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Fabregas sent off, Mourinho sees red

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho fumed after Cesc Fabregas was sent off during Monday’s game against West Brom.

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London - Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho expressed his frustration after Cesc Fabregas was sent off in bizarre fashion as the champions were defeated 3-0 at West Bromwich Albion.

The Spanish midfielder is set to miss the first two matches of next season plus the final game of this campaign at home to Sunderland on Sunday following his first-half dismissal after he kicked the ball against Chris Brunt.

Mourinho felt that a more experienced referee than Mike Jones would have resolved the situation with a mere lecture after tempers flared following a Diego Costa and Gareth McAuley off-the-ball coming-together 29 minutes into the action at the Hawthorns.

“I've not seen a sending off like that,” said Mourinho.

“I would like to see it again. What is this for a sending off? Where is the danger of the situation to get a red card in a friendly game almost?

“I don't understand. Darren Fletcher was aggressive yes, he pushed in the chest. He's experienced. It was much more aggressive than what Fabregas did.

“A top referee with big personality has a few words and controls the game. It's a bizarre red card.

“Three-game ban for this? J***s C****t. Of course it's harsh. We lose all the time (when we appeal) but I've not spoken to him.

“Diego Costa was targeted, of course. But it's the same story.

“It depends on the referee. If the referee wants to protect the talent and punish the bully it is easy for him.

“Congratulations to West Brom for the season and this three points. And let's go home.”

Mourinho felt this first defeat in 19 matches was the net result of claiming the title three games ago as Saido Berahino scored on nine minutes and added a penalty two minutes after the break before Brunt scored a third on the hour.

“The ideal scenario is to be champions and don't play again, go home and have holidays,” he said.

“When you have three more matches it can happen with Bayern Munich three defeats in three and we claim one point in two.

“When you play since August with motivation and commitment and feeling the pressure, when you are champions you breathe and everything changes.

“It is difficult to play. Let's blame the players a bit, myself and the top contenders for the title as they were not good enough to fight with us. This is a consequence of being champions so early.”

West Brom manager Tony Pulis insists any criticism of Chelsea is unwarranted.

“It's a great finish, we will finish 13th in the table but I don't think anything should be taken away from the team we played,” he said.

“The team we've played have been by far the best team in England. They have won the league by a country mile and they have been much better than anyone else.

“Although we have won this game, all the praise should go to Jose, his coaching staff, the people of Chelsea and the players.

“Jose was very good. I've managed against him twice and managed to beat him twice with Palace and West Brom.

“He was very gracious in defeat and for all what we have done, they have been worthy champions. They are a fantastic football club with wonderful players and for some people to criticise them is unbelievable.

“We were so on edge after we lost at home to QPR and Leicester but the lads have bounced back.

“The attitude has been wonderful, we got the breaks in this game, we played really well at times and defended well. The discipline was good and we made it very difficult for Chelsea.”

AFP

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Ancelotti unfazed by speculation

Real Madrid have failed to win any of the three major trophies in 2014-15 and speculation has already been swirling about Carlo Ancelotti’s future.

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Madrid - If there is one lesson Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has learned during his two seasons in Spain it is that resting on your laurels is not an option at the world's richest club by income.

After leading Real to a record-extending 10th European crown and a King's Cup triumph last term, Real have failed to win any of the three major trophies in 2014-15 and speculation has already been swirling for weeks about the Italian's future.

Club director Emilio Butragueno pointedly refused to confirm Ancelotti will see out his contract, which runs for another season, after Real were knocked out of the Champions League by Juventus on Wednesday.

The former Real and Spain forward did so again following Barcelona's victory at Atletico Madrid, which secured a fifth La Liga title in seven years with a game to spare for Real's arch rivals, who are also through to the finals of the Champions League and King's Cup.

They are on course to repeat 2009's historic treble, something neither Real or any other Spanish club have achieved.

“It is not something to be said now,” Butragueno told Spanish television when asked about Ancelotti's future.

“And this is not the place either,” he added. “There is one match left and after that we'll see.”

Ancelotti is a vastly experienced coach, having won the Champions League twice previously while in charge at AC Milan, and appears to be taking it all in his stride.

He had to watch Real's 4-1 victory at Espanyol on Sunday from the stands due to a touchline ban and was captured on television calmly smoking a cigarette during the game.

Among names to have been linked with his job are Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp, who is leaving the Bundesliga side at the end of the season.

