December 25, 2024

Leicester v West Ham, Leeds v Spurs and more

Leeds #Leeds

GOAL! Brentford 1-0 Manchester City (Pinnock 85)

Ethan Pinnock sends the BC Stadium wild, poking home to give the home side the lead against the champions.

That second goal for Harry Kane at Elland Road takes him to 30 for the season – he’s only the second player to reach that landmark in a Premier League season more than once. Alan Shearer (who did it three times) is the other.

GOAL! Leicester 2-1 West Ham (Fornals 79)

Fornals slots home at the near post just to add to Leicester’s concerns.

Pablo Fornals pulls a goal back for West Ham. Photograph: Darren Staples/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 13.17 EDT

GOAL! Arsenal 5-0 Wolves (Kiwior 78)

After a bit of head tennis in the Wolves box, Kiwior fires home to make it five.

Jakub Kiwior makes it five for Arsenal! Photograph: Kin Cheung/AP

Updated at 13.15 EDT

A fairly lengthy stoppage at Goodison as Jordan Pickford goes down with a hand injury. Could mean the full-time whistle blowing there a little later than elsewhere.

GOAL! Southampton 4-4 Liverpool (Jota 73)

Gakpo taps home to make it 4-3 – a beautifully constructed goal – and Jota has equalised a minute later!

Diogo Jota equalises for Liverpool. What a game at St Mary’s. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Updated at 13.13 EDT

GOAL! Southampton 4-3 Liverpool (Gakpo 72)

Crikey. And there’s more …

Cody Gakpo scores for Liverpool! Photograph: John Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Images

Updated at 13.12 EDT

GOAL! Leeds 1-3 Tottenham (Kane 69)

Well, any semblance of joy at Elland Road disappeared pretty quickly. Leeds leave themselves horribly open at the back and Kane has all the time in the world to pick his spot.

Harry Kane scores for Spurs. Leeds are surely down. Photograph: Gareth Copley/Getty Images

Updated at 13.08 EDT

GOAL! Leeds 1-2 Tottenham (Harrison 67)

Jack Harrison works himself a yard of space on the right edge of the Spurs box and fires across goal to get Leeds back in it. Too little, too late, though.

Jack Harrison pulls one back for Leeds. Photograph: Oli Scarff/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 13.07 EDT

GOAL! Crystal Palace 1-1 Nottm Forest (Hughes 66)

A rare goal for Will Hughes at Selhurst: he flicks home Olise’s cross to put Palace level.

Will Hughes equalises for Palace. Photograph: Tom Dulat/Getty Images

Updated at 13.06 EDT

GOAL! Southampton 4-2 Liverpool (Armstrong 64)

The sleeper hit of the day has come at St Mary’s: Henderson’s loose pass allows Adam Armstrong to scoot forward and make it four for Southampton.

Adam Armstrong scores a fourth goal past Liverpool’s Caoimhin Kelleher. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

Updated at 13.05 EDT

GOAL! Leicester 2-0 West Ham (Faes 62)

Tielemans swings in a free-kick, Faes rises highest to head home. But it’ll all be for naught if Bournemouth cannot find an equaliser at Goodison.

Wout Faes scores for Leicester. But will it be enough? Photograph: Craig Brough/Action Images/Reuters

Updated at 13.03 EDT

GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 Wolves (Jesus 58)

Arsenal really are finishing the season in style, Jesus nodding home at the far post.

Gabriel Jesus adds a fourth goal for The Gunners. Photograph: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC/Getty Images

Updated at 12.58 EDT

Goodison has come apart at the seams in reaction to that goal. What a moment. Here’s the goal for those in the UK:

GOAL! Everton 1-0 Bournemouth (Doucouré 57)

What. A. Strike. Doucouré thrashes in from the edge of the area. Read all about it here:

That means Leicester are heading for the drop AS IT STANDS:

Leeds are trying their best to go down with a fight but are struggling to make an impact. There’s little argument they’ve been one of the three worst teams in the league this season, since the World Cup certainly.

