Premier League news live updates: Latest reaction plus build-up to European fixtures

Good morning and welcome back to our live blog.

Chelsea were in fine form last night, putting six past Everton at Stamford Bridge.

We will bring you all the fallout from an action-packed few days, and look ahead to the midweek European action!

Stay tuned with us and don't miss a beat.

Chelsea took on Everton at Stamford Bridge on Monday evening buoyed by the sensational form of Cole Palmer, who came into the game having been involved in 25 goals in his last 22 games.

And it didn’t take the 21-year-old long to get stuck into Sean Dyche’s struggling side, scoring only the 30th first half hat-trick in Premier League history, and a perfect one at that.

At the break it was 4-0, after Nicolas Jackson had capped off a humiliating half for the visitors.

As is often the way in matches when one team takes a big lead early on, there were fewer goals in the second half, although Chelsea did at least make it 5-0 from the spot. Palmer scored it, but only after an argument between a number of the home side’s players over who was going to take it. Alfie Gilchrist’s first-ever Chelsea goal to make it 6-0 was a much more wholesome affair.

The thumping win leaves Chelsea only three points behind sixth-placed Newcastle United and with a game in hand too.

Here, we break down some of the main talking points from the game.

Chelsea have made it six and it is a memorable moment for Alfie Gilchrist.

The 20-year-old defender gets on the end of a Ben Chilwell cross and volleys home for his first for the club.

What a moment!

Chelsea 6-0 Everton

Chelsea are 5-0 up.

Cole Palmer is fouled by Abdoulaye Doucoure in the penalty area.

After a squabble over who will take the penalty, Palmer eventually places the ball on the spot and fires it past Jordan Pickford.

Palmer's fourth of the night. Chelsea's fifth.

Chelsea 5-0 Everton.

Chelsea are running riot here.

Marc Cucurella crosses from the left wing.

Nicolas Jackson expertly controls the ball with his left foot and hits a volley past Jordan Pickford with his right.

A fine goal.

Chelsea 4-0 Everton.

...and it's three!

Running out of superlatives for this man.

Jordan Pickford plays a misplaced pass which is intercepted by Palmer who punishes the Everton goalkeeper by chipping him from distance with his weaker right foot.

A hat-trick in 16 minutes and five seconds.

Wow.

Chelsea 3-0 Everton.

It's him again!

He barely gave me enough time to finish my last update, but he has scored again.

Mykailo Mudryk drives down the left wing and cuts the ball back to Nicolas Jackson.

The Senegalese forward's shot is saved but the man of the moment Cole Palmer, is there to head home the rebound.

Chelsea 2-0 Everton.

Chelsea are 1-0 up and it's ANOTHER goal from that man, Cole Palmer.

After nutmegging Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, the midfielder plays a one-two with Nicolas Jackson before curling a fine effort into the corner past Jordan Pickford.

Chelsea 1-0 Everton.

Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins admits he is enjoying "proving doubters wrong" after continuing his scoring streak by netting in Sunday's Premier League victory at Arsenal.

Watkins, 28, scored Villa's second in their two-goal victory in north London, bringing his tally to 26 this campaign — 19 of which have come in the Premier League.

“I put TalkSPORT on on the way to training the other day and heard Simon Jordan saying that he’s not worried about me or Aston Villa causing Arsenal problems," Watkins said after the win at Arsenal. "It is nice to prove doubters wrong. Nice for him to eat his own words, really.”

The victory moved Villa three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have a game in hand, in the Premier League standings as they remain on course to qualify for next season's Champions League.

“We’ve worked so hard here we can’t now next weekend just throw it all away," Watkins said of the race for a top-four finish. "We need to keep building from this, keep going and proving people wrong and show them we can get in to the Champions League.”

Watkins is now just one goal behind Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in the Premier League's Golden Boot race. “I want to score every game and I want to win it. I’ve got my eyes set on it.”

Villa return to action on Thursday night with the second leg of their Europa Conference League quarter-final tie against Lille, before returning to league action on April 21 as they host Bournemouth.

Scotland’s Lewis Ferguson looks set to miss out on a place at the European Championship after suffering damage to the cruciate ligament in his right knee.

The Bologna captain is due to have surgery on the injury, after which, his club say, a timeline on his recovery will be given.

Ferguson has been a crucial player for Bologna since joining from Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen in the summer of 2022. This season, the 24-year-old has contributed six goals and four assists as Bologna have stunned Serie A. Thiago Motta’s side are on track to finish fourth and qualify for the Champions League next season, sitting five points ahead of fifth-placed Roma with six matches remaining.

“Devastated with today’s news but that’s life,” Ferguson posted on social media. “I will do everything to come back better and stronger than before. Thank you all for the support. See you soon.”

Ferguson has 12 senior caps for Scotland, who will face hosts Germany, Switzerland and Hungary in their Euros group.

Barcelona are in talks over a contract extension for their exciting young centre-back Pau Cubarsi.

The 17-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer of 2026, but Barca plan to improve it and grant him first-team status as soon as possible.

The defender is still on an academy contract that includes a €10million release clause (£8.5m; $10.6m at current rates) — a standard figure among La Masia talents. Barcelona plan to raise this to €1billion — as they also did with 16-year-old forward Lamine Yamal’s new three-year contract in October.

The Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF) says it will review its supporter code of conduct after a “disgraceful” incident where a fan appeared to whip Al Ittihad striker Abderrazak Hamdallah.

Footage shows Hamdallah throwing water over the fan, who then appears to strike the 33-year-old with a whip.

The incident happened following Al Ittihad’s 4-1 Saudi Super Cup final loss against Al Hilal on Thursday, which took place at the Mohammed Bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Pedri insists he is "very happy" at Barcelona and believes his side will need to "eat" Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.

The Spain international recently recovered from a thigh injury and was a second half substitute in last week's first leg in Paris, providing the assist for Raphinha's second goal. Pedri, 21, was also a substitute in Barcelona's weekend victory at Cadiz.

In terms of his future at Barcelona, Pedri said on Monday: "In that regard, I am very calm. I’m delighted at the club and I know Barca will keep their word in what we spoke to, so I am very happy to stay at the club of my dreams."

Speaking of Tuesday's second leg in Barcelona, Pedri added: "Everyone loves to talk about who is favourite and who is not. But we need to stay prudent because PSG will come over here full of desire to win. They are going to try to turn the tie around, and that’s why we must go out to the pitch and try to eat them."

Barcelona head coach Xavi believes his side's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday will be a "football war".

Xavi's side lead 3-2 from last week's first leg in Paris as they aim to reach their first semi-final of the competition since 2019, when they lost to Liverpool.

When asked how his side would approach the match, Xavi responded: "What we want is to take the ball away from PSG and then go to attack. As I said, it will be a massive football war."

Xavi added the first leg victory was key in giving the team self-belief at competing against Europe's best sides: "We are a goal ahead and that’s great, but for me the most important thing is that we found confirmation that we are ready to compete against one of the best teams in the world. That was very important for us as a club."

Barcelona's home advantage is in Monjuic, with a significantly smaller capacity than their Camp Nou home. Xavi said of the impact of playing in a different stadium: "There are differences, of course. We can’t deny it, it’s not the same. But I am sure the fans will help us and will create a great atmosphere for us."