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Manchester City win the Premier League 2023/24 season - 1st ever team to win 4 PL titles in a row

Liverpool win.

Any loser from Arsenal or City now and it will be tough to recover
 
Liverpool started off asleep again.

Overall dominated the match , should have been a lot more but a vital 3 points !

At this stage dropping points at home , you won’t win the league .

Conor Bradley was magnificent! What a talent .
 
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Liverpool moved top of the Premier League - for a couple of hours at least - as Mohamed Salah ended Brighton's resistance to secure a vital victory at Anfield

With title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal meeting later on Sunday, Liverpool knew the significance of beating the resolute Seagulls in the early kick-off.

But Brighton striker Danny Welbeck stunned the hosts by thumping a strike into the top corner with only 87 seconds on the clock.

Liverpool responded strongly and began to dominate possession, with Luis Diaz poking home the equaliser from close range before the half-hour mark.

Salah, making his first league start since New Year's Day, had missed a host of chances but eventually made one count when he coolly slotted in from Alexis Mac Allister's pass in the 65th minute.

The hosts thought they had all but sealed the win when Diaz fired in after 73 minutes but his effort was ruled out by the video assistant referee for a tight offside.

Brighton skipper Lewis Dunk came closest to snatching a draw for the visitors, but saw two headers saved by home keeper Caoimhin Kelleher in quick succession.

Former Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana also fired wide just moments after coming on as a substitute late on.

Ultimately Salah's strike proved the difference as relieved Reds fans greeted the final whistle with an exuberant celebration.

Liverpool move on to 67 points, three ahead of Arsenal - who have a superior goal difference - and four in front of City before their match at Etihad Stadium.

 
KingKhanWC said:
Liverpool started off asleep again.

Overall dominated the match , should have been a lot more but a vital 3 points !

At this stage dropping points at home , you won’t win the league .

Conor Bradley was magnificent! What a talent .
Click to expand...
Have to win all home games for sure
 
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Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium.

Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.

This was a game that made a nonsense of its billing as a potential classic, as Arsenal's containing tactics snuffed out City while the Gunners had only limited chances of their own in a desperately poor affair.

Nathan Ake had an early close-range header saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before going off injured while former City striker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka's cross inches from goal after the break.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome - but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
 
Despite not playing that well we got a crucial win in the end. All that matters for now are the three points. It was an awesome finish by Welbeck too put Brighton in the lead within the first two minutes. I always knew that Arsenal could never defeat City away from home like it proved. That said City dominating possession didn't do them much good thanks to a good performance by the Arsenal back line. Next week's Man Utd-Liverpool match now takes on even greater importance then ever before. That is the toughest away fixture we have left this season. Win that one and we're favourites for the title. Hopefully, we could have our goal machine Jota back for the visit to Old Trafford.
 

Burnley: Vincent Kompany says refereeing 'not good enough' in Premier League​


The standard of refereeing in the Premier League this season "hasn't been good enough", says Burnley manager Vincent Kompany.

Kompany was shown a red card by referee Darren England during the 2-2 draw at Chelsea on Saturday for protesting against a penalty decision which led to defender Lorenz Assignon being sent off.

Six Burnley players have been sent off in 30 games this season, the most of any Premier League team.

Kompany said he is "not shying away" from giving feedback to officials and does not have "any issues with being fined".

He said: "I've said it to the referees themselves - refereeing hasn't been good enough this season.

"And I have said that in a constructive way, understanding as well the fact it's not easy for them.

"The scrutiny is massive. The pressure is bigger than it's ever been on the officials.

"The addition of VAR and more opinions and more officials doesn't make it easy for them to do their jobs."

Burnley are second bottom of the table, four points from safety.

Assignon was shown a second yellow card shortly before half-time for fouling Mykhailo Mudryk, and Kompany was sent to the stands for his reaction.

Burnley twice came from behind against Chelsea, with Dara O'Shea scoring an 81st-minute equaliser to earn a point.

Kompany said that before this season he felt "common sense was always trying to be applied" by officials.

"You make a mistake and we all have a laugh about it and usually the traditional view is that it all evens itself out over the course of a season," he said.

"This year I haven't felt like this. Where we are in the league doesn't really matter. I just want it to be right."

Burnley host Wolves at Turf Moor on Tuesday.

www.bbc.com

Burnley: Vincent Kompany says refereeing 'not good enough' in Premier League

Burnley manager Vincent Kompany says he is "not shying away" from giving feedback to officials and has no "issues" with being fined.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 

Today's Fixtures (02-04-2024)​


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Newcastle United 1-1 Everton - MATCH REPORT​

Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted a late penalty as Everton gained a vital point in their battle to avoid relegation with a draw at Europe-chasing Newcastle.

Alexander Isak gave the hosts a 15th-minute lead when he collected Harvey Barnes' ball over the visiting defence, cut inside Jarrad Branthwaite and calmly slotted past Jordan Pickford.

Dan Burn had a goal ruled out for offside and Isak had another attempt cleared off the line, before the visitors were handed a late lifeline as Paul Dummett had his arm around Ashley Young's neck and wrestled him to the ground.

England striker Calvert-Lewin kept his composure to score his first goal in 24 games in all competitions and end a goalless run that had stretched back to October.

Source: BBC
 

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Fulham - MATCH REPORT​

Nottingham Forest gave their hopes of Premier League survival a crucial boost with a convincing victory over Fulham at the City Ground.

Despite Fulham threatening a comeback in the second period, the home side's three first-half goals were enough to move them three points clear of the relegation zone.

Callum Hudson-Odoi opened the scoring after nine minutes, cutting inside and slotting home after Morgan Gibbs-White's sublime threaded pass found the forward on the left-hand side.

Chris Wood continued his impressive goalscoring form 10 minutes later with a superb strike from range - his eighth in nine appearances - before Gibbs-White added a third, placing a low drive into the bottom corner.

It looked like Forest had the points wrapped up by half-time but a breathless second period began with Tosin Adarabioyo's glancing header pulling one back for the visitors after just five minutes.

Chances were in abundance at both ends as Neco Williams hammered a shot off the bar and a fine Matz Sels save denied Adarabioyo a second, while Kenny Tete clipped the underside of the bar.

The result leaves Fulham 12th while 17th-placed Forest will travel to Tottenham on Sunday with renewed confidence about their hopes of staying up.

Source: BBC
 

AFC Bournemouth 1-0 Crystal Palace - MATCH REPORT​

Bournemouth's impressive run continued as substitute Justin Kluivert's goal against Crystal Palace earned his team a fourth win in five games.

Kluivert fired beyond Dean Henderson after fellow substitute Antoine Semenyo out-muscled David Ozoh to tee-up his team-mate for the goal.

The game, played in wet and windy conditions, looked to be heading for a goalless conclusion at Vitality Stadium.

Philip Billing had a header tipped on to the bar by Henderson while at the other end Eberechi Eze's goal celebrations were cut short by an offside flag after the Palace player had finished from six yards.

But Kluivert's 79th-minute winner proved the difference and lifted his side up to 11th in the table.

Source: BBC
 

Burnley 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers -MATCH REPORT​

Burnley missed out on boosting their Premier League survival hopes as they were held to a frustrating draw by Wolves at Turf Moor.

Jacob Bruun Larsen put the hosts in front after 37 minutes by superbly tucking away Dara O'Shea's cross.

But Wolves levelled just before half-time when Rayan Ait-Nouri headed in Pablo Sarabia's wide free-kick.

Had results gone their way Burnley could have moved within a point of Premier League safety on Tuesday.

Instead, Nottingham Forest's win over Fulham, combined with the Clarets' failure to find a winner against Wolves, means Vincent Kompany's side stay 19th - six points behind 17th-placed Forest.

Source: BBC
 

West Ham United 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur - MATCH REPORT​

Tottenham missed the chance to move into the Premier League top four after being held by West Ham at a rainy London Stadium.

