Premier League round-up: Leicester out of the bottom three with fourth straight win

 

The great escape is well and truly on for Leicester City after a fourth straight win lifted them out of the Premier League’s bottom three.
Nigel Pearson’s men looked destined for the drop having sat at the foot of the table for most of the season, but a crucial 1-0 victory over relegation rivals Burnley sees the Foxes rise one point clear of the drop.
It was a cruel result on the struggling Clarets, who remain rock bottom of the table, as they conceded the game’s only goal just moments after they missed a chance to go in front from the penalty spot.
Matt Taylor was the culprit, the former West Ham man slamming his shot against the post after he was needlessly fouled in the box by Paul Konchesky, and Leicester immediately went on the counter and unbelievably found the net, though through fortunate circumstances.
Marc Albrighton’s cross was turned goalwards by veteran Burnley defender Michael Duff, and it would have been an own goal if not for the hunger of Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, who raced in to stab the ball home on the line.
And the Foxes were indebted to the reactions of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel for a vital three points, as he pulled off two stunning stops to save his side.
Hull are also a point above the drop, joining Leicester on 31 points, with a deserved 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
The Tigers had a handful of decent chances before finally finding the net through Dame N'Doye’s scrappy strike.
Palace later seemed to have rescued a draw only for on-loan striker Yaya Sanogo’s goal to be ruled out for a foul in the build-up, and N'Doye made the points certain for the visitors with a thumping low strike in stoppage-time.
Sunderland dropped down to fill Leicester’s place in the drop zone following 1-1 draw at Stoke, the Potters coming back to equalise through another Charlie Adam belter after Connor Wickham handed the Black Cats an early lead.
And Queens Park Rangers remain in the bottom-three following a frustrating goalless stalemate with London derby rivals West Ham, with Chris Ramsey’s Super Hoops missing a penalty and having a goal disallowed.
Charlie Austin was the man to miss from the spot, Hammers shot-stopper Adrian saving his third consecutive penalty from the striker’s tame effort.
West Ham defender Aaron Cresswell then had an outstanding effort tipped onto the bar by Rob Green, before Richard Dunne bundled the ball in the net but had it swiftly chalked off for a foul on Adrian.
Newcastle are creeping ever closer to the relegation battle after the Magpies slumped to their seventh consecutive defeat, this time beaten 3-2 by an in-form Swansea.
Ayoze Perez put the Toon in front on 20 minutes following some shocking Swansea defending, but the Welsh outfit found themselves level at the break through Nelson Oliveira’s header, with Gylfi Sigurdsson’s strike putting them in front minutes into the second half.
Jack Cork then tapped in from close-range to score a vital third, as Siem de Jong’s late goal threatened to spark a comeback.
Finally, Liverpool moved up to fifth but ultimately missed their chance to close in on a top four spot after playing out a tepid 0-0 draw at West Brom.
Brendan Rodgers will wonder how his dominant side failed to score, with Mario Balotelli having multiple efforts blocked while Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson were both denied by Baggies keeper Boaz Myhill.
Youngster Jordon Ibe also hit the bar with a powerful close-range effort in the second half, but the Reds will be travelling home frustrated after being held by Tony Pulis’ stubborn side.

