Follow Newcastle v West Ham
That’s all for today’s Clocko. But we’ve saved the best for last: a Brobdingnagian match between Newcastle and West Ham at St James’ Park. Join Daniel Harris for that.
Match report: Wolves 1-1 Fulham
Fulham’s hopes of finishing in Europe were dealt a huge blow as they drew 1-1 at relegated Wolves on Sunday.
Mateus Mané put the hosts ahead with a fine finish in the 25th minute of the midlands club’s final home game of the season.
But the Portuguese teenager gave away a penalty in first-half time, Antonee Robinson slotting home to get Fulham back on level terms.
Match report: Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace
Beware the opponent with little to play for. Crystal Palace were supposed to be in preservation mode, with attention on more exotic occasions. The ideal opponent for Brentford’s chase for Europe. And yet. Adam Wharton scored his first goal in 94 Palace appearances, his first ever in the Premier League, his goal wreaking heavy damage.
Dango Ouatarra’s second goal, a second equaliser, set up a desperate finish, as 10 minutes of injury time were added but Brentford could not find the winner they so desired. The whistle arrived with them in eighth place, enough for next season’s Conference League, but there is final-day drama to see out.
Match report: Everton 1-3 Sunderland
Sunderland have made themselves quite at home at Hill Dickinson Stadium. Not content with knocking Everton out of the FA Cup here in January, Regis Le Bris’ side returned to end David Moyes’ slim prospects of European qualification with a commanding win that gives them an outside chance of reaching the Europa or Conference League.
Everton took the lead through Merlin Röhl’s first goal for the club but their dismal end to the season continued as the visitors ran riot in the second half. Brian Brobbey, Enzo Le Fée and substitute Wilson Isidor were all on target as Sunderland leapfrogged their hosts into ninth.
There was no fairytale ending for Seamus Coleman. The Everton captain received a rapturous reception when he appeared as a late substitute, two days after announcing this season would be his last as a player with the club, but was at fault as Isidor sealed Sunderland’s win. Everton’s winless run extends to six matches.
Match report: Leeds 1-0 Brighton
Brighton’s hopes of a return to European football next season took a potentially significant turn for the worse after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s late goal ensured another home victory for a Leeds teams who continue to thrive in the latter stages of the campaign.
Fabian Hürzeler’s side have been magnificent again this season and going into the final weekend, their destiny is still in their own hands in terms of securing a second appearance in European competition. However, they may look back on this afternoon in West Yorkshire as one that could prove to be a missed opportunity.
Neymar booked after substitution mistake
There was a strange/amusing incident in the Campeonato Brasiliero match between Santos and Coritiba today. Santos tried to take off their No31, Gonzalo Escobar, but for some reason it came up as No10 on the substitution board. No10 is Neymar, who was not entirely thrilled when the referee told him he had been subbed. Neymar came back on, was shown a yellow card and then left the field for good. Santos lost 3-0.
When it comes to Antoine Semenyo, it is almost impossible not to fixate on his career journey. Everybody loves a triumph over adversity, a rise from the lowest level to the very top, and the narrative arc with the Manchester City winger is practically perfect.
There were the relentless rejections by the clubs in every corner of London as he grew up, culminating in the one from Crystal Palace at 15 that led him to stop playing football for a year. The rebuild at the Wiltshire Sports Academy in Swindon and South Gloucestershire and Stroud College in Bristol, which led to the big break at Bristol City, and a first professional contract at 17.
Premier League results
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Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace
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Everton 1-3 Sunderland
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Leeds 1-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-1 Fulham
And this is what it means. The big winners today are Sunderland… and Bournemouth.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 36 | 42 | 79 |
| 2 | Man City | 36 | 43 | 77 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 37 | 16 | 68 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 37 | 6 | 62 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 37 | 10 | 59 |
| 6 | AFC Bournemouth | 36 | 4 | 55 |
| 7 | Brighton | 37 | 9 | 53 |
| 8 | Brentford | 37 | 3 | 52 |
| 9 | Sunderland | 37 | -7 | 51 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 11 | Everton | 37 | -2 | 49 |
| 12 | Fulham | 37 | -6 | 49 |
| 13 | Leeds | 37 | -4 | 47 |
| 14 | Newcastle | 36 | -2 | 46 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 37 | -9 | 45 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 37 | -3 | 43 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 36 | -9 | 38 |
| 18 | West Ham | 36 | -20 | 36 |
| 19 | Burnley | 36 | -36 | 21 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 37 | -41 | 19 |
Updated
Full time: Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace
Brentford came on strong at the end and could easily have won, but they will also know that Palace were much the better team in the first half. In the end Dango Ouattara’s second equaliser of the game earned an important point. The permutations are endless, but Brentford will probably need to win at Anfield to qualify for Europe.
