After a series of delays, the Estadio Nacional was finally delivered on Saturday in Brasilia, but the venue is far from completed and organisers find themselves racing against time to get it ready by 15 June, when Brazil faces Japan in the Confederations Cup opener.

Local officials said the stadium was not finalised before the inauguration, when about three per cent of the work was yet to be completed. Only about 20,000 people were allowed at the venue on Saturday, when two local clubs played the inaugural match after Brazil president Dilma Rousseff participated in the ceremonial kick-off.

"It was a success, but this week some adjustments will be needed," said Claudio Monteiro, the government official in charge of Brasilia's 2014 FIFA World Cup preparations. "I know there were some problems, but this was our first test, I believe that we did OK and we will improve."

The final test event is scheduled for Sunday, when the venue will be open to more than 70,000 fans for the match between traditional clubs Santos and Flamengo in the first round of the Brazilian league.

Fans complained there were no locks in the restroom doors, said that some areas had visible water leaks and noted that cell phone coverage inside the stadium was inefficient. Infrastructure work outside the stadium also remained underway. Fans also faced traffic jams and huge lines to get into the venue.

"Traffic near the stadium was one of the difficulties we faced, but for Sunday's match we will try to make it easier for the supporters," Monteiro said.

FIFA originally wanted three test events in each of the six Confederations Cup venues, but it had to make exceptions because of a series of delays in stadium construction. The Maracana Stadium, which will host the Confederations Cup final on 30 June, also will only host one full test event open to the public.

The Brasilia venue was delayed because of a problem with the pitch installation. Local authorities said there could be irreversible damage to the playing field if the stadium's opening wasn't moved forward. They blamed excessive rain in the region for the disruption of the installation schedule.

The stadium is one of the most expensive venues built in Brazil. It is also one of the most criticised, with many saying that it will become a 'white elephant' after the World Cup because the city has no teams in top leagues. On Saturday, there were a few people protesting the excessive costs for the venue and for the World Cup in general.

Next year, Brazil will host the World Cup for the first time since 1950. The country will also be home to the 2016 Rio Olympics.

The Brasilia stadium, called locally as the Mane Garrincha stadium, will host just the opener in the Confederations Cup, but will be the venue for seven matches in the World Cup.

Hearts faced a potential 18-point penalty, which would have sent it below bottom club Dundee, if the SPL board decided its financial fair play rules had been breached by UBIG's financial difficulties.

UBIG was listed on a Lithuanian government website on Thursday as being among a number of insolvent companies after the investment firm reportedly declared itself unable to meet its liabilities.

But with no evidence of an official legal application to go into administration, Hearts is safe - for the time being.

Hearts could still face action if the situation develops in Lithuania but the points deduction would take effect next season unless new information emerges about what happened last week, which appears highly unlikely.

But its immediate safety was signalled by a short SPL statement which read: "The board are not satisfied, on the basis of information currently available to it, that an insolvency event (as defined by SPL rules) occurred in respect of UBIG during season 2012-2013."

SPL chairman Ralph Topping later added: "We acted on the information that was available to us.

"That's not to say that other information will not come forward in the next few days or weeks ahead but we can only deal with what we have got at the moment and, on that basis, there is no insolvency event under our rules.

"We will need to see what develops on this situation, if indeed anything develops.

"You can appreciate the issues that are involved. We are dealing with Lithuania; we are dealing with Lithuanian law; we are dealing with interpretation of what's happened over there and looking at it from the perspective of our rules.

"It's good news at the moment. With everything in Scottish football, there is temporary respite."

As Topping alluded to, Hearts is by no means safe in the long run.

The club could face a 15-point deduction next term - one third of this season's total - if UBIG's insolvency is confirmed in the coming days and weeks.

However, the SPL rules are far from clear about the effect of an owner's insolvency, with a complicated clause relating to the reputation and integrity of the league plus the relationship between club and owner.

UBIG, which owns about four-fifths of Hearts, previously funded the club heavily but the Tynecastle outfit has been run on a self-sufficient basis since early last year.

More worrying in the long term for Hearts fans is the knock-on effect of the financial collapse of UBIG and Ukio Bankas, another firm associated with Vladimir Romanov, who was effectively the man controlling Hearts before his personal finances crumbled in recent months.

Hearts's £25 million ($38.89 million) debt is owed to both companies and the bank is appealing against a bankruptcy order.

Despite major cutbacks, which are continuing this northern summer, and being non-reliant on funds from Lithuania, Hearts could itself be forced into administration if its debt is called in by Lithuanian insolvency practitioners.

The club survived a winding-up order before Christmas over a £450,000 ($699,936) tax bill, but only because fans pumped in more than £1 million ($1.56 million) through a share issue, which was effectively a means for which fans could donate money to rescue the club.

The club then agreed a repayment plan for a separate £1.6 million ($2.49 million) tax bill, the first instalment of which has been paid.

Allegri steered Milan to third spot and a place in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, but his future remains uncertain, with speculation of a move to Roma after criticism from club owner and former Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi.

Galliani said: "I will listen to Allegri on Wednesday, understand what he wants to do and then together with the president we will make a decision in light of what the coach thinks."

Allegri, who has a year left on his contract, has led Milan to a first, second and third-place finish in his three years at the club.

This season's third-place finish came despite losing an entire squad's worth of top players last northern summer.

The 24-year-old moved to Old Trafford from Dortmund last northern summer, but has been far from a first-team regular and even then has often had to play out of position.

The departure of Kagawa is part of a pattern for Dortmund coach Klopp, who this season has seen Mario Gotze agree to join UEFA Champions League final opponent Bayern Munich, with Robert Lewandowski looking likely to follow.

Klopp told the Guardian: "Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United - on the left wing! My heart breaks. Really, I have tears in my eyes. Central midfield is Shinji's best role. He's an offensive midfielder with one of the best noses for goal I ever saw.

"But for most Japanese people it means more to play for Man United than Dortmund. We cried for 20 minutes, in each others' arms, when he left.

"One year before that Nuri Sahin went because Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world. If players are patient enough we can develop the team into one of the biggest in the world."

His side's run to the Champions League final has brought Klopp to the attention of some of the world's biggest clubs, but for now he is happy at Dortmund.

He said: "In this moment I don't think of anything else.

"If I went to many clubs now and said: 'Hello - bring me offers', maybe some would start running. But I'm not interested because, for me, this is the most interesting football project in the world.

"In three or four years, if someone wants me, we can speak. But, for now, this is the best place for me."

The court on Monday overturned 'in totality' an appeals court sentencing in November when Rapid Bucharest chairman George Copos, Dinamo Bucharest executive chairman Cristi Borcea and agents Ioan Becali and Victor Becali were sentenced to between five and eight years. The officials all appealed.

The appeals court will now retry the case, which involves players who transferred from Dinamo, Rapid, Otelul Galati and Gloria Bistrita to foreign clubs from 1999 to 2005.

Prosecutors said the state lost 1.7 million euros ($2.23 million) in taxes and the clubs lost 10 million euros ($13.14 million) because the officials registered fictitious sums in the books.

"Eriksson is one of the candidates," said Chen Jie, a spokeswoman for Guangzhou R&F, based in the capital of the boom southern province of Guangdong.

"The club is currently in talks with him, however (the appointment) has not been finalised yet," she told AFP, adding the club's new coach would be announced at a yet to be confirmed date in the future.

The appointment would put Eriksson in the same city as former Italy coach Marcello Lippi, who has been boss of rival Guangzhou Evergrande since last May and led it to last season's China Super League championship.

Guangzhou R&F - the initials stand for 'rich and force' - finished seventh in the competition.

Eriksson has had a stellar career as a coach for several European sides, including Lazio, which he steered to Italy's Serie A championship in 2000.

He then took charge of England, guiding the Three Lions to the FIFA World Cup finals in 2002 and 2006. His last game in charge was England's penalty shootout defeat to Portugal in the quarter-final of the tournament eventually won by Lippi's Italy.

Eriksson returned to club management with English Premier League Manchester City in 2007. He left after just a year in charge and had a spell in charge of the Mexico national side before taking Cote d'Ivoire to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals.

The Cameroon football association said in April that it was considering Eriksson for the job of national coach.

McGlinchey said the major difference between the two sides in the first leg of the tie at Bluetongue Stadium on Wednesday was the speed with which Guangzhou Evergrande moved the ball into attack off Central Coast turnovers.

Guangzhou Evergrande won the game 2-1 and the return leg will be played in front of a packed house at Guangzhou Sports Centre on Wednesday.

“They were great in transition,” McGlinchey said. “That’s their strength.

“We put in a good performance and had enough chances to score goals and even win the game, but when you come up against a quality side like that you’ve got to be very careful about how you manage the ball.

“They are very quick at making something happen out of nothing. Obviously, the best thing would be to avoid turning the ball over, but it happens and when it does we’ve got to be more alert and react quicker to the danger.

“We’ve got to be disciplined when we’ve got the ball and we’ve got to get behind it when they’ve got it. We’ve got to try to suffocate them when they’ve got possession.”

Despite the fact the Mariners lost the first leg, it was one of their best performances at ACL level. It was a fast-paced, high-quality game against a very strong opponent and they could have easily emerged from it with at least a well-earned draw.

The big-name players in the Guangzhou Evergrande side made the difference in the end, but McGlinchey said the Mariners had travelled to China optimistic about their chances of getting the result they need to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Central Coast must score two goals just to put themselves in the picture and if Guangzhou Evergrande score even just one goal it will become a mountain for the Mariners to climb.

“We stepped up to the level in last week’s game,” McGlinchey said. “It was a fantastic game to play in - apart from the result.

“The increased speed of the game meant you had to concentrate hard, because you never had a lot of time on the ball.

“And if you gave it away it was very hard to get it back.”

McGlinchey said his aim in the return leg is to apply more pressure when he had the ball.

“I want to take the defender on a bit more,” he said.

McGlinchey paid tribute to veteran Mariners central defender Patrick Zwaanswijk, who will retire after this match.

Zwaanswijk, 38, made his name in Dutch football, and after a stint in Japan he has finished off a terrific career with three years at the Mariners.

“Patrick came over at 35 and managed to produce three seasons of high-quality football for us,” McGlinchey said. “He’s been one of our best players this season.

“We’ll try as hard as we can to send him off the right way.”

Atletico, brandishing the trophy it won in dramatic fashion, is making a whistle-stop visit despite still being involved in Spain's La Liga, in which it will play its penultimate game this weekend.

"The first thing to do is to rest and sleep," cautioned coach Diego Simeone, at a packed press conference where he appeared next to the gleaming trophy.

"It's a very good feeling to have the feeling of winning two days ago and here, two days after, in Singapore on a high note."

Atletico will play a Singapore select team on the artificial turf of the wealthy, Southeast Asian city-state's 8,000-capacity Jalan Besar Stadium on Wednesday.

It has enjoyed a heady weekend, after it won 2-1 against Real - whose coach Jose Mourinho and star player Cristiano Ronaldo were both sent off - and went on an open-top bus parade in front of thousands of fans in central Madrid.

"It's a dream come true after such a good season," captain Gabriel Fernandez said of the win against Real. Atletico has also secured third place in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real.

"The team achieved a good position and this is the best way to end the season, beating our arch-rivals Real Madrid in the King's (Spanish) Cup. All the players were very happy to finish the season on a high note."

Atletico, whose prolific striker Radamel Falcao is attracting strong interest from other clubs, is at the head of the queue this year as the some of Europe's best teams head east to bolster their ranks of Asian fans.

Barcelona and Manchester United, the champions of Spain and England respectively, and Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all expected to draw large crowds to their friendly games and publicity sessions in the coming weeks.

Manchester United will play its first games under new coach David Moyes, while Arsenal will break new ground by becoming the first English Premier League team to play in Vietnam.

Brondby, the 10-times league champion which has previously played in the UEFA Cup semi-finals and European Cup quarter-finals, went into its last game just two points above its opponent, which occupied the second relegation place.

When it had Quincy Antipas sent off with almost 20 minutes remaining and the game goalless, the door appeared open for Horsens to snatch a winner.

But it was Brondby which won the game in the last minute, Lebogang Phiri scoring a goal which finally eased the nerves of the travelling fans.

Champion FC Copenhagen ended its campaign with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Sonderjyske.

Igor Vetokele put Copenhagen ahead in the 37th minute but Niels Lodberg equalised early in the second half before Copenhagen had Claudemir sent off.

It still finished the season five points clear of second-placed Nordsjaelland, which beat Esbjerg 1-0 thanks to Conor O'Brien's first-half goal.

Third-placed Randers conceded a last-minute equaliser as it was held 2-2 by AaB.

Nicklas Helenius gave the Aalborg side an early lead but Ronnie Schwartz equalised and Lasse Nielsen's own goal put Randers ahead, only for Rasmus Thelander to salvage a point late on.

Midtjylland came from a goal down with eight minutes remaining to beat AGF Aarhus 3-2.

Petter Andersson gave Midtjylland a lead which was overhauled by Davit Skhirtladze and Anders Kure, but Sylvester Igboun Emeka equalised and Erik Sviatchenko grabbed a last-minute winner.

Relegated Silkeborg came from behind on three occasions to draw 3-3 away to Odense, which finished one place above the drop zone after being overtaken by Brondby.

Odense led at half-time through Darko Bodul and, after Marvin Pourie's equaliser, Marcus Pedersen restored the lead.

Anders Moller Christensen's own goal levelled matters with six minutes remaining but was only the prelude to a finish which saw Morten Skoubo make it 3-2 and fellow substitute Christian Holst equalise in the last minute.

The visitor had the chance to climb to the summit with a win after leader Newell's Old Boys' 1-1 draw with Quilmes over the weekend.

But it could not find a way past Tigre and instead stayed second, one point behind Newell's with five matches to play.

The Chinese domestic double-winner holds a 2-1 advantage from last week's round-of-16 first leg, when goals from Lucas Barrios and Muriqui secured a stylish win in Gosford.

Attractive, free-flowing football, inspired by its South American attack, has made well-heeled Guangzhou - the 'Manchester United of Asia', according to Mariners assistant coach Phil Moss - many people's favourite for the title.

But on Wednesday, Central Coast will do its utmost to deny the Chinese team and dash Lippi's hopes of adding to his career coaching haul of one FIFA World Cup, one UEFA Champions League trophy and five Serie A titles with Juventus.

"There's no hiding the fact that it's going to be tough, but they are at home and they've got all the pressure on them - they're expected to win the AFC Champions League," said Mariners coach Graham Arnold.

"We've got to go out and put in our best performance. We're 90 minutes away from reaching the last eight in Asia and that's the way we've got to look at it."

Guangzhou, which reached the quarter-finals on debut last year, warmed up with a 4-1 win on Saturday over Liaoning Whowin - China's last Asian champion, in 1990 - while the Mariners are in post-season after claiming the Australian title in April.

South Korea's Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, the only previous Champions League winner still standing, also has an uphill battle against Japanese team Kashiwa Reysol after going down 2-0 at home last week.

Thailand's unheralded Buriram United is tantalisingly close to the quarter-finals after shocking Uzbek giant Bunyodkor 2-1 in the first leg last week.

And South Korean champion FC Seoul faces a nerve-jangling evening on Tuesday when it hosts China's Beijing Guoan, with the scores deadlocked at 0-0 from last week.

Among the other fixtures, Saudi Arabia's Al Shabab holds a 2-1 advantage over Al Gharafa, and Iran's Esteghlal looks home and dry after scoring four away goals in its 4-2 win over Al Shabab Al Arabi of the UAE.

The injured England skipper, who watched his side's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers from the stands, pointed to 'Champions League form' since January as an indicator fortunes were on the up and worthy of renewed optimism.

After defeat at Manchester United on 13 January, Brendan Rodgers' side took 30 points from 16 league matches, winning eight and losing just twice.

During that spell it scored 36 goals to improve its goal difference to +28 - 20 better than last season as it finished one place higher in seventh.

The gap to fourth place was closed to 12 points from 17 a year ago and Gerrard is confident greater strides can be made in 2013-2014.

"Since January this team has shown a better level of consistency," said the 32-year-old, who missed the last two matches of the campaign after shoulder surgery.

"We've shown Champions League form and there is a lot of optimism and positives to take into next season.

"Our target at the beginning of the season was fourth (place) and we have not delivered that - as players we need to take responsibility for that.

"We finished seventh in the league so there certainly needs to be a bit done.

"The preparation starts now for next year. I am sure the manager and staff are already preparing.

"All the other teams will strengthen and we can't afford to be left behind.

"I am sure the manager is already thinking about where he needs to strengthen the squad to make up that gap so we compete with the top four."

Liverpool's tally of 61 points was an improvement of nine on last season and would have been even better but for a run of four draws - three of which were goalless - in five matches.

But the fact remains that in matches against the six teams above it the Reds recorded just one victory (at home to Tottenham Hotspur) in 12 attempts.

"I think it has been a mixed bag: at times we have played some superb football, we've put in some fantastic performances both home and away but we've struggled a little bit with consistency," added Gerrard.

"So us players need to dust ourselves down and try to make amends next year. There are certainly big positives to take.

"It's down to us to continue what we've done in the last couple of months, take that into next season and try to improve."

Gerrard expects to be fully recovered from an operation on his left shoulder he had just over a week ago by the time the players return for pre-season training in early July.

"The surgery went well and the surgeon is really happy," he added.

"I've gained a couple of weeks by going in slightly earlier and I'll be ready to join the lads at the start of July."

Another positive to take into next season is the progress made by the club's academy youngsters.

Winger Jordon Ibe made his full debut against QPR and provided the assist for Philippe Coutinho's third goal in 13 appearances since joining in January.

"I thought I did okay, especially getting an assist for Coutinho's goal and helping the club win three points," the 17-year-old told LFC TV.

"The manager told me that I did well, I just need to keep pressing and stay compact.

"I feel very confident because I've got a little bit of experience so I know what it takes to play here.

"Hopefully I can build on that and take it into the new season."

Goalkeeper Jose Reina, whose continued stay at Anfield will be the subject of plenty of speculation this northern summer with former club Barcelona reportedly interested, happily spoke about the future.

"I think we're building. We've been improving a little bit, especially in the second part of the season," said the Spain international.

"We have to keep that in mind and build on that second half.

"I think we are not far away from the top four spots and hopefully we'll only be better next season."

The Germany international has missed the second half of the season after tearing his ligaments back in December and his recovery suffered a setback when he tore the very same ligaments in training.

He had only commenced light work at the end of April and now must undergo surgery once again, meaning another break of up to six months.

"Of course we will give him all the time in the world to get healthy again," said Sammer.

"We are optimistic. I am certain that he will come back stronger than ever."

The 24-year-old will go under the knife in Colorado this week in the clinic of renowned surgeon Dr Richard Steadman.

His last appearance was in a 1-1 draw with Borussia Dortmund on 2 December.

The 68-year-old, who scored 35 goals in 42 appearances for Italy, was part of the 1968 European championship-winning side and finished as a runner-up in the 1970 FIFA World Cup in Mexico.

Better known as Gigi Riva, he made his international youth debut in 1963, meaning his decision to step down due to health concerns ends half-a-century of supporting Italy's cause.

He told the Italian Football Federation's official website: "I'm leaving the Azzurri behind after 50 years. Physically, I can't do it anymore.

"I've already explained my decision to president (Giancarlo) Abete and director general (Antonello) Valentini, and it gives me enormous pleasure that they would like to see me stay on.

"Abete wanted me to stay until next year's World Cup, but because the pain in my hip and shoulder make it uncomfortable for me to travel, I couldn't consent."

Injury blighted much of Riva's career with a broken leg ruling him out of the 1966 FIFA World Cup in England before he ruptured a tendon playing for Cagliari in 1976, forcing an early retirement two years later.

However, Riva had won the Serie A title with Cagliari in 1970, for which he scored 164 goals, and the Sardinian club decided to retire his famous number 11 shirt in 2005.

Abete said: "We want him with us at the World Cup. Riva cannot be replaced, the spot is his and we will leave it open for him."

Marin said in Singapore on Monday that it's up to Falcao to decide whether to say at Atletico - the newly-crowned Copa del Rey champion - but the club would support him no matter what he chooses.

Marin said that with 'every decision he will take, Atletico will be with him'.

In recent weeks, the 27-year-old striker has been linked with possible moves to Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Monaco and Real Madrid.

Ahead of the Copa del Rey final, Falcao denied reports he was considering going to another team, saying he was focused only on winning a title for Atletico.

The 38-year-old goalkeeper saw the curtain come down on his Magpies career as he made his 199th appearance for the club in a 1-0 Premier League defeat by Arsenal.

Harper's relative lack of action over two decades is due in part to the brilliance of Shay Given and Tim Krul, but their loyal deputy can count UEFA Champions League football and an FA Cup final start amongst his achievements.

