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Franck Kessie was on target twice as AC Milan ended their 2020-21 campaign with a 2-0 away victory over 10-man Atalanta.

A goal in each half by the Cote d’Ivoire international helped the Red and Blacks subdue Gian Piero Gasperini’s men on Sunday night.

Unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, AC Milan travelled to the Gewiss Stadium having in mind that anything short of victory would end their Champions League qualification hopes.

Nevertheless, they put a good fight and sealed all points at stake as Atalanta ended their impressive campaign in defeat.

With the first half of the keenly contested affair heading for a 0-0 draw, the visitors were awarded a penalty by referee Maurizio Mariani following a foul in the hosts’ area.

Theo Hernandez played a one-two to burst into the Black and Blues’ box, He got taken out by Joakim Maehle – prompting Mariani to point to the spot.

The Ivorian took the ensuing kick and sent the ball confidently into the bottom left corner of Pierluigi Gollini’s goal.  

Atalanta came out stronger in the second half, albeit, they were unable to find their way past Milan’s backline.

Their ambition of picking at least a draw faded into thin air as their opponents got a second penalty during added time.

Diogo Dalot cut back from the right for Hakan Calhanoglu. Calhanoglu fluffed his shot but Robin Gosens thoughtlessly had his arm raised and the referee pointed to the spot.

That decision caused a bit of uproar among Atalanta's players and Marten de Roon got sent off in the process for violent conduct.

Again, Kessie made no mistakes in sending the ball past goalkeeper Gollini. With this result, Stefano Pioli’s men finished in the second position and ultimately booked a ticket to next season’s Champions League.

Elsewhere, Victor Osimhen’s Napoli settled for a place in the Europa League following their 1-1 draw at home to Hellas Verona.

The tough Serie A showdown saw Amir Rahmani put the Parthenopeans’ ahead in the 61st minute after he was set up by Nigerian international Osimhen.

That lead lasted for just eight minutes as Ivan Juric’s team levelled matters through Marco Davide Faraoni.

Despite a late rally from Gattuso’s team, the game ended 1-1 – and that ruled Napoli out of the Champions League – as Juventus decimated Bologna 4-1 away from home.

While the Super Eagle was in action from start to finish, Senegal's Faouzi Ghoulam and Kalidou Koulibaly were not named for the cracker.

Andrea Pirlo has made one last public case to Juventus upper management that he should be retained for next season, claiming he has put the club "on the right path" during his first year in charge.

His men capped a positive week on Sunday by earning a Champions League berth through a 4-1 victory over Bologna and a Napoli draw. They also won the Coppa Italia last Wednesday.

However, Pirlo's defence of his record may be undercut by an early European exit to Porto and lack of a Serie A title charge.

What has been said?

“I never had fear," Pirlo told DAZN. "It took me a while to create that routine for the training sessions. It took some time to make the lads understand what I wanted, it was not easy to step in with so many champions, but everyone has helped me.

“I’ve improved, it was a complicated season, but it was useful for my development.

“We are on the right path as long as we help each other and run all together for the target. We lacked all these things many times this season.

"In the end, we achieved the result [of Champions League qualification]. If we start again together next season, we’ll have a solid base."

Vital four-match run

When Juventus lost 3-0 to AC Milan on May 9, it appeared virtually impossible for them to make the Champions League. Pirlo was said to have little hope of staying in Turin beyond the campaign.

They won their final three Serie A matches, though, and knocked off Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final.

It's unclear whether that's enough for Pirlo to have saved his job, but it has certainly given him ground to argue from.

Further reading

Sergio Aguero is close to signing a deal with Barcelona, revealed Pep Guardiola on Sunday.

The manager fully endorsed the move, saying Aguero would provide a huge boost to the Spanish giant's attack. He added that he was happy Aguero could play "alongside the best player of all time, Messi".

Aguero bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City on Sunday with his contract set to expire, scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Everton.

What has been said?

"Maybe I reveal a secret," Guardiola told BBC. "Maybe he is close to agreeing a deal for the club of my heart - for Barcelona.

"He is going to be playing alongside the best player of all time, Messi.

