Harry Kane’s first-half header helped Tottenham earn a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace that keeps alive their faint Europa League hopes.

Kane’s 28th goal of the season in all competitions settled a drab contest and also moved him ahead of Wayne Rooney into outright second on the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer list with 209 goals.

It was enough for Ryan Mason to secure a first victory in his second spell in charge of Spurs, who have jumped up to sixth but seventh-placed Brighton have three games in hand and are only two points off the London club.

While most eyes pre-match were on the coronation of the King, Tottenham sprung a royal surprise with their line-up.

Emerson Royal started and Yves Bissouma was on the bench despite both being sidelined with injuries that were expected to keep them out for another couple of weeks, while Eric Dier was dropped with the hosts in a 4-3-3 system.

Palace were unchanged having won four of their six fixtures under Roy Hodgson, who had given opposite number Mason his solitary England cap in 2015.

Given both clubs were involved in seven-goal thrillers last weekend, action aplenty was anticipated but the majority of the first half was played at a subdued pace.

Cristian Romero hit the crossbar with a near-post header from Pedro Porro’s 17th-minute corner before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fired over on the turn from Kane’s pass but Spurs were experiencing teething problems in their new system.

When Joachim Andersen scooped over for Palace under pressure from Ben Davies, it seemed the opening 45 would end goalless – but Kane had other ideas.

Spurs’ stand-in captain sprayed the ball out wide to Porro, who whipped in a wonderful cross for Kane to head home.

It moved the England skipper above Rooney into outright second amongst the Premier League’s record goalscorers, where Alan Shearer sets the pace on 260.

Kane’s goal helped increase the intensity from the two teams after half-time and Eberechi Eze dragged a shot wide for the visitors early into the second period after fine work by Wilfried Zaha, who had clipped over minutes before.

Spurs responded with Porro firing well off target when Son Heung-min was in space, but Zaha’s influence started to grow.

Zaha turned Emerson inside out before his cross deflected onto the roof of Fraser Forster’s net and Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper saved well from Cheick Doucoure on the hour mark.

After Tottenham had weathered the Palace storm, Mason’s side went in search of a second and Porro looked the most likely scorer for the hosts.

The January recruit tested Sam Johnstone with a firm effort from the right before his free-kick from the touchline sailed inches wide.

Son should have wrapped the game up soon after when Romero’s excellent pass sent the Spurs attacker through but Johnstone stood up well to save his low effort.

Tempers boiled over late on and referee Darren England handed out nine yellow cards in total but Tottenham held on to end their four-match winless run and keep a first clean sheet since February 26.

Harry Kane’s first-half header helped Tottenham earn a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace that keeps alive their faint Europa League hopes.

Kane’s 28th goal of the season in all competitions settled a drab contest and also moved him ahead of Wayne Rooney into outright second on the Premier League’s all-time leading scorer list with 209 goals.

It was enough for Ryan Mason to secure a first victory in his second spell in charge of Spurs, who have jumped up to sixth but seventh-placed Brighton have three games in hand and are only two points off the London club.

While most eyes pre-match were on the coronation of the King, Tottenham sprung a royal surprise with their line-up.

Emerson Royal started and Yves Bissouma was on the bench despite both being sidelined with injuries that were expected to keep them out for another couple of weeks, while Eric Dier was dropped with the hosts in a 4-3-3 system.

Palace were unchanged having won four of their six fixtures under Roy Hodgson, who had given opposite number Mason his solitary England cap in 2015.

Given both clubs were involved in seven-goal thrillers last weekend, action aplenty was anticipated but the majority of the first half was played at a subdued pace.

Cristian Romero hit the crossbar with a near-post header from Pedro Porro’s 17th-minute corner before Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg fired over on the turn from Kane’s pass but Spurs were experiencing teething problems in their new system.

When Joachim Andersen scooped over for Palace under pressure from Ben Davies, it seemed the opening 45 would end goalless – but Kane had other ideas.

Spurs’ stand-in captain sprayed the ball out wide to Porro, who whipped in a wonderful cross for Kane to head home.

It moved the England skipper above Rooney into outright second amongst the Premier League’s record goalscorers, where Alan Shearer sets the pace on 260.

Kane’s goal helped increase the intensity from the two teams after half-time and Eberechi Eze dragged a shot wide for the visitors early into the second period after fine work by Wilfried Zaha, who had clipped over minutes before.

