Month: March 2021

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AC MILAN TITLE HOPES SUFFER SETBACK AFTER NAPOLI DEFEAT

AC Milan suffered a major blow to their Serie A title hopes as Matteo Politano’s second-half strike earned Napoli a 1-0 win on Sunday to leave the hosts nine points behind leaders Inter Milan in second place.

The Italian winger’s scuffed shot into the bottom corner after 49 minutes sealed a precious victory for the visitors’ Champions League qualification hopes, as they moved above AS Roma into fifth place on goal difference and two points behind Atalanta in fourth.

Milan struggled to break down a resolute Napoli defence and their frustration showed when substitute Ante Rebic was sent off for dissent in stoppage time.

Stefano Pioli’s side remain second on 56 points, but are now at risk of being dragged into the battle for a top four finish as Juventus are one point behind them in third and Napoli in fifth have 50 points and a game in hand.

“We missed a chance as it could have been an exceptional week for us,” Pioli told Sky Italia.

“We played a good game against a great opponent. Now we must think about the next game against a strong team in Manchester United, and then about Fiorentina.

“Inter have done very well since they were knocked out of Europe, but we’re just thinking about earning as many points as possible.”

Napoli coach Gennaro Gattuso travelled to San Siro as an opposing manager for the first time after a hugely successful spell as a Milan player and two years as coach there between 2017 and 2019.

Milan looked to have turned around their flagging form last week with two impressive away results, beating Hellas Verona 2-0 before earning a 1-1 Europa League last-16 draw against Manchester United.

But they were without key players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Davide Calabria, Simon Kjaer and captain Alessio Romagnoli through injury and Pioli’s tired-looking side were not at their best.

Piotr Zielinski twice threatened for the visitors in the first half before Politano latched onto a pass from the Polish midfielder to fire in the decisive goal after the break.

Fabian Ruiz’s vicious half volley required a strong parry from Gianluigi Donnarumma and Milan’s appeals for a penalty in the dying minutes were waved away after referee Fabrizio Pasqua consulted the pitchside VAR monitor and judged that Tiemoue Bakayoko had not fouled Theo Hernandez.

Tensions boiled over when Pasqua heard something he did not like from Rebic and flashed a red card at the Croatian.

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IHEANACHO’S FIRST PREMIER LEAGUE HATRICK HELP LEICESTER HAMMER ROCK BOTTOM SHEFFIELD UNITED

Kelechi Iheanacho scored his first Premier League hat-trick as rampant Leicester put sorry Sheffield United to the sword at the King Power Stadium.

Ayoze Perez’s strike and an Ethan Ampadu own goal sealed a 5-0 success for the Foxes which saw them return to second place in the table, ahead of Manchester United’s game against West Ham later.

For the Blades, it rounded off a difficult week which had seen the departure of manager Chris Wilder the day before the match.

Sunday brought the day United fans never wanted to contemplate – the first game after the Wilder era.

There has been few more remarkable or romantic stories in English football than the Sheffield lad and Blades supporter who dreamed longingly out at the hallowed Bramall Lane turf as a ballboy, who would then play for the club he loved and pack the kop with his friends and family, lead them from the stagnancy of the third tier to a top-half finish in the Premier League, and make a fanbase fall in love with their team once more.

It took Wilder just four years, but nine months on the club’s injury crisis coupled with the financial realities of top-flight football for a recently-promoted team and – crucially – fundamental differences exposed between Wilder and the owner, the bubble burst.

Under-23s coach Paul Heckingbottom took charge on Sunday but it was the same old story for the Blades, as they struggled to make an impression or trouble Leicester as an attacking threat. The Foxes dominated and could have won by a bigger margin.

Jamie Vardy dragged a 20-yard shot wide after eight minutes before Perez’s glancing header was touched on to the post by Aaron Ramsdale shortly afterwards. Ramsdale then blocked a low shot from Vardy with his legs.

Leicester made the breakthrough six minutes before half-time. Some sharp, incisive passing between Youri Tielemans and Perez resulted in Vardy getting in behind the Blades defence down the left-hand side. His low cross left Iheanacho with a simple tap-in from close range.

