Match report: Athletic Bilbao v Real Madrid

Aritz Aduriz celebrates the goal that sunk Real Madrid

Real Madrid suffered a huge blow to their Primera Division title bid as they were beaten 1-0 at Athletic Bilbao thanks to a first-half header by Aritz Aduriz.

The European champions lacked their usual intensity and attacking flair, above all in the first half, and drop points for the second match running, following last weekend's 1-1 draw with Villarreal.

They will surrender top spot to archrivals Barcelona if the Catalans beat Rayo Vallecano at home on Sunday.

But while this was another disappointing result for Madrid, it capped a dream week for Athletic, who on Wednesday beat Espanyol to reach the Copa del Rey final.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti made just one change from the team that drew with Villarreal, replacing Luca Silva with Asier Illarramendi.

And just like against Marcelino's side, Madrid struggled to get into the game.

Aduriz had the first shot of the game with barely a minute gone, firing wide from just outside the area and was a thorn in Madrid's side for most of the game, while his young strike partner Inaki Williams also gave a tireless display in attack and defence.

Real Madrid were beaten 1-0 Athletic Bilbao - despite an outrageous attempt at an equaliser from Gareth Bale

But it was Aduriz who have Athletic a deserved lead after 26 minutes.

Mikel Rico found space in the middle of Madrid's half and floated a diagonal ball into the area and the striker drifted into the area, out-jumping Pepe to head the ball past Casillas and into the near corner.

The 34-year-old is enjoying one of most prolific seasons of his career and this was his 17th goal in all competitions this term.

Madrid's only efforts in a poor first half were a header from Pepe from a corner that missed the target and two poorly struck efforts from Karim Benzema.

Los Blancos were much stronger after the break and spent most of the second half in Athletic's area, but still struggled to create clear chances.

Mikel Balenziaga arrived in the nick of time to boot the ball from Benzema's path after good work by Isco and Cristiano Ronaldo, and then Isco hit the target but was denied by Gorka Iraizoz.

The Athletic goalkeeper, who had a splendid display the last time Athletic beat Madrid back in 2009, was in fine form, also saving from Benzema and Ronaldo, who once again looked a frustrated figure and was unable to add to his tally of 30 league goals for the season.

Athletic had spent most of the half defending but then could have scored a second with 15 minutes left, as Aduriz leaped forward to contest a loose ball and headed off the outside of the post.

Madrid's best chance came out of nowhere, when Bale launched an audacious shot from 50 yards out on the left wing, the ball bouncing off the post across the goalmouth but just beyond the reach of substitute Javier Hernandez.

It was a rare scare for the raucous San Mames crowd, which erupted when the final whistle sounded.

QPR 1-2 Tottenham: Harry Kane double keeps Spurs' top-four hopes alive

Harry Kane: Beats Robert Green to the ball and heads Spurs into the lead.

Harry Kane underlined his England credentials and came back to haunt old mentor Chris Ramsey as top-four hopefuls Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners at QPR.

Kane, who was nurtured by QPR's head coach when in the Tottenham youth team, found the net either side of half-time - his 25th and 26th goals of the season - in a pulsating affair that saw Christian Eriksen and Charlie Austin hit the woodwork, as well as QPR have two strong penalty appeals turned down.

Sandro scored late on against his former club but it was not enough as the west Londoners lost by a one-goal margin for the 11th time this season and remain three points adrift of safety.

Tottenham, meanwhile, move above Southampton into sixth after victory, three points off Manchester United in fourth.

Kane sent a warning out to the QPR defence inside five minutes when he latched onto a Kyle Walker cross but his header was brilliantly saved by Rob Green.

Roy Hodgson was in the stands to check out the progress of a man he now deems ready for a call-up but it was another English striker, Austin, who caught the eye midway through the half.

QPR’s 15-goal man was denied by close range from Hugo Lloris on 19 minutes after a poor Walker back-header was seized upon by the striker. 

He had an even better chance nine minutes later but rattled the crossbar from 15 yards.

That miss would prove costly as on 33 minutes as Kane showed Austin how it should be done, heading home an Andros Townsend free-kick amid confusion between Green and his QPR defence.

Undeterred by the goal QPR continued to create good opportunities and they were left stunned on 38 minutes as Mauricio Isla was caught in the area by a reckless Lloris, who came flying out of his goal, but referee Craig Pawson was unmoved.

