..::Football IV::..

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'We're not scared of Van Dijk' - Giroud backs Hazard as Premier League's best


Olivier Giroud thinks that Chelsea team-mate Eden Hazard should win English football's player of the year awards as he prepares to face off against Liverpool's Virgil van Dijk, who is widely believed to be a front runner for the individual honours.

The 31-year-old is known for his excellent link up with the Chelsea talisman who has had more goal involvements than anyone else in the Premier League this season with 16 goals and 12 assists.The Belgian superstar is fighting among the likes of Liverpool's van Dijk and Manchester City's Raheem Sterling, who appear to be the favourites to win these awards as they help put their teams in contention to win the league.

Giroud gave his verdict on England's best player ahead of Sunday's game with Liverpool at Anfield. "I would say Eden Hazard [should win it]," Giroud said. "I think I cannot say [who I voted for], I would vote for Eden Hazard [if I could]."

Van Dijk will be trying to stop Giroud and Hazard on Sunday, as they bid to earn three crucial points competing with Pep Guardiola's Man City, and Giroud believes that his side can come out on top even against the Netherlands international.

"I played against Van Dijk personally a few times and it has always been a tough position because he is very good and very strong, but I’ve scored a few goals playing against his teams," Giroud added. "The Netherlands when we played recently, but I won last year and scored at Stamford Bridge and scored the winner at the Stade de France against the Netherlands a few months ago. We don’t have to be scared and no matter who plays we will be 100 per cent focused on winning the game.

"It will be a tough game, Liverpool are fighting for the title. It will be a special game. We are professional and need to be it to the side and focus on the game. We are very pleased and looking forward to this game as competitors we want to play these big games and 100% for our target.

"They will have to win for sure to stay in the title race but we need a good result as well to keep our chance for the Champions League race so it will be an interesting game, a very tough game but we have shown in the past and the first game at home that we can compete with them and match them.

"So, we need to go there and start on the front foot and believe in our qualities and game. We need to be careful because we don’t want to expose ourselves too much because we know they are quality, especially on the counter-attack and they have an amazing three strikers, so we are aware of that. We will work on that and we want to win this game."

Giroud started in what was an underwhelming Europa League display against Slavia Prague on Thursday ahead of this weekend's action. The Blues have typically eased through their ties all season, but struggled in Prague despite having a nine-goal leading scorer in Europe through Giroud.

However, Chelsea pulled off a great result as Marcos Alonso's late winner gave his side an away goal to take into the second leg against the run of play. The match was unfortunately marred by another incident of racism by a small section of the club's support and targeted Sunday's opponent Mohamed Salah with their Islamophobic slurs.

Giroud thinks Salah will be okay but moved to condemn his side's supporters, who were involved in filming and uploading their vile chants to social media."It’s stupid to do that and I think Salah is strong enough to ignore them and we need to move forward and leave these people on the side," Giroud concluded. "Of course, it’s a very small minority and we are proud of most of our fans who have been great support again tonight. We want to remember good things.

"It shouldn’t happen. Nowadays one time is one too many, one more time is too much, so it is unacceptable. These guys don’t belong to Chelsea and it’s a shame that it happened again."









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Costa's eight-game ban stands after Atletico appeal fails


Diego Costa's eight-match suspension was upheld after the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) confirmed Atletico Madrid's appeal had been dismissed.

The Spain international was sent off during the first half of Atletico’s 2-0 defeat to Barcelona last Saturday following an outburst aimed at referee Jesus Gil Manzano
The official wrote in his post-match report that Costa had insulted his mother and, after being shown a red card, grabbed his arm to try to stop him from booking team-mates Diego Godin and Jose Gimenez.

It was confirmed on Thursday that Costa had been suspended for eight games and would consequently miss the rest of the season, though Atletico were given 10 working days to lodge an appeal.Atletico boss Diego Simeone described the ban as "too much" and said the club would appeal and do everything they could to support the former Chelsea striker.

However, the RFEF announced on Friday that its Appeals Committee had rejected Atletico's case.The club can still appeal against the ban by raising the issue with Spain's Administrative Court for Sport (TAD).

