Thousands pay respect to Tito at the Camp Nou

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — More than 20,000 of Barcelona's fans gathered along with players to pay their respects to Tito Vilanova at Camp Nou on Saturday, a day after the former coach died following a battle with throat cancer.
Condolences continued to pour in from across Europe, with Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola saying he would never forget his former coaching partner at
Barcelona, who died at the age of 45.
"We experienced a lot together,"
Guardiola said. "We lost together and won together. This is a very difficult situation. The sadness will accompany me forever."
The day began with Barcelona's players signing a book of condolence and silently remembering Vilanova.
The club then opened the temporary memorial site to the public. It said 20,802 mourners came to pay their respects. The attendees included Artur Mas, Catalonia's regional president, and
the club president of crosstown rival Espanyol, Joan Collet.
"It's a difficult moment," Barcelona
captain Carles Puyol said. "We send our support to his family and friends. A great, complete person, an example, has left us. This is a difficult blow."
Vilanova's illness forced him to step
down as Barcelona coach last summer after winning the 2012-13 Spanish league.
He previously served as Guardiola's
assistant at Barcelona for a four-year run during which the team won 14 of a possible 19 titles, helping to establish the club's most successful era.
Bayern expressed its condolences on its website, underscoring the relationship between Guardiola and Vilanova, which the Bundesliga champion's statement
said "went well beyond a professional bond."
A minute's silence was held for Vilanova before this weekend's round of league matches in Spain, and also before Bayern's home game against Werder Bremen, with Bayern players wearing
black armbands.
Barcelona has declared three days of mourning for Vilanova, whose funeral will be on Monday in Barcelona's cathedral.

Thousands pay respect to Tito at the Camp Nou

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — More than 20,000 of Barcelona's fans gathered along with players to pay their respects to Tito Vilanova at Camp Nou on Saturday, a day after the former coach died following a battle with throat cancer.
Condolences continued to pour in from across Europe, with Bayern Munich coach Pep Guardiola saying he would never forget his former coaching partner at
Barcelona, who died at the age of 45.
"We experienced a lot together,"
Guardiola said. "We lost together and won together. This is a very difficult situation. The sadness will accompany me forever."
The day began with Barcelona's players signing a book of condolence and silently remembering Vilanova.
The club then opened the temporary memorial site to the public. It said 20,802 mourners came to pay their respects. The attendees included Artur Mas, Catalonia's regional president, and
the club president of crosstown rival Espanyol, Joan Collet.
"It's a difficult moment," Barcelona
captain Carles Puyol said. "We send our support to his family and friends. A great, complete person, an example, has left us. This is a difficult blow."
Vilanova's illness forced him to step
down as Barcelona coach last summer after winning the 2012-13 Spanish league.
He previously served as Guardiola's
assistant at Barcelona for a four-year run during which the team won 14 of a possible 19 titles, helping to establish the club's most successful era.
Bayern expressed its condolences on its website, underscoring the relationship between Guardiola and Vilanova, which the Bundesliga champion's statement
said "went well beyond a professional bond."
A minute's silence was held for Vilanova before this weekend's round of league matches in Spain, and also before Bayern's home game against Werder Bremen, with Bayern players wearing
black armbands.
Barcelona has declared three days of mourning for Vilanova, whose funeral will be on Monday in Barcelona's cathedral.

Real keep pace with Athletico

Cristiano Ronaldo scored two wondergoals to help Real Madrid to a 4-0 victory over Osasuna on Saturday and keep their Liga title hopes alive.
After declaring he was in "perfect
condition" in the build-up to Saturday's match, Ronaldo proved it on the pitch with a dazzling display and two goals, before being taken off in preparation for Tuesday's Champions League semi-final second leg at Bayern Munich.
His sixth-minute strike gave Andres
Fernandez no chance as it flew into the back of the net from long range, and he created a handful of chances for his team- mates that were wasted.
Osasuna rarely threatened Diego Lopez and they were unable to bring the goalkeeper into action when they did have a sight of goal.
Ronaldo secured the points early in the second half with his 30th league goal of the season, and Sergio Ramos added a third on
the hour.
Dani Carvajal scored a late header to underline Real's dominance and keep the heat on Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in the title race, the pair facing respective trips to Valencia and Villarreal in Sunday's
action.
Osasuna remain firmly in the relegation fight, just three points above the drop zone.
With one eye on Tuesday's trip to the Allianz Arena, which Real will enter 1-0 down, Carlo Ancelotti made six changes to his starting line-up but it was a man who featured in their semi-final first leg that opened the scoring.
A subdued Ronaldo did not look fully fit last week but he proved he was back to his best early on as he cut in from the left and sent a 25-yard strike arrowing into the top
corner.
The Portugal captain was involved in every dangerous attack from Real and twice laid chances on for Ramos, though he could not
capitalise.
Three minutes into the second half,
Osasuna went close to a surprise leveller as Emiliano Armenteros acrobatically met a left-wing cross, however his effort was just wide.
Ronaldo showed him how it was done in the 53rd minute as he doubled his tally a sublime strike from the edge of the penalty area.
Again the 29-year-old cut in from the left with his sights set on the top corner, and he showed unerring accuracy to send the ball screaming past Andres.
Having wasted chances in the first half, Ramos finally got his name on the scoresheet as he charged into the penalty! area to meet Angel di Maria's cross.
With the game won Ancelotti took the chance to give Ronaldo, Di Maria and Luka Modric a rest to ensure they are ready for their midweek test in Germany.
One of the substitutes made an immediate impact as Carvajal, who had replaced Di Maria, escaped the attentions of Osasuna's
defenders and lobbed a header over Andres from Isco's chipped pass.

Giggs begins with win

Ryan Giggs made a winning start to his spell in temporary charge of Manchester United, with struggling Norwich City seen off 4-0 at Old Trafford.
A brace apiece from Wayne Rooney and Juan Mata earned the reigning Premier League champions all three points and
ensured that a new era at the Theatre of Dreams got off to the best possible start.
United were far from their best in the opening exchanges, but at the end of a hectic week the final result was all that mattered.
Rooney ensured that would be favourable as he stroked home his first from the penalty spot after Danny Welbeck had been bundled over in the box by Steven Whittaker.
The opener arrived four minutes before half-time, and three minutes after the interval Rooney had doubled United's lead as he slipped on the edge of the area but
saw a skidding drive nestle in the bottom corner.
Damage limitation quickly became the name of the game for Norwich, but they were breached on two further occasions in the space of 10 minutes just past the hour mark.
Mata, within three minutes of being
introduced, turned home a Phil Jones cross from close range to end the game as a contest, and it was to be the Spaniard who added a fourth as he glanced in a volleyed
centre from Antonio Valencia.

Everton nails themselves

Two own goals dealt Everton's chances of a top-four Premier League finish a severe blow as they slipped to a 2-0 defeat at Southampton.
The Merseysiders came into Saturday's game at St Mary's Stadium looking for a win to take them above Arsenal and into fourth, with Arsene Wenger's side
not playing until Monday.
However, a nightmare start saw them fall behind inside a minute as Antolin Alcaraz's spectacular error put the hosts ahead.
Having benefited from three own
goals themselves in recent weeks, the visitors were their own worst enemies on this occasion and their task became tougher after the half-hour as Seamus Coleman turned into his net.
Southampton are now six points clear of Newcastle United Arsenal's next opponents - and remain on course to equal their highest Premier League finish of eighth.
Everton remain a point behind Arsenal and Roberto Martinez looks as though he may have to wait another year at least to achieve his aim of taking the
club into the UEFA Champions League.
Martinez's side could hardly have
made a worse start to the game. They coughed up possession from kick-off and the ball eventually found Rickie Lambert, whose inswinging cross from the left was headed past Tim Howard by a flying Alcaraz.
A lack of cutting edge in attack
hampered Everton and they almost
conceded again 20 minutes in as
Steven Davis turned wide from 12
yards after another swift break down their right flank.
Coleman's attacking instincts were
giving Southampton space, but a rare foray down the opposite side of the pitch led to the hosts' second.
Nathaniel Clyne zipped up the wing
and clipped in a deep cross that John Stones failed to clear, giving Coleman no time to readjust, the ball bouncing off his forehead and into the net.
Romelu Lukaku headed over from four yards as Everton sought a way back into the contest, but they were
fortunate not to concede a penalty as Stones appeared to handle Adam Lallana's cross.
Martinez introduced Leon Osman and Aiden McGeady in an attempt to spark life into his attack, but Lambert came close to Southampton third as his 59th-minute free-kick nicked the outside of Howard's left-hand post.
McGeady's trickery on the left
presented Lukaku with another
glorious chance to score, but he
planted a header straight at Artur
Boruc.
Everton's challenge largely fizzled out as Southampton dominated the ball, consigning the Merseyside club to their fifth successive winless trip to St Mary's.
Having cost former boss David Moyes his job at Manchester United by extinguishing their hopes of reaching the Champions League last week, Everton's own bid now looks in serious jeopardy.