Full time: Leeds 1-0 Brighton
Leeds were in a relegation battle at the start of April. Six games and 14 points later, they have an outside chance of finishing in the top half of the table.
Full time: Everton 1-3 Sunderland
Sunderland have leapfrogged Everton after a terrific comeback in the second half. They now have a serious chance of qualifying for Europe in their first season back in the top flight.
90+6 min: Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace A close-range shot from Igor Thiago hits a charging Palace defender and flies over the bar. Not sure it was but that was superb defending.
Full time: Wolves 1-1 Fulham
Another day of frustration for Fulham, who need snookers to qualify for Europe now.
GOAL! Leeds 1-0 Brighton (Calvert-Lewin 90+6)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin ends a triumphant first season at Leeds by scoring the winner in their final home game. Brighton have been pushing for a winner for the second half, but it’s Leeds who have won it. A backpass from Van Hecke was read superbly by Calvert-Lewin, who went round Bart Verbruggen to score from a tight angle.
That’s a blow to Brighton’s European hopes, though they remain in seventh place as it stands.
Updated
GOAL! Everton 1-3 Sunderland (Isidor 90+1)
The substitute Wilson Isidor wraps it up for Sunderland! Diarra’s low cross from the right rolled beyond the far post to Isidor, who opened his body and flashes a superb finish back across Pickford.
It was a bad moment for the departing Seamus Coleman, who didn’t realise Isidor was behind him and allowed the ball to roll across goal. Fair to say he’s still in credit though.
Updated
GOAL! Brentford 2-2 Crystal Palace (Ouattara 88)
Dango Ouattara scores his second equaliser of the day! He knew full well about this one: a long throw from Michael Kayode was headed on at the near post by Sepp van den Berg and nodded in from close range by Ouattara. That’s a precious goal for Brentford.
Seamus Coleman makes farewell appearance
88 min: Everton 1-2 Sunderland Seamus Coleman, the £60,000 legend, comes on for his 434th Everton appearance and his last on home soil. That works out at £138 per game.
88 min: Everton 1-2 Sunderland Sunderland did most of their work in the first half of the season, which makes it easy to forget just how brilliant they have been. If it stays like this they will have 51 points; most people didn’t think they’ve get to 25.
87 min: Everton 1-2 Sunderland A powerful close-range header from Joey O’Brien hits the collarbone of Robin Roefs, who had almost no time to react, and flies over the bar. O’Brien will probably feel he should have scored.
85 min: Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace A shot from Dango Ouattara is pushed round the post by Dean Henderson, a pretty good save. Meanwhile…
84 min: Everton 1-2 Sunderland Apparently Enzo Le Fee is both magician and superhero.
82 min: Everton 1-2 Sunderland That goal lifts Sunderland to ninth, behind Brentford only on goal differencee. Brentford go to Anfield next Sunday; Sunderland play at home to Chelsea. At home.
GOAL! Everton 1-2 Sunderland (Le Fee 81)
And now Sunderland are right in the hunt for European football! Enzo Le Fee puts them in front and celebrates by donning a Spiderman mask. After a brilliantly cool square pass from Chris Rigg, Le Fee scuffed a shot from 10 yards that Jordan Pickford could only push into the net.
Updated
Since you asked, this is the final round of Premier League fixtures a week today. Don’t ask me what order they’re in.
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Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace
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Everton 1-1 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-1 Fulham
The latest scores with around 10 minutes remaining
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Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace
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Everton 1-1 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-1 Fulham
77 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton Leeds substitute Joel Piroe flashes a curling shot just wide from the edge of the D.
Newcastle v West Ham team news
The biggest game of the day kicks off at 5.30pm. Daniel Harris has the team news from St James’ Park.