Eriksen had a quiet opening 45 minutes but burst onto the scene early in the second with a ferocious 25-yard drive that came cannoning back off the post.

Townsend then went close from 20 yards after a mistake by Steven Caulker before Bobby Zamora tested Lloris with a half volley from a tight angle.

Chris Ramsey: Frustrated decisions went against his side

Austin then had to become a goal-saver rather than goalscorer, clearing a Eriksen shot off the line.

The end-to-end nature of the game always threatened more goals and it was Kane who seized the opportunity on 66 minutes.

Rio Ferdinand tried to play Kane offside near the halfway line but got his bearings wrong as the young striker got on his shoulder and burst through on goal from a Ryan Mason pass.

There was an air of inevitability as he went one-on-one with Green, coolly rounding the goalkeeper and tapping the ball into the empty net.

QPR responded in the same manner as they did in midweek against Arsenal to going 2-0 down by hitting back within five minutes.

Sandro, who made 81 appearances for Tottenham, found space on the edge of the area and planed a lovely drive into the bottom corner. 

The goal lifted the crowd at Loftus Road and they were left seething just three minutes later when Nabil Bentaleb blocked a goal bound Austin drive from 10 yards with his hands as he lifted them to cover his face.

However, once again referee Pawson rejected QPR’s strong appeals for a spot kick and Spurs hung on to continue their pursuit of Champions League football.

Player Ratings

QPR: Green (6), Onouha (7), Caulker (6), Ferdinand (5), Suk-Young (6), Isla (7), Sandro (7), Henry (6), Phillips (6), Austin (7), Zamora (6).

Subs: Grego-Cox (6), Hoilett (6), Wright-Philips (6)

Tottenham: Lloris (7), Walker (7), Dier (6), Vertonghen (6), Davies (6); Bentaleb (6), Mason (7); Chadli (6), Eriksen (7), Townsend (7); Kane (8).

Subs: Dembele (6), Lamela (6), Stambouli (6)

Man of the Match: Harry Kane

Bradford 0-0 Reading: Phil Parkinson's side earn FA Cup replay

Jamie Mackie goes past the challenge from James Meredith

Bradford kept their FA Cup dream alive after securing a well-deserved 0-0 draw against Reading in the quarter-final at Valley Parade.

Bradford had the best of a high-tempo but low-quality affair but Phil Parkinson's men could not quite summon the spirit which had swept them past Chelsea and Sunderland in the two previous rounds.

And though Reading, who were passengers for most of the second half, thought they had won it with just minutes remaining as Oliver Norwood's free-kick rattled the post, Parkinson's side held on for a well-deserved replay at the Madejski Stadium.

A winner would have sent Bradford into the semi-finals for the first time since they won the trophy in 1911 while the Royals were bidding to end their own 88-year wait but both sides will have to hang on to make history.

Bradford’s league form may have been inconsistent since seeing off Premier League Sunderland in the fifth round but Parkinson kept faith in his FA Cup heroes, naming the same starting line-up. Reading boss Steve Clarke freshened up his troops from the midweek draw at Bolton, with Stephen Kelly and Danny Williams replacing Chris Gunter and Garath McCleary respectively.

With a trip to Wembley on the line, both sides showed full commitment with challenges flying in all over the field in what was an all-action, but scrappy opening on Valley Parade’s well-publicised poor pitch.

It was certainly a style and pitch more suited to the League One side as Bradford looked to hit their front two of James Hanson and Jon Stead at every opportunity but though it nearly paid dividends when James Meredith drilled in a cross from the left for Hanson, the striker could not get enough power on his header to trouble Adam Federici.

Midway through the first half it was Reading’s turn to push forward as Danny Williams showed an excellent turn of pace to skip past James Meredith before his cross was deflected towards the near post, but keeper Ben Williams was alert to gather the ball cleanly.

Clarke’s side were having some joy down the right and Jamie Mackie burst clear before finding Pavel Pogrebnyak in the middle of the area, but, Williams beaten, the Russian’s shot thumped straight back off the post.

The home side were not to be outdone and they were inches from taking the lead in the 35th minute when Gary Liddle’s teasing cross evaded everyone but the post.

After the break it was Bradford who went straight on the attack through Hanson and his cross eventually ran through to the unmarked Filipe Morais at the far post, only for his effort to hit Jordan Obita.

