Manchester United emerged victorious on Wednesday evening in a splendid 4-2 win against Sheffield United in the Premier League. The Reds were aiming to return to the path of victory after four games without securing all three points, but it wasn’t an ideal start when Jadon Bogle caught the ball from above the field and opened the scoring for the visitors.

However, a swift response came at the end of Alejandro Garnacho’s cross with Harry Maguire’s header, leveling things up as both teams headed back to the dressing rooms at halftime.

Bruno’s comeback(watch)

BRUNO! THE MAN! THE MYTH! THE LEGEND! pic.twitter.com/HU4Q9q9qbA

— Punterian (@Punteriann) April 24, 2024

The second half had a similar narrative when the Blades once again drew first blood, this time through a powerful close-range finish by Ben Brereton Diaz.
Captain Bruno Fernandes came to the rescue once again, courtesy of a quick reaction. It was just the beginning for the Portuguese international, as he rose to the occasion once more in the final 10 minutes, providing Manchester United with the lead for the first time with a superb finish, ensuring maximum points.

First Half – Maguire Levels It

The folks at Old Trafford had to work straight off the bat as the ball was taken towards the edge of the box within the first minute, where Diogo Dalot got the chance to shoot. He troubled the Blades’ goalkeeper Wes Foderingham and widened the angle, a smart decision that surely saved his team from an early setback.

That early opportunity set the stage for the initial moments of the game. Manchester United maintained their dominance and kept control against a deep, resilient defensive unit of the visitors.

Garnacho’s efforts

Casemiro, once again operating in an unfamiliar center-back position due to injuries, was finding an outlet, carving a path twice from the wings but struggling to make clear contacts on each occasion.
Midway through the half, it was time for a more direct approach. Garnacho drove into the box dangerously, displaying a show of strength on one side and finesse on the other. The Old Trafford crowd eagerly awaited the net to ripple, but the Argentine international gave Foderingham ample time to adjust his feet, making him capable of facing the resultant shot.

However, Manchester United failed to capitalize on its early pressure, paying the price within half an hour. Andre Onana provided Dalot with an unexpectedly short pass, and grateful Jadon Bogle advanced to intercept, slotting the ball past the post.
The Reds got a response within 10 minutes when Garnacho took a free-kick from Fernandes on the left. He curled it back and delivered an inswinging cross into the penalty area, which Maguire saw beyond Foderingham skillfully, ensuring a well-deserved equalizer just before the break.

Garnacho had a chance to turn it around moments later, but his close-range effort was well thwarted by the excellent Foderingham.

Bruno Leads the Way for Manchester United(watch)

Good morning Manchester United fans, in case you missed it,

Here is Bruno Fernandes performance against Sheffield United👏❤️. pic.twitter.com/NFRmdtjcSs

— Legione (@UTDLegione) April 25, 2024

The Reds came back from the interval with renewed vigor, but it was the Blades who once again struck first in the half as Brereton Diaz doubled his tally with a goal from close range at the six-yard box.

Also Read : “Watch| Arsenal Dominates Chelsea 5-0, Secures Strong EPL Lead: Match Recap”

With an hour gone, chaos ensued as Maguire was pulled down in the box. Referee Michael Salisbury pointed to the spot, and while Dalot thought it was a goal for parity, he successfully managed to send the ball beyond the line, albeit barely, upon closer inspection.

The game was brought back to the same spot, and there was no questioning, as Manchester United’s reliable captain stepped up and calmly changed the conversation. With 15 minutes left on the clock and Manchester United’s opponents forced to push forward from their own half, Premier League glory loomed heavy on their necks.

The people of Manchester began to take advantage of the extra space, and in the dying minutes, celebrating the 250th academy appearance, Ethan Whitley came on, nearly sealing the deal in stoppage time, orchestrated almost perfectly by Fernandes.

Arsenal vs Chelsea: All teams are vying for vital points as the English Premier League season draws to a close in order to move closer to the top of the standings. For Arsenal, being the team at number 1 in the EPL standings, it means trying to maintain that position to ensure they remain contenders for lifting the trophy.

