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BY DAVID SAFFER Manchester City and Liverpool meet in the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley this weekend.

The winner will face Chelsea or Crystal Palace in the final next month.

For neutrals it’s disappointing the Premier League giants clash at the last four stage. Hopefully this ‘Battle of the Giants’ clash will match a classic 2-2 draw in the league last Sunday.

Pep Guardiola’s side will retain the title if they win their final seven games. Should they drop points Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will look to pounce is they win remaining games.

Liverpool hit back after City led twice in a pulsating encounter at Etihad Stadium.

Kevin de Bruyne struck first for the hosts, Diogo Jota levelled before Gabriel Jesus deservedly put the hosts ahead at half time. Liverpool equalised on the resumption through Sadio Mane.

Raheem Sterling had a goal ruled out for offside as both teams went for a vital win.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola told BBC MOTD: “We are top of the table still so we have a feeling that we miss a huge opportunity to make a stamp but there are many games left. We defended incredibly well and created a few chances.” Liverpool manager Jurgen

Klopp told BBC MOTD: “It was an exceptional game of football. Two heavy-weights, chomping at each other. It’s crazy the intensity. A completely different level. It was a proper football game. Let’s keep going and see where we end up.”

Chelsea are 11 points adrift of the top two and got back to winning ways by thumping Southampton 6-0 at St Mary’s Stadium.

The Blues hit the woodwork on three occasions and but for a number of world class saves from Saints keeper Fraser Forster the visitors would have hit double figures in a demolition job.

Marcos Alonso, Mason Mount (2), Timo Werner (2) and Kai Havertz scored for Chelsea who are five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur who are in pole position for the last Champions League place.

Son Heung-min hit a hat-trick and Dejan Kulusevski scored as Tottenham eased to a 4-0 win at Aston Villa.

North London rivals Arsenal are three points back with a game in hand after a disastrous 2-1 home defeat to mid-table Brighton at Emirates Stadium.

Leandro Trossard and Enock Mwepu struck before Martin Odegaard fired home last on.

In the battle for Euro places West Ham, Manchester United and Wolves all dropped points.

Brentford defeated the Hammers with goals from Bryan Mbeumo and Ivan Toney in a 2-0 home win, Everton picked up a vital home win to ease relegation fears against United courtesy of an Anthony Gordon strike at Goodison Park, a Chris Wood spot kick earned Newcastle a win over Wolves at St James’ Park.

Leicester defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 in a mid-table clash at the King Power Stadium.

Leeds took a major stride to safety with a 3-0 triumph at second-bottom Watford. Raphinha, Rodrigo and Jack Harrison scored to secure a big win for the Whites.

Frank Lampard’s Everton are seven points clear of bottom club Norwich City who defeated Burnley 2-0 at Carrow Road. Pierre Lees-Melou and Teemu Pukki scored the all-important goals. BY DAVID SAFFER Hendon United Sports clinched the Premier League title with a 6-1 triumph over HMH.

Manager David Garbacz’ side clinched the championship in style and have been the outstanding team in the league this season.

Hendon have won an astonishing 14 from 15 league matches on their march to the title.

Akiva Solomon and Zack Lewis bagged a brace apiece. Yehuda Korman and Rocky Spitzer also scored in a superb display to wrap up a fourth championship in five years.

The manner of victory was impressive especially after the disappointment of two penalty shoot-out defeats to defending champs Oakwood in recent weeks.

“We put on a champagne performance in the second half to sweep aside our nearest rivals,” said a delighted Garbacz. “We’ve been a model of consistency in the league this year, we are deserving champions. It’s a shame we can’t complete the season with a cup final but the league has been our number one priority. I’m really proud of the whole squad for the way they’ve played.”

London Bears won a seven-goal thriller at Faithfold White to ensure they will not finish bottom of the table.

Bears have battled away throughout a first Premier season and enjoyed a 4-3 victory.

NWL Azzurri dropped points in their Division One promotion bid following a 1-1 draw at Mill Hill Dons.

Azurri have two games in hand on second place Borussia Jewdinese, who were in cup action. The result saw Dons move alongside ‘Nese in their final game of the season.

Redbridge Jewish Care Purple enjoyed a fine 5-1 triumph at FC East London Bees.

Geez Park Rangers moved six points clear of London Athletico at the top of Division Two after a 6-2 win against Qarabagel.

Rangers need four points to clinch the title with four games remaining of the season.

Boca Chillers clinched third spot with a 3-1 win at Camden City. Jack Davis, Josh Burchhardt and Jordan Freeman scored the

City and Reds ready for FA Cup showdown

BY DAVID SAFFER Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the second round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup.

Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, David Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali completed the rout in a mismatch of a tie.

Lions could have scored in the opening minute of the clash but soon opened the scoring and led 9-0 by half time.

Th e Division One team, though outclassed, battled away to the end.

Lions boss was lost for words at full time such was the display from his team who gave every respect to the opposition.

“I’m not really sure there’s anything to say, we are happy to make it through to the next round of the cup,” he commented.

Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors against League One outfi t North London Raiders.

Th e Premier side led early in the second half only for Raiders to equalise but struck two late goals to book a place in round Hendon clinch Premier title three of the competition. Hendon now turn their attentions to the league as they travel to Oakwood A for a crucial top of the table clash on Sunday (10am).

Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league leaders last month when they won 2-0, a goals for Chillers who finish ahead of Real victory would move them to within a point Madreidel on goal difference. of Hendon with a match in hand. Madreidel won their last game of the

Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, campaign 3-1 at Hapoel Hampstead. Mil10-man North London Galaxy made it a brook Park Calcio defeated Redbridge three-way title race in the only Division One Jewish Care White by the same scoreline. clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B. Brady FC won a bottom of the table thrill-

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy er 6-3 against Temple Fortune. rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Ja- Zak Lewis (2), Scott Ansher, Brandon cob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away Myers, Jamie Myers, Jack Brand and Zak win. Lewis scored the goals.

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in In the Cyril Anekstein Cup semi-finals, the table by just one point after 10 matches, Borussia Jewdinese defeated favourites third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points be- Stoke Salmon 2-1 to book a place in the hind with two games in hand. final against Oakwood.

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood. ‘Nese will be underdogs against Oak-

“It was a fantastic performance in a wood but the O’s will not underestimate the clash.

must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis.

“We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace.

“Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.”

Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune.

Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters.

Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season.

Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up.

“Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden.

“We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery.

“It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.”

He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”

one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual

16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER Kevin de Bruyne struck for Manchester City Sadio Mane equalised for Liverpool PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK