Hindustan Times ST (Mumbai)

De Bruyne smashes four in City win

- Agencies

LONDON: Kevin De Bruyne produced a four-goal masterclas­s as Manchester City thrashed Wolves 5-1 to move three points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Chelsea consolidat­ed their top-four place and pushed Leeds deeper into relegation trouble after a 3-0 win.

City had seen second-placed Liverpool go level on points with them after a 2-1 win at Aston Villa on Tuesday. But De Bruyne’s display ensured Pep Guardiola’s side responded emphatical­ly as a thrilling title race enters the final furlong.

After De Bruyne put City ahead in the seventh minute from Bernardo Silva’s pass, the leaders were briefly rocked by Leander Dendoncker’s equaliser four minutes later.

De Bruyne completed his hattrick with two lethal finishes in the 16th and 24th minutes. He bagged his fourth goal from close range in the 60th minute and Raheem Sterling put the seal an 85th-minute tap-in.

City need four points from their last two games to be guaranteed a fourth Premier League title in the last five seasons.

Inter see off Juventus to clinch Italian Cup

ROME: Inter Milan won the Coppa Italia after an extra-time double from Ivan Perisic earned his side a 4-2 victory over Juventus in Wednesday’s final, ensuring Massimilia­no Allegri’s team will finish the season trophyless.

Allegri will become the first Juventus manager since 2011 to finish a season without having won a single trophy.

Atletico Madrid secure Champions League spot

ELCHE: Matheus Cunha and Rod

rigo de Paul scored with closerange strikes to earn Atletico Madrid a 2-0 win at Elche, securing Diego Simeone’s side a topfour Laliga finish and Champions League qualificat­ion for the 10th straight season.

With two games left and Real Madrid already crowned champions, Atletico climbed to third place on 67 points, six ahead of Real Betis in fifth and with a better head-to-head record.

 ?? REUTERS ?? Kevin De Bruyne ensured Man City beat Wolves 5-1.
REUTERS Kevin De Bruyne ensured Man City beat Wolves 5-1.

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