Swansea City 1-1 Derby County: Frank Lampard’s side held as race for final Championship play-off place goes to final match of season

Swansea City 1-1 Derby County: Frank Lampard’s side held as race for final Championship play-off place goes to final match of season
Derby County missed out on a chance to all but seal a place in the Championship‘s top six as they were held by Swansea City.They drew 1-1 at the Liberty Stadium on Wednesday and go into the final day needing a result against West Brom.Getty2

Wayne Routledge scored for Swansea

Richard Keogh’s first-half header looked like giving Derby a handsome advantage over seventh-placed Middlesbrough ahead of their final game at home to West Brom on Sunday.But Wayne Routledge’s 66th-minute equaliser means Derby go into the last day of the regular season with a one-point lead over Middlesbrough while Bristol City, a point further back, also remain in the play-off equation.In the end a draw was probably a fair result, with Derby the more polished outfit before the break and Swansea energised after it to protect an unbeaten home league record that stretches back to December.2

Frank Lampard’s drew at Swansea

But boss Lampard might rue the fact that Derby did not make their early edge count, especially as victory would have surely sewn up sixth place given their superior goal difference to Boro’s.Both sides formed a guard of honour before kick-off for Alan Curtis, who is retiring from coaching at the end of the season after 40 years of service at Swansea.Derby were briefly worried when the Swansea danger-man Daniel James tested Kelle Roos with a low shot at his near post.But Derby soon established control and Tom Lawrence fired over before Bradley Johnson brought a fine point-blank save from Kristoffer Nordfeldt.Swansea have struggled defending set-pieces all season and were punished again when Harry Wilson sent his corner to the far post.

LIVE ON talkSPORT

talkSPORT is your home of live football! Here's what's coming up on talkSPORT and talkSPORT 2...

• Eintracht Frankfurt vs Chelsea (Thursday, 8pm) – talkSPORT 2
• West Ham vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm) – talkSPORT 2
• Cardiff vs Crystal Palace (Saturday 5:30pm) – talkSPORT

Keogh took advantage of some lax marking to direct his header back across goal and in off the post.James shot wide as Swansea stirred but Derby finished the half on top and twice came close to doubling their lead.Cameron Carter-Vickers almost diverted the ball into his own net after some Mason Mount trickery, and Nordfeldt had to move his feet quickly to help Wilson’s audacious attempt over the crossbar.Swansea made two changes at the break, as well as a tactical tweak as manager Graham Potter went with three at the back. Declan John was immediately denied an equaliser by Roos’ outstretched foot and Jay Fulton, the other Swansea substitute, blazed over moments later.Derby responded as Mount’s drive was deflected wide and Keogh headed over, but Swansea pressure was growing and the equaliser arrived when Oli McBurnie rose splendidly from a corner.The Scot’s header was pushed on to a post by Roos, but the veteran Routledge was on hand to slide home his second goal in three games and boost his hopes of landing a new contract.Keogh was injured in that incident to possibly put his place in the final game in jeopardy, but Derby kept their destiny firmly in their own hands.

---

England made a winning start to their 2019 Women's World Cup campaign as they saw off Scotland 2-1 in Nice. In front of a crowd of 13,188 at the Allianz Riviera Stadium, Nikita Parris put the Lionesses ahead with a 14th-minute penalty awarded for handball via VAR and Ellen White's curled finish made it 2-0 in the 40th minute.
Women's World Cup: England 2-1 Scotland, Nikita Parris and

---

Manuel Pellegrini believes dubious decisions from the officials cost his side at Manchester United on Saturday evening. The Hammers went down 2-1 at Old Trafford, but could have at least returned to the East End with a point had some contentious decisions not denied them the chance of returning with three.
Fact check: Is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer right about Manchester

---

The best footballers in the world at every age from 18 to 41-years-old, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe Cristiano Ronaldo is still performing at an elite level having
~ The best footballers in the world at every age from 18 to

---

Arsenal transfer news: Unai Emery eyeing move for Juventus defender; Aaron Ramsey involved ARSENAL have reportedly made an approach to sign Juventus centre-back Medhi Benatia. By Duncan Robinson
Arsenal transfer news: Bayern Munich - independent.co.uk

---

Watford striker Andre Gray claims football authorities don't care about racism and calls for greater action Several of his team-mates suffered abuse on social media following the dramatic FA Cup
Watford striker Andre Gray claims football authorities don't
sports.weblife24.com/watford-striker-andre-gray-claims-football-authorities-dont-care-about-racism-and-calls-for-greater-action/
Watford striker Andre Gray claims football authorities don't care about racism and calls for greater action Andre Gray has called on football's authorities to take racism more seriously after several Watford players received racist messages online.
Watford striker Andre Gray claims football authorities don't

---

New Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri disembarks plane in Australia as loan deal from Man City as they reveal their first signing with Decided to stay away from Champions League final after

---

Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery after Juventus-bound midfielder scores against Napoli The Welshman opened the scoring in a 2-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg win on
Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery after
fussboll.com/2019/04/12/aaron-ramsey-feels-all-arsenal-says-unai-emery-after-juventus-bound-midfielder-scores-against-napoli/
Juventus-bound midfielder Aaron Ramsey 'feels all Arsenal', says Unai Emery. The Arsenal manager was speaking after watching the player score in the club's 2-0 Europa League quarter-final first leg win over Napoli on Thursday.
Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey Rejected Unai Emery's Advice Before

---

Liverpool FC news: Sadio Mane says joining Reds 'best

---

LIONS DEN England: How Three Lions could line-up in the UEFA Nations League without Harry Kane and Callum Hudson-Odoi. and it's set to be a stern test for the World Cup semi-finalists.
England news: Phil Foden & Reiss Nelson need to join Jadon

---

Manchester United team news: Fans love Ole Gunnar Solskjaer even more after he starts Andreas Pereira The academy graduate is a surprise inclusion in the starting XI to face Burnley By Sean O'Brien
Manchester United fans love Ole Gunnar Solskjaer selection

---

Tottenham Hotspur take on Leicester City in the Premier League this weekend, as the outsiders for the title look to make it four wins from their last four. However, Pochettino will be looking for a more comfortable result than in recent weeks, as Spurs left it late against Fulham, Watford, and Newcastle.
Predicted Tottenham XI to face Leicester - Spurs Web

---

Mauricio Pochettino jokes Daniel Levy is 'concerned' and 'worried' by Real Madrid and Manchester United links. Pochettino's work at Spurs could attract the attention from some of Europe's biggest sides and the manager joked that the club chairman is 'worried' and 'concerned' by the links to other clubs
Daniel Levy is 'worried' about speculation over my future

---