Juventus on course for treble after winning Italian Cup

Juventus have continued with their impressive run this season as they beat Lazio 2-1 in the Italian Cup final in Rome last night.

Juventus players celebrate after beating Lazio in the Italian Cup final on Wednesday. Reuters

With this win, the Turin-based club, which has already won this year’s league title and reached the final of the Champions League, are on track for a treble.

It wasn’t easy going for Juve as Lazio took the lead after just four minutes through a powerful header by Stefan Radu from a free kick. However, it didn’t take the Italian champions long to level the score as Giorgio Chiellini scored in the 10th minute.

Thereafter, both teams failed to create enough chances though Lazio wasted a couple of great chances late in the game to win the cup.

Instead, it was Matri who scored the decisive goal in the first half of extra time to give Juventus their first Italian Cup victory in 20 years.

Sunderland avoid relegation

Sunderland produced a gutsy display to hold Arsenal 0-0 in their Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday evening. The draw was enough for Sunderland to guarantee their survival in the top flight of English club football.

Going into the match, Sunderland had a herculean task of either holding or beating Arsenal in an away encounter.

Not surprisingly Sunderland’s strategy revolved around putting up a strong defensive wall that would blunt Arsenal’s attacks. The plan worked to perfection as they soaked up constant pressure from the hosts.

Sunderland's point means that it will be either Hull or Newcastle who will be out of the Premier League for the next season.

The draw wasn’t a bad result for Arsenal who are now almost certain to finish third in the standings that gives them an automatic qualification for next season's Champions League group stage.

Arsenal are three points clear of fourth-placed Manchester United with a significantly better goal difference with only one match to play.