Wenger wants to stay

Arsene Wenger has confirmed his
desire to continue as Arsenal manager next season.
Wenger's contract expires at the endof the current campaign and he hasyet to sign an extension that has beenoffered.
The Frenchman had previously givenpublic assurances he would remain atthe Emirates Stadium, followed by thecaveat "unless I decide otherwise".
However, in an interview with beIN
SPORTS, Wenger made it clear he
intends to stay at Arsenal.
"Look, I have said that many times
already, I have given my word to thisclub and that I want to continue
where I am … that means to stay,"
said Wenger.
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis
stated in January that a new deal wason the table for Wenger, who hasmanaged Arsenal since 1996.
"Arsene will be extending (his
contract) with us and at the right timewe will make that announcement,"said Gazidis.
Although Arsenal have fallen out of
contention for the Premier League
title, they can still end the season withsilverware - for the first time since2005 - by beating Hull City in next month's FA Cup final.

Giggs begins without RVP

Interim Manchester United manager Ryan Giggs will be without striker Robin van Persie for his first match in charge against
Norwich on Saturday.
Van Persie is still recovering from a knee injury while defender Rafael is unavailable because of a thigh problem.
Midfielder Giggs could name himself in the squad for the game against the Canaries, which comes four days after the dismissal of David Moyes.
Norwich will again be without Joseph Yobo when the relegation-threatened Canaries take on managerless Manchester United at
Old Trafford.
The on-loan Nigeria defender has a calf injury, but should return to first-team training next week.
Winger Elliott Bennett is back in contention after completing his rehabilitation from his serious knee injury.

Morning Gist

DAILY MAIL

Interim Manchester United boss Ryan Giggs wants to land the job on a permanent basis and is hoping to make his case by leading the side to four successive victories to end the season.

THE TIMES

Monaco are hoping to lure back their former boss Arsene Wenger with a £13m- a-season offer which would make him one of the world's best-paid coaches.

DAILY MIRROR

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers says Jose Mourinho came close to taking charge at the Anfield club in "the early 2000s" and that the Chelsea manager has a lot of
respect for the Reds.

DAILY TELEGRAPH

Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri has told the Telegraph about life under former boss Roberto Mancini and said: "I really had a bad experience with him. When we
have a loss, he gets crazy in the dressing-
room."

Culled from sky

Breaking : Man Utd deny LVG

Manchester United have moved to
distance themselves from rumours
emanating from the Netherlands that Louis van Gaal has been
offered a three-year contract to take over at Old Trafford.
The current Netherlands boss has been heavily linked with succeeding David Moyes
at Old Trafford, with Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf reporting on Saturday that a deal has already been agreed.
Ryan Giggs has been handed the reins for the final four games of the season, and although former boss Sir Alex Ferguson backs him for the permanent job, Van Gaal
remains the hot favourite.
However, a spokesman for United denied the reports, stating: "There is nothing to report. We have not signed a new manager. When we have something to announce, we will announce it."
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti is also believed to be a candidate for the post, though Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola and Borussia Dortmund boss
Jurgen Klopp have already ruled
themselves out of contention.
But Van Gaal remains the favourite, and earlier this week Goal reported that the Dutchman has told friends he is "very keen" on succeeding Moyes as permanent
United manager.

Mirralas : Januzaj shouldnt be in the world cup

Everton attacker Kevin Mirallas said it would be unfair if Adnan Januzaj was picked by Belgium for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Manchester United starlet Januzaj, 19, declared his allegiances to the
European nation despite also being
eligible for Kosovo, Albania and Serbia among others.
Mirallas, a 43-time Belgium international, is pleased the teenager chose his country, but said he should not be selected for Brazil 2014.
"There was a lot of pressure on him to make his mind up, and it is good for Belgium that he has chosen us, because he is a good player," Mirallas said.
"But I don't think he should go to
Brazil. It would not be fair to leave
out another good player for someone
who does not know the others and
has not played a lot for his club in
recent months.
"Adnan does not know the group, and the fact is, he has not had much game time at Manchester United lately.
"It's not as if we are short of good
players in that area of the team. In
fact, there are a lot of good players in his position in the Belgium squad, so it is going to be difficult for him.
"He has yet to prove at United that he can be their number one asset in his particular position. I think for him, the European Championships in 2016
would be a more realistic target."
Mirallas has been ruled out for the
rest of the Premier League season
with a small groin tear, but is
expected to be fit for the World Cup.

Fergie backs Giggs

Sir Alex Ferguson has backed Ryan Giggs to take over as Manchester United manager after Giggs revealed he had already been in touch with his former boss.
Giggs takes charge of United for the first time at home to Norwich on Saturday, having been placed in control on Tuesday in the wake of David Moyes' dismissal.
The United legend held his first press conference on Friday, when he admitted he had already started to lean on Ferguson for
advice.
Giggs said: "He was the first person I picked up the phone to. Why wouldn't I? He's been everything you can as a manager - a young manager, an experienced manager, a successful manager.
"He's given me advice and told me he's always at the end of the phone so that has given me a lot of comfort. It's good to know I can turn to the manager if I ever need him."
Ferguson feels Giggs has what it takes to succeed in the managerial ranks although he is not favourite to take over from Moyes on a permanent basis going into his
weekend debut.
"I think that he [Giggs] is the one man they should go to really," Ferguson said at a charity dinner, according to the Daily Telegraph.
"He's got 20-odd years of experience at Manchester United. I signed him as a kid at 13 years of age. He's gone through the gamut of emotions at the club - he's experienced all the highs and lows.
"He knows exactly what's needed to be a Manchester United player and I was so pleased he brought Paul Scholes back in, and Nicky Butt of course - two great professionals.
"They understand the club, they are hard workers, they are straight as a die. So you have got the right combinations there, there's no doubt about that."

Joe Cole expects to leave West Ham

West Ham midfielder Joe Cole says it is unlikely he will stay at the club beyond this season.
The 32-year-old rejoined the Hammers - with whom he started his career - from Liverpool in January 2013 on an 18-month
deal, which runs out at the end of this season.
He has started just six matches this season and rarely in his favoured position of central midfield.
And the former Chelsea player accepts it is likely he will have to move elsewhere in search of first-team football.
When asked on Sky Sports' Weekend Warm-up if he would be staying at Upton Park, he replied: "At the moment it's probably looking unlikely.
"If I could stay and play then that would be ideal but that doesn't look like I'm the manager's first choice.
"I'm being used here and there and
sparingly. But at my age and where I am in my career I want to enjoy my football. I love competing and just I want to play.
"If you look at the small amount of time I've played on the pitch I think I've performed reasonably well.
"I'll be looking next year to play in a more central role. Being a winger in the past 10-11-12 years you lose a bit of patience, you want to come inside.
"Playing central will be something I will be looking for in my next club or if I stay at West Ham.
"So we will sit down in a few weeks, I imagine, and get a plan for next year." During his time at Chelsea, who he joined from West Ham in 2003 and remained at until 2010, Cole won the Premier League
three times, the FA Cup on three occasions and the League Cup twice.
He has also amassed 56 England caps and was included in the national squad for four major tournaments.
Expectation Cole admits that had to combat high expectations when he broke into the West Ham first team as a teenager and also saw
his progress curtailed somewhat by a cruciate ligament injury in 2009 but he still believes he has fulfilled his potential.
"It's perception in football and there was a lot of pressure put on me as a youngster but I think I've achieved what I'm capable of achieving," he said.
"People will tell you I'm a good
professional, I work hard. If you look at the curves on my career, it was going up, up and up and then I got my injury. That has taken a little bit out of my game.
"A lot of it in football is people's
perception of what you could have done, what you should have done.
"To be able to play at Chelsea for such long time at a top club it's an amazing achievement. I'm happy with what I've done."
"I still want more. The fire still burns. I still want to play and play at the highest level I can play."