"I'm pretty sure he is going to enjoy. And maybe Barcelona are stronger and stronger with him on the pitch."

Further reading

Giorgio Chiellini said Juventus players were happy for first-year manager Andrea Pirlo after qualifying for the Champions League on Sunday with a win over Bologna. The veteran defender considers Pirlo's job "not easy" and believes some of the criticism levied on the boss has been harsh.

The Bianconeri were on the brink of missing the top four before a run of three straight victories to close the campaign narrowly put them back in Europe's top competition. Chiellini admitted that a couple of weeks ago he thought a Champions League berth was an "impossible result to achieve" - which has only added to the sense of satisfaction the team feels now.

However, it remains unclear whether the late-season salvage job will be enough to keep Pirlo employed, with rumours swirling that the Turin club is already looking toward potential replacements.

What has been said?

“We are happy for the coach, it was his first season and it was not easy," Chiellini told DAZN.

"We breathe a sigh of relief as fifteen days ago, after the defeat against Milan, I thought this was an impossible result to achieve.

“If we had had this commitment for the entire season, we wouldn’t have been in this situation, we can’t have regrets, Inter deserved to win the title.

“We won two trophies this season and we can play the Champions League in the next campaign. Today we were playing for two seasons. This one and half of the next one."

Dramatic final matchday

Juventus required assistance on Sunday and got it in the form of a Napoli draw with Verona that pushed the Bianconeri into fourth place. Elsewhere, AC Milan toppled Atalanta to finish in second.

In addition to their Champions League qualification, Juventus also claimed a Coppa Italia title in the final stretch of the season.

Further reading

Cyriel Dessers was on the scoresheet as Genk secured a 2-1 victory over Club Brugge in Sunday’s Belgian First Division A of the Championship playoff game.

The 26-year-old was afforded his sixth league start and seized the opportunity to find the back of the net in the encounter.

His compatriot Paul Onuachu, who has been in terrific form for the club this season, was an unused substitute in the outing.

Genk started the game on the back foot with Club Brugge dictating the pace and could have opened the scoring in the 34th minute when they were awarded a penalty but Hans Vanaken missed his strike from the spot.

The newly crowned champions paid for their miss as the Blue and White gradually build into the game and broke the deadlock moments after the hour mark through Bastien Toma.

Club Brugge then levelled proceedings in the 80th minute when Ruud Vormer fired his effort past goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt after he was set up by Tahith Chong.

With five minutes before time, Dessers scored the match-winning goal, converting from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area.

The Super Eagles centre-forward featured for the duration of the game in his 28thh league appearance of the season.

For Club Brugge, Senegal’s Youssouph Badji was on parade for 66 minutes before he was replaced by Tahith Chong while his teammate and Ivory Coast’s Odilon Kossounou featured for the entirety of the game.

With the victory, Genk finished the Championship group with 44 points to seal a place in the Champions League next season.

Dessers had previously lamented his limited game time as he is below his compatriot Onuachu in the pecking order, revealing he could leave Genk at the end of the season.

The attacker has now featured in 34 games this season, including 28 in the Belgian top-flight, bagging seven goals and three assists.

He teamed up with John van den Brom’s men last summer from Heracles Almelo, where he delivered eye-catching performances.

The attacker will hope to improve on his debut season with Genk when the 2021-22 campaign gets underway. 

Gareth Bale says that he knows where his future lies beyond the summer but that if he says anything now it will “cause chaos”.

Bale has spent the last season on loan at Tottenham from Real Madrid, though it is unclear whether he might stay with the Premier League club, return to Spain or move elsewhere.

The Wales star bagged a double for Spurs as they shocked Leicester 4-2 on the final day of the season on what may be his farewell appearance for the London club.

What did he say?

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It will happen after the Euros. I know what I'm doing but it will just cause chaos if I say anything.”

He was then asked when the decision will be revealed.

Bale said: “Whenever I decide.

“I am not thinking about anything, all I’m concentrating on now is obviously finishing this season off strong.

“We meet up straight away for the Euros and I’m not thinking about anything else other than Wales.”

Bale has struggled to find space at Real Madrid in recent months under Zinedine Zidane, with his attitude towards the club having been questioned in the media.

