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SUB BATSHUAYI HELP PALACE EARN A POINT AT EVERTON

Michy Batshuayi scored two minutes after coming on as a substitute as Crystal Palace earned a 1-1 draw at Everton.

The Belgian striker was teed up by Jeffrey Schlupp in the 86th minute to cancel out a goal by James Rodriguez on his return to the home side’s starting line-up

Crystal Palace’s Vicente Guaita was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, saving from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison in the first half.

Richarlison then spurned two good chances to put Everton in front before the break, but Rodriguez did make the breakthrough on 56 minutes as his low shot from Seamus Coleman’s cutback beat Guaita at his near post.

Richarlison was twice denied by Palace’s goalkeeper as Everton failed to add a second, and the visitors capitalised as Batshuayi claimed his second goal of the campaign.

Everton remain eighth with 47 points, four adrift of fourth-placed Chelsea.

Palace are 12th on 38 points.

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JESSE LINGARD STARS AS WESTHAM EDGE WOLVES TO GO FOURTH

Jesse Lingard scored a superb solo goal and assisted another as West Ham United won 3-2 at Wolverhampton Wanderers to climb into the top four.

After Michail Antonio had a shot tipped on to the post by Rui Patricio, Wolves’ goalkeeper could do nothing as Lingard ran from his own half and gave West Ham a sixth-minute lead.

Pablo Fornals doubled West Ham’s advantage on 14 minutes as he converted a cutback by Arthur Masuaku, who was played in by a superb piece of skill from Lingard.

Jarrod Bowen added a third in the 38th minute, rifling a shot beyond Patricio after Lingard’s fine run and pass.

Wolves pulled a goal back just before the break when Leander Dendoncker headed in following a brilliant run and cross from Adama Traore.

On 68 minutes, Fabio Silva drilled in Wolves’ second from Pedro Neto’s pass to set up a tense finale.

Neto blasted over as West Ham held on to avoid losing a three-goal lead for the second match in a row. They climb above Chelsea into fourth on 52 points.

Wolves drop to 14th on 35 points.

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MOUCTAR DIAKHABY LEADS VALENCIA PLAYERS OFF THE PITCH FOLLOWING ALLEGED RACIST ABUSE

Valencia’s players left the pitch in protest during their LaLiga match at Cadiz after a racist comment was allegedly made to defender Mouctar Diakhaby.

Diakhaby reacted furiously following a clash with Cadiz defender Cala during the first half of the match at the Estadio Ramon de Carranza.

After remonstrating with the referee, Diakhaby led Valencia’s players off the pitch.

They subsequently decided to come back and continue the match, with the east coast club tweeting: “NO TO RACISM. The team have held a meeting and decided to continue the game, in order to fight for the honour of the club, but denounce racism of any kind.

“We offer our complete backing to @Diakhaby_5. The player, who had received a racial insult, requested that his team-mates return to the pitch. WE SUPPORT YOU MOUCTAR.”

Diakhaby did not return, with Hugo Guillamon coming on in his place, but Cala remained in the Cadiz line-up.

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MAN UTD 2-1 BRIGHTON: LATE GREENWOOD GOAL DOWN STUBBORN SEAGULS

Second-half goals from Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford maintained Manchester United’s second spot with a 2-1 win against battling Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.

Bruno Fernandes fired over and Greenwood hit the post in a lively opening by the home side.

But it was Brighton who took the lead on 13 minutes when Danny Welbeck fired home against his former club after his initial header had been parried by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.

Brighton had opportunities to add a second but Harry Maguire’s last-ditch tackle denied Neal Maupay moments before Jakub Moder’s deflected shot rolled inches wide before the break.

Man Utd levelled on 62 minutes, Fernandes driving forward and playing in Rashford, who guided the ball into the far corner.

United pushed for a winner and with seven minutes remaining, Greenwood secured victory with a close-range header to divert Paul Pogba’s scuffed shot beyond Robert Sanchez’s reach.

Man Utd remain second, 14 points off leaders Manchester City with a match in hand. Brighton stay in 16th, six points clear of the relegation zone.

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SUPER SUB WILLOCK STRIKE LATE TO EARN NEWCASTLE A POINT AGAINST TOTTENHAM

An 85th-minute equaliser by Newcastle United substitute Joe Willock earned his side what could be a crucial draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

Hugo Lloris made a superb double save to deny Dwight Gayle before Newcastle went in front through Joelinton’s first-time finish on 28 minutes.

The lead only lasted 90 seconds, as Harry Kane tapped in from close range before the striker fired in superbly to score his second and give Spurs a 34th-minute advantage.