Jose Mourinho, Rafa Benitez and Julen Lopetegui have also been mentioned, while it seems too early for former Real and France great Zinedine Zidane to step up from his current post as assistant coach of Real's B team.

Ancelotti hinted he would continue next season.

“As always, I would like to win the most important competition, which is the Champions League, but also La Liga,” Ancelotti told reporters.

“This year I was very close but we will try again next,” added the 55-year-old.– Reuters

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Double blow for Bafana Bafana

Midfielders Cole Alexander and Athenkosi Dlala have been withdrawn from the squad to play in the Cosafa Cup due to injuries.

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Johannesburg - After being given a day off from camp on Sunday, Bafana Bafana were back in action on Monday afternoon (18 May) at the AW Muller Stadium at the University of Johannesburg.

But there was bad news for head coach Ephraim Mashaba.

Midfielders Cole Alexander and Athenkosi Dlala have been withdrawn from the squad to play in the Cosafa Cup due to injuries, while striker Puleng Tlolane still has to go for further assessment before the technical team can take a decision.

Alexander was stretchered off in the goalless draw against Lesotho and twisted his ankle and has failed to recover – leading to his withdrawal.

Dlala’s injury is an old one which has resurfaced and will not be able to recover in time for the tournament.

“I will have to sit with the technical team to see who we can call up as replacements for the injured players. It will be done very quickly because Wednesday (20 May) is the last day to deregister injured players and register new ones. We have some names we have discussed but we just need to finalise them and inform their clubs as soon as possible so they can hopefully join us at training tomorrow (Tuesday),” said Mashaba.

“It is unfortunate that we have to lose these players after spending one week with them. We have a few days with the replacements and they will have to hit the ground running as the tournament is starting on Sunday.”

Tlolane had a collision with the Lesotho goalkeeper and is going to undergo a late fitness test to see if he can be ready for the COSAFA Cup tournament.

Meanwhile, Marc van Heerden (Achilles tendon) and Gift Motupa (ankle) were given a clean bill of health and trained with their teammates.

ANA

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Defence key to Chiefs success

With Kaizer Chiefs romping to a runaway Premier League title, the key to their domination lay with their defence.

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Johannesburg – With Kaizer Chiefs romping to a runaway Premier League title, the key to their domination lay with their defence.

The AmaKhosi notched up a record 69 points from their 30 game season with 21 wins and pivotal to these results were conceding a paltry 14 goals in the Premiership.

Heading their battalion at the back was Tefu Mashamaite. The defender was appropriately named the league’s footballer of the season, Player’s Player of the season and Defender of the season. In his time standing resolute for Chiefs, he led the Soweto Giants to 19 clean sheets.

The 30-year-old developed his game at Bidvest Wits from 2005 to 2011 before moving to the Naturena side where he would later receive a call up to the national team.

The number 19 was also particularly significant for Chiefs as it was the number of matches the side went unbeaten during their record-breaking march towards league honours.

While the headlines were stolen by the players throughout their campaign, much of the credit must also go to tactically astute coach Stuart Baxter.

It was his second league title with Chiefs since joining in 2012, also having won the 2013 Nedbank Cup and the 2014 MTN8.

While Chiefs did not have any strikers in the top 10 of the scoring charts for the league, they did, however, have three players who scored seven times each. George Lebese, Mandla Masango and Bernard Parker all reached that mark in an illustration of the well-rounded gameplan adopted by Baxter.

One of the surprises of the season was the third place finish of an unheralded Wits side. The Clever Boys beat out the much-fancied Orlando Pirates who had to be content with fourth place on the log.

Another feather in the cap of Gavin Hunt’s charges were the number of youth players fielded in their lineup throughout the season.

“We brought the most kids on this year,” said Hunt.

“Eight kids from the under-19s. There’s no other team in South Africa that’s done that. We brought them on and we finished third on the log. These kids played their part during the year. From a 15-year-old Liam Jordan to the 19-year-olds.”

At the other end of the table, a tightly contested relegation scrap ensued. Moroka Swallows did well to avoid the automatic drop as they came into the final fixture of the season in last place. But a crucial 1-0 win over Bloemfontein Celtic on the final day condemned AmaZulu to National First Division football next season. Swallows, however, will have to battle it out in the promotion/relegation playoffs in their quest to stay in top flight football. If they are unsuccessful, Swallows will be relegated for the first time since the Premier Soccer League began in the 1996/1997 season. The only other teams to never be relegated are Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Pirates and SuperSport United. – ANA

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Downs boosted by cup win

Mamelodi Sundowns are always lauded for their offensive game, and for the raft of creative individuals they have at their disposal.

