SIMEONE DEFENDS MOURINHO

Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone shares Jose Mourinho's belief that winning is all that matters as the Spanish leaders bid to eliminate Chelsea from the Champions League.

Following a goalless draw in the first leg at the Vicente Calderon Stadium last Tuesday and Sunday's win at Premier League leaders' Liverpool, Mourinho's defensive tactics were questioned.

Simeone did not add to the criticism, instead admitting to respecting a well-organised team such as Mourinho's.

posted from Bloggeroid

BAYERN MUNICH 0-4 (0-5 AGG) REAL MADRID

Pep Guardiola, the Bayern coach, watched from the touchline as his theories were taken apart. 

Possession statistics were meaningless, tika-taka was bunk. Madrid, holding a single goal first-leg lead at the Allianz Arena, were a spectacular four goals clear on aggregate by half-time and Munich looked close to incompetent, trailing so miserably in their wake. 

They were overrun in midfield, hopeless in defence and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer was a nervous wreck. Madrid had been the better team in the first game, too; but nobody expected them to emphasise their superiority quite like this.

By the end, the home fans were voicing their displeasure at the substitution of Thomas Muller and sceptics were wondering whether this was the Guardiola bubble burst.

posted from Bloggeroid

SUAREZ AND HAZARD WIN AWARDS

All smiles: Suarez poses with Chelsea's Eden Hazard who scooped the award for Young Player of the Year


Luis Suarez was named the PFA Player of the Year on Sunday night after scoring an astonishing 30 Premier League goals which have helped catapult Liverpool into this season's Premier League title race.

The award shows a remarkable turnaround for the striker after the Liverpool No 7 was banned for racially abusing Patrice Evra in 2011 and caused more controversy at the end of last season when he was banned for 10 games after biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic.

However having missed the first month of this year's campaign, Suarez returned to the Liverpool side at the end of September and formed an incredible partnership with Daniel Sturridge as the pair scored the goals which have helped fire Liverpool towards the top of the table.

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AFCON 2015 DRAWS

FULL DRAW:

Group A
Nigeria
South Africa
Sudan
Winner of Match 37/38

Group B
Mali
Algeria
Ethiopia
Winner of Match 43/44

Group C
Burkina Faso
Angola
Gabon
Winner of Match 33/34

Group D
Cote d'Ivoire
Cameroon
DR Congo
Winner Match 41/42

Group E
Ghana
Togo
Guinea
Winner Match 35/36

Group F
Zambia
Cape Verde
Niger
Winner Match 45/46

Group G
Tunisia
Egypt
Senegal
Winner Match 39/40

posted from Bloggeroid

NFF DENY SALARY SHARIMG OF COACHES

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has denied reports in some sections of the media which accuse the Federation's top officials of sharing in the salaries and allowances of coaches of national teams.


Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, NFF’s General-Secretary Musa Amadu described the insinuations as totally senseless and baseless. He therefore challenged proponents of the rumours to publicly provide evidence to support their claims.

"I want to say without mincing words that nobody in the NFF, not among Members of the Executive Committee, or the Management, o salaryr Staff, or the sub-Committees, have been sharing any money with any of our Coaches," Amadu said.

"I really want the persons vending these  scandalous and scurrilous stories go to town with the facts available to them. We would like to see those facts.

"We pay all our Coaches what is due to them in salaries, allowances and bonuses. For salaries, they are paid less the appropriate Personal Income Tax and directly into their bank accounts. The said tax is then paid directly to the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the records are there for anyone to verify,” he further explained.

Amadu slammed the purveyors of the rumours, and accused them of trying to derail Nigeria's 2014 FIFA World Cup plan after all other methods by the detractors have failed.

posted from Bloggeroid

DUTCH MANAGERS @ OLD TRAFFORD?

Luis van Gaal is set to bring Patrick Kluivert to Manchester United should he become the club's new manager.

According to Dutch paper De Telegraaf, which has close links to Van Gaal's camp, the bookmakers' favourite has already sealed the Old Trafford hotseat. 

Juuvi Soccer understands a meeting took place between Van Gaal's representatives and United chiefs in the last couple of days.

posted from Bloggeroid

FAREWELL TITO

Tito Vilanova, the coach who succeeded Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and won the Spanish league title in his only season in charge, died on Friday after a long battle with throat cancer. He was 45.

Vilanova, who has battled a recurring tumour in a saliva gland, was admitted to a Barcelona hospital last week. He reportedly had emergency surgery on Thursday.

"It is with sadness that Barcelona must announce that Francesc 'Tito' Vilanova has died today at the age of 45," the club said on their website. "The death of our former coach occurred this afternoon when he could not overcome this disease which he had battled since 2011."

Vilanova first became ill in November 2011, while an assistant to Guardiola, and took a leave of absence after undergoing surgery. The soft-spoken Vilanova returned and took over from Guardiola the next season, when he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a record-equalling 100 points.

Vilanova had a second tumour removed in December 2012 and travelled to New York several times during the season to receive further treatment before returning to the sidelines. In April 2013 Vilanova said he felt fine and "had never thought about quitting". He finished the season before suddenly being forced to resign following a relapse in July.


Lionel Messi led the tributes to his former coach, saying on his Facebook page: "A person difficult to forget. I will always remember you. All my love to the family of Tito."

As an assistant, Vilanova helped Guardiola propel Barcelona into their most successful period and transform a team led by Messi into one of the world's best ever. Barcelona won 14 of a possible 19 major trophies from 2008-12 under Guardiola before adding the league title with Vilanova in 2013.

Despite the impressive league display, Vilanova was unable to win another Champions League title last season. Barcelona lost to the eventual champions, Bayern Munich, 7-0 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

As Guardiola's assistant, Vilanova provided the tactical know-how that helped the coach build one of the best teams in the history of the sport, winning two Champions League titles in their impressive haul.

Vilanova will also be remembered for his role in a brawl in the 2010 Spanish Super Cup won by Barcelona, when Real Madrid's then coach,José Mourinho, poked him in the eye.

As a young player, Vilanova was at Barcelona's training academy from 1984-89 but never made it to the first team. Instead, he went on to play for clubs such as Celta Vigo and Mallorca before his career was cut short by a serious knee injury.

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NFF DEFENDS KESHI

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) have slammed a sensational report in a national daily which accused the Federation and Stephen Keshi of lying to the public about the nation's provisional list for this summer's World Cup.


The report which was published on Thursday morning claimed that the press conference which was organized after Tuesday's meeting was staged as Super Eagles coach Stephen Keshi did not submit any list to the Technical Committee of the NFF.

Chairman of the NFF Technical Committee, Barrister Chris Green has however debunked the reports which accused the NFF and Keshi of trying to manage 'a bad case'.

posted from Bloggeroid

STEVIE G IN AN EVERTON KIT?

His blood may run the deepest shade of red, but this was the day young Steven Gerrard got his hands on the Championship trophy and made his Liverpool-loving parents feel oh, so blue.

After winning a competition in 1987, Gerrard’s uncle Leslie took Stevie - then seven - to Goodison Park to have his photo taken with the trophy and the Charity Shield. Leslie even bought his nephew a new Everton kit for the photo shoot.

‘Dad went ballistic,’ said Gerrard. ‘Disowning me must have crossed his mind.’




Now, 27 years on, Gerrard may be only a couple of weeks from getting his hands back on the silverware.

The Liverpool skipper looked relaxed in training ahead of the Sunday's potential title decider against Chelsea.

Manager Brendan Rodgers put his side through their paces, but also had time to share a joke with his captain.

posted from Bloggeroid

FERGUSON ANGRY AT MANNER OF MOYES'S DISMISSAL

Sir Alex Ferguson has spoken of his anguish at the way David Moyes’s sacking was handled by Manchester United.

