Villarreal, often touted as a model for smaller clubs to aspire to, were left preparing for life in the second division today after they were relegated following a dramatic finale to the La Liga season.

Real Madrid might have been beaten in the Champions League this week but neighbours Atletico took a step towards the final of the Europa League last night with a 4-2 win at home over Valencia in their semi-final first leg, Colombian striker Radamel Falcao scoring twice.

Manchester United supporters are on the threshold of winning their long-standing campaign for a dedicated singing section at Old Trafford, giving them the chance to deny visiting fans the chance to taunt them with Sir Alex Ferguson’s complaint after a match four years ago that “the crowd were dead; it was like a funeral.”

The Premier League player who is most like Dani Alves is Gareth Bale – at least that was the opinion formed within Barcelona after the Tottenham man's destruction of Internazionale's Brazilian wing-back, Maicon, last season. "He is a player I love to watch," says Alves when asked about the Welshman, whom club scout Albert Valenti has watched several times this season.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his seventh hat-trick of the season as Real Madrid beat city rivals Atletico 4-1 to restore their four-point lead at the top of the Primera Division.

Wigan boss Roberto Martinez hopes former Latics star Antonio Valencia has a “day off” as Manchester United visit the DW Stadium tonight.

Manchester United winger Antonio Valencia – who helped the club stay top of the league with a goal at Blackburn on Monday night – is to ask the club to postpone an operation he is scheduled to undergo at the end of the season so he can play for Ecuador in their World Cup qualifiers against Argentina and Colombia in June.

Three Spanish clubs stormed into the semi-finals of the Europa League last night, giving an ample demonstration of the strength in depth in La Liga.

Manchester United moved five points clear of Manchester City with victory over Blackburn on Monday.

Manchester United duo Ashley Young and Rafael have joined forces to heap praise on team-mate Antonio Valencia.

There are worse men to be dependent on than Luis Antonio Valencia. For 80 minutes last night he created almost every Manchester United chance, the best attacker in a team desperate to extend their lead at the top of the league.

Late goals from Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young sent Manchester United five points clear at the top of the Premier League this evening with victory over Blackburn at Ewood Park.

In last night's Europa League quarter-final first legs, veteran striker Raul scored twice for Schalke but they still lost 4-2 at home to Athletic Bilbao, who eliminated Manchester United in the previous round.

Manchester United 1 Fulham 0