Chelsea cruised to a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup quarter-finals on Saturday, ending the Championship side’s remarkable run in the competition.

Middlesbrough beat Manchester United on penalties in the fourth round and scored a winner in extra time to beat Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round, but Chris Wilder’s side came unstuck against Chelsea on Saturday.

Romelu Lukaku tapped into an empty net in the 15th minute to help Chelsea take an early lead before Hakim Ziyech doubled their advantage with a superb finish from the edge of the penalty area.

Middlesbrough received raucous support inside the Riverside Stadium but never really seemed able to trouble the visitors who were still in control.

Chelsea, which is the subject of several offers to buy the club, operates under a special license from the British government after Russian owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Only a few hundred Chelsea fans were inside the stadium – a consequence of restrictions on ticket sales – but they could at least celebrate their side reaching the semi-finals for the fifth time in six seasons.

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Since Abramovich announced he was putting the European champions up for sale on March 2 after 19 trophy-laden years, business has been business as usual on the pitch.

They have won all six matches since, with the latest victory coming the day after a deadline for offers to buy the club.

Despite the distractions, manager Thomas Tuchel remained focused on winning games, and his players’ performance on Saturday was clinical.

“We were very focused and very serious. We showed quality in the decisive moments,” said the German.

“The effort was huge and we never let them get a foot in the door after the first two goals. It was a deserved win.”

“Nothing we can do will change the situation and we accept that it’s not in our hands, but what is in our hands is leading by example and staying focused.”

Chelsea had drawn criticism midweek for demanding the game be played without fans to ensure “sporting integrity” given they could not sell tickets.

They later withdrew that request and the Riverside swung before kickoff.

But when Mount was cleared forward down the left and then kicked in a slide rule cross to allow Lukaku to tap home, the odds still looked stacked against Middlesbrough.

When Ziyech’s shot then flew past Middlesbrough goalkeeper Joe Lumley, the hosts had a mountain to climb.

Chelsea could have added to their lead with Lukaku denied by a goal clearance and Lumley doing well to deny Timo Werner’s late effort, while the hosts rarely had a chance.

It was Middlesbrough’s first home defeat in 10 games in all competitions, and their focus will now shift back to trying to make the promotion play-offs.

For Chelsea, they are still chasing silverware on two fronts after reaching the Champions League quarter-finals in midweek.

“We really have that winning mentality within the group. Any competition, any game, we want to win and we want that to continue,” Mount said. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks, but for us as a team we’re just focused and ready to play.”

Information from Reuters contributed to this report.

Nantes beat Monaco 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the semi-finals on Wednesday to earn a place in the Coupe de France final.

Moses Simon converted the decisive kick after Monaco captain Wissam Ben Yedder registered his first effort and Aurélien Tchouameni hit his penalty over the bar as Nantes progressed to the final for the first time since that they had won the cup in 2000.

They will meet Nice in the final at the Stade de France in Paris on May 8.

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Monaco took the lead in the 12th minute at the Stade de la Beaujoire as defender Guillermo Maripan earned a decisive touch on the top of his head from a ferocious Caio Henrique free-kick.

But the visitors’ lead lasted just nine minutes before Randal Kolo Muani’s counter-attack resulted in an own goal from defender Djibril Sidibe.

Kolo Muani’s pass inside was intercepted by Sidibe but he only served to direct it into his own net.

Nantes took the lead in the 74th minute when Simon’s first effort on goal was blocked by Sidibe, but the ball squirted past Samuel Moutoussamy, who converted from close range.

But parity was restored within 120 seconds when Monaco substitute Myron Boadu touched a cross from Vanderson’s search to make it 2-2 after 90 minutes and lead the game on penalties.

Nice booked their place in the final with a 2-0 home win over fourth-tier club Versailles on Tuesday.

Goncalo Guedes’ superb strike earned Valencia a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey semi-final second leg to take them back to the final three years after claiming the title with a shock victory on Barcelona.

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It was no more than Valencia deserved as they dominated the game against a Bilbao side trying to reach the final for the third successive season, having lost the last two to Real Sociedad and Barcelona.

After a 1-1 first-leg draw in Bilbao, Valencia, roared by the crowd in a sold-out Mestalla stadium, created the best chances.

Attacking trio Guedes and Spain forwards Hugo Duro and Bryan Gil were a constant threat to Athletic’s defense but they hit a wall in the form of goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala, who made a string of crucial saves.

But even an inspired Agirrezabala couldn’t stop Guedes from scoring what turned out to be the winner in the 43rd minute, as the Portuguese winger fired an unstoppable shot from 30 yards into the net after a corner kick.

“I saw the opportunity and took it. It was an incredible goal,” Guedes told reporters. “It was an amazing night, starting with the reception we had outside the stadium, there were thousands of fans, they deserve it more than anything. This is for them.”

Valencia will face the winners of the other semi-final between Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano on Thursday. Betis lead 2-1 since the first leg in Madrid.

Jonathan Osorio scored in the 45th minute to lift Toronto FC to a 1-1 draw against FC Dallas on Saturday in the MLS opener for both teams.

Alex Bono made two saves for Toronto FC, who played their first game under the three-time MLS Coach of the Year and former United States men’s national team head coach and player Bob Bradley.

Jader Rafael Obrian scored in the ninth minute as FC Dallas tried to make Nico Estevez a winner on his debut as head coach.

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United States Men’s National Team striker Paul Arriola has nabbed an assist for FC Dallas, who are 7-0-6 in their last 13 season openers. Their last season-opening loss was a 3-1 decision to the Chicago Fire in 2009.

Arriola made his presence felt in his first match for his new club by sending a cross to the far post for Obrian. The latter converted his 10th career goal to open the scoring

The game was first called off for an offside appeal before being called off after a review.

FC Dallas nearly doubled their advantage in the 30th minute, but this time VAR overturned Jesus Ferreira’s potential tally.

Toronto FC capitalized on a deft deflection from Jesus Jimenez to forge a 1-1 draw just before intermission. Jacob Shaffelburg sent in a cross that Jimenez deflected for Osorio to convert at the far post for his 34th career goal.

Both teams had great chances to score the go-ahead goal in the second half.

Obrian’s bid for a brace after a free-kick situation sailed away from the net in the 56th minute.

Former MLS MVP Alejandro Pozuelo appeared to foul for Toronto in the penalty area 11 minutes later but VAR overruled the call.

Jimenez’s close-range header narrowly missed the top left corner in the 72nd minute.

A 71st-minute header from Ben Mee gave Burnley a surprise 1-0 Premier League win over Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

Mee beat Cristian Romero through the air at the far post to give Josh Brownhill a free kick and give the Clarets their third win of the season.

Harry Kane had hit the bar with a header for Tottenham shortly after the break but Spurs, who beat league leaders Manchester City on Saturday, failed to find a way past Burnley goalkeeper Nick Pope.

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Burnley remain in the relegation zone but climb back to 18th place on 20 points, two points behind Newcastle United and Everton but one game less on the former.

Sean Dyche’s side had won 3-0 at Brighton on Saturday and the Lancashire club must regain the defensive solidity and determination that ensured their survival in previous campaigns.

The home side had the best of the first half but were unable to create any real openings against a Tottenham defense that looked far from comfortable.

Spurs boss Antonio Conte brought on Harry Winks at the break and the visitors got off to a better start in the second half with Kane sending a header from a free-kick against the bar.

Pope made a fine reflex save to deny a close-range effort from Ben Davies, but Burnley quickly caused problems for the visitors.

Spurs goalkeeper Hugo Lloris made a fine save to deny a Jay Rodriguez header after a fine cross from influential Dwight McNeil caused problems down the left flank all evening.

Dejan Kulusevski had a chance for Spurs, drifting a shot wide of Pope’s right post after a 70th-minute counterattack.

