Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/298224
51 FOOTBALL maltatoday, SUNDAY, 20 APRIL 2014 Download the MaltaToday App now Sport PHOTOGRAPHY BY RAY ATTARD Birkirkara stay on course to retain title corner by Karl Pulo, Daniel Mariano Bueno scored from close range. On the 70th minute Rabat finally managed to find the back of the net. Off a cross by Aidan Azzopardi, Di- ego Carrillo controlled the ball to then beat goalkeeper Nicky Vella with his shot. TARXIEN RAINBOWS Nicky Vel- la, Carlo Mamo, Luca Martinelli, Demba Toure (51' Nigel Vella I), William Barbosa, Carlos Menendez Hevia, Daniel Mariano Bueno, Karl Pulo, Josef Mifsud (46' Steve Sad- owski), Steve Bonnici, Jorge Santos Silva (51'Nigel Vella II). Subs not used: Anthony Curmi, Fernando Lopez Alcantara, Miguel Ciantar, Ryan Sammut. Coach: Clive Mizzi RABAT AJAX Jonathan Azzop- ardi, Shaun Gauci, David Azzop- ardi, Ivan Carapic, Zachary Tanti, Patrick Borg, Jonathan Bajada (21' Aidan Azzopardi), Joseph Caruana, Ryan Micallef (60' Sorin Oproiescu), Malcolm Licari, Diego Carrillo Pen- das. Subs not used: Pavle Velimirovic, Chris Vella, Jamie Muscat, Etienne Scicluna, Stefan Cortis. Coach: Steve D'Amato Referee: Alan Mario Sant Assistant Referees: Alan Camilleri, Albert Borg Cardona Fourth Official: Philip Farrugia Yellow Cards: D. Azzopardi, Jorge Santos Scorers: 8' Demba Toure pen, 16' Jorge Santos Silva, 22' Steve Bonnici, 28' William Barbosa, 39' Demba Toure, 42' Karl Pulo, 48' Daniel Mariano Bueno, 70' Diego Carrillo BOV Player of the Match: William Barbosa Sunderland stun Chelsea Juve edge closer to title A review of Saturday's action in the Barclays Premier League, as Sunderland caused a shock by winning at Chelsea ROCKBOTTOM Sunderland dealt a stunning blow to Chelsea's Barclays Premier League title hopes as they shattered Jose Mourinho's unbeaten home league record with a 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge. Fabio Borini's 82nd minute penalty boosted the Black Cats' slim survival prospects and ended Mourinho's ex- traordinary run of 77 home league games unbeaten in his two spells in charge. More importantly the result left Chelsea trailing leaders Liverpool by two points - which Brendan Rodgers' men could increase to five with vic- tory over Norwich at Carrow Road on Easter Sunday. Sunderland's sensational win looked unlikely when Samuel Eto'o put Chel- sea in front by converting a 12th minute corner from Willian. But the Black Cats were level within six minutes when man-of-the-mo- ment Connor Wickham tapped home after Chelsea keeper Mark Schwarzer parried a drive from Marcos Alonso. And Sunderland's fairytale was complete eight minutes from time when Cesar Azlpilicueta was ruled to have fouled Jozy Altidore in the box and Borini stepped up to send Schwarzer the wrong way. The result sent shockwaves round the Premier League and dealt a blow to the Black Cats' relegation rivals in- cluding Cardiff who could only claim a point in a 1-1 draw with Stoke. The point proved enough to nudge the Bluebirds above relegation rivals Fulham - who lost earlier at Totten- ham - but they remain in the drop zone with just three games of the sea- son remaining. The home side had made a superb start with both Mats Daehli and Jor- dan Mutch missing fine chances in the early stages before Marko Arnau- tovic put the visitors in front from the spot on the stroke of half-time. Peter Whittingham levelled matters in the 51st minute, also from the spot, after Fraizer Campbell was fouled by Steven Nzonzi in the box. The home side thought they had gone ahead when Juan Cala prodded home on the hour but his effort was ruled out for offside and Stoke could have won it at the death with Ous- sama Assaidi bringing a brilliant save out of David Marshall and Jon Wal- ters hitting the bar with two minutes to go. Solskjaer could seek some solace from Fulham's 3-1 defeat to Totten- ham at White Hart Lane. Christian Eriksen was the Spurs star as he set up two of the goals which brought an end to a run of two straight victories for Felix Magath's battling Cottagers. But it was far from straightforward for the home side had who had goal- keeper Hugo Lloris and some way- ward finishing to thank for restricting the visitors to one Steve Sidwell goal. Sidwell had fired a 37th-minute equaliser just two minutes after Paulinho had turned home an Erik- sen free-kick to give his side the lead. Harry Kane glanced home an Aar- on Lennon cross three minutes into the second half and Younes Kaboul sealed the points for Spurs by knock- ing in another Eriksen free-kick