Challenges for Chelsea

Chelsea had challenges prior to this match, and they will have more in store. It’s highly unlikely for them to win any trophies, but they can certainly aim to position themselves among the top four teams to secure a spot in the Champions Trophy for the next season. This is an external opportunity. The team led by Mauricio Pochettino has shown that it can be brilliant at times but also disastrous. Arsenal fans might be hoping for a day off for the Blues.

All Goals(watch)

London derby delight ✨

Enjoy all the action from our big win over Chelsea 👇 pic.twitter.com/Xl2OG0lrYg

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 23, 2024

Arteta’s strategy

Mikel Arteta, the manager of Arsenal, is searching for methods to make sure his squad does not lessen their chances of winning the league, as they did the previous year. A strong defense and fast-paced attack led by a lively and innovative midfielder, that’s what he would have ordered for that day. And what a day it turned out to be for him!

Arsenal’s early goal

Finally, when the match started, there was no surprise. Arsenal took advantage of the early opportunity and scored a goal within the first 5 minutes! They punished Chelsea’s defense, which was being too cautious in their ball-playing. Trossard scored when Rice was given plenty of space to reach the box without anyone stopping him on the left. When the challenge finally came, he changed direction, passing it to Trossard, who straightaway fired it into the goal. It seemed like Arsenal was going for their easiest goal yet. Chelsea was nowhere in the game, and for 16 minutes, the game continued like that, before they managed to make some good passes.

And it was surprising that Arsenal didn’t double their lead at least to take the match beyond Chelsea’s reach. However, after that, Chelsea not only managed to equalize but also had some better opportunities to take the lead. But all of it went in vain because there was no man in blue at the 6-yard box to tap the ball in. During the next counter-attack, Chelsea actually hit the goal post! It might have been late, but they were actually trying to make something of it.

Peter Drury is unbeatable man.

‘Arsenal so good, they're scoring by mistake’😂

pic.twitter.com/hGZDcDYWoM

— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) April 24, 2024

Chelsea’s efforts

The exchange continued from start to finish, and both sides had excellent opportunities to score, but they failed. Chelsea was one of them. Madueke, the only man in blue who was working hard, initiated all of it, going past Thomas to reach Kukurela, who missed finding Fernandes by just inches from the post. Chelsea was fully committed to defense, but they were spectacular in the attack. And the situation remained the same until halftime.

Heavy second half

The second half started with Arsenal’s full flow, and Odegaard initiated the attack, but at the last moment, either the goalkeeper or the defense ended all their chances. But they quickly changed that.
Another goal came. In the 52nd minute, a short corner was played, and it reached Rice, but his shot from the bottom left deflected off the post to the right of the goal. It was his quick shot that finally defied Petrovik and went past the net!
Then, it seemed like Chelsea was completely out of it, because after a difficult few minutes, Arsenal scored their third goal, which put the final result beyond any doubt.

Havertz scores

This time, Havertz scored in the 57th minute with Odegaard’s help. His excellent run brought him to the edge of the box, and he easily lifted the ball over Petrovik! 3-0!
It was clear by now that the fight was over for Chelsea, and the Gunners were capitalizing on every opportunity with pace. And with that came another goal. 4-0!
Saka showcased his dribbling skills, passed to Havertz who turned and hit the ball from the right-hand post, ricocheting it in.
By now, it was evident that the Gunners were in no mood to show any mercy with their repeated combinations of Odegaard, Rice, Trossard, and Havertz.

Also read : “Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League: City’s Heartbreak in Penalty Shootout Exit”

Victory for Arsenal

They kept attacking, making space for themselves, and once again scored! 5-0! This time it was White who found himself in front of a ball coming towards him and watched as the ball deflected into the goal from his shin! And it was only the 70th minute! It felt like Chelsea just wanted to leave the field. According to the match stats, Chelsea had only one shot on goal. Arsenal had 9. The humiliation was complete.

And it continued like this. The Gunners proved today that they have the capability to fight for lifting trophies. Today’s performance has caught the attention of Manchester City and Liverpool.

photos source : X

The 91st-minute goal from Bellingham sealed the deal for Real Madrid, after they had earlier equalized twice through Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez’s goals.