Speaking to an audience of 300 at a charity lunch in Manchester, Ferguson said he found it ‘upsetting the way it came out’.

Moyes learned of his imminent sacking when the story broke on Monday afternoon — 16 hours before he was officially informed by the club.

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UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE - SEMI-FINAL

Benfica v Juventus

20:05

Sevilla v Valencia CF

20:05

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BENZEMA SETS BERNABEU ON FIRE!!!

Real Madrid may have lacked possession against Bayern Munich but it made little difference as Karim Benzema gave his side a 1-0 lead in their Champions League semi-final.

A flu-ridden Gareth Bale could only make the bench at the Santiago Bernabeu with fellow superstar Cristiano Ronaldo replacing him in the starting 11.

However, neither Madrid darling could, nor would, have made a difference against the already crowned Bundesliga champions early on, as Bayern totally dominated the ball.

But for all their 'tika-taka' style under Pep Guardiola it brought no reward as instead Los Blancos produced a counter-attacking masterclass.

The first real chance came for Bayern when former Real winger, Arjen Robbenfizzed an effort just past the post via a Pepe deflection.

But with the Santiago Bernabeu nervily expecting a goal for the visitors, suddenly they erupted in joy as Ronaldo led a rapid counter-attack, fed compatriot Fabio Coentrao, who then easily picked out Benzema for the easiest of finishes on 19 minutes.

The goal galvanised the hosts and both Ronaldo and Di Maria could have immediately doubled their tally only to waste breakaways.

However, neither was as surprising a miss as what came next from Ronaldo when the Portuguese star somehow blazed over from 12 yards out with no defender in sight.

Bayern finally mustered a worthwhile attempt on goal when Philipp Lahm was picked out by Rafinha, only to find the angle too tight and fire into the side netting.

Immediately Ancelotti’s side hit back with another surge forward, but this time another glaring miss followed, as Di Maria in acres of space chested the ball down but then viciously volleyed high over the bar.

Bayern seemed dazed by their lack of cutting edge and almost gifted Real a second when bumbling defending from Neuer and Dante required the goalkeeper to tip Ronaldo’s effort round the post.

Robben did finally get a glint of the goalkeeper’s eyes when he burst through the middle but the Dutchman snatched at his effort, firing into Casillas’ arms.

At the other end Ronaldo’s frustrations in front of goal continued when quick thinking got the superstar in on goal, however, Jerome Boateng made the angle too tight as Neuer beated away the forward’s strike.

The former Manchester United man's involvement soon ended when he substiuted for Bale, as the Bernabeu roared its latest star on to the field, but the Welshman's invovlement was meagre.

Guardiola's side continued to look toothless in attack, though Mario Gotze almost found a crucial away goal late on, when the German slammed an effort towards goal that Casillas just managed to repel.

At the death Bayern and Thomas Muller screamed for a penalty when Xabi Alonsoappeared to take the German down but it was a 50/50 challenge and would have been harsh on Madrid.


Read more at http://talksport.com/football/real-madrid-1-0-bayern-munich-benzema-puts-los-blancos-semi-final-driving-seat-14042388504#2yOoFlmG48Fvgl27.99

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KPMPANY OPEN SPORTS BARS IN BELGIUM

Vincent Kompany has opened two sports bars back in his home country of Belgium.

The bars, named 'Good Kompany', are located in 'Grote Markt' in Brussels and on the Groenplaats in Antwerp, two hotbeds of tourism in the heart of Belgium's biggest cities.

The Manchester City captain bought the two houses last year, and had always had a 'dream of a sports bar for a long time,' according to Jan Oppens, his consultant on the project.

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MEET CHELSEA'S TEAM DOCTOR

Chelsea first-team doctor Eva Carneiro. Born in Gibraltar to a Spanish father and English mother, Eva studied medicine at Nottingham University before working in emergency surgery in the Highlands. She studied in Australia, did an MSc in London and a thesis at West Ham.

