LONDON: Chelsea moved into the Premier League’s top four with a 4-0 demolition of hapless Southampton, but Aston Villa’s hopes of Champions League football next season diminished after a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace.
After a run of three consecutive defeats, Chelsea badly needed a response against bottom-of-the-table Saints, who are set for an immediate return to the Championship.
The Blues duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill for just a third league win 11 games.
Before kick-off at Stamford Bridge, a small band of Chelsea fans gathered to protest against the club’s owners over the club’s form and discontent over ticket prices.
Once the action got underway, it was a much-needed comfortable evening for Enzo Maresca’s men which the Italian will hope can restore confidence among his squad.
Nkunku took his tally for the season to 14 but only three of those have come in the Premier League as he has often had to play reserve to the injured Nicolas Jackson.
The Frenchman stooped to head in a corner at the back post before teeing up Neto to blast home a second.
Colwill headed in Neto’s free-kick to make the points safe before the break.
Marc Cucurella rounded off the scoring with a calm finish from teenager Tyrique George’s cross.
Victory takes Chelsea two points above Manchester City into fourth.
Thanks to English clubs’ strong performance in European competition this season, a top-five finish is likely to be enough for a place in next season’s Champions League.
Villa had rejuvenated their hopes of a second consecutive season in Europe’s elite competition after beating Chelsea on Saturday.
But Unai Emery’s men have won just one of their last seven league games after a capitulation at Selhurst Park.
Ismaila Sarr’s first-half opener was canceled out early in the second period by Morgan Rogers.
Jean-Philippe Mateta quickly restored Palace’s advantage before Sarr and Eddie Nketiah maintained the Eagles fine form.
Oliver Glasner’s side have won seven of their last nine games to rise to 12th, just six points behind Villa in 10th.
Brighton won the battle of the south coast clubs with ambitions of European football next season, over Bournemouth 2-1.
Joao Pedro won and converted a penalty on 12 minutes to give the Seagulls the lead.
A wonder strike from Justin Kluivert levelled for the Cherries, but Danny Welbeck’s winner moved the sides level on points.
Bournemouth sit seventh on goal difference with Brighton in eighth, but now just one point behind fifth-placed City.
Wolves missed the chance to pull further clear of the relegation zone after a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham.
A fast start to both halves saw the visitors take the points as Ryan Sessegnon struck inside the first minute and Rodrigo Muniz got the winner two minutes into the second period.
Wolves remain five points above the bottom three.
League leaders Liverpool can take another step toward just their second title in 35 years when they host Newcastle on Wednesday.
Second faces third as Arsenal visit Nottingham Forest, while Tottenham host City.
Chelsea thrash Southampton, Villa beaten by Palace in race for Champions League
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Chelsea thrash Southampton, Villa beaten by Palace in race for Champions League
- The Blues duly delivered with three first-half goals through Christopher Nkunku, Pedro Neto and Levi Colwill for just a third league win 11 games
FIA cuts controversial F1 driver swearing fines
- Importantly the new guidelines given to race stewards now differentiates between swearing in “controlled” or “uncontrolled” circumstances.
- This will give drivers more latitude for turning the air blue in the heat of the moment, for example on the team radio during races.
PARIS: Formula One’s governing body on Wednesday reduced the controversial penalties dished out to drivers for swearing after a backlash from the grid.
Ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the FIA has removed the risk of a race ban and cut the “base maximum penalty from EUR10,000 ($11,180) to EUR5,000.”
Importantly the new guidelines given to race stewards now differentiates between swearing in “controlled” or “uncontrolled” circumstances.
This will give drivers more latitude for turning the air blue in the heat of the moment, for example on the team radio during races.
“Controlled environments include settings such as press conferences, while uncontrolled environments refer to spontaneous comments made by drivers or teams when on track or during a rally stage,” a statement from the FIA explained.
It went on to describe the development as “major improvements” to appendix B of the sporting code.
The previous policy had come in for intense criticism from the likes of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who was sanctioned for swearing at a press conference in Singapore.
The drivers will have a chance to give their reaction to the toned-down swearing policy at Imola on Thursday at the traditional pre-race round of press conferences.
The relaxation in the rules came after an open letter to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, up for re-election later this year, from the drivers who asked the FIA to treat them “like adults.”
In February, Williams driver Carlos Sainz questioned the FIA’s hard-line approach to the subject.
Sainz said while it was reasonable to expect drivers to avoid swearing while speaking in a public setting such as a news conference, it was a different matter while they were on the track.
“What we say on the (car) radio, I don’t agree with what is happening,” said the Spaniard.
“I think you cannot be too tough on these kinds of things because you cannot understand the pressure and adrenaline and the way we feel in the car when we open the radio.
“And I feel for F1 it is good to have those moments because you see the real driver.”
Kevin Durant wins NBA’s Magic Johnson Award
- The Professional Basketball Writers Association gives the award annually
- Durant also won the award in the 2010-11 season, his fourth in the league
OKLAHOMA, USA: Phoenix Suns star Kevin Durant is the winner of the 2024-25 Magic Johnson Award.
The Professional Basketball Writers Association gives the award annually to the NBA player who excels on the court and displays “cooperation and grace in dealing with the media and fans.”
Durant also won the award in the 2010-11 season, his fourth in the league, with the Oklahoma City Thunder.
He becomes the fourth two-time honoree, joining Stephen Curry (2016, 2024), Damian Lillard (2017, 2020) and Shane Battier (2007, 2013).
“We’re really pleased to honor KD again,” association president Howard Beck said.