Kane, who now leads the Golden Boot race with 19 goals, hit a post moments before Willock, on loan at Newcastle from Arsenal, blasted in off the underside of the crossbar from close range to equalise.

A first draw in 13 matches leaves Spurs fifth, two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, as they missed the chance to move into the top four.

Newcastle stay 17th, three points clear of Fulham, with a match in hand.

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TREZEGUET SCORES BRACE AS ASTON VILLA SEES OFF FULHAM WITH 3-1 WIN

Trezeguet came off the bench to score twice and Ollie Watkins added a third as three goals in nine minutes gave Aston Villa a comeback victory over Fulham.

Fulham started brightly and Aleksandar Mitrovic was twice denied by Emiliano Martinez while Villa thought they had a penalty in first-half stoppage time following Mario Lemina’s challenge on Watkins but that decision was overturned.

The visitors took the lead on 61 minutes when Mitrovic latched onto Tyrone Mings’s underhit back pass, rounded Martinez and calmly slotted home his third goal of the season.

Mings atoned for his error to set up Trezeguet for the equaliser from 20 yards with 12 minutes remaining.

Trezeguet made it two in three minutes when fellow sub Keinan Davis delivered a fine cross that the Egyptian fired home on the half-volley.

Watkins then made sure of the points with a close-range finish from Bertrand Traore’s 87th-minute cross.

The win moves Villa up to ninth spot on 44 points, two clear of Arsenal in 10th. Fulham remain in 18th spot on 26 points, three points behind Newcastle United who have a match in hand.

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LA LIGA: ATLETICO MADRID DEALT ANOTHER TITLE BLOW FOLLOWING DEFEAT TO SEVILLA

Atletico Madrid stumbled again in La Liga on Sunday as they were beaten 1-0 by Sevilla, giving Barcelona the chance to move to within a point of the top of the table on Monday. Marcos Acuna headed in the winner for Sevilla at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, with Atletico’s grip on first place loosening even further and their in-form rivals primed to take advantage. Real Madrid are only three points behind after they beat Eibar on Saturday and Barcelona will reduce their deficit from four points to one if they can win on Monday at home to Real Valladolid.

It means Spain’s title race suddenly appears wide open, two months after Atletico sat 10 points clear of both Barca and Madrid, with a game in hand.

They have managed only four wins in 12 games since then, with defeats to Chelsea costing them their place in the Champions League and regular slips in La Liga potentially squandering their shot at the title.

“Honestly I don’t think it’s about nerves,” said Atleti coach Diego Simeone. “It’s about having to play better, being a strong block, finding our best version.”

After a narrow 1-0 win over bottom-club Alaves two weeks ago, Simeone might have hoped the international break would offer his team a chance to refresh and reset.

Instead, they returned to another setback against a determined Sevilla side, who strengthened their own hold on fourth place, even if a push for the top three would seem beyond them.

Sevilla deserved their victory and it might have been more comfortable had Lucas Ocampos not missed a first-half penalty, Atletico’s Jan Oblak again coming to the rescue after Jose Gimenez fouled Ivan Rakitic.

But Acuna struck with 20 minutes left, heading in a looping Jesus Navas cross, even as Atletico protested against an Ocampos handball that had occurred almost a minute before.

Mario Hermoso spurned a golden chance from close range and then Luis Suarez did brilliantly to set up Angel Correa late on but Sevilla’s Bono, the goalkeeper who scored against Real Valladolid a fortnight ago, this time preserved the points with a crucial save.

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FANS RETURN TO THE WEMBLEY STADIUM FACE CRITICISM FOR LACK OF CONSULTATION

The Carabao Cup final, the second FA Cup semi-final and the FA Cup final will serve as Wembley pilot events for the government’s ‘Covid status certification’ scheme.

The plan is to enable the safe return of mass gatherings and indoor events as lockdown restrictions ease in England, with officials preparing a series of trial events over the coming months as they look to find a way for fans to return to sporting venues.

The FA Cup semi-final between Leicester and Southampton at the national stadium on April 18 will see football fans return for the first time since December, with 4,000 fans able to attend.

Manchester City face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup final seven days later with 8,000 fans watching and the month-long scheme will conclude with the FA Cup final on May 15, when 21,000 fans will be attending.

The Football Supporters Association has welcomed the scheme but has criticised the authorities for failing to consult with fans, particularly over the Carabao Cup final.

The FSA said: “Fans across the country will welcome the partial return of supporters to stadiums, and we all hope the test events go well.

“However, our affiliated groups at Manchester City and Spurs represent fans who will make up that crowd – and neither they nor the FSA feel ‘consulted’.

“We have been informed what is happening but have had no input into the plans at this stage.

“Fans should be involved in the planning around these big Wembley games, we are the crowd after all, and we can make a positive contribution.”

The World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield – running from April 17 to May 3 – is the first sporting event to be included in the trial and will have 1,000 spectators per day, while there will also be three mass participation runs at Hatfield House on April 24 and 25, with 3,000 runners and a further 3,000 spectators.

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham hopes the test events can lead to there being full stadiums at this summer’s European Championship.

He said: “We are delighted to be hosting three test events at Wembley and are confident we can offer a safe environment.

“This is an important first step towards getting fans back, with the end goal of full stadia – hopefully by the end of the Men’s Euros. We would like to thank all authorities for their support throughout this process.”

English Football League chairman Rick Parry added: “The Carabao Cup is a prized asset of the EFL, a great competition for clubs to win and always a fantastic occasion so we are absolutely delighted to see supporters back for the showpiece final between Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, in what will hopefully be another important milestone along the way to a full return of fans.”

Sporting test events

17 April-3 May: Snooker World Championships, Crucible Theatre, Sheffield – Up to 1,000 people a day (indoor seated)

18 April: FA Cup semi-final (Leicester v Southampton), Wembley – 4,000 (outdoor seated)

24-25 April: Three 10k runs, Hatfield Park – 3,000 people and up to 3,000 spectators at each event (outdoor, mass participation run)

25 April: Carabao Cup final (Manchester City v Tottenham), Wembley – 8,000 people (outdoor, seated)

15 May – FA Cup Final (TBD), Wembley – 21,000 people (outdoor, seated)

In developing the scheme, officials will take into account three factors – whether an individual has received the vaccine, has recently tested negative for the virus, or has “natural immunity” having tested positive in the previous six months. The NHS is said to be currently working on ways of providing people with the means to demonstrate their Covid status through “digital and non-digital routes”.

Prime minister Boris Johnson said: “We are doing everything we can to enable the reopening of our country so people can return to the events, travel and other things they love as safely as possible, and these reviews will play an important role in allowing this to happen.”

Spurs are playing their first domestic final since 2015 when they take on City in the Carabao Cup final and the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust is unhappy there was no consultation prior the decision being made.

“We know Spurs fans will have many questions about the announcement,” a statement read. “And we would like to provide answers. But we can’t. Because none of the decision makers have consulted with or even spoken to supporter groups at either competing club, or to the national fan organisation, ahead of today’s statement.

“This not only displays a complete disregard for the fans, it risks undermining the confidence needed in how the event is being conducted.”

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NEYMAR SEES RED AS LILLE LEAPFROG PSG IN LIGUE 1

Lille leapfrogged Paris Saint-Germain to grab the lead in Ligue 1 on Saturday after Jonathan David found the back of the net in a 1-0 win over the French champions, who had Neymar sent off in the last minute.

Canada striker David scored in the first half to put the northerners on 66 points with seven games remaining, three ahead of PSG who were lacklustre throughout the showdown.

Neymar was sent off when he picked up a second yellow card for shoving Tiago Djalo, who reacted with a foul-mouthed rant and was also shown a red card.

Monaco moved up to third on 62 points with a 4-0 thrashing of promoted Metz.

Olympique Lyonnais, fourth on 60 points, take on fifth-placed RC Lens later on Saturday.

PSG have won seven of the last eight Ligue 1 titles, only finishing second behind Monaco in 2017, while Lille are looking to claim their first since 2011.

Lille, who were without Yusuf Yazici after the Turkey midfielder tested positive for COVID-19, defended thoroughly throughout and were the sharper side at the Parc des Princes to bag a deserved three points after two consecutive defeats in competitive matches.

PSG, who travel to Bayern Munich for their Champions League quarter-finals first leg on Wednesday, have now lost their last three home games in Ligue 1.

Neymar, in his first Ligue 1 start in over two months, found Kylian Mbappe early on with a defence-splitting pass, only for the French striker to see his low crossed shot parried away by Mike Maignan.

Lille went ahead on 20 minutes as David fired under the roof of the net from Jonathan Ikone’s cross after controlling the ball with a soft touch.

PSG struggled to create chances despite enjoying most of the possession and Lille threatened several times with lighting-quick counter attacks.

Neymar forced Maignan to a good save with a powerful half volley from just outside the box on the hour and he came close again in the 70th with a diving header that went just wide.

The Brazilian will, however, miss PSG’s next league game against Racing Strasbourg following his sending-off.