Five minutes into the second half, Iheanacho tried to return the favour for Vardy but he saw his effort brilliantly headed off the line by Chris Basham.

Iheanacho then put Vardy through on goal after an hour but once again Ramsdale denied the diminutive striker with his legs.

A second goal was coming and Leicester doubled their lead after 64 minutes. Marc Albrighton led a counter-attack after the Blades had a free-kick in a dangerous position, and teed-up Perez who found the bottom corner with a strike from the edge of the penalty area.

Five minutes later, it was 3-0 to the Foxes. Vardy was the provider for Iheanacho once more, with the striker guiding the ball past goalkeeper Ramsdale from 12 yards.

Iheanacho completed his hat-trick after 78 minutes, driving a low shot from 25 yards beyond Ramsdale and into the bottom corner of the net.

It was the Nigerian striker’s first Premier League treble, and he looked quite emotional as the game restarted.

It got worse for the Blades two minutes later when Vardy’s shot from the left side of the penalty area, which looked to be heading wide, ended up in the back of the net via the outstretched leg of Ampadu.

It should have been six, and another goal for Iheanacho, but his shot was deflected over the crossbar by George Baldock.

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LUKA MILIVOJEVIC GIVES CRYSTAL PALACE FIRST WIN IN FOUR GAMES, SENDS WESTBROM CLOSER TO RELEGATION

Luka Milivojevic’s first-half penalty earned Crystal Palace a first win in four matches as they beat West Bromwich Albion to climb up to 11th.

West Brom dominated the opening 45 minutes at Selhurst Park, with their best chance falling to Okay Yokuslu, who shot over in the area.

On 37 minutes, Milivojevic converted from the spot for his first goal of the season after a VAR review found Darnell Furlong had handled Wilfried Zaha’s cross.

Sam Johnstone denied Palace a second with a brilliant save from Christian Benteke’s fierce strike.

West Brom’s first shot on target came in the 72nd minute, when Mbaye Diagne’s header was saved by Guaita.

They were unable to find an equaliser, leaving them in 19th on 18 points, eight from safety.

Palace have 37 points, leaving them 11 above the bottom three.

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EVE 1-2 BUR: MC NEIL WONDER STRIKE SEALS BURNLEY WIN AT GOODISON PARK

A spectacular strike from Dwight McNeil proved decisive as Burnley beat Everton 2-1 at Goodison Park.

Burnley went ahead on 13 minutes, Chris Wood firing in for the second successive match after Everton had failed to clear their lines.

The visitors doubled their advantage 11 minutes later through a wonderful goal by McNeil. The winger got past Allan before curling a sumptuous 25-yard shot past Jordan Pickford, who limped off later in the half.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin reduced the deficit with a header on 32 minutes for his 14th Premier League goal of the season.

After the break, Everton pressed for an equaliser with Andre Gomes and Calvert-Lewin both going close.

At the other end, Ben Mee headed against the crossbar but Burnley had done enough to win and stay 15th on 33 points.

Everton are sixth on 46 points.

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STEVEN GERRARD WANTS GOAL KEEPER MC GREGOR TO STAY AT RANGERS

Steven Gerrard hopes he can persuade Allan McGregor to sign on for another year after hailing the “world-class” stop which has kept Rangers on track for the Europa League quarter-finals.

The newly-crowned Scottish champions looked to be suffering from a hangover following their boozy title celebrations over the weekend as they fell behind to an early Slavia Prague strike in the Czech capital.

But Filip Helander’s tap-in handed Gers a precious away goal before veteran stopper McGregor pulled off his latest wonder save to keep out a Lukas Masopust header in the final minute.

The 1-1 draw means Gers can continue to dream of the last eight ahead of next week’s second leg in Glasgow.

But Gerrard is also hoping McGregor will be around next season to help lead Rangers’ Champions League bid.

The 39-year-old is out of contract in the summer, but with the title race now at an end, Gers are set to step up their attempts to tie him down for another season.

“I’ve spoken about it before, how much we rate Allan, how much we love him here, how much we want to carry on,” said Gerrard.

“At the same time, I’ve told you guys I will respect him. He knows what’s on the table. He’s in discussions with the club and, from where I’m sitting, I just hope we get it over the line and sign him up for another year because he is more than capable.

