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    Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos LIVE RESULT: Villans have it all to do after El Kaabi’s Europa Conference League hattrick

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    ASTON VILLA face an uphill battle to progress to the final of the Europa Conference League.El Kaabi’s sensational hattrick inspired Olympiacos to a 4-2 win over the Villans.And Unai Emery will be bitterly disappointed as his team have been relentless at Villa Park this season.
    RESULT: Aston Villa 2-4 Olympiacos
    Live stream: discovery+
    TV channel: TNT Sports 1
    Aston Villa XI: Olsen; Cash, Konsa, Lenglet, Digne; Bailey, McGinn, Douglas Luiz, Rogers; Diaby, Watkins
    Olympiacos XI: Tzolakis, Ortega, Chiquinho, Fortounis, Iborra, El Kaabi, David Carmo, Rodinei, Hezze, Restos, Podence
    BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL the action from Villa Park with our live blog below…Olympi-c heroes
    Well nobody saw that coming.
    All credit has to go to Olympiacos manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, who a few Premier League clubs may be after if he can set a team up like that every week.
    Like a Spanish Jurgen Klopp, he ordered his side to take risks and not give the Villa defence a second to play out.
    The former Sevilla boss also gave a ball to a Villa mascot after the match, which was a nice touch.
    For Emery, it was like a horrible throwback to one of his Arsenal team’s performances.
    Villa were completely unable to adapt when they were put under pressure and the game went against them.
    But they did have more than their share of chances, and while it’s an extremely tall order to win by two goals or more in Piraeus, they won’t feel they’re completely out of it.
    Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Copy linkCopied90+4: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Ollie Watkins gets the ball down the left but he seems to have somewhat run out of gas.
    The England star can do nothing more than run the ball out of play when he should have easily kept it in.
    Copy linkCopied90+1: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Aston Villa attack down the left this time.
    But a poor Digne cross goes straight to Tzolakis.
    Copy linkCopied90: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Five minutes added on.
    Copy linkCopied89: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Jhon Duran goes for the spectacular, and spectacular it isn’t.
    The Colombian’s effort at an overhead scissor kick is so wayward that it doesn’t even reach the goal.
    Now it’s defender Panos Retsos’ turn to go down with a banged head.
    Copy linkCopied86: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    John McGinn gets the ball in a promising position and beats his man on the edge of the box.
    However, his penalty goes straight at Tzolakis.
    Copy linkCopiedAston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Douglas Luiz will have few worse evenings in his career.
    David Carmo was lucky to avoid having a penalty given against him for a handball, but then brought down Duran leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
    Luiz, who has had a shocker so far, immediately picks up the ball.
    But Olympiacos then resort to delaying tactics Emi Martinez would be proud of and it gets to the Brazilian, who fires so high and wide that he’d have missed if there were two goals!
    Copy linkCopiedCopy linkCopiedPenalty to Aston Villa!
    Copy linkCopied79: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    It could have been another one for the Greeks.
    But Robin Olsen manages to parry away a powerful shot from the edge of the box.
    Copy linkCopied77: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Aston Villa get a free kick and it finds the head of Ollie Watkins.
    However, Watkins header ends up closer to the corner flag than the goal.
    It’s been that sort of night for Villa so far.
    Copy linkCopied71: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Ollie Watkins is at the centre of things again as he is played through on the right.
    He cuts inside but does everything too ponderously and sees his shot comfortably held by Tzolakis.
    Copy linkCopied69: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Daniel Podence is subbed off for Andre Horta.
    He doesn’t look too happy with the decision.
    With the state of the Villa defence tonight, the ex-Wolves man probably fancied his chances of scoring a goal and rubbing it in the home fans’ faces.
    Copy linkCopiedAston Villa 2 Olympiacos 4
    Good work from Podence down the left who commits Cash then lays the ball off to Santiago Hezze.
    The Argentine fires a deflected strike past the despairing Robin Olsen.
    Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL!!!!!
    It’s a fourth for Olympiacos! What is going on?!
    Copy linkCopied64: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 3
    Morgan Rogers gets the ball on the right-wing and tries a Diaby-style snapshot.
    But it’s a disappointing effort and hits the side-netting.
    Copy linkCopied62: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 3
    Olympiacos starting to slow things down as their winger goes down injured, with the game stopped for him to receive treatment.
    To add insult to injury for the home crowd, it’s ex-Wolves star Daniel Podence.
    Copy linkCopied60: Aston Villa 2 Olympiacos 3
    A well-placed through ball finds Watkins but Tzolakis is quick to react.
    However the Greek goalkeeper slides the ball against Watkins and it goes wide.
    Copy linkCopiedAston Villa 2 Olympiacos 3
    The referee, who hasn’t given Villa a thing all night, points straight to the spot.
    But this time he is spot on as the ball was clearly headed against Douglas’ Luiz’s outstretched arm.
    El Kaabi slots home and the Greek journalists go wild.
    A bit too wild for the Villa fans behind who are now pelting the media section with scrunched up paper aeroplanes.
    Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!!!
    It’s a hat-trick for Ayoub El Kaabi!
    Copy linkCopiedPenalty to Olympiacos!
    Copy linkCopiedAston Villa 2 Olympiacos 2
    It’s a bit of a howler from goalkeeper Tzolakis.
    The 21-year-old bets everything on Diaby switching onto his stronger left foot.
    However, Diaby instead beats him at his near post to poke the ball in with his right.
    Copy linkCopiedGOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLL!!!!
    It’s Moussa Diaby!
    Copy linkCopied46: Aston Villa 1 Olympiacos 2
    Olympiacos substitution.
    Francisco Ortega is replaced by Nottingham Forest loanee Omar Richards.
    Copy linkCopied More