With a sizeable wage, Madrid may feel that they cannot afford to carry such a burden on a player who may not feature.

Further Reading

Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi featured prominently in Leicester City’s 4-2 defeat to Tottenham, but their contribution ultimately ended in disappointment on the last day of the 2020-21 Premier League season.

Needing a victory and hoping at least one of Chelsea or Liverpool drop points to secure a Champions League berth, the two Nigeria internationals - who played throughout the game - were unable to help the Foxes get the desired result.

Two goals from Jamie Vardy were not enough as a brace from Gareth Bale, a strike from Harry Kane and an own goal from Kasper Schmeichel ensured Spurs clinched all three points in the encounter.

The England international finished the campaign with 23 goals, one strike ahead of Salah to clinch the Golden Boot award for the third time.

It is the second consecutive time the Foxes missed out on a place in the Champions League on the last day of the Premier League.

Iheanacho and Ndidi have played significant roles for Leicester this season, helping them to win the FA Cup title.

Meanwhile, Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield, with Sadio Mane scoring the goals on the day. 

Mane put Jurgen Klopp’s men in front in the 36th minute before completing his brace with a fine strike after he was set up by Salah, his 11th goal of the league campaign.

The victory secured the Reds a dramatic third place on the standings, having been 10 points behind Leicester with 10 games to go.

Elsewhere, Nicolas Pepe scored twice to help Arsenal secure a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.

The Ivory Coast international found the back of the net in the 49th minute before completing his brace on the hour mark.

The effort ensured the Gunners secure all three points and ended the campaign in the eighth spot on the table, finishing with 61 points from 38 games.

In another game, Bertrand Traore scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season to help Aston Villa stun Edouard Mendy‘s Chelsea 2-1.

The Burkina Faso international broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute after both sides had struggled to hit the back of the net.

The Blues then suffered a blow in the 46th minute when Senegal international Mendy suffered an injury and was replaced. 

Anwar El-Ghazi then doubled the lead which was enough to seal the victory for Dean Smith's men despite a strike from Ben Chilwell.

Riyad Mahrez and Alex Iwobi were on parade as Manchester City demolished Everton 5-0 at Etihad Stadium.

The Algeria international set up Kevin De Bruyne to open the scoring in the 11th minute and played for 65 minutes before he was replaced by Sergio Aguero.

Iwobi made a second-half appearance in the encounter after he was brought on for Abdoulaye Doucoure moments before the hour mark.

The Nigeria international was not involved in the Toffees’ victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

While Mahrez ended the campaign with 14 goals and nine assists, Iwobi scored twice and set up three others in 36 appearances across all competitions.

Bertrand Traore has set a Chelsea record having found the net in Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory over the Stamford Bridge giants on Sunday evening.

The Burkina Faso international became the 25th different player to score a Premier League goal against the Blues having previously represented them in the tournament.

In the last game of the 2020-21 campaign staged at Villa Park, Traore gave Dean Smith’s men a first-half lead thanks to his 43rd-minute effort.

The former Chelsea man was unmarked as he directed Matt Targett's low corner kick into the box. Although he scuffed his first-time shot into the ground, it looped over the dive of Edouard Mendy and sailed in off the crossbar.  
That is his seventh goal in 36 Premier League games since joining the Birmingham-based outfit from Olympique Lyon on September 19, 2020, for an undisclosed fee.

With that, no team has had more former players score against the Blues and Tottenham Hotspur in the history of the English top flight.

Also, the 25-year-old had a hand in the hosts’ second goal of the evening having been tripped by Jorginho in the box as referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the penalty spot.

Anwar El-Ghazi stepped up and calmly sent Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way to give the Lions a two-goal lead.

In the 70th minute, Ben Chilwell reduced the deficit for Thomas Tuchel’s men courtesy of an assist from Christian Pulisic.

After an impressive shift, Traore was substituted for England youth international of Nigerian descent Carney Chukwuemeka in the 73rd minute.

“It is normally hard to create chances and score against Aston Villa, but we created a lot of chances, a lot of half-chances, many, many deliveries,” Tuchel told Chelsea website after the game.

