Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final in spectacular style as Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr fired them to a fully deserved victory against Aston Villa at Wembley.
26 Apr 2025
Eze unlocked a tense semi-final after 31 minutes when he rifled a magnificent drive high past helpless Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez from the edge of the penalty area.
Palace's Tyrick Mitchell miskicked in front of an open goal before the break, then Jean-Philippe Mateta failed from the spot when his penalty glanced off the post.
But the Eagles kept pushing to increase their lead and Sarr hit another stunning goal after 58 minutes, advancing powerfully before drilling a low shot from 22 yards into the bottom left corner with Martinez stretching in vain.
Between the two opening goals, Palace were grateful to the outstanding work of goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who saved superbly from John McGinn and Lucas Digne as Villa chased an equaliser.
Villa pressed but could not break down Palace's superbly organised defence, and Sarr wrapped up the win deep in stoppage time when he raced clear to beat Martinez.
This victory means manager Oliver Glasner takes Palace to their third FA Cup final, their first since 2016. They have never lifted the trophy and will face either Manchester City or Nottingham Forest.
Bayern Munich moved one victory away from winning back the Bundesliga title as they beat Mainz at home.
26 Apr 2025
Leroy Sane slotted into the bottom corner from close range to put Vincent Kompany's side in front.
Michael Olise jinked inside and fired a low finish past Robin Zenter in the Mainz goal as Bayern increased their lead before the break.
England international Eric Dier rounded off the victory in the closing stages, heading in Olise's corner.
Bayern would have won the league on Saturday if last season's champions Bayer Leverkusen had dropped points.
However, Xabi Alonso's side were 2-0 winners against Augsburg as the eight-point gap between the two sides remained intact.
Prior to Leverkusen's unexpected success last term, Bayern had won 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Mainz had a chance to reduce their deficit at Allianz Arena when Nadiem Amiri attempted to curl an effort into the top corner, but Jonas Urbig dived to his right to beat it away.
The victory margin could also have been greater. Bayern's Sane bent a strike wide of the far post before sending a delicate chip over the advancing Zentner and against the post, as the home side dominated.
Thomas Muller came on with six minutes remaining to make his 500th Bundesliga appearance, with the Bayern legend departing the club in the summer.
Regardless of Leverkusen's result next weekend, victory for Bayern away at RB Leipzig (Saturday, 14:30 BST) would seal their 33rd Bundesliga title.
Chelsea edged back into the Champions League places with a one-goal victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
26 Apr 2025
The win moves the Blues up to fourth in the Premier League, level on points with Nottingham Forest and a point ahead of Newcastle, who play Ipswich later on Saturday.
With Forest and Aston Villa in FA Cup semi-final action this weekend, Chelsea will hold on to a top-five spot at least until Thursday, when Forest host Brentford.
The crucial three points were sealed by striker Nicolas Jackson, who ended a 13-match goalless run stretching back to December.
He drilled an instinctive 20-yard effort beyond Jordan Pickford and into the bottom corner in the 27th minute.
Despite being the better side, Chelsea were unable to kill the game off and, given the tight nature of the race for Champions League football and the Blues' difficult league fixtures before the end of the season, there were uncomfortable moments when Everton improved in the final quarter.
But the hosts' keeper Robert Sanchez saved well from both Beto and Dwight McNeil low to his right when needed.
Enzo Maresca's Chelsea now play leaders Liverpool at Stamford Bridge next Sunday, then visit fellow Champions League chasers Newcastle, before hosting Manchester United, and travelling to Forest on the final day.
Everton have only won one of their past nine matches and remain 13th.
Crystal Palace twice came from behind to draw at second-placed Arsenal and leave Liverpool one point from being crowned Premier League champions for the second time in five seasons.
24 Apr 2025
A draw against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday (16:30 BST) would now be enough for Arne Slot's side, who lead Arsenal by 12 points, to clinch their 20th league title - equalling Manchester United's record.
Both Arsenal and Palace's main focus is on their cup exploits, with the Gunners in the Champions League semi-finals and the Eagles at the same stage in the FA Cup - and both managers rested key players.
Arsenal took an early lead at Emirates Stadium when centre-back Jakub Kiwior planted an excellent header past Dean Henderson from a Martin Odegaard free-kick in the third minute.
Palace looked dangerous on the attack but vulnerable at the back, and Oliver Glasner's side equalised through a cleverly worked set-piece in the 27th minute.
Adam Wharton clipped the ball to the edge of the area and Eberechi Eze volleyed his shot into the ground and the ball hit the post before making its way into the net.
Leandro Trossard gave Arsenal the lead just before half-time when he picked up a pass from Jurrien Timber and squeezed a shot into the bottom corner.
The Eagles continued to push for an equaliser and had good opportunities with headers from Justin Devenny and Ismaila Sarr but neither could get a good contact on the ball.
Palace did level for a second time through substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta, when William Saliba gifted him the ball with a dreadful loose pass 25 yards out and the striker produced an excellent chipped finish over stranded Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya.
Gunners fans will be concerned by the absence of Ben White and Mikel Merino from the squad, with boss Mikel Arteta declining to comment on what their injuries were.
When asked if they would be fit to face PSG on Tuesday, Arteta said: "We will have to wait and see as they were not able to be in the squad here."
Luka Jovic scored twice as AC Milan beat rivals Inter to reach the Coppa Italia final.
24 Apr 2025
The first leg of the Derby della Madonnina had ended in a 1-1 draw, leaving the tie firmly in the balance.
But former Real Madrid striker Jovic put Milan ahead on the night and on aggregate when he headed in a cross nine minutes before half-time.
Jovic was on target again four minutes into the second half, this time flicking in from close range following a corner.
Jovic had failed to score until March but now has four goals in his last five games.
Mike Maignan had to make a big save to deny Stefan de Vrij pulling a goal back for Inter before Tijjani Reijnders slotted in a late third to seal a win that keeps alive Milan's hopes of ending a disappointing season with a trophy.
They are ninth in Serie A and out of the Champions League as well as off the pace to qualify for next season's competition.
The win also ensured Inter cannot end the season with a treble. They are top of Serie A and in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Bologna lead Empoli 3-0 in the other semi-final with the second leg of that match taking place on Thursday.