Thank you for joining me for this clockwatch of the 2.15pm BST kick-offs and for all of your contributions. Manchester United and Tottenham suffered 2-0 losses to West Ham and Crystal Palace which mean they now sit 16th and 17th respectively. Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, have secured European football for the first time in 30 years thanks to a 2-2 draw with Leicester but their Champions League hopes have taken a blow. Catch up on all the action with the reports below and I will see you soon.
Liverpool have taken a rapid 2-0 lead against Arsenal, to have a read of how they did so take a look at our blog:
It was a disappointing afternoon at Old Trafford for Manchester United and their fans, have a read as to why here:
So the current run in for those precious Champions League spots looks like this:
Liverpool – 83 points
Arsenal – 68 points
Newcastle – 66 points
Man City – 65 points
Chelsea – 63 points
Aston Villa – 63 points
Nottingham Forest – 62
It is tight from second to seventh with just two rounds of the top flight to go. Those points for Liverpool and Arsenal are also correct if it remains a draw between them. They are currently playing at Anfield with the score 0-0.
An honest review from Martin on Manchester United after their 2-0 loss to West Ham: “I can’t think what MU have been doing in training for the last 6 months. I can’t see a summer making that much difference.”
To recap all of the action from Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win over Spurs, have a read of Jacob Steinberg’s report:
“As a lifelong fan of not very good teams (Mets, Jets), my metric for success is being able to look forward to games instead of dreading them, which I imagine is what most Spurs and Manchester United fans have done this season,” Sean says. “Arteta has been hugely successful in that regard. I’d take these last three seasons instead of eighth place, Dani Ceballos, and an FA Cup trophy.”
How long can Mikel Arteta stay without a Premier League trophy return? He has come close but has not quite got it over the line in the last few seasons. But yes, much more successful than Spurs. United have had trophies but just so much inconsistency.
The football action is not over today with Liverpool taking on Arsenal and you can follow all the updates here:
Kevin says: “Ange takes all the heat so Amorim can sail under the radar despite doing a pretty dreadful job at Old Trafford.”
Both clubs have had equally disappointing seasons. Do you agree Ange gets more heat?
The results today mean Tottenham are 17th and Manchester United at 16th in the table.
The Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen arguing with manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Something that should have waited for the dressing room.
Nottingham Forest look disappointed and they will feel like they should have won that game. But they have just secured European football for the first time in 30 years so they should celebrate a little.
Full time: Nott'm Forest 2-2 Leicester
What a cracking game of football. Nottingham Forest secure European football for next season but will have to wait to book their ticket for the Champions League. A great performance by Leicester who have scored two here after struggling to score this season.
Full time: Man Utd 0-2 West Ham
What a result for West Ham. Soucek and Bowen secure the three points which move them to 15th.
Full time: Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace
A hugely impressive performance from Palace as they down Spurs in their own back yard. A great winning momentum with the FA Cup on the horizon.
Nott’m Forest 2-2 Leicester, 90 + 4 min: Leicester just came agonisingly close to winning it at the City Ground. What an upset that would’ve been.
Apologies my wifi decided to go down at the worst possible moment but I am back now. No change in the score since I left.
Nott’m Forest 2-2 Leicester, 90 min: Awoniyi was back to his feet but has gone down again off pitch. It looks as though he will be returning to the pitch though which is great news.
“In response to Chris’ comment on the Ange in/out situation,” go on Ryan. “The argument about Arteta being more successful than Ange yet people still wanting Arteta gone makes no sense because if Ange wins the Europa league, he would be far more successful than Arteta.”
This one feels like setting the cat amongst the pigeons.
Nott’m Forest 2-2 Leicester, 88 min: Forest peel away and look to go ahead again but Elanga is offside earlier in the move. But the move continued before the flag was raised and Awoniyi clattered into the post and it looks like he will be coming off.
Nott’m Forest 2-2 Leicester, 86 min: Leicester have won a corner and the visiting fans are in full voice. The delivery is good but Leicester give away a foul and so the hosts clear.
Nott’m Forest 2-2 Leicester, 85 min: Now it is the Leicester fans who are singing at the City Ground. Forest fans with their head in their hands. If it stays as a draw they have secured European football and there will be two more games to secure Champions League football. But the questions will come as Leicester are already relegated and Forest should be coming away with a win.
Buonanotte weaved his way into the box after a lovey flick on by Vardy. The upset is back on.
GOAL! Nott'm Forest 2-2 Leicester (Buonanotte, 81_
Oh my word.
