Copa del Rey. They face Real Madrid on Sunday in the Clasico, looking to maintain their undefeated league campaign.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mourinho right to fume as Man Utd's fringe players fail to impress


In making six changes for Manchester United’s trip to Brighton on Friday, Jose Mourinho was throwing down the gauntlet to a number of players to prove themselves. All they did in return was throw it right back in his face as they sleep-walked their way to a chastening 1-0 defeat.

A lineup full of players desperate to prove their worth at a time when Mourinho has all-but figured out his favoured first XI should have been able to put together a far more compelling performance than this one. The Portuguese spent most of his night scowling on the touchline, and he had every right to expect more than his side gave him as they meekly stepped aside.

Among those he promoted were Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, whose lack of involvement has become the talk of the terraces in recent months since Alexis Sanchez arrived at Old Trafford and pushed them to the periphery. But both looked lost, and the manager predictably pointed out afterwards that there is a reason for their reduced game time.




"The players that replaced others, they didn’t perform," he told Sky Sports. "When individuals don’t perform to a good level, it’s difficult for the team to perform at a good level. Maybe you can see why some play more than others now."'Why always Lukaku, why always Lukaku, why always Lukaku?' You have the answer. We’re not as good individually as people think we are."

They looked like strangers for too long, and, while the heavy rotation can explain that in part, this is a group of players most of whom have worked under Mourinho for two whole seasons now. They train together almost every single day. And yet they played for too much of Friday night like people making each other’s acquaintance for the very first time.

Even the casual observer knows the general characteristics of these Manchester United players, but their team-mates seem not to have a clue judging by what they served up at the Amex.

For the most part United had absolutely nothing to offer. They were slow and ponderous, taking far too many touches on the ball and giving team-mates little in the way of passing options. They watched on as Brighton set the tempo in attack and plugged spaces easily in defence.

United had only a single touch in the Albion box in the first 45 minutes, and that was a poor one. Rashford drew the ire of Mourinho when deciding not to square easily for Martial after having pounced on a defensive error, and he was eventually eased off the ball. It summed up the entire half.

Marouane Fellaini was collecting the ball far too deep, Paul Pogba’s passing was way off range, Martial couldn’t get himself into any rhythm and Juan Mata was completely anonymous. The one clear positive was the performance of David de Gea as he made a trio of excellent stops, most spectacularly when tipping over Glenn Murray looping drive from range.

If there was one surprise after the break it was that Mourinho had decided against making three changes at half-time, let alone one.

Coincidentally, Brighton’s goal came at a time when United had delivered a stronger, more probing opening to the second half. Jose Izquierdo turned Matteo Darmian inside out before pulling back a cross and Pascal Gross showed the greater desire to beat multiple United defenders to the ball, and despite Marcos Rojo’s best efforts on the line the German’s header put the home side ahead.

It was no more than Brighton deserved, but probably not ample punishment for United given their showing. Mourinho made changes soon thereafter to shake his side from their slumber, hauling off Fellaini and Darmian, but they never truly looked likely to get anything from the game.

Brighton’s win keeps them in the Premier League for a second season, while it also means that United have been beaten away from home by all three promoted teams for the first time following losses to Huddersfield and Newcastle earlier in the campaign. That, beyond any other statistic, sums up United’s inconsistency in 2017-18.

United might well still finish second. Wins against West Ham and Watford could yet follow, along with an FA Cup final victory over Chelsea. But quite how a team jam-packed with players with something to prove can turn in such a limp performance defies belief.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Mehema giyoth nam Fellaini / Martial ge Manchester United futures uncertain​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

'Mourinho has had enough' - Neville calls on failing Man Utd stars to be sold


Manchester United legend Gary Neville believes that current Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has lost confidence in certain players, who must be sold this summer.
The Old Trafford side were defeated 1-0 at Brighton on Friday, missing the opportunity to all-but seal second place in the Premier League.

