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Juventus scored late to beat Lyon 1-0 and take a big stride toward the Europa League semifinals while Benfica and FC Basel also won to move within sight of a second straight appearance in the last four on Thursday. Leonardo Bonucci poked home Juventus 85th-minute winner in its quarterfinal first leg at Stade Gerland, keeping the Italian league leaders and competition favourites on course to reach the final in their own stadium on May 14. "Its a pity," said Lyon midfielder Maxime Gonalons, whose team was hanging on in the second half, "we almost had a perfect game." Benfica, beaten by Chelsea in last seasons final, could be back in the showpiece match next month after Eduardo Salvios 48th-minute goal sealed a 1-0 win at AZ Alkmaar. Matias Delgado scored twice in five minutes late in the first half and Valentin Stocker added a third goal in second-half stoppage in Basels 3-0 win over Valencia that was played in an empty stadium at St. Jakob Park. UEFA ordered the first leg to be played without fans as punishment after Basel supporters temporarily stopped play during its 2-1 win at Salzburg two weeks for throwing fireworks on the pitch. In the other last-eight matchup, Porto beat Sevilla 1-0 at home thanks to Eliaquim Mangalas flying header from Ricardo Quaresmas superbly delivered cross in the 31st minute. Steven Defour and Quaresma struck efforts against the post for Porto, which finished with 10 men after midfielder Fernando was given two yellow cards in a matter of seconds in the 87th minute for firstly pulling an opponents shirt and then kicking the ball away. With Porto striker Jackson Martinez also missing the second leg because of suspension, two-time winner Sevilla is far from out of the home-and-away series. All the second legs will be played next Thursday. An ultimately successful night for Juventus was soured by the sight of Carlos Tevez leaving the pitch in the 55th minute with what appeared to be a groin strain. The Argentina striker missed two of a handful of good chances for Juve to stay without a goal in European competition since April 2009, when he was playing for Manchester United in the Champions League. Lyon battled gamely but was forced on the back foot in the second half, with Sebastian Giovinco and Mauricio Isla having shots saved by Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes and Mirko Vucinic blazing over for Juventus from inside the six-yard box. Just when it seemed Lyon would survive with a draw, Bonucci capitalized on a poor clearance from Lyon defender Bakary Kone to shoot into the roof of the net from close range. "We did not expect Lyon to defend that well," Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba said. "They surprised us in the first half. Things improved a bit in the second half, the team clicked." Juventus is the only Italian club still involved in a European competition. Cheap Nike Air Max Nz . Beanballs were the theme Friday night as the Red Sox and Rays had another AL East rumble, with Boston earning a 3-2 victory on A. Nike Air Max Clearance Sale . -- The Oakland Raiders added a veteran presence to their young receiving group by signing free agent James Jones to a three-year contract Monday. http://www.airmaxcheapnz.com/.Carla Fontes hadnt cut her hair since intermediate school, but her coach at Waiakea High School, Stan Haraguchi, thought the locks flowing below her waist were interfering with the sport. Discount Nike Air Max Nz . Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, the Houston Texans No. 1 pick in the draft, was on the field Tuesday for the first time with former NFL Defensive Player of the Year J. Nike Air Max Sale Nz . - PGA Tour rookie Tony Finau shot a 9-under 63 at Del Monte and had a two-stroke lead over Billy Andrade and Lee Janzen of the Champions Tour after Thursdays opening round of the Callaway Pebble Beach Invitational.The new Barclays Premier League season got underway on Saturday and TSN.ca presents a week long look at some of the teams and stories that will shape the up coming campaign. We asked our soccer analysts from every platform to predict the top four and bottom three for the 2014/15 Premier League season... They provided us with three different champions, including Chelsea receiving three of five votes to lift the trophy, as well as a message for Burnley fans: enjoy the top flight while you can. Jason deVos, TSN Soccer Analyst Twitter: @jasondevos Top Four: 1) Chelsea 2) Man City 3) Arsenal 4) Liverpool Relegation: 18) West Brom 19) Leicester City 20) Burnley Gareth Wheeler, TSN 1050 Soccer