Earlier Monaco were on a class of their own against Metz, with penalties from Cesc Fabregas and Wissam Ben Yedder, who scored a double, and a goal by Kevin Volland, all after the break.

Coach Niko Kovac refused to get carried away, though.

“There are still 21 points at stake and we first need to secure fourth place,” he told a news conference.

“But we’re good. We have a good momentum.”

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SERIA A: LUKAKU PUTS INTER MILAN EIGHT POINTS CLEAR WITH WIN OVER BOLOGNA, JUVENTUS, AC MILAN HELD

Romelu Lukaku fired Inter Milan eight points clear at the top of Serie A on Saturday with the only goal in a 1-0 win at Bologna as title rivals Juventus and AC Milan were both held.

“Winning is a big step forward for us,” said coach Antonio Conte after second-placed Milan’s challenge faltered in a 1-1 draw with 10-man Sampdoria while champions Juventus were held 2-2 at city rivals Torino.

Conte’s side stretched their winning run to nine league games as they chase a first ‘Scudetto’ since 2010, having finished runners-up last season.

“Last year we nearly got there. The closer we get to the finish line, every victory becomes more important,” added the former Juventus and Chelsea manager.

Lukaku got his head to an Alessandro Bastoni cross after half an hour and bundled the ball over the line for his 20th league goal this season after Bologna’s young goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia had pushed out the initial strike.

Lautaro Martinez missed a chance for a second five minutes after the break when he rattled the post.

Inter next play Sassuolo on Wednesday, a match postponed from before the international break because of a COVID-19 outbreak in the Milan club.

In Turin, Cristiano Ronaldo struck in the 79th minute but couldn’t stop Juve dropping further points in their bid for a 10th consecutive league title.

Andrea Pirlo’s side slip to fourth, 12 points behind Inter, and four points back from Milan, with a game in hand.

“We complicate these games all by ourselves,” lamented Pirlo with his team’s Champions League qualification also in the balance.

“We must push on, keep giving our all and try to secure our minimum target, which is qualifying for the Champions League,” said captain Giorgio Chiellini.

“We have another important match on Wednesday and it’s one we need to win,” he added of their midweek postponed fixture against European rivals Napoli.

Federico Chiesa had given Juventus the advantage in the 13th minute, but an Antonio Sanabria brace looked set to give the relegation-threatened hosts their first derby win in six years.

The Paraguayan nodded in the leveller in the 27th minute after Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny had pushed out a long-range Rolando Mandragora effort.

Sanabria struck a second time just after the break when he intercepted a misplaced Dejan Kulusevksi back pass.

Ronaldo missed two chances before the Serie A top scorer finally got his 24th league goal this campaign following a VAR review when he nodded home Chiellini’s cross from close range.

The Paraguayan nodded in the leveller in the 27th minute after Juve keeper Wojciech Szczesny had pushed out a long-range Rolando Mandragora effort.

Sanabria struck a second time just after the break when he intercepted a misplaced Dejan Kulusevksi back pass.

Ronaldo missed two chances before the Serie A top scorer finally got his 24th league goal this campaign following a VAR review when he nodded home Chiellini’s cross from close range.

Milan’s miserable recent form at the San Siro continued in their draw with Sampdoria.

A terrible Theo Hernandez pass across midfield in the 57th minute allowed Sampdoria veteran Fabio Quagliarella to pounce and send a long-range lob over Gianluigi Donnarumma to claim his 10th goal of the season.

Claudio Ranieri’s mid-table side went a man down just after their goal with Adrien Silva sent off after picking up a second yellow card.

Substitute Jens Petter Hauge curled in the leveller three minutes from the end, with Franck Kessie denied a late winner after hitting the woodwork.

“There are no excuses,” said coach Stefano Pioli, whose team’s push for a first league title in a decade has been hampered by just two wins from eight home games in the league in 2021.

“Inter have the Scudetto (league title) in their hands. It’s theirs to lose.”

Atalanta are two points behind Milan in third after a 3-2 win over against Udinese which came thanks to a first-half Luis Muriel brace and Duvan Zapata adding a third after the hour mark in Bergamo.

Napoli claimed their fourth consecutive win, but not without a battle from bottom side Crotone who lost a dramatic contest 4-3.

Three goals in 33 minutes from Lorenzo Insigne, Victor Osimhen and Dries Mertens looked to have sealed victory early for Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

However Crotone fought back to 3-3 largely thanks to a double from Nigerian Simy the 25th and 48th minutes.

But Giovanni Di Lorenzo made sure the home side did take the win with his 72nd-minute strike.

Roma stretched their winless run to a three matches with a 2-2 stalemate at Sassuolo.