Brennan Johnson's tap-in put Spurs ahead after five minutes, but they were pegged back when Kurt Zouma headed home from a corner.

Spurs were left frustrated in a game where both sides showed endeavour but lacked a cutting edge.

It means Ange Postecoglou's side remain two points off Aston Villa in fourth.

West Ham, meanwhile, stay seventh as both Newcastle and Wolves failed to win and overhaul David Moyes' side in the Europa Conference League qualification place.

Tottenham led when Johnson - brought in as one of three changes to the Spurs starting line-up from Saturday's win over Luton - turned in from close range after Timo Werner was allowed behind the left side of West Ham's defence to fire in a low cross.

But West Ham responded well, and their tactics of swinging in corners to put Spurs goalkeeper Gigi Vicario under pressure worked when Jarrod Bowen's set -was nodded in from five yards by Zouma.

The hosts came closest to finding a winner after the break, but Michail Antonio shot straight at Vicario after the Jamaican international had overpowered Micky van de Ven to get one-on-one with the keeper.

Source: BBC
 

Brighton announce record profit after best Premier League season​

Brighton have announced a record profit of £122.8m in the 2022-23 financial year - the most successful season in the Premier League club's history.

Profit after tax increased annually by almost £100m from £24.1m, with turnover going up by 17.2% to a record £204.5m.

Albion finished sixth in the Premier League in 2022-23, reached the FA Cup semi-finals and also brought in huge transfer fees for several key players.

The figures can help more "significant progress" on the pitch, Brighton said.

"These accounts will of course catch the eye because of the headline number," Brighton chief executive Paul Barber said.

"In a season when we made history on the pitch we took a huge step forward in terms of the club's long-held aim of becoming more sustainable and less reliant on [Brighton owner] Tony Bloom's incredibly generous levels of investment."

Brighton have made a "substantial repayment" to Bloom for the first time, added Barber.

It means the club reduced the balance on Bloom's interest-free loans, with the first given in 2007, to £373.3m from £406.5m.

Brighton's record profits come at a time when a number of other clubs have posted significant losses for the 2022-23 top-flight season, including Aston Villa (£120m), Chelsea (£90m), Everton (£89m), Leicester (£90m), Newcastle United (£73m), Nottingham Forest (£52m) and Wolves (£67m).

Everton and Forest have already been docked points for breaching profit and sustainability rules, while Leicester are facing similar charges.

Source: BBC
 
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Arsenal overcame the absence of Bukayo Saka to move back to the top of the Premier League table with victory over struggling Luton at Emirates Stadium.

Leading scorer Saka was missing after suffering a knock against Manchester City at the weekend, but Mikel Arteta's much-changed side did enough to rout their hard-working opponents and move back above Liverpool at the summit.

Captain Martin Odegaard fired the hosts into the lead in the 24th minute after Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu was bundled off the ball by Emile Smith Rowe, before the Gunners doubled their advantage shortly before half-time.

Japan defender Daiki Hashioka inadvertently put past his own keeper Thomas Kaminski in the 44th minute while trying to stop Reiss Nelson after Smith Rowe was afforded too much space in the penalty area.

Luton were decimated by injuries to the extent that they had 16-year-old schoolboy defender Christian Chigozie on the substitutes bench.

They never allowed Arsenal to run away with it, while Gunners keeper David Raya was forced to keep out Ross Barkley's free-kick on the stroke of half-time.

Arsenal, however, were largely untroubled as they moved on to 68 points - one point clear of Liverpool, who play bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday (19:30 BST kick-off).
 
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Ivan Toney's run without a Premier League goal extended to seven games as Brentford and Brighton played out a dull draw.

Toney was denied by Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen with one chance and has now failed to score for Brentford since 17 February.

The 15th-placed Bees are winless in five home league games and six points above the relegation places, while Brighton are ninth.
 
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Phil Foden struck a stunning hat-trick as Manchester City continued to apply pressure to Premier League title rivals Arsenal and Liverpool with a commanding win over Aston Villa at Etihad Stadium.

Manager Pep Guardiola left key men Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne on the bench after Sunday's drab draw with Arsenal, but the reigning champions still had too much for injury-hit Villa, who also lost goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to illness just before kick-off.

In their absence, Foden produced a masterclass to take his tally to 21 goals this season. But it was Rodri who struck first for City after 11 minutes when he swept home Jeremy Doku's cross at the near post.

Villa were dangerous on the break and drew level nine minutes later when Jhon Duran beat Stefan Ortega with a low finish after a neat exchange with Morgan Rogers.

It was then that Foden took charge, restoring City's lead with a low 20-yard free-kick on the stroke of half-time, although Villa's Nicolo Zaniolo played his part by turning his back in the wall.

Foden extended City's lead after 62 minutes when he fired low past Villa's deputy keeper Robin Olsen after good work by Rodri, then claimed his treble in style seven minutes later with a fine drive into the top corner from the edge of the area.

The win leaves City level on points with Liverpool, who play Sheffield United at Anfield on Thursday night, and a point behind Arsenal, who top the table after beating Luton Town.
 
Premier League eyeing ABOLISHING points deductions and introducing an NBA-style 'luxury tax' over fears top stars will leave if rules restrict their pay - after Everton and Nottingham Forest lost points

Arsenal have FINALLY grown up... they used to be soft and you can't say that any more - It's All Kicking Off
Premier League clubs are considering abolishing points deductions and introducing a 'luxury tax', Mail Sport can reveal.

The hefty points-deduction punishments for Everton and Nottingham Forest - coupled with a quiet January transfer window as clubs did not dare overspend and risk sanction - have left many officials to deem the league's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) not fit for purpose.

There are also grave fears are that, under its current guise, PSR will see the Premier League fall from its lucrative position as the world's best league because it will no longer be able to afford the best players on the best salaries.

Radical reform has been discussed among the clubs and an entirely new system could be voted in at the end of the season meeting in June. As many as 17 of the 20 clubs are thought to be leaning towards significant change. Fourteen clubs need to be in agreement to get a rule change through.

Some feel that the eventual six-point penalty dished out to Everton and the four handed to Forest were draconian and not reflective of why PSR was brought in.

Points deductions for financial breaches could be scrapped in the Premier League next season

Everton suffered a six-point deduction this term for breaking Profit and Sustainability Rules
Nottingham Forest were hit with a four-points deduction this season too for the same sanction

Nottingham Forest were hit with a four-points deduction this season too for the same sanction

They believe that should clubs wish to 'have a go' and have the money to do so, they should not face a punishment that could plunge them into the Championship.

A 'luxury tax' has been considered, where those clubs who overspend will have a financial punishment which would increase the more they splash the cash. But clubs can choose to press on regardless if they wish.

The monies collected, which could run into the tens of millions, would then be redistributed to those Premier League who complied with the rules. It has been discussed that some of the fines could even go into an 'emergency fund' to assist EFL clubs in financial danger.

Currently, such a tax features in America's Major League Baseball and National Basketball Association, and relates to the amount spent on the salaries of the playing squad.
America's other two main sporting leagues, the NFL and National Hockey League, meanwhile, have 'hard' salary caps which clubs are not allowed to exceed.

While some clubs want the tax to remove the threat of points deductions entirely, Premier League insiders are adamant that any proposal would still include an element of 'sporting sanction' and that it would be aimed more at providing additional flexibility and a buffer zone.

UEFA’s new rule - which limits spending on player and coach wages, transfers and agent fees to 70 per cent of club revenue is also viewed favourably by some.

A system of 'anchoring' has also been discussed. It is a form of salary cap where the amount any club can spend is directly related to the wage bill spent by the bottom club. So if Sheffield United, for example, finish bottom with an annual wage bill of £50m, every club would have a set multiple of that figure to spend for the following season. Again, if a club breaks that cap, they pay the fine.

