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Liverpool star Mohamed Salah named PFA Player of the Year 2018

Mohamed Salah's spectacular season received the ultimate recognition on Sunday night when he was named as the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year. The Liverpool forward edged the vote ahead of Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne after scoring 41 goals in his first year at Anfield. Leroy Sane’s exceptional season with Manchester City saw him clinch the Young Player of the Year award. Salah became the seventh Liverpool player to win the award and the first since Luis Suarez in 2014.

Salah has scored far more than the Belgian, but Guardiola believes his playmaker's influence on games has been unrivalled. 'I know my opinion about these awards,' Guardiola said.

City would not be dominating in the League without De Bruyne’s vision and desire to take the game to the opposition. Every game he serves up a dazzling array of balls for strikers to finish.

Liverpool host Roma in the first leg of their semi-final on Tuesday and Salah's dream is to follow up the recognition he has received from his peers by lifting silverware in Europe.

Paul Pogba insists he has no problem with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho

Paul Pogba insists that there is no problem between him and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho. The relationship between the pair has appeared to be strained in recent weeks with Mourinho criticising Pogba. But United's £89million record signing has moved to ease tensions at the club by stating that they both have great respect for each other.

Mourinho was given every opportunity to decry the Football Association's decision to let Tottenham play an FA Cup semi-final at their temporary Wembley home.

SAMI MOKBEL AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: Arsene Wenger's imminent departure will herald the start of a new era at Arsenal. But who from the current squad will still be there next season?

The Frenchman was visibly emotional as he held his first press conference since announcing he is leaving the club after 22 years at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola was happy to share Manchester City's title success with fans who flooded the pitch in celebration and has 'no problem' if the Football Association take a dimmer view.

To last year's FA Cup semi-final defeat by Chelsea and their recent collapse against Juventus, we can now add a setback against United that Tottenham should not really have allowed to happen.

This was a statement from Alexis Sanchez and Paul Pogba. After struggling to hit the heights this season, Manchester United’s most talented players came to the party when it mattered.

A fleeting 39 seconds into his comeback and the world was Amir Khan’s oyster once again. So how soon will he savour the choicest mollusc of all? Probably, he will save Kell Brook for last.

Chelsea 2-0 Southampton: Giroud and Morata goals send blues into FA Cup final

IAN LADYMAN AT WEMBLEY: A good day for Antonio Conte and his use of two competing centre forwards. Both scored to win this game, Olivier Giroud courtesy of dancing feet just after half-time and Alvaro Morata with his head just 86 seconds after replacing the Frenchman late in the game. This was not such a good day for the VAR system, however. With the score at 1-0 with just under 15 minutes to go and Southampton finally exerting pressure on the Chelsea defence, goalkeeper Willy Caballero dropped the ball over the goal line under pressure from Charlie Austin. Referee Martin Atkinson immediately blew for a foul but replays suggested there had not been one. It seemed strange that the VAR official didn’t feel the need to get involved. A huge moment in the afternoon had come and gone in an instant.

Olivier Giroud continues his brilliant FA Cup run - FIVE THINGS YOU MISSED

Chelsea will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final after beating Southampton 2-0 at Wembley on Sunday. The Blues failed to break down relegation-threatened Southampton in the first half but Olivier Giroud came up trumps in the 46th minute after some dazzling footwork in the Saints' area. And then with not long to go, Alvaro Morata wrapped up proceedings, heading home from Cesar Azpilicueta's cross. Here, Sportsmail brings you a round-up of all the things you may have missed from Wembley.

Antonio Conte has already started the mind games with Jose Mourinho and Manchester United after claiming Chelsea will not be favourites in the FA Cup final.

MATT BARLOW AT WEMBLEY: When Chelsea set out with measuring sticks in January to find a new centre forward it took time before they settled on Olivier Giroud.

Farah smashed the British record by over 50 seconds with a confirmed time of 2.06.21 on his way to third place in the capital. Eliud Kipchoge won the race for a third time.

