RELENTLESS MAN CITY FACE MANIC MAY
Having reached the FA Cup final, seized control of the title race with an eight-match winning run and set up a last-four clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League, City now face eight games that will go a long way to deciding their destiny.
And while the schedule is relentless, starting on Wednesday at home to West Ham United and continuing next weekend at home to Leeds United before the first leg against Real, City's squad depth suggests they will not falter so close to glory.
They did not even play to their best on Sunday in a 2-1 win at Fulham but they have match-winners everywhere you look even with Kevin De Bruyne injured. Julian Alvarez, mainly a substitute since he arrived, scored a sublime winner while Riyad Mahrez, another 'squad player', oozes quality whenever he plays.
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME FOR MANCHESTER UNITED
Erik ten Hag's team built on their superb record at Old Trafford with Sunday's 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Manchester United are unbeaten at Old Trafford in 15 league games, with just three draws, a league-best streak that goes back to their loss to Brighton on the opening weekend of the season.
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag - Premier League - Manchester United v Aston Villa - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - April 30, 2023. (Photo: Reuters) |
United play three of their final six games of the season at home, which should help them lock down a Champions League spot. They are fourth with 63 points from 32 games, but have a game in hand over both Newcastle, who are third with 65 points, and Liverpool (fifth with 56).
Ten Hag picked out Swedish defender Victor Lindelof, who headed a ball off the goal-line in the dying seconds, as "brilliant" in Sunday's win. "He was totally in control in the area," Ten Hag said.
SCHALKE DRAMA
Schalke 04 are offering their fans plenty of drama in the last weeks of the season, with the Royal Blues snatching a last-gasp comeback win over Werder Bremen that kept them alive in their battle to stay up.
With four games remaining, Schalke, who were promoted last season after a year in the second division, must dig even deeper to move off 17th place and into the safety zone.
"This win can give us new power for the final sprint of the season," said coach Thomas Reis.
Schalke, who have won two of their last three league matches, have 27 points, one point behind the playoff spot occupied by VfL Bochum and 15th-plaved VfB Stuttgart. Schalke next play European hopefuls Mainz 05.
NAPOLI OKAY TO DELAY TITLE JOY
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Napoli's Mathias Olivera celebrates scoring their first goal with Hirving Lozano and teammates - Serie A - Napoli v Salernitana - Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Naples, Italy - April 30, 2023. (Photo: Reuters) |
Leaders Napoli were minutes away from celebrating the club's first Serie A title since the Diego Maradona era but Salernitana spoiled their party on Sunday with a late Boulaye Dia goal, extending the wait for Luciano Spalletti's side.
"I'm not angry," Spalletti told a news conference. "There is a bit of regret here, but if we think about the future it will be a pleasure anyway.
"Tomorrow we will all be together again, it becomes a delay of the enjoyment. It's like when you kiss: the longer you are together, the better it feels."
A draw at 13th-placed Udinese will be enough for Napoli to seal the championship on Thursday.
TEENAGER LAMINE YAMAL MAKES HISTORY AT BARCELONA
Barcelona fans are already preparing to celebrate winning the LaLiga title as they are leading the standings with 79 points. They hold an 11-point advantage over second-placed Real Madrid with only six games remaining.
During their easy 4-0 romp over Real Betis on Saturday, Barca fans were introduced to their latest La Masia youth academy gem, Lamine Yama. Aged 15 years and nine months, he became the club's youngest ever debutant when he came on a substitute in the 83rd minute.
Yamal broke a club record that had lasted since 1941, when Vicenc Martinez played his first professional match for Barcelona at the age of 16 years and 10 months.
La Masia is regarded as one of the best youth academies in the world having developed players such as Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and many others.