“I know that on a daily basis by working with him and watching him closely. The decision is going to be down to Allan, not us. Because we certainly want him.

“I thought there were a few big, pivotal moments in the game and opportunities for both sides to get the winner.

“Allan has come big for us again and it is a top, top save to get it back and drag it back into his grasp. It was another world-class save.”

The Light Blues looked a little green around the gills after their wild weekend and suffered an early sickener as Nicolae Stanciu fired home with a sensational opener to the delight of 300 Czech front-line workers handed entry to the Eden Arena.

But gradually the colour returned to Gers’ cheeks and they levelled nine minutes before the break when Ianis Hagi refused to give up on a lost cause from a Borna Barisic free-kick, hooking a loose ball back off the by-line for Helander to tap home from a yard out.

Gers grew in confidence after the break and had a few chances to claim a win.

But they had McGregor to thank for saving the draw against a Slavia outfit who – like Gers – are unbeaten in their domestic league this term.

Gerrard added: “I think it was a fair result and I think we have given everything tonight from a physical point of view after the week that we have had.

“This was probably the toughest opposition that we could have faced because they play at a real high intensity and they are a powerful team that came out of the blocks extremely quickly.

“After a poor start, or a slow start, I thought we did ever so well to get back in the game and we have had some chances, they have had some chances and I think overall it is a fair result that sets us up for next week.

“It was a decent delivery and it is about who reacts the quickest. Ianis has gambled. You expect one of your attacking players to go and score but it was big, super Fil, the prolific centre-half from Sweden.

“Listen, at this stage it is very difficult to get results. You only have to look at Scottish history to be aware of that.

“We were coming up against a team with a fantastic home record, domestically unbeaten. So we knew the challenge was very big against a powerful team who like to play at a high intensity.

“We needed to be ready for that, but after the week we had it was quite tough. Credit to the players, they rolled their sleeves up and dug in.”

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EUROPA LEAGUE: UNITED, MILAN SETTLE FOR STALEMATE

Teenage substitute Amad Diallo opened his Manchester United account in style but Simon Kjaer’s stoppage-time header denied Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men victory against AC Milan in the Europa League.

The eagerly-anticipated last-16 clash between these European heavyweights produced drama on Thursday night and set-up an interesting return fixture at San Siro next week.

Half-time substitute Diallo’s superb, improvised header looked to have secured a hard-fought first-leg win at Old Trafford, only for Kjaer’s last-gasp header to seal Milan a deserved 1-1 draw.

In truth, Solskjaer’s side would have been fortunate to be going to Italy in the lead given how the absentee-hit Rossoneri outplayed the hosts for large periods

United looked a shell of the side that impressively won at Manchester City on Sunday and Franck Kessie was denied an early opener when the video assistant referee contentiously ruled he had handled.

The hosts were second best throughout the opening period but inexplicably failed to go into the break ahead as unmarked Harry Maguire met a flicked-on corner with a shinned effort that hit the post.

Substitute Diallo did better when expertly heading in from Bruno Fernandes’ quickly-taken free-kick, but Milan secured a potentially crucial away goal at the death when Kjaer capitalised on United’s inability to defend set pieces.

Milan deserved this result at Old Trafford, where they played impressively despite being without the likes of former United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Theo Hernandez and Ante Rebic among others.

Rafael Leao saw a fifth-minute opener ruled out for offside as Stefano Pioli’s men started on the front foot, with the Rossoneri finding the net again in the 11th minute.

United were caught napping as Kessie controlled a throw-in from the right and continued to hit a smart strike past Dean Henderson to send the depleted visitors wild.

There were few complaints about the goal as the teams lined up for kick-off, only for Solskjaer’s men to be given a surprise reprieve as VAR Bastian Dankert surprisingly cancelled the goal out for a Kessie handball.

It was a controversial decision but Milan continued unflustered, with Alexis Saelemaekers proving a handful as Manchester City academy graduate Brahim Diaz probed.

Rade Krunic mishit an effort before Saelemaekers tested Henderson as the Rossoneri continued in the ascendancy, leading skipper Maguire to angrily admonish his team-mates.