Speaking after the match, Mourinho was clearly furious with certain members of his squad and Neville believes that spells curtains for some individuals, with the likes of Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian, Marouane Fellaini and Luke Shaw all being linked with summer exits.

“He said it was important to him to get the four points to finish second – when you can’t the message to your players as a manager, the manager has to go, or the players have to go,” he told Sky Sports . “At this moment in time, Manchester United aren’t getting rid of Jose Mourinho.

“He doesn’t like some of those players. He’s had enough of them and they’re going to go. They were terrible tonight. It’s not good enough. They’re wearing a Manchester United shirt; the standards have to be higher than that.

“He’s going to make big changes. It was so bad.” United conclude their league season with fixtures against West Ham and Watford, but have the FA Cup final against Chelsea in a little over two weeks. Neville believes the defeat in Brighton makes life easy for the manager when it comes to selecting his side for that showpiece.

“Any player who wonders why they’re not playing in the cup final, just show them that video,” he said. “They’ve got no excuse. It wasn’t the fact that they played badly. Their attitude was awful.”

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.05.05

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2018.05.05

Stoke City Vs Crystal Palace

Bournemouth Vs Swansea

Leicester City Vs West Ham

Watford Vs Newcastle

WBA Vs Tottenham

Everton Vs Southampton

​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.05.05

LA Liga Fixtures 2018.05.05

Girona Vs Eibar

Athletic Bilbao Vs Real Betis

Celta Vigo Vs Deportivo

Villareal Vs Valencia
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Serie A Fixtures 2018.05.05

Serie A Fixtures 2018.05.05

AC Milan Vs Verona

Juventus Vs Bologna
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.05.05

Bundesliga Fixtures 2018.05.05


Dortmund Vs Mainz

Cologne Vs Bayern

Frankfurt Vs Hamburg

Augsburg Vs Schalke

Hannover Vs Hertha Berlin

Monchengladbach Vs Freiburg

Leipzig Vs Wolfsburg

Stuttgart Vs Hoffenheim

Werder Bremen Vs Leverkusen
​

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 1 Southampton 1: Davies' deflected strike at the death hands West Brom a lifeline


Southampton coughed up an equaliser deep into stoppage time to draw 1-1 at Everton and hand West Brom another last-gasp lifeline in the fight against relegation.

Tom Davies scored with a deflected strike in the sixth of what was expected to be four added minutes to cancel out Nathan Redmond's 56th-minute header and sensationally preserve the Baggies' Premier League status.

It also served to deny the visitors from moving two points clear of danger, although they are above Tuesday's opponents Swansea City on goal difference.Mark Hughes' men had looked to have taken a giant leap towards safety when substitute Redmond headed home Cedric Soares' cross 11 minutes after the restart.

But Maya Yoshida's second yellow card in the 85th minute opened the door to a period of rare late pressure from an Everton side that had been limp throughout and were booed off the pitch at both half-time and full-time.

That dissatisfaction came despite Davies' equaliser at the death, which deflected off Wesley Hoedt and left Hughes to remonstrate with official Jonathan Moss over the length of stoppage time.


Everton's performance up until the equaliser did nothing to dispel fan frustrations over their style of play, although Sam Allardyce was admittedly short on options in the attacking third as Wayne Rooney and Theo Walcott dropped out of the XI with knee and calf problems respectively, while Gylfi Sigurdsson and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were also unavailable.

The early evidence suggested they would have been spectators had they been on the pitch, with a sluggish first 15 minutes featuring little more than a midfield arm-wrestle for ineffective possession.

Charlie Austin eventually raised eyebrows around a muted Goodison Park, the striker's instinctive first-time effort from 20 yards drawing a smart diving save out of Jordan Pickford.England international Pickford was next required to scoop away a deflected Oriol Romeu effort yet, despite his twin stops, Southampton could have few complaints about a laboured first 45 minutes finishing scoreless.

Both managers turned to their benches at the break as winger Redmond replaced the limping Mario Lemina, while Allardyce surprisingly called on Ramiro Funes Mori in place of Yannick Bolasie.And it was the more proactive of the moves that was soon rewarded, Redmond ghosting in unmarked at the far post to head in Soares' delightful curling cross from the right.

