SHOULD PENALTY SHOOT-OUTS BE BANNED?

The Big Debate 

Ever since FIFA introduced the idea of penalty shoot-outs in the 70s there has been debate whether or not this is a fair way to declare a winner. Penalties are based merely on luck and not skill or technique of a player. Many have opposed this but 45 years on it still stands.

Most argue that at times the better side throughout the 120minutes may lose on penalties and thus see this as being unfair. Back in 2012, FIFA president Sepp Blatter was looking for an alternative but nothing has been fruitful.

The truth is there is no alternative. I've heard people bring up ridiculous ideas like extra time should be increased until a winner emerges, truth is, the teams may play for another hour, maybe two or even three and there might still not be a winner. We should understand that the players are human, and when fatigue starts to creep in the higher chances of one getting injured. So the idea of extended extra time would be a complete failure in my opinion.

Playing a 2nd leg was one idea I backed for some time, but come to think of it, it may not be the answer either. The teams may still be deadlocked after the 90minutes of play which will lead to extra time and eventually penalties, so this would be nothing but delaying the outcome of a final people have waited so eagerly for.

The idea of analysing  stats over 90 or 120 minutes would be so biased FIFA should not even consider it. Why is this?  Yes one team may have more shots on target, possession and corners but again football is not all about attack attack attack! Defending is a huge part of the game and should be taken into account in such situations. Teams should only blame themselves for failing to take their chances and congratulate themselves on a job well done at the back.

I'm not for or against the idea of banishing penalty shoot-outs because it does have its pros and cons. Manchester United vs Arsenal FA cup final 2015 and Bayern Munich vs Chelsea UEFA Champions League Final not too long ago. These are two great examples where the better side over the 120minutes lost on shoot-outs. It is a shame seeing a team dominate their opponents all over the field but lose eventually but as I said, defending is also a part of the sport that should not be ignored.

If we look at this situation deeper and keenly you'll all find there is absolutely no fair alternative way that can be introduced. Yes penalty shoot-outs isn't a fair way of determining the.winner of the game if you're looking at it just from an "attacking" side. For all who are against penalty shoot-outs, take a seat and reflect that for one; the dominant side failed to take their chances and two; the opposition defended well, which is an important part of the game.

So my opinion to all of this is, fifa should not abolish penalty shoot-outs with the mere thought that the dominant attacking side may come out short but instead view the way I am, one side is dominant in attack while the other is dominant in defense.

THE INS AND OUT: MANCHESTER CITY AND LIVERPOOL.

WHO SHOULD LIVERPOOL AND CITY BRING IN AND GET RID OFF TO CHALLENGE NEXT SEASON?

Both Liverpool and Manchester City had rather subdued campaigns, mostly Liverpool. Going from the highs of the Suarez era that saw the Reds finish 2nd to a miserable 6th place finish really sums it up. For City, inconsistency and poor results away from home was their undoing.

Both sides will definitely strengthen, but will they get their signings right? Brendan Rodgers will definitely be more cautious as he digs into the transfer market as a majority of his signings last summer were below average. Pellegrini will be looking to do away with dead wood and invite some fresh young talent into an aging City line up.

So who should both teams be looking at and who should they get rid of?

MANCHESTER CITY

Manuel Pellegrini has a lot of work to do in the transfer window. His aging squad need some fresh young blood and a replacement for the departing Yaya Toure who to be fair has looked a shadow of the player he was the previous seasons.

City's problem area is their backline, when Vincent Kompany is out or playing when not fully fit as he did against Manchester United, City struggle badly. Eliaquim Mangala has been disappointing, once the most talked about upcoming stars in his time at Porto now looks like a defender who can't tell his right from left. Martin Demichelis is aging and getting slower. The midfield looks good but with the departure of Toure, a replacement is needed, Fernando or Fernandinho are far away from being the dominant force Toure is. The forward line is fantastic, with Aguero, Bony, Dzeko, Jovetic and the returning Negredo all options.