Spurs responded with Porro firing well off target when Son Heung-min was in space, but Zaha’s influence started to grow.

Zaha turned Emerson inside out before his cross deflected onto the roof of Fraser Forster’s net and Tottenham’s back-up goalkeeper saved well from Cheick Doucoure on the hour mark.

After Tottenham had weathered the Palace storm, Mason’s side went in search of a second and Porro looked the most likely scorer for the hosts.

The January recruit tested Sam Johnstone with a firm effort from the right before his free-kick from the touchline sailed inches wide.

Son should have wrapped the game up soon after when Romero’s excellent pass sent the Spurs attacker through but Johnstone stood up well to save his low effort.

Tempers boiled over late on and referee Darren England handed out nine yellow cards in total but Tottenham held on to end their four-match winless run and keep a first clean sheet since February 26.

Resilient Wolves edged derby rivals Aston Villa 1-0 to end any lingering fears of relegation from the Premier League.

Toti Gomes’ first Wolves goal secured a fourth straight home win and leave them 10 points clear of the Premier League relegation zone.

It would now take a staggering set of results to send Wolves, who are 13th, down on 40 points.

Villa’s European hopes suffered a potentially fatal blow as it leaves them eighth, a point behind Brighton – who they host on the final day – having played three games more.

That they were even in European contention remains a tribute to the work Unai Emery has done since replacing Steven Gerrard in October.

Villa do at least face Tottenham, Liverpool and the Seagulls – those immediately above them – in their final three games but any hopes of Europe are fading.

Smarting from the 6-0 thumping at Brighton last week, Wolves’ heaviest league defeat in 16 years, the hosts went to remedy the result early.

Villa actually enjoyed a brighter start in the opening exchanges but it was Wolves who grabbed a ninth-minute winner.

Ruben Neves was forced to wait to take his corner but when he did the midfielder picked out Toti to crash in a header off the bar from 12 yards – just his second career goal.

Villa, who lost a 10-game unbeaten run with a 1-0 defeat at Manchester United last weekend, responded with Jose Sa turning Emi Buendia’s strike wide.

The visitors remained the aggressors but lacked the sharpness which had propelled them up the league since Emery’s arrival. It allowed Wolves to remain comfortable at the back, despite Villa dominating possession.

Slowly, though, Emery’s side began to find space and Ollie Watkins’ acrobatic effort dropped wide. It was a warning for Wolves and they escaped again soon after when Jacob Ramsey’s cross dropped for Watkins seven yards out but the striker could only head straight at Sa.

Wolves’ organisation and concentration was crucial and Craig Dawson was alert to halt Buendia as Villa probed for a leveller but there was still the occasional gap for the hosts to exploit.

Just before the break Costa teed up Matheus Cunha to plant a half volley over from the edge of the box then, less than two minutes after the re-start, Pedro Neto found Costa who was denied by Emi Martinez.

Chasing four successive top-flight home wins for the first time since 1975 Wolves at least begun the second half with more attacking purpose having spent the majority of the first frustrating Villa.

Ashley Young swept a shot wide but Villa could not find the same spaces as before and needed Matheus Nunes to get in a tangle in front of goal from Neto’s cross not to concede a second.

But, with 19 minutes remaining, the visitors blew their best chance to grab a point when Douglas Luiz’s free kick dropped for Mings six yards out, only for the defender to volley over.

Andy Murray guaranteed a return to the top 50 with victory over Harold Mayot to reach the final of the ATP Challenger event in Aix-en-Provence.

The Scot, currently ranked 52, took a late wild card into the second-tier tournament after losing in the first round of the Madrid Open and has made the most of the opportunity with four victories in a row.

They have all come against French players, and Murray comfortably brushed aside 21-year-old Mayot, ranked 241, 7-5 6-1 to set up a finale against American Tommy Paul.

One consequence of the decision to extend the clay-court Masters events in Madrid and Rome to two weeks each has been the strong Challenger fields this week, with Paul a top-20 player and Australian Open semi-finalist in January.

Murray has certainly gained in confidence through the week and pulled well clear with a run of seven games in a row, Mayot bowing to the pressure being exerted on him by double-faulting to give away the opening set.

Finishing off matches has at times been a struggle for Murray in recent years and he wobbled slightly, missing two match points at 5-0 before finally taking his fifth opportunity to clinch it.