Arsene Wenger may be leaving Arsenal in the summer but he is adamant that under-fire central defender Shkodran Mustafi will not be joining him through the exit door.

Southampton manager Mark Hughes was left bemused after the video assistant referee was not consulted in the 'match-defining' moment of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final loss to Chelsea.

Juventus 0-1 Napoli: Maurizio Sarri's side close gap in Serie A title race

JUVENTUS 0-1 NAPOLI: Napoli closed the gap to rivals Juventus in the Serie A title race to just a single point after Kalidou Koulibaly scored a stunning later winner in Turin on Sunday night. The Senegalese defender jumped highest and powered a header past Gianluigi Buffon from a corner in the last minute of normal time. Napoli captain Marek Hamsik had the best chances of the match but failed to hit the target with either but Koulibaly stunned Juventus fans and blew the title race wide open.

Arsenal striker Alexandre Lacazette invites fan who has tattoo of him on his bum to West

The France international scored twice as the Gunners overcame West Ham 4-1 at the Emirates on Sunday in Arsene Wenger's penultimate home Premier League game. And it appears that Lacazette was inspired by a huge fan of his. After the match, he revealed that he invited an Arsenal supporter to the game, who had a tattoo of the player's face on his bum.

LAURIE WHITWELL AT THE HAWTHORNS: Jurgen Klopp gave short shrift to comparisons between West Brom and Liverpool’s next opponents in an altogether more consequential encounter.

The Gunners are on the hunt for there first new manager in over 21 years following last week's announcement that long-standing boss Arsene Wenger will depart the club in the summer.

Southampton were denied an equaliser when Charlie Austin attempted to bundle the ball over the line only for referee Martin Atkinson to award a foul after the striker made contact with Willy Caballero.

MANCHESTER CITY 5-0 SWANSEA
 

Manchester City 5-0 Swansea: Kevin De Bruyne hits a rocket

MANCHESTER CITY 5-0 SWANSEA - CHRIS WHEELER AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM: Manchester City were in party mood as they hit Swansea for five in pursuit of becoming the first team in Premier League history to get 100 points in a single season. The result was never in doubt with David Silva and Raheem Sterling both scoring in the opening 16 minutes before Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Gabriel Jesus added to the Welsh club's woes.

Manchester City fans' decision to invade the pitch following their victory over Swansea on Sunday afternoon threw Sky Sports' post-match plans up in the air.

Guardiola is hungry to retain this title but sadly I can't see him staying at City. Unless he falls head over heels in love with Manchester, I don't think he'll be here for more than three or four years.

The 22-year-old has scored nine goals and produced 12 assists for his City team-mates, to help them win the English top flight title with five matches to spare.

Benjamin Mendy put his injury woes behind him as he made his long-awaited return to Manchester City action during their 5-0 demolition of Swansea on Sunday. He had been out since September.

Arsenal 4-1 West Ham: Victory for Wenger in penultimate home league game

ARSENAL 4-1  WEST HAM - MARTIN SAMUEL AT THE EMIRATES STADIUM: When the first, second and third goal went in, they were none too sure. But after the fourth, they were convinced. ‘One Arsene Wenger,’ sung the locals, ‘there’s only one Arsene Wenger.’ That’s what it is like, around this part of north London, these days. That is how deep the disillusionment. Those who came expecting a full house and an emotional outpouring of thanks and goodwill – and they do not include the man himself, who is doing all in his power to play down the moment – will have left underwhelmed.

Frank Lampard warns Tottenham star Dele Alli not to 'celebrate too early' in the future

Four-time FA Cup winner Frank Lampard has warned Tottenham's Dele Alli not to 'celebrate too early' in future after the 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Wembley. Alli danced in front of the Tottenham supporters after putting his side 1-0 up after 11 minutes during Saturday's FA Cup semi-final. But United came back in style with Alexis Sanchez and Ander Herrera scoring to send Jose Mourinho's side into the final in May.

Manchester City have become the first Premier League team to record over 1,000 pass attempts in a single match after achieving the feat en route to beating Swansea on Sunday afternoon.

Pochettino will consider disregarding next season's FA Cup by fielding Tottenham's kids in the competition. Spurs suffered Wembley heartache on Saturday, losing to Manchester United.

JACK GAUGHAN AT THE ETIHAD STADIUM: Watching from the Etihad Stadium, Sportsmail's JACK GAUGHAN runs the rule on players from both sides as City celebrate life as champions.

Juventus and Napoli players joined forces with fellow Serie A stars in taking to the field with a red stripe on the cheek this weekend... and it was all for a very special cause.

Roy Hodgson tried retirement. He holidayed in Miami, skied in Switzerland and watched Match of the Day without the danger of his decisions being severely scrutinised.

Roma legend Francesco Graziani talks that missed penalty against Liverpool

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Francesco Graziani makes a most charismatic entrance, with apologies for his late arrival, blaming the Italian traffic and in search of a phone number for Bruce Grobbelaar. 'Do you have one?' he asks. He seems to be serious. No-one does. 'We must try to find one. He must come back to Rome, back to the Olympic Stadium, in front of the fans and we will take the penalty again.'

Atletico Madrid fail to beat Real Betis ahead of Arsenal clash

ATLETICO MADRID 0-0 REAL BETIS: Atletico Madrid failed to break down Real Betis in a 0-0 draw on Sunday which further reduced their slim chances of catching Barcelona at the top of La Liga, while Las Palmas were relegated after a crushing 4-0 home defeat by Alaves. Diego Simeone's Atletico moved 11 points behind Barcelona with four games remaining and the unbeaten leaders need one more point to win the title.

Arsene Wenger has already been linked with the Paris Saint-Germain job but seemingly refused to rule out retirement as a possible option after admitting his is unsure if he will manage again.

CRAIG HOPE AT THE STADIUM OF LIGHT: 'Are you watching Ellis Short?' they snarled from the South Stand. No, he is not. He cares even less than some of the players at the club.

KIERAN GILL AT WEMBLEY: Cesc Fabregas had decided to have a day off in midfield. No matter, though, because Chelsea had N'Golo Kante... and he did both of their jobs.

The Wales international, who will mark his 10-year anniversary at the club this summer, was effusive in his praise for Wenger on Sunday and wants to ensure he finishes his tenure on a positive note.

MIKE KEEGAN AT THE BET 365 STADIUM: Get the fork ready, Stoke would appear to be done. Paul Lambert called it in his programme notes, branding this 'a game we quite simply have to win'.

Sir Mo Farah smashes 33-year record to finish third in London Marathon

LAURA LAMBERT AT THE LONDON MARATHON: At times it looked like his inability to pick up a drinks bottle on the run might scupper his London Marathon hopes. But Sir Mo Farah etched his name in the history books once again on Sunday, breaking the British marathon record by almost a minute to finish third. Going toe-to-toe with the world’s best marathon runners in his second attempt at the distance was never going to be easy, not least when they were after the world record. The 35-year-old admitted that when the first mile was run in a ‘crazy’ 4min 22sec, he thought to himself: ‘If you are going to die, you are going to die.’ And for the final few miles at least, Farah appeared to be paying the price for going with the leaders and was forced to grit his teeth.

Iniesta struggles to contain his emotions as Barcelona midfielder plays last Copa del Rey

Andres Iniesta is set to end his trophy-laden spell at Barcelona this summer and it was an emotional occasion for the midfielder on Saturday night as he helped his side to overcome Sevilla with a 5-0 victory to win the Copa del Rey. Iniesta, who seems likely to head to China, was amongst the scorers, with Luis Suarez hitting a brace, while Lionel Messi and Philippe Coutinho were also on the scoresheet. In the closing stages of the game Iniesta was substituted to much applause and he was overcome with emotion as he was seen crying on the bench in what is likely to be his final Copa del Rey appearance for the club.