“It was the story of the season. We needed many clean sheets to overcome this lack of composure and precision.

“We conceded two goals from set-pieces out of nothing and made it hard to come back, but we even then we had enough chances to come back.”

Even at the defeat, Chelsea secured Champions League football next season while Villa finished 11th, to sign off an impressive season in style.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers says it is a “huge disappointment” for his side that they failed to reach the Champions League next season.

The Foxes had a top-four spot in their hands but lost successive matches against Chelsea and Tottenham.

Indeed, Leicester would have finished in the top four had they overcome Spurs at home on the final day, but they suffered a 4-2 loss, having twice led through Jamie Vardy penalties.

What was said?

Speaking to the BBC, Rodgers said: "It's hugely disappointing for us. We fought so hard all season. I always said you’re judged after 38 games and unfortunately we couldn’t quite make it.

"I have nothing but pride and admiration for the players. They've constantly had things go against them with injuries. If you look at the importance of the players out today, we were able to take it down to the last game and the last 15 minutes.

"The biggest factor [in losing Wesley Fofana] is we lose that extra height and prescence in set-piece moments. Usually we have Jonny [Evans] and Wesley, good presence and we conceded from two set-pieces.

"I said to the players before the game we’ve been playing non-stop - except for 21 days - for two years. When we started work together we were mid-table and just over two years later we’re challenging the elite and won the FA Cup for the first time in our history and we’re on the right path without the resources [of other teams].

"I have nothing but pride. The ownership have given me amazing support. The players have given me their heart and souls every day. I’m so disappointed for them we couldn't get over the line.

"The fans pushed us through in the FA Cup final. It's brilliant to have them back in again and sorry we couldn’t get over the line. We’ll prepare even harder for next season.

"I’ve always said the other scores are not relevant. You have to look after your own score and unfortunately we couldn't.

"We need a period to go away and recover and relax a little bit. Premier League management is intense. We have work to do to improve the squad and come back early July motivated."

Further Reading

Harry Kane has won the Premier League Golden Boot for the third time, with the Tottenham striker notching 23 goals for the season.

The England captain finished a single strike ahead of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, sealing his success with a final-day strike against Leicester in a 3-2 win.

With Spurs trailing 1-0 and needing inspiration, Kane fired an equaliser via a powerful volley that passed through the legs of home goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Kane’s Golden Boot pedigree

Kane has passed the 20-goal mark in the Premier League for the fifth time in the last seven years, though the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.

His 23 goals mark his fourth best haul in England’s top flight, though he has won the Golden Boot only twice previously. He achieved the feat in 2016-17, when he scored 29 times in 30 outings and replicated his achievement the following season when he hit the 30-goal mark for the first and so far only time in his career, albeit from seven additional matches.

Kane’s hat-trick of Golden Boots put him up there with the best strikers the Premier League has to offer in its history. Alan Shearer won the award on three occasions, while the duo are only surpassed by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

With rumours circulating over his future, though, this may be the last time that Kane turns out for Tottenham in the Premier League.

Further Reading

Premier League top scorers 2020-21: Kane wins Golden Boot

Golden Shoe 2020-21: Europe's leading scorers

Manchester United star Juan Mata admits he still does not know whether he has a future at the club - but he is not looking any further than Wednesday's Europa League final against Villarreal. 

Mata enjoyed a rare start for the Red Devils on Sunday and marked the occasion by scoring from the spot before being replaced by teenager Hannibal Mejbri towards the end of his side's 2-1 victory over Wolves. 

But after seven and a half seasons at Old Trafford, it is unclear whether the Spain international will renew his contract beyond this summer. 

What was said? 

"I don't know," the midfielder said to  BT Sport  when asked whether he would stay with United. 

"In three days we have a very important game which is where my mind is. I still feel I can play good football.

"It is not the moment now to speak about it. I know what I want, I am happy with how I feel physically and mentally and I am still happy to play football for some years."

Solskjaer's opinion

"We are talking to Juan," United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer indicated to  BT Sport  after the final whistle.

"It is a bit what he wants as well. I don't give him enough game time but he such a professional and top quality. We will have a discussion."

