England

Chelsea await the winner of Sunday’s match between Arsenal and Manchester City to contest the 2017 FA Cup Final after defeating Tottenham 4-2 in the semis. Two first half goals by Willian were canceled out by Harry Kane and Dele Alli, but Eden Hazard scored Chelsea’s match-winner in the 75th minute. Five minutes later, Nemanja Matic secured the victory with one of the best goals you’ll ever see.

The Serbian defensive midfielder hadn’t scored a single goal this year, but his maiden strike was an absolute banger.

“I don’t know how long I have left,” Zlatan Ibrahimovic told BT Sport prior to Manchester United’s second leg match against Anderlecht. “Rashford, Lingard have long careers in front of them. I was there 15 years ago, I don’t know how long I have left.” If the latest reports are confirmed, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has suffered a devastating knee injury that could spell the end of the 35-year-old’s career.

Before Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough, Arsene Wenger announced a formation change, which proved to be effective. Wenger chose to use a 3-4-3 formation, letting Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain roam to an offensive position while playing right wing-back to try to create going forward.

In previous matches, Arsenal players have been jogging back into their final third while defending, but this was far from the case in this match. Arsenal finally showed signs of life, holding the ball the majority of the game.       

Arsenal finally reminded everyone the depth within the squad that has been overshadowed by recent poor performances. A string of single-touch passes were connected with perfection to set up Mesut Ozil for the finish.

Mesut Ozil dedicated his goal to Erdogan pic.twitter.com/NiuAUXL4rv

— ㅤ (@Pepcatalonya) April 17, 2017

Middlesbrough came out of the dressing room in the second half with an extra spring in their step. On the contrary, Arsenal seemed lackluster in the first minutes of the second half. Brilliant work from Stewart Downing on the right flank led to a pinpoint cross to set up Negredo for the one-touch finish.

The Gunners were the first to strike in their match against Middlesbrough at Riverside Stadium. Frantic defending by Middlesbrough led to a clumsy challenge on the top of the box on Granit Xhaka by Adam Clayton. To any goalkeeper in the world, fear sinks in when the likes of Ozil and Sanchez are both standing over the ball for a free kick. Alexis Sanchez took initiative and placed the ball perfectly up and over the wall into the net. 

After over two decades of flinging himself at the ball in the blue of Chelsea and winning a lot of trophies, John Terry has announced his decision to leave the club at the end of the season. Terry is synonymous with Chelsea’s rise to English and continental dominance as well providing that bit of assholery that every successful club needs. 

JT, as he’s called by those in the know, isn’t done defending yet, though. His high and tight haircut and high socks could be making their way to resolutely defending a club near you.

Who would bet against Jose Mourinho in a situation like Sunday’s? The man’s the ultimate party spoiler. He comes to every massive occasion equipped with his tactical wet blanket and extinguishes the feel good factor around the place.

Mourinho adopted a maniacally fluid 3-1-4-1-1 with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Daley Blind and Michael Carrick starting on the bench. Matteo Darmian’s place on the left side of defense served to make Pedro’s life a living hell, and Ander Herrera was instructed to do this same with Eden Hazard. 

Ros Barkley was reportedly punched in the face at a Liverpool nightclub I say reportedly because responsible journalism and all, but from the video it sure as hell looks like someone punched him in the face.

Footage of Ross Barkley getting punched last night!!pic.twitter.com/AF6twt6qio

— StreamPlanet (@Stream_Planet) April 10, 2017