Snakes and ladders department
After almost 37 games, there are only two points separating five teams in the race for Europe.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Brighton | 37 | 10 | 54 |
| 8 | Brentford | 37 | 2 | 51 |
| 9 | Everton | 37 | 0 | 50 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 11 | Fulham | 37 | -6 | 49 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 37 | -9 | 49 |
74 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton Poor Anton Stach appears to have suffered a serious injury at Elland Road. He’s being helped onto a stretcher and looks in considerable distress. That’s a really sad end to a superb first season at Elland Road.
Updated
The latest scores
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Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace
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Everton 1-1 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-1 Fulham
69 min: Wolves 1-1 Fulham Hwang plays a cute through pass to Adam Armstrong, who chips the ball over the outrushing Bernd Leno… and off the outside of the near post.
67 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton Diego Gomez, who has also just come on the field, slashes an excellent chance off target. If results elsewhere stay the same, a goal for Brighton would guarantee European football next season. I think.
65 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton Leeds old boy Georginio Rutter has come on to replace Danny Welbeck.
The latest scores
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Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace
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Everton 1-1 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-1 Fulham
GOAL! Everton 1-1 Sunderland (Brobbey 59)
Everton are no longer in a European spot, but Sunderland are scrapping for one. Brian Brobbey has equalised at Hill Dickinson Stadium with a well-taken goal. After a mistake from Joey O’Brien, Brobbey ignored a physical challenge from James Tarkowski and finished emphatically.
Updated
58 min: Everton 1-0 Sunderland Trai Hume’s mishit cross forces Jordan Pickford into a desperate, acrobatic save. It’s hard to tell whether the ball would have dropped into the net or hit the crossbar; Pickford ensured we’ll never know.
On this day in 1980… Wales give England one hell of a beating.
57 min: Everton 1-0 Sunderland Wharton’s goal means Everton are in a European place as things stand.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Everton | 37 | 1 | 52 |
| 9 | Brentford | 37 | 2 | 51 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 11 | Fulham | 37 | -6 | 49 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 37 | -10 | 48 |
55 min: Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace No wonder Adam Wharton was so euphoric: that’s his first goal in two-and-a-bit years at Palace.
GOAL! Brentford 1-2 Crystal Palace (Wharton 54)
Palace restore their lead at the Gtech Community Stadium. Adam Wharton celebrates with a somersault – who knew he was a Peter Beagrie fan – after rifling a long-shot through Caiomhin Kelleher. A decent strike, and it came through the crowd, but Kelleher would usually save that.
Updated
“It’s all over in the SPL for another season, Rob, except for the play off between St. Mirren and Partick Thistle which will decide who takes the final spot for next season,” writes Simon McMahon. “Hearts were undoubtedly the story of the season. Gonna take them a while to get over how it ended I think. They’ll always have 1986 1965 1960.”
Too soon, McMahon. Too soon to talk about 1986, never mind yesterday.
On this day in 1997… the fastest FA Cup final goal (until 2023)
50 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton Danny Welbeck almost puts Brighton ahead with a smart turn and shot that is headed off the line by Ethan Ampadu.
Peep peep! Leeds 0-0 Brighton is back under way, and the other games should soon follow.
The race for Europe (as it stands)
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Brighton | 37 | 10 | 54 |
| 8 | Brentford | 37 | 3 | 52 |
| 9 | Everton | 37 | 1 | 52 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 11 | Fulham | 37 | -6 | 49 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 37 | -10 | 48 |
Half-time scores
The half-time whistle has been blown in all four Premier League games. This is what’s what.
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Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace
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Everton 1-0 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-1 Fulham
GOAL! Wolves 1-1 Fulham (Robinson 45+3 pen)
With Raul Jimenez on the bench, Antonee Robinson steps up to score calmly from the spot. Fulham are level.
Penalty to Fulham!
Mateus Mane has done a Mathys Tel: after scoring a belter to put his team ahead, he has conceded a penalty with a foul on a player he didn’t realise was behind him. In this case it was Fulham’s Timothy Castagne. VAR needed to get involved but it was pretty clear.