The raucous home support were urging their side forward and they created another opportunity as Billy Clarke turned the ball into the path of Stead, only for his shot to be was well blocked by Michael Hector.

Stead was becoming more and more influential and he thought he had worked an opening in the 64th minute after brushing aside the challenge of Alex Pearce, Kelly instead on hand to make a vital intervention.

Reading were struggling to get out of their own half with Pogrebnyak becoming an isolated figure and he could only watch as Stead broke the off-side trap to cut back for Hanson on the edge of the six-yard area, the shot creeping inches wide.

The home side created another clear opening in the 75th minute as Morais whipped in an inviting ball from a free-kick, which Davies rose highest to meet, but his header flew just over.

There looked to be only one winner as Bradford continued to dominate but they survived a late scare as Norwood’s free-kick hit the woodwork, before substitute Yakubu failed to connect with the bobbling ball.

It was to be the final action of a frenetic afternoon at Valley Parade and while Bradford will rue their missed opportunities in the second half, a return to Wembley following their 2013 Capital One Cup final visit remains in reach. 

FA gives Papiss Cisse and Jonny Evans seven and six-game bans

Manchester United's Jonny Evans and Papiss Cisse of Newcastle given lengthy FA bans

The Football Association has handed Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse a seven-match ban, and Manchester United defender Jonny Evans a six-game suspension, for spitting.

The duo have been punished following an altercation between the pair during Wednesday's Premier League fixture at at St James' Park.

Striker Cisse accepted his FA charge on Thursday but defender Evans pleaded not guilty and his case was heard on Friday night.

The duo have now been handed lengthy suspensions, with Cisse's punishment one game higher than the standard tariff for spitting due to a ban for a wayward elbow earlier this season.

Northern Ireland defender Evans is out of Monday night's heavyweight FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Old Trafford due to the punishment.

The centre-half is also set to miss the visits of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City in the league, as well as trips to Liverpool and Chelsea. The Stamford Bridge fixture could be moved back should United beat the Gunners in their last-eight clash with Evans ruled out of the semi-final.

Cisse: Admitted spitting at Evans

Senegal striker Cisse is out of top-flight trips to Everton, Sunderland, Liverpool, Swansea and Leicester as well as home games against north London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham. He is available for Newcastle's final three games of the season however.

An FA statement read: "Newcastle United’s Papiss Cisse and Manchester United’s Jonny Evans will serve suspensions of seven-matches and six-matches respectively with immediate effect following their game on Wednesday 4 March 2015.

"Both players were charged in relation to an alleged breach of FA Rule E1[a] in that in or around the 38th minute of the fixture they spat at each other.

"Mr Cisse accepted the charge and his suspension consists of six matches, which is the standard penalty for this offence, with an additional one match as he has previously accepted a violent conduct charge this season.

"Mr Evans denied the charge but it was found proven following an Independent Regulatory Commission hearing on Friday (6 March 2015), resulting in a six-match suspension.

"The incidents were not seen by the match officials but caught on video."

Brendan Rodgers insists he has no intention of leaving Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers: Wants long-term future with Liverpool

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers insists leaving for another English club is not a possibility and he aims to be at Anfield for the long term.

Rodgers' current Liverpool contract expires in 2018 - and the Northern Irishman has been linked, by the national press, with Manchester City if Manuel Pellegrini was to leave the Premier League champions.

But Rodgers said: "I've signed a deal here, and I want to be here to see that through.

"Then I hope I'll have earned enough time to warrant another deal, to keep growing and building here.

"Where do you go from Liverpool, who are one of the biggest clubs in the world?

"I chose to come to Liverpool because I hoped I could be here for many years."

Rodgers says he is excited about seeing his strategy help Liverpool to develop over the coming years.

If we get young players tied to contracts, I hope that will allow us to win trophies with this way of working.

Brendan Rodgers

"I find I am developing into the very best I can be and we are working into an exciting phase after this season," he said.

"If we get young players tied to contracts, I hope that will allow us to win trophies with this way of working."

Liverpool could book an FA Cup semi-final appearance at Wembley if they beat Blackburn in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Sunday and Rodgers acknowledges that he must win trophies in order to remain in the Anfield hot-seat for years to come.

"I really wanted to be here, follow some incredible managers with a support that is unrivalled, and to have success while knowing I was young enough to create and build something," he added.

"That is why I came here. I know I need to justify that by working well and winning trophies. I hope that is the next step.

