Norwich 3 - 3 Arsenal

Norwich City battled to a 3-3 draw against Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, earlier today, to put clear daylight between themselves and the relegation battle, and inflict a blow to the Gunners’ Champions League prospects for the 2012/13 campaign. The result was Arsenal’s fourth without a win in as many games.

Arsenal could sink to fifth in the table, by Monday, if Newcastle and Tottenham win their respective matches against Manchester City and Aston Villa, on Sunday. Just two points separate the Gunners from their closest league rivals. Think you know how the season is going to end? Have a bet on Bet Victor.

Yossi Benayoun surprised the visiting Canaries with a goal in the second minute of the match. Fortunately, for the travelling Norwich fans, at least, Wes Hoolahan quickly found a reply for the yellows, easily beating Arsenal custodian, Wojciech Szczesny at the twelfth minute mark.

Grant Holt then gave City the advantage, a development that only served to anger the Gunners; Dutch talisman, Robin van Persie, hit two in quick succession to give Arsenal the lead with just ten minutes remaining of the encounter. Wes Morison added a crucial third for Norwich, to drag the tie level.

The dying moments of the match brought some controversy, when referee, Anthony Taylor, snubbed Arsenal’s penalty claims over a “blatant”, to quote the BBC, shove on van Persie. The offending Canary, Kyle Naughton, can count himself fortunate that the presiding official chose to look the other way.

Arsenal will play against West Bromwich Albion on the final day of the season, next Sunday. However, the fate of their Champions League campaign may be out of the Gunners' collective hands. Norwich will play Aston Villa in their campaign swansong, a week tomorrow, in a fixture that is largely irrelevant for the former team.

Keep up with the latest developments in the Premier League with www.betvictor.com.

Will Team GB win Olympic football gold?

There’s long been a debate as to whether Great Britain should have four different national football sides or not. That debate has lessened in recent years, as Scotland and Wales have secured a greater measure of independence. 

Nevertheless, Britain competes at each Olympic Games as a combined Great Britain team, so why should football be any different?

At London 2012, Great Britain’s combined football team will be doing all they can to win Olympic gold under the watchful eye of coach, Stuart Pearce. 

However, the Football Association of Wales and its Scottish and Northern Irish equivalents fear that endorsing a Great Britain team will encourage other countries to demand that the four home nations always play as a combined Great Britain team. 

What is wrong with that? Why should Great Britain have four different teams? And if the team does win gold at London 2012, or comes anywhere close to it, surely that lends even greater weight to the argument?

Imagine how much stronger a Great Britain side that included Ryan Giggs would have been over the last 20 years, or one that was able to include Gareth Bale today. The side would certainly be a more popular side in Olympics 2012 odds.

The Olympic football tournament is an under-23 competition, but three players over 22 can be included in the team. Perhaps the youthful factor is the key to a future Team GB in international football. If the team wins, there will surely be a clamour in certain quarters, but it is mainly in Scotland where the independence line is strongest.

The Scottish Football Association (SFA) refused to attend meetings when the Home Nations first met to discuss the possibility of a combined Team GB – then the Football Association of Wales withdrew, and later, the Irish FA (representing Northern Ireland) announced they would not take part.

Obviously, their fears are that it sets a precedent they would not welcome, but this is ridiculous, as witnessed by the performance of the other home nations at international level. At least a Team GB across all football events would give them a decent chance of winning something, a case that will surely be strengthened by a great showing from Football Team GB at London 2012.

Follow the trials and tribulations of Team GB at http://betting.betfair.com/betting/2012-olympics/.

Adrian the Man for Atletico

Adrian further established his growing reputation with a stunning goal for Atletico Madrid, as the club secured their place in the Europa League final in Bucharest, running out 5-2 aggregate winners against La Liga rivals, Valencia.

The striker added a ninth Europa League goal to his tally in this year’s competition, helping the club reach the final, where they will now meet Athletic Bilbao. Madrid are clear favourites for the victory in the Europa League odds.

Going into the second-leg at the Mestalla with a 4-2 lead from the first leg, Atletico always looked as though they were all but booked into the final, and never really looked in danger of being overrun.