Costa will not be available for the rest of the season if the sanction stands, with Atletico having just seven La Liga matches left.Costa left Chelsea to return for a second spell at Atletico in September 2017, though he was only eligible to play from the start of 2018.

He went on to score seven goals in 23 appearances in all competitions as Atletico finished second in La Liga and won the Europa League.The 30-year-old has endured a difficult campaign this time around at the Wanda Metropolitano, scoring just five goals in 21 appearances.

Despite his inconsistent form, he has the backing of his manager Simeone, who has blamed injuries for the striker’s struggles.Atletico’s hopes of landing the La Liga title were all but ended following that 2-0 defeat by leaders Barcelona last weekend.

The win moved Barcelona 11 points clear at the top of the table and only a spectacular collapse by Ernesto Valverde’s side would deny them a 26th Spanish title.

 

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Real Madrid captain Ramos set for up to three weeks out


Real Madrid club captain Sergio Ramos has suffered an injury to his left calf muscle, the club officially confirmed on Friday.

The defender has managed 39 appearances for Los Blancos this season, during a campaign which has also seen him score 10 goals for the club.However, despite his efforts, Real Madrid have suffered a dismal season having already been eliminated from both the Copa del Rey and Champions League.

They are also out of this season's title race with the club currently on 60 points in third position, with 13 points separating them from leaders Barcelona with just seven games left to play.Zinedine Zidane's side will now have to play their upcoming fixtures without their club captain as he looks to overcome an issue with his left calf muscle.

Madrid confirmed on Friday that Ramos has "a grade one injury in the left soleus" but they also gave no timetable for his return.The 33-year-old played the full 90 minutes in Madrid's 2-1 defeat to Valencia on April 3 before sitting out of their 2-1 win over Eibar three days later.

He's now expected to be out for up to three weeks, which would rule him out clashes against Leganes and Athletic Bilbao as well as Getafe and potentially Rayo Vallecano.

Calf issues aren't uncommon for Ramos, with the defender have missed a stint during January 2018 with a similar problem.However, this is set to be his first absence from the squad due to injury this season.

The Spain international previously sat out the club's fixtures against Levante, Real Valladolid and a Champions League tie against Ajax due to suspension.While their final objective of securing Champions League football doesn't currently look under threat with Madrid currently holding an11-point gap over fifth-place Sevilla, it doesn't bode well for a strong end to the season.

Zidane's men are just two points behind rivals Atletico Madrid in second, and pride remains at stake between the two sides as to who will finish the highest.Diego Simeone's men finished above Real last year, and Zidane will be hopeful of gaining revenge this season.

 

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Ajax boss reveals De Ligt will join Barcelona or Bayern Munich


Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag has asserted that there is 'zero chance' of Matthijs de Ligt staying at the club this summer, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich set to battle it out for his signature.

The 19-year-old Ajax club captain has been highly sought-after following the confirmation of team-mate Frenkie de Jong's transfer to Barcelona at the end of the season.

And the Catalan giants are favourites for the central defender's signature as well, though other elite clubs such as Bayern, Manchester City and Juventus have all shown an interest.

With such illustrious clubs after the teenager, his manager is certain that he will be losing his skipper and star defender in the off-season.“There's zero chance Matthijs de Ligt is staying at Ajax,” Ten Hag told Suddeutschen Zeitung.“There are so many clubs interested in him. He will leave us this summer, but I don't know whether he'll join Bayern or Barcelona.”

Barcelona see De Ligt as the long-term successor to the ageing Gerard Pique while it is understood the Blaugrana will listen to offers for Samuel Umtiti, who has lost his place to Clement Lenglet.Bayern and Juventus also feel the need to freshen up the position as their current first-choice stars approach the wrong side of 30.

De Ligt, however, offers a rare mix of youth and experience, having already made 108 appearances in all competitions for Ajax.

This season they are embroiled in a fierce Eredivisie title race with PSV and have come from behind to top the table on goal-difference after beating Mark van Bommel's side 3-1 last month to close the gap.