It's feared by clubs they won't be able to attract the best players in future due to the PSR rules (pictured Premier League CEO Richard Masters during Man City's 2022-23 trophy ceremony)

It's feared by clubs they won't be able to attract the best players in future due to the PSR rules (pictured Premier League CEO Richard Masters during Man City's 2022-23 trophy ceremony)

There are other financial points up for debate at the end of season meeting. A 'growing number' - according to a source - want to change financial rules so that only spend on players (buying and salaries) and coaching staff is taken into account over the three-year reporting period.

Currently, only money spent on new stadia, infrastructure, youth development and community projects is exempt from being calculated as part of the £105m clubs are permitted to lose over three seasons. But those pushing for only players and staff to be included believe that it would free up clubs to invest in the likes of content, digital and marketing to grow their global fanbases.

And in another shock development, a vote to reverse the February ruling on related-party transactions - deals within multi-club networks or with sponsors who have the same owners as a club - could also be on the cards.

In February, an amendment to these rules was approved by the narrowest of margins. With seven votes needed to block a proposal, there were 12 in favour, two abstentions and six against. But some feel that the change, and the knock-on impact it has on ownership of other clubs overseas, is harmful with one, thought to be Manchester City, considering legal action.

The Premier League are looking to replicate the NBA model of a luxury tax moving forward

The Premier League are looking to replicate the NBA model of a luxury tax moving forward
The option to send a young prospect to gain experience overseas at a club in their network, which would then increase their market value, is thought to be attractive to many.

The situation is complex. Traditionally the 'Big Six' both Manchester clubs, Arsenal, Tottenham, Liverpool and Chelsea, have tended to vote together. However, it is understood that there has been a 'seismic shift' in relationships, with Saudi-owned Newcastle now included in a 'Big Seven'.

Some feel that a rules to encourage investment would result in a more competitive league which would increase interest levels and safeguard against the future.

Source: Daily Mail
 
Liverpool calm the nerves by a sensational hit from the WC winner MacAllister.
 
Liverpool battled to victory over bottom-placed Sheffield United to move back to the top of the Premier League and maintain control of the title race.

The hosts were gifted a 17th-minute lead when Darwin Nunez charged down goalkeeper Ivo Grbic's clearance with the ball rebounding into the net.

Despite having 84% of possession in the first half and wasting numerous chances, Liverpool conceded a 58th-minute equaliser as Gustavo Hamer's header bounced off Conor Bradley and into his own net.

But Argentina's World Cup-winning Alexis Mac Allister - nominated for March's Premier League Player of the Month award - produced a stunning 20-yard strike which flew into the top corner to put the hosts back in front with 14 minutes left.

Mac Allister nearly grabbed a wonderful second but saw his curling free-kick bounce off the crossbar.

But it did not matter as substitute Cody Gakpo headed in Liverpool's third in the 90th minute to seal the victory.

The result takes the Reds two points clear of Arsenal and three ahead of reigning champions Manchester City, with each side having eight league matches left.

More importantly, it keeps Liverpool's title destiny in their own hands.

They know if they beat Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Everton, West Ham, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Wolves, it will secure their second Premier League title and confirm them as top-flight English champions for a 20th time.

Source: BBC
 
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Cole Palmer scored twice after the 100-minute mark to complete his hat-trick and earn Chelsea a remarkable win against Manchester United despite having previously given up a two-goal lead.

It was a breathless start at Stamford Bridge, with Blues captain Conor Gallagher slamming the hosts in front and Palmer doubling the lead from the spot after Antony fouled Marc Cucurella.

But Alejandro Garnacho sparked a United comeback when he pounced on Moises Caicedo's poor pass across the back.

Bruno Fernandes pulled United level just five minutes later when he headed in Diogo Dalot's cross.

Garnacho scored his second when he headed in an excellent outside-of-boot cross from Antony past goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic, with what United thought was the winner.

That was before a dramatic end to the match saw Chelsea take all three points.

Substitute Noni Madueke was brought down by Dalot in the area and Palmer stepped up confidently to bring the scores level on 100 minutes.

Then in the 101st minute, Palmer picked the ball up from a short corner and his drilled shot was deflected past United goalkeeper Andre Onana to spark wild scenes in the stadium.
 
Olise on bench; Haaland & De Bruyne return

Crystal Palace v Man City

It is an unchanged Crystal Palace side from the one that suffered defeated by Bournemouth on Tuesday.

The big news is Michael Olise returns to the squad after missing seven games.

Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Ward, Mitchell, Lerma, Ayew, Eze, Munoz, Mateta, Anderson, Hughes, Wharton.

Substitutes: Matthews, Tomkins, Olise, Schlupp, Clyne, Edouard, Ahamada, Ozoh, Umeh-Chibueze.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola makes four changes from Wednesday's win over Aston Villa.

Goalkeeper Ederson returns following his injury at Liverpool last month - but only as a substitute.

Manuel Akanji, Jeremy Doku, Bernardo Silva and hat-trick hero Phil Foden drop to the bench.

John Stones, Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Oscar Bobb come into the side.

Manchester City XI: Ortega, Dias, Stones, Haaland, Grealish, Rodri, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Gvardiol, Bobb, Lewis.

Substitutes: Ederson, Kovacic, Doku, Silva, Gomez, Akanji, Nunes, Foden, Susoho.
 
HT: Crystal Palace 1-1 Man City

The Crystal Palace right back Daniel Munoz has swapped shirts with Erling Haaland at half time.
 
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Manchester City maintained their title challenge in ruthless fashion as Kevin de Bruyne contributed to three goals in a victory over Crystal Palace

In an entertaining encounter, Palace stunned City with an early opener from Jean-Philippe Mateta, before De Bruyne's wonderful finish pulled the visitors level in the first half.

Mateta raced on to a pass from Adam Wharton and slotted the ball inside the far corner in only the third minute as noise erupted from the stands at Selhurst Park.

But De Bruyne's curling effort was a sublime equaliser just 10 minutes later.

Palace's Jordan Ayew struck the crossbar as Oliver Glasner's side showed plenty of attacking threat but they were undone in the second half as City were clinical.

Having earlier made a crucial stop to deny Erling Haaland finishing off a clever De Bruyne through-ball, home goalkeeper Dean Henderson was unable to block Rico Lewis' strike within two minutes of the second half.

The defending champions then took control as De Bruyne teed up Haaland again and this time the Norwegian striker finished, before the Belgian added a fourth - his 100th goal for the club - with a ferocious first-time shot.

Substitute Odsonne Edouard slotted in a late consolation for Palace, who ended brightly.

But this was another crucial victory for Pep Guardiola's side in an enthralling three-way title race.

City moved level on points with leaders Liverpool, who visit Manchester United on Sunday, while Arsenal host Brentford later on Saturday.

 
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Ollie Watkins rescued a late point for Aston Villa who had earlier surrendered a two-goal lead against Brentford in the Premier League

Forward Watkins gave Villa a 39th-minute advantage, meeting John McGinn's cross with a powerful header which just squeezed over the line.

And Morgan Rogers doubled the hosts' lead 32 seconds after the restart with a fine, low finish into the bottom corner.

But Brentford responded with three goals in nine second-half minutes. First, Mikkel Damsgaard's cross deflected in off Mathias Jorgensen's foot just before the hour mark.

Two minutes later the Bees levelled when Bryan Mbeumo volleyed in Sergio Reguilon's cross.

And Brentford went in front in the 68th minute when Yoana Wissa tapped in Reguilon's low pass across goal.

Watkins denied the visitors a first win in nine matches though, heading in the equaliser with 10 minutes remaining.

Villa remain fourth, three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, having played two matches more. Brentford drop to 16th, six points clear of the bottom three.

www.bbc.com

Aston Villa 3-3 Brentford: Late Watkins goal earns point for Villa

Ollie Watkins rescues a late point for Aston Villa who had earlier surrendered a two-goal lead against Brentford in the Premier League.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin capitalised on an Arijanet Muric error to score his second goal in as many games and help Everton to a priceless win over fellow strugglers Burnley, whose own survival hopes were dealt a major blow at Goodison Park

The bizarre goal earned the Toffees their first top-flight win in 14 attempts - since a 2-0 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor on 16 December.

