Sunday’s briefing: Palace reach FA Cup final and Ipswich’s relegation confirmed

Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final after a stunning 3-0 semi-final win over Aston Villa.

Ipswich’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed while Celtic were crowned Scottish champions.

Glasner glad all over

Palace reached their third FA Cup final and are within one win of a first major trophy after dismantling Villa.

Ismaila Sarr hit a second-half brace after Eberechi Eze opened the scoring in the 31st minute, and the winning margin could have been even greater had Jean-Philippe Mateta not missed a penalty.

“With all the happiness and pride, it was not the last step,” said boss Oliver Glasner.

“It was one more step, but an important step. When you play the final, you want to win it.

“I’m really proud. I’m enjoying walking in front of the stands seeing how happy people are. In the dressing room, it’s a great mood.”

Tractor Boys sink back to Championship

Ipswich boss Kieran McKenna remained proud of his club’s meteoric rise after relegation from the Premier League was confirmed by a 3-0 defeat at Newcastle.

Goals from Alexander Isak, Dan Burn and substitute Will Osula put the Tractor Boys out of their misery at St James’ Park.

McKenna said: “Coming from League One to the Premier League in two seasons hasn’t been done for a very long time and I’m not sure it will be done in the way we’ve done it again, so there isn’t really a rulebook for that.

“Already people know and can see the jump from the Championship to the Premier League has grown and has become really difficult, and we were in a pretty unique position in the summer, so we’ve tried to act in the best interests of the long-term future of the club while still giving us a chance to be competitive this year.”

Hoops crowned champions again

Celtic clinched the William Hill Premiership title in style with a 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice.

Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain’s 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout.

Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan Rodgers the title in his first season back at Parkhead.

This triumph moved the former Liverpool manager on to 11 major trophies as Celtic manager and set the champions up for a shot at their sixth treble in nine seasons, and Rodgers’ third, when they face Aberdeen in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final next month.

Guardiola wants big De Bruyne finish

Pep Guardiola says he understands Kevin De Bruyne’s disappointment, but is convinced he will give everything to go out on a high at Manchester City.

The long-serving Belgian playmaker, who will leave City when his contract expires in the summer, this week spoke of his sorrow at not being offered a new deal.

The 33-year-old is one of the most decorated players in the club’s history having won 16 trophies in a glorious 10-year spell, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League.

He will hope to take a step towards a third FA Cup as City take on Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday.

Guardiola said: “That would be good, of course it would be. He’s behaved unbelievably all these years and, this month, again, since he announced that he’s in the last months here in Manchester City. It will happen until the end.

“He’s trained really good. He’s playing and helping us with his skills and his talents. I know he wants the best for the club.”

What’s on today?

Liverpool will clinch the Premier League title if they get a point or more when they host Tottenham.

Meanwhile, City take on Forest looking to get through to face Palace in next month’s FA Cup final.