Their performances in Europe have also defied all expectation, refusing to be beaten in two games against Bayern in the group stages, knocking record holders Real Madrid out in the last 16 and holding Cristiano Ronaldo's Juventus to a draw in the first leg of their quarter-final encounter.Were they to pull off a shock in Turin and progress to the semi-finals, they would meet one of Manchester City or Tottenham.

Ten Hag may feel the need to make the most of his skipper's incredible talents this season, given his seemingly imminent departure at the end of the season - along with De Jong - might make Champions League adventures like this impossible next year.

 

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'Smalling hit Messi like a train!' - Valverde unhappy with Manchester United defender


Lionel Messi could be rested against Huesca after a challenge by Manchester United defender Chris Smalling was compared by Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde to being hit by a train.

Messi was left with a swollen eye and a bloody nose after being caught in the face by Smalling's elbow during the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.The Barcelona captain completed the match, which Valverde's side won 1-0, but he could sit out their trip to La Liga strugglers Huesca this weekend.

Strike partner Luis Suarez, though, should be available for Saturday's game despite appearing to be struggling in the closing stages at Old Trafford, while Ousmane Dembele is back from a torn hamstring.

Smalling, who was not punished during the game, said his clash with Messi was an accident, while former United manager Jose Mourinho said the incident happened because the defender has "tall arms".

Valverde, though, said the clash could result in Messi being given the weekend off ahead of United's visit to Camp Nou for the second leg."It is possible that Messi rests, the blow was strong, as if a train runs over you," Valverde told reporters on Friday. "I spoke with him and it is a possibility."

On Suarez, he added: "He's fine, but at the end of the matches there are always problems that then appear, but we see him well, it was a very intense game, it's normal.

"Tomorrow is important for [Ousmane] Dembele, not in terms of being important for the Manchester United game. We need to really focus on getting the three points we need. I know focus can turn to games like ones at Old Trafford but we have to maintain our mental focus on the next game.

Valverde has been adamant it is too early to talk up Barca's treble chances, despite last weekend's victory over Atletico Madrid giving them an 11-point cushion in La Liga.His side are also through to the final of the Copa del Rey, where they will face Valencia, while winning at Old Trafford gives the Catalan club the advantage over United in their bid to lift the Champions League for the first time since 2015.

"I think last season we were also in the same position at the same stage and we won two trophies [La Liga and Copa del Rey]," said Valverde. "But we haven't won any at the moment. We'll be happy with one, happy with two and ecstatic if we win three.

"Circumstances are what they are, there may be changes tomorrow but we do not forget that we have 10 points left to be champions. No matter how much we think it is won, it is not."


Barca beat Atleti after Diego Costa was sent off after clashing with match referee Jesus Gil Manzano.

The striker has been banned for eight matches by the Royal Spanish Football Federation: four for foul-mouthed comments made towards the referee and another four for grabbing the official's arm.Diego Simeone labelled the ban "excessive" and Valverde also expressed surprise at the scale of Costa's punishment, which is a further blow to Atletico's already slim hopes of catching Barca.

"It's a considerable suspension. I think it's four for one incident. four for another," Valverde added. "I thought it would be four as something similar happened with [Gerard] Pique and he missed four games. Eight games, I'm not sure of the rules but it's a big suspension."

 

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Kane unlikely to return for Spurs this season, admits Pochettino


Mauricio Pochettino has said he does not expect Harry Kane to feature again for Tottenham this season unless they reach the Champions League final.

The England international was substituted with an ankle injury after 58 minutes of his side’s 1-0 win over Manchester City in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday.

City defender Fabian Delph inadvertently caught Kane when the striker tried to block a clearance, leaving Pochettino fearing the worst after the game.

Tottenham confirmed on Thursday that their leading scorer suffered a "significant lateral ligament injury" to his left ankle - a repeat of the damage sustained against Manchester United in January that ruled him out for just over a month.

Pochettino is unsure whether the 25-year-old will be back on the field again before the Premier League season ends on May 12, though Spurs could still be in Champions League contention at that point, with the final of the competition scheduled for June 1.

