Tottenham edged Bolton 1-0 and Manchester City beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Saturday to stay neck and neck in the race for a Champions League spot, while Villa slipped out of contention and has to settle for a Europa League berth.
Tom Huddlestone fired Tottenham’s winner, while City came from behind with goals from Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy to beat Villa at Eastlands.
The results mean that fourth-place Spurs have 67 points and City has 66 with two rounds left. The two face each other on Wednesday.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Villa slipped to sixth with 64. Liverpool still has an outside chance of finishing fourth, but had to play leader Chelsea yesterday.
Huddlestone’s 38th-minute goal at White Hart Lane was a quality strike from 22m. Spurs dominated the game and should have won by a bigger margin as they chase their highest place since finishing third in 1990.
“We had good opportunities in the second half to get a second goal, but we didn’t manage to take one,” Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp said. “But it’s 1-0, three points, that’s the most important thing. [Bolton] were always in it and we were missing chances.”
Signed on a loan deal after a shoulder injury to Shay Given, Manchester City goalkeeper Marton Fulop was beaten by John Carew in the 16th minute in his first appearance for the club.
Tevez equalized with a 41st-minute penalty after Stephen Warnock had tripped Adam Johnson inside the area. Carew then hit the City bar, but Adebayor turned home Johnson’s cross in the 43rd and Bellamy added the third goal in the 89th after break down the left by Shaun Wright-Phillips.
“I’m really disappointed for the players,” said Villa manager Martin O’Neill, who also took his team to the League Cup final and the FA Cup semi-final. “The league is very tough. We finished sixth in the last two years. Man City and Tottenham have become very strong. All the teams are getting strong.”
The leading two teams were in action yesterday when Chelsea went to Liverpool and Manchester United, one point behind, visited Sunderland. Third-place Arsenal visits Blackburn today.
In Saturday’s other games, Birmingham beat relegated Burnley 2-1, last-place Portsmouth won 3-1 over Wolves and Stoke and Everton drew 0-0.
Birmingham scored a 29th-minute own-goal when Burnley goalkeeper Brian Jensen deflected a shot from Cameron Jerome over the line.
Christian Benitez made it 2-0 in the 41st before Steven Thompson scored an 87th-minute consolation for 19th-place Burnley.
Due to face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on May 15, Portsmouth began the buildup with a rare victory.
Arune Dindane gave the home side a 20th-minute lead and, although Kevin Doyle replied for Wolves in the 35th, goals by John Utaka and Michael Brown captured three points for the last-place team.
Phil Jagielka thought he had scored a winner for Everton in the 72nd minute at Stoke but it was ruled out. The draw ended his team’s hopes of finishing in a Europa League position.
Fulham hosted West Ham yesterday. Today, Hull goes to Wigan with little chance of overtaking the Hammers to be safe in 17th place.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely