And we close out the night with news that PSG’s impossible dream of the title has been denied by Marseille’s defeat of Nantes. And that Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Osasuna puts them 17 points clear at the top. They need four points to win a 35th title.
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Louise Taylor’s report from St James’ Park completes the set from the Premier League.
Jamie Jackson saw Manchester City hold their nerve.
Jacob Steinberg was at Stamford Bridge to watch a right old London tear-up.
Here’s Andy Hunter’s report from Goodison.
Seamus Coleman, the Everton captain, spoke to Sky Sports after that last-gasp draw with Leicester.
It was a deserved point in the end. We didn’t get too high after beating United and we won’t get too low about not beating Leicester. We’re not taking it for granted. We just have to keep going. We are not in the position we want to be but we are where we are. We’re fighting.
Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka spoke to Sky Sports.
We wanted to give the fans something to believe in us and we did that. We showed fight and character. It’s a huge result. It means a lot to us. Losing three games in a row is really difficult. Of course he [Azpillcueta] is going to be angry with me but it is what it is. It was a penalty.
And in further news of humble concerns, Juventus look to be heading to the final of the Coppa Italia as they now lead Fiorentina 2-0, 3-0 on aggregate. They are set to meet Inter in the final.
A dream denied? Looks like PSG’s fairytale title has been denied, as Marseille’s comeback to now lead against Nantes means Poch’s ragtag and bobtail bunch of merry pranksters will be made to wait. Their lead is 15 points with five to play if it stays the same. Could cruel fortune be about to deny them?
Updated
Here’s the Premier League table after tonight’s action. Still so much to be decided.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Man City | 32 | 55 | 77 |
| 2 | Liverpool | 32 | 61 | 76 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 31 | 39 | 62 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 18 | 57 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 32 | 10 | 57 |
| 6 | Man Utd | 33 | 4 | 54 |
| 7 | West Ham | 33 | 9 | 52 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton | 32 | 5 | 49 |
| 9 | Leicester | 31 | -4 | 41 |
| 10 | Brighton | 33 | -11 | 40 |
| 11 | Newcastle | 33 | -18 | 40 |
| 12 | Brentford | 33 | -8 | 39 |
| 13 | Southampton | 32 | -14 | 39 |
| 14 | Crystal Palace | 32 | 2 | 37 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 31 | -4 | 36 |
| 16 | Leeds | 32 | -30 | 33 |
| 17 | Everton | 31 | -19 | 29 |
| 18 | Burnley | 31 | -19 | 25 |
| 19 | Watford | 32 | -32 | 22 |
| 20 | Norwich | 32 | -44 | 21 |
Full-time: Manchester City 3-0 Brighton
Job done for City, and after a tense first half they got the job done, Kevin De Bruyne playing his part after returning to the team as Mahrez, Foden and Bernardo Silva scored the goals. Just six to play now in the Premier League shootout between City and Liverpool.
Tushar Mehra gets in touch: “Speaking of minnows, can’t we be delighted to see Manchester City ease their way past Brighton?”
Yes, it’s really been a big night for the little guy. PSG are now 3-0 up at Angers, with Marquinhos on the mark.
What do those scores from the earlier kick-offs mean? Everton have pulled themselves to four points clear of Burnley, Newcastle are now 15 points clear of the drop zone, and in 11th place. And Arsenal are now level on points with Spurs, behind them only on goal difference. All eyes on that imminent north London derby.
Full-time scores
Everton 1-1 Leicester
Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace
Goal! Manchester 3-0 Brighton (Bernardo Silva, 82)
It’s De Bruyne again as the playmaker, setting up the Portuguese star to make the three points safe. And that’s De Bruyne’s last action as he leaves the field to applause. A job well done.
Updated
Goal! Everton 1-1 Leicester (Richarlison 90+2)
Wow! Everton finally find a way through, and that could be huge point. Leicester have thrown away a lead once more, and Richarlison scores via Ricardo Pereira after Rondon played his part, having come off the bench to alter the dimensions. Burnley hearts sink.
Updated
Goal! Chelsea 2-4 Arsenal (Saka, 90+2 pen)
Saka is cool and sends Mendy the wrong way. Big goal for Arsenal, huge in the top-four race. Chelsea are on the beach until the FA Cup final, it seems.
Penalty to Arsenal!
It goes to VAR, and a melee ensues after Azpilicueta bundles over Saka. There can be little doubt about that.
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace
Getting tense as St James’ now where Eddie Howe is urging his team to defend in numbers, as Palace are enjoying more and more of the ball.
