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Haaland Stars in Win over Palace to Fire Man City Title Charge

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
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Haaland Stars in Win over Palace to Fire Man City Title Charge

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland (R) celebrates scoring against Crystal Palace © Glyn KIRK / AFP

Manchester City closed the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal as Erling Haaland's double inspired a 3-0 win against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Pep Guardiola's second-placed side moved within two points of Arsenal after a hard-fought success at Selhurst Park.

Norway striker Haaland opened the scoring late in the first half and England forward Phil Foden netted after the break.

Haaland bagged his 23rd goal in all competitions this season to complete City's fifth successive win in all competitions, AFP reported.

Arsenal's dramatic late win over bottom of the table Wolves on Saturday had put pressure on City to respond and Guardiola's men were up to the task, overcoming a spluttering display in large part because of the quality of their finishing.

After coming from behind to win 2-1 at Real Madrid in their glamour Champions League clash in midweek, a trip to freezing south London to face their FA Cup tormentors was a testing trip for far different reasons.

City were facing Palace for the first time since their shock FA Cup final defeat against the Eagles at Wembley in May.

Glasner out-witted Guardiola with a tactical masterclass in the final.

But City avenged that loss to keep the title race bubbling ahead of the hectic Christmas period.

The astute Glasner spotted another flaw in City's game-plan this season, noting their defence is vulnerable to pace and passes played in behind them

Yeremy Pino should have exploited City's defensive frailty when Adam Wharton's sublime pass sent him sprinting clear of the visitors' creaky offside trap, but his shot smashed off the crossbar with just Gianluigi Donnarumma to beat.

With Palace set up to neutralise City's attacks, Guardiola's men struggled to find any rhythm for long periods and Pino threatened again with a low shot that forced Donnarumma into action.

It took City half an hour to muster their first shot on target as Foden's free-kick was parried by Dean Henderson.

Haaland had barely had a kick before he put City ahead in typically predatory fashion in the 41st minute.

Matheus Nunes curled a pin-point cross towards the far post and Haaland peeled away from Chris Richards to thump a superb header past Henderson from six yards.

Donnarumma preserved City's lead, diving at Jean-Philippe Mateta's feet and then saving the France striker's close-range effort.

Palace had won four of their previous six league games, losing only once, and they were inches away from a second half equaliser when Wharton robbed Nico Gonzalez and lashed against the post from the edge of the area.

Without Belgian winger Jeremy Doku due to a leg injury, City were nowhere near the best and Guardiola's frustration boiled over as he argued with Glasner on the touchline.

But Foden eased Guardiola's angst with his sixth league goal in his last four games in the 69th minute.

Rayan Cherki sparked the goal with a dynamic run towards the Palace area before Foden arrowed a low drive past Henderson from 18 yards.

Haaland wrapped up City's gritty win in the 89th minute, calmly sending Henderson the wrong way from the penalty spot after the Palace keeper had fouled Savinho.

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Barcola Returns to PSG Squad Ahead of Champions League Clash with Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
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Barcola Returns to PSG Squad Ahead of Champions League Clash with Liverpool

Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)
Paris Saint-Germain's French midfielder #33 Warren Zaire Emery (L) and Paris Saint-Germain's French forward #29 Bradley Barcola take part in a training session at the Campus Paris Saint-Germain in Poissy, on the western outskirts of Paris on April 7, 2026, on the eve of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg football match against Liverpool F.C. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Paris St Germain forward Bradley Barcola has been named in the squad for their Champions League quarter-final second leg at Liverpool, the Ligue 1 club ⁠said on Monday.

The France international had been sidelined for a month after suffering a ⁠severe ankle ligament sprain during the Champions League last-16 second leg at Chelsea.

Barcola missed PSG's last three matches across all competitions, as well as France's ⁠friendlies ⁠in the US against Brazil and Colombia.

PSG, the European Cup holders, take a 2-0 lead over Liverpool into Tuesday's game.

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Rashford with Point to Prove as Barca Target Atletico Comeback

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
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Rashford with Point to Prove as Barca Target Atletico Comeback

Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)
Barcelona's Marcus Rashford celebrates after scoring his side's fourth goal during the Spanish La Liga match between Barcelona and Espanyol in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, April 11, 2026. (AP)

Marcus Rashford had his chance against Atletico Madrid, but failed to take it -- or any of the next five that came along on a frustrating European night.

