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Tuesday Evening Ticker: Arsenal held by Everton; Bayern run riot in German Cup; and more

JackWilshereLeightonBaines2013 (Getty)

By DAN KARELL

Arsenal had a chance to create a four point gap between them and rivals Chelsea and Tottenham when they welcomed in Everton to the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Instead, Arsenal had to settle for a point.

In a match of missed opportunities and physical challenges from Everton that left the home team bruised and flustered, Arsenal played Everton to a scoreless draw, keeping Everton’s slim hopes of a top-four finish alive, and hurting Arsenal’s chances to secure one.

Though there was some doubt of his availability for the match, Jack Wilshere started and played 69 minutes for Arsenal in the draw, doing his best to provide a spark. The Everton midfield though did their best to destroy any chance of Arsenal gaining a rhythm, and it was a team effort, with forward Kevin Mirallas and midfielder Marouane Fellaini tracking back deep into their own half to defend the net.

Everton’s physicality on the evening earned them three yellow cards but outside of a possible sending off of midfielder Darren Gibson, Everton were comfortable in their challenges, and received a well-earned point on the road. With the result, Arsenal remains in third place on 60 points, and Everton sits in sixth place on 56 points. Both teams have five matches remaining this season.

Here are some more stories to catch you up around the world of soccer:

BAYERN MUNICH ROUT WOLFSBURG IN GERMAN CUP

Recently, Bayern Munich President Uli Hoeness told German publication Kicker that in regards to the Bundesliga, it is “too easy” for Bayern at the moment. On Tuesday, his squad reminded everyone why.

Central forward Mario Gomez scored a hat-trick in seven minutes as Bayern defeated Wolfsburg 6-1 at the Allianz Arena in the German Cup semifinals. Gomez, who had only entered the match in the 77th minute for Mario Mandzukic, scored in the 80th, 83rd, and 86th minutes to complete his treble.

Wingers Xherdan Shaqiri and Arjen Robben each had a goal and two assists, while midfielder Diego was the only player to score for Wolfsburg. Bayern will play the winner of Wednesday’s Stuttgart vs. Freiburg match in the final, to be held on June 1st at Berlin’s Olympiastadion.

CARDIFF CITY EARN PROMOTION TO PREMIER LEAGUE

As things stand now, there will be two Welsh clubs in the English Premier League next season.

Cardiff City secured promotion to the Premier League for the first time on Tuesday after a scoreless draw with Charlton Athletic at Cardiff City Stadium, setting off wild celebrations on the field between the fans and players. Cardiff was last in the top league of English soccer back in the early 1960’s but since then have languished in the Football League, waiting for a return to the limelight.

The Welsh club currently sit at the top of the Championship on 84 points with three matches remaining. With a win in their next match against Burnley, they’ll lock-up the league title. Cardiff manager Malky Mackay in just his second year at the club, after a two year spell following retirement as Watford FC boss.

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What do you make of these results? How big was earning a draw for Everton? Impressed by Bayern’s performance? Excited for a Cardiff vs. Swansea derby next season?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I was able to catch the second half of the DFB Pokal match. After Shaqiri’s goal to go up 3-1, Bayern sat back and played the counter. Gomez’s three goals were the result of very swift movements up field coupled with deft passing from Schweinsteiger & Shaqiri. That midfield is terrifying for any team to face and Mandzukic, Muller, Pizarro & Gomez are being set up so well.

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  2. Thought this was always going to be tough for Arsenal in this game, ultimately they will stay in the top 4 based off how they handle the teams they should beat down the stretch. This game doesn’t make or break their chances, Chelsea and Tottenham still have tough games as well.

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