He will look on from afar next season as he enters a new phase of his career, and the club which has become a huge part of his life will never be far from his thoughts.

Harper said: "Wouldn't it be typical if they go and win something after my 20 years here?

"But I'll be there cheering them on - provided I'm not playing against them, obviously.

"It would be fantastic. All this club needs now is a trophy and it would be an amazing day - and one where I would be there in amongst it celebrating."

The departing Harper spoke to the team-mates he is leaving behind in the dressing after the game on what proved an emotional day for him, and his message was clear.

He said: "The manager presented me with a big montage of the 20 years and they all took the mickey a little bit about some of the pictures.

"Twenty years at this club does that to you, that's all I could say.

"I just said to the lads, 'You have seen today what a great football club this is. All people want to see is people pulling on that shirt and giving their all day in, day out for this club, which is what I have done and that's the response you get'.

"Hopefully the lads will respond to that next season."

There were signs of a response as Arsenal, which needed to win to ensure a top-four finish and the chance to secure a 16th successive season of Champions League football, had things far from its own way.

It ultimately prevailed after Laurent Koscielny stabbed a 52nd-minute shot past the helpless Harper seven minutes after the break.

The keeper said: "I was disappointed we lost the game, but it was a much better performance. We owed the fans a response.

"We were playing against a very good team, a very hungry team and we contained them pretty well.

"We were compact and organised, which is something I tried to help by being multi-lingual on a football pitch, and the lads responded well.

"Sadly, we didn't start the second half very well and Arsenal got their goal and hung on to it because we had them under pressure a little late on."

But if the result was not what Harper would have wanted on his big day, everything else was, and he was close to tears when the clock ticked into the 37th-minute - his shirt number - and St James' rose to acclaim a stalwart.

He said: "Somebody said it might happen, but you are concentrating on the game that much, you forget about it. And then that happens and it was quite incredible.

"I started to get a little bit wobbly then and I had a one v one with [Lukas] Podolski and he smashed the ball between my legs, and that sobered me right up and got me out of that little pickle I was in.

"But it was incredible. It's something I will never, ever forget and I will certainly cherish that moment."

Defeat left Newcastle in 16th place in the table, a far cry from its ambitions when it set out in August knowing a repeat of its top-five heroics would be difficult, but never suspecting how far it might slip off the pace.

Manager Alan Pardew will spend the northern summer attempting to strengthen his squad for a fresh assault, but Harper will be seeking a new employer.

Asked about his plans, he said: "Hopefully still involved playing. I am not ruling out a coaching role as well, but I would like to keep on playing.

"I feel in good nick, the body has held up well - hopefully Sunday reminded a few people that there's life in the old dog yet.

"Certainly another year of playing before going on to the other side of it."

The squad and the backroom staff boarded an open-top bus at Wigan's Christopher Park training ground before making the way into the Market Place, where thousands of supporters were waiting.

Relegation from the Premier League certainly had not dampened the spirits of Latics fans as they once again revelled in the shock 1-0 victory over Manchester City nine days ago that earned Wigan the first major trophy in the club's history.

So many people crowded into the Market Place that the bus had trouble getting through, but when the squad finally did make it on to the stage, there was only one message the fans wanted to get across.

As Martinez took the microphone, he had to ask the crowd to quieten down as the chant of, 'Roberto Martinez, we want you to stay', filled the air.

The Spaniard, who first joined the club in 1995 as player and has been manager for the last four years, is the favourite to take over from David Moyes at Everton, while he has also been linked with the Malaga post in his home country.

When he was able to speak, he said to the crowd: "Let me tell you two things. One - we are the FA Cup winners. Two - we've got a special group of players and backroom staff that make Wigan Athletic proud.

"And without your support that would never happen, so we want to thank you from the heart."

Martinez is scheduled to meet with chairman Dave Whelan in a week's time to discuss his future as Wigan prepares for its first season back in the Championship after eight years in the top flight.

There will be significant changes to the playing squad as well, but winning the FA Cup is likely to remain the pinnacle for many of them.

Club captain Gary Caldwell said: "It's incredible to see so many people come out. For the town it's a great day and the boys will remember this for the rest of their lives."

While Mark Schwarzer and Brett Holman have carried the flag for a dwindling Aussie contingent this season, there's no guarantee either will remain in arguably the world's top league in 2013-2014.

Schwarzer is yet to renew his contact at Fulham and Holman appears on the outer at Villa, suggesting he could be set for a move in the off-season.

With goalkeeper Adam Federici and his club Reading relegated back to the Championship, it raises the possibility of an Australian contingent severely lacking in first team players next season.

Squad players Brad Jones (Liverpool) and Chris Herd (Aston Villa) remain on contract with their clubs while youngsters Curtis Good (Newcastle United), Ryan Williams (Fulham) and Dylan Tombides (West Ham United) are on the books but none have made senior appearances.

Crystal Palace captain Mile Jedinak could become a new addition in the Premier League, with his side fighting for promotion in the Championship play-off against Watford, while even if it loses he is likely to be on the radar of several Premier League teams.

His arrival in the top flight would be a welcome boost for an Australian contingent that has been in steady decline in recent years.

Midway through last decade it was almost possible to assemble an entire team from Australians playing in the top flight.

Then names including Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill, Craig Moore, Tony Popovic and Josip Skoko - all first team regulars.

Preceding them in the 90s were the likes of Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater while more recently Everton star Tim Cahill and Blackburn Rovers' Brett Emerton carried Australia's proud tradition in the league with sustained success.

Schwarzer, a legend of the Premier League who recently became the first foreigner to surpass 500 appearances, lamented the decline but noted it was good to see Australians making their mark elsewhere in Europe.

"It's definitely sad to see, without a doubt," Schwarzer told AAP.

"I think it (England) is still one of the best leagues in the world and I think the more we have playing in the Premier League the better.

"But it's also good to see some of the guys breaking through like Robbie Kruse in Germany and Tommy Oar in Holland.

"It would be nice if these guys, especially Tommy, were able to step up and get up to a bigger league and a better league and become a mainstay in the national team."

Schwarzer said the A-League had now provided a strong platform for young players to secure moves overseas, noting the recent example of Tom Rogic's move from Central Coast Mariners to Celtic.

But he encouraged more players to seek moves to Europe rather than taking the big money on offer in Asia.

Schwarzer, 40, will play on in his bid to feature at a third successive FIFA World Cup for Australia but he admits his future may lie away from Fulham.

He says he's yet to be offered a new contract and is likely to seek assurances of being first-choice gloveman wherever he plays.

Holman endured a frustrating debut season in the Premier League and was not even on the bench for Paul Lambert's side 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic on the weekend.

While Lambert has claimed Holman has a future at Villa, the Socceroos star may want to pursue a move to ensure more game time.

Seven years ago, Merrick's Melbourne Victory finished second to bottom in the inaugural A-League - one place ahead of wooden spoon-winning New Zealand Knights.

The following season, Victory won the league with four games remaining and went on to take out the grand final with a 6-0 win over Adelaide United.

The Scotland-born 60-year-old, whose last job was as Hong Kong's national coach, went on to win the title again in 2009 with Victory.

That experience leaves Merrick confident of revitalising Phoenix after the Ricki Herbert-coached side slumped to last place in the 10-team A-League last season.

He's clear on the areas which need improvement, and on the strategies needed for Phoenix to start playing an attractive, possession-based game.

A high-quality defender is near the top of his wish-list, followed closely by a creative midfield that can improve transition onto attack, as well as another speedy striker.

But he's not looking for one-dimensional players.

"I'm a great believer in a solid back four, but the two fullbacks are wingers. If they're not, they're just doing one job rather that two," he said.

Midfielders who can work the ball through from defence to attack, avoiding the long punt upfield, are also important. Carlos Hernandez, already signed with Phoenix for two years, is one such player, but Merrick is looking for more.

Possession football is important, he says, but there's no point in playing that game in the back third.

"It's about getting it close to the opposition penalty box and keeping possession until you're ready to play the killer pass," he said.

"The best teams in the world don't panic or get a nose bleed when they've got the ball just outside the opposition's penalty area."

The key to Phoenix's game under Merrick will centre around possession, but the emphasis will be on fast, high-intensity football played at the right end of the pitch.

After signing a two-year deal with Phoenix, with an option for a third, Merrick is looking to hit the ground running as soon as he takes up his new position on 5 June.

He says his players can expect an extraordinary pre-season, targeted on preparing the team for finals football.

"I believe in an abnormal pre-season - the boys are going to work very hard. If they're going to have an attitude of 'we're going to play in the finals', they'd better start from day one in proving it by the way they train."

The capital club was fined 50,000 euros ($65,697) last week after a section of fans directed racist abuse at several black Milan players - including Balotelli - in a goalless draw at San Siro.

The Lega Calcio's disciplinary commission also warned Roma to take measures against any repeat of the incident, and has taken further action after several Roma fans sang abusive refrains about the former Manchester City striker during the 2-1 victory over Napoli, despite both teams' appearance in anti-racism t-shirts before kick-off.

The chants began in Rome when news filtered through that Balotelli had scored a penalty six minutes from time in a 2-1 win at Siena.

A statement published on legaseriea.it read: "In the 39th minute of the second half, Roma supporters occupying the area of the stadium called the 'Curva Sud' directed chants of a racially discriminatory nature towards the player of another club.

"The decision is to sanction Roma with a 50,000-euro fine with the added obligation they play a game with the 'Curva Sud' closed to spectators."

The Curva Sud can hold 8,486 people and typically houses Roma's hardcore fans - or 'ultras'.

The stadium restriction does not apply to this weekend's Coppa Italia final, in which Roma faces its city rival Lazio at the Olimpico, but to the first home Serie A match of the 2013-2014 season.

Inter Milan, which lost 5-2 at home to Udinese, was also fined 50,000 euros as a section of supporters sang racist songs about Balotelli in the 84th minute.

Mallorca moved to within three points of safety courtesy of the win with two matches remaining although fellow battler Real Zaragoza has a better head-to-head record between the two sides this season.

It thus looks grim for Mallorca.

Victory then was imperative and it started off with real intent, Jose Luis Marti firing over in the opening minutes before the host came within inches of taking the lead.

Casadeus Victor's close-range header was parried by Betis goalkeeper San Miguel Adrian with Hemed following up but his shot hit the post before he then fired wide.

The keeper then tipped Victor's shot around the post before eventually Mallorca's pressure paid off and it took a 21st-minute lead.

Again Victor was involved, his shot parried by Adrian only for Hemed to pounce and slot the ball low into the centre of the goal.

Moments later Victor's shot was gathered by the keeper as Mallorca made a nonsense of its rock-bottom status while its visitor had as yet shown nothing as an attacking force.

Victor was a constant menace and Hemed volleyed wide before Betis finally produced an effort on goal three minutes before half-time when Martin Ruben Castro headed over the bar from Salva Sevilla's free-kick.

The break offered little respite for Betis with Victor and Hemed merely picking up where they had left off.

Sevilla had a shot blocked for the visitor but there was notably less joy for the host in the second half.

Instead, little happened with the match apparently heading for a less than spectacular - although vital - victory as the clock wound down with Mallorca grateful to seize all three points.

Arsenal overhauled a seven-point deficit on north London rival Tottenham Hotspur after its superb run-in, which was kick-started by a memorable victory at Bayern Munich as it bowed out of Europe.

While Arsenal still has to negotiate a potentially tricky two-legged qualifier in August before it can focus on a remarkable 16th campaign of Champions League football, the 1-0 win at Newcastle United gave the club a completely different outlook from the one it faced after defeat at White Hart Lane on 3 March.

Gibbs feels the confidence Arsene Wenger's squad will gain from the last two months can enable it to go the distance in 2013-2014.

"We would have liked to have had a better season, but I think overall you have to be happy with the way the team got back together after December and showed real character, yet again, to come back and finish where we want to be," Gibbs told the London Evening Standard.

"We were a new-look side for another season, again, with new signings that have had to come in and step up.

"It is never easy to just come straight into the Premier League and perform like some of our good players have.

"In the end, there was a combination of us needing to realise what we wanted from the season and the players starting to get to know each other more. As time went on, we started to gel.

"That was important and it puts us in good stead for next season because I believe the team have gelled because of this.

"The dramatic finale makes us even stronger and we are going into next season head on."

Gibbs insists no-one at the Emirates Stadium will be resting on their laurels of a fourth-place finish.

"We haven't shown it consistently enough in the cups and the league, but you have seen many glimpses of what the team are capable of," the 23-year-old added.

"We have to focus on every detail to give ourselves the best chance to produce something because we are desperate to win a trophy."

Wenger feels his side has gone some way to answering its critics after its end to what had been a frustrating campaign, which included the lows of cup defeats by Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers, before a Champions League masterclass from Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium only to then outplay the German side when winning the second leg of the last-16 tie.

"I believe that the last three months the team has shown we are ready [to challenge for honours] because we are consistent," Wenger said on Arsenal Player.

"The strengths we have built and the way the team has grown can be transferred into next season.

"That is very positive so let's keep the group together, rest well and come back in a strong way."

Arsenal will be proactive in the northern summer transfer market, with the free transfer of France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre expected to be the first of several new arrivals.

Wenger is understood to have targeted offensive additions this northern summer, with the likes of Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain and even England forward Wayne Rooney all said to be on the Arsenal manager's radar, as is Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek and even Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is set to leave relegated Queens Park Rangers.

Wenger, though, warned finding the right man at the right price is set to be another test.

"There are many clubs out there with a lot of money, so the competition is very hard - there is not as much talent as money today in football," he said.

England midfielder Jack Wilshere is now set for surgery on his troublesome ankle.

While that will rule him out of the friendlies against Republic of Ireland and Brazil, it should see the 21-year-old return fully fit for the start of the new season and the Autumn 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Arsenal has healthy cash reserves of some £100 million ($155.55 million), boosted by the consecutive northern summer sales of former captain Cesc Fabregas and Robin van Persie as well as new commercial deals.

Chief executive Ivan Gazidis maintains every effort will be made to deliver Wenger's northern summer transfer targets and end Arsenal's long-overdue quest for silverware.

"It is important to reiterate that for everyone at the club, qualification for the Champions League is not our ultimate ambition," he told the club's official website, www.arsenal.com

"Our majority owner Mr Kroenke has made it clear that while it's an achievement to make the Champions League, our ultimate objective is to win the major trophies.

"We all share that clear ambition and will be driving the club forward to achieve it.

"Arsene and I have already been planning what we need to do to strengthen so we are better placed next season.

"One thing is certain - the club is in a very strong position to move forward and our form of losing just one of our last 16 Premier League matches shows that we have a solid foundation on which to build for success."

Terry and Ryan Bertrand (knee) did not join the 23-man group which left for the USA on Monday for two friendlies with Manchester City - in St Louis and New York - which will mark the end of Rafael Benitez's spell as interim manager.

Frank Lampard, who last week signed a one-year contract extension, will captain the squad in Terry's absence, and Eden Hazard travelled despite a hamstring injury ruling him out of the Europa League final win over Benfica and the defeat of Everton.

Academy youngsters Andreas Christensen, a defender, and Ruben Lotus-Cheek, a midfielder, joined the travelling party which did include Paulo Ferreira, who bade farewell to Stamford Bridge after the defeat of the Toffees.

Redknapp criticised the attitude of some of his squad after the 1-0 defeat at Liverpool, revealing one player had been fined more than he earned in the last month.

With only second-tier football to look forward to next season the QPR boss knows significant changes have to be made but much is dependent on getting rid of unwanted players - many of whom are on big wages.

But Redknapp suggested he was not prepared to continue if those stars who have caused him problems were not offloaded.

Asked whether he wanted to carry on he said: "Sure, see what happens.

"I want to put a team together that comes in every day looking forward to work.

"If I couldn't do something in the summer and change it around then I wouldn't want to come back.

"I don't need the aggro of people coming in late, fining players every day.

"I don't need to come to work and have aggravation. I need a group who are pleased to play football, want to learn and take a bit of pride in what they do.

"You have people like Clint Hill and Shaun Derry who give everything. There is a good group, Rob Green is not a problem.

"There is a little group I need to shift and get some new blood in. It ain't going to be easy to shift players.

"You can always shift the good players people want. It is going to be a difficult one."

Redknapp invested heavily in January with striker Loic Remy and Christopher Samba, two of QPR's higher earners, costing upwards of £20 million ($31.1 million).

Redknapp knows he will not be able to recruit similar quality in the northern summer with no Premier League football on offer.

"I learned a lot from day one. I knew what we had here but we were short of quality. It's been a mismatch of a squad," he added.

"We are looking at a different level now, we're not looking at top players.

"We're looking for players that can get you out of the Championship next year.

"It's not going to be easy, it's a tough division full of quality, big clubs - bigger clubs than QPR.

"We've got no divine right to come out of the league next year."

One player QPR will look to get off the wage bill permanently will be Joey Barton, who has spent this season on loan at Marseille.

The midfielder has expressed his desire to remain in France where he appears to be enjoying his football.

"The reason I want to continue in Marseille is simple," Barton told Canal+.

"I am very happy with my life here and with my relationship with the players. This is about more than money.

"The fans have not seen the real Barton and I want to show them my real level of play."

A 3-0 home defeat to Fulham rounded off a memorable campaign in disappointing fashion for the Welsh club.

While the loss does not take the gloss off a ninth-place Premier League finish and Capital One Cup success, it did highlight how reliant Swansea has been on Michu for goals.

The Spaniard scored 18 of Swansea's 47 Premier League goals during a stellar first season in English football, but when he struggled to find the net late in the season, so did Swansea.

Laudrup is keen to return Michu to his favoured attacking midfield role next season, and Iago Aspas, Romelu Lukaku and Manu del Moral are all targets as the Dane looks to strengthen his striking options.

"In some games we have not been effective enough in front of goal and that's why we have to add some more goals," he said. "We scored 47 but I think we can easily add 10 or 12 to that next season.

"Again, a major part of that is that our goals this season have had the name of one person so we have to split the responsibility of the goals.

"But we have known that for a while and we have been working on it for a long time - but we know it is the most difficult thing to get someone to score goals."

He added: "It's difficult because, firstly, everyone wants players who score goals and secondly they are the most expensive.

"Can we get another Michu? I hope so but it's not easy. There are some out there but other clubs want them as well and we are not financially the most powerful of the 20 clubs in the Premier League. Goals are money and you have to pay.

"You can't think you can find a top scorer for free. We almost did it last year but you don't win the lottery every time.

"We hope and we will work and I may get excited when we get the one we want - but I know it is one thing to do the research, to put the name on paper, to think you have a chance, but it is another to sign them."

The 35-year-old keeper, who joined the Rossoneri from Monza in 1998, made 35 appearances in all competitions this season as Milan finished third in Serie A and reached the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

A statement published on the club's official website read: "AC Milan wish to communicate that Christian Abbiati has extended his contract with the club to June 30, 2014."

Abbiati has also spent time on loan at Juventus, Torino and Atletico Madrid and earned four Italy caps between 2003 and 2005.

Sunderland's season came to a close with a 1-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur which left it 17th in the Premier League - just three points above the relegation zone.

Sunderland has relied to a certain extent on Steven Fletcher's goalscoring abilities for much of the season, with the striker supplying 11 of the 41 league goals scored by the Black Cats.

Connor Wickham and Danny Graham were unable to replicate Fletcher's form during the final eight games of the season when the former Wolverhampton Wanderers star was out through injury.

Di Canio revealed on Sunday that he will sit down with Ellis Short to discuss plans for next year and he will make it clear to the Sunderland owner that he needs more firepower if he is to keep the club in the top-flight next term.

"We need to bring in quality, particularly up front, because to win games you need to score and we don't score many goals," the Sunderland manager said.

"We don't have many weapons in our side at the moment to damage the opponent."

Also prevalent in Di Canio's discussion with Short will be how to get rid of the players he feels have let him down off the pitch.

Di Canio raged at the ill-discipline that he says is commonplace within the playing staff at the Wearside club.

He will consider the future of Phil Bardsley, who was photographed covered in £50 notes after a night out in a casino in midweek.

He said he was 'disgusted' by the incident and claimed that anyone he feels has not shown the club enough respect will be out of the door this northern summer.

Di Canio also feels the players' discipline on the pitch needs to improve after David Vaughan became the third player to see red during the Italian's 10-week spell in charge.

"When you are playing away from home at a place like Tottenham it is difficult," Di Canio added.

"With (Tottenham's) ability you can't concede one man to the opponents.

"In the last few games we did very bad in terms of discipline and we have to change this."

The Everton boss was driven into United's Carrington training ground by kit man Albert Morgan on Monday morning as he began the process of familiarising himself with his new surroundings.

Sir Alex Ferguson was in the car as well, and drove Moyes away again after he had met those present in the aftermath of the staggering 5-5 draw with West Bromwich Albion.