A smart early Anthony Martial effort tipped over by Gianluigi Donnarumma was the best the hosts had mustered until Maguire wasted a glorious chance to score an undeserved 38th-minute opener.

Alex Telles swung in a corner that Fernandes flicked on to the far post, where the unopposed United skipper somehow failed to convert from point-blank range as the ball spun off his foot and away from goal.

The hosts will have been relieved to hear the half-time whistle after a torrid first half, with Diallo emerging in place of Martial when the teams re-emerged.

This was just the 18-year-old’s third substitute appearance for United but he made quite the impact, putting the hosts ahead within five minutes of coming on.

Diallo darted between Chelsea loanee Fikayo Tomori and Diogo Dalot, who is on loan from United, to meet Fernandes free-kick with a fine back header over Milan goalkeeper Donnarumma.

It was a gut punch for the impressive visitors, who could have gone further behind had it not been for a timely block on Daniel James.

Milan eventually rallied and began to exert pressure again, with Kessie denied by Henderson before Krunic somehow failed to get a Davide Calabria cross on target.

James turned a whipped cross badly wide as the heavens opened and play became stretched, with Milan screaming for Scott McTominay to pick up a second booking as the clock wound down.

The Rossoneri pushed relentlessly for a leveller and grabbed an away goal in stoppage time.

Nemanja Matic lost Kjaer when a corner came in to get away a header that Henderson should have kept out.

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EUROPA LEAGUE: ARSENAL TWO LATE STRIKE SEE THEM THROUGH AGAINST OLYMPIACOS

Arsenal struck two late goals to beat Olympiacos and take control of their Europa League round of 16 clash – having almost proved architects of their own downfall once again.

The Gunners will defend a 3-1 lead at the Emirates Stadium next week and were good value for their win in Greece.

Martin Odegaard’s first Arsenal goal had them ahead only for another defensive calamity to gift Youssef El-Arabi the equaliser just before the hour.

Arsenal were rocked but recovered well and would hit two goals in six minutes as a Gabriel Magalhaes header and a fine strike from substitute Mohamed Elneny earned a good victory.

Mikel Arteta saw his side dumped out by Olympiacos at the round of 32 stage last season despite winning the opening leg in Greece but will be hoping lightning does not strike twice.

Arsenal were back at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium for the second time in a fortnight, having hosted the ‘home’ leg of their tie against Benfica on the outskirts of Athens due to current coronavirus travel restrictions.

The Premier League side have now won more Europa League knockout stages at the home of Olympiacos than the reigning Greek champions themselves – but they made it harder for themselves than was necessary

Odegaard was again deployed as Arteta’s number 10 but he missed a fine early chance to put the visitors ahead, scuffing a shot wide after being picked out by Kieran Tierney.

If the Norway international was guilty of a poor miss, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was denied soon after by a fine Jose Sa save as the Olympiacos goalkeeper tipped his header onto the crossbar.

The hosts had started slowly but were beginning to edge into the contest and Bruma should have done better when gifted possession by Odegaard, the winger only able to shoot straight at Bernd Leno.

It was a number of sloppy moments for the Real Madrid loanee but he would make amends by thrashing Arsenal in front.

Thomas Partey played the ball into Odegaard in a central position and his arrowed shot flew in off the wrist of Sa – who would have been disappointed not to keep out the strike.

Olympiacos were almost level as Arsenal were again caught trying to play out from the back, David Luiz’s pass being closed down by Giorgos Masouras, who then shot wildly wide of goal.

That was just a hint of what was to come as Arteta’s men would all-but present Olympiacos with their equaliser.

Just like at Burnley on Sunday, Leno played the ball short and into the feet of Dani Ceballos – fresh off the bench.

He was closed down quickly, losing possession as El-Arabi levelled with a crisp finish past an out-of-position Leno.

El-Arabi’s last-gasp winner sent Arsenal out of the competition last season and he almost doubled up for the night, only to see a shot blocked behind when well placed.

Arsenal regathered their collective poise and again began to dominate proceedings as their former defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos – deemed not good enough to even be registered by the club before leaving for Greece in January – led the defensive drive for the home side.