Updated
45 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton Bart Verbruggen makes a flying save to deny Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Meanwhile…
GOAL! Everton 1-0 Sunderland (Rohl 43)
The impressive Merlin Rohl has put Everton ahead at Hill Dickinson Stadium. He cut inside from the right and drove a hopeful low shot that took a big deflection off Granit Xhaka and flew over the diving Robin Roefs.
That goal means Everton are behind eighth-placed Brentford only on goal differencee.
Updated
GOAL! Brentford 1-1 Crystal Palace (Ouattara 41)
Palace should be miles in front; now they not in front at all. Dango Ouattara has equalised for Brentford with a goal he knew very little about. A defensive header from Jaydee Canvot hit Ouattara, seven yards out, and ricocheted into the net.
38 min: Everton 0-0 Sunderland A header from James Tarkowski is shovelled round the near post by Robin Roefs. A goal for Everton or Sunderland would change the picture in the race for eighth.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Brighton | 37 | 10 | 54 |
| 8 | Brentford | 37 | 2 | 51 |
| 9 | Everton | 37 | 0 | 50 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 11 | Sunderland | 37 | -9 | 49 |
| 12 | Fulham | 37 | -7 | 48 |
The placing of a full stop on any league campaign offers cause for reflection. In Scotland, there are reasons to wonder if the grim denouement to a stunning title race will prompt a shift in attitudes on two fronts. Whether a Celtic board which has been castigated for its stewardship regard the securing of another title as vindication is an intriguing question.
More immediate is how the champions and others will respond to the grim scenes that triggered an enforced conclusion to the visit of Hearts. The behaviour of a section of the Celtic support is so unruly during dominance that one wonders what on earth may happen if the team struggle badly.
Strand Larsen hits the post!
33 min: Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace A curling shot from Jorgan Strand Larsen beats Caiomhin Kelleher and clatters off the far post. Palace have hit both posts and could be out of sight already.
Updated
32 min: Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace A long cross is headed back across goal by Igor Thiago to Nathan Collins, who shoots straight at Dean Henderson from close range. A very good chance, though I think any goal would have been disallowed for offside against Igor Thiago.
Premier League latest scores
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Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace
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Everton 0-0 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 1-0 Fulham
28 min: Wolves 1-0 Fulham Saying which, they’ve just had an excellent chance to equalise. A corner from the right was headed onto the roof of the net by Sander Berge with Jose Sa out of the game.
27 min: Wolves 1-0 Fulham Fulham’s form has gone to seed in the last few weeks:
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0-2 Liverpool (A)
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0-0 Brentford (A)
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1-0 Aston Villa (H)
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0-3 Arsenal (A)
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0-1 Bournemouth (H)
GOAL! Wolves 1-0 Fulham (Mane 26)
Mateus Mane, one of the few Wolves players to enhance his reputation this season, has smashed a 20-yarder past Bernd Leno at Molineux. That’s a cracking goal.
Updated
The latest Premier League scores
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Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace
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Everton 0-0 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 0-0 Fulham
Updated
22 min: Leeds 0-0 Brighton The away side have had 65 per cent possession in the first quarter of the game at Elland Road. No big chances yet for either team.
15 min: Everton 0-0 Sunderland Both sets of supporters break into a minute’s applause to pay tribute to Bradley Lowery, the former Sunderland mascot who would have been 15 today.
15 min: Brentford 0-1 Crystal Palace The goalscorer Ismaila Sarr crashes a rising shot against the outside of the near post. Palace have made a blistering start, and if they play like this against Arsenal next week…
Updated
Here is the aforementioned as-it-stands table. Look how tight it is in the middle. Look!
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 36 | 42 | 79 |
| 2 | Man City | 36 | 43 | 77 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 37 | 16 | 68 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 37 | 6 | 62 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 37 | 10 | 59 |
| 6 | AFC Bournemouth | 36 | 4 | 55 |
| 7 | Brighton | 37 | 10 | 54 |
| 8 | Brentford | 37 | 2 | 51 |
| 9 | Everton | 37 | 0 | 50 |
| 10 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 11 | Fulham | 37 | -6 | 49 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 37 | -9 | 49 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 37 | -8 | 47 |
| 14 | Newcastle | 36 | -2 | 46 |
| 15 | Leeds | 37 | -5 | 45 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 37 | -3 | 43 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 36 | -9 | 38 |
| 18 | West Ham | 36 | -20 | 36 |
| 19 | Burnley | 36 | -36 | 21 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 37 | -41 | 19 |
12 min: Wolves 0-0 Fulham Timothy Castagne’s cross is met on the volley by Alex Iwobi, six yards out, and the Wolves keeper Jose Sa scrambles across his goalline to make a terrific save.