Balotelli lashes out on Itallian pundits

AC Milan striker Mario Balotelli lambasted Clarence Seedorf 's
decision to substitutehim in Friday's Serie A loss to Roma during an explosive post- match interview.
The Italy international was replaced by fellow forward Giampaolo Pazzini after 69
ineffective minutes at the Stadio Olimpico but was visibily upset by decision.
Balotelli appeared to ask Seedorf why he was being taken off and the 23-year-old admitted in an interview with Sky Sport Italia after the game that he was not happy
with the coach's decision before then making a sarcastic reference to the fact that the panel of Giancarlo Marocchi, Zvonimir Boban and Christian Panucci had
been discussing his merits as a truly world class player.
"I didn't understand my substitution," he admitted. "But given that in the studio they say that I'm not a top player, it will
have been for that."
Host Marocchi suggested his substitution was perhaps because Balotelli had not moved very much while on the field, prompting a furious response from the attacker.
"Who's speaking? Marocchi? He doesn't understand football," the former Manchester City man fumed.
“I never said I’m a top player. I am a perfectly normal player. It will take time to become world class, but the reasons why I am not a top player are not the same reasons you think.
“Every game is different. If I didn’t get near the goal once tonight, then there has to be a reason.
“You always talk about me. When Milan win Mario’s great, when Milan lose it’s all Mario’s fault. I don’t need your criticism, I make my own criticism.
“You always talk and talk, say I’m precious to Italian football, but there’s no point to saying these things. No point.”
Former Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban then weighed in, accusing Balotelli of disrespecting his Sky colleague.
"You think you're world class? But where are you going? You never do a self- critique."
Balotelli then interrupted. "I don't need your criticism," before bring an abupt end to the interview.

Roma stroll past Ac Milan

Roma dented AC Milan's hopes of
Europa League qualification as they
cruised to a 2-0 win on Friday to keep the Serie A title race alive.
The Rossoneri headed into the game on the back of five straight wins, a run which has seen them move into seventh and within
striking distance of a place in Europe's second-tier club competition.
But the visitors' winning streak was
brought to an end by an impressive
performance from Roma, which moves them within five points of leaders Juventus, who visit Sassuolo on Monday.
A draw or a defeat for Roma at the Stadio Olimpico would have handed Juve the chance to seal a third straight Scudetto, but goals from Miralem Pjanic and Gervinho
kept the capital club's hopes intact for at least another week.
Pjanic opened the scoring in the 43rd minute for Rudi Garcia's side, highlighting a virtuoso midfield display with a breathtaking individual goal.
The visitors rarely threatened to equalise and Gervinho pounced on Christian Abbiati's error 20 minutes into the second half to wrap up the points and take their
title fight a week further.
Unchanged from their 1-0 win at Fiorentina last week, the hosts had the better of a scrappy first half, full-back Dodo going close after 20 minutes when he volleyed over
the bar from just inside the area.
Garcia's men continued to enjoy greater possession in the opening period and may have taken the lead if not for the defensive work of Adil Rami, who blocked a
seemingly goal-bound effort from Pjanic after the Bosnian had skipped into the box.
However, the former Lyon man did find the net in spectacular fashion just before the half-time interval.
Having played a one-two with Francesco Totti midway inside the Milan half, Pjanic elegantly surged beyond Sulley Muntari, Riccardo Montolivo and Rami before coolly
slotting past Abbiati.
Milan started the second half brightly and spurned a half-chance as Montolivo fired wide from Kaka's pull-back.
Pjanic remained a danger, though, and was denied a second as Abbiati produced a strong save after the 24-year-old had collected Totti's square pass from a free kick.
But the Milan goalkeeper was at fault as Roma doubled their lead, failing to handle a well-struck Totti effort and presenting Gervinho with the simple task of netting
from two yards.
Clarence Seedorf's men offered little in the way of a replay as Roma eased to a comfortable win that plunges Milan's hopes of salvaging something from a disappointing season into doubt.

Breaking : Tito Vilanova dead @ 45

Former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova has
died at the age of 45, the club have
announced.
Barca said in a statement: "The club
expresses their deepest condolences over
the passing of Tito Vilanova , who died
today in Barcelona at the age of 45."
Vilanova was diagnosed with cancer of the
salivary gland more than two years ago and
was forced to step down as Barca boss last
July.
He was Pep Guardiola's assistant during a
glorious four-year spell for Barcelona
between 2008 and 2012 during which the
club won 14 trophies.
Vilanova took over from Guardiola at the
start of the 2012/13 season, but he was
forced to take four months off between
December 2012 and April 2013 for
treatment in the United States after a
recurrence of the throat cancer which had
been first diagnosed in November 2011.
Barca went on to win the Spanish La Liga
title, equalling the record points tally, in
his only season in charge before he finally
resigned because of the cancer.

Chelsea midfielder Ramires handed 4 match ban

Chelsea midfielder Ramires to
serve four-game ban after
accepting FA charge of violent
conduct.

More to follow …

5 things to know about English premiership

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — It takes
something pretty special to overshadow
Ryan Giggs' first game as manager of
Manchester United.
A title-defining match between Liverpool
and Chelsea can be described as just
that.
Liverpool will eliminate Chelsea from the
title race — and move to the brink of a
first English championship in 24 years —
with a win at Anfield on Sunday in a
contest that will capture the world's
attention. The Reds hold a five-point
lead over Chelsea with three games
remaining, with Manchester City a point
further back in third but with a match in
hand.
United is usually in title contention at
this stage of the season. Not this time.
David Moyes was fired on Tuesday with
the team lying seventh and with no
chance of qualifying for next season's
Champions League. Giggs, a United
great, has taken temporary charge of a
team he has graced for 23 years and his
first match is against Norwich on
Saturday.
Here are five things to know about this
weekend's round:
___
MIND GAMES
Perhaps Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho
was just trying to lull Liverpool into a
false sense of security by saying this
week that the Champions League was
his priority and he'd prefer to pick a
weakened team for the Liverpool match.
All will be discovered in lineup on
Sunday.
The timing of the match is unfortunate
for Chelsea, coming between the two
legs of the Champions League semifinals
against Atletico Madrid. Mourinho is sure
to make changes to give several players a
breather, but how many?
Captain John Terry and goalkeeper Petr
Cech will definitely miss out after being
hurt in Tuesday's first leg.
It all puts Liverpool in a very strong
position as Brendan Rodgers' team goes
for a 12th straight league win. A victory
for Liverpool and a slip-up by
Manchester City at Crystal Palace later
Sunday would mean the Reds having a
chance to clinch the title with a match to
spare.
NO ROOM FOR ERROR
Aside from maybe Liverpool, was there
any team Man City would prefer not to
play against this weekend than Crystal
Palace? Probably not.
Under the wily stewardship of manager
Tony Pulis, Palace has won its last five
games to climb away from the relegation
zone and secure Premier League football
for another season. It's a remarkable
feat, given that the promoted team had
only four points when Pulis was hired in
November.
City stayed in realistic title contention by
beating West Bromwich Albion 3-1 on
Monday but it came at a cost, with David
Silva injuring his right ankle. The absence
of the Spain playmaker for this weekend
would be a huge blow as he makes City's
attack tick.
Key midfielder Yaya Toure could return
for City, though, and striker Sergio
Aguero is slowly getting his match fitness
back after a long lay-off. City realistically
needs to win all four of its remaining
matches to stand a chance of winning a
second league title in three years.
___
GIGGS TAKES CHARGE
Perhaps the final vestige of Moyes'
woeful reign at United was removed on
Thursday when the "Chosen One" banner
was brought down at Old Trafford.
Saturday marks another new start for
United in the gloomy post-Alex Ferguson
era, with Giggs in charge for the visit of
Norwich.
Assisted by former teammates Nicky
Butt, Paul Scholes and Phil Neville from
the so-called 'Class of 92,' Giggs' priority
will be to pick up some wins and also to
bring a smile back to United fans, many
of whom have never seen the club so
low.
"We walked in here together when we
were 12 and to be here now . together is
a very proud moment," Butt said. "We're
here to try to help the club and get the
results that we want from now until the
end of the season. What happens after
that, who knows?"
Seventh-place United can still fight for
sixth position, which likely offers the
final Europe League berth. Tottenham is
three points ahead in sixth.
___
RACE FOR FOURTH
Arsenal is in command of the race for the
fourth and final Champions League
qualification spot, holding a one-point
advantage over Everton with both having
three games remaining.
The Gunners have much the easier
match coming up, with Newcastle visiting
Emirates Stadium on Monday on the back
of five straight losses which has piled the
pressure on manager Alan Pardew.
With attacking midfielders Mesut Ozil
and Aaron Ramsey back fit, some cutting
edge has returned to Arsenal's attack just
in time for a crucial last month of the
season when the team looks to seal a
17th straight campaign in Europe's top
competition and to win the FA Cup final
against Hull.
Everton plays at Southampton on
Saturday. With its next match being at
home to Man City, it's easy to see why
the Merseysiders are underdogs for
fourth.
___
RELEGATION BATTLE
Sunderland has proved to be a nemesis
for the big teams this season — it's time
for Gus Poyet's last-place side to show
its mettle also against the strugglers if it
is to stay up.
Nothing can be decided this weekend in
the increasingly fraught relegation battle
that still involves nine teams, but the
outcome of Sunday's crunch match
between Cardiff and Sunderland — two
members of the bottom three — will
have a huge bearing on who goes down.
Sunderland has taken four points from
trips to Man City and Chelsea over the
past week but is still bottom by a point
behind Cardiff and Fulham.