Calvert-Lewin, who ended a run of 23 games without a goal in Tuesday's 1-1 draw at Newcastle, opened the scoring at the end of a poor first half, when Muric's attempted clearance struck the Toffees frontman before looping over the Burnley goalkeeper and into the unguarded net.

The striker could have doubled the hosts' advantage early in the second half but shot straight at Muric after getting the better of Dara O'Shea inside the penalty area.

Burnley's hopes of forging a route back into the game took a turn for the worse when O'Shea lost possession near the halfway line before committing a professional foul on Dwight McNeil, earning a the defender a straight red card.

Josh Brownhill's curling effort flew narrowly wide of the far post in a nervy end to the contest, but Everton held on to claim three crucial points in their battle for survival.

 
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Bruno Guimaraes scored his fourth goal of the season as Newcastle beat Fulham at Craven Cottage

The Brazilian struck the winner inside the last 10 minutes after good work from substitute Harvey Barnes, shortly after Fabian Schar had an effort ruled out.

Newcastle are now one point adrift of sixth-placed Manchester United and firmly in the tussle for a place in Europe next season.

Willian, Joao Palhinha and Rodrigo Muniz missed great chances for Marco Silva's home side as Fulham stayed in 13th spot.

 
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Carlton Morris' dramatic late winner boosted Luton's Premier League survival hopes as they came from behind to beat Bournemouth

Marcus Tavernier gave Bournemouth the lead early in the second half with a crisp shot from just outside the corner of the penalty area.

But Jordan Clark restored parity with a clinical 73rd-minute strike from inside the box.

The Hatters ended a run of 10 games without a league win in dramatic fashion when Morris guided the ball home from Cauley Woodrow's cross in the 90th minute.

Luton remain in the drop zone, but only behind 17th-placed Nottingham Forest, who are away to Tottenham on Sunday, on goal difference.

The third-bottom hosts had spent most of the first half chasing shadows as Bournemouth's players weaved a neat tapestry of passes.

After Tavernier had struck the woodwork for the Cherries with an exquisite curling free-kick, Justin Kluivert's low effort shaved a coat of paint off the base of the post.

Luton failed to register an attempt on target before the break, but manufactured three opportunities in the space of a few minutes after the restart.

The best of them saw visiting goalkeeper Neto dive full length to his right to keep out a rasping drive from the lively Morris, but it was 12th-placed Bournemouth who struck first in the 52nd minute.

After some neat interplay down the right flank, Tavernier opened up his body to Kluivert's lay-off and struck a low swerving shot into the corner of the net.

Morris hit the outside of the post at the other end with a low effort and Alfie Doughty side-footed the ball at Neto from a tight angle, before their pressure paid off.

Cherries defender Lloyd Kelly lost a 50-50 with Luke Berry on the edge of the box and Clark pounced on the loose ball and hooked in a finish from near the penalty spot.

Luton showed the greater desire to win the game in a tense finale and their diligence was rewarded when Morris outmuscled lllia Zabarnyi to meet Woodrow's fine delivery into the box.

 
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James Ward-Prowse scored direct from a corner to give West Ham a precious win at Wolves - but the victory was marred by a major injury scare around Jarrod Bowen

Ward-Prowse's 84th-minute effort swerved over Wolves keeper Jose Sa and dipped in at the far post to complete a second-half comeback after Lucas Paqueta cancelled out Pabio Sarabia's penalty with his own coolly-taken spot-kick.

The game ended in controversy though as Wolves were denied what they thought was an equaliser in the ninth minute of stoppage time for an offside against young substitute Tawanda Chirewa, who was deemed to have impeded goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, even though he was getting nowhere near Maximilian Kilman's header.

However, David Moyes' joy at victory will be tempered significantly by the loss of Bowen.

The England forward appeared to hurt his elbow as he fell awkwardly five minutes into the second period and although he tried to continue, it quickly became apparent he had to go off.

Bowen made his way straight to the dressing room but was moving very slowly as he went.

With 19 goals, Bowen is by far West Ham's biggest attacking threat and would have been a key man in his club's Europa League quarter-final first-leg tie in Germany on Thursday against a Bayer Leverkusen side yet to lose a game under Xabi Alonso this season.

Only their third Premier League triumph of 2024, the victory keeps alive West Ham's hopes of securing European qualification for an unprecedented fourth consecutive season through their Premier League position.

For Wolves, a fourth game without a win in all competitions matches their longest run of the season as injuries continue to hamper Gary O'Neil's hopes of a top-half finish.

After the game, O'Neil marched straight to referee Tony Harrington, who made the decision to rule out what would have been Wolves' late equaliser after being asked to look at the pitchside monitor.

Wolves feel they have been on the wrong end of too many crucial calls this term and this was another that will frustrate them hugely.

Not that Moyes will be concerned about that as West Ham went level on points with his former club Manchester United.

It was intriguing to see former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper in the stands for one of those games that irritates West Ham fans about Moyes.

The Scot opted to leave Michail Antonio on the bench and pick Paqueta as his wide left attacking option.

Aside from an inexplicable miss from Tomas Soucek, who trod on the ball with the goal at his mercy after Bowen had robbed Nelson Semedo by the goal-line and delivered the perfect cut-back into the Czech's path, West Ham were non-existent as an attacking force in the opening period.

Antonio replaced Soucek at the break, which transformed the flow of the contest.

West Ham made light of Bowen's early exit and with Antonio pushing Wolves' defence back, the home side were unable to relieve growing pressure around their penalty area.

After Kilman had handled Emerson's cross, Paqueta kept his nerve to beat Jose Sa's despairing dive by millimetres.

Then, after Matt Doherty had denied Mohammed Kudus a shooting chance, Ward-Prowse delivered the precision from the corner flag that Wolves could not repel.

 

Brighton & Hove Albion 0-3 Arsenal - MATCH REPORT​

Arsenal maintained their pursuit of a first Premier League title for 20 years as they moved top of the table with an impressive away victory over Brighton.

Mikel Arteta's side edged one point ahead of title rivals Liverpool, who face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, and Manchester City after the reigning champions beat Crystal Palace 4-2 earlier on Saturday.

The returning Bukayo Saka, absent for Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Luton with a minor injury, kept his composure under pressure to slam in a first-half penalty awarded for Tariq Lamptey's foul on Gabriel Jesus.

David Raya leapt across his goal to keep out Julio Enciso's spectacular long-range effort after 43 minutes, which represented Brighton's first attempt on target, to protect Arsenal's advantage before the interval.

It was the in-form Kai Havertz who gave the Gunners breathing space, slotting in from Jorginho's cut-back to settle nerves among the travelling Arsenal support after the hour mark.

Former Brighton player Leandro Trossard was denied by Bart Verbruggen, but the substitute made no mistake later when played through by Havertz, calmly lifting the ball over the Seagulls goalkeeper to put the result beyond doubt.

Brighton dropped to 10th with defeat as their hopes of achieving European football for a second successive season were dealt a blow by wins for West Ham and Newcastle directly above them.

Source: BBC
 
difficult to see how Liverpool screws it up from here. Klopp is going to keep players highly motivated for his swan song
 

HALF-TIME​


Man Utd 0-1 Liverpool

The half-time whistle goes to silence from Old Trafford.

Liverpool lead but they should be out of sight.
 
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Mohamed Salah scored a late penalty for Liverpool to rescue a point for the Reds against Manchester United at Old Trafford

Luis Diaz had opened the scoring midway through the first half, tapping in Darwin Nunez's flick-on from a corner.

But Bruno Fernandes levelled for the hosts in spectacular fashion after the restart, spotting Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher off his goalline and netting from inside the centre circle.