11 min: Everton 0-0 Sunderland That Palace goal is good news for both these teams, who still have a chance of finishing in the top eight and qualifying for Europe. In fact, an Everton goal would put them eighth in the eyes of our old friend, the as-it-stands table.
Updated
No goals in the other games as yet. Dominic Calvert-Lewin almost had a chance for Leeds against Brighton.
GOAL! Brentford 0-1 Palace (Sarr 6 pen)
Ismaila Sarr, who won the penalty, converts it superbly. Kelleher went the right way, to his right, but Sarr slapped the ball into the corner. That’s his 21st goal of an outstanding season.
Updated
5 min: Penalty to Palace The referee Sam Barrott is sent to the monitor and, after taking a few looks, overturns his original decision. Palace have an early chance to hurt Brentford’s European hopes.
Updated
3 min: Brentford 0-0 Palace There’s a VAR check for a potential Palace penalty. Ismaila Sarr went down after apparently caught by Caoimhin Kelleher, and it look like a penalty is going to be given.
Peep peep! The 3pm games are under way, and these are the latest scores.
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Brentford 0-0 Crystal Palace
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Everton 0-0 Sunderland
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Leeds 0-0 Brighton
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Wolves 0-0 Fulham
In case you missed it, Xabi Alonso has been officially announced as the new manager of Chelsea. Here’s what Jacob Steinberg makes of the appointment.
Match report: Man Utd 3-2 Nottm Forest
This is the new Manchester United era of happy accidents being overseen by Michael Carrick and helped by confusing officiating as they edged past Nottingham Forest. If it was not for a lack of obvious options five months ago, United and Carrick may not have been reunited, nor would they be third in the Premier League and heading back to the Champions League, on the day Bruno Fernandes equalled the all-time Premier League assist record.
Carrick has a two-year contract on the table and cannot require too much mulling over. The improving Old Trafford atmosphere was further boosted after the final home game being won partly thanks to a bizarre decision by Michael Salisbury to allow a Matheus Cunha goal to stand, on account of Bryan Mbeumo’s clear handball in the buildup being “accidental”, much to the confusion of everyone without a whistle.
“No drama in Scotland today, Rob,” begins Simon McMahon, “given that Dundee United were confirmed as CHAMPIONS!!! of the bottom six on Tuesday with a point at home to already relegated Livingston. Congratulations to them.
“St Mirren will play Partick Thistle in a two-legged play-off to decide who plays in the Scottish Premiership next season. There are games today, United currently 1-0 up at Paisley, and Dundee 1-1 Aberdeen, Livingston 1-1 Kilmarnock.”
Enzo Le Fée has been chatting for 25 minutes when it becomes clear that his ability to extract rabbits from hats is not confined to the pitch.
“I’m a magician,” says Sunderland’s French playmaker as the conversation drifts to life off the field. “Yes, really! I can do some magic, tricks with the cards, that sort of thing. I used to practise a lot when I was young so I got really good. I still sometimes like to do my tricks but I’m a bit shy about performing them now.”
These days Le Fée prefers to concentrate on casting his spells on rival teams, bewitching Sunderland fans and bewildering opponents in equal measure. Régis Le Bris’s £20m signing from Roma possesses an unerring ability to glimpse attacking possibilities undetected by other players and transform midfield chaos into a coherent threat.
Wolves v Fulham preview
It’s more than a month since Josh King started a game for Fulham – he was hooked at half-time during the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool, since when he has featured solely off the bench and never for longer than 26 minutes. It makes sense for Marco Silva to protect and nurture such a precious talent – especially given King plays in the middle of midfield, no country for young men. But he is also preparing his team to go again – whether he is in charge or not – and a game against a relegated side is surely an opportunity to field a player who, after a period of acclimatisation this season, can be a mainstay next.
