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York City promoted after extraordinary drama

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Rochdale 1 - 1 York City  York have sealed a return to the EFL in extraordinary fashion, scoring in the 13th minute of stoppage time to snatch a draw at Rochdale. Author | Alex W Stadium | Spotland The National League’s top two sides had amassed a combined 212 points going into this final-day meeting, with York knowing they simply needed to avoid defeat to secure promotion to League Two. It appeared Emmanuel Dieseruwe had written himself into Rochdale folklore, rising at the back post to head home in the fifth minute of added time.  The cross into the box was amazing and there was absolute mayhem all over the ground. Supporters spilled on to the pitch in celebration, convinced they had witnessed a promotion-winning moment. After a lengthy delay, play eventually resumed and York committed everyone forward. From the ensuing scramble, Josh Stones drove the ball goalwards. A defender produced a desperate block on the line, but the assistant referee signalled that the ball had cros...

Man City move top of the table and relegate Burnley

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Burnley 0 - 1 Manchester City  Manchester City moved to the top of the table while condemning Burnley to an immediate return to the Championship. Author | Macca Stadium | Turf Moor City’s surge has come at a decisive moment. A nine-point deficit to Arsenal has been wiped out in under a fortnight, with Pep Guardiola’s side edging ahead on goals scored to take a slender lead at the summit. It is the first time they have occupied top spot since the opening week of the season, but an 11-match unbeaten run has carried them past the Gunners with five games remaining. Erling Haaland won the game He broke through inside five minutes to latch on to Jeremy Doku’s pass and lift a composed finish over Martin Dubravka. He later struck the post as City pressed for greater reward. Watch | Highlights from Burnley’s YouTube channel Burnley threatened briefly before falling behind, with Rayan Cherki forcing a fine save from Dubravka, who tipped a powerful effort on to the bar. Despite their dominanc...

Some relief for Tottenham Hotspur

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It could be a dramatic end to the season at the bottom of the Premier League From anguish on Saturday evening to a measure of relief by Monday. Spurs fans have been through it all.  Author | Greg S It has been a trying season for Tottenham supporters, but after watching their side concede a late equaliser at home to Brighton, there was at least some consolation in West Ham’s failure to make the most of their opportunity at Crystal Palace. The Hammers’ draw at Selhurst Park leaves things largely unchanged, with Spurs still two points adrift of safety as they continue their battle to avoid a first top-flight relegation since 1977. Spurs need to avoid an unwanted record Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi struck a defiant tone after Saturday’s draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, insisting his side are “able to win five games in a row” before the end of the season. Yet for all De Zerbi’s belief in his players, little in this campaign points to a team capable of such a run. Spurs are w...

Bayern Munich Bundesliga champions again

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Bayern Munich 4 - 2 Stuttgart Bayern Munich came from behind to overcome Stuttgart, sealing a 35th Bundesliga title in typically emphatic fashion. Author | Ed Stadium | Allianz Arena Having lost just once all season, Bayern required only a point after closest challengers Borussia Dortmund were beaten at Hoffenheim on Saturday night. For a while, though, Stuttgart threatened to delay the celebrations. Chris FĂĽhrich gave the visitors the lead after 21 minutes with a fine curling finish that briefly silenced the home crowd. The response was swift and decisive. RaphaĂ«l Guerreiro levelled 10 minutes later, before Nicolas Jackson, starting in place of Harry Kane, turned the game on its head within two minutes.  Alphonso Davies extended the lead before the interval, showing quick thinking to divert the ball past Alexander NĂĽbel after a delivery from Luis DĂ­az. Watch | Highlights from the official Bundesliga YouTube account Kane, introduced at half-time in place of Jamal Musiala, needed on...

Celtic reach another Scottish Cup final

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Celtic 6 - 2 St Mirren Celtic will face Dunfermline Athletic in next month’s Scottish Cup final after a breathless eight-goal encounter with St Mirren Author | Sean M Stadium | Hampden Park With the match poised at 2-2, four goals in six minutes overwhelmed the Paisley side, who had recovered from two down to force the additional period. In extra time, a rapid double from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, first with a header and then a composed finish, alongside a strike from Luke McCowan, broke St Mirren’s resistance. Benjamin Nygren then added further gloss, the Sweden international guiding in his 20th goal of an impressive debut season. The result sets up a meeting between Martin O’Neill and his former midfield lieutenant Neil Lennon, echoing the 2007 final, when Dunfermline were beaten 1-0 in their last appearance in the showpiece. It was a harsh outcome on St Mirren, and particularly their 17-year-old goalkeeper, who had responded admirably after his side conceded in both the opening ...

Real Sociedad win Copa Del Rey

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Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Real Sociedad (Real Sociedad won 4-2 on penalties) Real Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to claim a fourth Copa del Rey title. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla Atletico twice fought back to force the final into extra time and then a shootout, but Unai Marrero saved two spot-kicks to earn Sociedad their first trophy since 2020. Sociedad had stunned Diego Simeone’s side with the fastest goal in a Copa del Rey final, Ander Barrenetxea glancing Goncalo Guedes’ cross into the corner after just 14 seconds. That lead was wiped out when Ademola Lookman slotted home low on 18 minutes, yet Mikel Oyarzabal restored Sociedad’s advantage from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after Juan Musso caught Guedes while attempting to punch clear. Watch | Pre match TIFO from the Sociedad stands Atletico carried the greater threat after the interval and were rewarded when Julian Alvarez struck brilliantly from the edge of the area into the...

Coventry City promoted to Premier League

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Blackburn Rovers 1 - 1 Coventry City  A memorable night in the history of Coventry City Author | Peter Grainger Stadium | Ewood Park Bobby Thomas struck six minutes from time at Ewood Park to earn Coventry City a point at Blackburn and confirm their return to the Premier League after a 25-year absence, sparking scenes of celebration among the travelling support. The defender etched his name into Sky Blues folklore, rising to head home in front of the away end and set off jubilant scenes. His name rang around the ground as Coventry completed a journey that had once taken them as far down as League Two, with Frank Lampard guiding them back to the top flight. Thomas’s late intervention was harsh on Blackburn, who had led through Ryoya Morishita and were good value for it before the Championship leaders responded with the goal that secured the point required for promotion. For Rovers, the draw moved them five points clear of the relegation zone, albeit having played two games more th...