Ins;

Mats Hummels/ Nicolas Otamendi/ Benedikt Howedes - All these three options should be a major upgrade to Mangala, no offense. Pellegrini should try get two central defenders in this summer. Hummels looks to be the defender on demand this summer with a host of English clubs after the German and with City's financial power they would definitely be top dogs in securing his signature.

Marco Reus - Jesus Navas and Samir Nasri haven't really sparkled this season, although I like Nasri, I think his time at Manchester is coming to an end. Lack of game time doesn't go down well with the French man. Pellegrini should attempt a player plus cash deal for Reus, Nasri/Navas plus about 15million pounds may land him the German international.

Isco -  David Silva needs some competition for his place, and Isco looks a fine option to push Silva all the way. City at the moment lack creative midfielders with Silva the only one capable of shredding the ball through the hole of a needle 9/10 times of asking. Isco can be a back up or even a starter.

Moussa Sissoko - Who better to replace Yaya Toure than Sissoko. He's big, powerful, fast and is able to produce a Yaya Toure esque wrecking ball run if called upon. Sissoko's talent is at waste in Newcastle, it's about time he moved to a top 4 side.

Outs;

Martin Demichelis - His age is the main reason City have to do away with him and clear up some space in the roster and be in terms with the FFP rules.  

Yaya Toure -  The Ivorian has already made it clear he'll be leaving the Etihad this summer with Inter Milan chasing for his signature. His last campaign wasn't as spectacular as his previous seasons in the sky blue shirt. The city fans will definitely miss him.

Samir Nasri/ Jesus Navas - Navas hasn't really caught my eye at all this season and even in his past seasons with Sevilla. He is too predictable and doesn't have the trickery to go past players, his pace is a plus though. Nasri is great on his day but with lack of matches you wonder if he'll ever rekindle the form he had in Arsenal. Swap deal for Reus.

Stefan Jovetic/ Negredo/ Edin Dzeko - One of these three will definitely be seeing the exit door at the Etihad. Negredo most likely but I would totally disagree with that because he was exceptional before he got his injury prior to the World Cup. Jovetic in my opinion should be let to leave, lack of game time and his form isn't what it was when he was in Italy.

Probable Line up

4-2-3-1

Hart; Zabaleta, Kompany, Hummels, Kolarov; Fernando, Isco; Reus, Sissoko, Silva; Aguero.

Bench: Cabalero, Mangala, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Milner, Bony, Dzeko.

Squad Rating out of 10: 7.9


LIVERPOOL

 

The Reds have probably had the worst campaign from the top clubs. Much was expected from them after Suarez had guided them to a 2nd place finish the season before, but with the departure of the Uruguayan came the downfall of the Mersyside giants. A disappointing 6th place was all they could manage.

Brendan Rodgers should be the man to blame really, with all the money he got from the Suarez sale he decided to buy 6 or 7 mediocre players, not being harsh but that is what they are. He'll be looking to avoid the same mistake this time but with Liverpool not in the Champions League, you feel he'll have to settle for mediocre players once again.

The whole Liverpool squad needs a makeover from the defense all the way to the forward line and back to the bench. Only Henderson, Coutinho and Sturridge are confirmed starters.

Ins;

Benedikt Howedes/ Neven Subotic/ Ashley Williams - To be honest, Liverpool won't attract big names such as Mats Hummels so they'll have to settle for defenders in a lower tier. Howedes may be an interesting option but if any of the bigger clubs go for him then Liverpool will have to look elsewhere. Subotic is a decent defender and definitely better than what Liverpool have now but he tends to be rush at times and prone to error. Ashley Williams won't be an upgrade but an assurance buy. Rodgers should do all he can to snap Howedes.

Ilkay Gundogan - Rodgers should act quick with this, Dortmund had a terrible season and with Lopp leaving, trust a few big names will follow suit. Gundogan can give that Liverpool midfield a bit of spice and creativity that they awfully lack. With Manchester United and Arsenal rumored to be interested, it won't be easy for Rodgers.

Christoph Kramer - Liverpool lack a proper holding midfielder, in Kramer they get an World Cup winner with Germany and a player who has helped his current side Borussia Monchengladbach qualify for the Champions League. With Lucas far from his better days, this would be a good buy for the reds.