Analyst Twitter: @WheelerTSN Top Four: 1) Arsenal 2) Man United 3) Chelsea 4) Man City Relegation: 18) Aston Villa 19) Leicester City 20) Burnley Kristian Jack, TSN Soccer Analyst Twitter: @KristianJack Top Four: 1) Chelsea 2) Man City 3) Man United 4) Arsenal Relegation: 18) Burnley19) Swansea 20) West Brom Noel Butler, TSN 690 Soccer Analyst Twitter: @TheSoccerNoel Top Four: 1) Chelsea 2) Man City 3) Tottenham 4) Arsenal Relegation: 18) Burnley 19) Swansea 19) Leicester Luke Wileman, TSN Soccer Analyst Twitter: @LukeWileman Top Four: 1) Man City 2) Man United 3) Chelsea 4) Liverpool Relegation: 18) Crystal Palace 19) QPR 20) Burnley Read more from Luke Wileman here throughout the year as he contributes a regular column to TSN.ca on Major League Soccer as well as the Barclays Premier League. We also asked them to weigh in on which storylines and players they think will dominate the headlines and/or dominate the league. Noel Butler Breakout Player: Frank Lampard For a player who turned down multiple offers from Premier League clubs following 13 glory laden seasons at Stamford Bridge, no one could have quite scripted the next turn in his career. Soon after Frank Lampard was unveiled as a member of New York City FC on July 24th, Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini confirmed that Chelseas all-time leading goal scorer had joined the BPL Champions on a six month loan ahead of joining up with NYCFC in the new year. Arsene Wenger has wasted no time in expressing his disappointment that this was nothing more than a scheme by the parent club to circumnavigate UEFAs stringent Financial Fair Play Policy. Rumours first began something wasnt quite adding up when Lampard was spotted at Citys Etihad campus just ahead of Englands Brazil 2014 departure. Mark Sunday, September 21st on your calendars – the date when Chelsea will visit the BPL Champions looking to inflict a second straight home league defeat on Pellegrinis team. Story: Vanishing Spray Having been part of Major League Soccer since 2011 and used to maximum effect at this summers World Cup Finals, the job of BPL referees will get that much less arduous this season with the introduction of Vanishing Spray into the league. The Premier League made the announcement via Twitter in late July, and just like Goal Line Technology last season, Vanishing Spray made its formal introduction at last Sundays annual season curtain raiser the Community Shield. How very appropriate the home of football, Wembley Stadium was the venue. As someone who utterly detests the wanton disrespect of a referees authority at free kicks, where seemingly mob rule can prevail, implementing such a simple measure will rid us from an unacceptable face of football. Premier League has given flexibility to their referees for when to use Vanishing Spray for free kicks from deep lying areas. Next up, heres to faking and fawning disappearing from the Beautiful Game. Read more from Noel Butler here throughout the year as he contributes a regular column to TSN.ca on the Barclays Premier League as well as features on the Montreal Impact for TSN Radio 690. Kristian Jack Breakout Player: Nemanja Matic, who will thrive alongside player of the year Cesc Fabregas. Story: Louis van Gaals first season at the helm of Manchester United Louis Van Gaal arrives at Manchester United where it was no longer just belonging to Sir Alex. The failure of David Moyes means the bridge between the old boss and the new boss is considerably longer than it was in April. That is the first thing he has going for him. It is not the last. Van Gaal has arrived at Old Trafford where there is finally a feeling of a badly needed fresh start. Gone are Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra and if the 63-year-old is to complete a successful overhaul, players such as Anderson, Nani, Ashley Young, Tom Cleverley, Rafael and Javier Hernandez will likely follow over time. Van Gaal has already stamped an identity on United in his short time, something badly missing under Moyes. The team looks set to play a 3-4-1-2 system against many opponents, one backed by senior members of the club who have been more than happy so far in pre-season. All indications show that an improvement is coming but for a team thhat finished last season seventh on 64 points after eight successive years in the top two, just how much they need to improve could well be the biggest burning question in the entire league.dddddddddddd Van Gaal, unlike Moyes, is not inheriting a champion. Moyes inherited a flawed team but, when they under performed, the fingers pointed at the