The goal briefly appeared to encourage Everton into a rally as another substitute, Oumar Niasse, whipped an enticing delivery across the face of goal that failed to take a touch, before Yoshida's second yellow in the 85th minute heightened the tension.Hughes' side had looked to have done enough despite that setback when Alex McCarthy spectacularly turned a goal-bound Leighton Baines free-kick over the bar.



But, just as West Brom appeared doomed to join the already relegated Stoke City in the Championship, they were brought back from the brink with Davies' intervention, the midfielder's effort from outside the box taking a wicked deflection off Hoedt and wrong-footing McCarthy.

Southampton must now pick themselves up for the crunch trip to Swansea, where three points could prove essential in view of a final-day visit from Manchester City.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

AC Milan 4 Verona 1: Gattuso's men warm up for Juve by relegating visitors

AC Milan warmed up for the Coppa Italia final in style as an emphatic 4-1 win over Verona at San Siro relegated the visitors from Serie A.Having gone six games without a victory, Gennaro Gattuso's men have now won two straight matches ahead of Wednesday's massive showpiece clash against Juventus in Rome.

Hakan Calhanoglu, who also netted last time out against Bologna, opened the scoring in the 10th minute and Patrick Cutrone doubled Milan's lead before the break.The hosts' win was effectively secured early in the second half when Ignazio Abate produced a brilliant finish, his first goal since December 2015 proving worth the wait.

Substitute Lee Seung-woo pulled one back late on with a fierce volley, but Fabio Borini – a 58th-minute replacement for Suso – responded for Milan as Verona's eighth defeat in nine matches meant their relegation was confirmed.Regardless of the result against Juve, the fact Milan have improved their position to sixth with only two games to play means they are close to being sure of a place in the Europa League next season through their league placing.

Milan threatened first when an inswinging Suso cross saw Cutrone's flicked header well saved by Marco Silvestri, Franck Kessie shooting over from the rebound.But the hosts did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. Suso's cut-back found Calhanoglu, who fired in a low strike from 15 yards that defender Thomas Heurtaux was unable to keep out with a last-ditch clearance near the goal-line.

Verona forward Bruno Petkovic wanted a penalty when Leonardo Bonucci made contact with his back, but referee Fabrizio Pasqua was unmoved and Milan went straight up the other end to double their lead in the 32nd minute.

Giacomo Bonaventura impressively found Cutrone and the striker took one touch and turned before finding the bottom corner with a left-footed strike from 12 yards, his eighth league goal of the campaign.Milan were rampant and, four minutes into the second half, Abate struck in magnificent fashion. The full-back raced down the right, exchanged passes with Suso as he reached the penalty area and sent a thunderous strike into the top corner.

Gattuso soon began shifting his attention to the final as he opted to replace Suso - who had earlier sustained a knock but still produced two assists – along with Alessio Romagnoli and Cutrone.

Only Silvestri's heroics denied Milan a fourth when Manuel Locatelli's 25-yard strike took a massive deflection off Heurtaux, while Romulo was unlucky not to net a consolation at the other end as his unbelievable free-kick from a tight angle beat Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had otherwise been untroubled, but cannoned off the bar.

Verona were able to net five minutes from time, Lee sending an unstoppable volley past Donnarumma from 20 yards to give his side one positive memory from the day that saw them drop down to Serie B.But Milan would have the final word a minute from the end, with Borini taking one touch to control Bonaventura's cross and planting a fine finish past Silvestri.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Brom 1 Tottenham 0: Livermore keeps Albion escape act alive

West Brom remarkably kept their slim Premier League survival hopes alive as Jake Livermore smuggled a stoppage-time winner to sink former club Tottenham 1-0 at the Hawthorns.

Albion were unbeaten in four games under interim boss Darren Moore heading into the match but still widely expected to join Stoke City in the Championship – Paul Lambert's side having suffered a relegation-sealing 2-1 loss at home to Crystal Palace.But the hosts dug in for long periods against Spurs and their persistent set-piece threat brought reward in the 92nd minute when England midfielder Livermore scrambled home from virtually on the goal line.




Moore's men could still be down before they kick a ball on the final day in the event of a Southampton win at Everton later on Saturday or if midweek results go against them, but one of the most staggering feats of escapology in the Premier League era remains possible.Tottenham substitute Fernando Llorente forced a late save from excellent Albion goalkeeper Ben Foster and Victor Wanyama clattered into the side-netting – a flurry that spoke of potential anxiety over the Londoners securing a top-four spot.

Mauricio Pochettino's side are five points clear of Chelsea in fifth but their rivals could apply considerable pressure with victory over third-placed Liverpool on Sunday.Foster was not truly extended until he pushed Wanyama's powerful long-range drive over in the 24th minute.


Harry Kane had largely been feeding off scraps but forced Foster into a sharp stop before the half hour when Kieran Trippier slid a pass into the box, with Allan Nyom playing the England striker onside.The hosts enjoyed a period of sustained set-piece pressure towards the end of the half and Hegazi should have done better than glancing wide from Matt Phillips' 44th-minute corner.

Phillips was the provider again two minutes into the second half as Davinson Sanchez lost his footing when confronted with a low cross but West Brom striker Salomon Rondon missed his kick and the danger passed.Kane sent a 51st-minute header off target before Erik Lamela's poor touch allowed Foster to smother a chance following Dele Alli's deft lay-off.

Foster pushed Christian Eriksen's free-kick to safety before referee Mike Jones decided yellow cards all round were sufficient after Nyom confronted Spurs wing-back Danny Rose and flung himself to the ground under minimal facial contact.

Kane's penalty box instincts almost spectacularly backfired on Tottenham when he sliced Hegazi's header goalwards in the 74th minute – Hugo Lloris' lightning reactions sparing his team-mate.Substitute Grzegorz Krychowiak thrashed over at the back post in the 89th minute but West Brom would not be denied.

Their bombardment of the Tottenham box with dead balls was finally rewarded as Livermore pounced on confusion and panic to spark delirious celebrations.Llorente and Wanyama could not redress the balance in a frantic finale. All eyes on Goodison Park.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Leicester City 0 West Ham 2: Noble stunner helps Hammers secure crucial win


West Ham took a major step towards securing their Premier League status for another season on Saturday, thanks to an impressive 2-0 win away at Leicester City.

Joao Mario's 34th-minute opener put David Moyes' side on course for their first win in five games, the Portuguese's tap-in giving the visitors a deserved half-time lead at the King Power Stadium.Captain Mark Noble doubled their advantage with a sensational strike just after the hour, capitalising on a dropping ball and unleashing a long-range volley that found the net via the post.




With relegation rivals Swansea City beaten away at Bournemouth, West Ham will now be certain to remain a top-flight club if Southampton fail to win at Everton later on Saturday.While it is a case of mission accomplished for Moyes, doubts over opposite number Claude Puel's future will only grow after another insipid display from Leicester.

Publicly backed by chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha prior to the game, the Frenchman saw his players fail to provide their own vote of confidence as they remain without a league victory since the end of March.


Puel shuffled his pack in the hope of lifting his players out of their recent malaise, making five changes from the side that lost 5-0 to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park a week ago.

Yet Leicester still looked lethargic in the May sunshine against a West Ham team who, unlike their opponents, still had plenty to play for in the closing weeks of the campaign. Joao Mario’s straightforward finish was no more than they deserved at the break, while they were only denied a greater cushion by Ben Hamer and the woodwork.

After shooting straight at Leicester’s advancing goalkeeper when played clean through by Manuel Lanzini, Marko Arnautovic was denied again when a left-footed rocket was kept out by the crossbar.However, the influential forward was involved in the opener, knocking back Arthur Masuaku’s deep cross from the left for Joao Mario to steer the ball into the net.