Moyes was apparently in cheery mood, and clearly relishing the task in front of him, knowing it was always unrealistic to think he could stick to his official 1 July start day.

That might be roughly when he speaks to the media for the first time.

However, he has pre-season to sort out, in addition to his backroom team, although it is not anticipated Moyes is going to make any major changes.

It is a tricky situation for the Scot though.

On one hand it would be natural for Moyes to insist on making his own mark, and having people he knows well around him, like his current head coach, former Leeds United midfielder Jimmy Lumsden, who has been linked with a switch to United.

However the 50-year-old might be equally loath to unsettle a system that has proved to be so successful for so long and has just delivered another Premier League title by an impressive 11 points.

It is a conundrum Moyes needs to solve correctly because work done in the early days will shape his future at Old Trafford.

At least the players are behind him, with Carrick outlining how much they are looking forward to the transition.

"As players we are embracing the challenge," he said.

"For so long we have had the stability of knowing what to expect. We could turn up for pre-season and know how we would be preparing.

"There are going to be certain things that are new. But many will stay the same of course because there is a structure there and there is not a lot wrong.

"We are all looking forward to it. We are looking forward to the new manager coming in, working with him, improving as a squad and taking the club forward."

As a member of five title-winning squads, Carrick is one of those whose experience will be crucial to United's desire for more silverware, even if it is fanciful to expect it could win another 13 titles within a 21-year period as it has just done under Ferguson.

Yet Carrick reports the intense hunger so evident in his long-time manager is also his greatest legacy to the club.

"It is the mentality and desire and the enthusiasm never to give in," said Carrick.

"It has been there for so many years it is ingrained in the players now.

"Hopefully we will carry that on."

Carrick confirmed Ferguson has approached the fortnight since his retirement was confirmed in the same unemotional manner in private as he has in public.

"It has been business as usual," he said.

"He said a few thank yous after the game but generally it is as everyone has seen.

"He will have mixed emotions because it is a strange time for him, as it is for everyone at the club."

In the end, all that was missing from that epic final day trip to West Brom was an injury-time winner.

Even United's players were starting to think it was in the script as the host rallied from 5-2 down.

"We were just waiting for the last minute winner from Ryan or Scholesy," he said.

"It was one of those games.

"We are disappointed because we wanted to win the game and make it the last memory for the manager and Paul Scholes.

"But in the grand scheme of things it doesn't mean too much."

Perez confirmed at a press conference that Mourinho will leave the club at the end of this season, his third at the Bernabeu.

The controversial Portuguese, who led the club to Primera Division title success last season with a record 100 points and to three successive UEFA Champions League semi-finals, has been strongly linked with a return to his former club Chelsea.

Perez said: "I want to inform you all that, after speaking to Jose Mourinho, we have decided to terminate his contract at the end of this season. We both agree that this is the right time.

"It is a sad day, but I wish Mourinho the best. This club will always remember him, he forms part of our history.

"Mourinho has spent more time at this club than any other coach has at the 20 clubs in the Primera Division, which shows it is not easy to last at a club for three years, especially at a club where there is as much pressure as this one.

"Each coach has his own personality, but you cannot doubt his competitive attitude. Has he made mistakes on the odd occasion? Of course, but the level of pressure at this club is not normal.

"On behalf of the board of directors, I would like to thank Jose Mourinho for the work he has done. We have taken an important step forward in a sporting and competitive sense under him, and we wish him luck in the future."

Mourinho's departure was agreed mutually by coach and club and Perez also confirmed he will receive no compensation payment.

Mourinho will take charge of Real Madrid's final matches of the Primera Division season, away to Real Sociedad on 26 May and at home to Osasuna the weekend after.

"No-one has been sacked, no-one has quit, it was a mutual agreement," said Perez.

"It's not an ideal situation that he is leaving, but after three years we both agree it was the right time to end this relationship.

"He believes the best thing is if he leaves the club and I share his reasons. It's the right decision to start a new project."

Speculation will now surround not just Mourinho's eventual destination, with the 50-year-old widely expected to succeed Stamford Bridge interim manager Rafael Benitez, but also his replacement in Madrid.

Paris Saint-Germain coach Carlo Ancelotti has been touted as the front runner to become the new coach of Madrid, and admitted on Sunday he had met with his current club's president Nasser Al Khelaifi and director of football Leonardo to inform them of his desire to leave the Ligue 1 champion and join Madrid.

Al Khelaifi confirmed that but reiterated the club wants the Italian to see out his contract, which expires in 2014.

Perez said: "A few days ago the president of PSG spoke to one of our directors about the possibility of Carlo Ancelotti leaving the club to join Madrid.

"They told us it was not possible and we respect that."

Mourinho leaves Madrid having won one league title, one Copa del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup in a three-year tenure.

Perez defended the coach's record at the club when asked if the Portuguese's time there could be seen as a failure.

He said: "Everything is related to where we came from. We had been eliminated in the last 16 of the Champions League for six years and were not seeded.

"Now we are among the top four teams in Europe, always in the semi-finals or finals. The overall picture is positive.

"If you asked all the clubs in Europe if they'd be satisfied to reach the Champions League semi-finals three years in a row, they'd say yes. For us, it's not enough, because of what we demand. We are always obliged to improve ourselves.

"Right now the club is in the position it should be in. The word failure is not fair, you now need to get 100 points to win this league.

"Last year we were delighted with ourselves, we were playing spectacular football and beat every record.

"This year it has not been enough for us to get to the semi-finals of the Champions League, the final of the Copa del Rey and coming second in the league. That is what makes Madrid such a great club, we are very demanding, our culture is winning."

It had to come from behind after Alexander Samedov scored for the visitor in the 34th minute.

But Vedran Corluka's own goal levelled the scores five minutes before half-time and Samuel Eto'o netted a second-half winner for Anzhi.

The Ghanaian midfielder needed just six minutes to break the deadlock and although Lasse Nilsson equalised after 22 minutes, Accam notched again six minutes before the interval.

The win takes Helsingborg two points clear of IFK Gothenburg, while Elfsborg falls six points behind the leader.

The 28-year-old has been a long-standing target for City, who is looking to bolster its squad ahead of the reported impending arrival of Manuel Pellegrini as coach.

Fernandinho has already claimed that current club Shakhtar Donetsk is pricing him out of the market as it holds out for a fee close to the £42.5million ($A66 million) escape clause inserted into his most recent contract, which is not due to expire until 2016.

Having helped Shakhtar to another title, it is clear the player wants to leave in order to boost his chances of making Brazil's World Cup squad.

He has been left out of Confederations Cup plans by current boss Luis Felipe Scolari and, in responding to a question on Twitter from a City fan on Monday morning, has confirmed he wants to join the deposed Barclays Premier League champions.

When asked: "Do you want to join City? Please answer! Really hope you join", Fernandinho replied: "yes my friend!!!"

City is currently unavailable for comment as it is flying to the United States for its two post-season encounters with Chelsea.

The 34-year-old has won every honour in club football with Chelsea, yet international silverware has eluded him despite 28 goals in 95 England appearances since his debut in 1999.

"We've all performed in the Premier League, Champions League," Lampard, who will be 35 in June but hopes to play on until the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, told TalkSPORT.

"As a group and individually, I'll hold my hands up and say at World Cups I haven't performed, certain England games I haven't performed.

"It certainly isn't for the want of trying. But when you look at the end and you go 'yes, I've ticked all those boxes', the international one, none of us have ticked."

Lampard has been at the heart of the group which has carried the nation's hopes for more than a decade, alongside Liverpool's Steven Gerrard.

Numerous critics have suggested Gerrard and Lampard, who share many similar characteristics, cannot play together, but the Chelsea man dismissed that, suggesting England's formation was a limiting factor at international level where midfields are packed.

"I think it's a myth," Lampard said.

"There was a lot of talk about Stevie coming to Chelsea years ago and I can't see that we wouldn't have been able to play together if we'd have been playing regularly.

"Going in and playing big tournaments at 4-4-2 at times, it's not easy in midfield, when you're outnumbered, because you're not getting outnumbered against mugs, you're outnumbered against top players."

Lampard has at times had to cope with vitriol from England supporters which made him unhappy.

He received a wake-up call when he spoke to his father, Frank Lampard Snr, when at a low ebb as Steve McClaren's reign as England boss was coming to an end.

His father told him to enjoy an opportunity many would do anything to achieve and now Lampard enjoys the international game.

"For young players the pressure is so intense, the level up from playing for your club is huge," Lampard added.

"I've grown more in love with England as I've got older.

"When I was in my mid-England career and took a bit of stick, I didn't enjoy it.

"I don't think you can if you go to Wembley and get a bit of stick and go to World Cups and we weren't playing well. That's not me moaning about it, we didn't perform so it comes with the territory.

"As I've got older I think my appreciation of playing for my country has risen - it doesn't go on forever - and I really enjoy it at the minute."

The clash with the Spanish side completes a pre-season schedule for Villa that begins with its return to training at Bodymoor Heath on July 1.

Paul Lambert's squad then head to Germany on July 7 for a week-long camp which includes games against Rodinghausen, Paderborn and Bochum.

A series of domestic friendlies at Wycombe, Luton, Crewe and Walsall follows, taking Villa up to the end of July, before they travel to Dublin to take on Shamrock Rovers on August 4.

Barca clinched its fourth La Liga title in five years last weekend when nearest challengers Real Madrid failed to beat Espanyol, and it was presented with the trophy following Sunday night's win over Real Valladolid at the Nou Camp.

That was the 22nd time Barca has been crowned Spanish champion and capped a superb league campaign which could yet see it reach the 100-point mark for the first time in its history, needing to win its final two games to reach the milestone.

However, things were not so good in the other competitions, with arch rivals Madrid beating Barca in the Spanish Supercopa and the Copa del Rey semi-finals, while Tito Vilanova's men was humbled 7-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals.

With that European final being played at Wembley this weekend, the wounds of that crushing defeat are still raw for Barca, but Messi is keen to move on.

Speaking after arriving in Qatar for promotional events, the Argentina ace said: "Winning the league was very good, although the objective is always to win everything.

"There's no need to dwell any more on what happened against Bayern, this season is over and we need to prepare to return at our best next season."

Messi, who will not play again this season due to injury, also reiterated his commitment to the Nou Camp outfit, saying: "I've never thought about playing at any other club than Barca."

While Messi seems unlikely to be going anywhere any time soon, the same cannot be said of some of his team-mates at Barca with speculation rife about the futures of a number of them.

There has also been media suggestions that coach Tito Vilanova might not be in charge next season as he continues his fight against cancer, although the club has played down those down.

The 44-year-old underwent a second operation on his parotid gland in December and spent two months in New York at the start of the year undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.

He also returned to the United States earlier this month for follow-up tests and is back in New York this week for treatment which was scheduled for this summer but was brought forward due to Barca wrapping up the league with three games to spare.

Vilanova, who replaced Pep Guardiola last season, thanked players and fans on Sunday night at Barca's trophy presentation, but his assistant Jordi Roura insisted there was nothing cryptic about his comments or any suggestion it might have been some sort of farewell to the club.

Roura told reporters: "There's no need to search for any more interpretation or go looking for something where there isn't anything, he only wanted to thank the players, the group for the good season they've had."

Sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta added: "I don't know who's said Tito is not going to be the coach."

As well as possible exits, Barca has also been linked with a number of new faces for the coming season, including Brazil star Neymar.

Brazil coach Luiz Filipe Scolari on Sunday claimed Barca was in pole position to land the 21-year-old, although Zubizarreta was giving little away when quizzed on the subject himself.

He told Canal Plus: "Scolari knows more than me then. We will comment on new signings when they happen."

Midfielder Lampard was part of Mourinho's successful side between July 2004 and September 2007, when the Portuguese left in acrimony before achieving success at Inter Milan and Real Madrid, who he is expected to leave imminently.

Asked what makes Mourinho so successful, Lampard told TalkSPORT: "It's a presence and an aura and a way with people.

"He galvanises people. His own self-confidence reflects back on his teams. He did that to me personally.

"Tactically he's fantastic. He's very astute. As a team he sets you up brilliantly.

"But what he does is he gets the best out of players and gets this togetherness that I'd never known until he came to the club and I haven't seen it again since then.

"He might rub people up the wrong way. [But] as a manager, he's brilliant with his team, tactically, he's brilliant with individuals and I think he's brilliant with the press. I know it creates a storm, but he does protect his players."

Put to him that a reunion will end in tears after the messy divorce six years ago, Lampard insisted he was sorry to see Mourinho leave first time round.

"I wasn't fed up with it," said Lampard, the club's record goalscorer who signed a one-year contract extension last week.

"He made me believe I was better than I was at the time.

"I thought I was a decent player, but he said to me 'listen, you can really get to the top' and he made me believe it. I tried to take it on and do it.

"I've had really good managers and different managers at times. It's the ones that get the best out of you, individually.

"We're all human beings and if a manager doesn't talk to you and tell you what they want or whether they're happy with you... we've all got confidence that is up and down.

"Mourinho was the best. For me he was. He brought my confidence to a level it had never been."

The 41-year-old Italian has been an international referee since 2007 and was in charge of the 2010 Europa League final between Fulham Athletic and Atletico Madrid in Hamburg, as well as three matches at Euro 2012.

Rizzoli will be assisted by his fellow Italians Renato Faverani and Andrea Stefani. The fourth official will be Damir Skomina from Slovenia and the two additional assistant referees, Gianluca Rocchi and Paolo Tagliavento are also from Italy.

The 29-year-old striker enjoyed his highest goals return since his £50million ($A77.7 million) move from Liverpool in January 2011 - netting 22 goals in 64 appearances - to take his tally to 35 goals in 131 appearances for the Blues.

Torres scored in the Europa League final win over Benfica and the decisive goal in Sunday's 2-1 win over Everton which secured third place in the Barclays Premier League and a return to the Champions League Chelsea won in 2012.

World Cup and European Championship winner Torres, though, is eager for more goals and glory.

"(It is) more goals than last season and closer to my normal statistics," Torres told Chelsea TV following the final day win over Everton.

"I'm happy for the end of the season, for the statistics this season, but I'm asking much more from myself and hopefully next season can be much better."

Torres hopes a young Blues team can also mount a sustained Premier League title challenge after finishing behind champions Manchester United and runners-up Manchester City this term.

"The Premier League is tough, because as soon as you lose a couple of games you're out of the race for the league," Torres added.

"Man United were very consistent this season and even Man City couldn't keep winning games the same way and Man United won the league maybe two months before.

"We're good enough to be consistent. We need to learn from what we have done badly this season, it's a young squad and hopefully the experience of this year can help the team for the next one. I don't think we're too far away (from challenging for the title)."

Torres, who played under former mentor and Blues interim boss Rafael Benitez in the second half of the season, reflected on a strong finish to another tumultuous campaign at Stamford Bridge.

"We must be happy for the way we ended the season," Torres added.

"It's not the way we wanted to when we started the season, but during the season you have to adjust the targets and objectives.

"In the last couple of months we've been working really hard to secure third place, win the Europa League. We have done both, so we must be happy."

The betting firm and the Scottish Football Association announced the seven-figure deal, which sees the relationship continue until 2016, ahead of Sunday's final between Hibernian and Celtic. The existing partnership had a year to run.

SFA chief executive Stewart Regan said: "We have been absolutely delighted with the partnership with William Hill and especially pleased that they have today reaffirmed their commitment to Scottish football by extending their contract as title sponsor of the Scottish Cup.

"In a tough economic climate for Scottish football, it is reassuring that one of the United Kingdom's most established brand names has demonstrated that they are passionate and imaginative supporter and champion of our game."

Celtic and Hibs both reached the final following 4-3 extra-time wins, the Glasgow side edging a rollercoaster affair with Dundee United after Pat Fenlon's men had come back from three down against Falkirk.

Kristof Fahy, chief marketing officer at William Hill, said: "Above all it's the passionate support of fans in Scotland that continues to attract our sponsorship.

"That passion is intense and William Hill wants to be part of that.

"The value we get from the Scottish Cup is incredible. As you have seen from the semi-finals and hopefully the final, you never know which way the games are going to go."

The Gunners ended the Barclays Premier League campaign with an astonishing undefeated run of eight wins from the final 10 matches to move back ahead of north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and seal a top-four finish following the 1-0 victory at Newcastle.

Arsenal will, of course, still has to negotiate a potentially tricky two-legged qualifier in August before it can focus on a remarkable 16th campaign of elite European football.

However, with that now very much on the horizon, the club can move into the summer break with a completely different outlook from the one it faced when slipping seven points behind Spurs after defeat at White Hart Lane on March 3.

France international Koscielny, whose second half goal at St James' Park proved crucial, feels everyone deserves great credit for the superb collective effort over the run-in.

"The team played well and gave themselves for the team.

"We are all good players and we want to play Champions League. It is a big competition. We did the job and we are happy."

Manager Arsene Wenger feels his side has gone some way to answering its critics following its end to what had been a frustrating campaign - including the lows of cup defeats by Bradford City and Blackburn Rovers, before a Champions League masterclass from Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium only to then outplay the Germans when winning the second leg of the last-16 tie.

"The exceptional attitude and determination of this group of players has been rewarded," Wenger said.

"They continued to believe when we were seven points behind Tottenham in mid-March. [They knew] that we had no room for error any more and you could never see any sign of giving in."

Wenger feels Arsenal can use its experiences over the past two months to hit the ground running in the quest to finally end its long trophy drought in 2013/2014.

Arsenal will be proactive in the summer transfer market, with the free transfer of France Under-21 forward Yaya Sanogo from Auxerre expected to be the first of several new arrivals.

Wenger is understood to have targeted offensive additions this summer, with the likes of Fiorentina's Stevan Jovetic, Real Madrid frontman Gonzalo Higuain and even England forward Wayne Rooney all said to be on the Arsenal manager's radar, as is Borussia Dortmund defender Lukasz Piszczek and even Brazil goalkeeper Julio Cesar, who is set to leave relegated Queens Park Rangers.

Wenger, though, warned finding the right man at the right price is set to be another test.

"We have been remarkably consistent. We won every away game so it's a good springboard for next season, to transfer that belief into the start of next season, that means we need stability and to strengthen our group if possible," he said.

"However, there are many clubs out there with a lot of money so the competition is very hard - there is not as much talent as money today in football.

"England midfielder Jack Wilshere, meanwhile, is now set for surgery on his troublesome ankle, which while ruling him out of the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, should see the 21-year-old return fully fit for the start of the new season and the autumn World Cup qualifiers.

The 35-year-old adopted a typically professional approach to Sunday's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers despite all the celebrations of his 16-year career with the Reds.

"It was brilliant. I want to thank the supporters who gave me such a great send-off," said the centre-back, who begins a new career as a television pundit next season.

"It's much appreciated. It's a day I'll never forget. I've been playing here a long time and it's sad to think I'll never play at this stadium again in a competitive game.

"But it has to come to an end at some stage and I've got some great memories and I just wanted to make sure we won the game.

"I didn't want to finish with a defeat or a poor performance. It was emotional but I don't really show it. We had a job to do.

"It was nice to get a win, not just for myself but for the manager and the players to take into next season because we've been on a decent run."

Carragher almost produced a brilliant finale with a 30-yard shot which smashed against the post in front of the Kop midway through the second half.

But the clean sheet was what mattered to the Reds vice-captain.

"I scored on my full debut and it would have been nice to finish with a goal," he added.

"The lads were urging me to score and the crowd were shouting 'shoot' every time I had the ball anywhere on the pitch.

"I was near the edge of the box and had a crack. I thought it was in - after 16 years it looks like I'm just getting the hang of shooting!

"But I wasn't really thinking about getting a goal. I was more concerned with doing my job - keeping a clean sheet and winning the game. We did that so I'm happy."

A 12-game winless streak cost Fortuna dearly as it went down after a 3-0 defeat to Hannover on the final day of the league season, but Meier, who took charge of the club in 2008, is likely to be given the chance to lead them back up again.

"Norbert Meier has a contract until 2014 and we have no intention, either today or tomorrow, of making any other decision, contrary to reports," the club's president Peter Freymuth said.

"There is not going to be any knee-jerk reaction."

Freymuth will hold talks with Meier and the club's director of sport Wolf Werner in the coming days to resolve the coach's future and he understands the calls for a change to be made.

"That's perfectly normal," he said. "When you only get nine points in the second half of the season, then there is bound to be lots of discussion and criticism.

"You have just got to live with that."

And Meier says he has no intention of abandoning a sinking ship.

"Fortuna is far more for me than just a football club," he is quoted as telling sport.de.

"When you see the fans here and experience this, then that (resigning) does not even cross your mind."

The 37-year-old tactician expects to sit down with club president Massimo Moratti in the coming days to ruminate on a ninth-placed finish - an outcome confirmed by Sunday night's 5-2 home defeat to Udinese - and his own long-term prospects at San Siro.