When did she join Chelsea?

After working at the British Olympic Medical Institute, helping athletes at the Beijing Olympics, and with the England Women’s football team. She joined the Blues in 2009 as reserve-team doctor.
Andre Villas-Boas brought her into the first-team fold in 2011.



How did she get into football?

Carneiro fell in love with the game while travelling in Mexico. She watched a match between Mexico and Brazil during the 1998 France World Cup and was hooked.

Growing up she loved sport but struggled with injuries. 

‘It made me think there had to be more than rest to treatment of injuries and this sparked my evolving fascination with sports medicine,’ she said in 2009.

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LEICESTER CITY CLINCH CHAMPIONSHIP

Leicester City have secured the Championship title with two games to spare following their 1-0 win over Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium last night.

posted from Bloggeroid

ATLETI V CHELSEA (0-0)

There will be a lot of guff about the enemies of football bandied about after this, so let’s cut to the chase. If David Moyes could have pulled off a performance or two like this in Europe this season — or even away at Manchester City or Liverpool — he would have been hailed as a tactical genius.

Dull football is only truly dull when it fails. A goalless draw away from home to the best team in La Liga isn’t truly dull.

Would Chelsea win La Liga? No. Then are Atletico Madrid a better team than Chelsea right now? Yes.

So do Chelsea have any realistic hope of coming to the Vicente Calderon stadium and playing Atletico Madrid off the park with attacking, cavalier football? No. 

So do they have to find a way to get them back to Stamford Bridge and win there? Yes. And that is exactly what they did. If Manchester United were in Chelsea’s position in the Champions League right now, Moyes would still be in a job.

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MOYES SACKED

David Moyes has been sacked as Manchester United manager, the club have confirmed.

The Scot has been shown the door just ten months after being appointed as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor.

There had been widespread speculation on Monday that Moyes was facing the axefollowing the defeat at Everton, United's 11th of a miserable Premier Leagueseason.

A statement from United read: "Manchester United has announced that David Moyes has left the club.

"The club would like to place on record its thanks for the hard work, honesty and integrity he brought to the role."

Ryan Giggs will take charge of first-team affairs for the final four games of the campaign.
Louis van Gaal is the frontrunner to succeed Moyes on a long-term basis.
Moyes was handed a six-year contract last summer but he endured a disastrous spell.

Under the Scot, United have lost six league games at Old Trafford, been humbled in the FA Cup by Swansea and were unable to prevent lowly Sunderland knocking them out of the Capital One Cup in the semi-finals.
Having been champions last season, United are currently sitting seventh in the Premier League and will record their lowest points tally.

posted from Bloggeroid

SPECIAL ONE HEADS TO SPAIN

Man on a mission: Jose Mourinho heads to Madrid with a point to prove.
Atleti have proved they are underdogs who can really bite. A financial chihuahua capable of taking on a pit bull. What a clash this one would be...

posted from Bloggeroid

HAPPY EASTER

Guys its Easter!!! Trust you spent time with loved ones and reflected on your lives?
Our future very much depends on the present which is why we need to have a relationship with our creator.

What ever name you call him it doesn't matter. Just believe



Happy Easter guys!!!

posted from Bloggeroid

AGUERO LOOKS GOOD AS A GOLFER

Sergio Aguero looked in relaxed mood as he warmed up for Manchester City's crucial clash against West Brom on Monday night with a round of golf.

The Argentinian striker is expected to return to the City starting line-up as Manuel Pellegrini's side look to rein in Premier League leaders Liverpool.

Liverpool moved five points clear at the top on Sunday with a 3-2 win at Norwich but while City are nine adrift of Brendan Rodgers' side they do have two games in hand.

posted from Bloggeroid

GOOD FRIDAY!!!

As the death of our lord approaches we can only but reminisce what he passed through to ensure we gain true freedom.

We only hope his crucification will be justified....

Happy Easter guys!!!!