Leicester, meanwhile, failed to manage a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. Fousseni Diabate dragged their only notable attempt comfortably wide, leading to Puel switching to a three-man defence for the second half.

Moyes will have worried when Aaron Cresswell's refusal to clear a long punt under pressure from Jamie Vardy led to the falling defender handling the ball. Referee Chris Kavanagh correctly ruled the infringement had occurred outside the box, but - fortunately for the full-back - decided to only book the guilty party.There was nothing lucky about West Ham's second goal, however. A clearing header from a free-kick fell perfectly for Noble, whose side-winding volley fizzed beyond the helpless Hamer.

Yohan Benalouane’s header forced Hammers goalkeeper Adrian into his only meaningful save in the closing minutes, with Leicester’s lack of fight seeing them booed off at the final whistle by those supporters who had stuck around until the bitter end.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Borussia Dortmund 1 Mainz 2: Stoger's men stunned as Muto seals survival



Mainz guaranteed their place in next season's Bundesliga with a shock 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park on Saturday.

Goals from Ridle Baku and Yoshinori Muto secured the visitors' first away win against Dortmund in the top flight, despite Maximilian Philipp halving the deficit.
The result moves Mainz six points clear of Wolfsburg, who occupy the relegation play-off place, while Dortmund must avoid defeat to Hoffenheim on the final day to make certain of a Champions League spot.




Mainz stunned RB Leipzig with a 3-0 win last time out and Baku's fine finish silenced the home fans only four minutes in, after they had honoured the retiring Roman Weidenfeller with a rousing tifo.


Muto made the most of slack defending to double the lead but Philipp's precise finish dragged a poor Dortmund back into the contest.

Peter Stoger's side dominated much of the final hour but created little by way of clear-cut chances for an equaliser, meaning they face a decisive visit to Rhein-Neckar-Arena next week, while Mainz can celebrate their survival.Baku scored a late third in the win over Leipzig last week but he only needed four minutes to strike again on Saturday, rifling high into the net from 12 yards out after a brilliant backheel from Jean-Philippe Gbamin.

Dortmund's defence was exposed again nine minutes later, when Muto was given a free run at Pablo De Blasis' cross and glanced a header beyond Roman Burki.
The home side were stunned but only needed three minutes to respond. Jadon Sancho dribbled into space in the penalty area and slid the ball to Philipp, who turned well with his back to goal and drilled into the bottom-right corner.

Mainz began to drop deeper but continued to look dangerous on the break, and Burki had to make quick-fire saves to deny Alexander Hack and Abdou Diallo before the break.Dortmund's pressure increased in the second half, with Marco Reus looking particularly dangerous, and Mainz were lucky referee Daniel Siebert did not see Diallo push his head into Julian Weigl's midriff and reduce them to 10 men.

Stoger, who had not been beaten at home as Dortmund boss before the game, introduced Andre Schurrle and Andriy Yarmolenko and the latter was inches from reaching a teasing cut-back from Reus.

Marcel Schmelzer had a header saved by Florian Muller but that was as close as Dortmund came to a second goal, and they must get at least a draw against fourth-placed Hoffenheim on the last day of the season to make sure they do not lose their top-four spot to Bayer Leverkusen, who are three points behind in fifth.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Cologne 1 Bayern Munich 3: Champions battle back against relegated hosts

Bayern Munich came from behind with two goals in as many second-half minutes setting up a 3-1 win at relegated Cologne on Saturday.

There was nothing riding on the RheinEnergieStadion clash, Cologne's drop from the Bundesliga confirmed last week, while Bayern have been champions since April 7.Cologne took the lead as Bayern made a low-tempo start despite Jupp Heynckes naming a strong team in the wake of their midweek Champions League exit to Real Madrid.