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Mamelodi Sundowns are always lauded for their offensive game, and for the raft of creative individuals they have at their disposal.

That may be so – but, in their Nedbank Cup final victory over Ajax Cape Town at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth, Sundowns proved that there is another, more effective arrow to their bow as well.

Sundowns went on to defeat Ajax 4-3 on penalties, but they were, by far, the better side over the 120 minutes of normal play. The fact that the score remained at 0-0 was a testament to the fighting spirit of a courageous, young Ajax squad and a few brilliant saves from the Cape side’s Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola.

But the impressive aspect about their strategy for the final, especially in the opening 45 minutes, was not so much their famed attacking play, it was rather the relentless pressure they put on the ball carrier that placed them on the road to victory. The Pretoria club hounded, harassed and snapped at the feet of the Ajax youngsters. They allowed them no space which led to numerous errors from the Capetonians.

Usually, these kids are comfortable and confident in possession, but the squeeze applied by the Brazilians was so successful that Ajax regularly conceded possession. And, with Ajax giving the ball away cheaply, Sundowns were able to build a platform to dominate the game.

“We controlled the match and the players were tactically disciplined,” said Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane. “We were quicker on the ball, we picked up the second ball and we dominated play. We created chances, tried to convert, but couldn't. But, still we kept going. We kept trying, right to the end.

“We may have won it on penalties, but that doesn’t matter. People don’t care how you win, as long as you win.

“This is a club where you must try to, at least, win something. Last year, we won the league title and now we have the Nedbank Cup. It’s good, it creates a winning mentality. And teams who know how to win, keep winning ... I’m excited to have won this trophy.”

Ajax assistant-coach Ian Taylor, standing in for the suspended head coach Roger de Sa, agreed that Downs had changed the way they normally play.

“They put us under a lot of pressure,” said Taylor. “They started off by not using their traditional passing game by going through the middle. Instead, they went a bit longer, trying to get in behind our defence. The key, though, was that they were always picking up the second ball, which meant that we were always on the back foot and under pressure.

“And then, with all the quality they had, they were still able to bring quality players like Cuthbert Malajila and Anthony Laffor in the second half.

“But the team did us proud, they can keep their heads held high. We may have lost, but I think, with a team as young such as this, we still walk away as winners.”

Thus far, all the hype and discussion about this special bunch of Ajax youngsters has revolved around their talent and ability. In the final the kids added and extra dimension to their game in a show of grit, grunt and guts.

In this regard, this young Ajax squad emerged with great credit on Saturday. They lost to Downs – one of the most successful clubs in the country – but the Cape side’s resilience and courage won the day.

They provided clear, unequivocal proof that they are more than just talented, they have the strength, the disposition and mentality to forge successful careers in the sport.

Ajax’s 21-year-old captain Travis Graham was the star for his side. Graham’s studs trampled every inch of the cavernous stadium, he tackled, he ran, he sprinted, he passed, he got stuck in, and never wavered in his commitment to the team.

“It was a great experience for us as young players still making our way in the game,” said Graham. It was disappointing to lose, the guys were gutted, but we will remember what we went through. What we learnt will be so crucial as we continue to progress. The main thing now is to keep this momentum. We did very well this season to finish fifth in the PSL and then narrowly lose out in the Cup final. We have to make sure that we continue in the same way next season.”

Graham led from the front, but central defender Rivaldo Coetzee wasn’t too far behind. He has had a fantastic run for club and country this season – and, on Saturday, he again rose to the occasion with a performance of maturity and dogged defence.

Ajax’s Finnish goalkeeper Anssi Jaakkola was deservedly named as the Man-of-the-Match but in the penalty shoot-out, Downs came out on top. - The Star

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Real using old tricks to snare De Gea

When it comes to the game’s dirty tricks, Real Madrid remain masters of the art. Last night it started up again over David de Gea.

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When it comes to the game’s dirty tricks, Real Madrid remain masters of the art. Last night it started up again over David de Gea.

Inside Estadi Cornalla-El Prat, the home of Espanyol, they made a statement by axing the great Iker Casillas and relegating him to the substitutes’ bench.