JACK GAUGHAN AT ACADEMY STADIUM: Manchester City Women have it all to do in France next Sunday if they are to make history and reach a first Champions League final.

Cyrille Regis' contribution to the game has been recognised with a posthumous Merit award from the Professional Footballers' Association.

Romelu Lukaku believes the current Manchester United squad can win next season's Premier League, with consistency rather than quality having been their problem this term.

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Jadon Sancho has finally arrived at Dortmund after terrorising Leverkusen

KIT HOLDEN: It has taken him a while, and it has not been the easiest of journeys, but after his performance on Saturday evening, there can now be no doubt: Jadon Sancho has arrived. If the 18-year-old Englishman goes on to build a career at Borussia Dortmund, then Saturday night will go down as a historical, breakthrough moment. As his side romped to a well-needed 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, it was Sancho who led the line, tearing his way brilliantly through his opponents, and ripping one of the Bundesliga's most in-form sides to shreds.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp delivers furious rant over state of Hawthorns surface

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp delivered a furious post-match rant over the state of the pitch at the Hawthorns after he watched his side squander a two-goal lead to leave West Brom with only a point. Danny Ings' first goal since 2015 and Mohamed Salah's delightful chip had put Liverpool in the driving seat but Jake Livermore and Salomon Rondon ensured Darren Moore kept his unbeaten record as caretaker manager. Klopp, on the other hand, was left incensed at the full-time whistle and placed blame on the pitch and the referee for the result.

After another busy weekend of Championship action, Sportsmail's ADAM SHERGOLD reflects on the thrills and spills...

SERIE A ROUND-UP: Benevento were relegated to Serie B the day after celebrating their shock victory at AC Milan as results elsewhere on Sunday condemned them.

Lincoln City striker Matt Green, 31, on playing with Robbie Fowler and mastering The Police’s Message In A Bottle... with a little help from his partner’s uncle, Gordon Sumner.

It proved a journey that came with a bang as fireworks exploded at random catching bystanders dangerously by surprise - as one photographer found out as he lined up his shot.

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri has targeted next Saturday's Derby d'Italia date with Inter Milan as the "decisive" fixture in the Serie A title race after defeat to Napoli.

There was always going to be an awful lot read into the minor details at Ibrox on Sunday. The body language of the players. The way they interacted with each other.

EXCLUSIVE: Rangers are working on plans to sign Burnley midfielder Scott Arfield on a pre-contract agreement. The former Falkirk player is coming to the end of his contract at Turf Moor.

CRAIG HOPE: Rafa Benitez has warned Mike Ashley that he cannot perform miracles every season and will only commit his future to Newcastle should the owner share his ambition.

MICHAEL WALKER: An FA Cup semi-final as it used to be: not at Wembley but at a slightly dishevelled Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal supporters pay tribute to departing manager Arsene Wenger against West Ham

Arsenal took on West Ham at Emirates Stadium on Sunday in the first game since manager Arsene Wenger announced he will be leaving the club at the end of the season, with supporters taking the opportunity to honour the Frenchman. After more than two decades in charge of the north London club, Wenger is set to depart and there will be a new manager at the helm next season. Many supporters have criticised Wenger in recent years but today fans paid tribute to the Frenchman, with many of them wearing shirts or scarves emblazoned with his name. 

Things you missed from Arsenal vs West Ham: James Collins sits with fans.

Arsenal took home all three points on Sunday afternoon at the Emirates in the first match since the news of Arsene Wenger's departure at the end of the season broke. Nacho Monreal gave the Gunners the lead with a well-timed volley, only for Marko Arnautovic to cancel out the strike. However, goals from Aaron Ramsey and two from Alexandre Lacazette late-on made sure of the three points for the Gunners. Arsenal remain in sixth, while West Ham find themselves in 15th.

Jose Mourinho rounded on his critics after guiding Manchester United to their 20th FA Cup final, equalling Arsenal’s record set last year. Mourinho said: ‘It will be a fourth final in three years.'