just past the hour mark. Sidwell then saw a penalty saved by Lloris. Wilfried Bony all but sealed Swan- sea's survival and piled more misery on Newcastle boss Alan Pardew by scoring both goals in a 2-1 win at St James's Park. Shola Amoebi fired home in the 23rd minute to give the Magpies their first goal in four games, but the dis- content grew when Bony headed in a Ben Davies cross to equalise on the stroke of half-time. Bony grabbed the winner from the spot in injury time after Marvin Emnes was brought down by Cheick Tiote in the box, lifting the delight- ed Swans to 36 points and handing Pardew his fifth successive defeat. Aston Villa are still not assured of safety despite ending their run of four straight losses with a goalless draw against Southampton at Villa Park. It could have been worse for Paul Lambert's men with Rickie Lambert uncharacteristically missing two ear- ly chances for Saints, while Villa's best chance came from Ashley Westwood who blazed over in the second half. Crystal Palace claimed their fifth straight victory in an emotional 1-0 win over West Ham at Upton Park. The match was preceded by a minute's silence for Hammers 20- year-old Dylan Tombines who lost his battle against testicular cancer on Friday. Mile Jedinak won the game with a 59th-minute penalty after Cameron Jerome was brought down by Pablo Armero in the box. A review of the weekend's action in the Italian Serie A as Juventus moved to the brink of a third successive Serie A title JUVENTUS moved to the brink of a third successive Serie A title fol- lowing a 1-0 win over Bologna in Turin on Saturday. Paul Pogba's 64th-minute strike was enough to see off relegation- threatened Bologna and ensure Juventus could claim the Scudetto in their next league game, away to Sassuolo on Monday, April 28. Roma's eighth successive league win confirmed their return to the Champions League group stage next season as fourth-placed Fiorentina were beaten 1-0 at the Stadio Artemio Franchi. Radja Nainggolan scored the game's only goal on 26 minutes. Fiorentina's defeat was good news for Napoli's own Champions League ambitions, as they were able to edge further away despite a 1-1 draw at Udinese. Jose Callejon gave the Azzurri the lead in the first half, but Bru- no Fernandes levelled in the 55th minute. Federico Fernandez was sent off l;ate for Napoli, who now look set to finish third and take the Champions League qualification place. Inter Milan moved two points behind Fiorentina with a 2-0 win at Parma. Second-half goals from Rolando and Fredy Guarin decided the match. Livorno coach Domenico Di Car- lo was sacked hours after his side's 3-0 defeat at AC Milan. Mario Balotelli's 43rd-minute opener was followed by goals from Adel Taarabt and Giampaolo Pazzini after the break as Milan kept alive their late European push with a fifth straight win. A fifth defeat in six games for Livorno though cost Di Carlo is job after just 88 days in charge. Dav- ide Nicola, who was only sacked in January, has been re-appointed for the final four games. Livorno's defeat was made more damaging as the two teams below them in the relegation zone both won. Domenico Berardi scored the on- ly goal after 40 minutes as Sassuolo won at Chievo while last-placed Catania beat Sampdoria 2-1. Gonzalo Bergessio struck the winner moments after Sampdoria's Stefano Okaka had levelled Sebas- tian Leto's first-half opener. Ivo Pulga's first win in charge of Cagliari lifted them eight points clear of the drop zone as Genoa were beaten 2-1. Goals from Marco Sau and Se- gundo Ibarbo did the trick after Sebastian De Maio had put Genoa ahead in the third minute. Antonio Candreva's stoppage- time equaliser stole a share of the points for 10-man Lazio in a grip- ping 3-3 draw against Torino. The hosts twice took the lead through Stefano Mauri and Can- dreva, only to be pegged back by goals from Jasmin Kurtic and Pan- agiotis Tachtsidis. The dismissal of Diego Navaretti then swung the contest in Torino's favour, and they looked to have secured the win with Ciro Immo- bile's strike a minute from time. However, Candreva's second of the match five minutes into time added on secured an unlikely draw for Edy Reja's men, although Inter Milan's win leaves both teams sev- en points off the European places. Hellas Verona moved back into the top half with a 2-1 win at Ata- lanta. Former Atalanta midfielder Mas- simo Donati put the visitors ahead early in the second half and Luca Toni doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. German Denis pulled one back for the hosts three minutes from time.