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      in Soccer

      Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham LIVE RESULT: Chalobah and Jackson dent Spurs’ top four chase as Blues win thrilling derby

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      CHELSEA have put a huge dent in Tottenham’s top four race after beating them 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.Trevoh Chalobah climbed above Richarlison to nod in the Blues’ first.And Nicolas Jackson wrapped up the game with another sublime headed goal in the second half.
      RESULT: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
      Chelsea XI: etrovic, Gilchrist, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Gallagher, Palmer, Madueke, Mudryk, Jackson
      Tottenham XI: Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Royal; Bissouma, Sarr; Johnson, Kulusevski, Son; Richarlison
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL the action from Stamford Bridge with our live blog below…That’s all from Chelsea
      Tottenham’s top-four hopes were dealt a massive blow after a heartbreaking 2-0 loss to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues, on the other hand, saw a major boost to their European hopes as they target seventh place and Europa Conference League qualification.
      Trevoh Chalobah and Nicolas Jackson scored the West Londoners’ goals following a stunning improvement in recent performances under Mauricio Pochettino.
      That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great evening!
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedPochettino on star players
      Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino explained his philosophy when picking his strongest team.
      Today was an easy selection for us [because of injuries] but we showed it’s not about ‘name’ football it’s about being competitive, to behave like a team.
      Even if you have big players, big names, if they don’t play like today, trying to help the team in a defensive situation or when we have the ball to believe in every single offensive action we can score, then it’s impossible because the Premier League is so competitive.Mauricio Pochettino
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopied’Pochettino has to stay’
      Jamie Redknapp insists Chelsea need to hold onto manager Mauricio Pochettino after the last few weeks’ drastic improvement.
      I look at it and think when you’re trying to build a young team – in the summer they’re going to need to bring in some experienced heads to help them because they’re going to lose Thiago Silva – you need continuity on the bench.
      The last thing they need to be doing right now is changing the manager. For a number of reasons.
      One, there aren’t many candidates out there. I’ve always been a big fan of him, especially with young players. I like what I saw there [in his interview]. I saw anger in him.
      There have been times this year when he’s been a little bit passive, trying to be everyone’s friend. He wasn’t like that as a player and he wasn’t like that in his Tottenham days. I think they’d be crazy to get rid of himJamie RedknappSky Sports
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedAnge Postecoglou addresses defeat
      Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou made no excuses after a poor performance against Chelsea.
      We lacked a real sort of conviction and positive mindset in our football. We didn’t really have any fluency, any sort of aggression with and without the ball.
      It’s a bit unlike us because if nothing else we’ve always been competitive, especially in the first half it was missing today.
      It wasn’t a great night and it’s fair to say we didn’t play anywhere near the sort of football and didn’t have the mindset that I expect us to have.
      That’s on me and I’ve got to take responsibility for that ultimately as I’m the one who is putting them out there and preparing them for it.
      We were so far off it and I’ve got to look at myself and see how I’m preparing my team for it.Ange Postecoglou
      Credit: Reuters
      Copy linkCopiedPostecoglou on Maddison
      Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou explained he left James Maddison out of his starting line-up because he felt he needed “some legs” against Chelsea’s pace.
      I thought we needed to freshen up the team.
      I thought we needed some legs today as they’ve obviously got a real mobile and quick front three and four and I just felt we needed some legs in the midfield.
      With Biss [Yves Bissouma] and Pape [Matar Sarr] coming in, and Deki [Dejan Kulusevski], I thought it would help us. Fair to say it didn’t work though.Ange Postecoglou
      Credit: Rex
      Copy linkCopiedPochettino on his future
      Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino insists he doesn’t know if he will continue in the hotseat next season after a turbulent campaign.
      But Pochettino insists he is very proud of his young team and the way they reacted to such a difficult start to the campaign.
      It’s difficult to see every single week that I’m under scrutiny and judgement. But it’s not my decision to be here or not to be here.
      What can I say? If we want the history of Chelsea, it’s a lot of work to do. We will see if we have time to be in this way.
      My feeling that I’m so, so proud that all these guys, all the squad we have, 25-27 players. We want the best for them and until the last day we’re going to try to help them.Mauricio PochettinoSky Sports
      Credit: Rex
      Copy linkCopiedTrevoh Chalobah shines
      Chelsea ace Trevoh Chalobah stood out against Tottenham at Stamford Bridbge.
      Chalobah was rock solid in defence next to centre-back partner Benoit Badiashile.
      The 24-year-old also impressed as he moved forward to midfield.
      And the England Under-21’s stunning performance was rewarded with a goal.