Kobbie Mainoo then put United ahead in the 67th minute with a brilliant curling finish.

But Salah slotted home calmly from the spot with six minutes left after Aaron Wan-Bissaka lunged in late on Harvey Elliott.

It meant Arsenal remain ahead of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table on goal difference.

 
FULL-TIME
Sheff Utd 2-2 Chelsea

All over!

A great battling display by Sheffield United. It means they are nine points from safety and survival.
 
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Oli McBurnie scored an injury-time equaliser for relegation-threatened Sheffield United as Chelsea's hopes of securing European football suffered a blow.

Mauricio Pochettino's ninth-placed visitors were unable to maintain momentum following their dramatic last-gasp comeback win over Manchester United on Thursday.

Instead, just three days later, they fell victim to a late sucker-punch as McBurnie fired in from close range in the 93rd minute to earn a point for the Premier League's bottom side.

Noni Madueke's excellent finish midway through the second half - the England youth international cutting inside and curling an excellent finish past Ivo Grbic - had put Chelsea on course for victory.

The Blues took an 11th-minute lead when Thiago Silva was allowed to side-foot in Conor Gallagher's corner unchallenged but Jayden Bogle beat Djordje Petrovic at his near post to bring the Blades level.

The increasing belief in Chris Wilder's players was evident as the Bramall Lane crowd rallied behind their side - and they were rewarded for their persistence by a moment of celebration in an otherwise difficult season.

Sheffield United remain bottom of the table, nine points adrift of safety with 21 points still to fight for.
 
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Tottenham returned to the Premier League's top four for the first time since February by beating Nottingham Forest.

The hosts opened the scoring inside 15 minutes when Forest defender Murillo diverted Timo Werner's cross into his own net.

Forest levelled 12 minutes later through Chris Wood, who finished off Anthony Elanga's cross.

But centre-back Micky van de Ven restored Tottenham's lead in the 52nd minute with a thunderous shot from the edge of the penalty area that found the top corner.

And six minutes later, Pedro Porro netted a third for Spurs, hammering in James Maddison's pass across goal.

Victory meant Tottenham moved above Aston Villa on goal difference, having played one game fewer.

Nottingham Forest stayed 17th, only outside of the drop zone thanks to their superior goal difference over Luton.
 

Premier League advert warns regulation could threaten English football's success​


The Premier League has warned of the "unintended consequences" of football regulation in an advert taken out on a major politics news website.

The Football Governance Bill was introduced by Parliament last month.

A second reading will take place shortly after the Easter break, with preparatory work already under way to ensure the regulator is in place quickly after legislation is passed.

Top-flight clubs are uneasy with the thought of tighter controls, with West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan telling BBC Sport last month anything that had the potential to reduce Premier League revenue risked undermining its status as the world's most lucrative football competition.

At a time when talks with the English Football League (EFL) over a 'New Deal' funding model have stalled as the Premier League looks to change its own financial rules, it has taken out an advert on the politico website, which it hopes will reinforce a message to parliamentarians.

"The Premier League is the world's most-watched competition, the Championship is Europe's sixth wealthiest league, and we have the best-attended and deepest pyramid in world football," the advert says. "Yet the UK will soon become the first major country to regulate football.

"We must guard against unintended consequences that would put English football's success at risk."

The Premier League says it is already committed to paying out £1.6bn to the wider game and local communities from 2022 to 2025.

It is hoping to be able to get agreement with member clubs over new financial rules by its annual meeting in June.

This will involve a change from the current profit and sustainability rules, which have been used to sanction Nottingham Forest and Everton this season, to a system more in line with that of UEFA, which is working towards clubs being allowed to spend 70% of their income.

Further talks are likely at Thursday's Premier League shareholders' meeting.

As part of the changes, it is possible real-time financial reporting in shadow form could be agreed in the summer.

Source: BBC
 
The uncertainty around how financial rule breaches are handled "makes a mockery of the Premier League", says Luton Town midfielder Andros Townsend.

Everton were docked two points for a second violation of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR) on Monday.

They say they will appeal against the decision but the process may not be completed before the season ends.

That could leave clubs uncertain of their top-flight status after 19 May.

PSR rules permit clubs to lose £105m over three years and Everton were found to have breached that by £16.6m for the three-year period to 2022-23.

The points deduction has dropped Everton one place to 16th in the Premier League, two points above the relegation zone.


BBC
 
Leicester City are not at risk of a points deduction this season after the English Football League said it does not have the power to punish clubs for Premier League breaches.

The Foxes were charged by the Premier League last month for allegedly breaking profit & sustainability rules.

Leicester followed up by taking legal action, arguing a points penalty while in the Championship would be unlawful.

The EFL has now admitted regulations will not allow such a sanction.

The EFL said: "Having taken legal advice, the EFL has confirmed to all parties that whilst it would want to respect any decision of a Premier League disciplinary commission (and vice versa) to deduct points in the EFL, it does not have the power under the regulations as currently drafted."

Leicester, who also had a transfer embargo imposed on them by the EFL after the Premier League charged them for financial breaches, reported a loss of £89.7m for the 2022-23 season.

It took their total losses for their last three Premier League campaigns to over £215m.

Top-flight rules permit clubs to lose £105m over a rolling three-year period.

Current Championship leaders Leicester, whose statement in relation to the EFL announcement came out just three hours before their game at Plymouth on Friday, said they will continue to "try and co-operate constructively with both the Premier League and the EFL to reach a lawful resolution of any issues relating to PSR".

The club added any charges against them "should be properly and proportionately determined, in accordance with the applicable rules, by the right bodies, and at the right time".

Source: BBC
 
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Alexander Isak's rich goalscoring form at St James' Park continued as Newcastle beat Tottenham to boost their hopes of European football next season

Isak produced two clinical finishes to score in each half as he netted on home turf for the sixth consecutive match.

The striker now has 17 goals in 24 Premier League appearances this season.

Anthony Gordan and Fabian Schar were also on target for the Magpies, while Timo Werner had two chances for Spurs but his finishing let him down.

Newcastle's emphatic victory lifted them up to sixth in the table - a point ahead of Manchester United, who face Bournemouth at 17:30 BST on Saturday.

Spurs dropped to fifth and are still level on points with Aston Villa but below Unai Emery's side on goal difference.

 
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Manchester City moved top of the Premier League for at least a day with a predictably dominant victory over struggling Luton Town

City led after only 65 seconds at Etihad Stadium when Erling Haaland's wayward volley hit Luton's Daiki Hashioka before flying into the net.

It took City more than an hour to double their lead through Mateo Kovacic's sweet, rising strike from near the edge of the area.

Haaland put the game beyond any doubt with a penalty after Jeremy Doku was fouled by Fred Onyedinma.

Just after City made a double change, Ross Barkley took advantage of a Matheus Nunes mistake to pull one back for the Hatters.

But Doku cut in from the left to slot a fine solo goal into the bottom corner.

The impressive Doku set up City's fifth as he picked out Josko Gvardiol, who slammed a beauty into the top corner - the defender's second goal in a week having not scored for City before that.

City are two points clear at the top, although Liverpool - at home to Crystal Palace - and Arsenal, who host Aston Villa, can move back above them on Sunday.

Luton remain in the relegation zone.

 
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A calamitous mistake by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric prevented Burnley from securing a vital Premier League win over Brighton at Turf Moor

One week after the Kosovan's mistake handed Everton a 1-0 victory over Vincent Kompany's side, Muric allowed a simple backpass from his team-mate Sander Berge to roll under his heel and into the net.

Josh Brownhill had given Burnley's chances of Premier League survival a glimmer of hope on 74 minutes when he nipped in to take advantage of a short backpass from Carlos Baleba and the ball cannoned in off the side of keeper Bart Verbruggen to give the home side the lead.

But just five minutes later Muric's error levelled proceedings and Burnley could not restore their advantage to take all three points.

