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Birmingham City on verge of promotion

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Birmingham City 6 - 2 Barnsley Alfie May inspired runaway leaders Birmingham to a huge win against Barnsley at St Andrew's. Author - Peter Grainger Stadium - St Andrew's Mael De Gevigney was given a red in just the third minute after a coming-together with Keshi Anderson. This would prove to be an almost pivotal moment.  Former Fulham player Jay Stansfield fired Blues ahead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute after Keshi Anderson was taken out by Kieren Flavell. Despite having one less player, Davis Keillor-Dunn headed Barnsley level in the 35th minute after a near-post cross was headed back across the box. A quickfire brace from May at the start of the second half had Blues 3-1 up by the 55th minute. Surely, there wasn't going to be more drama.  Barnsley still tried to make a game of it They pulled one back through Stephen Humphrys, whose effort at the near post snuck past Allsop. They couldn't get back into the game could they?  The answer was no, they co...

Can Arsenal shock Real Madrid?

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Arsenal v Real Madrid Preview Los Blancos will make their first-ever competitive appearance at the Emirates Stadium. Author - DJ While the 15-time winners have beaten 111 teams in the competitionā€™s history, Arsenal are not one of them courtesy of their famous last-16 success in the only previous meaningful meetings between the teams back in 2006. While Arteta's looking to reach the final four for just a third time, Madridā€™s love affair with the competition sees them looking to make that a reality for the fifth consecutive season.  Real Madrid head into the first leg knowing that no team has beaten Arsenal in North London in 10 Champions League games since their return to the competition last season. An extension of that run would put them in a superb place before a visit to the Spanish capital eight days later. Who remembers this match from 2006? Source | Arsenal YouTube A closer look at how Real Madrid are doing Not since the 2003-04 season have Real Madrid been knocked out ...

Celtic might have to wait another week to clinch title

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St Johnstone 1 - 0 Celtic St Johnstone pulled off a surprise victory over Celtic, denying the reigning champions the chance to wrap up the Scottish Premiership title in front of their home support next weekend. Author - Sean M Stadium - McDiarmid Park Brendan Rodgersā€™ side knew that a win at McDiarmid Park would have set up the opportunity to clinch a fourth consecutive league crown when they host Kilmarnock on Saturday. But an early thumping header from Daniels Balodis, following a well-delivered free-kick by Graham Carey, gave the hosts a crucial lead. That goal, combined with a resilient defensive display, saw the leagueā€™s bottom side move to within five points of Dundee. Celtic could still secure the title next weekend if they beat Kilmarnock and Rangers drop points away to Aberdeen on Sunday. However, Balodisā€™ first goal for the club has, for now at least, postponed any plans of celebrating on home turf. The early breakthrough seemed to energise the Perth side. While Celti...

United and City play out dull derby draw

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Manchester United 0 - 0 Manchester City Manchester United and Manchester City played out a drab goalless draw at Old Trafford, a result that served as a stark reminder that both clubs are in need of a reset come summer. Author - Olivia T Stadium - Old Trafford City carved out the better of the rare clear-cut chances, with Omar Marmoush twice testing AndrĆ© Onana. The Egyptian forward, however, was unable to find a way past the United goalkeeper on either occasion. United, for their part, fashioned a handful of half-chances but never truly looked like breaking the deadlock. There was early promise when Alejandro Garnacho was brought down on the edge of the City area by RĆŗben Dias, yet the pattern that followed was all too familiar. For all their effort, RĆŗben Amorimā€™s side often appeared short on belief in the final third. Their closest moment came with 13 minutes remaining, when substitute Joshua Zirkzee directed a Patrick Dorgu cross goalwards, only for Ederson to beat the effort a...

Aston Villa boost Champions League hopes

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Aston Villa 2 - 1 Nottingham Forest Aston Villa boosted their hopes of Champions League qualification with a nervy 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest, surviving a spirited second-half comeback in an open and entertaining contest. Author - Kieran M Stadium - Villa Park Villa looked to be cruising after a blistering start at Villa Park. Morgan Rogers opened the scoring with a cool finish following a well-timed run, and just two minutes later Donyell Malen doubled the lead by steering home Ian Maatsenā€™s cross from close range. With less than 15 minutes played, Unai Emeryā€™s side appeared in full control. To their credit, Forest recovered their composure after a disastrous opening and gradually worked their way back into the match. Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi both went close before the break as the visitors began to ask questions of the Villa defence. Forestā€™s improved tempo continued into the second half and they were rewarded when substitute Jota Silva turned smartly inside the ...

Wolves leave Ipswich on the brink

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Ipswich Town 1 - 2 Wolves Wolves moved a step closer to securing their Premier League status with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback win over Ipswich Town at Portman Road, leaving the hosts in serious danger of relegation to the Championship. Author - Marcus  Stadium - Portman Road Second-half goals from JĆørgen Strand Larsen and Pablo Sarabia overturned Liam Delapā€™s early opener, deepening the troubles for Kieran McKennaā€™s side . Ipswich remain third from bottom and now sit 12 points from safety with just seven matches left to play. Victory for Wolves, who have now won three league games in a row, means they are almost certain to avoid the drop with 21 points still available. Ipswich made a promising start and went ahead after 16 minutes. Liam Delap scored his 12th goal of the season , reacting quickly to finish from Dara O'Sheaā€™s knockdown inside the box. The goal gave Ipswich early momentum, but their composure soon faded. Goalkeeper Alex Palmer nearly handed Wolves a gift when he mi...

Arsenal's title hopes take another hit

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Everton 1 - 1 Arsenal Arsenal's already slim hopes of lifting the Premier League trophy took a significant hit as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Goodison Park. Author - Sarah W Stadium - Goodison Park The draw leaves leaders Liverpool needing just 11 points from their final eight fixtures ā€“ beginning with Fulham on Sunday ā€“ to clinch the championship. The opening half-hour was scrappy and disjointed, offering little in the way of rhythm or quality. But it was Arsenal who struck first on 34 minutes, with Leandro Trossard finishing smartly on the counter following a precise ball from Raheem Sterling ā€“ the game's first shot on target. Trossard nearly doubled his tally just before the break, but his close-range effort was clawed away by Jordan Pickford, with Declan Riceā€™s follow-up blocked in the crowded box. READ MORE:  Premier League: 2024/2025 season Everton responded almost immediately after the restart. A clumsy challenge from Myles Lewis-Skelly on Jack Harrison earned th...