ENGLAND—In Saturday’s (April 22) Emirates FA Cup semi final, Spurs played Chelsea and, in a thoroughly entertaining game, Chelsea prevailed 4-2, through a brace from Willian, and goals from Eden Hazard and Nemanja Matic, after the first two goals had been pegged back with equalisers from Harry Kane and Dele Alli.
In Sunday’s game Arsenal won through to the final after winning their semi-final 2-1 against Manchester City after extra-time. Manchester City opened the scoring through
Sergio Aguero in the second half of normal time, only for Nacho Monreal to score the equaliser which took the game into the extra time. Arsenal scored the vital winning goal when Alexis Sanchez reacted first to a loose ball in front of goal to fire the ball into the net.
In the title race and qualification for the UEFA Champions League by finishing in the top 4 positions, Manchester United won 2-nil at Burnley, courtesy of first half goals from Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney to move onto 63 points and within one point of Manchester City in 4th spot, whilst Liverpool (currently 3rd in the table on 66 points) were beaten 1-2 at home to Crystal Palace, with Christian Benteke scoring a brace for Palace after Philippe Coutinho had opened the scoring for Liverpool from a free kick.
Chelsea lead the table with 75 points from 32 matches, with Spurs second with 71 points from the same games, Liverpool third with 66 points from 34 games, Manchester City fourth with 64 points from 32 games, Manchester United fifth on 63 points from 32 games, Everton sixth with 58 points from 34 games, and Arsenal seventh with 57 points from 31 games.
Bournemouth boosted their chances of escaping relegation with a comfortable 4-nil win over Middlesbrough, goals courtesy of Josh King, Benik Afobe, Marc Pugh and Charlie Daniels. Hull City were 2-nil winners against Watford, with goals from Lazar Markovic and Sam Clucas, Swansea won 2-nil against Stoke City with goals from Fernando Llorente and Tom Carroll, whilst West Ham and Everton drew nil-all at the London Stadium.
In the relegation battle, Leicester City are 15th with 37 points from 32 games, Burnley are 16th with 36 points from 34 matches, Hull City 17th on 33 points from 34 games, Swansea 18th with 31 points from 34 matches, Middlesbrough 19th with 24 points from 33 games, and Sunderland 20th with 21 points from 32 games.
Allan Jackson has been involved in soccer for more than 40 years as a player, referee, administrator and freelance writer.