The result leaves Brighton 10th in the Premier League while Burnley are still firmly rooted in the relegation zone, six points from safety.

www.bbc.com

Burnley 1-1 Brighton: Arijanet Muric own goal denies Clarets win over Seagulls

A calamitous own goal by goalkeeper Arijanet Muric prevents Burnley from securing a vital Premier League win over Brighton at Turf Moor.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
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Brentford beat Sheffield United to claim their first win in 10 Premier League games and ease their relegation fears

An unfortunate own goal from Blades youngster Oliver Arblaster just past the hour mark put Thomas Frank's side ahead, as he inadvertently sent Mikkel Damsgaard's cross into the far corner.

Substitute Frank Onyeka sealed the win in stoppage time as the Bees move up to 14th, seven points clear of the bottom three.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United remain bottom and take another step towards an immediate return to the Championship.

Chris Wilder's side are 10 points from safety with six games to play.

The visitors started brightly with Ben Brereton Diaz breaking free down the left but he scuffed the shot with just Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken to beat.

Brentford soon took charge but despite dominating possession, they struggled to create many chances with Neal Maupay stabbing wide their best opportunity of the first half after United defender Anel Ahmedhodzic gave the ball away inside his own half.

It was a similar story after the break with Mathias Jorgensen seeing a goal ruled out for offside minutes before Brentford's fortuitous opener.

Damsgaard thought he had doubled the lead soon after but the VAR intervened to rule out his crisp volley from Bryan Mbeumno's free-kick for a foul on Oli McBurnie in the build-up.

The Blades pushed for an equaliser but Cameron Archer's wayward shot from a tight angle was as close as they came before Onyeka latched on to the fit-again Kevin Schade's flick-on to fire in the clincher for Brentford.

 
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Matheus Cunha scored twice as Wolves denied Nottingham Forest a valuable victory in their fight for Premier League survival

Brazilian forward Cunha, making his first start since suffering a hamstring injury in early February, opened the scoring at the City Ground with a magnificent solo strike midway through the first half.

Carrying the ball from inside his own half to the edge of the Forest penalty area, Cunha skipped between Andrew Omobamidele and Ryan Yates before rifling an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Matz Sels and into the top corner.

Former Wolves playmaker Morgan Gibbs-White drew Forest level just six minutes later, heading home Giovanni Reyna's corner in first-half stoppage time before celebrating in front of the travelling fans.

Nuno Espirito Santo's home side swept ahead in the second half when Danilo powered a low shot beyond Jose Sa from close range, but Cunha bundled home a loose ball from a corner to salvage a point for Gary O'Neil's men.

Wolves remain just outside the top half of the table, while Forest stay perilously close to the relegation zone.

 

AFC Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United - MATCH REPORT​

Manchester United twice had to come from behind to deny Bournemouth victory as the Red Devils' winless Premier League run extended to four games.

Captain Bruno Fernandes scored both goals for the visitors, who first trailed to Dominic Solanke's opener before Justin Kluivert gave the Cherries a half-time lead.

Solanke ensured Bournemouth took reward for their positive start with an assured finish low into the corner after getting the better of Willy Kambwala in the 16th minute.

That breakthrough only served to further motivate the home side and Andre Onana was required to deny Milos Kerkez at his near post shortly after, before Luis Sinisterra shot narrowly wide and Ryan Christie twice went close.

Bournemouth were punished for their wastefulness in front of goal when Fernandes levelled from Alejandro Garnacho's cut-back.

But Kluivert restored the hosts' lead five minutes later as a simple ball from Marcos Senesi exposed the generous amount of space between Diogo Dalot and Kambwala.

Bournemouth should have been out of sight before the interval, with wing-back Kerkez heading against the crossbar and Kluivert failing to beat Onana at close range, although Fernandes struck the bar with a superb attempt in response.

With the Cherries unable to extend their advantage, Fernandes equalised again midway through the second half - this time stepping up to convert a penalty awarded after Kobbie Mainoo's shot deflected on to the unfortunate Adam Smith.

United, whose hopes of securing European football were further dented, dropped one place to seventh following Newcastle United's 4-0 win over Tottenham earlier on Saturday.

Bournemouth, who remain 12th, thought they had been awarded a late penalty but, following a lengthy video assistant referee (VAR) review, Kambwala's foul on Christie was determined to have taken place outside the box.

Source: BBC
 
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Andreas Pereira scored twice to give Fulham a rare win at West Ham in the Premier League

Despite a nervy start, Fulham took an early lead when Konstantinos Mavropanos failed to deal with Alex Iwobi's tricky ball into the box.

The mistake was leapt upon by Pereira, who swerved past Lukasz Fabianski before slotting into an empty net.

The Brazilian doubled the visitors' lead when he tapped in from close range at London Stadium.

It is the first time the Cottagers have won a Premier League game at West Ham since 2001.

Victory completed Fulham's league double over the Hammers - their first since the 1965-66 season - and lifted them up to 12th in the table.

David Moyes' West Ham side failed to boost their chances of European qualification by jumping above Newcastle and Manchester United into sixth.

There was a lengthy stoppage just before the end of normal time after George Earthy - only minutes into his league debut for West Ham - suffered a nasty head injury when colliding with team-mate Edson Alvarez.

Earthy, 19, appeared to lose consciousness after his head hit the turf and received medical attention for about seven minutes before being carried off on a stretcher and replaced by Maxwel Cornet.

It seems like a long time since Fulham secured a 5-0 win over West Ham in the reverse fixture at Craven Cottage in December.

The goals stopped flowing for the Cottagers over the past couple of weeks, but, after Pereira's opener, it looked like the visitors could open the floodgates again.

Pereira was a threat throughout, narrowly missing with two half-volleys in the first half before tapping home Iwobi's pass across the face of the goal.

Rodrigo Muniz, too, looked dangerous, but, after scoring four goals in his four previous games, he could not keep his hot streak going with Fabianski smothering three efforts by the Brazilian.

The three points collected against West Ham gives Marco Silva's side a glimmer of hope by closing the gap to seventh in the table - the final guaranteed European spot - to eight points.

 
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Liverpool's Premier League title hopes suffered a huge blow as they fell to a 1-0 defeat by Crystal Palace at Anfield

Eberechi Eze converted from Tyrick Mitchell's cut-back to finish off a flowing Palace move early on and the visitors were deservedly in front at the break.

Jurgen Klopp's Reds ramped up the pressure in the second half but, just as in recent games against Manchester United and Atalanta, their finishing let them down as they fell to a first league loss at home since October 2022.

Defeat leaves Liverpool two points behind leaders Manchester City and level on points with Arsenal before the Gunners' game against Aston Villa later on Sunday (16:30 BST kick-off).

Palace started brightly and led through Eze's well-worked opener, before a slip from Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk gave Jean-Philippe Mateta a golden opportunity to double their lead.

The striker was clean through and lifted his effort past the returning Alisson Becker but Andy Robertson sprinted back to hook the ball off the line.

Liverpool rallied and Wataru Endo struck the bar after Palace failed to deal with a corner before Dean Henderson made a fine reaction save to deny Luis Diaz.

Oliver Glasner's Palace retained a threat on the counter-attack until the break but were largely penned inside their own half in the second 45 minutes.

Henderson made another superb stop from Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota's close-range effort was blocked by Nathaniel Clyne with the goalkeeper nowhere to be seen and Curtis Jones somehow sliced wide when through on goal.

Mateta did have another big chance to score the visitors' second from a rare Palace attack but Alisson made a remarkable save from point-blank range.

Liverpool kept pushing for an equaliser but could not find a way through, with Mohamed Salah's goalbound effort from inside the six-yard box blocked by Mitchell in stoppage time.

The Reds are now left to reflect on a potentially decisive loss with just six matches remaining in the league campaign.

Liverpool headed into last Sunday's match at Old Trafford two points clear at the top of the table and favourites to win the Europa League.

