Key events
Elsewhere yesterday, Sunderland held Manchester United to a 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light.
Arne Slot’s decision to bring off Rio Ngumoha for Alexander Isak against Chelsea was not well-received by fans, but the head coach insisted that he only did it because the 17-year-old winger had been suffering from cramp.
He explained: “Rio had cramps before then when he went to the floor. Then I had contact with him and he said that was enough, that’s why I took him off. It makes complete sense [the boos] if you take off a player who is playing well and had assisted. It wasn’t my intention to take him off but he is not at the level yet where he can play at 50/60% and make a difference. He wasn’t fit enough to sprint.
“I knew the moment his number went up that would be the reaction but that is not the reason. After the game, I think it [the boos] also makes sense because this club should not be happy with a 1-1 against Chelsea. We always aim for a win and if we don’t win we are disappointed, especially in a season when we have not won as much as people expect. It is frustration building up and that came out probably after half-time. The players and myself feel the same way.”
Arne Slot said he understood the boos that greeted Liverpool’s draw with Chelsea and his decision to substitute Rio Ngumoha but remains “100% convinced” he can win back the Anfield crowd next season.
Ryan Gravenberch, who opened the scoring with his first league goal of 2026, claimed the criticism – some of which was aired during the first half – was unfair. “OK, we didn’t win, but I don’t really think we deserved this,” said Gravenberch of the fans’ reaction. “We need them. Hopefully they wouldn’t do it again in the next two games.”
Slot accepted the criticism after another disappointing result but was adamant he could regain the trust of Liverpool supporters with a new-look team next season. The head coach, asked whether he believed he can get the match-going fans back onside, replied: “Yes I do. Not this season, this season the fans will have their opinion and it will not change. But if we can have the summer that we are planning then I am 100% convinced we will be a different team next season. Different in terms of results and different in how things look. For me, it is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying [to fix it].”
Enzo Fernández snatched a point for Chelsea against Liverpool yesterday with a 35th-minute equaliser following an early strike from Ryan Gravenberch. The result left the Blues ninth and Liverpool fourth in the table.
Here is how the Premier League table looks ahead of today’s fixtures…
Mikel Arteta has urged his Arsenal players to build on their Champions League semi-final win against Atlético Madrid and channel energy in right way ahead of the final three Premier League games of the season – starting against West Ham.
The manager said: “I think we’re in a really good moment. You could sense the energy the night after the game. I see every single day, here, I know how much we want it, and those are elements that are very, very positive. I think we have to channel that energy in the right way – it’s very, very powerful. They [the players] feel confident. They are convinced, and they are really looking forward to playing on Sunday. That’s probably the best part of it.”
Pep Guardiola ended his press conference with four words yesterday: “Come on you Irons.”
Arsenal cannot be caught in the title race if they win their last three matches, starting at the London Stadium this afternoon. Conscious of this, City manager Guardiola crossed his arms to mimic the hammers on the West Ham badge before saying the phrase.
Manchester City cruised past Brentford yesterday to pile the pressure on Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table. City now sit two points below the league leaders.
Today’s Premier League fixtures
Preamble
Hello, good morning and welcome to another Matchday live! It’s a big day in the Premier League, with one match in particular set to have major repercussions at both ends of the table.
Relegation-threatened West Ham take on title-chasing Arsenal this afternoon, with both teams in need of a win. Anything less than three points for the Hammers could all but seal their fate, with Tottenham one point clear ahead of their meeting with Leeds United tomorrow. As for Arsenal, a victory would maintain their advantage over Manchester City with two games remaining.
Elsewhere, Nottingham Forest host Newcastle, Crystal Palace take on Everton and Burnley face Aston Villa.
It is also a big day in the Scottish Premiership as Celtic take on old rivals Rangers, with both teams looking to catch league leaders Hearts.
And in La Liga, Barcelona could seal the league title in the perfect way – with a win against rivals Real Madrid.
We’ll be looking ahead at all that and more, so join us!
