..::Football IV::..

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Aparade ayeth Wolves lagen kawanaemehema paradila kohomada Top 4 secure karaganneokkoma thiyenne must win matches.

next Barcelona.Good luck for the next match Manchester United!​

 

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Cagliari 0 Juventus 2: Bonucci leads champions a step closer to title

Juventus took another step towards an eighth successive Serie A title on Tuesday thanks to a 2-0 win over Cagliari at Sardegna Arena.

Without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala and the ill Mario Mandzukic, it fell to Leonardo Bonucci to head in the opener midway through the first half.

Moise Kean scored his fourth goal in three games to seal the points late on, as Massimiliano Allegri's side cruised to victory.


The win took Juve 18 points clear at the top, with Napoli playing their game in hand against Empoli on Wednesday.Juve overcame a sluggish start to take the lead 22 minutes in, Bonucci nodding in Federico Bernardeschi's corner from the left.

Blaise Matuidi headed a good chance for a second over the bar, and it was a miss that should have been punished six minutes before the break, when Joao Pedro side-footed high and wide.

Kean, who has been something of a revelation in Ronaldo's absence, had a quiet first hour but wasted a fine chance to make it 2-0 when he prodded a bouncing ball straight into the gloves of Alessio Cragno.

Substitute Alberto Cerri threatened with a header, but Kean ended the hosts' resistance when he tapped in Rodrigo Bentancur's drilled cross from the right with five minutes remaining.

 

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Atletico Madrid 2 Girona 0: Godin & Griezmann keep hosts in hunt

Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept Atletico Madrid's challenge alive as they kicked off a huge week in LaLiga's title tussle with a 2-0 win over Girona at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Coach Diego Simeone had promised at the weekend that Atleti would fight champions Barcelona "until our last breath" and Godin's scrappy 76th-minute header kept them in the hunt.

The hosts came into this match 10 points behind Barca, also in action against Villarreal on Tuesday, and they were frustrated for long periods by a Girona side who provided a consistent threat.


But Godin found a way through and, after Griezmann added scarcely deserved gloss with a superb stoppage-time chip, Atleti can head to Camp Nou for a meeting between the top two on Saturday with their hope intact.Atletico made a laboured start amid distracting scenes in the stands, as fans staged a 12th-minute walk-in protest due to a perceived lack of appreciation from the players following the Champions League defeat to Juventus.

Jan Oblak twice had to be alert to save stooping Seydou Doumbia headers, while opposing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was not caused any major concern until late in the first half when Koke cracked a sensational 25-yard effort off the crossbar.
Alvaro Morata failed to accurately measure a delicate bouncing lob over Iraizoz moments later.

The Girona goalkeeper parried clear when Saul Niguez superbly worked room for a shot just after the hour mark, before blocking well from substitute Vitolo, but it was Iraizoz's error that gifted Godin the opener.He punched straight up in the air as he challenged Griezmann following a deflected shot and Godin was on hand to head into the empty net, with an initial offside call overturned by VAR.

Girona sought to rescue the contest but succeeded only in leaving themselves open at the back. Griezmann twice ran through and, although Iraizoz saved well initially, the forward dinked a cute finish in with his second effort to seal the points.

 

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AC Milan 1 Udinese 1: Gattuso's men drop points again after Lasagna equaliser

AC Milan dropped points for the third successive Serie A match as Kevin Lasagna cancelled out Krzysztof Piatek's opener to secure a 1-1 draw for Udinese at San Siro on Tuesday.

Gennaro Gattuso's men had lost to both Inter and Sampdoria in their two most recent games, and although they controlled much of the match, they were undone by a devastating counter-attack which Lasagna finished off.

Milan had to contend with injuries to Gianluigi Donnarumma and Lucas Paqueta in the first half, though they still managed to dominate and deservedly lead at the break, thanks to Piatek's 20th Serie A goal of the season.


But Udinese refused to let Milan run riot and they pulled level in the 64th minute through Lasagna, and his goal proved to be enough for the visitors to leave with a share of the spoils.

Three days on from a costly error in the 1-0 defeat to Samp, Donnarumma lasted just 11 minutes before he had to go off with an injury seemingly sustained while clearing the ball.