"He feels sad and disappointed like everyone at the club. It's a tough moment for him, the team and us," Pochettino told reporters at Friday's news conference."We need to assess him every day, but we need to have proper answers to see when he can possibly start training with the team.

"Today it is impossible to give a date. He suffered a similar injury last time against Manchester United and that took five weeks, and if we arrive in the final of the Champions League maybe he would have the possibility to play, but we'll see. "We need to assess him but he's not in a great place which is normal after a few days."

Tottenham also lost Dele Alli to injury during their European win against City, the midfielder having to be replaced late on after injuring his hand.

Pochettino is more optimistic over Alli and while he has not yet ruled the midfielder out of contention for Saturday's home game against Huddersfield Town, it is more likely he returns in time for the second leg against City.

"‘He broke his hand and we need to assess today and see if he can be involved tomorrow," Pochettino added."I’m not optimistic about tomorrow. I am more optimistic he will be available for Man City in the second leg. We’ll see and we’ll take a decision that is best for everyone."

Serge Aurier, Eric Dier and Erik Lamela are Tottenham's other confirmed absentees for the visit of relegated Huddersfield.

 

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'He is how he is' - Kane's style of play led to injury, says Pochettino


Mauricio Pochettino says that Harry Kane's style of play was a major part of the forward's recent ankle injury suffered against Manchester City.

The Spurs forward could miss the rest of the Premier League season after suffering an ankle injury making a tackle in the 1-0 Champions League victory in the first leg against their Premier League rivals.

Kane's injury came of the result of a challenge on Fabian Delph near the sidelines, which left the forward hobbled and has threatened to derail Spurs' Champions League and top four hopes.

And Pochettino says that, with Kane, you have to accept his work ethic as well as the good and the bad that come with it. “It’s true that now we can have an opinion that it was a challenge with not too many reasons to do but he’s how he is,” Pochettino said.

“He’s strong. He wants to challenge for every single ball with the opponent. Of course, now watching the action, you say, ‘Oh Harry, why not stop before? There’s nothing to do with this ball in the middle, on the halfway line’. "But it shows how he is. He is Harry Kane because he behaves like this in the past. Now the bad luck means that he’s got an injury but he is how he is.”

The concern about Kane isn't just in the short-term, but in the long-term, as the Spurs boss admitted that the forward's injury history could be an issue. The recent incident is the fifth time Kane has suffered an ankle injury since September 2016, and Pochettino says persistent issues like that could impact a footballer mentally.

“For sure, it can be an issue,” Pochettino said. “When you suffer once, twice or the third time, it’s normal in your head that you will always think about it. But I don’t believe it will be a chronic problem.

“I think we are going to help and, with experience, we can make it different in the future and hope that’s the last time he gets an injury with his ankle.”Spurs will face Huddersfield Town on Saturday in Premier League play before taking on Manchester City once again at the Etihad for their second leg clash. The club currently sits fourth in the Premier League but have a game in hand on third-place Chelsea.

 

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Man Utd lacking belief and quality in front of goal, says Solskjaer


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has called on Manchester United's forwards to rediscover their ruthless streak ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against West Ham.

United have lost four of their past five games in all competitions – scoring just four goals in the process and drawing blanks against both Arsenal and Barcelona in 2-0 and 1-0 defeats - respectively - while slipping twice to Wolves by a 2-1 scoreline.
It is a run that stands in stark contrast to the freewheeling early weeks of Solskjaer's reign and something he has been trying to address on the training field.

"You're never happy when you don't win games, but it's been a period now where we've played some good teams," the former Norway striker told a news conference ahead of Saturday's match against West Ham."We've had some good performances but haven't had the quality or belief in front of goal that we should have."Against Wolves and Arsenal, we should have won those league games with the amount of chances.

"We've been practising. As a striker, I know how important that little bit of belief is and trust in yourself."Romelu Lukaku's last goals came in the 3-1 Champions League triumph at Paris Saint-Germain on March 6, while Anthony Martial has netted once since returning from a groin injury the following weekend.