Niklas Sule was unfortunate to turn a Christian Clemens cross beyond Sven Ulreich, the defender's third own-goal of the season levelling the Bundesliga record.But Bayern improved radically after the interval, with Rafinha and Thomas Muller combining twice to set up James Rodriguez and then Robert Lewandowski for simple close-range finishes, with Corentin Tolisso's header wrapping up the points.

Victory was an early birthday present for Heynckes, the veteran coach turning 73 next week, as he took charge of Bayern for an away league game for the final time, while his opposite number Stefan Ruthenbeck was dismissed late on.


Ulreich's error cost Bayern against Madrid but the goalkeeper made an early block to deny Simon Terodde, Simon Zoller then slotting wide from a good position as Cologne started well.With Bayern struggling to find their tempo Cologne continued to forge the clearer chances, Marcel Risse blazing over after being found by Zoller.Lewandowski saw a point-blank header saved by Timo Horn but Cologne nudged in front in the 30th minute.

Clemens won the ball deep in Bayern territory and delivered a fine right-wing cross that Sule could only turn into his own net after Zoller got a vital touch in front of the defender.James was Bayern's main creative threat and when he crossed for Lewandowski again, Horn made a sensational save to his left to protect his side's lead.

Horn - set to stay at hometown club Cologne despite relegation - denied Lewandowski with his legs after chaos in the Bayern box, but two goals in two minutes from the champions turned the game around.Rafinha's left-wing cross found Muller at the back post, the Germany international nodding down for James to tap in from close range.

And the same combination set up Lewandowski to put Bayern in front, Rafinha raiding down the left again and finding Muller with a low cross, the captain holding off his marker and laying the pass off for Lewandowski to smash home.Billy Goats coach Ruthenbeck was sent to the stands by Bibiana Steinhaus - the female referee officiating a Bayern Bundesliga game for the first time - after protesting her decision not to award a penalty for Sule appearing to drag Terodde down in the box.

And substitute Tolisso completed the comeback with a 78th-minute header from a James cross wrapping up a comfortable victory, Cologne forward Claudio Pizarro twice almost scoring from the bench in the closing minutes against his old club.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke City 1 Crystal Palace 2: Potters relegated after throwing away lead


Stoke City have been relegated from the Premier League after suffering a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Xherdan Shaqiri had injected life into their survival bid with a wonderful first-half free-kick, but they were pegged back in the second period by Roy Hodgson's resurgent Eagles.

James McArthur followed up his goal in last weekend's 5-0 thumping of Leicester City with another clinical finish to draw the visitors level at the bet365 Stadium.



That goal took the wind out of Stoke's sails and their misery was compounded four minutes from time.Patrick van Aanholt, who also scored against the Foxes, took full advantage of poor defending from Paul Lambert's side to coolly slot past Jack Butland.

The result means it is 13 games without a win for Stoke – a run that unsurprisingly has resulted in their relegation to the Championship after a 10-season stay in the top flight while Palace made mathematically certain of another Premier League campaign.


For all Stoke's early enthusiasm, it was the visitors who carved out the first clear sight of goal with Ruben Loftus-Cheek whipping an effort from outside the penalty area narrowly wide of Butland's left-hand post.

Wilfried Zaha, who had scored four goals in his four league games prior to this, then flashed a shot across the face of goal as Palace continued to look the most likely to break the deadlock in the early stages.Stoke's first opening came midway through the first half when Mame Biram Diouf headed well wide after Shaqiri's teasing cross had found him unmarked 10 yards out.

Yohan Cabaye then lashed a shot over from just outside the area before Shaqiri lit up the bet365 Stadium, whipping a sumptuous free-kick into Wayne Hennessey's top left-hand corner via a deflection off Loftus-Cheek's head.

Buoyed by Shaqiri's moment of magic, Stoke unsurprisingly started the second period in confident fashion.

Failure to add to their lead, however, allowed Palace to creep back into the game with Andros Townsend and Zaha, in particular, causing problems for their backline.Palace's increased confidence resulted in a fine leveller after 68 minutes.
Loftus-Cheek powered forward before playing in the over-lapping McArthur, who showed great composure to roll into Butland's far corner.