There are many youngsters with vivid imagination and superb technical skill, but what marks King out is his ability to accept the ball under pressure and either pass forward or beat men, opening up the pitch in the process. He is raw, but the aim should be to be ready in August.
Everton v Sunderland preview
Everton’s strikers have been largely responsible for limiting the team’s progress this season but it is their defence that has cost them in the final push for European qualification. That ambition appeared unrealistic at the start of the campaign, and there is still a slim chance it could be realised with several favourable results, but, for a manager who prides himself on solid defensive foundations, the past few weeks will have infuriated David Moyes.
His team would be sitting level with sixth-placed Bournemouth but for squandering six points in their past four games, each one characterised by poor defending whether at set pieces, against Liverpool and West Ham, or from open play, versus Manchester City and Crystal Palace. The downturn can be pinpointed to the 87th minute of the Merseyside derby when Jarrad Branthwaite, the team’s best defender, was carried off with a season-ending injury. Everton coped well with his absence in the first half of the season but have failed to rediscover that resilience since his latest hamstring setback.
Leeds v Brighton preview
Georginio Rutter returns to Elland Road on Sunday, doubtless hoping he will not have to spend another afternoon on the bench. The former Leeds forward joined Brighton for a record £40m in 2024 but, after a decent first season on the south coast, the Frenchman has struggled for game time this term, scoring only three goals and starting just one of the past seven games.
Part of the problem is that Fabian Hürzeler has made the excellent Danny Welbeck his principal striker, while Jack Hinshelwood has shone in Rutter’s preferred No 10 role. “I know Georginio’s not happy with his game minutes,” said Brighton’s head coach. “That’s normal … but he’s 100% committed. I feel he’s there for his teammates and for the club. It’s team first and there are moments when you have to put your ego behind you. Of course he’s not happy, that’s normal, but I’m pleased with his reaction.”
Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford in the day’s early game. Just don’t mention the VAR.
Updated
Bradley Lowery, the Sunderland mascot whose battle with neuroblastoma helped raise than more £1m before his death in 2017, would have been 15 today. There will be a minute’s applause at Hill Dickinson Stadium after 15 minutes of today’s game, and two fans – one of each club – have cycled to the ground from the Stadium of Light to raise funds for the Bradley Lowery Foundation. Hats off to them.
Two more goals have been scored in a thrilling end-of-a-season game at Old Trafford, and Bruno Fernandes has equalled a major Premier League record. Clickity click click click!
Brentford v Crystal Palace preview
Brentford’s push for Europe continues, with complicated permutations likely to determine their destiny. The picture may not be clear until the final kicks of the season. Should Aston Villa win the Europa League on Wednesday and finish fifth in the Premier League, a Champions League spot opens up for sixth place. Brentford can close the gap on sixth by beating a Crystal Palace side with an eye on 27 May’s Conference League final. Bournemouth do not play until Tuesday.
On the final day, should Villa be beating Manchester City and closing on finishing above Liverpool or Manchester United it could well be in Brentford’s or Brighton’s interest to lose to those teams; Brentford are at Liverpool a week on Sunday. Quite the equation for Keith Andrews. Should it fall his way, he would deserve the manager of the season award. There’s a strong case to say he already does.
Wolves v Fulham team news
Wolves (3-4-2-1) Jose Sa; Mosquera, S Bueno, Krejci; R Gomes, J Gomes, Andre, Moller Wolfe; Armstrong, Mane; Hwang.
Subs: H Bueno, Arokodare, Lima, T Gomes, Bentley, Bellegarde, Tchatchoua, A Gomes, Edozie.
Fulham (4-2-3-1) Leno; Castagne, Diop, Bassey, Robinson; Lukic, Berge; Bobb, Smith Rowe, Iwobi; Muniz.
Subs: Tete, Jimenez, Wilson, Cairney, Cuenca, Chukwueze, Kevin, Lecomte, King.
Leeds v Brighton team news
Leeds (3-5-2) Darlow; Rodon, Bijol, Bornauw; James, Stach, Ampadu, Tanaka, Justin; Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson.
Subs: Perri, Longstaff, Piroe, Nmecha, Byram, Gnonto, Chadwick, Cresswell, Lienou.