GOAL! Manchester Utd 2-1 Fulham (Fernandes 55)

A pass of the season contender from Fred puts Bruno Fernandes through and he slots home to give United the lead.

Bruno Fernandes puts United ahead against Fulham. Photograph: Matthew Peters/Manchester United/Getty Images

Updated at 12.48 EDT

Demarai Gray has just missed a wonderful opportunity to put Everton ahead at Goodison but his close-range header is straight at the Bournemouth keeper. One goal changes everything.

GOAL! Leeds 0-2 Tottenham (Porro 47)

It’s all over for Leeds and Sam Allardyce surely. Kane does wonderfully to beat Cooper in midfield then slips the ball through to Pedro Porro, who crashes the ball home.

Pedro Porro scores for Tottenham. Leeds look doomed. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters

Updated at 12.44 EDT

GOAL! Southampton 3-2 Liverpool (Sulemana 48)

The bottom club have come from 2-0 down to lead at St Mary’s! And it’s a terrific goal, Sulemana bursting from his own half and curling home in style.

Kamaldeen Sulemana scores again for Southampton. They lead Liverpool 3-2. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

Updated at 12.42 EDT

Off we go again then: 45 minutes for Everton, Leicester and Leeds to save themselves if they can.

Half-time scores

Arsenal 3-0 WolvesAston Villa 2-1 BrightonBrentford 0-0 Man CityChelsea 1-1 NewcastleCrystal Palace 0-1 Nottingham ForestEverton 0-0 BournemouthLeeds 0-1 TottenhamLeicester 1-0 West HamMan Utd 1-1 FulhamSouthampton 2-2 Liverpool

As it stands at the bottom …

Updated at 12.22 EDT

Half-time: Everton 0-0 Bournemouth

A big second half required at Goodison.

Half-time: Leeds 0-1 Tottenham

Leeds have been pushing as the break approached but they need a miracle in the second half.

Half-time: Leicester 1-0 West Ham

Well, the Foxes are doing their job at home. They need Bournemouth to continue doing them a favour though.

You can see, everyone’s favourite, the as-it-stands table right here, Manchester United in third, Newcastle fourth, Villa heading into Europe, Everton heading down …

GOAL! Manchester United 1-1 Fulham (Sancho 39)

Jadon Sancho turns home from close range after fine work from Fernandes and Fred.

Jadon Sancho levels things for Man United. Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Action Images/Reuters

Updated at 12.22 EDT

GOAL! Aston Villa 2-1 Brighton (Undav 38)

After a VAR check Brighton are back in it, Undav poking in Enciso’s smart cross.

Deniz Undav pulls one back for The Seagulls. Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Getty Images

Updated at 12.18 EDT

And breathe. Bournemouth have just missed a decent chance at Goodison, while Harry Kane was one decent touch away from being clean through at Elland Road.

GOAL! Leicester 1-0 West Ham (Barnes 34)

A huge goal for Leicester. Harvey Barnes shows his quality at the King Power, a smooth exchange of passes with Iheanacho and a calm-as-you-like finish past Fabianski. So AS IT STANDS Everton are going down alongside Leeds.

Massive goal for Leicester as Harvey Barnes scores! Photograph: Molly Darlington/Reuters

Updated at 12.10 EDT

GOAL! Crystal Palace 0-1 Nottingham Forest (Awoniyi 31)

Taiwo Awoniyi has put Forest ahead, doing superbly after being put through but there’s been another huge goal in the bottom three …

Taiwo Awoniyi puts the Tricky Trees in front against Palace. Photograph: Rob Newell/CameraSport/Getty Images

Updated at 12.15 EDT

GOAL! Chelsea 1-1 Newcastle (Trippier 27og)

Chelsea are back on level terms at the Bridge, with Trippier inadvertently turning home from close range after a quick free kick.

Chelsea are level. Photograph: Justin Tallis/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 12.22 EDT

GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 Wolves (Saka 27)

The Gunners look set to end the season on a high. Bukayo Saka has made it three inside half an hour.