But they could not hold on to take a draw to London next Thursday as Willian collected a short corner and crossed for Gabriel to send a looping header over Sa to re-establish the lead.

Elneny came off the bench after Gabriel’s effort and his first involvement was to curl home a low effort from outside the box and put his side firmly in the driving seat and send them into Sunday’s north London derby against Tottenham with a win.

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KANE BRACE PUTS TOTTENHAM IN DRIVING SEAT AGAINST DINAMO ZAGREB

Harry Kane’s sensational season continued as his two goals put Tottenham on course for the Europa League quarter-finals as they beat Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in the last-16 first leg.

The England captain is having one of his most productive campaigns and took his tally to 26 goals in 37 appearances, while also contributing 16 assists.

A strike in either half against the Croatians justified Jose Mourinho’s decision to select his main striker, despite the north London derby being just 72 hours away, and he equalled a club record of eight European goals in a single season set by Martin Chivers twice and Martin Peters.

He will surely break that if Spurs are to go on and win the competition, which Mourinho is targeting, though his display here might give him next week’s second leg in Zagreb off.

Spurs still have work to do in the Croatian capital, but the result here makes their task easier and the last eight is looming.

Dinamo arrived in north London on the back of an eight-game winning run and they were a clear step up from the standard of opposition Spurs have previously faced in this competition.

Indeed, the night could have taken a different path had Mislav Orsic taken a golden chance presented to him in the opening minute.

A wayward pass from Tanguy Ndombele set Orsic in the clear but once he got into the penalty area, his effort was tame and straight at Hugo Lloris.

Spurs took advantage of their let-off and went ahead in the 25th minute after assuming control of the match.

Kane was the goalscorer but it was Erik Lamela who he had to thank as a fine piece of skill saw the Argentinian ride a challenge and breeze into the box, where his shot hit the post, giving the England captain a simple tap-in.

It was Kane’s 25th goal in all competitions of a highly productive season.

The hosts continued to be the aggressors but they found clear chances to add to their lead hard to come by against a compact defence.

They thought they should have had a penalty early in the second half when Ndomeble appeared to be clipped by Lovro Majer but referee Serdar Gozubuyuk waved away appeals and the incident was not referred to VAR.

Spurs eventually doubled their lead in the 70th minute and it was that man Kane again.

Ndombele’s long ball found Aurier in space and his cross was not cleared by Kevin Theophile-Catherine, with Kane pouncing to fire home from 10 yards out.

Gareth Bale stepped off the bench and almost put the tie beyond Zagreb with a trademark free-kick from distance which swerved and dipped and forced Dominik Livakovic to punch clear.

Kane’s work for the evening was done and he was replaced by Carlos Vinicius before being seen on the touchline with ice on his knee, which Spurs will hope is just a precaution ahead of Sunday’s trip to Arsenal.

Bale had another chance to completely kill the tie at the death but he poked Steven Bergwijn’s cross wide.

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DARREN FLECTHER NAMED TECHNICAL DIRECTOR AS PART OF MANCHESTER UNITED SHAKE UP

Former midfielder Darren Fletcher has been named as Manchester United’s first technical director as part of a shake-up that has seen John Murtough promoted to the role of football director.

There has been years of talk and speculation regarding the absence of a director of football at Old Trafford, but the club have now announced two new roles that “will further strengthen the club’s football operations”.

Fletcher returned to United in January as part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching set-up and the PA news agency understands that his work in that role impressed the powers that be both in terms of his attitude and aptitude.

The 37-year-old will now step up to become technical director focusing on “a co-ordinated and long-term approach to player and squad development”, while adding “technical input and direction into all football and performance areas” by working closely with football director Murtough.

Having been with the club for seven years, most recently as head of football development, United say Murtough will “have overall leadership and responsibility for operations and strategy across all football functions”.

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward said: “These are hugely important appointments that reinforce the progress we have been making as a club in recent years in our relentless pursuit of success.

“We have already made great strides forward in the way we run our football operations, and the benefits are visible in the resurgent pipeline of academy talent reaching the first team and through our improved recruitment record.

