Newcastle United are on the brink of earning a slot in the Champions League thanks to an intense and relentless footballing style. The team now enjoys supreme physical fitness and strategic formations, an effect of their work ethic on the training ground over the past year. Dubbed "The Swarm," Newcastle United now pushes constantly against opposition teams, mainly in their opponent’s half and through the middle, with supreme energy and all-action football. The swarm attack era was ordered by the club's former coach Steve Howe in an effort to switch tactics and give fans an enlivening team. The plan involved a brutal pre-season workout that almost broke players and an intense team ethos that encourages mental resilience in the face of even damning defeat. Now, Newcastle could be rewarded for their work with a chance to compete for the UEFA Champions League in 2022.
Chelsea and Arsenal are facing off in a Women's Super League match today, with Chelsea looking to win their fourth consecutive title. If they win, Manchester United will need to beat Manchester City to keep the title race alive. Arsenal, meanwhile, are battling to secure Champions League qualification for next season. The two teams drew earlier this season, with Sam Kerr scoring a late goal for Chelsea. The Independent is providing live coverage of the match.
The Independent is providing live coverage of the FA Women's Super League, which is England's top tier of women's football featuring international players from around the world. The league is considered to be competitive and entertaining, with Chelsea as the reigning champions. The top three teams in the league qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League, while the bottom team is relegated to the FA Women’s Championship. Newly-promoted Leicester City is competing in the league for the first time and is hoping to avoid an immediate return. The Independent will be providing live updates on the league throughout the season.
French football club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) topped the Ligue 1 in 2022 after Lille's victory last season. The club is home to Lionel Messi and Neymar, among others. Saint-Etienne has won the title a record 10 times, but not since 1981. Marseille won it nine times and Monaco, eight times. Nantes boasts the most consecutive matches without defeat (32) and the least number of defeats in a single season (1) in 1994-95.
Ruben Neves could be on his way from Wolverhampton Wanderers after expressing his desire to play Champions League football. The 26-year-old Portuguese midfielder has played for the club for six seasons and potentially played his last game at Molineux following the team’s draw against Everton. The remaining two England games will be where Neves shows what he’s worth before the summer transfers.
Neves has made 252 appearances and scored 30 goals; he is regarded as a top-flight star, with comparisons made between him and Man United legend, Paul Scholes, and was given a standing ovation by Wolves fans when he came off the pitch. Though he is reportedly content with life at Wolves, the opportunity to play in the Champions League might be too tempting.
In his post-match interview, he told press, “Nothing’s happened yet. If it was my last game here I really enjoyed it and I’m very thankful for the last six seasons.” This follows recent interviews with other key Wolves players, stating their desire to stay at the club, as the team focus on building for the future. Neves’s departure would undoubtedly be a loss for Wolves, as he is regarded as an important part of the team.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has said "it will not be a quick fix" for his side to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title. Arsenal's hopes of winning their first Premier League trophy since 2004 ended after a 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest, handing Manchester City a fifth crown in six years. Arteta said that Arsenal need to be at City's level and "we have to find a way". Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has praised the supporters for their unwavering support throughout the season.
Manchester City were greeted with a hero’s welcome upon arrival at home stadium the Etihad as they prepare for their match against Chelsea. This follows the confirmation of City’s fifth Premier League title in six years. Despite the result of their final game having no bearing on their achievement, the lobby outside the stadium was crowded with fans, while players, who arrived in their team bus, were greeted with flares and chants of “champions”.
Leeds United is facing relegation from the Premier League after a 3-1 loss to West Ham left the club two points adrift of 17th-place Everton with only one game left to play. The defeat came despite Rodrigo firing Leeds ahead in the first half, and leaves Sam Allardyce’s rescue mission looking unlikely to succeed. The veteran manager was hired in a last-ditch bid to avoid relegation but has been unable to pick up enough points. Leeds needs to beat Tottenham next week and hope other results go its way to stand any chance of survival.
Manchester City have been crowned Premier League champions for a third successive season, following Arsenal's 1-0 defeat by Nottingham Forest. The title was confirmed with three games to go, with Manchester United having to avoid defeat against Liverpool on 13 May to prevent manager Pep Guardiola's side winning the trophy. Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan credited the team's collective effort, saying the talented squad, backroom staff and others working throughout the football club should be thanked for their hard work in helping the players be successful.
Leeds United’s chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League have taken a serious blow after the team suffered a 3-1 defeat in their “must-win match” against West Ham. Results elsewhere could also see them start the final day second from bottom, meaning they would need to win their last game of the season and hope for favourable outcomes from other fixtures to retain their place in the division. Manager Sam Allardyce took charge with just four games remaining, with his team earning only two points from their first three matches under his leadership.