Come in No 1, your time is up.

What a message that was in a week when Carlo Ancelotti’s team blew their chances of retaining the Champions League and conceded La Liga to their arch rivals Barcelona.

Next season, the No 1 jersey at the Bernabeu will be De Gea’s, if he wants it, and Real’s need to sign him was highlighted as Casillas’ replacement Keylor Navas made a huge error in gifting Espanyol their goal as Real ran out 4-1 winners.

Real’s stunts once prompted Sir Alex Ferguson to hiss ‘do you think I would get into a contract with that mob — I wouldn’t sell them a virus,’ over negotiations for Cristiano Ronaldo in 2008.

As one of the quieter members of the Manchester United dressing room, De Gea has been reluctant to open up to his team-mates of late.

There is a buzz about United’s goalkeeper, a noise that will reach fever pitch in the coming weeks as Real continue to sound him out about a move to the Bernabeu.

Against Arsenal at Old Trafford yesterday he succumbed to a hamstring injury, replaced by Victor Valdes in the 73rd minute and heading gingerly for the Old Trafford dressing rooms.

It is possible that the wave he gave towards the massed ranks in the Stretford End when he walked towards the tunnel will turn out to have far greater significance.

‘He has a decision to make,’ admitted United manager Louis van Gaal, although he stopped short of saying that his goalkeeper had been tapped up. It did not take much to read between the lines.

There is so much tied up in the future of their Spanish goalkeeper, with the likelihood that he will also depose Casillas as the national team’s first choice if he chooses white instead of United’s red.

For all that Casillas has achieved at Real, captaining them to the historic Decima last season, the club are preparing to offer a severance package on a contract that runs until 2017.

A move to the Middle East, MLS or further afield awaits, with Real creating an opportunity for Casillas to play out the remaining years of his hugely successful career away from the Bernabeu.

De Gea is the player this club have identified as their principal summer signing, the first Galactico keeper of his generation and a salary to match his growing status within the game.

In years to come he will no doubt take his place among the goalkeeping greats, such as the Russian Lev Yashin, Brazil’s 1970 World Cup winning keeper Felix and the legendary figure of Italy’s first choice, Gianluigi Buffon.

When he denied Olivier Giroud in the second half, his first meaningful save of the match, all four corners of this stadium rose to salute their keeper.

‘We want you to stay’ they sang, something Van Gaal noted when he spoke about his keeper’s future following the largely uninspiring 1-1 draw with Arsenal.

De Gea has started all 43 games for United this season, keeping 13 clean sheets in a team that has just about been good enough to finish fourth in the Barclays Premier League. He is a strapping lad, with the days when former United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele noted his inherent laziness and a propensity for feasting on tacos late at night well behind him.

Van Gaal has conceded that he is powerless to prevent players leaving, despite offering to make De Gea one of the highest paid players at the club.

‘He’s off to Madrid,’ sang the Arsenal fans, teasing United about the potential departure of one of the best keepers in world football.

When Valdes entered the arena, making his first appearance in a United jersey, the home fans were soon crying out the name of the former Barcelona keeper as he took up his position.

Perhaps they felt differently after he conceded nine minutes from time, beaten by an effort by Theo Walcott on the right that was deflected off Tyler Blackett’s leg.

The truth is that there is very little Valdes could have done about it, but new keepers are always nervy keepers.

In reality, the anxiety is being felt in the United boardroom. – Daily Mail

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Sunderland’s Johnson to deny sex charges

Sunderland winger Adam Johnson will deny three charges of sexual activity with a child.

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Sunderland winger Adam Johnson will deny three charges of sexual activity with a child and one count of grooming, a court in northeast England was told on Monday.

Johnson, 27, was arrested in March on suspicion of sexual activity with a 15-year-old girl.

His solicitor, Paul Morris, told a hearing at Peterlee Magistrates' Court that Johnson intends to deny the charges when they are formally put before him.

Johnson, who has been capped 12 times by England, appeared at court accompanied by his partner, Stacey Flounders, and was bailed to appear before Durham Crown Court on June 3.

He left without speaking to reporters.

The court heart that the three counts of sexual activity with a child are alleged to have taken place on one night in January at two locations, with the grooming offence said to have occurred between December and February.