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“Spurs fan here,” hi Sam. “Postecoglou should be given one more season irrespective of the Europa League outcome. Firstly, we’ve brought in some good young players and the new generation takes time to develop. Second, transitioning from the Kane/Son/Lloris era needs a long term project not a one season spending spree. Third, we lost key players for crucial points in the season, not Ange’s fault. Finally, who do we hire? Ten Hag? Ancelloti? Its not clear to me that Iraola is an upgrade on Ange.”
Well that is the question always isn’t it? But if a manager that suited was available would you want him out? Is it a question of there just not being a good enough replacement available?
Man Utd 0-2 West Ham, 76 min: Are United on for a late charge? Some great chances from Rasmus Hojlund and Maguire but no goal for the hosts as of yet.
Nott’m Forest 2-1 Leicester, 77 min: Leicester have really found some momentum here, the ball if left for the Forest keeper and McAteer almost pounces. They are edging closer but the hosts are keeping them at bay.
“Amorim has to stay, Ange has to go,” says Chris. “The Europa Cup is irrelevant. These clubs simply cannot shows their fans that 16th and 17th are acceptable league positions. Difference is that Amorim joined mid-year and made it clear he had a lot to turn around. Ange on the other hand has led the club to where they are. I’m an Arsenal fan. You got people asking this question of Arteta. In what world can that be true and Ange keeps his job?”
I understand your point but to play devil’s advocate, if Ange comes away with silverware – Spurs’ first major trophy for a long old time – I could see him staying on. Especially after his first league season ending with a top five finish.
Nott’m Forest 2-1 Leicester, 72 min: Leicester have a great chance and it comes to Vardy and everyone was expecting him to rifle off a shot but he lays it to McAteer who isn’t in a good position to pick it up. He definitely should have taken that on himself.
Nott’m Forest 2-1 Leicester, 71 min: Some slow build-up play from Forest ends in Elanga shooting the ball into the stand.
“Postecoglou must go at the end of the season regardless,” Alexandra Ashton says. “He’ll potentially, if we win the Europa League, be able to leave on a high note, adored by the temperamental fanbase with his head held high. Sticking by him into the next season will be a huge blow to everyone: Ange himself, Daniel Levy, the club morale, and the fans, when he inevitably gets sacked around Christmas because of dismal league results. I’m a lot more pro-Ange than many, but I can’t see a future in which his stay here proceeds beyond the end of the season with positive results.”
I think if he wins the Europa League he will stay on, unless he wants to leave himself. But who knows?
Nott’m Forest 2-1 Leicester, 68 min: The hosts continue to push here as they look to seal the result. Wood had another chance but he leaves that one begging.
“As a spurs fan, I think we should keep Ange,” says Ryan. “Too much Aura!”
Is aura enough when you’re 17th? Though I do have to admit I love an Ange press conference, mate.
Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace, 61 min: Some good news for Spurs this afternoon as Son is back on the pitch following his injury.
Nott’m Forest 2-0 Leicester, 64 min: Leicester have really struggled to get a foothold in this second half, I would have loved to have heard Nuno’s half-time dressing room talk. The hosts are bang up for it.
Man Utd 0-2 West Ham, 60 min: I know the Hammers’ season has also been a disappointing one but Graham Potter is starting to get some results with his side. Maybe he will be able to spark some consistency for next season.
GOAL! Man Utd 0-2 WestHam (Bowen, 57)
From one failing club to another, Man Utd have conceded again.
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“Thanks for keeping us abreast of the latest abject failure by Spurs in the league,” says Ben Ellis. “It amazes me that anyone thinks Spurs shouldn’t part ways with Ange whatever the outcome of the Europa final, as he continues to demonstrate weekly that he is not capable of balancing the demands of a campaign involving both European and league matches.”
What do we think Spurs fans? Should Ange stay or go?
Nott’m Forest 2-1 Leicester, 58 min: The fans have gone crazy at the City Ground. They know one point will give them European football but a win boosts their Champions League chances. They would go fifth with these three points.
Nott’m Forest 2-1 Leicester, 56 min: It was an absolutely amazing ball from Gibbs-White which feeds Wood who heads home. That is the striker’s 20th goal in this Premier League campaign.
GOAL! Nott'm Forest 2-1 Leicester (Wood, 56)
What did I say? It was coming for him.
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Man Utd 0-1 West Ham, 53 min: There is more bad news for Man Utd as Leny Yoro is forced off with injury. Harry Maguire comes on in his place.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 55 min: The hosts continue to have great chances but they lack the last instinct to bury the ball.
Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace, 50 min: The visitors have been all over Spurs this afternoon and they are getting just reward. That’s Eze’s fifth goal in four games.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-2 Crystal Palace (Eze, 48)
It’s Eze again.
