NEWCASTLE, England — Newcastle is showing some late determination to avoid relegation from the top tier, drawing 1-1 with Manchester City Tuesday after Sergio Aguero became the second fastest player to score 100 English Premier League goals.
With its title dream effectively over, City was seeking to strengthen its grip on third place and automatic Champions League qualification. It moved a point ahead of Arsenal, which has a game in hand.
Newcastle will take more encouragement from the St. James’ Park match, despite remaining 19th and two points from safety. The Magpies rallied against Aguero’s 14th-minute opener — which appeared offside — with Vurnon Anita equalizing in the 31st.
It was Aguero’s 147th match. Alan Shearer is the fastest player to score 100 EPL goals, managing that feat in 124 matches.
Bayern in German Cup final
Bayern Munich needed a disputed penalty to secure a 2-0 win over Werder Bremen and reach its 21st German Cup final Tuesday.
Thomas Mueller scored both goals in the semifinal, the second coming from a 71st-minute contested penalty. Substitute Arturo Vidal fell after a careless challenge by Janek Sternberg but video replays appeared to show that the Chile midfielder had taken a dive.
The win kept Bayern on course for a second treble in its history in Pep Guardiola’s final season as coach. Bayern is close to clinching the Bundesliga title and is in the semifinals of the Champions League.
Napoli thumps Bologna
Dries Mertens scored a hat trick and Manolo Gabbiadini notched a brace as Napoli kept its faint Serie A title hopes alive thrashing Bologna 6-0 Tuesday.
David Lopez rounded off the scoring a minute form time with a fortuitous goal as his prod rebounded off Bologna goalkeeper Antonio Mirante, hit him in the chest and the ball bounced in.
Juventus could have won a fifth straight title with victory over Lazio Wednesday had Napoli lost.
That would have given the Old Lady of Turin a 12-point lead with just four matches left, and as it has the edge on the southerners in head-to-head record, it would have been champion.
Ibrahimovic sends PSG into final
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s second-half strike earned Paris St. Germain a spot in the French Cup final as the holder beat Lorient 1-0 away Tuesday.
The Sweden striker scored 15 minutes from time to send PSG into the Stade de France showdown on May 21 against Ligue 2 side Sochaux or bitter rival Olympique de Marseille, who were playing Wednesday.
PSG was Ligue 1 champion last month and will be playing the League Cup final against Lille Saturday. — Agencies