His replacement Pepe Reina was similarly untested as Milan controlled proceedings, going close in the 26th minute when Patrick Cutrone brought down Paqueta's pass and saw his half-volley pushed away by Juan Musso.Paqueta joined Donnarumma in exiting early just before the break having hurt his ankle in a collision with Rodrigo de Paul, but Milan found the net a few minutes later – Piatek nodding in from close range after his initial volley from Cutrone's cross was saved.

Milan remained in the ascendancy after half-time, but they were caught out by a deadly break as Seko Fofana put the ball on a plate for Lasagna, who finished with aplomb.Lasagna was less successful 16 minutes from time, however, making a mess of his finish with just Reina to beat, slicing wide.

Milan should have secured a winner in the 86th minute, but Samu Castillejo's volley from 12 yards was straight at Musso and Udinese held on to a point.

 

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Fulham relegated from Premier League


Fulham have become the second team to be relegated from the Premier League this season following a 4-1 defeat to Watford.

Huddersfield's Championship status for 2019-20 was confirmed on Saturday, becoming the second team ever to be relegated before the end of March.However, Fulham's top-flight status did not last much longer as their fate was sealed with a defeat at Vicarage Road.

The Cottagers lasted just one season back in the Premier League after winning the Championship play-offs last season under Slavisa Jokanovic. However, despite guiding Fulham back to the top tier, the Serbian was out of a job by November with the club rooted to the bottom of the table.

Claudio Ranieri was tasked with turning things around for the West London club, but fared little better and was in 19th when he was sacked in February. Scott Parker took charge of Fulham on a caretaker basis for the remainder of the season and unfortunately will be the manager whose name goes into the history books as the man in the hotseat when their relegation was confirmed.

Fulham have picked up just 17 points this season, winning just four games. That last win came on January 29 against Brighton when Aleksander Mitrovic scored twice in a 4-2 victory. Mitrovic is the club's top scorer this season with 10 goals in 32 games, with Andre Schurrle the only other player to score more than three goals in the league.

That lack of goals saw Fulham net 30 times this season, which is more than Cardiff and just one less than Newcastle, but their defence has been the league's leakiest, conceding 76 goals in total.

Ryan Babel netted his third goal in the defeat to Watford, having scored the equaliser after 33 minutes, but a second-half collapse ensured Fulham's relegation with Will Hughes, Troy Deeney and Kiko Femenia all adding to Abdoulaye Doucoure's goal to move Watford above Everton and Leicester in the top half of the table.

Fulham were last relegated in 2014 following 13 successive seasons in the top flight, but now return to the Championship where they have spent four of the last five years. With their future confirmed, the board will begin to plan for next season and whether to keep Parker as manager or replace him with someone else.

With Fulham having quickly joined Huddersfield, the 2018-19 season becomes just the second in the history of the Premier League to see two teams have their relegations confirmed with five or more matches remaining.

 

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Villarreal 4 Barcelona 4: Messi and Suarez stun hosts to secure late comeback

Stunning late goals from Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez spared Barcelona's blushes as they rescued a 4-4 draw with Villarreal in an incredible contest at the Estadio de la Ceramica on Tuesday.

Villarreal looked to have breathed life back into LaLiga's title race after they came from 2-0 down to lead 4-2, but substitute Messi – who had been rested – and Suarez remarkably secured a share of the spoils to keep Barca eight points ahead of Atletico Madrid ahead of their meeting on Saturday.

A thrilling first half saw Barca race into a 2-0 lead against the run of play, with Philippe Coutinho and Malcom finding the net, but Samuel Chukwueze deservedly got Villarreal back in the contest after a rapid counter and a Marc-Andre ter Stegen error allowed Karl Toko Ekambi to level just after the break.


Goals from Vicente Iborra and Carlos Bacca appeared to put the contest beyond Barca, but Messi found the net with a brilliant free-kick in the 90th minute and Suarez broke Villarreal hearts in the third minute of stoppage time with a rasping finish.
Villarreal made a promising start, testing Ter Stegen twice inside the first 10 minutes, but Barca carved through them soon after – Malcom squaring across goal for Coutinho to finish.

Malcom was decisive again with 16 minutes played, meeting Arturo Vidal's cross with a looping header into the right side of the goal.Coutinho hit the post a few moments later and Villarreal soon capitalised with a devastating break, as Chukwueze neatly slotted home after his initial effort came back off the upright.