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FANS BIDDING FOR KLOPP'S CHEWING GUM

Borussia Dortmund fans have been competing on ebay for the ultimate fan souvenir: a piece of chewing gum chewed by Jurgen Klopp.

The item was put up for auction on German ebay on Thursday by the user Sharkj1909, who claimed it was the exact piece of gum that Dortmund coach Klopp had been chewing during his side's cup semi-final win over Wolfsburg on Tuesday.

'You are bidding for the piece of gum which Jurgen Klopp spat out at full time on Tuesday,' read the description, 'A steward gave it to me after I spoke to him – a must for every fan and lover of BVB.'

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MARTINEZ STILL CONFIDENT OF UCL SPOT

Roberto Martinez has maintained that Everton can still qualify for the Champions League despite dropping points at home to Crystal Palace.

The Toffees, who lost 3-2 at Goodison Park on Wednesday night, are now one point behind fourth-place Arsenal having played the same number of games.

"I don't think Arsenal will get full points between now and the end of the season," Martinez is quoted as saying by The National. "When you are one point away from them with a goal difference in our favour, it still very much relies on what we do. I truly believe it will be in our hands.

"We are in a very good position. If you look at it after the weekend, it is a disappointment, but if you had looked at this at the start of the season, you'd think it is a magnificent position.

posted from Bloggeroid

MAN CITY SCRAMBLE TITLE HOPES

Manuel Pellegrini admitted that his Manchester City players were mentally shattered by Sunday’s defeat at Liverpool after their title hopes were dealt another devastating blow by bottom-of the-table Sunderland on Wednesday night.

The City boss refused to give up the chase as his team slipped to third favourites behind Liverpool and Chelsea following the shock 2-2 home draw - three days after losing at Anfield. Only a late slip by Sunderland goalkeeper Vito Mannone, letting in Samir Nasri’s 88th-minute equaliser, spared them another defeat.

Pellegrini admitted: ‘We couldn’t take the Liverpool game out of our minds. It was very difficult for the players to do that after three days. At this moment it is more mental than physical. Mentally it was very difficult to play this game after Liverpool. We needed more intensity but our minds maybe were not right to do it.

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BALE GIVE MADRID COPA DEL REY TROPHY

Gareth Bale paid back all of his world-record transfer fee with one lung-busting, Spanish Cup-winning wonder goal. 

It was his 20th for Real Madrid, his first against Barcelona. The match had been dubbed the game of his life and he produced the goal of his career to settle it. 

There were shades of ‘Taxi for Maicon’ when he picked the ball up on the halfway line and steamed down the left. Bartra barged him off the field but he still went past the young defender, cut into the area and shot past Jose Pinto.

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100 GOALS FOR LEWY IN YELLOW AND BLACK

Borussia Dortmund 2-0 Wolfsburg: Klopp's side through to Cup final as Lewandowski scores his 100th goal in black and yellow.
Dortmund who last won this cup in 2012 eagerly await the match between champions Bayern Munich and division two side Kaiserslautern today.

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ARSENAL GO FOURTH

Arsenal have moved up to fourth in the Premier League table following a 3-1 win over West Ham United at the Emirates

Tomas Rosicky had a volleyed effort saved in the opening couple of minutes, whilePer Mertesacker was able to block an attempt from Mohamed Diame, as both sides created chances.

Matt Jarvis broke the deadlock in the 40th minute, heading in after Wojciech Szczesny palmed the ball into his path following an Antonio Nocerino shot.



However, the Gunners were back on level terms before the break, as Santi Cazorlapicked out Lukas Podolski, who drilled the ball past Adrian for the equaliser.

Arsenal tried to apply pressure from the start of the second half, and managed to take the lead for the first time 10 minutes in, after Thomas Vermaelen played the ball in for Olivier Giroud to blast the ball in.

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BARCA PLAYERS WILL DIE FOR MARTINO - PUYOL

Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has jumped to the defence of under-fire managerGerardo Martino.