It is Murray’s second final of the season after the ATP Tour event in Doha in February, where he lost to Daniil Medvedev.

The Scot is bidding for his first title since Antwerp in 2019, while, should he beat Paul, he would claim his first trophy at Challenger level for 18 years.

He would also climb to just outside the top 40, which would be a major boost to his hopes of being seeded for Wimbledon.

Former world eventing champion Ros Canter is on course for a first Badminton Horse Trials title after the dressage phase.

Lincolnshire-based Canter, who won the world crown in North Carolina five years ago, leads on Lordships Graffalo.

A score of 22.1 penalties edged 2016 Rio Olympian Kitty King and Vendredi Biats into second place overnight, but just 1.5 penalties separate the top five combinations.

And the chasing pack includes two Olympic team gold medallists in Oliver Townend and Tom McEwen, who lie third and fifth respectively aboard Swallow Springs and Toledo De Kerser.

Canter and Lordships Graffalo finished second behind Laura Collett and London 52 at Badminton last year, but 37-year-old Canter now has an outstanding chance of claiming the £105,000 top prize.

Sunday’s demanding cross-country phase will be pivotal – steady rain and testing conditions saw organisers make late alterations to five of the fences – while it all concludes with the showjumping phase on Monday.

“I can’t ask for more than that,” Canter said, reflecting on her dressage test. “If the crowd had stamped their feet, he would have danced even more – that’s why he is so great.

“I have never ridden in these conditions (at five-star level). It will be a case of looking after the horse, riding what is under me and attacking.”

Townend, meanwhile, also has his 2017 Burghley winner Ballaghmor Class in the mix, keeping alive a possibility of finishing first and second, which was last achieved at Badminton 35 years ago by Scotsman Ian Stark.

Sport paid tribute to the King on the day of his coronation as Chelsea forward Sam Kerr led the Australian delegation in the formal procession in London.

Kerr was chosen to bear her country’s flag as part of the Commonwealth, fronting an Australian contingent which included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as they made their way into Westminster Abbey for the service on Saturday morning.

After cricketers had stood to observe the national anthem ahead of day three of the current round of LV= Insurance County Championship matches, the afternoon’s football matches also paid tribute to the King.

Premier League leaders Manchester City hosted Leeds at the Etihad Stadium, where the national anthem was played before kick-off as the players stood around the centre circle while the big screen showed a symbol to mark the coronation.

Ahead of the games at Bournemouth and Tottenham, fans had been given the opportunity to watch the ceremony, as were spectators at the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire, where events had been paused during the ceremony.

Further afield, Formula One sent its congratulations to the King, with several teams displaying the coronation emblem at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend.

Sir Alastair Cook – who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 – was among those cricketers who stood to observe the national anthem.

Cook joined his Essex team-mates and opponents from Surrey, including England players Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Will Jacks, as they lined the boundary edge at Chelmsford while God Save the King played out to those in attendance.

There were similar scenes at the likes of Headingley, Ageas Bowl and Trent Bridge, although some of the fixtures were unable to start on time due to rain.

England stars James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow were among the best known faces to take part in proceedings.

Charles, previously the Prince of Wales, has been a patron of Glamorgan since 1986 and they posted a picture of him holding a bat during a visit to Sophia Gardens.

Two matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, at Old Trafford and Chester-le-Street, were marked in similar fashion.

Events in London also had an impact at the Badminton Horse Trials.

Saturday’s dressage started at 8am and paused at 10.15am to allow spectators to watch the coronation on big screens.

The action resumed at 12.45pm, with some screen access still available for those wishing to take in the full ceremony.

Milan pushed on in the battle for a top-four Serie A finish as Ismael Bennacer and Theo Hernandez scored in a 2-0 win over Lazio at San Siro.

Stefano Pioli's side were in full control from the off, though Lazio were masters of their own downfall for the opening goal as Marcos Antonio's error allowed Bennacer to bundle home. 

Hernandez doubled Milan's advantage before the break with a terrific solo effort, helping the Rossoneri to fourth in Serie A ahead of Inter's crucial clash with Roma later on Saturday. 

However, Milan's victory was marred by the sight of star forward Rafael Leao limping from the field early on, with the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie against Inter just four days away.