Chukwueze played a role again early in the second half, releasing Toko Ekambi up the right flank and his sliced cross punished Ter Stegen's poor positioning as it crept in at the near post.Iborra put Villarreal ahead for the first time just past the hour, clipping past Ter Stegen from Manu Morlanes' incisive pass, before Bacca seemingly finished the champions off towards the end in rounding the German and slotting home.

But Messi – shortly after the hosts' Alvaro Gonzalez was dismissed for a second booking – blasted a 20-yard free-kick into the top-left corner at the end of normal time.

And Suarez rescued Barca with almost the last kick of the game, his sweetly struck left-footed half-volley from 18 yards giving Sergio Asenjo no chance.

 

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Mourinho opens door to Bayern Munich as he targets title in fifth country


Jose Mourinho has left the door open for Bayern Munich to make a move, with the Portuguese admitting he would welcome the opportunity to work in Germany amid links to the Bundesliga champions.Another change in the dugout at the Allianz Arena is being mooted as Niko Kovac struggles to convince in his first season at the helm.

He has Bayern in contention to defend their domestic crown, but was knocked out of the Champions League at the last-16 stage by Liverpool.

With his side having slipped behind Borussia Dortmund again at home since suffering a setback in Europe, more questions are being asked of the Croat.

It has been suggested that Mourinho could be approached were a fresh start to be made by Bayern this summer, with the Portuguese a proven winner at the very highest level.Asked at the NTF Coaches Forum in his homeland if he could be tempted by a Bundesliga challenge, Mourinho said in Record: “It's a country I've never trained in. Why not? Let's see.”

The opportunity to work in a new country would appeal to the 56-year-old.
He has already tasted title triumphs in Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, while savouring Champions League glory on two occasions.The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter, Real Madrid and Manchester United manager is now looking for another post that can match his ambition.

Bayern would fit the bill as a club well placed to compete for more major honours in the future.Mourinho added on his future plans: “I would like to try and win a third Champions League with a third club and to win a fifth league in a different country.

“But I do not always get what I want and my ambitions are not restricted to this.”
Mourinho has previously admitted that he could be talked into taking the reins at a leading side in France.

He has told beIN Sports: “I can imagine myself as a coach in Ligue 1.“I am a man who has worked in four different countries, I like to know and learn other cultures. Working in a new championship would be a fantastic experience.”

That message has now been reiterated, but with an invite sent in the direction of Munich should Bayern wish to seek out his services any time soon.

 

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'Fifteen points from six games' - Solskjaer sets Man Utd top-four target


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United must win five of their six remaining Premier League games to finish in the top four.United fell to their third defeat in four games - and the first since the Norwegian was handed the manager's job on a permanent basis - with a 2-1 loss at Wolves at Molineux on Tuesday night.

It left them in fifth place, two points behind third-placed Arsenal and level on points with fourth-placed Tottenham.

They are one point clear of Chelsea, who are sixth, but all three of the London clubs have a game in hand.Solskjaer is remaining positive despite admitting the defeat to Wolves, who also knocked his team out of the FA Cup last month, makes their Champions League qualification mission more difficult.

"We needed 15 points from seven games, now it is 15 from six - we don't have room for many losses," said Solskjaer."It is harder than it was before, but we're a very good team, so it will be difficult for the teams who play against us."

United have four home games - against West Ham, Manchester City, Chelsea and Cardiff - and away matches at Everton and Huddersfield remaining.
They missed out on the opportunity of going third against Wolves, despite taking the lead through Scott McTominay's first goal for the club.

Diogo Jota's equaliser and Chris Smalling's unfortunate own goal saw United foiled."We should have been three up and created our own downfall," added Solskjaer."It was a very good performance until they got their second goal and but for their keeper we would have won."

Solskjaer, meanwhile, says he has no problem with Paul Pogba's efforts despite the Frenchman having a below-par game against Wolves.He said: "Paul is working as hard as any player in the team – some days it just doesn't come off."

Chelsea play Brighton and Spurs face Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

 

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Southampton 1 Liverpool 3: Late goals take Reds above Man City

Mohamed Salah scored a brilliant solo goal and Jordan Henderson struck late as Liverpool won 3-1 at Southampton to move back above Manchester City in the Premier League title race.

Liverpool needed a Hugo Lloris error to beat Tottenham 2-1 last time out and they rode their luck again at St Mary's Stadium on Friday, Jurgen Klopp's side showing their nerves.