Brighton (4-2-3-1) Verbruggen; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Kadioglu; Baleba, Gross; Minteh, Hinshelwood, De Cuyper; Welbeck.
Subs: March, Rutter, Kostoulas, Milner, Boscagli, Steele, Gomez, Ayari, O’Riley.
Everton v Sunderland team news
Seamus Coleman starts on the bench, though he’ll surely come on at some stage. There will be a helluva noise when he does.
Everton (4-2-3-1) Pickford; O’Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko; Iroegbunam, Garner; Rohl, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye; Beto.
Subs: Patterson, McNeil, Barry, Travers, George, Dibling, Coleman, Alcaraz, Armstrong.
Sunderland (4-2-3-1) Roefs; Geertruida, Mukiele, Alderete, Mandava; Xhaka, Sadiki; Hume, Le Fee, Angulo; Brobbey.
Subs: Cirkin, Talbi, Rigg, Mayenda, O’Nien, Isidor, Diarra, Ellborg, Ta Bi.
Brentford v Crystal Palace team news
Brentford (4-3-3) Kelleher; Kayode, Ayer, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Janelt, Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Dango, Thiago, Damsgaard.
Subs: Validmarsson, Hickey, Van den Berg, Pinnock, Henderson, Schade, Dasilva, Nelson, Furo.
Crystal Palace (3-4-2-1) Henderson; Riad, Lacroix, Canvot; Munoz, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Strand Larsen.
Subs: Benitez, Clyne, Richards, Devenny, Lerma, Hughes, Johnson, Guessand, Mateta.
David Moyes has described Séamus Coleman as “the glue that kept Everton together” during their relegation fights and vital to the club’s survival in the Premier League.
The Everton manager’s tribute came after Coleman announced his distinguished 17-year playing career with the club would end when his contract expires next month. Everton have offered the 37-year-old a coaching role from this summer but he wants to continue playing for the Republic of Ireland and may look for another club.
Coleman has been hampered by injuries in recent seasons but has remained a huge influence on standards behind the scenes. The captain galvanised the team during relegation fights under Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche, and Moyes said Everton’s top-flight status would have been in greater jeopardy but for Coleman.
Manchester United lead Nottm Forest 2-1 in the early game at Old Trafford. You can follow the last half an hour with Michael Butler.
Preamble
Hello, good day and welcome to our penultimate clockwatch of the 2025-26 Premier League season. There are four games kicking off at 3pm, all involving teams hoping to use their passport next season:
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Brentford v Crystal Palace
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Everton v Sunderland
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Leeds v Brighton
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Wolves v Fulham
Manchester City’s FA Cup final victory was good news for Brighton, Brentford, Everton, Fulham and Sunderland, as it means whoever finishes eighth in the Premier League will qualify for the Conference League.
Brighton and Brentford, in particular, are aiming higher – the Europe League, perhaps even the Champions League if Aston Villa beat Freiburg on Wednesday and create a sixth-placed trophy.
It’s all pretty complicated, and if we look at any more permutations our head will explode like yer man in Scanners. So for now, let’s concentrate on the here and now: four important games, for which we’ll have team news shortly.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 36 | 42 | 79 |
| 2 | Man City | 36 | 43 | 77 |
| 3 | Man Utd | 36 | 15 | 65 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 37 | 6 | 62 |
| 5 | Liverpool | 37 | 10 | 59 |
| 6 | AFC Bournemouth | 36 | 4 | 55 |
| 7 | Brighton | 36 | 10 | 53 |
| 8 | Brentford | 36 | 3 | 51 |
| 9 | Chelsea | 36 | 6 | 49 |
| 10 | Everton | 36 | 0 | 49 |
| 11 | Fulham | 36 | -6 | 48 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 36 | -9 | 48 |
| 13 | Newcastle | 36 | -2 | 46 |
| 14 | Leeds | 36 | -5 | 44 |
| 15 | Crystal Palace | 36 | -9 | 44 |
| 16 | Nottm Forest | 36 | -2 | 43 |
| 17 | Tottenham Hotspur | 36 | -9 | 38 |
| 18 | West Ham | 36 | -20 | 36 |
| 19 | Burnley | 36 | -36 | 21 |
| 20 | Wolverhampton | 36 | -41 | 18 |