Julian Draxler - With Sterling nearing an exit from Anfiled if all the rumors are to be believed, Rodgers should use money from the Sterling sale wisely, Draxler is young and immensely talented and would fill that gap with ease. Rodgers should just hope Wenger isn't after the German.

Jackson Martinez/Christian Benteke/Danny Ings/Charlie Austin - The Reds are in need of a striker, with Sturridge constantly out and Balotelli hopeless infront of goal, two additions from the options would do Liverpool good. Unfortunately, Martinez is also been watched by Arsenal so that may be a tough one to crack for Rodgers and Benteke is been watched by a host of clubs bigger than Liverpool, so count that out as well. Ings and Austin both in for Liverpool would be job well done by Rodgers. They have both proven they can match up to the Premier League and are both goal scorers.


Outs;

Kolo Toure - He'll most probably be one of the players leaving this summer with no surprise at all. He's not played a whole lot and age isn't on his side either.

Glen Johnson - Lack of playing time coupled with niggling injuries here and there has seen him lose his spot in the side and probably his name on the Liverpool roster. He's served them well but his time is up at Anfield.

Jose Enrique - Another player who has seen injuries and lack of game time lose his spot on the team. I can't remember seeing Enrique make an appearance for Liverpool this season.

Joe Allen - Allen is a mediocre player and doesn't deserve to be playing every single week in a team of Liverpool's size. That just tells you how weak the squad depth is at Anfield. Allen should be sold as he is a waste of space and just not good enough.

Lucas Leiva - Once upon a time Lucas was hailed as one of the best defensive midfielders in England, now he doesn't even make the top 10 to be honest. He's been in and out of the team and Rodgers should cash in on him.

Mario Balotelli - Everything just went wrong for Super Mario this season. He didn't look the player that left City a while ago, he was completely horrendous. If Rodgers can get a buyer well and good, Balotelli needs to leave and probably return to Inter who are under Mancinc. He seems to play his best football under the Italian.

Rickie Lambert - I never really understood why Liverpool signed Lambert but all I know is that they should let go of him.

Fabio Borini -  Borini hasn't had much game time, but I feel he can produce moments of magic. He is wasting himself in Liverpool and should move to a lesser side, the likes of Stoke or Swansea for him to discover his best football.


Probable Line up

4-2-3-1

Mignolet; Can, Skrtel, Howedes, Moreno; Henderson, Kramer; Coutinho, Gundogan, Draxler; Sturridge.


Bench - Jones, Sakho, Lovren, Lallana, Markovic, Ings, Austin.

Squad rating out of 10: 7.2

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: THE SEASON THAT WAS.

ANOTHER SEASON GOES BY!

Gutted is the feeling all football fans will be going through for the next 11 weeks or so. No Premier League football to enjoy on the weekends as I sip a cold glass of my favorite beer cheering my team on. All we have before us is the Copa America which should be interesting and the Champions League final coming up this Saturday.......oh! and not to forget, transfer window kicks in, probably the only exciting bit of a football-less period.

Besides all that, this season would have been amazing if only Mourinho and his boys would have tagged along with the rest of the bunch but instead they ran away with it. Congratulations to the 'boring' champions.

So what moments caught my eye this season? I'm going to break it down and forgive me if Arsenal frequent, I probably watched all their matches this season.


Match of the Season

Tottenham 5 - 3 Chelsea

Chelsea were on a roll at this stage of the season, no one so this coming at all. Spurs were fantastic and tore apart Chelsea's defense. Terry, Cahill and Ivanovic always getting the plaudits for their stern and no nonsense style of defending were torn to mere shreds by Kane and his boys. For once this past campaign Mourinho elected to attack and not sit back and hold on for a draw or 1-0 scoreline. Fantastic match it was.


Team of the Season

Southampton

I'm sure most neutrals would pick The Saints as their team of the season. They started off brilliantly and at one point looked like they would finish in the top 4. All the big boys feared facing them.  As the season progressed they kinda tired, fatigued and they dropped miserably to 7th spot where they eventually finished. Kudos to Ronald Koeman for pushing Spurs and Liverpool all the way.

