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Manager John Still of Luton Town during the Skrill Conference Premier match between Luton Town and Braintree Town this month. Photograph: Tim Keeton/Getty Images Finishers pivotal to success but Chelsea prove exception to enduring rule
  • Soccer
  • Michael Walker
  • April 19, 2014, 12:00

Mourinho’s side devoid of top front men but are still on the cusp of success

Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard: “There’s not many players who can do what he can do – be one of the best attacking midfield players in Europe and then switch to be arguably the best controlling player,” says Brendan Rodgers. Photo: Dylan Martinez/Reuters Brendan Rodgers praises Gerrard’s pivotal role in Liverpool’s title bid

Manager says his skipper is currently the best holding midfielder in Europe

Wayne Rooney is fit to face Everton following a recent foot problem. Photograph: Martin Rickett/PA Moyes believes Everton’s success down to his legacy

United manager pointsto the squad he left and the firm foundations built over 11 years

Chris Forrester of St Patrick’s Athletic celebrates scoring his side’s third goal with Conan Byrne during the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division match against Bohemians at Richmond Park. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho St Patrick’s dominate after early falter

Bohemians left behind after taking early lead at Richmond Park

Limerick do just enough to keep Athlone wanting

Drama at Thomond Park as midfielder Sean Brennan saves penalty for visitors

St Pat’s Conan Byrne clears as Darragh Raynor closes in during last night’s game at Richmond Park. Photograph: Donall Farmer/Inpho Fine finish by Ronan Finn earns Shamrock Rovers a point

Visitors deserve plenty of credit for way in which they chased game after being reduced to 10 men

Atletico Madrid continue title pursuit with win over stubborn Elche
  • Soccer
  • April 18, 2014, 22:40

Goals from Miranda and Diego Costa helps extend their lead at the top to six points

Buckley and Dennehy seal the points for Cork City

Home side take their chances in the second half to see off battling Drogheda

Defiant goalkeeper Ger Doherty helps Derry keep dominant Bray at bay

Home side left to rue missed penalty late in the first half

Diego Costa (right) celebrates scoring Atletico Madrid’s second goal with teammate Filipe Luis during the La Liga match against Elche at Vicente Calderon Stadium in Madrid. Photograph: Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images Diego Costa seals it from the spot as Atletico close on Spanish title
  • Soccer
  • April 18, 2014, 22:04

Diego Simeone’s side go six points clear of city rivals Real

Damien Duff: “T here’s nothing better than playing for your country but not one bit of me ever wants to go back.” There’s still life in the old Duffer yet

As his Premier career winds down, the Fulham player is open to job offers

Ashley Cole: the 33-year-old rarely features for Chelsea these days. Photograph: Reuters Chelsea stalwart Cole frets over Atletico start
  • Soccer
  • Dominic Fifield
  • April 18, 2014, 23:00

Midfield talisman Hazard facing struggle to be fit for Champions League semi-final

Manchester City’s Yaya Toure: still out with a muscle problem. Manuel Pellegrini admits he’ll find it frustrating if Manchester City fail to win title

Club have endured worst week of their season after losing to title rivals Liverpool and drawing with Sunderland

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard reacts at the final whistle after the 3-2 Premier league victory over Manchester City at Anfield. Photograph: Peter Powell/EPA Brendan Rodgers: Liverpool can take strength from Hillsborough families

Manager believes Steven Gerrard’s rousing speech after City win shows determination to end title drought

Republic of Ireland full back Joey O’Brien is in line for a recall at West Ham after recovering from a dislocated shoulder. Photograph: Daniel Hambury/PA Premier League weekend team news

All the latest as the battle for the title and to avoid relegation continues

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers: “We are into the final block of games and that was just another one ticked off. We really only focus on the next game.” Photo: Nick Potts/PA Brendan Rodgers says rivals’ woes a warning to Liverpool

Anfield boss and his panel fully focused on the tricky next assignment at struggling Norwich

Dundalk’s Brian Gartland celebrates scoring a goal against Derry. Photo: Morgan Treacy/Inpho Dundalk aim to consolidate their lead at the top

Shamrock Rovers make eight changes for their second visit to Oriel Park in four days

Gareth Bale celebrates after scoring a wonderful late goal to deliver Spanish Copa del Rey final for Real Madrid over great rivals Barcelona in Valencia. Dani Pozo/AFP/Getty Images Bale express finally delivers for Real Madrid
  • Soccer
  • Sid Lowe
  • April 17, 2014, 21:57

Critics are won over as Welsh speedster goes into sideline overdrive before hitting winner against Barca

Mesut Özil is a fantastic player, according to Arsene Wenger. “I would put him on the list to be player of the season next season,” says the Arsenal manager. Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images Özil will be footballer of the year contender next season – Wenger

Fifa president Sepp Blatter says punishing racist behaviour by closing stadiums is “extremely dubious” and “unduly excessive”. Photograph: Adam Davy/PA Wire Sepp Blatter not in favour of stadium bans for racism
  • Soccer
  • April 17, 2014, 17:23

Fifa president still wants ‘drastic and severe’ sanctions that do not punish innocent fans

Liverpool’s Luis Suarez is blocking out title talk for now. Photograph: Nick Potts/PA Wire Luis Suarez urging Liverpool fans to keep calm

‘I think that if I don’t watch TV, listen to the radio or read about us on the internet it’s better’

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Second Captains Football Blubbery Jose, Joe Hart heart, two horse race, the Gareth Bale arc
 

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