Sports

Tottenham approaches Arsenal in battle for CL ticket, Real seals fate Levante | NOW

Published

1 week ago

May 12, 2022

Tottenham Hotspur did good business on Thursday evening in the battle for a coveted Champions League ticket. With a simple 3-0 win over Arsenal, the team of coach Antonio Conte approaches the direct competitor to one point. In Spain, Real Madrid won 6-0 against Levante, which has been relegated as a result.

The home side opened the scoring midway through the first half from the penalty spot. Harry Kane was allowed to moor from 11 meters after Son Heung-min was given a push in the back.

The problems for Arsenal piled up when Rob Holding received his second yellow card after half an hour of play. Tottenham took advantage of the numerical superiority almost immediately. Again it was Kane who scored, this time from a corner.

The decision was made early in the second half. After the ball was tapped away from Kane’s feet, Son hit the ball from the edge of the penalty area. An even greater punishment was then spared Arsenal. Steven Bergwijn came in for Tottenham more than fifteen minutes before the end.

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Battle will be decided in last two rounds

The top four teams in the Premier League qualify for the Champions League. Title candidates Manchester City (89) and Liverpool (86) are already certain of participation, it can hardly go wrong for Chelsea (70).

As a result, Arsenal and Tottenham are chasing the last ticket. With two games to go, ‘The Gunners’ still have a one point lead over the London fellow (66 to 65).

Arsenal still play against Newcastle United (away) and Everton (home). Tottenham receives Burnley and still visits the already relegated Norwich City.

View the results, standings and program in the Premier League

Vinicius Júnior is hugged after one of his three goals.

Vinicius scores hat-trick for Real Madrid

More than two weeks before the Champions League final against Liverpool, Real Madrid once again showed their business card in the Spanish League. The team of coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is already certain of the national title, waltzed over Levante 6-0.

Vinícius Júnior was the star at the home club. The Brazilian made a hat-trick. He scored the 4-0 just before half-time and ensured that Real ran even further in the second half.

Karim Benzema took care of the 2-0. Spain’s top scorer signed his 323rd goal in the service of the Madrid club, leveling with club icon Raúl. Only Cristiano Ronaldo has scored more for Real; namely 450 times. Ferland Mendy and Rodrygo made it 1-0 and 3-0.

Levante played at the highest level for years

Levante can no longer avoid relegation due to the defeat. The team from Valencia is six points behind the safe fifteenth place of Cádiz with two games to play. The mutual result, which is decisive in Spain, is to the disadvantage of Levante.

Of the last eleven seasons, Levante played ten at the highest level. The sixth place in the 2011/2012 season was the highest final ranking for the club, where Johan Cruijff and Faas Wilkes were under contract in the distant past.

View the results, the standings and the program in La Liga

Sports

Guardiola calls on City fans to behave, Klopp hopes for Gerrard’s help | NOW

Published

26 mins ago

May 20, 2022

Dutch News

Manager Josep Guardiola has urged Manchester City fans to behave well if the club are champions on Sunday. Colleague Jürgen Klopp of competitor Liverpool hopes that Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard can help his former club in the exciting title battle in the Premier League.

Manchester City and Liverpool will decide who will be champions during the last round on Sunday. League-leader City, which is up against Aston Villa, has a one point lead over number two Liverpool. ‘The Reds’ play against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Both title candidates play a home game, which will create a big party in one stadium. In recent days, Everton, Nottingham Forest and Port Vale have gone wild with overjoyed supporters storming onto the pitch. In Nottingham, Sheffield United captain Billy Sharp was headbutted by a fan, while Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira kicked an Everton supporter who was harassing him.

“We have to be very careful, the images of those games were not good,” Guardiola said at his press conference on Friday. “The combination of a lot of emotions, happiness and sometimes alcohol can be very dangerous. We have to behave as best as possible at City on Sunday and celebrate the possible title in the right way.”

The 51-year-old Spaniard can become champion for the tenth time in his coaching career and for the fourth time with City. This was previously possible in 2018, 2019 and 2021. “The title is the most difficult prize to win,” said Guardiola. “The season is so long, you have to deal with injuries and with good and bad moments. You notice that the atmosphere in the dressing room is better when you do well in the Premier League.”

Guardiola, who again has defenders Kyle Walker and John Stones, has urged his players to enjoy Sunday. “Of course the players feel that it is a very important game, but it is just a football game. We have to do what we have done in recent months.”

Standings in Premier League title fight

1. Manchester City: 37-90 (+72)
2. Liverpool: 37-89 (+66)

Klopp: ‘I’m sure Gerrard takes it very seriously’

Liverpool coach Klopp knows that his team is dependent on Aston Villa in the title fight on Sunday. A striking detail is that the club from Birmingham is trained by Gerrard. Klopp expects the Liverpool icon to be very eager to help his former club by achieving a good result against City.

“If I could help Dortmund or Mainz by winning a game, it would give me extra motivation,” Klopp said at his press conference on Friday about the two previous clubs he coached. “I’m sure Gerrard will take Sunday’s game 100 percent seriously, without me having to call him about it.”

The German trainer does not yet know whether he can have Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Fabinho, who are struggling with a minor injury, in the home game against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Liverpool are also looking closely at next Saturday’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.

“It all looks good, the boys are making strides,” Klopp said of Van Dijk, Salah and Fabinho’s recovery. “But I have no idea what we will do with them next weekend. I prefer that they all play on Sunday to get some rhythm or at least sit on the bench, but I don’t know if that is possible.”

All Premier League matches start on Sunday at 5 p.m. Dutch time.