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Eddie Howe has been up before the media, talking of the importance of Newcastle being in control of their Champions League destiny but wary of how quickly things can turn around.
Howe, whose Newcastle side visit Brighton on Sunday, said: “We want to be in control of our destiny but we’re very aware it can change in one round of games –we’ve been really consistent with our training but we don’t want it to tail off right at the end
It’s always a tough game against Brighton [who’ve beaten Newcastle twice this season], the two games were tight and could have gone either way. Brighton are a very good team – there’s a good atmosphere for them there but it’s a lovely pitch for away teams too – certainly we’re going to have to play at our very best because they have become a harder team to beat.”
The Toon manager also added that Joelinton is unlikely to play again this season due to ongoing knee trouble. He’s seen a specialist who’s advised some rest and he’s currently back in Brazil, providing an opportunity for Joe Willock to step up. “I still have a lot of faith in Joe – he does a lot of his best work on the left, as Joelinton does, he’s got goalscoring instincts, is a good ball carrier and very athletic. He probably needs a god run of games to be at his very best.”
It’s Friday morning, so time for 10 Premier League things to jabber about this weekend. Are you off to a game this weekend? Tell us more about your expectations, plans and rail replacement buses.
Arne Slot has admitted he will rotate his squad a little for Liverpool’s four remaining league games now the Premier League trophy is safely in the bag “We are going to these four games trying to win them all and that’s what every player who wears the Liverpool shirt should aim for. My lineups will be different – we’re not going to change everyone but there will be a certain rotation in the upcoming games. I think some of the players deserved to play earlier in the season but they are good enough to play for this club. Earlier in the season I mainly chose the same people but this is a moment to see where others are but definitely also becauase they deserved to play this season.”
Harvey Elliott, who has spoken of his desire to stay at Anfield, is one such. “I think it’s very important that players who are here want to stay – that’s a big compliment. Harvey is one of the players who’s not had as much playing time as he deserves, partly because he was injured for a long time and when he first came back he wasn’t quite the player he had been but that level has gone up now and I like hiim more now than when he came back from injury. [Players like Elliott] don’t have anything to prove because I see them every day on the trianing ground but I think they want to prove it to themselves
The Liverpool manager had praise for Sunday’s opponents, Chelsea. “We played Chelsea early in the season and I’m, competely surprised at the gap between us now because at that moment in time they were the better team on the pitch but we found a way to win. To be so many points ahead of them is a big compliment.”
And finally he batted away questions about Trent Alexander-Arnold, chuckling.
Let’s have a scroll through some of last night’s pieces. Nick Ames, fresh from his Scandinavian jaunt to tell us more about Bodø/Glimt, sees reasons to be cheerful for the Norwegian side. They’re more than handy at home, too.
Then came another of the moments that will be sung about among companions for years. How appropriate that it was a deflected strike by Ulrik Saltnes, who joined Bodø/Glimt when they were fighting for survival almost a decade and a half ago, that prised open the door. On the touchline, Knutsen and his support staff erupted. In the far corner, 3,000 fans who had undertaken that long, long journey could finally lose their minds. Tottenham remain well placed to adopt the role of playground bully next Thursday but may yet be the latest to learn that, even against the bigger boys, friends can work sporting miracles.
Sid Lowe and Jamie Jackson were at San Mamés to assess a result they probably weren’t quite expecting:
And Jacob Steinberg was in Sweden to see Chelsea dominate on Djurgarden’s big Conference League night:
Preamble
Morning everyone, here to guide you through reflections on, buildup to and news about a breathless, nerve-shredding few days of football.
Last night threw up less drama than the previous two but it pushed Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham further towards European glory, and the anomalous situation whereby two from three of the most discontented fanbases in the Premier League are going to end up celebrating a trophy this season, whereas those who’ve had a lot of fun – at Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa, Bournemouth etc – will end it potless. But other than the shock of Manchester United putting in a dominant display in a big game, that the Europa League final will probably be contested by comfortably the richest clubs in it comes as no real surprise.
All of which means the Premier League is likely to have a frankly ridiculous six English teams in the Champions League next season, though Forest are less likely to be one of them after their deflating defeat by Brentford.
And a busy domestic weekend kicks off tonight with Manchester City looking to strengthen their Champions League qualification hopes when they host a Wolves side feeling all nice and safe following their charge away from the drop zone. Aston Villa (at home to Fulham tomorrow), Newcastle (at Brighton on Sunday), Chelsea (hosting Liverpool later that afternoon) and Nottingham Forest (at Palace on Monday) will want plenty to say about that though.
Elsewhere, we’ve got scrambles for Championship playoff spots and against relegation slots, a tussle for sixth in League One and two automatic slots and four playoff places still to be sorted in League Two. Whether your team’s on the beach or poised to put your nerves through the wringer, we’ll have previews and news through the day. Stick around.