Championship round-up: PROMOTED! Watford secure Premier League return

Watford secured promotion to the Premier League after Middlesbrough and Norwich failed to win in a dramatic afternoon of Championship action.
Having comfortably beaten Brighton 2-0 in the day’s early kick-off to rise to the league summit, the Hornets needed their rivals to slip up to guarantee an automatic promotion place.
And, in a topsy turvy clash at Craven Cottage, a ten-man Boro found themselves on the wrong side of a crazy finale as Fulham ran out 4-3 winners, thanks to Ross McCormack’s hat-trick and a Michael Turner header, to end their fears of relegation.
Garcia Martinez scored with two minutes to go for the visitors to give them hope of pipping Watford to an automatic promotion spot, but McCormack scored his third and Fulham's fourth in stoppage time to thwart their efforts.
Adam Reach and Daniel Ayala scored Boro’s other goals, who also had George Friend sent off for preventing a goal scoring opportunity.
Boro now sit third on 84 points, with fourth placed Norwich City a point behind after drawing 1-1 against Rotherham United at the New York stadium.
Jordan Bowery scored from an Adam Hamill cross with five minutes to go to rescue a point for the struggling Millers, after Gary Hooper opened the scoring for the Canaries, who were reduced to ten men in the first half when Lewis Grabban was sent off for allegedly punching an opponent.
Bournemouth face Bolton Wanderers at the Goldsands stadium on Monday night to complete the battle for automatic promotion.
Meanwhile, Derby came from 3-1 down to secure a much needed point against Millwall at the New Den.
A Lee Gregory hat-trick should have secured all three points for the Lions, but goals from Tom Ince, Chris Martin and a stunning volley from Jeff Hendrick with five minutes to go keeps the Rams’ play-off hopes alive, while keeping Millwall in the relegation zone, separating them from Rotherham by a point.
Ipswich Town all but secured a play-off place with a 2-1 win at home to Nottingham Forest.
Daryll Murphy rifled in his 25th goal this season before Christophe Berra’s own goal gave Forest a life line, but in-form Freddie Sears secured all three points for the Tractor Boys in the 82nd minute.
Goals from Alan Judge and James Tarkowski secured all three points for Brentford at Reading, as the Bees stay seventh, two points behind Derby.
Wolves join Brentford on 75 points after Benik Afobe’s first half header leaves Wigan a near impossible chance of survival.
Just two years after winning the FA Cup, the Latic's need Rotherham to lose their next two games to seal their fate. Afobe’s goal was his 13th in a Wolves shirt.
Leeds ended their run of five straight defeats as they took all three points in a 2-1 Yorkshire derby win at Hillsborough.
Steve Morison fired in the winner after Sheffield Wednesday keeper Keiren Westwood saved his initial shot. Charlie Taylor had equalised for Leeds after Chris Maguire's first-half penalty put the home side in front.
Two penalties from Eoin Doyle and a Joe Mason strike handed Cardiff a nervy 3-2 win at home to already relegated Blackpool.
Elsewhere, Lloyd Dyer’s 81st minute strike moved Birmingham to 80 points and level with opponents Charlton with a 1-0 win. The home side dominated the game and could have scored earlier, but David Cotterill’s effort bounced back off the post.
Finally, Huddersfield rescued a point at the John Smith’s Stadium as they drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers. Rudi Gestede scored his 21st goal of the season before strike partner Jordan Rhodes doubles the visitor’s lead.
A Jacob Butterfield free-kick and a Joe Lolley strike secured the point for the Yorkshire side

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Champions League semi-final draw - Barcelona play Bayern Munich while Real Madrid face Juventus

Bayern Munich boss Pep Guardiola will return to former club Barcelona after the two European giants were drawn together in the Champions League semi-finals.