Having rested several players for Wednesday's draw with Cremonese, Pioli may have regretted naming a more familiar lineup when Leao was withdrawn just 11 minutes in – the forward appearing to suffer a groin injury.

Yet Milan made light of his absence as Bennacer pounced on a Lazio mix-up, combining with Olivier Giroud before volleying into the ground and over Ivan Provedel.

Milan doubled their lead from a lightning break 12 minutes later. Hernandez received the ball from Mike Maignan near his own penalty area before driving forward and lashing home from 20 yards via a slight deflection.

Lazio failed to record a single shot on target before the break, and Milan continued to dominate after the interval as substitute Malick Thiaw powered a header over from Sandro Tonali's corner. 

Milan were denied a late third when Ante Rebic slotted home from an offside position, but it was of little consequence as they warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League derby in style.

Lewis Hamilton has described Mercedes’ form as a “kick in the guts” – but team principal Toto Wolff insists his superstar driver will still sign a new contract.

Hamilton heads into Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix 45 points behind championship leader Max Verstappen after just four rounds of the season.

The British driver’s Mercedes team have endured a turbulent campaign.

Hamilton finished second in Australia at the beginning of last month to raise hope of a Mercedes’ fightback, but the 38-year-old, whose contract with the Brackley team expires in just over six months, was a distant sixth in Azerbaijan last weekend.

And, despite an encouraging opening practice session at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, with George Russell leading his team-mate in a Mercedes one-two, Hamilton ended the day’s concluding running in seventh, nine tenths back from Verstappen.

Asked for his assessment of Mercedes’ speed in the Sunshine State, Hamilton replied: “It is the same as every weekend.

“We are a second down. We are just not particularly quick. It is a struggle out there.

“We are trying different things. First practice looked good and then we got to second practice and the true pace came out. It is a kick in the guts. It is difficult to take sometimes.”

Mercedes are due to introduce an upgrade at the next round in Imola in a fortnight’s time, but Wolff has already warned Hamilton that he will not have the speed to fight with Red Bull.

Hamilton added: “I am going to stay optimistic, but it feels like we are racing the same car as last year. We desperately need those upgrades, that is for sure.

“We have to keep our heads down for one more race and hopefully we will start a new path at the next race.”

Hamilton’s future with Mercedes, and indeed in Formula One, continues to hang in the air.

But Wolff believes Mercedes’ failure to provide the Briton with a championship-winning machine will not prevent him from extending his stay with the team he joined in 2013.

Wolff said: “We have been together for 11 years, and every single time when we talk about Lewis’s contract, it’s six months of, ‘Where are we and what is happening?’ And we keep seeing the same thing, that we’re just rolling on.

“The contract negotiations are not difficult. It’s just putting a different timeline and a few different numbers in there. That is what we are doing and that is what we are working on.

“It’s a work in progress, bouncing emails back and forth, and eventually we’re going to sign it.”

Peter Haring is hoping Hearts can spoil Celtic’s cinch Premiership title party on Sunday.

A victory at Tynecastle – or a Rangers slip-up at home to Aberdeen – will ensure the Hoops secure the trophy for the second year running, but the Jambos’ Austrian midfielder is determined to prevent that scenario.

“As a player you don’t really think too much about that but obviously we want to try and stop that,” said Haring.

“First and foremost, we want to win and get three points but no-one wants to have another club celebrating anything at Tynecastle. We hope we can avoid that.

“It’s always a great game against Celtic, especially at home. At home we’ve got a chance against anybody in this league. We haven’t beaten them this season yet but it’s about time. We have to be confident and full of energy.”

Haring has played in two victories over Celtic since joining Hearts in the summer of 2018 and has featured  in several close matches between the teams.

“Every win is different and some taste sweeter than others but obviously beating Celtic, who have been by far the best team in Scotland since I got here, always feels really good,” he said.

“You need to be defensively very solid and disciplined. That’s key. You need to try and play the game in the opposition half because when they dominate possession, the pressure increases and it gets harder.

“They’re very good at moving the ball quickly so once they’ve pinned you back, it’s really hard to get control of the game again. We’ve worked on a gameplan and everyone needs to be ready. Energy and belief in yourself are the two main things.”

Haring, who recently returned to action following almost six months out with concussion issues, is due to run out of contract this summer.