But then Mee, who had been dominant at the back for Burnley, showed his worth at the other end with his well-taken header sending wet and windy Turf Moor into ecstatic celebrations.

Rodriguez should have secured the win, seven minutes from time, but somehow he went over four yards and he surely had his heart in his mouth when Pope saved substitute Steven Bergwijn in the last few minutes.

The result leaves Spurs in eighth place on 39 points, seven behind fourth-placed Manchester United but two games behind.

Borussia Dortmund captain Marco Reus was instrumental in five goals as his side hammered former club Borussia Mönchengladbach 6-0 in the Bundesliga on Sunday to stay in touch with leaders Bayern Munich.

Reus, who moved from Gladbach to Dortmund just over a decade ago for €17million, scored two goals and provided three assists but opted out of taking a penalty. the beating.

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The win kept Dortmund six points behind Bayern after the champions beat Greuther Furth 4-1 at home earlier in the day.

It also eased the pain of two recent home defeats for Dortmund: Thursday’s 4-2 loss to Rangers in the Europa League and a 5-2 loss to Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga two weeks ago.

Reus, 32, opened the scoring in the 26th minute by leaping on the rebound after Swiss goalkeeper Yann Sommer parried a shot from Donyell Malen.

Reus returned the favor six minutes later, playing a one-two with Malen, who powered a shot through Sommer’s grip to double Dortmund’s advantage.

Gladbach almost pulled a goal back in the second half when Jonas Hofmann hit the corner of the post and crossbar.

But it was Dortmund who struck next to put the result beyond doubt, Reus kicking off Marius Wolf to score in the 70th minute, two minutes after coming off the bench.

The captain added his third assist of the match four minutes later as Youssoufa Moukoko, another substitute, netted Dortmund’s fourth.

Reus then returned among the goals by smashing the ball after a long punt from defender Mats Hummels, before Can completed Gladbach’s humiliation from the spot after Wolf was brought down in the box.

La Liga champions Atletico Madrid suffered a shock 1-0 home defeat to basement club Levante on Wednesday, claiming only their second win of the season.

Gonzalo Melero’s second-half goal inflicted a sixth defeat in 10 league games on Atletico, compounding their problems a week before they host Manchester United in a Champions League Round of 16 first leg.

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Atletico had superb comeback wins at home to Valencia and Getafe last month and thought they had equalized when Angel Correa scored with a spectacular stoppage-time kick.

But the goal was ruled out for a foul by Jose Gimenez on Martin Caceres and Correa was shown a yellow card for his angry reaction to the decision.

Levante’s Mickael Malsa nearly scored a second for the visitors with a spectacular effort near the halfway line that hit the crossbar.

Atletico then came within inches of snatching a last-minute leveler when goalkeeper Jan Oblak came in to deny a free-kick and headed just wide of the far post.

Diego Simeone’s side missed the chance to overtake Barcelona in fourth place and found themselves fifth in the standings with 39 points. Levante remained bottom of the table but dropped to 14 points, 10 after escaping the relegation zone.

Chelsea won the FIFA Club World Cup after claiming a 2-1 victory over Palmeiras after extra time at Abu Dhabi’s Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Saturday.

Kai Havertz scored a 117th-minute penalty as the Premier League giants won the competition for the first time in club history.

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In a tight affair, Romelu Lukaku opened the scoring in the second half but the Brazilian side caught them thanks to a Raphael Veiga penalty.

However, Havertz – who also netted the winning goal in last season’s Champions League final – stepped up with a late penalty as Thomas Tuchel claimed his third trophy since taking charge of Chelsea in January 2021.

Chelsea have now won every major club trophy since Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich took over in 2003.

“It never stops. We want to keep winning trophies,” Tuchel said in a pitchside interview before his side received their medals from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“At the end of the day, if you score late, you need luck to do it, but we were relentless and we kept trying.”

Both teams failed to create many clear chances in the first half and Chelsea suffered a blow when Mason Mount was sent off after 29 minutes through injury.

The game came to life after 54 minutes when Callum Hudson-Odoi produced a fine cross which was converted from Lukaku with a clinical header.