Bukayo Saka makes it three for Arsenal. A stroll in the sunshine. Photograph: Kin Cheung/AP

Updated at 12.14 EDT

GOAL! Southampton 2-2 Liverpool (Sulemana 28)

Hello all. It’s been a frenetic start to proceedings today, with goals going in all over the place. Another one has gone in at St Mary’s where Kamaldeen Sulemana has equalised against Liverpool.

Kamaldeen Sulemana celebrates the equaliser for Southampton. Photograph: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images

Updated at 12.05 EDT

You’ll be pleased to hear that’s it from me, with John sufficiently recovered from the League Two playoff final that he’s ready to take over. Over and out!

GOAL! Southampton 1-2 Liverpool (Ward-Prowse 19)

It’s all go at St Mary’s. James Ward-Prowse has halved Liverpool’s advantage, rifling into the far corner and beyond the despairing dive of Caoimhin Kelleher.

James Ward-Prowse pulls one back for Southampton. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

Updated at 12.02 EDT

GOAL! Manchester United 0-1 Fulham (Tete 19)

Kenny Tete has put Fulham ahead at Old Trafford. As things stand, United are down to fourth.

Kenny Tete puts Fulham in front against Man United! Photograph: Phil Noble/Reuters

Updated at 12.00 EDT

We’ve got some correspondence from Kari Tulinius. “Hello Will, it seems to me that Leicester possibly, even probably, getting relegated should be the biggest news of the day. I realise that Everton are the more storied club, but it seems mad to me that 2016’s national champions and 2021’s FA Cup winners are staring relegation in the face, especially since they came to represent the hope that a club outside the biggest three or four could win trophies.”

It’s been a rollercoaster few years for Leicester fans, no doubt about it, but they aren’t done quite yet. It’s still goalless at the King Power and Goodison Park, but a goal for Leicester would haul them above Everton on goal difference.

Updated at 11.53 EDT

GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 Wolves (Xhaka 14)

Xhaka’s done it again! A season of redemption looks set to end in the best way possible, with the midfielder doubling Arsenal’s lead with a close-range stab.

Granit Xhaka doubles Arsenal’s lead. Photograph: Kin Cheung/AP

Updated at 11.58 EDT

GOAL! Southampton 0-2 Liverpool (Firmino 14)

Trent Alexander-Arnold plays a lovely ball to Fabinho, who moves it on to Roberto Firmino. Liverpool’s departing hero puts them 2-0 up with a trademark finish.

Bobby Firmino puts Liverpool 2-0 up on his final Liverpool appearance. Photograph: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

Updated at 11.57 EDT

GOAL! Southampton 0-1 Liverpool (Jota 10)

The goals are flying in now. Liverpool press Southampton into a mistake at the back and Diogo Jota capitalises to put Jürgen Klopp’s side in front.

Diogo Jota scores for Liverpool away at bottom club Southampton. Photograph: Daniel Hambury/EPA

Updated at 11.57 EDT

GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Wolves (Xhaka 9)

He may be off in the summer, but Granit Xhaka still has his head in the game. He leaps highest at the back post to put Arsenal ahead.

Granit Xhaka heads Arsenal in front against Wolves. Photograph: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

Updated at 11.57 EDT

GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 Newcastle (Gordon 9)

In a predictable turn of events, Frank Lampard’s Stamford Bridge send-off isn’t going to plan. The visitors are ahead through Anthony Gordon.

Anthony Gordon puts Newcastle in front against Chelsea. Photograph: Warren Little/Getty Images

Updated at 11.57 EDT

GOAL! Aston Villa 1-0 Brighton (Douglas Luiz 8)

In the battle of this season’s overperformers, Villa have struck first. The hosts have tightened their grip on seventh place thanks to a well-taken sidefoot from Douglas Luiz.

Douglas Luiz puts Villa ahead against Brighton. Photograph: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

Updated at 11.57 EDT

Here’s that Kane goal. The defending doesn’t exactly scream “last-day miracle”, it has to be said.

