Bayern Munich clinched its 25th Bundesliga title Sunday after nearest rival Wolfsburg went down to a 1-0 defeat at Borussia Moenchengladbach
It meant Pep Guardiola’s team, which had beaten Hertha Berlin 1-0 Saturday, could not be caught with four rounds remaining.
The title race looked set to be extended for another week, but Gladbach’s German international striker Max Kruse scored a last-gasp 90th minute winner. It lifted them within four points of Wolfsburg in the battle for second spot.
All-conquering Bayern has now won three straight German titles, with Guardiola in charge for the last two after leaving Barcelona.
It is also still on course for the 2013 treble of European, German league and cup titles.
Tuesday sees the Bavarian giants face Borussia Dortmund in the semifinal of the German Cup in the Allianz Arena.
Further ahead is the Champions League semifinal clash against Guardiola’s former club Barcelona, wiht the first leg on May 6 in the Nou Camp.
Chelsea closes on EPL crown
Chelsea took another significant step towards its first English Premier League title in five seasons by holding Arsenal to a goalless draw at the Emirates Stadium Sunday.
It left Jose Mourinho’s team 10 points clear of reigning champion Manchester City and Arsenal, with five games remaining.
Six more points will guarantee the Blues lift the crown, conceivably at Stamford Bridge at home to Crystal Palace next Sunday.
Arsenal, in a rich vein of recent form, needed victory to press its claims, but was denied by a tight Chelsea defense, superbly marshaled by John Terry.
‘The best performance (by him) I have ever seen,” said Mourinho after the match.
The visitors also offered a threat – more in the first half – with a strong penalty appeal turned down when Oscar was upended by Gunners goalkeeper David Ospina.
Ramires also had the best chance of the half after a flowing Chelsea move, while after the break the chances were few and far between with Arsenal unable to make much of an impression.
The result continued Mourinho’s fine record against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, with his team unbeaten in eight games against its city rival.
Man Utd stunned
Earlier Sunday, Manchester United suffered its second straight defeat, going down 3-0 at Everton.
United, beaten 1-0 by Chelsea in a hard-fought encounter last weekend, showed nowhere near the same level of commitment or skill in sliding to defeat at Goodison Park.
Goals from James McCarthy and John Stones put Everton 2-0 up at halftime and Belgian international Kevin Mirallas added the third after the break.
It was the fifth win in six games for Everton, a side facing relegation problems at the turn of the year, while United stays fourth, but still well-placed to win a Champions League place.
Real wins Celta thriller
Two goals from Javier Hernandez helped Real Madrid to a 4-2 win at Celta Vigo to close again to within two points of Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings.
Read: Advantage Barca as Messi scores
Nolito stunned Real with a nearly goal before Toni Kroos equalized with a thumping strike and former Manchester United star Hernandez put them ahead.
In an open game, Santi Mina brought Celta level before James Rodriquez restored the visitor’s lead before the break.
The second half was a cagier affair but Hernandez rounded off the scoring in the 68th minute, adding more goals to his vital winner in the Champions League quarterfinal against Atletico Madrid.
Read: Hernandez the hero for Real
Cristiano Ronaldo assisted on the Kroos goal and struck the post with a first half shot, but was unable to add to his goal scoring tally.
Juve beaten in derby
In Italy, Juventus crumbled to its second defeat in three Serie A matches, beaten 2-1 to arch city rivals Torino in the Stadio Olimpico.
Juve reached the Champions League semifinal for the first time in 12 years in midweek and took an early lead through Andrea Pirlo with a trademark free kick approaching halftime.
But Torino hit back after the break with Fabio Quagliarella setting up Matteo Darmian to level before grabbing the winner from close range with 12 minutes left.
Second-placed Lazio drew 1-1 with Chievo in Rome, but Juve is set to wrap up the title in the next round of matches.
