African players in Europe

LONDON, May 21 (Reuters) Ivory Coast captain and African Player of the Year Didier Drogba supplied a decisive match-winning strike in the English FA Cup final as Africans made important contributions to key matches across Europe.

Striker Drogba, always a threat in a tense and closely-contested match, hit the only goal as Chelsea beat their great rivals and newly-crowned Premier League champions Manchester United 1-0 in the first final to be played at the rebuilt Wembley Stadium.

Drogba, the leading goal-scorer in English football this season, claimed his 33rd goal after a clever one-two combination with England midfielder Frank Lampard, deftly steering his shot past Dutch goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar.

Drogba's goal was his first against Manchester United in seven attempts and he was, understandably, delighted.

''I was looking for this first goal against Manchester United for two years -- and finally it has happened,'' he said. ''Now we just want to celebrate.'' SPAIN Mali striker Frederic Kanoute kept Sevilla's hopes of a first Primera Liga title in 60 years alive with a late match-winning goal at Deportiva Coruna.

Clearly showing signs of the after-effects of their midweek penalty shoot-out victory over fellow Spanish side Espanyol in the UEFA Cup final on Wednesday, Sevilla began sluggishly.

They fell a goal behind in the 72nd minute, but produced a late surge to claim victory. Brazilian midfielder Renato headed in a free-kick and then Kanoute, running on to an astute pass from Jesus Navas, steered the ball into the net with six minutes remaining.

The goal was the Malian's 20th of the season.

Barcelona, responding to the loss of top spot in defence of their title, kept their challenge alive by demolishing Atletico Madrid 6-0 on their own ground - the heaviest home defeat ever suffered by Atletico.

Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o was on the score-sheet as he poked home the third goal after Madrid goalkeeper Cuellar had fumbled a cross by Eto'o's team-mate Deco.

The result kept Barca in second place in the standings, trailing Real Madrid only because Real have a superior record in their head to head encounters this season.

Real appeared to be cruising to victory at Recreativo Huelva when Dutchman Ruud van Nistelrooy converted a second-half penalty to make it 2-0.

However the introduction of Nigerian substitute Ikechukwu Uche in the last quarter of the game sparked a comeback by the home side.

Firstly, he was brought down in the box and Jesus Vazquez converted a penalty. Then, Uche grabbed the equaliser four minutes from time when he headed in a corner.

But there was still time for Brazilian Roberto Carlos to snatch a late winner for Real with an injury-time finish.

ITALY In the penultimate round of Serie A fixtures, Ghanaian Asamoah Gyan claimed a goal in Udinese's 3-2 win over Champions League finalists AC Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza stadium.

Milan fielded a team packed with reserves, with Wednesday's European Cup final against Liverpool in mind, and Gyan and his team-mates made the most of their opportunity at San Siro.

FRANCE It was not such a good weekend for African goal-scorers as five different players ended up on the losing side.

Ivorian Abdul Kader Keita scored an equalising goal in Lille's match away to Auxerre, but Ireneusz Jelen hit the winner 11 minutes from time to deny Keita's side a precious point.

Marseille secured their place in next season's most highly-prized European competition with a 2-1 win over St Etienne.

Gambian Pascal Feindouna grabbing St Etienne's goal, his ninth of the season. Defeat meant the 1976 European Cup finalists will not play in European competition next season.

Burkino Faso's Moumouni Dagano grabbed an injury-time consolation strike as Sochaux were humbled 5-2 away at AS Nancy and Congo's Oscar Ewolo was also on the receiving end of a heavy loss despite a goal as his FC Lorient side lost 4-1 at Stade Rennes.

GERMANY Ivorian Arthur Boka picked up a Bundesliga title medal as his side VFB Stuttgart won the title thanks to a final day 2-1 win over Energie Cottbus.

REUTERS BJR KP1720