Still on Top

Real Madrid made a memorable evening for their fans once again at the Santiago Bernabeu with a comeback in El Clásico. After advancing to the semifinals in Manchester, Ancelotti’s men once again worked their magic, turning the game around twice when they were trailing. With six games remaining in La Liga, goals by Vinicius Junior, Lucas Vazquez, and Bellingham in the 91st minute secured the win for our squad and increased our advantage by 11 points on the scoreboard.

When Christensen headed in Raphinha’s corner (6′), Barcelona took an early lead. However, Madrid responded quickly, almost equalizing two minutes later. A lofted pass from Tachoumene found Modric, who headed wide, and Vinicius Junior’s attempt with his right foot failed to find the goal. Shortly after, the Brazilian player got another chance, this time with a headed effort from a cross-free kick.

🤯 @BellinghamJude 🤯#ElClásico | @LaLiga | #LaLigaHighlights pic.twitter.com/ZvTf0g5cLK

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 21, 2024

Vini Jr equalized for Real Madrid

Real Madrid was searching for the equalizer and found it in the 18th minute. Lucas Vazquez drove the ball on the baseline, dribbled past Cancelló, and Cuéllar brought him down. Vinicius Junior then converted the penalty to make it 1-1. Catalán responded from the other end (28′) to regain the lead. Yamal whipped in an outswinging corner, Lunin cleared the ball off the line, and after VAR review, it was ruled that the ball did not cross the goal line.

At the edge of the box, after some good link-up play between Rodrigo, Bellingham, and Valverde, Modric had the final chance of the first half. The Croatian’s shot from inside the box was saved by Ter Stegen.

Also Read : “Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League: City’s Heartbreak in Penalty Shootout Exit”

Similar second half

Not much changed in the second half’s action, and the physicality continued even after the break. Yamal attempted a shot that didn’t trouble Lunin; then Bellingham attempted to catch the keeper with a shot from inside the box with his left foot, but the keeper stopped it (50th minute). Five minutes later, the Englishman played a fantastic ball to Vinicius Junior, who got into the box but missed the shot. Then, against the run of play, Firmin scored in the 69th minute as he took advantage of Lunin’s mistake inside the box.

Bellingham made another comeback

Madrid didn’t wait long and equalized four minutes later. Valverde initiated a move in midfield, played the ball to Vinicius Junior, who beat the far post. Lucas Vazquez, who rushed in, scored with his right foot to make it 2-2.

The Brazilian player was once again in the headlines as he came close to scoring in the 78th minute. Lunin played a very quick ball from the back, the Brazilian outpaced Pedri, and found himself in front of Ter Stegen, who prevented the goal in a one-on-one situation. However, as we’ve been doing, Real Madrid showed their courage and secured the win in the 91st minute when Bellingham reached the end of a brilliant cross from Lucas Vazquez at the far post. Real Madrid is now one step closer to the league title.”

photos source : X

Spurred on by the memory of their late champion Bernardo Silva, Manchester City defeated Chelsea 1-0 to guarantee their place in the FA Cup final.

Victory at Wembley

The atmosphere at Wembley was electric as City clinched their place in the final after last season’s victory over Manchester United. It was a courageous performance, particularly after Manchester City were eliminated from the Champions League by Pep Guardiola’s team in a devastating penalty shootout against Real Madrid earlier in the week.

Both teams had their chances, but for Bernardo, it was a moment of joy to claim victory, especially as he was among the unfortunate players who missed opportunities earlier in the week.

What Happened

Manchester City’s journey to Wembley has been special over the past 13 years, and the anticipation was high just 90 minutes away from kick-off in the FA Cup final showdown. While City played a grueling two-hour Champions League football against Real Madrid midweek, Chelsea had five days to prepare, their only chance at silverware this season.

Still, it was City who made the early breakthrough, with Ferran Torres scoring from Kevin De Bruyne’s cross in the semifinals at Wembley.

Manchester City’s solid defense

Chelsea had their moments, but John Stones and Manuel Akanji’s solid defense, coupled with Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics, thwarted their attempts. The first real chance came through Phil Foden, whose shot from outside the box tested Chelsea’s goalkeeper. However, Foden’s efforts were thwarted by a tight angle.