Martino's future at the Nou Camp seems uncertain after the Catalan giants bowed out of the Champions League with a defeat at Atletico Madrid and then lost 1-0 at Granada to leave their La Liga title chances in tatters.

However, Puyol insists that he and the rest of the Barca squad still have full confidence in the 51-year-old.

"It is easier to criticise the manager than 25 players," Puyol told reporters. "But if things go wrong it is everyone's fault.

"I wish him the best. He's a great coach and has another year of his contract. We'd die for him and him for us."

Barca's most realistic chance of winning silverware this season is by beating Real Madrid in Wednesday's Copa del Rey final.

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MAN UNITED FINE NAUGHTY PLAYERS

Manchester United trio Danny Welbeck, Ashley Young and Tom Cleverley have been reportedly fined by boss David Moyes after they were caught on camera enjoying a night out just hours after their Champions League exit last week.

The Red Devils were beaten 3-1 by European champions Bayern Munich on April 9as they crashed out of the quarter-finals 4-2 on aggregate.

The United trio were then captured dancing in a Manchester street in the early hours of Friday morning after returning back from Germany on Thursday.

Moyes has since fined the players and warned them about their future conduct, according to the Daily Mail.

The champions travel to Everton on Sunday.

posted from Bloggeroid

WABARA PART WAYS WITH MAN CITY

Manchester City have released former England Under-20 defender Reece Wabara.

The 22-year-old, whose only senior appearance for City was a three-minute cameo in a 2-0 win over Bolton Wanderers in May 2011, has had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.

Wabara was loaned out four times during his City career, briefly turning out for Ipswich Town and Blackpool, as well as spending significant time at Doncaster Rovers and Oldham Athletic. He is now a free agent.

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ERE DIVISIE WRAP UP

Ajax are on the brink of a fourth consecutive Eredivisie title following a thrilling 3-2 win over ADO Den Haag on Sunday.

Frank De Boer's men edged out a spirited Den Haag side to claim a victory that means they will win the Dutch title with a draw at struggling Heracles in two weeks' time.

Midfielder Christian Poulsen put Ajax ahead after 35 minutes, only for Den Haag to level almost immediately when Stefano Denswil put through his own net.

But Ajax were not to be denied and goals from Davy Klaasen and Thulani Serero made sure of the points, despite an injury-time strike from Den Haag defender Tom Beugelsdijk.

That win keeps Ajax six points clear of Feyenoord with two matches to play.

Feyenoord ensured that the leaders will need a result from their penultimate league fixture by winning 2-0 at PSV in a game that was marred by a serious knee injury to defender Jetro Willems.

PSV's Willems was taken off in the first half and the injury could sideline him from the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Joris Mathijsen and Daryl Janmaat were on target for the Rotterdam club as Ronald Koeman's men won in the league at PSV for the first time since 2004.

Feyenoord restored their four-point lead over the third-placed Twente as a result of their win.

Meanwhile, NEC and RKC Waalwijk appear poised for the relegation play-offs after they were held to 1-1 draws by AZ and Zwolle respectively.

A late equaliser from defender Kevin Conboy earned NEC a point at AZ, who had earlier taken the lead through Nemanja Gudelj's penalty, but they remain five points adrift of definite safety and just three ahead of bottom club Roda JC.

RKC are a further two points ahead in the other relegation play-off spot after Daniel De Ridder's opener was cancelled out by Zwolle's Mateusz Klich.

Elsewhere, Heracles are still not sure of their top-flight status for next season following a 2-1 loss at Utrecht that saw them finish with 10 men after Bart Schenkeveld was sent off.

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LIGUE 1 WRAP UP

Ligue 1 champions-elect Paris Saint-Germain suffered a shock 1-0 loss at Lyon on Sunday, while Saint-Etienne were held 2-2 at Reims.

Laurent Blanc's PSG were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, losing on away goals to Chelsea in the last eight, and they delivered another disappointing display five days later.

The Stade de Gerland was the setting of last season's title triumph for the visitors but their march to this year's championship suffered a brief blip, as Lyon recorded a deserved win.

Remi Garde's side also gained a mental advantage in what was essentially a dress rehearsal for the Coupe de la Ligue final next Saturday.

Lyon midfielder Jordan Ferri netted the game's only goal in stunning fashion after 31 minutes, scoring with a magnificent effort from distance to end PSG's 16-game unbeaten run in the league.

Despite the defeat, Blanc's side remain at the top of Ligue 1 by 10 points and they will retain their crown with a win over Evian a week on Wednesday, providing that Monaco lose to Nice next Sunday.

Meanwhile, Saint-Etienne's draw at Reims saw their UEFA Champions League ambitions receive another blow as they sit seven points behind third-placed Lille.

It could have been a lot worse, however, as Saint-Etienne found themselves 2-0 down in the 50th minute - Gaetan Charbonnier and Franck Signorino with the goals as Reims looked set to go seventh.

But just a few moments after Signorino's goal, the visitors hit back.

Brandao netted his fifth Ligue 1 goal of the season and that inspired Christophe Galtier's men to snatch a late point.

France international full-back Francois Clerc struck in second-half stoppage time, but their place in fourth does not look secure, with Lyon now just two points behind them.

Sunday's early kick-off saw Nantes all but secure their top-flight status for another season as they beat struggling Guingamp 1-0.

Serge Gakpe's fourth-minute goal was enough for Nantes, leaving Guingamp five points above the drop zone.

The result also means Ajaccio avoided relegation for another week, but after just three wins all season and five matches to acquire 15 points, their descent to Ligue 2 looks to be a formality.

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LA LIGA WRAP UP

Atletico Madrid restored their three-point lead at La Liga's summit with a 2-0 win at Getafe, while Sevilla beat city rivals Real Betis.

Atletico reopened the three-point gap ahead of Real Madrid after their rivals beat Almeria 4-0 on Saturday, but an injury to Diego Costa initially overshadowed their away win.

The 25-year-old - who was returning from a hamstring strain – crashed into the post while scoring, appearing to take a heavy blow to his left leg, and he was subsequently carried off on a stretcher in clear discomfort.

Although Atletico later confirmed Costa only suffered a cut, it is still likely to be a concern for coach Diego Simeone at such a crucial time of the season.

The table-toppers clinched a UEFA Champions League semi-final place on Wednesday by defeating Barcelona and they prevented a European hangover when Diego Godin nodded them into a first-half lead.

Costa's goal came after he had already missed a penalty, with Angel Lafita's red card compounding a difficult day for Cosmin Contra's relegation-threatened Getafe.

In Andalusia, Sevilla made the short trip across town to beat bitter rivals Betis 2-0.

Unai Emery's men thumped Porto 4-1 in Europe's second-tier competition on Thursday and although they were full of confidence after booking a place in the semi-finals, they had to rely on luck on Sunday as they won a controversial penalty in the 27th minute.

Juan Carlos received a straight red card for hauling down Carlos Bacca in the penalty area, but replays showed the Spaniard won the ball fairly. Kevin Gameiro then coolly converted the spot-kick for Sevilla.

Betis coach Gabriel Calderon claimed he had "never seen this level of refereeing" after the match and his side were finally put out of their misery eight minutes from time as Gameiro netted his second.

The win leaves Sevilla three points behind the fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao – who play Malaga on Monday – and Betis stay rooted to the bottom, 10 points adrift of safety with five matches to play.

Valencia's slim chances of earning a UEFA Europa League spot for next season remain alive thanks to a 2-1 over Elche, leaving them seven points behind the seventh-placed Real Sociedad.

Coro netted in the 28th minute to cancel out Pablo Piatti's opening goal, but the hosts clinched the win thanks to Dani Parejo just after the hour-mark, despite Antonio Barragan receiving a second yellow card in stoppage time.

