Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Chelsea manager has been confirmed on a four-year deal. The former Real Madrid boss will take charge of the Blues from 1 July in what is his first managerial role in the Premier League. Callum McFarlane has been in interim charge since the sacking of Liam Rosenior last month and was on the touchline for Chelsea’s FA Cup final loss to Manchester City on Saturday.
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Antoine Semenyo produced a moment of individual genius to settle a bitterly disappointing FA Cup final as Manchester City beat Chelsea at Wembley. The showpiece had largely been a dismal non-event until Semenyo broke the deadlock brilliantly with 18 minutes left. Erling Haaland, had worked tirelessly with little service, but it was his cross that Semenyo met on the run with a perfect right-foot flick across Chelsea keeper Robert Sanchez.
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Tottenham forward Mathys Tel went from hero to zero after he gave away a reckless penalty following his opener in a 1-1 draw with Leeds to leave his team mired in relegation trouble. Arsenal’s controversial 1-0 victory at 18th-placed West Ham on Sunday provided a pre-match boost for both clubs and Spurs were set to go four points clear of the relegation zone when Tel produced a wonderful 50th-minute opener.
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Aston Villa are through to their first European final in 44 years after they thrashed Nottingham Forest 4-0 in the all-English Europa League semi-final to advance 4-1 on aggregate. Boss Unai Emery is now one win away from a fifth title in a competition he specialises in and only Bundesliga outfit Freiburg stand between Villa and their first major trophy in 30 years.
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Arsenal reached their first Champions League final for 20 years as Bukayo Saka’s goal was enough to help the Gunners overcome Atletico Madrid 2-1 on aggregate. Mikel Arteta’s side went out in the semi-finals to eventual winners Paris St-Germain last season, but Saka’s goal ensured there was no repeat of that exit at the same stage – and a Champions League and Premier League double remains a possibility.
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