      Copy linkCopiedUpdated Premier League table
      Tottenham’s top-four hopes have been dealt a massive blow after their 2-0 loss to Chelsea.
      Spurs are still fifth and seven points away from fourth-placed Aston Villa.
      The North Londoners still have a game in hand but will also have to face title challengers Liverpool and Manchester City after already losing to Arsenal and the Blues.
      The West Londoners, on the other hand, are eighth with only two points separating them from seventh place and Europa Conference League qualification.
      More below:

      Copy linkCopiedChelsea vs Tottenham stats
      Tottenham dominated 62 per cent of possession but couldn’t produce anything significant.
      Spurs registered 19 shots but only three of them were on target.
      Chelsea, on the other hand, produced 16 shots but only five them were on target.
      More below:

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Chelsea dealt a massive blow to Tottenham’s top-four hopes at Stamford Bridge.
      The Blues opened the scoring on 24 minutes when Conor Gallagher’s pinpoint cross from a free-kick down the right found Trevoh Chalobah on the far post who beat Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario with a stunning header.
      The visitors struggled to produce anything significant throughout the match and paid for it in the 72nd minute.
      That was when Blues’ star man Cole Palmer delivered a thunderous free-kick that rattled Vicario’s crossbar before Nicolas Jackson picked up the rebound and scored a header of his own.
      Credit: Rex
      Copy linkCopiedFT: Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Peep!
      That’s full-time at Chelsea!!!
      Copy linkCopied90+4 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Substitution
      Chelsea boss Pochettino brings on another youngster for his debut as Tauriainen replaces Jackson.
      Copy linkCopied90+3 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Chance
      Another wide effort from Tottenham, this time it’s Maddison shot that unlike Bentancur it’s way too powerful.
      The ball goes way over the crossbar and all the way to the nosebleed seats.
      Copy linkCopied90+2 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Chance
      Another shot by Spurs ace Bentancur but just like his first shot it lacks power.
      If anything, this one was even weaker…
      Tottenham fans are leaving the ground.
      Copy linkCopied90 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Six minutes of added time to go.
      Maddison tries a curling shot that just misses the target but gets a corner-kick after a slight deflection.
      Nothing comes off the set-piece.
      Copy linkCopied89 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Chance
      Tottenham sub Bentancut tries a long-range shot but it lacks power and goes straight to Petrovic who picks it up with ease.
      Copy linkCopied86 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Substitution
      Tottenham boss Postecoglou makes another change as Lo Celso comes on for Emerson.
      Copy linkCopied85 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Substitution
      Uh-oh, Gilchrist can’t continue and is replaced by 17-year-old fellow academy graduate Acheampong who is making his senior debut.
      Copy linkCopied85 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Chelsea youngster Gilchrist is down and receiving attention from the physios.
      That is the last thing Pochettino wishes to see amid his growing injury crisis.
      Copy linkCopied83 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Tottenham boss Postecoglou looks very frustrated down the touchline.
      It’s an absolute party at the other end with the home crowd loving every minute of this.
      Copy linkCopied80 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Just 10 more minutes to go and Tottenham are practically out of ideas.
      Spurs have been unable to do something significant throughout the game, a really good performance by Chelsea’s defence and midfield.
      Copy linkCopied78 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Substitution
      Tottenham boss Postecoglou brings on Gil who replaces Johnson.
      Copy linkCopied77 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Ouch!
      Tottenham ace Romero is down after coming together with Casadei for a header.
      The two aces clash heads and the Spurs defender gets it worse.
      Copy linkCopied75 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Substitution
      Chelsea boss Pochettino makes his first change as highly-rated youngster Casadei comes on for Mudryk.
      Copy linkCopied72 Chelsea 2-0 Tottenham
      Absolutely stunning by Chelsea!
      Palmer takes ona free-kick and delivers a fabulous shot that rattles Vicario’s crossbar.
      Jackson follows it up and gets the header to score in front of open goal!
      Credit: Reuters
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    • 213 Shares14 Views

      in Soccer

      Marseille vs Atalanta LIVE SCORE: Europa League updates as Aubameyang and Co host Italians in semi-final tie

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      MARSEILLE host Atalanta in the first leg of what is expected to be a thrilling Europa League semi-final tie.The French giants beat Benfica on penalties to secure their spot in the last-4.While Atalanta pulled off a shock win over English superstars Liverpool in their quarter-final encounter.
      Kick-off time: 8pm BST
      Live stream: discovery+
      TV channel: TNT Sports 3
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL the action from Stade Velodrome with our live blog below… More

    • 225 Shares14 Views

      in Soccer

      Roma vs Bayer Leverkusen LIVE SCORE: Italian giants host unbeaten German champions in Europa League semi – updates

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      ROMA host Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their mouthwatering Europa League semi-final tie.The Italians beat their league rivals AC Milan 3-1 on aggregate to reach this stage.While the German champions dumped Premier League outfit West Ham out of the competition to book their spot in the last-4.
      Kick-off time: 8pm BST
      Live stream: discovery+
      TV channel: TNT Sports 2
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS More

    • 238 Shares26 Views

      in Soccer

      Borussia Dortmund 1-0 PSG LIVE RESULT: Fullkrug fires hosts to crucial first leg win in huge Champions League semi-final

