Sport: 5 things we learned from the weekend
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It’s been another hectic schedule of sporting action in the world of sport and we’ve collated five of the biggest talking points.
The football season is reaching the business end of the campaign with Premier League, FA Cup and Championship updates, plus a PGA Tour triumph and another familiar tale in the Irish Derby.
Wolves sink Villa & Ings double stings Watford
Both Aston Villa and Watford face a battle to retain their Premier League status’ next season after home defeats to Wolves and Southampton respectively.
On Saturday lunchtime, Leander Dendoncker scored the only goal of the game for Wolves to leave Villa in 19th place with six games remaining.
Meanwhile, Wolves continued their good form since the restart and moved into fifth, two points behind Chelsea in fourth having played a game more.
On Saturday evening, Danny Ings was the Man of the Match with a brace to sink Watford in their 3-1 victory to leave the Hornets one point above the bottom three.
The Saints forward is now only one goal behind Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy in the race for the Golden Boot with eighteen goals.
FA Cup semi-finals decided
Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea booked their place at Wembley for the FA Cup semi finals after securing victories over the weekend.
United needed extra-time to defeat Norwich and it was Harry Maguire who spared Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s blushes in their 2-1 victory at Carrow Road to set up a tie with Chelsea.
Kevin De Bruyne starred for Manchester City once again as they eased to a 2-0 win at Newcastle. The Belgian scored the opener from the penalty spot, before Raheem Sterling doubled the advantage in the second half.
City will now face Arsenal after Dani Ceballos scored a last-minute winner at Sheffield United in their 2-1 win at Bramall Lane
Leeds take huge step towards Premier League
It’s been a long journey back for Leeds United following their relegation from the Premier League in 2004, but are they about to return to the pinnacle of English football?
Marcelo Bielsa’s side made a signal of intent with a 3-0 triumph over promotion-chasing Fulham in the Championship at Elland Road on Saturday.
Patrick Bamford opened the deadlock after ten minutes before Ezgjan Alioski and Jack Harrison wrapped up the points in the second half.
Leeds top the Championship ahead of West Bromwich Albion by three points and are eight points clear in the race for automatic promotion as Fulham slip into fifth with seven games remaining.
Dustin Johnson claims Travellers Championship
Dustin Johnson collected his 21st PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the Travelers Championship.
It’s the American’s first PGA Tour win in sixteen months after a final-round 67 to hold off Kevin Streelman and overnight leader, Brendon Todd.
Johnson needed a par to win on the final hole and nailed his final drive over 350 yards down the fairway, chipped onto the heart of the green and two-putted for the winning par.
That resulted in a one-shot victory over Streelman, with Will Gordon (64) and Mackenzie Hughes (67) sharing third on 17 under par.
Aidan O’Brien wins another Irish Derby
Santiago clinched a fourteenth Irish Derby win for Aidan O’Brien in the Curragh Classic on Saturday.
Santiago was favourite ahead of the race and held on to beat stablemate Tiger Moth to claim his second major victory this month after his triumph in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.
Dawn Patrol and Order Of Australia finished back in third and fourth to seal a 1-2-3-4 for O’Brien.
O’Brien is confident that Santiago could be an Ascot Gold Cup horse next season and emulate the feats of recent winners like Order Of St George, Leading Light and Fame And Glory.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