Johnson was initially suspended by Sunderland pending the outcome of police investigations, but has since returned to action for the club, who are fighting to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

Johnson began his career with Middlesbrough and returned to his native northeast in 2012 when he joined Sunderland from Manchester City in a £10 million ($15 million, 13 million euros) deal. – AFP

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Toure shows his class

Manuel Pellegrini could be forgiven for wondering how Manchester City will cope without Yaya Touré after a stellar display by the Ivorian against Swansea.

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Manuel Pellegrini could be forgiven for wondering how Manchester City will cope without Yaya Touré and James Milner after goals from the midfield pair edged them closer to a second-place finish in the Premier League.

The Ivory Coast International put the visitors ahead with his 50th Premier League goal, and then restored their lead after Swansea had recovered from two goals down in an enthralling contest.

Milner had doubled City's advantage before Gylfi Sigurdsson and Bafétimbi Gomis brought the hosts roaring back into the game.

But Touré struck the decisive blow before substitute Wilfried Bony marked his return to Swansea with a late goal to end his old side's European aspirations.

Touré's agent has claimed it is “90 per cent certain” the former Barcelona man will leave City this summer and, even after a season where he has not been at his best, the midfielder underlined just how difficult it will be to replace his presence.

Milner, meanwhile, is out of contract and is about to confirm a free transfer to Liverpool, even though Pellegrini believes the Etihad is the best place for the 29-year-old.

The City manager said: “James can play 10 positions and always do well. It is a decision James must take at the end of the season as to what is best for his future.

“He is an important player for our team because he is an intelligent player, who can play in several positions and always gives 100 per cent.

“I can think that being at Manchester City is best for him, but it is important what he thinks. I want to keep him.”

City's opener had come against the run of play as Swansea came bounding out of the blocks. The best early chance fell to Nathan Dyer, when the Swans winger pinched the ball off the hapless Eliaquim Mangala, but was denied by a superb save from Joe Hart.

However, City began to find some fluency and, once Swansea had failed to heed the warning of Sergio Aguero having a goal ruled out for offside, the visitors took the lead.

David Silva teed up Touré to take a touch and find the net via a deflection off Ashley Williams, although the Swansea keeper Lukasz Fabianski may feel he should have done better than palming the ball into the net.

Milner netted the visitors' second 15 minutes later. Frank Lampard and Aguero led the break for the midfielder to beat Neil Taylor and fire past Fabianski.

Swansea desperately needed a response and they got it in the dying embers of the first half. Taylor seized on a loose ball and found Sigurdsson for the midfielder to take a touch and dispatch an powerful drive into the bottom corner.

Jonjo Shelvey forced Hart into a sprawling save early in the second half as the hosts were carried along by the momentum from the goal. But soon it was Fabianski who was the busier goalkeeper, twice denying substitute Jesus Navas and then keeping out an angled drive from the irrepressible Silva.

Swansea took full advantage of his good work to level matters in the 64th minute. Mangala was caught out by Jazz Richards' long ball, which Gomis expertly controlled before sending a volley past Hart.

Chances kept coming at both ends but it was Touré who showed the clinical edge as he held off Jack Cork to drive forward and fire a low shot into the bottom corner.

City still needed Hart to make two outstanding saves to keep out headers from Federico Fernandez and Gomis, before Bony put the game to bed via the inside of the post.

“It was a beautiful save at an important moment,” said Pellegrini of Hart's remarkable stop from Fernandez. “Joe has improved a lot this season and he can get even better as he has an open mind and works hard.”

Garry Monk, the Swansea manager, added: “Ninety-nine times out of 100 that is a goal, unfortunately that was the one. They were both unbelievable saves. The one from Federico was incredible.

“But I am proud of us as we showed we can go toe to toe with a top side after being criticised for how we played even though we won on Monday.”

Swansea Manchester CitySubstitutions: Swansea City Barrow (Dyer, 73), Britton (Shelvey, 78), Emnes (Sigurdsson, 83). Manchester City Navas 6 (Lampard, 59), Kompany (Fernandinho, 80), Bony (Toure, 85). – The Independent

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Real set to pounce on De Gea?

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea's future is up in the air after manager Louis van Gaal acknowledged the threat of Real Madrid's reported interest in signing him.

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Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea's future is up in the air after manager Louis van Gaal acknowledged the threat of Real Madrid's reported interest in signing him.