An injury-stricken Inter side was 2-0 down inside 10 minutes after goals from Giampiero Pinzi and Maurizio Domizzi, with Udinese brushing off strikes from Juan Jesus and Tommaso Rocchi to cruise towards a 5-2 win as Antonio Di Natale, Gabriel Silva and Luis Muriel found the target.

On Sunday Stramaccioni told inter.it: "I think that once we were out of the running for Europe all we could do was hope to finish the year as best as possible. We can't be judged on today.

"We were missing too many players, especially in central defence, and after 10 minutes Udinese had taken full advantage of two mistakes of ours.

"Now we must move on quickly. I don't think today's game will change the way our end of season is judged."

The Milan giants miss out on European football for the first time since the 1999-2000 campaign by clocking its lowest finish in the top flight since it was expanded to feature 20 clubs in 2004.

"Is it a relief now that the season is over?" Stramaccioni added. "The last two months have been extremely tough for us. We've tried to just get on with it but it's been very tough.

"The most important thing we can do now is turn the page on a very negative season in which all sorts of things have happened.

"Has Moratti given me guarantees? Inter is Massimo Moratti. What matters most now is that we don't get anything wrong in building the new Inter Milan.

"Everything is in the head and the words of our president."

When asked if a record of eight defeats from 11 games in the limp to the finish line makes his position untenable, Stramaccioni said: "Results matter in football and we've done badly in the last two months.

"But I can't not consider what's happened to us in any assessment of the team. Not only for me but for the players.

"We've had to play people out of position, field a string of youngsters - we've had five centre-backs out through injury.

"I think Moratti has very clear ideas about how to rebuild and from (Monday) he'll be working on that.

"Have I been officially confirmed? I can't speak for Moratti, it's only right that he should be the one to speak."

Sterling, 18, did not have to appear at Liverpool Magistrates' Court and the case was dismissed when prosecutor Rob Jones offered no evidence.

The Jamaican-born Premier League star had been accused of assaulting a woman in Toxteth, Liverpool, last November.

Moyes was due to meet United players and staff at Carrington for the first time in order to outline his plans for the future.

Although he does not officially start work until July 1, realistically, that start date is impractical as United head on tour on July 10 and return to pre-season training before then.

Moyes will also have to decide which areas of the present squad he needs to improve.

It is a tricky position for the outgoing Everton boss.

On one hand it would be natural for Moyes to insist on making his own mark, and having people he knows well around him.

On the other, the 50-year-old will be loath to unsettle a system that has proved to be so successful for so long.

He should at least meet a group of players in high spirits following Sunday's incredible 5-5 draw at West Bromwich Albion.

It was the highest scoring draw in Premier League history and matched a result United has recorded just once, in 1895, when it was still known as Newton Heath.

After the crazy 26 years Ferguson has spent at Old Trafford, it seemed a fitting way to go out, although Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie did wish for a "Fergie Time" winner.

"I was waiting for some Fergie time at the end," joked the Dutchman.

"It didn't happen but to score 10 goals was good fun for everyone, so I think the fans are pleased."

Van Persie does not expect the transition to working under Moyes to prove problematic.

"Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I'm 100 per cent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That's our standard for this team," he said.

"Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It's a new challenge for everyone. We'll have a nice break now and then we go again."

The Rossoneri was hovering above the relegation zone after losing five of its first eight league games but, having received the backing of the club's board, Allegri steadily steered his side into European contention.

Indeed, a fine run including just one defeat in 2013 left Milan best placed to take third spot on the final day, a mission it completed with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory at Siena authored by a Mario Balotelli penalty and Philippe Mexes' late strike.

Allegri told acmilan.com: "In the 20-odd years of the (Silvio) Berlusconi presidency third place has always been the minimum objective set down for Milan.

"After a disastrous start to the season the team put in a marvellous second half and only lost one match so I have to thank the players for what they have done.

"I am very pleased with them and they had to battle hard. It was an important win which means we are in the preliminary round of the Champions League.

"The club stuck by me in the difficult times so I have to thank them and I have to thank the fans who always got behind the team."

Claudio Terzi's opener in the 25th minute left Milan fans listening nervously to events at Pescara, where fourth-placed Fiorentina was cruising to a 5-1 win.

The pressure was really on when midfielder Massimo Ambrosini was sent off for a second bookable offence but Christian Terlizzi swiftly followed him down the tunnel to even up the teams, before Balotelli levelled with an 84th-minute spot-kick.

And three minutes later, Mexes was on hand to bundle home a rather unattractive winner.

Reports in Italy have suggested Allegri could now opt to end his three-year association with the San Siro outfit in pursuit of a new role, but vice-president Adriano Galliani is keen to retain his services.

He said: "We have been to hell and back and six minutes from time we were out of the Champions League. It looked all over when Ambrosini was sent off but no one takes a penalty like Balotelli.

"Over the last three years Allegri has earned us more points than Juventus. On net points, we are on top and hopefully we will continue with him. We will sit down and talk."

Siena, meanwhile, head into Serie B after collecting only 30 points, eight short of 17th-placed Genoa's tally, meaning the six points deducted for match-fixing at the start of the campaign was not a decisive factor.

Coach Giuseppe Iachini told acsiena.it: "There is a great deal of regret after this defeat, we certainly deserved to leave the pitch with a positive result.

"The team fought with pride, as they should have, but we were unlucky with certain incidents.

"We finished with professionalism and in the end other teams' rankings would not have affected us in any way."

The 31-year-old attacking midfielder is seeking a pay rise after his standout season for the club which limped to ninth on the ladder in the 2012-2013.

And while Heart coach John Aloisi is keen to keep the sometime Socceroo as he bids to refashion his under-achieving side, the former West Ham United and Hull City man appears to have at least one foot out of the AAMI Park door.

“I am still talking with the club and I am waiting to hear back from them and I also have feelers out elsewhere and there are a few possibilities,” said Garcia, who also claimed the fan-voted Supporters Player of the Year and shared the John Aloisi Golden Boot Award with striker Josip Tadic after an impressive first A-League season.

“A few things have come to light that are of some interest but I am not rushing into anything and I want to make an educated decision when the time comes.

“I also certainly haven’t given up on staying with Heart and I know John Didulica (Heart's football operations manager) is doing all he can to come to an agreement and we are certainly getting closer.”

It’s believed Garcia – currently out of favour with his country but highly prized by his club – accepted a modest contract when he joined Heart after being released by Hull City last season.

And while Heart has offered a modest upgrade, he is holding out for a more substantial rise in acknowledgment of clearly emerging as the club’s brightest adornment.

“I am pretty relaxed about the future,” he added. “I am the good side of 30 and more experienced and level headed as a player and a person. And I just want to enjoy my football – wherever that may be.”

There was interest from Garcia’s hometown club Perth Glory eight weeks back but negotiations stalled and Asia, the home to a gallery of Australians, is also a possibility.

Losing Garcia – who scored six times in 24 appearances last season - would be a major blow for Aloisi, who is currently in Europe where according to CEO Scott Munn he has been in discussions with up to seven players over filling three visa slots as the club chases a striker, defensive midfielder and centre-back.

Munn said of the out-of-contract Garcia: “We would like to keep him. We have made him an offer and are working through that. I am sure he would attract interest from, any A-League club because he had a great year with us.”

Aloisi is seeking to revamp his squad after A-League stalwarts Simon Colosimo, Matt Thompson, Fred and Clint Bolton were all cut loose at the end of the season.

So far winger Iain Ramsay has been recruited from Adelaide and the arrival of Brisbane Roar midfielder Massimo Murdocca was confirmed on Monday – leaving four vacancies remaining in what will be a 22-man squad, assuming Garcia stays.

Garcia, meanwhile, is delighted to see his former club's (Hull City) elevation to the Premier League.

“Obviously I was there with them in the Championship and then also in the Premier League and to see them go back is great for the club and the city,” he said.

“They have a top manager in Steve Bruce and it will interesting to see how much money he is given to strengthen the squad in the summer.”

Ibrahimovic bagged his 28th and 29th goals of the season in the 3-1 win over Brest at the weekend and the Swede has been widely hailed as the jewel in PSG's crown as it claimed its first top-flight league title since 1994.

Ibrahimovic succeeded Eden Hazard as the Ligue 1 player of the year ahead of team-mates Thiago Silva and Blaise Matuidi and St Etienne striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

"I came to a new country. It was not an easy situation, but everything went well. We worked hard. Now is the time to enjoy it," said the former Barcelona forward.

It was a night to savour for the Parisians, with seven of its players named in the team of the year, while wantaway Carlo Ancelotti was named joint coach of the year alongside St Etienne's Christophe Galtier.

The 28-year-old spent the 2011-12 season on loan at the Spanish club, winning the Europa League with them before returning to Wolfsburg this season.

His contract with the Wolves still has a year left to run on it and he is keen to find out whether he will be remaining in the Bundesliga or going back to Spain next season.

"It's important for my mind and for the preparations for next season," he told reporters after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Eintracht Frankfurt.

"The president and coach of Atletico have both told me that they want me and I have a concrete offer.

"We now just have to talk to Wolfsburg and see what's best."

The Bundesliga club will listen to offers, but is not ruling out extending his contract instead.

"Anybody who saw Diego playing today can understand that we will receive offers for him," said its coach Dieter Hecking.

"Out of respect for Diego, we will listen to everything, but I cannot imagine us selling him, unless an offer is so good that we can't turn it down."

Diego scored 10 goals for the Wolves this season, setting up a further eight.

Bale bagged his 26th goal of the season to give Spurs a 1-0 win over Sunderland, but it was not enough to earn a place in Europe's premier club competition as Arsenal defeated Newcastle United by the same scoreline at St James' Park.

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and both Manchester clubs have all been linked with the 23-year-old, who won every leading player accolade in the country this term.

Unlike Spurs, all four of those clubs will be able to offer the forward Champions League football next season. But that does not mean the Welshman is on his way out of north London, according to his manager.

When asked whether Bale would still be at Spurs next term, Villas-Boas said: "Yes, that's the information we have.

"It is very, very difficult to lure a player of this dimension away.

"You have to hold onto your best assets."

Spurs chairman Daniel Levy, writing in his annual chairman's message to supporters, underlined his desire to keep the squad's best players at White Hart Lane.

The wording was not as strong as it has been in previous years when speculation mounted about Bale and Luka Modric, but the message was still the same.

"Looking ahead to the summer, we shall continue to seek to strengthen and improve the team and to retain key players," Levy wrote.

Villas-Boas on Sunday night bemoaned the decision making of referee Andre Marriner, who denied Tottenham a pretty clear penalty in the first half.

In the 21st minute with the score 0-0 at both Tottenham and Newcastle, Bale entered the Sunderland box and went down after colliding with Sebastian Larsson. The Swede used both arms to knock the former Southampton man to the ground. But, rather than award Spurs a penalty, Marriner handed Bale his fifth yellow card of the season for simulation.

Villas-Boas thinks had Spurs taken a first-half lead from the spot, that would have applied too much pressure on to Arsenal, who did not score until the 50th minute.

"I don't want to put the spotlight on the referee, but I think it (was) absolutely decisive," said the Tottenham manager, whose side was also denied a penalty when Carlos Cuellar handled Clint Dempsey's shot after the break.

"Apart from the distance that separates the grounds, the emotions are felt very strongly. It would have certainly been felt at Newcastle, and it would certainly change the running of this game too.

"Sunderland would have to be more adventurous, and so there would be more space."

Villas-Boas has repeatedly defended Bale this season amid accusations that he dives, and he thinks Marriner got the decision wrong.

"It was an extremely disappointing decision, in my opinion, for the fact that Andre was on the conference at the start of season and we spoke about Gareth's incidents," Villas-Boas said.

"It was a poor decision. It could have potentially changed the nature of other game too."

After playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, the 33-year-old announced in March he would hang up his boots after just one season in the Potteries.

Owen's illustrious career ended in Sunday's 1-1 draw at Southampton, where he managed to touch the ball just three times during his 16 minutes on the pitch.

However, the former England striker insists there was no better way to go, with all four sides of a sold-out St Mary's giving him a standing ovation.

"I couldn't have asked for any more, really," Owen said.

"The Stoke supporters were fantastic, considering I've not had much of an influence on the team for the season I've been here.

"But they sang my name all game and I am really privileged to have the send-off. And the home fans as well, that was particularly special.

"So, it was a great day all round and pleased that we shared the spoils as well.

"Everyone's been coming up to me saying so many nice things and that they've enjoyed watching me play over the years.

"I won't name his name but even one of the Southampton players was saying that he used to watch my Soccer Skills video, so that made me feel a bit old.

"But it's nice that I've brought some pleasure to a lot of people and it's certainly been a pleasure playing myself. I've really enjoyed it and time to move on, as they say."

Owen's appearance was only his eighth for Stoke, with his solitary start coming at Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Despite that lack of football, the striker was full of praise for the club.

"It's been a great, great experience being at Stoke for a season," Owen said.

"They're a very good club, very good owners and it's a good place to be.

"That's about the fifth season they've been in the Premier League now. Hopefully, they can kick on and start getting into the top half. That will probably be the next step.

"But I'm certainly pleased to have joined them and played a season with them and I wish them all the best now."

The draw saw Stoke finish the season in 13th, a place better off than hosts Southampton.

Teenage left-back Luke Shaw has been one of Saints' stand-out players this campaign and has been heavily linked with a move away.

Chelsea has been mentioned as a potential suitor and, asked if there was any truth in the speculation, Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino implied it was the west Londoners that should be concerned.

"Perhaps we will go and get some Chelsea players ourselves," he said.

"I think that [executive chairman] Nicola Cortese staying is the best possible news for next season.

"That is very good for the squad, for the whole club. We will talk about the summer and the budgets with Nicola."

The 12 clubs last met two weeks ago when they were in unanimous agreement to push for a merger with the Scottish Football League, accompanied by play-offs involving the 11th-placed club in the top flight and three second-tier teams.

SFL clubs were also in full agreement over the outline plans at their own meeting on Friday.

However, it has proposed a different governance system and wealth distribution model, which would provide more money to Second and Third Division clubs.

Although the SFL plan would not involve top-flight clubs giving up any more money, it might prove a hurdle.

SPL clubs are keen to soften the financial blow of relegation, in return opening themselves up to an increased chance of going down, and taking money away from the second tier could prove controversial.

Given the two fresh ideas proposed by the SFL on Friday, it is perhaps unlikely that a formal vote will be held by SPL clubs on Monday.

However, all 42 clubs have stated their desire to instigate change by the start of next season and such a target remains possible.

SFL clubs would likely be given 14 days notice of a formal vote, which would follow any SPL vote.

The club could still face an 18-point deduction - and instant relegation - if it is decided that SPL rules were breached by UBIG's declaration of insolvency last week.

UBIG was last week listed on a Lithuanian government website of insolvent firms after reportedly declaring itself unable to meet its liabilities.

The firm owns about four fifths of shares in Hearts, and SPL rules can lead to points deductions if an owner suffers an insolvency event.

The SPL has been consulting with its lawyers over its rules and whether UBIG's action breaches them.

Issues under discussion will include whether UBIG has officially suffered an insolvency event in the Lithuanian courts.

The relationship between UBIG and Hearts will also come into consideration. The club will argue that it has been self-sufficient since early last year so has not benefited from the funding of an insolvent company this season. However, it owes UBIG about £10million ($A15.5 million) of its £25million ($A38.8 million) debt.

Hearts could face action further down the line, with its final 44-point total meaning it would be deducted 15 points next season if it is deemed to fall foul of the insolvency rules at a later date.

After ending its season with a 1-1 draw at Aberdeen, manager Gary Locke said: "It's out of our hands what the SPL do. That sort of thing doesn't concern me. The season is finished now and I'm glad to see the back of it to be honest, and hopefully we can now build for next season.

"I'm building the squad towards us being in the SPL next season, and until anyone tells me different that's how we'll continue. I'll be working hard with John Murray in the next couple of weeks to rebuild for next season; that's all I can do."

Carragher bowed out in his 737th match for the Reds in Sunday's 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers after Philippe Coutinho scored the only goal in the 23rd minute.

But the result was almost a sideshow as Carragher took centre-stage for one last time.

Rodgers needs to strengthen his defence in the summer but accepts it is pointless trying to find someone who can do the job Carragher did.

"I don't think there are many about like that, I've got to be honest," he said.

"What he's got at this football club is unique. You have to find different ways. All great players, their time comes to an end.

"We've seen it here through the years. You look at Ian Rush when he went away and they brought in John Barnes and Peter Beardsley - and they brought something else.

"We need to find a good one now to come in and support the group - and it certainly won't be easy."

Rodgers believes for all the tributes to Carragher's determination and no-nonsense defending there was much more to the player.

That was highlighted midway through the second half when he unleashed a first-time shot from 25 yards which beat goalkeeper Robert Green but cannoned back off the post.

"That was some strike. He's a player who, because of his leadership qualities and his warrior spirit, a lot of his technical qualities get overlooked," said Rodgers.

"Everyone talks about his blocking but he can pass. His weight of pass into the correct foot, his cushioned headers, his touch.

"You talk about British centre-halves not being able to play football but here's someone who's a world-class player who can defend and play.

"It would have been a lovely touch for that to go in."

Relegated QPR rarely looked like adding to its one win in 22 previous meetings and manager Harry Redknapp knows a significant rebuilding job lies ahead.

"We've been close in a lot of games but lacked quality to turn those close games around," he said.

"Whatever we did it would have been a massive job next year.

"We didn't have the quality to stay in the Premier League. We need to improve that in the summer with lads who want to work hard and do well for QPR."

The 24-year-old played the final match of his season-long loan in this Sunday's 4-2 win over relegated Reading at Upton Park, where captain Kevin Nolan netted a hat-trick.

Despite only scoring seven goals, the 6ft 3ins striker proved a popular signing, and this week earned a recall to the England squad for the friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

Yet with Liverpool set to be holding out for £17million ($A26.4 million) and Newcastle United and Monaco also said to be monitoring the situation, West Ham is set for some tough dealings.

Allardyce, though, remains determined to land his top target.

"It is our target to make it a permanent situation," he said. "Hopefully we can get somewhere in the near future to do that.

"It's our main priority. There are negotiations between the club and Liverpool.

"We have to pursue it to the very end one way or another and we will find out as quick as we can if it is a yes or a no.

"If we can start with Andy Carroll that would be a great achievement for us as he can only get better and better.

"Then we build around that in terms of how we want to improve next year, with better quality.

"Andy is a player that is wanting to enjoy his football. He lives for his football and wants to play every game. He wants to use his strengths and score as many as he can - but he also works very hard for the team."

The Hammers was in complete control against Reading after a mistake from a new England call-up, goalkeeper Alex McCarthy, gifted Nolan the opener on 23 minutes, with Ricardo Vaz Te sweeping home a second following more good work from Carroll.

The Royals responded with two quick goals at the start of the second half through Garath McCleary and substitute Adam Le Fondre.

The Hammers, though, made sure of a creditable top-10 finish when Nolan netted again and then completed his hat-trick with a header three minutes from time.

Allardyce said of Nolan: "He has always been top class. It's another double-figures scoring job he's done yet again. He's done many of those throughout his career and finishing the season with a hat-trick has got to be thrilling for him."

"When we needed Kevin again he was there. That's what he is good at. When he scores his goals they are always very important."

Reading's fate had long been sealed and it finished the season in 19th place.

However Royals boss Nigel Adkins maintains there is plenty of positives to take ahead of a return to life in the npower Championship.

"There is a good feelgood factor going forward for next season, which is important," said Adkins, who replaced the sacked Brian McDermott in March.

"We have changed the way the club has played football - we are looking to be more in control with keeping the football for longer periods of time and that takes time to get everyone ready to go and do that."

Adkins felt his side had given a good account of themselves on the final day of the season.

"Great credit to the players, they showed really good character and in the second half we came out and scored two good goals. We were in the ascendancy up until they scored the third," he said.

"That was a shame but it's what you do in both penalty areas."

Adkins - a former goalkeeper himself - also had words of comfort for McCarthy as the 23-year-old prepares to link up with the senior England squad for the first time.

He said: "Alex is still a young goalkeeper. It's all a good learning experience. He just needed to clear the football, didn't he? It was a poor execution and that's life.

"The big thing I've noticed with Alex is if he does make a mistake he can quickly forget it, which is important in a goalkeeper.

"It's how quickly you can move on and Alex has done that.

"He is going to develop into a really good goalkeeper."

After Fernando Torres' first Premier League goal of 2013 sealed a 2-1 win over Manchester United-bound David Moyes' Toffees, captain John Terry, midfielder Frank Lampard and utility man Paulo Ferreira addressed the crowd, whose celebrations included a chorus for Jose Mourinho.