GOAL! Leeds 0-1 Tottenham (Kane 2)

So much for “Big Sam samba”. Leeds are behind already, trailing to a nifty finish from Harry Kane.

Harry Kane puts Leeds deeper in trouble as he opens the scoring for Spurs. Photograph: Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

Updated at 11.57 EDT

Kick off!

We’re under way across the Premier League. Leeds, Leicester and Everton fans, now’s the time to settle in behind the sofa with your hands over your eyes.

In case you fancy some pre-match reading, our writers have rustled up 10 things to look out for today.

Carlisle have only gone and beaten Stockport on penalties, earning promotion to League One. That means John Ashdown will be with us shortly.

Updated at 11.33 EDT

So what’s at stake today? All eyes will be on the bottom of the table as Leeds, Leicester and Everton battle to finish 17th and avoid relegation.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa will hope to defend seventh place, and their Europa Conference League spot, from Tottenham and Brentford. The top six is already decided, though Newcastle can leapfrog Manchester United into fourth if they beat Chelsea and Erik ten Hag’s side drop points against Fulham.

Updated at 11.25 EDT

Right, so, let’s address the elephant in the room. Will Magee here, not John Ashdown. He’s still busy with the League Two playoff final, where Carlisle are ahead on penalties. I’ll be deputising for a while. Shall we?

Team news

Follow this game in our dedicated MBM with Sarah Rendell.

Everton: Pickford, Coady, Mina, Tarkowski, McNeil, Gueye, Garner, Onana, Doucoure, Gray, Iwobi. Subs: Holgate, Keane, Begovic, Maupay, Lonergan, McAllister, Simms, Welch.

Bournemouth: Travers, Smith, Zabarnyi, Senesi, Kelly, Billing, Lerma, Brooks, Christie, Ouattara, Solanke. Subs: Stephens, Cook, Mepham, Randolph, Stacey, Vina, Moore, Anthony, Sadi.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire)

Leicester v West Ham

Leicester: Iversen, Castagne, Faes, Evans, Thomas, Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison, Tielemans, Barnes, Iheanacho. Subs: Vardy, Smithies, Souttar, Amartey, Daka, Ricardo Pereira, Mendy, Praet, Tete.

West Ham: Fabianski, Kehrer, Coufal, Aguerd, Cresswell, Downes, Rice, Benrahma, Lucas Paqueta, Fornals, Antonio. Subs: Zouma, Lanzini, Areola, Cornet, Ings, Bowen, Ogbonna, Soucek, Emerson Palmieri.

Referee: Simon Hooper (Wiltshire)

Leeds v Tottenham Hotspur

Leeds: Robles, Ayling, Kristensen, Wober, Cooper, Struijk, McKennie, Forshaw, Koch, Harrison, Rodrigo. Subs: Meslier, Firpo, Aaronson, Roca, Summerville, Rutter, Gnonto, Greenwood, Mullen.

Tottenham Hotspur: Forster, Emerson, Sanchez, Lenglet, Davies, Porro, Bissouma, Skipp, Son, Kulusevski, Kane. Subs: Richarlison, Danjuma, Tanganga, Lucas Moura, Sarr, Austin, Craig, Alonso, Abbott.

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

Manchester United v Fulham

Man Utd: De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia, Casemiro,Fred, Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford. Subs: Martial, Eriksen, Varane, Shaw, Weghorst, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, Butland, McTominay.

Fulham: Leno, Tete, Adarabioyo, Diop, Antonee Robinson, Lukic,Joao Palhinha, Wilson, Cairney, Willian, Mitrovic. Subs: Rodak, Reed, Kebano, Solomon, Cedric, Reid, James, Vinicius, Dibley-Dias.

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside)

Arsenal v Wolves

Arsenal: Ramsdale, Partey, White, Gabriel, Kiwior, Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka, Saka, Gabriel Jesus, Trossard. Subs: Tierney, Smith Rowe, Nketiah, Holding, Vieira, Nelson, Turner, Bandeira, Walters.

