Antonio Cassano's first-half header and a spectacular Mario Balotelli volley in the final minute sent Italy through to the Euro 2012 quarter-finals as Group C runners-up after a 2-0 victory over Ireland on Monday.
The shade of the shirt may have changed but Robin van Persie remains a red-hot Dutch master after marking his first Manchester United start with a goal in a 3-2 Premier League win over Fulham on Saturday.
Manchester United and Fulham served up a frantic 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage on Sunday while Newcastle United stunned Aston Villa 6-0 with a hat-trick from Andy Carroll on another dramatic day of Premier League action.
A cruel own goal by Damien Duff condemned Newcastle United to relegation from the Premier League after they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Ireland are fourth on 16 points, one point behind Switzerland and France and two adrift of group leaders Israel.
Leaders Chelsea got back to winning ways with a 3-0 defeat of Newcastle United while Manchester United beat Charlton Athletic 3-1
Chelsea, looking for a league and Cup double, reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
Goals from Didier Drogba and Joe Cole gave EPL leaders Chelsea a 2-1 win over West Bromwich Albion
Villa are sixth, five points behind the leading pair after four matches but have won both home games.
Chelsea closed the gap on leaders Arsenal to four points on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the English premier league.
Chelsea's Damien Duff says there is an 80 percent chance he could suffer a recurrence of the dislocated shoulder.
Chelsea stay a point clear of Arsene Wenger's unbeaten team with 36 points.
An 85th minute goal from a free kick by Ireland winger Damien Duff gave Chelsea a 2-1 victory over Manchester United.
The Chelsea winger sustained the injury when he landed heavily after being challenged as he shot at goal.
Portugal's football team captain Cristiano Ronaldo's agent has revealed that the forward would play out the rest of his career at Real Madrid, shunning reports of a return to Manchester United.
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