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      IT’S advantage Borussia Dortmund in this huge Champions League semi-final tie against PSG as the German are 1-0 up.Jadon Sancho and Co came flying out of the blocks, controlling a large percentage of possession.And it paid off when Niclas Fullkrug beat PSG’s offside trap before firing past Donnarumma.
      RESULT: Dortmund 1-0 PSG
      Live stream: discovery+
      TV channel: TNT Sport 1
      Dortmund XI: Kobel, Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen, Can, Brandt, Sabitzer, Sancho, Adeyemi, Füllkrug
      PSG XI: Donnarumma, Hakimi, Marquinhos, L. Hernandez, Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz, Zaire-Emery, Barcola, Dembele, Mbappe
      GET £50 IN FREE BETS AND BONUSES TO SPEND ON FOOTBALL AND HORSE RACING WITH BETFREDFollow ALL the action from Signal Iduna Park with our live blog’Good opportunity’
      Dortmund boss Edin Terzić praised his side for coming through the test and says he’s going to Paris next week to WIN that game too.
      He told DAZN: “It was a well-deserved win, a good team performance.
      “We could have scored more goals, but so could they. That’s why the result is OK from my point of view.
      “We ran a lot, but that’s necessary in a game like this. You have to earn your way to Wembley. All we need now is a draw in the second leg, but we also want to win next week.
      “We have a small lead and a good opportunity.”
      Copy linkCopiedMarquinhos reacts
      PSG skipper Marquinhos says there is no panic in the dressing room at the moment, as they’ve shown they can come back from deficits in this competition.
      He said: “It was a test of two teams who like to go forward, have the ball, and press.
      “It was a physical test. We had a lot of chances, especially in the second half, and ones that you can’t miss if you want to qualify for the final of the Champions League.
      “At home, we’re going to have to make sure we take them. It’s always difficult playing here. We knew how much of a contest it was going to be.
      “One-nil, we’ve overcome it before, especially at home with our supporters. We know we can do a lot better than we’ve done today. We just have to take our chances when they come, and be more decisive, both offensively and defensively.”
      Copy linkCopiedIn the balance
      PSG created plenty of chances and they’ll know that more will be created at home.
      And that’s why the bookmakers still make them FAVOURITES to progress.
      Winner of the tie

      PSG – 3/4
      Dortmund – Evs

      Copy linkCopiedMatch report
      Confident Parisians have already been block-booking Eurostar trains for the Champions League final in London on June 1.
      Yet PSG’s fans will need their team to deliver a much better performance in the second leg as they lost to a terrific strike from journeyman striker Nicklas Fullkrug.
      Instead, it could be Jadon Sancho going to Wembley – and he was outstanding here – as a repeat of the 2013 final at the national stadium between Dortmund and Bayern Munich remains a possibility.
      Although they rode their luck in the second half, Edin Terzic’s side delivered a precious clean sheet although Kylian Mbappe is likely to be on a mission at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.
      With Dortmund’s famous yellow wall in full voice, it was difficult to hear the whistle of Premier League referee Anthony Taylor who actually did a decent job and cracked down on PSG’s diving.
      As for the other Englishman on the pitch, Sancho looked a different player to the one who seemed as though he had fallen out of love with football at Manchester United.

      Copy linkCopiedSancho impact
      Jadon Sancho ended the game with 12 completed dribbles in the 90 minutes.
      That’s being reported as the most by a player in a Champions League semi-final since Lionel Messi back in the competition in 2008. He’s gone on to do OK.
      Copy linkCopiedThe winner
      A look at the goal that made all the difference tonight.
      Will it make all the difference in the tie?

      Copy linkCopiedMats how it’s done
      Mats Hummels was given the man of the match tonight.
      UEFA’s Technical Observer Panel said – who pick the award – said: “He was magnificent, both with and without the ball.
      “He’s shown his quality, experience and, in particular, his leadership.”
      Copy linkCopiedRespect
      The Dortmund players all take a seat on the edge of the box at the Yellow Wall end.
      They ‘re there to say thank you to the supporters for that incredible backing.
      The supporters responding to that great home performance.

      Copy linkCopiedFull time by numbers
      The stats at the end of a crucial 90 minutes in Dortmund.
      PSG with 14 shots in the game but just three on target.
      That won’t include the two that hit the post too!

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Dortmund 1-0 PSG
      Well Dortmund get the lead they probably needed to take into next week.
      Niclas Füllkrug the hero on the night with that great first half finish and they defended well in the second half.
      Saying that, how did PSG not score with the numerous chances after they break they had!?
      They’ll need to be more clinical next week….
      Copy linkCopiedFULL TIME!
      A huge cheer from the home support and they’ll head to Paris with a lead!
      Dortmund 1-0 PSG

      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      90+2. A cross into Mbappe is poorly brought down by the Frenchman and Kobel rushes off his line to pick up.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      FOUR MINUTES ADDED.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      90. Zaire-Emery heads over after a clipped cross to the back post.
      He was under pressure but you’d think he might’ve done a bit better with that chance.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      88. Sancho wins Dortmund another corner but PSG defend it comfortably.
      Another Dortmund change:

      OFF: Fullkrug
      ON: Moukoko

      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      88. Dortmund double change:

      OFF: Ryerson & Brandt
      ON: Wolf & Nmecha

      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      86. Fabian Ruiz might be great with the ball at his feet.
      But with his head? Absolutely mince.
      He’s picked out with a great clipped ball into the box which just misses Hummels and finds Fabian Ruiz coming in, 10 yards out and he heads it miles off target.
      How PSG haven’t scored in this second half is anyone’s guess.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      84. CHANCE! Dortmund should be two ahead!
      Sancho again – he’s been terrific – with a little through ball into the box for the on running Julian Brandt.
      He takes out three players with that pass and Brandt takes a touch to steady himself before shooting low and hard at goal Marquinhos slides in to block it expertly!
      Sancho collects again and crosses into the box and Reus heads over under pressure from eight yards out!
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      83. Dortmund change:

      OFF: Adeyemi
      ON: Reus

      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      82. There’s a carbon copy move straight after!
      PSG again down the right and the cut back finds Vitinha this time but his reversed shot bounces just wide of the left hand post.

