Premier League news live updates: Today’s press conferences plus build-up to this weekend’s fixtures

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Premier League news live updates: Today’s press conferences plus build-up to this weekend’s fixtures
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Today's Man City team

Julian Alvarez continues up front in the absence of Erling Haaland.

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Today's Brighton team

Roberto De Zerbi rotates his goalkeeper again with Jason Steele coming in for a start against the reigning Premier League champions.

Breaking: Ashworth to take Newcastle to arbitration over Man Utd move

Breaking: Ashworth to take Newcastle to arbitration over Man Utd move

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Dan Ashworth is set to take Newcastle United to arbitration to help facilitate his move to Manchester United.

Ashworth, 53, was placed on gardening leave by Newcastle in February after informing the north east club he wished to explore the opportunity.

The Athletic reported before Newcastle’s decision that Ashworth had notified them of Manchester United’s approach to become sporting director at Old Trafford.

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Dan Ashworth to take Newcastle to arbitration over Manchester United move

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Dan Ashworth to take Newcastle to arbitration over Manchester United move

Breaking down Liverpool's horror show at Goodison

Breaking down Liverpool's horror show at Goodison

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Virgil van Dijk didn't hold back after Liverpool's defeat at Everton. But who was actually to blame?

Mark Carey analyses Liverpool's dire night at Goodison Park.

Virgil van Dijk accused Liverpool of not trying hard enough against Everton – was he right?

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Virgil van Dijk accused Liverpool of not trying hard enough against Everton – was he right?

How will Brighton deal with their injuries?

How will Brighton deal with their injuries?

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Our Brighton correspondent Andy Naylor has a stab at guessing their team tonight...

Palmer, James, Colwill involved in Chelsea training ahead of Villa trip

Palmer, James, Colwill involved in Chelsea training

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Chelsea have been given a boost after Cole Palmer, Reece James and Levi Colwill took part in team training today.

Palmer was always expected to be back in the squad sooner or later having missed the 5-0 loss to Arsenal on Tuesday night through illness. But the sight of Chelsea's top scorer being back on the pitch so soon raises hopes that he will be fine to face Aston Villa on Saturday.

James and Colwill have been out for four months and nearly eight weeks respectively. James had to have surgery on a long-term hamstring problem, while Colwill suffered a toe problem.

The Athletic reported last week that Colwill was hoping to return for either the Arsenal or Villa fixture. Meanwhile, James revealed on social media recently that he expected to come back soon.

Chelsea still have a chance of qualifying for Europe via a top-seven finish in the Premier League with six games to go. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will feel their chances of doing so will improve if the trio are available for selection after their return to partial team training.

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Reminder: Haaland out of Brighton game, Foden fit

Reminder: Haaland out of Brighton game, Foden fit

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Yesterday, Erling Haaland was ruled out of Manchester City’s Premier League game at Brighton & Hove Albion.

City boss Pep Guardiola did confirm, though, that Phil Foden and John Stones are fit for today's trip to the Amex Stadium.

Haaland missed City’s last match — Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final win over Chelsea — with an injury, while John Stones was taken off at half-time. Sky Sports reported that Foden was not pictured in City’s opening training on Tuesday. Read more below

Erling Haaland out of Brighton game with injury, Phil Foden fit – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

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Erling Haaland out of Brighton game with injury, Phil Foden fit – Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola

Chelsea's Fernandez to have season-ending surgery, facing race to be fit for Copa America

Chelsea's Fernandez to have season-ending surgery, facing race to be fit for Copa America

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Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez is expected to undergo groin surgery which will mean he misses their remaining fixtures this season.

The 23-year-old missed Chelsea’s 6-0 victory over Everton on April 15 but returned to start in their FA Cup semi-final loss against Manchester City five days later, as well as Tuesday’s 5-0 defeat at Arsenal where he was taken off after 67 minutes.

Argentina international Fernandez now faces a battle to be fit in time for this summer's Copa America which begins on June 20. Argentina will play Ecuador on June 9 and Guatemala five days later in the United States as warm-up matches ahead of the tournament.

More analysis below

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Toney making progress in recovery from hip injury

Brentford forward Ivan Toney took part in and scored in a small-sided game in training on Thursday as he steps up his recovery from a hip injury.

Toney experienced discomfort during the warm-up before Brentford’s 0-0 draw with Brighton & Hove Albion on April 3 but played the full 90 minutes. He was named on the bench for their 3-3 draw with Aston Villa three days later and only came on for the final 10 minutes. The 28-year-old was an unused substitute in a 2-0 victory over Sheffield United on April 13 and was dropped from the squad for their 5-1 win against Luton Town last Saturday. Head coach Thomas Frank said Toney would have played at Kenilworth Road “if it was a cup final.”

He has scored four goals in 13 appearances this season since returning from an eight-month suspension for breaching betting rules and is hoping to be named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s European Championship in Germany. Brentford face Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday evening and Toney could make a return.

(He is) progressing,” Frank said. “I’ve got to hope he is available for Saturday. There is still one more training (session), so let’s see.