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Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 52 min: Leicester have won a free kick and the delivery is good but the hosts deal with it initially. There’s a pinball but they eventually deal with it.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 50 min: Forest are playing well enough but Chris Wood’s radar isn’t quite as finely attuned as earlier in the season. The absence of pace down the left flank, well as Dominguez is doing, is telling as well in a game when Forest have more of the ball.
Back underway: Tottenham 0-1 Crystal Palace
Tottenham are 17th with the result as things stand, they are playing for pride now and will need at least a goal to climb the table again. Bissouma is on for Bentancur.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 49 min: My word Nottingham Forest almost score again but it’s Wood once more who just misses the ball. It feels like a goal is coming for the striker.
Back underway: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham
Manchester United are losing at Old Trafford again, will West Ham see out the win? All to come.
“My mate supports Arsenal and I support United, we both think the other one will have had the better season if we win the Europa Cup,” Gerard says. “He’d love a trophy and I’d like a better run club, a better team, and a better stadium. Finishing 17th will just be the worst feeling ever since 1968 when I first started supporting my club.”
It has been a difficult season for United but as Tottenham have gone behind against Palace, United are currently 16th. I’m unsure if that makes it sting slightly less. If the club do not win the Europa League will Rubin Amorim stay? Let me know what you think.
Back underway: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Leicester
Can Nottingham Forest find a winner? Or will Leicester serve up an upset? All to come.
“The co-commentator in the US keeps calling Pedro Porro “Poirrot”,” says Peter Crosby. “As a Spurs fan I’m really hoping he can solve the misery of why we are so “merde” domestically.”
If he does discover that answer the entire Spurs fanbase will want to be looped in. 16th and 17th in the Premier League facing each other in the Europa League final is a bit crazy.
Well as things stand the only table movement would be West Ham leapfrogging Man Utd and Tottenham. If the Hammers see out the win over United and Spurs lose to Palace then United will be 16th and Spurs will be 17th. Meanwhile, just a point for Nottingham Forest will keep them in seventh.
Half-time: Tottenham 0-1 Crystal Palace
Eberechi Eze found a goal late on in the first half to capitalise on all of Palace’s good work.
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Half-time: Man Utd 0-1 West Ham
Tomas Soucek’s goal separates the sides and United’s league season continues to disappoint.
Half-time: Nott'm Forest 1-1 Leicester
Well Conor Coady opened the scoring to put the possibility of an upset on the table but Morgan Gibbs-White cancelled out the goal. All to play for in the second half.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Crystal Palace (Eze, 45+1)
It’s Eze and that has been coming.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 44 min: How are the hosts not ahead? Wood can’t quite get on the end of it but the City Ground are in disbelief.
Genuine question, if Man Utd finish 17th, but win the Europa League & get Champions League football, have they enjoyed a better season than trophyless Arsenal?,” asks Steve Grundy. “I honestly don’t know.”
I suppose it depends on what you value. Arsenal have had some amazing performances and results this season, the two against Real Madrid the standouts. But yes they yet again have no trophy this season. For United a third straight season with silverware is good but they are 17th in the league which is so poor by their standards. It’s a tricky one. Definitely still disappointing for both clubs.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 41 min: Skipp receives a yellow card and he gives away a free kick in a great position. Gibbs’White takes it but it’s over the bar, a wasted chance.
“Firstly, tremendous surname Sarah,” says Jonathan Rendall. “Anything exciting happening for Palace?”
Not too bad a surname yourself Jonathan, just separated by a vowel. I am trying to track down as many updates as I can but as earlier mentioned Palace have had a goal ruled out and they had a great chance through Mateta. Sources reliably tell me Munoz has also rattled the bar. It remains 0-0 though against Tottenham.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 38 min: Wood was fed in the box but he was muscled off the ball and so cannot get a shot away.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 36 min: A bit of a lull in this game after a frantic opening 35 minutes as Leicester start to get more possession. A great match so far.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 33 min: Leicester are forced back to their keeper as Forest continue their high press. It’s quite the cauldron at the City Ground, what a great atmosphere.
“Leicester can’t see the wood for the trees,” says Thomas Smith. “Go Forest!”
Okay I will allow that pun but I would have preferred it if Wood was the one to have scored.
Nott’m Forest 1-1 Leicester, 30 min: The response from Forest has been great since conceding and they continue to dominate possession. They win another free kick and while the delivery is good it’s cleared by Justin.
GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 West Ham (Soucek, 26)
A quiet game until now as Soucek opens the scoring at Old Trafford!
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Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace, 26 min: Kinsky is forced into a big save after a good shot from Mateta. The deadlock is yet to be broken.