      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      80. WHAT. A. CHANCE. PSG must be level!!
      Adeyemi is sleeping in his defensive work and Hakimi is picked out with a run forward into the box.
      Mbappe’s run takes two out the game and the defender picks out Dembele 14 yards out, centre of goal and his first time finish is sent over the bar. Massive chance.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      78. They work it short, PSG. But it comes to nothing when the eventual cross in towards Dembele is overhit.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      77. Great play from Dembele and Vitinha to work the ball across the Dortmund box.
      Mbappe’s ball out to Nuno Mendes is terrific and his cross is blocked behind for a corner.

      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      75. Nuno Mendes needs treatment after taking a sore one.
      After a couple of minutes he rises to his feet and is immediately faced by Jadon Sancho who is almost taking the mick at this point.
      He skips by him twice in the one move but Sancho’s shot takes a deflection and is saved by Donnarumma.
      Copy linkCopiedDortmund 1-0 PSG
      71. Big chance for PSG – big save from Kobel!
      Mbappe with a cheeky chipped through ball 22 yards from goal gets Nuno Mendes onto it and his first time shot is saved by Kobel.
      It spins up across his six-yard box and Dembele is steaming in to head home but Maatsen does superbly to beat him to it and head it clear.
      Copy linkCopied More

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      in Soccer

      Bayern Munich 2-2 Real Madrid LIVE RESULT: Vinicius’ double sees semi first leg end level after Sane and Kane’s goals

      by

      BAYERN MUNICH were held to a 2-2 draw by Real Madrid in what was a thrilling Champions League semi-final first leg at the Allianz.Thomas Tuchel’s side initially found themselves trailing following Vinicius Jr’s first half strike.But a quickfire double from Leroy Sane and Harry Kane has seen the Bavarians flip this tie on its head.However, Kim Min-Jae’s foul on Rodrygo led to Vinicius Jr getting his second from the penalty spot.
      RESULT: Bayern 2-2 Real Madrid
      Live stream: discovery+
      TV channel: TNT Sports 1
      Bayern XI: Neuer; Kimmich, Dier, Min-Jae, Mazraoui; Laimer, Goretzka; Sane, Musiala, Muller; Kane
      Real Madrid XI: Lunin; Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Mendy; Valverde, Kroos, Tchouameni; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinicius Jr
      GET £50 IN FREE BETS AND BONUSES TO SPEND ON FOOTBALL AND HORSE RACING WITH BETFREDFollow ALL the action from the Allianz with our live blog below…That’s all from the Allianz
      Two European giants, two penalties, a two-two draw – and a tie too tight to call.
      One leg down, and this Champions League semi-final between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid is the definition of finely poised.
      The Spanish club will fancy their chances back on the home soil of the Bernabeu, but Thomas Tuchel’s team proved tonight that they will push their opponents all the way.
      The return takes place next Wednesday, and we’ll be in Spain for every dramatic moment. Be sure to join us once again.
      Until then, thanks for reading and goodnight.
      Copy linkCopiedExtra! Read all about it!
      Before we head off to catch our breath, let’s relive some of that semi-final drama with Charlie Wyett’s match report of Bayern Munich’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid.
      When he was unveiled as a Bayern player here at the Allianz Stadium back in August, Kane said the plan was to return to London on June 1 and win the Champions League. Despite his team’s spectacular title collapse in the Bundesliga, Kane still has a chance of winning the first trophy of his career. Yet he needs to deliver another fine performance in Madrid next Wednesday and hope – and this is the problem – that his defence does not let him down.Charlie WyettThe Sun

      Copy linkCopiedKane: We must take chances
      Harry Kane admitted his Bayern Munich teammates were disappointed not to emerge with a first leg lead, but insisted that they will travel to Real Madrid next week full of confidence.
      The former Tottenham believes if his side can produce a similar display, then they will make chances at the Bernabeu that they must take to make the Champions League final.
      We’re a little disappointed. Once we got 2-1 ahead we had two or three good chances – but this is the Champions League semi-final and we expected a tough game. Real are one of the best teams in Europe, who can punish you with one or two actions. It’s all to play for next week. We know we will have chances, we just have to take them.Harry KaneTNT Sports

      Copy linkCopiedHot-shot Harry at it again
      With his penalty this evening, Harry Kane took his Bayern Munich tally to 43 goals in 43 games.
      It’s a record that makes the striker the joint-top scorer across Europe’s big five leagues this season along with Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe.
      Meanwhile, the Bayern star has the most Champions League goal involvements of any Englishman in a single campaign (11), beating the previous records of David Beckham and Steven Gerrard.
      Copy linkCopiedMatch stats from the Allianz Arena
      Real Madrid have now drawn four consecutive games for the first time in their Champions League history – but remain unbeaten in 11 matches in the competition this season (W7 D4).

