The Hindu : Sport / Football : Reyes keeps Arsenal in Champions League hunt

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 06, 2006

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Sport - Football

Reyes keeps Arsenal in Champions League hunt

LONDON: Arsenal defeated Manchester City 3-1 thanks to two goals in six minutes by substitute Jose Antonio Reyes in the English Premier League on Thursday.

Arsenal's second win in three days ensured the race for fourth place — and the last Champions League berth — was wide open going into Sunday's final round.

Tottenham has 65 points and Arsenal 64.

Arsenal took a 1-0 lead after 29 minutes through Freddie Ljungberg — his first of the season — off a pass from Thierry Henry. Manchester City equalised late in the first half on a goal by David Sommeil. Reyes scored his pair in the last 12 minutes.

If Arsenal fails to finish fourth in the Premier League, the team can still make next year's Champions League by winning the final in Paris. That would knock Tottenham out.

Madrid goes second

Roberto Carlos, Roberto Soldado and Robinho scored as Real Madrid downed Racing Santander 3-2 to climb into second place behind newly proclaimed Spanish league champion FC Barcelona.

Roberto Carlos gave Madrid the lead with a 33rd-minute penalty after Santander defender Pablo Pinillos ran into Robinho.

Soldado netted on the hour mark when he turned Raul's shot over the line, while Robinho extended the lead 10 minutes later with a shot from just outside the area. Santander staged a late rally through goals in the 76th minute and injury time by Sergio Matabuena.

With two matches remaining, Madrid has 69 points, while Valencia dropped to third with 68.

Madrid idss seeking to finish second and gain a direct berth into next season's Champions League. The team has gone three seasons without a trophy — its worst streak since the early 1950s.

The results: English Premier League: Manchester City 1 lost to Arsenal 3; Sunderland 2 bt Fulham 1.

Spanish Primera Liga: Racing Santander 2 lost to Real Madrid 3. — Agencies

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