Category: English Premier League

Mikel Arteta has explanations for his team’s shortcomings that may hold water, but ultimately the Gunners simply couldn’t get it done when needed

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The problem is that when the game doesn’t matter, other elements begin to take over. In other circumstances, Arsenal’s 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Sunday would have been an intriguing minor classic; but then, in other circumstances, it might not have gone like that. As it was, with the title won and Arsenal secure in the Champions League qualification slots, a clash between the top two became the stage for discussion of the booing of Trent Alexander-Arnold and a weird confected online fury about whether Myles Lewis-Skelly had applauded Liverpool with sufficient gusto in the guard of honour.

At least, from Arsenal’s point of view, the game followed the opposite pattern to the one with which we’ve become familiar. Arsenal have dropped 21 points from winning positions this season (Liverpool just 13), while Liverpool have gained 22 (Arsenal just 13). If they’d matched each other in those respects, Arsenal would be two points clear at the top of the league; that essentially is the difference between them.

Bradley offers pointers to Liverpool’s future, Forest at risk of losing stars and Watkins epitomises Villa’s sunny outlook

• Golden Boot race: the latest top scorer standings

Late-season at Anfield, a welcome show of spirit in a comeback from Arsenal became the tale of three full-backs. Following an early booking, Myles Lewis-Skelly, who began sketchily, found the measure of Mohamed Salah. There may be no tougher discipline for a defender in 2025. Does “MLS” have a long-term future as a defender or is his broad skillset better suited to midfield? The same questions have long been asked of Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose second-half arrival gave rise to a loud, vicious barracking, rancorous accusations of treachery that will grab headlines. If not unprecedented – Steve McManaman received similar treatment in 1999 – it was shocking to hear the Kop’s open contempt for one of their own, though one who has dared to flee the Merseyside nest. Before Alexander-Arnold’s arrival, Conor Bradley staked claims to be a first-teamer with typical ferocity in the tackle and speedy overlaps. He was also booked. As his replacement arrived to boos, the Kop pointedly sang the youngster’s name. John Brewin

Match report: Liverpool 2-2 Arsenal

Match report: Newcastle 2-0 Chelsea

Match report: Manchester United 0-2 West Ham

Match report: Nottingham Forest 2-2 Leicester

Match report: Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace

This was an exercise in how not to utilise the first of only two matches to tune up before a major European final from Manchester United that left Ruben Amorim so disenchanted he spoke of not being in charge if the start to next season is the same.

The head coach said: “I’m talking about myself, I’m talking about the culture in the club and the culture in the team. We need to be really strong in the summer and be brave. We will not have a next season like this if we start like this. If the feeling is still here we should give space [his position] to different persons.”

Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes topped and tailed a fraught but deserved victory for Newcastle against 10-man Chelsea

“Was wondering over the week, where I watched my club go out of the Champions League with strength but not quite enough of it, I did wonder... Would Newcastle do well against this PSG team?” writes Kieran McKintosh. “Physical midfields. Lightning-quick forward lines. Towering defenders. PSG have the better goalie, but other than that I did wonder if Newcastle have the tools to give them more of a run for their money.”

They thrashed them last season, didn’t they? A different PSG, I realise, but it supports your argument. I was surprised just how much Arsenal’s fast start unnerved PSG on Wednesday night. That said, I still think they’re the best team in Europe and I wonder whether Inter’s approach might be more effective. If you go after PSG, the chances are you’ll be picked off, what, nine times out of 10?

We have three more games so this won’t define the season, but for sure this is an important game.

We played Everton and Liverpool with the same team as today. They are doing well and it’s good to continue that.

A fleeting loss of first-half control on Nicolas Jackson’s part threatens to cost Chelsea an awful lot of money and prestige.

The striker’s dismissal for smashing a forearm into Sven Botman’s face jeopardised his team’s hopes of Champions League qualification on a day when Enzo Maresca’s initially second-best, ultimately strangely dominant side, could easily have ended up collecting an unlikely point.

Thomas Frank said Brentford were dreaming of Europe after Kevin Schade’s first-half header handed them a fourth straight Premier League win, against relegated Ipswich at Portman Road. The winger angled in Bryan Mbeumo’s corner over goalkeeper Alex Palmer in the 18th minute, his fourth goal in three games, as the Bees’ 1-0 victory strengthened their claim to eighth place and a possible spot in next season’s Conference League.

The outcome of the FA Cup final will yet determine whether or not that place opens up but with a highest top-flight finish in 87 years also on the line, Brentford face a pivotal run-in to a potentially historic season.

David Moyes lauded Michael Keane’s display after the defender scored what could be his last goal for Everton as they dealt a major blow to Fulham’s European hopes. The visitors recorded a first Premier League victory since 12 April when Vitalii Mykolenko equalised and Keane’s header put them in front after Raúl Jiménez’s opener in the 17th minute.

A rare error by the goalkeeper Bernd Leno allowed Beto to grab a quickfire third for Everton before Fulham were denied the chance of a second as penalty appeals for handball were turned down by VAR in stoppage time.

Ollie Watkins settled a tight and occasionally testy encounter at Dean Court, as Villa kept their Champions League hopes very much alive

3 min: Semenyo takes another vicious swipe at the ball. This time it’s an overhit cross upon finding himself in space down the left. Goal kick.