None of the trio mentioned Benitez, who opted to leave the lap of appreciation for the players, after succeeding in his mission to lead Chelsea to a Champions League return and silverware, with Wednesday's Europa League final win.

"It's for the families and the players," said Benitez, who was praised by the players following the defeat of Benfica in Amsterdam on Wednesday.

"I received hundreds of messages, more than 200 messages on the website, from Chelsea fans saying thank you very much.

"For me that is enough, and also the players telling me things privately.

"The majority of [the supporters] were very positive in the end. That is good.

"We couldn't change the opinion of some of them. We tried to do our best until the end."

The defeat of Everton was Chelsea's 28th win in 48 games of Benitez's seven-month reign, during which the Spaniard had to endure vitriol from a hostile support.

The fans' disdain dissipated following Benitez's outspoken appeal at Middlesbrough in February, when he called for them to use their energies to back the team, rather than barrack him.

It appears to have worked, with Chelsea last having lost at Stamford Bridge on January 2.

"They have changed after the Middlesbrough press conference," Benitez added.

"You could feel more support for the team."

With champions Manchester United and Manchester City under new management next term, Benitez is confident Chelsea can challenge for the title under his successor, whether it is Mourinho or not.

"This team will be challenging for the title next year," Benitez added.

"It has been a great experience. We've taken a team, a team in transition with young players, and now we have left a good team, with more experience, with good character, scoring goals, more balance.

"I think it will be good for the next manager, because he will have a very good team and also the owner [Roman Abramovich] will bring in more players."

Benitez does not know what awaits him and would not be drawn on his future beyond Tuesday's (Wednesday AEST) departure to the United States for the end of season tour, but his former Merseyside rival immediately begins work as Sir Alex Ferguson's successor at Old Trafford.

Moyes said: "I'll probably be doing two jobs for the next week or so.

"I'm sad that I'm leaving Everton. Look at the players. I brought every one of them, except Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman, who were already here.

"I hope every one of them will think it was worthwhile joining Everton.

"I hope I'm leaving the club in a better condition than when I took over and I think the group of players they've got are a top group of players."

Everton finished sixth after Moyes' 518th match in charge and he hopes everything is in place for his successor, whomever it may be.

"In truth we've probably done as well as we can do at Everton," he said.

"We've pushed close to try to break into the top four, up until about three weeks ago, it just started to get away from us.

"I'll go into Finch Farm [Everton's training ground] some of the days next week and make sure everything's in place for whoever the incoming manager is.

"Most of it is anyway, but I'll just make sure that everything's as ready as I can leave it."

The Gunners arrived in the north-east knowing anything less than a win would leave them open to being overtaken by great rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the race for fourth place, but Laurent Koscielny's goal in the first half saw Arsenal over the line.

Arsenal can now look forward to a 16th successive season playing among Europe's elite - providing it comes through a qualifying match - and Wenger was fulsome in his praise after seeing his players end the season in searing form.

A 2-1 loss to Spurs left Arsenal seven points adrift of its north London foes in early March, since when it has taken 26 points from a possible 30 to end the campaign a point clear of Andre Villas-Boas' troops.

"They are special. I've told them many times but they've shown it in the last two months they've been absolutely exceptional," Wenger said of his players on Sky Sports 1.

"We have shown character and attitude.

"We make 73 points, that's three points better than last season.

"I've had many groups in my life and the focus, the desire to do well, was exceptional. It's one of the best groups I've had in my life on that front."

Asked if silverware now needs to be the next aim after another barren campaign in that area, Wenger added: "We want of course to do that next season, but let's not forget the consistency we have shown over the years to get into the Champions League."

Discussing his plans for squad rebuilding in the summer - when a sizeable budget is expected to be at the Frenchman's disposal, he added: "We want to have additions to the squad but keep the structure, spirit and quality of the squad we have now.

"We will be out there in a very pro-active way."

Meanwhile, forward Theo Walcott admitted the players had been unaware that Tottenham had defeated Sunderland 1-0, a result which meant a late Newcastle equaliser would have condemned Arsenal to the Europa League.

"We weren't aware of the Spurs result and we knew what we had to do, it was in our hands and we did the job," he said.

"We had to prove people wrong. We had a disappointing result against Tottenham earlier this season and it's never nice to lose to them.

"A lot of people thought we wouldn't do it today so it's nice to show them that we could do it.

"I'd like to say it's a shame [that Spurs missed out on fourth place] but it's not really."

Asked about his aspirations for the club in the future, Walcott said: "Challenging for the title, that's our next step, our next goal.

"I'm very proud of everyone in that dressing room."

Murdocca, Roar’s only remaining foundation player, had a year to run on his Roar contract but now joins Heart on a two-year deal.

“I am still hungry for more success and it’s something I want to bring to Heart," Murdocca said.

"Since coming into the league, I have always been impressed by how many problems their young players caused me and how they have tried to play attractive football.

“To be able to come back and play football in my home suburb in front of family and friends is really exciting.”

Murdocca returns to his hometown with wife Michelle and one-year-old daughter Allesandra after eight years in Brisbane and 162 A-League games.

“It’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye to Massimo but we know it’s for the right reasons,” Roar Managing Director Sean Dobson said.

“His record speaks for itself and to be the most capped Brisbane Roar player in club history is testament to his commitment and professionalism.

“Massimo has been a great ambassador for this club over the past eight years and while we wanted him to stay on with the Roar, we wish him and his family all the best in Melbourne.”

Murdocca follows the likes of Mitch Nichols (Melbourne Victory), Stef Nijland, James Meyer and Matt Jurman out of Roar since last season.

Roar's loss is Heart's gain with coach John Aloisi delighted to have 28-year-old Murdocca on board.

“Massimo has a well-deserved reputation as an outstanding professional and he has proven he has a winner’s mentality,” Aloisi, who is currently on a scouting mission in Europe, said.

“His energy and performances in the A-League have always been of the highest standard and he is a player who consistently gets the most out of himself.

"It’s wonderful that we can attract somebody to the club who still has so much to offer.”

Murdocca is Heart's second off-season signing after the capture of Ian Ramsey from Adelaide United.

The 38 year-old central defender is expecting the emotion to kick in after the second leg of the round of 16 Asian Champions League clash in China, but until then he says he will hold it together and do all he can to help the Mariners achieve a shock result.

“I’m not too emotional about it,” Zwaanswijk said. “I’m feeling pretty good. It’s been a great ride, my time at the Mariners, and I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.

“Winning the grand final after we had waited so long to do it, that was the most emotional moment I’ve had at the club. I’m looking forward to the next phase of my career now, but first I’ve got a job to do with the rest of the team in China.”

Zwaanswijk will retire after the game and join the club’s coaching staff for next season.

Guangzhou Evergrande beat the Mariners 2-1 at Bluetongue Stadium in the first leg of the ti, which means the Mariners have to score two goals at a packed Guangzhou Sports Centre just to be a chance of advancing to the quarter-finals.

When asked if the equation made it difficult for the Mariners to settle on the right approach for the game, given that they need to score multiple goals but also try to keep the opposition from scoring, Zwaanswijk said it would be just as tricky for Guangzhou Evergrande.

“They’ve got a 2-1 lead. Do they try to defend that or do they try to score a goal?” he said. “Graham Arnold told us that with all the international experience we’ve had, and he’s had, we can go in there with the knowledge that it’s not going to be easy for them to find their way through this game either.

"A 2-1 score can be hard to defend.”

Zwaanswijik, who joined the Mariners after a terrific career spent mainly in Dutch and Japanese football, has been great for the club both with his own play and his influence on the young central defenders coming through there.

Trent Sainsbury and Zac Anderson have clearly learned a lot in a short time from Zwaanswijk, accelerating their development in one of the game’s most difficult positions.

Sainsbury missed the first leg of the tie with a hamstring injury, with Anderson partnering Zwaanswijk. But Sainsbury, who won the Mariners Medal as the club’s player of the season and is attracting serious interest from overseas clubs, has made the trip to China and is expected to play.

“Trent got through everything at our final home training session on Saturday,” Zwaanswjik said. “He looked 100 percent, so he should be fine to play.”

The Mariners flew to China on Sunday and had had further training sessions planned for Monday and Tuesday.

Zwaanswijk had for several months been wrestling with the decision of whether to play on next season, and only announced his intention to retire ahead of the first leg of this tie.

He said the fact the Mariners won the grand final 2-0 over Western Sydney Wanderers, with him scoring a goal, had allowed him to think clearly before making a decision.

“It didn’t make the decision for me, but it removed any possible distractions,” Zwaanswijk said. “I didn’t have to worry that there might be something lacking if I retired without a grand final win.

“I could think strictly about whether it was the right time for me to retire, and it was.

"Arnie had left it up to me to decide whether to play on or join the coaching staff, and when I thought about it I realised I was starting to struggle a bit with the training.

“Once I made the decision I was comfortable with it, so I knew straight away I’d made the right one.

“I came here for one season originally, and now I’ve stayed for three and I’m going to continue with the club by coaching the youth team and working on wider youth development. I’m pretty happy with the way it has all turned out.”

Defender Charlie Mulgrew (knee), winger James Forrest (stiffness) and right-back Adam Matthews (knee) were missing from the Hoops side which beat Dundee United 4-0 at Tannadice on Sunday in the final Clydesdale Bank Premier League game of the season.

The Hoops boss turned his attention immediately to thoughts of an SPL and cup double but will not know his Hampden squad - already without suspended midfielder Victor Wanyama and Beram Kayal - until later in the week, with Matthews the biggest doubt.

Lennon said: "I have not picked my team yet. I am waiting on James, Charlie and Adam. We will know by next Thursday of Friday if they are fit and if they are they will definitely come into the squad.

"Adam is the real problem because he hasn't played since Juventus (in February) so he is a major concern.

"He has been training but he picked up a little injury again on Friday and we will have to wait and see."

The Northern Irishman claimed it was the perfect way to warm up for the final against the Easter Road side, saying: "I got everything I wanted from the team."

Kris Commons gave the visitors the lead with a 30-yard free-kick in the 11th minute before Georgios Samaras helped himself to a double, the first with a deflected drive in the 17th minute and a header 10 minutes later.

With five minutes remaining substitute Anthony Stokes, on for Commons, completed the rout to the delight of the travelling support, who spent the afternoon giving stick to United skipper Jon Daly, who is on the verge of joining Rangers.

"I have done a medical so I am just waiting to hear back on that and if that is all okay then it should be done and dusted," said Daly, who claimed the abuse he took went in "one ear and out the other".

He added of the potential Rangers deal: "I think they were quite pleased with the shape of me.

"They want to scan my right knee because of the problems I had with that, so we will wait and see how that comes back."

Severely weakened by the absence of stars Chigozie Agbim and Sunday Mba, Rangers broke the deadlock just three minutes from time.

Ugonna Uzochukwu was the toast of eastern city Enugu as he scored to keep alive hopes of the trophy coming to Nigeria for the first time.

Sfaxien, a three-time finalist and the only club to successfully defend the Confederation Cup, hosts the second leg at the beginning of June.

Goalkeeper Agbim and midfielder Mba were recent additions for Rangers after lengthy transfer wrangles with fellow Nigerian club Warri Wolves.

And CAF Champions League-winning coach Okey Emordi was banking on their experience against battle-sharpened African campaigner Sfaxien.

But Nigeria coach Stephen Keshi stunned Enugu by refusing to release the duo from a national squad training camp in Germany.

The 2013 African champion is preparing for a 31 May friendly against fellow FIFA Confederations Cup qualifier Mexico in Houston.

Nigeria also plays 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Kenya and Namibia before the mid-June kick-off of the World Cup dress-rehearsal in Brazil.

Mba starred at the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa, scoring the quarter-final winner against Cote d'Ivoire and the only goal of the final with Burkina Faso.

No Egyptian club has won the nine-year Confederation Cup and the hopes of Ismaily or ENPPI creating history suffered serious blows.

Ismaily conceded a late goal to crash 3-0 at CA Bizertin of Tunisia while an early brace condemned ENPPI to a 2-0 defeat at Saint George of Ethiopia.

Bizertin, beaten by Egyptian giant Al-Ahly in the Champions League before dropping to the Confederation Cup, exacted sweet revenge.

A goal in each half, from Kamel Zaiem and Ali Machani, put it on top and a last-minute strike by Al-Arabi Gabir left Ismaily with little hope.

Shimeles Bekele and Abebaw Butako scored in Addis Ababa for Saint George - which hopes to be the first Ethiopian team to reach the group stage - against ENPPI.

Like Bizerte, Saint George was eliminated from the Champions League by an Egyptian side, losing to Zamalek on the away goal rule.

Big spender TP Mazembe of the Democratic Republic of Congo whipped surprise qualifier Liga Muculmana 4-0 in mining hub Lubumbashi.

Given Singuluma, Nathan Sinkala, Richard Kissi-Boateng and Mbwana Samata were on target.

Return matches are scheduled for the weekend of 31 May-2 June and the eight surivivors qualify for the group stage, which kicks off in mid-July.

Having already established a healthy 3-0 cushion in the first leg, Cruz Azul could have been forgiven for taking its foot off the gas, but showed no early signs of letting up as Javier Orozco's brace put it two further goals ahead within 24 minutes.

Andres Renteria pulled one back nine minutes before half-time but any remote hopes the visitor harboured of staging an unlikely comeback disappeared with two red cards at the start of the second half.

Carlos Quintero and Felipe Baloy was dismissed within 12 minutes of the resumption, ensuring Cruz Azul enjoyed a stress-free passage to the finals, where it will meet America.

The Italian met with club president Nasser Al Khelaifi and sporting director Leonardo on Sunday to attempt to negotiate his departure from the Ligue 1 title winner, with the likely vacancy at Real Madrid seemingly in his thoughts.

With a year left on his contract, though, he would need the club's blessing - and Al Khelaifi warned that he expects the 54-year-old to honour the terms of his deal.

According to reports in France, Ancelotti said at the Ligue 1 awards evening: "I had a meeting with the president and Leonardo. I asked - because I have a contract - to leave the club.

"We have to wait for the club's response, they will decide."

That response seemed already to have been made clear, though, when Al Khelaifi told beinsport.fr: "Yes, we had discussions, he asked to depart for Real Madrid.

"I said it is not possible because he has a contract for one year more, so that is our decision.

"It is his problem, it is not our problem. We have offered him another year more on his contract as well as the one he has.

"When you have a contract, everyone is normally obliged to honour that."

Speculation continues to link Real boss Jose Mourinho with a return to his former club Chelsea and Ancelotti continued: "Real is a possibility but I have a year left on my contract. It is the club who will decide.

"We have to decide together. My decision is to leave the club. It is not easy because I have had a very good relationship with everyone.

"It is not the time to explain the reason why I wish to leave the club, and perhaps I will never explain it."

Ancelotti has just led PSG to its first league title in 19 years, as well as a UEFA Champions League quarter-final.

Leonardo insists no plans have been made to replace him, telling L'Equipe: "The priority is still that he stays. We have not contacted any other coaches."

One name which has often been linked with the club is that of former AC Milan, Roma and England coach Fabio Capello, now in charge of the Russia.

But Ancelotti's compatriot told France Football: "I have never been contacted."

PSG tops the table by 10 points from bitter rival Marseille with one game remaining, and was only edged out on away goals by Barcelona in the last eight in Europe.

Ancelotti has been granted near-unlimited spending power by Al Khelaifi's Qatar Sports Investments consortium, which allowed him to build a new attacking line-up around Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Javier Pastore last northern summer.

Brazil playmaker Lucas Moura was added to the squad in January along with former England captain David Beckham, who seemingly played his last game as a professional against Brest.

Despite all that, Ancelotti may feel a move to the Bernabeu would offer him a better chance to achieve Champions League success. Real was beaten by Borussia Dortmund in this season's semi-final but came close to overturning a 4-1 first-leg deficit.

It also beat Barca to last season's Primera Division title, though the Catalan giant has been dominant on the domestic stage this term.

Slim recently bought part of two of Mexico's first division teams, setting up another showdown with television giants Televisa and TV Azteca, major players in the football field that are in turn trying to push their way into Slim's telecommunications and internet markets.

The owners of the 18 first division clubs are scheduled to meet Monday to decide whether one person or one company can own more than one first-division team, and many see Slim as the target.

Each team has one vote in decisions by the Mexican Football Federation, so purchasing more teams would give Slim more power in the federation. Recently, there have been rumours in sporting circles and on social networks that Slim also plans to buy or acquire the broadcast rights for Chivas, one of Mexico's two most popular teams, along with Televisa's America. The billionaire's spokesmen have denied that.

"What is evident in their business decisions is that Televisa is interested in entering Slim's mobile and broadband fields and Slim is interested in entering the soccer field, which has been under the monopoly of the two television networks," said telecommunications analyst Gabriel Sosa Plata, referring to the fact that the networks long had exclusive broadcast rights to the games of all 18 teams.

Slim ventured into football in September, when he bought 30 per cent of the shares in the Leon and Pachuca teams through his telecommunications company America Movil. In December, he bought all the shares of the second division team Estudiantes Tecos.

After the acquisitions, team owners in February decided to discuss the issue of multi-ownership.

The decision raised some eyebrows since TV Azteca currently owns two teams, Jaguares and Morelia, and Televisa once owned three first division teams, America, Necaxa and San Luis, without notable complaints within the federation about the issue of multi-team ownership. The world football authority, FIFA, however, has expressed concern about conflict of interest questions raised by the issue.

Pachuca's owner, Jesus Martinez, said he was shocked that the subject of multi-ownership has come up since Slim ventured into football.

"It's laughable because that (multi-ownership) has been going on for more than 25 years," Martinez said.

But Televisa currently owns just one team, America, and TV Azteca is reportedly thinking of selling Jaguares to a business group that would relocate it from Chiapas state to Queretaro. A Jaguares spokesman wouldn't comment on the report but if the purchase takes place, Slim would be the only businessman with multiple teams in the first division.

Neither Televisa, the world's largest producer of Spanish-language TV programs, nor TV Azteca immediately responded to interview requests by The Associated Press.

Decio de Maria, president of the Mexican Soccer League, said that if there is a vote against a single person or company owning several teams, Slim wouldn't be obligated to sell one of his teams but he would be prevented from buying more first division teams.

"In the next owners assembly, they will discuss whether there are differences between multi-ownership now and what has been happening in the past and if there are then we will take the necessary measures," said Slim's spokesman Arturo Elias Ayub.

So the upcoming vote on the subject seems geared to preventing Slim from buying more teams, not forcing him to shed one he already has.

Slim's foray into the world of football is also threatening the two TV networks in an area they hold dear: broadcast rights to games.

Slim's America Movil is a leading provider of cable and satellite television in Latin America but he has not been able to launch a network of his own in Mexico, something that could change after a recent approval of a reform that allows for more competition in the telecommunications sector.

Lacking his own station, after acquiring part of Leon, Slim began marketing the rights to broadcast its games, ending the duopoly held by Televisa and TV Azteca.

"Soccer is important for non-paid television because it is part of Mexico's most watched programming and for Televisa and TV Azteca it was an area they completely dominated," Sosa Plata said. "Slim's entry into soccer is reorganising the field and giving a new perspective to a business that seemed stagnant."

The billionaire sold the broadcast rights for the Leon games to Telemundo in the United States, and the cable channel Fox Sports in Mexico and the rest of Latin America and to the website mediotiempo.com, which belongs to CNN/Expansion. The games are also shown on the internet through UNO TV owned by Slim's business group.

Pachuca's broadcast rights belong to TV Azteca but that contract expires in December and Martinez has said he will negotiate with the highest bidder, which suggests that his partner Slim won't be excluded from the possibility of buying the rights.

Slim 'is a very important partner in our group, he's helping soccer to grow, which is what really matters', Martinez said.

Slim is also moving into broadcasting sports outside Mexico.

In March, America Movil trumped its rivals by announcing it had acquired the broadcast rights across all media platforms for the upcoming Olympic Games in Sochi 2014 and Brazil 2016 for Latin America, except Brazil.

Vilanova, 44, has been suffering from Parotid gland cancer since 2011, and has undergone two operations.

He said on Saturday that he felt strong enough to continue next season, but also said he would have to return to the Memorial Sloan Kettering cancer centre in New York for treatment this week, and possibly again in the next few months.

Vilanova spent eight weeks at the centre between January and March, receiving intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

In his absence, assistant coach Jordi Roura took temporary charge, but club president Sandro Rosell and sporting director Andoni Zubizarreta do not want to repeat this solution.

Marca claims that the two directors will ask Vilanova for a complete analysis of his health situation after he returns to work on 25 May, and then make a decision accordingly.

Marca also claims that Barca has already contacted Malaga coach Manuel Pellegrini regarding his availability, only to be told that he is considering a lucrative offer from Manchester City.