Culled from yahoo

Ronaldo: we will score and get to the final

Cristiano Ronaldo felt no ill effects after
he returned from injury in Real Madrid's
1-0 win over Bayern Munich on
Wednesday night in the first leg of their
UEFA Champions League semi-final.
There was speculation before the match
that Ronaldo was returning too quickly,
after 22 days on the sidelines with a leg
injury, and afterwards coach Carlo
Ancelotti admitted his star man was
only 50 per cent fit.
Ronaldo was substituted with 16
minutes remaining and replaced by
Gareth Bale, but confirmed afterwards
that he had come through the match
without any problems.
"Some people didn't want me to play,
but I did and nothing happened,"
Ronaldo was told Marca. "I was a little
bit worried because it was my first
match after three weeks but I didn't
feel any discomfort. I'll be in perfect
condition for the next games."
Ancelotti praised Ronaldo's efforts after
Real had been forced to start Bale off
the bench due to a virus.
"It wasn't easy with no Bale and
Ronaldo at only 50 per cent," he
said. "[Ronaldo] made a huge effort".
Karim Benzema's 19th-minute strike
separated the teams, although Real
could have taken an even greater
advantage to the Allianz Arena next
week after creating a number of good
chances. Bayern controlled possession
for the majority, but their lack of cutting
edge means they will not take an away
goal back to Munich.
Ronaldo believes that could be a
decisive factor, adding: "One-nil in the
semi-final of the Champions League is
good and we also played well. If we
score a goal there it will make it very
complicated for them to go through, so
I think we will score and go on to the
final."
The final will be staged in Lisbon, where
Ronaldo began his senior career with
Sporting, on 24 May with either La Liga
leaders Atletico Madrid or Chelsea lying
in wait.

Culled from fifa

Cech: Season a success

Petr Cech believes Chelsea will be able to
look back on a successful season even if
they fail to lift any silverware.
Jose Mourinho's side are five points adrift
of Sunday's opponents Liverpool in the
Premier League title race, although their
main priority is reaching the Champions
League final.
The Blues take on Atletico Madrid in the
second leg of their semi-final on
Wednesday having fought out a goalless
draw in a tense opener in Spain.
Cech has been ruled out for the remainder
of the campaign after suffering a shoulder
injury in Madrid, and he is aware Chelsea's
season will be defined in the space of four
days.
But he insists the squad have made
encouraging progress since Mourinho
returned last summer, and he expects the
current squad to go from strength to
strength next season.
"We're not the favourites for the title," he
told the Evening Standard. "If we don't win
it, we will be disappointed but it was not
the target. As the manager said, this is a
process of him building the team he wants.
"We have made progress even if there are
no trophies at the end to show for it. We
have been looking for stability and in the
last few seasons we have had a lot of
changes of manager.
"It's really important to start with one
manager and end it with the same one.
Now next season we can make an even
bigger step forward.
"Whatever happens this season it will be
even better next season because of the
confidence we have gained and we will be
in an even better position to fulfil our
targets."

Morning Gossip

THE SUN
Louis van Gaal has admitted he is
desperate to get back into club
management as he continues to be the No
1 target to take over from David Moyes at
Manchester United.
Rene Meulensteen says he warned David
Moyes that the United job would be next
to impossible to succeed in.
Aston Villa midfielder Yacouba Sylla hopes
for a loan move back to France next season
if he is not going to get more playing time.
Hugo Lloris has accused his Spurs team-
mates of giving up at times in a season that
has turned into a massive disappointment.
Everton boss Roberto Martinez is plotting a
summer move for United striker Danny
Welbeck if he misses out on a permanent
deal for Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea's Thorgan Hazard could be heading
for Borussia Dortmund next season - he
has spent this year on loan with Zulte
Waregem in Belgium.
DAILY MIRROR
The Glazers will fly in to Manchester on
Friday to try and sort out the managerial
mess at Old Trafford.
England boss Roy Hodgson is furious
Manchester City have arranged a post-
season friendly in the United Arab
Emirates - he wanted Joe Hart and James
Milner to have some time off before the
World Cup finals in Brazil.
Arsene Wenger is poised to finally sign a
new deal at Arsenal and will celebrate it
with a £70m spending spree that could
include a move for Bayern Munich striker
Mario Mandzukic.
Spurs defender Jan Vertonghen could be
off to Roma this summer.
Newcastle are keen to sign Benfica
playmaker Filip Duricic - he'll most likely
cost a fee of around £7m.
Crystal Palace would like to bring Sochaux
striker Cedric Bakambu to Selhurst Park
this summer after missing out on a deal for
him in January.
Leicester hope to secure the long-term
future of keeper Kasper Schmeichel and
striker David Nugent.
DAILY EXPRESS
Swansea striker Michu is unlikely to play
again this season and has returned to Spain
to see a specialist about continuing ankle
trouble.
Plymouth striker Marvin Morgan has
thanked physio Paul Atkinson for saving his
life after he fell ill in training on Tuesday -
the 31-year-old is still in hospital awaiting
results of medical tests.
DAILY STAR
Hull City will be looking for £7m if anyone
wants to try and prise Sone Aluko away
from the club this summer.
Stewart Downing believes West Ham
team-mate Andy Carroll is worthy of a
place in England's World Cup squad.
THE TIMES
Alan Pardew's position at Newcastle United
could come under the spotlight at the end
of the season when the club's
disappointing season is investigated by
owner Mike Ashley.
INDEPENDENT
Roy Keane has emerged as a potential
candidate to join a revamped coaching staff
at Manchester United - favourite for the
top role Louis van Gaal is a fan of the
Irishman.
Carlo Ancelotti is prepared to bid farewell
to Real Madrid this summer if United come
calling. Zinedine Zidane could be lined up
to take over from him at the Bernabeu.
GUARDIAN
Manchester United are poised to sign
England left-back Luke Shaw from
Southampton and aiming to add PSG striker
Edinson Cavani and Barcelona midfielder
Cesc Fabregas as well.
DAILY TELEGRAPH
Suspended Aston Villa coaches Ian
Culverhouse and Gary Karsa will find out
their fate next week. They are facing
dismissal amid accusations of gross
misconduct.
Southampton defender Calum Chambers is
a summer target for Arsenal boss Arsene
Wenger.
DAILY MAIL
As well as Danny Welbeck, Everton could
be looking at a summer move for
Manchester United midfielder Tom
Cleverley, a target for the Old Trafford
boo-boys this season.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will be nursed
through the rest of the season by Arsenal
to ensure his groin injury does not
deteriorate and cost him a place in
England's World Cup squad.
Michael Kightly hopes to turn his loan
move with Premier League-bound Burnley
into a permanent one this summer.
Sebastian Larsson is a summer target for
Turkish clubs Fenerbahce, Besiktas and
Bursaspor.
DAILY RECORD
Kilmarnock face SFPL sanctions amid
reports of a probe into claims a staff
member forged a player's signature to
allow him to play against Celtic.