Stoke were visibly deflated by that goal and their fate was sealed in the 86th minute when Van Aanholt latched onto Ryan Shawcross' attempted block on Zaha's pass to slide past the onrushing Butland. Any hopes of a late Stoke comeback never materialised as their Premier League stay ended with a whimper.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Stoke relegated from Premier League after Crystal Palace defeat

Stoke City have been relegated from the Premier League after falling in front on their own fans in a must-win clash at the Bet365 Stadium.The Potters lost 2-1 to Crystal Palace at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday , confirming their' drop into the Championship, with the result also securing the Eagles' survival.

Stoke took the lead through a deflected Xherdan Shaqiri free-kick but were unable to maintain their lead, with James McArthur equalising in the 68th minute before Patrick van Aanholt gave Palace all three points with just four minutes of normal time to play.

Stoke were promoted to the Premier League in the 2007-08 season, but will play in the second tier next year, as they are unable to overhaul 17th-placed Swansea City.They had been the eighth longest-serving club in the top-flight, and they had not finished below 14th in their previous nine Premier League seasons.Indeed, this is the first relegation of any type to befall Stoke since 1997-98, when they were relegated from the second-tier along with Reading and Manchester City.

Goalkeeper Jack Butland, an England international, was reduced to tears at the final whistle, and it remains to be seen if Butland and Shaqiri, among others, will remain at the club beyond the summer transfer window.Elsewhere, West Brom can become the second Premier League team relegated on Saturday if they fail to beat Tottenham at the Hawthorns.

Swansea and Southampton, currently 17th and 18th respectively, face each other in a vital game on Tuesday while Huddersfield Town and West Ham are not out of danger yet.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Morata concedes he could miss out on the World Cup


Spain striker Alvaro Morata admits his underwhelming season could result in him missing out on the World Cup.

The 25-year-old enjoyed a superb start to life at Chelsea following his move from Real Madrid, scoring six goals in his first six Premier League matches.He has netted just once in the top flight since December, though, and was left out of Spain's squad for friendlies against Germany and Argentina in March.

While Morata is desperate to be named in Julen Lopetegui's squad for football's showpiece event, which starts next month, he knows his recent form could well result in his exclusion."I would love to go to Russia," he told Marca. "It'd be really tough not to go, but that is a possibility.

"The joy if you're on the list can be great, but there's a need to realise that the year hasn't been the best and there's a chance of staying at home. "I know my season hasn't been good. If I'd scored 30 goals then I'd say I'm sure of being on the list. Now I have to prepare for any outcome, but I'll fight to go until the last minute."

Morata has also revealed that his confidence has been affected by the quantity of missed chances this season, saying it has led to him not feeling "balanced mentally".
"I've earned quite a few points and that's my job," he added.

"I also know that I could have been better because I have also missed a lot of clear chances. I know I've not been myself."The head fails when you're not well and when you're not balanced mentally. I look back and I see the missed chances and I cannot believe it. I ask myself how I've missed that."One centimetre or two is what makes the difference between being ruined or succeeding."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

De Laurentiis accepts Chelsea managerial target Sarri may leave Napoli


Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis accepts coach Maurizio Sarri could leave the Serie A club at the end of the season.

Chelsea have made contact with Sarri regarding the possibility of moving to Stamford Bridge this summer with Antonio Conte under fire following a disappointing defence of the Premier League title.Under Sarri, Napoli remain in with a chance of winning Serie A this season, but are four points adrift of Juventus with three games remaining.




De Laurentiis would like Sarri, who reportedly has a release clause of £7 million in his contract, to remain, but he accepts the 59-year-old could move on."With or without, it depends on him," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "It doesn't seem right now to insist. Let him work quietly.

"Since January I have talked to him several times. If he finally wants to stay, for me it will be a great pleasure."If someone then had to pay the release clause, at that point I couldn't do anything."But if he wanted to leave regardless, it would mean he has no more motivation and I will have to take note of this."