“John has been integral to our progress in these areas and his deep understanding of development ensures the club’s traditions of bringing young players through from academy to first team will continue.

“This new position is a natural evolution that harnesses his leadership qualities and his years of experience in the game.

“Darren’s stellar achievements as a player and his own journey from academy to Premier League and Champions League winner means he naturally commands respect and understands this vital part of the club’s DNA.

“In this new role, the first in our history, he will deliver technical advice across all aspects of the football department as well as contributing to the communication and delivery of our football philosophy across all areas of the club.

“I am delighted that John and Darren have accepted these roles and I look forward to the contribution they will make, together with Ole and the rest of the staff, as we build toward future success.”

United said in a statement that football director Murtough “will work day-to-day with Ole to align recruitment and other strategies and to ensure that the first team has the best-in-class operational support it needs to succeed”.

The change is understood to be considered as evolution rather than revolution on the recruitment front, with the club saying: “Ole will continue his role in the recruitment process, supported by extensive scouting and data analytics functions that will continue to report to John.”

Matt Judge, who has the new title of director of football negotiations – albeit with unchanged responsibilities – will also report to football director Murtough.

The ex-Premier League head of elite performance has impressed with the work he has overseen across various areas of the club, including overhauling the academy and recruitment department, since joining under David Moyes in 2014.

“This is such an exciting time for everyone at Manchester United with the first team, academy and women’s team all performing strongly, and plenty of development still to come,” Murtough said

“It’s a privilege to be part of that process, and an honour to lead Manchester United’s football department, working alongside Ole, Casey (Stoney) and so many other truly outstanding staff all dedicated to delivering success to this club.”

Fletcher has had a close look at the way things operate in recent months and knows what it takes to succeed at United, where the academy graduate won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2008.

“It is great to be back with the club and I am delighted to be taking on this new role,” he said.

“We are moving in the right direction and I am looking forward to continuing to work with Ole and his coaching team, and now with John as the football director, to help bring young players through and further develop the football side of the club.

“It’s fantastic to see that all the staff here are driving Manchester United forward towards a new era of success.”

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ROGER FEDERER RETURNS TO ACTION WITH WIN OVER BRITAIN ‘S DAN EVANS

Roger Federer toasted his comeback after 14 months battling knee injuries by battling past Britain’s Dan Evans 7-6 (10/8) 3-6 7-5 at the Qatar Open.

Swiss great Federer was forced to grind all the way by his recent training partner Evans, with the 30-year-old from Birmingham even saving a match point.

But 39-year-old Federer was not to be denied victory on his big return, having fought off two knee surgeries to return to ATP tour action.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion had not played since his straight-sets defeat to Novak Djokovic in the 2020 Australian Open.

Federer mixed signs of rust with moments of magic, eventually just pulling home to book a quarter-final meeting with Georgia’s Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The three-time Qatar champion was handed a bye to the second round and a clash with Evans, who battled past French veteran Jeremy Chardy in the opening round.

Evans, 30, had lost all three of his previous career meetings with Federer but had taken a set each time and was banking on being a different proposition due to his improvement during Federer’s time away.

Federer showed few signs of rust in an entertaining opening set in which neither player gave his opponent much of a chance behind his respective first serve.

Pushed into a tie-break, it looked like the Swiss star who would falter first, a pair of uncharacteristic errors helping Evans win four points in a row to establish a 4-2 lead.

But the favourite proved he had lost none of his nerve, fighting back to level then taking advantage of his third set point opportunity with a sweeping backhand pass down the line to take the tie-break 10-8.

Evans looked a little more wobbly on his own serve at the start of the second set but managed to survive and pounced on a series of errors from Federer in the fourth game of the set, seizing his first break-point opportunity to go 3-1 in front.

Federer rallied but Evans proved equal to the challenge, looking confident from the back of the court as he served out to take the second set 6-3 and take the match into a decider.

Evans dug out a fine service hold to make it 3-3 in the final set, before Federer fended off two break points in the next game.

Federer forced a match point with Evans serving to stay in the contest, only for the Brit to hold under major pressure and continue the intriguing battle.

At the last however, Federer was able to pull away – breaking Evans to seal the set and the match.