Chris Knoll, the West Ham fan who defended his fellow supporters from dozens of violent AZ Alkmaar ultras, received a standing ovation and a hero’s welcome from his fellow supporters at the side’s match against Leeds on Sunday. The fans had come under attack after a 1-0 Europa Conference League win, but Knoll stood his ground and protected them from the attackers, coming away with a ripped shirt and a black eye. The incident has led to criticism of the security and police in place at the match.
Sky Sports has issued an apology after footballer Erling Haaland swore during a live interview in Manchester City's title celebrations. Guardiola's Manchester City secured their fifth Premier League title in six years and achieved a third-successive season win. Players gave post-match interviews to Sky's team for punditry. Norwegian striker Haaland interrupted winger Jack Grealish's interview to shout, "I f---ing love you, you know that" before returning to joining the celebrations. Presenter Dave Jones immediately apologised for the incident. This is not the first time Haaland has used colourful language on live television.
Manchester City celebrated their third consecutive Premier League title win following their 1-0 victory against Chelsea. Julian Alvarez scored the only goal of the game in the 12th minute which was enough to secure maximum points and the title. City have won 12 of their last Premier League matches and their record equalling 100 goals scored at home is an achievement for any English top-flight team. Their manager, Pep Guardiola claimed his 10th major trophy while on their way to a potential treble, with games yet to play in the FA Cup and Champions League finals.
The article provides live coverage of the Ligue 1 match between Auxerre and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). PSG is the current leader of Ligue 1, with some of the world's best players such as Lionel Messi and Neymar. Saint-Etienne holds the record for the most league titles with 10, but last won in 1981, while Marseille has won it nine times and Monaco eight. Nantes holds the record for the most consecutive matches without defeat and the least number of defeats in a single season. The article invites readers to follow the live blog for updates on the game.
Manchester City secured its third consecutive Premier League title and fifth in six seasons with a 1-0 win against Chelsea. Julian Alvarez's 12th-minute goal secured a 12th straight win in the league for Pep Guardiola's team. City could be on course to claim a historic treble this season, with its sights now firmly set on the finals of the Champions League and FA Cup. “This group of lads are professionals and winners,” said defender Kyle Walker. City's players were later recorded singing “We are the Champions” in the locker room.
Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi said the club must still improve after the Seagulls secured at least seventh place in the Premier League, earning qualification to next season’s Europa Conference League. The Italian manager said supporters should prepare their passports, but added that club officials must ensure the squad is capable of competing across four competitions next term. “You have to work harder because you can lose the level”, he said. Anything beyond a sixth place looks unlikely for Brighton; they enjoy a considerable advantage on goal difference and have a game in hand against seventh-placed Aston Villa, their final opponents this season.
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have won their eighth Ligue 1 title in nine seasons after a 2-1 victory over Auxerre. Kylian Mbappé scored two quickfire goals early in the match to seal the win, although the hosts reduced the deficit shortly after half time. Lens are now six points behind PSG in second place, but could claim second place - and automatic qualification for the following season's Champions League - following a win against Ajaccio. Dortmund also went top of the Bundesliga after a 3-0 win against Augsburg, while Manchester City lifted the Premier League trophy.
Aston Villa midfielder John McGinn has acknowledged that the Premier League club's chances of qualifying for Europe seemed remote six months ago. The team's destiny now remains in their hands after drawing 1-1 with Liverpool, and they need just three points to secure a place in the Europa Conference League. The team’s transformation since Unai Emery took over as manager from Steven Gerrard in October has been remarkable, according to McGinn. “This club deserves to be in the top 10, we’ve managed to secure that for the first time in a long, long while. Now it’s about building, getting into Europe hopefully and building from there,” said the Scottish player.
Willian has said he is proud to have returned to the Premier League with Fulham and dismissed any suggestions that he was "finished". The Brazilian left Arsenal by mutual consent after just one season and joined Fulham on a one-year deal. Willian has scored five goals in 26 appearances and also has four assists for the Cottagers. His side currently sit 10th with 52 points and the Brazil international said "we still have to believe we can break the record, so let’s do it" ahead of their final match of the season.
Everton's manager Sean Dyche has vowed his side will fight off relegation on Sunday, saying "we're alive and kicking" following a last-gasp draw with Wolves. Yerry Mina's equaliser in stoppage time has seen the Toffees move two points clear of the Premier League's bottom three ahead of their fixture against Bournemouth. However, the club's fate is out of their hands, with Leicester playing Newcastle on Monday, meaning the Foxes could go above Everton on goal difference. Concerned at the distractions of modern-day football, Dyche admitted there is an "obvious shift" in approach at the club.
