LONDON (Reuters) – Every player dreams of scoring a stunner that clinches a title, but only special players like Robin van Persie have the vision, skill and ice-cold blood of a nerveless goalscorer to do it for real.

The 29-year-old Dutchman turned the dream into reality after 13 minutes of Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday by scoring a memorable second of a first-half hat-trick as United went on to clinch their 20th league title.

LONDON, April 22 (Reuters) – Every player dreams of scoring a stunner that clinches a title, but only special players like Robin van Persie have the vision, skill and ice-cold blood of a nerveless goalscorer to do it for real.

The 29-year-old Dutchman turned the dream into reality after 13 minutes of Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday by scoring a memorable second of a first-half hat-trick as United went on to clinch their 20th league title.

LONDON, April 22 (Reuters) – Every player dreams of scoring a stunner that clinches a title, but only special players like Robin van Persie have the vision, skill and ice-cold blood of a nerveless goalscorer to do it for real.

The 29-year-old Dutchman turned the dream into reality after 13 minutes of Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa at Old Trafford on Monday by scoring a memorable second of a first-half hat-trick as United went on to clinch their 20th league title.

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) – High drama marked the final minutes of Barnet’s last match at their infamous Underhill ground when a late goal and a penalty save gave them a 1-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers at the foot of England’s League Two (fourth tier) on Saturday.

Barnet, whose player-manager is former Champions League winner Edgar Davids, were playing the last game after 106 years at the north London ground with the sloping pitch, and victory took them out of the relegation zone with one match to play.

LONDON (Reuters) – Arsenal displayed their typical end-of-season resilience without even playing that well to win 1-0 at Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday and strengthen their chances of a Champions League spot next season.

Germany defender Per Mertesacker headed the only goal at Craven Cottage two minutes before halftime against a Fulham side reduced to 10 men after 12 minutes when midfielder Steve Sidwell was sent off against the club where he began his career.

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) – Arsenal displayed their typical end-of-season resilience without even playing that well to win 1-0 at Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday and strengthen their chances of a Champions League spot next season.

Germany defender Per Mertesacker headed the only goal at Craven Cottage two minutes before halftime against a Fulham side reduced to 10 men after 12 minutes when midfielder Steve Sidwell was sent off against the club where he began his career.

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) – Arsenal strengthened their chances of a third place-finish and a spot in the Champions League next season when they beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage in the Premier League on Saturday.

German Per Mertesacker headed the only goal two minutes before halftime against a Fulham side reduced to 10 men after 12 minutes when Steve Sidwell, returning from suspension, was sent off again.

LONDON (Reuters) – Cardiff City drew 1-1 at Burnley on Saturday to ensure they returned to the top flight of English football as winners of the English Championship (second division) after securing promotion earlier in the week.

Craig Conway put the Welsh club ahead after 27 minutes at Turf Moor before David Edgar equalised for the home side with a thumping header in the dying minutes.

LONDON, April 20 (Reuters) – Cardiff City drew 1-1 at Burnley on Saturday to ensure they returned to the top flight of English soccer as winners of the English Championship (second division) after securing promotion earlier in the week.

Craig Conway put the Welsh club ahead after 27 minutes at Turf Moor before David Edgar equalised for the home side with a thumping header in the dying minutes.

LONDON, April 19 (Reuters) – Former England captain John Terry refused to shake hands with FA chairman David Bernstein at Friday’s Champions League trophy handover.

Bernstein ruled that Chelsea defender Terry should be stripped of the England captaincy after being charged with racially abusing Anton Ferdinand of Queens Park Rangers in October 2011.