City’s academy graduate Palmer, dangerous for Chelsea since his summer switch, created opportunities but failed to convert, with his shot saved by Ortega. Chelsea increased their pressure as the match went on, but City’s defense held strong, and they ultimately won a vital game.

Key Players

Despite De Bruyne’s injury scare after our match against Real, he delivered yet another stellar performance. Throughout the match, the Belgian midfielder was everywhere. In the closing seconds, he even made a lunging move to deliver the vital cross that resulted in the game’s lone goal. And amidst the electrifying atmosphere at the Etihad, there was still energy in him to celebrate a big win and more silverware.

Together 🩵#ManCity pic.twitter.com/Yf6R0d9nsu

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 20, 2024

Pep Guardiola’s Reaction

“It’s mentally tough to bounce back. The way Rodri played today, Kyle, who has been injured for weeks, I don’t know how they did it.

“We want to play football. We love to play football, but it’s too much.

Also read : “Manchester City vs Real Madrid Champions League: City’s Heartbreak in Penalty Shootout Exit”

“We protect our trophies. We’ll stay right here.

“They threw everything at us. It was a tough game. [I thought] Extra time, no please.”

photos source : X

Manchester City vs. Real Madrid Champions League: This was an incredibly thrilling match where City dominated. City vs. Real Madrid Champions League: The return leg of the Champions League quarterfinal was as exciting as it could get, even though the previous match was packed with goals, ending 3-3 with City benefiting.

Action at Etihad Stadium

The second leg was played at their home ground, the Etihad Stadium. It was a showdown between Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti, two of Europe’s most successful managers, and a defeat for one was certain. And it wasn’t anyone else but Pep Guardiola.
The most heartbreaking thing for City fans was that despite their dominance in the match, they couldn’t capitalize on their scoring ability.

Real Madrid’s early Goal

The match started on equal footing, and both sides tried to make space for their forwards, but with little success. However, it was Madrid who succeeded in getting the first shot on goal with Eduardo Camavinga, but Ederson easily stopped it. That was in the 11th minute. Difficult a minute later – Goal! Real Madrid easily took the lead as Rodrigo put the ball into the net! It silenced the Etihad! Real led City 4-3 overall.
While Rodrigo might have been the one to score, it was Vinicius Junior who had worked hard to infiltrate City’s box and set up the ball for Rodrigo.

Madrid’s incredible defense

The Brazilian forward was initially thwarted by Ederson with a splendid save, but the rebound was easily converted. Now, City had no choice but to attack. And they did, but couldn’t find the back of the net, while Real Madrid’s defense did an excellent job marking all of City’s dangerous players.
The best chance came when Haaland managed to hit the bar with a header, but luck wasn’t on his side before the goal.
City was relentless in their attacking play, leaving gaps at the back which Vinicius exploited with his exceptional pace, providing Dani Carvajal with another goal, and a wild slide tackle from a City defender in the 19th minute to deny it.

City’s possession

Until the 40th minute, City had control over the match, but they were trailing. City had 61-39 ball possession and took 10 shots on goal while Madrid only had five.
It was also evident that Real Madrid was wasting time to relieve pressure from their defense. Half time score – Real Madrid 4 – City 3 (Aggregate).
With the end of the first half came the beginning of the second – City tried to break through Madrid’s defense but without success. From Jack Grealish to Foden and Haaland, they threw everything into the attack, but the final pass was always beyond their reach.
One statistic indicating City’s dominance was that they won 13 corner kicks while Madrid didn’t win any.

City’s goal

It was time for Guardiola to make a change. He chose to substitute Grealish in the 73rd minute, even though the player was proving effective, and brought in Jeremy Doku.
And a goal!
Three difficult minutes later, Kevin De Bruyne, who had been surprisingly quiet, leveled the score. City was back in it – they were playing at home, remember?
A cross from the left by Antonio Rudiger wasn’t cleared properly, and the ball fell to De Bruyne, who fired it home from just 7 yards out.