Shane Long's 50th Premier League goal had put Southampton into an early lead but Naby Keita's first strike for Liverpool ensured the scores were level at the interval.


Salah's dry spell has been well-documented but he ended his eight-game wait for a goal in the 80th minute, embarking on a long solo run before finishing superbly.

And captain Jordan Henderson then made sure of the win for the Reds with four minutes to go by turning home a Roberto Firmino low cross, as Klopp's men went two points clear at the top, albeit having played a game more than City.

Liverpool made a slow start and Southampton led in the ninth minute.Ryan Bertrand was given too much time and space to deliver a left-wing cross that Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg flicked on at the near post, with Long left unmarked to sweep home.

Sadio Mane directed a free header straight at Angus Gunn in response before Virgil van Dijk turned another dangerous Bertrand cross over his own crossbar.
Gunn was beaten in the 36th minute, though, Liverpool keeping Southampton pegged in and Keita heading home Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross at the end of a sustained period of pressure.

James Milner and Henderson had been left out of the starting line-up by Klopp but he turned to the duo early in the second half as Liverpool struggled to break Southampton down.Keita appealed for a penalty but appeared to go down easily under Maya Yoshida's challenge, with Liverpool needing Salah to break his drought to nudge ahead.

The goal came from a Southampton corner, with Henderson sending Salah on a long run through the Saints half, the Egypt forward keeping cool to beat Gunn from the edge of the box.

Southampton, not yet sure of avoiding relegation, had to throw men forward in search of an equaliser and Liverpool duly killed the game with a clinical break, Firmino teeing up Henderson as the Reds moved back above City.

 

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Emery eyes summer transfers as Arsenal boss looks to close gap on Man City and Liverpool


Unai Emery admits Arsenal would struggle to splash out £75 million on one player - such as Liverpool did to sign Virgil van Dijk - but says the Gunners must spend this summer to improve their squad.

As was shown in January when Arsenal could only bring players in on loan, money is relatively tight in north London, but things will improve ahead of the 2019-20 season thanks to the club’s new commercial deals with Adidas and Emirates.

As it stands, the club is working towards a transfer budget of around £45m, but that will rise should Emery’s side go on and secure Champions League football.

Players could also be sold to generate more funds, with Arsenal expected to bring in at least four new players during the summer - including a left-back, a wide attacker and a replacement for Juventus bound Aaron Ramsey.

Emery admits money must be spent to build on what has been an encouraging first season, but was also keen to point out that Arsenal must continue to look to promote from within.“I think we can improve first, by spending money to achieve players,” said Arsenal’s head coach.

“In the past the club have done great work in watching players, finding and signing young players and developing our players in the academy.“I have big respect for our work, for our players in the academy. I want to develop the players here - giving them progress to achieve something at a big club like we are.

“We can also achieve [buy] some players who are in other teams, who can come here and give us this performance - like Van Dijk with Liverpool."

Emery added: “We can share both situations. Developing players with us and [finding] some players who we can spend money on to help us.

“I think we are in the right way with the club, with the owner, with Raul Sanllehi [head of football] to find that. To fight against the teams with more money the us, maybe Manchester City, maybe Real Madrid.“Arsenal is great. Our objective is to be with the best teams in the world.”Arsenal go into Sunday’s game at Everton with Champions League qualification in their own hands.

They know if they win all seven of their remaining games it will be enough to get them back into Europe’s elite competition for the first time in three seasons.Bringing Champions League football back to the Emirates was Emery’s objective this season, but he admits he wants more.

“When I am training Arsenal I know we have targets, collectively and individually,” he said. “I earned titles in Paris and Sevilla and I think here we need the same objective. To win titles, in the present and the future.

“To win the Premier League is difficult, but our progress is to be consistent and to create a big team to have the possibility to achieve that.“I am here for that. For titles, to be with the best teams in the world in the Champions League, have the best players in the world.“This is what I have done in the past and I want to do the same in the future.”

 

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Guardiola: Man City cannot afford to drop any points in Premier League title chase


Manchester City cannot afford to drop points during the run-in if they are to retain the Premier League title this season, according to Pep Guardiola.City returned to the top of the table on Wednesday after a 2-0 win over Cardiff City at the Etihad Stadium, the three points moving them back above Liverpool.

