LONDON (AP) ― The Premier League title race took an unexpected twist Sunday when Manchester City beat Wolverhampton 2-0 to move within three points of leader Manchester United, which blew a two-goal lead in a 4-4 tie with Everton.
With the two rivals meeting at Etihad Stadium in the next round and City having a much better goal difference than United, the destiny of the title is back in both teams’ hands in what is proving a thrilling climax to the season.
“It’s a derby of amazing proportions ― probably the most important derby game in my time,” said United manager Alex Ferguson, who took over in 1986.
United appeared to be coasting to an eighth straight home win when Wayne Rooney scored his second goal to put the team 4-2 ahead at Old Trafford.
However, poor defending from the defending champions allowed Nikica Jelavic and Steven Pienaar to score goals in the final seven minutes and earn Everton a point.
City took full advantage hours later at Molineux, with goals by Sergio Aguero and Samir Nasri ensuring Wolves became the first team to be relegated from the top flight.
“The United game’s in our sights,” City goalkeeper Joe Hart said. “We feel ready and are firing in the goals.”
In the day’s other match, Liverpool’s poor league form continued with a 1-0 home loss to West Bromwich Albion, with Peter Odemwingie grabbing the winner against the run of play in the 75th minute.
Liverpool, which had 28 shots at Anfield, is languishing in eighth place ― two points behind Merseyside rival Everton with four matches left.
United still holds the initiative although City’s superb form at home ― where it has won 16 of its 17 matches ― gives Roberto Mancini’s team a great chance of leapfrogging its greatest rival. City currently has a goal difference advantage of six.
Spain
Athletic Bilbao pushed last-place Racing Santander toward near-certain relegation from the Spanish league on Sunday with a 1-0 away win through an early goal from Gaizka Toquero.
The Basque striker ran onto Ander Herrera’s through pass and scored with a shot inside the far post to give Bilbao the victory, lifting it into sixth place and the last Europa League spot.
Racing remained winless in its last 16 games to sit 11 points from safety with four games to play.
“The players are aware of the situation, but we have to maintain our honor and keep working,” Racing coach Alvaro Cervera said.
In the Spanish capital, Arda Turan scored a brace in three second-half minutes to help Atletico Madrid brush past Espanyol 3-1 and stay even on points with Bilbao.
Italy
Undefeated Juventus routed 10-man Roma 4-0 on Sunday to open up a three-point lead over AC Milan with just five rounds remaining in Serie A.
Ten-man Milan needed a 90th-minute equalizer from Zlatan Ibrahimovic to salvage a 1-1 draw at home with Bologna.
Meanwhile, the Italian game was once again marred by crowd trouble at Genoa, where supporters caused a 45-minute suspension in their club’s 4-1 loss to Siena ― during which the players stripped off their shirts in a sign of apology.