A week on and both trophies appear to be slipping out of their grasp.

If there has been a common theme across the three games in the past seven days, it has been the Reds' profligacy in front of goal.

At Manchester United and against Atalanta, they created countless chances and it was no different against Palace, especially in the second half.

Once more though they lacked the ruthlessness to make them count.

Even after a lacklustre first-half showing, Liverpool did more than enough to win the game but the crucial final touch deserted them.

With six league games and a Europa League quarter-final second leg still to play, all is not lost but if Liverpool are to deliver a fairytale ending to Klopp's time in charge, they will have to be perfect from here.

But even that may no longer be enough.

While Liverpool will rue their missed chances, Palace might rightly argue they could have had the game wrapped up before the majority of them arrived.

This was a highly impressive showing from Glasner's side - particularly in the first half when they sensed their hosts' vulnerability and took advantage.

Eze continued to find pockets of space from which to hurt Liverpool and Mateta did all he could to make life as uncomfortable as possible for Ibrahima Konate and Van Dijk.

It was the tenacity and class of Adam Wharton that really shone through. Alongside Will Hughes, the 20-year-old repeatedly harried Liverpool's midfielders, won the ball back and picked the right pass.

After the break, it was the turn of Palace's defenders and Henderson to come to the fore.

Joachim Andersen, the only recognised centre-back in the visitors' XI, was supreme in marshalling a back three that also contained full-back Clyne and midfielder Jefferson Lerma.

Liverpool could undoubtedly have been more clinical but Palace made it as tough as possible for them by throwing bodies in the way of every shot.

On the occasions a defender could not make a block, Henderson was there to save - with his positioning and reactions enabling him to make numerous unlikely stops.

A first league win since Glasner's first game in charge at the end of February was one to savour, with more than enough to tantalise Palace fans about what the future may hold under the Austrian.

 
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Aston Villa produced an outstanding performance to stun Arsenal at Emirates Stadium and leave Manchester City in pole position in the Premier League title race.

The game started with high anticipation for the Gunners after Liverpool's shock home defeat by Crystal Palace but Arsenal were desperately disappointing and ended up well beaten as Villa boss Unai Emery made a winning return to his former club.

Arsenal were fortunate to remain on level terms for so long against the impressive visitors, who secured a deserved win to move three points ahead of Tottenham in fourth having played a game more.

The only surprise was that it took Villa until six minutes from the end to open the scoring - Ollie Watkins and Youri Tielemans hit the woodwork in each half before Leon Bailey finally broke the deadlock with a low finish at the far post.

Arsenal were kept out in the first half when Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez made a stunning save from Leandro Trossard but the visitors wrapped up the win when Watkins raced clear in the 87th minute to loft a composed finish over David Raya.

It completed a perfect weekend for reigning champions City, who are now two points clear at the top with Arsenal ahead of Liverpool on goal difference.
 
Big smiles on Man City faces today.

The perfect weekend for them.

Looking like it's their title once again.
 
The spectre of Man City proving too much with Liverpool's and Arsenal's bottle crashing.
 

Chelsea 6-0 Everton - MATCH REPORT​

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer scored four goals, which included a hat-trick inside the first 29 minutes, as his side thrashed sorry Everton at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.

Palmer opened the scoring in the 13th minute by curling a beautiful strike into the bottom corner after nutmegging Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite and playing a one-two with teammate Nicolas Jackson.

He doubled the lead five minutes later, heading in a rebound after a Jackson shot had been saved by Everton keeper Jordan Pickford.

And the 21-year-old completed his hat-trick midway through the first half in style after he intercepted a poor pass from Pickford before lobbing the England goalkeeper from 40 yards out.

Jackson then inflicted more doom on Everton just before the break by volleying in Marc Cucurella's cut-back, before Palmer added his fourth from the penalty spot in the 63rd minute.

And Chelsea scored a sixth in the 90th minute when substitute Alfie Gilchrist netted his first goal for the club from a tight angle.

Chelsea stretched their Premier League unbeaten run to eight matches and are three points off seventh-placed Manchester United, who currently sit in the Premier League's last European spot, having played one game fewer.

As for Everton, they were playing in their first match since receiving a two-point deduction for a second breach of Premier League financial rules. They stayed 16th, two points above the relegation zone.

Source: BBC
 
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Forward Yoane Wissa scored twice as Brentford made easy work of Luton to pull 10 points clear of the relegation zone

Wissa met Bryan Mbeumo's pass first time to curl in the opener emphatically from the edge of the box with 24 minutes on the clock.

The DR Congo forward grabbed his second on the stroke of half-time, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Luton failed to deal with Mbeumo's low cross.

Defender Ethan Pinnock, making his first start since 10 February, headed in a Sergio Reguilon corner in the 62nd minute to put the Bees firmly in the driving seat.

Luton looked dejected and devoid of ideas when Keane Lewis-Potter was afforded space at the far post two minutes later, heading in Mbeumo's cross, before substitute Kevin Schade rounded off the scoring for the visitors.

The home side rarely threatened but were gifted a chance in injury time when the ball fell to the feet of Luke Berry, who side-stepped goalkeeper Mark Flekken and finished from a tight angle.

Brentford have climbed above Crystal Palace into 14th and are 10 points clear of the relegation zone with four games left to play, while Luton remain 18th and one point from safety.

Another heavy loss for Hatters​

Chances were few and far between for Rob Edwards' side, who looked disjointed, and belief that they can secure a second successive season in the Premier League might be just starting to drain away.

They have four games left to pull themselves out of the relegation zone but have won just one of their past 13 in the league, losing nine during that sequence, and have conceded 10 goals in their past two games.

A lengthy injury list has to be taken into account, with nine senior players in the treatment room, but Luton have often put up a fight on home soil, something they failed to do against Brentford.

Survival in sight for Brentford​

Thomas Frank's side have become accustomed to playing without Ivan Toney, who was banned during the first half of the season for breaking FA betting rules, and they did not skip a beat without the injured England striker at Kenilworth Road.

Wissa and Mbeumo formed an almost telepathic partnership in attack, with Lewis-Potter showing that he also has plenty to offer.

In between Wissa's two well-taken goals, which saw him hit double figures in a league season for the first time since 2020-21 when he was in France with Lorient, Mbeumo crashed a shot off the crossbar.

Lewis-Potter also caused problems in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Thomas Kaminski to claw the ball off the line before another goalbound effort was deflected behind by the head of defender Teden Mengi.

The game was ended as a contest just after the hour mark when Pinnock and Lewis-Potter scored in the space of two minutes, while Schade's late strike demonstrated the strength Brentford have in reserve.

It is the first time that the Bees have scored five goals in a league game since beating Leeds 5-2 in September 2022.

With just 12 points left to play for, Brentford, who are 10 clear of the bottom three, can start to plan confidently for another season of Premier League football, having extended their unbeaten run to five games.
 
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Burnley gave their Premier League survival hopes a huge boost with a vital victory to push bottom side Sheffield United further towards relegation

A must-win game for both sides went the way of Vincent Kompany's men as clinical finishing allowed them to move just three points off safety, while Chris Wilder's side are now 10 points adrift.

The Clarets were second best for much of the first half with Arijanet Muric making crucial saves to keep his side in the contest, before they scored twice in the space of three minutes.

On-loan Jacob Bruun Larsen broke the deadlock on 38 minutes when his scuffed volley took a deflection and wrong-footed goalkeeper Ivo Grbic to dribble in at the near post.

In the next attack Burnley doubled their advantage courtesy of full-back Lorenz Assignon weaving through and poking home via Grbic's outstretched leg and the crossbar.

Muric made an outstanding save to deny James McAtee's strike which was bound for the top corner, but he could do nothing about Gustavo Hamer cutting inside and curling in a sumptuous finish to give Sheffield United hope.