One point separates the two sides after 32 matches of the 2018-19 campaign, and Guardiola knows Liverpool will be poised to take advantage of any slip-up his quadruple-chasing side may make.

"We have the feeling that if we drop points we will not be champions," he told reporters. "So, I don't know how you're going to write, but mid-week against Cardiff, everybody said it was going to be easy.

"The way we started, commitment in all details, the corners, the throw-ins, in the focus of what we have to do, and what surprised me the most was the few goals that we scored today with the chances that we had, especially in the second half.
"So, we should've scored more goals, that's the regret that we had."

An injury to Oleksandr Zinchenko was the only negative from the victory over Cardiff, and Guardiola remains uncertain whether the 22-year-old will be ready for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove Albion.

"It doesn't look good for the next days," said Guardiola. "[He] gave us a lot and he is an important player for us. He knows the mechanisms, he knows the way we want to play."You accept it [the injury] and we are going to find a solution. I don't know right now which one because Danilo fought a lot to play in that position.

"[But] it's not his natural position. We'll see the decision we take for the FA Cup."
That could see Benjamin Mendy come in, although Guardiola will wait to assess the Frenchman's fitness, adding: "We'll see how he feels, how he trains. We don't have many options."

 

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'Hazard is a fantastic player' - Zidane praises Chelsea talisman amid Real Madrid links


Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has described Eden Hazard as a "fantastic player" and says he has been a long-term admirer of the Chelsea winger.Hazard revealed in early February he had made a decision over his future, but the star attacker is yet to announce his plans.

The next transfer window could be the last opportunity for Chelsea to cash in on their most prized asset before he becomes available on a free transfer next year.

The 28-year-old, whose contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2020, has long been linked with a move to Madrid and Zidane has revealed he rates the Belgium international highly.

Speaking to the media ahead of Madrid's La Liga clash with Eibar on Saturday, Zidane said: "Hazard is a player who I have always rated, who has played in France, and I saw a lot of."He is a fantastic player."Hazard scored in Chelsea's 3-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Wednesday to take his tally to 14 goals in 31 Premier League appearances this season.

The Belgian has enjoyed a superb season on an individual level, despite an inconsistent campaign for the Blues under Italian boss Maurizio Sarri.

Last year he admitted that he "dreams" of playing for Los Blancos one day, but Chelsea are reluctant to allow him to leave the club this summer.The Premier League giants have been hit with a two-window transfer ban, which could restrict them from being able to sign any new players until the summer of 2020.

The final verdict on their appeal over the decision will be made by a FIFA committee on April 11, which could have a huge impact on Hazard's future at Stamford Bridge.

Madrid, meanwhile, are plotting wholesale changes at the Bernabeu, with Zidane set to be granted a lucrative war chest to strengthen his current squad when the market reopens.The European champions are destined to finish the 2018-19 campaign without a trophy, having suffered considerably in the absence of the Frenchman over the last nine months.

Hazard is thought to be at the top of his list of targets and his latest comments are only likely to increase speculation heading into the final weeks of the season.

 

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Barcelona 2 Atletico Madrid 0: Suarez and Messi strike late to all but secure the title

Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi scored late goals again to move Barcelona to within touching distance of the title, as they beat 10-man Atletico Madrid 2-0 at Camp Nou to open an 11-point lead at LaLiga's summit.

Although Atletico – who had Diego Costa sent off in the first half – looked set to hang on to a draw, Barca's dominance ultimately paid off as Suarez and then Messi struck late in the day as they did against Villarreal on Wednesday to land what is surely a fatal blow in the race for title.

Barca edged a tense first half, which saw Costa given a straight red card in the 28th minute for berating referee Jesus Gil Manzano, though they were unable to turn their superiority into a lead.Atletico weathered the storm for most of the second period as well, with Jan Oblak producing an inspired performance, but he was finally beaten twice in the last five minutes as Messi claimed a record-breaking 335th LaLiga victory.

After a cagey opening, a moment of Messi inspiration opened the Atletico defence for the first time in the 14th minute, but the post came to Oblak's rescue after Jordi Alba collected the lofted pass.Atletico's task became even trickier less than a minute later when Costa was given his marching orders for dissent, seemingly fuming at not getting a free-kick after a tussle with Messi.