Benzema hands Real edge

Karim Benzema's first-half strike proved to
be the difference as Real Madrid secured a
1-0 win in the first leg of their UEFA
Champions League semi-final tie with
Bayern Munich.
The visitors dominated possession in the
early stages without really creating
anything of note in front of goal and it was
Madrid who took the lead after a swift
counter-attack down the left.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had recovered from
a hamstring injury to return to the side,
fed Fabio Coentrao inside the area and the
full-back was able to cut it across goal
where Benzema was waiting to slot it into
an empty net with ease.
Bayern soon regained their rhythm and
had their hosts pegged back, but it was
again Carlo Ancelotti's side who had the
better sights of goal as Ronaldo and Angel
Di Maria both blazed over the bar from
good positions.
After the break, Ronaldo twice forced
Manuel Neuer into making smart saves,
while Philipp Lahm could only poke the ball
into the side-netting after bursting into the
area.
Thomas Muller saw his effort deflected
inches wide of the post after Raphael
Varane's block, and Mario Gotze was
denied by a smart save from Iker Casillas
as the hosts stood firm to take a 1-0
advantage to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday,
April 29.

FA charges Chelsea trio

The Football Association have charged
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho,
assistant manager Rui Faria and
midfielder Ramires.
The trio face disciplinary action for
their behaviour during and after
Saturday's 2-1 home defeat against
Sunderland, a result that put a
significant dent in Chelsea's Premier
League title hopes.

Breaking: Januzaj chooses Belgium ahead of England

Manchester United winger Adnan Januzaj
has chosen to represent Belgium at
international level, the country's national
team manager Marc Wilmots said on
Wednesday.
The Belgian-born youngster had the option
to represent a number of countries
including Belgium, Albania, Kosovo and
England.
"I have received official confirmation that
Adnan Januzaj has made himself available
to the Belgium national team for the rest
of his career," Wilmots tweeted.
There was no official comment from the
Belgian Football Association or Januzaj
himself.
England coach and former United defender
Gary Neville added: "It's a personal choice
and the boy has to be happy himself.
You're talking about his own nationality,
his own feelings, his own emotions and
you always have to respect that."
Januzaj moved to Manchester United from
Belgian side Anderlecht in 2011 and made
his Premier League debut for United in the
2-0 win over Crystal Palace in September.
He made his first start for the club the
following month and scored twice as
United came from behind to beat
Sunderland 2-1 at Old Trafford.
Later that month, the 19-year-old
committed his future to United by signing
a new five-year contract with the club.
Januzaj has made 13 Premier League starts
for United, scoring four goals and assisting
a further four.
It remains to be seen whether the
youngster could feature at this summer's
World Cup in Brazil.

Evening Gossip

LONDON EVENING STANDARD
Real Madrid are looking to capitalise on Ashley Cole's uncertain future at Chelsea
by offering him a one-year deal worth £70,000-a-week.
Jose Mourinho has admitted he would prioritise next week's visit of Atletico Madrid over their league trip to Anfield on Sunday.
Liverpool will allow Brendan Rodgers a net outlay of £40million in the summer transfer market - more than any other Anfield manager.
MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS
Manuel Pellegrini is refusing to concede
that their title challenge will be over, even
if leaders Liverpool beat Chelsea and his
Man City side fail to get three points
against Crystal Palace.
Louis Van Gaal's Ajax blueprint was one
adopted by Sir Alex Ferguson at
Manchester United and was the inspiration
behind their 1999 Champions League
triumph.
LIVERPOOL ECHO
Brendan Rodgers says FSG are committed
to the long-term success of Liverpool and
are looking to build on the success of this
season.
Simon Mignolet has called 30-goal striker
Luis Suarez 'amazing'.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez is
considering an £8million summer move for
Tom Cleverley as a long-term replacement
for Leon Osman. Martinez worked with the
England midfielder at Wigan and still rates
him highly.
NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE
Newcastle United are set to reject to
chance to sign Monaco striker Emmanuel
Riviere.
Newcastle have been tipped to make a
summer swoop on Sunderland for versatile
star Jack Colback.
Goallkeeper Vito Mannone has been
named Sunderland's Player of the Year,
with Fabio Borini picking up the Young
Player award.
Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew is
hoping to welcome Moussa Sissoko back to
his side for the clash with Arsenal on
Monday night.
THE JOURNAL
Newcastle United are considering moves
for Jeroen Zoet and Fraser Forster as
possible replacements for Tim Krul, amid
mounting speculation that the goalkeeper
will leave St James' Park this summer.
Sunderland Academy star Louis Laing could
be about to go on trial at Manchester
United.
Sunderland have belief that they can avoid
the drop says Lee Cattermole, but they
must continue to work hard.
SUNDERLAND ECHO
Vito Mannone says it's a "dream come
true" to be crowned Sunderland Player of
the Year.
Luuk de Jong is hoping his season, and
Newcastle United career, isn't over after
twisting his ankle in Saturday's home
defeat to Swansea.
BIRMINGHAM MAIL
Jonas Olsson believes the return to form
of Graham Dorrans will be key for West
Brom's bid for Premier League survival.
Chris Burke has urged Birmingham to stay
focused for the full 90 minutes in each
match after a bad first half against
Blackburn.
Wolves keeper Carl Ikeme hopes the
League One champions can put on a show
for final two games of the season as they
chase third-tier points record.
Yacouba Sylla has admitted he is frustrated
at a lack of first-team action at Aston Villa
and is looking for a loan move back to
France.
EXPRESS & STAR
Kenny Jackett will not be offered a new
contract as Wolves chief executive Jez
Moxey insisted the title-winning boss can
achieve all his ambitions at Molineux.
Defender Jonas Olsson has warned Albion
another slow start could cost them victory
in Saturday's potential pivotal clash with
West Ham.
Yacouba Sylla has said he wants to quit
Aston Villa.
THE SENTINEL
Stoke City will be battling over a near
£10million jackpot in their last three
games of the Premier League season.
NEWHAM RECORDER
West Ham full-back George McCartney is
keen to impress enough in the final
matches of the season to win a new deal at
Upton Park.
FULHAM CHRONICLE
Mark Schwarzer says he's ready to
deputise for Petr Cech in Sunday's vital
Premier League clash at Liverpool.
Rob Green has urged QPR's big names to
"step-up" as they bid for play-off glory.
SOUTH LONDON PRESS
Former Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway
has hailed the "miraculous" job done by his
Selhurst Park successor Tony Pulis - and
has called him his Manager of the Season.
SOUTH WALES EVENING POST
Former Swansea City star Leighton James
is recovering after suffering a suspected
stroke.
Michel Vorm has challenged Swansea City
to end their 17-month search for back-to-
back top-flight wins this weekend.
THE PINK UN
Norwich City winger Elliott Bennett says he
would "give anything" to play for the
Canaries in Saturday's clash against
Manchester United.
THE DAILY ECHO
Southampton will be hoping that David
Moyes' axing as Manchester United
manager will not result in a managerial
merry-go-round that could include
Mauricio Pochettino moving to Tottenham.
HULL DAILY MAIL
Shane Long and Sone Aluko are back in the
mix for Hull for this weekend's Premier
League clash against Fulham.
YORKSHIRE EVENING POST
Jack Butland says he will leave Leeds
United next week with "no regrets" about
his move to Elland Road, claiming an
unforgiving loan has made him a more
experienced and rounded goalkeeper.
Leeds boss Brian McDermott hopes he will
be allowed to continue as manager this
summer as he prepares to draw up plans
for a major overhaul of his playing squad at
Elland Road.
DERBY TELEGRAPH
George Thorne says he wants to help
Derby County win promotion to the
Premier League before thinking about his
long-term future.
LANCASHIRE TELEGRAPH
Burnley boss Sean Dyche ill get money to
spend this summer as the Clarets boss
prepares his squad for life in the Premier
League.
Blackburn Rovers boss Gary Bowyer has
challenged Josh King to replicate the
complete performance he produced to tear
the Birmingham City defence to shreds.
Brendan Flood says Burnley must be more
ambitious in their second crack at the
Premier League - but he knows the first
task will be hanging on to key personnel
this time.
THE BOLTON NEWS
Bolton Wanderers were fined £1.8 million
by HMRC for wrongly reclaiming VAT on
agents' fees, it has emerged in court.
Jermaine Beckford believes Wanderers
could have been a lot closer to the play-off
picture had they been able to call on Lukas
Jutkiewicz's services longer.
WIGAN EVENING POST
Stephen Crainey is prepared to twist the
knife into his old club Blackpool this
weekend as Wigan Athletic aim to book
their place in the Championship play-offs.
BLACKPOOL GAZETTE
Blackpool supporters wasted no time in
snapping up the 3,000 free tickets for
Saturday's crunch clash at Wigan paid for
by chairman Karl Oyston.
EVENING GAZETTE
Lukas Jutkiewicz is unsure on his future
despite admitting he'd like to turn his loan
stay at Bolton from Middlesbrough into a
permanent deal.
THE STAR
Neill Collins has warned Sheffield United
they must learn from their mistakes this
season in order to challenge for promotion
next term.
Chris Maguire has told of the sadness that
tempered his joy at reaching the 10-goal
mark for Sheffield Wednesday.
HUDDERSFIELD EXAMINER
Huddersfield Town boss Mark Robins is
hoping to add proven experience to squad
this summer.
DONCASTER FREE PRESS
James Coppinger believes the manner of
the draw with Millwall will see Doncaster
kick on and cross the Championship safety
line.
READING POST
Reading's top scorer Adam Le Fondre says
he was delighted to end his goal drought
against Middlesbrough on Tuesday night.
THE ARGUS
Oscar Garcia is amazed to have Brighton in
the play-off race with two games to go -
and insists Albion will fight to the end to
finish in the top six.
IPSWICH STAR
Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy says
there's no point in him sending up
champagne to newly-promoted Burnley -
as he's only focused on their own
promotion push.
BOURNEMOUTH ECHO
Bournemouth right-back Simon Francis is
adamant that Cherries remain a major
player in the Championship play-off race
despite dropping points at rivals Ipswich.
EVENING TIMES
Hearts could plunge Hibernian deeper into
relegation trouble on Sunday but
Tynecastle captain Danny Wilson is
maintaining a neutral stance over the play-
off battle.
Danny Lennon hopes the St Mirren support
can inspire his side to success once again
when they face Partick Thistle on Friday
night.
Motherwell youngster Craig Moore aims to
continue to hit the heights at Fir Park -
after being released from Hearts for being
too small.
THE SCOTSMAN
Danny Wilson insists he'll be proud to play
for Hearts in the Scottish Championship
next season.
Aberdeen are considering a third share
issue in a bid to ease the pressure on
chairman Stewart Milne.

