Here are the latest Premier League headlines for Monday, May 2.
Arsenal's Euro factor
David Moyes believes Arsenal are benefiting from the absence of European football this season as they target third place in the Premier League. Moyes watched his West Ham side fall to a 2-1 defeat to their London rivals on Sunday as they juggle the demands of trying to reach the Europa League final with an overstretched squad.
It mathematically ended the Hammers' pursuit of fourth place and Moyes insists Arsenal's domestic resurgence after a disappointing 2020-21 campaign is partly a result of their reduced workload. Arsenal host Leeds United on Sunday, before travelling to face Newcastle United on Monday, May 16.
"My goodness, it's made a difference for them from day one," Moyes said. "Arsenal's improvement this year has been incredible because probably not being involved in Europe has given them the chance to prepare correctly for games.
READ MORE: Five positives Leeds United can cling to despite disastrous weekend
"They had a bit of a slow start to the season, but they've been in terrific form all season. It's just as well when you have a young team and are trying to get a good enough squad together. Last season Arsenal got to the semi-finals of the Europa League and it became quite a difficult season for them because of that. We're in it this year so we're a bit the same."
Lampard stays focused
Everton manager Frank Lampard says he cannot afford to consider the crucial victory over Chelsea as the pivotal moment in their battle against relegation until he sees more consistency from his side. The 1-0 win at a raucous Goodison Park prevented the Toffees being cut five points adrift in 18th place, albeit with a match in hand, but, with five games to go, the job of safeguarding a 67-year stay in the top flight is far from over.
While Everton have taken 10 points from a possible 12 at home their form on the road, where three of their last five matches take place, remains woeful with their only win way back in August. Lampard said now is not the time to bask in the glow of another great Goodison result.
"I don't think we have shown enough consistency to claim it is pivotal," he said after the win which keeps Leeds, with a vastly-inferior goal difference, and Burnley in their sights just two points ahead. "We have had moments - Leeds, Manchester United, Newcastle (all home wins) and we didn't carry on with it and now it is critical we carry on with it.
"I think it would be naive to think it is a pivotal moment. What is clear if we can carry on with the same levels of spirit and quality and desire we can make it a pivotal moment. It is the application of the job that will get us over the line. The basics are the same: we have got to run more, show more desire, tackle harder than the opposition."
Jackson shuns spotlight
Burnley caretaker manager Mike Jackson said he felt "a little embarrassed" at being thrust into the spotlight as the Clarets' revival continued with a 2-1 comeback win at Watford. Saturday's triumph at Vicarage Road lifted the North West club five points clear of the Premier League's bottom three and all but relegated the Hornets, who sit 12 points from safety with four games to go.
An early own-goal from James Tarkowski had provided a glimmer of hope for the hosts but Burnley equalised through Jack Cork in the 83rd minute and Josh Brownhill's strike completed the turnaround three minutes later. The result meant the Clarets have now picked up 10 points from four games since sacking Sean Dyche on April 15, leading to much praise for interim boss Jackson, but he insisted he was not in the job for the plaudits.
"I'm not one for the limelight," he said. "I try to keep low key and just do what I'm doing - stick with the group, keep them honest. I don't look at it like that (getting plaudits). I know that's what's happening but sometimes it probably makes me feel a little embarrassed for myself."
Norwich plan return
Norwich manager Dean Smith has insisted planning is well under way for a run at the Championship title race next season after Premier League relegation was confirmed by defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday. The Canaries' 2-0 loss, coupled with Burnley's come-from-behind 2-1 win at Watford, condemned Norwich to the drop after just one season in the top flight for the third time.
In the last three seasons Norwich have finished first in the Championship twice and bottom of the Premier League once, with another 20th place a distinct possibility as they sit one point behind Watford in 19th. Although there was disappointment on Smith's return to Villa Park there was no great surprise, and the 51-year-old said the club had been planning for either survival or relegation since the turn of the year.
"Part of the reason for coming here was for both: to try and keep us in the league but also if we did go down, I know the Championship and have taken a team out of there before," said Smith, who brought Villa up via the play-offs in 2019. The summer will give Smith the chance to put his own stamp on the Norwich squad, although he will hope to keep together a core of players who have already shown they are good enough to earn promotion.
"I'm looking forward to it, but I was looking forward to working with these players as well," he said. "That's why I feel responsible that we haven't improved enough to stay in the league. There is certainly a lot to work with. There's some really good players at this football club that can get better, they've just found the step to the Premier League a little bit hard. We know they are more than capable of playing at Championship level."
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