The other candidates to step in if Vilanova cannot continue, according to Marca, are Jurgen Klopp of Borussia Dortmund and Marcelo Bielsa of Athletic Bilbao, plus former Barca players and assistant coaches Luis Enrique and Oscar Garcia.

Vilanova was the assistant to Pep Guardiola from 2008 to 2012, then was promoted to head coach a year ago when Guardiola - who recently signed for Bayern Munich - decided to step down.

Vilanova guided Barca to the Spanish title this season, despite his cancer, but lost in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League and Spanish cup.

The script should have been for Sir Alex Ferguson to bow out a winner, with an injury-time goal of some description.

But this outcome was just as appropriate. Ten goals. The highest scoring draw in Premier League history. The biggest United has been involved in since 1895. Another big, thick mark in the history books to end with.

And this was it.

We had already had the announcement, the announcement of the succession, the final home game, the final trophy presentation, the final parade, the final awards dinner, the final press conference, the final team selection, the final goal - Javier Hernandez - and the final substitution - Rio Ferdinand for Jonny Evans.

And, at approximately 1755, Michael Oliver blew the final whistle on Ferguson's career.

He looked for Steve Clarke to shake his fellow Scot's hand before heading out onto the pitch to first acknowledge the away fans, before then all four sides of the stadium, which paid an appropriate tribute to a 71-year-old, whose legacy to the game goes way beyond those 49 incredible trophies.

This could never have been a normal day, so why should it have been a normal game?

It started with a guard of honour from West Bromiwch Albion, with United's players quietly joining it to await the entrance of a man whose trophy cabinet will have to be forced shut such is the amount of silverware contained within it.

There were some boos, which was only to be expected given what a magnet for controversy Ferguson has been.

But the overwhelming majority applauded, with Ferguson responding in kind to a stadium packed beyond capacity is seemed, acutely aware they were witnessing a very special day in football history.

It was a special day for Chris Foy too as very rare indeed are the times when a fourth official at a United match arrives to the belief they are not going to be lambasted for one reason or another.

Ferguson even came over for a chat and a handshake, such was the upbeat mood with which he approached this seismic day.

The United fans certainly understood the importance of their visit to the West Midlands.

Programmes were sold half a dozen at a time and there were claims of fans gaining admittance without tickets to say they were there for Ferguson's last game.

Certainly the gates were closed at one point and for a while after kick-off the atmosphere could best be described as powderkeg, with United fans racing out of home sections to reach the visitors end and a few home supporters close by making aeroplane gestures.

It is a measure of Ferguson's longevity that when he came south from Aberdeen, such antics were commonplace, as were the lines of police that quickly appeared to bring a sense of order to the situation.

By then United was two goals ahead, Ferguson was relaxed in his seat and Rene Meulensteen was heading to the touchline to offer instruction.

The Dutchman is part of a United backroom team who, next week, are likely to find out what future, if any, they have under David Moyes.

United's players are certainly saying the right things.

And so were the fans as they continued their songs of triumph.

"So cum on David Moyes, play like Fergies boys, we'll go wild, wild, wild," they chanted, before, "Albert, give us a wave," in reference to popular kit man Albert Morgan.

The mood didn't change that much, even as United suffered its late collapse.

A discernable increase in the rate of Ferguson's chewing increased though as Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand were introduced.

With the scoreboard set at 5-5, Foy signalled four minutes of 'Fergie Time'.

The dream scenario did not happen.

Instead, Ferguson headed off for a glass of wine with Clarke, then down the steps, out of the door and onto the team coach back north.

There was time for just one question.

How did it feel?

"Emotional. Very emotional."

Andres Franzoia and Juan Cavallaro looked to have set the host on course for only its third win of the season with a goal apiece in the first 35 minutes, but Rogelio Mori got River back in the game seven minutes before half-time and then substitute Rodrigo Mora snatched a point for the visitor six minutes from time.

The draw meant the visitor - which lost Leandro Gonzalez to a late red card - passed up the chance to climb to second in the standings and finished the weekend three points adrift of leader Newell's Old Boys.

San Lorenzo moved up to fourth spot - three points behind River - thanks to a 3-0 win at All Boys. Ignacio Piatti netted two second-half goals for the visitor, with Gonzalo Veron on target in between.

Finally, Juan Caicedo's brace lifted mid-table Independiente to a 3-1 victory over San Martin San Juan.

First-half goals from Fernando Godoy and Caicedo put the home team in control, with Caicedo's second of the match 17 minutes from time sealing matters after Humberto Osorio had halved the deficit.

The 26-year-old, who has made 19 appearances for Japan, is the capital city club's third new signing since it won the second division title and automatic promotion.

Hosogai joined Bayer from Urawa Red Diamonds in January 2011 and was immediately loaned out to Augsburg, but made 17 appearances for Leverkusen this season, mostly starting at right or left-back.

He joins left-back Johannes van den Bergh, from Fortuna Dusseldorf, and centre-back Sebastian Langkamp from Augsburg as Hertha's new signings.

The home side trailed to Jeong Shung-hoon's strike after three minutes but Hwang Il-soo equalised eight minutes into the second half.

However, the result means Daegu remains three points adrift of Daejeon at the foot of the standings.

Gangwon is also three points off the bottom after a 1-0 defeat at Incheon United, courtesy of Ahn Jae-gon's 42nd-minute goal.

Yun Young-sun and Kim In-sung were on target as Seongnam Chunma beat Gyeongnam 2-0.

Lila netted in the 88th minute to leave Giannina top of the table while PAOK sits bottom after consecutive losses.

Asteras Tripoli had to come from behind to beat Atromitos.

A 22nd-minute goal from Stefano Napoleoni had the visitor ahead but Ruben Rayo's penalty levelled matters four minutes before the break and Christos Kalantzis sealed the win in the 63rd minute.

The arrested, who included some 20 Bosnian nationals, four Russians and one Greek, are accused of taking part in several fights in various Belgrade neighbourhoods, notably in the suburbs, both before and after the match on the weekend.

A bus transporting Partizan Belgrade players was stoned but no one was hurt, police said.

The match itself, which Partizan Belgrade won 1-0, ended without major incidents.

Partizan Belgrade is likely to win the Serbian championship as with only two matches left it is leading runner-up Red Star Belgrade by five points.

Serbia has pledged to tackle football violence after UEFA repeatedly warned the former Yugoslav republic over the issue.

Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Newcastle United meant Tottenham had to settle for a fifth-place finish despite its own 1-0 win over Sunderland, which came courtesy of Bale's 89th-minute wonder-strike.

Had Marriner awarded Villas-Boas' team a penalty in the first half, the Portuguese thinks it could have been Tottenham, and not Arsenal, which finished in fourth, however.

In the 21st minute with the score 0-0 at both grounds, Bale entered the Sunderland box and went down after colliding with Sebastian Larsson.

The Swede used both arms to knock the 23-year-old to the ground, but rather than award Spurs a penalty, Marriner handed Bale his fifth yellow card of the season for simulation.

Villas-Boas thinks had Spurs taken a first-half lead from the spot, that would have applied too much pressure on to Arsenal, which did not score until the 50th minute.

"I don't want to put the spotlight on the referee, but I think it (was) absolutely decisive," the Tottenham manager said.

"Apart from the distance that separates the grounds, the emotions are felt very strongly. It would have certainly been felt at Newcastle, and it would certainly change the running of this game too.

"Sunderland would have to be more adventurous, and so there would be more space."

Villas-Boas has repeatedly defended Bale this season amid accusations that he dives, and he thinks Marriner got the decision wrong.

"It was extremely disappointing decision in my opinion for the fact that Andre was on the conference at start of season and we spoke about Gareth's incidents," Villas-Boas said.

"It was a poor decision. It could have potentially changed the nature of other game too."

Marriner also failed to award Spurs a penalty in the second half when Clint Dempsey's shot struck Carlos Cuellar's out-stretched arm in the Sunderland box.

While Bale's goal was worthy of earning Tottenham a place in the Champions League, the harsh reality is that the team started sowing the seeds of its own downfall a long time ago.

On 3 March after Spurs won the derby at White Hart Lane, the Gunners went unbeaten until the end of the season while Tottenham dropped points in five matches.

Not winning against Chelsea and, to a lesser extent Liverpool, were forgivable, but teams who qualify for the Champions League do not generally lose to Fulham at home - as Spurs did in March.

Still, it would be harsh to castigate Villas-Boas too much. After all, since he took over he has lost the services of Luka Modric, Rafael van der Vaart and Ledley King while he has also had to do without key players like Sandro and Younes Kaboul because of injury.

Despite his troubles, the 35-year-old ended the season with 72 points - more than Tottenham has ever accumulated since the Premier League began.

"It's very, very unusual that we didn't make it," the former Chelsea manager said.

"If you look at past seasons with that number of points you would normally achieve it.

"It's difficult for me. Obviously we would ideally have achieved that fourth spot, we certainly did enough to deserve it, but we didn't in the end."

With Chelsea and both Manchester clubs expected to spend big this northern summer, Villas-Boas reiterated his desire to bring in new players for next year's tilt at the top four.

Villas-Boas also repeated his stance that Bale would stay despite interest from Real Madrid. "That's the information we have," he said.

After Tottenham's failure to cement a top-four position last season despite once holding a 10-point lead over Arsenal, and its lasagne-gate seven years ago, Tottenham fans would be forgiven for thinking that their team has a mental block which is preventing it from taking the final step up, but Villas-Boas disagrees.

He said: "No, I don't think so. We had a great competitive side, we are very ambitious, we have great character.

"We were strong in December and January, and I think going into future next year we don't need a lot to make us even better.

"Bearing in mind the experience that other teams have, and that they fight for the title, we have given them a good run for those Champions League spots."

Had results been different over the past couple of weeks, victory may have kept the Latics up and sent Villa down, but instead the host went into the final game knowing its eight-year stay in the top flight was over.

Relegation came only three days after the finest day in Wigan's history when it beat Manchester City at Wembley last weekend to win the FA Cup, and the trophy was displayed on the pitch before and after the game.

There was no doom and gloom around the DW Stadium and thousands of fans stayed after the match to cheer the Wigan squad.

Martinez said: "I'm very proud. When you enjoy the moments that we had with our fans, you can only feel proud.

"It's been an emotional week. We're always a unique football club, we've been doing that season after season. Even in relegation, we have to do it in the most unique way - winning the FA Cup and getting relegated, the first team that has ever done that.

"It's been a rollercoaster of emotions this week but when you have the supporters that we have, they are the reason why we are so proud of our football club.

"We need to get stronger in the league and regain our Premier League status. I think, over the last eight seasons, we've made sure everyone knows Wigan Athletic belongs at this level."

Wigan started slowly and Darren Bent, making his first start since January in place of the suspended Christian Benteke, scored his first league goal in eight months less than five minutes in.

But the Latics improved and levelled in the 21st minute with a header from Emmerson Boyce before taking the lead on the stroke of half-time when Ashley Westwood's goal-line clearance hit Villa defender Nathan Baker.

Ron Vlaar levelled things again just after the hour mark with a brilliant volley, and that was the way it stayed, although James McArthur nearly won it for Wigan with an equally spectacular effort that hit the bar.

Attention at the DW Stadium will now turn to whether Martinez will stay at the club he used to play for and has managed for four years.

The Spaniard, who has been heavily linked with Everton, will meet chairman Dave Whelan in eight days' time to discuss those matters after the dust has settled.

He said: "Sometimes it's good to have a little bit of breathing space and reflect and make sure we sit down with the chairman and make the right decisions.

"But that doesn't mean anything (is decided). Next season for Wigan is an incredible campaign. It's the first time we're going to be in Europe, and we don't go into the qualifying rounds, we go straight into the group stages, which means you've got six games guaranteed.

"We've got to defend the FA Cup, and then you're involved in a competition where you have to play 46 games. We need a large squad, we need the youngsters to be ready.

"You saw today three or four players who have been working extremely hard. The structure's working at the football club and we need to be very excited for the future.

"We've got the best chairman ever. He said this morning he won't stop until he gets Wigan Athletic back into the Barclays Premier League, and when he says something like that, you better believe him."

For Villa, the end of the campaign brought relief that it will have another Premier League season to look forward to.

Boss Paul Lambert said: "It's been really hard. Especially in that Christmas period when we couldn't get a win. But the big thing was the crowd stayed with it. I think that was a very telling factor.

"Because we were in a transitional period, we knew we had to come through it. I think the club would have kept on sliding. We had to strip it right back and get it going.

"(Chairman) Randy Lerner's been absolutely fantastic with us. He knows the philosophy, that we're trying to build the club. And you see that performance and the performances of the last five months, it's been extremely high."

Lambert also went back onto the pitch after the game accompanied by former Villa midfielder Stiliyan Petrov, who announced his retirement earlier this month because of his fight against leukaemia.

The Villa boss said: "That was nearly a tearjerker, that was tough. To be fair to the Wigan fans, they even gave him a great reception, and that was an emotional moment. You could see how he feels about the crowd and the way he is."

Merrick’s success during his time in charge of Melbourne Victory between 2005-2011, where he guided the club to two premierships, two championships and three grand final appearances, proved decisive in Phoenix's decision to hand the 60-year-old the gig.

“His twelve years at the Victoria Institute of Sport (VIS), as well as his work with Melbourne Victory youth, demonstrates a proven track record in developing youth and bringing them through to the first team, something which is a core strategic pillar of the Phoenix.

“He also fully understands the long term strategy the club is implementing and is supportive of that approach.

“His clearly articulated football philosophy and attention to detail was strongly underpinned by his sports science skills and that gave him a unique combination of attributes.

“His skill set definitely gave him a distinct edge.

“Another plus was that his knowledge of the A-League and its players is exceptional.”

Merrick, who coached the Hong Kong national team between 2011-2012, said he is excited by the challenge of building Phoenix into an A-League title contender.

“I had six years at Victory but this is a new challenge entirely. It is unusual for one team to represent a country and it presents me with a great challenge.

“There is great potential at the club and there must be a lot of talented young players in New Zealand to draw on.

“I focussed on producing young players at the Victoria Institute of Sport and at Melbourne Victory and one of my most important roles at the Phoenix will be to provide input into the type of structure that will groom up and coming players for the first team.”

Merrick said his first priority would be to sign players for two or three crucial positions and then to make sure there was a production line of young players coming through.

“That is something I tried to ensure at Victory because you are always going to have injuries and players called up for international duty," he said.

“To make three grand finals in four seasons as we did at Victory we had to keep new players coming through.”

“The owners and board are determined to bring stability to the Phoenix, and they impressed me as people who want to set up structures and a playing style rather than just try and buy success season after season.

One of the players Merrick will inherit is his ex-Victory star Carlos Hernandez, who will join up with Phoenix in June after a stint in India.

“Carlos was obviously signed before I was appointed but I know him well,” Merrick said.

“He has tremendous technical skills and can score goals as well as assist others to score them.”

Merrick will take up his duties on 5 June and said he was already planning his first season’s full training schedule - with the future of Chris Greenacre yet to be determined in the coaching structure.

Greenace was placed as interim coach after Ricki Herbert called an end to his Phoenix reign after he became the longest serving coach in the A-League in January, surpassing Merrick's mark of 151 games.

Juric, 22, signed a short-term deal with Adelaide last season, scoring twice in a seven-game spell after five years of playing in Croatia.

In his time abroad the western Sydney native scored 12 goals in 18 games for Croatia Sesvete before teaming up with now-Wanderers midfielder Mateo Poljak at Lokomotiva.

He then joined fellow top-division side Inter Zapresic for a season before heading to Adelaide where his contract only recently expired.

"I am very excited to be given the opportunity to come and join the Wanderers," Juric said.

"I have the utmost respect for Tony Popovic and everything he has achieved this year.

"To come back to Sydney and play in western Sydney where I grew up is real motivation to work hard and become a better player.

"To also come back into a team that is preparing for both the A-league season and the AFC Champions League is an amazing opportunity for me."

Juric is the first replacement signed for the Wanderers after the departure of strikers Joey Gibbs and Dino Kresinger, defender Tarek Elrich and midfielder Rocky Visconte last month.

Executive Chairman Lyall Gorman said the Juric would be a great addition to the club.

"Tom provides added potency to our front line and we are very excited to have him form part of our squad for this coming season," he said.

"His strength and pace enhances our front third and we look forward to seeing him in action in the red and black hoops.

"His signing is further reflective of our club's culture and commitment to bring home players who have grown up in the western Sydney region."

The 51-year-old, whose contract expires in the northern summer, revealed before his side's 2-1 loss at Roma that he would reveal his future plans once the season was over.

Reports in Italy suggest he could take the reins of conqueror Roma, which has been coached by Aurelio Andreazzoli on an interim basis after Zdenek Zeman's departure, while both Inter Milan and AC Milan are rumoured to be looking for new coaching blood.

Mazzarri told Napoli's official website: "The moment has come for me to reflect. Napoli is a marvellous place but I am leaving after four years because the players need some new stimulation.

"I've talked to the lads in the changing room and the president, I was emotional and I hugged everybody.

"I thank the fans... and all of those who've been close to me in these wonderful years.

"I took this decision some time ago. Out of respect, though, I wanted the players to be able to give their all right to the end, which they did."

Mazzarri, who previously coached Livorno and Sampdoria, arrived in Naples in October 2009 as a replacement for Roberto Donadoni and led the club to a sixth-placed finish in his debut season.

The Azzurri finished third in the following season to secure a place in the UEFA Champions League group stages for the 2011-2012 campaign, where Mazzarri steered his side into the last 16 before its elimination by eventual winner Chelsea.

"I've taken Napoli as far as I can and I've put all my strength into this team and I think I have fulfilled the mandate in the right way," he added.

"I thank (president Aurelio) De Laurentiis and (director of sport Riccardo) Bigon who tried to change my mind, but I think it's time to go and sit still for a few months or even try a new challenge.

"It depends on the offers. Naples has a precious treasure and a solid club which is very healthy, and I think they will have a bright future."

Confirmation the Stadio San Paolo hotseat is soon to be empty feeds speculation that club president De Laurentiis could appoint a coach with Premier League and Champions League experience, with the names of Chelsea interim boss Rafael Benitez and former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini circulating on the peninsula.

De Laurentiis later wrote on Twitter: "We salute Mazzarri for everything he has done. We turn the page and keep on growing. You will know who the new coach is through Twitter."

Officers were attacked with bottles and flagpoles outside the stadium after striker Didier Ya Konan's two goals sealed Fortuna's defeat.

With Hoffenheim earning a shock 2-1 win at Borussia Dortmund, the defeat meant automatic relegation for Dusseldorf, which had gone into the final round of games outside of the bottom three.

Ten officers were hurt in the rioting and two were unable to continue their duties due to their injuries, while two of the 19 arrests were for breach of the peace.

The other arrests were for various offences including breach of the Explosives Act after flares were set off by Fortuna fans inside the stadium during the game.

Li Wei scored the only goal of the contest three minutes into the second half to lift Wuhan off the foot of the table.

Defeat for Hangzhou saw it miss out on a place in the top four.

:: New York Red Bulls v Los Angeles Galaxy highlights
:: Cahill post-patch interview

The showdown failed to live up to the pre-game hype but Cahill provided the highlight in a dramatic finale with another trademark headed goal to secure the three points.

New York is now unbeaten in six games and is top of the Eastern Conference with 24 points from 14 games while Galaxy is third in the Western Conference after a third loss from its last four games left it on 17 points from 11 games.

Most of the major goal mouth action arrived late with Robbie Keane going close for LA before Cahill headed home Juninho's free-kick past Carlo Cudicini - his third match-winning header in less than a month.

The East's Bottom side DC United snapped a seven-game losing streak after a 1-1 draw with second place Sporting Kansas City in Washington.

Six minutes after an own goal by DC defender Ethan White, midfielder Kyle Porter scored his first MLS goal, sliding in to knock in a cross by substitute Chris Pontius and level the score in the 66th minute.

Ned Grabavoy started and finished the scoring as Real Salt Lake stormed to a 4-1 success over Chivas USA at the Home Depot Center to climb to second in the Western Conference standings.

Joao Plata's 48th-minute effort doubled the visitor;s advantage after Grabavoy's first-half opener and, although Jorge Villafana halved the deficit soon after, further goals from substitute Robbie Findley (78) and Grabavoy (90) sealed an emphatic away win.

Lyon now leads Saint-Etienne by two points in the race for third place with just one game left.

Lille and Nice are still in with a mathematical chance as they sit another point further back.

Argentine Dario Cvitanich gave the host the lead from the spot but Lyon equalised through Clement Grenier just three minutes after seeing Maxime Gonalons dismissed for a second booking.

Lyon hosts mid-table Rennes in its final game while Saint-Etienne travels to Lille.

Due to a vastly inferior goal difference, Nice, which travels to Ajaccio, has next to no chance of snatching third place.