Everton 0-1 Leicester
That Richarlison miss still being bemoaned as Leicester attack on the counter, and dangerously so.
Andrew Murphy gets in touch: “When the earlier contributor told us he was at War of the Roses in Stratford, I was fully expecting another Sean Dyche tribute band sighting.”
Everton 0-1 Leicester
And that’s a bad miss from Richarlison, as Everton push on for an equaliser with seven minutes remaining. Leicester have given away 24 points from winning positions this season. But Anthony Gordon has made a mess of a decent opportunity.
Updated
Everton 0-1 Leicester
With ten minutes to play at Goodison, the locals are getting angry at some time-wasting from Leicester.
Goal! Manchester City 2-0 Brighton (Foden, 65)
Another deflection, another goal and City can breathe easier, perhaps Pep can blow smoke up Graham Potter’s G-Pott, and Liverpool’s hope has probably been extinguished for tonight.
Updated
Gary Naylor gets in touch: “‘I’m at Stratford-upon-Avon for The War of the Roses, where the aforementioned Richard Plantagenet is plotting his route to The Crown. Everton need a bit if his ruthlessness I prithee.”
While plucky underdogs PSG dare to dream, fellow minnows Real Madrid are leading 2-1 at Osasuna as they close in on a title win that will warm the hearts of all those incurable romantics. They can go 18 points clear.
Everton 0-1 Leicester
Lookman, on the counter, went close with a hint of offside as Everton open up spaces at the back by pushing for an equaliser.
Goal! Manchester City 1-0 Brighton (Mahrez, 55)
What a relief for City, and they are going back to the top of the table. Mahrez’s shot took a deflection as Kevin de Bruyne drove forward.
Updated
Tom Stratford gets in touch: “Hey John, any news on how those plucky young underdogs from Paris are getting on? Got everything crossed from them. On a more genuine note, I am pleased for Poch to land a league title given how often the trophy stick seems to be used to beat him.”
𝐘𝐄𝐒, SERGIO! 💪
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 20, 2022
Second half is underway in Angers 🔴🔵 #AllezParis! #SCOPSG | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/rkkPr2wmFV
Everton 0-1 Leicester
Harvey Barnes, who has not played well aside from his goal, misses a decent chance for Leicester and Ademola Lookman, a former Everton player, is brought on for Barnes. Meanwhile for Everton, Salomón Rondón has replaced Gray, and he almost immediately sets up a chance to Richarlison with a flick-on. Frank Lampard going more direct.
Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
City have made a change at half-time, with Ruben Dias making a return, while John Stones stays at right-back where Kyle Walker is much missed.
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace
Conor Gallagher failed to make much of an impression on the game and is taken off by Patrick Vieira.
60: A double Palace change:
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) April 20, 2022
⬅️ Gallagher & Kouyate
➡️ McArthur & Mateta
⚫️⚪️ 1-0 🦅#CPFC | #NEWCRY pic.twitter.com/TmIDM8yScw
Everton 0-1 Leicester
This is not a drill, as Dele Alli comes on for Everton and he’s replaced Allan as Frank Lampard reconfigures his midfield and looks to be going on the offensive.
Goal! Chelsea 2-3 Arsenal (Nketiah, 57)
More chaos in that Chelsea defence and more quickfire attacking, as Eddie Nketiah again steals in to poke home. Told you he was a good finisher.
Updated
A true fairytale is being written in Angers, a city in western France beside the Maine river at the edge of the Loire Valley, the one-time medieval seat of the Plantagenet dynasty...
HT | 🎬
— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) April 20, 2022
We lead in Angers thanks to 2 beautiful goals from @KMbappe & @SergioRamos ⚽️⚽️#SCOPSG | 0-2 pic.twitter.com/lBligLmx3h
Updated
Everton 0-1 Leicester
If it’s tense at the Etihad, it’s getting tetchy at Goodison where the bad language and boos are already escaping into the air.
Jonathan McKinley calls in: “I can’t help but share Stephen Carr’s love of PSG’s rags to riches tale. In 2010 they finished 13th in Ligue 1 well behind the ugly sisters of Marseille (1st) and Lyon (2nd). Now look at them. You will go to the ball, Eddie Howe!”
The 7.45 kick-offs are back underway, and at Stamford Bridge, Thiago Silva has replaced Andreas Christensen, who made that big error for Nketiah’s goal.
Half-time: Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
Liverpool fans, daring to dream yet? City have had a series of shots blocked. Graham ‘G-Pott’ Potter can organise defence, almost Dycheian in their approach. Spurs had real problems finding a way behind them on Saturday.
