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Chelsea reach FA Cup final

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Chelsea 1 - 0 Leeds United  Enzo Fernández’s first-half header proved decisive in a scrappy FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley Author | Lauren W Stadium | Wembley Stadium Following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, Calum McFarlane has been placed in interim charge until the end of the season and will now lead Chelsea into a final against Manchester City on Saturday 16 May. Leeds, chasing a first FA Cup final appearance since their 1973 defeat by Sunderland, were left to rue missed opportunities that might have shifted the balance of a tight contest. Watch | Key moments of the match from Emirates FA Cup YouTube account Daniel Farke’s side carved out the first clear chance when Brenden Aaronson broke through from Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s touch, only for Robert Sánchez to deny him with an important save low to his legs. That miss quickly proved costly for Leeds Chelsea took the lead after 23 minutes when Fernández met Pedro Neto’s cross with a firm header that gave Lucas P...

Rashford shines as Barca move closer to title

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Getafe 0 - 2 Barcelona Marcus Rashford was on target as Barcelona tightened their grip on a second successive La Liga title with victory over Getafe. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio Coliseum The on-loan Manchester United forward finished a sweeping counterattack in the second half, with Hansi Flick’s side capitalising on Real Madrid’s surprise 1-1 draw with Real Betis on Friday night. Barcelona are now 11 points clear of their rivals with five games remaining as they close in on a 29th title. A closer analysis of what happened Fermin Lopez had given them the lead just before the interval, the masked attacking midfielder played through by an incisive pass from Pedri. Watch | Highlights from Barcelona YouTube channel They were without Lamine Yamal after the teenager’s season was ended by a hamstring injury sustained in the midweek win over Celta Vigo, and Rashford began on the bench before replacing Roony Bardghji on the hour. Getafe, chasing a European place, committed bodies forw...

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 ...