De Gea was forced off by a hamstring injury during United's 1-1 draw at home to Arsenal on Sunday and, with Real Madrid thought to be preparing to pounce, it may have been his final appearance for the club.

While Van Gaal professed not to know if Madrid have made a formal offer for De Gea, who began his career with their cross-town rivals Atletico, he accepts that his club face a struggle to prevent the 24-year-old falling into their clutches.

Asked if he had accepted that De Gea was heading for the exit, Van Gaal responded: “You are asking things I cannot answer, because I don't know.

“I have said a transfer is an individual thing. It's also a process. He has to decide. We have given a fantastic contract (offer) because we want him to stay.

“But I analyse his position and then I say he is Spanish, he is a Spanish international -- still behind (Iker) Casillas -- and now a Spanish club is coming.

“His girlfriend is Spanish, his father and mother come every week or two weeks here to watch, and still it is difficult for him. It's a big compliment for Manchester United.”

United have been happy to do business with Madrid in the past when it has suited them, with Javier Hernandez's loan move to the Bernabeu this season echoing previous transfers involving David Beckham, Gabriel Heinze and Ruud van Nistelrooy.

But they also endured a long, ill-tempered stand-off with the 10-time European champions over the services of Cristiano Ronaldo, who eventually left for the Spanish capital in a world-record deal in 2009.

British press reports suggest United have already drawn up a shortlist of potential replacements for De Gea, with Tottenham Hotspur's Hugo Lloris and Chelsea's Petr Cech among the players who have been cited.

De Gea's premature departure against Arsenal enabled his countryman Victor Valdes to make his United debut, four months after signing, and the former Barcelona goalkeeper is likely to be required to deputise again at Hull City on the season's final day.

United led 1-0 through Ander Herrera's 30th-minute volley when De Gea left the fray, but Arsenal equalised eight minutes from time when Theo Walcott's cross-shot was deflected past Valdes by home substitute Tyler Blackett.

Arsenal can effectively secure third place in the Premier League table, and with it a Champions League group-stage berth, by avoiding defeat at home to Sunderland on Wednesday in their game in hand.

Van Gaal conceded he would rather avoid the inconvenience of entering the Champions League in the play-off round in mid-August – predicting a pair of “stressful games” – but he drew heart from the support of United's fans.

“It's amazing when you are fourth and they are shouting and clapping their hands so long for us,” the Dutchman told his post-match press conference.

“I feel the warmth of the fans. I like it very much. I had never that experience in my other clubs.”

Reflecting on the prospect of avoiding the Champions League play-offs, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said: “It takes the pressure off during the holiday period and in the preparation.

“You have always that in mind when you prepare, so it will be great when we do it, but it is still to do.

“We have two home games. Let's focus on the next one. We can secure that on Wednesday night against Sunderland.”

Sunday's draw followed Arsenal's 2-1 win at Old Trafford in the FA Cup quarter-finals in March, and they have also recorded wins over Manchester City and Liverpool since the turn of the year.

“We feel we have made progress compared to last season,” Wenger added.

“We have been stronger against the big teams, so that's a good platform to do better.” – AFP

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LVG wants more improvement

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal received a rousing reception from the Old Trafford fans after the 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal.

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London - Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal received a rousing reception from the Old Trafford fans after the 1-1 Premier League draw with Arsenal which ensured they will almost certainly finish fourth in his first season in charge.

For almost two decades when Alex Ferguson was Manchester United manager, matches against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal often decided titles.

But times have changed.

After the embarrassment of finishing seventh last season under David Moyes, Van Gaal has steadied the United ship and a place in the Champions League qualifying round is an acceptable prize.

“I am satisfied we have set our goal and reached that,” the Dutchman told Sky Sports.

“From what I have seen of the fans they are pleased.

“We have not yet qualified for Champions League. It is always stressful as you can meet opponent who is halfway through a season already.”

United dominated the first half against Arsenal at Old Trafford and led through Ander Herrera's far-post volley, but substitute Tyler Blackett deflected in Theo Walcott's strike eight minutes from time to earn Arsenal a point.

“You can say we are unlucky because it is the third deflected goal in a row and falls in our net,” Van Gaal said.

“But I have said it is not unlucky to the players. You have to force luck by finishing games. You see Arsenal want to come back so you have to stick together and be compact.

“I have said Arsenal have maybe the best team but Chelsea can finish the game which Arsenal cannot do and we can't either. That is important.”