Official : Scholes assisting Giggs

Manchester United have confirmed Paul
Scholes is at the club's Carrington training
ground assisting interim boss Ryan Giggs.
The Red Devils released the following
statement via Twitter: "It's great to see
Paul Scholes at the training complex here
today assisting Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and
Phil Neville."
Scholes, 39, is a legend at Old Trafford
having come through the United youth
ranks and made over 700 appearances for
the first team.
Now, following David Moyes' sacking on
Tuesday, Scholes has joined incumbent
coach Phil Neville and Nicky Butt in
assisting their former team-mate Giggs in
his attempts to end a miserable season at
Old Trafford on a high.
Butt had recruited Scholes earlier in the
season to offer his expertise to the U19
squad on a non-contract basis.
Giggs, Neville, Scholes and Butt are all
graduates of the famed 'Class of '92' which
helped bring the club much of the success
they enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scholes coached at the club for six months
when he first retired from the playing staff
in 2011.
Ferguson managed to persuade the
midfielder to come out of retirement the
following year and he then hung up his
boots for good last summer after Ferguson
left.
Moyes tried to persuade Scholes to join his
backroom staff at the start of the season,
but he failed.
While Giggs has taken charge on an interim
basis, it is believed that he will not be
considered as a full-time replacement for
Moyes.
Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal remains
the favourite with Sky Bet at 5/6 but Carlo
Ancelotti's odds have also been cut to 4/1
from 33/1 after the Real Madrid boss was
linked with the post in a number of
newspapers.
Ray Wilkins was Ancelotti's assistant during
his time at Chelsea and believes he would
be a great appointment.
Wilkins told Sky Sports: "The name that
jumps out at me is Carlo Ancelotti.
"The Copa del Rey is not enough for Real
Madrid, so if he doesn't win La Liga or the
Champions League, he may become
available. He speaks English, knows the
Premier League and I think he would be
ideal."

Barca ban suspended

Barcelona's one-year transfer ban has been
suspended while the club's appeal against
the sanction remains unresolved.
FIFA has cleared the Spanish club to sign
players from July 1, with their case unlikely
to be resolved before the transfer window
opens for the summer.
They were barred from registering new
players earlier this month by FIFA's
disciplinary committee as punishment for
signing youth players from overseas in
breach of rules designed to prevent child
trafficking.
The club was found to have broken the
rules in the case of 10 under-18 players
with a 14-month transfer ban and a fine of
£305,000 as punishment.
FIFA only allows international youth
transfers when one of three situations
apply; the player's parents have moved
country for their own, non-related reason,
the move takes place within the European
Union if a player is aged between 16 and
18 or the player's home is less than 50
kilometres from the national border being
crossed.
The Spanish FA was fined £340,000 for rule
breaches in terms of registering the
players, who include 15-year-old South
Korea striker Lee Seung Woo.
Barcelona have pledged to pursue a further
challenge at the Court of Arbitration for
Sport if, as expected, they lose the initial
appeal at FIFA.
A FIFA statement said: "The chairman of
the FIFA appeal committee considered that
the appeal lodged by the club is to be
granted suspensive effect."
Barcelona have been linked with moves for
teenage Croatia star Alen Halilovic and
Borussia Monchengladbach keeper Marc
Ter Stegen, which had been placed in
doubt when the ban was first handed out.

Chelsea to rest players vs Liverpool.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is ready to
make wholesale changes to his starting XI
for Sunday's crucial Premier League
encounter with Liverpool.
The Blues drew 0-0 with Atletico Madrid
on Tuesday night in the first leg of their
UEFA Champions League semi-final, but
the result came at a heavy cost to the
Stamford Bridge club.
Goalkeeper Petr Cech will not play again
this season after suffering a shoulder injury
in the first half, with captain John Terry
facing a similar fate after limping out in the
second period with a foot problem.
Midfield duo Frank Lampard and John Obi
Mikel were booked during the match,
ruling them out of the second leg in west
London next Wednesday.
Prior to that game, Chelsea head to Anfield
looking to cut the five-point gap to
Liverpool in the final three matches of the
season.
But after the 2-1 home defeat to
Sunderland last time out in domestic
action Mourinho has admitted he now
wants to prioritise his quest for continental
glory, a decision which may upset
Manchester City, who are still battling for
the title too.
The Portuguese coach will consult the
Chelsea hierarchy before deciding which
players to field at Anfield, with his
preference to opt for those who will not
feature against Atletico next Wednesday
due to the proximity of the matches.
"I can't decide by myself," Mourinho said.
"I think that's a decision I have to listen
the club. I'm just a piece, I'm just the
manager and no more than that.
"I have to listen to the club. I think the
fact that the match is on Sunday I think
puts the problem not in my hands.
"We represent English football and we are
the only English team that is European
competition. Spain has four and gave them
all the conditions to try to have success.
"I know what I would do, but I'm not the
club. I have to speak with the club.
"I would play with the players that are not
going to play Wednesday."
Chelsea opted for a defensive approach
against Atletico and succeeded in
frustrating their hosts, leaving the second
leg to determine who advances to the May
24 final in Lisbon against either Real
Madrid or Bayern Munich.
"We didn't start the game thinking of a
0-0," Mourinho said. "But the game goes
in a certain direction where you feel you
have to be safe, don't concede and try to
score in one of the few chances you
create.
"If we score one goal in one of those
situations the result would be very good.
We didn't.
"We go with a result that decides
everything at Stamford Bridge."
Chelsea were without Samuel Eto'o (knee)
and Eden Hazard (calf) entering the match
and encountered further issues in the
game, with Mourinho praising the
character of his players ahead of the
decisive second leg.
"We had problems before the game, we
had problems during the game, we lost
four players during the game, two with
injuries, two with yellow cards, but we will
fight," he added.
"(Branislav) Ivanovic is back (from
suspension), Schwarzer showed clearly that
we can trust him.
"People that is not playing a lot, like for
example Ashley Cole, (did an) amazing
performance."
The character in adversity was reminiscent
of the Chelsea side which won the 2012
trophy against the odds.
"Many years ago Chelsea started building a
team with great characters, with great
personalities," Mourinho said.
"In football you can use the word heritage.
The people that is arriving and the young
people, they see the examples, the smell
that heritage and goes on and on."