Barca were dominant in the second half, with Messi testing Oblak from distance in the 56th minute, before the goalkeeper made an even better stop to thwart Suarez when one-on-one.Oblak was finally beaten five minutes from time, however, as Suarez's gorgeous curling effort from just outside the penalty area found the bottom-right corner.

And Barca's second followed soon after – Messi riding a challenge from Jose Gimenez in the box and tucking a disguised effort inside the right-hand post to spark noisy celebrations at Camp Nou.

 

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Bayern Munich 5 Borussia Dortmund 0: Lewandowski double leads Der Klassiker demolition

Robert Lewandowski scored his 200th and 201st Bundesliga goals as Bayern Munich roared back to the top of the Bundesliga with a 5-0 mauling of Borussia Dortmund.

Lucien Favre's side arrived at Allianz Arena with a two-point lead at the top of the table but the momentum behind their title bid was ripped away in a devastating first half in the 100th league edition of Der Klassiker.Mats Hummels made the first incision with a commanding header and Lewandowski, a fellow former Dortmund star, reached his scoring milestone with a superb solo effort seven minutes later.

Javi Martinez and Serge Gnabry assured Bayern's ascendancy to top spot by adding two more in almost as many minutes late in the opening period and Poland international Lewandowski fittingly completed the rout in the 89th minute as the champions took a big step towards retaining their crown.
Mahmoud Dahoud wasted an early chance from Marco Reus' cut-back and he was made to rue the miss when Hummels emphatically met Thiago Alcantara's corner in the 10th minute.

Lewandowski soon became the first non-German player to notch 200 Bundesliga goals by seizing on Dan Axel-Zagadou's turnover, dinking the ball over the onrushing Roman Burki and volleying into an empty net.Dortmund were being sliced open with regularity and, despite a series of Burki saves, were out of the game by half-time.

Martinez curled through a clutch of bodies in the 41st minute and Gnabry continued the carnage by nodding in Thomas Muller's cross.Dortmund stemmed the bleeding after the break but never threatened the kind of comeback that saw them win 3-2 when the teams met in November.

Instead, it was left to Lewandowski to tap in Gnabry's pass late on and put the seal on a result that will ensure Bayern are brimming with confidence for the final six games.

 

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Manchester City 1 Brighton and Hove Albion 0: Scrappy semi-final win keeps quadruple hopes alive

Manchester City returned to the FA Cup final for the first time since 2013 with a 1-0 last-four win over Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley, keeping their quadruple bid alive.

Pep Guardiola's men have already won the EFL Cup this season and remain in the reckoning for the Premier League and Champions League titles. Unlike last season, when Wigan Athletic stunned City in the cup, they will return to the national stadium in May, too.

Gabriel Jesus appeared to set the tone for the five-time winners with a fine early header, although they were frustrated for the remainder of the first half.


The second period was then surprisingly uncomfortable for City, yet they came through unscathed with the help of one phenomenal Aymeric Laporte clearance to take a big step towards another piece of silverware.
City predictably seized control from the outset and they led after just four minutes as Jesus stooped to meet Kevin de Bruyne's sublime low cross in behind the Brighton defence.

Chris Hughton's side gained a foothold in the match thereafter, though, and Kyle Walker was lucky to stay on the pitch after a heated confrontation with Alireza Jahanbakhsh. The incident was the subject of a VAR review after Walker moved his head towards the Brighton forward, but he escaped with a booking.

Laporte's vital clearance then prevented Glenn Murray from turning Shane Duffy's knockdown into the net early in the second half as an unconvincing City display continued.

Mat Ryan parried two late Raheem Sterling efforts, while the England man was also denied by a Lewis Dunk block, but City were able to see out victory without a second goal.

 

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Juventus 2 AC Milan 1: Kean seals comeback win

Moise Kean came off the bench to earn Juventus a 2-1 comeback win at home to AC Milan, paving the way for the runaway Serie A leaders to be crowned champions this weekend.

Napoli need to avoid defeat at home to Genoa on Sunday to keep their slim title hopes alive after Kean, who was subjected to alleged racist abuse in a midweek win at Cagliari, came up trumps.

Milan led in the first half thanks to Krzysztof Piatek's 21st Serie A goal of the season, with Juve struggling to create openings against the Rossoneri in the absence of injured superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.