"When you come here, that is what you are judged on. It is something (win trophies) I want to do for all the supporters and people here."

Does Harry Kane deserve a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad?

Harry Kane is in contention for an England call-up

Which four strikers should Roy Hodgson name in his next England squad? We look at the stats...

Roy Hodgson has revealed Harry Kane is not guaranteed a spot in his next England squad – despite the Tottenham striker scoring 24 goals in all competitions this season.

The England manager told Sky Sports: "It's not always a question of are they good enough to be in there. It's more if there is space at this moment in time.

“Up until now most of the players that we've had, at least in the forward area of our squad, have done quite well for us during the autumn, so you can't include everybody unfortunately.”

So which forwards should Hodgson make room for when he selects his squad for this month’s Euro 2016 qualifier with Lithuania and friendly in Italy?

Hodgson named Wayne Rooney, Danny Welbeck, Rickie Lambert and Saido Berahino in his previous England squad, for a Euro 2016 fixture against Slovenia and friendly with Scotland.

The team racked up six goals in those two fixtures, with Rooney netting three times and Welbeck twice, as England extended their lead at the top of their Euro 2016 qualifying pool to six points and won a passionate contest at Celtic Park.

However, England regular Daniel Sturridge is fit again, Kane is on form, QPR’s Charlie Austin is the leading English scorer in the Premier League and Danny Ings continues to impress for Burnley, scoring five times in the top flight in 2015.

Stats

So what do the stats say?

In the Premier League, Austin has scored the most goals (15), Kane has the best goals-per-minute record (scoring every 114 minutes), Rooney has the best shot conversion rate (29 per cent) and joint-most assists with Ings (four).

While Welbeck and Lambert have managed just six goals between them in a combined 41 appearances in the league this term, the pair do have international pedigree.

Arsenal forward Welbeck is England’s top scorer in Euro 2016 qualifying with five strikes, while Liverpool’s Lambert has three goals and three assists in just 318 minutes of international action, meaning he scores or creates a goal every 53 minutes for his country.

Sturridge, meanwhile, has scored three times for Liverpool since returning from a long-term injury and has four goals in his last nine internationals.

Hodgson has no easy task to narrow down his options to four. Who would make your squad?

England strikers – Premier League goals this season

Charlie Austin - 15 (139mins/goal)

Harry Kane - 14 (114 mins/goal)

Saido Berahino - 12 (178 mins/goal)

Wayne Rooney - 10 (211 mins/goal)

Danny Ings - 9 (238 mins/goal)

Danny Welbeck - 4 (390 mins/goal)

Daniel Sturridge - 3 (175 mins/goal)

Rickie Lambert - 2 (297 mins/goal)

Roy Hodgson says Harry Kane may miss out on England squad

England boss Roy Hodgson says that Harry Kane is ready to start for the national side, but can't guarantee him a place in the squad

Roy Hodgson says Tottenham striker Harry Kane is ready for a call-up to the senior England squad but has warned his selection is far from a certainty.

Hodgson said he was pleased with the forwards he called up in the autumn internationals and knows that he would have to drop one of these players to make space for Kane.

Saido Berahino, Rickie Lambert, Wayne Rooney and Danny Welbeck were the four strikers Hodgson selected in November, although Daniel Sturridge has since returned to fitness.

The England manager will name his squad for the next round of international matches within the next few weeks with the team set to face Lithuania on March 27, followed by a friendly against Italy in Turin four days later.

I am delighted for him (Kane) and we will see when I select my squad at the end of the month whether he is in it or not.

Roy Hodgson

Kane is the leading English goalscorer in the Premier League, with 14 goals in 23 matches for Tottenham, but that may not be enough to guarantee him a place in Hodgson's next squad.

Hodgson said: "Kane is ready; if he wasn't ready, he wouldn't be playing for Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League and scoring lots of goals.

"The factors that always are taken mostly into consideration is has the player got the quality, and the talent we are looking for and is there a space for him because we have other players too.

"Often if someone like Kane is going to come into the squad, then someone is going to drop out and up until now most of the players that we've had, at least in the forward area of our squad, have done quite well for us during the autumn, so you can't include everybody unfortunately.

"We can just about deal with a squad of 23, 24 players, so it's not always a question of are they good enough to be in there. It's more if there is space at this moment in time. That's the most important consideration.