If Koeman can keep hold of this squad and add more quality around the pitch, they'll definitely be making a whole lot of noise next season.


Signing of the Season

Alexis Sanchez

Please, we all have to bow down to this lad and have a moment of silence for all the magic he pulled this season. To me the best player in the Premier League currently and the only reason he didn't win the PFA player of the year is because Arsenal weren't top but all in all he beat Aguero and Hazard to the PFA fans player of the year. He had to sign out this season with a screamer in the FA cup final. Absolutely amazing! Hope he carries this form into next season.


Flop of the Season

Angel Di Maria

Before Manchester United fans start bashing me, hear me out. The only reason his my flop of the season is because I expected wonders from him but he just didn't show up. I remember watching him play for Real in the Champions League final against Atletico and he was brilliant, then watched him play a friendly for Argentina against Germany and he tore the Germans apart.

He started off the season quite okay, his goal against Leicester City had me drooling for a moment but after that it all went haywire for the Argentine from then on. His miss against Arsenal at the Emirates just sums his whole season into one. He flopped and flopped BAD!


Manager of the Season

Ronald Koeman

It had to be him surely. With so little resources he's done a very good job at Southampton and maybe deserved more than a 7th spot finish. He lost good talent in the summer transfer window but replaced well. Graziano Pelle chipped in with the goals that Lambert offered the season before, Shane Long and Mane filled the void left by Lallana and Fonte and Alderweireld made the Saints fans forget about Dejan Lovren. If he can do this with Southampton, what would he do if he got a club with more resources?!


Most Improved Player

Francis Coquelin

Francis Coquelin, where would Arsenal be without you. Brought back from his loan spell in Charlton due to an injury crisis, Coquelin took that chance with aplomb. Arsenal lacked a player with a bit of bite and aggression, a player that can intercept and break up play, but when he arrived, all that changed. Coquelin bossed the likes of Silva, Fellaini and even Coutinho, not only that, he stats are way better than that of Nemanja Matic the 'so-called' best midfielder in the Premier League. No chance Matic!


Breakthrough Player of the Season

Harry Kane

Is anyone questioning this decision? You better not. Harry Kane has thrived in a position Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado have miserably failed in and has grabbed that center forward role by the throat. He scored important goals for Spurs and he is the reason spurs claimed 5th spot. Without his goals, Spurs would probably be meandering in mid-table with the likes of Stoke and Swansea.
Keep it up lad!


Goal of the Season

Graziano Pelle vs QPR

Does anyone remember this beauty from Pelle earlier in the season when Southampton beat QPR 2-1? You probably do because this is as good an overhead kick goal you'll see for sometime. the technique, timing and direction were spot on. Beauty from Graziano Pelle.










 

THE INS AND OUTS: MAN UNITED AND ARSENAL.

CHALLENGERS LOOK TO STRENGTHEN FOR NEXT SEASON.

The 2014/15 season comes to a climax this weekend, Chelsea already crowned champions and the top four spots determined, we can all gear up for two and half months or season without competitive football. We still do have the FA cup and Champions League final to look forward to, if you are an Arsenal, Villa, Barcelona and Juventus fan.

For the coming weeks I'll be digging in to all the transfer rumors and completed deals but for now I'll be taking a look at next seasons challengers, Manchester city, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and maybe Southampton or Everton. How should they approach the transfer market and which players should they add and get rid of to mount a serious challenge next season.

United and Arsenal are the teams on focus today. The battle at Old Trafford was rather stale and disappointing to some extent. Both sides have already secured Champions League football for next season, so there wasn't really much to play for. A victory for United would have lifted them a point above Arsenal who do have a game in hand though, while a victory for Arsenal would have put them in prime position for 2nd spot.

A draw was a fair result given the balance of play, United dominated the 1st half, the second 45 minutes belonged to Arsenal.

