Fabregas double downs sorry Boro

Arsenal 2 - Middlesbrough 0 (Premier League, April 26, 2009) After a tight opening 20 minutes at the Emirates, Andrei Arshavin found himself at the centre of the action for Arsenal as the Russian broke down the left before picking out Cesc Fabregas who slid in and scored the opener. After Arshavin had entertained the crowd with fancy footwork, all too easily Arsenal doubled their lead in the 66th minute. Eboue played a defence splitting ball through to Cesc Fabregas who, after beat the keeper, rolled home number two.

Benni McCarthy broke the deadlock in injury time at the end of the first half heading home a Pederson corner after Chris Kirkland missed his punch completely.

Hartlepool 0 - Leeds 1 (League One, April 25, 2009) Jermaine Beckford was the deciding factor yet again as his 33rd goal of the season gave Leeds over struggling Hartlepool.

Villarreal took the lead at Getafe when home keeper Stojkovic spilled a free-kick and Joan Capdevila was on hand to bundle the ball over the line. Joseba Llorente netted the Yellow Submarine’s second minutes before the break.

Espanyol scored after just four minutes against Betis, Ivan de la Pena played a perfect ball through to Luis Garcia who made no mistake in front of goal.

Mallorca stormed to a two goal lead inside 15 short minutes at Recre, Jose Marin broke free the slot home the first with Juan Arango heading in the second minutes later. (First half goals here.) Sisi pulled a goal back at the start of the second half for the hosts.

AC Milan 3 - Palermo 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) After Massimo Ambrosini was fouled in the box, Kaka converted from the spot to put Milan ahead against Palermo. The Rossoneri quickly chalked up a second, Ambrosini crossing for Super Pippo to head home number two. Palermo’s task became that much more difficult after Bovo picked up a second yellow seconds into the second half. And after an intense period of pressure Kaka was pushed over to win a second penalty which the Brazilian duly converted.

Reggina 2 - Juventus 2 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Juve fell behind to an Antonino Barilla header at rock-bottom side Reggina. The Old Lady levelled at the start of the second half, Iaquinta was tripped in the box and Alex Del Piero scored from the spot. Back came Reggina with an incredible goal from Emil Hallfredsson, the Icelandic international whacking a 30-yard left-footed ripper into the top corner. But Juve would not be shaken off and three minutes later Cristiano Zanetti met a Zlatan header in the box the level the game once more.

Bologna 2 - Genoa 0 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Bologna, coming into their match with Genoa off a run of five defeats, took a 13th minute lead thanks to a Marco Di Vaio penalty. Ten minutes later it was two as Claudio Terzi turned home a free-kick after arriving unmarked at the back post.

Sampdoria 3 - Cagliari 3 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Samp took the lead against Cagliari midway through the first half when Cassano worked the space on the right-hand side, swung over a cross to the back post and Guido Marilungo climbed high to head home. Guido Marilungo grabbed a second header before the break, but the visitors rallied after the break as Alessandro Matri instantly cut the deficit in half. It got better for Cagliari, Robert Acquafresca drew the match all-square from the spot and ten minutes from time Daniele Conti headed the visitors in front for the first time. But the fairytale comeback was dashed by Antonio Cassano’s 86th minute volley.

Lazio 0 - Atalanta 1 (Serie A, April 26, 2009) Lazio slipped behind at home to Atalanta after Leonardo Talamonti headed home a cross in the 24th minute.

Wolfsburg had the better of the chances in the first half (highlights here) in Cottbus but both Grafite and Dzeko were denied in a goalless opening 45.

Ajax 1 - AZ Alkmaar 1 (Eredivisie, April 26, 2009) With the title already secured, AZ boss Louis van Gaal was able to field some youngsters away at Ajax, and Jeremain Lens took his opportunity in the first team by scoring a fine solo goal after 23 minutes. AZ lost Schaars just before the hour mark, and minutes later Ajax blew the chance to level when Suarez missed a cheeky penalty as the managed to catch his dinked effort. Three minutes from time Luis Suarez had a second chance, this time converting inside the post.

Eskisehirspor 0 - Besiktas 2 (Super Lig, April 26, 2009) Besiktas kept their title dreams alive with two late goals, Bobo netted the first in the 67th minute before Filip Holosko wrapped up the points three minutes from time.

Nagoya Grampus Eight  2 - Yokohama FM 1 (J-League, April 26, 2009) After falling behind to a goal from Sakata just before teh break, Nagoya won the match in the final stages as Yoshida and Ogawa turned the game in the hosts’ favour.