But Paulo Dybala's penalty got Massimiliano Allegri's side back on level terms at Allianz Stadium and, with six minutes to go, teenager Kean fired home to score for the fifth consecutive game for club and country.
Piatek missed a great chance with just 63 seconds on the clock, Suso's deep right-wing cross headed wide by the striker at the back post.The leaders survived strong penalty appeals when Alex Sandro blocked Calhanoglu's cross with his arm, but referee Michael Fabbri only gave a corner after checking with VAR.

There was no let-off for Juve in the 39th minute, though, Piatek drilling home after Tiemoue Bakayoko robbed Rodrigo Bentancur and poked the ball through for the striker to score.

Mario Mandzukic's overhead kick was brilliantly tipped over the crossbar by Pepe Reina and Piatek forced a smart save from Wojciech Szczesny with a curling 25-yard drive.Juve were gifted a golden chance to level, however, with Dybala clumsily brought down by Mateo Musacchio in the box, and the attacker beat Reina from 12 yards.

Kean blasted over the crossbar and Sami Khedira, making his return from a heart problem after replacing the injured Emre Can, directed a headed chance off target.

Alex Sandro and Federico Bernardeschi wasted further chances but Kean would not be denied in the 84th minute.

The 19-year-old was fed by fellow substitute Miralem Pjanic and drilled an unstoppable finish across Reina to give Juventus a potential party ahead of a midweek trip to Ajax in the Champions League, although they needed Szczesny to keep out Calhanoglu's late strike.

 

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Real Madrid 2 Eibar 1: Benzema brace spares Los Blancos in Zidane's 100th LaLiga game

Karim Benzema spared Real Madrid's blushes with a match-winning brace in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Eibar at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane's men were out to produce a response following Wednesday's defeat at Valencia, and although their collective performance was underwhelming, Benzema proved decisive to give Los Blancos' coach a win in his 100th LaLiga game at the helm.

Feisty Eibar deservedly held a half-time ahead, with Barcelona-owned Marc Cardona rounding off a lovely move with a clever finish.


The hosts' pressure told after the break, however, with Benzema - who previously had two goals disallowed - netting with a towering header to restore parity before repeating the feat late on to secure all three points.

Madrid looked livelier during the early exchanges and did find the net in the ninth minute, but Benzema's celebrations were abruptly halted as Gareth Bale – who provided the pass – had strayed offside.

Yet the hosts fell behind shortly before half-time, as Gonzalo Escalante carved open the Madrid defence with a brilliant pass to pick out the run of Cardona, who flicked over the helpless Keylor Navas.Madrid were again denied by the offside flag early in the second half - VAR confirming Benzema made his run too early before making the most of a defensive mix-up to put into an empty net.

It was third time lucky for the Frenchman, though, when he met Marco Asensio's cross with a header which bounced up off the ground and into the roof of the net.Benzema completed the turnaround nine minutes from time, rising to meet Toni Kroos' right-wing delivery and picking out the bottom-left corner.

He should have completed his hat-trick towards the end but missed two sitters, while a post denied him another goal in added time, though it did not impact the result.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton 1 Arsenal 0: Jagielka goal dents Gunners' top-four hopes

Arsenal's bid to finish in the Premier League's top four was dented on Sunday as Phil Jagielka's early goal gave Everton a deserved 1-0 home win.Unai Emery's men could have leapfrogged Tottenham into third with a draw but will now slide back to fifth if Chelsea secure a point or more at home to West Ham on Monday.

The defeat, their first in seven league games, was no less than deserved after a timid display that was punished when an unmarked Jagielka, in as a late replacement for the unwell Michael Keane, seized on a loose ball in the 10th minute, the 36-year-old tucking home as Arsenal's defenders appealed in vain for offside.


The arrival of Aaron Ramsey at half-time led to an improved second-half showing but the Toffees capably dealt with rare defensive concerns in rising to ninth.Jagielka learned of his elevation to the XI shortly before kick-off and was soon celebrating his first goal in two years, Lucas Digne's long throw having broken kindly to him in the box.

That extended a shaky Arsenal's season-long wait for an away clean sheet and their defensive stocks took a hit when Sokratis Papastathopoulos earned a booking that rules him out of games against Watford and Crystal Palace.