Updated
Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
Looks like Nathan Ake might be coming off for City, with Oleks Zinchenko warming up ahead of a defensive reshuffle.
Some football news from earlier that may or may not be significant, as Manchester United continue their alternate process of bloodletting/adding more suits.
Jim Lawlor has decided to step down from his role as chief scout in the summer after 16 years with the club. During that time, Jim played a key role in the development of multiple trophy-winning Manchester United teams and was an important source of guidance to Sir Alex Ferguson and each of the managers who have followed him. Jim leaves the club with our warmest thanks for his significant contribution and our very best wishes for the future.
Marcel Bout has departed from his role as head of global scouting after eight years with the club. Marcel has played an important part as an assistant coach and in the strengthening of our scouting capabilities in recent years.
Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
Getting tense at the Etihad? Brighton doing a Brighton? Could it, would it, should it? Mahrez threatens briefly but City not at the races as they seek to climb back to the top of the table. Even the social media elation squad seems a bit antsy.
37. We're knocking on the door here! 🚪
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 20, 2022
Let's hope we can break the deadlock soon 🤞
🔵 0-0 🟡 #ManCity pic.twitter.com/elJetVQOf4
Updated
Half-time in the 7.45 kick-offs
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace
Everton 0-1 Leicester
Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace
Miguel Almiron enjoyed his goal for Newcastle so much he took his shirt off, and was booked for his troubles.
🇵🇾🇵🇾 pic.twitter.com/vvufJMVKkj
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) April 20, 2022
Everton 0-1 Leicester
Even Anthony Gordon is annoying the Goodison crowd, having wasted two good attacking opportunities. The tension is becoming unbearable.
Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
City are knocking on the door, and with real menace. Kevin de Bruyne has just smashed one wide. Brighton are chasing shadows but holding firm for now.
Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace
Miguel Almiron, who the other week was linked with a move away, having wondered when he might play more, has gone close again. On his day, he’s a handful for anyone.
Everton 0-1 Leicester
Brendan’s boys are playing some great stuff, and Everton don’t appear to have an answer at the moment, they are clinging on.
Goal! Newcastle 1-0 Crystal Palace (Almiron, 32)
The Toon Army is going barmy after a brilliant goal from the Paraguayan, who doesn’t get many goals but when he does they are usually spectacular, with a fine piece of control and shooting he puts his team into the lead.
Updated
Goal! Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal (Azpilicueta, 32)
Well well, a London late-season classic is on the cards, that’s if you discount defending as part of the game. Mason Mount robs Saka, and plays in his captain to score.
Updated
Stephen Carr gets in touch: “Evening John. Best of luck to PSG tonight - I bloody love a Cinderella story.”
Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
Mahrez has gone close for City now, as the chances seem to be stacking up for the defending champions.
Updated
Goal! Chelsea 1-2 Arsenal (Smith Rowe, 27)
Chelsea’s defending has been poor tonight, but Arsenal have attacked with real quality. Martin Odegaard laid the ball on a plate for Emile Smith Rowe who strokes home. Was Mendy the goalie culpable there? He was slow to get down.
Updated
Manchester City 0-0 Brighton
Nathan Ake has headed wide for City who are dominating Brighton, but no breakthrough as yet.
Updated
Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace
Penalty shout for Newcastle, who are playing well. Almiron blasts a shot at Kouyate from close range, but nothing doing. Chris Wood fires wide but was offside in any case.
Updated
Worth saying that if PSG draw or win against Angers, they will win the Ligue 1 title. They have just kicked off. Atletico Madrid have just drawn 0-0 with Granada, and move up to second in La Liga, though that’s a disappointing result against those strugglers.
Everton 0-1 Leicester
It’s rancorous at Everton, where the home team have gone close after a slow start, Richarlison missing a good chance. Anthony Gordon is to the fore for Everton, as he is always is.
Updated
Goal! Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal (Werner, 18)
It’s a deflection as Werner shoots, off Xhaka and into the goal. That’s loose from Arsenal considering how they had found themselves ahead. That was very very soft, but a typical Werner goal.
Updated
We’re underway at the Etihad, now can Brighton make it three in a row?
Goal! Chelsea 0-1 Arsenal (Nketiah, 13)
A horrible error from Andreas Christensen presents Eddie Nketiah the Arsenal striker with a clear chance to score and he shows he’s a good finisher, taking it well and with cool.Tha could be a big goal for Arsenal. Mikel Arteta looked pumped as he celebrated it.
Updated
Newcastle 0-0 Crystal Palace
It’s been all Newcastle, the home fans roaring on their heroes and Palace perhaps looking to shake out the Wembley weariness. Marc Guehi has been called into some last-ditch defensive work.