"Sometimes you don't have that little feel, that little confidence. You have to do it in training and hope that it comes out again in the games," Solskjaer added.

"We have been fantastic but lately we haven't been ruthless or clinical enough in front of goal."United now face a difficult run of fixtures as they try to return to form, with West Ham, Barcelona, Everton, Manchester City and Chelsea their next five games in all competitions as they seek to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League and secure a top-four spot in the Premier League.

However, the Red Devils are sixth and three points off Tottenham in fourth, and face a real battle to qualify for Europe's premier club competition again next season.

 

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Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2019.04.13

Barclays Premier League Fixtures 2019.04.13

Tottenham Vs Huddersfield

Brighton Vs Bournemouth

Burnley Vs Cardiff City

Fulham Vs Everton

Southampton Vs Wolves

Manchester United Vs West Ham

​

 

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Ada West Ham match ekath ekkama thawa matches 6i thiyenne meh season ekeA matches 6ma Win karanna one situation ekak thiyenne Top 4 secure karagannanam

Loku deyak balaporotthu wenawa team eka hamogenma

Good luck Manchester United!​

 

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LA Liga Fixtures 2019.04.13

LA Liga Fixtures 2019.04.13

Espanyol Vs Alaves

Huesca Vs Barcelona

Atletico Madrid Vs Celta Vigo

Sevilla Vs Real Betis​

 

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Serie A Fixtures 2019.04.13

Serie A Fixtures 2019.04.13

Spal Vs Juventus

Roma Vs Udinese

AC Milan Vs Lazio​

 

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Bundesliga Fixtures 2019.04.13

Bundesliga Fixtures 2019.04.13

Hannover Vs Monchengladbach

Leipzig Vs Wolfsburg

Stuttgart Vs Leverkusen

Werder Bremen Vs Freiburg

Dortmund Vs Mainz​

 

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Manchester United 2 West Ham 1: Pogba penalties secure three points for underwhelming hosts

Paul Pogba converted two penalties either side of half-time to lift Manchester United to an unconvincing 2-1 win over West Ham at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Star man Pogba beat Lukasz Fabianski for the second time in the 80th minute to snatch just a second victory in six competitive games that sends Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side back to within two points of the Premier League's top four.

West Ham had been on top after Felipe Anderson cancelled out Pogba's first-half opener and substitute Michail Antonio twice went close to giving them a late lead.


But, following Ryan Fredericks' panicked challenge on Anthony Martial in the box, Pogba's second penalty ensured the hosts rebounded from Wednesday's 1-0 loss to Barcelona and can look ahead to the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie next week with renewed optimism.
United should have fallen behind in the 10th minute as replays showed Felipe Anderson, adjudged offside, to have been level with Diogo Dalot when firing in following Javier Hernandez's downward header.The hosts quickly made the reprieve count.

Robert Snodgrass clumsily tripped Juan Mata just inside the box and Pogba, eschewing his usual stuttering run-up for a conventional approach, sent Lukasz Fabianski the wrong way.West Ham continued to show positive intent and there was no denying Felipe Anderson in the 49th minute, the Brazilian ghosting in at the far post and tucking away Manuel Lanzini's cross.

Marcus Rashford was hastily introduced and he forced Fabianski into a one-handed save before nodding over at close range.Antonio rattled the crossbar at the other end before David de Gea brilliantly denied the Hammers winger a minute later.

In the end it was Pogba who had the final say, the France midfielder dispatching the winner after Fredericks, on as a substitute three minutes earlier, scythed down Martial as the winger shaped to shoot.

 

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Congratulations Manchester United!

Win ekanam godak watinawaAth Manchester United performance nam anthimaiLucky win ekak wage thamaiMeeta wada contribution ekak performance improvement ekak one team eken.Nathuwanam Top4 finish eka lesi wenne naha

& next Barcelona 2nd Leg eka.Good luck Manchester United!​

 

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Tottenham 4 Huddersfield Town 0: Lucas hat-trick fires Spurs up to third

Lucas Moura stepped up impressively in the absence of Harry Kane and Dele Alli by plundering a hat-trick for Tottenham in their 4-0 Premier League win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday.