Van Gaal will be there again next season to continue his re-building programme.

“As the manager I want more,” he said. “Next year we shall fight for more.”

Van Gaal refused to be drawn on transfer dealings at Old Trafford, but hinted that goalkeeper David de Gea might move back to Spain with Real Madrid.

“David de Gea shall not leave us so easily,” he said. “Of course, we are a great club and he wants to participate. But he is Spanish and his girlfriend is Spanish.”

United, two points behind third-placed Arsenal, must win at Hull City in their final game next Sunday and hope the Gunners lose their two remaining home matches if they are to climb into an automatic Champions League group place. – Reuters

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Barca clinch La Liga title

Barcelona are La Liga champions for the fifth time in seven years after a clinical Lionel Messi strike secured victory against Atletico Madrid.

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Madrid - Treble-chasing Barcelona are La Liga champions for the fifth time in seven years after a clinical Lionel Messi strike secured a 1-0 victory away to Atletico Madrid that wrapped up the title with a game to spare on Sunday.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit a record-extending 26th La Liga hat-trick for Real Madrid in their 4-1 victory away to Espanyol but Barca cannot be caught now with a four point lead.

Messi combined with Pedro Rodriguez and then slotted home from the centre of the penalty area with 65 minutes gone.

It had been a cagey game but the talent of the Argentine shone through again to break the deadlock and help Luis Enrique to his first piece of silverware at the helm of Barcelona.

The Catalan side have dominated the list of La Liga titles in recent years and remain on course to repeat their trophy treble of 2009.

They are through to the Champions League final on June 6 to face Juventus and will play Athletic Bilbao in the King's Cup showpiece on May 30.

“Last year was tough for us and we were not good enough to be champions but this year we are doing well,” midfielder Sergio Busquets told reporters.

“This is the first trophy for us and we are going to celebrate it as it is the most difficult tournament because we face all the teams.

“It is the most important although the Champions League is the most prestigious,” he added.

Barcelona were missing Luis Suarez from their devastating attacking trio due to a hamstring injury with Pedro stepping into the forward line.

Atletico provided their usual aerial threat and keeper Claudio Bravo clawed away a Jose Maria Gimenez header from a corner early on while Messi wasted a golden chance with a weak header in front of goal that went straight to keeper Jan Oblak.

The game settled into a contest where Barca had plenty of possession, but lacked precision in the final third of the pitch, against an Atletico side that looked to soak up the pressure.

The gaps were beginning to emerge in the Atletico backline as Barca continued to press and Messi found space after playing a one-two with Pedro before finding the back of the net.

Minutes later Messi assisted Neymar who could have doubled their advantage but the Brazilian's shot flew over the crossbar.

Ronaldo showed his typical competitiveness as he lifted Real to victory in the second half against Espanyol despite the La Liga title escaping their grasp.

The Portuguese now has two more hat-tricks overall in the league than Messi and he also leads this season's scoring charts with 45 La Liga goals, four more than the Argentine.

Real looked low on morale during the first 45 minutes following their Champions League elimination last Wednesday by Juventus but Ronaldo put them ahead after being found by Karim Benzema on the hour.

While Cristian Stuani pulled a goal back for Espanyol, Marcelo restored Real's lead and then Ronaldo scored twice more in the final eight minutes to seal the win.

Elsewhere in the battle for the Champions League places Valencia, in fourth, drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo and Sevilla a point below them in fifth beat Almeria 2-1. – Reuters

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Big night belongs to Tefu

Tefu Mashamaite was the big winner at the 2014/25 PSL awards, winning R450 000 and the coveted Footballer of the Season award.

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Tefu Mashamaite’s multiple success at last night’s 2014/15 PSL awards was a triumph for teamwork and a sign that even in this era of the Messi’s and Ronaldo’s, good old defensive play and hard work are still important in the beautiful game.

The Kaizer Chiefs captain walked away with three awards – Footballer of the Season, Absa Premiership Players’ Player of the Season, as well as Absa Premiership Defender of the Season – to swell his bank account by a whooping R450000.

Mashamaite, installed Chiefs captain in place of the flamboyant Itumeleng Khune, lead Amakhosi with some aplomb this season as his solid displays from the back set the foundation for a magnificent campaign that saw his team literally walk the championship.

Solid in the tackle, excellent in reading the game, fantastic in the air and calm under pressure, the defender they fondly call Masha at Naturena was an influential presence for the champions throughout the season and even chipped in with some goals for a successful campaign that also delivered the MTN8 title.