Updated
At the Bridge, it’s pretty even, with both sides on the attack and Lukaku going close for Chelsea against Arsenal.
Goal! Everton 0-1 Leicester (Barnes, 5)
Lax Everton defending and Harvey Barnes, back in the team, pokes home. Goodison is silent, the sound of groans may be imminent.
Updated
The word on Brighton’s Leandro Trossard, missing against Manchester City, is that he is ill, and Solly March has stepped in.
Everton 0-0 Leicester
Seamus Coleman has warded off an early scare in stopping Dewsbury-Hall surging through but he’s picked up a knock in doing so, but appears ok to continue.
Updated
And away we go in the 7.45pm kick-offs. What magic awaits?
The Newcastle skipper, Jamaal Lascelles, has praised Bruno Guimarães in the programme notes ahead of the match with Crystal Palace.
He really is just fearless. The confidence he has to receive the ball in any area of the pitch shows a lot of courage and then there’s his work ethic as well. I watched the second goal back on Sunday night and just to see where he ran from to get forward and score the winner shows an incredible amount of desire. He’s already been a huge player for us but he’s still only young, so it’s going to be interesting to see how far he can
No pressure, then.
Pep Guardiola spoke to the BBC about Ruben Dias and the challenge of Brighton, who he has given the classic blowing of smoke ahead of a match against a less well-heeled rival.
He is already on the bench and doing much better. It has been seven weeks out. But he is ready.
I expect the best of them. I always expect the best of any opponent. We especially expect the best from ourselves. I like almost everything. They have the courage to play, it doesn’t matter where, with their own personality and football.
Frank Lampard spoke to the BBC on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s absence, and it’s bad news on a player who hasn’t featured nearly enough this season.
Dominic felt a small sensation in his quad in training. We scanned it and it’s 10 days to two weeks, unfortunately, so we’ll miss him for these next couple of games, for sure. He’ll possibly be back for Chelsea.
Kevin de Bruyne is risen for City, and that’s a big deal, not least because Leandro Trossard, the Brighton match-winner at Tottenham, is absent. Ederson, Ilkay Gundogan, Ayermic Laporte, Rodri and Riyad Mahrez are all back for City and the word seems to be that Nathan Ake and Laporte will pair up as centre-backs. Further good news for City is the absence of Yves Bissouma, suspended after battering Tottenham’s midfield on Saturday.
Manchester City v Brighton teams
Manchester City: Ederson, Stones, Ake, Laporte, Cancelo, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Foden, Mahrez. Subs: Steffen, Dias, Sterling, Jesus, Grealish, Zinchenko, Fernandinho, Palmer, Lavia
Brighton: Sanchez, Lamptey, Cucurella, Dunk, Veltman, March, Gross, Mwepu, Mac Allister, Caicedo, Welbeck Subs: Steele, McGill, Webster, Maupay, Lallana, Leonard, Offiah, Ferguson, Sarmiento
The big news among those, aside from Romelu Lukaku starting for Chelsea, are seven changes for Leicester against Everton. Brendan Rodgers has gone for sweeping alterations from the team that lost to Newcastle. Wesley Fofana, Jonny Evans, Ricardo Pereira, and Timothy Castagne come into defence, while James Maddison, Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho line up in attack. No Dominic Calvert-Lewin for Everton, but Demarai Gray and Yerry Mina come in. To face Crystal Palace, Newcastle make no changes from the team that beat Leicester while Palace make four changes from Wembley, including the return of Conor Gallagher to the team.
Chelsea v Arsenal teams
Chelsea: Mendy, Alonso, Christensen, Kante, Lukaku, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, James, Azpilicueta, Sarr. Subs: Kepa, Jorgiho, Silva, Pulisic, Chalobah, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Havertz.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, White, Gabriel, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Holding, Tavares, Elneny, Nketiah, Xhaka. Subs: Leno, Lacazette, Soares, Pepe, Sambi Lokonga, Martinelli, Azeez, Swanson, Hutchinson
Newcastle v Crystal Palace teams
Newcastle: Dubravka; Krafth, Schar, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Shelvey, Joelinton; Almiron, Wood, Saint-Maximin. Subs: Darlow, Lascelles, Ritchie, Fernandez, Manquillo, Murphy, Willock, Gayle, Longstaff
Crystal Palace: Guaita; Clyne, Guehi, Andersen, Mitchell; Kouyate, Gallagher, Schlupp; Olise, Edouard, Zaha. Subs: Butland, Ward, Tomkins, Ayew, Eze, Hughes, Mateta, McArthur, Benteke
Everton v Leicester teams
Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Godfrey, Mina, Mykolenko, Allan, Delph, Iwobi, Gordon, Gray, Richarlison. Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Doucoure, Gomes, Van de Beek, Rondon, Alli
Leicester: Schmeichel, Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Castagne, Tielemans, Mendy, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison, Barnes, Iheanacho. Subs: Ward, Justin, Soyuncu, Albrighton, Perez, Amartey, Choudhury, Daka, Lookman.
Frank Lampard is playing the but seriously card heavily.
I saw a quote this week saying we’ve been let off the hook because this happened. I don’t see how. It doesn’t change anything. Burnley are a good team and Burnley are used to fighting to stay in the Premier League. That fact will remain the same.
Updated
So, just how patched-up are City? The teams will roll in soon enough.
Guardiola was without Kyle Walker, Kevin De Bruyne and Rúben Dias at Wembley. Walker’s ankle problem rules him out of Brighton’s visit for the league match on Wednesday but De Bruyne and Dias await fitness tests.
Dias has not played for seven weeks because of a hamstring injury but Guardiola is not concerned about putting the Portuguese defender back in. “He could [play 90 minutes],” he said.
“It depends on the game. Tomorrow’s game is so demanding. I haven’t decided on the lineup. I think maybe the last minutes for him but he could start, he could play. I have no doubts about Rúben. With Rúben, it is not a problem.
Updated
Preamble
Good evening, we are back back back for more, and it may well be a decisive night in just about all parts of the Premier League table.
Manchester City v Brighton (8pm UK time kick-off): Brighton were very good on Saturday at Spurs, to follow up beating Arsenal the previous week, and looked to pose a bigger threat to City than Liverpool did to Manchester United last night. City looked careworn in losing to Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final and the question is how patched up Pep Guardiola’s men might be? There’s no Erling Haaland to save them this season.
Everton v Leicester (7.45pm): Frank Lampard may just have been saved by the chaotic scenes at Burnley where Michael Jackson has replaced Sean Dyche....(I am not going there)...and there appears no immediate plan. So a win over Leicester, distracted by their Europa Conference League dreams, could steady some nerves ahead of the Merseyside derby this weekend. This has match a pleasing look of potential chaos about it.
Newcastle v Crystal Palace (7.45pm): Perhaps Palace’s season ended in that rather drab semi-final loss to Chelsea, but Newcastle have been fun to watch on the field of late, with Bruno Guimarães already hitting levels of Geordie South American folk hero of Nobby Solano levels. Safe, and with their priority to entertain the fans St James’ Park is a fun place to be for those fans who welcomed the takeover, which, let’s face it, was just about all of them.
Chelsea v Arsenal (7.45pm): This one is being covered by the excellent Rob Smyth elsewhere but we’ll keep tabs. They are split asunder in the table by Tottenham and both have wobbled of late but this appears make or break for Arsenal after three straight defeats chucked away their command of fourth place. Having made the FA Cup final and recovered from exiting the Champions League, Chelsea have less at stake but Thomas Tuchel is not one for letting up on his players, though his team did lose this fixture in May last year when the Champions League final had been reached. Chelsea won the previous fixture this season when Romelu Lukaku - remember him? - looked like the answer to Chelsea’s striking problems.
Plenty to play for, all the action here. Join me.
| Pos | Team | P | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 32 | 61 | 76 |
| 2 | Man City | 31 | 52 | 74 |
| 3 | Chelsea | 30 | 41 | 62 |
| 4 | Tottenham Hotspur | 32 | 18 | 57 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 31 | 8 | 54 |
| 6 | Man Utd | 33 | 4 | 54 |
| 7 | West Ham | 33 | 9 | 52 |
| 8 | Wolverhampton | 32 | 5 | 49 |
| 9 | Leicester | 30 | -4 | 40 |
| 10 | Brighton | 32 | -8 | 40 |
| 11 | Brentford | 33 | -8 | 39 |
| 12 | Southampton | 32 | -14 | 39 |
| 13 | Crystal Palace | 31 | 3 | 37 |
| 14 | Newcastle | 32 | -19 | 37 |
| 15 | Aston Villa | 31 | -4 | 36 |
| 16 | Leeds | 32 | -30 | 33 |
| 17 | Everton | 30 | -19 | 28 |
| 18 | Burnley | 31 | -19 | 25 |
| 19 | Watford | 32 | -32 | 22 |
| 20 | Norwich | 32 | -44 | 21 |
Updated