MANCHESTER UNITED

 

United have had an up and down season and a relatively lucky to have achieved Champions League football for next season. The Red Devils fans will have loads of thanks to goalkeeper David De Gea as his heroics in numerous matches have them where they are now. 

Performances have been flat and have lacked a killer edge, defense to shaky and star players Di Maria and RVP seem lost in the theater of dreams. Shuffling formation week in hasn't helped either.

So what do United really need to be taken more serious next season?  Memphis Depay has already signed from PSV, I see this as very unnecessary. Mata, Di Maria, Young, Januzaj and Valencia can all operate in a similar position, unless it means one will be departing.

Defense is the major problem at United, definitely there is need for at least two world class defenders and there is no surprise they have been constantly linked with Mat Hummels. The midfield looks okay but no world class, Carrick is too injury prone, Di Maria as I said looks completely lost, Mata is world class but inconsistent for me and Daley Blind is an average player at best. The forward line is another problem, Rooney aside, RVP's days are numbered and with consistent injury problems he looks done for, and the on-loan man Falcao has been a disappointment.

Ins;

Mat Hummels - The German center back will definitely be available this season and with a host of clubs chasing his signature, Louis Van Gaal will have to act quick. He'll definitely bring some assurance and leadership that United lack in the back.

Dante - The Brazilian has found himself warming the bench at the Allianz ever since the arrival of Benatia and will probably be looking for a move away. If Bayern make him available United should pounce. Whether he'll be willing to move to United is another story, but he is a way better defender than what United have at the moment.

Petr Cech/Asmir Begovic - United will have huge problems if David De Gea leaves for Madrid. Top keepers are hard to find, but in Cech you get a wolrd class keeper who is heading for the exit door at Chelsea. No chance Mourinho is letting him join a rival club. Begovic has been outstanding for Stoke and it's about time he got a move to a bigger club.

Ilkay Gundogan - Another Dortmund player on several clubs radar. His injury record may stop teams signing the talented German, who once tore apart Manchester City's defense with sleek top draw passing. I doubt LVG will be after the German though.

Jackson Martinez/Gareth Bale/Charlie Austin/Harry Kane/Danny Ings - United are in desperate need of a proven goalscorer. So much talk of Bale joining the red half of Manchester but it's a move I don't see happening unless De Gea goes the opposite direction which to me doesn't look like happening. Harry Kane would be the obvious pick from the remaining names, not that he is better than Martinez, no, no, no, he's just more proven to play in England. Do I see it happening? No. Austin or Ings could be good back to Rooney, either would fit in and at a cheap price.

Outs;

Robin Van Persie - The flying dutchman's performances have dropped remarkably this season and coupled with his injury worries and age, RVP is heading for the exit at Old Trafford. He has failed miserably this season and would probably be heading back to Netherlands or a much lower level team.

Radamael Falcao - An unsuccessful loan spell will see the Colombian head back to Monaco. Just like RVP, he has failed to impress and has constant knee problems. I don't see Van Gaal keeping him at United permanently.

Rafael - Injury has kept him out for a while, and with Valencia cementing the right back position and at least two defenders coming in, it will be hard for the Brazilian to get back in the team and he is the most likely option to depart. 

Adnan Januzaj - The young Belgian is full of talent, but is being wasted by LVG. The signing of Depay means more competition in that position. Perhaps a loan spell away for next season will be the best option.

4-2-3-1: De Gea; Valencia, Hummels, Rojo, Shaw; Carrick, Herrera; Depay, Fellaini, Young; Rooney.

Bench: Valdes, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Mata, Di Maria, Austin.

Squad rating out of 10: 7.0

The bench doesn't look to fancy to be honest with only Mata and Di Maria stand out names and the starting 11 still just doesn't look like it has enough to mount a serious challenge. With this squad United will probably be fighting for 4th spot with Liverpool if they sign well and Spurs.

ARSENAL

The Gunners have had a fantastic second half of the season, and will be looking to strengthen a few areas before the start of next season. The first half of the season was too inconsistent, and at that point is when they surrendered the title to Chelsea.

As Mourinho put it, Arsenal aren't too far from challenging Chelsea, a couple of signings will do the trick for Wenger. 

On their game they are absolutely breathtaking and tantalizing. The up for Arsenal will be the rise in form of Mesut Ozil. He's been a joy to watch and he seems to have a good understanding with Sanchez and Cazorla.

So what do Arsenal need to be regarded as challengers next season? Ospina hasn't been bad but he isn't in the level of De Gea, Courtois or Hart. The back line seems to be a bit shaky at times, a replacement for Mertesacker would probably tighten the defense. A defensive midfielder to provide competition for the impressive Coquelin would also help matters and a different kind of striker to compete with Giroud.

Ins;

Asmir Begovic/Steve Mandanda - Petr Cech will be available but we all know Mourinho won't sell him to a rival club. Between Begovic and Mandanda, I would go for the Marseille stopper. He was recently named in the Ligue 1 team of the year and has proven himself time and time again.

Mat Hummels/Benedikt Howedes - Wenger will have to compete with a host of clubs for Hummels signature, if he losses out option B should be Hummels German teammate Howedes. With a strong German link at the Emirates, persuading either of the two shouldn't be that hard. Hummels link to Manchester United seems to be stronger and stronger each day, so Howedes would be the more likely.

Morgan Schniederlin/Ilkay Gundogan/William Carvalho - Arsenal need a holding midfielder just to provide some competition and back up to Coquelin. I don't see Gundogan as being a holding midfielder so I'll dismiss him. Schniederlin is the best fit for Arsenal and he has Premier League experience. Carvalho is a good option but I'd stick with Morgan.

Jackson Martinez/Antonio Lacazette - Arsenal need a different kind of striker to Giroud. Giroud has been impressive but doesn't have back-up or competition for his place. Welbeck doesn't seem to be an out and out striker and Walcott is more explosive out on the wing. Martinez has the pace that Giroud lacks, he also has a physical presence. Lacazette won Ligue 1 player of the year but he just seems like another Walcott and Welbeck, he posses pace just like the two Englishmen but lacks in physicality.

Pedro/Marco Reus - Rumors of Pedro to Arsenal have been gathering steam and it looks almost likely he'll be at the Emirates next season, and with the right wing position up for grabs he'll surely make a case to grab it by the neck. Marco Reus the man I'd love to see in an Arsenal jersey. It looks very unlikely as he signed a new contract but with Klopp gone you never know. 

Outs;

Mikel Arteta - Arteta has served his time at the Emirates and it would be best for him to move on. With an array of talent in central midfield, Arteta is down the pecking order. 

Mathieu Flamini - He'll surely be departing if Wenger brings in another holding midfielder, he's played his part but just like Arteta, game time should be a problem if additions are made at the Emirates.

Wojiech Szczesny - He's had a disappointing season and may see himself as third choice if a new world class keeper is brought in. He's probably too good to be a third choice keeper so moving on would do him good for his international place as Lukas Fabianski has been outstanding for Swansea.

Abou Diaby - Sad to say, but it's about time Wenger gave up on Diaby. He does have the talent and is a personal favorite of mine when fit and on his game. 

4-2-3-1: Mandanda; Bellerin/Debuchy, Howedes, Koscielny, Monreal; Schniederlin/Coquelin, Cazorla; Pedro, Ozil, Sanchez; Martinez.

Bench:Ospina, Mertesacker, Wilshere, Ramsey, Chamberlain, Walcott, Giroud.

Squad rating out of 10: 8

The squad looks complete and the depth on the bench is outstanding. With a squad like this Wenger should surely be battling with Chelsea and Manchester City next season for the title.

BARCA IN, BAYERN OUT!

CATALANS SEE OFF THE BAVARIANS EN ROUTE TO BERLIN.

 Bayern have been here before obviously, undoubtedly they've been here before this season: Porto drove 3-1 from their quarter-final first leg, just to be met with a Bavarian lightning war in the return leg at the Allianz arena.

Something comparative was required at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening, sadly for the Bavarians, it will be the Spanish class pioneers going to the European Cup final, instead of the German champions.