GOAL! Nottingham Forest 1-1 Leicester (Gibbs-White, 26)
The hosts won a free kick and Elanga took it. The delivery is good and Gibbs-White heads home. Game on.
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“I don’t like to eat first thing in the morning like I did when I was younger, but I brought this cookie dough protein bar to work for when I got peckish, and it’s really perked me up,” says Gregory. “My younger self would be ashamed.”
Is snack eating a sign of aging? If that’s true I have been old since I was about 10…
Man Utd 0-0 West Ham, 21 min: Nothing of note happening at Old Trafford so far aside from the face Amad Diallo is having a bright start to the match.
Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace, 21 min: Spurs have been forced into an early change with Kulusevski coming off with an injury, Mikey Moore on in his place.
Nott’m Forest 0-1 Leicester, 20 min: The hosts are looking to hit back but their final touches are letting them down at the moment. Morgan Gibbs-White took a long range shot but it was over the bar.
Nott’m Forest 0-1 Leicester, 18 min: There was a VAR check on the goal for offside but it looks as though it is going to stand. And it will.
Nott’m Forest 0-1 Leicester, 17 min: Bilal El Khannouss took a hit which was saved by the keeper but Conor Coady reacts to hit home. An upset on the cards.
GOAL! Nott'm Forest 0-1 Leicester (Coady, 16)
On the rebound.
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“No snacks for me so far as it is just nearing 9:30 in the morning here, and I am not really a breakfast person,” Joe Pearson says, “But I did scramble an egg for my dog for his breakfast, so there’s that. I do have some leftover pizza for lunch later, though. Supreme, if you’re asking.”
A very sophisticated breakfast for a dog, better than mine! Enjoy that pizza though, perhaps one to tuck into for the Liverpool Arsenal game.
Nott’m Forest 0-0 Leicester, 13 min: Leicester are growing into this game but Jamie Vardy has just gifted the ball away when the visitors were in a great position.
NO GOAL! Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace
Oh wait, VAR have got involved and the goal has been ruled out for offside. As you were everyone.
GOAL! Tottenham 0-1 Crystal Palace (Sarr, 9)
We have our first break through. A calm finish by Sarr gives them the lead away at Spurs.
Nott’m Forest 0-0 Leicester, 10 min: Leicester have their first attacking chance but it lacks a punch and the hosts are able to clear.
Nott’m Forest 0-0 Leicester, 8 min: The atmosphere is absolutely electric. Elanga has started really well and ha just won a free kick for the hosts, Anderson pops it in but it’s easily collected.
Nott’m Forest 0-0 Leicester, 5 min: Chris Wood has had two chances already but both have skimmed over the bar. One of those at least should have been scored. A bright start for the hosts though.
“Jamie Vardy has had the kind of career usually reserved for centre backs - to do it from centre forward is quite something,” Peter Naylor says. “We’ve been lucky to witness it.”
You are quite right Peter. If he could score his 200th goal on his 300th Premier League start his legacy would only continue.
Nott’m Forest v Leicester, 2 min: The hosts have an early corner and Anthony Elanga delivers a good ball but Leicester are able to clear.
Kick-off: Manchester United 0-0 West Ham
Both clubs are in need of a win as both have had disappointing Premier League seasons, the game is underway.
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Kick-off: Tottenham 0-0 Crystal Palace
If Man Utd lose or draw and Tottenham win this afternoon, Spurs will leapfrog them in the table. Will they do it? Action to come.
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Kick-off: Nottingham Forest 0-0 Leicester City
The action is underway, can Nottingham Forest boost their Champions League chances? All to come.
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Get in touch. I’d love to hear from you and it doesn’t have to be only about football. You can let me know your weekend plans, snack choice or anything else. You can get in touch via email.
Peep! The full time whistle has been blown at St James’ Park and Newcastle move into third with a 2-0 win over Chelsea. Sandro Tonali opened the scoring int he second minute before Nicolas Jackson was shown a red card. The Blues played well in the second half but couldn’t find a goal and Bruno Guimarães sealed the result late on.
Newcastle have doubled their lead against Chelsea after a goal by Bruno Guimarães and if the score remains the same come the final whistle in a few minutes time then Eddie Howe’s side will move to third. It also means Nottingham Forest can leapfrog Chelsea into fifth if they come away with a win over Leicester. Catch the last few minutes here:
Forest need a point in the last East Midlands league derby for some while to be guaranteed European football for the first time since 1995/96.
Having won only two of their last six games in all competitions at the City Ground, Nuno could do with Wood rediscovering his finishing touch to reach the 20-goal mark.