“Kevin has long been one of the NBA’s most thoughtful and accessible stars. He always makes time for reporters, whether for on-the-record interviews or just informal chit-chat, and he never shies away from any topic. He’s as eager to dive into the minutiae of a single play as he is to discuss broader issues facing the league.
“His passion for the game always comes through. Our members were also really appreciative of Kevin’s public advocacy for reopening locker rooms after the pandemic, recognizing how critical that access is for building trust and rapport between players and journalists,” added Beck.
Durant, 36, was named to his 15th All-Star team in the 2024-25 season. He averaged 26.6 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game.
Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers finished second in the balloting, with Bam Adebayo of the Miami Heat, Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors the other finalists.
The award has been given annually since 2001.
Lewandowski back for Barca at Espanyol with LaLiga title in sight
- The Polish striker missed Barca’s last three league games
- The 36-year-old has scored 25 goals in 31 league games
BARCELONA: Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski is set to return to action in Thursday’s LaLiga clash at Espanyol, manager Hansi Flick said, as his side prepare to wrap up the title this week.
A victory in their city derby against Espanyol would clinch the championship for the Catalans. Barcelona, now seven points clear at the top with 82 points, could win the title as early as Wednesday if Real Madrid fail to win at Mallorca.
The Polish striker missed Barca’s last three league games and was also absent from their 3-2 Copa del Rey final win over Real Madrid on April 27 due to a muscle injury.
The 36-year-old has scored 25 goals in 31 league games, two behind Kylian Mbappe in the LaLiga Golden Boot race, with both having played the same number of matches.
“Lewandowski is doing good and of course he is ready to play,” Flick told reporters on Wednesday.
Lewandowski featured for only 30 minutes in their Champions League semifinal second leg defeat by Inter Milan last week and missed their 4-3 home win against Real Madrid on Sunday.
After their last Clasico win, Barcelona have defeated Real in all four encounters this season across all competitions, and Flick hailed his team’s performance as a source of immense pride.
“We played 24 minutes with no contact from Real in our half, so it has something to do with the pressing, it has something to do with the right structure we had,” he said.
“How we started to press them when they had the ball was unbelievable. When I heard this stat I thought it’s really great... we can be very proud of that. I’m happy for the fans, for the club, because I know that’s very important for them.”
Asked about Real manager Carlo Ancelotti joining the Brazil national team at the end of the season, Flick, who coached Germany from 2021 to 2023, said: “I think he (Ancelotti) did a fantastic job in Madrid. He’s a gentleman and one of the best and most successful coaches in the world.
“I wish him all the best for his new job. I think he will find a great team there, and he can follow success there.”
Saudi Western Region Men’s Hockey Championship and Women’s Hockey Championship start Friday
- Tournaments are part of the series of competitions organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation
- Championships will feature the participation of four teams in both competitions
JEDDAH: The Saudi Western Region Men’s Hockey Championship and the third Women’s Hockey Championship will begin at the indoor sports hall of Al-Ahli Club in Jeddah on Friday.
The two-day tournaments are part of the series of competitions organized by the Saudi Hockey Federation, a media statement said on Wednesday.
The championships will feature the participation of four teams in both competitions, as part of SHF’s efforts to promote the sport across various regions of the Kingdom.
In March, the federation organized the 2025 Saudi Central Region Hockey Championship, which was held at the Al-Shabab Club fields.
That tournament saw the participation of 40 players representing eight teams, playing a total of eight matches and scoring 51 goals.
SHF said that organizing the tournaments was part of its efforts to enhance competitiveness among teams, empower amateur clubs and expand community participation.
“This initiative contributes to developing an integrated sports environment that supports hockey practice and talent discovery, reflecting the federation’s vision to build a strong foundation for the sport across the Kingdom,” the statement said.
Atletico keen to keep improving to close gap with rivals, says Simeone
- Simeone’s side faded and now sit third with 70 points from 35 matches
- Atletico will also have one eye on the upcoming Club World Cup
MADRID: Atletico Madrid will continue their efforts to close the gap on their rivals next season, manager Diego Simeone said on Wednesday as his side look to end the current campaign on a high after falling out of the LaLiga title race.
Atletico’s close-season transfer window last year was headlined by forward Julian Alvarez, with the club also signing midfielder Conor Gallagher, center back Robin Le Normand and striker Alexander Sorloth.
Atletico, who last won LaLiga in 2021, were in the running for the title this campaign and even topped the standings at the halfway mark, but Simeone’s side faded and now sit third with 70 points from 35 matches.
Barcelona are top with 82 points, seven ahead of bitter rivals Real Madrid in second place. Barca could secure the title on Wednesday without kicking a ball if Real fail to beat Mallorca.
“In every season we take steps, last year with the arrival of players and next year we are going to do it the same way, always thinking about improving,” Simeone told reporters ahead of Thursday’s trip to 11th-placed Osasuna.
Atletico will also have one eye on the upcoming Club World Cup.
The expanded 32-team tournament runs from June 14 to July 13 in the United States with $1 billion in prize money at stake.
“The money at stake is for those who are thinking about that competition. For us it’s a very nice tournament, it’s exciting to represent Atletico and we hope to get there in the best way,” Simeone said.
The Argentine was also asked about Carlo Ancelotti, who will leave Real at the end of the season to become the new coach of the Brazil national team.
Ancelotti has enjoyed four hugely successful years in his second tenure with the Spanish giants but they are set to finish this season without a trophy.
The Italian is set to be replaced at the Bernabeu by former Real midfielder Xabi Alonso.
“As a coach, we all have admiration for his work, not only for everything he managed at Real Madrid, but for his entire sporting career. I’m an admirer of his, I love him very much, he knows that and I wish him all the best,” Simeone said.