Twente won 4-2 on aggregate against FC Groningen after a 3-2 triumph.

Defending a 1-0 lead from the away leg, Twente's Edson Braafheid fired his side ahead after 12 minutes, although the defender undid his good work by putting through his own net midway through the half.

Andraz Kirm (26) hit a second for Groningen, but Twente made sure of the win through Felipe Gutierrez (83) and Nacer Chadli (90).

FC Utrecht was also defending a 1-0 lead from its away leg against Heerenveen and never looked in danger of relinquishing the advantage as a brace by Jens Toornstra (nine and 82) set it on its way to a 2-1 win, 3-1 on aggregate.

Mark Uth hit Heerenveen's consolation in added time.

Elsewhere, VVV-Venlo's demotion to the second tier was confirmed as it slumped to a 3-0 home defeat against Go Ahead Eagles in the promotion/relegation play-offs

The Eagles only finished sixth in the Eerste Divisie but could yet claim an unexpected place in the top flight, with goals by Jarchinio Antonia (14), Quincy Promes (81) and Marnix Kolder (89) seeing them to a 4-0 aggregate win.

Roda JC, which found itself alongside VVV in the Eredivisie relegation play-off zone, avoided the same fate as it emphatically dispatched De Graafschap 6-1 for a 7-2 aggregate win.

Jordan Garcia-Calvete fired De Graafschap ahead to give the team from the second tier the aggregate lead, but it was one-way traffic after that, with a brace by Sanharib Malki and a Frank Demouge effort putting Roda 3-1 up at the break.

Malki completed his hat-trick two minutes after the restart, while Mitchell Donald's brace added gloss to the scoreline.

Eerste Divisie runner-up FC Volendam won 3-1 over MVV for a 4-1 aggregate scoreline, Michiel Kramer (44), Ludcinio Marengo (80) and Robert Muhren (90) with the goals. Mark Veldmate hit MVV's consolation.

Sparta Rotterdam, which finished third in the second tier, is also through after drawing 1-1 with Helmond Sport for a 5-3 aggregate win. Toni Varela put Sparta ahead 55 minutes before Emrullah Guvenc levelled late on.

The line up for the final round of relegation/promotion play-offs sees Go Ahead Eagles face Volendam and Sparta play Roda.

Gary Johnson's team was playing non-league football just 10 years ago, but its remarkable rise reached a new high at Wembley as goals from Paddy Madden and Dan Burn lifted the Somerset-based minnow into the Championship.

Yeovil, famous for its FA Cup giant-killing heroics as a non-league team, has gone from strength to strength since winning promotion to the Football League in 2003.

Now the tiny club, with average attendances of just a few thousand, will take on the likes of Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Wigan Athletic and Queens Park Rangers on an equal footing.

"It's a great achievement for our football club, for everyone that's been a part of it over the last 10 years, to everyone that's been a part of it over the last year," Johnson told Sky Sports.

"To have 20,000 supporters supporting us, which is a relatively small club, then this is what you can do. If you've got big ambitions then you can get this."

Yeovil took a sixth minute lead when striker Madden curled a superb strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area and towering defender Burn added the second as he rose above three Brentford defenders to head home in the 42nd minute.

Harlee Dean's headed goal six minutes into the second half gave renewed hope to Uwe Rosler's side, but Yeovil survived a late barrage to make history.

The visitor took the lead after 18 minutes through Aleksandr Shulenin, but Luis Neto levelled 10 minutes before half-time and, after Volga had Andrei Karyaka sent off in the 76th minute, Zenit scored twice more through Viktor Faitzulin and Roman Shirokov.

Shirokov was also dismissed at the death as Zenit closed to within three points of champion CSKA Moscow with one game to go -Zenit has a better goal difference but CSKA has already wrapped up the title due to winning more games.

Elsewhere, Krylya Sovetov boosted its survival hopes with a 3-1 win at home to Rubin Kazan.

Luis Caballero put the host in front and IIya Maksimov's brace, the second from the spot, either side of a Vladimir Dyadyun goal for Rubin, sealed the win.

Dinamo Moscow had two players sent off as it lost 1-0 at relegated Alania Vladikavkaz.

Tamas Priskin scored the winner after 71 minutes before Dinamo had Balazs Dzsudzsak and Aleksandr Kokorin sent off three minutes from time.

Philippe Coutinho's 23rd-minute goal settled the encounter against relegated Queens Park Rangers but all the attention was on the veteran centre-back on his 737th and final appearance.

He almost capped it with a superb goal - he scored on his full debut in front of the Kop - but his sweetly-struck 25-yard shot cannoned back off the post.

"I'll have to watch it again - I thought it was in," said the 35-year-old.

"I'm not the type to get too emotional but it is emotional. I've got my friends and family in the stands but I just wanted to concentrate on the game.

"We got the win that we wanted and I can go and enjoy myself now."

He added on LFC TV: "It was a special send-off for me and a day I'll never forget.

"I've been playing here a long time and it's sad to think I'll never play at this stadium again in a competitive game.

"But it has to come to an end at some stage and I've got some great memories."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers will miss having Carragher around for a variety of reasons and he knows he is impossible to replace.

"I don't think there are many about like that, I've got to be honest," he said.

"What he's got at this football club is unique. You have to find different ways. All great players, their time comes to an end.

"We've seen it here through the years. You look at Ian Rush when he went away and they brought in John Barnes and Peter Beardsley - and they brought something else.

"We need to find a good one now to come in and support the group - and it certainly won't be easy.

"He's an incredible player and a real gentleman. You saw his performance today - his ambition was to go out at the top and he's going out as a top performer.

"He's played 16 Premier League games since he came back into the team and we've only lost one.

"He's been an absolutely colossal player and at 35 he's still fit and strong.

"It's with great sadness that he has to move on but we now have to."

As one career came to an end another was just beginning as 17-year-old Jordon Ibe made his first-team debut and did not disappoint, even providing the assist for the goal.

"I thought he did very well," added Rodgers.

"It's not easy playing at Anfield, his first game here for the first team. As the game went on he became better and better.

"He's got real potential and you can see he's a footballer. He linked up very well with young Coutinho and made some good passes and got some shots off.

"For all the young players, hopefully they'll see from this season that there's hope for them here - that they'll get an opportunity."

Relegated QPR was barely a threat all afternoon and manager Harry Redknapp now faces the task of getting it back into the Premier League.

It seems unlikely it will be with the majority of this squad however with some individuals coming in for criticism over their professionalism.

"We've got no divine right to come straight back up. We'll have to work hard," he said.

"I've inherited a group with some good professionals and also with people who are not so good. That has been the problem.

"Lots of them can't get up early enough to get to training on time.

"One player's picked up more fines than he earns and he earns enough."

Here are some of the high points of a great career.

8 January 1997 - Makes first-team debut as a substitute in a League Cup tie aged 19 having already spent a decade at the club he joined while still at primary school.

3 March 2001 - Wins first senior trophy with victory in the League Cup final after a penalty shoot-out against Birmingham. Goes on to play a pivotal part in FA Cup and UEFA Cup success later that season.

25 May 2005 - Despite being stricken by cramp late on in extra-time, Carragher produces a typical last-gasp tackle to deny AC Milan's Andriy Shevchenko as Liverpool famously came back from 3-0 down at half-time to win the Champions League on penalties.

26 August 2005 - In the absence of the injured Steven Gerrard, Carragher captains Liverpool to victory over CSKA Moscow and lifts the European Super Cup in Monte Carlo.

1 May 2007 - Writes his name into the club's considerable record books with a 90th European appearance, surpassing Ian Callaghan's previous best, keeping Didier Drogba quiet in the Champions League semi-final second leg victory over Chelsea at Anfield.

Honours:

FA Cup: 2000-01, 2005-06

League Cup: 2000-01, 2002-03, 2011-12

FA Community Shield: 2001, 2006

Champions League: 2004-05

UEFA Cup: 2000-01

European Super Cup: 2001, 2005

1978: Born Bootle 28 January.

1996: Wins FA Youth Cup with Liverpool.

October - Signs professional contract with the Reds.

1997: 8 January - Makes first-team debut as a substitute in a Coca-Cola Cup tie at Middlesbrough.

18 January - Marks full Anfield debut with a goal in 3-0 win over Aston Villa.

2001: Wins the treble of FA Cup, Worthington Cup and UEFA Cup.

2005: May - Wins Champions League in famous come-from-behind victory on penalties over AC Milan. August - Captain's side to UEFA Super Cup victory over CSKA Moscow.

2006: Named in PFA Team of the Year for season 2005-2006.

2007: May - Breaks Ian Callaghan's all-time Liverpool record with his 90th European appearance for the club in the Champions League semi-final against Chelsea. Signs new four-year contract at age of 29. Announces international retirement.

2008: 15 January - Makes 500th Liverpool appearance in FA Cup third-round replay victory over Luton.

11 March - Makes 100th European appearance in Champions League win against Inter Milan at San Siro.

2010: Coaxed out of international retirement by England manager Fabio Capello and plays two group games before his involvement in South Africa is cut short by suspension. Retires again after England's exit.

2011: 24 February - Plays his 137th match in Europe against Sparta Prague to set a new British record.

2012: 2 August - Makes his 700th appearance for Liverpool in a 1-0 Europa League third qualifying round match against FC Gomel.

2013: 7 February - Announces his intention to retire at the end of the 2012/13 season.

19 May - Plays his final professional match against QPR at Anfield.

Here is some other interesting facts.

:: His first-team career has spanned 16 years 131 days - the seventh longest in the club's history.

:: He captained Liverpool for the 52nd time in the Premier League.

:: He is the only Liverpool player to play 150 times in Europe for the club, appearing in a staggering 44% of all the Reds games in Europe.

:: His first significant trophy at Liverpool came in 1996 when he was part of the Reds team alongside David Thompson and Michael Owen that lifted the FA Youth Cup. In the beaten West Ham team were Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard.

:: He has played more times (45) against Chelsea than any other team.

:: He was a league ever-present in two seasons - 2004-2005 and 2008-2009.

:: He is the only player in Liverpool's history to have played under six different permanent managers - Roy Evans, Gerard Houllier, Rafael Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish and Brendan Rodgers.

:: He is second only to Ian Callaghan on the all-time appearances list (all competitions) and also on the league appearances list.

:: He has won 11 first-team honours with Liverpool plus the FA Youth Cup.

After playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid, Newcastle United and Manchester United, the 33-year-old announced in March he would hang up his boots after just one season in the Potteries.

Owen's final appearance came away at Southampton, coming on for the final 16 minutes of a hard-fought 1-1 draw on the south coast.

The striker was given a standing ovation by all inside a sold-out St Mary's and, despite having failed to make a league start for Stoke, boss Pulis praised the influence he has had at the Britannia Stadium.

"It was always the plan to bring him on," he said. "He had a great chance in the second half to actually put the icing on the cake.

"If he had scored, I think even the Southampton supporters would have given him a round of applause.

"He got a great reception and he deserves it. He has been a very, very good pro for us and, not just his football side, he is a very, very good family man.

"We're pleased with the year he has been with us. He is good fun to work with, a good person to work with and we wish him all the best for the future."

While Owen can concentrate on a career in the media and his growing horse racing empire, the future of Pulis and chairman Peter Coates is less certain.

Pulis was coy on that after the match and also about the training ground incident that marred the build-up and led to an internal investigation.

Kenwyne Jones smashed team-mate Glenn Whelan's car windscreen in a mistaken act of retribution after he found a pig's head wrapped in his clothes.

Jones did not travel to the south coast to face his former club, while Whelan continued to miss out through a groin injury.

"We kept Kenwyne and Glenn away because of that distraction," Pulis said.

"We didn't want to bring any distraction on the players, we wanted to focus on the game. I think we've done that.

"I've spoken to the two lads, they understand. I've had a good chat with them. It was a prank and everybody knows that.

"I think it's been a week of the lads getting at it in lots of respects.

"We'll deal with it in house and then the club will let you know. I have to say the disappointing thing is some coverage has been poor.

"One newspaper said it was about religion. That had absolutely nothing to do with it whatsoever.

"You have to accept it and get on with it. I'll speak to Peter and the family and let you know. As soon as we've sorted it all out we'll let you know next week."

Southampton's immediate future looks a lot more settled after executive chairman Nicola Cortese ended speculation about his future by announcing on Saturday he would stay at the club.

Saints manager Mauricio Pochettino had pledged to follow the Italian out of the club and is pleased the situation has been resolved.

"I think that Nicola Cortese staying is the best possible news for next season," the Argentinian said.

"That is very good for the squad, for the whole club. We will talk about the summer and the budgets with Nicola from tomorrow."

Fans chanted the names of Cortese and Pochettino throughout a match which Southampton could count itself somewhat unfortunate not to win.

City went ahead through a Peter Crouch header two minutes into the second half, before Rickie Lambert levelled 10 minutes later.

The fine form of Stoke goalkeeper Asmir Begovic prevented Southampton going on to win the match, meaning it ends the season without a win six attempts.

"We wanted to win, but weren't able to do so," Pochettino added.

"The same story has happened, we dominated, created better chances, but we just couldn't close down the game and it shows we need to be more clinical and assertive."

Owen scored on his senior Liverpool debut after coming on as a substitute to become, at the time, the Premier League's youngest goalscorer aged 17 years and 143 days.

June 1998: England v Argentina

Arguably Owen's most iconic strike. With England drawing 1-1 with Argentina in the World Cup last-16 clash the striker raced on to David Beckham's pass to out-pace Jose Chamot, drift past Roberto Ayala and clip a shot over goalkeeper Carlos Roa.

May 2001: Liverpool v Arsenal

Another typical Owen strike. Having already produced a late equaliser he charged onto Patrik Berger's through-ball to beat Lee Dixon and covering centre-back Tony Adams to fire a narrow-angle left-footed shot just inside the far post to win the FA Cup finals.

September 2001: England v Germany

Similar to his goal against Argentina, Owen this time received a pass from Steven Gerrard to advance into the area and fire high past Oliver Kahn for his hat-trick in the 5-1 World Cup qualifier win in Munich.

April 2005: Real Madrid v Barcelona

Possibly not one of his most important goals but to score in a Clasico for Real Madrid is a high point for any player, let alone an Englishman. Although it helped secure a 4-2 win, it could not prevent Madrid's arch-rival ultimately winning the title by four points.

1979: Born 14 December in Chester.

1995: Beats the goalscoring record of Kevin Gallen and Nick Barmby for England Under-15s.

1996: Helps Liverpool win the FA Youth Cup in May. Signs professional terms with Liverpool on 17th birthday after previously joining it as a schoolboy.

1997: 6 May - Scores on his first-team debut against Wimbledon.

18 November - Nets his first senior hat-trick against Grimsby in the League Cup.

1998: 11 February - Becomes youngest England international of the 20th century when he starts against Chile.

14 February - Scores his first Premier League hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday. Finishes season joint-top scorer in the Premier League with 18 goals.

31 May - Named in England's World Cup squad of 22.

22 June - Scores after coming on as substitute against Romania but England loses 2-1.

30 June - Scores a sensational goal against Argentina before England bows out of France '98 on penalties.

13 December - Named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, one day before his 19th birthday.

2001: May - Scores twice in the last seven minutes as Liverpool comes back to beat Arsenal 2-1 in the FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium.

1 September - Scores hat-trick in 5-1 win over Germany in a World Cup qualifier in Munich.

26 September - Signs new four-year deal with Liverpool.

17 December - Named European Footballer of the Year.

2002: June - Scores goals against Denmark and Brazil during England's run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Japan.

2003: 26 April - Scores his 100th Premier League goal, the second of four in a 6-0 rout of West Brom.

11 June - Captains England in the absence of David Beckham and nets twice in 2-1 Euro 2004 qualifying defeat of Slovakia.

2004: June - Scores one goal for England in Euro 2004 - in the quarter-final defeat to Portugal.

12 August - Sources close to Real Madrid reveal the Spanish club has agreed a deal to sign Owen.

2005: 23 May - Scores 16 goals in his debut season in Spain.

30 August - Signs four-year deal with Newcastle, sealing £17million permanent transfer.

31 December - Breaks metatarsal bone in defeat at Tottenham and is ruled out for ''several months''.

2006: 20 June - Regains fitness to take his place at the World Cup but injures his knee in first minute of group game against Sweden in Cologne and is immediately replaced. Ruled out for at least nine months.

2007: 30 April - Owen makes first competitive start in over 10 months, playing the full 90 minutes as Newcastle loses 1-0 to Reading at the Madejski Stadium.

2008: 19 January - Appointed Newcastle captain by new manager Kevin Keegan.

2009: May - Finishes the season with 10 goals as Newcastle are relegated from the Premier League on the final day.

22 June - Confirms that he will not be renewing his contract with Newcastle.

3 July - Reports link Owen with free transfer to Manchester United and he later signs a two-year contract with the champion after passing medical tests.

22 September - Claims a dramatic winner in the sixth minute of injury time to seal a 4-3 win over Manchester City.

2010: February - Scores as Manchester United beats Aston Villa 2-1 in the League Cup final. He hobbled off with a hamstring injury - and replaced by Wayne Rooney who scored the winner - before being ruled out for the season.

2011: May - Makes enough league appearances to claim a title winner's medal but is an unused substitute in United's Champions League Final defeat to Barcelona at Wembley.

2 November - Substituted early in Champions League group stage match against Otelul Galati and misses the rest of the season.

2012: 17 May - Reveals on Twitter that Manchester United would not be offering him a new deal after three years with the club.

4 September - Now a free agent, signs for Stoke on a one-year contract.

15 September - Makes Potters debut as an 89th-minute substitute against Manchester City.

2013: 19 March - Announces he will retire from professional football at the end of the season.

19 May - Makes final appearance as a second-half substitute for Stoke in their 1-1 draw at Southampton.

Owen's appearances and goals

Liverpool (1996-2004): 297 games, 158 goals

Real Madrid (2004-05): 40 games, 14 goals

Newcastle United (2005-09): 79 games, 30 goals

Manchester United (2009-12): 52 games, 17 goals

Stoke City (2012-13) 9 games, one goal

England (1998-2008): 89 caps, 40 goals

Milan fell a goal behind to Claudio Terzi (25) and it remained that way until six minutes from time when Mario Balotelli levelled from the penalty spot.

Yet with Fiorentina hammering Pescara 5-1, Milan needed another goal to finish third in Serie A and take the final Champions League berth, and it duly got the job done with three minutes remaining as Philippe Mexes fired home.

Both teams finished the match with 10 men after Milan captain Massimo Ambrosini and Siena's Christian Terlizzi were sent off for second yellows in the second half.

Fiorentina was a class above relegated Pescara in its encounter but at the end of the night was hugely disappointed to come away with a place in the UEFA Europa League as its reward.

Vincenzo Montella's side won with ease thanks to a hat-trick from Adem Ljajic and goals from Steven Jovetic and Matias Fernandez.

Marco Vittiglio scored a consolation for the host, but there was no consoling Fiorentina at the final whistle as it discovered its efforts had been in vain.

Udinese made no mistake in tying down the final automatic Europa League place by condemning Inter Milan to a 5-2 defeat at the San Siro.

Udinese knew victory would bar Lazio from snatching fifth place, and quickfire goals from Giampiero Pinzi and Maurizio Domizzi underlined its intent.

Antonio Di Natale, Gabriel Silva and Luis Muriel were also on target, with efforts from Juan Jesus and Tommaso Rocchi mere consolations for Inter.

Lazio must pursue Europa League football via the Coppa Italia final after a 1-0 defeat at Cagliari.

Vladimir Petkovic's men needed a victory and for Udinese to slip up to take fifth place, but the Bianconeri did not oblige while Daniele Dessena claimed all three points for Cagliari with a late header.

Walter Mazzarri lost to the club which could well offer him his next job in coaching as Roma beat league runner-up Napoli 2-1.

Mazzarri revealed after the defeat that he was leaving Napoli after four years, with Roma, Milan and Inter all touted as potential destinations.

The clash was settled by second-half goals from Marquinho and Mattia Destro, while Napoli replied through Edinson Cavani.

Palermo suffered a 3-1 home defeat to Parma in its final outing ahead of its relegation to Serie B.

Massimo Gobbi, Jaime Valdes and Ishak Belfodil piled the misery on the Sicilian side at the end of a season to forget.

Fabrizio Miccoli netted the consolation for the Rosaneri.

A late goal from Cyril Thereau denied Atalanta a winning end to the season as Chievo took home a point from a 2-2 draw.

Atalanta led twice with Guglielmo Stendardo first to put it ahead in the eighth minute before Thereau levelled.

Luigi Giorgi restored Atalanta's lead six minutes from time only for Thereau to level with almost the last kick of the game.

Bologna and Genoa played out a goalless stalemate while Torino and Catania drew 2-2.