Scotsman. This season, the players have no such excuse and little expectations. Read more from Kristian Jack here throughout the year as he contributes a regular column to TSN.ca on the Barclays Premier League as well as exclusive content for TSN Radio 1050 Toronto. Gareth Wheeler Breakout Player: Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal) Arsene Wenger finds another gem perfect fit for his free-flowing system. While Olivier Giroud remains the only standout number nine, Sanchez fits the bill of a crafty, quick, versatile goal scorer and creator. Nineteen goals and 10 assists in 34 La Liga appearances in 2013-14 speaks to his quality. At 25, Sanchez is hitting his prime, making his £35 million transfer seem a bargain. The transition from the possession brand of Barcelona into the English version of it should be seamless. Sanchez instantly helps make an intriguing Arsenal squad a legit title contender. Story: The changes at Manchester United The biggest storyline to watch has to be Manchester United under new manager Louis van Gaal. Individuals at the club during their North American pre-season tour told me the squad was "a shambles" under David Moyes - "nice man, but in over his head." There was little communication or role definition. Failure under a void of leadership shouldnt surprise. The early reports under van Gaal are overwhelmingly positive. The players have already bought into to a proven winner, and someone not afraid to change the mold/set-up within the team, or Uniteds training facilities at Carrington. Its a cultural shift that they hope will manifest itself on the field. Its difficult for any team to bounce back from seventh place to win a title. Without the distraction of European football, United should be able to remain fresh with a tight squad rotation to maximize points in league play. An easy start to the season (Swansea, Sunderland and three promoted clubs) certainly helps the new manager and allows for any late signings before the transfer window closes to settle before the meat of the schedule comes about. Van Gaals 3-5-2 formation looked to be dynamic while going undefeated on their North American tour. The squad still has holes and needs reinforcements at centre-back, on the wings and in central midfield. That being said, a proper set-up, approach, and excitable talent remaining in the squad bodes well for a bounce-back. Listen to Gareth Wheeler on TSN 1050 Toronto throughout the year as he weighs in on all of Torontos biggest sports issues. Check TSN.ca/soccer regularly as he writes exclusives on the Barclays Premier League. Jason deVos Story: Can Jose Mourinho lead Chelsea to the title? Last season, Mourinho often referenced the fact that his team was not "ready to be champions" yet, and that 2014-15 would be their year. Some saw this as an excuse – a means to take pressure off of his players last season – but others felt that Mourinho genuinely believed this. Count me as being in the latter camp. Chelsea managed to finish third last season, even without a proven goal scorer leading the line. Samuel Etoo, Fernando Torres and Demba Ba were insufficient in Mourinhos eyes, so the manager swooped to sign Diego Costa from Atletico Madrid. While Costas stock dropped after a poor showing for Spain in the World Cup, he is still expected to score plenty of goals for a Chelsea side high in creativity. The central midfield addition of Cesc Fabregas could prove to be decisive for Chelsea. If Fabregas and Nemanja Matic can form a strong partnership in the middle of the park, it will free up the likes of Oscar, Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle to create or score chances up front. New signing Felipe Luis and Cesar Azpilicueta will likely flank Gary Cahill and John Terry at the back and with either Petr Cech or the returning Thibault Courtois in goal, Chelsea will once again be defensively resolute. In fact, expect them to have the leagues best defensive record, as they did last season. It will be at the other end of the pitch where Chelseas fortunes are determined. Hazard scored 14 goals for Chelsea from midfield last season, but if a midfielder sits atop their scoring chart at the end of the year, Mourinho will have failed. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on Costa to remain healthy and on form, but that is a small burden to bear when one is chasing the biggest prize in English football. Read more from Jason deVos here throughout the year as he contributes a regular column to TSN.ca on the Barclays Premier League as well as exclusive Major League Soccer and Soccer Canada insight. ' ' '