A Neymar twofold helped Barcelona progress to their first Champions League final following 2011 in spite of a 3-2 second-leg semi-final defeat to Bayern Munich on Tuesday.

A Lionel Messi brace and Neymar's strike at Camp Nou last Wednesday had given the Liga pioneers a 3-0 lead after the first leg and, in spite of a vivacious presentation, Bayern were not able to finish a wonderful fightback in the return leg.

Mehdi Benatia's initial header gave Bayern hope, however Pep Guardiola depicted his previous club Barca as the best counter-attacking group on the planet on the ball and they satisfied that charging at the Allianz Arena.

Luis Suarez laid on two goals for Neymar - who now has 37 for the season and has scored in his previous seven matches - in the first half and, despite the fact that Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller gave the Bundesliga champions triumph on the night, the jpb had been finished by Barca in the first leg.

It was the guests' first loss since February and they had not yielded for more than 10 hours before Tuesday's encounter, yet they stay on course for a celebrated treble in Luis Enrique's first season in control, while Bayern have smashed out in the semi-finals two years running under Guardiola.

Whether it be Juventus or an el Clasico standoff with Real Madrid in the final, Barca will go in top picks and rightly so.
 

EPL WEEK 36: THE SATURDAY THAT WAS.

UNITED HOLD ON FOR THREE, STOKE BLOW AWAY SPURS AND LEICESTER WIN AGAIN.

LEICESTER CITY 2 - 0 SOUTHAMPTON

Riyad Mahrez's first goals since December proceeded with Leicester City's striking Premier League recovery with a 2-0 triumph over Southampton.

Algeria winger Mahrez struck twice amid the first half to excite a rowdy King Power Stadium and secure a 6th win in seven matches for Leicester.

City's triumph served to affirm relegation for Burnley, regardless of the  1-0 win at third-bottom Hull City, who are three points behind 15th placed Leicester with two matches to play.

For Southampton, another dreary display implied a 6th loss in their previous 11 matches, in spite of the fact that thrashing for Tottenham at Stoke City implies Ronald Koeman's group stay one point short of automatic qualification for the UEFA Europa League

Paulo Gazzaniga made his first start of the season in goal as one of four changes by Koeman, while Nigel Pearson stayed with the same Leicester XI that thoroughly beat Newcastle United a weekend ago.

Leicester's recently discovered defensive strength guaranteed Southampton delighted a couple of sights of goal amid an all the more even second half, albeit Kasper Schmeichel was at full-extend to keep a plunging 20-yard shot from Mane inside the last 20 minutes.

STOKE 3 - 0 TOTTENHAM

Stoke City destroyed Tottenham's hopes of a top four spot as they equalled their best points total in the Premier League with a 3-0 triumph on Saturday.

Last season's pull of 50 points was coordinated as goals from Charlie Adam, Steven N'Zonzi and Mame Biram Diouf topped a noteworthy presentation from Mark Hughes' side.

Adam broke the halt following 21 minutes with a short proximity header after poor cautious work from Jan Vertonghen, and N'Zonzi multiplied the lead after another Tottenham mistake including Hugo Lloris and Eric Dier.

Spurs' hopes of a comeback were dashed after 50 minutes as Vlad Chiriches turned into the seventh player to be given red in as many encounters between the two sides at the Britannia Stadium.

With a man short, Tottenham had no solution for Stoke's dynamic execution, Diouf broadening their preference with four minutes to play.

Thrashing mathematically closes any chances that Tottenham had of completing in the Uefa Champions League spots, Mauricio Pochettino will need to settle for an Europa League spot, best case scenario.

EVERTON 0 - 2 SUNDERLAND

Fortune blessed Sunderland as Danny Graham and Jermain Defoe both scored deflected goals to move the Black Cats out of the relegation zone with a hard-battled triumph over Everton.

Graham has persevered through a generally hopeless two years since moving to the Stadium of Light from Swansea City, yet his telling touch on Jordi Gomez's drive put Sunderland ahead after they had splashed up enormous pressure from the hosts.