But the visitors restored their two-goal advantage following Lyle Foster's tidy, first-time finish from Assignon's cross and substitute Johann Berg Gudmundsson added a delightful fourth for a thumping triumph.

Burnley won the reserve fixture 5-0 in December, spelling the end of Paul Heckingbottom's tenure as Sheffield United manager, and this damaging defeat looks close to being their top-flight demise.

Both sides came up from the Championship last season and Kompany called the jump into the Premier League the "biggest in world football" but his team have given themselves a fighting chance to preserving their status with four games remaining.

This was just their second win in the past 16 league games and they will be watching Sunday's game at Goodison Park closely, as an Everton win will allow Burnley to remain in touch with 17th-placed Nottingham Forest.

But it could have been such a different story at Bramall Lane had the hosts not come up against an inspired Muric, who made amends after costly errors in the past two games against Brighton and the Toffees.

The Kosovo international stayed big to make a crucial stop to deny Oli McBurnie from close range early on and he made a fingertip stop from the home striker's thumping drive.

The Burnley stopper also denied Brereton Diaz on a number of occasions, a header, a one-on-one effort and a low drive towards the near post.

Sheffield United missed their chances and were made to pay - Grbic did not cover himself in glory as he was slow to react to Larsen's goal and Assignon's shot bobbled in but he could do nothing about cool finishes from Foster and Gudmundsson.

The away side should have made it an even more handsome scoreline but Josh Brownhill's lofted effort from long range sailed wide while Gudmundsson smacked the post with a well-struck volley.

 
FT Wolves 0-2 Arsenal

Arsenal put their Champions League disappointment firmly in the past to beat Wolves at Molineux and move back to the top of the Premier League.

Having blown their chance to leapfrog Pep Guardiola's side six days ago by losing at home to Aston Villa, then been knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich on Wednesday, it was a welcome triumph for Mikel Arteta's men.

Leandro Trossard's strike in the last minute of the opening period may not have been the most eye-catching of the Belgian's career but it was perfectly timed.

It came at the end of a half where Arsenal seemed to have got stuck after a bright start and nearly fell behind to Gary O'Neil's injury-ravaged side.

The visitors dominated the second half too but were unable to carve out the clear chances that would have allowed them to take the game out of reach.

Captain Martin Odegaard added the second deep into stoppage time at the end of the game, turning in from a tight angle after his initial cross had been blocked.

The result means Arsenal are now a point clear of City, with a better goal difference but having played a game more.

They have the chance to apply some significant pressure to the defending champions when they entertain beaten FA Cup semi-finalists Chelsea on Tuesday.

Tired Wolves' winless run continues
Wolves' efforts were recognised positively by fans who stayed behind their team throughout - but when the season draws to a close, how much will they regret allowing Championship Coventry to overturn their injury-time lead in their FA Cup quarter-final at Molineux last month?

A Wembley semi-final this weekend would have lifted a season that has turned into a grind for O'Neil's squad, who were superb for the first two-thirds of the campaign but now seem affected by a lack of energy and bodies.

Joao Gomes forced David Raya to push his angled first-half effort on to a post and substitute Mario Lemina tested the Arsenal keeper with a second-half shot.

But they were sporadic moments of attacking invention, with Wolves' best performers being defenders, particularly captain Max Kilman and Toti, who were outstanding at the heart of the home side's rearguard action.

On-loan Tommy Doyle was industrious for Wolves.

However, they have now gone six games without a win in all competitions, their longest run since the end of the 2021-22 season.

Chairman Jeff Shi has repeatedly stated the club did not bring in reinforcements during the January window because he was not prepared to risk breaking the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules. However, the feeling will linger that the decision cost Wolves and O'Neil a realistic shot at a top half finish.

Trossard strikes the crucial blow
Trossard has been in and out as an Arsenal player since joining from Brighton in a £21m deal in January 2023.

The Belgian has still made more substitute appearances than starts in the Premier League for the Gunners - and when things are not going well, he is an obvious candidate to be replaced.

Yet he scores key goals. Since the beginning of last month alone, he has provided a winner against Porto in the Champions League, an equaliser in the home leg of the quarter-final with Bayern Munich, and now his latest effort - which takes him to 14 for the season in all competitions. Only Bukayo Saka has scored more for the Gunners.

It was a scruffy effort, leaning back and on the stretch to get to Gabriel Jesus' prodded pass. But it floated right into the top corner, out of goalkeeper Jose Sa's reach. It changed the complexion of an evening that was starting to get a bit nervy for the visitors, who before that had allowed Wolves back into a game they had initially dominated.

At the end of a tough week, it was understandable Arsenal were not at their free-flowing best.

Still, they had chances. Kai Havertz swivelled neatly inside the area in both halves. However, on each occasion, the German sent his shot straight at Jose Sa.

Source: BBC
 
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Everton took a vital step towards Premier League survival with victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a scrappy affair at Goodison Park

Idrissa Gueye and Dwight McNeil scored with long-range efforts in each half to settle the battle between the two clubs who have suffered Premier League points deductions this season - with appeals pending that could still shape their fate as the campaign reaches its climax.

Everton have now moved five points clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand on Luton Town but Forest remain deep in trouble, only a point ahead of the Hatters.

Forest, however, were left fuming when referee Anthony Taylor twice ignored penalty appeals, first when Ashley Young handled in the closing moments of the opening half and then when the veteran tangled with Callum Hudson-Odoi as he raced in on goal in the second period.

Everton broke the deadlock after 29 minutes when Gueye fired low past Matz Sels, only his second goal in a century of attempts from outside the area, with McNeil settling the destiny of the points when he drilled home via the post from 25 yards with 14 minutes left.

There were worrying scenes in stoppage time when Everton striker Beto went down after an aerial challenge with Morgan Gibbs-White.

He lay motionless and the game was stopped for eight minutes while he received treatment before he was taken away on a stretcher. He did, however, appear to gesture to the Everton supporters as he was leaving the pitch.

Everton needed an instant response after the humiliation of Monday's 6-0 loss at Chelsea and while, apart from the two goals, it was not a performance to earn points for artistic merit, it earned points of a far more significant kind as the Toffees once again find themselves embroiled in a fight against relegation.

They were thankful for an outstanding save by England keeper Jordan Pickford from Forest striker Chris Wood with the score 1-0 and those controversial moments when Young escaped conceding penalties.

Everton, however, showed the battling qualities that were absent at Stamford Bridge, took the chances they had and cashed in on the moments of good fortune afforded to them.

It was not a game of any serious quality, which was hardly to be expected between two struggling teams in a tense situation, but this is immaterial at this stage of the season.

Jarrad Branthwaite demonstrated once again why he is so highly regarded as Everton kept Forest at bay, enabling Sean Dyche's side to make a winning start to a week that could yet define their season, with a Merseyside derby to come against Liverpool at Goodison Park on Wednesday and another home game against Brentford next Saturday evening.

www.bbc.com

Everton 2-0 Nottingham Forest: Hosts win Premier League relegation six-pointer

Everton take an important step towards Premier League survival with victory over fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest in a scrappy affair at Goodison.
www.bbc.com www.bbc.com
 
Nottingham Forest release furious statement and make Premier League threat after Everton loss

Nottingham Forest have released a statement questioning integrity of the Premier League after they feel they were denied three penalties against Everton.

The club claim that VAR Stuart Attwell, who was working on the game, is a fan of relegation rivals Luton Town.

Forest said: "Three extremely poor decisions - three penalties not given - which we simply cannot accept. We warned the PGMOL that the VAR is a Luton fan before the game but they didn’t change him. Our patience has been tested multiple times. NFFC will now consider its options."

www.mirror.co.uk

Forest release furious statement & make Premier League threat after Everton loss

Forest were livid after they saw three penalty appeals turned down in their 2-0 defeat to Everton at Goddison Park on Sunday afternoon
www.mirror.co.uk www.mirror.co.uk
 
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