      Copy linkCopiedFull time – Bayern 2-2 Real Madrid
      It’s full time in Germany – and half-time in this Champions League semi-final.
      These two giants of the European game served up a continental cracker with a first leg that swung one way and then other.
      Vinicius Jr had Real in the lead at the break against the of play, but the home side hit back thanks to Messrs Sane and Kane, Leroy and Harry.
      But Real Madrid weren’t done – and when referee Clement Turpin awarded them a late penalty, Vinicius Jr levelled things up.
      There’s nothing between them, and they go again next week.

      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-2 Real Madrid
      90. Three minutes of stoppage time are signalled, which seems about right for a game that has been free of any VAR nonsense.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-2 Real Madrid
      89. Joselu crashes into Kim Min-Jae as both players prepare for a cross dropping inside the box, and Manuel Neuer is absolutely furious.
      The Bayern goalkeeper races from his line to confront the referee, convinced that the Real substitute has cleaned out the defender.
      Clement Turpin urges him to calm down, and replays show that clash was accidental.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-2 Real Madrid – Bayern substitution
      87. It’s the end of the night for Leroy Sane.
      But Lucas Vazquez shouldn’t be too excited by the departure of his opponent because coming on to face him is the sheer pace of Alphonso Davies.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-2 Real Madrid – Real Madrid substitution
      85. Another attacking switch for European giants Real Madrid as they withdraw Rodrygo…
      …and bring on former Newcastle and Stoke plodder Joselu!
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-2 Real Madrid
      83. Vinicius Jr scores his second of the night!
      As emphatic as Harry Kane’s earlier penalty, the Brazilian sells Manuel Neuer one way and then comfortably plays it down the middle.
      “All of a sudden, this is the semi-final we thought we could have,” purrs TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher.
      Seven minutes remain in the first leg, and either side could win it!

      Copy linkCopiedAll square at the Allianz!

      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid – Penalty to Real Madrid!
      82. Now Real Madrid have a penalty kick of their own!
      Kim Min-Jae is once again the Bayern defender under scrutiny.
      Caught the wrong side of Rodrygo, the South Korean wraps his arms around the waist of the forward, inviting him to buy the foul.
      The Real man needed no second invitation, hit the deck, and once again Clement Turpin pointed confidently to the spot.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      79. Just over ten minutes remain in this first leg, 101 in the tie.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      77. Real Madrid’s best chance of the second half!
      Once again it was Vinicius Jr, and once again he was in on goal and tearing away from Kim Min-Jae.
      This time the angle was against the Brazilian, who shot was beaten out by Manuel Neuer.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid – Real Madrid double substitution
      75. Now Real Madrid can make their changes, and immediately Modric is on and in the action – and by that, I mean he is penalised for fouling Sane.
      Also on is Brahim Diaz with Toni Kroos and – perhaps surprisingly – Judge Bellingham making way.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      73. Real Madrid have been waiting for what seems like an age to make a double substitution.
      Luke Modric and Braham Diaz have been stood waiting patiently on the touchline, but if this goes on any longer it might end up a bit John Aldridge at USA ’94.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      71. Bayern threaten at another corner, this time with a close range header that rebounds into the arms of a grateful Lunin.
      How crucial would a third Bayern goal ultimately prove in this tie? You get the impression it would be massive.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      69. Lucas Vazquez is being terrorised on the far side by Jamal Musiala, who beats him once again before winning another corner.
      The suspended Dani Carvajal is proving to be a real miss at right-back for Real.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      67. Bayern go so close to a third goal – twice!
      First, Kane’s turn and shot from Mazraoui’s cross is deflected – unwittingly – wide by the calf of Rudiger.
      Then from Kimmich’s resulting corner, Dier meets the delivery powerfully and crashes a header straight at Lunin.
      Either side of the goalkeeper, and it would be 3-1.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid – Real Madrid substitution
      65. A first change for the visitors sees Eduardo Camavinga on for Nacho.
      The oncoming midfielder will slot into the centre of defence, which had been mooted in Madrid as a possibility this week.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid – Kroos yellow card
      63. Seconds after Vinicius Jr had failed to pick out an unmarked Jude Bellingham 15 yards from goal, Toni Kroos goes into the book for a frustrated challenge on Harry Kane.
      All of a sudden, Real Madrid feathers are ruffled.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      61. Harry Kane is on his backside, and Bayern are asking Clement Turpin for another penalty!
      This time the referee isn’t budging, quickly turning away from the inside, and acknowledging what was simply strong defending from Antonio Rudiger.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      59. You’d imagine most managers would be tearing their hair out, having witnessed their side throw a lead away so quickly, but Carlo Ancelotti remains cool and calm and he prowls the technical area.
      He knows there is still a huge amount of football to be played in this semi-final.
      Copy linkCopiedBayern 2-1 Real Madrid
      57. Never in doubt!
      Just as he did at the Emirates in the first leg of the quarter-finals, Harry Kane steps up, stutters, and sends the opposition goalkeeper the wrong way as he sweeps home from 12 yards.
      From 1-0 down and struggling for ideas, Bayern lead the tie 2-1 – and England’s Harry Kane is eyeing Champions League glory!