Impressively, Mashamaite played in all of Chiefs’ league matches and got booked only twice – the sign of a defender who times his tackles perfectly.

In a game that is often obsessed with the skilful goalscorer ala the Barcelona or Real Madrid stars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Masha-maite’s success was a reminder of the importance of good defensive play, with that good old adage that defences win championship and attacks win matches ringing so true.

For while Chiefs were fantastic in attack, their title triumph was achieved on the basis of a solid defence that saw them concede a miserly 14 goals in their 30 matches, despite using all three of their goalkeepers this season.

And Mashamaite’s steadiness was pretty crucial in the heart of the defence where he performed very well with either Erick Mathoho or Morgan Gould alongside him.

Mashamaite was not the only Amakhosi member to walk away with a big smile from the Sandton Convention Centre last night, his coach Stuart Baxter taking home the Coach of the Season accolade.

George Maluleka was voted the best player of the MTN8 competition, which Chiefs won earlier in the season, and walked away with the Last Man Standing award and R80000 in prize money.

The rest of the awards were shared among the clubs, with BIDVest Wits’ Moeneeb Josephs and Phumlani Ntshangase winning the Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season and Absa Premiership Young Player of the Season awards, respectively.

Mamelodi Sundowns’ Teko Modise walked away with two gongs, the Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season as well as the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament.

SuperSport United’s Dove Wome was the best player of the Telkom Knockout, which his team won. All the Winners

FOOTBALLER OF THE SEASON: R250000

Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)

ABSA PREMIERSHIP

Players’ Player of the Season: R150000

Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)

Goalkeeper of the Season: R50000

Moeneeb Joseph (Bidvest Wits)

Defender of the Season: R50000

Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs)

Midfielder of the Season: R50000

Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Young Player of the Season: R50000

Phumlani Ntshangase (Bidvest Wits)

Coach of the Season: R75000

Stuart Baxter (Kaizer Chiefs)

Goal of the Season: R50000

Menzi Masuku (Orlando Pirates)

54’ Orlando Pirates v SuperSport

United – 29 April 2015)

Top Goalscorer: R25000

Moeketsi Sekola (Free State Stars)

Note: Winners receive an additional R10000 if they are Absa account holders

Nedbank Cup

Player of the Tournament: R150000

Teko Modise (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Most Promising Player of the

Tournament: R50000

Tashreeq Morris (Ajax Cape Town)

Telkom KO

TELKOM KNOCKOUT

Player of the Tournament: R200000

Dove Wome (SuperSport United)

MTN8

Last Man Standing: R80000

George Maluleka (Kaizer Chiefs)

NFD

Top Goal scorer of the Season

Phumelele Bhengu (Thanda Royal Zulu)

Match officials

Referee of the Season: R50000

Shumani Phillip Tinyani

Assistant Referee of the

Season: R40000

Peter Chauke - The Star

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PSL awards: Baxter is coach of season

Kaizer Chiefs were the big winners at the PSL awards, with Stuart Baxter and Tefu Mashamaite taking top honours.

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Johannesburg - Kaizer Chiefs defender Tefu Mashamaite took top honours on Sunday night when the Premier Soccer League rewarded top achievers at the annual awards ceremony held at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.

Mashamaite won three of the four categories he was nominated in. The Amakhosi defender walked away with the 2014/15 Footballer of the Season, Absa Premiership Players’ Player of the Season and the Absa Premiership Defender of the Season. Mashamaite won total prize money of R450 000.

Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Teko Modise, who also had multiple nominations, scooped the Absa Premiership Midfielder of the Season (R50 000) and the Nedbank Cup Player of the Tournament (R150 000).

SuperSport United’s Dove Wome won the Telkom Knockout Player of the Tournament, while Kaizer Chiefs’ George Maluleka was named as the MTN8 Last Man Standing.

Full list of winners:

FOOTBALLER OF THE SEASON: R250 000

Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs) – WINNER

ABSA PREMIERSHIP

Absa Premiership Players’ Player of the Season – R150 000

Tefu Mashamaite (Kaizer Chiefs) – WINNER (Plus an additional R10 000 if the winning candidate is an Absa account holder)

Absa Premiership Goalkeeper of the Season – R50 000

Moeneeb Joseph (Bidvest Wits) – WINNER