De Bruyne misses

And just two minutes later, De Bruyne had the best chance to put City ahead, but he squandered it. He got the chance to shoot from just outside the box, but an excellent save from Andriy Lunin denied him.
Now, it was time for Ancelotti to make changes, and he brought in Toni Kroos for the old warhorse Luka Modric.
However, almost immediately after, De Bruyne had another chance to score. Played through by the relentless Doku, from the left side of the box, an unmarked De Bruyne fired on target. It was a fantastic sight at the Etihad as everyone held their breath and erupted in cheers!

Had he kicked the trophy away? That question was on every fan’s mind. No help came to resolve the deadlock in extra time, and it ended 4-4 overall. Extra Time The biggest turning point of the extra time period was Guardiola substituting Haaland for Julian Alvarez! And it was a surprisingly tough decision, but considering the one chance he had ended up in a bar post, it was a calculated decision. Alvarez brought new energy and extensive skills to City’s game.

Also read : Watch| Real Madrid 3-3 Man City: Valverde volley denies City first-leg victory in Champions League quarter-final

Madrid’s defense was being put under tremendous pressure by Doku, and once again, City found themselves inches away from scoring from the left side of the box. However, no one could get the final touch.

Penalty shootout(watch)

⚽🧤 ¿Cómo parar un penalti?
😉 ¡Pregúntale a @AndreyLunin13!#UCL pic.twitter.com/wYpQWi7eWU

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) April 18, 2024

These were all chances that, if missed, would eventually haunt City.
In the end, the tie was decided by penalties, and Real Madrid kept their composure to win it and knock out the defending champions from the tournament, ending City’s triple bid.
And thus, the punishment came to an end.
Manchester City: 1 (X X 1 1)
Real Madrid: (X 1 1 1 1)
Penalty Score: City 3, Madrid 4
The match ended 1-1 on aggregate by the end of the designated time.

Bayer Leverkusen broke an 11-year hold on Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga dominance since 1993 to clinch their first trophy. Led by Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen secured their maiden Bundesliga title with a resounding 5-0 victory over SV Werder Bremen on Sunday, scripting history.

Win under Alonso

Alonso, the former midfield maestro for Real Madrid and Liverpool, took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022, initiating a new era in the Bundesliga, which many didn’t anticipate but aimed to revolutionize German football.

HISTORY MADE! 🤩#Winnerkusen #DeutscherMeisterSVB pic.twitter.com/xNHvrNApVS

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 14, 2024

Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga

Under his guidance, Leverkusen is currently on an unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga, with 25 wins, 4 draws, and 79 points from 29 matches, setting a league record. With five games left, Leverkusen secured the Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich’s dominance in the league. It was the first time since 2012 that Bayern failed to secure the league title, with Alonso orchestrating their downfall.
When Alonso took over Leverkusen, they were second after eight Bundesliga matches, but the Spaniard instilled confidence in the players and transformed their mentality.

6th in previous season

They finished sixth on the table the previous season after making a tremendous recovery. They signed prolific scorer Harry Kane with the intention of unseating Bayern Munich, but their goals for this season were higher. Leverkusen’s ability to maintain their form was questioned by many, but Alonso kept them together, and they got better every time they played.

Leverkusen’s Team game

They performed well as a team, not depending just on individual talent to win. Florian Wirtz and Victor Boniface jointly lead with 11 goals each this season. There wasn’t much competition in the Bundesliga this season as champions Leverkusen built a significant 16-point lead over Bayern with five matches remaining.

Wirtz made sure that no one had to wait for another game to feel the rush of victory by scoring an amazing hat-trick on Sunday. Their astounding 43-game winning streak this season across all competitions was boosted by their 5-0 victory.

Also Read : Watch| Real Madrid 3-3 Man City: Valverde volley denies City first-leg victory in Champions League quarter-final

Xabi Alonso’s reaction

Leverkusen still has a long way to go in this season, even though they are far from winning the German Cup and taking a 2-0 lead against West Ham United in the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals.

Coach Xabi Alonso of Bayer Leverkusen said, “With a great team and a great club, this is a momentous occasion.” A championship win is always memorable. It’s the first time in Leverkusen’s history, so you have to savor it. Celebrate with fans, it’s an honor to work for this club, for families.”

photos source : X