Manchester City climbed to fourth place in the Premier League standings after securing a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park.

Despite a lackluster performance for much of the match, City managed to break the deadlock late on through goals from Nico O’Reilly and Mateo Kovacic, sealing an important three points on the road.

Everton had their chances, particularly in the first half when James Tarkowski came close to scoring. However, the Toffees skipper was forced off with an injury shortly after the break, dealing a further blow to his side’s hopes.

The defeat extends Everton’s dismal run against Manchester City, with their last win over the reigning champions dating back to 2017—a reminder of the growing gap between the two sides in recent years.

Manchester United have secured their place in the Europa League semi-final after a dramatic and almost unbelievable spell of extra time at Old Trafford.

Lyon, reduced to 10 men, looked to have taken control of the tie with two quick goals, pulling ahead 6-4 on aggregate. But just as United had earlier let their lead slip, the French side crumbled under pressure.

Bruno Fernandes calmly slotted home a penalty to reduce the deficit, before substitute Kobbie Mainoo delivered a superb finish to level the tie at 6-6 on aggregate.

As the match appeared destined for a penalty shootout, unlikely hero Harry Maguire—thrown up front in a desperate move—rose highest to nod in the decisive goal, sparking scenes of euphoria around the stadium.

United will now face Athletic Club in what promises to be a thrilling semi-final clash, as Ruben Amorim’s side continue their quest for European glory.

Rangers’ hopes of lifting the Europa League trophy were brought to an end by Athletic Club, who progressed to the semi-finals and kept alive their dream of winning the tournament on home soil at San Mamés.

Having drawn confidence from a first-leg result in Glasgow—where goalkeeper Liam Kelly’s crucial penalty save gave them a fighting chance—Rangers travelled to Bilbao with belief. That optimism nearly turned into an early breakthrough when Cyriel Dessers was dragged down in the box by Daniel Vivian. Despite his shirt being torn in the process, the referee waved away strong appeals for a penalty, leaving the striker and his teammates furious.

The turning point came just before half-time. John Souttar clumsily brought down Nico Williams in the area, gifting Athletic a penalty. Oihan Sancet stepped up and coolly slotted past Kelly, sending the home crowd into raptures and putting the LaLiga side in control of the tie.

The second half turned into an uphill battle for Rangers. Injuries to Ridvan Yilmaz, Ianis Hagi, and Leon Balogun disrupted their momentum, though Barry Ferguson’s side kept pushing. Nico Raskin came agonisingly close to leveling the score when his long-range strike rattled off the post, but luck remained elusive.

Rangers’ final hopes were dashed when Nico Williams—linked with a summer move to Arsenal—headed home at the back post after a lapse in concentration from captain James Tavernier. It was a moment of quality that sealed the victory and underlined Athletic Club’s dominance on the night.

Ernesto Valverde’s men will now face either Manchester United or Lyon in the semi-finals, with their sights firmly set on reaching the final in their own iconic stadium. For Rangers, the defeat not only ends their European adventure but also confirms a trophyless season, leaving little left to play for as the campaign winds down.

Chelsea booked their place in the UEFA Conference League semi-finals, but did so in unconvincing fashion, suffering a 2-1 defeat to Legia Warsaw on the night and scraping through 4-2 on aggregate. The full-time whistle was met with a chorus of boos from the Stamford Bridge faithful, marking a second underwhelming home display in just four days.

Much like in Sunday’s disappointing draw with Ipswich, the Blues made a lively start, only to concede from the visitors’ very first attack. Filip Jorgensen brought down Tomas Pekhart in the area, and the striker made no mistake from the spot to give Legia hope of a dramatic comeback. Legia boss Gonçalo Feio had insisted pre-match that his team would “dare to dream” if they scored first—and for a brief spell, that dream felt alive.

Soon after, Ryoya Morishita came agonizingly close to doubling the visitors’ lead when he latched onto a ball in behind, only to drag his shot just wide of the far post. The home crowd grew increasingly restless, a tension only partially eased when Marc Cucurella—surprisingly Chelsea’s top Premier League scorer in 2025—converted Jadon Sancho’s low cross to level the score on the night just before half-time.

But the second half brought more frustration. Claude Gonçalves’ driven effort from a corner found Steve Kapuadi, who bundled the ball over the line to restore Legia’s lead. The visitors appealed for another penalty shortly after when Jorgensen appeared to clatter into Luquinhas after spilling a cross, but neither referee Alejandro Hernandez nor VAR Guillermo Cuadra were moved to act.

From there, Chelsea managed to hold their aggregate advantage without further scares, but the final whistle was again greeted by dissatisfaction from the stands. The result was enough to send Enzo Maresca’s side into the semi-finals, where they will meet either Djurgårdens IF or Rapid Vienna, with the two legs scheduled for May 1 and May 8.