      Copy linkCopied More

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      in Soccer

      Bournemouth 3 Brighton 0: Andoni Iraola breaks Premier League record as Cherries breeze to easy win

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      Howe about that then?Spaniard Andoni Iraola is a Premier League record breaker at Bournemouth in his very first season in charge.Bournemouth’s Enes Unal celebrates with Adam SmithCredit: ReutersHis Cherries eclipsed the 46 points Eddie Howe’s team achieved seven years ago by sinking south coast rivals Brighton.Bournemouth were dominant throughout this combative fixtures and romped home with goals from Marcos Senesi, Enes Unal and Justin Kluivert.When the Seagulls put away their winless south coast rivals 3-1 in September they went third in the table-but now they are four points adrift of them.Brighton made seven changes from the team that was spanked 4-0 at home by Manchester City on Thursday.And one of them presented striker Mark O’Mahony his first league start but unfortunately the teenager played a part in Bournemouth’s opening goal.Just 13 minutes was on the clock when Senesi nodded home Lewis Cook’s corner after it had bounced off O’Mahony’s shoulder.Facundo Buonanotte came close to equalising on 28 minutes when he skipped past Senesi forcing Mark Travers to block his close-range shot.But Turkish forward Unal should have doubled Bournemouth’s lead from Alex Scott’s pull-back but pulled his shot wide from 12 yards.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe hosts yet again left their shooting boots behind straight after the break when Justin Kluivert raced clear and drove into the side-netting.But it wasn’t long before Unal proved his worth in the air with a towering header to make it 2-0.Kluivert fed Dango Ouattara who ended up leaping over the advertising boards into the crowd after putting over a sumptuous cross.And there was Unal at the back post waiting to thunder his 52nd minute header into the far corner for his second goal of the campaign.Albion’s Simon Adingra’s thought he had pulled a goal back almost immediately but his curler was tipped away by Cherries goalkeeper Mark Travers.Substitute Julio Encisco went close with two efforts on the Bournemouth goal but it was the hosts who scored again to take their unbeaten home run to six games.Sub Ryan Christie put Kluivert clear and Albion defender Lewis Dunk gave the Dutchman far too much room to thump home his ninth goal of the season.Bournemouth’s deserved victory ended three defeats in a row against Brighton who are now winless in six matches.But their impressive performance was marred when their Ghana international winger Antoine Semenyo was stretchered off in stoppage time with a leg injury.Marcos Senesi opened the scoringCredit: ReutersUnal put some breathing space between the two sidesCredit: ReutersJustin Kluivert wrapped up the gameCredit: AFP More

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      Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal LIVE RESULT: Gunners hold off late fight back to BEAT Spurs in frantic North London derby – latest

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      ARSENAL beat Tottenham 3-2 to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League in a frantic north London derby. Pierre Emile Hojbjerg’s own goal put the Gunners ahead before Saka put the visitors two up. Kai Havertz then rose above all to make it three.Christian Romero and Heung-min Son then pulled goals back for the home side.
      Kick-off time: 2pm BST
      Live stream: NOW TV
      TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event/Premier League
      Tottenham XI:  Vicario; Porro, Romero, Van de Ven, Davies; Hojbjerg, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Son
      Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Partey, Rice, Odegaard; Saka, Havertz, Trossard
      BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSFollow ALL the action from the north London derby below…That’s all from Tottenham
      Arsenl picked up a huge win over Tottenham in the North London Derby to move four points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
      The Gunners dominated a controversial first half that saw Spurs being denied Micky van de Ven’s equaliser as well as two penalty appeals by James Maddison and Timo Werner.
      However, Mikel Arteta’s men still managed to lead 3-0 by half-time thanks to an own goal by Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and goals by Bukayo Saka as well as Kai Havertz.
      Spurs tied to stage a dramatic comeback with Cristian Romero’s strike and Son Heung-min’s penalty kick but Arteta’s men held firm.
      That’s all from us here at SunSport, have a great evening!
      Credit: Alamy
      Copy linkCopiedBukayo Saka speaks
      Arsenal star Bukayo Saka suggested Mikel Arteta’s men will have to be “perfect” in their final run of fixtures in order to win their first Premier League title in 20 years.
      The last 20 minutes wasn’t nice, but we’ll take it to get the win. I’m proud of all the boys, we fought to the end.
      We just needed to be calm, showed level heads … we know what it means to the fans, and to us. It means everything. Three games to go.
      Do we need to be perfect? Yeah! We’ve learned our lessons, we’re ready for these last three games.Bukayo Saka
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedAnge Postecoglou reacts
      Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou admitted today’s performance was “very disappointing”.
      It’s disappointing – we allowed them way too easy access to our goal.
      It’s not acceptable at this level and we paid the price.
      We fought back – we had to, there’s no other choice – but it’s still very disappointing.Ange Postecoglou
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedKai Havertz stands out
      Arsenal star Kai Havertz’s stunning run continued against Tottenham.
      Havertz notched a goal and a brilliant assist that set up Bukayo Saka’s beautiful finish.
      That takes the playmaker’s grand total to 11 goals and five assists in 33 Premier League matches.
      And as the heat map shows, the Germany international also shone bright at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