Wolves: Jose Sa, Nelson Semedo, Collins, Kilman, Bueno, Adama Traore, Lemina, Joao Gomes, Matheus Luiz, Hwang, Jimenez.Subs: Ait Nouri, Boubacar Traore, Neves, Matheus Cunha, Dawson, Sarabia, Gomes, Bentley, Hodge.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Southampton v Liverpool

Southampton: McCarthy, Bree, Bednarek, Lyanco, Walker-Peters, Walcott, Ward-Prowse, Lavia, Elyounoussi, Alcaraz, Sulemana.Subs: Caleta-Car, Aribo, Adam Armstrong, Stuart Armstrong, Livramento, Bazunu, Ballard, Doyle, Amo-Ameyaw.

Liverpool: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Gomez, Tsimikas, Milner, Fabinho, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Jota. Subs: Konate, Adrian, Henderson, Gakpo, Elliott, Diaz, Carvalho, Arthur, Williams.

Referee: Darren England (South Yorkshire)

Brentford v Manchester City

Brentford: Raya, Hickey, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Onyeka, Janelt, Damsgaard, Mbeumo, Wissa, Jorgensen. Subs: Schade, Dasilva, Ghoddos, Ajer, Strakosha, Baptiste, Roerslev, Stevens, Trevitt.

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Ake, Laporte, Lewis, Phillips, Foden, Gomez, Mahrez, Alvarez, Palmer. Subs: Stones, Gundogan, Haaland, Rodri, Ortega, Bernardo Silva, Charles, Robertson, Knight.

Referee: John Brooks (Leicestershire)

Chelsea v Newcastle

Chelsea: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Hall, Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez, Gallagher, Madueke, Havertz, Sterling. Subs: Kovacic, Pulisic, Joao Felix, Mudryk, Mendy, Ziyech, Koulibaly, Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana.

Newcastle: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett, Anderson, Bruno Guimaraes, Gordon, Almiron, Isak, Saint-Maximin.Subs: Dummett, Wilson, Lewis, Karius, Murphy, Gillespie, Ashby, Burn, Miley.

Referee: Jarred Gillett (Australia)

Crystal Palace v Nottingham Forest

Crystal Palace: Johnstone, Ward, Andersen, Guehi, Mitchell, Doucoure, Hughes, Olise, Eze, Ayew, Edouard. Subs: Sambi Lokonga, Mateta, Clyne, McArthur, Richards, Ahamada, Adaramola, Whitworth, Riedewald.

Nottingham Forest: Hennessey, Worrall, Boly, Niakhate, Aurier, Yates, Mangala, Renan Lodi, Gibbs-White, Johnson, Awoniyi. Subs: Lingard, Toffolo, Surridge, Mighten, Kouyate, Freuler, Dennis, Ayew, George Shelvey.

Referee: Thomas Bramall (Sheffield)

Aston Villa v Brighton

Aston Villa: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Douglas Luiz, Ramsey, McGinn, Bailey, Watkins. Subs: Diego Carlos, Traore, Buendia, Chambers, Ashley Young, Olsen, Dendoncker, Revan, Patterson.

Brighton: Steele, Ayari, Webster, Colwill, Veltman, Gross, Mac Allister, Buonanotte, Undav, Enciso, Ferguson. Subs: Dunk, Welbeck, Mitoma, Caicedo, Gilmour, van Hecke, Estupinan, McGill, Hinshelwood.

Referee: David Coote (Nottinghamshire)

Updated at 11.11 EDT

Preamble

John will be here shortly to take you through the final-day action, with every game a 4.30pm BST kick-off.

Today’s fixtures

Arsenal v WolvesAston Villa v BrightonBrentford v Man CityChelsea v NewcastleCrystal Palace v Nottingham ForestEverton v BournemouthLeeds v TottenhamLeicester v West HamMan Utd v FulhamSouthampton v Liverpool

Updated at 10.43 EDT

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