"He's in my thoughts of course, he deserves to be scoring goals for one of our top teams in the Premier League. It would be strange if he wasn't in my thoughts, but it's a player I know anyway because he has done a lot of good work for the U21s and I know all of those players and what pleases me most is that these young players now get a chance to play.

"I think in the past at 19, 20, 21 they often found themselves loaned out or having to sit back and wait their chance but now it seems more and more of them are being given their chance, and more and more of them are taking that chance presented to them.

"I am delighted for him and we will see when I select my squad at the end of the month whether he is in it or not."

Roy Hodgson was speaking to Sky Sports News HQ at the London Football Awards an event that supports Willow, the charity founded by former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson.

Paul Merson's predictions: More FA Cup magic for Bradford

Sky Sports' Paul Merson gives his predictions ahead of the FA Cup quarter-finals, finding it too tough to call the Old Trafford tie...

Bradford: Hosting Reading in sixth round

Bradford v Reading (Saturday, 12.45pm)

It’s going to be a bad pitch again at Valley Parade and Bradford have a certain way of playing which will make it extremely tough for Reading. 

The big striker up front, James Hanson, will be a handful and the Bantams will make it the sort of game which suits him.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

Aston Villa: Up against West Brom again

Aston Villa v West Brom (Saturday, 5.30pm)

I’m going for a repeat of the Premier League result midweek. Neither side wants a draw here, but you know Tim Sherwood will be well up for this. 

Christian Benteke’s confidence will be boosted by his penalty and I’m backing him to score again on Saturday and then go on and score enough goals to keep Villa up.

PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1

Liverpool: Taking on Blackburn at Anfield

Liverpool v Blackburn (Sunday, 4pm)

It’s a game too far for Blackburn with the form Liverpool are in, especially at Anfield, and I can only see a comfortable home win.

The Reds are flying right now and the momentum they have makes it a very tough draw for Blackburn, who ended a four-match winless run at the weekend.

United and Arsenal: Going head to head

PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0

Manchester United v Arsenal (Monday, 7.45pm)

United are waiting to be on the end of something and I can see them losing two or three nil before the end of the season.

However, they always seem to save something for Arsenal. I remember a couple of seasons ago when Arsenal headed to Old Trafford absolutely flying and United found a way to stop them.

It’s an incredibly tough one to call and I’m going to have to sit on the fence and go for a draw.

Matt Le Tissier predicts how the Premier League top seven will finish

Matt Le Tissier: Predicts who will win the Premier League title and make the top four

After the top seven all won in midweek, it's tight at the top of the Premier League table. We asked Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier to predict who will finish where.

Le Tissier told Sky Sports: "The top-four race is extremely tight and could very go down to the final day of the season with a few teams still in with a chance. Here's how I think the top seven will look come May 26..."

1st - Chelsea

"I can't see anyone catching Chelsea. They're too consistent and, with a five-point lead and a game in hand, they are going to take some stopping. City are not good enough to do that right now."

2nd - Manchester City

"I actually backed them for the title during pre-season but they've not been consistent enough. I knew Chelsea would be strong after improving over the summer but I thought City, with the squad they've got, would be stronger. However, they are good enough to hold the chasing pack at bay."

3rd - Arsenal

"They’ve got the experience in Arsene Wenger in terms of battling consistently for that top-four finish. It's looking like they’ll do it but once again they're not quite good to go for the title."

4th - Liverpool

"Brendan Rodgers' side have hit a great run of form and I have a feeling they might pip United and Southampton to fourth place. They've been the best team in terms of points in Europe's top five leagues in 2015 and the confidence they've gained should help them go on and finish the job." 

5th - Southampton

"Southampton have got eight games in a row which are very winnable following the Chelsea match next weekend. The team looked a bit flat for a few games, but the tight win in midweek will be a huge boost and they've got a nice break to rest their legs."

6th - Manchester United

"They were very lucky against Newcastle and David de Gea kept them in it. It was a little bit odd from Louis van Gaal to suggest that it was their best away performance, especially as they should have conceded a penalty as well. My prediction of United finishing below Southampton is not just based on optimism but the fixtures, as they still have all top seven sides other than the Saints still to face."

7th - Tottenham

"They’ve got some tough fixtures to come and even QPR away on Saturday is going to be a difficult one. Trips to Manchester United and Southampton are likely to be make or break for them and I just can't see them qualifying for the Champions League this year."