      Copy linkCopiedUpdated Premier League table
      Arsenal’s 3-2 victory at Tottenham has seen them remain at the top of the Premier League table.
      And the Gunners are now four points ahead of Manchester City, who have two games in hand.
      Spurs, on the other hand, are fifth with two games in hand and seven points separating them from fourth-placed Aston Villa.
      More below:

      Copy linkCopiedTottenham vs Arsenal stats
      Tottenham dominated 63 per cent of possession against Arsenal after a strong comeback int he second half.
      Spurs registered a total of 14 shots but only two of them were on target.
      Arsenal, on the other hand, completed nine shots but only a third were on target.
      More below:

      Copy linkCopiedFT: Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      What a match…
      Tottenham faced a thrashing after going 3-0 down by half-time and then convinced everyone they could do the unthinkable by picking up a dramatic draw against rivals Arsenal.
      But at the end, the Gunners held on and picked up probably their biggest victory that could lead them to their first Premier League title in 20 years.
      The entertaining derby started with Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg failing to clear the ball and instead heading a corner-kick by Bukayo Saka to the back of his own net after just 15 minutes.
      Spurs thought they equalised with Micky van de Ven but the centre-back was caught just inches offside by VAR even though Gabriel Magalhaes appeared to be marking him.
      Then the hosts called for a penalty when James Maddison was brought down inside Arsenal’s box.
      That was when the visitors produced a lethal counter-attack with Kai Havertz who found Saka with a brilliant long ball and the England international got a silky touch before beating Guglielmo Vicario with a brilliant finish on 27 minutes.
      Things got even worse for Ange Postecoglou’s side as they lost Timo Werner to an injury that came after another penalty shout as it seemed like the Germany international was clipped inside the area by Leandro Trossard.
      Tottenham then conceded a third by Havertz who picked up a corner-kick by Declan Rice and beat Vicario with a thunderous header in the 38th minute.
      Second half was a completely different affair as Cristian Romero put his team back in the game after a horrendous howler by David Raya as he gifted the ball to the defender who finished with ease on 64 minutes.
      Then Son Heing-min beat Raya from the penalty spot three minutes before full-time after Declan Rice fouled Ben Davies inside the area.
      However, Tottenham couldn’t complete their comeback with Arsenal proving why they have the best defence in the league.
      Credit: Reuters
      Credit: Getty
      Copy linkCopiedFT: Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      Peep!
      That’s full-time at Tottenham!!!
      Copy linkCopied90+3 Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      Arsenal trying to stop the clock for Tottenham by playng the ball down the right corner in order to hold it by the flag.
      Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is going crazy!
      Copy linkCopied90 Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      Six more minutes of added time to go.
      Plenty of time for Tottenham to do the unthinkable!
      Copy linkCopied89 Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      Substitution
      And now Arsenal boss Arteta goes all defence with Kiwior replacing Odegaard.
      Copy linkCopied88 Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      Substitution
      Tottenham boss Postecoglou goes all attack with Lo Celso replacing Davies.
      Copy linkCopied87 Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      We have got a game on our hands ladies and gentlemen!
      Son sends it to Raya;s top right corner, the Arsenal keeper lunges to the right side but can’t get there.
      Great shot!
      Credit: Rex
      Copy linkCopied87 Tottenham 2-3 Arsenal
      Goal!
      Son beats Raya from the penalty spot!!!

      Copy linkCopied86 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Penalty for Tottenham!
      Son is ready…
      Copy linkCopied85 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Penalty appeal
      Tottenham are appealing for another penalty as Rice kicks Davies down inside the area.
      VAR checking…
      Copy linkCopied83 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Yellow card
      Partey becomes the first Arsenal player to go to the book after fouling Son during a Tottenham counter-attack.
      Copy linkCopied81 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Yellow card
      Another booking for Tottenham with Davies penalised for a late challenge on Saka.
      Copy linkCopied80 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Tottenham are trying to create chances with attacks down the wings, still mainly down to Arsenal’s left with Tomiyasu playing out of position.
      However, Spurs’ crosses are easily picked up by Raya.
      Copy linkCopied77 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Yellow card
      And we have the first booking of the North London Derby as Kulusevski pushes Martinelli during a dangerous counter-attack.
      With all the drama, we forgot there were no yellow cards shown in the match…
      Copy linkCopied76 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Tottenham are playing the ball quickly at every turn.
      Richarlison is now spearheading the attack with Son and Johnson on the flanks.
      Copy linkCopied73 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Tottenham are looking to take full advantage of their high press, which led to Raya’s unbelievable gaffe that gifted their goal.
      The Gunners struggled to play out the back while under pressure from Spurs in the opening minutes of the first half.
      Copy linkCopied70 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Tottenham have very little time to get something bigger going in front of their revived crowd.
      And Arsenal are still controlling the game rather comfortably.
      Copy linkCopied67 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      The mood has completely changed, Tottenham have got a taste and got a goal at a very good time.
      However, Arsenal continue to move the ball forward and dominate possession as well as tempo.
      Credit: Rex
      Copy linkCopied64 Tottenham 1-3 Arsenal
      Romero huffed and he puffed, until he finally got his goal with a lot of help from Raya.
      The Arsenal goalkeeper tries to clear the ball but instead finds the Tottenham defender who had moved forward.
      The Spanish keeper’s terrible mistake leads to an easy finish and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium comes alive!
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