However, Palmeiras was awarded a penalty 10 minutes later after VAR ruled Thiago Silva for handling the ball from a corner.

Veiga stepped up and converted the kick to equalize for the Brazilians as the game ended in extra time.

With the game looking set for a penalty shootout, Chelsea were awarded a penalty after VAR ruled that Luan Garcia had blocked Cesar Azpilicueta’s strike with his hand.

Havertz converted the penalty with ease and Palmeiras’ misery was complete when Luan was sent off in stoppage time for a desperate tackle on the German striker.

Meanwhile, Egyptian side Al Ahly won the third-place playoff, beating Al Hilal 4-0.

Information from Reuters has been included in this report.

Manchester City made short work of Brentford in the Premier League on Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory at the Etihad Stadium.

Goals either side of half-time from Riyad Mahrez and Kevin De Bruyne put Man City on course for a direct win which saw Pep Guardiola’s side extend their lead to 12 points over Liverpool, who have two matches in hand, including Thursday’s home game against Leicester City. .

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Man City took the lead from the penalty spot just before Mahrez’s break after Mads Roerslev fouled Raheem Sterling in the box. The Algerian international has now scored in seven consecutive games for his club.

De Bruyne doubled the hosts’ lead in the 69th minute after a rebound from a Sterling shot fell on him and he beat Brentford keeper David Raya from a tight angle.

The rest of the game was a walk for City, who could easily have added to the lead, as they extended their unbeaten run to 14 league games and moved further away from second-placed Liverpool.

Brentford’s struggles continued after a fifth league defeat in a row brought them closer to the relegation zone. They are 14th, six points above Norwich City in 18th, having played one game more.

“It was a tough game,” said City coach Pep Guardiola. “They defend in high pressing, then deep and compact. There was no space between midfield and attack. We had to be patient and not make mistakes.

“It was an important victory in a difficult game that we expected. We are in a good position. I don’t know if we are the best, but we are happy to be at 60 points.”

Since losing 2-0 to Crystal Palace in October, City had won their last six Premier League home games by an aggregate score of 20-4 before visiting Brentford – just out-of-form opponent Thomas Frank didn’t want to. not be oriented.

But aside from an effort from Joao Cancelo which was collected over the top and side foot from Aymeric Laporte, Brentford looked comfortable in their quest to blunt the league’s relentless leaders for most of the first half. time.

City didn’t need to step up a gear in the second half, such was their control. They netted a second without much effort, as Raya fed the ball straight to Sterling, whose shot was blocked in De Bruyne’s path, with the Belgian netting his seventh league goal of the season into the empty net.

Spain midfielder Rodri nearly made it three late but Raya kept his shot scuffed, City keeper Ederson seeing off the 100th Premier League clean sheet under Guardiola with ease at the other end.

Goalkeeper Marcin Bulka made two saves in the shootout as Nice eliminated holders Paris Saint-Germain 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in their Coupe de France round of 16 match on Monday .

Bulka is on loan at Nice from PSG and halted efforts by Leandro Paredes and teenager Xavi Simons in the shootout to end PSG’s dominance in the cup, which they had won in six of seven recent seasons.

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Nice will now host Marseille in the quarter-finals, following the draw made earlier on Monday.

The home side besieged the Nice goal after an uneventful first half at the Parc des Princes and there were plenty of second-half chances for Julian Draxler, Mauro Icardi, Lionel Messi, Marco Verratti and Kylian Mbappe after his arrival as a substitute.

But the closest PSG came when defender Presnel Kimpembe cleared an effort just before the line as he nearly headed a free kick into the Nice goal in the 71st minute.

The visitors, second in the Ligue 1 table behind the Parisian club, had two counter-attacking chances for Justin Kluivert blocked.

In next week’s quarter-final, the two giant Fourth Division killers, Bergerac and Versailles, have faced off while the other two matches see a top-flight side host Ligue 2 opposition. Nantes host Bastia and Monaco face Amiens.