Here are the latest Premier League headlines for Tuesday, April 26.
Lampard's Everton appeal
Everton manager Frank Lampard has stressed how important it is for everyone associated with the club not to get sucked into a negative frame of mind after the club dropped into the relegation zone. A 2-0 defeat in the 240th Merseyside derby, coupled with a win for Burnley earlier in the day, saw the Toffees finish the weekend in the bottom three for the first time since December 2019.
However, this is the deepest into a season the club have found themselves in the drop zone since 1998-99 and their 71-year stay in the top flight is starting to look in increasing danger as they are two points adrift. That situation could be even worse by the time third-placed Chelsea arrive at Goodison Park on Sunday as Burnley travel to fellow strugglers Watford the previous day.
Lampard has insisted they cannot afford to expend any energy on other clubs' results but spending at least a week in the bottom three, even with a match in hand on the Clarets, will not help the psychology.
"There are 18 points to fight for, that is a lot of points," he said. "It is important for the players and fans and club not to get sucked into that in a negative way. Be realistic, yes - but there are a lot of games for us to try to win. With the attitude we showed (against Liverpool), the togetherness and spirit, and if a few things go our way, we'll get the results."
Liverpool won't underestimate Villarreal
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists they will not under-estimate Champions League semi-final opponents Villarreal. Last season's Europa League winners, currently seventh in LaLiga, have beaten Juventus and Bayern Munich to get to the last four and Klopp is determined to make sure his side do not repeat the mistakes of those European giants.
"There might have been a little advantage (for Villarreal) in the last two games, maybe Juve or Bayern underestimated them, but that will never happen to us," said the Liverpool boss, who is looking to secure a place in his third final in five years. "They are still a really good football team who wants to make history as well. It would be the first time they go to a (Champions League) final, which would be a massive thing to do - but it is to us the same importance.
"So many coaches out there work their socks off their whole life and have no chance to be close to a semi-final so we have to enjoy it."
READ MORE: Jesse Marsch's Leeds United system needs time but Raphinha must be unlocked for the run-in
Phillips boost for Leeds
Leeds manager Jesse Marsch believes Kalvin Phillips' return from injury can help his side move clear of the relegation battle. The England international started his first match since December in Monday's goalless draw at Crystal Palace which left the visitors five points above the drop zone.
Leeds are three points clear of 17th-placed Burnley and five ahead of Everton, who have a games in hand, and Marsch is banking on Phillips, who has recovered from a long-term hamstring problem, to help guide them to safety.
"I think certainly having Kalvin back can help us," the American said. "I think having his first game back playing in the new system and everything from the start, he'll understand his role and the movements and ideas more and more and more. I think he can be a big part of some of our solutions and build-up phase and get our attacking players into more dangerous spots."