Despite progression, Chelsea’s lacklustre display will raise fresh concerns over consistency and performance levels, especially in front of their home support, who made their displeasure clear once more.

Tottenham kept their Europa League dreams alive with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, securing a 2-1 aggregate victory and booking their spot in the semi-finals of the competition.

The pressure was firmly on Ange Postecoglou heading into the clash, especially after last weekend’s disappointing 4-2 defeat to Wolves, which raised serious doubts over both their European qualification hopes and their pursuit of silverware. With their season hanging in the balance, Spurs delivered a resolute and disciplined display in Germany.

The North London side started with composure and focus, keeping Frankfurt at bay during the early exchanges. Their breakthrough came just before half-time when Dominic Solanke calmly slotted home a penalty after goalkeeper Kaua Santos clattered into James Maddison inside the box.

Defensively, Tottenham were impressive throughout. Micky van de Ven, Rodrigo Bentancur, and Pedro Porro stood tall under pressure, while Guglielmo Vicario—under fire in recent weeks—rose to the occasion with a superb reflex save to deny Fares Chaibi from point-blank range.

Though they lacked fluidity and cutting edge in attack, Spurs’ grit and commitment at the back were undeniable. The performance may not have been sparkling, but it was exactly what was needed to grind out the result.

With a place in the semi-finals now secured, Tottenham’s pursuit of a long-awaited trophy remains on course. However, the spotlight won’t be fading any time soon, as Postecoglou’s men prepare for another stern test when they face Nottingham Forest on Monday.

Carlo Ancelotti is expected to step down as Real Madrid manager following the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26. The 65-year-old Italian is likely to remain at the helm for the showpiece in Seville, but sources indicate that his departure from the Spanish giants will follow shortly after.

Ancelotti’s future was cast into doubt following Real Madrid’s crushing Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Arsenal. The Spanish side fell 2-1 at home on Wednesday night, sealing a heavy 5-1 aggregate defeat that raised questions about Ancelotti’s tenure. When asked about his position after the match, Ancelotti gave a candid response: “Maybe the club decides to replace me… that could be tomorrow, 10 days, one month or in one year. If my contract ends or doesn’t end, I really don’t care. I will be grateful to this club either way.”

Despite the uncertainty, Ancelotti will lead the team into the Copa del Rey final as Real Madrid and Barcelona battle not only for silverware, but also for domestic dominance. In LaLiga, Real currently trail their Catalan rivals by four points with seven matches left. However, Ancelotti is not expected to be in the dugout for the crucial El Clasico clash at Camp Nou on May 11, which could be decisive in the title race.

The Italian tactician, who returned to Real Madrid in the summer of 2021 for his second stint in charge, has enjoyed significant success, collecting 11 trophies including two LaLiga titles, two Champions League crowns, and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Now, he looks poised for a new chapter — with the Brazilian national team eager to bring him on board as their next head coach. Talks between Ancelotti and the Brazilian Football Confederation have reportedly progressed, and he could be confirmed in the role before the conclusion of the Spanish season.

As his legendary coaching career continues to evolve, Ancelotti appears ready to embrace a new challenge — and possibly cap off his time in Madrid with one final trophy.

Virgil van Dijk has committed his future to Liverpool by signing a new contract that will keep him at Anfield until the summer of 2027. The Dutch defender, who turned 33 this year, was previously set to become a free agent at the end of the current season. However, Liverpool have now secured their captain’s services for an additional two years, extending his stay into the latter part of the decade.

The announcement comes less than a week after the club confirmed a new deal for Mohamed Salah, signaling Liverpool’s intent to maintain a core of experienced leaders as they transition into a new era under incoming manager Arne Slot.

Van Dijk originally joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a then-world-record fee for a defender of £75 million. Since his arrival, he has been a transformative presence in the heart of the defence, helping the Reds to win the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two League Cups, the UEFA Super Cup, and the FIFA Club World Cup. His individual brilliance has also earned him numerous accolades, cementing his status as one of the finest defenders of his generation.

Currently leading Liverpool as captain, Van Dijk is on the brink of guiding the team to what could be a second Premier League title and a record-equalling 20th English league crown. The Reds sit 13 points clear at the top of the table with just six matches remaining in the season.

Despite reports linking him with a move to French champions Paris Saint-Germain, Van Dijk made it clear that his heart remains on Merseyside, stating simply, “It was always Liverpool.”

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min has been ruled out of Thursday’s decisive Europa League quarter-final second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt due to a foot injury, delivering a significant blow to the North London side’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Despite the setback and mounting pressure surrounding his position, Spurs manager Ange Postecoglou remains defiant, urging his players to rise to the occasion.