The hosts started the game well and had enough chances to ensure Atletico had to maintain their full focus, without ever really managing to show the sort of clinical attacking that they have been producing every week in La Liga.

With an hour gone, the visitors effectively ended the tie as a contest through the in-form Adrian. The striker cut in from the right, and fired a stunning shot past the helpless Diego Alves, in the Valencia goal.

That was all it took for Valencia to realise this was not going to be their year for Europa glory; Unai Emery’s men looked dead and buried with half an hour to go.

With the game all but over, Atletico midfielder, Tiago, decided he did not want to be available for the final. He aimed a needless slap towards the face of Valencia striker, Roberto Soldado, resulting in a red card and suspension for the final against Bilbao, later this month.

The sending off may have taken some shine away from the result. However, when the final whistle went, the Atletico players and staff showed just what it meant to them to have secured their place in the final.

For the best coverage of the Europa League, visit http://betting.betfair.com/football/.

Mourinho Planning to Stay Put

Jose Mourinho insists his future lies at Real Madrid, despite media reports that have linked the Portuguese manager to a return to England.

The former Chelsea boss was rumoured to be mulling over a return to Chelsea or Manchester City, should the latter fail to win the Premier League, this season.

Mourinho’s Real are seven points clear in La Liga, leaving the Portuguese on the brink of a league title in a fourth different country.

"At the moment, my future is not important, but I think I will be here next season", Mourinho said. "I have a contract with the club, and no reason to leave. It is better to stay at a club for four or five years."

Mourinho joined Real Madrid from Inter Milan in May 2010 on a four-year deal, but he has publicly spoken of his desire to return to England one day. It now looks as if the English public will have to wait for a second glimpse of ‘the Special One’.

As well as chasing a fourth title in a different country, Mourinho is closing in on a third Champions League success. The 49-year-old lifted the trophy with Porto in 2004 and Inter in 2010.

Standing in Mourinho and Real’s way are Bayern Munich, who take a 2-1 lead into the semi-final second leg at the Bernabeu.

Real go into the clash on Wednesday buoyed by a crucial 2-1 victory over Barcelona at the Nou Camp, last weekend, and as favourites to book their place in the Munich showpiece. Make the fixture even more enticing with some Champions League promotions.

Following Chelsea’s stunning aggregate victory over the Catalan giants, on Tuesday night, Mourinho could face his former employers in a mouth-watering final, on May 19. The match is likely to be a highlight of the season for fans gambling on football.

United Lack Firepower as Evans Begins Jail Term

With two games remaining in the regular League One season, the race for automatic promotion couldn’t be much tighter. Sheffield United are now just one point ahead of their steel city rivals, Sheffield Wednesday, and must now contemplate life without top scorer, Ched Evans.

Evans, 23, was sentenced to five years in prison, this week, after being found guilty of rape. It now seems likely that his promising football career is at an end. 

Evans, who signed for Sheffield United from Manchester City, in 2009, for a reported £3m, had scored 35 goals, this season, and had been instrumental in launching the Blades towards the Championship. 

Following his side’s recent defeat to MK Dons, Manager Danny Wilson commented: “you miss a player who scores 35 goals in a season, of course you do”. Sheffield United’s second top scorer, this season, is midfielder, Lee Williamson, who has scored just 12 goals.

The club will undoubtedly miss Evans’ potency in front of goal. The Blades do have striking experience in their squad, with the likes of Richard Cresswell and James Beattie, who have both scored heavily over the years, available to Wilson.

Despite the defeat, Wilson was positive about United’s chances: “you're dealt little blows at certain times in the season, every club is. We've had a couple, this season, that we've dealt with, and we'll deal with this one”, he said.  

Sheffield Wednesday could temporarily regain second spot in the league, if they win away at Brentford, next Saturday; their game kicks off two hours ahead of United’s clash with Stevenage. 

The final weekend of the regular season sees the Blades travel to Exeter, whilst the Owls host Wycombe. Both Sheffield clubs will be hoping to make this their last action of 2011/12, to avoid the dreaded play-offs. United are the favourites for promotion to the Championship, after the triumphant Charlton, at 2/7 with YouWin.