Be interesting to know how much the Forest players keep abreast of the Newcastle/ Chelsea game but a draw there would feel like an early goal for Forest. Nuno’s side could then join those teams on 64 points with a victory here in the Midlands sun.
Leicester’s Jamie Vardy will hit a milestone for the club today if he scores. The goal would be his 200th for Leicester and it would be fitting as the striker is leaving the club at the end of the season.
Nott’m Forest v Leicester
Big blow for Forest that Murillo, their Brazilian colossus, has not recovered from his hamstring injury to play against Leicester today. His compatriot Morato deputises in the only change from the team that drew 1-1 at Palace on Monday.
Leicester, after finally winning a game, against Southampton, last weekend, have named an unchanged line-up.
In the hunt for the Champions League places, Forest will not mind Newcastle beating Chelsea, especially with Jackson red-carded - and thereby suspended for the visit to the City Ground two weeks today.
Man Utd v West Ham
A glorious and obviously regulation sun-dappled early afternoon here in Manchester at Old Trafford where Graham Potter was sipping from a plastic mug on the hallowed turf near the centre circle and perhaps contemplating when he was one of the 5 million or so alternatives to Erik ten Hag Sir Jim Ratcliffe considered circa this time last year to the next United No 1.
Newcastle are currently leading Chelsea 1-0 at St James’ Park after Sandro Tonali scored in the second minute. That is not all that has happened in that game as the Blues’ Nicolas Jackson has received a red card. He was sent off after a foul on Newcastle’s Sven Botman. You can follow all the updates here:
Nott'm Forest v Leicester team news
Nottingham Forest make one change from their game against Crystal Palace last weekend as Murillo is not included in the matchday squad.
Nottingham Forest: Sels, Morato, Sangare, Williams, Anderson, Gibbs-White, Wood, Dominguez, Elanga, Milenkovic, Aina
Subs: Miguel, Awonyi, Toffolo, Jota, Yates, Sosa, Danilo, Boly, Abbott
Leicester, meanwhile, are unchanged from the starting line-up who beat Southampton 2-0 last weekend.
Leicester City: Stolarczyk, Justin, Faes, Coady, Thomas, Skipp, Ndidi, El Khannouss, McAteer, Ayew, Vardy
Subs: Iversen, Couibaly, Okoli, Kristiansen, Soumare, Evans, Buonanotte, Monga, Daka
Tottenham v Crystal Palace team news
Tottenham have made eight changes from their Europa League semi-final. The biggest news though is that Son is back in the matchday squad and starts from the bench.
Tottenham: Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Danso, Davies, Spence, Sarr, Gray, Bentancur, Kulusevski, Tel, Odobert
Subs: Vicario, Romero, Van de Ven, Bissouma, Morre, Johnson, Son, Richarlison, Solanke
Palace, meanwhile, make one change with Adam Wharton dropping out of the matchday squad with injury.
Crystal Palace: Henderson, Munoz, Richards, Lacroix, Guehi, Mitchell, Lerma, Hughes, Sarr, Eze, Mateta
Subs: Turner, Nketiah, France, Clyne, Kamada, Esse, Chilwell, Devenny, Kporha
Man Utd v West Ham team news
Manchester United have made six changes from their Europa League semi-final against Atletic Bilbao. The main change comes at goalkeeper with Andre Onana rested for today’s game.
Man Utd: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Mount, Fernandes, Hojlund, Yoro, Amad, Shaw, Ugarte, Mainoo, Amass
Subs: Heaton, Dorgu, Fredricson, Lindelof, Maguire, Casemiro, Eriksen, Garnacho, Obi
West Ham, meanwhile, make three changes from their game against Tottenham.
West Ham: Areola, Coufal, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Wan-Bissaka, Rodriguez, Ward-Prowse, Soucek, Bowen, Kudus
Subs: Fabianski, Soler, Paqueta, Fullkrug, Mayropanos, Guilherme, Alvarez, Emerson, Ferguson
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Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Premier League clockwatch. We have three games to oversee with a 2.15pm BST kick-off as Manchester United take on West Ham, Nottingham Forest host Leicester City and Crystal Palace travel to Tottenham.
A win for Nottingham Forest this afternoon would see them back in European football qualification spots. Champions and Europa League qualification is the only thing left to be decided with Liverpool already winning the title and all three relegation spots confirmed.
But the 2.15pm game action is not the only thing we will have here. Newcastle vs Chelsea has already got underway and I will bring you the latest update from that game shortly. While Liverpool vs Arsenal takes place later on this afternoon and so when the team news drops I will bring that to you.
The team news for the main three games on this blog are about to drop so stay tuned for updates.