Dick Advocaat had focused on a point prematch, with his set-up apparently backing that up, Defoe playing the first half as an assistant right back to sum up Sunderland's methodology.

James McCarthy hit the post with a well-hit shot soon after Graham's goal, yet Defoe himself was the recipient of more penalty box pinball to heap weight on Sunderland's immediate opponents at the bottom.

Having pulled themselves from the flame in the diminishing ashes of last season, Sunderland again have an awesome shot of securing top-flight status for another season.

Everton's own desires for rescuing a top 10 completion from their disillusioning season are blurring after a second defeat in a row.

CRYSTAL PALACE 1 - 2 MANCHESTER UNITED

Manchester United turned out 2-1 victors after an enthralling Premier League duel with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday night, putting them on the cusp of Champions League qualification.

Louis van Gaal's side led the halfway through the first half when Scott Dann was questionably rebuffed for a handball, Juan Mata slotting home the spot kick.

Palace gained confidence as the match went on, nonetheless, and equalised after the break when Jason Puncheon's beautiful free kick took a deflection off Daley Blind on it's way past David de Gea.

De Gea made a radiant stop to deny Glenn Murray as the match got more profound into the second half and his versatility was remunerated when inverse number Julian Speroni's horrendous late surge off his line late made room for Marouane Fellaini to complete off Ashley Young's cross.

OTHER RESULTS

ASTON VILLA 1 - 0 WEST HAM

HULL 0 - 1 BURNLEY

NEWCASTLE 1 - 1 WEST BROM

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL 1ST LEG: HOW IT HAPPENED.

MESSI DESTROYS BAYERN, THE OLD LADY TAKE A LEAD TO THE BERNABEU.

Four teams left standing to the road to Berlin, Barcelona will take a healthy lead to Bayern after a 15minute cameo that Messi absolutely dazzled the Bavarians defense. Underdogs Juventus, have a slight advantage heading into the second leg at the Bernabeu, but the tie is far from over.


BARCELONA 3 - 0 BAYERN MUNICH

Two moments of enchantment from Lionel Messi and a late goal from Neymar gave Barcelona a 3-0 win over Bayern Munich on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

The conflict at Camp Nou denoted the first time since his departure from Barca in 2012 that Pep Guardiola had met the group he prompted 14 noteworthy trophies in four years.

Guardiola had marked Messi "relentless" in the build up to the match and his words demonstrated prophetic as Messi destroyed Bayern with two sublime late goals.

Having seen Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer disappoint Barca for a significant part of the match, the two sides looked set to go to the Allianz Arena one week from now with the tie finely balanced at 0-0.

However, Messi, playing in his 100th European game, delivered another shining showcase to place Barca in summon, breaking the deadlock with a grating 77th-minute opener.

What's more, the Argentina forward multiplied his count after three minutes with a radiant solo goal before a stoppage time third from Neymar viably finished the tie as Barca went somehow to picking up a measure of vengeance for the 7-0 aggregate misfortune to Bayern at the same stage two years back.


JUVENTUS 2 - 1 REAL MADRID

Carlos Tevez's penalty gave Juventus an essential lead as they beat Real Madrid 2-1 in Tuesday's Champions League semi-final first leg.

Juve, delegated Serie A champions for a fourth year consecutively on Saturday, were compensated for a splendid begin when previous Real striker Alvaro Morata opened the scoring from short proximity in Turin.

Massimiliano Allegri's side were soon pegged back, however, as Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored three times against Juve in last season's group stages, headed home a short proximity equalizer from James Rodriguez's great cross.

Holders Real squandered an extraordinary opportunity presently before the break when Rodriguez by one means or another headed against the crossbar from three yards with the goal unguarded.

That miss at last proved costly as Juve were granted a penalty just before the hour when Dani Carvajal felled Tevez, and the Argentina forward determinedly dispatched his spot-kick.

Juve consequently hold a slight advantage going into the second leg next week in Madrid, despite the fact that Ronaldo's away goal, his 76th in the Champions League, equal with his extraordinary opponent Lionel Messi, could demonstrate significant.