Solskjaer also registered his happiness with a much-changed United side on Sunday, with the Reds ultimately finishing five points clear of third-placed Liverpool in second.

"Very happy. Proud of them. They took the ball well, created chances and got the win they deserved," he added, while referencing his team's unbeaten away record throughout the 2020-21 season.

"Our home form then hasn't been the greatest but what an achievement. To go a season undefeated away is something to be proud of."

Further reading 

Achraf Hakimi was in action as Inter Milan ended the 2020-21 Serie A season with a 5-1 demolition of Udinese on Sunday.

The 22-year-old was handed his 29th league appearance and made a significant contribution to help Antonio Conte’s men end the campaign in style.

Inter raced into the lead as early as the eighth minute when Ashley Young found the back of the net after pouncing on a loose ball.

The Black and Blues continued to dominate possession and got their second goal of the encounter moments before the end of the first half through Christian Eriksen.

After the restart, Inter continued to dominate proceedings and Lautaro Martinez further increased their lead in the 55th minute, converting from the penalty spot.

Ivan Perisic then fired a fine shot past goalkeeper Juan Musso after a brilliant combination with Matias Vecino before Romelu Lukaku sealed the victory for Inter, rendering Roberto Pereyra’s 79th-minute effort a mere consolation.

Hakimi featured for 57 minutes before he was replaced by Perisic and made two tackles, completed one dribble as part of his contribution in the encounter.

The wing-back teamed up with the Black and Blues last summer from Real Madrid after impressing on loan with Borussia Dortmund.

The versatile full-back was one of the consistent players for Inter as they won the Serie A title for the 19th time in their history.

Hakimi has made 46 appearances for Inter Milan this season across all competitions, including 37 in the Italian top-flight.

The Morocco international found the back of the net seven times and provided 10 assists, amid other dazzling displays.

The defender is also a prominent member of the Atlas Lions and recently helped the North African country qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

He has made 34 appearances for Morocco since his debut against Canada in an international friendly in October 2016.

Title contenders KCB picked an impressive 3-0 win over Bandari in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League tie at Utalii Ground on Sunday to go top of the table.

David Simiyu, Thomas Harun and Derrick Otanga scored the three goals that helped the Bankers move above Tusker.

The Bankers opened the score in the 15th minute when Simiyu picked Reagan Otieno's pass and beat Justin Ndikumana in Bandari's goal. Vincent Wasambo should have made it 2-0 in the 22nd minute but he wasted a clear chance from close range.

Brian Odera of KCB was the first player to be yellow-carded after a sliding tackle on an opponent in the 26th minute. A minute later, KCB added the second goal when Thomas slotted past Ndikumana from close range. Bandari had to make a change at the half-hour mark when Umaru Kasumba was introduced for Brian Odera. 

Simiyu thought he had grabbed a brace in the 32nd minute but his header was ruled out for offside. Joseph Okoth denied Bandari their first open chance in the 36th minute when he parried over a free-kick taken by William Wadri.

Zedekiah Otieno made a change for the Bankers in the 57th minute as he replaced Wasambo with Samuel Mwangi. Two minutes after the change, Baraka Badi became the second player for the KCB side to be cautioned with a yellow card. Reagan Otieno came close to making it 3-0 with a 61st-minute attempt that went off target slightly.

Danson Chetambe and Benjamin Mosha were withdrawn for Yema Mwana and Darius Msagha in the 63rd minute as Bandari made more changes in an attempt to contain the dominant opponent. KCB's Otieno made changes again with the introduction of Martin Nderitu, Michael Oduor and Otanga in place of Simiyu, Otieno and Henry Onyango.

Otanga scored the third for the home side in the 83rd minute and he was assisted to score by Oduor who came onto the pitch at the same time.  Poor handling of the ball by Ndikumana made Otanga's work easier as the goalkeeper conceded the third goal of the game.

Meanwhile, at Sudi Stadium in Bungoma, Nzoia Sugar and Mathare United shared the spoils courtesy of a 2-2 draw.

Gabriel Wandera and Hillary Simiyu scored for the Sugar Millers while Klinsmann Omulanga and John Mwangi were the scorers for Frank Ouna’s charges.