Zlatan Ibrahimovic, fresh from a three-match ban, sparked Paris Saint Germain’s 2-0 win at Nantes in Ligue 1 on Sunday, moving them a step closer to third straight French title.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, fresh from a three-match ban, sparked Paris Saint Germain’s 2-0 win at Nantes in Ligue 1 on Sunday (May 3), moving them a step closer to third straight French title.

The Swede had a hand in both goals, notably playing the ball between Nantes’ captain Oswaldo Vizcarrondo’s legs to set up Blaise Matuidi’s clincher on the half-hour.

Edinson Cavani had pounced as early as the third minute after the Swede had sparked a goalmouth scramble with a snap shot. The 2-0 win puts PSG on 74 points at the top with Lyon three points behind with three games to play.

Having already won the League Cup, and with a French Cup final to come against Auxerre on May 30, Lauren Blanc’s side are on track for a domestic clean sweep.

“We came for three points and that’s what we’re going home with. So congratulations to my players,” said PSG coach Laurent Blanc. I don’t know if we’ll end up champions but over the last five or six games we’ve been tough to play against.

“It’s all about concentration and determination to win the ball back. In matches where we were losing the ball, you saw players start to get at each-other,” he explained.

Vizcarrondo was left red-faced when Ibrahimovic produced the cheeky pass through his legs before he turned in a panic to see Matuidi race through anc clip a slick finish round the onrushing Remy Riou in the Nantes goal.

The Swede was playing his first game since starting a three match ban stemming from comments describing France as a “shit country” when he thought he was off camera after a defeat to Bordeaux.

Nantes worked hard all night with relentless support from a packed stadium but Paris dominated throughout. Cavani might have had a hatful but for a string of first-half saves from Riou.

While Serge Gakpe and Johan Audel both forced fingertip saves from Paris ‘keeper Nicolas Douchez, who continued to impress in the absence of Salvatore Sirigu, their chances were few and far between.

Thanks to a hugely industrious Paris engine room led by Marco Verratti, Nantes were largely reduced to hopeful punts from the wing.

Nantes coach Michel Der Zakarian described Paris as almost unbeatable on this form. “When they’re up for it and concentrate like that and when they have everyone fit they’re almost unbeatable,” said Der Zakarian.

It was PSG’s sixth straight league win and their remaining fixtures appear eminently winnable – they must visit Montpellier and welcome Guingamp and Reims to the Parc des Princes, where they are unbeaten domestically in a year.

Lyon for their part beat strugglers Evian 2-0 on Saturday to maintain their challenge for a first league title since 2008. A superb free-kick from Clement Grenier and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty gave Lyon the three crucial points.

Earlier on Sunday, Monaco’s Portuguese duo Bernard Silva and Joao Moutinho set up a 4-1 hammering of Toulouse that took their team five points clear of their closest pursuers for Ligue 1’s third and final Champions League spot.

Marseille had looked good for a Champions League place, having led Ligue 1 at Christmas. But a classy Monaco run has seen a 15 point turnaround between the two clubs. Monaco are now on 65 points, with Marseille and Saint Etienne on 60.

Monaco had a great run in the Champions League this season only getting knocked-out 1-0 on aggregate in a close run affair with Juventus.

Third place in France offers a place in the third qualifying round for next season and all the aces now seem to be firmly in Monaco’s hands.

Source AFP

The Citizens manager avoided the topic of his future following his side’s 1-0 win at White Hart Lane on Sunday after Chelsea lifted the title earlier in the day

Manuel Pellegrini refused to discuss his future after Manchester City’s victory over Tottenham before aiming apparent criticsm at newly crowned Premier League champions Chelsea.

The Blues sealed the title with three games remaining after beating Crystal Palace 1-0 at Stamford Bridge as City reacted to being dethroned by beating Spurs by the same scoreline later on Sunday.

Pellegrini has overseen a trophyless season following last year’s domestic triumph and his team now sit 13 points adrift of Jose Mourinho’s side, leading to speculation over his job security.

And, when asked if he will still be in charge at the Etihad Stadium next season, the Chilean told the BBC: “I’m not going to answer that question.

“I said before we were going to see a beautiful game because both teams play offensive football so I expect the fans enjoyed the game. It was a close game and Sergio scored a great goal. I am happy about that.

“You must remember against Tottenham that Chelsea conceded five goals, we have a clean sheet. Tottenham create chances with offensive players, but I think we have as many chances as Tottenham.

“We have to finish the season now and then we will analyse it. I think it’s important to finish as near the top as possible and see where we need to improve.

“Maybe Chelsea are more consistent this year and they won the league but we scored more when we did it.”

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A late goal from Huynh Nhu gave Vietnam a narrow victory over Myanmar in their Group B opening game of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Football Championship 2015.

AFF Women’s Championship 2015 kicks off Nhu headed home defender Bui Thi Nhu’s left-wing cross in the 84th minute after the two sides tied at 2-2 for most of the match at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on May 2.

The win put Vietnam in a favourable position to win the group and a ticket to the semi-finals, given that they are favourites for upcoming matches against Philippines and Malaysia.

In the other match of the group the same day, Philippines beat Malaysia 3-0 to temporarily top the group thanks to a better goal difference over Vietnam.

In group A, Australia U20 got off to a good start with a convincing 3-0 win over Thailand to lead the group. Laos sit second with a 2-0 victory over Indonesia.

Source VNA

The Rossoneri coach is under intense pressure after a run of five games without a win in Serie A but he feels he is building something at San Siro

Filippo Inzaghi still believes he is the right man for AC Milan – despite seeing his side slump to another resounding defeat at Napoli on Sunday.

Fresh from back-to-back losses at Udinese and at home to Genoa, the Rossoneri saw their hopes of ending a five-game winless run all but end after just 45 seconds of action at the San Paolo, with Mattia De Sciglio seeing red for a professional foul on Marek Hamsik.

Diego Lopez saved Gonzalo Higuain’s penalty but Milan eventually folded midway through the second half when Napoli struck three times in six minutes through Hamsik, Higuain and Manolo Gabbiadini.

Inzaghi was reluctant to be drawn on his job prospects but suggested that it would be unfair if a game in which his side had to play over 89 minutes with 10 men would be a factor in determining his future.

“I have been able to turn everything around since taking charge last summer,” the Rossoneri coach told Sky Sport. “We had four great months and then we struggled.

“But there’s something good there. The club will make their evaluations but I have a contract.

“But it was a game shaped by the dismissal. I saw a good team for 70 minutes. Maybe a yellow would have been fairer than a red, because Gabriel Paletta was also there.

“We fought hard with 10 men. I can’t say anything bad about our spirit.

“We even had a chance to score through Bonaventura when the midfielder grazed the post with a header in the first half. We definitely didn’t deserve to suffer such a heavy defeat.”

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