“I hope so,” the 29-year-old said, when asked if he expects to be at Hearts next term. “The full focus is on the next five games and then we’ll see what’s going to happen.”

County cricket paid tribute to the King on the morning of his coronation, while Chelsea’s forward Sam Kerr led the Australian delegation in the formal procession.

Kerr was chosen to bear her country’s flag as part of the Commonwealth, fronting an Australian contingent which included Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as they made their way into Westminster Abbey.

Meanwhile, Sir Alastair Cook – who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 – was among those cricketers who stood to observe the national anthem ahead of day three of the current round of LV= County Championship.

Cook joined his Essex team-mates and opponents from Surrey, including England players Ollie Pope, Ben Foakes and Will Jacks, as they lined the boundary edge at Chelmsford as God Save the King played out to those in attendance.

Similar scenes played out at Headingley, Derby and Trent Bridge, though a handful of other fixtures were unable to start on time due to rain. Two matches in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy, at Old Trafford and Chester-le-Street were marked in similar fashion.

James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Jonny Bairstow were among the best known faces to take part in proceedings.

Charles, previously the Prince of Wales, has been a patron of Glamorgan since 1986 and they posted a picture of him holding a bat during a visit to Sophia Gardens.

Chief executive Hugh Morris said: “As our Patron, King Charles III has a long-standing association with Glamorgan County Cricket Club and we would like to wish His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort well as we celebrate the Coronation on Saturday, 6th May.”

Aberdeen manager Barry Robson has urged his players to show no fear at Ibrox on Sunday.

The Dons have earned the right to be confident after winning their last seven matches, the most recent of which was a 2-0 victory over Rangers at Pittodrie before the cinch Premiership split.

Former Inverness, Dundee United, Celtic and Aberdeen midfielder Robson, who started his career in the Rangers youth ranks, said: “I have a few memories over the years as a player there.

“My biggest thing as a player, as a person or as a manager is to go down there with no fear. Go and enjoy it, enjoy the cauldron of atmosphere.

“When you’re a young player, and you’re coming into the game, that’s where you want to play, in the big arenas. The arena where the pressure is on. Where it’s hostile, where they will come after you and that’s what the game is.

“That’s where you need to be as a player, your mindset as a player. Don’t fear it.

“You might come up against better players whatever league you are in but you’ve got to try and embrace it.

“Myself, when I played with different teams, coming up against big teams, we always enjoyed it and stayed in the fight.

“That’s what my message is, clear to the players: be brave, be brave with the ball and also be brave without the ball.”

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou believes clinching the title will be even more beautiful if they seal it by overcoming a tough test at Tynecastle.

The cinch Premiership champions are 13 points ahead of Rangers going into the final five fixtures and will retain the title if they beat Hearts on Sunday.

Rangers kick off 45 minutes later at home to in-form Aberdeen and there are several scenarios where Celtic could be crowned champions when they are getting changed or on the bus back to Glasgow.

So Postecoglou is keen to wrap up proceedings with a victory against a Hearts side who beat Ross County 6-1 in their previous home game, which was interim manager Steven Naismith’s first match in charge.

Postecoglou expects his treble-chasers to handle the occasion as they bid to make it a memorable trip to Edinburgh for their supporters.

“This group of players have experienced this kind of build-up to a big game over the last 20 months and were in this position last year and have had a couple of semi-finals and finals,” he said.

“They know there is a bit of hype and excitement around these big games and they know there’s outcomes that can be pretty special at the end of it, but they have been pretty focused on just playing our football.

“They are human beings, they know what’s at stake and they know what the potential of a positive result is.

“They will take that into the game but they will still be clear on how we play our football and it’s a difficult place to play.

“Hearts have still got a lot to play for so the beauty of it is if we do do it we will have to earn it and that’s the only way you want to do it.”

Postecoglou’s first domestic match in charge resulted in a 2-1 defeat at Tynecastle but he has led Celtic to three victories there since, including a seven-goal thriller in their most recent league visit.

“It’s a great atmosphere, it’s a great venue and it’s always a good game,” he said. “It always feels like it’s a big game.

“Hearts have a new manager in Steven Naismith. I don’t know him well but everyone I have spoken to rates him really highly and I like the way he has gone about his business so far in terms of the way he speaks about what he wants to achieve.

“It’s going to be a good game and if we want to get the outcome we want we are going to have to earn it and that’s the way it should be.”