Nobody can accuse Scott Carson of failing to front up, not when he is being accosted by angry fans and not when he is having to answer questions about Derby’s continuing mental fragility.

Murty has challenged his Rangers players to show their true selves by ruining Celtic's title party — and avoid being 'defined' by their Scottish Cup semi-final horror show. The rivals meet on Sunday.

It will be Cardiff’s bulletproof mindset more than their footballing ability that takes them back to the Premier League, insists captain Sean Morrison.

Celtic winger Forrest is relishing the chance to clinch the Ladbrokes Premiership title against Rangers in next weekend's Old Firm derby after Saturday's humbling by Hibernian at Easter Road.

Giovani Lo Celso scored the only goal of the game as Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain kept hopes alive of reaching 100 points for the season.

OTHER SPORTS NEWS
 

Carter is still the man! Even the French police want him (for pictures!)

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY NIK SIMON: It is business as usual at the Carter household – until an armed police car pulls up outside the kitchen window. Three uniformed officers step out of the vehicle and Honor Carter takes their call via the intercom at the front gate. ‘Monsieur Carter, s’il vous plait?’ Addressing the commotion, Dan Carter steps into the front garden where his two sons have just been running around with a hosepipe.

Philadelphia 76ers beat Miami Heat to close in on second round

NBA ROUND-UP: Ben Simmons had the first playoff triple-double by a rookie in nearly 40 years, JJ Redick scored 24 points and the Philadelphia 76ers outlasted the Miami Heat 106-102 on Saturday to move within a victory of the second round. The 76ers lead the Eastern Conference series 3-1 and can close out the Heat when play resumes in Philadelphia on Tuesday night.

David Weir has won a record eighth London Marathon wheelchair race, after a perfectly-timed sprint finish saw him deny Parlaympic champion Marcel Hug in the closing stages.

Andrew Landry kept his nerve to take his first PGA Tour title at the Valero Texas Open with a four-under-par final round of 68.He birdied four of the first six holes and then the 10th in a blistering start.

Sir Mo Farah made a series of blunders as picking up his water bottles during the race proved strangely problematic. He insisted volunteers were too busy taking photos to help him.

Andrew Strauss has defended the ECB's new 100-ball competition, as details emerged of last Thursday's meeting in which stunned county bosses learned of the controversial plans.

CHRIS FOY - WORLD OF RUGBY: Once the Scarlets’ ordeal was over, captain Ken Owens was asked if anyone can stop Leinster winning the Champions Cup and was unsure how to respond.

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes his lifestyle is so good he could live to the age of 200 but he apologised to Crucible fans for the ‘embarrassing’ start to his bid for a sixth world title.

RACING
 

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips ahead of Monday's meetings at Pontefract, Windsor, Hexham, Sedgefield and Newton Abbot.

Willie Mullins wheels out the big guns as the Punchestown Festival begins on Tuesday in an attempt to haul back big rival Gordon Elliott in the tussle to be Ireland's champion jump trainer.

THE BEST WRITING IN SPORT
 

Luis Garcia warns Liverpool 'don't be happy because you got Roma'

Luis Garcia has urged Liverpool not to be complacent ahead of their Champions League semi-final with Roma, but believes Jurgen Klopp's side can beat anyone. After surging past Manchester City in the quarter-finals Liverpool are just 180 minutes away from their eighth European Cup final appearance. But Garcia, who was part of the club's last Champions League winning side in 2005, warns the current crop they must not get carried away ahead of two legs against Roma.

ADAM CRAFTON: Among all we foresaw Donald Trump might destroy during his Presidency, Dagenham & Redbridge was never a contender. 'Maybe North Korea, but never this,' said one.

MICHAEL OWEN: Mohamed Salah is beginning to make me and the likes of Robbie Fowler, Fernando Torres and Luis Suarez look average. No-one thought he would score 41 goals.

EXCLUSIVE BY ROB DRAPER: Wenger knew four weeks ago that his 22-year reign at Arsenal was over when it was made clear to him that he would be asked to leave at the end of the season.

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