“Ivan just loves to play football. He wants to play and get out there. Every game he is missing he hates that. All footballers have that same feeling and then of course there is a Euros coming up which is important. But he is aware it’s important to be fit to perform so there’s plenty of games.”

Frank also provided an update on full-back Aaron Hickey. The 21-year-old is recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in November in training, which required surgery, and is not expected to feature in the final four games of the season. Frank added Hickey’s chances of representing Scotland at the Euros are “not fantastic.”

Brentford’s Ivan Toney making progress in recovery from hip injury, Thomas Frank hopeful of return vs Everton

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Brentford’s Ivan Toney making progress in recovery from hip injury, Thomas Frank hopeful of return vs Everton

Dyche warns Everton not to assume Liverpool win guarantees safety

Everton Sean Dyche

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Everton manager Sean Dyche has warned his players against assuming they are safe from relegation after Wednesday night's 2-0 win over Liverpool.

Goals from Jarrard Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were enough to seal Everton's first Merseyside derby win at Goodison Park for 14 years.

The win takes Dyche's side eight points clear of the relegation zone with four games remaining in the season.

Asked whether the win all-but guarantees Everton's safety, Dyche said: “That’s the challenge. It’s why I nipped it in the bud last night. We have to go and do it again. I praised the players and then said ‘right, let’s go and perform again'.

“There certainly shouldn’t be (a feeling of safety). We’ve taken big steps but there’s more to come. We can control the situation ourselves, even with the points deductions, which we’ve always aimed to do."

The Toffees are edging clear of the drop zone despite twice being docked points for separate breaches of the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules (PSR).

Everton's appeal against their most recent two-point deduction will be heard next month and Dyche says he is "proud" of how his players have remained focussed on the quest of survival.

"We’re sticking to the task, whatever comes at us. I’m certainly proud of that because we’ve had some ups and downs ourselves," he said.

"The challenge has been from the outside with the points (deductions). I don’t think that’s helpful and I’m sure most people agree with that."

Everton are next in action against Brentford on Saturday.

Everton 2 Liverpool 0: Klopp’s first-ever Goodison defeat all but ends title dream – The Briefing

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Everton 2 Liverpool 0: Klopp’s first-ever Goodison defeat all but ends title dream – The Briefing

Man Utd keen to ‘strengthen academy to first team pathway’ after landmark Wheatley debut

Man Utd keen to ‘strengthen academy to first team pathway’ after landmark Wheatley debut

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Erik ten Hag believes it his “responsibility to build on the legacy” of Manchester United’s youth graduates after Ethan Wheatley’s first-team debut.

Wheatley, 18, became the 250th United academy graduate to make his first-team debut for the club after coming off the bench in Wednesday night’s 4-2 home victory over Sheffield United.

The striker has been a regular in the United Under-21 and Under-18 sides this season and recently scored a hat-trick in the latter’s 9-1 victory over Liverpool Under-18s earlier this month.

Harry Amass, 17, and 18-year-olds Habeeb Ogunneye and Louis Jackson have also been named in United's recent matchday squads after impressing in youth teams.

United have historically had a stream of academy graduates in their first-team squad with their European Cup successes in 1968, 1999 and 2008 all having multiple players formed at the club enjoying success.

Current first-team players Marcus Rashford, Kobbie Mainoo, Scott McTominay, Jonny Evans, Tom Heaton and Omari Forson are among those who progressed through United's youth system.

Manchester United keen to ‘strengthen academy to first team pathway’ after landmark Ethan Wheatley debut

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Manchester United keen to ‘strengthen academy to first team pathway’ after landmark Ethan Wheatley debut

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Xavi explains decision to stay as Barcelona head coach

Xavi Barcelona

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Xavi says his job at Barcelona is “unfinished” after it was confirmed that he would remain as head coach following the reversal of his initial decision to leave the club.

It was confirmed on Wednesday that the 44-year-old would remain as Barca’s head coach following discussions with sporting director Deco, who later accompanied Xavi in an emergency meeting with Joan Laporta at the club president’s personal residence.

Laporta announced the decision at a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

Full story below

Xavi explains decision to stay as Barcelona head coach: ‘This is an unfinished project’

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Xavi explains decision to stay as Barcelona head coach: ‘This is an unfinished project’

Xavi’s Barca U-turn – the dramatic story behind his decision to stay

Xavi’s Barca U-turn – the dramatic story behind his decision to stay

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Xavi will remain as Barcelona’s head coach after reversing his decision to leave the club this summer.

His change of heart follows discussions with Barcelona sporting director Deco, who later accompanied Xavi in an emergency meeting with Joan Laporta at the club president’s personal residence on Wednesday evening.

The official confirmation of his intention to take charge next season came at a press conference this afternoon.

Xavi said in January after a 5-3 defeat at home to Villarreal that he would exit his position at the end of the campaign and repeatedly denied suggestions he could be persuaded to stay on but has now changed his mind.

Here are Pol Ballus and Laia Cervelló Herrero with the inside story of a huge U-turn.

Xavi’s Barcelona U-turn – the dramatic story behind his decision to stay

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Xavi’s Barcelona U-turn – the dramatic story behind his decision to stay

Van Dijk says Slot's 'philosophy' could suit Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk says Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot’s footballing “philosophy” makes him an appropriate candidate to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor at Liverpool.