Morning Gossip

THE SUN
David Moyes is "angry and devastasted" at
his Manchester United dismissal after only
10 months, and also by the way the news
leaked out the day before he was officially
axed.
Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as a rival to
Louis van Gaal in the race to succeed
Moyes at Old Trafford.
Brendan Rodgers can look forward to next
season with Liverpool's biggest transfer
fund to date: he'll have £60m pounds to
spend this summer.
Manchester City hope David Silva's season
is not over. The midfielder will have a scan
on ankle injury today but City are
optimistic he will be back for the last two
games against Aston Villa and West Brom.
Olivier Giroud is keen to secure a new
Arsenal deal despite his wife demanding he
return to France.
Southampton's Jack Cork is a £3m target
for Everton.
Ipswich full-back Aaron Cresswell, rated at
£4m, is on Newcastle's radar but Fulham,
West Brom and Southampton are also
keen.
THE MIRROR
Moyes is disgusted by the manner of his
Manchester United dismissal and was so
unaware of what was coming that he had
been working on four deals for new players
on Monday.
Sir Alex Ferguson will be asked to approve
the appointment of Louis van Gaal as the
next Manchester United manager.
Real Madrid have offered Ashley Cole a
one-year contract worth £3.5m.
THE MAIL
Sir Alex Ferguson played a pivotal role in
Moyes's sacking, after realising he'd made
a big mistake in choosing Moyes as his
successor two months ago.
United's season ticketholders are in for a
surprise this week: they will receive a
letter from Moyes, telling them he's
looking forward to next season and asking
them to renew their seats.The decision to
axe the Scot came too late for the
documents to be changed.
THE TELEGRAPH Sir Alex will now play a
key part in selecting the next United
manager, with Carlo Ancelotti the favourite
on a shortlist which also includes Louis Van
Gaal and Diego Simeone.
THE GUARDIAN
Moyes' failure will cost Manchester United
£211m. That includes severance packages,
non-qualification for the Champions
League and a £150m transfer fund that a
new manager will need to turn the club
around.

Cech out of the season

Petr Cech has been ruled out for the rest of the season after dislocating his shoulder during
Chelsea's 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
The 31-year-old collided with Raul Garcia after 15 minutes and required lengthy treatment on the pitch before being replaced by Mark Schwarzer and Jose Mourinho confirmed the extent of the injury after the game.
"Petr Cech's season is over," the Chelsea manager told reporters.
Cech had returned to Chelsea's startingside after missing Saturday's 2-1 defeat at
home to Sunderland because of a virus, and is joined by captain John Terry, who injured his ankle, on the sidelines.
On-loan Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois also started the first leg at the Vicente Calderon.
Reports had initially suggested that the 21- year-old was unable to feature against his parent club unless Atletico paid a fee but
Uefa confirmed prior to the semi-final draw that the Belgian was able to play as any contract clause between the two sides was "null, void and unenforceable".

Chelsea hold Athletico

Chelsea produced a dogged defensive
display as their UEFA Champions League
semi-final first leg with Atletico Madrid
ended in a 0-0 draw at the Vicente
Calderon.
But the result came at a cost, with Petr
Cech and John Terry both forced off
through injury and Frank Lampard and John
Obi Mikel receiving bookings which will see
them miss the return leg at Stamford
Bridge next Wednesday through
suspension.
Jose Mourinho sent his side out with the
clear intention of keeping a clean sheet,
with five men in midfield providing a solid
screen to the back four and only former
Atletico striker Fernando Torres operating
in a lone attacking role.
The match had been billed as a showdown
between Chelsea goalkeeper Cech and the
heir to his Stamford Bridge throne, Thibaut
Courtois, who is taking in his third season
on loan with the Spanish league leaders.
But Cech's night was brought to a
premature conclusion when he was injured
after falling awkwardly onto his elbow after
a collision with Raul Garcia as he pushed a
15th-minute Koke corner over the
crossbar, with 41-year-old Mark Schwarzer
sent into the fray after a lengthy stoppage.
Schwarzer had very little to do through the
opening half, with Diego Simeone's side
unable to find a way through and any
crosses which were swung into the box
comfortably dealt with by Terry and Gary
Cahill, with Cesar Azpilicueta and the
returning Ashley Cole providing good
support.
Diego Costa squared up to Terry in the
opening exchanges after a clearance from
the Chelsea skipper with referee Jonas
Eriksson forced to step in, before Cole got
away with taking an additional touch on
the edge of his box as Raul Garcia was
penalised for his challenge on the left-
back.
Cahill nodded a corner narrowly wide in
the 21st minute but the whistle had
already gone before, as the half-hour mark
approached, Willian burst forward and fed
Ramires, but his effort from the edge of
the box was not a threat to the under-
employed Courtois or close enough to
Torres.
After being a spectator for much of the
time since entering the fray, Schwarzer
was forced to scramble across his line to
cover a fine curled effort from midfielder
Mario Suarez which shaped just the wrong
side of his left upright.
Azpilicueta had to throw himself in front of
a powerfully struck Diego Costa effort as
half-time approached, with the Spain
striker's hopeful penalty appeals rightly
ignored.
Courtois was finally called into action early
in the second period as he dropped to
gather a Lampard shot from distance,
before David Luiz required treatment after
coming off second best in an aerial
challenge with Diego.
Schwarzer came haring off his line to punch
clear in the 55th minute, with the ball
dropping kindly to Diego, but he could only
fire a weak shot straight into the arms of
the grateful goalkeeper, before Torres
found Courtois' midriff after working a yard
of space for a shot outside the Atletico
box.
Arda Turan was sent on in place of Diego,
with Lampard going into the book for a
late sliding challenge on the Atletico
substitute.
Mikel took responsibility to head Juanfran's
cross away ahead of Schwarzer with Diego
Costa lurking before Chelsea suffered
another significant blow, as Terry limped
off after injuring his left ankle in a
seemingly innocuous incident involving
Diego Costa and David Luiz.
Mikel and Gabi were booked following a
melee in the wake of a Lampard handball,
with suspension now ruling both men out
of the return, and Gabi curled the resulting
free-kick narrowly wide of goal.
Arda Turan headed just off target at the far
post from Juanfran's cross after getting up
above Cahill before Raul Garcia's looping
header landed on the roof of Schwarzer's
net as Chelsea held out, while David Luiz
fired a late free-kick well wide for the
visitors.

Keane: United players should be ashamed

Former Manchester United captain
Roy Keane believes some of the club's
current players should be "ashamed"
following David Moyes' departure.
Moyes' exit from Old Trafford was
announced by United on Tuesday, less
than 12 months after the former
Everton boss had agreed a six-year
contract as Alex Ferguson's successor.
Keane spent more than a decade with
United as a player, winning seven
Premier League titles, the UEFA
Champions League in 1999 and four
FA Cups.
The outspoken 42-year-old feels
Moyes was let down and deserved
more time to stamp his mark on the
club, despite a miserable run of results
leaving United seventh in the top
flight and guaranteed to miss out on
silverware this season.
"I think he should have been given
more time and I think some of the
players at Man United should be
ashamed of themselves. I think they
really let him down," said Keane on
ITV prior to Tuesday's Champions
League tie between Atletico Madrid
and Chelsea.
"He certainly had a hard start last
summer when he took the job. I think
the chief executive (Ed Woodward)
didn't get the deals done that he
wanted. (There was) a lot of
negativity, they had a slow start and
they had no momentum.
"To be seventh in the league is
disappointing and he (Moyes) will take
responsibility for that, but you still
need people around you to help you in
every way they can and I don't think
he's had that support, particularly
from the players.
"I think he deserved a bit more time,
definitely."
Ferguson had a hand in the
appointment of Moyes, but Keane
does not believe his former boss can
be criticised for the role he played in
determining his successor.
"I wouldn't necessarily say he (Moyes)
was his (Ferguson's) pick," added
Keane.
"He obviously put his name forward,
but the club eventually had to make
the decision.
"You can't be critical of Alex
Ferguson."

