World Soccer News

In the meantime, Juventus should have little trouble Saturday against relegation-threatened Bologna.

The relegation battle and race for the last Champions League qualification spot take centre stage in the Bundesliga with just four games of the season remaining.

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has called the remaining league games of the season five "finals," and his team plays its first against Elche on Friday before receiving Chelsea in the Champions League.

Cardiff striker Kenwyne Jones has had an appeal against a fine imposed on him by his former club Stoke rejected by the Potters, Press Association Sport understands.

Gareth Bale scored the most important goal of his career to win the Copa del Rey for Real Madrid, netting the decisive goal against fierce rivals Barcelona in the final at the Mestalla.

Everton's top-four hopes suffered a blow as they crashed to a surprise 3-2 defeat at Goodison Park against Crystal Palace, whose Barclays Premier League survival now appears assured.

Manchester City's hopes of winning the Premier League took a big hit with a 2-2 draw at home to last-place Sunderland on Wednesday, with the title chasers needing an 88th-minute goal from Samir Nasri to earn a point.

Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner has given his backing to the club's manager Paul Lambert after the suspension of Ian Culverhouse and Gary Karsa this week.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened the scoring in the 12th and Robert Lewandowski scored his 100th goal for Dortmund to secure the victory in the 43rd.

Real Sociedad manager Jagoba Arrasate has agreed to a two-year contract extension that will keep him at the Basque club until the end of the 2015-16 season.

Dave Kitson salutes the fans after Oxford United's welcome 2-0 win at Plymouth on Saturday when he scored Dave Kitson has added incentive to help Oxford United finish in the play-offs as he looks to end his career on a high.

Celtic striker Anthony Stokes feels he has improved as a player this season - even if his goals tally does not indicate it.

A 3-1 win over West Ham United on Tuesday saw Arsene Wenger's team climb back into the English Premier League's top four, keeping the Gunners in contention to qualify for the lucrative European Champions League.

Diego Simeone, pictured, does not know whether Diego Costa will remain with Atletico Madrid beyond the end of this season Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has admitted he may be powerless to stop star striker Diego Costa joining Chelsea in the summer.

Madrid will be without the injured Cristiano Ronaldo, while Barcelona arrives with its defense in tatters and Lionel Messi questioned for his recent dip in form.

Mark Milligan scored in the second minute and James Troisi sealed Melbourne Victory 's 2-0 upset win over defending champion Guangzhou Evergrande in stoppage time Tuesday to ensure a tense finish in Group G in the Asian Champions League .

Marco Reus leads the player vote for the second time, after scoring three goals in games against Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

City suffered a serious setback in their bid to reclaim the crown as they were beaten 3-2 at leaders Liverpool in a pulsating clash at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool's players will be in attendance as Anfield hosts the annual memorial service for the victims of the Hillsborough disaster.

Athletic Bilbao striker Aritz Aduriz scored goals at the start of each half to help the Basque club beat Malaga 3-0 on Monday, strengthening its hold on Spain's final Champions League berth.