It will be the first time the ex-Barca boss has played against the team he played for and managed during his career.
Holders Real Madrid will take on Serie A side Juventus in the other semi-final, setting up the possibility of an El Clasico final in Berlin.
The first-leg clashes will take place on May 5/6, while the second legs will take place a week later.
There was an audible gasp at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon when Guardiola's Bayern side were drawn against the club with whom he achieved so much as both player and manager.
Guardiola's four-season spell at the Barca helm yielded 14 trophies, including two triumphs in the Champions League - something he will now look to deny them.
The eyes of the footballing world will be trained on the Nou Camp on May 6, when he leads Bayern out for the first leg of a tie which will decide who progresses to the Berlin finale.
"I knew it would happen sooner or later," Guardiola told the German media at a press conference.
"It's my first return to Barcelona, my home. I was there as player, I was there as coach.
"Of course it is special for me, for Thiago (Alcantara, who also left Barca for Bayern), for my staff. I am very happy that I can experience this.
"It is a nice game, but not easy. Believe me, Barcelona are the strongest!
"I'm happy for Luis Enrique. He's a great coach, a great guy, a great man. We will definitely try to play the final in our capital."
Guardiola and Enrique played alongside one another for many years at the Nou Camp, winning a host of medals together.
Now they will sit in opposite dugouts in a tie which Barca coach Enrique is understandably excited about.
"It's a special game because Guardiola is their coach," he told reporters at a press conference.
"It will be the first time he comes back to face the club. It will also be special for the players.
"We've played 10 matches in the Champions League and we've won nine. We'll be out to win both at home and away. Our approach is clear.
"Guardiola is the best because he's won so many titles, because of the way he did it, and because he's adapted to another country with a very difficult language and he's implanted his ideas."
As if Guardiola's return was not exciting enough, Friday's draw opens up the possibility of a first ever Barcelona v Real Madrid final.
Carlo Ancelotti's side overcame city rivals Atletico to secure a fifth successive semi-final appearance, where Juventus will look to halt their quest to become the first side to retain the Champions League.
The 'Old Lady' have the best record of all the semi-finalists, having progressed to the final on seven of their 10 appearances at this juncture.
"At this stage of the competition, all of the sides are difficult," former Juventus boss Ancelotti said.
"Juventus is a club that have a legendary history and it is returning to a semi-final after 12 years.
"They are having a very good season and have practically won the Italian league. That means they can focus more on the Champions League.
"We are confident that we can follow our dream, which is to reach another final after last year.
"We need Real Madrid to be at their best to win, we need the same side that played against Atletico, with the same enthusiasm and hope. We have a lot of confidence."

Cesc Fabregas chose Chelsea for titles! Jose Mourinho takes swipe at Arsenal ahead of big clash

Jose Mourinho has taken a cheeky swipe at Arsenal by claiming Cesc Fabregas opted to join Chelsea instead of return to his former club as he was ‘looking for titles’.
The Spaniard, who captained the Gunners in an eight-year spell, left fans of the north London club heartbroken when he moved to Chelsea last summer after three years at Barcelona.
Fabregas will return to the Emirates this Sunday for the first time since his departure in 2011 with Chelsea on the brink of Premier League title success.
The Blues are 10 points clear of the Gunners and a win for the visitors this weekend would mean three more points would secure the title, points which could come next Wednesday at Leicester.
And Mourinho, whose side have already won the League Cup this season, said the prospect of major success is what prompted Fabregas to move to Stamford Bridge.
"I know why he chose Chelsea," said the Portuguese. "I don't know why he didn't choose Arsenal.
"I can't speak about his time at Arsenal, the decision that made him leave, the decision that stopped him going back. I don't know if it was the manager's (Arsene Wenger's) or if it was his decision. I really don't know.
"I just know that we promised him we'd build a team very adapted to his style of play. That he was going to be an important player in our project.
"And that, normally, good projects always end with titles. He was looking for that. That's all I can say."
Fabregas is bracing himself for a hostile reception from Arsenal fans, but Mourinho insists that would be underserved given the service he gave the club.
The 27-year-old made more than 300 appearances for the Gunners, and the Blues boss said: "Frank Lampard played at Stamford Bridge (with Manchester City) without any kind of problem and with a good reception. I don't see a reason for Fabregas not to have the same at the Emirates.
"But, if he has some bad reactions, I think he's one of the players who is more than ready.
"He played in Barcelona with an Arsenal shirt. Why can't he play at the Emirates with a Chelsea shirt? I don't see a problem."
Fabregas and Diego Costa, who also joined last summer, have been key to Chelsea's title charge, with the playmaker laying on assists for the striker.
Costa could be fit for Sunday's match and displace Didier Drogba in the starting XI, while Loic Remy (calf) is definitely out.
"Didier for sure is good, is fine. Remy, not for sure. And Diego, let's make a decision tomorrow," Mourinho, said.
Dominic Solanke is in reserve, having missed Chelsea's under-21 team match on Thursday, and will be on the substitutes' bench as back-up to Drogba if Costa is not fit.