With the tie finely balanced following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, Tottenham travel to Germany knowing that only a win will keep their European campaign alive. It’s a high-stakes encounter in what has been a disappointing season, with Spurs currently flirting with their lowest-ever Premier League finish. As speculation about Postecoglou’s future grows louder, the Australian manager used his pre-match press conference to back his squad and stress the importance of the moment.

“This is a massive opportunity, and we’re going to fight tooth and nail to make the most of it,” Postecoglou declared. “We’ve shown character before, and we’ll need that again.”

Tottenham’s belief will be buoyed by their comeback against AZ Alkmaar in the round of 16, when they overturned a first-leg deficit to progress. However, recent form away from home paints a more troubling picture, with Spurs having suffered four consecutive defeats on the road. Now, without their talismanic captain Son, the challenge becomes even greater.

Nevertheless, Postecoglou insists the squad is up for the fight. With a semi-final berth on the line and little else to salvage from the season, Thursday’s clash at Deutsche Bank Park represents both a pivotal moment and a potential turning point—for the team and their under-fire manager.

Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim has confirmed that forward Joshua Zirkzee will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining a hamstring injury in the recent 4-1 defeat to Newcastle. The Dutch striker was visibly distraught as he limped off the pitch, needing assistance to leave the field, and subsequent scans have ruled him out of action for the final stretch of the campaign.

Zirkzee’s absence leaves United worryingly short of options up front, with Amorim now set to rely on Rasmus Højlund and academy graduate Chido Obi-Martin as the only recognised centre-forwards available. Højlund has endured an inconsistent season, scoring eight times in 41 appearances across all competitions, while 17-year-old Obi-Martin, though highly rated, is yet to find the net at senior level.

The injury setback adds to an already challenging period for United, who are also making a change in goal. Amorim revealed that André Onana will return to the starting lineup for Thursday’s clash with Lyon in the Europa League. Onana had been dropped following a costly performance in the first leg against the French side, which included a high-profile error and a tense public exchange with former United midfielder Nemanja Matic, now playing for Lyon.

His replacement, Altay Bayındır, failed to capitalize on the opportunity, putting in a disappointing display as United conceded four goals against Newcastle. With little room for error in the upcoming fixture, Amorim has opted to reinstate Onana as United’s No. 1, hoping the experienced goalkeeper can steady the ship as the club looks to finish the season strongly despite mounting adversity.

Arsenal See Off Real Madrid in Dramatic Bernabeu Clash to Reach Champions League Semi-Finals

Bukayo Saka experienced a night of highs and lows as Arsenal battled past Real Madrid in a thrilling and incident-filled encounter at the Santiago Bernabeu to book their place in the Champions League semi-finals.

Carrying a commanding 3-0 lead from the first leg at the Emirates, Arsenal arrived in the Spanish capital knowing a solid performance would be enough to seal their place in the last four. The Gunners were handed an early opportunity to tighten their grip on the tie when they were awarded a penalty just 13 minutes in. However, Saka’s attempt to outfox Thibaut Courtois with a chipped Panenka-style spot-kick backfired, as the Belgian keeper stayed upright and comfortably caught the weak effort.

The miss briefly shifted the momentum in Madrid’s favor, and the home crowd—buoyed by the miss and still hopeful of a historic comeback—erupted when their side was awarded a penalty just minutes later. But after a lengthy VAR review, the referee’s decision was overturned, with replays showing Kylian Mbappé had gone down far too easily under slight contact from Declan Rice.

Saka, to his credit, didn’t let the earlier miss define his night. Early in the second half, he made amends in spectacular style, latching onto a delightful reverse pass from Mikel Merino before lofting an exquisite chip over the advancing Courtois. The goal restored Arsenal’s control and all but ended any hopes of a Madrid revival.

However, just two minutes later, a lapse in concentration from William Saliba handed Real a lifeline. The French defender misplaced a back pass under little pressure, leaving Vinícius Júnior with an empty net to reduce the deficit and momentarily reignite the home fans’ belief.

Real Madrid pressed forward in search of an unlikely miracle, but Arsenal remained composed and resilient. As the match drifted into stoppage time, Mikel Merino turned provider once more, launching a precise pass that sent Gabriel Martinelli racing through on goal. The Brazilian coolly slotted past Courtois to seal a memorable 2-1 win on the night and a 5-1 aggregate triumph.

This marks only the third time in Arsenal’s history that they’ve reached the Champions League semi-finals, where they will now face French giants Paris Saint-Germain in a mouth-watering last-four showdown. The defeat ended Real Madrid’s hopes of yet another European crown, while Arsenal continue their pursuit of a first-ever Champions League title.