Ramsey, who battled a groin issue during the week, stepped off the bench at the interval and quickly increased Arsenal's lean shot count.Bernard, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Richarlison all fluffed good chances to double the home side's advantage as the second half wore on, the latter especially culpable for a wayward finish with time to pick his spot.

The misses ultimately mattered little, though, as Marco Silva's men held firm for a fifth clean sheet in six and third consecutive victory.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Juventus refusing to give up on De Ligt in determination to land big-money defender


Juventus will not be giving up on their efforts to lure Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt to Turin, Goal understands.

The Netherlands international has emerged as one of the most sought-after talents in European football .At just 19 years of age, the talented centre-half has leading sides from across the continent pursuing his signature.

La Liga giants Barcelona are considered to be heading the queue, having already completed a €75 million (£65m/$85m) raid for his Ajax team-mate Frenkie de Jong , but no deal is in place as yet.That is leaving the transfer door ajar for others to swoop in.

Juventus intend to be in the mix, with the current holder of the prestigious Golden Boy award a player they would welcome onto their books in a bid to freshen up an ageing defensive unit.

The landing of a new centre-half is considered to be a top priority for the next window, with the Bianconeri prepared to spend big in order to tick that box.They have been offered hope by De Ligt’s hints that Serie A could be his next landing spot .

He has told Tuttosport : “[A move to Juventus] could happen, but there are others who are also interested.“We'll see at the right time. At the moment I'm fully focused on Ajax and my agent [Mino] Raiola is taking care of the rest. Also, De Jong hasn't spoken to me about a move to Barcelona.

“I really admire [Giorgio] Chiellini, he's a very strong centre-back and one of the best ever. I also appreciate [Leonardo] Bonucci. They are two of the best centre-backs in Europe and two examples to follow for a young player like me.”Juventus are aware that any agreement for De Ligt is likely to involve a fee of over €70m (£60m/$79m).

Those figures are not putting them off, with sporting director Fabio Paratici in the market for a certain calibre of player.He is looking to bring in a defender who is young, strong and with the potential to improve even further in the future.

De Ligt is considered to be a perfect candidate, with interest from the Bianconeri having waned in the likes of Benfica starlet Ruben Dias and Fiorentina star Nikola Milenkovic.Competition from the likes of Barcelona for a top target is making a long-running saga more difficult.

Juventus are, however, about to get another close look at De Ligt in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, with the first leg of a last-eight showdown with Ajax set to be taken in on Wednesday.A meeting with the Eredivisie giants could give Bianconeri officials an opportunity to sound out another possible transfer arrangement with continental rivals.

Those in Turin believe a deal can be done, but know that they will have to move swiftly and decisively if they are to emerge victorious in a battle for one of the most in-demand signatures around.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Aguero set to hand Man City fitness boost ahead of Tottenham clash


Sergio Aguero looks set to hand Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola a Champions League boost ahead of their clash with Tottenham.

The Argentina striker, who has missed City's last two games, trained with team-mates on Sunday ahead of the quarter-final first leg clash with Spurs on Tuesday .
The Blues remained in London following Saturday's FA Cup semi-final win over Brighton .

And during a session at Charlton Athletic's The Valley stadium, Aguero, who suffered a knock in the Premier League win over Fulham just over a week ago, took part along with Fabian Delph, who is also returning from a lay-off.
While Aguero's availability as City's senior striker would provide an obvious benefit, Delph's return would give Guardiola another option in a defence affected by injury.Stand-in left-back Oleksander Zinchenko is already out and right-back Kyle Walker was substituted at half-time against Brighton with a hamstring problem.

Left-back Benjamin Mendy made his first start in five months against the Seagulls following knee surgery, managing 79 minutes at Wembley Stadium.
And Guardiola gave a modest assessment of the France international's performance."It was a long long time he didn’t play one single game," the City manager said."He is training just one or two weeks. We have a lot of problems in the defensive part, especially the full-backs.

"So he started a bit like this, like that. But after he played confident and in the second half he played better."Mendy, meanwhile, feels he is fully recovered after a number of set-backs."When I came back [previously] sometimes the swelling stayed," Mendy said. "But now it's good, we can forget the past and think about the future.

"I feel really fit and I want to give everything I can to help my team."I have missed a lot of games but my team-mates have been incredible so we need to trust and to believe we can go on and end up with a lot of trophies."

Delph's return would take City full-back contingent up to three, with Brazilian Danilo able to play on either side.