Damian Suarez missed a second-half penalty for the losers, who are just four points above the relegation zone.

The day's other match saw Espanyol salvage a point in a 2-2 draw against Rayo Vallecano. Defender Diego Colotto was Espanyol's hero, heading in a corner with just two minutes left.

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SERIE A WRAP UP

The race for a place in the UEFA Europa League continued to heat up as Inter, Milan and Torino all posted Serie A victories on Sunday.

Sampdoria were haunted by ex-player Mauro Icardi, who scored twice in Inter's 4-0 victory at Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris.

In a match that saw coaches Walter Mazzarri and Sinisa Mihajlovic face their former clubs, Icardi also came face-to-face with Maxi Lopez amid a much-publicised spat between the two, centred around the relationship between Icardi and Lopez's ex-wife.

Icardi broke the deadlock in an ill-tempered first half, which saw Lopez miss a penalty, before Sampdoria were reduced to 10 men when Eder - initially booked for simulation - was handed another caution for his part in a melee that included an altercation between him and Inter goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.

Inter took control of the match in the second half, with Walter Samuel making it 2-0 on the hour-mark, and there was still time for Icardi and Rodrigo Palacio to add to their lead as they moved fifth in the table.

While Inter occupy the last guaranteed UEFA Europa League spot, sixth place could also provide a berth in Europe's secondary competition should Coppa Italia finalists Napoli and Fiorentina finish in the top five.

Parma sit sixth currently, but their 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Bologna allowed the chasing pack to gain ground.

They had Raffaele Palladino to thank for even getting a point, with the attacker equalising in the 79th minute.

Milan were one of the sides to move closer to Parma as their 1-0 win against rock-bottom Catania signalled a fourth straight league success for the first time since March 2013.

Riccardo Montolivo's long-range drive in the first half was the difference between the two sides as the visitors - who are now eight points adrift of safety - were unable to provide new coach Maurizio Pellegrino with a point on his second debut in charge of the club.

Catania had Fabian Rinaudo sent off in the closing stages.

Torino climbed to seventh after a last-gasp 2-1 home win over Genoa at Stadio Olimpico.

Alberto Gilardino thought he had given the visitors all three points with an 85th-minute effort, but goals deep into injury time from Ciro Immobile and Alessio Cerci gave Torino an incredible win.

Lazio's European hopes suffered a blow as Gonzalo Higuain's hat-trick for third-placed Napoli saw them record a 4-2 win, while Verona and Fiorentina played out an eight-goal thriller.

Alberto Aquilani scored twice for Fiorentina in their 5-3 triumph, while Juan Cuadrado, Borja Valero and Alessandro Matri also netted for the victors.

Verona ended the game with 10 men after Marco Donadel was sent off with 21 minutes left.

The day's other match saw Alberto Paloschi score a hat-trick as Chievo won 4-2 at Livorno.

posted from Bloggeroid

A NEW WALCOTT IN THE HOUSE!!!

Theo Walcott has announced the birth of baby boy Finley, his first child with his wife Melanie Slade.

The Arsenal man broke the news on his Facebook page on Thursday, saying: 'So over the moon to announce the birth of our baby boy Finley born this morning.... It's amazing to be mummy & daddy! Love him so much x'

posted from Bloggeroid

LIVERPOOL LAUNCH NEW KIT

Liverpool have launches a new kit for next season. Who knows if they will be champions next year?
The standard chartered sponsorship seems to be paying off already as UCL action is guaranteed next season.

posted from Bloggeroid

BARCA PLAYERS DEVASTATED AFTER ATLETI LOSS

Barcelona's players looked down in the dumps as they returned home following their Champions League exit at the hands of Atletico Madrid.

Barca lost 2-1 on aggregate to their Spanish rivals as they failed to reach the last four of Europe's top club competition for the first time in seven years.

posted from Bloggeroid