Sergio Almiron opened the scoring for Catania in the first half, but Alessio Cerci levelled for the host after 53 minutes.

Catania's lead was restored by Gonzalo Bergessio nine minutes later, but it ended all square after Rolando Bianchi netted for Torino seven minutes from the end.

Pedro opened the scoring after Xavi intercepted Jesus Rueda's pass out of defence and former Barca trainee Marc Valiente's clumsy own goal put the champion two goals to the good at half-time.

Victor Perez's late penalty, after Martin Montoya fouled Manucho, denied Victor Valdes a clean sheet on his 500th appearance for the club but could not dampen the party atmosphere.

Captain Carles Puyol accepted the trophy but touchingly handed it to coach Tito Vilanova and defender Eric Abidal, both of whom have had treatment for cancer, to lift.

Barca remains on course for a club record 100 points should it win its remaining two games, away to city rival Espanyol and at home to Malaga.

At the other end of the table, Deportivo La Coruna beat Espanyol 2-0 to move out of the relegation zone above Real Zaragoza, which lost 2-1 at home to Athletic Bilbao.

Depor took the lead through a wonderful goal by Bruno Gama five minutes into the second half, with Nelson Oliveira making sure of the points with his fine lob in stoppage-time.

Real Zaragoza led through Helder Postiga's 15th-minute header but was pegged back in the final 10 minutes, Fernando Llorente with a scrappy equaliser for Athletic Bilbao before Ibai Gomez backheeled a 92nd-minute winner.

Rayo Vallecano survived a late fightback from Levante to take all three points at the Ciutat Valencia stadium with a 3-2 win and move up to eighth in the table.

Top scorer Piti gave Paco Jemez's side a first-half lead which was cancelled out by Robert Acquafresca but then quickly restored by Franco Vazquez.

Piti struck again, this time from the penalty spot, to increase Rayo's advantage but Vicente Iborra set up an exciting finish to the game by scoring with four minutes remaining.

It beat bitter rival Benfica last weekend to leapfrog the Lisbon outfit in the standings and completed the job with a win against its near neighbour.

Lucho Gonzalez opened the scoring with a 23rd-minute penalty after Ricardo was sent off and Jackson Martinez added another 11 minutes after the break.

Danilo was sent off for a second yellow card just four minutes later to even up the numbers but Vítor Pereira's men held on to take the glory.

Benfica claimed a 3-1 win over Moreirense but it will have been little consolation to Jorge Jesus' men after a disastrous week.

Benfica was also unbeaten going into last weekend's top-of-the-table clash but conceded in stoppage-time to lose 2-1 and suffered the same fate in midweek in the UEFA Europa League final against Chelsea.

Benfica can still salvage some silverware this month though as it faces Vitoria Guimaraes in the Portuguese Cup final this weekend.

The result also saw Moreirense relegated as none of the sides battling to avoid the drop could claim wins.

Franco Vinicius had put Augusto Inacio's men ahead just before the break but a second-half goal from Oscar Cardozo plus a brace from Rodrigo Lima, including a stoppage-time penalty, saw Benfica claim the win.

Paulinho was sent off for the visitor in added time.

Beira Mar joined Moreirense in the Segunda Liga as it lost 4-1 to Sporting.

Adrien Silva opened the scoring before a quickfire brace from Ricky van Wolfswinkel in his last appearance for the club before moving to Norwich City put Sporting 3-0 up at the break.

Ribeiro gave Beira Mar hope but Adrien Silva's second a minute from time sealed its fate.

In Barcelos Fernando Sandro Cunha gave Gil Vicente a 25th-minute lead against Estoril but that was cancelled out by Steven de Sousa Vitoria 10 minutes after the break.

Goalkeeper Vitor Murta was then sent off for the home side before Vitoria netted his second from the penalty spot and Luis Leal completed the scoring in a 3-1 win for the visitor.

Ladji Keita grabbed the winner as Nacional beat Academica 2-1.

Daniel Candeias opened the scoring but Arnaldo Edinho's penalty three minutes after the break levelled matters before Keita struck with 27 minutes remaining.

Andrade Ze Luis' 32nd-minute goal was enough to hand Braga a 1-0 win over Vitoria Setubal while Bruno Braga scored the only goal as Rio Ave beat Guimaraes by the same score.

In the day's other game Olhanense and Maritimo drew 0-0.

Bardsley was left out of Sunderland's squad for the game at Tottenham Hotspur after the picture of him - taken after Sunderland's survival was assured last week after Wigan Athletic's loss at Arsenal - was printed in The People newspaper.

Di Canio claims the mentality he has encountered at Sunderland is worse than that of League One side Swindon Town, which he managed before taking charge at the Stadium of Light.

Bardsley accepted being left out of the squad, and denied that he was drunk at the time.

That did not stop his manager from letting rip at Bardsley after revealing he had fined the defender, and Matthew Kilgallon, who was out with the former Manchester United man, for the incident.

"I saw the picture on a website and moments later he was out of my squad," Di Canio told a press conference.

"How can I play a player that probably is blurry for three, four days after what's happened?

"I want to deliver a very clear message: there is no excuse to behave like he did.

"They went out because Wigan lost the game and we stay up.

"I could understand it if we had won the Champions League or maybe the FA Cup.

"We have to respect the dignity of the club, and the fans.

"I thought that at Swindon ... arrogant, ignorant footballers because they've not had many chances to stay at the top level.

"I have to tell you unfortunately I found a worse environment in terms of discipline in this club.

"This is what I've found in the last few weeks so we have to change completely."

Di Canio said he will consider the future of both players after the incident.

The image of Bardsley, laying out on the floor amid swathes of cash caused outrage among football fans who struggle to cobble enough money to attend matches.

Surprisingly, Di Canio has continued to encounter problems with some members of his squad since the players' night out on Tuesday.

The Italian claimed that one squad member who was left out of his squad for the game refused to train back up at Sunderland's base.

The player in question claimed he had food poisoning, but Di Canio does not appear to believe him.

"Some player that couldn't involve (himself) in my squad today for a different reason decided: I don't train today," the animated Sunderland boss said, slamming the table with fury.

"They make that diagnosis. He didn't go to the Academy of Light because he said 'yesterday I had poisoned food'. Sorry.

"The doctor tried to contact him. His phone was switched off for three hours.

"This is the situation at Sunderland."

Di Canio revealed earlier this week that he had fined seven players for indiscipline and he also angrily threatened to cut the squad's holiday short because of his disappointment with them.

Another outburst against his players may be ill-advised in some people's eyes, but Di Canio insists he needs to take this action if he is to move Sunderland forward next season.

"Maybe I tell you this and tonight they sack me? I don't know but if you want to change something you have to follow me," he said.

"These players will not be here next year. Not under me.

"The owner and I are going to sit at the table and go through but he knows many things.

"I spoke to him before by telephone and he told me we are going to change many things.

"This is what he told me before. (He said) 'Relax, don't worry because we are going to change many things' so it sounds like he supports me completely. We will see in the future."

Some Sunderland players had planned to go on holiday straight after the game, which the Black Cats lost 1-0 thanks to Gareth Bale's late winner, but Di Canio will not allow them to go on their annual leave until Tuesday.

"The next few days we will be together," he said.

"Previously some people organised during the week to go from London to Hawaii, Miami... They were thinking about organising their bags, four or five of them were talking about going together with their wives and girlfriends. Not possible.

"Today we fly back to Sunderland, our city, as a team.

"We stay tomorrow together for a sponsors event, then they can go on holiday."

The host came into the Pro League decider with a two-point cushion at the summit and knowing it only needed to avoid defeat to be sure of wrapping up top spot in the championship play-off.

Anderlecht made life hard for itself, however, falling behind to a 56th-minute Jens Naessens goal before pulling level through Lucas Biglia two minutes later.

It then had to play the final 10 minutes a man light after Cheikhou Kouyate was dismissed, but Zulte-Waregem failed to break through a second time as Anderlecht took the title and a direct ticket to the group stage of next season's UEFA Champions League.

Zulte Waregem's reward for a fine campaign is a place in the elite competition's third qualifying round.

Club Brugge secured third place and a shot at the UEFA Europa League as Carlos Bacca's 31st-minute effort sealed a 1-0 win over Genk, while Standard Liege claimed fourth place with a 4-3 win over Lokeren.

Mijat Maric fired Lokeren ahead before Reza Ghoochannejhad (19) levelled, but two goals inside 60 seconds by Dutra just before the break left Standard trailing 3-1.

Dino Arslanagic (51) began the fightback, while half-time substitute Michy Batshuayi struck in the 65th and 72nd minutes to seal Standard's victory.

Standard's season is still not over, however, as it now progresses to a two-legged play-off with Gent with the prize of a place in the Europa League up for grabs.

A 1-0 defeat for nearest rival Inverness in the Highland derby at Ross County meant the three points were enough for Saints to beat Terry Butcher's side to European football.

Goals from Liam Craig and Nigel Hasselbaink secured the win against a Motherwell side which was already confirmed as SPL runner-up.

Andre Hainault's well-executed volley two minutes before the break sunk Inverness at Ross County as it slipped to its first derby loss of the season.

It was a cruel end to its most successful season, which also saw it lose a Scottish Communities League Cup semi-final penalty shootout to Heart of Midlothian.

Celtic finished off its SPL campaign in style with a 4-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Kris Commons gave the champion the lead with a 30-yard free-kick in the 11th minute before Georgios Samaras helped himself to a double, the first with a deflected drive in the 17th minute and the second a header 10 minutes later.

Neil Lennon's side retained its grip on proceedings in the second half, but only added to its lead with five minutes remaining when substitute Anthony Stokes, on for Commons, made it 4-0, also with the help of a deflection.

With the title already secured by Manchester United and relegation matters settled in midweek, the settling of European issues was the main focus of the day.

A win for Arsenal at St James' Park saw Arsene Wenger continue his proud record of Champions League qualification in every season at the club, but Tottenham ensured a nailbiting finale when the irrepressible Bale fired Spurs ahead with a glorious 25-yard strike in the closing seconds.

A Newcastle equaliser in the dying seconds against Arsenal would have seen Tottenham leapfrog its rival into fourth but it never materialised.

Chelsea, which started the day with the chance of a play-off with the Gunners for third place, avoided that fate with a 2-1 home win over Everton.

And on a day where 36 goals were scored in the top flight, Sir Alex Ferguson saw 10 of them in his final game before retirement as champion Manchester United drew 5-5 in a breathless encounter with West Bromwich Albion.

Arsenal fought out a first-half stalemate against Newcastle but grabbed the all-important winning goal in the 52nd minute when Laurent Koscielny hooked home from close range after a free-kick from the right.

Tottenham saw strong penalty appeals turned down, shots cleared off the line and woodwork rattled before Bale - who had earlier been booked for diving when he looked to have been fouled in the area - curled in a sensational winner after David Vaughan's red card.

Yet it was not enough and it now goes into the UEFA Europa League.

Chelsea's confirmed third place in Rafael Benitez's last game in charge when his fellow Spaniards Juan Mata and Fernando Torres scored either side of Toffees midfielder Steven Naismith.

Ferguson, meanwhile, can rarely have seen a game in his 26 years at United like the one that unfolded at The Hawthorns.

Shinji Kagawa, Alex Buttner and a Jonas Olsson own goal put United 3-0 up after half-an-hour, while Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez also hit the target on Ferguson's big day.

But a Romelu Lukaku hat-trick teamed with efforts from James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu ensured the Baggies a share of the spoils.

Three of West Brom's goals came in a frantic last 10 minutes.

Jamie Carragher's final match for Liverpool before retirement ended in a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers, which finishes bottom of the league.

Philippe Coutinho grabbed the winner with a fine 23rd-minute strike but Carragher, goalless since 2006, almost grabbed the spotlight when he hit the woodwork in the second half.

Carragher's former Liverpool and England team-mate Michael Owen also played the last match of his storied career but a 16-minute cameo in Stoke City's 1-1 draw at Southampton was not one to remember.

Peter Crouch gave the Potters the lead two minutes into the second half and Rickie Lambert levelled 10 minutes later for the Saints.

Managerless Manchester City ended a disappointing season with a 3-2 home defeat to Norwich City.

One of Roberto Mancini's much-maligned northern summer signings, Jack Rodwell, twice equalised for City but goals from Anthony Pilkington, Grant Holt and Jonny Howson won it for the Canaries.

West Ham United beat the Canaries to a top-half finish with a 4-2 win over relegated Reading.

Kevin Nolan claimed a hat-trick and Ricardo Vaz Te also netted, while Garath McCleary and Adam Le Fondre ensured the Royals did not go down without a fight.

FA Cup winner Wigan Athletic is also bound for the Championship but it added one final point to its tally with a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa.

Darren Bent, on a rare start, had put Villa ahead before Emmerson Boyce's header and a Nathan Baker own goal gave the Latics a sniff of victory.

Ron Vlaar snuffed out those hopes in the 61st minute.

Fulham shook off some questionable form to inflict a 3-0 defeat on Swansea City, Alex Kacaniklic, Dimitar Berbatov and Urby Emmanuelson on the scoresheet for the Cottagers.

A brace from Tobias Hysen - who scored in the 38th and 82nd minutes - lifts Mikael Stahre's side above Helsingborg, which can reclaim first place with a positive result against Elfsborg on Monday evening (Tuesday morning AEST).

Mid-table AIK emerged a 3-2 winner from a five-goal thriller at Osters.

Nabil Bahoui (eight) opened the scoring for the visitor only for Kenny Pavey to equalise two minutes later, but Martin Lorentzson nudged AIK in front once again in the 33rd minute.

Kennedy Igboananike then scored what proved to be the winner with 57 minutes played with Pablo Pinones-Arce narrowing the gap by scoring five minutes later.

The points were shared at Hacken, which saw Jakob Orlov rescue a 2-2 draw for lowly Gefle.

Moestafa El Kabir (12) saw his opener cancelled out by visiting striker Johan Oremo on the 20-minute mark, meaning Martin Ericsson needed to restore Hacken's lead in the 70th minute before Orlov settled the tie five minutes later.

Elsewhere, Norrkoping survived a rally from Atvidabergs to secure a 2-1 win through goals from Andreas Johansson (19) and Martin Smedberg (74), with Kristian Bergstrom notching for the east-coast club in the 29th minute.

Halmstad, meanwhile, was dragged into the relegation zone by bottom side Djurgarden, which won 1-0 thanks to Erton Fejzullahu's 54th-minute goal.

Substitute Yener Arica opening the scoring soon after appearing as a 65th-minute replacement and Bobo added a second five minutes from time as fifth-placed Kayserispor downed its high-flying rival.

Fourth-placed Bursaspor also dropped points in its last game as it was held 2-2 at mid-table Genclerbirligi.

Bursaspor, which would have finished fourth no matter what happened, scored first and last through Ferhat Kiraz (seven) and Murat Yildirim (76) but Genclerbirligi struck twice in between as the points where shared, Ozgur Ileri (16) and Ermin Zec (24) the men on the scoresheet for the host.

Eskisehirspor earned a top-10 finish after beating Antalyaspor 3-1. Ozgur Cek's early double set Eskisehirspor on the way and Diomansy Kamara added a third just after the hour before seventh-placed Antalyaspor netted an 82nd-minute consolation through Omer Sismanoglu.

In the day's other game, Elazigspor and Sivasspor shared a goalless draw.

Fergie declared himself satisfied with the 2003 Chateau Pontet Canet, bought especially for the occasion, with West Bromwich Albion boss Steve Clarke delighted it did Ferguson justice.

"He knew what it was," Clarke said proudly. "He said it was a good year."

The post-match drink followed a staggering game, as United cruised into a 3-0 lead, and then 5-2, before being pegged back by a dogged West Brom side, which salvaged a 5-5 draw.

It was the first time a United team had drawn by such a score since Newton Heath was held by Lincoln in 1895. It was also the highest scoring draw in Premier League history.

"I am not sure Sir Alex enjoyed it that much," Clarke said.

"There is no point analysing the game. We had a great Plan A, which went out of the window after 10 minutes.

"It was a great occasion. That game will be remembered for a long time.

"He was quite complimentary about our season and I wish him all the best."

Ferguson opted not to speak with the media afterwards.

His thoughts would have been fascinating though, for at any other point in his career the hairdryer would surely have been turned up full volume given how the match unfolded, even though it wasn't, as he told Clarke, the first time under his charge United had thrown away a three-goal lead.

Shinji Kagawa and a Jonas Olsson own goal had United cruising after just 10 minutes and when Alexander Buttner drove home a third midway through the first-half, it seemed Ferguson would enjoy a victory cruise on his final day.

Even after James Morrison and Romelu Lukaku cut the gap either side of the interval, United quickly restored the three-goal cushion through Golden Boot winner Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez.

Yet it proved to be the prelude for the most astonishing of comebacks.

Red Devils veteran Paul Scholes was introduced off the bench in his final match of an incredible career only for Lukaku and Youssuf Mulumbu netted amid chaotic scenes.

Olsson blazed over from three yards before Lukaku completed his hat-trick, with both sides failing to take chances to win it late on.

"I was waiting for some Fergie time at the end," Van Persie joked.

"It didn't happen but to score 10 goals was good fun for everyone, so I think the fans are pleased."

Both sides formed a guard of honour for Ferguson before the game, with the West Brom supporters joining their United counterparts to applaud the Scot after the final whistle.

"After 26 and a half years at United and, before that, at Aberdeen, Sir Alex deserved it," said Van Persie.

"He's unbelievable and what the West Brom fans did was a nice touch.

"It's right to show respect. It doesn't always happen in football but, today it did and I'm glad."

Now though, United is preparing for the arrival of David Moyes, although Van Persie does not expect any problems.

"Everybody wants to work for each other and share the success and I'm 100 per cent sure that we will play for trophies every year and, hopefully, win a few every year. That's our standard for this team," he said.

"Of course, we get a new manager next year and everybody is looking forward to that. It's a new challenge for everyone. We'll have a nice break now and then we go again."

And Van Persie will be attempting to follow Thierry Henry and Alan Shearer as a Golden Boot winner in three consecutive seasons.

"The Barclays Premier League means everything and the Golden Boot is like a little bit extra but they should make 25 of them because we do it together," he said.

"Today it was a great cross by Antonio Valencia and an easy goal.

"We did this together and I'm so happy with how everything went. This is a great team and, hopefully, we can go for even more trophies.

"I'm sure we can."

The Cottagers secured their first win in eight games to end their season on a high, as Swansea's memorable campaign finished with a whimper at the Liberty Stadium.

Alexander Kacaniklic put Jol's side ahead after 22 minutes, with Dimitar Berbatov and Urby Emanuelson sealing the victory late on.

Schwarzer played an influential role for Fulham, pulling off a string of fine saves as Swansea piled on the pressure in the second half with the score at 1-0.

The Socceroos 'keeper denied Wayne Routledge, Chico Flores, Ashley Williams and Pablo Hernandez, with his fingertip save from the latter's curling effort the pick of the bunch.

The 40 year-old's contract is due to expire this summer and he has already rejected the offer of a new deal.

"We offered him a new contract, the only thing is he wanted to be guaranteed to be the number one," Jol said.

"That is not easy as we need a goalkeeper anyway.

"We don't know what will happen to David Stockdale and he does not want to be the number two, as you know he wants to be number one as well, and that is the problem.

"Okay, you can go on the market and find a useless goalkeeper, but you want a good goalkeeper and if you find a good goalkeeper you have to fight for your place, but we will sit down with him and try to find a solution.

"You saw today, 3-0 looks very good but it would have been different if he had not been there.

"We hope to find a solution, if we cannot find a solution we need to get a very, very, good goalkeeper because you need to be very, very good to be better than, or the same, as him."

Fulham's difficult conclusion to the season had led to suggestions Jol could leave his post at Craven Cottage.

But the Dutchman insists he will be in charge next season, and expects a busy transfer window with a host of loan signings returning to their parent clubs and other players out of contract.

"I am ambitious like Fulham are, I want us to be in the top six, the top seven or the top eight," Jol said.

"When I came here we had a fantastic team and we got 52 points, and look at where Swansea are today with 46.

"We do not want to repeat this season, only getting around 40 points, but we need good players, ambitious players and that is what I want."

"If eight or nine players leave us this summer we will need five or six players."

Swansea manager Michael Laudrup, meanwhile, was left to rue a disappointing end to his first season in charge.

The Dane has guided the Welsh club to Capital One Cup glory and a ninth-place Premier League finish, but could not give the home faithful a fitting finale.

"It was disappointing, but the difference was us not taking our chances," Laudrup said. "For 30 minutes in the second half we could have scored two or three.

"But I am sure in a couple of days I will see the big picture.

"Everyone here says it is the best season ever for this club. I have only been here 10 or 11 months so I will I trust their judgement."