On Tuesday the England international has another opportunity to try and inspire Barcelona to a Champions League comeback in the Spanish capital.

Rashford fired blanks as Barca suffered a 2-0 quarter-final first leg defeat, but the England international was also his team's brightest spark against the Rojiblancos, even though the killer finish eluded him.

The 28-year-old, on loan from Manchester United, has a point to prove in the second leg, particularly with his future at the club on the line -- as well as a potential World Cup spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad.

Barcelona have not yet made a decision on whether to trigger the 30 million euro ($35 million) clause in Rashford's loan deal to make his switch to Camp Nou permanent.

With Raphinha out injured, Rashford has been the natural choice on Barca's left flank.

Rashford burst beyond Atletico full-back Nahuel Molina on numerous occasions at Camp Nou but could not capitalize.

"This team is always going to create chances, there's so much quality in possession... today the goal didn't go in, but we can't shy away from the responsibility to take these chances," Rashford told CBS.

"On another day, on another night, they go in."

On Saturday, Flick began with Rashford on the bench for Barcelona's 4-1 thrashing of Espanyol in La Liga, likely to save the forward's energy for the visit to Atletico's Metropolitano stadium.

Rashford came on after 65 minutes and netted the fourth in the last minute with a cushioned volley, which Flick hopes will raise his confidence levels.

"I'm happy Marcus scored a goal today, it was very important for us," said Flick.

Rashford also scored against Atletico at the Metropolitano on April 4 in La Liga, with the second leg the third in a trilogy of clashes between the sides in under a fortnight.

The Englishman has six goals in 26 La Liga appearances, with his finishing an area that could be improved.

In the Champions League, Rashford has netted five times in 10 games and, if the pattern of the first leg is repeated, could be Barca's main attacking threat again.

Talented teenager Lamine Yamal was double and triple marked, in the first leg, creating more room for Rashford to fly into.

- 'Unbelievable' mindset -

Rashford believes Barca can mount a comeback to reach the semi-finals for a second season running.

"The mindset and the intent that we had to try to get back into the game is unbelievable, and we're going to have to use this, and we need all of this in the next game in order to come back," said Rashford.

"We know what we are capable of when we're playing at our highest level and we can take the game away from anybody. We have to look to do this in the next game."

Barca left the first leg furious at not being given a penalty when Atletico defender Marc Pubill touched the ball with his hand at a goal kick.

"It's a penalty, it's happened before and it's always given as a penalty," Rashford added. "It's common sense that it's a penalty."

One area of the game where Rashford has not always satisfied Flick this season has been in his work-rate off the ball, not close to Raphinha's intense pressing, which is a key to how the coach likes to play.

"(Pressing) is also a part of our game which is very important, not just with the ball (where) everyone knows he's fantastic," said Flick on the eve of the first leg.

"We need him... to help his team-mate on the flank."

In response, Rashford produced one of his best displays in that regard, and also tracked back well against Espanyol, showing he is heeding his coach's instructions.

The forward's 30-million-euro fee would be straightforward for some clubs given Rashford's numbers this season.

The attacker has 12 goals and 13 assists in 42 appearances, many as a substitute, but at cash-strapped Barca any such deal would represent a significant chunk of the summer budget.

Signing Rashford might mean not being able to move for a much-needed defensive reinforcement.

Rashford's job against Atletico is to make the question a no-brainer, even on Barca's budget.

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Ghanaian Soccer Player Dominic Frimpong Killed in Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus

FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
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Ghanaian Soccer Player Dominic Frimpong Killed in Attack on Berekum Chelsea Team Bus

FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: A street in Tema, Ghana, April 1, 2026. REUTERS/Francis Kokoroko/File Photo

Berekum Chelsea winger Dominic Frimpong has been killed in an armed robbery on his side’s team bus as they returned from a Ghana Premier League fixture at Samartex on Sunday, the Ghana Football Association said.

The robbers fired at ⁠the bus as ⁠it tried to reverse, striking Frimpong, 20, in the head. He later died in hospital and is the ⁠only reported casualty from the incident.

"The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has received with profound shock and deep sorrow the tragic news of the passing of Dominic Frimpong of Berekum Chelsea Football Club," it said.

"The incident ⁠has ⁠sent shockwaves across the entire football fraternity. The GFA extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased, his teammates, technical staff, management, and all at Berekum Chelsea during this extremely difficult time."