Leicester win championship

Leicester sealed their Championship title
victory with a 1-0 win over Bolton at the
DW Stadium.
Lloyd Dyer scored the only goal of the
game, cutting in from the left hand side
and rifling into the top corner of the net,
to seal a victory which means the Foxes
now sit seven points above second placed
Burnley with just two games remaining -
an unassailable lead.

Breaking : Terry injured

Terry has limped out with a possible toe injury.

Breaking news : Cech injured

Petr Cech has been substituted just after 15 mins of play because of injury. He got injured while defending a corner.
Mark Shwazer have taken over the manning of the sticks.

Finally Mikel and Torres starts (line up)

… - Chelsea bench: Schwarzer, Ake,
Kalas, Oscar, Van Ginkel, Schurrle, Ba.

… - Chelsea (4-3-3): Cech; Azpilicueta,
Cahill, Terry, Cole; Mikel, David Luiz,
Lampard; Ramires, Torres, Willian.

… - Atletico bench: Aranzubia,
Alderweireld, Tiago, Turan, Rodriguez, Sosa,
Villa.

… - Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Courtois;
Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe; Raul
Garcia, Gabi, Suarez, Koke; Diego Costa,
Diego Ribas.

Breaking news: Mirallas out for the season

Everton forward Kevin Mirallas will miss
the rest of the season with a groin injury.
Mirallas limped off against Manchester
United on Sunday, after scoring the Blues'
second goal in the 2-0 win at Goodison
Park.
The Belgian has a small tear in his groin
and will miss the matches against
Southampton on Saturday, the visit of
Manchester City the following weekend
and the final game of the season at Hull
City.
Everton are currently one point adrift of
Arsenal in the race for the fourth and final
Champions League berth.
Everton reported the news on their
website, saying: "Roberto Martinez today
revealed that the Belgian has a small tear
in his groin and will be out for the next
three weeks."
The news is a blow to Everton as Mirallas
has been in excellent form in recent
weeks, scoring three goals in four games as
Martinez's men make a bid for a top-four
finish in the Premier League.

Giggs takes over the helm

Manchester United have sacked David
Moyes less than one season into his six-
year contract and put Ryan Giggs in charge
until a permanent replacement is
appointed.
United confirmed Moyes' departure on
their Twitter feed at around 8:30am on
Tuesday, although reports of his imminent
exit had been circulating for almost 24
hours amid silence from the club.
A short statement thanked Moyes for "the
hard work, honesty and integrity he
brought to the role" during his time in
charge.
Giggs will take temporary charge until a
permanent replacement is named,
although there has been no word yet from
United on the future of Moyes' backroom
staff.
Moyes was hand-picked by Sir Alex
Ferguson as his long-term successor, but
poor results undermined his attempts to
build for a new era of success at Old
Trafford.
The Scot inherited a side that won the
Premier League by 11 points and leaves
them seventh in the table, already certain
to miss out on Champions League football
next season.
United are also guaranteed their lowest
points total in the Premier League era, and
Sunday's comprehensive defeat at Everton
- the club Moyes left for Old Trafford - was
a final humiliation.
Moyes took just six points from 12 games
against the six teams above United in the
table, but as recently as Sunday he
appeared confident he would be given time
and money to reshape the club's playing
squad.
Moyes did sanction deals worth more than
£60m for Marouane Fellaini and Juan Mata,
but the task of spending a summer transfer
fund reported to be in the region of
£150m will now fall to his successor.
The decision - and the way it appeared in
the media - has been criticised by United
great Gary Neville, who told Sky Sports
News: "I believe in managers being given
time. I think they should be allowed to
complete their work.
"The idea of giving people three and four
and six-year contracts and then getting rid
of them after 10 months is something
that's foreign to me.
"However, there's no disguising that the
football this season has been poor. The
results have been poor. As a fan I've not
enjoyed watching it. I'm sure David Moyes
himself hasn't enjoyed watching it and I
can't think of many Man United fans who
would have enjoyed watching it either."
Neville also said United's players should
bear significant blame for this season's
poor form, while Sean Bones of the
Manchester United Supporters' Trust
pointed the finger at the club's owners.
Bones said: "This has been done without
class and dignity. It's wrong to brief
journalists before speaking to the man
himself.
"It was a risky decision in the first place to
appoint Moyes because he wasn't proven
at the highest level - that decision is down
to the Glazer family.
"It's a results-based industry, but it's not
been done in the right way and the Glazers
haven't invested in the club at the right
time."

Five low points why Moyes was sacked

David Moyes has been sacked as
Manchester United manager less than
year after taking over.
A short statement released on
United's official Twitter profile on
Tuesday confirmed the Scot's
departure, while thanking him for "the
hard work, honesty and integrity he
brought to the role".
Moyes was viewed by many as the
natural successor to club legend Alex
Ferguson and was hand-picked by the
72-year-old to succeed him following
his retirement.
But the faith shown in awarding the
ex-Everton boss a six-year contract
proved misplaced, with United
relinquishing their Premier League
crown tamely while also crashing out
of the UEFA Champions League, FA
Cup and League Cup.
Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton left
United in seventh place - some 23
points adrift of leaders Liverpool - and
with no chance of qualifying for next
season's Champions League.
Here we look at five low points of
Moyes' disastrous time in charge of
the 20-time English champions.
Manchester City 4 Manchester United
1:
Aside from a 1-0 defeat at Liverpool,
United had made a solid start to life
under Moyes. However, this humbling
at the hands of their closest
neighbours last September was a clear
indicator of the difference in quality
between the two sides, which was
showcased for a second time last
month when City strolled to a 3-0 win
at Old Trafford. Sergio Aguero scored
twice for Manuel Pellegrini's men,
while Yaya Toure and Samir Nasri also
found the net as the hosts ran riot in
a game that would prove to be just
the start of the nightmare for Moyes.
Manchester United 2 Sunderland 1
(3-3 agg, Sunderland win 2-1 on
penalties):
After losing the first leg of their
League Cup semi-final 2-1, United
needed a turnaround against
struggling Sunderland at Old Trafford
to set up a Wembley clash with City.
Moyes' men made a strong start and
took the lead through defender Jonny
Evans, but they could not find a
second in normal time and were
stunned in the extra time as Phil
Bardsley put the visitors ahead on
aggregate. Javier Hernandez
immediately levelled for United, but
that was followed by a capitulation in
the resulting penalty shootout, which
saw them miss four of their five
attempts and exit the competition in
embarrassing fashion.
Olympiacos 2 Manchester United 0:
One of the few positives of Moyes'
spell in charge of United was their
strong form in the UEFA Champions
League group stage. They progressed
from their pool without losing a game,
but made a humiliating start to the
knock-out rounds as the three-time
winners slumped to a listless defeat at
Greek side Olympiacos in the last-16
first leg. Alejandro Dominguez put the
hosts in front before a vicious long-
range effort from Joel Campbell gave
Olympiacos in command of the tie.
United turned things around at Old
Trafford as a Robin van Persie hat-trick
guided them into the next round, but
their meek surrender in Greece
against a side of relatively low stature
in the European game was for many
the epitome of the club's struggles
under Moyes.
Manchester United 0 Liverpool 3:
United's disappointing season will
have been made all the worse by the
outstanding campaign enjoyed by arch-
rivals Liverpool, who sit five points
clear at the top of the Premier League
with three games to go. The
Merseyside outfitt claimed home and
away league wins over United for the
first time since 2008-09 with a
comprehensive 3-0 triumph at Old
Trafford. United conceded three
penalties in a terrible performance,
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard
scoring twice from the spot to put
Brendan Rodgers' men in command
before missing his other attempt from
12 yards. United skipper Nemanja
Vidic was sent off for conceding the
third penalty, and yet another abysmal
day for Moyes was capped off six
minutes from time when Liverpool's
talisman Luis Suarez found the net to
further United's misery, which was
deepened at the next home league
game as City delivered another
hammering.
Everton 2 Manchester United 0:
The final nail in Moyes' coffin came at
the home of his former employers,
who became the second Merseyside
team to complete a league double
over United with a comfortable 2-0
triumph at Goodison Park. Everton had
ended a wait of over 21 years for a
win at Old Trafford with a 1-0 away
success earlier in the campaign, but
this victory was far more emphatic as
Roberto Martinez's side completely
outclassed United in a superb display
of attacking football that kept them
firmly in the race for a UEFA
Champions League place.