Kane is only likely to feature again for Spurs this season if they reach the Champions League final after suffering an ankle injury in Tuesday's quarter-final, first leg victory against Manchester City, while Alli injured his hand in the same game.

Mauricio Pochettino's side initially struggled to break down their already relegated opponents, but two goals in the space of three first-half minutes from Victor Wanyama and Lucas set them up for the most routine of victories.


Lucas added two more in the closing stages as Spurs moved a point ahead of Chelsea into third ahead of the Blues' clash at Liverpool on Sunday.
Tottenham dominated the early stages but had to wait until the 24th minute to forge ahead. Wanyama surged into the area after Fernando Llorente failed to control Ben Davies' pass, rounded Ben Hamer and slotted into an empty net for his first goal of the campaign.That was followed three minutes later by Lucas' eighth of 2018/19 in the league, the former Paris Saint-Germain forward drilling through the weak resistance of Hamer from 10 yards after being teed up by Moussa Sissoko.

Jon Gorenc Stankovic then missed a golden opportunity to halve the deficit after 30 minutes, the Slovenian inexplicably steering a side-foot volley wide from Juninho Bacuna's corner.Llorente came agonisingly close to adding a glorious third immediately after the restart. The Spaniard controlled Juan Foyth's lofted ball and then crashed a superb volley against the crossbar.

Steve Mounie missed the opportunity to set up a grandstand finish, heading wide from 10 yards 15 minutes from time, while Bacuna's free-kick was clawed onto his crossbar by Hugo Lloris.

Christian Eriksen hit the post late on before Lucas sealed the win in style. He scored his second in the 87th minute, flicking up the Dane's pass and sending a controlled volley into Hamer's bottom-left corner.

He then completed his treble three minutes into stoppage time, running onto Son Heung-min's pass and lashing unerringly across Hamer and into the roof of the net.

 

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SPAL 2 Juventus 1: Bonifazi and Floccari make champions-elect wait

Juventus were denied the record for the fastest title success in Serie A history as a much-changed side fell to a 2-1 defeat at SPAL on Saturday.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri rested most of his key players with an eye on the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Ajax, but his young team failed to get the job done.

Moise Kean put Juve in front in the first half, turning in a shot from Joao Cancelo to score for the fourth straight Serie A game, the 19-year-old becoming the youngest player to do so in the era of three points for a win.


Kevin Bonifazi levelled with a header after the break, though, and SPAL skipper Sergio Floccari finished well to give his side a massive boost in their fight against relegation.Juve's experimental line-up initially struggled and SPAL, who have now won their last three home league games, enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges before Juve took the lead on the half-hour mark.

A shot from Cancelo looked to be comfortable work for Emiliano Viviano but Kean was on hand to divert the ball away from the SPAL goalkeeper to surpass Mario Balotelli's Serie A record.

SPAL set about spoiling Juve's party by equalising in the 49th minute, Bonifazi getting up highest to head home Pasquale Schiattarella's right-wing corner.Juve substitute Hans Nicolussi Caviglia forced a fine save from Viviano with a 20-yard curling drive, with Kean making way for Stephy Mavididi, indicating Allegri felt Juve had done enough.He was badly mistaken, however, as SPAL took the lead through Floccari, who steered home after excellent work in the build-up from Alessandro Murgia.

Allegri sent on Federico Bernardeschi but Juve, who are 20 points clear at the top, could not find a leveller, with Mattia De Sciglio missing a header in stoppage time – and if Napoli win at Chievo on Sunday the title race will remain alive for a little longer.

 

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Southampton 3 Wolves 1: Redmond the star as Saints march towards safety


Nathan Redmond's first-half brace helped Southampton climb to the verge of Premier League survival in a 3-1 win over Wolves at St Mary's Stadium.This Saints victory - a third in four matches - combined with Cardiff City's defeat elsewhere on Saturday moved Ralph Hasenhuttl's men eight points clear of the drop zone with just five matches to play.

