Crouch goal sinks City MANCHESTER – Tottenham qualified for the Champions League for the first time Wednesday at the expense of Manchester City, beating City 1-0 after Peter Crouch's late headed goal sealed a top-four spot in the Premier League. Man. City goalkeeper Marton Fulop parried Younes Kaboul's cross to Crouch, who nodded the ball into the net in the 82nd minute. Tottenham has 70 points, four more than fifth-place City with one round left in the season. Spurs can still finish third and avoid contesting a playoff to reach the Champions League group stage if they beat Burnley Sunday and north London rival Arsenal loses at home to Fulham. The win completes a dramatic turnaround for Spurs, who were facing relegation from the Premier League 16 months ago. But it leaves City manager Roberto Mancini facing an uncertain future. The Italian's predecessor, Mark Hughes, was fired in December following a loss to Tottenham that left the owners in fear of missing out on the top four. Meanwhile, Fulham prepared for its Europa League final against Atletico Madrid next Wednesday by losing 1-0 at home to Stoke after Matthew Etherington's late goal. Real Madrid routs Mallorca Cristiano Ronaldo's hat trick in a 4-1 win over Mallorca on Wednesday kept Real Madrid within a point of leader Barcelona with two round left in the Spanish league. Ronaldo has now scored 32 goals in all competitions, 25 in the league and seven in the Champions League. Barcelona leads the standings with 93 points. Valencia is third with 68, eight more than Sevilla and one in front of Mallorca. Madrid had to come from behind to beat Mallorca, with Aritz Aduriz scoring from the edge of the box in the 16th minute. Ronaldo equalized 10 minutes later, skilfully redirecting Sergio Ramos' 40-meter pass over goalkeeper Dudu Aouate and into the goal. Ronaldo controlled another long pass from Ramos with his chest inside the penalty area and slotted the ball into the net in the 57th minute. Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini substituted Kaka with Jose Maria “Guti” Gutierrez two minutes later. Ronaldo beat defenders Jose Miguel Gonzalez and then Carlos Nunes to collect his third goal in the 72nd minute. Leading Madrid scorer Gonzalo Higuain hit his 26th goal of the season when he lobbed Aouate in the 82nd minute. Also Wednesday, it was: Racing Santander 1, Sevilla 5; Atletico Madrid 3, Valladolid 1; Zaragoza 1, Espanyol 0; Osasuna 3, Deportivo La Coruna 1 and Athletic Bilbao 1, Malaga 1.