The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Liverpool have had an opening bid for Slot rejected after making the Dutchman their preferred choice to replace Klopp — who will step down at the end of the season after nine years at the helm.

An opening offer of €9million (£7.7m, $9.6m) was knocked back, with Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football Michael Edwards and new sporting director Richard Hughes leading the negotiations with Feyenoord CEO Dennis te Kloese.

Van Dijk was asked about reports linking his fellow countryman with the top job after Liverpool's 2-0 defeat to Everton on Wednesday evening.

"I find it hard to answer of course, but I think Arne Slot is perhaps one of the better Dutch coaches at this moment," Van Dijk told European streaming platform, Viaplay.

He added: "I think the way of playing and the philosophy he has, that he could be a Liverpool coach.

"Only I think from what I read and hear is that it's still far from being completed. We shall see."

Arne Slot’s ‘philosophy’ could suit Liverpool – Virgil van Dijk

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Arne Slot’s ‘philosophy’ could suit Liverpool – Virgil van Dijk

'Bit of hope' over James injury but likely to miss Leeds vs Southampton

'Bit of hope' over James injury but likely to miss Leeds vs Southampton

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Dan James is likely to miss Leeds United's Championship finale with Southampton next weekend with injury.

The Wales international, who has 13 goals and seven assists in the league this season, sustained an abdominal muscle and damage to cartilage near his ribs during the win over Middlesbrough on Monday.

He will miss Friday's game with QPR and while Daniel Farke says there is a "bit of hope" he could feature in the final round of the season, given the usual recovery time associated with this type of issue it is more realistic he will be absent.

Farke revealed that the majority of James' team-mates have all come through the rest of the week unscathed with the only concern being over Patrick Bamford who picked up some bruising on his knee.

Leeds are currently second in the table behind leaders Leicester City with two games of the season remaining.

Ipswich Town sit one point behind the automatic promotion places having played one game fewer.

Ancelotti commends Xavi after decision to remain at Barcelona

Ancelotti commends Xavi after decision to remain at Barcelona

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Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti believes Xavi "has done a good job" at Barcelona.

It was announced on Wednesday that Xavi will remain as Barcelona’s head coach on a contract that runs until the end of June 2025 after reversing his decision to leave the club this summer.

His change of heart came after discussions with Barcelona sporting director Deco, who later joined Xavi in an emergency meeting with Joan Laporta at the club president’s personal residence on Wednesday evening.

Barcelona exited the Champions League quarter-finals to Paris Saint-Germain and are 11 points behind Madrid in La Liga, who are first. Ancelotti, however, praised Xavi for the job he is doing.

He said: "He has done a good job at Barça, he knows the club well, I think it's the right decision."

Jude Bellingham, meanwhile, is out for his side's La Liga clash at Real Sociedad on Friday, while Ferland Mendy will not travel in the hope of being available for Madrid's Champions League semi-final first-leg against Bayern Munich.

Xavi to stay on as Barcelona head coach after talks with Joan Laporta

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Xavi to stay on as Barcelona head coach after talks with Joan Laporta

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Bournemouth confirm pre-season tour of U.S.

Bournemouth have confirmed they will spend pre-season in the United States this summer.

The Premier League club have announced they will head to Los Angeles, California with the playing squad, including USMNT captain Tyler Adams, to be based at the training facilities of MLS team LA Galaxy.

They also toured the U.S. back in 2016.

The two-week trip will see the club play their first two friendlies of pre-season and will also take in a visit to Santa Barbara.

Bournemouth confirm pre-season tour of United States

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Bournemouth confirm pre-season tour of United States

Manchester United 4 Sheffield United 2: Vital Fernandes, more errors and a low block

Manchester United 4 Sheffield United 2: Vital Fernandes, more errors and a low block

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Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United delivered another chaotic but ultimately victorious performance, beating the Premier League’s bottom team Sheffield United 4-2 at Old Trafford.

Twice United trailed against Chris Wilder's side with Jayden Bogle and Ben Brereton Diaz both on target for the visitors but Bruno Fernandes helped avert another damaging result.

Here, The Athletic’s Mark Critchley examines the main talking points.

Manchester United 4 Sheffield United 2: Vital Fernandes, more errors and a low block – The Briefing

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Manchester United 4 Sheffield United 2: Vital Fernandes, more errors and a low block – The Briefing

Leeds assistant manager suspended for one match

Leeds assistant manager suspended for one match

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Leeds United’s assistant manager Christopher John has been suspended for one game following misconduct in their Championship match against Blackburn Rovers in April.

John was shown a red card after engaging in a brief confrontation with Blackburn staff members and expressing his displeasure to fourth official Keith Stroud. His frustration appeared to stem from Patrick Bamford being denied a penalty after he fell inside the box.

John has also been fined £2,000 for the incident.

In a statement, the FA said that John "admitted that his behaviour was improper during the 97th minute," and "an independent Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a subsequent hearing".

It means John will sit out of Leeds' Championship clash at Queens Park Rangers on Friday evening.

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