There was a fresh injection of drama in the race for Premier League glory after Chelsea FC defeated leaders Liverpool FC to boost their own bid and put Manchester City FC back in control. In Spain, Club Atlético de Madrid moved closer to the Liga crown as the leading trio all won, while Paris Saint-Germain missed the chance to sew up the Ligue 1 title and both AFC Ajax and Fenerbahçe SK crossed their respective finishing lines.
England
The title race is wide open in the Premier League after Chelsea forced Liverpool to surrender the initiative with a 2-0 win at Anfield, allowing Manchester City to close via a success at Crystal Palace FC. Victory moved José Mourinho’s Blues within two points of the leaders, but City are in control, three points behind the Reds with a game in hand and a superior goal difference. “It was a happy day. It was very important for us,” said City coach Manuel Pellegrini. “Before today we were depending on other teams. Now we depend only on what we do.” Meanwhile, Manchester United FC defeated Norwich City FC 4-0 in their first game under player-manager Ryan Giggs.
Spain
Atlético’s pace refuses to abate in the race for the Liga title as the Rojiblancos won for a ninth game running to stay clear at the top of the table. Diego Simeone’s men prevailed 1-0 at Valencia CF on Sunday, a day after Real Madrid CF, who have a game in hand, closed within three points courtesy of a 4-0 success against CA Osasuna. “We have two big rivals behind us and we cannot afford to lose,” said Simeone. FC Barcelona, meanwhile, remain four points off the top after battling back to beat Villarreal CF 3-2, while fourth-placed Athletic Club took a huge step towards securing UEFA Champions League football by defeating nearest rival Sevilla FC 3-1.
France
Leaders Paris missed out on the chance to seal the Ligue 1 title after drawing 1-1 with relegation-threatened FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. “I have a bitter taste in my mouth because we did not win and we could have been champions tonight,” lamented forward Edinson Cavani. “I hope we win it as soon as possible; that is the most important thing.” AS Monaco FC in second ensured Paris would need to wait as they defeated AC Ajaccio 4-1, while LOSC Lille kept a firm grip on the final UEFA Champions League spot with a 2-1 win against FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Behind LOSC, nearest challengers AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais also picked up three points.
Italy
AS Roma ensured leaders Juventus will not be able to clinch the Serie A title when they take on US Sassuolo Calcio on Monday night after the Giallorossi recorded a ninth successive win with a 2-0 triumph against AC Milan. “Above all, we can continue to dream,” said Roma coach Rudi Garcia. “We will do everything to catch Juventus,” added goalscorer Miralem Pjanić. Meanwhile, SSC Napoli drew 0-0 at FC Internazionale Milano while fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina beat Bologna FC 3-0. Torino FC, SS Lazio and Hellas Verona FC all recorded victories on Sunday to maintain hopes of contesting European football next season.
Germany
Claudio Pizarro scored twice as FC Bayern München recovered to beat SV Werder Bremen 5-2. “The win is obviously good for our mood as we prepare to face Real Madrid. I have total faith in my team and I hope we can pull together and do it,” said Josep Guardiola ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final decider. In the race for fourth spot, meanwhile, Bayer 04 Leverkusen were held 2-2 by Borussia Dortmund, but VfL Wolfsburg could not take advantage as their game against SC Freiburg finished with the same scoreline. VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach climbed within three points of fourth by prevailing 1-0 at FC Schalke 04.
Elsewhere Titles were clinched in the Netherlands and Turkey, with a 1-1 draw at Heracles Almelo securing a fourth successive Eredivisie crown for Ajax,
On the other hand a stalemate with Çaykur Rizespor secured a 19th Turkish championship for Fenerbahçe. “We have given everything and I’d like to thank my players for their efforts,” said Fenerbahçe coach Ersun Yanal. RSC Anderlecht defeated R. Standard de Liège 2-1 in Belgium, allowing Club Brugge KV to go top, while in Serbia defending champions FK Partizan cut the gap to leaders FK Crvena zvezda to three points after recording a 2-1 win against their title rivals.
England
The title race is wide open in the Premier League after Chelsea forced Liverpool to surrender the initiative with a 2-0 win at Anfield, allowing Manchester City to close via a success at Crystal Palace FC. Victory moved José Mourinho’s Blues within two points of the leaders, but City are in control, three points behind the Reds with a game in hand and a superior goal difference. “It was a happy day. It was very important for us,” said City coach Manuel Pellegrini. “Before today we were depending on other teams. Now we depend only on what we do.” Meanwhile, Manchester United FC defeated Norwich City FC 4-0 in their first game under player-manager Ryan Giggs.
Spain
Atlético’s pace refuses to abate in the race for the Liga title as the Rojiblancos won for a ninth game running to stay clear at the top of the table. Diego Simeone’s men prevailed 1-0 at Valencia CF on Sunday, a day after Real Madrid CF, who have a game in hand, closed within three points courtesy of a 4-0 success against CA Osasuna. “We have two big rivals behind us and we cannot afford to lose,” said Simeone. FC Barcelona, meanwhile, remain four points off the top after battling back to beat Villarreal CF 3-2, while fourth-placed Athletic Club took a huge step towards securing UEFA Champions League football by defeating nearest rival Sevilla FC 3-1.
France
Leaders Paris missed out on the chance to seal the Ligue 1 title after drawing 1-1 with relegation-threatened FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. “I have a bitter taste in my mouth because we did not win and we could have been champions tonight,” lamented forward Edinson Cavani. “I hope we win it as soon as possible; that is the most important thing.” AS Monaco FC in second ensured Paris would need to wait as they defeated AC Ajaccio 4-1, while LOSC Lille kept a firm grip on the final UEFA Champions League spot with a 2-1 win against FC Girondins de Bordeaux. Behind LOSC, nearest challengers AS Saint-Étienne and Olympique Lyonnais also picked up three points.
Italy
AS Roma ensured leaders Juventus will not be able to clinch the Serie A title when they take on US Sassuolo Calcio on Monday night after the Giallorossi recorded a ninth successive win with a 2-0 triumph against AC Milan. “Above all, we can continue to dream,” said Roma coach Rudi Garcia. “We will do everything to catch Juventus,” added goalscorer Miralem Pjanić. Meanwhile, SSC Napoli drew 0-0 at FC Internazionale Milano while fourth-placed ACF Fiorentina beat Bologna FC 3-0. Torino FC, SS Lazio and Hellas Verona FC all recorded victories on Sunday to maintain hopes of contesting European football next season.
Germany
Claudio Pizarro scored twice as FC Bayern München recovered to beat SV Werder Bremen 5-2. “The win is obviously good for our mood as we prepare to face Real Madrid. I have total faith in my team and I hope we can pull together and do it,” said Josep Guardiola ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League semi-final decider. In the race for fourth spot, meanwhile, Bayer 04 Leverkusen were held 2-2 by Borussia Dortmund, but VfL Wolfsburg could not take advantage as their game against SC Freiburg finished with the same scoreline. VfL Borussia Mönchengladbach climbed within three points of fourth by prevailing 1-0 at FC Schalke 04.
Elsewhere Titles were clinched in the Netherlands and Turkey, with a 1-1 draw at Heracles Almelo securing a fourth successive Eredivisie crown for Ajax,
AJAX are Dutch Champions
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