Ireland survive Wales scare to keep title hopes alive

Ireland kept alive their slim hopes of reclaiming the Six Nations title with a bonus-point victory over spirited Wales in Dublin. A fortnight on from dismantling England in ruthless fashion, Ireland were prevented from producing another statement performance by a hard-hitting Wales team who were chasing a first championship win since 2023. Andy Farrell’s home side ultimately dug deep to pick up the five points they needed, with tries from Jacob Stockdale, Jack Crowley, Jack Conan and Jamie Osborne.

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Arsenal fend off 10 man Chelsea to restore five-point lead

Arsenal passed a major examination of their Premier League title credentials after Jurrien Timber and William Saliba both scored from corners in a 2-1 win over 10-man Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium. A week after they thumped Tottenham, Arsenal recorded another pivotal triumph to restore their five-point advantage over Manchester City, albeit having played a game more. Saliba sent the hosts on their way midway through the first half when he converted Bukayo Saka’s corner, only for Piero Hincapie to put through his own net in first-half stoppage time.

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Semenyo strike sees City edge Leeds closing gap at the top

Antoine Semenyo scored just before half-time as title-chasing Manchester City escaped Elland Road with victory over an energetic Leeds United. The hard-earned outcome narrowed Arsenal’s lead to two points at the top of the Premier League. City travelled to West Yorkshire without their Leeds-born star striker Erling Haaland who was injured in training, and it looked for large periods in the first half that they would rue not having their top goalscorer available.

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Last gasp penalty sees Atalanta stun Dortmund

Lazar Samardzic slotted home a stoppage-time penalty to complete a dramatic 4-1 victory for Atalanta against Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, sending the Italian side into the Champions League’s last 16 with a comeback 4-3 aggregate triumph. Dortmund’s Ramy Bensebaini was sent off after his studs caught the head of Atalanta’s Nikola Krstovic in the penalty area and Samardzic converted the spot kick in the 98th minute to send the Italians through. Atalanta will now face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the round of 16,

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Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni handed provisional one-match ban

Gianluca Prestianni will not be available for Benfica’s Champions League playoff at Real Madrid on Wednesday night after Uefa suspended him following allegations that he racially abused Vinícius Júnior during the first leg. The one‑game ban is a provisional mea­sure as an investigation continues. Benfica have said they will appeal and regret being “deprived” of the winger, but the club admitted they did not expect to be able to prevent the 20-year-old Argentinian from missing the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu.

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