With painful fightbacks the order of the day for both Southampton and Wolves last week, the hosts might well have felt that sinking feeling again when Redmond's early opener was cancelled out by Willy Boly.


But star man Redmond was soon on target again and substitute Shane Long's strike 19 minutes from time secured three vital points.

Southampton came flying out of the blocks and led after just 94 seconds as Josh Sims cut a low cross back from the right for Redmond, who beat the lumbering Romain Saiss to the ball and prodded high into the net.The visitors responded well to the early setback and equalised through Boly's towering header following a period of extended pressure, only to quickly fall behind again.

Danny Ings played in Redmond to dink a finish over Rui Patricio and, moments later, the on-loan Liverpool forward similarly teed up Sims, who should have steered his shot on target but fired wide.

Wolves controlled proceedings in the second half but the usually dependable Raul Jimenez hacked their best opening out for a throw-in.The visitors' frustration was compounded when Southampton went straight down the other end and sealed victory, with Long played onside by Adama Traore as he stabbed past the goalkeeper.

A further goal would have followed, too, had Patricio not instinctively blocked a Maya Yoshida effort.

 

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Huesca 0 Barcelona 0: Leaders held as Valverde rests stars

A much-changed Barcelona were held to a 0-0 draw by Huesca on Saturday as they moved 12 points clear of second-place Atletico Madrid at the top of LaLiga.
Head coach Ernesto Valverde left out Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique and Ivan Rakitic against LaLiga's bottom club, who have only won five matches all season.

The result is unlikely to do much good to their survival chances, but Barca remain firmly on course for the title and will be grateful to have rested several key performers ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Manchester United.


Barca made 10 changes to the side that beat United 1-0 on Wednesday, with debuts for Moussa Wague and Jean-Clair Todibo and first LaLiga appearances for the club for Riqui Puig and Jeison Murillusmane Dembele also made his first start since March 2, having recovered from a thigh injury, as he looks to regain full sharpness ahead of a crucial run of matches.

Roberto Santamaria did well to tip a Dembele effort around the post after a fine reverse pass from Puig, but chances were scarce early on for Valverde's makeshift side.

The visitors had little to concern them in front of their own goal in the first half, but Marc-Andre ter Stegen - the only player to keep his place from the win at United - made a timely intervention with his leg to deny Enric Gallego a shot on the turn.

Malcom then struck a swerving shot that fooled Santamaria but smacked against the left-hand post, and Dembele blasted another decent opportunity wide, but there was to be no breakthrough.

 

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Atletico Madrid 2 Celta Vigo 0: Hosts' grip on second strengthened by Griezmann

Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways in unconvincing fashion as Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata earned a 2-0 LaLiga victory over Celta Vigo.Diego Simeone's men welcomed Celta to the Wanda Metropolitano following a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona that effectively ended their title hopes.

Diego Costa received an eight-match ban for insulting the referee during that game, and Atletico were often second best against a resurgent Celta, who had taken seven points from their last three matches to boost hopes of survival.


However, Griezmann lashed home a 42nd-minute free-kick and Morata doubled their lead 16 minutes from time as Atletico increased their lead over Real Madrid - who play Leganes on Monday - to five points in the battle for second. Celta remain two points above the drop zone.
Atletico struggled to create much in the early going and were grateful to Jan Oblak for keeping them level. The Slovenia international produced a reaction save to keep out Maxi Gomez's deflected effort and then made an even more impressive stop from Ryad Boudebouz's bicycle kick follow-up.

Opposite number Ruben Blanco did well to get a touch to Juanfran's low cross and take it away from numerous Atletico players queuing up to meet it in the box, but Oblak continued to be the busier of the two goalkeepers.He was again required to preserve parity when he dove to his left to deny Sofiane Boufal after the Frenchman met Boudebouz's lay-off first time.

Celta were made to pay for not capitalising on their superiority as Griezmann powered a free-kick into the top-left corner after Vitolo was fouled by Gustavo Cabral.

Chances were less frequent in the second half but Morata made the points safe when he rounded Blanco after being played through on goal by Griezmann.