2 min: It was a strange kick-off routine, Cook rolling the ball back to Semenyo, who juggled it in the air before hoofing a Garryowen into the Villa box. Martinez claimed the high bouncing bomb without any drama.

Newcastle and Chelsea battle for a Champions League place on Sunday before Arsenal give Liverpool a guard of honour

Saturday 3pm Venue Craven Cottage

There are high stakes at St James’ Park, City could yet nab second and will Forest cope with playing on the front foot?

Antonee Robinson has been one of the best full-backs in the league this season. He flies up and down the left flank, defends well and whips in crosses. However, the Fulham defender was not at his sharpest during his side’s defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. He found it difficult to contain Morgan Rogers and his crossing was not up to its usual high standards. The concern is whether Robinson, who had missed Fulham’s previous game, is in peak physical condition. It has been a long campaign but Marco Silva needs the USA international to be ready to go when Everton visit Craven Cottage on Saturday. Robinson’s raids are a key part of Fulham’s attacking set-up. Jacob Steinberg

Fulham v Everton, Saturday 3pm (all times BST)

Ipswich v Brentford, Saturday 3pm

Southampton v Manchester City, Saturday 3pm

Wolves v Brighton, Saturday 3pm

Bournemouth v Aston Villa, Saturday 5.30pm

Newcastle v Chelsea, Sunday 12pm

• Move to aid Spurs before potential Europa League final
• ‘Honestly, not happy,’ says Villa’s director of football

Aston Villa officials have made clear the club’s unhappiness with the Premier League for agreeing to bring forward Tottenham’s trip to Villa Park by 48 hours in order to help them prepare for a Europa League final they have not reached yet.

Spurs were originally scheduled to play Villa on 18 May but the encounter will now take place on 16 May after a rescheduling request based on the club’s European commitments was accepted by the League. The Europa League final takes place in Bilbao on 21 May. Spurs lead Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt 3-1 after the first leg of their semi-final last Thursday and are perhaps right to feel confident about progressing to what would be their first major European final in six years before Thursday’s return at the Aspmyra Stadion, located in the Arctic Circle.

Nottingham Forest aren’t finished just yet. A typically wholehearted performance from Nuno Espírito Santo’s side capped by an ­instinctive equaliser from Murillo rescued a point that could eventually prove priceless for their hopes of reaching the promised land of the Champions League.

It is to their immense credit that with three matches still to play, a team that ended last season in 17th place is still in contention to dine at Europe’s top table. Having fallen behind to Eberechi Eze’s penalty in front of a joyous ­Crystal Palace crowd still ­basking in the glory of their upcoming ­appearance in the FA Cup final, that Forest were back on terms within four minutes spoke volumes about the spirit Nuno has created at the two-time European champions since replacing Steve Cooper. Eze almost won it for Palace at the death but his shot cannoned off the crossbar to give the travelling supporters hope that their dreams could still come true.

In a freakish season at the top and bottom of the league, competing incentives for the rest are unusually fractured

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As Eddie Howe delivered his post-match press conference after Newcastle’s draw against Brighton on Sunday, Chelsea, his club’s rivals for Champions League qualification, took an early lead against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge. Howe gave a wry smile and was immediately asked whether it annoyed him that Liverpool had made six changes to their lineup from the side that had sealed the league title against Tottenham last week. Being Howe, and therefore both unflappable and impossibly earnest, he replied that team selection was their business: “Liverpool have got to do what Liverpool have got to do for them. I’m not involved in their football club, so I’ve got no opinion on that.”

And of course he was right to say so, partly because it’s true and partly because criticising other managers’ team selections is a slippery slope. All clubs have their own priorities and their job is to do what is right for them, with all due nods to the integrity of the league and satisfying those who have paid for tickets or broadcast rights. Liverpool have won the title early: giving fringe players a run out is a prerogative they have earned, and it’s not their concern how that affects other sides. But at the same time, Chelsea were given an easier game than they probably would have been had they met Liverpool a week or two earlier before the league title was wrapped up.

Jamie Vardy targets double century, Jérémy Doku makes his mark and Arsenal rue the absence of Gabriel Magalhães

There is rarely an opportunity for champions to show a sentimental side. It is such hard work to win a title over a 38-game season, with the race often going down to the wire. Arne Slot had four matches to spare and used the trip to Stamford Bridge to give first league starts of the season to Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott. The former has been used frequently as a late sub while the latter is often brought on to make an attacking impact, but the form of their teammates and Elliott’s long-term injury have limited chances under Slot. Jarell Quansah was given a rare start and Federico Chiesa was permitted a fifth league game which qualifies him for a medal. The four have rarely let Liverpool down; no one can blame Quansah for the own goal but he looked understandably rusty and tired when he gave away the penalty. They will have to decide if they want to be bit-part players at a title-winning club or drop down to be key men elsewhere. Will Unwin

Match report: Chelsea 3-1 Liverpool

Match report: Brentford 4-3 Manchester United

Match report: Leicester 2-0 Southampton

Match report: Manchester City 1-0 Wolves

Match report: Aston Villa 1-0 Fulham